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+# C protected header files
+
+<!-- This template is inspired by
+https://github.com/GoogleCloudPlatform/emblem/tree/main/docs/decisions -->
+
+* **Status:** Draft <!-- / Approved / Rejected / Superseded -->
+* **Last Updated:** 2024-01-03
+* **Objective:** Add a formal specification for supporting protected
+  (i.e. visible for testing in Dart) header files
+
+## Context & Problem Statement
+
+Right now we support entirely public, or entirely private (to the single C file)
+symbols. What's missing is a way to add header files that are shared between
+multiple C files and the tests, but not exposed in the public API of the C SDK.
+This document's goal is to come to a decision on how best to solve this problem.
+
+## Goals
+
+* Expose symbols to tests and multiple C files without exposing to the public API
+
+### Non-goals
+
+* Change the existing project layout in any way, this should be an entirely
+  additive approach. Symbols may be moved to the new semantic, but entirely
+  public/private symbols should remain where they are.
+
+## Other considerations <!-- optional -->
+
+* We should take into account how this might affect packaging in the future.
+
+## Considered Options <!-- optional -->
+
+* ### Option 1 - `.h` files in `src/`
+
+A simple approach which avoids adding new directories to the project. The protected
+files go into .h files which are stored with the `.c` files in `src/`. Then the
+`src/` folder can be included for internal linking, but the symbols remain excluded
+from the include directories exported from our package.
+
+* ### Option 2 - New internal include directory
+
+Add a new directory to store these protected include files. Then they can be
+included for testing and internal linking, but not exposed to end consumers of
+the SDK.
+
+## Proposal Summary
+
+There are two main options, add these symbols to the existing `src/` directory,
+or create a new directory for them.
+
+## Proposal in Detail
+
+### Expected Consequences <!-- optional -->
+
+* We will be able to make breaking changes in the internal API without affecting
+  end consumers of the SDK.
+* We don't have to worry about polluting the included symbols in order to break
+  functions up for unit testing.