references/decision-rules/claim-status.md

# Claim Status

Use one label for every load-bearing statement when uncertainty matters:

- FACT: directly observed or reliably established
- EVIDENCE: source or data supporting a conclusion
- INFERENCE: conclusion drawn from evidence
- ASSUMPTION: accepted temporarily to proceed
- HYPOTHESIS: testable explanation or prediction
- UNKNOWN: missing information that could materially alter the decision

Rules:
1. An inference must name the evidence it rests on.
2. An assumption that could reverse the recommendation must be visible.
3. Customer motivation is not a fact unless supported by customer evidence.
4. Current market, platform, competitor, price, policy, and benchmark statements require freshness checks.