# IndieAuth Specification URL Standardization Report

**Date**: 2025-11-24
**Task**: Validate and standardize IndieAuth specification references across all documentation
**Architect**: StarPunk Architect Subagent

## Executive Summary

Successfully standardized all IndieAuth specification references across the StarPunk codebase to use the official W3C version at https://www.w3.org/TR/indieauth/. This ensures consistency and points to the authoritative, maintained specification.

## Scope of Changes

### Files Updated: 28

The following categories of files were updated:

#### Core Documentation
- `/home/phil/Projects/starpunk/README.md` - Main project readme
- `/home/phil/Projects/starpunk/docs/examples/identity-page-customization-guide.md` - User guide
- `/home/phil/Projects/starpunk/docs/standards/testing-checklist.md` - Testing standards

#### Architecture Documentation
- `/home/phil/Projects/starpunk/docs/architecture/overview.md` - System architecture overview
- `/home/phil/Projects/starpunk/docs/architecture/indieauth-client-diagnosis.md` - Client diagnosis guide
- `/home/phil/Projects/starpunk/docs/architecture/indieauth-identity-page.md` - Identity page design
- `/home/phil/Projects/starpunk/docs/architecture/technology-stack.md` - Technology stack documentation

#### Architecture Decision Records (ADRs)
- ADR-005: IndieLogin Authentication
- ADR-010: Authentication Module Design
- ADR-016: IndieAuth Client Discovery
- ADR-017: OAuth Client Metadata Document
- ADR-018: IndieAuth Detailed Logging
- ADR-019: IndieAuth Correct Implementation
- ADR-021: IndieAuth Provider Strategy
- ADR-022: Auth Route Prefix Fix
- ADR-023: IndieAuth Client Identification
- ADR-024: Static Identity Page
- ADR-025: IndieAuth PKCE Authentication
- ADR-028: Micropub Implementation
- ADR-029: Micropub IndieAuth Integration

#### Project Planning
- `/home/phil/Projects/starpunk/docs/projectplan/v1/implementation-plan.md`
- `/home/phil/Projects/starpunk/docs/projectplan/v1/quick-reference.md`
- `/home/phil/Projects/starpunk/docs/projectplan/v1/README.md`

#### Design Documents
- `/home/phil/Projects/starpunk/docs/design/initial-files.md`
- `/home/phil/Projects/starpunk/docs/design/phase-3-authentication-implementation.md`

#### Reports
- Various implementation reports referencing IndieAuth specification

## Changes Made

### URL Replacements
- **Old URL**: `https://indieauth.spec.indieweb.org/`
- **New URL**: `https://www.w3.org/TR/indieauth/`
- **Total Replacements**: 42 references updated

### Why This Matters

1. **Authority**: The W3C version is the official, authoritative specification
2. **Maintenance**: W3C specifications receive regular updates and errata
3. **Permanence**: W3C URLs are guaranteed to be permanent and stable
4. **Standards Compliance**: Referencing W3C directly shows commitment to web standards

## Verification

### Pre-Update Status
- Found 42 references to the old IndieAuth spec URL (`indieauth.spec.indieweb.org`)
- No references to the W3C version

### Post-Update Status
- 0 references to the old spec URL
- 42 references to the W3C version (`www.w3.org/TR/indieauth`)
- All documentation now consistently references the W3C specification

### Validation Command
```bash
# Check for any remaining old references
grep -r "indieauth\.spec\.indieweb\.org" /home/phil/Projects/starpunk --include="*.md" --include="*.py"
# Result: No matches found

# Count W3C references
grep -r "w3\.org/TR/indieauth" /home/phil/Projects/starpunk --include="*.md" --include="*.py" | wc -l
# Result: 42 references
```

## Impact Assessment

### Positive Impacts
1. **Documentation Consistency**: All documentation now points to the same authoritative source
2. **Future-Proofing**: W3C URLs are permanent and will not change
3. **Professional Standards**: Demonstrates commitment to official web standards
4. **Improved Credibility**: References to W3C specifications carry more weight

### No Negative Impacts
- No functional changes to code
- No breaking changes to existing functionality
- URLs redirect properly, so existing bookmarks still work
- All section references remain valid

## Recommendations

1. **Documentation Standards**: Add a documentation standard requiring all specification references to use official W3C URLs where available
2. **CI/CD Check**: Consider adding a check to prevent introduction of old spec URLs
3. **Regular Review**: Periodically review external references to ensure they remain current

## Conclusion

Successfully completed standardization of all IndieAuth specification references across the StarPunk documentation. All 42 references have been updated from the old IndieWeb.org URL to the official W3C specification URL. This ensures the project documentation remains consistent, professional, and aligned with web standards best practices.

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**Note**: This report documents an architectural documentation update. No code changes were required as Python source files did not contain direct specification URLs in comments.