ToolboxAid · ToolboxAid · Jun 29, 2026
diff --git a/dev/build/ProjectInstructions/PROJECT_INSTRUCTIONS.md b/dev/build/ProjectInstructions/PROJECT_INSTRUCTIONS.md
@@ -117,7 +117,7 @@ Rules:
 
 ## Current Version/Date
 
-- Project Instructions Version: 2026.06.28.015
+- Project Instructions Version: 2026.06.28.016
 - Date: 2026-06-28
 - Owner: OWNER
 

diff --git a/dev/build/ProjectInstructions/PROJECT_INSTRUCTIONS_VERSION.md b/dev/build/ProjectInstructions/PROJECT_INSTRUCTIONS_VERSION.md
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 # Project Instructions Version
 
-Current Project Instructions Version: 2026.06.28.015
+Current Project Instructions Version: 2026.06.28.016
 
 Last Updated: 2026-06-28
 
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ Last Updated: 2026-06-28
 - Removed active references to obsolete legacy layout paths after the `www/`, `api/`, and `dev/` migration steps.
 - Moved the tracked browser-served favicon under `www/`, added remaining root/src audit governance, and documented root `.env` placement policy.
 - Added root leftover audit and `src/` transition plan for the final repository layout cleanup stage.
+- Removed safe empty local root directory shells and documented blocked local-only `assets/` cleanup.
 - Codex must read this version file and the latest repository copy of `PROJECT_INSTRUCTIONS.md` before performing work.
 - Codex must discard previously remembered Project Instructions and treat the repository copy as authoritative.
 - Codex must validate canonical report and ZIP paths, branching model, and legacy path avoidance before work proceeds.
diff --git a/dev/build/ProjectInstructions/PROJECT_STATE.md b/dev/build/ProjectInstructions/PROJECT_STATE.md
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 # Project State
 
 ```yaml
-project_state_version: "2026.06.28.015"
+project_state_version: "2026.06.28.016"
 last_updated: "2026-06-28"
 current_main_commit: "40de767476d70cadfd1292c916844c2f31b6f185"
 repository_status:
@@ -10,18 +10,18 @@ repository_status:
   runtime_database: "Postgres"
   creator_metadata: "API to Postgres"
   creator_assets: "API to R2"
-project_instructions_version: "2026.06.28.015"
-repository_structure_version: "2026.06.28.015"
-canonical_layout_version: "2026.06.28.015"
+project_instructions_version: "2026.06.28.016"
+repository_structure_version: "2026.06.28.016"
+canonical_layout_version: "2026.06.28.016"
 active_teams:
   - "Owner"
   - "Alfa"
   - "Bravo"
   - "Charlie"
   - "Delta"
   - "Golf"
-latest_owner_pr: "PR_26180_OWNER_015-root-empty-folder-and-src-transition-audit"
-latest_structure_pr: "PR_26180_OWNER_015-root-empty-folder-and-src-transition-audit"
+latest_owner_pr: "PR_26180_OWNER_016-remove-empty-root-shells"
+latest_structure_pr: "PR_26180_OWNER_016-remove-empty-root-shells"
 valid_top_level_folders:
   - "api/"
   - "deploy/"

diff --git a/dev/build/ProjectInstructions/backlog/BACKLOG_MASTER.md b/dev/build/ProjectInstructions/backlog/BACKLOG_MASTER.md
@@ -39,8 +39,8 @@ The backlog is the authoritative source for determining the next logical PRs.
 - Team: Owner
 - Product Area: Repository Architecture Simplification
 - Status: Active
-- Percent Complete: 95%
-- Active PR: PR_26180_OWNER_015-root-empty-folder-and-src-transition-audit
+- Percent Complete: 98%
+- Active PR: PR_26180_OWNER_016-remove-empty-root-shells
 - Next Milestone: Final layout validation and completion report
 - Source / Reference: `dev/build/ProjectInstructions/repository/repository_layout_architecture_plan.md`; `dev/build/ProjectInstructions/repository/www_migration_map.md`
 

diff --git a/dev/build/ProjectInstructions/repository/repository_layout_architecture_plan.md b/dev/build/ProjectInstructions/repository/repository_layout_architecture_plan.md
@@ -40,6 +40,8 @@ No browser, API, server, test, script, or runtime files move in the scaffold or
 
 `PR_26180_OWNER_015-root-empty-folder-and-src-transition-audit` audits named root leftovers and records the `src/` transition plan without moving application source or changing product behavior.
 
+`PR_26180_OWNER_016-remove-empty-root-shells` removes safe empty local root directory shells left behind after the migration and documents the blocked local-only `assets/` shell that contains ignored user data.
+
 ## Proposed Future Layout
 
 ```text
@@ -181,7 +183,13 @@ Rules:
    - Produce the `src/` transition plan for the follow-up final validation stage.
    - Preserve product behavior.
 
-12. `PR_26180_OWNER_016-final-layout-validation`
+12. `PR_26180_OWNER_016-remove-empty-root-shells`
+   - Remove safe empty local root directory shells after the named root leftover audit.
+   - Do not remove `src/`.
+   - Do not delete ignored local-only data.
+   - Document any folder that cannot be removed.
+
+13. `PR_26180_OWNER_017-final-layout-validation`
    - Validate final repository layout.
    - Confirm `www/` owns the browser-served app, `api/` owns the server app, and `dev/` owns the developer workspace.
    - Confirm runtime does not depend on `dev/`, browser code does not import `api/`, and legacy references are removed or documented.

diff --git a/dev/reports/PR_26180_OWNER_016-remove-empty-root-shells_branch-validation.md b/dev/reports/PR_26180_OWNER_016-remove-empty-root-shells_branch-validation.md
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+# PR_26180_OWNER_016 Branch Validation
+
+| Check | Result | Evidence |
+|---|---:|---|
+| Current branch | PASS | `PR_26180_OWNER_016-remove-empty-root-shells` |
+| Expected stacked base | PASS | Created from `PR_26180_OWNER_015-root-empty-folder-and-src-transition-audit` |
+| Base branch for PR | PASS | `PR_26180_OWNER_015-root-empty-folder-and-src-transition-audit` |
+| Project Instructions loaded | PASS | Repository Project Instructions version `2026.06.28.016` |
+| Branching policy loaded | PASS | `PROJECT_BRANCHING_POLICY.md` version `2026.06.28.002` |
+| Scope | PASS | Empty root-shell cleanup and governance reports only |
+| Runtime/API/database implementation changes | PASS | None |
diff --git a/dev/reports/PR_26180_OWNER_016-remove-empty-root-shells_manual-validation-notes.md b/dev/reports/PR_26180_OWNER_016-remove-empty-root-shells_manual-validation-notes.md
@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+# PR_26180_OWNER_016 Manual Validation Notes
+
+- Removed local empty shells: `games/`, `learn/`, `toolbox/`, and `tmp/`.
+- `test-results/` was already absent.
+- `assets/` remains because `assets/DemoGame-26168-001.gfsp` is ignored local data.
+- No tracked files were deleted.
+- `src/` remains untouched.
+- `www/favicon.svg` remains tracked and browser-served.
+- Canonical Codex ZIP output remains under `dev/workspace/zips/`.
diff --git a/dev/reports/PR_26180_OWNER_016-remove-empty-root-shells_report.md b/dev/reports/PR_26180_OWNER_016-remove-empty-root-shells_report.md
@@ -0,0 +1,39 @@
+# PR_26180_OWNER_016 Remove Empty Root Shells Report
+
+## Executive Summary
+
+PR_26180_OWNER_016 removes safe empty local root directory shells left behind after the `www/`, `api/`, and `dev/` migration. The removed shells were not tracked by Git and contained no files.
+
+`assets/` was not removed because it contains ignored local data: `assets/DemoGame-26168-001.gfsp`. This is intentionally documented instead of deleted.
+
+## Folder Cleanup Result
+
+| Folder | Pre-Cleanup Status | Action | Post-Cleanup Status |
+|---|---|---|---|
+| `assets/` | 0 tracked files; 1 ignored file; 47 local empty subdirectories | Not removed | Still exists because `assets/DemoGame-26168-001.gfsp` is local ignored data |
+| `games/` | 0 tracked files; 0 files; local empty directory shell | Removed locally | Absent |
+| `learn/` | 0 tracked files; 0 files; local empty directory shell | Removed locally | Absent |
+| `toolbox/` | 0 tracked files; 0 files; local empty directory shell | Removed locally | Absent |
+| `tmp/` | 0 tracked files; 0 files; local empty directory shell | Removed locally | Absent |
+| `test-results/` | Absent | No action | Absent |
+
+## Required Confirmations
+
+- Root approved tracked application/workspace structure remains `www/`, `api/`, `dev/`, and `src/`.
+- `www/` contains browser-served content and `www/favicon.svg`.
+- `api/` contains server/API content.
+- `dev/` contains the developer workspace.
+- `.env` remains root/local-only and ignored.
+- `.env.example` remains tracked.
+- `src/` was not removed.
+- No tracked `src/` files were moved.
+- No runtime behavior changed.
+- No product code changed.
+
+## Folders Not Removed
+
+`assets/` could not be removed because it contains ignored local-only content. The file was not deleted because the request prohibited deleting non-empty content and required documenting folders that could not be removed.
+
+## Notes
+
+The removed empty shells were local filesystem cleanup only because Git does not track empty directories. The committed PR evidence is the governance report, validation evidence, and updated active workstream metadata.
diff --git a/dev/reports/PR_26180_OWNER_016-remove-empty-root-shells_requirement-checklist.md b/dev/reports/PR_26180_OWNER_016-remove-empty-root-shells_requirement-checklist.md
@@ -0,0 +1,23 @@
+# PR_26180_OWNER_016 Requirement Checklist
+
+| Requirement | Result | Notes |
+|---|---:|---|
+| Base on `PR_26180_OWNER_015-root-empty-folder-and-src-transition-audit` | PASS | Branch created from PR015. |
+| Remove safe empty root shells | PASS | Removed `games/`, `learn/`, `toolbox/`, and `tmp/` locally after confirming no files/tracked content. |
+| Inspect `assets/` | PASS | Not removed because it contains ignored local `assets/DemoGame-26168-001.gfsp`. |
+| Inspect `games/` | PASS | Removed; no tracked files or local files. |
+| Inspect `learn/` | PASS | Removed; no tracked files or local files. |
+| Inspect `toolbox/` | PASS | Removed; no tracked files or local files. |
+| Inspect `tmp/` | PASS | Removed; no tracked files or local files. |
+| Inspect `test-results/` | PASS | Already absent. |
+| Do not remove `src/` | PASS | `src/` remains. |
+| Do not move tracked `src/` files | PASS | No `src/` files moved. |
+| Do not modify runtime behavior | PASS | Governance/reporting only. |
+| Do not modify product code | PASS | No product code changed. |
+| Do not delete tracked files unless obsolete empty-shell related | PASS | No tracked files deleted. |
+| Confirm root approved structure after cleanup | PASS | Tracked application/workspace roots remain `www/`, `api/`, `dev/`, and `src/`. |
+| Confirm `www/` contains browser-served content | PASS | `www/` has tracked content including `www/favicon.svg`. |
+| Confirm `api/` contains server/API content | PASS | `api/` has tracked server/API content. |
+| Confirm `dev/` contains developer workspace | PASS | `dev/` has tracked developer workspace content. |
+| Confirm `.env` remains root/local-only | PASS | `.env` is ignored; `.env.example` is tracked. |
+| Document folders that could not be removed | PASS | `assets/` documented as blocked by ignored local data. |
diff --git a/dev/reports/PR_26180_OWNER_016-remove-empty-root-shells_validation-report.md b/dev/reports/PR_26180_OWNER_016-remove-empty-root-shells_validation-report.md
@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+# PR_26180_OWNER_016 Validation Report
+
+| Validation | Result | Notes |
+|---|---:|---|
+| Targeted root directory scan | PASS | `games/`, `learn/`, `toolbox/`, `tmp/`, and `test-results/` absent; `assets/` blocked by ignored local data. |
+| Tracked legacy root scan | PASS | No tracked `assets/`, `games/`, `learn/`, `toolbox/`, `tmp/`, or `test-results/` files. |
+| Approved structure confirmation | PASS | `www/`, `api/`, `dev/`, and `src/` remain tracked active roots. |
+| `.env` confirmation | PASS | `.env` remains ignored/root-local; `.env.example` remains tracked. |
+| `git diff --check` | PASS | Whitespace check passed. |
+| `npm run validate:canonical-structure` | PASS | Blocking violations: 0. |
+
+## Bootstrap Check
+
+No bootstrap/startup files were changed, so a bootstrap test lane was not required for this PR.
diff --git a/dev/reports/codex_changed_files.txt b/dev/reports/codex_changed_files.txt
@@ -5,8 +5,8 @@ M	dev/build/ProjectInstructions/PROJECT_INSTRUCTIONS_VERSION.md
 M	dev/build/ProjectInstructions/PROJECT_STATE.md
 M	dev/build/ProjectInstructions/backlog/BACKLOG_MASTER.md
 M	dev/build/ProjectInstructions/repository/repository_layout_architecture_plan.md
-A	dev/reports/PR_26180_OWNER_015-root-empty-folder-and-src-transition-audit_branch-validation.md
-A	dev/reports/PR_26180_OWNER_015-root-empty-folder-and-src-transition-audit_manual-validation-notes.md
-A	dev/reports/PR_26180_OWNER_015-root-empty-folder-and-src-transition-audit_report.md
-A	dev/reports/PR_26180_OWNER_015-root-empty-folder-and-src-transition-audit_requirement-checklist.md
-A	dev/reports/PR_26180_OWNER_015-root-empty-folder-and-src-transition-audit_validation-report.md
+A	dev/reports/PR_26180_OWNER_016-remove-empty-root-shells_branch-validation.md
+A	dev/reports/PR_26180_OWNER_016-remove-empty-root-shells_manual-validation-notes.md
+A	dev/reports/PR_26180_OWNER_016-remove-empty-root-shells_report.md
+A	dev/reports/PR_26180_OWNER_016-remove-empty-root-shells_requirement-checklist.md
+A	dev/reports/PR_26180_OWNER_016-remove-empty-root-shells_validation-report.md