Machine-local workflow overlays
Keep detent.yaml and WORKFLOW.md checked in as separate shared contracts.
For settings that apply on one machine, create schema-versioned
detent.local.yaml. For machine-local agent direction, create prose-only
WORKFLOW.local.md. Add both local files to the repository's .gitignore.
Local configuration wins per structured leaf key; mapping siblings that are
not mentioned remain shared, while local lists and scalar values replace their
shared values. Local Markdown is appended after the shared direction under a
visible machine-local heading.
Detent loads all present definition files at startup. Its watcher reloads
edits, creation, and deletion without a restart, and periodic
reconciliation covers missed filesystem events. detent doctor reports an
active overlay, lists its structured override keys, and warns if Git tracks the
local file.
For example:
# detent.local.yaml
schema: 1
tracker:
assignee: local-operator
polling:
interval_ms: 90000
<!-- WORKFLOW.local.md -->
Use the tools installed on this build host.