@@ -98,11 +98,33 @@ Where the final artifact lives:
9898
9999### 7. ` isPatchOfExisting `
100100
101- Set to ` true ` when the challenge explicitly asks for a patch, diff, or
102- incremental change to an existing codebase.
103-
104- Set to ` false ` when the full codebase should be submitted or when it is
105- a greenfield project.
101+ Set to ` true ` ONLY when ALL of the following are true:
102+ 1 . The challenge explicitly asks for a patch, diff, or incremental change
103+ 2 . An existing codebase is provided (repository URL, starter code, etc.)
104+ 3 . The existing_codebase.isGreenfield is ` false `
105+
106+ Set to ` false ` when:
107+ - The full codebase should be submitted
108+ - It is a greenfield project (no existing code to patch)
109+ - No concrete repository URL or code artifacts are referenced
110+
111+ ** CRITICAL CONSISTENCY CHECK:**
112+ ` isPatchOfExisting ` can ONLY be ` true ` when there is actual code to patch.
113+ If ` existing_codebase.isGreenfield ` is ` true ` (no existing codebase), then
114+ ` isPatchOfExisting ` MUST be ` false ` — you cannot create a patch against
115+ code that doesn't exist.
116+
117+ | existing_codebase.isGreenfield | isPatchOfExisting | Valid? |
118+ | -------------------------------| -------------------| --------|
119+ | ` true ` | ` false ` | YES |
120+ | ` true ` | ` true ` | NO - contradiction! |
121+ | ` false ` | ` false ` | YES (full code submission) |
122+ | ` false ` | ` true ` | YES (patch of existing) |
123+
124+ ** Common mistake:** Challenge mentions "enhance", "update", or "extend"
125+ existing functionality but does NOT provide an actual repository URL or
126+ starter code. This is still a greenfield project — the submitter must
127+ build everything from scratch. Do NOT set ` isPatchOfExisting: true ` .
106128
107129### 8. ` eligibilityConditions `
108130
@@ -139,3 +161,12 @@ Any remaining submission information that doesn't fit the fields above.
139161| "Include a README.md" | "README.md", "Documentation" | Redundant — README is the documentation |
140162| "Your code should include tests" (in evaluation section) | "Test cases" | Evaluation guidance, not an explicit submission requirement |
141163| "Security will be reviewed" | "Security report" | Review criteria, not a deliverable |
164+
165+ ## isPatchOfExisting Mistakes to Avoid
166+
167+ | Spec says… | Wrong isPatchOfExisting | Why it's wrong |
168+ | ---------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------- |
169+ | "Enhance the existing processor" (no repo URL provided) | ` true ` | No actual repo/code to patch — this is greenfield |
170+ | "Update the Lambda to handle X" (describes current system) | ` true ` | Description of current state ≠ existing codebase to patch |
171+ | "We did a POC challenge previously" | ` true ` | Past work ≠ code artifact provided for this challenge |
172+ | isGreenfield=true in existing_codebase | ` true ` | ** CONTRADICTION** — cannot patch non-existent code |
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