---
kind: "stage-reading-key"
stage: "D5"
title: "Forming: branch accounts"
purpose: "Explain the branches as organizational forms."
status: "finished"
closed_legs: 42
publication: "acd32c80512b"
status_note: "This describes source publication acd32c80512b, not live state."
authority: "This is a reading key. The linked contract and card hold the rules."
---

# D5: Forming: branch accounts

Explain the branches as organizational forms.

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 D5 card](../reading/stage-D5.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

- `forms/<id>-account.md` per branch
- `branches-D5.jsonl`
- `waterfall-D5.md`
- `survival-D5.md`
- lines in `findings.jsonl` and `defects.jsonl`
- `notes-D5.md`.

## 4. Legs

| Leg | Role | Repeats | Interview point |
|---|---|---|---|
| `D5a` | branch | yes | - |
| `D5b` | waterfall and survival | no | - |

## 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**, 42 recorded closed legs. This describes source publication `acd32c80512b`, not live state.


[Checkpoint interviews](../interviews.html?stage=D5) · [Source hashes](../sources/manifest.json)