Masque · Deep Blocks & Artifact Library

Promise: One protected block → one artifact you can point to.

Deep work matters, but in ESTJ worlds, artifacts are the currency. This module gives you a planner, environment setup, 5-minute starting scripts, and artifact patterns so every block produces something legible: a brief, diagram, PR, decision note, or status delta.

Block Planner

Define the block

Length: 50–90m (timer on)
Outcome: write one line: “By end, I will have ___.”
Artifact: pick pattern below (brief/diagram/PR/decision/status)
Mask: optional persona + entry phrase

Block etiquette

Do Not Disturb on (system + phone)
Close Slack/email tabs
One document open (target artifact)
Stop on time; log the next action

Environment Setup

Room

Clean surface; water; headphones within reach
Lighting + chair comfortable for 90m

Apps

Timer app visible (countdown)
Single doc window (target artifact)

Body

Two breaths, slow exhales; posture reset
Fast snack if needed; quick stretch at 40m

“Start in 5” Scripts

Writer
1) Open brief.md
2) Write headline & outcome line
3) Bullet 3 beats → expand first beat.

Engineer
1) Open PR draft
2) Write “Intent / Approach / Risks”
3) Stub tests → write first test → make it pass.

Researcher
1) Open notes
2) Write question & success criteria
3) Collect 5 sources → extract 5 quotes.

Artifact Patterns

One-Page Brief

Title
Outcome (one line)
Context (3 bullets)
Options (A/B)
Recommendation (why)
Next Step (owner · date)

Decision Note

Decision: __________
Why: short rationale
Risks: top 1–2 with owners
Next: concrete step + date

Status Delta

Was: (yesterday)
Now: (today)
Delta: (what moved)
Blockers: (who can unblock)
Next: (by when)

PR Message

Intent: what this does
Approach: how
Evidence: tests/bench/run
Risks: where to poke
Next: review asks

Diagram (words-first)

Nodes: A, B, C
Edges: A→B (why), B→C (why)
Invariants: must hold true
Failure paths: and mitigations

Cadence & Calendar

2–3 deep blocks/week minimum (AM slots best)
Batch shallow work in 2 windows/day (30–45m)
End each block with a posted artifact

Troubleshooting

Can’t start: Use a “Start in 2” (open file → write header → first sentence/test).
Interruptions: Calendar hard block + DND + status message. If broken, reschedule—don’t smear.
No artifact: You did too much. Shrink scope; ship a brief/decision note first.

Templates

Block Card
Time: ___–___
Outcome: _______
Artifact: _______
Next: _______

Standup Delta
Done / Doing / Risks / Ask

Diagram Stencil
Nodes | Edges | Invariants | Failures