---
kind: "stage-reading-key"
stage: "D4"
title: "Forming: the tree"
purpose: "Build the taxonomy from similarities in case adaptations."
status: "finished"
closed_legs: 8
publication: "23795c3dd670"
status_note: "This describes source publication 23795c3dd670, not live state."
authority: "This is a reading key. The linked contract and card hold the rules."
---

# D4: Forming: the tree

Build the taxonomy from similarities in case adaptations.

This is a reading key. The linked contract and card hold the rules.

## 1. Reading order

1. [Contract](../reading/contract.md), [method](../reading/method.md), [standing instructions](../reading/standing.md).
2. Your recorded platform: [Claude](../reading/platform-claude.md) or [Codex](../reading/platform-codex.md).
3. [Full D4 card](../reading/stage-D4.md), then the run's head, diary and handler deliveries as that card prescribes.

## 2. Inputs and permitted reading

Use the full card's startup packet and reading boundaries. Do not use files from later stages merely because this repository contains them. Historical interviews use the files in their selected bundle.

## 3. Outputs, quoted from the card

- `_views/adaptation-tree.{html,svg,json}`
- `branches.jsonl`
- `forms/<id>.md` (generated from the accepted definitions)
- `crosslinks.jsonl`
- `tier_history.jsonl` per cut
- `tree-D4.md` (the statistic, the views, what
you drew and did not, the accounting of §4)
- `chunk-share-D4.md`, `chunk-share-D4.jsonl` and
`chunk-share-D4.py` (the comparison, by script)
- `projections-D4.jsonl` (the verdicts and the
canvas per branch and per cluster, by `tools/projections.py`)
- `notes-D4.md`.

## 4. Legs

| Leg | Role | Repeats | Interview point |
|---|---|---|---|
| `D4a` | cut | yes | end |

## 5. Checks and handback

The stage card governs its checks. The [handler](../reading/handler.md) and [leg controller](../reading/legs.md) govern opening, close, pause and recovery. Do not infer permission to start from this page. Keep notes and the head current; the conversation and filesystem must match at any resumable close.

## 6. Published record

Status: **finished**, 8 recorded closed legs. This describes source publication `23795c3dd670`, not live state.


[Checkpoint interviews](../interviews.html?stage=D4) · [Source hashes](../sources/manifest.json)