Research Idea Traversal Contract

GET /api/topics/{topic_id}/ideas/traverse performs bounded read-only traversal over canonical Idea Lineage Edges. Repeat root_idea_id for multiple roots. direction is ancestors or descendants; repeat relation_kind to restrict eligible canonical edge kinds. max_depth, max_nodes, and max_edges bound the result.

The response includes mutated: false, roots, resolved_roots, unresolved_roots, direction, sorted relation_kinds, canonical nodes and induced edges, maximum_observed_depth, returned and source counts when known, requested bounds, topology_complete, limiting_bounds, continuation, index_revision, and diagnostics.

topology_complete: false means a depth, node, edge, or response bound omitted reachable material. limiting_bounds names the cause, and continuation describes a safe refinement such as increasing a bound or narrowing relation kinds. Unknown roots remain in unresolved_roots with diagnostics while valid roots still traverse. The route never infers Idea Lineage Edges from record lineage or prose.