Version: 1.0 | Status: Implementation-Ready — Gear 1
Scope: The capstone skill of the Clarity Engine. Synthesizes all upstream results to produce Purlend's definitive output: the Always-Approved statement. For every borrower, in every situation, there is an approved path. This skill finds it, quantifies it, sequences it, and delivers it with specificity and confidence.
Confidential: PreFi, Inc. / Purpose Technology, Inc. d/b/a Purlend
There is no such thing as a denied borrower. There is only a borrower who has not yet been shown the right path.
This is not a marketing claim. It is an architectural truth. Every financial situation — no matter how constrained — has a feasible approved state. The question is never "can this borrower get a loan?" The question is always "what is the minimum action required, and what is the timeline?"
The Always-Approved Skill makes this concrete. It does not offer hope — it offers a plan.
What "Always Approved" means operationally:
What this skill does NOT do:
RankedProgramList (from Ranking Skill)OverlayAdjustedResult (from Overlay Skill)ScenarioSet (from Scenario Generation Skill)AuditTrace (from Audit Trace Skill)BorrowerProfile (for current financial state)AlwaysApprovedStatement — the canonical Purlend outputApprovalPathMap — structured path from current state to full approvalPriorityActionPlan — sequenced, concrete next stepsTimeToApproval — estimate with confidence bandAlwaysApprovedLineageTrace
Stage 1 — Validate inputs
Stage 2 — Determine Always-Approved tier
Stage 3 — Build ApprovalPathMap
Stage 4 — Compute TimeToApproval
Stage 5 — Generate PriorityActionPlan
Stage 6 — Apply language rules
Stage 7 — Generate AlwaysApprovedStatement
Stage 8 — Emit final output
TIER DETECTION LOGIC (evaluate in order — first match wins):
TIER 1: APPROVED_NOW
Condition: RankedProgramList has ≥ 1 program with qualification_status NOT INELIGIBLE
AND overlay_adjusted_confidence ≥ 0.70
Message core: "You're approved. Here's your best option."
Action required: None (zero friction to proceed)
TIER 2: APPROVED_ONE_ACTION
Condition: All ranked programs are INELIGIBLE OR all confidence < 0.70
AND ScenarioSet contains ≥ 1 scenario with effort_impact_score ≥ 50
AND that scenario requires ONE type of change
Message core: "One change gets you approved. Here's exactly what it is."
Action required: Single action (credit / down payment / debt payoff / co-borrower / wait)
TIER 3: APPROVED_MULTIPLE_ACTIONS
Condition: All ranked programs are INELIGIBLE OR all confidence < 0.70
AND best scenario requires TWO OR MORE distinct change types
Message core: "A clear path exists. Here are the steps in order."
Action required: 2–3 sequential actions
TIER 4: APPROVED_WITH_TIME
Condition: Primary blocking constraint is a waiting period (bankruptcy, foreclosure)
AND waiting period has not yet elapsed
Message core: "Your path is clear. You'll be eligible on [exact date]."
Action required: Wait until eligible_date (use time productively — credit prep, savings)
TIER 1 OVERRIDE — Low confidence case:
IF eligible programs exist but all overlay_adjusted_confidence < 0.70:
Tier = TIER_2 with action = "Advisor review and lender match required"
This is not a denial — it is a routing step.
The ApprovalPathMap is a structured representation of the path from the
borrower's CURRENT STATE to their FULLY APPROVED STATE.
PATH MAP NODES:
NODE_CURRENT:
type: CURRENT_STATE
description: "Where you are today"
data: {credit_score, monthly_obligations, funds_available, ltv, approved_programs}
NODE_ACTION_1 (if Tier 2/3):
type: ACTION
action_type: CREDIT | DOWN_PAYMENT | DEBT_PAYOFF | CO_BORROWER | WAIT
description: specific action (e.g., "Pay off $906/month in obligations")
cost: dollar amount or time
timeline: estimated months
programs_unlocked: [list]
NODE_ACTION_2 (if Tier 3):
type: ACTION
[same structure as NODE_ACTION_1]
depends_on: NODE_ACTION_1 (must complete first)
NODE_APPROVED:
type: APPROVED_STATE
description: "Where you'll be"
data: {program, monthly_payment, ctc, mi, confidence}
PATH MAP RULES:
Nodes are connected in sequence — each action leads to the next
Parallel actions (can be done simultaneously) are noted as PARALLEL
Sequential dependencies are noted as SEQUENTIAL
The path always terminates at NODE_APPROVED (never at an impasse)
PARALLEL vs SEQUENTIAL:
PARALLEL: credit improvement + down payment savings (can do simultaneously)
SEQUENTIAL: pay off debt THEN apply (must complete payoff before application)
TimeToApproval = time from today to the earliest date the borrower
can close on an approved loan.
TIER 1: TimeToApproval = 30–45 days (standard purchase timeline)
Note: VA may require COE verification (+3–5 business days)
TIER 2: TimeToApproval = action_timeline + standard_close_timeline
CREDIT_IMPROVEMENT:
gap 1–10 pts: 1–2 months + 30–45 days close = 45–105 days
gap 11–30 pts: 3–6 months + 30–45 days close = 4–7.5 months
gap 31–60 pts: 6–12 months + 30–45 days close = 7–13.5 months
gap > 60 pts: 12–24+ months
DOWN_PAYMENT_INCREASE:
timeline = additional_down_needed / monthly_savings_rate
If savings_rate unknown: flag TIMELINE_BORROWER_DEPENDENT
Standard range: 6–24 months depending on amount
DEBT_PAYOFF:
If funds available immediately: 0 months action + 30–45 days close
If requires savings: payoff_amount / monthly_savings_rate
CO_BORROWER_ADD:
If co-borrower identified and willing: 0 months + 30–45 days close
If co-borrower needs qualification: 30–60 days for joint application
WAIT_AND_SEASON (TIER 4):
TimeToApproval = months_remaining + 30 days close (standard)
Example: 12 months remaining + 30 days = 13.0 months realistic
TIER 3: TimeToApproval = sum of sequential actions + close timeline
Apply longest-path analysis:
Identify which actions CAN be done in parallel (take max, not sum)
Identify which actions must be sequential (take sum)
CONFIDENCE BAND:
All timelines have a confidence band: OPTIMISTIC | REALISTIC | CONSERVATIVE
Report REALISTIC by default; show range in full output.
The PriorityActionPlan is the most borrower-actionable output.
It translates the ApprovalPathMap into an ordered to-do list.
FORMAT per action:
priority: 1, 2, 3... (do in this order)
action_title: short imperative phrase (e.g., "Pay down credit card")
action_detail: one specific sentence with exact amounts
why_it_matters: one sentence connecting action to loan outcome
timeline: specific ("within 60 days" not "soon")
cost: dollar amount or "no direct cost"
verification: what the lender will need to confirm completion
PLAN RULES:
Maximum 5 action items (prioritize ruthlessly)
Each action must have a specific, verifiable completion criterion
Actions that can be done for free come first
Never include vague items like "improve your credit" — only specific steps
If Tier 1 (approved now): PriorityActionPlan = ["Apply for VA loan today"]
TIER 1 ACTION TEMPLATE:
priority: 1
action_title: "Apply for [PROGRAM] loan"
action_detail: "[PROGRAM] at [RATE]% — monthly payment $[X] — no additional steps required."
why_it_matters: "You meet all qualification requirements now."
timeline: "30–45 days to close"
cost: "Standard closing costs of $[CTC]"
verification: "Lender will verify income, assets, and VA eligibility (if VA)"
TIER 4 ACTION TEMPLATE:
priority: 1
action_title: "Prepare for [eligible_date]"
action_detail: "Your [bankruptcy/foreclosure/short sale] waiting period ends [eligible_date]."
why_it_matters: "[PROGRAM] becomes available on that date."
timeline: "[N] months remaining"
cost: "No direct cost — use this time to [credit prep / savings]"
priority: 2
action_title: "Build credit score to [target]"
action_detail: "[specific credit improvement steps]"
...
The AlwaysApprovedStatement has strict language requirements.
These are not stylistic preferences — they are product requirements.
REQUIRED:
✓ State the tier explicitly in internal record (never in borrower-facing copy)
✓ Use the borrower's actual numbers (specific dollar amounts, not ranges)
✓ Name the program (VA, FHA, etc.) — not "a government-backed loan"
✓ State the minimum action required (one sentence, one number)
✓ State the timeline (specific, not "soon" or "a few months")
✓ End with a statement of certainty: "This path is clear."
FORBIDDEN:
✗ "Denied" — never appears in any Always-Approved output
✗ "Unfortunately" — signals apology for delivering actionable information
✗ "You may need to" — hedge; replace with "The next step is"
✗ "It depends" — replace with the specific conditions and their values
✗ "Work on your credit" — replace with specific action and target score
✗ "Consider saving more" — replace with exact dollar amount needed
✗ Passive voice — "Your application was reviewed" → "We reviewed your application"
✗ Percentage-only statements — pair with dollars: "DTI 45%" → "monthly payments $X above limit"
TONE PRINCIPLES:
Confident, not cautious
Specific, not general
Empowering, not apologetic
The advisor knows the path; the borrower needs to understand it
The AlwaysApprovedStatement has four components:
COMPONENT 1: STATUS LINE (1 sentence)
Tier 1: "[PROGRAM] — you're approved today."
Tier 2: "One step away — [specific action] gets you approved."
Tier 3: "Clear path forward — [N] steps to approval."
Tier 4: "Approved on [exact date] — [N] months away."
COMPONENT 2: BEST PATH DETAIL (2–3 sentences)
Name the best available program (Tier 1) or best reachable program (Tier 2/3/4)
State the key loan terms: payment, CTC, rate
Note the primary advantage this program provides
COMPONENT 3: ACTION REQUIRED (1–2 sentences — Tier 2/3/4 only; omit for Tier 1)
State the single most important next action
Include the specific amount and timeline
COMPONENT 4: CONFIDENCE CLOSE (1 sentence)
Tier 1: "This path is clear — proceed with confidence."
Tier 2: "[Action] is achievable. This path is clear."
Tier 3: "Each step is specific and achievable. This path is clear."
Tier 4: "The timeline is fixed. This path is clear."
IMPORTANT: "This path is clear." is a required closing phrase across all tiers.
It is the Always-Approved signature. Do not modify it.
{
"schema_version": "clarity_engine_v1.0",
"skill": "ALWAYS_APPROVED",
"skill_version": "1.0",
"deal_id": "string",
"borrower_id": "string",
"created_at": "ISO 8601 UTC",
"always_approved_tier": "TIER_1_APPROVED_NOW | TIER_2_ONE_ACTION | TIER_3_MULTIPLE_ACTIONS | TIER_4_TIME",
"tier_rationale": "string",
"always_approved_statement": {
"status_line": "string",
"best_path_detail": "string",
"action_required": "string | null",
"confidence_close": "string"
},
"approval_path_map": {
"node_current": {},
"actions": [],
"node_approved": {}
},
"time_to_approval": {
"tier": "TIER_1 | TIER_2 | TIER_3 | TIER_4",
"optimistic_days": 0,
"realistic_days": 0,
"conservative_days": 0,
"eligible_date_estimate": "string",
"confidence_band_note": "string"
},
"priority_action_plan": [
{
"priority": 1,
"action_title": "string",
"action_detail": "string",
"why_it_matters": "string",
"timeline": "string",
"cost": "string",
"verification": "string"
}
],
"approved_program_summary": {
"program": "string",
"monthly_payment": 0.00,
"cash_to_close": 0.00,
"total_mi_lifetime": 0.00,
"confidence": 0.00,
"key_advantage": "string"
},
"flags": [],
"lineage_trace": {}
}
Inputs:
RankedProgramList: VA (rank 1, confidence 0.95), FHA (rank 2, confidence 0.83)
overlay_adjusted_confidence: VA=0.95, FHA=0.83
ScenarioSet: S1=PROGRAM_SWITCH(VA), S2=DEBT_PAYOFF, S3=CO_BORROWER
AuditTrace: DEV-001 (CONV INELIGIBLE_DTI), DEV-002 (CA data)
Stage 2 — Tier Detection:
VA: QUALIFIED, confidence 0.95 ≥ 0.70 → TIER_1_APPROVED_NOW ✓
Stop at first match.
Stage 3 — ApprovalPathMap:
NODE_CURRENT:
credit_score: 698, monthly_obligations: 1,166.66
approved_programs: [VA, FHA]
NODE_APPROVED:
program: VA, monthly_payment: 3,363.83
cash_to_close: 12,750.00, funding_fee: 9,137.50 (financed)
confidence: 0.95
Stage 4 — Time to Approval:
Tier 1 → 30–45 days standard
optimistic: 30 days
realistic: 45 days
conservative: 60 days (VA COE delay)
Stage 5 — Priority Action Plan:
priority 1:
title: "Apply for VA loan"
detail: "VA loan at 6.50% — $3,364/month, $12,750 to close — no additional steps required."
why: "All qualification requirements are met today."
timeline: "30–45 days to close"
cost: "$12,750 at closing (closing costs only — no down payment)"
verification: "Lender will verify income, assets, and Certificate of Eligibility"
Stage 7 — AlwaysApprovedStatement:
status_line: "VA loan — you're approved today."
best_path_detail: "Your VA benefit eliminates down payment entirely, bringing
cash to close to $12,750 at 6.50% with a $3,364 monthly payment. The VA loan
also saves $58,531 in lifetime mortgage insurance compared to FHA."
action_required: null
confidence_close: "This path is clear — proceed with confidence."
Inputs:
qualifying_credit_score: 605
FHA: CONDITIONAL (score below common 620 overlay)
CONV: INELIGIBLE_DTI (score also below CONV minimum)
VA: INELIGIBLE (not veteran)
DSCR: N/A (primary residence)
ScenarioSet: S1=CREDIT_IMPROVEMENT (615→640, gap=35 pts, tier CONV+FHA clean)
Stage 2 — Tier Detection:
No program has confidence ≥ 0.70 (FHA CONDITIONAL + overlay = 0.62)
ScenarioSet S1: effort_impact_score = 38×0.40 + 75×0.60 = 60.2 ≥ 60
ONE action type: CREDIT_IMPROVEMENT → TIER_2_ONE_ACTION
Stage 3 — ApprovalPathMap:
NODE_CURRENT:
credit_score: 605 — FHA below 620 overlay, CONV ineligible
NODE_ACTION_1:
type: CREDIT_IMPROVEMENT
description: "Improve credit score from 605 to 640"
score_gap: 35 points
estimated_actions: reduce credit utilization, dispute errors
timeline: 4–9 months
cost: low — primarily time and behavioral
NODE_APPROVED:
program: FHA (at 640+) or CONVENTIONAL (at 640+)
monthly_payment: [computed at qualification]
confidence: 0.85 (FHA at 640+)
Stage 4 — Time to Approval:
gap = 35 pts → 6 months action + 45 days close = 7.5 months realistic
optimistic: 5 months total
realistic: 8 months total
conservative: 12 months total
Stage 5 — Priority Action Plan:
priority 1:
title: "Reduce credit card balances to below 30%"
detail: "Bring revolving utilization below 30% of total credit limits."
why: "High utilization is the fastest-impact credit score factor."
timeline: "30–60 days for score to reflect"
cost: "Depends on balance — no additional cost if paying existing debt"
verification: "Updated credit report showing reduced utilization"
priority 2:
title: "Review credit report for errors"
detail: "Request free report at AnnualCreditReport.com; dispute any inaccuracies."
why: "Removing even one inaccurate derogatory item can increase score 10–30 pts."
timeline: "30–45 days for dispute resolution"
cost: "Free"
verification: "Dispute confirmation letter from bureau"
priority 3:
title: "Do not apply for new credit"
detail: "No new credit applications until mortgage closes — each inquiry costs 2–5 pts."
why: "Protects current score from hard inquiry reduction."
timeline: "Ongoing until closing"
cost: "No cost"
verification: "No new accounts on credit report at application"
Stage 7 — AlwaysApprovedStatement:
status_line: "One step away — a 35-point credit improvement gets you approved."
best_path_detail: "At 640, both FHA and Conventional become available with
full lender acceptance. FHA would deliver approximately $[payment]/month
with 3.5% down; Conventional becomes possible once income supports DTI."
action_required: "The primary step is reducing credit card balances below 30%
utilization — this alone can deliver 15–25 of the 35 points needed, within
30–60 days."
confidence_close: "A 35-point improvement is achievable. This path is clear."
Inputs:
foreclosure_discharge_date: 24 months ago (Conventional needs 7 years; FHA needs 3 years)
qualifying_credit_score: 680
DTI: 38% (would qualify if waiting period met)
CONV: INELIGIBLE — 7-year wait, 4 years remaining
FHA: INELIGIBLE — 3-year wait, 1 year remaining [closest path]
VA: INELIGIBLE (not veteran)
Stage 2 — Tier Detection:
All programs INELIGIBLE.
Binding constraint: waiting period.
FHA: 1 year remaining → eligible in 12 months.
→ TIER_4_APPROVED_WITH_TIME
Stage 3 — ApprovalPathMap:
NODE_CURRENT:
foreclosure: 24 months ago
FHA eligible_date: 12 months from today
NODE_ACTION_1:
type: WAIT_AND_SEASON
description: "Wait 12 months until FHA 3-year waiting period expires"
timeline: 12 months
cost: none (time only)
PARALLEL ACTIONS:
While waiting: credit score maintenance, down payment savings
NODE_APPROVED:
program: FHA (at 36 months post-foreclosure)
confidence: ~0.82 (if current financial profile maintained)
Stage 4 — Time to Approval:
FHA eligible: 12 months + 30 days close = 13.0 months realistic
optimistic: 12.5 months
realistic: 13.0 months
conservative: 15 months
FHA_ELIGIBLE_DATE: [today + 12 months] ← exact date, always state it
Stage 5 — Priority Action Plan:
priority 1:
title: "Mark calendar: FHA eligible [exact date]"
detail: "Your FHA 3-year post-foreclosure waiting period expires [date]. Begin lender outreach 60 days before."
why: "FHA is the earliest-available path — 1 year sooner than Conventional."
timeline: "12 months remaining"
cost: "None"
priority 2:
title: "Maintain credit score above 640"
detail: "Keep all current accounts current; hold utilization below 30%."
why: "A 640+ score at FHA eligibility date maximizes approval certainty."
timeline: "Ongoing — monthly monitoring"
cost: "None"
priority 3:
title: "Save $[FHA CTC estimate] for closing"
detail: "FHA 3.5% down on a $[property_value] purchase = $[down]. Total CTC estimate $[ctc]."
why: "Having full CTC at closing date allows immediate purchase when eligible."
timeline: "$[monthly_savings_needed]/month over 12 months"
cost: "[$ctc] total"
Stage 7 — AlwaysApprovedStatement:
status_line: "Approved on [FHA_ELIGIBLE_DATE] — 12 months away."
best_path_detail: "FHA becomes available the moment the 3-year post-foreclosure
waiting period expires on [exact date]. Your current credit and income already
qualify — the only barrier is time."
action_required: "Use the next 12 months to maintain your 680 credit score
and save toward closing costs — both are fully in your control today."
confidence_close: "The timeline is fixed. This path is clear."
FAA-01: Using "denied" in any output tier
"Denied" does not exist in Purlend's vocabulary.
Every situation has an approved state. State it.
FAA-02: Producing a Tier 3 plan with vague sequencing
"Work on credit and save more" → FORBIDDEN
"Step 1: Pay down $906/month in obligations (0 months). Step 2: Apply for Conventional." → REQUIRED
Every Tier 3 plan must have explicit sequencing with numbered steps.
FAA-03: Omitting the eligible_date for Tier 4 cases
Tier 4 must always include the exact calendar date when the waiting period expires.
"In about a year" is not acceptable.
"[Month Day, Year]" is required.
FAA-04: Reporting Tier 2 when two separate actions are required
If paying off debt AND improving credit are both required:
That is Tier 3, not Tier 2.
A single scenario with compound requirements is still Tier 3.
FAA-05: Skipping the Always-Approved Statement for Tier 1 borrowers
Tier 1 borrowers especially need to hear it explicitly:
"You're approved today" is just as important as "here's your path."
The Always-Approved Statement is required for ALL tiers.
FAA-06: Generating a PriorityActionPlan with more than 5 items
More than 5 actions creates paralysis. Prioritize ruthlessly.
If there are genuinely 6+ actions, combine the smallest two or defer
lower-impact items to an advisor conversation.
FAA-07: Omitting "This path is clear." from the confidence close
This phrase is the Purlend product signature. It is non-negotiable.
It belongs in every AlwaysApprovedStatement, in every tier.
Every time this skill runs, hold this standard:
IF the output would make a borrower feel hopeless → it fails the Always-Approved test.
IF the output would make a borrower feel confused → it fails the Always-Approved test.
IF the output would make a borrower feel judged → it fails the Always-Approved test.
The correct output makes the borrower feel:
INFORMED — I know exactly where I stand.
EMPOWERED — I know exactly what to do next.
CERTAIN — I know this works.
"This path is clear." is not a platitude.
It is a commitment that the Clarity Engine has done its job.
| Skill | Relationship |
|---|---|
Clarity_Engine_Ranking_SKILL.md | Required input — ranked program list |
Clarity_Engine_Overlay_SKILL.md | Required input — adjusted confidence |
Clarity_Engine_Scenario_Generation_SKILL.md | Required input — action paths |
Clarity_Engine_Audit_Trace_SKILL.md | Required input — deviation map |
Clarity_Engine_Explanation_SKILL.md | Sibling — delivers Always-Approved content to borrower |
Clarity Engine — Always Approved Skill v1.0 | CONFIDENTIAL — PreFi, Inc. / Purpose Technology, Inc. d/b/a Purlend