Hi EJ

That looks very promising! Thanks EJ!

Let me take a look and get back to you.

Regards
JB

On Wed, Sep 23, 2026 at 5:02 PM EJ Wang <[email protected]>
wrote:

> Hi JB, all,
>
> Following up on this discussion, I put together a small PoC to make it
> easier for authors to keep using Google Docs while meeting the need to
> preserve proposal documents in the repository:
> https://github.com/apache/polaris/pull/5587
>
> The idea is to make that archival step mostly automatic. An author adds a
> version label and a Google Doc link to one YAML manifest. The tool captures
> Markdown and images, then fills in the Google revision and snapshot paths.
> Authors can preview locally, or let CI in their fork generate and commit
> the result. Captured versions stay frozen while the live Doc can continue
> to evolve.
>
> This is only a PoC to try the workflow and gather feedback. The snapshot
> directory used here is for demonstration. For actual integration, snapshots
> would go in the existing repository location for the corresponding
> documentation.
>
> I used the Tag proposal as a working example and verified the CI commit
> flow. The PR includes setup instructions if anyone would like to try
> another document.
>
> The current importer requires “Anyone with the link and Editor access".
> Comments are not archived, so discussion summaries and decisions still need
> to come back to this list.
>
> Would this make the Google Docs workflow easier to use? Feedback on the
> setup and export quality would be especially helpful.
>
> -ej
>
> On Tue, Jun 2, 2026 at 6:03 AM Jean-Baptiste Onofré <[email protected]>
> wrote:
>
> > Hi,
> >
> > Thank you for the feedback; those are all valid points. I primarily
> > wanted to get a community update on this discussion.
> >
> > I don't believe we should force authors to use a specific format,
> > whether Google Docs or Markdown. However, we should ensure that
> > "completed" Google Doc proposals are exported and stored in our
> > repository. If a proposal is eventually integrated into the
> > documentation once the implementation is finished, I think that serves
> > as an effective two-step process.
> >
> > Regards,
> > JB
> >
> > On Mon, Jun 1, 2026 at 11:30 PM Yufei Gu <[email protected]> wrote:
> > >
> > > Hi JB,
> > >
> > > I still think Google Docs is essentially a better option than Markdown
> > > proposals at this point. It's instantly readable for any reviewer while
> > > modification happens, it is easier to read and draw diagrams. One
> > practical
> > > issue is that GitHub PR pages become extremely slow when a proposal
> > > attracts a relatively small number of comments, like 80 - 100 comments.
> > > Following and reviewing a design discussion can become quite
> inefficient
> > > for both authors and reviewers. In my experience, Google Docs provides
> a
> > > smoother experience for collaborative design discussions, especially
> > during
> > > the early exploration and iteration phases.
> > >
> > > AI tooling is certainly a point in favor of Markdown. However, AI tools
> > > already work reasonably well with Google Docs, and that support
> continues
> > > to improve rapidly, so I don't see that as a decisive factor today.
> > >
> > > That said, I'm completely fine with piloting the Markdown proposal
> > approach
> > > and gathering some real world experience. I would just prefer that we
> > keep
> > > Google Docs as a valid option rather than making Markdown the only
> > > supported path.
> > >
> > > Yufei
> > >
> > >
> > > On Sun, May 31, 2026 at 10:52 PM Jean-Baptiste Onofré <[email protected]
> >
> > > wrote:
> > >
> > > > Hi everyone,
> > > >
> > > > Given the recent advancements in AI tools, I believe this thread
> > > > deserves an update. To experiment with the process we discussed, I am
> > > > currently working on the Polaris Directory proposal/PR, which
> includes
> > > > a proposal/documentation in Markdown format.
> > > >
> > > > As a reminder, our discussion centers on the potential transition to
> > > > using Markdown and PRs for proposals to better align with ASF
> > > > infrastructure.
> > > >
> > > > What are your thoughts on this approach? Still a preference for
> Google
> > Doc?
> > > >
> > > > Regards,
> > > > JB
> > > >
> > > > On Thu, Mar 5, 2026 at 3:34 AM Travis Bowen <[email protected]>
> > > > wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > I’d also find the strict requirement for markdown and PRs to be a
> > larger
> > > > > burden vs Google Docs as a reviewer or contributor for many of the
> > same
> > > > > reasons expressed, but also realize as Romain says that this is
> > probably
> > > > > something you won’t be able to get complete agreement on in a
> larger
> > > > > community.
> > > > >
> > > > > I’d +1 to JBs proposal - I like that it takes a step back and sees
> > if we
> > > > > can start with some incremental process improvements while allowing
> > for
> > > > > further discussions about the ideal state.
> > > > >
> > > > > -Travis
> > > > >
> > > > > On Wed, Mar 4, 2026 at 3:47 PM Romain Manni-Bucau <
> > [email protected]
> > > > >
> > > > > wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > > Well PR vs google docs is a habit thing, you get both camps and
> > this
> > > > is not
> > > > > > really something you can get an agreement on from my past
> > experience.
> > > > > > That said what is true is that if you say "we did discuss it" and
> > it
> > > > was in
> > > > > > the google doc, it never happent for apache - and it is good
> cause
> > we
> > > > don't
> > > > > > archive google, it is not an official channel etc...
> > > > > > So at some point - if keeping track of the decision process which
> > was
> > > > one
> > > > > > concern - it must hit the list somehow.
> > > > > > PR are a good compromise to have that for free and inline comment
> > but
> > > > > > without preview until you do use a chrome extension or the web
> > > > rendering
> > > > > > hack I spoke about, there is not yet any free lunch I guess.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Side note: if you don't care about the history and decisions in
> the
> > > > work
> > > > > > document, gdoc is ok and you fall back on the "habit"/personal
> > > > preference
> > > > > > side of things if not obvious.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Romain Manni-Bucau
> > > > > > @rmannibucau <https://x.com/rmannibucau> | .NET Blog
> > > > > > <https://dotnetbirdie.github.io/> | Blog <
> > > > https://rmannibucau.github.io/>
> > > > > > | Old
> > > > > > Blog <http://rmannibucau.wordpress.com> | Github
> > > > > > <https://github.com/rmannibucau> | LinkedIn
> > > > > > <https://www.linkedin.com/in/rmannibucau> | Book
> > > > > > <
> > > > > >
> > > >
> >
> https://www.packtpub.com/en-us/product/java-ee-8-high-performance-9781788473064
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > Javaccino founder (Java/.NET service - contact via linkedin)
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Le jeu. 5 mars 2026 à 00:16, Yufei Gu <[email protected]> a
> > écrit :
> > > > > >
> > > > > > > Google doc + dev mailing discussion is the way for many ASF
> > > > projects. I
> > > > > > > personally didn't see a major issue with that. You can always
> > > > summarize
> > > > > > the
> > > > > > > design doc or PR status in the dev mailing thread, concluding
> > with
> > > > the
> > > > > > > consensus or any related outcomes. I'm not sure if we need to
> put
> > > > every
> > > > > > > single details in the dev mailing list, that's not practical
> and
> > > > using PR
> > > > > > > for it has exactly the same issue.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Yufei
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > On Wed, Mar 4, 2026 at 2:39 PM Romain Manni-Bucau <
> > > > [email protected]
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > wrote:
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > Hi guys,
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > Hmm, your last comment kind of kills google docs for Apache
> > Polaris
> > > > > > > Yufei -
> > > > > > > > even if I understand the intent.
> > > > > > > > There if it is nowhere on the list it is not so until you
> make
> > > > comments
> > > > > > > > forwarded to the dev list as PR ones the solution doesn't
> work
> > > > well for
> > > > > > > > apache projects IMHO.
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > Did you think about providing a light UI (pure frontend, just
> > > > using the
> > > > > > > > browser github auth to fetch the doc and render it in the
> > browser)
> > > > on
> > > > > > the
> > > > > > > > polaris website able to do the rendering directly even on PR?
> > can
> > > > make
> > > > > > > kind
> > > > > > > > of the best of both worlds, will just need to switch between
> > two
> > > > tabs
> > > > > > to
> > > > > > > > comment but it is kind of already the case anyway no?
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > Alternative would be to ensure discussions happen on the
> list,
> > I
> > > > know
> > > > > > > some
> > > > > > > > projects copy/paste the full proposal in a mail instead of
> > > > dropping a
> > > > > > > > google doc link but it sill miss the discussion :(.
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > Romain Manni-Bucau
> > > > > > > > @rmannibucau <https://x.com/rmannibucau> | .NET Blog
> > > > > > > > <https://dotnetbirdie.github.io/> | Blog <
> > > > > > https://rmannibucau.github.io/
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > | Old
> > > > > > > > Blog <http://rmannibucau.wordpress.com> | Github
> > > > > > > > <https://github.com/rmannibucau> | LinkedIn
> > > > > > > > <https://www.linkedin.com/in/rmannibucau> | Book
> > > > > > > > <
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > >
> >
> https://www.packtpub.com/en-us/product/java-ee-8-high-performance-9781788473064
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > Javaccino founder (Java/.NET service - contact via linkedin)
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > Le mer. 4 mars 2026 à 23:12, Yufei Gu <[email protected]>
> a
> > > > écrit :
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > I agree with Adnan and JB that using PRs for design
> proposals
> > > > makes
> > > > > > it
> > > > > > > > > harder for the broader audience who mainly review the
> > document
> > > > and
> > > > > > > follow
> > > > > > > > > the discussion.
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > When a PR is updated, earlier comments often become
> outdated
> > and
> > > > > > > collapse
> > > > > > > > > automatically. This makes it difficult for readers to
> follow
> > the
> > > > full
> > > > > > > > > discussion and understand how the design evolved. In
> > contrast,
> > > > Google
> > > > > > > > Docs
> > > > > > > > > keeps comment threads visible and easier to navigate, which
> > helps
> > > > > > > > reviewers
> > > > > > > > > track feedback and respond in context. I have seen a lot of
> > good
> > > > > > > > discussion
> > > > > > > > > in the comment thread. Diagrams are another practical
> aspect.
> > > > Design
> > > > > > > > > proposals often iterate on diagrams, and updating them is
> > much
> > > > easier
> > > > > > > in
> > > > > > > > > Google Docs, while PR workflows usually require external
> > tools
> > > > and
> > > > > > > > > additional commits. Overall, Google Docs tends to be more
> > > > reviewer
> > > > > > > > friendly
> > > > > > > > > for early design exploration and faster iteration.
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > I'd follow JB’s suggestion to take a step back for now.
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > Yufei
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > On Wed, Mar 4, 2026 at 1:46 PM Dmitri Bourlatchkov <
> > > > [email protected]
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > wrote:
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > From Anand:
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > I find the cognitive burden of trying to deal with
> > comments
> > > > and
> > > > > > > > > iterating
> > > > > > > > > > is lower as a PR - dealing with comments in Google Docs
> is
> > > > harder.
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > I second that assessment.
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > Cheers,
> > > > > > > > > > Dmitri.
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > On Wed, Mar 4, 2026 at 2:09 PM Anand Kumar Sankaran via
> > dev <
> > > > > > > > > > [email protected]> wrote:
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > Based on Dmitri’s suggestion, I tried a PR + markdown
> for
> > > > > > > > > > > https://github.com/apache/polaris/pull/3924.
> > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > This is the third proposal I have written (two as
> Google
> > > > Docs). I
> > > > > > > > find
> > > > > > > > > > the
> > > > > > > > > > > cognitive burden of trying to deal with comments and
> > > > iterating is
> > > > > > > > lower
> > > > > > > > > > as
> > > > > > > > > > > a PR - dealing with comments in Google Docs is harder.
> > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > -
> > > > > > > > > > > Anand
> > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > From: Yufei Gu <[email protected]>
> > > > > > > > > > > Date: Friday, February 20, 2026 at 11:12 AM
> > > > > > > > > > > To: [email protected] <[email protected]>
> > > > > > > > > > > Subject: Re: [DISCUSSION] Proposal docs as markdown
> > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > This Message Is From an External Sender
> > > > > > > > > > > This message came from outside your organization.
> > > > > > > > > > > Report Suspicious<
> > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > >
> >
> https://us-phishalarm-ewt.proofpoint.com/EWT/v1/Iz9xO38YGHZK!YhNDZABkHi1B6hTBHcVu8kQI_AzqHuMLYK3YJ2WcpkFtXQrgqDnGO46G3WQrLGeP4jCYxsQABEKuLtkm2Dgju1lOYXIr6svqDiAZmLXEUbE6zADH9FL9vxAlIuqYPVDq$
> > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > One slightly orthogonal thought: proposals committed
> as
> > > > > > markdown
> > > > > > > in
> > > > > > > > > the
> > > > > > > > > > > git repo are also much easier for tooling and
> automation
> > > > > > (including
> > > > > > > > > > > AI-based tools) to reason about than external Docs…
> That
> > may
> > > > or
> > > > > > may
> > > > > > > > not
> > > > > > > > > > > matter today, but it’s probably worth keeping in mind.
> > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > That is a good point. My main concern is that many
> design
> > > > docs
> > > > > > and
> > > > > > > > > > > proposals become outdated once implementation begins.
> > When
> > > > that
> > > > > > > > > happens,
> > > > > > > > > > > the document can become misleading. That creates
> > confusion
> > > > not
> > > > > > only
> > > > > > > > for
> > > > > > > > > > > humans,  but also for any tooling or AI systems that
> > rely on
> > > > > > those
> > > > > > > > > > > documents as a source of truth.
> > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > If we move toward using Markdown in the repo, we should
> > > > consider
> > > > > > > how
> > > > > > > > to
> > > > > > > > > > > keep the document aligned with the implementation over
> > time,
> > > > or
> > > > > > be
> > > > > > > > very
> > > > > > > > > > > explicit about when a proposal is considered historical
> > > > context
> > > > > > > > rather
> > > > > > > > > > than
> > > > > > > > > > > current design. I didn't see many people doing that,
> TBH.
> > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > Yufei
> > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > On Thu, Feb 19, 2026 at 10:10 PM Jean-Baptiste Onofré <
> > > > > > > > [email protected]
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > Hi
> > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > I think we all agree that Google Docs works well for
> > > > > > > collaboration
> > > > > > > > on
> > > > > > > > > > > > proposals. I don't think we should change it.
> > > > > > > > > > > > The point is how we are "storing" these proposals in
> > the
> > > > ASF
> > > > > > > infra
> > > > > > > > as
> > > > > > > > > > > some
> > > > > > > > > > > > points (for instance, the GH PR reviews and GH Issues
> > are
> > > > > > stored
> > > > > > > in
> > > > > > > > > the
> > > > > > > > > > > ASF
> > > > > > > > > > > > infra thanks to the notification schema
> > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > >
> >
> https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://github.com/apache/polaris/blob/main/.asf.yaml*L80__;Iw!!Iz9xO38YGHZK!89RRPA_7GgBy9xjmDl9fqFt_2hDlH0RfXNGgyvoMAhdUAgADi08ZUPy4MJVSuIW095SBIwcCZ1eVp5owZ9F2WDY$
> > > > > > > > > > ,
> > > > > > > > > > > the lists are
> > > > > > > > > > > > archived and can be used to recreate the resources if
> > > > needed).
> > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > I don't think we need to over engineer or
> > overcomplicate
> > > > the
> > > > > > > > process
> > > > > > > > > > > here.
> > > > > > > > > > > > The purpose is really to have backup on the Google
> Doc
> > > > > > proposals.
> > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > Maybe we should just keep using Google Docs for now,
> > and
> > > > > > > regularly
> > > > > > > > > > export
> > > > > > > > > > > > the Google Doc as markdown (it's possible in File ->
> > > > Download
> > > > > > ->
> > > > > > > > > > Markdown
> > > > > > > > > > > > (md)) to populate a folder on the repo (as backup).
> > > > > > > > > > > > I'm sure we can do that via a process/API call too.
> > Also,
> > > > we
> > > > > > can
> > > > > > > > > > create a
> > > > > > > > > > > > [email protected] mailing list to
> regularly
> > > > send the
> > > > > > > > > > proposal
> > > > > > > > > > > as
> > > > > > > > > > > > md (to archive).
> > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > Regards
> > > > > > > > > > > > JB
> > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > On Fri, Feb 20, 2026 at 2:49 AM Sung Yun <
> > > > [email protected]>
> > > > > > > > wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > Hi all, this is a good discussion. Thanks Robert
> and
> > > > Mika for
> > > > > > > > > raising
> > > > > > > > > > > > this.
> > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > I do think Google Docs work really well for
> drafting
> > > > RFCs and
> > > > > > > > > > > discussing
> > > > > > > > > > > > > ideas early on. The low friction for collaboration,
> > > > comments,
> > > > > > > and
> > > > > > > > > > > > diagrams
> > > > > > > > > > > > > makes it much easier to shape a proposal before
> > there’s
> > > > any
> > > > > > > real
> > > > > > > > > > > > consensus.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > The most important invariant, in my view, is that
> we
> > > > abide by
> > > > > > > the
> > > > > > > > > “if
> > > > > > > > > > > it
> > > > > > > > > > > > > didn’t happen on the mailing list, it didn’t
> happen”
> > ASF
> > > > > > > rule[1],
> > > > > > > > > > > which I
> > > > > > > > > > > > > believe most proposals already follow.
> > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > Dmitri - conceptually, the freezing and archiving
> > > > approach
> > > > > > does
> > > > > > > > > sound
> > > > > > > > > > > > > great. Where I think more clarity would help,
> before
> > we
> > > > adopt
> > > > > > > it,
> > > > > > > > > is
> > > > > > > > > > > > around
> > > > > > > > > > > > > the details of the process. Defining and publishing
> > > > > > guidelines
> > > > > > > on
> > > > > > > > > > when
> > > > > > > > > > > a
> > > > > > > > > > > > > proposal is considered “accepted” and ready to be
> > > > finalized,
> > > > > > > who
> > > > > > > > > > makes
> > > > > > > > > > > > that
> > > > > > > > > > > > > call, and whether we expect a version committed to
> > git to
> > > > > > stay
> > > > > > > in
> > > > > > > > > > sync
> > > > > > > > > > > if
> > > > > > > > > > > > > the implementation evolves I think would be good to
> > > > answer up
> > > > > > > > > front.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > Defining that process would also help us evaluate
> > > > whether the
> > > > > > > > > process
> > > > > > > > > > > > will
> > > > > > > > > > > > > remain lightweight or risk adding unnecessary
> > overhead.
> > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > One slightly orthogonal thought: proposals
> committed
> > as
> > > > > > > markdown
> > > > > > > > in
> > > > > > > > > > the
> > > > > > > > > > > > > git repo are also much easier for tooling and
> > automation
> > > > > > > > (including
> > > > > > > > > > > > > AI-based tools) to reason about than external Docs…
> > That
> > > > may
> > > > > > or
> > > > > > > > may
> > > > > > > > > > not
> > > > > > > > > > > > > matter today, but it’s probably worth keeping in
> > mind.
> > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > Cheers,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > Sung
> > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > [1]
> > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > >
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> https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://community.apache.org/contributors/mailing-lists.html*inclusion-and-transparency__;Iw!!Iz9xO38YGHZK!89RRPA_7GgBy9xjmDl9fqFt_2hDlH0RfXNGgyvoMAhdUAgADi08ZUPy4MJVSuIW095SBIwcCZ1eVp5ow0BwAr1o$
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> > > > > > > > > > > > > On 2026/02/20 00:39:44 Dmitri Bourlatchkov wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > Hi All,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > Russell made a good point that proposal docs
> > basically
> > > > stop
> > > > > > > > > > evolving
> > > > > > > > > > > as
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > soon some code for that proposal is committed.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > However, I think old proposal texts still have
> > value
> > > > in the
> > > > > > > > > > > historical
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > context, especially if we link them to
> > implementation
> > > > PRs.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > Process-wise, in my personal experience,
> > > > cross-referencing
> > > > > > > > gDocs
> > > > > > > > > > and
> > > > > > > > > > > > code
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > is very hard.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > So, I would like to propose explicitly "freezing"
> > gDoc
> > > > > > > > proposals
> > > > > > > > > > > before
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > implementing them. Maybe we could convert them to
> > PDF
> > > > and
> > > > > > > > commit
> > > > > > > > > to
> > > > > > > > > > > the
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > docs section in the source repo. WDYT?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > Markdown proposals are already frozen once
> > committed to
> > > > > > git.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > Cheers,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > Dmitri.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Thu, Feb 19, 2026 at 11:25 AM Russell Spitzer
> <
> > > > > > > > > > > > > [email protected]>
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I have no problem with leaving a final copy in
> > > > markdown,
> > > > > > > but
> > > > > > > > I
> > > > > > > > > > > > > definitely
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > think Google docs are a lower friction method
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > of doing proposals. I do feel like most folks
> do
> > not
> > > > keep
> > > > > > > > > design
> > > > > > > > > > > > > documents
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > in sync with actual implementations and I
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > am not sure having them go through a PR process
> > would
> > > > > > make
> > > > > > > > that
> > > > > > > > > > > > easier.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > In general I think this is a "don't fix what
> > isn't
> > > > broke"
> > > > > > > > > > > situation,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > the
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > current setup is good enough and familiar to
> > users
> > > > of a
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > lot of other ASF projects. If folks can choose
> > > > between
> > > > > > docs
> > > > > > > > and
> > > > > > > > > > PR
> > > > > > > > > > > > for
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > proposals I think that's all fine, and I think
> > it's
> > > > > > > probably
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > a good idea to have final proposals inside the
> > repo
> > > > but I
> > > > > > > > > > wouldn't
> > > > > > > > > > > > > consider
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > it critical.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I know Docs are outside ASF, but our whole PR
> > review
> > > > > > > process
> > > > > > > > is
> > > > > > > > > > > > *also*
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > outside ASF :)
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Thu, Feb 19, 2026 at 8:47 AM Robert Stupp <
> > > > > > > [email protected]
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I think it's worth a try.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I took a stab at listing the proposals on the
> > > > Polaris
> > > > > > > > > website;
> > > > > > > > > > PR
> > > > > > > > > > > > > [3835]
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > is
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > up.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Robert
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > [3835]
> > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > >
> >
> https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://github.com/apache/polaris/pull/3835__;!!Iz9xO38YGHZK!89RRPA_7GgBy9xjmDl9fqFt_2hDlH0RfXNGgyvoMAhdUAgADi08ZUPy4MJVSuIW095SBIwcCZ1eVp5ow3Tg7y1w$
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Thu, Feb 19, 2026 at 7:57 AM Jean-Baptiste
> > > > Onofré <
> > > > > > > > > > > > > [email protected]>
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Hi Yufei,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I agree with your points and appreciate the
> > > > > > > > collaborative,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > user-friendly
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > nature of Google Docs.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > We can certainly continue using Google Docs
> > > > during
> > > > > > the
> > > > > > > > > > drafting
> > > > > > > > > > > > and
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > preparation phases. However, since Google
> > Docs
> > > > exists
> > > > > > > > > outside
> > > > > > > > > > > of
> > > > > > > > > > > > > the
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ASF
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > infrastructure, we should ensure the final
> > > > versions
> > > > > > of
> > > > > > > > > > > proposals
> > > > > > > > > > > > > are
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > exported to and stored in our repository.
> > This
> > > > > > ensures
> > > > > > > > they
> > > > > > > > > > are
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > properly
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > archived within the ASF-managed source
> system
> > > > > > (remember
> > > > > > > > > that
> > > > > > > > > > > > > GitHub is
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > a
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > mirror of GitBox which is ASF managed
> source
> > > > > > > repository).
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I suggest we remain flexible to encourage
> as
> > many
> > > > > > > > > > contributions
> > > > > > > > > > > > as
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > possible:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > 1. If a contributor prefers Google Docs for
> > > > drafting
> > > > > > > and
> > > > > > > > > > > review,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > that
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > works
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > well. The document can then be exported to
> > the
> > > > > > website
> > > > > > > > once
> > > > > > > > > > it
> > > > > > > > > > > > > reaches
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > a
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > "final" stage.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > 2. If a contributor prefers to submit a
> > proposal
> > > > via
> > > > > > a
> > > > > > > > Pull
> > > > > > > > > > > > > Request in
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Markdown, that is also acceptable.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > If there are no objections, I would like to
> > > > > > experiment
> > > > > > > > with
> > > > > > > > > > the
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Markdown
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > approach for the Delegation Services
> > proposal.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > What do you think?
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Regards,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > JB
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Tue, Feb 17, 2026 at 7:55 PM Yufei Gu <
> > > > > > > > > > [email protected]
> > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Hi all,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > In my experience, Google Docs works very
> > well
> > > > for
> > > > > > > > design
> > > > > > > > > > > > > discussions.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > real time collaboration, quick iteration,
> > and
> > > > low
> > > > > > > > barrier
> > > > > > > > > > to
> > > > > > > > > > > > > editing
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > make
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > it much easier to shape ideas, especially
> > in
> > > > the
> > > > > > > early
> > > > > > > > > > > stages.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Multiple
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > people can work on a single Google Doc
> > > > seamlessly,
> > > > > > > > > whereas
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > coordinating
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > edits across one PR with several
> > contributors
> > > > is
> > > > > > not
> > > > > > > as
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > straightforward.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Diagrams are often an important part of
> > > > proposal
> > > > > > > > > > discussions.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > Adding,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > editing, and iterating on diagrams is
> much
> > > > easier
> > > > > > in
> > > > > > > > > Google
> > > > > > > > > > > > > Docs. In
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > a
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > PR
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > workflow, updating diagrams usually
> > requires
> > > > > > external
> > > > > > > > > > tools,
> > > > > > > > > > > > and
> > > > > > > > > > > > > new
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > commits, which slows down iteration.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The PR review process also works
> > differently
> > > > from
> > > > > > > open
> > > > > > > > > > design
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > exploration.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Long discussions can quickly accumulate
> > dozens
> > > > of
> > > > > > > > > comments,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > making
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > the
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > page
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > slower and harder to navigate. You've
> > probably
> > > > > > > > > experienced
> > > > > > > > > > > slow
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > GitHub
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > PR
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > pages when there are 80+ comments. And we
> > would
> > > > > > > likely
> > > > > > > > > need
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > additional
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > rules around approvals or change requests
> > for
> > > > > > > proposal
> > > > > > > > > > docs,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > which
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > adds
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > more process overhead.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I believe Google Docs should remain a
> > valid and
> > > > > > > > practical
> > > > > > > > > > > > option
> > > > > > > > > > > > > for
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > drafting and collaborative design
> > discussions.
> > > > I'd
> > > > > > > love
> > > > > > > > > to
> > > > > > > > > > > > still
> > > > > > > > > > > > > keep
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > that
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > option.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Yufei
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Tue, Feb 17, 2026 at 10:26 AM Dmitri
> > > > > > Bourlatchkov
> > > > > > > <
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > [email protected]
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Hi Robert,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Excellent idea about leveraging the PR
> > review
> > > > > > > process
> > > > > > > > > for
> > > > > > > > > > > > > proposal
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > docs!
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I'm not sure we need to spend extra
> > effort to
> > > > > > > publish
> > > > > > > > > > > > > proposals on
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > the
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > main
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > site (unless it is easy :) ) as long as
> > the
> > > > > > > > > contribution
> > > > > > > > > > > > guide
> > > > > > > > > > > > > is
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > clear
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > about how to find them in GH.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Once a proposal is implemented, the
> docs
> > will
> > > > > > > > naturally
> > > > > > > > > > be
> > > > > > > > > > > > > updated
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > with
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > corresponding user-facing instructions.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Cheers,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Dmitri.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Sun, Feb 15, 2026 at 8:41 AM Robert
> > Stupp
> > > > <
> > > > > > > > > > > [email protected]
> > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Hi all,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Mick brought up a very good point [1]
> > > > about the
> > > > > > > use
> > > > > > > > > of
> > > > > > > > > > > > Google
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Docs
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > for
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > proposals.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Very simplified, our current proposal
> > > > process
> > > > > > is
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > - a contributor creates a Google Doc
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > - the proposal is introduced on
> > > > [email protected]
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > - discussion happens on both the
> Google
> > > > Doc and
> > > > > > > the
> > > > > > > > > > dev@
> > > > > > > > > > > > > mailing
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > lists
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Google Docs are a great vehicle for
> > > > > > > collaboration.
> > > > > > > > > > Just,
> > > > > > > > > > > I
> > > > > > > > > > > > > think
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > the
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > commentary functionality there is a
> bit
> > > > odd.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > There's also a "disconnect" (or
> "media
> > > > break"
> > > > > > if
> > > > > > > > you
> > > > > > > > > > > prefer
> > > > > > > > > > > > > that
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > term)
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > between the discussions that actually
> > > > count and
> > > > > > > > those
> > > > > > > > > > > that
> > > > > > > > > > > > > do not
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > (think:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > "If it did not happen on the mailing
> > list,
> > > > it
> > > > > > > never
> > > > > > > > > > > > > happened.")
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The valuable information in those
> > Google
> > > > Docs
> > > > > > > gets
> > > > > > > > > > > "lost",
> > > > > > > > > > > > as
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > there's
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > no
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > more direct relationship from the
> code
> > or
> > > > > > > > > documentation
> > > > > > > > > > > to
> > > > > > > > > > > > a
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > proposal
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > and
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > the discussion that happened on it.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > We currently do not have a consistent
> > > > overview
> > > > > > of
> > > > > > > > all
> > > > > > > > > > > > > proposals,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > the
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > activity on those and their status.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Technically speaking, proposals could
> > fit
> > > > > > pretty
> > > > > > > > well
> > > > > > > > > > > into
> > > > > > > > > > > > > the
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > GitHub
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > pull-request workflow and, once
> > accepted,
> > > > serve
> > > > > > > as
> > > > > > > > a
> > > > > > > > > > > > > reference,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > provide
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > insight into the agreed on ideas or
> > even
> > > > serve
> > > > > > as
> > > > > > > > > > > > > documentation.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > What I am thinking of is a space on
> > the web
> > > > > > site
> > > > > > > > > that:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > * lists the current proposals built
> > from a
> > > > > > query
> > > > > > > > > > against
> > > > > > > > > > > > > open PRs
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > with
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > e.g.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > the 'proposal' label,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > * lists of closed proposals, closed
> PRs
> > > > > > (dropped
> > > > > > > > > ideas
> > > > > > > > > > or
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > approaches),
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > * list of accepted proposals, merged
> > PRs
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Moving proposals to PRs containing
> > > > markdown (or
> > > > > > > > > > > asciidoc),
> > > > > > > > > > > > > would
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > close
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > the
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > "media break" and fix nicely with "it
> > > > happened
> > > > > > on
> > > > > > > > the
> > > > > > > > > > > > mailing
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > list."
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I'd like to not go into the technical
> > > > details
> > > > > > or
> > > > > > > > > where
> > > > > > > > > > > the
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > proposals
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > would
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > live in this discussion, but rather
> get
> > > > your
> > > > > > > > thoughts
> > > > > > > > > > > about
> > > > > > > > > > > > > the
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > idea
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > in
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > general.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Just so much: GitHub has a good edit
> > > > > > > functionality
> > > > > > > > > > with a
> > > > > > > > > > > > > live
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > markdown
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > preview as a split view [2].
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Cheers,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Robert
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > [1]
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > >
> >
> https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://lists.apache.org/thread/dnvfck8owpz0z1n1f93mnjm2nlcjp3ym__;!!Iz9xO38YGHZK!89RRPA_7GgBy9xjmDl9fqFt_2hDlH0RfXNGgyvoMAhdUAgADi08ZUPy4MJVSuIW095SBIwcCZ1eVp5owMqc4FVQ$
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > [2]
> > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > >
> >
> https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://github.dev/apache/polaris/blob/main/README.md__;!!Iz9xO38YGHZK!89RRPA_7GgBy9xjmDl9fqFt_2hDlH0RfXNGgyvoMAhdUAgADi08ZUPy4MJVSuIW095SBIwcCZ1eVp5owAnBZVqU$
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > >
> >
> >
>

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