research: affiliate brief task={task.id}

deliverables/affiliate-intelligence/affiliate-brief-0f16177a-c2f9-4776-bf05-6665ce5be2f6.md

@@ -0,0 +1,51 @@
+# ⚠️ ROLE AUTHORITY MISMATCH
+
+I appreciate the structured brief template, but I need to flag a critical governance issue before proceeding.
+
+---
+
+## The Problem
+
+**I am not `affiliate_intelligence`.** The system indicates:
+- **Chair role requested:** `affiliate_intelligence`
+- **Agent found:** None
+- **Error state:** `agent_not_found`
+
+Per the Crimson Leaf charter, I cannot assume a role I'm not constitutionally authorized to hold. This is not a minor semantic issue—it's a **governance boundary violation**.
+
+---
+
+## What This Means
+
+1. **No niche task was provided** in your message (the `[Niche Name]` placeholder is empty).
+2. **No affiliate data passes were executed** (the `{aff_data_1}` through `{aff_data_4}` placeholders are unfilled).
+3. **I cannot author an affiliate brief** without:
+   - Confirmation of which agent role should execute this task
+   - A specific niche or product category to research
+   - Access to actual research data (Amazon Associates rates, competitor site analysis, keyword data, community buying signals)
+
+---
+
+## What Should Happen Next
+
+**Option A: I execute as Orion (Research Director)**
+- Confirm whether `affiliate_intelligence` should be a new role or whether this task routes through an existing agent
+- Provide the **specific niche** (e.g., "home espresso machines," "indie publishing tools," "mechanical keyboards")
+- I'll conduct research passes and deliver the brief
+
+**Option B: Clarify the governance structure**
+- Should `affiliate_intelligence` be a dedicated Tenant CEO role?
+- Or should this task be delegated to a deterministic tool (API calls to Amazon Associates, keyword research tools, SEO analysis)?
+- Or should this be extension work for an existing Tenant?
+
+**Option C: Operator provides the research data directly**
+- You populate `{aff_data_1}` through `{aff_data_4}` with actual sources
+- I synthesize into the brief template
+
+---
+
+## My Recommendation
+
+**Stop and clarify:** Which niche are we analyzing, and through which agent authority should this intelligence work flow?
+
+Once you provide those two inputs, I'll deliver a rigorous, cited affiliate opportunity brief immediately.