JS-088: hand-rolled require-path resolution (`libDir`/`_here`) duplicated across 5 modules

Now:: OPEN

Sev:: MED

The be-relative require workaround (resolve a module's own dir so it can require siblings by absolute path under the resident loop, where argv1 is loop.js not the module) is reinvented in five modules with subtly different fallbacks — "." vs argv1 vs __dirname. Several sites do the require LAZILY in a function body, defeating the registry warm-cache and hiding the dependency graph. Method: Issues.

Input

Context

subs.js:44-46 libDir(){ return __dirname || "." } then subs.js:53 lazy require(libDir()+"/../core/discover.js") in classifyMount's body — a per-call require, not a top import.
classify.js:416-417 the SAME libDir(){ __dirname || "." }.
fold-decide.js:214-215 the SAME libDir(){ __dirname || "." }.
loop.js:14-15 a DIFFERENT idiom: _here = argv[1].slice(0, lastIndexOf("/")) — argv1-based, not __dirname.
refs.js:11 a THIRD idiom: require(__dirname+"/../../core/…") inline, no helper.

Goals

One shared/util/here.js exporting a base-dir + a sibling require helper; the 5 sites consume it (one resolution rule).
Hoist the lazy in-body requires (subs.js:53) to module top so the dependency graph is static + the warm-cache applies.

Constraints

Must work under the resident loop (argv1==loop.js) AND a one-shot entry; rely on __dirname (require.cpp injects it), drop the "."/argv1 fallbacks once verified present.
No behavioural change to module resolution — same files loaded.

WIP

Design decisions

Standardise on __dirname-relative (the require.cpp contract); the "." fallback is dead under the real loader — assert + drop.
here.js stays dependency-free (no core/, no view/) so every layer may import it without a cycle.

TODOs

Repro-first: a test loading subs/classify/fold-decide/refs under the resident loop (argv1!=module) asserting siblings resolve.
Add shared/util/here.js; repoint the 5 sites; hoist subs.js:53.
Remove the duplicated libDir() defs.

Blockers and bummers

none known — pure refactor behind the require contract.

2026-07-07 audit: STILL OPEN — libDir(){ __dirname||"." } duplicated in shared/subs.js:52, shared/classify.js:579, verbs/post/fold-decide.js:227; core/loop.js:16-17 uses the _self=process.argv[1]/_here idiom; no shared/util/here.js exists.
2026-07-10 revision: still OPEN — libDir(){__dirname||"."} in subs.js:54,classify.js:584,fold-decide.js:230; loop.js:16-17 self/here; no here.js; subs.js:63-65 still lazy libDir()+ requires (discover hoisted to :40)

Outcome

(pending)

JS-088: hand-rolled require-path resolution (libDir/_here) duplicated across 5 modules