{
  "$schema": "./starter-pack-comparison.schema.json",
  "comparisonVersion": 1,
  "filters": [
    {
      "id": "starter-kind",
      "label": "Builder vs skill",
      "field": "starterKind",
      "values": [
        {
          "id": "builder",
          "label": "Builder",
          "comparisonIds": [
            "codex-builder",
            "claude-code-builder",
            "openclaw-builder",
            "mcp-inspector"
          ]
        },
        {
          "id": "skill",
          "label": "Skill",
          "comparisonIds": [
            "runtime-diagnostics-skill",
            "docs-seo-sync-skill"
          ]
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "thin-runtime-bridges",
      "label": "Thin runtime bridges",
      "field": "firstSuccessMode",
      "values": [
        {
          "id": "runtime-invoke",
          "label": "Runtime invoke bridge",
          "comparisonIds": [
            "codex-builder",
            "claude-code-builder",
            "openclaw-builder"
          ]
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "read-only-truth",
      "label": "Read-only truth surfaces",
      "field": "readOnly",
      "values": [
        {
          "id": "true",
          "label": "Read-only",
          "comparisonIds": [
            "mcp-inspector",
            "runtime-diagnostics-skill",
            "docs-seo-sync-skill"
          ]
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "host-family",
      "label": "Host family",
      "field": "hostFamily",
      "values": [
        {
          "id": "codex",
          "label": "Codex",
          "comparisonIds": [
            "codex-builder"
          ]
        },
        {
          "id": "claude-code",
          "label": "Claude Code",
          "comparisonIds": [
            "claude-code-builder"
          ]
        },
        {
          "id": "openclaw",
          "label": "OpenClaw",
          "comparisonIds": [
            "openclaw-builder"
          ]
        },
        {
          "id": "mcp",
          "label": "MCP",
          "comparisonIds": [
            "mcp-inspector"
          ]
        },
        {
          "id": "none",
          "label": "No host family",
          "comparisonIds": [
            "runtime-diagnostics-skill",
            "docs-seo-sync-skill"
          ]
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "first-success-mode",
      "label": "First success mode",
      "field": "firstSuccessMode",
      "values": [
        {
          "id": "runtime-invoke",
          "label": "Runtime invoke",
          "comparisonIds": [
            "codex-builder",
            "claude-code-builder",
            "openclaw-builder"
          ]
        },
        {
          "id": "read-only-mcp",
          "label": "Read-only MCP",
          "comparisonIds": [
            "mcp-inspector"
          ]
        },
        {
          "id": "provider-diagnostics",
          "label": "Provider diagnostics",
          "comparisonIds": [
            "runtime-diagnostics-skill"
          ]
        },
        {
          "id": "docs-truth-sync",
          "label": "Docs truth sync",
          "comparisonIds": [
            "docs-seo-sync-skill"
          ]
        }
      ]
    }
  ],
  "comparisons": [
    {
      "id": "codex-builder",
      "label": "Build a Codex helper that forwards text requests into Switchyard",
      "status": "partial",
      "starterKind": "builder",
      "recommendedPack": "codex",
      "hostFamily": "codex",
      "firstSuccessMode": "runtime-invoke",
      "readOnly": false,
      "needsRuntimeInvoke": true,
      "needsMcpTransport": false,
      "bestEntry": "pnpm run switchyard:cli -- builder-kit --target codex",
      "smokeCommand": "pnpm run starter-pack:codex",
      "copyReadyPackPath": "starter-packs/builders/codex",
      "compareAgainst": [
        "claude-code-builder",
        "openclaw-builder",
        "mcp-inspector"
      ],
      "recommendedDocs": [
        "docs/starter-pack-chooser.md",
        "docs/starter-pack-comparison.md",
        "docs/compat/codex.md",
        "docs/plugin-skill-starter-kits.md"
      ],
      "bestWhen": [
        "You need a text-only runtime bridge.",
        "You want a fail-closed Codex-shaped starter without claiming tool or worktree parity."
      ],
      "avoidWhen": [
        "You need tool execution, MCP parity, or worktree parity.",
        "You are actually looking for a read-only MCP inspector."
      ],
      "safeClaims": [
        "partial Codex compatibility",
        "thin runtime bridge",
        "fail-closed helper starter"
      ],
      "notYetSupported": [
        "tool execution parity",
        "mcp parity",
        "worktree parity"
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "claude-code-builder",
      "label": "Build a Claude Code-style message bridge into Switchyard",
      "status": "partial",
      "starterKind": "builder",
      "recommendedPack": "claude-code",
      "hostFamily": "claude-code",
      "firstSuccessMode": "runtime-invoke",
      "readOnly": false,
      "needsRuntimeInvoke": true,
      "needsMcpTransport": false,
      "bestEntry": "pnpm run switchyard:cli -- builder-kit --target claude-code",
      "smokeCommand": "pnpm run starter-pack:claude-code",
      "copyReadyPackPath": "starter-packs/builders/claude-code",
      "compareAgainst": [
        "codex-builder",
        "openclaw-builder",
        "mcp-inspector"
      ],
      "recommendedDocs": [
        "docs/starter-pack-chooser.md",
        "docs/starter-pack-comparison.md",
        "docs/compat/claude-code.md",
        "docs/plugin-skill-starter-kits.md"
      ],
      "bestWhen": [
        "You want to adapt message-shaped traffic into the current runtime invoke route.",
        "You need a builder starter, not a terminal shell clone."
      ],
      "avoidWhen": [
        "You need terminal shell parity or full tool parity.",
        "You only need read-only inspection."
      ],
      "safeClaims": [
        "partial Claude Code compatibility",
        "thin message/runtime bridge",
        "fail-closed compatibility helper"
      ],
      "notYetSupported": [
        "terminal shell parity",
        "approval parity",
        "tool parity",
        "mcp parity"
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "openclaw-builder",
      "label": "Build an OpenClaw-style delegation bridge without copying the product shell",
      "status": "partial",
      "starterKind": "builder",
      "recommendedPack": "openclaw",
      "hostFamily": "openclaw",
      "firstSuccessMode": "runtime-invoke",
      "readOnly": false,
      "needsRuntimeInvoke": true,
      "needsMcpTransport": false,
      "bestEntry": "pnpm run switchyard:cli -- builder-kit --target openclaw",
      "smokeCommand": "pnpm run starter-pack:openclaw",
      "copyReadyPackPath": "starter-packs/builders/openclaw",
      "compareAgainst": [
        "codex-builder",
        "claude-code-builder",
        "mcp-inspector"
      ],
      "recommendedDocs": [
        "docs/starter-pack-chooser.md",
        "docs/starter-pack-comparison.md",
        "docs/compat/openclaw.md",
        "docs/compare/switchyard-vs-openclaw.md"
      ],
      "bestWhen": [
        "You need a delegation-first request envelope.",
        "You want the upstream-informed runtime path while keeping Switchyard's product boundary intact."
      ],
      "avoidWhen": [
        "You need operator or control-plane parity.",
        "You are looking for a read-only diagnostics pack."
      ],
      "safeClaims": [
        "partial OpenClaw compatibility",
        "delegation-first bridge",
        "fail-closed adapter starter"
      ],
      "notYetSupported": [
        "operator control-plane parity",
        "product-shell parity",
        "channel shell parity"
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "mcp-inspector",
      "label": "Expose Switchyard runtime truth through a read-only MCP inspector",
      "status": "partial",
      "starterKind": "builder",
      "recommendedPack": "mcp",
      "hostFamily": "mcp",
      "firstSuccessMode": "read-only-mcp",
      "readOnly": true,
      "needsRuntimeInvoke": false,
      "needsMcpTransport": true,
      "bestEntry": "pnpm run switchyard:cli -- builder-kit --target mcp",
      "smokeCommand": "pnpm run starter-pack:mcp",
      "copyReadyPackPath": "starter-packs/builders/mcp",
      "compareAgainst": [
        "codex-builder",
        "claude-code-builder",
        "runtime-diagnostics-skill"
      ],
      "recommendedDocs": [
        "docs/starter-pack-chooser.md",
        "docs/starter-pack-comparison.md",
        "docs/mcp.md",
        "docs/api/mcp-readonly-server.md"
      ],
      "bestWhen": [
        "You want runtime health, provider status, remediation, or catalog truth through a local MCP client.",
        "You need a bounded inspector instead of a consumer-parity backend."
      ],
      "avoidWhen": [
        "You need runtime invoke or acquisition writes through MCP.",
        "You are actually building a compat helper for Codex, Claude Code, or OpenClaw."
      ],
      "safeClaims": [
        "partial read-only MCP surface",
        "runtime inspection only",
        "bounded MCP starter"
      ],
      "notYetSupported": [
        "execution brain",
        "runtime invoke through MCP",
        "acquisition write through MCP",
        "embedded consumer parity"
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "runtime-diagnostics-skill",
      "label": "Create a read-only provider triage or diagnostics recipe",
      "status": "partial",
      "starterKind": "skill",
      "recommendedPack": "runtime-diagnostics-pack",
      "hostFamily": "none",
      "firstSuccessMode": "provider-diagnostics",
      "readOnly": true,
      "needsRuntimeInvoke": false,
      "needsMcpTransport": false,
      "bestEntry": "pnpm run switchyard:cli -- skill-pack --target runtime-diagnostics-pack",
      "smokeCommand": "pnpm run starter-pack:runtime-diagnostics-pack",
      "copyReadyPackPath": "starter-packs/skills/runtime-diagnostics-pack",
      "compareAgainst": [
        "mcp-inspector",
        "docs-seo-sync-skill"
      ],
      "recommendedDocs": [
        "docs/starter-pack-chooser.md",
        "docs/starter-pack-comparison.md",
        "docs/plugin-skill-starter-kits.md",
        "docs/mcp.md"
      ],
      "bestWhen": [
        "You need to summarize provider readiness or triage incidents without invoking providers.",
        "You want a repeatable skill recipe for diagnostics or support work."
      ],
      "avoidWhen": [
        "You need acquisition writes, browser automation, or invoke.",
        "You only need a read-only MCP inspector with no recipe layer."
      ],
      "safeClaims": [
        "read-only diagnostics pack",
        "provider triage helper",
        "no invoke or write actions"
      ],
      "notYetSupported": [
        "invoke",
        "acquisition write",
        "browser automation",
        "execution-brain parity"
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "docs-seo-sync-skill",
      "label": "Create a truth-safe docs or SEO sync helper",
      "status": "partial",
      "starterKind": "skill",
      "recommendedPack": "docs-seo-sync-pack",
      "hostFamily": "none",
      "firstSuccessMode": "docs-truth-sync",
      "readOnly": true,
      "needsRuntimeInvoke": false,
      "needsMcpTransport": false,
      "bestEntry": "pnpm run switchyard:cli -- skill-pack --target docs-seo-sync-pack",
      "smokeCommand": "pnpm run starter-pack:docs-seo-sync-pack",
      "copyReadyPackPath": "starter-packs/skills/docs-seo-sync-pack",
      "compareAgainst": [
        "runtime-diagnostics-skill",
        "mcp-inspector"
      ],
      "recommendedDocs": [
        "docs/starter-pack-chooser.md",
        "docs/starter-pack-comparison.md",
        "docs/plugin-skill-starter-kits.md",
        "docs/discoverability-keyword-truth.md"
      ],
      "bestWhen": [
        "You are syncing docs, metadata, or SEO copy to the latest support labels.",
        "You want a bounded truth-sync starter, not a marketing autopilot."
      ],
      "avoidWhen": [
        "You need autonomous publishing or launch automation.",
        "You are actually trying to build a runtime bridge or diagnostics recipe."
      ],
      "safeClaims": [
        "truth-sync starter",
        "discoverability helper",
        "not a marketing autopilot"
      ],
      "notYetSupported": [
        "marketing autopilot",
        "claim escalation without review",
        "launch automation"
      ]
    }
  ]
}