Add live polling and updates

Implement live polling (500ms default) for activity updates. Merge new events into view without flickering. Show connection status indicator. Handle daemon disconnects gracefully.


Refactor builtin_molecules.go (1620 lines)

## Summary

builtin_molecules.go is 1620 lines and growing. Should be split into:
- builtin_molecules.go - registration and common helpers
- molecules_patrol.go - patrol molecules (deacon, witness, refinery)
- molecules_work.go - work molecules (polecat-work, ready-work, engineer-in-box)
- molecules_session.go - session wrappers (crew-session, polecat-session)

## Benefits
- Easier to find/edit specific molecules
- Smaller diffs on changes
- Clear categorization


MQ dashboard widget: queue status in TUI

Add merge queue status widget to the Bubbletea TUI dashboard.

Display:
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│              MERGE QUEUE STATUS                  │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Pending: 3   In Progress: 1   Merged (24h): 12  │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ QUEUE:                                          │
│   ► gt-mr-004  P0  Nux/gt-xyz     Processing... │
│     gt-mr-005  P1  Toast/gt-abc   Ready         │
│     gt-mr-006  P1  Capable/gt-def Blocked (005) │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Interactive features:
- Navigate queue entries
- View MR details
- Retry/reject from dashboard

Depends on: gt-u1j.2 (Bubbletea TUI dashboard)

Reference: docs/merge-queue-design.md#dashboard


Update gt doctor to check new config locations

Doctor should validate new structure:
- Check mayor/config.json exists and is valid
- Check settings/ exists for each rig
- Warn if old .gastown/ files still exist
- Offer --fix to migrate old locations to new


Mol Mall: Molecule marketplace distribution

Design the Mol Mall distribution mechanism for sharing molecules.

## Core Insight

Mol Mall is just a registry of molecules.jsonl fragments. No special format needed.

## Distribution Model

```
Mol Mall (registry)
    │
    │ bd mol search "security"
    ▼
Molecule catalog (searchable index)
    │
    │ bd mol install mol-security-scan
    ▼
Download molecules.jsonl fragment
    │
    │ Append to ~/.beads/molecules.jsonl
    ▼
Available locally: bd mol list
```

## Registry Format

Simple JSON index served from HTTPS:

```json
{
  "molecules": [
    {
      "id": "mol-security-scan",
      "title": "Security Scan",
      "description": "OWASP Top 10 vulnerability checker",
      "labels": ["plugin", "code-review", "tier:sonnet"],
      "author": "anthropic",
      "version": "1.0.0",
      "url": "https://mol-mall.anthropic.com/molecules/mol-security-scan.jsonl"
    }
  ]
}
```

## CLI Commands

```bash
bd mol search <query>           # Search registry
bd mol info <id>                # Show molecule details
bd mol install <id>             # Download and install
bd mol uninstall <id>           # Remove from catalog
bd mol update                   # Update all installed molecules
```

## Installation Locations

```
~/.beads/molecules.jsonl        # User-level (default install location)
~/gt/.beads/molecules.jsonl     # Town-level (shared across rigs)
.beads/molecules.jsonl          # Project-level (team-specific)
```

## Version Management

Molecules can have versions via labels: `version:1.0.0`
Install specific version: `bd mol install mol-security-scan@1.0.0`

## Auth (Future)

Private registries could require auth token.
Enterprise Mol Malls for internal distribution.

## Related

- gt-u818: Plugin System (plugins ARE molecules)
- molecular-chemistry.md: Format documentation


MQ config schema: merge_queue section in rig config.json

Define and implement merge_queue configuration in rig config.

Schema:
{
  "merge_queue": {
    "enabled": true,
    "target_branch": "main",
    "integration_branches": true,
    "on_conflict": "assign_back",  // or "auto_rebase"
    "run_tests": true,
    "test_command": "go test ./...",
    "delete_merged_branches": true,
    "retry_flaky_tests": 1,
    "poll_interval": "30s",
    "max_concurrent": 1
  }
}

Implement:
- Config loading in rig package
- Default values
- Validation

Reference: docs/merge-queue-design.md#configuration


CloudRun cost tracking: Usage monitoring and limits

## Overview

Track Cloud Run usage costs and enforce spending limits.

## Cost Model

Cloud Run pricing (approximate):
- CPU: ~$0.000024/vCPU-second
- Memory: ~$0.0000025/GiB-second
- Requests: ~$0.40/million

For 5-minute worker (2 vCPU, 4GB):
- CPU: 300 × 2 × $0.000024 = $0.0144
- Memory: 300 × 4 × $0.0000025 = $0.003
- **Total: ~$0.017 per session**

## Implementation

```go
type CostTracker struct {
    cpuRate    float64  // per vCPU-second
    memRate    float64  // per GiB-second
    sessions   []SessionCost
    mu         sync.RWMutex
}

type SessionCost struct {
    WorkerID  string
    StartTime time.Time
    EndTime   time.Time
    CPUs      float64
    MemoryGiB float64
}

func (t *CostTracker) RecordSession(workerID string, start, end time.Time, cpus, mem float64) {
    t.mu.Lock()
    defer t.mu.Unlock()
    t.sessions = append(t.sessions, SessionCost{...})
}

func (t *CostTracker) CurrentCost() float64 {
    t.mu.RLock()
    defer t.mu.RUnlock()
    var total float64
    for _, s := range t.sessions {
        duration := s.EndTime.Sub(s.StartTime).Seconds()
        total += duration * s.CPUs * t.cpuRate
        total += duration * s.MemoryGiB * t.memRate
    }
    return total
}
```

## Cost Cap Enforcement

```go
func (o *CloudRunOutpost) Spawn(...) (Worker, error) {
    if o.costCap > 0 && o.costTracker.CurrentCost() >= o.costCap {
        return nil, ErrCostCapExceeded
    }
    // ... spawn worker
}
```

## Config

```yaml
outposts:
  - name: cloudrun-burst
    type: cloudrun
    cost_cap_hourly: 5.00   # Stop spawning if hourly cost exceeds $5
    cost_cap_daily: 50.00   # Daily limit
```

## CLI

```bash
gt outpost status cloudrun-burst
# Shows: Cost (today): $0.42 / $50.00 cap
```

## Files

- `internal/cloudrun/cost.go`

## Dependencies

Depends on: gt-9a2.8 (basic CloudRunOutpost)


Add keyboard navigation and filtering

Keyboard navigation: j/k or arrows to move, enter to expand/collapse, q to quit. Filtering: by rig name, worker name, event type. Search within activity stream.


Molecules: Composable Workflow Beads

## Summary

Molecules are crystallized workflow patterns stored as Beads issues.
When instantiated, the molecule creates child beads forming a DAG.

## Key Insight: Molecules ARE Beads

Per HOP Decision 001: Beads IS the ledger. Molecules don't get a separate YAML format - they're issues with `type: molecule` containing prose-based step definitions.

Agents don't need rigid schemas. They parse natural language natively. A molecule is just instructions with enough structure for tooling.

## Example: Engineer in a Box

```markdown
id: mol-xyz
type: molecule
title: Engineer in a Box

This workflow takes a task from design to merge.

## Step: design
Think carefully about architecture. Consider existing patterns,
trade-offs, testability.

## Step: implement
Write clean code. Follow codebase conventions.
Needs: design

## Step: review
Review for bugs, edge cases, style issues.
Needs: implement

## Step: test
Write and run tests. Cover happy path and edge cases.
Needs: implement

## Step: submit
Submit for merge via refinery.
Needs: review, test
```

## Instantiation

```bash
# Attach molecule when spawning
gt spawn --issue gt-abc --molecule mol-xyz

# Creates child beads atomically:
gt-abc.design     ← ready first
gt-abc.implement  ← blocked by design
gt-abc.review     ← blocked by implement
gt-abc.test       ← blocked by implement
gt-abc.submit     ← blocked by review, test
```

Each step issue gets an `instantiated-from` edge to the molecule (with step metadata).

## Why This Matters

1. **Unified data plane**: Everything in Beads, no parallel YAML channel
2. **AI-native**: Prose instructions, not rigid schemas
3. **Error isolation**: Each step is a checkpoint - failure doesn't lose progress
4. **Scales with AI**: As agents get smarter, they handle more complex molecules

## Implementation Primitives

- `ParseMoleculeSteps()`: Extract steps from prose (convention-based)
- `InstantiateMolecule()`: Atomic transaction creating all steps + edges
- `instantiated-from` edge type: Track provenance
- Parameterization: `{{variable}}` substitution from context map


Add --fart as easter egg alias for bd mol bond

Add a hidden alias for the bond command:

```bash
bd mol fart mol-polecat-work --wisp
# equivalent to:
bd mol bond mol-polecat-work --wisp
```

## Context
The fart joke: instantiating a proto can produce either:
- A Mol (solid/substantial output)
- A Wisp (gas/ephemeral output)

## Implementation
- Add 'fart' as an alias in the mol subcommand
- No documentation needed (easter egg)
- Maybe a fun message: 'Bonding molecule...' or similar

Low priority, just for fun.


gt polecat done should auto-stop running session

Currently 'gt polecat done' fails if session is running, requiring a separate 'gt session stop' first. This is unnecessary friction - done should just stop the session automatically since that's always what you want.


CLI: rig commands (add, list, show, remove)

GGT needs rig management commands.

Missing Commands:
- gt rig add <git-url> [--name NAME] - Add rig to workspace
- gt rig list - List all rigs with status
- gt rig show <rig> - Show detailed rig info
- gt rig remove <rig> - Remove a rig

PGT Reference: gastown-py/src/gastown/cli/rig_cmd.py

Current State:
- gt init creates rig structure but no ongoing management
- Rig discovery in internal/rig/manager.go but not exposed via CLI


Clean up stale children on deacon handoff bead

The deacon handoff bead hq-8r8 has 7 stale children (hq-8r8.1 through hq-8r8.7) from a previous patrol that got incorrectly parented. These should be cleaned up.

The handoff bead should only contain the attached_molecule reference, not instantiated steps.


CLI: core commands (status, prime, version, init)

Essential CLI commands for Gas Town operation.

## Commands

### gt status
Show overall town status.
```
gt status [--json]
```
Output:
- Town name and location
- Number of rigs
- Active polecats across all rigs
- Witness status per rig
- Recent activity summary

### gt prime
Output role context for current directory.
```
gt prime
```
Detects role from directory:
- Town root or mayor/ → Mayor context
- <rig>/witness/rig/ → Witness context
- <rig>/refinery/rig/ → Refinery context
- <rig>/polecats/<name>/ → Polecat context

### gt version
Show version information.
```
gt version [--short]
```
Output: version, git commit, build date.

### gt init
Initialize current rig for Gas Town (alternative to gt install for existing repos).
```
gt init [--force]
```
Creates Gas Town structure in existing git repo.

## Implementation

Each command is a Cobra subcommand under root:
```go
var statusCmd = &cobra.Command{...}
var primeCmd = &cobra.Command{...}
var versionCmd = &cobra.Command{...}
var initCmd = &cobra.Command{...}
```

Register in cmd/gt/main.go.


Merge: gt-rana.1

branch: polecat/rictus
target: main
source_issue: gt-rana.1
rig: gastown


Patrol step: check parked molecules for unblock

Add patrol step to Deacon for checking parked molecules:

```yaml
- step: check-parked-molecules
  action: |
    For each molecule with:
      - status: in_progress
      - assignee: null
      - has step with external: blocked_by
    Check if external deps are now satisfied.
    If yes: spawn polecat to resume the molecule.
```

This automates the resume process - no manual intervention needed when
upstream dependencies ship.

Part of cross-project dependency system.
See: docs/cross-project-deps.md

Depends on: gt-in3x (spawn --continue)
Priority: P3 (future automation, not required for launch)


Polecat Lifecycle Events: Refinery-Witness Coordination

## Problem

Polecat work completion is currently treated as a single event (MR submission), but the true completion is when the Refinery merges the work. This creates a lifecycle gap:

1. Polecat submits MR → considered "done" by Witness
2. But MR might fail to merge (conflicts, test failures)
3. No one notifies anyone when merge actually succeeds

## Solution: Two-Event Lifecycle

**Event 1: MR Submitted**
- `gt mq submit` notifies Witness
- Witness verifies submission was clean
- Polecat can go idle (but worktree retained)
- If submission had issues, Witness can help

**Event 2: MR Merged**
- Refinery sends `LIFECYCLE: work merged` to Witness
- Witness updates polecat state to `merged`
- Worktree now eligible for full cleanup/recycling

## Village Sibling Watch

For robustness, patrol roles check on their siblings:
- Refinery checks Witness via `gt peek`
- Witness checks Refinery via `gt peek`
- Creates defense in depth - if primary notification fails, someone catches it

## Recovery

If Refinery misses sending lifecycle notification:
- Witness polecat-scan can detect: polecat in mr_submitted but MR shows merged
- Deacon orphan-check can detect: merged MRs with stale polecats


🤝 HANDOFF: Timing fixes applied

Fixed mayor attach timing bug. Completed: timing fix, gt-tulx, Emma beads-6v2. Remaining P1: gt-17zr, gt-kcee, gt-szsq. Run gt prime on startup.


Work on ga-xxp: Define mol-polecat-work standard molecule...

Work on ga-xxp: Define mol-polecat-work standard molecule. See bd show ga-xxp for full details.


Simplify Go daemon to Deacon-watcher

Refactor internal/daemon to only: (1) check deacon/heartbeat.json every 60s, (2) poke gt-deacon if stale, (3) restart Deacon and mail for help if very stale. Remove all lifecycle processing and agent poking.


Inconsistent error wrapping patterns

Error handling is inconsistent across the codebase:

1. Some functions use fmt.Errorf with %w for wrapping, others don't
2. return nil, nil patterns (40+ occurrences) sometimes represent 'not found' and sometimes 'error but continue' - should use sentinel errors
3. Some places return nil for errors when they should propagate them

Examples of nil,nil that might need review:
- internal/git/git.go:272, 308
- internal/crew/manager.go:227
- internal/witness/manager.go:517, 523, 530, 775
- internal/beads/beads.go:225, 492


HOP: Skill vectors on work items

Add skill embeddings to work items for capability-based matching. See ~/ai/stevey-gastown/hop/CONTEXT.md. Post-v0.1 work.


Human escalation: notify overseer when self-heal fails

Lightweight escalation extracted from Deacon epic (gt-5af).

**Implementation**: Config in town.json or similar:
```yaml
escalation:
  contact: steve@example.com  # or slack webhook
  triggers:
    - daemon_cant_restart
    - session_missing_5min
```

**Trigger points**:
- Go daemon can't restart a session after N attempts
- Agent detects it's stuck and can't recover
- Witness can't reach polecat

**Mechanism**:
- Simple: `gt mail send --human` already exists
- Enhanced: email/slack via external script

**Weight**: Small config + one code path in daemon
**Value**: High for unattended operation - human gets notified instead of silent failure


Add witness plugin hook support

Implement plugin directories for witness patrol.

Structure:
  <rig>/plugins/witness/
  ├── pre-inspection/
  │   └── stale-branch-check/
  │       └── CLAUDE.md
  └── post-action/
      └── mq-health/
          └── CLAUDE.md

run-plugins step scans these directories and bonds mol-plugin-runner for each.


mol-polecat-work

Full polecat lifecycle from assignment to decommission.

This proto enables nondeterministic idempotence for polecat work.
A polecat that crashes after any step can restart, read its molecule state,
and continue from the last completed step. No work is lost.

Variables:
- gt-test - The source issue ID being worked on


Merge: gt-3x0z.4

branch: polecat/rictus
target: main
source_issue: gt-3x0z.4
rig: gastown


CloudRun worker container: Dockerfile and entrypoint

## Overview

Docker container image for Cloud Run workers.

## Dockerfile

```dockerfile
FROM golang:1.21-alpine AS builder
WORKDIR /app
COPY . .
RUN go build -o gt ./cmd/gt

FROM ubuntu:22.04

# Install Claude Code
RUN apt-get update && apt-get install -y     curl git nodejs npm     && npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code     && apt-get clean

# Install gt
COPY --from=builder /app/gt /usr/local/bin/gt

# Worker entrypoint
COPY deploy/cloudrun/entrypoint.sh /entrypoint.sh
RUN chmod +x /entrypoint.sh

EXPOSE 8080
ENTRYPOINT ["/entrypoint.sh"]
```

## Entrypoint

```bash
#!/bin/bash
git config --global user.name "$GIT_USER"
git config --global user.email "$GIT_EMAIL"
exec gt worker serve --port 8080
```

## Files

- `deploy/cloudrun/Dockerfile`
- `deploy/cloudrun/entrypoint.sh`
- `deploy/cloudrun/README.md`

## Dependencies

Depends on: gt-9a2.11 (HTTP server - gt worker serve)


Update polecat CLAUDE.md with molecule workflow

Add molecule execution guidance to polecat context:

## What to Add

### Molecule Awareness
- Polecats execute Wisps (ephemeral molecule instances)
- The work assignment mail includes molecule context
- Current step is tracked in the wisp

### Workflow Protocol
1. Read assignment (includes molecule ID and current step)
2. Execute current step
3. Update step status via bd mol step
4. Generate summary when all steps complete
5. Run bd mol squash to compress wisp into digest

### Key Commands
- bd mol show <wisp-id> - view current molecule state
- bd mol step <wisp-id> --status=complete - mark step done
- bd mol squash <wisp-id> --summary='...' - complete molecule

### Summary Generation
When completing work, generate a summary that:
- Lists what was accomplished
- Notes any deviations from the plan
- Captures key decisions made
- This becomes the permanent digest


Beads epic templates for batch work patterns

Optional: Define templates for common batch work patterns.

## Concept

A template encodes a workflow pattern that can be instantiated as beads:

```yaml
# templates/batch-basic.yaml
name: basic-batch
description: Simple batch work pattern
phases:
  - name: startup
    issues:
      - title: "Verify workers ready"
  - name: working
    # Actual work issues added separately
  - name: cleanup
    issues:
      - title: "Merge all branches"
      - title: "Clean up workers"
      - title: "Report to Mayor"
```

## Usage

```bash
gt spawn --template basic-batch --epic gt-u1j --workers 3
```

Creates beads epic with template phases + actual work from gt-u1j children.

## Decision Point

Templates are OPTIONAL. The core design (beads as state, multi-wave orchestration) works without templates. Templates are sugar for common patterns.

Consider deferring to P3 or dropping entirely if beads epics with dependencies suffice.

## Note

No "swarm IDs" involved - templates just pre-populate epic/issue structure.


save-state

Update handoff bead with new state.

Persist nudge counts and pending actions.

Needs: execute-actions


Molecule Workflow Engine: Composable Crystallized Workflows

# Epic: Molecule Workflow Engine

**Vision**: Molecules are crystallized, composable, nondeterministic-idempotent workflow templates. Any worker can pick up where any other worker was interrupted and continue along the molecule.

**Christmas Target**: Full molecule-based workflow engine operational by Dec 25, 2025.

## The Core Concepts

1. **Molecule**: Read-only workflow template (beads issue with type=molecule)
2. **Atom/Step**: Individual work unit with prose instructions
3. **Bond**: Dependency between steps
4. **Polymer/Derived**: Molecule composed from other molecules
5. **Instance**: Concrete beads created when molecule is attached to work

## Key Features Needed

### 1. Molecule Composition (Includes Directive)
Molecules can include other molecules:
\`\`\`markdown
## Molecule: gastown-polecat
Includes: mol-engineer-in-box

## Step: install-binary
Build and install the local gt binary.
Needs: submit
\`\`\`

### 2. Standard Molecules
- mol-install-go-binary: Single step to build/install gt
- mol-gastown-polecat: engineer-in-box + install-binary

### 3. Spawn Integration
\`gt spawn --issue <id> --molecule <mol-id>\` creates molecule instance then starts polecat on first ready step.

### 4. Nondeterministic Idempotence
- Steps are atomic (pending → in_progress → completed)
- Any worker can pick up any ready step
- Step timeout/recovery for stuck workers

## Success Criteria
- [ ] Polecats can be spawned with mol-gastown-polecat
- [ ] Derived molecules work end-to-end
- [ ] 10+ polecat swarm completes molecule workflows
- [ ] install-go-binary step runs after successful merges


gt spawn --continue for resuming parked molecules

Add `--continue` flag to gt spawn for resuming parked molecules:

```bash
gt spawn --continue gt-mol-root
```

This:
1. Finds molecule root
2. Verifies molecule is in "parked" state (in_progress, no assignee)
3. Checks external deps are now satisfied
4. Spawns polecat with molecule context
5. Polecat reads handoff mail and continues from blocked step

Part of cross-project dependency system.
See: docs/cross-project-deps.md

Depends on: gt-zniu (gt park)
Depends on Beads: bd-zmmy (bd ready resolution)


Merge to main and push immediately.

Merge to main and push immediately.

```bash
git checkout main
git merge --ff-only temp
git push origin main
git branch -d temp
git push origin --delete <polecat-branch>
```

Main has moved. Any remaining branches need rebasing on new baseline.

instantiated_from: mol-refinery-patrol
step: merge-push


Rig management: discover, load, create rigs

Rig discovery, loading, and creation.

## Interface

```go
type Rig struct {
    Name      string
    Path      string
    GitURL    string
    Config    RigConfig
    Polecats  []string
    HasWitness bool
    HasRefinery bool
}

type RigManager struct {
    townRoot string
    config   *Config
    git      *Git
}

func NewRigManager(townRoot string, config *Config, git *Git) *RigManager

// Discovery
func (rm *RigManager) DiscoverRigs() ([]*Rig, error)
func (rm *RigManager) GetRig(name string) (*Rig, error)
func (rm *RigManager) RigExists(name string) bool

// Creation
func (rm *RigManager) AddRig(name, gitURL string) (*Rig, error)
func (rm *RigManager) RemoveRig(name string) error

// Rig state
func (rm *RigManager) LoadRigConfig(rig *Rig) error
func (rm *RigManager) SaveRigConfig(rig *Rig) error
```

## Discovery Logic

1. Read rigs.json from config/
2. For each registered rig, verify directory exists
3. Load rig-level config if present
4. Scan for polecats/ subdirectory
5. Check for witness/, refinery/ directories

## Rig Creation

1. Clone repo to town root
2. Add entry to rigs.json
3. Create agent directories (polecats/, witness/, refinery/, mayor/)
4. Update .git/info/exclude to ignore agent dirs
5. Initialize rig config

## Rig Structure

Per docs/architecture.md:
```
<rig>/
├── polecats/
├── refinery/rig/
├── witness/rig/
└── mayor/rig/
```


Merge: gt-ldk8

branch: polecat/nux
target: main
source_issue: gt-ldk8
rig: gastown


Epic: Refinery Engineer Autonomy

Make Refinery Engineer fully autonomous:

## Goal
Refinery can run indefinitely, processing all polecat work through merge queue, cycling sessions as needed, without human intervention.

## Key Components
1. Role prompting (CLAUDE.md, templates)
2. Handoff mechanism (pinned beads)
3. Context detection (gt prime)
4. Communication protocol (Witness, Deacon)
5. Future: Merge orchestration plugins

## Success Criteria
- Refinery starts, reads handoff, knows what to do
- Processes merges sequentially with conflict resolution
- Cycles sessions cleanly via Deacon
- Communicates results to Witness
- No work left behind


Merge: beads-2nh

branch: fix/spawn-beads-path
target: main
source_issue: beads-2nh
rig: gastown


Update refinery to read local branches

Refinery manager needs to access polecat branches locally instead of fetching from origin.

## Changes
- internal/refinery/manager.go - remove origin fetch for MR branches
- internal/refinery/engineer.go - local branch access
- Remove DeleteRemoteBranch calls (branches are local now)
- Update merge workflow to work with local refs

## Key insight
All worktrees share the same .git - refinery can see polecat/nux branch directly.


Merge: gt-rp0k

branch: polecat/nux
target: main
source_issue: gt-rp0k
rig: gastown


Refinery semantic merge processing loop

Implement the Refinery semantic merge loop for processing polecat work.

## Overview

The Refinery is a fully empowered Claude Code agent that:
1. Fetches polecat branches
2. Merges to integration branch
3. Resolves conflicts semantically (re-implements if needed)
4. Runs tests
5. Escalates only when truly stuck

## Processing Loop

1. Check queue for completed tasks (polecat done, not yet merged)
2. For each task:
   - Fetch polecat branch
   - Attempt merge to integration/<swarm-id>
   - On conflict: semantic resolution (understand intent, re-implement)
   - Run tests if configured
   - On success: mark merged, file bead, notify witness
   - On failure: notify polecat (test fail) or escalate (stuck)
3. When all tasks merged: land integration to main

## Semantic Merge

When git merge fails, Refinery:
1. Reads polecat changes and beads issue
2. Understands intent
3. Re-implements on current integration branch
4. Only escalates if truly blocked

## Daemon Poking

Refinery is poked by:
- Daemon heartbeat (periodic)
- Witness notification (polecat done)
- Mayor request (check queue)

## Dependencies

Needs: gt-u1j.6 (mail), gt-u1j.3 (git), gt-u1j.14 (merge queue)

## Reference

See PGT ephemeral.py for branch operations.


Review: Refinery patrol template changes (gt-qz2l)

Polecat dementus implemented refinery template changes: banners, wisp-based execution, propulsion protocol. Review for correctness and consistency with witness/deacon patterns.


Merge: gt-5wb7

branch: polecat/nux
target: main
source_issue: gt-5wb7
rig: gastown


Phase 2.1: gt spawn --molecule bonds in ephemeral

Make gt spawn molecule-aware with ephemeral bonding.

## New Flag

```bash
gt spawn --issue gt-xxx --molecule mol-polecat-work
```

## Behavior

1. Create polecat with fresh worktree (existing)
2. Bond molecule in ephemeral: `bd mol bond mol-polecat-work --ephemeral`
3. Link molecule root to source issue
4. Include molecule context in work assignment mail
5. Start session

## Work Assignment Mail

```
Subject: Work Assignment: Fix lifecycle bug [MOLECULE]

You are working on gt-rixa as part of molecule mol-polecat-work.

Molecule instance: eph-abc123
Current step: read-assignment (1/8)

Follow the molecule workflow. When complete, generate summary and squash.
```


Merge: gt-t9u7

branch: polecat/furiosa
target: main
source_issue: gt-t9u7
rig: gastown


Implement Christmas Ornament pattern for mol-witness-patrol

Integrate dynamic bonding into mol-witness-patrol once Beads primitives are ready.

## Completed

- ✅ WaitsFor parsing (gt-odfr) - Parser now extracts WaitsFor: all-children
- ✅ mol bond command (gt-isje) - gt mol bond creates dynamic children with --var expansion
- ✅ WitnessPatrolMolecule() updated with Christmas Ornament structure (gt-tnow.1)
- ✅ PolecatArmMolecule() created for per-polecat inspection (gt-tnow.2)

## Remaining

- gt-tnow.3: Plugin hook support (P2)
- gt-tnow.4: Integration test with live polecats (P2)

## Design Docs

- docs/molecular-chemistry.md (already updated with pattern)
- docs/architecture.md (already updated with activity feed)
- gt-qflq: mol-witness-patrol design bead (updated)
- gt-dapb: mol-polecat-arm proto


mol-witness-patrol molecule definition

Create mol-witness-patrol in builtin_molecules.go.

## Steps (10 total)
1. inbox-check - Process witness mail (lifecycle, help requests)
2. load-state - Read handoff bead, get nudge counts
3. survey-workers - gt polecat list, categorize by status
4. inspect-workers - tmux capture-pane for each 'working' polecat
5. decide-actions - Apply nudge matrix, queue actions
6. execute-actions - Nudge, kill, or escalate as decided
7. save-state - Update handoff bead with new states
8. generate-summary - Summarize cycle for digest
9. context-check - Check own context usage
10. burn-or-loop - Squash wisp, then loop or cycle session

## Key Behaviors
- Uses wisp storage (.beads-wisp/)
- Reads/writes witness handoff bead for state persistence
- Progressive nudging (3 levels before escalate)
- Pre-kill verification before killing polecats

## Reference
- See prompts/roles/witness.md for protocol details
- See mol-refinery-patrol for similar structure
- Parent epic: gt-aqd8


Session cycling: Auto-spawn successor when context full

Enable automatic session succession for crew workers.

When a crew worker's context fills up (>80%), they should:
1. Write handoff mail to themselves
2. Signal session end
3. System auto-spawns successor session
4. Successor reads handoff, finds attached work, auto-continues

This completes the autonomous overnight work pattern from gt-9g82.

Depends on:
- Detecting context fullness (Claude Code API?)
- Session spawning mechanism (tmux/daemon)
- Handoff protocol already implemented


Merge: gt-8v8

branch: polecat/nux
target: main
source_issue: gt-8v8
rig: gastown


Town root .beads has schema mismatch with bd

The .beads directory at town root (/Users/stevey/gt/.beads) has an incompatible schema:

```
Error: failed to open database: failed to initialize schema: sqlite3: SQL logic error: no such column: thread_id
```

Meanwhile, gastown/.beads (symlinked to mayor/rig/.beads) works fine.

## Impact

- gt mail inbox fails at town root
- gt handoff sends mail to broken db
- Daemon can't check its inbox

## Options

1. Delete town root .beads/beads.db and let it recreate
2. Symlink town root .beads to gastown/.beads
3. Run schema migration on existing db

## Root Cause

Likely a beads version upgrade that added thread_id column, but the town root db was created before that.


gt spawn: Not injecting work instructions to session

gt spawn starts session but doesn't inject the issue assignment.

Repro:
1. gt spawn gastown/Toast --issue gt-2ux
2. Session starts but polecat just sees Claude prompt
3. No issue context injected

Expected: Polecat should receive issue details automatically.
Actual: Polecat sits at blank prompt, needs manual injection.


gt mol command tree: status, catalog, burn, squash

Add gt mol subcommand as agent-side API for molecule operations.

Commands needed:
- gt mol status - What's on my hook? (pinned molecule, current step, progress)
- gt mol catalog - List available protos (delegate to bd mol catalog)
- gt mol burn - Burn current attachment
- gt mol squash - Squash current molecule to digest

This completes the agent-side API and makes the docs (sling-design.md, propulsion-principle.md) match reality.

Blocks: deacon.md.tmpl update (can't use gt mol status until it exists)


Dynamic wisp modification: insert, reorder, bond mid-execution

## Vision

Wisps should be living documents that adapt mid-execution, not static scripts.

## Operations Needed

### bd mol insert
Insert a step into a running wisp:
```bash
bd mol insert <wisp-id> --after <step> --step 'security-gate: Review auth changes'
```

### bd mol reorder
Change step order in a running wisp:
```bash
bd mol reorder <wisp-id> --move process-branch --before current
```

### bd mol bond (to wisp)
Attach an entire molecule to a running wisp:
```bash
bd mol bond mol-weekly-maintenance <wisp-id> --after await-work
```

### bd mol skip
Skip a step (with reason):
```bash
bd mol skip <wisp-id> <step> --reason 'Queue empty, skipping summary'
```

## Use Cases

1. **Hotfix priority**: Reorder queue to process urgent MR first
2. **Security gate**: Insert review step when PR touches sensitive files
3. **Scheduled maintenance**: Bond maintenance mol on schedule
4. **Context adaptation**: Skip steps when they don't apply

## Why This Matters

Engine room problems emerge dynamically. The wisp's flexibility lets agents model situations as they evolve, not execute rigid scripts.

GUPP still applies: whatever's on your hook, you run. But the hook contents can adapt.

## Implementation

This requires Beads changes to support wisp mutation:
- Track step ordering in wisp storage
- Support step insertion/deletion/reordering
- Handle bond-to-wisp (spawn steps into existing wisp)
- Preserve audit trail of modifications


gt done: Command doesn't exist but documented in polecat CLAUDE.md

The polecat CLAUDE.md documents 'gt done' as the command to signal work is ready for merge queue, but running it gives 'unknown command'. Either implement the command or update the documentation.


Deacon tmux status bar: heartbeat timing and patrol state

## Problem

The deacon shows patrol output but lacks real-time observability:
- No indication of when last heartbeat occurred
- No indication of when next heartbeat is scheduled
- No visibility into current patrol step

## Desired Behavior

The tmux status bar for gt-deacon should show:

```
⛪ Deacon | ❤ 2m ago | ⏰ 3m | 📍 health-scan (3/7)
```

Components:
- **Role icon**: ⛪ (deacon identity)
- **Last heartbeat**: ❤ 2m ago (time since last heartbeat file update)
- **Next heartbeat**: ⏰ 3m (time until daemon would poke)
- **Current step**: 📍 health-scan (3/7) (current patrol atom, step N of M)

## Implementation

1. **Read heartbeat.json** for last update time
2. **Calculate next poke** based on daemon interval (default 5m)
3. **Read current wisp** from .beads-wisp/ to get patrol progress
4. **Update tmux status** periodically or on state change

Options:
- tmux status-right with shell script
- gt deacon status --tmux for formatted output
- Hook into patrol step completion

## Related

- gt-id36: Deacon Kernel epic
- gt-3x0z: Wisp Molecule Integration


ensure-deacon

Start the Deacon and verify patrol mode is active.

## Action
```bash
gt deacon start
```

## Verify
1. Session exists: `tmux has-session -t gt-deacon 2>/dev/null`
2. Not stalled: `gt peek deacon/` does NOT show "> Try" prompt
3. Heartbeat fresh: `deacon/heartbeat.json` modified < 2 min ago

## OnStall
```bash
gt nudge deacon/ "Start patrol."
sleep 30
# Re-verify
```

## OnFail
Log error and continue - town can run with degraded deacon.
The Witness can still manage polecats without Deacon oversight.


Add unit tests for daemon package

The daemon package has no unit tests. Need tests for:
- Config and state serialization
- Session name pattern matching (isWitnessSession)
- Lifecycle request parsing
- Identity to session mapping


Merge: gt-ay1r

branch: polecat/dementus
target: main
source_issue: gt-ay1r
rig: gastown


Document Overseer role (human operator)

Document the Overseer role in Gas Town architecture.

## The Overseer

The **Overseer** is the human operator of Gas Town. Not an agent - a person.

## Responsibilities

| Area | Overseer Does | Mayor/Agents Do |
|------|---------------|-----------------|
| Strategy | Define project goals | Execute toward goals |
| Priorities | Set priority order | Work in priority order |
| Escalations | Final decision on stuck work | Escalate to Overseer |
| Resources | Provision machines | Use allocated resources |
| Quality | Review & approve swarm output | Produce output |
| Operations | Run gt commands, monitor dashboards | Do the work |

## Key Interactions

### Overseer → Mayor
- Start/stop Mayor sessions
- Direct Mayor via conversation
- Review Mayor recommendations
- Approve cross-rig decisions

### Mayor → Overseer (Escalations)
- Stuck workers after retries
- Resource decisions (add machines, polecats)
- Ambiguous requirements
- Architecture decisions

## Operating Cadence

Typical Overseer workflow:
1. Morning: Check status, review overnight work
2. During day: Monitor, respond to escalations, adjust priorities
3. End of day: Review progress, plan next batch

## Commands for Overseers

```bash
gt status              # Quick health check
gt doctor              # Detailed diagnostics
gt doctor --fix        # Auto-repair issues
gt inbox               # Messages from agents
gt stop --all          # Emergency halt
```

## Documentation Updates

Add to docs/architecture.md:
- Overseer section under Agent Roles
- Clarify Mayor reports to Overseer
- Add Overseer to workflow diagrams


Refinery agent: merge queue processing loop

The Refinery agent processes the merge queue, merging polecat work to main.

## Interface

```go
type Refinery struct {
    rig    *Rig
    queue  *MergeQueue
    git    *Git
    mail   *Mailbox
    config RefineryConfig
}

type RefineryConfig struct {
    AutoMerge     bool          // Auto-merge passing MRs
    RunTests      bool          // Run tests before merge
    TestCommand   string        // Command to run tests
    RequireReview bool          // Require review before merge (future)
}

func NewRefinery(rig *Rig, ...) *Refinery

// Lifecycle
func (r *Refinery) Start() error
func (r *Refinery) Stop() error
func (r *Refinery) IsRunning() bool

// Processing
func (r *Refinery) ProcessQueue() error
func (r *Refinery) ProcessMR(mr *MergeRequest) error
```

## Processing Loop

1. Check queue for pending MRs
2. For each pending MR:
   a. Fetch polecat branch
   b. Attempt merge to refinery/rig (local main)
   c. Run tests if configured
   d. If pass: push to origin, mark merged
   e. If fail: mark rejected, notify polecat
3. Sleep, repeat

## Merge Strategy

- Fast-forward when possible
- Merge commit when not
- On conflict: reject MR, polecat must rebase

## Test Integration

If tests configured:
```bash
cd refinery/rig
git merge polecat/branch
<test_command>  # e.g., go test ./...
```
Result determines merge/reject.

## Notifications

On merge success:
- Mail to polecat: "Your work merged"
- Update bead if issue tracked

On merge failure:
- Mail to polecat: "Merge failed: <reason>"
- Include conflict details if applicable

## Dependencies

Needs: Rig management, Git wrapper, Mail system, Merge queue


Digest: mol-deacon-patrol

Test patrol cycle - verifying wisp flow


Test message

Test body


Merge: gt-rixa

branch: polecat/furiosa
target: main
source_issue: gt-rixa
rig: gastown


Federation: Wasteland architecture for cross-town coordination

## Overview

Federation enables Gas Town to scale across machines via **Outposts** - remote compute environments that can run workers.

**Design doc**: docs/federation-design.md

## Outpost Types

| Type | Description | Cost Model |
|------|-------------|------------|
| Local | Current model (tmux panes) | Free |
| SSH/VM | Full Gas Town clone on VM | Always-on |
| CloudRun | Container workers on GCP | Pay-per-use |

## Key Concepts

### Outpost Abstraction
```go
type Outpost interface {
    Name() string
    Type() OutpostType  // local, ssh, cloudrun
    MaxWorkers() int
    Spawn(issue string, config WorkerConfig) (Worker, error)
    Workers() []Worker
    Ping() error
}
```

### Cloud Run Workers
- Persistent HTTP/2 connections solve zero-to-one cold start
- Pay only when working (~$0.017 per 5-min session)
- Scale 0→N automatically
- Git clone via persistent volumes

### SSH/VM Outposts
- Full Gas Town clone on remote machine
- SSH for commands, git for sync
- Good for long-running autonomous work

## Design Principles

1. **Outpost abstraction** - support multiple backends
2. **Local-first** - remote is for overflow/burst
3. **Git as source of truth** - code and beads sync everywhere
4. **HTTP for Cloud Run** - dont force mail onto containers
5. **Graceful degradation** - works with any subset of outposts

## Related

- gt-f9x.7-10: Connection interface (lower-level abstraction)
- docs/federation-design.md: Full architectural analysis


inbox-check

Process witness mail: lifecycle requests, help requests.

```bash
gt mail inbox
```

Handle by message type:
- LIFECYCLE/Shutdown: Queue for pre-kill verification
- Blocked/Help: Assess if resolvable or escalate
- HANDOFF: Load predecessor state
- Work complete: Verify issue closed, proceed to pre-kill

Record any pending actions for later steps.
Mark messages as processed when complete.


Clarify Mayor vs Witness cleanup responsibilities

Document the cleanup authority model: Witness owns ALL per-worker cleanup, Mayor never involved.

## The Rule

**Witness handles ALL per-worker cleanup. Mayor is never involved.**

## Why This Matters

1. Separation of concerns: Mayor strategic, Witness operational
2. Reduced coordination overhead: No back-and-forth for routine cleanup
3. Faster shutdown: Witness kills workers immediately upon verification
4. Cleaner escalation: Mayor only hears about problems

## What Witness Handles

- Verifying worker git state before kill
- Nudging workers to fix dirty state
- Killing worker sessions
- Updating worker state (sleep/wake)
- Logging verification results

## What Mayor Handles

- Receiving swarm complete notifications
- Deciding whether to start new swarms
- Handling escalations (stuck workers after 3 retries)
- Cross-rig coordination

## Escalation Path

Worker stuck -> Witness nudges (up to 3x) -> Witness escalates to Mayor -> Mayor decides: force kill, reassign, or human

## Anti-Patterns

DO NOT: Mayor asks Witness if worker X is clean
DO: Witness reports swarm complete, all workers verified

DO NOT: Mayor kills worker sessions directly
DO: Mayor tells Witness to abort swarm, Witness handles cleanup

DO NOT: Workers report done to Mayor
DO: Workers report to Witness, Witness aggregates and reports up


Rename Engineer in Box to Shiny

Rename mol-engineer-in-box to mol-shiny (or just 'shiny').

Mad Max reference - the canonical 'right way to engineer'.
Update all references in docs and code.


Document session cycling protocol in all templates

Add explicit lifecycle request protocol to all agent templates.

## Problem
Templates mention 'request session refresh' but don't show HOW.
Agents don't know the protocol for requesting a cycle.

## Protocol to document
1. Write handoff mail to self (for continuity)
2. Set requesting_cycle=true in state.json
3. Send LIFECYCLE mail to deacon/:
   Subject: 'LIFECYCLE: <role> requesting cycle'
   Body: Reason for cycle request

## Templates to update
- prompts/roles/polecat.md
- prompts/roles/crew.md
- prompts/roles/witness.md
- prompts/roles/refinery.md

## Also add
- Example state.json location for each role
- When to request cycle (context full, work complete, etc.)
- What happens after (daemon kills, respawns, new session primes)


Work on gt-role-template: Refine witness/CLAUDE.md role t...

Work on gt-role-template: Refine witness/CLAUDE.md role template. Run 'bd show gt-role-template' to see the full issue.


Git safety audit module

Port git_audit.py safety checks to Go.

## Purpose

Before destroying polecat clones, verify no code is at risk.

## Checks

1. Uncommitted changes (staged and unstaged)
2. Unpushed commits
3. Git stashes
4. Local-only branches (not tracking remote)

## Beads-Only Classification

Some files are safe to discard:
- .beads/*
- .claude/settings.json

Changes only affecting these = "beads-only" = safe to destroy.

## Interface

```go
type GitAuditResult struct {
    Polecat              string
    Path                 string
    UncommittedFiles     []string
    UncommittedIsBeadsOnly bool
    UnpushedCommits      int
    Stashes              []StashInfo
    StashesAreBeadsOnly  bool
    LocalBranches        []string
    Error                error
}

func (r *GitAuditResult) HasCodeAtRisk() bool

func AuditPolecat(name string, path string) *GitAuditResult
func AuditPolecats(polecats []PolecatInfo) []*GitAuditResult
```

## Reference

PGT: swarm/git_audit.py


Fix role detection for nested rig structures

When gastown/ has its own mayor/ dir, workspace detection finds it as town root instead of ~/ai. This breaks polecat/refinery/witness detection when running from within a rig.


Phase 2.3: Polecat CLAUDE.md molecule workflow protocol

Update polecat prompting for molecule-based work.

## CLAUDE.md Updates

Add section on molecule workflow:

```markdown
## Molecule Workflow

When assigned a molecule (check gt prime output):

1. Follow molecule steps in order
2. Mark steps complete: bd mol step complete <step-id>
3. Before signaling done:
   a. Generate summary of work performed
   b. Run: bd squash <molecule-root> --summary "<your summary>"
4. Then signal done as normal

### Summary Guidelines

Your summary should include:
- What was the task?
- What did you do?
- What was the outcome?
- Any issues or follow-ups?

Keep it to 2-4 sentences. This becomes the permanent record.
```


Advice operators: before, after, around

Implement Lisp-style advice operators for molecules:
- before(target, step) - insert step before target
- after(target, step) - insert step after target
- around(target, wrapper) - wrap target with before/after

Support glob patterns for targeting (*.implement, shiny.*, etc).


Update templates for Propulsion Principle

Overhaul agent prompts to embody the Universal Gas Town Propulsion Principle:

> If you find something on your hook, YOU RUN IT.

Templates to update:
- [ ] deacon.md.tmpl - Check hook first, no decision logic
- [ ] polecat.md.tmpl - Propulsion startup, follow molecule
- [ ] witness.md.tmpl - Sling wisps when spawning agents
- [ ] refinery.md.tmpl - Accept slung epics

Key changes:
1. Remove 'should I run this?' decision points
2. Add 'check your hook' as step 1 of startup
3. Make molecule-following the default mode
4. Simplify - agents don't think, they execute


Remove gt mail dependency on bd mail commands

Replaced bd mail send/inbox/read/ack with bd create/list/show/close. Messages are now stored as beads issues with type=message.


Rollback support: gt mq revert for problematic merges

Implement 'gt mq revert <mr-id>' for rolling back merges.

Actions:
1. Find merge commit from closed MR
2. Create revert commit: git revert <merge-commit>
3. Push revert to target branch
4. Create 'reverted' MR tracking the revert
5. Optionally reopen source issue

Options:
- --reason REASON: required explanation
- --reopen-issue: reopen the source work item

Track revert in MR metadata for audit trail.

Reference: docs/merge-queue-design.md#open-questions


Test: release command verification


Plugin: plan-oracle (work decomposition)

Plugin that helps decompose epics/issues into sub-tasks. Analyzes scope, identifies dependencies, estimates complexity for parallelization, creates beads for sub-tasks with dependency links.


Refinery startup: bond mol-refinery-patrol on start

Wire up Refinery to automatically bond its patrol molecule on startup.

## Current state
- mol-refinery-patrol exists in builtin_molecules.go
- prompts/roles/refinery.md describes the protocol
- Refinery doesn't auto-bond on startup

## Desired behavior
On Refinery session start:
1. gt prime detects RoleRefinery
2. Check for existing in-progress patrol: bd list --status=in_progress --assignee=refinery
3. If found: resume from current step
4. If not found: bd mol bond mol-refinery-patrol --wisp
5. Output patrol context to agent

## Implementation options
A) Add to gt prime (outputRefineryPatrolContext)
B) Add startup hook in refinery CLAUDE.md
C) Both (prime detects, template reinforces)

## Testing
- Start refinery session
- Verify patrol bonds automatically
- Kill mid-patrol, restart, verify resumes

## Depends on
- gt-3x0z.10 (existing issue for Refinery patrol)


Recover stale polecat work: 4 branches with unpushed commits

During observation of polecat workflow, found 4 polecats with unpushed work:

## Branches Pushed (preserved)
- polecat/capable: 3 commits (molecule catalog, doctor orphan detection, gt done)
- polecat/dementus: 4 commits (Witness MVP, handoff fixes)
- polecat/furiosa: 2 commits (bulk polecat removal, spawn handoff)
- polecat/rictus: 1 commit (molecule docs)

## Action Required
1. Review each branch for merge-worthiness
2. Either:
   a. Create PRs for valuable work
   b. OR discard if superseded
3. After decision, clean up polecats properly

## Root Cause
Polecats were not cleaned up after previous work sessions. This is exactly why we need:
- gt-u1k: gt shutdown should fully cleanup polecats
- gt-8v8: Refuse to lose uncommitted work
- gt-9nf: Always create fresh polecats


Polecat template: fix hard-to-parse sentence about persistence

This sentence is hard to parse: 'When in doubt, prefer bd—persistence you don't need beats lost context'. Rewrite for clarity, e.g., 'When in doubt, use bd for tracking - unnecessary persistence is better than lost context.'


Plugin system: subprocess JSON protocol

Language-agnostic plugin system via subprocess JSON protocol.

## Concept

Allow extending Gas Town with external scripts/programs. Plugins communicate via stdin/stdout JSON.

## Protocol

Request (gt → plugin):
```json
{"method": "check", "params": {"rig": "wyvern", "polecat": "Toast"}}
```

Response (plugin → gt):
```json
{"result": {...}, "error": null}
```

Error response:
```json
{"result": null, "error": {"code": 1, "message": "..."}}
```

## Interface

```go
type Plugin struct {
    Name    string
    Path    string  // executable path
    Methods []string
}

type PluginManager struct {
    plugins map[string]*Plugin
}

func NewPluginManager() *PluginManager
func (pm *PluginManager) Register(plugin *Plugin) error
func (pm *PluginManager) Call(plugin, method string, params any) (any, error)
func (pm *PluginManager) Discover(dir string) error  // auto-discover plugins
```

## Plugin Discovery

Look in:
1. `<town>/plugins/`
2. `~/.config/gastown/plugins/`
3. System path with `gt-plugin-*` prefix

## Built-in Hooks

Plugins can register for events:
- `polecat.started` - Polecat session started
- `polecat.done` - Polecat signals done
- `merge.requested` - MR submitted
- `merge.completed` - MR merged

## Use Cases

- Custom health checks
- Integration with external systems (Slack, etc.)
- Custom merge policies
- Metrics collection

## Future

Consider MCP integration for richer plugin capabilities.


CLI: workspace commands (init, add, list)

GGT needs workspace management commands beyond install.

## Commands (beyond gt-f9x.3 install)

### gt workspace list
List all rigs in current workspace.
```
gt workspace list [--json]
```
Essentially `gt rig list` but framed as workspace view.

### gt workspace add
Add existing rig to workspace (alternative to gt rig add).
```
gt workspace add <git-url> [--name NAME]
```

### gt onboard
Interactive first-time setup wizard.
```
gt onboard
```
- Prompts for workspace location
- Creates structure via gt install
- Offers to add first rig

## Note
May be redundant with gt-f9x.3 (install) and gt-u1j.16 (rig commands).
Consider if this is needed or should be closed as covered by those.

## PGT Reference
gastown-py/src/gastown/cli/workspace_cmd.py


self-review

Review your own changes. Look for:
- Bugs and edge cases
- Style issues
- Missing error handling
- Security concerns

Fix any issues found before proceeding.

Depends: implement


gt mq integration land: merge integration branch to main

Implement 'gt mq integration land <epic>' command.

Actions:
1. Verify all MRs targeting integration/<epic> are merged
2. Verify integration branch exists
3. Merge integration/<epic> to main (--no-ff)
4. Run tests on main
5. Push to origin
6. Delete integration branch
7. Update epic status

Options:
- --force: land even if some MRs still open
- --skip-tests: skip test run
- --dry-run: preview only

This creates a single merge commit for the entire epic's work.

Reference: docs/merge-queue-design.md#integration-branches


Integration test: Christmas Ornament with live polecats

Test the dynamic bonding pattern with actual polecats.

Test scenarios:
1. Patrol with 0 polecats (empty arms)
2. Patrol with 3 polecats (parallel arms)
3. Polecat appears mid-patrol (picked up next cycle)
4. Nudge progression (idle -> nudge-1 -> nudge-2 -> nudge-3)
5. Pre-kill verification flow
6. Activity feed output verification


Startup hook should validate attached molecule is still open

When the SessionStart hook outputs attached_molecule from the handoff bead, it should check if that molecule is still open. If closed, it should:
1. Clear the stale attachment
2. Auto-spawn a fresh patrol molecule
3. Attach the new patrol

Currently it just outputs the stale reference without validation, leaving the Deacon confused about what to run.


Work on ga-lue: Implement Witness as Claude agent. Conver...

Work on ga-lue: Implement Witness as Claude agent. Convert from shell script to Claude agent that monitors polecats, nudges idle ones, handles escalations. When done, submit MR (not PR) to integration branch for Refinery.


gt session restart/status: Complete session management

Add missing session subcommands:

- gt session restart <rig> <polecat> - Restart a session (stop + start)
- gt session status <rig> <polecat> - Show session status details

status should show:
- Running state
- Uptime
- Current activity
- Last output timestamp


bd formula list/show commands

Implement formula management commands:

  bd formula list
  # Lists formulas from all search paths

  bd formula show rule-of-five
  # Shows formula details, steps, compose rules

Search paths (in order):
1. .beads/formulas/ (project)
2. ~/gt/.beads/formulas/ (town)
3. ~/.beads/formulas/ (user)
4. Built-in formulas (embedded)


test pin fix


Define Engineer as the Refinery agent role

Clarify the distinction:

- **Refinery** = place/module/directory/workspace
  - `<rig>/refinery/` directory structure
  - `gt refinery start/stop/status` commands
  - tmux session name: `refinery` or `<rig>-refinery`

- **Engineer** = role/agent who works in the Refinery
  - CLAUDE.md prompting: "You are an Engineer..."
  - Documentation: "The Engineer processes merge requests..."
  - Mail address: `<rig>/engineer` (or `<rig>/refinery`?)

Updates needed:
- Add Engineer role description to docs
- Update CLAUDE.md templates for refinery agents
- Keep `gt refinery` commands as-is (they manage the place)
- Internal code stays `internal/refinery/` (the module)

Future consideration: Multiple Engineers in one Refinery for parallel merge processing.


Document the Propulsion Principle

Write canonical documentation for the Universal Gas Town Propulsion Principle.

Location: gastown/mayor/rig/docs/propulsion-principle.md

Content:
- The One Rule (hook has work → work happens)
- Why it works (stateless agents, molecule-driven)
- The sling lifecycle diagram
- Agent startup protocol
- Examples and anti-patterns

This is foundational theory-of-operation documentation.


Max expansion depth limit (default 5)

Add maxExpansionDepth config (default 5) to prevent runaway nested expansions. This still allows massive work generation but with a safety bound. Note: distinguish compile-time cooking (produces proto with placeholders) vs runtime cooking (produces mol with real issue IDs). Compile-time is for modeling/estimation/contractor handoff.


Digest: mol-deacon-patrol

Patrol OK: archived old handoff, all agents up, furiosa on gt-oiv0


Activity feed from wisp state: gt patrol status

Enable mayor and gt tool to quickly see what patrol agents are doing.

## Problem

The mayor and gt tool cannot quickly see what the deacon (or other patrol agents) are doing.
Need a way to extract an activity feed from the current wisp state.

## Desired Commands

- gt patrol status: Show current patrol state (step, timing, cycle count)
- gt patrol history: Show recent patrol cycles (from digests)
- gt patrol feed: Live tail of patrol activity

## Data Sources

- .beads-wisp/issues.jsonl: Current wisp with step progress
- .beads/issues.jsonl: Digests from squashed patrols
- heartbeat.json: Last activity timestamp

## Use Cases

1. Mayor checking deacon: Is the deacon doing anything?
2. Debugging hangs: What step is it stuck on?
3. Operator monitoring: Dashboard of patrol health
4. Summaries for handoffs: Auto-generate patrol digest

## Related

- gt-id36: Deacon Kernel
- gt-3x0z: Wisp Molecule Integration


Design: Failure modes and recovery

Document failure modes and recovery strategies for Gas Town operations.

## Critical Failure Modes

### 1. Agent Crash Mid-Operation

**Scenario**: Polecat crashes while committing, Witness crashes while verifying

**Detection**:
- Session suddenly gone (tmux check fails)
- State shows 'working' but no session
- Heartbeat stops (for Witness)

**Recovery**:
- Doctor detects via ZombieSessionCheck
- Capture any recoverable state
- Reset agent state to 'idle'
- For Witness: auto-restart via supervisor or manual gt witness start

### 2. Git State Corruption

**Scenario**: Merge conflict, failed rebase, detached HEAD

**Detection**:
- Git commands fail
- Dirty state that won't commit
- Branch diverged from origin

**Recovery**:
- gt doctor reports git health issues
- Manual intervention recommended
- Severe cases: remove clone, re-clone

### 3. Beads Sync Conflict

**Scenario**: Two polecats modify same issue

**Detection**:
- bd sync fails with conflict
- Beads tombstone mechanism handles most cases

**Recovery**:
- Beads has last-write-wins semantics
- bd sync --force in extreme cases
- Issues may need manual dedup

### 4. Tmux Failure

**Scenario**: Tmux server crashes, socket issues

**Detection**:
- All sessions inaccessible
- "no server running" errors

**Recovery**:
- Kill any orphan processes
- tmux kill-server && tmux start-server
- All agent states reset to idle
- Re-spawn active work

### 5. Claude API Issues

**Scenario**: Rate limits, outages, context limits

**Detection**:
- Sessions hang or produce errors
- Repeated failure patterns

**Recovery**:
- Exponential backoff (handled by Claude Code)
- For context limits: session cycling (mail-to-self)
- For outages: wait and retry

### 6. Disk Full

**Scenario**: Clones, logs, or beads fill disk

**Detection**:
- Write operations fail
- git/bd commands error

**Recovery**:
- Clean up logs: rm ~/.gastown/logs/*
- Remove old polecat clones
- gt doctor --fix can clean some cruft

### 7. Network Failure

**Scenario**: Can't reach GitHub, API servers

**Detection**:
- git fetch/push fails
- Claude sessions hang

**Recovery**:
- Work continues locally
- Queue pushes for later
- Sync when connectivity restored

## Recovery Principles

1. **Fail safe**: Prefer stopping over corrupting
2. **State is recoverable**: Git and beads have recovery mechanisms
3. **Doctor heals**: gt doctor --fix handles common issues
4. **Emergency stop**: gt stop --all as last resort
5. **Human escalation**: Some failures need Overseer intervention

## Implementation

- Document each failure mode in architecture.md
- Ensure doctor checks cover detection
- Add recovery hints to error messages
- Log all failures for debugging


gt mail: Cross-level routing is broken

When Mayor sends mail to rig worker, message lands in wrong beads database. Sender's beads vs recipient's.


Test message

Testing GGT mail integration


gt crew restart command

Add a 'gt crew restart' command that kills the tmux session and restarts fresh. Useful when a crew member gets confused or needs a clean slate.

Should:
- Kill existing tmux session if running
- Start fresh session with claude
- Run gt prime to reinitialize context

Alias: gt crew rs


Merge: gt-h6eq.3

branch: polecat/keeper
target: main
source_issue: gt-h6eq.3
rig: gastown


mol-polecat-lease

Semaphore tracking a single polecat's lifecycle.
Vars: {{polecat}}, {{issue}}

Used by Witness to track polecat lifecycle during patrol. The Witness bonds
this proto for each active polecat, creating a lease that tracks the polecat
from spawn through work to cleanup.

## Step: boot
Spawned. Verify it starts working.

Check if the polecat is alive and working:
```bash
gt peek {{polecat}}
```

If idle for too long, nudge:
```bash
gt nudge {{polecat}} "Please start working on your assigned issue."
```

Timeout: 60s before escalation to Mayor.

## Step: working
Actively working. Monitor for stuck.

The polecat is processing its assigned issue ({{issue}}).
Monitor via peek. Watch for:
- Progress on commits
- Status updates in beads
- SHUTDOWN mail when done

Wait for SHUTDOWN signal from the polecat.
Needs: boot

## Step: done
Exit received. Ready for cleanup.

The polecat has completed its work and sent SHUTDOWN.
Perform cleanup:
```bash
gt session kill {{polecat}}
gt worktree prune {{polecat}}
```

Update beads state and close the lease.
Needs: working


MVP Cutover: GGT replaces PGT for batch work

When this is closed, stop using town and start using gt.

## Acceptance Criteria

1. gt spawn assigns issue to polecat and starts session
2. gt spawn --epic spawns workers for all epic children
3. gt session manages tmux lifecycle
4. gt send / gt inbox work for mail
5. Refinery processes merge queue with semantic merges
6. Integration branches created and landed correctly
7. gt stop --all halts all sessions
8. One successful test batch completed end-to-end

## What Must Work

- Spawn polecat with issue assignment
- Spawn workers for epic children
- Session start/stop/attach
- Mail send/inbox/read
- Refinery merge loop (semantic)
- Integration branch → main landing
- Witness cleanup protocol
- Emergency stop

## What Can Be Deferred

- Doctor checks (use PGT)
- TUI dashboard
- Plugin system
- Federation
- Ephemeral rigs
- Detailed landing reports

## Test Plan

1. Create epic with 2 tasks, spawn 2 workers
2. Verify polecats get assigned and sessions start
3. Simulate task completion
4. Verify Refinery merges to integration
5. Verify landing to main
6. Verify cleanup

## Validation

Run one real batch implementing GGT issues using GGT.

## Note

No "swarm IDs" - just spawn workers for epic, let merge queue coordinate.


ensure-beads-witness

Start the beads rig Witness.

## Action
```bash
gt witness start beads
```

## Verify
1. Session exists: `tmux has-session -t beads-witness 2>/dev/null`
2. Not stalled: `gt peek beads/witness` does NOT show "> Try" prompt
3. Heartbeat fresh: Last patrol cycle < 5 min ago

## OnStall
```bash
gt nudge beads/witness "Start patrol."
sleep 30
# Re-verify
```

## OnFail
Log error. Rig polecats will be unmonitored until Witness recovers.


max Handoff

attached_molecule: gt-g2p7
attached_at: 2025-12-24T00:05:39Z


Merge queue: per-rig queue management

Per-rig merge queue for coordinating polecat work.

## Concept

When polecats complete work, they submit to the merge queue. The Refinery processes the queue, merging work to main in order.

## Data Model

```go
type MergeRequest struct {
    ID        string    `json:"id"`
    Polecat   string    `json:"polecat"`
    Branch    string    `json:"branch"`
    Issue     string    `json:"issue,omitempty"`
    Status    MRStatus  `json:"status"`
    CreatedAt time.Time `json:"created_at"`
    UpdatedAt time.Time `json:"updated_at"`
}

type MRStatus string
const (
    MRPending   MRStatus = "pending"
    MRReviewing MRStatus = "reviewing"
    MRMerged    MRStatus = "merged"
    MRRejected  MRStatus = "rejected"
)
```

## Interface

```go
type MergeQueue struct {
    rig  *Rig
    path string  // <rig>/refinery/queue.jsonl
}

func NewMergeQueue(rig *Rig) *MergeQueue

// Queue operations
func (mq *MergeQueue) Submit(polecat, branch string, issue string) (*MergeRequest, error)
func (mq *MergeQueue) List() ([]*MergeRequest, error)
func (mq *MergeQueue) Next() (*MergeRequest, error)  // oldest pending
func (mq *MergeQueue) Get(id string) (*MergeRequest, error)

// Status updates
func (mq *MergeQueue) SetStatus(id string, status MRStatus) error
func (mq *MergeQueue) MarkMerged(id string) error
func (mq *MergeQueue) MarkRejected(id, reason string) error
```

## Queue Storage

JSONL file at `<rig>/refinery/queue.jsonl`. FIFO ordering.

## Git Coordination

Refinery processes queue:
1. Fetch polecat branch
2. Attempt merge to main
3. Run tests (if configured)
4. Push to origin
5. Update queue status

## Conflict Handling

If merge fails:
- Mark MR as rejected
- Notify polecat to rebase


Cooking metadata: source tracing

Add source_formula and source_location metadata to cooked steps so you can trace a step in a proto back to its origin formula. Useful for debugging complex compositions.


gt crew at/attach: Start session in crew workspace

Implement 'gt crew at <rig>/<name>' and 'gt crew attach <name>' commands:
- Start tmux session (optional - could just print cd instructions)
- Launch claude code in the workspace
- Deliver any pending mail
- Support --no-tmux to just print directory path
- 'attach' infers rig from cwd


Implement gt sling command

The unified work dispatch command.

```bash
gt sling <thing> <target> [options]
```

Implements spawn + assign + pin in one operation. See sling-design.md.

Acceptance:
- [ ] Parse thing (proto name, issue ID, epic ID)
- [ ] Parse target (agent address)
- [ ] Spawn molecule if proto
- [ ] Assign to target agent
- [ ] Pin to agent's hook (pinned bead)
- [ ] Support --wisp flag for ephemeral
- [ ] Support --molecule flag for issue+workflow
- [ ] Error if hook already occupied (unless --force)


Swarm learning: Witness needs automated context cycling

Furiosa hit 2% context during swarm work. Witness role needs automated detection of low context and should trigger session cycling before agents get stuck. Add to Witness responsibilities in prompts.md.


gt doctor: detect orphaned code on beads-sync branch

After merging beads-sync to main, some code changes can be lost if the merge conflict resolution drops files.

Add a doctor check that runs:
  git diff main..beads-sync -- '*.go' '*.md'

If there are differences in code files (not just .beads/), warn about potentially orphaned work.

Today's incident: Merge 96c773f lost mailbox.go and router.go changes from 5791752, requiring re-implementation.

Acceptance:
- gt doctor warns if beads-sync has unmerged code changes
- Excludes .beads/ directory (expected to differ)
- Shows file list of orphaned changes


Polecat cleanup should refuse to lose uncommitted work

The system should stubbornly refuse to lose work from a polecat.

## Current Problem

- gt spawn --force bypasses safety checks
- gt shutdown doesn't check for uncommitted work
- Witness cleanup doesn't check git status

## Desired Behavior

Before any polecat cleanup, check:
1. git status - any uncommitted changes?
2. git stash list - any stashes?
3. Unpushed commits on branch?
4. Unsynced beads changes?

If ANY of these exist:
- REFUSE to clean up
- Print clear error message listing what would be lost
- Require explicit --nuclear flag to force (not just --force)

## Implementation

Add to cleanupPolecat() in witness/manager.go:
```go
func (m *Manager) checkUncommittedWork(polecatName string) error {
    dir := m.polecatDir(polecatName)

    // Check git status
    if hasUncommitted, _ := git.HasUncommittedChanges(dir); hasUncommitted {
        return fmt.Errorf("polecat %s has uncommitted changes", polecatName)
    }

    // Check stashes
    if stashCount, _ := git.StashCount(dir); stashCount > 0 {
        return fmt.Errorf("polecat %s has %d stashes", polecatName, stashCount)
    }

    // Check unpushed commits
    if unpushed, _ := git.UnpushedCommits(dir); unpushed > 0 {
        return fmt.Errorf("polecat %s has %d unpushed commits", polecatName, unpushed)
    }

    return nil
}
```

## Affected Commands

- gt shutdown
- gt rig shutdown
- Witness cleanup
- gt spawn --force (should warn if overwriting)


Consolidate design docs into beads descriptions

The markdown design docs (swarm-shutdown-design.md, polecat-beads-access-design.md, mayor-handoff-design.md) will decay. Extract key decisions and prompting templates into the beads descriptions themselves, then archive or remove the markdown files. Beads are the source of truth.


Daemon: verify requesting_cycle before kill

Per gt-gby spec, daemon should verify agent state shows requesting_cycle=true before killing session. Currently kills on any lifecycle request without verification.

Requires state.json in agent workspace with requesting_cycle field.


Default polecat names: Mad Max theme instead of AdjectiveNoun

Current default naming for new polecats uses AdjectiveNoun convention.
Since rigs already provide namespacing, we can use more thematic names.

Suggestion: Use Mad Max / Fury Road character and vehicle names as defaults.
Examples: Furiosa, Nux, Slit, Morsov, Toast, Rictus, Warboy, etc.

Could also include:
- War Rig parts: Guzzler, Tanker, Pursuit
- Citadel roles: Imperator, Blackthumb, Organic
- Wasteland terms: Chrome, Witness, Shiny

Implementation:
- Add name generator in internal/polecat/ or similar
- Use when --create flag is used without explicit name
- Cycle through pool to avoid duplicates within a rig


Agent monitoring and status inference

Agent monitoring with status inference from activity, like PGT.

## Agent Status Enum
```go
type AgentStatus string
const (
    StatusAvailable AgentStatus = "available"
    StatusWorking   AgentStatus = "working"
    StatusThinking  AgentStatus = "thinking"
    StatusBlocked   AgentStatus = "blocked"
    StatusWaiting   AgentStatus = "waiting"
    StatusReviewing AgentStatus = "reviewing"
    StatusIdle      AgentStatus = "idle"
    StatusPaused    AgentStatus = "paused"
    StatusError     AgentStatus = "error"
    StatusOffline   AgentStatus = "offline"
)
```

## Status Sources (priority order)
```go
type StatusSource string
const (
    SourceBossOverride StatusSource = "boss"      // Witness/Mayor sets
    SourceSelfReported StatusSource = "self"      // Agent reports own status
    SourceInferred     StatusSource = "inferred"  // Detected from activity
)
```

## Activity Detection

### Pattern Registry
```go
var activityPatterns = []struct {
    Pattern string
    Status  AgentStatus
}{
    {"Thinking...", StatusThinking},
    {"BLOCKED:", StatusBlocked},
    {"Error:", StatusError},
    // etc
}
```

### Idle Detection
No pane output for N seconds → StatusIdle

### Resource Monitoring (optional)
CPU/memory via os.Process

## New Package
internal/monitoring/
├── types.go      # AgentStatus, StatusReport
├── detector.go   # PatternRegistry, detect from output
├── tracker.go    # Per-agent status tracking
└── idle.go       # Idle timeout detection

## Integration
- Session capture output → monitoring detector
- Status shown in gt status, gt session list

## PGT Reference
gastown-py/src/gastown/monitoring/

## Acceptance Criteria
- [ ] Status enum with 10 states
- [ ] Pattern-based detection from pane output
- [ ] Idle detection with configurable timeout
- [ ] Status visible in CLI output


test pin fix 2


Merge: gt-rana.2

branch: polecat/nux
target: main
source_issue: gt-rana.2
rig: gastown


Clean up ~/gt root directory cruft

The town root has accumulated various directories and files that need review:

**To evaluate:**
- daemon/ - old daemon code? move or delete?
- deacon/ - WIP deacon work? consolidate with gastown?
- mayor/ - old mayor structure?
- AGENTS.md - is this still used?
- gt binary at root - should be gitignored

**Already correct:**
- .beads/, .claude/, .gastown/, .runtime/ - runtime dirs
- beads/, gastown/ - rig directories
- docs/hop/ - strategic docs
- CLAUDE.md - mayor context

Clean up, consolidate, update .gitignore as needed.


Add gt hook command (wrapper for bd hook)

Add a thin wrapper command `gt hook` that calls `bd hook` to inspect what's pinned to an agent's hook.

## Usage

```bash
gt hook                    # Show what's on current agent's hook
gt hook --agent deacon     # Show Deacon's hook
gt hook --agent gastown/furiosa  # Show polecat's hook
```

## Implementation

Thin wrapper in gt that:
1. Determines current agent identity
2. Calls `bd hook [--agent <name>]`
3. Formats output for gt context

## Why gt wrapper?

- Consistent with gt ecosystem (gt mail, gt status, etc.)
- Can add gt-specific context (session status, etc.)
- Easier discovery for gt users

## Related

- bd hook command (implemented by Dave)
- Chemistry UX design: gastown/mayor/rig/docs/chemistry-design-changes.md


Mail CLI: archive, purge, search, mark

GGT mail CLI needs more commands for mail management.

## Commands to Add

### gt mail check
Check for new mail without full inbox display.
```
gt mail check [--quiet] [--inject]
```
- --quiet: Only output if new mail (for scripts)
- --inject: Send notification to running session

### gt mail mark
Change read status.
```
gt mail mark <id> --read
gt mail mark <id> --unread
```

### gt mail delete
Remove message from inbox.
```
gt mail delete <id> [--force]
```
- Confirm unless --force

### gt mail archive
Move old/read messages to archive.
```
gt mail archive [--older-than DAYS] [--all-read] [--dry-run]
```
- Creates inbox.jsonl.archive or separate archive.jsonl

### gt mail purge
Permanently delete archived messages.
```
gt mail purge [--older-than DAYS] [--dry-run] [--force]
```

### gt mail search
Find messages by content.
```
gt mail search <query> [--from SENDER] [--subject] [--body]
```

### gt mail reply
Reply to a message.
```
gt mail reply <id> -m BODY
```
- Auto-sets reply_to and thread_id
- Auto-addresses to original sender

## Files to Modify
- internal/cmd/mail.go: Add commands
- internal/mail/mailbox.go: Add Archive(), Search(), Delete()

## Acceptance Criteria
- [ ] All commands implemented
- [ ] Archive stores in separate file
- [ ] Search supports regex patterns
- [ ] Delete confirms by default


HTTP work server: gt worker serve command

## Overview

HTTP server that runs inside Cloud Run containers, accepting work requests.

## Command

```bash
gt worker serve --port 8080
```

## Implementation

```go
type WorkServer struct {
    port    int
    handler *WorkHandler
}

func (s *WorkServer) ServeHTTP(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
    switch r.URL.Path {
    case "/work":
        s.handleWork(w, r)
    case "/health":
        s.handleHealth(w, r)
    default:
        http.NotFound(w, r)
    }
}

func (s *WorkServer) handleWork(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
    // 1. Parse WorkRequest
    // 2. Clone/pull repo
    // 3. Start Claude on issue
    // 4. Stream WorkEvents as NDJSON
    // 5. Return WorkResult
}
```

## Streaming Response

```go
func (s *WorkServer) streamEvents(w http.ResponseWriter, events <-chan WorkEvent) {
    flusher, _ := w.(http.Flusher)
    encoder := json.NewEncoder(w)
    for event := range events {
        encoder.Encode(event)
        flusher.Flush()
    }
}
```

## Files

- `internal/cloudrun/server.go`
- `cmd/gt/worker_serve.go` - Cobra command

## Dependencies

Depends on: gt-9a2.7 (protocol types)


Plugin surface for daemon lifecycle hooks

Allow rigs to customize daemon behavior via hooks/plugins.

## Hook Points

- on_heartbeat: Called during daemon heartbeat cycle
- on_worker_idle: Called when worker goes idle
- on_worker_stuck: Called when stuck detection triggers
- on_lifecycle_request: Called before processing lifecycle

## Configuration

```
<rig>/config/daemon-hooks.json
{
  "on_heartbeat": "./hooks/check-ci-status.sh",
  "on_worker_idle": "./hooks/maybe-assign-work.sh",
  "idle_threshold": "5m",
  "custom_signals": [
    {"name": "ci_status", "command": "./hooks/get-ci.sh"}
  ]
}
```

## Signal Contribution

Hooks can return signals that feed into decision engine:
- SKIP_POKE: Don't poke this agent
- FORCE_POKE: Override backoff, poke now
- CUSTOM_DATA: Extra context for logging

## Use Cases

- Check CI status before interrupting test runs
- Auto-assign work when worker becomes idle
- Custom stuck detection for specific workflows


ensure-daemon

Verify the Gas Town daemon is running.

## Action
```bash
gt daemon status || gt daemon start
```

## Verify
1. Daemon PID file exists: `~/.gt/daemon.pid`
2. Process is alive: `kill -0 $(cat ~/.gt/daemon.pid)`
3. Daemon responds: `gt daemon status` returns success

## OnStall
Daemon startup failed. Try:
```bash
gt daemon stop
sleep 2
gt daemon start
```

## OnFail
Cannot start daemon. Log error and continue - some commands work without daemon.


Refinery Engineer: Role prompting and CLAUDE.md

Create refinery/CLAUDE.md with Chief Merge Engineer role context. Include:
- Role identity and responsibilities
- Decision authority (merge order, test frequency, binary rebuilds)
- Communication patterns (Witness, Deacon)
- Session lifecycle (handoff bead protocol)
- Key commands reference


Merge: gt-qsvq

branch: polecat/capable
target: main
source_issue: gt-qsvq
rig: gastown


Merge: gt-h5n.5

branch: polecat/Scabrous
target: main
source_issue: gt-h5n.5
rig: gastown


Deacon patrol banners: visual feedback on atom transitions

Print large ASCII banners when transitioning between patrol atoms.

## Problem

When the deacon progresses through patrol atoms (steps), there is no visual feedback.
The operator cannot easily see what the deacon is doing without reading the full output.

## Desired Behavior

Print banners on step start and completion:

  INBOX-CHECK - Checking for lifecycle requests, escalations, timers
  INBOX-CHECK COMPLETE - Processed 3 messages, 0 lifecycle requests

## Benefits

1. Scanability: Operator can glance at tmux and see what is happening
2. Progress tracking: Easy to see where in the patrol loop we are
3. Debugging: Clear demarcation between steps for troubleshooting

## Implementation Options

1. In deacon CLAUDE.md: Instruct agent to print banners
2. gt patrol step start/end: Commands that print banners
3. bd mol step hooks: Automatically on step transitions

## Related

- gt-id36: Deacon Kernel
- gt-rana: Patrol System


mol-deacon-patrol

Deacon patrol molecule template. Label: template


gt mq list: show queue with status/priority/age

Implement 'gt mq list' command to display the merge queue.

Output format:
ID          STATUS       PRIORITY  BRANCH                    WORKER  AGE
gt-mr-001   ready        P0        polecat/Nux/gt-xyz        Nux     5m
gt-mr-002   in_progress  P1        polecat/Toast/gt-abc      Toast   12m
gt-mr-003   blocked      P1        polecat/Capable/gt-def    Capable 8m
            (waiting on gt-mr-001)

Options:
- --ready: show only ready-to-merge (no blockers, not in progress)
- --status STATUS: filter by status
- --worker WORKER: filter by worker
- --epic EPIC: show MRs targeting integration/EPIC

Under the hood: bd list --type=merge-request with filters.

Reference: docs/merge-queue-design.md#gt-mq-list


gt shutdown should fully cleanup polecats (worktrees, branches, inboxes)

Current gt shutdown only kills tmux sessions but leaves:

1. Git worktrees in polecats/ directory
2. Polecat branches (polecat/<name>)
3. Inbox messages
4. Beads assignee state

This causes stale polecats to be reused on next startup.

## Expected Behavior

gt shutdown should:
1. Kill all polecat tmux sessions (current behavior)
2. For each polecat with StateIdle or StateDone:
   - Remove worktree
   - Delete branch
   - Clear inbox
3. For polecats with uncommitted work:
   - REFUSE to clean up
   - Report which polecats have uncommitted changes
   - Require --force or --nuclear to proceed

## Current Code

- start.go:runImmediateShutdown() only calls t.KillSession()
- Witness cleanupPolecat() does full cleanup but isn't called by shutdown

## Fix

Either:
1. Call Witness cleanup for each polecat during shutdown
2. OR add rig.ShutdownPolecats() that does the full cleanup


Test: Alpha to Beta

Sibling communication test


gt mail send should tmux-notify recipient

## Problem

When mail is sent via gt mail send, the recipient session does not get a tmux notification. In Python Gas Town (PGT), mail delivery triggers a tmux display-message or similar notification so the agent knows mail arrived.

## Expected Behavior

When gt mail send <addr> is called:
1. Mail is delivered to recipient inbox
2. If recipient has an active tmux session, send notification
3. Notification should be visible (display-message or bell)

## Current Behavior

Mail is delivered but no notification. Agent has to poll inbox to discover new mail.

## Impact

- Agents miss time-sensitive messages
- Heartbeat pokes from daemon will not wake agents
- Coordination is slower (polling vs push)

## Implementation Notes

After successful mail delivery, check if recipient has active session:
- gt session list can identify active sessions
- tmux display-message or send-keys can notify
- Could inject a visible prompt like "[MAIL] New message from <sender>"

## Reference

Check PGT implementation for how it handles this.


Fix failing beads tests: TestIntegration and TestPolecatWorkMolecule


bd list --parent: filter by parent issue

Add --parent flag to bd list to filter issues by parent.

Example:
```bash
bd list --parent=gt-h5n --status=open
```

Would show all open children of gt-h5n.

Useful for:
- Checking epic progress
- Finding swarmable work within an epic
- Molecule step listing


Design mol-ready-work patrol for crew workers

## Summary

Design and implement a protomolecule (mol-ready-work) that enables crew workers to autonomously work through backlogs when the overseer is away. This replaces the normal "await instructions" patrol step with productive backlog processing.

## Context

Crew workers like dave/joe are persistent, user-managed agents. Currently their patrol loop has an "await instructions" step that idles. We want an alternative: sling mol-ready-work at them and they crank through backlogs until:
- The overseer interrupts with new instructions
- Context fills up (request handoff)
- Backlogs are empty

## Backlogs (Priority Order)

1. **Open PRs** - Review/merge pending pull requests
2. **Untriaged GH issues** - New issues needing triage
3. **Open beads work** - bd ready items (unblocked issues)
4. **Triaged GH issues** - Bugs/features to implement

## Key Features

### ROI-Based Selection
Instead of strict priority, agent applies ROI heuristic:
- Size estimate (fits in remaining context?)
- Achievability (has all needed info?)
- Impact (priority + type weight)
- Pick highest-value achievable item

### Context Management
- Check token usage after each work item
- Request handoff before running out
- Leave clear handoff notes (mail to self)
- Next session picks up the patrol

### Patrol Loop Structure
```
orient → scan-backlogs → select-work → execute-work → check-context → (loop or handoff)
```

## Design Questions

1. How does gt sling work? Does it exist?
2. How does this interact with the normal crew patrol?
3. Should the molecule go in Gas Town catalog or per-rig?
4. How does bonding work for discovered work during execution?
5. Should this be a wisp (ephemeral) or mol (persistent)?

## Acceptance Criteria

- [ ] mol-ready-work protomolecule defined in catalog
- [ ] gt sling command implemented (or existing mechanism documented)
- [ ] Context-checking step works with agent token awareness
- [ ] Handoff mechanism integrates with gt mail
- [ ] Documentation for crew workers on using the patrol


load-context

Run gt prime and bd prime. Verify issue assignment.
Check inbox for any relevant messages.

Read the assigned issue (gt-test) and understand the requirements.
Identify any blockers or missing information.


Rule of Five expansion template

Create rule-of-five as an expansion template:
- Jeffrey's discovery: agents converge in 4-5 iterations
- Template expands any step into 5-pass refinement
- draft → refine-1 → refine-2 → refine-3 → refine-4

First example of a macro-style expansion proto.


Swarm package: Swarm, SwarmTask, SwarmState types

Define core swarm types.

## Types (in `internal/swarm/`)

```go
// SwarmState represents swarm lifecycle
type SwarmState string
const (
    SwarmCreated   SwarmState = "created"
    SwarmActive    SwarmState = "active"
    SwarmMerging   SwarmState = "merging"
    SwarmLanded    SwarmState = "landed"
    SwarmFailed    SwarmState = "failed"
    SwarmCancelled SwarmState = "cancelled"
)

// Swarm references a beads epic that tracks swarm work
type Swarm struct {
    ID          string      // matches beads epic ID
    RigName     string
    EpicID      string      // beads epic tracking this swarm
    BaseCommit  string      // git SHA all workers branch from
    Integration string      // integration branch name
    State       SwarmState
    CreatedAt   time.Time
    Workers     []string    // polecat names assigned
}

// SwarmTask represents a single task in the swarm (maps to beads issue)
type SwarmTask struct {
    IssueID   string  // beads issue ID
    Assignee  string  // polecat name
    Branch    string  // worker branch name
    State     string  // mirrors beads status
}
```

## Note

Swarm state is primarily stored IN beads. These types are in-memory representations for the SwarmManager to work with. No separate manifest.json files.


Add gt deacon start/stop/status commands

Add CLI commands: gt deacon start (spawn gt-deacon session), gt deacon stop (kill session), gt deacon status (show health state). Similar to gt mayor commands.


Daemon: proper rig discovery

Currently discovers rigs by scanning tmux session names for gt-*-witness pattern. Should instead:
- Read rigs from mayor/rigs.json
- Or scan town directory for .gastown subdirs
- Handle rigs that exist but don't have running witnesses


Outpost CLI commands: gt outpost list/status/add

## Overview

CLI commands for managing outposts.

## Commands

```bash
# List configured outposts
gt outpost list
NAME            TYPE       WORKERS   STATUS
local           local      2/4       healthy
gce-burst       ssh        0/8       healthy
cloudrun-burst  cloudrun   0/20      healthy

# Detailed status
gt outpost status [name]
Outpost: cloudrun-burst
Type: cloudrun
Project: my-gcp-project
Region: us-central1
Service: gastown-worker
Active Workers: 3/20
Cost (today): $0.42
Status: healthy

# Add new outpost interactively
gt outpost add
? Outpost type: [local/ssh/cloudrun]
> cloudrun
? Name: cloudrun-burst
? GCP Project: my-gcp-project
...

# Add via flags
gt outpost add cloudrun --name burst --project my-proj --region us-central1

# Remove outpost
gt outpost remove <name>

# Test connectivity
gt outpost ping <name>
```

## Files

- `cmd/gt/outpost.go` - Cobra command group
- `cmd/gt/outpost_list.go`
- `cmd/gt/outpost_status.go`
- `cmd/gt/outpost_add.go`

Depends on: gt-9a2.3 (config/manager)


Create DEACON.md role context

Create ~/gt/DEACON.md with the Deacon's role context, wake cycle instructions, and command reference. Model after existing CLAUDE.md for Mayor.


Merge: gt-lnji

branch: polecat/nux
target: main
source_issue: gt-lnji
rig: gastown


request-shutdown

Send shutdown request to Witness.
Wait for termination.

The polecat is now ready to be cleaned up.
Do not exit directly - wait for Witness to kill the session.

Depends: generate-summary


Create rig .runtime/ for rig runtime state

Move ephemeral rig state to .runtime/:
- Create <rig>/.runtime/ directory
- Move .gastown/witness.json → .runtime/witness.json
- Move .gastown/refinery.json → .runtime/refinery.json
- Move .gastown/namepool.json (state portion) → .runtime/namepool-state.json
- Update .gitignore to ignore .runtime/
- Update all code references


Outpost/Worker interfaces: Core abstractions for remote compute

## Overview

Define the core interfaces that all outpost types implement.

## Interfaces

```go
type OutpostType string
const (
    OutpostLocal    OutpostType = "local"
    OutpostSSH      OutpostType = "ssh"
    OutpostCloudRun OutpostType = "cloudrun"
)

type Outpost interface {
    Name() string
    Type() OutpostType
    MaxWorkers() int
    ActiveWorkers() int
    Spawn(issue string, config WorkerConfig) (Worker, error)
    Workers() []Worker
    Ping() error
    SendMail(worker string, msg Message) error  // optional
}

type Worker interface {
    ID() string
    Outpost() string
    Status() WorkerStatus  // idle, working, done, failed
    Issue() string
    Attach() error         // for interactive outposts
    Logs() (io.Reader, error)
    Stop() error
}

type WorkerConfig struct {
    RigPath    string
    BeadsDir   string
    GitBranch  string
    Context    map[string]string  // hints for worker
}
```

## Files

- `internal/outpost/outpost.go` - Outpost interface
- `internal/outpost/worker.go` - Worker interface
- `internal/outpost/config.go` - WorkerConfig, OutpostType

## Notes

This is the foundation for all federation work. Keep interfaces minimal - we can extend later.


Spawn --molecule integration

Implement gt spawn --molecule flag for molecule-based polecat workflows.

Usage: gt spawn --issue gt-xyz --molecule mol-gastown-polecat

Behavior:
1. Validate molecule exists and is well-formed
2. Create molecule instance (child beads) under the issue
3. Find first ready step(s) in the instance
4. Spawn polecat with first ready step as initial work

Implementation:
1. Add --molecule flag to spawn command
2. Call molecule.Instantiate()
3. Query ready steps from instance
4. Pass first ready step to polecat context

Files: internal/cmd/spawn.go

Acceptance:
- --molecule flag works
- Creates proper molecule instance
- Polecat starts on first ready step
- End-to-end test with actual polecat


Deacon patrol wisps should use town beads, not gastown rig beads

## Problem

The deacon is a town-level role but stores patrol wisps in gastown/mayor/rig/.beads/ (see internal/cmd/prime.go:691). This fails for users who don't have the gastown rig installed.

## Correct Architecture

Deacon -> ~/gt/.beads-wisp/ (town-level, no rig dependency)

Town-level ephemeral work (deacon patrols) should use town wisp storage, just like rig-level ephemeral work (witness/refinery patrols) uses rig wisp storage.

## Implementation Tasks

### 1. Town Setup (gt install / gt town init)

- Create ~/gt/.beads-wisp/ directory during town initialization
- Initialize as git repo (for local commits, not synced)
- Add config.yaml with wisp: true
- Ensure .beads-wisp/ is gitignored at town level

Files:
- internal/cmd/install.go (or equivalent town init)
- internal/town/manager.go (if exists)

### 2. Rig Setup (gt rig init)

Already creates <rig>/.beads-wisp/ - verify this is working:
- internal/rig/manager.go:375 (beadsDir := filepath.Join(rigPath, ".beads-wisp"))
- internal/rig/manager.go:394 (ensureGitignoreEntry)

### 3. Deacon Code Fixes

Update deacon to use town wisp storage:
- internal/cmd/prime.go:691 - change rigBeadsDir to townWispDir
- internal/cmd/sling.go - route deacon wisps to town level
- internal/daemon/daemon.go - any deacon-specific wisp handling

### 4. gt doctor Checks

Add/update doctor checks for wisp directories:
- internal/doctor/wisp_check.go - already checks rig wisps
- Add TownWispCheck to verify ~/gt/.beads-wisp/ exists
- Add TownWispGitCheck to verify it is a valid git repo
- Update existing checks to handle both town and rig levels

Files:
- internal/doctor/wisp_check.go (extend for town level)
- internal/doctor/checks.go (register new checks)

### 5. Documentation

- docs/beads-data-plane.md - already updated with three-tier architecture
- Verify wisp-architecture.md reflects town-level wisps

## Testing

1. Fresh gt install should create ~/gt/.beads-wisp/
2. gt doctor should pass with no rig installed
3. Deacon patrol should work without gastown rig
4. gt sling patrol deacon/ --wisp should route to town wisps


inbox-check

Handle callbacks from agents. Check gt mail inbox, process lifecycle requests.


Update Mayor prompting in gastown-py

The Mayor CLAUDE.md and related prompting in gastown-py (still in production use) needs to reflect current design decisions: session cycling, handoff protocol, cleanup responsibilities, beads access model. Sync prompting with GGT design work.


Remove shell respawn loops from witness and deacon

Currently witness and deacon use shell loops (`while true; do claude; done`) to auto-respawn when Claude exits. This bypasses the proper lifecycle architecture.

## Current Behavior
- witness.go: ensureWitnessSession() wraps Claude in a shell loop
- deacon.go: runDeaconStart() wraps Claude in a shell loop
- When Claude exits, shell automatically restarts it

## Desired Behavior
- Agents should request lifecycle changes via LIFECYCLE mail to deacon
- Daemon processes lifecycle requests and handles restarts
- No shell loops - daemon and deacon's health-scan handle respawns

## Why Change
1. Shell loops bypass state verification (requesting_cycle flag)
2. Shell loops bypass handoff mail protocol
3. Shell loops make lifecycle tracking harder
4. Daemon already has infrastructure for this

## Migration
1. Remove shell loop from witness (daemon/deacon handles restart)
2. Remove shell loop from deacon (daemon handles restart via ensureDeaconRunning)
3. Verify daemon's health check properly restarts dead agents
4. Update templates if needed

## Risk
Low - we have gt witness restart and gt deacon restart as fallbacks


Digest: mol-deacon-patrol

Patrol: 2 completions (valkyrie gt-yd98 MQ, scrotus gt-mzal.1 boot proto). 8 polecats working.


Polecat state tracking: Add mr_submitted and merged states

Track polecat lifecycle state separate from session state.

## New States

| State | Meaning |
|-------|---------|
| active | Working on assigned issue |
| mr_submitted | MR submitted, waiting for merge |
| idle | No current work, session may be alive |
| merged | Work successfully merged by Refinery |
| retired | Session killed, worktree removed |

## Implementation

1. Add state field to polecat tracking (state.json or beads)
2. `gt polecat update <name> --state=<state>`
3. `gt polecat list` shows state column
4. State transitions:
   - active → mr_submitted (on gt mq submit)
   - mr_submitted → merged (on Refinery notification)
   - merged → retired (on worktree cleanup)

## Acceptance
- Polecat state tracked and queryable
- State transitions happen at correct lifecycle points
- `gt polecat list` shows current state


Swarm learning: Beads database locality gap

## PGT Bug (GGT Design Already Correct)

Mayor created issues in `~/ai/mayor/rigs/beads/.beads/` but polecats use `~/ai/beads/.beads/`. Different databases = polecats can't see Mayor's beads.

**GGT Fix**: architecture.md already specifies:
- All agents use BEADS_DIR pointing to rig-level `.beads/`
- Lines 116-143: Beads Configuration for Multi-Agent
- Lines 573-586: Rig-Level Beads via BEADS_DIR

This is a PGT implementation gap, not a design issue. GGT spawn must set BEADS_DIR correctly.


gt mq reject: manual MR rejection

Implement 'gt mq reject <id> --reason "..."' for manual rejection.

Actions:
1. Verify MR exists and is open
2. Close MR with close_reason=rejected
3. Notify worker via mail (optional)
4. Do NOT close source issue (work not done)

Options:
- --reason REASON: required explanation
- --notify: send mail to worker

Reference: docs/merge-queue-design.md#cli-commands


gt handoff: Deadlock in waitForRetirement


CLI: witness commands (start, stop, status)

Witness daemon CLI commands.

## Commands

### gt witness start
Start the witness daemon for a rig.
```
gt witness start <rig> [--interval <seconds>]
```
- Starts background daemon process
- Default heartbeat interval: 30s
- Logs to <rig>/witness/witness.log

### gt witness stop
Stop the witness daemon.
```
gt witness stop <rig>
```
- Graceful shutdown
- Completes current heartbeat cycle

### gt witness status
Show witness status.
```
gt witness status <rig> [--json]
```
Output:
- Running/stopped
- Last heartbeat time
- Polecats being monitored
- Recent nudges/escalations

### gt witness logs
View witness logs.
```
gt witness logs <rig> [--follow] [--lines <n>]
```
- --follow: Continuous output (like tail -f)
- --lines: Number of lines (default 50)

## Daemon Management

Witness runs as background process:
- PID stored in <rig>/witness/witness.pid
- Uses nohup for persistence
- Logs structured JSON events

## Implementation

```go
var witnessCmd = &cobra.Command{Use: "witness"}
witnessCmd.AddCommand(startCmd, stopCmd, statusCmd, logsCmd)
```

Start launches daemon via exec, status reads PID file and pings process.


Polecat beads not synced with rig beads

When gt spawn assigns an issue to a polecat, the polecat cannot find the issue because:

1. Rig beads at /gt/gastown/.beads contains gt-th7
2. Polecat beads at /gt/gastown/polecats/dementus/.beads does NOT have gt-th7
3. bd sync in polecat dir pulls from beads-sync branch which doesn't have the new issue
4. Rig bd sync uses 'main' branch, causing a branch mismatch

The polecat gets a work assignment for an issue it literally cannot see.

## Root Cause

- Rig beads and polecat beads are separate git-tracked copies
- No mechanism to propagate newly created issues from rig to polecats before assignment
- Sync branch configuration mismatch between rig and polecats

## Fix Options

1. gt spawn should sync rig beads before assigning work
2. gt spawn should sync polecat beads after assignment
3. Use shared beads (symlink or same DB) instead of copies
4. Push new issues immediately on create

Note: This sync mismatch is resolved by gt-9nf (fresh polecats). Rather than fixing sync between stale clones, we'll always create fresh worktrees. This issue documents the root cause for posterity.


Mail system: JSONL inbox, delivery, tmux injection

Refactor mail system to wrap bd mail commands.

## Status

Current implementation uses JSONL files directly. Now that Beads mail is available (gt-r01 closed), refactor to use bd mail as the backend.

## Implementation

Replace internal/mail/* with thin wrappers around bd CLI:

```go
// Send wraps: bd mail send <to> -s <subject> -m <body>
func (r *Router) Send(msg *Message) error

// List wraps: bd mail inbox --json
func (m *Mailbox) List() ([]*Message, error)

// Get wraps: bd mail read <id> --json
func (m *Mailbox) Get(id string) (*Message, error)

// MarkRead wraps: bd mail ack <id>
func (m *Mailbox) MarkRead(id string) error
```

## Address Translation

GGT addresses → Beads recipients:
- `mayor/` → `mayor`
- `<rig>/refinery` → `<rig>-refinery`
- `<rig>/<polecat>` → `<rig>-<polecat>`

## Tmux Notification

Keep the tmux injection for --notify flag. After bd mail send, optionally inject notification into tmux session.

## Migration

No migration needed - bd mail creates messages as beads issues with type=message. Old JSONL inboxes can be ignored or cleaned up.

## Dependencies

- gt-r01: CLOSED (Beads mail available)
- gt-u1j.4: Tmux wrapper (for notifications)


Mayor handoff mail template

Add MAYOR_HANDOFF mail template to templates.py.

## Template Function

def mayor_handoff(
    active_swarms: List[SwarmStatus],
    rig_status: Dict[str, RigStatus],
    pending_escalations: List[Escalation],
    in_flight_decisions: List[Decision],
    recent_actions: List[str],
    delegated_work: List[DelegatedItem],
    user_requests: List[str],
    next_steps: List[str],
    warnings: Optional[str] = None,
    session_duration: Optional[str] = None,
) -> Message:
    metadata = {
        'template': 'MAYOR_HANDOFF',
        'timestamp': datetime.utcnow().isoformat(),
        'session_duration': session_duration,
        'active_swarm_count': len(active_swarms),
        'pending_escalation_count': len(pending_escalations),
    }
    # ... format sections ...
    return Message.create(
        sender='mayor/',
        recipient='mayor/',
        subject='Session Handoff',
        body=body,
        priority='high',
    )

## Metadata Fields

- template: MAYOR_HANDOFF
- timestamp: ISO format
- session_duration: Human readable
- active_swarm_count: Number of active swarms
- pending_escalation_count: Number of escalations

## Mail Priority

Use priority='high' to ensure handoff is seen on startup.