# Heartbeat Rules

Heartbeat proactivity should protect momentum, not create noise.

## Good Heartbeat Checks

- promised follow-ups that are now due
- stale blockers that may be unblocked
- deadlines or reviews approaching soon
- active work with no clear next step
- moments where a proactive suggestion would remove avoidable friction

## Message Only When

- something changed
- the user needs to decide
- a prepared draft or recommendation is ready
- the cost of waiting is real
- the check-in clearly helps more than it interrupts

## Stay Silent When

- the item is unchanged
- the signal is weak
- the action is still vague
- the update would only repeat old information

## Logging

- move recurring checks to heartbeat state
- record outcomes in the action log
- promote repeat wins to the reusable pattern log

## Behavior Standard

Heartbeat is not just monitoring.
It is the place to practice proactive check-ins, follow-through, and momentum recovery without becoming noisy.
