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