Discussion Removal Documentation - Navigation Guide

📋 Overview

This directory contains comprehensive documentation for removing Reddit-backed discussion functionality from the Open Discussions application while preserving search and podcast features.

Total Documentation: ~4,700 lines across 10 files Estimated Effort: 32-46 hours (4-6 working days)

🎯 Start Here

For Project Managers

👉 Start with: README.md

  • Overview of the project
  • High-level strategy
  • Risk assessment
  • Success criteria

For Developers (Manual Execution)

👉 Start with: 09-quick-reference.md

  • Quick command reference
  • Common issues and fixes
  • Critical path items
  • Then follow detailed plans in order (01-08)

For AI Coding Agents

👉 Start with: 08-ai-agent-guide.md

  • Structured instructions for AI tools
  • Cursor/Copilot/Aider specific commands
  • Verification steps
  • Common pitfalls for AI

For QA/Testing Teams

👉 Start with: 06-verification-plan.md

  • Comprehensive testing procedures
  • Test cases for preserved features
  • Performance testing
  • Browser compatibility

For DevOps/SREs

👉 Start with: 04-database-migration.md and 07-rollback-plan.md

  • Database backup procedures
  • Migration steps
  • Rollback procedures
  • Production deployment checklist

📚 Document Structure

Phase-by-Phase Guides

Phase Document Purpose Audience
0️⃣ README.md Overview and strategy Everyone
1️⃣ 01-scope-analysis.md What to remove Tech Leads, Developers
2️⃣ 02-frontend-removal.md React/JS removal Frontend Developers
3️⃣ 03-backend-removal.md Django/Python removal Backend Developers
4️⃣ 04-database-migration.md Database cleanup DBAs, DevOps
5️⃣ 05-dependency-updates.md Final cleanup All Developers
6️⃣ 06-verification-plan.md Testing procedures QA, Developers
7️⃣ 07-rollback-plan.md Emergency procedures DevOps, SREs

Reference Guides

Document Purpose When to Use
08-ai-agent-guide.md AI automation instructions Using AI tools
09-quick-reference.md Quick lookup During execution

🚀 Execution Paths 

1. Read README.md (15 min)
2. Review 01-scope-analysis.md (30 min)
3. Execute 02-frontend-removal.md (8-12 hours)
4. Execute 03-backend-removal.md (12-16 hours)
5. Execute 04-database-migration.md (4-6 hours)
6. Execute 05-dependency-updates.md (6-8 hours)
7. Execute 06-verification-plan.md (8-12 hours)
8. Keep 07-rollback-plan.md handy (just in case)

Path 2: AI-Assisted Execution 

1. Read README.md (15 min)
2. Review 08-ai-agent-guide.md (20 min)
3. Use AI tool with prompts from guide
4. Verify at each phase
5. Manual testing from 06-verification-plan.md
6. Keep 07-rollback-plan.md handy

Path 3: Quick Reference (For experienced developers) 

1. Skim README.md (5 min)
2. Use 09-quick-reference.md throughout
3. Refer to detailed plans as needed
4. Test with 06-verification-plan.md

🎓 Learning Resources

Understanding the Codebase

  • 01-scope-analysis.md: Detailed breakdown of all code to be removed
    • Models, views, serializers
    • Frontend components, pages, state
    • Dependencies and integrations

Understanding the Process

  • README.md: High-level strategy and phases
  • 09-quick-reference.md: Quick lookup for commands and files

Understanding the Risks

  • 07-rollback-plan.md: What can go wrong and how to recover
  • 04-database-migration.md: Critical backup procedures

✅ Pre-Execution Checklist

Before starting removal:

  • Read README.md completely
  • Review 01-scope-analysis.md
  • Choose execution path (manual vs AI-assisted)
  • Ensure development environment is ready
  • Create git branch
  • Have backup plan ready
  • Notify stakeholders

📊 Document Metrics

Document Lines Estimated Reading Time
README.md 95 10 min
01-scope-analysis.md 357 30 min
02-frontend-removal.md 384 30 min
03-backend-removal.md 503 40 min
04-database-migration.md 541 45 min
05-dependency-updates.md 537 40 min
06-verification-plan.md 679 50 min
07-rollback-plan.md 602 45 min
08-ai-agent-guide.md 605 45 min
09-quick-reference.md 399 20 min
Total 4,702 ~5.5 hours

🎯 Key Takeaways from Each Document

README.md

  • Key Point: 7-phase removal process
  • Critical: Preserve search and podcasts

01-scope-analysis.md

  • Key Point: ~200 files to remove/modify
  • Critical: Dependencies in search, profiles, notifications

02-frontend-removal.md

  • Key Point: Remove in specific order to avoid breakage
  • Critical: Update reducers/index.js after deleting reducers

03-backend-removal.md

  • Key Point: Update search/ BEFORE deleting channels/
  • Critical: Settings and URL changes must be complete

04-database-migration.md

  • Key Point: Backup FIRST, always
  • Critical: Test migrations in dev, then staging

05-dependency-updates.md

  • Key Point: Final cleanup of imports and references
  • Critical: Search index cleanup required

06-verification-plan.md

  • Key Point: Test preserved features thoroughly
  • Critical: Search, podcasts, courses must work perfectly

07-rollback-plan.md

  • Key Point: 24-48 hour optimal rollback window
  • Critical: Database restore = data loss

08-ai-agent-guide.md

  • Key Point: Specific prompts for each AI tool
  • Critical: Verification at each phase

09-quick-reference.md

  • Key Point: Fast lookup during execution
  • Critical: Execution order matters

🤝 Team Coordination

Suggested Team Structure

Small Team (1-2 developers):

  • One person handles frontend, another backend
  • Share testing responsibilities
  • Timeline: 1-2 weeks

Medium Team (3-5 developers):

  • 1-2 on frontend
  • 1-2 on backend
  • 1 on testing/QA
  • Timeline: 1 week

Large Team (6+ developers):

  • Frontend team
  • Backend team
  • QA team
  • DevOps/DBA
  • Timeline: 3-5 days

📞 Getting Help

During Execution

  1. Check Quick Reference: 09-quick-reference.md
  2. Check Detailed Plan: Relevant phase document (01-08)
  3. Check Scope Analysis: 01-scope-analysis.md
  4. Check Rollback Plan: 07-rollback-plan.md if issues

Common Questions

Q: Where do I start? A: Read README.md, then choose your execution path above

Q: How long will this take? A: 32-46 hours of actual work, spread over 4-6 days

Q: What if something breaks? A: See 07-rollback-plan.md

Q: Can I use AI tools? A: Yes! See 08-ai-agent-guide.md

Q: What gets removed vs preserved? A: See 01-scope-analysis.md

Q: How do I test? A: See 06-verification-plan.md

🎉 Success Criteria

You’ve successfully completed the removal when:

✅ All tests pass ✅ Search works (podcasts, courses, videos) ✅ Podcasts browsable and playable ✅ Courses browsable ✅ User profiles work (no discussion history) ✅ No errors in logs ✅ Removed URLs return 404 ✅ Documentation updated

🔄 Version History

  • v1.0 (2024-12-08): Initial comprehensive documentation
    • 10 documents
    • ~4,700 lines
    • Complete removal plan
    • AI agent instructions
    • Rollback procedures

📝 Document Maintenance

This documentation should be updated if:

  • Removal process is attempted and new issues discovered
  • Codebase structure changes significantly
  • New tools or approaches are developed
  • Rollback procedures are tested/refined

🏁 Ready to Start?

  1. For first-time readers: Start with README.md
  2. For developers: Jump to 09-quick-reference.md
  3. For AI tools: Use 08-ai-agent-guide.md
  4. For QA: Begin with 06-verification-plan.md

Good luck! This is a significant undertaking, but with this documentation, you have everything you need to succeed. 🚀

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