No History In Docs

---
name: no-history-in-docs
description: "Documents carry only current content; git is the version history. Never strikethrough to mark what is done, never old text next to the new one 'for the record', never sections commented out 'for reference'. Applies to every document edit or revision."
---

# No History in Documents

## Purpose
Documents must contain only **current, active content**. Git is the version control system — documents are not.

## Triggers
- Any document edit, creation, or review
- Strikethrough text (`~~text~~`) used to mark completed/old items
- "DONE", "COMPLETED", "OBSOLETE" annotations left inline
- Commented-out sections kept "for reference"

## Rules

1. **Never use strikethrough** (`~~text~~`) to mark completed or superseded content. Remove it entirely.
2. **Never keep old text** alongside new text for "history" purposes. Git diff shows what changed.
3. **Completed items in checklists** — remove them or move to a separate "Completed" section only if the document's purpose requires showing progress (e.g., a living checklist). Otherwise, delete.
4. **Recommended Next Steps / Action Items** — once a step is done, remove it from the list. Don't strike it through.
5. **Superseded decisions** — replace with the current decision. The old decision lives in git history.
6. **"Previously..." / "Before..." / "Old approach..."** — don't narrate the evolution. State the current state only.

## Anti-Patterns (NEVER do these)

```markdown
<!-- BAD: strikethrough history -->
1. ~~**Obtain TEST workspace URL**~~ — DONE
2. **Validate existing PAT** — next step

<!-- BAD: keeping old content "for reference" -->
<!-- Old approach: we used to do X, now we do Y -->

<!-- BAD: inline change log -->
- ~~v1.0: Initial design~~ → v2.0: Revised after review
```

## Correct Patterns

```markdown
<!-- GOOD: only current steps remain -->
1. **Validate existing PAT** — next step
2. **List UC catalogs/tables** — ...

<!-- GOOD: state current reality only -->
The system uses approach Y.

<!-- GOOD: version is in frontmatter or header, history is in git -->
**Version**: 2.0
```

## Exceptions
- **Changelogs** (`CHANGELOG.md`) — these exist specifically to record history. Keep them.
- **ADR (Architecture Decision Records)** — "Status: Superseded by ADR-X" is acceptable per ADR convention.
- **Regulatory/compliance docs** — if audit trail is legally required in-document.

## Lessons Learned
- First identified in client ticket #186438 closure note where `~~Obtain TEST workspace URL~~` was struck through instead of removed.