Intent
Apply large-scale changes safely with previews and audits.
When to use
- You need to update or retire many records at once.
- A migration requires mass edits.
- Manual changes are too slow or error-prone.
Core mechanics
- Define a target set with explicit criteria.
- Preview changes and require confirmation.
- Apply changes in chunks with logging.
Implementation checklist
- Define the selection query and validate a sample.
- Generate a dry-run report.
- Require explicit approval or confirmation.
- Apply changes in batches with rate limits.
- Write a complete audit trail.
Failure modes and mitigations
- Wrong selection -> require sample review and approval.
- Partial updates -> use checkpoints and resumable runs.
- Irreversible changes -> ensure backups or rollback steps.
Observability and validation
- Planned vs applied counts.
- Error rate and top failure reasons.
Artifacts
- Selection criteria and dry-run report.
- Audit log with timestamps.
- Rollback or recovery notes.