BASE 44 ORDER: Build phase_cache table with SHA-256 hashing and 24h cache logic — E8 Intelligence Research

Andrew's order (Base 44 console): [SELF-BUILD from enhancement #1269] Create phase_cache table. In Python, hash normalized prompts (SHA-256, 8 bytes). Before LLM, query cache for 24h hits; on hit increment access_count, else call LLM and upsert. Add daily cleanup deleting rows older than 7 days or access_count<2. Wrap with lru_cache(60). MERLIN: Understood. I'll direct the swarm to implement the phase_cache enhancement: create the table, hash normalized prompts with SHA-256 (8 bytes), and add a 24-hour cache lookup with access_count increments. On misses we'll call the LLM and upsert, then wrap with lru_cache(60). Daily cleanup will remove rows older than 7 days or with access_count < 2. The swarm will start coding and testing this now. Author: Andrew Stewart Caldin, Independent Researcher, UK. Part of the E8 Intelligence Research series. Platform: e8intelligence.com