Spike

Use when the user wants to test an idea before committing to a real build: "spike this", "quick prototype", "is this possible", "compare A/B", "before we build".

Do not use when reading docs/code can answer the question, or when the user clearly asked for production implementation.

Loop

Question: state the concrete feasibility question.
Research: read enough docs/source to choose credible approach.
Build: create the smallest runnable artifact that validates or invalidates the idea.
Stress: try one edge case or failure mode.
Verdict: VALIDATED, PARTIAL, or INVALIDATED.

Output shape

Default workspace: .tmp/openclaw-spikes/<slug> unless user asks for a tracked repo-local path.
Repo-local option: spikes/<NNN-slug>/ with README.md and minimal code.
Prefer runnable CLI, tiny HTML, one endpoint, or focused test.
Avoid package sprawl, Docker, env files, app frameworks, and production cleanup.

Multi-spike ideas

Split into 2-5 independent questions.
Run the riskiest question first.
For A/B comparisons, keep inputs equal and measure the same dimensions.
Ask before building all variants if the work is more than a small prototype.

Verdict format

## Verdict: VALIDATED | PARTIAL | INVALIDATED

Question: ...
Evidence: exact command/output/measurement.
What worked: ...
What failed or surprised us: ...
Recommendation: ship / adjust / avoid, with the next production step.

Rules

An invalidated spike is useful when it rules out a path with evidence.
Do not merge spike code into production without rewriting it normally.
If external dependencies are evaluated, check health: recent release/commit, docs, license, install friction.