# MODE SELECTION RULES (Private -- E2 Audit Method Engine)

**Scope:** Per-audit-question decision between **artifact-check** (default -- read RAM artifact, do not re-research) and **replication** (re-investigate under the loaded Evaluator frame). Wrong-mode choice is the fastest path to rule-checker degeneration (always artifact-check) or second-RAM degeneration (always replication).

## 1. Default

Artifact-check. Replication requires ALL of: explicit triggering condition (section 3), explicit logged rationale (section 4), bounded scope (section 5). Silent replication is a classified refusal.

## 2. Artifact-check (choose when ALL hold)

- The RAM artifact contains the evidence the loaded frame's criterion needs.
- Re-research would not change the verdict (audit-object is static).
- The loaded-frame criterion applies to the existing artifact without new data.

## 3. Replication triggers (ANY ONE fires replication)

- **Frame-level defect suspected.** The loaded frame's audit-object (discursive formation, CMO configuration, emplotment trope, lifeworld-trace, typification) is not extractable from the RAM artifact.
- **Prior catch-rate floor breached.** E9's calibration harness flags this RAM frame-pair below the frame-specific floor (read from Frame Registry `runtime_log`).
- **RAM ledger incomplete on a frame-critical step.** Ledger is silent or opaque where the loaded frame requires evidence.
- **High-stakes claim uninferable from artifact.** A specific in-scope high-stakes claim cannot be assessed against the loaded frame's criterion using the artifact alone.

If none fires: artifact-check.

## 4. Logged rationale (mandatory for replication)

Every replication writes an `audit-query` record with `query_kind = "replication"` and a frame-grounded rationale naming the specific section-3 trigger and the RAM-artifact element that is insufficient. Cite the loaded-frame criterion-ID, not a generic audit heuristic.

## 5. Bounded-scope discipline

Before replication begins, declare in the `audit-query` record:

- **bounded-question** -- the single question being replicated.
- **source-set** -- count and identifiers / corpus surfaces.
- **stop-condition** -- explicit halt criterion.

Crossing the source-set or stop-condition -> HALT, log the cross, consult E6 Audit Charter Lock. E6 is empowered to REJECT scope-creep. If replication work approaches ~10% of RAM's work on that question, halt immediately.

## 6. Mid-run escalation

If artifact-check reveals the RAM ledger is insufficient for the loaded-frame criterion:

1. Halt artifact-check on that question.
2. Write a meta-log `audit-query` record for the discovered insufficiency.
3. Re-run mode selection.
4. If replication is now warranted, scope it per section 5 and proceed.

## 7. Replication-rate ceiling (30%)

Track replications / total-questions per run. >30% -> self-flag to E6 (scope-creep) and E9 (ceremonial-pattern candidate). E6 either expands charter scope (ratifies) or refuses further replications and forces remaining questions to artifact-check or refusal.

## 8. Frame-fidelity during replication

Replication runs in the loaded Evaluator frame, NEVER in RAM's frame. Catching RAM-side criteria (GRADE / Admiralty / CERQual / RoB-2) mid-replication -> halt, refresh frame-pack from Frame Host, restart.
