ace-assign 0.42.4 → 0.53.4

checksums.yaml

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
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data/.ace-defaults/assign/catalog/composition-rules.yml

@@ -108,11 +108,6 @@ ordering:
     after: create-retro
     note: "Retro should follow all feedback application in review cycles"
 
-  - rule: e2e-before-release
-    before: verify-e2e
-    after: release
-    note: "E2E must pass before bumping version — catch failures early"
-
   - rule: update-docs-after-release
     before: release
     after: update-docs
@@ -123,11 +118,6 @@ ordering:
     after: create-pr
     note: "Updated docs should be visible to PR reviewers"
 
-  - rule: e2e-after-verify
-    before: verify-test-suite
-    after: verify-e2e
-    note: "Unit tests should pass before E2E runs"
-
 pairs:
   - name: review-apply-cycle
     steps: [review-pr, apply-feedback]
@@ -167,11 +157,6 @@ pairs:
     cap: 1
     note: "Re-plan produces 1-2 sub-tasks, then reflect runs once more (no further re-plan)"
 
-  - name: e2e-review-run-pair
-    steps: [verify-e2e]
-    pattern: sequential
-    note: "E2E review (coverage matrix) and targeted run are a single step with two steps"
-
   - name: docs-update-validate-pair
     steps: [update-docs]
     pattern: sequential
@@ -191,9 +176,9 @@ conditional:
     note: "Test suite verification with profiling catches slow tests and regressions before release. In explicit-step mode this remains advisory unless policy elevates it."
 
   - when: "assignment includes work-on-task and touches CLI commands or public API"
-    suggest: [verify-e2e, update-docs, record-demo]
+    suggest: [update-docs, record-demo]
     strength: recommended
-    note: "Public contract changes require E2E verification, doc updates, and demo recording"
+    note: "Public contract changes require doc updates and demo recording"
 
   - when: "task involves auth, security, or data handling"
     suggest: [security-audit]

data/.ace-defaults/assign/catalog/steps/create-pr.step.yml

@@ -1,28 +1,2 @@
 name: create-pr
 skill: as-github-pr-create
-description: Create a pull request for the implemented changes
-intent:
-  phrases:
-    - "create pr"
-    - "create a pr"
-    - "open pr"
-    - "open pull request"
-
-prerequisites:
-  - name: work-on-task
-    strength: required
-    reason: "Must have code changes to create a PR"
-
-produces: [pull-request]
-consumes: [code-changes, commits]
-
-context:
-  default: null
-  reason: "PR creation needs access to git state in main context"
-
-when_to_skip:
-  - "PR already exists for this branch"
-  - "Changes don't warrant a PR (e.g., direct push allowed)"
-
-effort: light
-tags: [git, pr, publishing]

data/.ace-defaults/assign/catalog/steps/create-retro.step.yml

@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 name: create-retro
-skill: null
+skill: as-create-retro-internal
 description: Create a retrospective summarizing what was accomplished and lessons learned
 
 prerequisites:

data/.ace-defaults/assign/catalog/steps/mark-task-done.step.yml

@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 name: mark-task-done
-skill: null
+skill: as-mark-task-done-internal
 description: Mark task as done in ace-task after successful implementation
-workflow: wfi://task/update
 
 prerequisites:
   - name: work-on-task

data/.ace-defaults/assign/catalog/steps/onboard.step.yml

@@ -1,19 +1,2 @@
 name: onboard
 skill: as-onboard
-description: Load project context and understand the codebase
-
-prerequisites: []
-
-produces: [project-context]
-consumes: []
-
-context:
-  default: null
-  reason: "Onboarding needs access to the main conversation context"
-
-when_to_skip:
-  - "Already onboarded in a previous assignment"
-  - "Working in a context where project is already loaded"
-
-effort: light
-tags: [setup, context-loading]

data/.ace-defaults/assign/catalog/steps/plan-task.step.yml

@@ -1,13 +1,2 @@
 name: plan-task
 skill: as-task-plan
-description: Analyze task requirements and create an implementation plan
-
-produces: [implementation-plan]
-consumes: [project-base-context, task-spec]
-
-when_to_skip:
-  - "Task is trivial and doesn't need a plan"
-  - "Implementation plan already exists"
-
-effort: light
-tags: [planning, analysis]

data/.ace-defaults/assign/catalog/steps/pre-commit-review.step.yml

@@ -1,6 +1,9 @@
 name: pre-commit-review
 skill: null
 description: Run /review agent command (conversation slash command, not bash) when supported; fall back to ace-lint
+migration_state: transitional-exception
+migration_target: internal orchestration skill/workflow
+migration_reason: "Nested review mode and runtime client detection still encoded in step-template YAML."
 
 prerequisites:
   - name: work-on-task

data/.ace-defaults/assign/catalog/steps/reflect-and-refactor.step.yml

@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 name: reflect-and-refactor
-skill: null  # No dedicated skill — the driving agent follows the steps directly, using ace-review and ace-git-commit as tools
+skill: as-reflect-and-refactor-internal
+render: step_template
 description: Analyze implementation against ATOM principles and execute targeted refactoring before PR creation
 
 prerequisites:
@@ -29,7 +30,7 @@ steps:
   - name: demo-validate
     optional: true
     description: "Run functional demo proving the feature works end-to-end"
-    skip_when: "verify-test-suite already covers functional validation (E2E tests exist and passed)"
+    skip_when: "verify-test-suite already covers the required deterministic validation for this change"
     on_failure: "Trigger re-plan mechanism instead of proceeding to analysis"
 
   - name: analyze

data/.ace-defaults/assign/catalog/steps/review-pr.step.yml

@@ -1,18 +1,2 @@
 name: review-pr
 skill: as-review-pr
-description: Review code changes for correctness, style, and best practices
-
-prerequisites:
-  - name: create-pr
-    strength: required
-    reason: "Must have a PR to review"
-
-produces: [review-feedback]
-consumes: [pull-request]
-
-when_to_skip:
-  - "No code changes since last review"
-  - "Changes are trivial (typo fix, config update)"
-
-effort: medium
-tags: [review, quality]

data/.ace-defaults/assign/catalog/steps/task-load.step.yml

@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 name: task-load
-skill: null
+skill: as-task-load-internal
 description: "Load task behavioral spec: run `ace-bundle task://<taskref>`"
 
 prerequisites:

data/.ace-defaults/assign/catalog/steps/verify-test-suite.step.yml

@@ -1,48 +1,21 @@
 name: verify-test-suite
-skill: as-test-verify-suite
+workflow: wfi://assign/verify-test-suite
 render: step_template
-description: Run package test suites with profiling to verify correctness and performance
-intent:
-  phrases:
-    - "run tests"
-    - "run test suite"
-    - "verify tests"
-    - "test changes"
-    - "check tests"
-
-prerequisites:
-  - name: work-on-task
-    strength: recommended
-    reason: "Should have code changes to verify"
-
-produces: [test-results]
-consumes: [code-changes]
-
-context:
-  default: null
-  reason: "Test execution needs access to project environment"
-
-when_to_skip:
-  - "No code changes that could affect tests (documentation-only)"
-  - "Tests were already run and profiled in a previous step"
-
-effort: light
-tags: [testing, verification, performance]
 
 steps:
   - name: run-package-tests
-    description: "Run ace-test --profile 6 for each modified package"
-    tool: "ace-test --profile 6"
-    note: "Profile reveals slow tests; run per-package, not full monorepo"
+    description: "Run ace-test <package> all --profile 6 for each modified package"
+    tool: "ace-test <package> all --profile 6"
+    note: "Profile reveals slow tests; verify modified packages with their explicit full deterministic target first"
 
   - name: check-performance-budgets
     description: "Verify no test exceeds documented thresholds"
-    note: "Atoms <50ms, molecules <100ms, integration <1s, full package <30s. Tests must not make real network calls or unnecessary filesystem I/O."
+    note: "Fast atoms <50ms, fast molecules <100ms, feat tests <1s, full package <30s. Tests must not make real network calls or unnecessary filesystem I/O."
 
   - name: fix-violations
     description: "Stub I/O and mock external calls for tests exceeding budgets"
     conditional: "performance violations detected"
 
   - name: run-suite
-    description: "Run ace-test-suite to verify no cross-package regressions"
-    tool: "ace-test-suite"
+    description: "Run ace-test-suite --target all to verify no cross-package regressions in the full deterministic suite"
+    tool: "ace-test-suite --target all"

data/.ace-defaults/assign/catalog/steps/verify-test.step.yml

@@ -1,6 +1,9 @@
 name: verify-test
 skill: null
 description: Run profile-guided tests for modified packages only; no full-suite run in subtree
+migration_state: transitional-exception
+migration_target: internal orchestration skill/workflow
+migration_reason: "Nested per-package test sequencing and budget checks still encoded in step-template YAML."
 
 prerequisites:
   - name: work-on-task
@@ -23,13 +26,13 @@ tags: [testing, verification, performance]
 
 steps:
   - name: run-package-tests
-    description: "Run ace-test --profile 6 for each modified package in this subtree"
-    tool: "ace-test --profile 6"
-    note: "Execute per-package; do not run full-stack suite here"
+    description: "Run ace-test <package> all --profile 6 for each modified package in this subtree"
+    tool: "ace-test <package> all --profile 6"
+    note: "Execute per-package only; do not run the monorepo suite in this subtree step"
 
   - name: check-performance-budgets
     description: "Verify no test exceeds documented thresholds"
-    note: "Atoms <50ms, molecules <100ms, integration <1s, full package suite <30s. Tests must not make real network calls or unnecessary filesystem I/O."
+    note: "Fast atoms <50ms, fast molecules <100ms, feat tests <1s, full package suite <30s. Tests must not make real network calls or unnecessary filesystem I/O."
 
   - name: fix-violations
     description: "Fix slow or environment-coupled tests when violations are detected"

data/.ace-defaults/assign/catalog/steps/work-on-task.step.yml

@@ -1,19 +1,2 @@
 name: work-on-task
 skill: as-task-work
-description: Implement task changes following project conventions
-intent:
-  phrases:
-    - "work on task"
-    - "implement task"
-    - "task work"
-    - "build feature"
-
-produces: [code-changes, commits]
-consumes: [project-base-context, task-spec]
-
-when_to_skip:
-  - "Task is documentation-only"
-  - "Changes are already implemented"
-
-effort: medium
-tags: [implementation, core-workflow]

data/.ace-defaults/assign/presets/fix-bug.yml

@@ -34,10 +34,11 @@ steps:
       - "Commit the archive file moves: `ace-git-commit .ace-tasks/ -i 'archive completed task'`"
 
   - name: verify-test-suite
-    skill: as-test-verify-suite
+    workflow: wfi://assign/verify-test-suite
     instructions:
-      - Run the test suite to verify the fix doesn't break anything.
-      - Ensure all tests pass.
+      - Run `ace-test <package> all --profile 6` for each modified package first.
+      - Then run `ace-test-suite --target all` to verify the fix does not break the wider deterministic suite.
+      - Ensure all required checks pass before continuing.
 
   - name: create-pr
     skill: as-github-pr-create

data/.ace-defaults/assign/presets/quick-implement.yml

@@ -36,6 +36,6 @@ steps:
       - Use a descriptive commit message following project conventions.
 
 customization_hints:
-  - "Add verify-test-suite before commit for complex changes"
+  - "Add verify-test-suite before commit for complex changes; that step should run `ace-test <package> all --profile 6` for modified packages and then `ace-test-suite --target all`."
   - "Add lint after work-on-task for style enforcement"
   - "Skip onboard if already onboarded"

data/.ace-defaults/assign/presets/work-on-task.yml

@@ -22,26 +22,13 @@ steps:
 
   - name: verify-test-suite
     number: "012"
-    workflow: wfi://test/verify-suite
+    workflow: wfi://assign/verify-test-suite
     instructions:
       - "Verify test coverage and performance across batch tasks: {{taskrefs}}."
-      - "Focus on packages modified by this batch before any broader regression checks required by the workflow."
+      - "First run `ace-test <package> all --profile 6` for each package modified by this batch."
+      - "Then run `ace-test-suite --target all`."
       - "If the batch is documentation-only or otherwise does not affect runnable code, mark this step skipped with a clear reason."
 
-  - name: verify-e2e
-    number: "015"
-    context: fork
-    instructions:
-      - "Run E2E tests for packages modified across batch tasks: {{taskrefs}}."
-      - "Detect modified packages from the current diff: `git diff origin/main --name-only | grep '^ace-' | cut -d/ -f1 | sort -u`."
-      - "Run `ace-test-e2e <package>` for each modified package that has test/e2e/ scenarios."
-      - "If more than 5 packages were modified with cross-dependencies, run the full suite: `ace-test-e2e-suite`."
-      - "If any scenarios fail, use /as-e2e-fix to diagnose and fix each failing scenario."
-      - "After fixing, rerun the failing scenarios to confirm they pass."
-      - "Repeat fix→rerun cycle up to 3 times if new failures appear."
-      - "Final gate: all previously-failing scenarios must pass before completing this step."
-      - "Skip only when no modified package has test/e2e/ scenarios."
-
   - name: release-minor
     number: "020"
     instructions:

data/CHANGELOG.md

@@ -7,6 +7,207 @@ and this project adheres to [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/spec/v2.0.0
 
 ## [Unreleased]
 
+## [0.53.4] - 2026-04-20
+
+### Technical
+- Tightened `TS-ASSIGN-002` hierarchy E2E contracts so auto-completion uses derived assignment IDs, valid cross-assignment `finish --assignment` syntax, and explicit scoped status artifacts for subtree verification.
+- Clarified `ace-assign finish` usage docs so positional step targeting is reserved for the active assignment while cross-assignment/scoped completion uses `--assignment <id[@step]>`.
+
+## [0.53.3] - 2026-04-18
+
+### Technical
+- Corrected `TS-ASSIGN-001` lifecycle fixture-path guidance so Goal 1 resolves the real sandbox fixture files and no longer records a false create failure before the lifecycle flow completes.
+
+## [0.53.2] - 2026-04-16
+
+### Technical
+- Reworked retained fork-context E2E capture around explicit regular, fork, return, and final checkpoints so lifecycle transitions are proven from stable artifacts instead of generic completion text.
+
+## [0.53.1] - 2026-04-16
+
+### Fixed
+- Hid failed retry history from compact `ace-assign status` pending previews after assignment completion so terminal state no longer mixes `Status: completed` with a misleading `Pending steps:` block.
+
+### Technical
+- Added a status-command regression covering completed assignments with failed retry ancestry and validated the retained lifecycle E2E path against the corrected compact status output.
+
+## [0.53.0] - 2026-04-15
+
+### Changed
+- Rewrote retained assignment E2E runner/verifier contracts to emphasize public command journeys and impact-first state oracles over rigid capture choreography.
+- Added `TS-ASSIGN-003` operations coverage for multi-assignment operator flow and scoped `fork-run` delegation behavior.
+
+### Technical
+- Refreshed hierarchy/lifecycle/fork scenario guidance so debug artifacts remain fallback evidence and CLI-visible status transitions are primary evidence.
+
+## [0.52.0] - 2026-04-15
+
+### Changed
+- Tightened the committed tmux fork demo contract so the recording is aimed at the visible `work -> work-fs -> agent starts working` transition instead of a synthetic transcript.
+
+### Technical
+- Made tmux fork wrappers print the translated skill handoff before launching the interactive agent, keeping the fork pane bootstrap visible and testable.
+
+## [0.51.0] - 2026-04-15
+
+### Changed
+- Reworked tmux fork execution to start a real interactive agent session via `ace-llm --interactive` in the `<current-window>-fs` pane and auto-send the scoped `/as-assign-drive <assignment>@<root>` handoff instead of running the old headless fork-session wrapper in tmux.
+
+### Technical
+- Switched tmux fork completion tracking from pane-process exit to subtree-state polling so interactive agents can stay open while forked assignment progress is still tracked to completion.
+
+## [0.50.3] - 2026-04-15
+
+### Fixed
+- Fixed tmux fork-window lookup by correcting `TmuxForkRunner` result normalization, so explicit-session launches resolve the current window instead of failing under detached-session demo/recording runs.
+
+### Changed
+- Refined the committed `fork-provider` asciinema tape/setup and refreshed the demo artifacts (`.gif`, `.cast`, and recording manifest) after rerunning the verified tmux fork demo against PR-ready behavior.
+
+## [0.50.2] - 2026-04-15
+
+### Fixed
+- Resolved tmux-backed fork window detection when `ACE_TMUX_SESSION` is set without a live `TMUX` variable, so visible fork demos and detached-session launches still resolve the current window correctly.
+
+### Changed
+- Replaced the stale `fork-provider` demo tape with an asciinema/YAML recording that verifies the real `work -> work-fs` tmux fork transition.
+
+## [0.50.1] - 2026-04-15
+
+### Changed
+- Refreshed the tmux-backed fork demo asset so the recorded flow starts in the operator work window and visibly opens the fork staging window during `fork-run`.
+
+## [0.50.0] - 2026-04-15
+
+### Changed
+- Added `ace-assign fork-run --launch-mode auto|headless|tmux`, keeping the existing headless subprocess path while allowing tmux-backed fork execution in the current tmux session.
+- Tmux-backed fork runs now create or reuse a `<current-window>-fs` window, launch forked provider sessions in panes there, and persist tmux session/window/pane metadata alongside existing fork session files.
+
+### Technical
+- Added an internal `ace-assign fork-session` entrypoint plus launcher/test coverage to reuse the existing provider-backed fork session path from tmux panes.
+- Added a recorded tmux fork demo GIF under `docs/demo/` and updated usage docs for the new launch-mode contract.
+
+## [0.49.2] - 2026-04-13
+
+### Fixed
+- Rewrote `TS-ASSIGN-002` around sandbox end-state and runner observations so hierarchy renumbering, auto-completion, and audit coverage no longer depend on synthetic helper artifacts under `results/`.
+
+## [0.49.1] - 2026-04-13
+
+### Fixed
+- Tightened `TS-ASSIGN-002` hierarchy scenario evidence so cascade renumbering is proven from concrete step-file artifacts and display-audit checks read the copied sandbox fixture path instead of a repo-relative path.
+
+## [0.49.0] - 2026-04-13
+
+### Changed
+- Split assignment status from instruction loading: `ace-assign status` now defaults to compact status-only output with `compact`, `progress`, and `full` text modes, while the new `ace-assign step` command prints current/next/exact step instructions.
+- Made `ace-assign start` and `ace-assign finish` concise by pointing operators to `ace-assign step` instead of printing raw instruction blocks inline.
+
+### Technical
+- Updated drive/fork guidance, deterministic command coverage, and fork-context E2E specs to treat `status` as state-only and `step` as the instruction-loading surface.
+
+## [0.48.0] - 2026-04-13
+
+### Changed
+- Removed the shipped `verify-e2e` assignment step from the public catalog, presets, and composition defaults so standard `ace-assign` workflows no longer schedule package E2E verification.
+- Narrowed assignment-level `verify-test-suite` to deterministic verification only: modified packages run `ace-test <package> all --profile 6`, then the monorepo gate runs `ace-test-suite --target all`.
+
+### Technical
+- Added an `ace-assign`-local `wfi://assign/verify-test-suite` workflow and preserved local step runtime bindings during canonical catalog metadata merges so assignment-specific verification contracts are not overwritten by shared skill defaults.
+
+## [0.47.3] - 2026-04-13
+
+### Changed
+- Completed the batch i05 migration follow-through for this package and aligned it with the restarted `fast` / `feat` / `e2e` verification model.
+
+### Technical
+- Included in the coordinated assignment-driven patch release for batch i05 package updates.
+
+
+## [0.47.2] - 2026-04-12
+
+### Fixed
+- Hardened `wfi://assign/drive` so forked subtree completion is driven by scoped `ace-assign status`, with explicit 6-minute polling, detached resume guidance, and immediate parent-queue re-entry after terminal child status.
+
+### Technical
+- Updated the canonical and projected `as-assign-drive` skill contracts plus workflow contract coverage to lock in status-driven fork completion pickup after terminal or session interruption.
+
+## [0.47.1] - 2026-04-12
+
+### Fixed
+- Simplified `TS-ASSIGN-001` to keep only lifecycle and fork-context E2E coverage, moving help, prepare, and no-skip policy assertions down to deterministic fast and feat contracts.
+- Tightened `TS-ASSIGN-002` into a 4-goal hierarchy scenario by moving hierarchy error-path checks to command tests and requiring explicit multi-level auto-completion and audit-trail evidence.
+
+### Technical
+- Added regression coverage for invalid `add --after` references, pending-parent `finish` rejection after child injection, the canonical `work-on-task` preset contract, and the `assign/drive` no-skip workflow contract.
+
+## [0.47.0] - 2026-04-11
+
+### Changed
+- Taught `wfi://assign/drive` to prefer an E2E-specific `fix-e2e` recovery step after `ace-test-e2e` failures so assignment retries route into `/as-e2e-fix` instead of generic test-fix instructions.
+- Updated the shipped work-on-task verification fixture to require `/as-e2e-fix` to bootstrap `wfi://e2e/analyze-failures` automatically when scenario-failure analysis is missing or incomplete.
+
+## [0.46.0] - 2026-04-11
+
+### Changed
+- Migrated package test layout to the `fast` / `feat` / `e2e` model by moving deterministic ATOM and command tests under `test/fast/`, adding deterministic feature-level coverage under `test/feat/`, and keeping scenario assets under `test/e2e/`.
+- Updated package documentation and E2E scenario metadata to reference the new testing contract (`ace-test ace-assign`, `ace-test ace-assign feat`, `ace-test ace-assign all`, `ace-test-e2e ace-assign`) and `test/fast/*` deterministic coverage paths.
+- Tightened E2E goal runner/verifier contracts to reduce brittle artifact-name coupling and keep policy/lifecycle evidence checks aligned with current command outputs.
+
+## [0.45.0] - 2026-04-11
+
+### Changed
+- Updated assignment verification presets, step templates, and runtime child-step instructions so modified packages run `ace-test <package> all --profile 6`, batch suite checks stay on plain `ace-test-suite`, and E2E verification stays package-targeted via `ace-test-e2e <package>`.
+
+### Technical
+- Synced the shipped work-on-task prepare fixture and executor rendering coverage to the new verification contract.
+
+## [0.44.5] - 2026-04-10
+
+### Fixed
+- Updated verify-E2E guidance to support both `test-e2e/scenarios/` and legacy `test/e2e/` paths during migration in assignment presets and runtime executor output.
+- Synced the work-on-task E2E fixture contract with the dual-path migration guidance.
+
+## [0.44.3] - 2026-04-07
+
+### Fixed
+- Added missing `Bash(ace-bundle:*)` permissions to internal helper skills that execute `ace-bundle` workflows (`as-create-retro-internal`, `as-mark-task-done-internal`, `as-reflect-and-refactor-internal`).
+- Restored required canonical skill metadata headers (`# bundle`, `# agent`) for internal helper skills `as-create-retro-internal` and `as-reflect-and-refactor-internal`.
+- Added source-based canonical step-definition fallback in assignment step materialization so custom-named steps with explicit `source` preserve canonical metadata.
+
+### Technical
+- Added regression coverage for custom-named explicit-source step materialization preserving canonical fork metadata.
+
+## [0.44.2] - 2026-04-07
+
+### Fixed
+- Preserved project-level `.ace/assign/catalog/steps/*.step.yml` overrides when canonical skill metadata is present by applying project definitions after canonical merge in assignment step catalog resolution.
+- Restored canonical step metadata in `CatalogLoader.load_all` results for migrated public steps so direct catalog consumers retain description/prerequisite/artifact semantics, while keeping raw-YAML opt-out support via `canonical_steps: false`.
+
+## [0.44.1] - 2026-04-07
+
+### Fixed
+- Preserved canonical step-level `assign.steps` presentation fields (`name` and `description`) when resolving skill-backed step rendering.
+
+### Technical
+- Added required canonical metadata headers (`# bundle`, `# agent`) to internal helper skills `as-task-load-internal` and `as-mark-task-done-internal`.
+- Added regression coverage for step-level description preservation in `SkillAssignSourceResolver`.
+
+## [0.44.0] - 2026-04-07
+
+### Changed
+- Migrated helper-step ownership for `task-load`, `mark-task-done`, `reflect-and-refactor`, and `create-retro` from permanent `skill: null` templates to internal canonical helper skills.
+- Migrated public step metadata ownership for `onboard`, `plan-task`, `work-on-task`, `review-pr`, `create-pr`, and `verify-test-suite` into canonical skill `assign.steps`, with public workflow binding resolved from `skill.execution.workflow` (legacy `assign.source` fallback retained).
+- Normalized runtime execution and materialization paths around canonical step `source` (`skill://...` and explicit `wfi://...`) while preserving legacy `skill`/`workflow` compatibility as migration fallback.
+- Updated shipped assign compose/create/prepare workflow docs to use source-first step contract examples.
+
+### Fixed
+- Restricted public assign-step discovery to canonical skills with `user-invocable: true`, preventing internal helper skills from appearing in public assignment composition inventory.
+
+### Technical
+- Added internal helper workflows and skills under `ace-assign/handbook` to preserve helper execution contracts while keeping them non-discoverable.
+- Marked `pre-commit-review` and `verify-test` helper templates as explicit transitional exceptions with migration metadata.
+
 ## [0.42.4] - 2026-04-05
 
 ### Fixed

data/README.md

@@ -20,54 +20,31 @@
 ```
 
 ❯ ace-assign status
-QUEUE - Assignment: work-on-task-8qm.t.5nx-job.yml (8qm5rt)
-
-NUMBER       STATUS       NAME                           FORK   CHILDREN
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-000          ✓ Done       onboard
-010          ✓ Done       batch-tasks                           (28/28 done)
-|-- 010.01   ✓ Done       work-on-8qm.t.5nx.0            yes    (8/8 done)
-  |-- 010.01.01 ✓ Done       onboard-base
-  |-- 010.01.02 ✓ Done       task-load
-  |-- 010.01.03 ✓ Done       plan-task
-  |-- 010.01.04 ✓ Done       work-on-task
-  |-- 010.01.05 ✓ Done       pre-commit-review
-  |-- 010.01.06 ✓ Done       verify-test
-  |-- 010.01.07 ✓ Done       release-minor
-  \-- 010.01.08 ✓ Done       create-retro
-|-- 010.02   ✓ Done       work-on-8qm.t.5nx.1            yes    (8/8 done)
-# ... multiple tasks hidden
-012          ✓ Done       verify-test-suite
-015          ✓ Done       verify-e2e                     yes
-020          ✓ Done       release-minor
-025          ✓ Done       update-docs
-030          ✓ Done       create-pr
-040          ✓ Done       review-valid-1                 yes    (3/3 done)
-|-- 040.01   ✓ Done       review-pr
-|-- 040.02   ✓ Done       apply-feedback
-\-- 040.03   ✓ Done       release
-070          ✓ Done       review-fit-1                   yes    (3/3 done)
-|-- 070.01   ✓ Done       review-pr
-|-- 070.02   ✓ Done       apply-feedback
-\-- 070.03   ✓ Done       release
-100          ○ Pending    review-shine-1                 yes    (2/3 done)
-|-- 100.01   ✗ Failed     review-pr                              - Fork agent blocked by pre-existing unrelated changes (now stashed). Retrying.
-|-- 100.02   ✓ Done       apply-feedback
-\-- 100.03   ✓ Done       release
-101          ✓ Done       review-pr
-130          ✓ Done       reorganize-commits
-140          ✓ Done       push-to-remote
-150          ✓ Done       update-pr-desc                 yes
-155          ✓ Done       mark-tasks-done
-160          ✓ Done       create-retro
-161          ✓ Done       review-pr                      yes
-162          ✓ Done       apply-feedback                 yes
-163          ✓ Done       release                        yes
+8qm5rt work-on-task-8qm.t.5nx-job.yml | running | 64/71 done | current: 100.01 review-pr | last: 070.03 release
+hidden: 66 | done: 64 active: 1 pending: 5 failed: 1
+100.01 active review-pr
+100.02 next apply-feedback
+100.03 next release
+130 next reorganize-commits
+140 next push-to-remote
 ```
 
+Use `ace-assign status --mode full` when you need the whole tree, and `ace-assign step` when you need the raw instructions for the current or next step.
+
 
 The easiest way to start is through [ace-overseer](../ace-overseer) -- define a task and run `ace-overseer work-on --task <ref> --preset work-on-task` , which creates the assignment, worktree, and tmux window in one shot.
 
+## Testing Contract
+
+- `ace-test ace-assign` runs the default deterministic package loop (`test/fast`).
+- `ace-test ace-assign feat` runs deterministic feature/contract coverage (`test/feat`).
+- `ace-test ace-assign all` runs full package deterministic coverage (`fast` + `feat`).
+- `ace-test-e2e ace-assign` runs scenario workflows under `test/e2e`.
+
+Assignment verification uses deterministic commands only:
+- modified packages: `ace-test <package> all --profile 6`
+- monorepo gate: `ace-test-suite --target all`
+
 ## How It Works
 
 1. Define steps from a [preset](.ace-defaults/assign/presets/work-on-task.yml) or compose from the [step catalog](.ace-defaults/assign/catalog/steps/) -- steps can nest into substeps and reference workflow instructions for execution details.