howells · howells · Aug 14, 2026 · Aug 12, 2026 · Aug 14, 2026
diff --git a/.claude-plugin/marketplace.json b/.claude-plugin/marketplace.json
@@ -4,15 +4,15 @@
     "name": "Daniel Howells"
   },
   "metadata": {
-    "description": "The full arc from idea to shipped code. Lifecycle workflows for vision, ideation, implementation, review, testing, audit, launch, and commits.",
-    "version": "2.11.1"
+    "description": "Deprecated and no longer maintained. Arc remains available as an archive; use github.com/howells/skills for focused agent skills.",
+    "version": "2.11.4"
   },
   "plugins": [
     {
       "name": "arc",
       "source": "./",
-      "description": "The full arc from idea to shipped code. Lifecycle workflows for vision, ideation, implementation, review, testing, audit, launch, and commits.",
-      "version": "2.11.1",
+      "description": "Deprecated and no longer maintained. Arc remains available as an archive; use github.com/howells/skills for focused agent skills.",
+      "version": "2.11.4",
       "author": {
         "name": "Daniel Howells"
       },

diff --git a/.claude-plugin/plugin.json b/.claude-plugin/plugin.json
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 {
   "name": "arc",
-  "version": "2.11.1",
-  "description": "The full arc from idea to shipped code. Lifecycle workflows for vision, ideation, implementation, review, testing, audit, launch, and commits.",
+  "version": "2.11.4",
+  "description": "Deprecated and no longer maintained. Arc remains available as an archive; use github.com/howells/skills for focused agent skills.",
   "skills": "./skills/",
   "commands": "./commands/",
   "author": {

diff --git a/.codex-plugin/plugin.json b/.codex-plugin/plugin.json
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 {
   "name": "arc",
-  "version": "2.11.1",
-  "description": "The full arc from idea to shipped code. Lifecycle workflows for vision, ideation, implementation, review, testing, audit, launch, and commits.",
+  "version": "2.11.4",
+  "description": "Deprecated and no longer maintained. Arc remains available as an archive; use github.com/howells/skills for focused agent skills.",
   "author": {
     "name": "Daniel Howells",
     "url": "https://github.com/howells"
@@ -25,19 +25,14 @@
   "skills": "./skills/",
   "interface": {
     "displayName": "Arc",
-    "shortDescription": "Software development lifecycle workflows",
-    "longDescription": "Arc packages a self-contained software development lifecycle for coding agents, from vision and ideation through implementation, testing, review, audit, launch readiness, and commit hygiene.",
+    "shortDescription": "Deprecated lifecycle workflow archive",
+    "longDescription": "Arc is deprecated and no longer maintained. It remains available as an archive for existing users. For maintained, focused agent skills, use https://github.com/howells/skills.",
     "developerName": "Daniel Howells",
     "category": "Productivity",
     "capabilities": [
       "Interactive",
       "Write"
     ],
-    "websiteURL": "https://usearc.dev",
-    "defaultPrompt": [
-      "Use Arc to turn this idea into shipped code.",
-      "Use Arc to audit this codebase.",
-      "Use Arc to prepare this project for launch."
-    ]
+    "websiteURL": "https://usearc.dev"
   }
 }
diff --git a/.cursor-plugin/marketplace.json b/.cursor-plugin/marketplace.json
@@ -4,15 +4,15 @@
     "name": "Daniel Howells"
   },
   "metadata": {
-    "description": "The full arc from idea to shipped code. Lifecycle workflows for vision, ideation, implementation, review, testing, audit, launch, and commits.",
-    "version": "2.11.1"
+    "description": "Deprecated and no longer maintained. Arc remains available as an archive; use github.com/howells/skills for focused agent skills.",
+    "version": "2.11.4"
   },
   "plugins": [
     {
       "name": "arc",
       "source": "./",
-      "description": "The full arc from idea to shipped code. Lifecycle workflows for vision, ideation, implementation, review, testing, audit, launch, and commits.",
-      "version": "2.11.1",
+      "description": "Deprecated and no longer maintained. Arc remains available as an archive; use github.com/howells/skills for focused agent skills.",
+      "version": "2.11.4",
       "author": {
         "name": "Daniel Howells"
       },

diff --git a/.cursor-plugin/plugin.json b/.cursor-plugin/plugin.json
@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
 {
   "name": "arc",
   "displayName": "Arc",
-  "version": "2.11.1",
-  "description": "The full arc from idea to shipped code. Lifecycle workflows for vision, ideation, implementation, review, testing, audit, launch, and commits.",
+  "version": "2.11.4",
+  "description": "Deprecated and no longer maintained. Arc remains available as an archive; use github.com/howells/skills for focused agent skills.",
   "author": {
     "name": "Daniel Howells"
   },

diff --git a/AGENTS.md b/AGENTS.md
@@ -1,36 +1,48 @@
-# Arc Plugin - Agent Instructions
-
-## Communication Expectations
-- State which Arc workflow or artifact you are changing before editing.
-- Keep workflow explanations precise; Arc is lifecycle machinery, not generic project documentation.
-- When changing command behavior, mention the matching skill, command stub, agents, references, and tests affected.
-
-## How To Work In This Codebase
-- Read `CONTEXT.md` for product boundary and language before changing workflow behavior.
-- Slash commands in `commands/` route to skills in `skills/`; do not fork behavior between them.
-- Runtime support files live in `agents/`, `disciplines/`, `references/`, `rules/`, `templates/`, `scripts/`, and `tests/`.
-- Site work is isolated under `site/` and uses its own Next.js scripts.
-
-## Editing Constraints
-- Keep Arc self-contained. Do not make core workflows depend on optional external plugins or skills.
-- Do not copy project-local rules into Arc unless they are general Arc runtime rules.
-- When adding a required reference to a skill, make sure the referenced file exists and the skill tells agents when to read it.
-- Keep generated plugin packaging files consistent with `.codex`, `.cursor-plugin`, command stubs, and skill paths.
-
-## Search Preferences
-- Search `skills/<workflow>/SKILL.md` before changing command docs.
-- Search `references/` and `disciplines/` before creating new methodology text.
-- For path questions, use `references/arc-paths.md` as the canonical artifact-location reference.
+# Arc
+
+The full arc from idea to shipped code, shipped as a plugin for Claude Code, Codex, and Cursor. `CONTEXT.md` is the canonical product definition, domain language, and operating boundary - read it before changing workflow behaviour. Treat this file as contributor guidance, not a competing definition.
+
+## Shape
+
+- Each skill in `skills/<name>/SKILL.md` is one `/arc:<name>` command, routed by a thin `commands/<name>.md`. Never fork behaviour between the two.
+- Commands: `/arc:ideate`, `/arc:review`, `/arc:implement`, `/arc:testing`, `/arc:audit`, `/arc:improve`, `/arc:refactor`, `/arc:commit`, `/arc:release`, `/arc:launch`, `/arc:vision`.
+- Canonical flow is `ideate -> (review) -> implement`. `audit`, `improve`, `commit`, `release`, and `refactor` are cross-cutting and available anytime.
+- Skills draw on `agents/` (subagents), `references/` (domain knowledge, catalogued in `references/index.md`), `rules/`, `disciplines/` (methodologies), and `templates/` (output structures).
+- `skills/using-arc/` is the session control plane; `skills/detail/` is internal to `implement`. Neither has a command router.
+- Site work is isolated under `site/` with its own Next.js scripts.
+- `rules/` is Arc's internal corpus, loaded selectively by workflows. It's shipped in the plugin payload but never injected as always-on Cursor rules - `tests/test-cursor-plugin.sh` enforces that.
+
+## Gotchas
+
+- **Rebuild the Codex mirror after any change to `skills/`, `agents/`, `references/`, `rules/`, `disciplines/`, `templates/`, `scripts/`, or `commands/`.** Run `pnpm build:codex`. The pre-commit hook and `tests/test-codex-mirror.sh` both fail on a stale mirror, and the failure names the diffing file rather than the real cause.
+- **`plugins/arc/` is generated. Never edit it by hand** - `scripts/build-codex-plugin.sh` overwrites it wholesale.
+- **Version bumps touch five manifests.** Use `bash scripts/bump-version.sh <version>`, never a manual edit: it updates `package.json`, `.claude-plugin/`, `.codex-plugin/`, `.cursor-plugin/` (plugin *and* marketplace), and the generated `plugins/arc/.codex-plugin/`. Verify with `bash scripts/bump-version.sh --check`. A post-commit hook auto-bumps the patch version and amends content commits.
+- **Adding a skill needs more than a `SKILL.md`.** It also needs a `commands/<name>.md` router, a `.agents/skills/<name>` symlink, and entries in the plugin manifests - `tests/test-skill-loading.sh` hardcodes the expected skill list and fails on any unexpected directory.
+- **Agents are not skills.** Every file in `agents/*/*.md` keeps its own `<arc_runtime>` and unconditionally loads `references/subagent-safety.md`. That's deliberate: agents are dispatched as subagents and skip `using-arc` via its `<SUBAGENT-STOP>` block, so those local blocks are their only path grounding and injection defence. `tests/test-xml-tags.sh` enforces tag containment for agents but not for skills, for the same reason.
+- **Skills must stay self-sufficient.** `audit`, `improve`, and `refactor` carry `context: fork` and run isolated; command routers also invoke skills cold. Don't centralise a skill's `<arc_runtime>` into `using-arc` - path resolution would silently break.
+- Adding a required reference to a skill means the file must exist and the skill must say when to read it. `tests/test-agents-and-refs.sh` checks the first half.
+
+## Editing constraints
+
+- Keep Arc self-contained. Core workflows must not depend on optional external plugins or skills.
+- Don't copy project-local rules into Arc unless they're general Arc runtime rules.
+- Mastra may be reviewed by Arc agents, but Arc itself must not become a Mastra runtime.
+- When changing command behaviour, name the matching skill, command stub, agents, references, and tests affected.
+
+## Search order
+
+- `skills/<workflow>/SKILL.md` before changing command docs.
+- `references/` and `disciplines/` before writing new methodology text.
+- `references/arc-paths.md` is the canonical artifact-location reference.
 
 ## Commands
-- `pnpm test` - run skill tests.
-- `pnpm lint` / `pnpm lint:fix` / `pnpm format` - shared lint and format lanes.
-- `pnpm build:codex` - build Codex plugin package.
-- `pnpm dev` - run the documentation site from `site/`.
-- `pnpm --dir site typecheck` - site TypeScript check.
-
-## Repo-Specific Rules
-- Canonical Arc flow: vision, ideate, review, implement, testing, launch, with audit, refactor, and commit as cross-cutting workflows.
-- Small workflow edits still need verification against command routing and tests.
-- Prefer concise operational instructions over broad coaching prose.
-- Mastra may be reviewed by Arc agents, but Arc itself should not become a Mastra runtime.
+
+- `pnpm test` - the bash suite in `tests/`. Run before committing.
+- `pnpm lint` / `pnpm lint:fix` / `pnpm format`
+- `pnpm build:codex` - build the Codex plugin package.
+- `pnpm dev` - documentation site from `site/`.
+- `pnpm --dir site typecheck`
+
+## Publishing
+
+Bump the version, run `pnpm build:codex`, commit and push. Users update via `claude plugins update`, `codex plugin marketplace upgrade`, or `git -C ~/.cursor/plugins/local/arc pull`.
diff --git a/CLAUDE.md b/CLAUDE.md
diff --git a/CLAUDE.md b/CLAUDE.md
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+AGENTS.md
diff --git a/CONTEXT.md b/CONTEXT.md
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 # Arc Context
 
+> **Deprecated:** Arc is preserved as an archive and remains available, but it is no longer maintained. Maintained, focused agent skills live in [Howells Skills](https://github.com/howells/skills).
+
 This is the canonical source for Arc's product definition, domain language, and operating boundary. README, agent instructions, website copy, and individual skills may summarize Arc, but they should not introduce competing definitions.
 
 Arc is a self-contained software development lifecycle for coding agents. It helps move work from idea to shipped code through explicit workflows for vision, ideation, implementation, review, testing, launch readiness, commit hygiene, and versioned package releases when a change includes a publishable package.

diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
@@ -1,3 +1,6 @@
+> [!IMPORTANT]
+> **Arc is deprecated and no longer maintained.** It remains available as an archive, but I won't be updating it. For maintained, focused agent skills, use [Howells Skills](https://github.com/howells/skills).
+
 <p align="center">
   <img alt="Arc" src="./assets/logo-light.svg#gh-light-mode-only" width="48" height="48">
   <img alt="Arc" src="./assets/logo-dark.svg#gh-dark-mode-only" width="48" height="48">

diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "arc-plugin",
-  "version": "2.11.1",
+  "version": "2.11.4",
   "private": true,
   "description": "Arc workflows for Claude Code and Codex",
   "scripts": {

diff --git a/plugins/arc/.codex-plugin/plugin.json b/plugins/arc/.codex-plugin/plugin.json
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 {
   "name": "arc",
-  "version": "2.11.1",
-  "description": "The full arc from idea to shipped code. Lifecycle workflows for vision, ideation, implementation, review, testing, audit, launch, and commits.",
+  "version": "2.11.4",
+  "description": "Deprecated and no longer maintained. Arc remains available as an archive; use github.com/howells/skills for focused agent skills.",
   "author": {
     "name": "Daniel Howells",
     "url": "https://github.com/howells"
@@ -25,19 +25,14 @@
   "skills": "./skills/",
   "interface": {
     "displayName": "Arc",
-    "shortDescription": "Software development lifecycle workflows",
-    "longDescription": "Arc packages a self-contained software development lifecycle for coding agents, from vision and ideation through implementation, testing, review, audit, launch readiness, and commit hygiene.",
+    "shortDescription": "Deprecated lifecycle workflow archive",
+    "longDescription": "Arc is deprecated and no longer maintained. It remains available as an archive for existing users. For maintained, focused agent skills, use https://github.com/howells/skills.",
     "developerName": "Daniel Howells",
     "category": "Productivity",
     "capabilities": [
       "Interactive",
       "Write"
     ],
-    "websiteURL": "https://usearc.dev",
-    "defaultPrompt": [
-      "Use Arc to turn this idea into shipped code.",
-      "Use Arc to audit this codebase.",
-      "Use Arc to prepare this project for launch."
-    ]
+    "websiteURL": "https://usearc.dev"
   }
 }
diff --git a/plugins/arc/CONTEXT.md b/plugins/arc/CONTEXT.md
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 # Arc Context
 
+> **Deprecated:** Arc is preserved as an archive and remains available, but it is no longer maintained. Maintained, focused agent skills live in [Howells Skills](https://github.com/howells/skills).
+
 This is the canonical source for Arc's product definition, domain language, and operating boundary. README, agent instructions, website copy, and individual skills may summarize Arc, but they should not introduce competing definitions.
 
 Arc is a self-contained software development lifecycle for coding agents. It helps move work from idea to shipped code through explicit workflows for vision, ideation, implementation, review, testing, launch readiness, commit hygiene, and versioned package releases when a change includes a publishable package.