---
name: document-tracker-system
description: "Excel-workbook tracker (via FTR-36), single source of truth, commit protocol, README, index. Use when a person asks to install or apply \"Document Registry\" (FTR-13) in a project, or when working in a project that has it installed."
---

# Document Registry (FTR-13, version 1.1)

> Generated from library record FTR-13 version 1.1, publish 20261102a. Review status: unreviewed. The complete specification is in references/spec.md and is the authority; this file is the operating procedure drawn from it.

## What this does

Excel-workbook tracker (via FTR-36), single source of truth, commit protocol, README, index

## When to use this skill

- A person asks to install, apply or update "Document Registry" (FTR-13) in a project.
- A project's agent instructions list document-tracker-system as installed and the task touches what it covers.
- Requires first: FTR-07 (skill folder-structure), FTR-36 (skill excel-tracker-base-capability).
- Works better with, if installed: FTR-38 (skill multi-sub-project-awareness).
- Required by: FTR-14 (skill active-flags-tracker), FTR-28 (skill multi-ai-research-synthesis).

## Install procedure

Steps run in order. Assess comes first, every question in the Ask step is answered by the person before anything is written, and every write merges additively into the existing project files (read the file first, update an existing section in place, never overwrite).

### Assess first
- Confirm FTR-36 (Excel Tracker Base Capability) is installed — this feature nests under it, not beside it.
- Check `trackers\` and its subfolders (`data\`, `templates\`) — create if missing (Folder Structure normally does this).
- Check whether `trackers\README.md` and `trackers\tracker_index.md` already exist. If they do, read and carry them forward; if not, generate them at first setup.
- Read `admin\AGENT_INSTRUCTIONS.md` for any existing Active Trackers table and carry it forward.
- Scan the conversation and project for tracking needs (multiple documents, procurement items, tasks, deadlines) so you can suggest a first tracker.
- If a project already has an ACTIVE markdown-based tracker under the pre-Excel default: this is a migration, not a fresh install — see the MIGRATION note in Write, below, before doing anything else.

### Ask, only if needed
- If no trackers exist but tracking needs are evident: "It sounds like you're managing [X]. Want me to set up a tracking dashboard? I'll create the Excel workbook, build the folder structure, and write the README." Confirm which tracker type(s) to create.
- If trackers already exist and are current, nothing to ask — just record the guide.

### Write

The full Write payload is in references/write-payload.md. It is applied exactly as written, with the merge rule above.

### Confirm
Confirm: your Document Registry is installed — single-workbook architecture (via FTR-36), commit protocol, tracker README, and tracker index are all in place, and the agent will suggest trackers proactively. Want to install another, or is that everything for now?
## Files in this skill

- references/spec.md: the complete specification, unabridged.
- references/write-payload.md: the Write step on its own.