Kaizen-agentic is in a **two-layer state**: the strategic/conceptual layer (`INTENT.md`, `wiki/`) is well-developed; the operational layer (agents, CLI, agency framework) is substantial but implements a **deployment and memory** product more than a **measurable continuous-improvement engine**.
The largest gap: the **measurement → optimization → specification refinement loop** described in INTENT is largely unbuilt. Addressed by **KAIZEN-WP-0003** (registered 2026-06-16).
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## Alignment
| INTENT asset | Status |
|--------------|--------|
| Mission and conceptual model | `wiki/` established |
| KaizenAgent definition template | `wiki/KaizenAgentTemplate.md` — not enforced in agents |
| Meta-optimizer concept | `wiki/AgentKaizenOptimizer.md` + `agent-optimization.md` — no data pipeline |
| Idempotent/measurable principles | Documented; not in agent implementations |
| Codebase improvement guidance | `wiki/KaizenGuidance.md` — vision only |
| Prompts/experiments/mantras | `wiki/KaizenPrompting.md` — not operationalized |
| Product/pricing/brand | `wiki/` complete |
| Agency memory + Coach | WP-0002 shipped |
| CLI deployment | Functional (21 agents) |
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## Critical Gaps
### 1. Kaizen loop not closed
INTENT requires evidence-based refinement with before/after deltas. Reality: `OptimizationLoop` exists but is unwired; no `.kaizen/metrics/`; WP-0001 telemetry unstarted.
### 2. Agent template not enforced
Agents use minimal YAML frontmatter; `wiki/KaizenAgentTemplate.md` (metrics, idempotency, testing, evolution) is reference only.
### 3. KaizenGuidance unbuilt
No guide catalog, manifests, codemods, or Parse→Measure pipeline.
### 4. Coach vs optimizer not integrated
Qualitative memory (Coach) and quantitative optimization (optimizer) are separate paths.
### 5. Agent implementation boundary undeclared
INTENT says repo should not own all concrete agent implementations; 21 agents live here as reference fleet — interim state needs explicit policy.
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## Design Principles Scorecard
| Principle | Status |
|-----------|--------|
| Continuous Improvement | Partial (memory; no automated refinement) |
| Measurable by Default | Gap |
| Idempotent Operations | Gap |
| Evidence over Intuition | Gap |
| Separation of Concerns | Partial |
| Composable Capabilities | Gap |
| Human-Readable + Machine-Executable | Gap (guidance) |
