feat(cms): U3 derive article dates from content/ front-matter

Replace the hand-maintained ARTICLE_DATES registry as the source of
truth with dates read from content/ front-matter, so publishing a post
via the CMS needs no manual registry edit (plan R4).

- tools/content_index.py: load_dates() reads content/ front-matter into
  {source_folder/slug: {published|modified: iso}}. Standalone (os+yaml),
  no import cycle with seo_inject.
- tools/seo_inject.py: ARTICLE_DATES is now {**static_fallback,
  **content_dates}; content wins. The static table is kept only as a
  fallback for entries not present in content/.
- migration now preserves the published-vs-modified distinction
  (date_type), so the switch is byte-identical: content-derived dates
  equal the old static table exactly (17/17, incl. the one 'modified').

Verified: full `seo_inject --all --sitemap` + build_listings +
build_botlinks run produces ZERO changes to any site page. build_content
--check still reproduces all 51 pages.

build_botlinks.py needs no change (it scrapes built pages, which are a
pure function of content/). Listings get content-driven dates for free
via seo_inject.ARTICLE_DATES.

tools/tests/test_content_index.py: 5 tests (dates == legacy registry,
merged registry unchanged, published/modified distinction, events key on
projects/<slug>, one ISO date per entry).

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.8 (1M context) <noreply@anthropic.com>

content/blog/how-to-open-slovenian-bank-account/en.md

@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ title: How to open a Slovenian bank account as an international student
 subtitle: 'A practical guide for Macedonian students: the documents you need, how to choose a bank, using Flik, and keeping your details up to date after you open the account.'
 category: Student life
 date: '2026-08-01'
+date_type: modified
 date_line: Student life · Last checked 1 August 2026
 hero:
   src: /images/blog-slovenian-bank-account.webp

content/blog/how-to-open-slovenian-bank-account/mk.md

@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ title: Како да отворите словенечка банкарска с
 subtitle: 'Практичен водич за македонските студенти: документите што ви требаат, како да изберете банка, користење на Flik и ажурирање на вашите податоци откако ќе ја отворите сметката.'
 category: Студентски живот
 date: '2026-08-01'
+date_type: modified
 date_line: Студентски живот · Последно проверено 1 август 2026
 hero:
   src: /images/blog-slovenian-bank-account.webp

content/blog/how-to-open-slovenian-bank-account/si.md

@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ title: Kako odpreti slovenski bančni račun kot mednarodni študent
 subtitle: 'Praktičen vodnik za makedonske študente: dokumenti, ki jih potrebujete, kako izbrati banko, uporaba Flik in posodabljanje podatkov po odprtju računa.'
 category: Študentsko življenje
 date: '2026-08-01'
+date_type: modified
 date_line: Študentsko življenje · Zadnjič preverjeno 1. avgust 2026
 hero:
   src: /images/blog-slovenian-bank-account.webp

docs/content-model.md

@@ -61,7 +61,8 @@ body_format: html              # html | markdown  (see below)
 | `title` | yes | Plain text; rendered into `<h1>` and `<title>`. |
 | `subtitle` | no | Blog/event lead paragraph (`.article-subtitle`). News has none. |
 | `category` | no | Shown before the date on blog pages. |
-| `date` | yes | ISO date, authoritative for listing order. Sourced from `tools/seo_inject.py` `ARTICLE_DATES`, else extracted from the page. |
+| `date` | yes | ISO date, authoritative for listing order and for the article's schema date. Since U3 this is the source of truth (`tools/content_index.py` builds the date registry from it; the old `ARTICLE_DATES` table in `seo_inject.py` is now only a fallback). |
+| `date_type` | no | `published` (default, omitted) or `modified`. Selects `datePublished` vs `dateModified` in the Article schema. |
 | `date_line` | no | The exact human-readable date line from the page, preserved for fidelity. U2 may instead regenerate it per-language from `date`. |
 | `hero.*` | no | Lead image + caption. `src` is root-relative (`/images/…`). `caption_html` is verbatim (may contain attribution links). |
 | `body_format` | yes | See below. |

tools/README.md

@@ -1,5 +1,19 @@
 # tools/
 
+## content_index.py
+
+Reads the `content/` source tree (front-matter) as structured data. Its
+`load_dates()` builds the article date registry consumed by `seo_inject.py`,
+so **adding a post no longer needs a manual `ARTICLE_DATES` edit** — the date
+lives in the post's front-matter (`date` / `date_type`). See
+`docs/content-model.md`.
+
+## build_content.py
+
+Renders the `content/` source files into the blog/news/event detail pages
+(`--check` verifies the output matches the current site; `--write` emits pages).
+See `docs/content-model.md` and the no-code CMS plan in `docs/plans/`.
+
 ## seo_inject.py
 
 Injects a technical-SEO block into every language page (`en|mk|si/**/index.html`)

tools/content_index.py

@@ -0,0 +1,65 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python3
+"""
+content_index.py  --  read the content/ source tree (U1) as structured data.
+
+Implements the date half of U3: the hand-maintained ARTICLE_DATES registry in
+seo_inject.py is replaced by dates derived from content/ front-matter, so adding
+a post via the CMS needs no manual registry edit. Standalone (only os + yaml) so
+seo_inject can import it without a cycle.
+
+See docs/content-model.md for the front-matter schema.
+"""
+import os
+
+import yaml
+
+ROOT = os.path.dirname(os.path.dirname(os.path.abspath(__file__)))
+CONTENT = os.path.join(ROOT, "content")
+LANGS = ("en", "mk", "si")
+_TYPE_DIRS = ("blog", "news", "events")
+
+
+def _read_front_matter(path):
+    with open(path, encoding="utf-8") as f:
+        text = f.read()
+    if not text.startswith("---\n"):
+        return None
+    _, front, _body = text.split("---\n", 2)
+    return yaml.safe_load(front) or {}
+
+
+def _canonical_meta(slug_dir):
+    """Front-matter for an entry, from en.md if present else any language.
+    Dates/source_folder are language-independent, so any file will do."""
+    for lang in LANGS:
+        p = os.path.join(slug_dir, f"{lang}.md")
+        if os.path.exists(p):
+            meta = _read_front_matter(p)
+            if meta:
+                return meta
+    return None
+
+
+def load_dates():
+    """Return {"<source_folder>/<slug>": {"published"|"modified": "YYYY-MM-DD"}}
+    built from content/ front-matter. Empty dict if content/ is absent."""
+    dates = {}
+    if not os.path.isdir(CONTENT):
+        return dates
+    for tdir in _TYPE_DIRS:
+        base = os.path.join(CONTENT, tdir)
+        if not os.path.isdir(base):
+            continue
+        for slug in sorted(os.listdir(base)):
+            meta = _canonical_meta(os.path.join(base, slug))
+            if not meta or not meta.get("date"):
+                continue
+            key = f"{meta.get('source_folder', tdir)}/{slug}"
+            kind = meta.get("date_type", "published")  # published is the default
+            dates[key] = {kind: str(meta["date"])}
+    return dates
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    import json
+    print(json.dumps(load_dates(), indent=2, ensure_ascii=False))

tools/migrate_pages_to_content.py

@@ -72,19 +72,23 @@ def _text(node):
 
 
 def _iso_date(source_folder, slug, en_html=None):
-    """ISO date: prefer the central ARTICLE_DATES registry, then fall back to
-    reading it off the English page (mirrors build_listings' behaviour)."""
+    """(iso, kind) for an entry: prefer the central ARTICLE_DATES registry
+    (preserving whether the date is a 'published' or 'modified' one), then fall
+    back to reading it off the English page (mirrors build_listings)."""
     key = f"{source_folder}/{slug}"
     rec = seo_inject.ARTICLE_DATES.get(key, {})
-    iso = rec.get("published") or rec.get("modified")
-    if iso:
-        return iso
+    if rec.get("published"):
+        return rec["published"], "published"
+    if rec.get("modified"):
+        return rec["modified"], "modified"
     if en_html is not None:
         try:
-            return seo_inject.extract_publish_date(en_html)
+            iso = seo_inject.extract_publish_date(en_html)
+            if iso:
+                return iso, "published"
         except Exception:
-            return None
-    return None
+            pass
+    return None, None
 
 
 def _parse_hero(figure):
@@ -154,10 +158,13 @@ def parse_page(html, source_folder, slug, lang, en_html=None):
         if cat and not re.search(r"\bpublished\b|\d{4}", cat, re.I):
             record["category"] = cat
 
-    iso = _iso_date(source_folder, slug, en_html=en_html)
+    iso, kind = _iso_date(source_folder, slug, en_html=en_html)
     if not iso:
         return None, "no date (missing from ARTICLE_DATES and unparseable)"
     record["date"] = iso
+    if kind == "modified":
+        # 'published' is the implicit default; only record the exception.
+        record["date_type"] = "modified"
     if date_line:
         record["date_line"] = date_line
 
@@ -175,7 +182,7 @@ def parse_page(html, source_folder, slug, lang, en_html=None):
 # Deterministic front-matter key order for readable, stable output.
 _KEY_ORDER = [
     "type", "slug", "lang", "source_folder",
-    "title", "subtitle", "category", "date", "date_line", "hero", "body_format",
+    "title", "subtitle", "category", "date", "date_type", "date_line", "hero", "body_format",
 ]
 
 

tools/seo_inject.py

@@ -18,6 +18,8 @@ except Exception:
 
 # Repo root = parent of this tools/ directory (portable; no hardcoded path).
 ROOT = os.path.dirname(os.path.dirname(os.path.abspath(__file__)))
+sys.path.insert(0, os.path.dirname(os.path.abspath(__file__)))
+import content_index  # noqa: E402  (dates from content/ front-matter, U3)
 DOMAIN = "https://msosorg.com"
 SITE_NAME = {"en": "Macedonian Student Organisation in Slovenia",
              "mk": "Македонска студентска организација во Словенија",
@@ -39,9 +41,10 @@ SECTION_NAMES = {
 }
 HOME_CRUMB = {"en": "Home", "mk": "Дома", "si": "Domov"}
 
-# Article dates (ISO), curated once from the English pages (dates are
-# language-independent). Emitted as datePublished/dateModified in Article schema.
-ARTICLE_DATES = {
+# Article dates (ISO). Emitted as datePublished/dateModified in Article schema.
+# Source of truth is now content/ front-matter (see content_index / U3); this
+# static table is only a fallback for any entry not present in content/.
+_STATIC_ARTICLE_DATES = {
     "blog/how-to-open-slovenian-bank-account": {"modified": "2026-08-01"},
     "blog/where-to-search-for-accommodation-in-slovenia": {"published": "2026-08-03"},
     "blog/learning-slovene-where-to-start": {"published": "2026-07-28"},
@@ -61,6 +64,13 @@ ARTICLE_DATES = {
     "projects/watching-handball-together-in-slovenia": {"published": "2025-01-25"},
 }
 
+# Content front-matter is authoritative; it overrides the static fallback above.
+# A new post published via the CMS therefore needs no manual date entry here.
+try:
+    ARTICLE_DATES = {**_STATIC_ARTICLE_DATES, **content_index.load_dates()}
+except Exception:
+    ARTICLE_DATES = dict(_STATIC_ARTICLE_DATES)
+
 # OPTIONAL location overrides for Event schema on /projects/ pages.
 # By default a project's city is auto-detected from its English page body
 # (see detect_city), so NEW projects need NO entry here — just publish them.

tools/tests/test_content_index.py

@@ -0,0 +1,60 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python3
+"""
+Tests for tools/content_index.py + the seo_inject date wiring (U3).
+
+Core guarantee: deriving ARTICLE_DATES from content/ front-matter reproduces the
+previously hand-maintained registry exactly (dates AND the published/modified
+distinction), so JSON-LD / meta output does not regress — while new posts no
+longer need a manual registry edit.
+
+Run directly:   python tools/tests/test_content_index.py
+Or with pytest: pytest tools/tests/test_content_index.py
+"""
+import os
+import sys
+import unittest
+
+TOOLS = os.path.dirname(os.path.dirname(os.path.abspath(__file__)))
+sys.path.insert(0, TOOLS)
+
+import content_index  # noqa: E402
+import seo_inject  # noqa: E402
+
+
+class DatesMatchLegacyRegistry(unittest.TestCase):
+    def test_content_dates_equal_static_fallback(self):
+        """content/ front-matter reproduces the old hand-maintained table 1:1."""
+        self.assertEqual(content_index.load_dates(), seo_inject._STATIC_ARTICLE_DATES)
+
+    def test_effective_registry_matches(self):
+        """The merged ARTICLE_DATES seo_inject actually uses is unchanged."""
+        self.assertEqual(seo_inject.ARTICLE_DATES, seo_inject._STATIC_ARTICLE_DATES)
+
+    def test_published_modified_distinction_preserved(self):
+        dates = content_index.load_dates()
+        # This blog carried a 'modified' date, not 'published' — must survive.
+        self.assertEqual(dates["blog/how-to-open-slovenian-bank-account"],
+                         {"modified": "2026-08-01"})
+        # A normal entry defaults to 'published'.
+        self.assertEqual(dates["news/proof-of-means-updated-2026"],
+                         {"published": "2026-08-01"})
+
+
+class RegistryShape(unittest.TestCase):
+    def test_keys_use_source_folder(self):
+        # Events live under content/events/ but must key on projects/<slug>
+        # (their URL + schema key), not events/<slug>.
+        dates = content_index.load_dates()
+        self.assertIn("projects/paint-and-wine-at-sunset", dates)
+        self.assertNotIn("events/paint-and-wine-at-sunset", dates)
+
+    def test_every_entry_has_one_iso_date(self):
+        for key, rec in content_index.load_dates().items():
+            self.assertEqual(len(rec), 1, f"{key}: expected one date kind")
+            (kind, iso), = rec.items()
+            self.assertIn(kind, ("published", "modified"))
+            self.assertRegex(iso, r"^\d{4}-\d{2}-\d{2}$", f"{key}: bad ISO date")
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    unittest.main(verbosity=2)