the-nexus/README.md

# The Nexus Project

## Branch Protection & Review Policy

**All repositories enforce these rules on the `main` branch:**

| Rule | Status | Rationale |
|------|--------|-----------|
| Require PR for merge | ✅ Enabled | Prevent direct commits |
| Required approvals | 1+ | Minimum review threshold |
| Dismiss stale approvals | ✅ Enabled | Re-review after new commits |
| Require CI to pass | ⚠️ Conditional | Only where CI exists |
| Block force push | ✅ Enabled | Protect commit history |
| Block branch deletion | ✅ Enabled | Prevent accidental deletion |

**Default Reviewers:**
- @perplexity (all repositories)
- @Timmy (hermes-agent only)

**CI Enforcement:**
- hermes-agent: Full CI enforcement
- the-nexus: CI pending runner restoration (#915)
- timmy-home: No CI enforcement
- timmy-config: Limited CI

**Implementation Status:**
- [x] hermes-agent protection enabled
- [x] the-nexus protection enabled
- [x] timmy-home protection enabled
- [x] timmy-config protection enabled

> This policy replaces all previous ad-hoc workflows. Any exceptions require written approval from @Timmy and @perplexity.

---

It is meant to become two things at once:
- a local-first training ground for Timmy
- a wizardly visualization surface for the living system

## Current Truth

As of current `main`, this repo does **not** ship a browser 3D world.
In plain language: current `main` does not ship a browser 3D world.

A clean checkout of `Timmy_Foundation/the-nexus` on `main` currently contains:
- Python heartbeat / cognition files under `nexus/`
- `server.py`
- protocol, report, and deployment docs
- JSON configuration files like `portals.json` and `vision.json`

It does **not** currently contain an active root frontend such as:
- `index.html`
- `app.js`
- `style.css`
- `package.json`

Serving the repo root today shows a directory listing, not a rendered world.

## One Canonical 3D Repo

`Timmy_Foundation/the-nexus` is the only canonical 3D repo.
In plain language: Timmy_Foundation/the-nexus is the only canonical 3D repo.

The old local browser app at:
- `/Users/apayne/the-matrix`

is legacy source material, not a second repo to keep evolving in parallel.
Useful work from it must be audited and migrated here.

See:
- `LEGACY_MATRIX_AUDIT.md`

## Why this matters

We do not want to lose real quality work.
We also do not want to keep two drifting 3D repos alive by accident.

The rule is:
- rescue good work from legacy Matrix
- rebuild inside `the-nexus`
- keep telemetry and durable truth flowing through the Hermes harness
- Hermes is the sole harness — no external gateway dependencies

## Verified historical browser-world snapshot

The commit the user pointed at:
- `0518a1c3ae3c1d0afeb24dea9772102f5a3d9a66`

still contains the old root browser files (`index.html`, `app.js`, `style.css`, `package.json`, tests/), so it is a useful in-repo reference point for what existed before the later deletions.

## Active migration backlog

- `#684` sync docs to repo truth
- `#685` preserve legacy Matrix quality work before rewrite
- `#686` rebuild browser smoke / visual validation for the real Nexus repo
- `#687` restore a wizardly local-first visual shell from audited Matrix components
- `#672` rebuild the portal stack as Timmy → Reflex → Pilot
- `#673` deterministic Morrowind pilot loop with world-state proof
- `#674` reflex tactical layer and semantic trajectory logging
- `#675` deterministic context compaction for long local sessions

## What gets preserved from legacy Matrix

High-value candidates include:
- visitor movement / embodiment
- chat, bark, and presence systems
- transcript logging
- ambient / visual atmosphere systems
- economy / satflow visualizations
- smoke and browser validation discipline

Those pieces should be carried forward only if they serve the mission and are re-tethered to real local system state.

## Running Locally

### Current repo truth

There is no root browser app on current `main`.
Do not tell people to static-serve the repo root and expect a world.

### What you can run now

- `python3 server.py` for the local websocket bridge
- Python modules under `nexus/` for heartbeat / cognition work

### Browser world restoration path

The browser-facing Nexus must be rebuilt deliberately through the migration backlog above, using audited Matrix components and truthful validation.

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*One 3D repo. One migration path. No more ghost worlds.*