# Decision 0001: Project Posture

Status: `Locked`

## Context

The project needed to choose between:

- native full-system on current hardware,
- staged subset on current hardware,
- hybrid architecture,
- future-hardware target.

This decision sets the planning posture for all early contracts and milestones.

## Options considered

1. Native full-system on current hardware.
2. Staged subset on current hardware.
3. Hybrid architecture with significant host-side execution.
4. Future-hardware target.

## Decision

Adopt `staged subset on current hardware`.

This means:

- the project targets the current retroDE platform,
- the architectural path remains that of a real PS2 core,
- coverage will be incomplete for an extended period,
- early phases prioritize observable bring-up over broad software
  compatibility.

The intended interpretation is:

`real PS2 architectural path, incomplete coverage`.

## Consequences

- Early milestones may validate only parts of the machine.
- Some subsystems can remain stubbed or reduced while others become real.
- The project preserves continuity with the rest of the retroDE family by
  staying on current hardware.
- The project explicitly does not promise full-title compatibility on the
  current platform.
- Contracts and milestones should optimize for progressive integration instead
  of "all-or-nothing" completeness.
