Human Review Protocol

Core Principle

Claude Code assists; humans decide.

All substantive changes to translation content require human review and approval before the workflow advances.

Mandatory Review Points

1. After Pass 1 AI Suggestions

• Claude Code generates suggestions
• Human editor reviews each suggestion
• Human accepts/rejects in Word (Track Changes)
• Human marks as approved in files.json
• Only then can Pass 2 begin

2. After Localization Recommendations

• Claude Code identifies opportunities
• Human decides which adaptations to make
• Human completes the actual localization
• Human fills in localization log
• Human marks as approved

3. After Tagging Suggestions

• Claude Code proposes tags
• Human reviews pedagogical appropriateness
• Human approves or adjusts tags
• Human marks as approved

4. Before Publication

• All content must have approved: true in files.json
• Human explicitly authorizes publication
• No automatic publication without approval

Review Status Values

In files.json, each file has:

{
  "pendingReview": null | "pass1" | "localization" | "tagging",
  "approved": false | true,
  "reviewedBy": null | "human" | "{name}"
}

Claude Code Behavior by Status

File is PENDING REVIEW

Claude Code may:

• Read the file
• Generate reports about the file
• Remind user review is needed

Claude Code may NOT:

• Modify the file
• Advance to next workflow stage
• Mark as complete

File is APPROVED

Claude Code may:

• Proceed to next stage
• Process and generate new outputs
• Must create backup before modifying
• Must mark new output as PENDING REVIEW

File is NOT YET PROCESSED

Claude Code may:

• Process and generate outputs
• Must mark output as PENDING REVIEW
• Must log the action

Review Checklist Template

When presenting work for review:

## Ready for Review: {filename}

**Stage:** {Pass 1 / Localization / Tagging}

**Changes proposed:**
1. {change 1}
2. {change 2}
...

**Terminology decisions:**
- {term}: {decision}

**Questions for reviewer:**
- {question 1}
- {question 2}

**To approve:** Update files.json with `"approved": true`
**To request changes:** Note issues and Claude Code will revise

Escalation

If Claude Code is uncertain:

• Flag with [DISCUSS] or [QUESTION]
• Do not proceed with uncertain changes
• Document the uncertainty in activity log
• Wait for human guidance