Doc: assumptions need to be documented

For example:
- list names cannot have a "." in them.
This is to avoid ambiguity with the "." host name separators
- maxima built into code

Start by searching the codebase for the validation or handling of list names and for the built-in maxima referenced in the issue. Identify the assumptions that affect users, then document the confirmed constraints and their rationale; the issue does not name a documentation file or test to run.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.