diff --git a/docs/changes.md b/docs/changes.md
index 1e80fc3..4f5a8a3 100644
--- a/docs/changes.md
+++ b/docs/changes.md
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ Next:
 
 # Stack Language Specification
 
-**Version**: 0.8  
+**Version**: 0.8.1  
 **Status**: Draft Specification  
 **Changes**:
 - 0.5 (AI)
@@ -75,5 +75,7 @@ Next:
     6. **Tutorial content** - Added beginner tutorials to Appendix G
     7. **Trait reference** - Consolidated all trait definitions in Appendix B
     8. **Grammar simplification** - Referenced Implementable trait instead of repeating
+- 0.8.1 (Human)
+    1. Added links
 
 ---
diff --git a/manage_docs.py b/manage_docs.py
index 768afab..a555c38 100644
--- a/manage_docs.py
+++ b/manage_docs.py
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ import re
 import sys
 import json
 from pathlib import Path
+import shutil
 
 filenames = [
     "docs/changes.md",
@@ -72,7 +73,37 @@ def combine_markdown(file_inputs, output_combined, output_meta_json):
     print(f"Combined file saved as: {output_combined}")
     print(f"Metadata JSON saved as: {output_meta_json}")
 
-def split_with_front_matter(input_combined, output_dir, metadata_file):
+def write_with_safety(path, content, force=False, backup=False):
+    """Write a file safely with force/backup options and diff-aware prompt."""
+    if path.exists():
+        current = path.read_text(encoding='utf-8')
+        if current == content:
+            print(f"No changes for: {path}")
+            return
+
+        if backup and not force:
+            backup_path = path.with_suffix(path.suffix + ".bak")
+            shutil.copy2(path, backup_path)
+            print(f"Backup created: {backup_path}")
+        elif not force:
+            while True:
+                choice = input(f"{path} has changed. [y] overwrite, [b] backup+overwrite, [n] skip? ").strip().lower()
+                if choice in ("y", "yes"):
+                    break
+                elif choice in ("b", "backup"):
+                    backup_path = path.with_suffix(path.suffix + ".bak")
+                    shutil.copy2(path, backup_path)
+                    print(f"Backup created: {backup_path}")
+                    break
+                elif choice in ("n", "no", ""):
+                    print(f"Skipped: {path}")
+                    return
+                else:
+                    print("Please choose [y], [b], or [n].")
+    path.write_text(content, encoding='utf-8')
+    print(f"Wrote: {path}")
+
+def split_with_front_matter(input_combined, output_dir, metadata_file, force=False, backup=False):
     """Split a combined markdown file back into original files, restoring front matter."""
     content = Path(input_combined).read_text(encoding='utf-8')
 
@@ -81,13 +112,15 @@ def split_with_front_matter(input_combined, output_dir, metadata_file):
         sys.exit(1)
 
     meta_info = json.loads(Path(metadata_file).read_text(encoding='utf-8'))
-
     os.makedirs(output_dir, exist_ok=True)
 
-    # Find all sections between <!-- START filename.md --> and <!-- END filename.md -->
     pattern = r'<!-- START (.*?) -->\n(.*?)\n<!-- END \1 -->'
     matches = re.findall(pattern, content, flags=re.DOTALL)
 
+    total_written = 0
+    total_skipped = 0
+    total_backups = 0
+
     for filename, body in matches:
         body = body.strip()
         output_path = Path(output_dir, filename)
@@ -99,26 +132,35 @@ def split_with_front_matter(input_combined, output_dir, metadata_file):
         else:
             restored = body + "\n"
 
-        output_path.write_text(restored, encoding='utf-8')
-        print(f"Restored: {output_path}")
+        before = output_path.exists()
+        write_with_safety(output_path, restored, force=force, backup=backup)
 
-    print("Split complete.")
+        if backup and before:
+            total_backups += 1
+        if output_path.exists():
+            total_written += 1
+        else:
+            total_skipped += 1
+
+    print(f"Split complete. {total_written} files written, {total_skipped} skipped, {total_backups} backups made.")
 
 if __name__ == "__main__":
-
     if len(sys.argv) < 2:
         print("Usage:")
-        print("  Combine files: python manage_docs.py combine")
-        print("  Split files:   python manage_docs.py split")
+        print("  Combine: python manage_docs.py combine")
+        print("  Split:   python manage_docs.py split [--force|--backup]")
         sys.exit(1)
 
     command = sys.argv[1].lower()
+    force = "--force" in sys.argv
+    backup = "--backup" in sys.argv
 
     if command == "combine":
         combine_markdown(filenames, "stack_lang_spec.md", "metadata.json")
 
     elif command == "split":
-        split_with_front_matter("stack_lang_spec.md", "docs", "metadata.json")
+        split_with_front_matter("stack_lang_spec.md", "docs", "metadata.json",
+                                force=force, backup=backup)
 
     else:
         print("Unknown command. Use 'combine' or 'split'.")
diff --git a/stack_lang_spec.md b/stack_lang_spec.md
index b8b2efc..9509ad5 100644
--- a/stack_lang_spec.md
+++ b/stack_lang_spec.md
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 <!-- START changes.md -->
 # Stack Language Specification
 
-**Version**: 0.8  
+**Version**: 0.8.1  
 **Status**: Draft Specification  
 **Changes**:
 - 0.5 (AI)
@@ -70,6 +70,8 @@
     6. **Tutorial content** - Added beginner tutorials to Appendix G
     7. **Trait reference** - Consolidated all trait definitions in Appendix B
     8. **Grammar simplification** - Referenced Implementable trait instead of repeating
+- 0.8.1 (Human)
+    1. Added links
 
 ---
 <!-- END changes.md -->