---
phase: 01-foundation
plan: 02
subsystem: reference
tags: [suno, v5.5, metatags, glossary, reference-files, markdown]

# Dependency graph
requires:
  - phase: none
    provides: none (first reference plan)
provides:
  - Comprehensive Suno V5.5 Custom Mode reference (reference/suno/format.md)
  - Reference file index (reference/README.md)
  - Music terminology glossary with English canonical terms (reference/glossary.md)
  - Artist folder conventions and bible format documentation (artists/README.md)
  - Empty linguistic directories ready for Plan 01-03
  - Templates directory placeholder for Phase 3
affects: [01-03, 02-01, 02-02, 04-01, 04-02, 07-01, 07-02]

# Tech tracking
tech-stack:
  added: [none (markdown-only project)]
  patterns: [reference-file-template, metadata-headers, english-canonical-terms]

key-files:
  created:
    - reference/suno/format.md
    - reference/README.md
    - reference/glossary.md
    - reference/templates/.gitkeep
    - reference/linguistic/french/.gitkeep
    - reference/linguistic/english/.gitkeep
    - artists/README.md

key-decisions:
  - "Tag library organized by functional category with genre family grouping (genre, mood, instruments, production)"
  - "8 vocal delivery categories covering volume, style, technique, rap, effects, emotion, dynamics, negatives"
  - "Glossary uses English canonical terms even in French project context"
  - "Linguistic directories pre-created with .gitkeep for Plan 01-03"

patterns-established:
  - "Reference file template: YAML frontmatter (last-updated, source), Purpose, Rules, Examples, Notes"
  - "English terminology canonical in all files including French-language content"
  - "Artist folder convention: kebab-case names, bible.md + discography.md + tracks/ structure"

# Metrics
duration: 4min
completed: 2026-04-10
---

# Phase 1 Plan 2: Reference File Structure and Suno Format Specs Summary

**Comprehensive Suno V5.5 Custom Mode reference with metatag inventory, style prompt formula, tag library, plus glossary and artist folder conventions**

## Performance

- **Duration:** 4 min
- **Started:** 2026-04-10T10:26:04Z
- **Completed:** 2026-04-10T10:30:02Z
- **Tasks:** 2
- **Files modified:** 7

## Accomplishments

- Created exhaustive Suno V5.5 Custom Mode reference documenting V5.5 limits (1,000 chars style / 5,000 chars lyrics), 5-part style prompt formula, complete metatag inventory (structure + 8 vocal delivery categories + dynamics + negatives), genre/mood/instrument/production tag library, language handling, tempo/BPM guidance, duration control, Voices feature, and copy-paste template with worked example
- Created reference index, music terminology glossary (27 terms, English canonical with French equivalents), and artists README with folder conventions and bible format summary
- Pre-created linguistic directories (french/, english/) with .gitkeep for Plan 01-03

## Task Commits

Each task was committed atomically:

1. **Task 1: Create the comprehensive Suno V5.5 format reference** - `d6892a2` (feat)
2. **Task 2: Create reference index, glossary, templates placeholder, and artists README** - `d6b963f` (feat)

## Files Created/Modified

- `reference/suno/format.md` - Comprehensive Suno V5.5 Custom Mode reference (344 lines)
- `reference/README.md` - Index of all reference files with descriptions
- `reference/glossary.md` - Music terminology glossary (English canonical, French equivalents)
- `reference/templates/.gitkeep` - Templates directory placeholder for Phase 3
- `reference/linguistic/french/.gitkeep` - Empty directory for French linguistic rules (Plan 01-03)
- `reference/linguistic/english/.gitkeep` - Empty directory for English linguistic rules (Plan 01-03)
- `artists/README.md` - Artist folder conventions, bible format summary, naming rules

## Decisions Made

- Tag library organized by functional category with genre family grouping -- mirrors how musicians think ("I want something in the electronic family") and separates style prompt tags from lyrics metatags
- 8 vocal delivery categories covering the complete spectrum: volume/intensity, style, technique, rap/hip-hop, effects, emotion, dynamics, negatives
- Glossary uses English canonical terms (Verse, Chorus, Bridge) even in French-language context, consistent with locked decision
- Pre-created linguistic directories with .gitkeep so Plan 01-03 can populate directly without mkdir

## Deviations from Plan

### Auto-fixed Issues

**1. [Rule 3 - Blocking] Added .gitkeep files for empty linguistic directories**
- **Found during:** Task 2
- **Issue:** Plan specified creating `reference/linguistic/french/` and `reference/linguistic/english/` directories, but git does not track empty directories
- **Fix:** Added `.gitkeep` placeholder files in both directories
- **Files modified:** `reference/linguistic/french/.gitkeep`, `reference/linguistic/english/.gitkeep`
- **Verification:** Both directories tracked by git
- **Committed in:** d6b963f (Task 2 commit)

---

**Total deviations:** 1 auto-fixed (1 blocking)
**Impact on plan:** Minor fix to ensure git tracks empty directories. No scope creep.

## Issues Encountered

None

## User Setup Required

None - no external service configuration required.

## Next Phase Readiness

- Reference file structure is complete and indexed
- Suno V5.5 format reference is ready for all downstream workflows (track production, style prompt generation, vocal metatag suggestion)
- Linguistic directories are ready for Plan 01-03 to populate with French and English rule files
- Templates directory is ready for Phase 3 to populate with song structure templates
- Artists README establishes conventions for Phase 2 artist creation wizard

## Self-Check: PASSED

All 7 created files verified on disk. Both task commits (d6892a2, d6b963f) verified in git log.

---
*Phase: 01-foundation*
*Completed: 2026-04-10*
