feat(mol): Add session wisps for crew and polecat workers (gt-9g82)

Introduces Proto → Wisp → Mol architecture for agent sessions:

- mol-crew-session: Light harness enabling autonomous overnight work
  Key insight: if attached mol exists, continue without awaiting input

- mol-polecat-session: One-shot wisp wrapping polecat work assignments
  Handles onboard → execute → cleanup lifecycle

This separates "how to work" (proto) from "what to work on" (mol),
enabling session continuity and autonomous long-mol processing.

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

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.5 <noreply@anthropic.com>
This commit is contained in:
Steve Yegge
2025-12-22 16:08:40 -08:00
parent 7a8675255b
commit b71c188cfb
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# Polecat Wisp Architecture: Proto → Wisp → Mol
> Issue: gt-9g82
## Executive Summary
This document proposes a three-layer architecture for agent work: **Proto → Wisp → Mol**.
The key insight is that agents should run session wisps that wrap their assigned work.
This creates a unified "engineer in a box" pattern that handles onboarding, execution,
and cleanup within a single ephemeral container.
---
## 1. The Three-Layer Model
```
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ PROTO LAYER │
│ ┌───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │
│ │ polecat.md / crew.md (Template/Instructions) │ │
│ │ - Role identity and context │ │
│ │ - How to be this type of agent │ │
│ │ - Workflow patterns │ │
│ └───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ │
│ │
│ ┌───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │
│ │ mol-polecat-session / mol-crew-session │ │
│ │ - Onboarding step │ │
│ │ - Execute work step │ │
│ │ - Cleanup/handoff step │ │
│ └───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
│ instantiate
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ WISP LAYER │
│ ┌───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │
│ │ wisp-<agent-name>-<timestamp> │ │
│ │ Storage: .beads-wisp/ (ephemeral, gitignored) │ │
│ │ │ │
│ │ Steps: │ │
│ │ 1. orient - Load context, read role template │ │
│ │ 2. handoff - Check for predecessor handoff │ │
│ │ 3. execute - Run the attached work molecule │ │
│ │ 4. cleanup - Sync, handoff to successor, exit │ │
│ └───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
│ attachment
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ MOL LAYER │
│ ┌───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │
│ │ The Actual Work (Permanent, Auditable) │ │
│ │ Storage: .beads/ (git-tracked) │ │
│ │ │ │
│ │ Could be: │ │
│ │ - mol-engineer-in-box (full workflow) │ │
│ │ - mol-quick-fix (fast path) │ │
│ │ - Any custom work molecule │ │
│ │ - Direct issue (no molecule, just task) │ │
│ │ - Long-lived epic spanning many sessions │ │
│ └───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
```
---
## 2. Agent Types and Their Wisps
### 2.1 Comparison: Patrol vs Work Agents
| Aspect | Patrol Wisp (Deacon/Refinery) | Work Wisp (Polecat/Crew) |
|--------|-------------------------------|--------------------------|
| **Lifecycle** | Looping - spawn, execute, burn, repeat | One-shot per session |
| **Inner Work** | Patrol steps (fixed, no attach) | Attached work mol (variable) |
| **Persistence** | Burns between cycles | Burns on session end |
| **Session** | Persists across wisps | Polecat: terminates; Crew: cycles |
| **Audit Trail** | Digests only (summaries) | Work mol is permanent |
### 2.2 Polecat Wisp (Ephemeral Worker)
Polecats are transient workers that:
- Get spawned for specific work
- Self-destruct on completion
- Have no persistent identity
```
Polecat Session Flow:
─────────────────────
spawn → orient → handoff(read) → execute → cleanup → TERMINATE
└──▶ [attached work mol]
```
### 2.3 Crew Worker Wisp (Persistent Worker)
Crew workers are long-lived agents that:
- Maintain persistent identity across sessions
- Work on long-lived molecules (epics spanning days/weeks)
- Hand off to successor sessions (themselves)
- **Can work autonomously overnight** if attached mol exists
```
Crew Worker Session Flow:
─────────────────────────
start → orient → handoff(read) → check attachment
┌──────────────┴──────────────┐
│ │
ATTACHED NO ATTACHMENT
│ │
▼ ▼
┌───────────────┐ ┌───────────────┐
│ AUTO-CONTINUE │ │ AWAIT INPUT │
│ (no prompt) │ │ (human directs)│
└───────┬───────┘ └───────────────┘
execute mol
cleanup → handoff(write) → END SESSION
(successor picks up)
```
**Key insight**: If there's an attached mol, crew workers continue working
without awaiting input. This enables autonomous overnight work on long molecules.
---
## 3. The Onboard-Execute-Cleanup Pattern
### 3.1 mol-polecat-session
```markdown
## Step: orient
Read polecat.md protocol. Understand:
- Your identity (rig/polecat-name)
- The beads system
- Exit strategies
- Handoff protocols
Load context:
- gt prime
- bd sync --from-main
- gt mail inbox
## Step: handoff-read
Check for predecessor handoff mail.
If found, load context from previous session.
## Step: execute
Find attached work:
- gt mol status (shows what's on hook)
- bd show <work-mol-id>
Run the attached work molecule to completion.
Continue until reaching exit-decision step.
## Step: cleanup
1. Sync state: bd sync, git push
2. Close or defer work mol based on exit type
3. Burn this session wisp
4. Request shutdown from Witness
```
### 3.2 mol-crew-session (Light Harness)
```markdown
## Step: orient
Read crew.md protocol. Load context:
- gt prime
- Identify self (crew member name, rig)
## Step: handoff-read
Check inbox for 🤝 HANDOFF messages:
- gt mail inbox
- If found: read and load predecessor context
## Step: check-attachment
Look for pinned work:
- bd list --pinned --assignee=<self> --status=in_progress
- gt mol status
If attachment found:
→ Proceed to execute (no human input needed)
If no attachment:
→ Await user instruction
## Step: execute
Work the attached molecule:
- bd ready --parent=<work-mol-root>
- Continue from last completed step
- Work until context full or natural stopping point
## Step: cleanup
Before session ends:
1. git status / git push
2. bd sync
3. Write handoff mail to self:
gt mail send <self-addr> -s "🤝 HANDOFF: <context>" -m "<details>"
4. Session ends (successor will pick up)
```
---
## 4. Autonomous Overnight Work
### 4.1 The Vision
With session wisps, crew workers can work autonomously:
```
Night 1, Session 1:
Human: "Work on gt-abc (big feature epic)"
Crew: Attaches gt-abc, works 2 hours, context full
Crew: Writes handoff, ends session
Night 1, Session 2 (auto-spawned):
Crew: Reads handoff, finds attached gt-abc
Crew: AUTO-CONTINUES (no human needed)
Crew: Works 2 more hours, context full
Crew: Writes handoff, ends session
... repeat through the night ...
Morning:
Human: Checks progress on gt-abc
Crew: "Completed 15 of 23 subtasks overnight"
```
### 4.2 Requirements for Autonomous Work
1. **Attached mol** - Work must be pinned/attached
2. **Clear exit conditions** - Mol defines when to stop
3. **Session cycling** - Auto-spawn successor sessions
4. **Handoff protocol** - Each session writes handoff for next
### 4.3 Safety Rails
- Work mol defines scope (can't go off-rails)
- Each session is bounded (context limit)
- Handoffs create audit trail
- Human can intervene at any session boundary
---
## 5. Data Structures
### 5.1 Session Wisp
```json
{
"id": "wisp-max-2024-12-22T15:00:00Z",
"type": "wisp",
"title": "Crew Session: max",
"status": "in_progress",
"current_step": "execute",
"agent_type": "crew",
"agent_name": "max",
"attached_mol": "gt-abc123",
"attached_at": "2024-12-22T15:01:00Z"
}
```
### 5.2 Attachment Mechanism
```bash
# Attach a work mol to current session wisp
bd mol attach <mol-id>
# Check current attachment
gt mol status
# Detach (human override)
bd mol detach
```
---
## 6. Implementation Phases
### Phase 1: Core Infrastructure (P0)
1. Add `mol-crew-session` to builtin_molecules.go
2. Add `mol-polecat-session` to builtin_molecules.go
3. Add wisp attachment mechanism to beads
4. Update spawn.go for polecat session wisps
### Phase 2: Crew Worker Integration (P0)
1. Update crew startup hook to instantiate session wisp
2. Implement auto-continue logic (if attached → work)
3. Update crew.md template for session wisp model
### Phase 3: Session Cycling (P1)
1. Add session successor spawning
2. Implement context-full detection
3. Auto-handoff on session end
### Phase 4: Monitoring & Safety (P1)
1. Witness monitors session wisps
2. Add emergency stop mechanism
3. Progress reporting between sessions
---
## 7. Open Questions
1. **Session cycling trigger**: Context percentage? Time limit? Both?
2. **Emergency stop**: How does human halt autonomous work?
3. **Progress visibility**: Dashboard for overnight work progress?
4. **Mol attachment UI**: How does human attach/detach work?
---
## 8. Summary
The session wisp architecture enables:
- **Separation of concerns**: How to work (proto) vs What to work on (mol)
- **Session continuity**: Handoffs preserve context across sessions
- **Autonomous work**: Crew workers can work overnight on attached mols
- **Unified pattern**: Same model for polecats and crew workers
- **Audit trail**: Work mol is permanent, session wisps are ephemeral
The key unlock is: **if there's attached work, continue without prompting**.
This transforms crew workers from interactive assistants to autonomous workers.

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@@ -20,6 +20,8 @@ func BuiltinMolecules() []BuiltinMolecule {
VersionBumpMolecule(),
DeaconPatrolMolecule(),
RefineryPatrolMolecule(),
CrewSessionMolecule(),
PolecatSessionMolecule(),
}
}
@@ -900,6 +902,230 @@ Needs: context-check`,
}
}
// CrewSessionMolecule returns the crew-session molecule definition.
// This is a light harness for crew workers that enables autonomous overnight work.
// Key insight: if there's an attached mol, continue working without awaiting input.
func CrewSessionMolecule() BuiltinMolecule {
return BuiltinMolecule{
ID: "mol-crew-session",
Title: "Crew Session",
Description: `Light session harness for crew workers.
This molecule enables autonomous work on long-lived molecules. The key insight:
**If there's an attached mol, continue working without awaiting input.**
This transforms crew workers from interactive assistants to autonomous workers
that can churn through long molecules overnight.
## Step: orient
Load context and identify self.
` + "```" + `bash
gt prime # Load Gas Town context
` + "```" + `
Identify yourself:
- Read crew.md for role context
- Note your rig and crew member name
- Understand the session wisp model
## Step: handoff-read
Check inbox for predecessor handoff.
` + "```" + `bash
gt mail inbox
` + "```" + `
Look for 🤝 HANDOFF messages from your previous session.
If found:
- Read the handoff carefully
- Load predecessor's context and state
- Note where they left off
If no handoff found, this is a fresh start.
Needs: orient
## Step: check-attachment
Look for pinned work to continue.
` + "```" + `bash
bd list --pinned --assignee=$(gt whoami) --status=in_progress
gt mol status
` + "```" + `
**DECISION POINT:**
If attachment found:
- This is autonomous continuation mode
- Proceed directly to execute step
- NO human input needed
If no attachment found:
- This is interactive mode
- Await user instruction before proceeding
- Mark this step complete when user provides direction
Needs: handoff-read
## Step: execute
Work the attached molecule.
Find next ready step in the attached mol:
` + "```" + `bash
bd ready --parent=<work-mol-root>
bd update <step> --status=in_progress
` + "```" + `
Work until one of:
- All steps in mol completed
- Context approaching limit (>80%)
- Natural stopping point reached
- Blocked by external dependency
Track progress in the mol itself (close completed steps).
File discovered work as new issues.
Needs: check-attachment
## Step: cleanup
End session with proper handoff.
1. Sync all state:
` + "```" + `bash
git add -A && git commit -m "WIP: <summary>" || true
git push origin HEAD
bd sync
` + "```" + `
2. Write handoff to successor (yourself):
` + "```" + `bash
gt mail send <self-addr> -s "🤝 HANDOFF: <brief context>" -m "
## Progress
- Completed: <what was done>
- Next: <what to do next>
## State
- Current step: <step-id>
- Blockers: <any blockers>
## Notes
<any context successor needs>
"
` + "```" + `
3. Session ends. Successor will pick up from handoff.
Needs: execute`,
}
}
// PolecatSessionMolecule returns the polecat-session molecule definition.
// This is a one-shot session wisp that wraps polecat work.
// Unlike patrol wisps (which loop), this wisp terminates with the session.
func PolecatSessionMolecule() BuiltinMolecule {
return BuiltinMolecule{
ID: "mol-polecat-session",
Title: "Polecat Session",
Description: `One-shot session wisp for polecat workers.
This molecule wraps the polecat's work assignment. It handles:
1. Onboarding - read polecat.md, load context
2. Execution - run the attached work molecule
3. Cleanup - sync, burn, request shutdown
Unlike patrol wisps (which loop), this wisp terminates when work is done.
The attached work molecule is permanent and auditable.
## Step: orient
Read polecat.md protocol and initialize context.
` + "```" + `bash
gt prime # Load Gas Town context
bd sync --from-main # Fresh beads state
gt mail inbox # Check for work assignment
` + "```" + `
Understand:
- Your identity (rig/polecat-name)
- The beads system
- Exit strategies (COMPLETED, BLOCKED, REFACTOR, ESCALATE)
- Handoff protocols
## Step: handoff-read
Check for predecessor session handoff.
If this polecat was respawned after a crash or context cycle:
- Check mail for 🤝 HANDOFF from previous session
- Load state from the attached work mol
- Resume from last completed step
` + "```" + `bash
gt mail inbox | grep HANDOFF
bd show <work-mol-id> # Check step completion state
` + "```" + `
Needs: orient
## Step: find-work
Locate attached work molecule.
` + "```" + `bash
gt mol status # Shows what's on your hook
` + "```" + `
The work mol should already be attached (done by spawn).
If not attached, check mail for work assignment.
Verify you have:
- A work mol ID
- Understanding of the work scope
- No blockers to starting
Needs: handoff-read
## Step: execute
Run the attached work molecule to completion.
For each ready step in the work mol:
` + "```" + `bash
bd ready --parent=<work-mol-root>
bd update <step> --status=in_progress
# ... do the work ...
bd close <step>
` + "```" + `
Continue until reaching the exit-decision step in the work mol.
All exit types (COMPLETED, BLOCKED, REFACTOR, ESCALATE) proceed to cleanup.
**Dynamic modifications allowed**:
- Add review or test steps if needed
- File discovered blockers as issues
- Request session refresh if context filling
Needs: find-work
## Step: cleanup
Finalize session and request termination.
1. Sync all state:
` + "```" + `bash
bd sync
git push origin HEAD
` + "```" + `
2. Update work mol based on exit type:
- COMPLETED: ` + "`bd close <work-mol-root>`" + `
- BLOCKED/REFACTOR/ESCALATE: ` + "`bd update <work-mol-root> --status=deferred`" + `
3. Burn this session wisp (ephemeral, no audit needed):
` + "```" + `bash
bd mol burn
` + "```" + `
4. Request shutdown from Witness:
` + "```" + `bash
gt mail send <rig>/witness -s "SHUTDOWN: <polecat-name>" -m "Session complete. Exit: <type>"
` + "```" + `
5. Wait for Witness to terminate session. Do not exit directly.
Needs: execute`,
}
}
// SeedBuiltinMolecules creates all built-in molecules in the beads database.
// It skips molecules that already exist (by title match).
// Returns the number of molecules created.