Documentation archive policy

Documentation is archived when it describes unsupported behavior, is replaced by an accepted ADR/guide, or has had no valid owner after two review cycles. Do not archive security evidence, released migration instructions, incident records, or ADRs; those remain discoverable with status links.

1. Confirm the replacement or reason and search inbound links.
2. Move the file under docs/archive/<year>/ without rewriting its history.
3. Add an archive banner with date, reason, replacement, and last supported release; update inbound links and navigation.
4. Keep archives out of the default portal navigation but available by URL and repository search.
5. Delete only if content is sensitive, legally required to be removed, or wholly generated and reproducible. Record the deletion decision.

Review archives at each major release. Archived guidance is never an operating instruction.