Backend: List/Search Bounds and Ordering

Repository: mem-labs/mem

activeUpdated Feb 19, 2026, 8:25 PM

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Status

Markdown

Collection endpoints must enforce bounds and deterministic ordering.

Rationale:
- Unbounded or unstable list/search behavior causes performance regressions and pagination bugs.

Scope:
- PR review policy for backend route changes under:
  - `domains/python/backend/app/src/api/routes/**/views.py`
  - `domains/python/backend/app/src/api/routes_external/**/views.py`
- Applies to endpoints returning collections (list/search/index style handlers).

Trigger:
- A PR adds/changes collection-returning handler behavior, including pagination or ordering behavior.

Approval checks:
1) Request inputs bound result size (`limit` or equivalent) via schema validation and/or explicit clamp.
2) Pagination position input (`page`, `cursor`, or equivalent) is defined when multi-page results are supported.
3) Ordering is explicit and deterministic (`order_by`/query ordering path, including stable tie-break behavior where needed).
4) Tests for changed endpoint assert at least one boundary/ordering behavior.

Evidence:
- Diff shows bounded pagination/order logic and matching assertions in endpoint tests.

Decision:
- Return NOT APPROVED when trigger is met and any determinism/bounds check is missing.

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