Each card is a project step with effort cost, day fit, and optional Soft Deadline — the basic unit of every stack.

Dependency lines that block children until parents finish — the rule that forces careful order on the Week Grid.

The limited calendar board where cards land — overload a day and Soft Deadlines slip even if Link Chains look fine.

Shared attention chips for design, review, and ship work — spend them wisely or midweek cards stall.

Amber markers that warn before a Hard Deadline locks — move early rather than stacking three reviews on Friday.

End-of-week review that scores cleared Link Chains and leftover Focus Slots — the session’s closing checklist.