Workbench Repo Brand Uplift

Upgrade public GitHub repos into credible, proof-first artifacts. The target is not prettier prose; it is a first screen that makes the repo's value, proof, install path, and maturity obvious to a fresh outsider.

Source Standard

Use the Zonic/Evensong public surface as the design DNA:

• tactical telemetry over marketing copy;
• strong project name, short claim, visible proof, then navigation;
• industrial grid language: sparse sections, tight labels, mono metadata, restrained badges, sharp boundaries;
• public/private boundary stated clearly;
• evidence links before long narrative;
• no mascots, lore, fake momentum, private screenshots, raw logs, or internal run IDs in public docs.

When To Use

Use this for:

• README or repo-front-page polish;
• public repo metadata, topics, social-preview, examples, screenshots, or demo link updates;
• turning an internal workbench-quality repo into a public adoption surface;
• matching Evensong/Zonic visual and trust quality across multiple repos;
• "senior dev README uplift", "brand design", "make this repo public-ready", "adopt zonicdesign.art", or similar requests.

Do not use this to fake traction, invent benchmarks, rewrite unrelated code, or spray the same template across repos without repo-specific proof.

Brand Gates

Every uplift should pass these gates:

Gate	Requirement
First-screen clarity	Project name, one-line claim, audience, and status visible before scrolling.
Proof before prose	Demo, screenshot, CLI output, benchmark, live URL, or PR evidence appears early.
Fresh-clone path	Install/run/test commands are current and scoped to this repo.
Architecture map	Human and agent can locate main modules, docs, examples, and ownership boundaries.
Maturity labels	Stable, experimental, research, internal, or archived surfaces are not mixed.
Public safety	No secrets, private IDs, raw transcripts, screenshots, or unreviewed claims.
Community path	Issues, contribution route, license, examples, and support boundary are clear.

Workflow

1. Inspect live repo state: pwd, git status --short --branch, git remote -v.
2. Read current README.md, package metadata, docs map, examples, and public assets only as needed.
3. Identify the strongest available proof. If proof is missing, add a clear "needs proof" residual risk instead of inventing one.
4. Draft the README around proof, not vibes:
   • name and claim;
   • status badges only if accurate;
   • public screenshot/demo/CLI evidence;
   • quickstart;
   • architecture map;
   • examples;
   • maturity and safety boundary;
   • contribution path.
5. Update adjacent public surfaces when relevant: package description, topics recommendation, docs links, examples, and public image references.
6. Run touched-path checks. At minimum: git diff --check, link/file existence checks for local docs, and repo-specific build/test commands if README quickstart changed.
7. If this is part of Workbench public docs or skill sync, route the patch through workbench-hermes-docs-sync.

Zonic GitHub Pattern

Use this shape unless the repo has a stronger native convention:

# PROJECT NAME

> One sentence: what it is, who uses it, and why it matters.

[status badges]

## Public Proof

- Live demo:
- Screenshot / CLI output:
- Latest verified command:

## Quickstart

```bash
...
```

## System Map

| Surface | Path | Purpose |
| --- | --- | --- |

## Maturity

| Surface | State | Notes |
| --- | --- | --- |

## Contributing / License

Keep the top compact. A README that needs a tour guide has already failed the landing-page job.

Verdict Contract

Return:

REPO_BRAND_UPLIFT
repo:
brand_dna_source:
target_audience:
public_surfaces_checked:
proof_used:
changed:
metadata_recommendations:
verification:
residual_risk:
next_repo_or_next_action:
VERDICT: PASS | FLAG | BLOCK

Use PASS only when the repo is materially clearer to a fresh outsider and all new public claims have evidence. Use FLAG when the README is improved but needs screenshot, live demo, CI, metadata, or maintainer action. Use BLOCK when public claims would mislead users or leak private/internal material.