---
id: ADR-PFM-ELG-006
title: A publish that breaks followers is refused unless forced
product_area: platform
module: eligibility
revision: 1
status: proposed
design_intent: confirmed
source_sha:
  services-platform: ad3f6a6582843008ed0f5a17b131878d15829af1
  react-console: baf6dae382d6f41dce976c7f848667ccc37e076f
decision: >-
  Refuse an incompatible publication unless the publisher forces it, in which
  case suspend the affected following uses in the publishing transaction.
constrains:
  - DOM-PFM-ELG-002
  - STATE-PFM-ELG-003
  - WF-PFM-ELG-002
  - SVC-PFM-ELG-eligibility
origin: >-
  PLAT-M11 plan D4 "Refuse unless forced (Recommended)", approved by Andrew
  2026-10-21 10:38 ET
alternatives:
  - option: Let consumers discover incompatibility later
    why_not: Failure would reach users before administrators see the affected uses.
  - option: Forbid incompatible publication entirely
    why_not: A stale consumer could block a necessary release indefinitely.
consequences:
  - >-
    Suspended uses reject evaluation rather than return a negative
    qualification.
  - The publication trail records follower suspensions.
  - Administrators must repair a suspended use before resuming it.
supersedes: []
evidence:
  - >-
    services-platform at ad3f6a6: docs/milestones/PLAT-M11-eligibility-rules.md
    (Decisions D1-D4); services/governance/publish.ts;
    services/bindings/consumer-bindings.ts
---
# A publish that breaks followers is refused unless forced

## Context

A rule change can invalidate the purposes of consumers already following it.

## Decision

Refuse an incompatible publication unless the publisher forces it, in which case suspend the affected following uses in the publishing transaction.

## Alternatives Considered

Let consumers discover incompatibility later: Failure would reach users before administrators see the affected uses.

Forbid incompatible publication entirely: A stale consumer could block a necessary release indefinitely.

## Consequences

Suspended uses reject evaluation rather than return a negative qualification. The publication trail records follower suspensions. Administrators must repair a suspended use before resuming it.