Eradicate hook files, use pinned beads only (gt-rgd9x)

- Remove hook functions from internal/wisp/io.go (WriteSlungWork, ReadHook, BurnHook, etc.)
- Remove hook types from internal/wisp/types.go (SlungWork, Wisp, etc.)
- Update up.go to query pinned beads instead of reading hook files
- Remove SlungWork field from molecule_status.go
- Remove hook-*.json pattern from .beads/.gitignore
- Delete live hook file /Users/stevey/gt/deacon/.beads/hook-deacon.json

Work is now tracked exclusively via pinned beads (status=pinned, assignee=agent).

🤖 Generated with [Claude Code](https://claude.com/claude-code)

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.5 <noreply@anthropic.com>

.beads/.gitignore

@@ -31,9 +31,6 @@ beads.right.meta.json
 # bd sync commits to beads-sync, which has its own .gitignore that tracks issues.jsonl
 issues.jsonl
 
-# Hook files (ephemeral, per-agent work attachments)
-hook-*.json
-
 # MR queue (ephemeral, deleted after merge)
 mq/
 

internal/cmd/molecule_status.go

@@ -10,7 +10,6 @@ import (
 	"github.com/spf13/cobra"
 	"github.com/steveyegge/gastown/internal/beads"
 	"github.com/steveyegge/gastown/internal/style"
-	"github.com/steveyegge/gastown/internal/wisp"
 	"github.com/steveyegge/gastown/internal/workspace"
 )
 
@@ -39,8 +38,6 @@ type MoleculeStatusInfo struct {
 	IsWisp           bool                  `json:"is_wisp"`
 	Progress         *MoleculeProgressInfo `json:"progress,omitempty"`
 	NextAction       string                `json:"next_action,omitempty"`
-	// SlungWork is set when there's a wisp hook file (from gt hook/sling/handoff)
-	SlungWork *wisp.SlungWork `json:"slung_work,omitempty"`
 }
 
 // MoleculeCurrentInfo contains info about what an agent should be working on.
@@ -258,9 +255,6 @@ func runMoleculeStatus(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
 		HasWork: len(pinnedBeads) > 0,
 	}
 
-	// Note: Hook files are deprecated. Work is now tracked via pinned beads only.
-	// The SlungWork field is kept for backward compatibility but will be nil.
-
 	if len(pinnedBeads) > 0 {
 		// Take the first pinned bead (agents typically have one pinned bead)
 		status.PinnedBead = pinnedBeads[0]
@@ -445,35 +439,7 @@ func outputMoleculeStatus(status MoleculeStatusInfo) error {
 		return nil
 	}
 
-	// Show slung work (wisp hook file) if present
+	// Show pinned bead info
-	if status.SlungWork != nil {
-		fmt.Printf("%s %s\n", style.Bold.Render("🎯 SLUNG WORK:"), status.SlungWork.BeadID)
-		if status.SlungWork.Subject != "" {
-			fmt.Printf("   Subject: %s\n", status.SlungWork.Subject)
-		}
-		if status.SlungWork.Context != "" {
-			fmt.Printf("   Context: %s\n", status.SlungWork.Context)
-		}
-		if status.SlungWork.Args != "" {
-			fmt.Printf("   Args: %s\n", style.Bold.Render(status.SlungWork.Args))
-		}
-		fmt.Printf("   Slung by: %s at %s\n",
-			status.SlungWork.CreatedBy,
-			status.SlungWork.CreatedAt.Format("2006-01-02 15:04:05"))
-
-		// Show bead details
-		fmt.Println()
-		fmt.Println(style.Bold.Render("Bead details:"))
-		cmd := exec.Command("bd", "show", status.SlungWork.BeadID)
-		cmd.Stdout = os.Stdout
-		cmd.Run()
-
-		fmt.Println()
-		fmt.Println(style.Bold.Render("→ PROPULSION: Work is on your hook. RUN IT."))
-		return nil
-	}
-
-	// Show pinned bead info (legacy beads pinned field)
 	if status.PinnedBead == nil {
 		fmt.Printf("%s\n", style.Dim.Render("Work indicated but no bead found"))
 		return nil

internal/cmd/up.go

@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 package cmd
 
 import (
-	"encoding/json"
 	"fmt"
 	"os"
 	"os/exec"
@@ -10,12 +9,12 @@ import (
 	"time"
 
 	"github.com/spf13/cobra"
+	"github.com/steveyegge/gastown/internal/beads"
 	"github.com/steveyegge/gastown/internal/config"
 	"github.com/steveyegge/gastown/internal/daemon"
 	"github.com/steveyegge/gastown/internal/refinery"
 	"github.com/steveyegge/gastown/internal/style"
 	"github.com/steveyegge/gastown/internal/tmux"
-	"github.com/steveyegge/gastown/internal/wisp"
 	"github.com/steveyegge/gastown/internal/workspace"
 )
 
@@ -39,7 +38,7 @@ spawned on demand by the Mayor or Witnesses.
 
 Use --restore to also start:
   • Crew       - Per rig settings (settings/config.json crew.startup)
-  • Polecats   - Those with hooks (work attached)
+  • Polecats   - Those with pinned beads (work attached)
 
 Running 'gt up' multiple times is safe - it only starts services that
 aren't already running.`,
@@ -144,9 +143,9 @@ func runUp(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
 			}
 		}
 
-		// 7. Polecats with hooks (if --restore)
+		// 7. Polecats with pinned work (if --restore)
 		for _, rigName := range rigs {
-			polecatsStarted, polecatErrors := startPolecatsWithHooks(t, townRoot, rigName)
+			polecatsStarted, polecatErrors := startPolecatsWithWork(t, townRoot, rigName)
 			for _, name := range polecatsStarted {
 				printStatus(fmt.Sprintf("Polecat (%s/%s)", rigName, name), true, fmt.Sprintf("gt-%s-polecat-%s", rigName, name))
 			}
@@ -512,9 +511,9 @@ func ensureCrewSession(t *tmux.Tmux, sessionName, crewPath, rigName, crewName st
 	return nil
 }
 
-// startPolecatsWithHooks starts polecats that have hook files (work attached).
+// startPolecatsWithWork starts polecats that have pinned beads (work attached).
 // Returns list of started polecat names and map of errors.
-func startPolecatsWithHooks(t *tmux.Tmux, townRoot, rigName string) ([]string, map[string]error) {
+func startPolecatsWithWork(t *tmux.Tmux, townRoot, rigName string) ([]string, map[string]error) {
 	started := []string{}
 	errors := map[string]error{}
 
@@ -536,24 +535,16 @@ func startPolecatsWithHooks(t *tmux.Tmux, townRoot, rigName string) ([]string, m
 		polecatName := entry.Name()
 		polecatPath := filepath.Join(polecatsDir, polecatName)
 
-		// Check if this polecat has a hook file
+		// Check if this polecat has a pinned bead (work attached)
 		agentID := fmt.Sprintf("%s/polecats/%s", rigName, polecatName)
-		hookPath := filepath.Join(polecatPath, ".beads", wisp.HookFilename(agentID))
+		b := beads.New(polecatPath)
-
+		pinnedBeads, err := b.List(beads.ListOptions{
-		hookData, err := os.ReadFile(hookPath)
+			Status:   beads.StatusPinned,
-		if err != nil {
+			Assignee: agentID,
-			// No hook file - skip
+			Priority: -1,
-			continue
+		})
-		}
+		if err != nil || len(pinnedBeads) == 0 {
-
+			// No pinned beads - skip
-		// Verify hook has work
-		var hook wisp.SlungWork
-		if err := json.Unmarshal(hookData, &hook); err != nil {
-			continue
-		}
-
-		if hook.BeadID == "" {
-			// Empty hook - skip
 			continue
 		}
 

internal/wisp/io.go

@@ -2,19 +2,11 @@ package wisp
 
 import (
 	"encoding/json"
-	"errors"
 	"fmt"
 	"os"
 	"path/filepath"
 )
 
-// Common errors.
-var (
-	ErrNoWispDir   = errors.New("beads directory does not exist")
-	ErrNoHook      = errors.New("no hook file found")
-	ErrInvalidWisp = errors.New("invalid hook file format")
-)
-
 // EnsureDir ensures the .beads directory exists in the given root.
 func EnsureDir(root string) (string, error) {
 	dir := filepath.Join(root, WispDir)
@@ -29,98 +21,6 @@ func WispPath(root, filename string) string {
 	return filepath.Join(root, WispDir, filename)
 }
 
-// HookPath returns the full path to an agent's hook file.
-func HookPath(root, agent string) string {
-	return WispPath(root, HookFilename(agent))
-}
-
-// WriteSlungWork writes a slung work hook to the agent's hook file.
-//
-// Deprecated: Hook files are deprecated. Use bd update --status=pinned instead.
-// Work is now tracked via pinned beads (discoverable via query) rather than
-// explicit hook files. This function is kept for backward compatibility.
-func WriteSlungWork(root, agent string, sw *SlungWork) error {
-	dir, err := EnsureDir(root)
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-
-	path := filepath.Join(dir, HookFilename(agent))
-	return writeJSON(path, sw)
-}
-
-// ReadHook reads the slung work from an agent's hook file.
-// Returns ErrNoHook if no hook file exists.
-//
-// Deprecated: Hook files are deprecated. Query pinned beads instead.
-// Use beads.List with Status=pinned and Assignee=agent.
-func ReadHook(root, agent string) (*SlungWork, error) {
-	path := HookPath(root, agent)
-
-	data, err := os.ReadFile(path)
-	if os.IsNotExist(err) {
-		return nil, ErrNoHook
-	}
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("read hook: %w", err)
-	}
-
-	var sw SlungWork
-	if err := json.Unmarshal(data, &sw); err != nil {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("%w: %v", ErrInvalidWisp, err)
-	}
-
-	if sw.Type != TypeSlungWork {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("%w: expected slung-work, got %s", ErrInvalidWisp, sw.Type)
-	}
-
-	return &sw, nil
-}
-
-// BurnHook removes an agent's hook file after it has been picked up.
-//
-// Deprecated: Hook files are deprecated. Work is tracked via pinned beads
-// which don't need burning - just unpin with bd update --status=open.
-func BurnHook(root, agent string) error {
-	path := HookPath(root, agent)
-	err := os.Remove(path)
-	if os.IsNotExist(err) {
-		return nil // already burned
-	}
-	return err
-}
-
-// HasHook checks if an agent has a hook file.
-//
-// Deprecated: Hook files are deprecated. Query pinned beads instead.
-func HasHook(root, agent string) bool {
-	path := HookPath(root, agent)
-	_, err := os.Stat(path)
-	return err == nil
-}
-
-// ListHooks returns a list of agents with active hooks.
-//
-// Deprecated: Hook files are deprecated. Query pinned beads instead.
-func ListHooks(root string) ([]string, error) {
-	dir := filepath.Join(root, WispDir)
-	entries, err := os.ReadDir(dir)
-	if os.IsNotExist(err) {
-		return nil, nil
-	}
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
-
-	var agents []string
-	for _, e := range entries {
-		if agent := AgentFromHookFilename(e.Name()); agent != "" {
-			agents = append(agents, agent)
-		}
-	}
-	return agents, nil
-}
-
 // writeJSON is a helper to write JSON files atomically.
 func writeJSON(path string, v interface{}) error {
 	data, err := json.MarshalIndent(v, "", "  ")

internal/wisp/types.go

@@ -1,117 +1,9 @@
-// Package wisp provides hook file support for Gas Town agents.
+// Package wisp provides utilities for working with the .beads directory.
 //
-// DEPRECATED: Hook files are deprecated in favor of pinned beads.
+// This package was originally for "hook files" but those are now deprecated
-// Work is now tracked via beads with status=pinned and assignee=agent,
+// in favor of pinned beads. The remaining utilities help with directory
-// which can be discovered via query rather than explicit file management.
+// management for the beads system.
-//
-// Commands like `gt hook`, `gt sling`, `gt handoff` now use:
-//
-//	bd update <bead> --status=pinned --assignee=<agent>
-//
-// On session start, agents query for pinned beads rather than reading hook files.
-// This follows Gas Town's "discovery over explicit state" principle.
-//
-// The hook file functions are kept for backward compatibility but are deprecated.
-// Old hook files:
-//   - hook-<agent>.json files tracked what bead was assigned to an agent
-//   - Created by `gt hook`, `gt sling`, `gt handoff`
-//   - Read on session start to restore work context
-//   - Burned after pickup
 package wisp
 
-import (
+// WispDir is the directory where beads data is stored.
-	"strings"
-	"time"
-)
-
-// WispType identifies the kind of hook file.
-type WispType string
-
-const (
-	// TypeSlungWork is a hook that attaches a bead to an agent's hook.
-	// Created by `gt hook`, `gt sling`, or `gt handoff`, and burned after pickup.
-	TypeSlungWork WispType = "slung-work"
-)
-
-// WispDir is the directory where hook files are stored.
-// Hook files (hook-<agent>.json) live alongside other beads data.
 const WispDir = ".beads"
-
-// HookPrefix is the filename prefix for hook files.
-const HookPrefix = "hook-"
-
-// HookSuffix is the filename suffix for hook files.
-const HookSuffix = ".json"
-
-// Wisp is the common header for hook files.
-type Wisp struct {
-	// Type identifies what kind of hook file this is.
-	Type WispType `json:"type"`
-
-	// CreatedAt is when the hook was created.
-	CreatedAt time.Time `json:"created_at"`
-
-	// CreatedBy identifies who created the hook (e.g., "crew/joe", "deacon").
-	CreatedBy string `json:"created_by"`
-}
-
-// SlungWork represents work attached to an agent's hook.
-// Created by `gt hook`, `gt sling`, or `gt handoff` and burned after pickup.
-type SlungWork struct {
-	Wisp
-
-	// BeadID is the issue/bead to work on (e.g., "gt-xxx").
-	BeadID string `json:"bead_id"`
-
-	// Formula is the optional formula/form to apply to the work.
-	// When set, this creates scaffolding around the target bead.
-	// Used by `gt sling <formula> --on <bead>`.
-	Formula string `json:"formula,omitempty"`
-
-	// Context is optional additional context from the slinger.
-	Context string `json:"context,omitempty"`
-
-	// Subject is optional subject line (used in handoff mail).
-	Subject string `json:"subject,omitempty"`
-
-	// Args is optional natural language instructions for the formula executor.
-	// Example: "patch release" or "focus on security issues"
-	// The LLM executor interprets these instructions - no schema needed.
-	Args string `json:"args,omitempty"`
-}
-
-// NewSlungWork creates a new slung work hook file.
-func NewSlungWork(beadID, createdBy string) *SlungWork {
-	return &SlungWork{
-		Wisp: Wisp{
-			Type:      TypeSlungWork,
-			CreatedAt: time.Now(),
-			CreatedBy: createdBy,
-		},
-		BeadID: beadID,
-	}
-}
-
-// HookFilename returns the filename for an agent's hook file.
-// Agent identities may contain slashes (e.g., "gastown/crew/max"),
-// which are replaced with underscores to create valid filenames.
-func HookFilename(agent string) string {
-	safe := strings.ReplaceAll(agent, "/", "_")
-	return HookPrefix + safe + HookSuffix
-}
-
-// AgentFromHookFilename extracts the agent identity from a hook filename.
-// Reverses the slash-to-underscore transformation done by HookFilename.
-func AgentFromHookFilename(filename string) string {
-	if len(filename) <= len(HookPrefix)+len(HookSuffix) {
-		return ""
-	}
-	if filename[:len(HookPrefix)] != HookPrefix {
-		return ""
-	}
-	if filename[len(filename)-len(HookSuffix):] != HookSuffix {
-		return ""
-	}
-	safe := filename[len(HookPrefix) : len(filename)-len(HookSuffix)]
-	return strings.ReplaceAll(safe, "_", "/")
-}