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# /cs:freeze — Cooldown Lock on a Decision **Command:** `/cs:freeze <decision-path> <days>` Locks a decision for a defined cooldown period. During the freeze, the chief-of-staff router refuses to re-litigate the decision unless a kill criterion explicitly triggers. Inspired by gstack's `/freeze` and `/guard` safety primitives — adapted from code-scoping to strategic-scoping. ## When to Use Founders are pattern-matchers; pattern-matching after a tough decision often produces a reversal that's actually just decision fatigue. The freeze enforces a discipline: - After any **irreversible** or **high-cost-to-reverse** decision (fundraise, layoff, market entry) - After a **split-vote boardroom** (preserve the call against second-guessing) - After a **founder gut-feel** override of unanimous advisor consensus (let it run) - During a **personnel transition** (lock the strategy so the new exec can execute, not redebate) ## Default Freeze Periods | Decision type | Default freeze | |---|---| | Fundraise round size / lead choice | 30 days | | Pricing change | 60 days | | Market entry / exit | 90 days | | Layoff / RIF | 30 days | | Strategic pivot | 90 days | | Personnel (exec hire / fire) | 60 days | | M&A LOI | 30 days | | Custom | specify in command | ## Workflow 1. Read the decision record 2. Validate it has APPROVED status 3. Apply freeze: write `freeze_until: YYYY-MM-DD` to the decision record 4. Add to active-freezes index at `~/.claude/freezes/active.md` 5. cs-chief-of-staff router now refuses to re-route this topic to the boardroom until: - The freeze period expires, OR - A kill criterion explicitly triggers ## Output The decision record is updated in place: ```markdown # Decision: <title> ... **Status:** FROZEN **Frozen until:** YYYY-MM-DD **Reason for freeze:** <text> **Override condition:** Kill criterion <name> triggers OR founder issues `/cs:unfreeze` with stated reason ``` The active-freezes index is updated: ```markdown # Active Freezes **Updated:** YYYY-MM-DD | Decision | Frozen until | Override condition | |---|---|---| | <decision title> | YYYY-MM-DD | <kill criterion or /cs:unfreeze> | ``` ## Override To unfreeze before the period ends, the founder runs: ``` /cs:unfreeze <decision> <reason> ``` The unfreeze is logged in the decision history (preserved permanently). Forced overrides create a paper trail that surfaces at post-mortem. ## Auto-Override If a kill criterion in the decision triggers, the freeze auto-releases and the chief-of-staff routes immediately to `/cs:post-mortem`. The freeze does not protect against reality; it protects against impulse. ## Why This Beats "Just Don't Re-Decide" Founders have authority. Without an explicit lock + log, every wobble produces a "let's discuss this again" — which is exhausting for advisors and erodes the value of the boardroom. The freeze is **a process**, not a rule; it logs every override so the post-mortem can audit founder discipline. ## Routing - `/cs:unfreeze` — explicit early release - `/cs:post-mortem` — auto-triggered if kill criterion fires - `/cs:boardroom` — blocked until unfreeze or expiry ## Related - Skill: [`decision-logger`](../../../skills/decision-logger/SKILL.md) - Agent: [`cs-chief-of-staff`](../../agents/cs-chief-of-staff.md) — enforces freezes in routing --- **Version:** 1.0.0