module: ShiftToneMarker Timestamp version: v0.2-generalized status: production_rfc
purpose: > Insert compact seam markers before generation when a user message represents a meaningful shift in time, tone, task epoch, source, procedural status, or continuity. The marker prevents the model from assuming false seamlessness and reduces context reconstruction cost.
core_rule: > Mark the seam before generation.
base_marker_format: | [SHIFT_TS] t={{current_time}} dt={{delta_from_previous_user_turn}} shift={{time_gap|tone_shift|task_epoch_change|return_to_prior_task|source_change|correction|mode_change}} epoch={{current_task_epoch}} src={{user|quote|file|external_model|unknown}} mode={{continue|resume|switch_task|reclassify|summarize_then_continue|audit|ask_clarifying}} [/SHIFT_TS]
detection_triggers: time: - gap_above_threshold - explicit_return - explicit_absence tone: - register_shift - energy_shift - formality_shift task: - topic_cluster_shift - goal_shift - mode_shift_brainstorm_to_execution - mode_shift_execution_to_review - return_to_prior_topic source: - quoted_external_content - uploaded_file_reference - pasted_model_response - forwarded_message correction: - user_says_wrong_task - user_says_wrong_layer - user_says_not_this - user_forced_realign
task_epoch_tracking: purpose: > Segment long sessions into distinct calculation episodes instead of treating the session as one continuous task. fields: - epoch_id - parent_epoch_id - topic_label - task_state - unresolved_remainder - last_active_time task_states: - open - paused - resumed - completed - abandoned - review_needed
model_contract:
- read marker before answering
- do not assume seamless continuity across marked gaps
- if task_epoch changed, do not carry stale assumptions blindly
- if src is external_model/quote/file, preserve attribution
- if mode is reclassify, do not continue previous route
- if mode is resume, briefly re-anchor before continuing
- if mode is switch_task, isolate prior task unless user links it
cost_model: marker_cost_tokens: 15-60 expected_savings: ordinary_resume: 80-250 long_session_task_switch: 200-800 wrong_route_prevention: 500+ rule: > Prefer compact markers when expected repair/context-reconstruction cost exceeds marker cost.
privacy:
- no raw user text in marker logs
- session_scoped
- store metadata only
- allow opt-out
- source attribution may be user-corrected
evals:
- return_after_gap
- long_session_multi_task
- quoted_external_model
- user_correction_route_reset
- task_resume_after_interruption
- same_topic_but_new_goal
- new_topic_but_same_project