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+# Phase 182-1: JsonParser Simple Loops Design Memo
+
+## Overview
+Phase 182 implements three simple JsonParser loops using existing P2/P1 JoinIR patterns.
+This follows Phase 181's design investigation.
+
+## Target Loops (3)
+
+### 1. _parse_number (P2 Break)
+- **Loop condition**: `p < s.length()` (LoopParam only)
+- **Carriers**: `p`, `num_str` (2 carriers)
+- **Control flow**: `break` on `digit_pos < 0`
+- **Pattern**: P2 Break
+- **JoinIR support**: ✅ Existing P2 lowerer sufficient
+- **AST characteristics**:
+  - Single break point
+  - No continue
+  - No nested control flow
+  - Carriers updated unconditionally before break check
+
+### 2. _atoi (P2 Break)
+- **Loop condition**: `i < n` (LoopParam + OuterLocal)
+- **Carriers**: `v`, `i` (2 carriers)
+- **Control flow**: `break` on `ch < "0" || ch > "9"` + `pos < 0`
+- **Pattern**: P2 Break
+- **JoinIR support**: ✅ Existing P2 lowerer sufficient
+- **AST characteristics**:
+  - Multiple break conditions (combined with OR)
+  - No continue
+  - No nested control flow
+  - Carriers updated before and after break check
+
+### 3. _match_literal (P1 Simple)
+- **Loop condition**: `i < len` (LoopParam + OuterLocal)
+- **Carriers**: `i` (1 carrier)
+- **Control flow**: `return` (early exit)
+- **Pattern**: P1 Simple
+- **JoinIR support**: ✅ Existing P1 lowerer sufficient
+- **AST characteristics**:
+  - No break/continue
+  - Early return instead
+  - Single carrier increment
+  - Simple conditional logic
+
+## Pipeline Integration Strategy
+
+### Existing Infrastructure (Reuse)
+- **PatternPipelineContext**: Already handles P1/P2 detection
+- **build_pattern_context()**: Existing logic sufficient
+- **P1 lowerer**: `lower_simple_while_minimal()` ready
+- **P2 lowerer**: `lower_loop_with_break_minimal()` ready
+- **LoopFeatures**: Shape detection already identifies P1/P2
+
+### Minimal Additions Required
+1. **Routing whitelist**: Ensure 3 functions are in JOINIR_TARGETS
+2. **LoopUpdateAnalyzer**: May need to skip string-heavy operations (gradual enablement)
+3. **Tracing**: Use NYASH_JOINIR_STRUCTURE_ONLY=1 for verification
+
+### NOT Required
+- ❌ New pattern types
+- ❌ New lowerer functions
+- ❌ Special carrier handling
+- ❌ Custom PHI generation
+
+## Verification Plan
+
+### Phase 182-2: Routing Check
+```bash
+# Verify functions are in whitelist
+grep -E "(_parse_number|_atoi|_match_literal)" \
+  src/mir/builder/control_flow/joinir/routing.rs
+```
+
+### Phase 182-3: Pattern Detection Tracing
+```bash
+# Verify correct pattern routing
+NYASH_JOINIR_STRUCTURE_ONLY=1 NYASH_JOINIR_DEBUG=1 \
+  ./target/release/hakorune apps/selfhost-runtime/jsonparser.hako 2>&1 | \
+  grep -E "(pattern|route|_parse_number|_atoi|_match)"
+```
+
+Expected output:
+- `_parse_number` → [trace:pattern] route: Pattern2_Break MATCHED
+- `_atoi` → [trace:pattern] route: Pattern2_Break MATCHED
+- `_match_literal` → [trace:pattern] route: Pattern1_Minimal MATCHED
+- No `[joinir/freeze]` errors
+
+### Phase 182-5: Representative Tests
+Create 3 minimal test files:
+1. `local_tests/test_jsonparser_parse_number_min.hako` - number parsing
+2. `local_tests/test_jsonparser_atoi_min.hako` - string to integer
+3. `local_tests/test_jsonparser_match_literal_min.hako` - literal matching
+
+Success criteria:
+- ✅ RC = 0 (normal exit)
+- ✅ Output matches expected values
+- ✅ No `[joinir/freeze]` errors
+- ✅ Same results as Rust JsonParser
+
+## Implementation Notes
+
+### Design Principles
+1. **Fit into existing framework** - Don't add special cases
+2. **Minimal additions** - Only adjust filters if necessary
+3. **Gradual enablement** - String operations can be phased in
+4. **Reuse pattern pipeline** - PatternPipelineContext handles everything
+
+### Potential Issues
+- **String operations**: May need LoopUpdateAnalyzer filtering
+- **Carrier complexity**: P2 has 2 carriers, but existing code handles this
+- **Break conditions**: Multiple conditions in _atoi, but OR combination is standard
+
+### Success Metrics
+- All 3 loops route to correct patterns (P2/P1)
+- No new special-case code required
+- Tests pass with NYASH_JOINIR_CORE=1
+- Performance comparable to existing patterns
+
+## Next Steps (Phase 183+)
+- _parse_array (P4 Continue candidate)
+- _parse_object (P4 Continue candidate)
+- Complex nested loops (future phases)
+
+## References
+- Phase 170: Loop header PHI design
+- Phase 181: JsonParser loop analysis
+- Pattern detection: `src/mir/builder/control_flow/joinir/patterns/detection.rs`
+- P1/P2 lowerers: `src/mir/builder/control_flow/joinir/patterns/pattern{1,2}_*.rs`