submodule_intake:
  current_goal: decide-boundary | add | bootstrap | sync-to-pinned-commit | advance-tracked-branch | edit-inside-submodule | remove | ci-checkout | hosted-constraint | unknown
  repo_role: superproject-consumer | submodule-maintainer | both | unknown
  dependency_shape: external-repo | vendor-copy | subtree-candidate | package-candidate | unknown
  submodule_state: absent | present-uninitialized | present-detached-head | present-on-branch | pointer-needs-update | unknown
  update_intent: none | match-recorded-commit | move-to-new-upstream-commit | develop-and-push-submodule | unknown
  ci_context: none | github-actions | other-ci | github-pages | unknown
  auth_context: public | private-ssh | private-token | unknown
  collaboration_risk: solo | shared | unknown
  confidence: high | medium | low

# Git Submodule Brief

## Recommended mode
- Mode: boundary decision | add-and-pin | bootstrap-and-clone | sync-to-pinned-commit | advance-tracked-branch | edit-inside-submodule | remove-and-cleanup | ci-checkout | hosted-constraint
- Why this mode fits: ...

## Current state
- Superproject goal: ...
- Submodule state: ...
- Auth / CI / hosted context: ...
- Collaboration risk: solo | shared | unknown
- Confidence: high | medium | low

## Safest next move
1. ...
2. ...
3. ...

## Commands
```bash
...

### Step 6: Use the mode packets, not a giant improvised command dump
Pull the exact packet from [references/mode-packets-and-hosted-constraints.md](references/mode-packets-and-hosted-constraints.md).

Rules:
- `boundary decision` should compare submodule with subtree / vendoring / package delivery directly.
- `bootstrap-and-clone` and `sync-to-pinned-commit` must preserve the difference between **restore recorded state** and **upgrade pointer**.
- `advance-tracked-branch` must make branch intent explicit and commit the resulting pointer update in the superproject.
- `edit-inside-submodule` must avoid detached-`HEAD` commit loss.
- `ci-checkout` must make private-submodule auth explicit.
- `hosted-constraint` must call out public-only or URL-form restrictions instead of pretending hosted builds will authenticate like a local clone.

## Output format
Return a short operator-style **Git Submodule Brief**.

Required qualities:
- pick one workflow mode
- say whether submodule is actually the right tool
- make detached-`HEAD` / pointer consequences explicit
- include CI/auth or hosted-platform notes when relevant
- route away cleanly when the problem belongs to another skill

## Examples

### Example 1: bootstrap after clone
Input: "I cloned the repo and the vendor directory is empty. There's a `.gitmodules` file."
Output: choose `bootstrap-and-clone`, recommend `git submodule update --init --recursive`, explain that this restores the pinned contents rather than upgrading anything, and mention private-auth caveats if applicable.

### Example 2: update a tracked dependency
Input: "We track the main branch of a docs repo as a submodule and want the latest commit."
Output: choose `advance-tracked-branch`, set or confirm `submodule.<name>.branch`, run `git submodule update --remote <path>`, then commit the pointer update in the superproject.

### Example 3: choose boundary
Input: "Should this shared component repo be a submodule or subtree?"
Output: choose `boundary decision`, compare separate-history/pinning needs against clone simplicity, and route to subtree if consumers should not deal with recursive bootstrap.

### Example 4: hosted-platform constraint
Input: "Our GitHub Pages build uses a private docs-theme submodule and keeps failing."
Output: choose `hosted-constraint`, explain the public-`https://` GitHub Pages limitation, and route away from a private-submodule Pages design instead of pretending auth fixes it.

## Best practices
1. Start with the boundary decision, not the command list.
2. Distinguish **match pinned commit** from **advance upstream pointer**.
3. Treat detached `HEAD` as normal-but-important operator state, not as a mysterious Git bug.
4. Keep submodule mechanics separate from generic Git history repair.
5. Make CI checkout, hosted-platform limits, and auth part of the main workflow whenever submodules are involved.

## References
- [Git Book: Submodules](https://git-scm.com/book/en/v2/Git-Tools-Submodules)
- [git-submodule documentation](https://git-scm.com/docs/git-submodule)
- [Atlassian: Git submodule](https://www.atlassian.com/git/tutorials/git-submodule)
- [Atlassian: Git subtree](https://www.atlassian.com/git/tutorials/git-subtree)
- [GitHub Actions checkout](https://github.com/actions/checkout#checkout-multiple-repos-private)
- [GitHub Pages submodule limitations](https://docs.github.com/en/pages/getting-started-with-github-pages/using-submodules-with-github-pages)