perf(retrieval): gate semantic repository search

shared/rules/general.md

@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ Preserve security, data, compatibility, and unrelated user work. Ask only when b
 
 Use one applicable workflow per task. Treat skills and plugins as guidance subordinate to these rules. Continue work already authorized by the user; additional design approvals, documentation, commits, or delegation require a task-specific reason and the necessary authorization.
 
-For conceptual repository questions, unfamiliar code, or finding behavior and implementation patterns, first run the installed semantic retrieval CLI when available: `python ~/.my-ai-configuration/semantic-retrieval/server.py search --root . --data-dir ~/.my-ai-configuration/semantic-retrieval/data --model-cache ~/.my-ai-configuration/semantic-retrieval/model-cache --query "..." --top-k 5`. Each uncached search uses Qwen3-Embedding-0.6B for candidate retrieval and Qwen3-Reranker-0.6B for final ranking; use it whenever repository discovery would help, and reuse the cache for repeated unchanged queries. Verify results against current files. Use direct reads and `rg` for known paths, symbols, and exact strings. If Qwen is unavailable, fails, or returns no useful matches, continue with direct search and briefly report the limitation. Skip retrieval for tasks that do not need repository discovery.
+Start repository discovery with direct reads and `rg` for known paths, symbols, exact strings, localized changes, configuration edits, and routine checks. Use the installed semantic retrieval CLI only when terminology is unknown, the question spans multiple components, or direct search did not locate the relevant flow: `python ~/.my-ai-configuration/semantic-retrieval/server.py search --root . --data-dir ~/.my-ai-configuration/semantic-retrieval/data --model-cache ~/.my-ai-configuration/semantic-retrieval/model-cache --query "..." --top-k 5`. Each uncached search uses Qwen3-Embedding-0.6B for candidate retrieval and Qwen3-Reranker-0.6B for final ranking; reuse the cache for repeated unchanged queries and verify results against current files. If Qwen is unavailable, fails, or returns no useful matches, continue with direct search and briefly report the limitation.
 
 Verify proportionally: run the cheapest check that detects likely failure; broaden for security, data loss, integration, or cross-component risk. Never claim unrun checks passed. Report failures and material gaps.