Aglet

Prioritize Unintended Import Preview Writes

Unexpected destination changes during preview weaken the user’s ability to review an import before it runs. Prioritize the actual records changed and the paths that trigger them. Keep legitimate upload bookkeeping separate, and avoid assuming that a later cancel action restores prior state unless that behavior is explicitly implemented and observed.

Decide where the work belongs

  1. Identify unconfirmed destination changes

    Compare controlled destination state before and after preview without confirming execution. Record created or updated records and their affected fields. Distinguish an unintended domain write from metadata needed to show the preview, while preserving evidence if a validation-only action invokes work that the user was told would happen later.

  2. Scope the triggering preview path

    Compare upload, validation, mapping changes, back navigation, and refresh through supported paths. Identify which action first causes the destination change and whether the effect repeats. Estimate reach from those interactions rather than every import, keeping unrelated background edits outside the scope unless source identities connect them to the preview.

  3. Assess visibility and reconciliation

    Check whether the interface reveals the early change and whether users can identify affected records. Determine what evidence supports reconciliation without guessing prior values. A confirmation dialog added after the write does not restore review control, so include the need to correct the execution boundary in the priority assessment.

What to carry forward

Record priority with confirmed premature changes, triggering paths, visibility, and recovery effort. Assign an escalation trigger for repeated preview writes or updates to existing records. Keep the decision focused on preserving the stated review boundary, with expected bookkeeping explicitly excluded from the claim of an unintended import.

Technical background: Django import-export documentation.

Keep the decision with the work.

Use a Work Item in Aglet to record the problem, the evidence you have, and the next decision. Add an owner and priority, then keep updates in the discussion so the next person can follow the reasoning.

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