fix(rank): sweep deadlines when no candidates need scoring (#494)

* fix(rank): sweep deadlines when no candidates need scoring

* changelog: record the /rank empty-candidate sweep under [Unreleased] / Fixed

.claude/commands/rank.md

@@ -32,7 +32,15 @@ python3 tools/rank_state.py candidates --limit 10          # add --all / --focus
 
 It applies the status filter (`new`, or any status with `--all`), the tracker exclusion (any company+role already in `job_search_tracker.csv` is out of scope regardless of flags - it has been applied to or consciously tracked), the focus filter, and `--limit`, then prints one compact object per candidate (`key`, `title`, `company`, `url`, `portal`, `deadline`, `posted_date`) plus the counts: `eligible`, `deferred` (eligible beyond the limit, kept at their current status so a later run continues the backlog), `excluded_by_tracker`.
 
-If it reports no candidates, say so ("Nothing new to rank - run /scrape to find fresh postings") and stop. If it exits with "not found", tell the user to run `/scrape` first and stop.
+If it exits with "not found", tell the user to run `/scrape` first and stop.
+
+If it reports no candidates, there is nothing to score, but already-ranked jobs still need Step 3's rule 6 expiry sweep. Run:
+
+```bash
+python3 tools/rank_state.py sweep --write
+```
+
+Skip profile loading and Steps 2-4 on this path: no jobs need fetching or scoring. Present a sweep-only Step 5 summary: say "Nothing new to rank", report `swept` and `newly_expired`, list `closing_soon` with deadlines and posting URLs, and report any `unparseable_deadlines` with their portals. Apply rule 6's same reporting and defensive-date rules. Then suggest `/scrape` for fresh postings and stop. An empty candidate batch, including one caused by a focus filter or tracker exclusion, never skips this sweep.
 
 Then read the scoring framework and profile **once**:
 - `.claude/skills/job-application-assistant/04-job-evaluation.md`