Output contract

Criterion

A tool produces text by default and a JSON view on request. --json selects the JSON view, which uses the same data as the text view.

Rationale

A script cannot parse aligned columns or prose without brittle rules. It needs JSON with stable field names. Building both views from one model keeps them aligned: what a person sees and what a script reads describe the same result.

Testable assertions

• output.json-parseable (required): running a read command with --json writes valid JSON to standard output and nothing that breaks parsing.
• output.dual-form (recommended): the same read command produces output both with and without --json, and the --json form parses.