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The implementation approach is unresolved and carries architectural consequences. WebSockets, Server-Sent Events, and polling differ in connection lifecycle, bidirectional communication, proxy compatibility, scaling requirements, deployment topology, reconnection behavior, and operational complexity. Claude should therefore inspect the existing application and infrastructure before modifying code.

Anthropic recommends separating exploration and planning from implementation when the approach is uncertain, the work affects multiple files, or the developer is unfamiliar with the relevant architecture. In plan mode, Claude can read files and analyze the system without making changes, produce a detailed proposal, and allow the developer or team to review the plan before execution. ( https://code.claude.com/docs/en/best-practices )

Option A commits to polling before determining whether its latency and load characteristics meet the requirement. Option B delegates a consequential architectural decision and immediate implementation to a single execution step without a review checkpoint. Option D prematurely selects the most infrastructure-sensitive option and assumes later refactoring will be inexpensive.

Option C creates the correct sequence: examine the frontend and backend architecture, document requirements, compare alternatives, identify infrastructure constraints, obtain approval, and only then implement the selected design with appropriate tests and observability.

Official references/topics: Plan mode, explore–plan–implement workflow, architectural trade-off analysis, review checkpoints.