@a5c-ai/babysitter-cursor 0.1.1-staging.400de59e

package/commands/observe.md

@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+---
+description: Launch the babysitter observer dashboard. Installs and runs the real-time observer UI that watches babysitter runs, displaying task progress, journal events, and orchestration state in your browser.
+argument-hint: [--watch-dir <dir>]
+allowed-tools: Read, Grep, Write, Task, Bash
+---
+
+Run the babysitter observer dashboard:
+
+1. Determine the watch directory — this is usually the project's container directory (the parent of the project dir), or the current working directory if not specified.
+2. Launch the dashboard: `npx -y @a5c-ai/babysitter-observer-dashboard@latest --watch-dir <dir>`
+3. This is a blocking process — it will keep running until stopped.
+4. Open the browser at the URL printed by the dashboard.

package/commands/plan.md

@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+---
+description: Plan a babysitter run. use this command to plan a complex workflow, without actually running it.
+argument-hint: Specific instructions for the run.
+allowed-tools: Read, Grep, Write, Task, Bash, Edit, Grep, Glob, WebFetch, WebSearch, Search, AskUserQuestion, TodoWrite, TodoRead, Skill, BashOutput, KillShell, MultiEdit, LS
+---
+
+Invoke the babysitter:babysit skill (using the Skill tool) and follow its instructions (SKILL.md). focus on creating the best process possible, but without creating and running the actual run.

package/commands/plugins.md

@@ -0,0 +1,255 @@
+---
+description: manage babysitter plugins. use this command to see the list of installed babysitter plugins, their status, and manage them (install, update, uninstall, list from marketplace, add marketplace, configure plugin, create new plugin, etc).
+argument-hint: Specific instructions.
+---
+
+This command installs and manages plugins for babysitter. A plugin is a version-managed package of contextual instructions (for install, uninstall, configure, and update/migrate between versions), not a conventional software plugin.
+
+if the command is run without arguments, it lists all installed plugins with their name, version, marketplace, installation date, and last update date. as well as marketplaces added to the system. and instructions on how to install new plugins from marketplaces.
+if there are no marketplaces added, add the default marketplace:
+```bash
+babysitter plugin:add-marketplace --marketplace-url https://github.com/a5c-ai/babysitter --marketplace-path plugins/a5c/marketplace/marketplace.json --global --json
+```
+
+Plugins can be installed at two scopes:
+- **global** (`--global`): stored under `~/.a5c/`, available for all projects
+- **project** (`--project`): stored under `<projectDir>/.a5c/`, project-specific
+
+## Marketplace Management
+
+Marketplaces are git repositories containing a `marketplace.json` manifest and plugin package directories. The SDK clones them locally with `--depth 1`.
+
+**Storage locations:**
+- Global: `~/.a5c/marketplaces/<name>/`
+- Project: `<projectDir>/.a5c/marketplaces/<name>/`
+
+The marketplace name is derived from the git URL's last path segment (stripping `.git` suffix and trailing slashes).
+
+### Adding a marketplace
+
+```bash
+babysitter plugin:add-marketplace --marketplace-url <url> [--marketplace-path <relative-path>] [--marketplace-branch <ref>] [--force] --global|--project [--json]
+```
+
+Clones the marketplace repository to the local marketplaces directory. Use `--marketplace-path` to specify the relative path to `marketplace.json` within the repo (for monorepos or repos where the manifest is not at the root). Use `--marketplace-branch` to clone a specific branch, tag, or ref (defaults to the repo's default branch). Use `--force` to replace an existing marketplace clone (deletes and re-clones).
+
+### Updating a marketplace
+
+```bash
+babysitter plugin:update-marketplace --marketplace-name <name> [--marketplace-branch <ref>] --global|--project [--json]
+```
+
+Runs `git pull` on the local marketplace clone to fetch latest changes. Use `--marketplace-branch` to switch to a different branch before pulling (works even with shallow clones).
+
+### Listing plugins in a marketplace
+
+```bash
+babysitter plugin:list-plugins --marketplace-name <name> --global|--project [--json]
+```
+
+Reads the `marketplace.json` manifest and returns all available plugins sorted alphabetically by name. Each entry includes: name, description, latestVersion, versions array, packagePath, tags, and author.
+
+## Plugin Installation
+
+**Note:** For `plugin:install`, `plugin:update`, `plugin:configure`, and `plugin:list-plugins`, the `--marketplace-name` flag is auto-detected when only one marketplace is cloned for the given scope. You can omit it if there's only one marketplace.
+
+### Flow
+
+1. Update the marketplace: `babysitter plugin:update-marketplace --marketplace-name <name> --global|--project`
+2. Check current state: `babysitter plugin:list-installed --global|--project` to see installed plugins and versions
+3. Install the plugin:
+
+```bash
+babysitter plugin:install --plugin-name <name> [--marketplace-name <mp>] --global|--project [--json]
+```
+
+This command resolves the plugin package path from the marketplace manifest, reads `install.md` from the plugin package directory, and returns the installation instructions. If an `install-process.js` file exists, the instructions may reference it as an automated install process.
+
+4. The agent performs the installation steps as defined in `install.md`
+5. The agent updates the registry:
+
+```bash
+babysitter plugin:update-registry --plugin-name <name> --plugin-version <ver> --marketplace-name <mp> --global|--project [--json]
+```
+
+## Plugin Update (with migrations)
+
+```bash
+babysitter plugin:update --plugin-name <name> --marketplace-name <mp> --global|--project [--json]
+```
+
+This command:
+1. Reads the currently installed version from the registry
+2. Resolves the latest version from the marketplace manifest
+3. Looks in the plugin package's `migrations/` directory for migration files
+4. Uses BFS over the migration graph to find the shortest path from the installed version to the target version
+5. Returns the ordered migration instructions (content of each migration file in sequence)
+
+**Migration filename format:** `<fromVersion>_to_<toVersion>.<ext>` where:
+- Versions may contain alphanumerics, dots, dashes (e.g. `1.0.0`, `2.0.0-beta`)
+- Extensions: `.md` for markdown instructions, `.js` for executable process files
+- Examples: `1.0.0_to_1.1.0.md`, `2.0.0-beta_to_2.0.0.js`
+
+After performing the migration steps, update the registry:
+
+```bash
+babysitter plugin:update-registry --plugin-name <name> --plugin-version <new-ver> --marketplace-name <mp> --global|--project [--json]
+```
+
+## Plugin Uninstallation
+
+```bash
+babysitter plugin:uninstall --plugin-name <name> --marketplace-name <mp> --global|--project [--json]
+```
+
+Reads `uninstall.md` from the plugin package directory and returns the uninstall instructions. After performing the uninstall steps, remove from registry:
+
+```bash
+babysitter plugin:remove-from-registry --plugin-name <name> --global|--project [--json]
+```
+
+## Plugin Configuration
+
+```bash
+babysitter plugin:configure --plugin-name <name> --marketplace-name <mp> --global|--project [--json]
+```
+
+Reads `configure.md` from the plugin package directory and returns configuration instructions.
+
+## Registry Management
+
+The plugin registry (`plugin-registry.json`) tracks installed plugins with schema version `2026.01.plugin-registry-v1`. Writes use atomic file operations (temp + rename) for crash safety.
+
+**Storage locations:**
+- Global: `~/.a5c/plugin-registry.json`
+- Project: `<projectDir>/.a5c/plugin-registry.json`
+
+### List installed plugins
+
+```bash
+babysitter plugin:list-installed --global|--project [--json]
+```
+
+Returns all installed plugins sorted alphabetically. In `--json` mode, returns an array of registry entries. In human mode, displays a formatted table with name, version, marketplace, and timestamps.
+
+### Remove from registry
+
+```bash
+babysitter plugin:remove-from-registry --plugin-name <name> --global|--project [--json]
+```
+
+Removes a plugin entry from the registry. Returns error if the plugin is not present.
+
+## Plugin Creation
+
+To create a new plugin package from scratch, use the `meta/plugin-creation` babysitter process. This process guides you through requirements analysis, structure design, instruction authoring, optional process file generation, validation, and marketplace integration.
+
+### Using the plugin creation process
+
+Orchestrate a babysitter run with the plugin creation process:
+
+```bash
+# Create inputs file
+cat > /tmp/plugin-inputs.json << 'EOF'
+{
+  "pluginName": "my-plugin",
+  "description": "What the plugin does — be specific about install/configure/uninstall behavior",
+  "scope": "project",
+  "outputDir": "./plugins",
+  "components": {
+    "installProcess": false,
+    "configureProcess": false,
+    "uninstallProcess": false,
+    "migrations": false,
+    "processFiles": false
+  },
+  "marketplace": {
+    "name": "my-marketplace",
+    "author": "my-org",
+    "tags": ["category1", "category2"]
+  }
+}
+EOF
+
+# Create and run
+babysitter run:create \
+  --process-id meta/plugin-creation \
+  --entry library/specializations/meta/plugin-creation.js#process \
+  --inputs /tmp/plugin-inputs.json \
+  --prompt "Create a new babysitter plugin package" \
+  --json
+```
+
+### What the process generates
+
+The process creates a complete plugin package directory:
+
+| File | Description |
+|------|-------------|
+| `install.md` | Agent-readable installation instructions with numbered steps |
+| `uninstall.md` | Reversal instructions for clean removal |
+| `configure.md` | Configuration options table and adjustment instructions |
+| `install-process.js` | *(optional)* Automated babysitter process for complex install steps |
+| `configure-process.js` | *(optional)* Automated configuration process |
+| `process/main.js` | *(optional)* Main process the plugin contributes |
+| `marketplace-entry.json` | Ready-to-use marketplace.json entry for publishing |
+
+### Process phases
+
+1. **Requirements Analysis** — Analyzes plugin purpose, prerequisites, config options, file structure
+2. **Structure Design** — Plans directory layout and file inventory (with review breakpoint)
+3. **Instruction Authoring** — Writes install.md, uninstall.md, configure.md
+4. **Process Files** — Creates optional babysitter process files (install-process.js, configure-process.js, process/main.js)
+5. **Validation** — Verifies package completeness, instruction quality, path correctness
+6. **Marketplace Integration** — Generates marketplace.json entry for publishing
+
+### Quick creation (without orchestration)
+
+For simple plugins that only need instruction files, you can create the package manually following the structure below and the [Plugin Author Guide](docs/plugins/plugin-author-guide.md).
+
+## Plugin Package Structure
+
+```
+my-plugin/
+  package.json         # Optional (name field used as plugin ID, falls back to directory name)
+  install.md           # Markdown instructions for installation
+  uninstall.md         # Markdown instructions for removal
+  configure.md         # Markdown instructions for configuration
+  install-process.js   # Optional automated install process
+  uninstall-process.js # Optional automated uninstall process
+  configure-process.js # Optional automated configure process
+  migrations/          # Version migration files
+    1.0.0_to_1.1.0.md
+    1.1.0_to_2.0.0.js
+  process/             # Process definition files (collected recursively)
+    main.js
+```
+
+## All CLI Commands Summary
+
+All commands accept `--json` for machine-readable output and `--global|--project`.
+
+| Command | Required Flags | Description |
+|---------|---------------|-------------|
+| `plugin:add-marketplace` | `--marketplace-url`, `--global\|--project` [`--marketplace-path`, `--marketplace-branch`, `--force`] | Clone a marketplace repository |
+| `plugin:update-marketplace` | `--marketplace-name`, `--global\|--project` [`--marketplace-branch`] | Pull latest marketplace changes (optionally switch branch) |
+| `plugin:list-plugins` | `--marketplace-name`, `--global\|--project` | List available plugins in a marketplace |
+| `plugin:install` | `--plugin-name`, `--marketplace-name`, `--global\|--project` | Get install instructions for a plugin |
+| `plugin:uninstall` | `--plugin-name`, `--marketplace-name`, `--global\|--project` | Get uninstall instructions for a plugin |
+| `plugin:update` | `--plugin-name`, `--marketplace-name`, `--global\|--project` | Resolve migration chain and get update instructions |
+| `plugin:configure` | `--plugin-name`, `--marketplace-name`, `--global\|--project` | Get configuration instructions for a plugin |
+| `plugin:list-installed` | `--global\|--project` | List all installed plugins |
+| `plugin:update-registry` | `--plugin-name`, `--plugin-version`, `--marketplace-name`, `--global\|--project` | Register or update a plugin entry |
+| `plugin:remove-from-registry` | `--plugin-name`, `--global\|--project` | Remove a plugin entry from the registry |
+
+## After Plugin Work: Contribute Back
+
+After working with plugins, prompt the user to share improvements or report issues:
+
+- **Improved a plugin's install/configure/uninstall instructions**: `/babysitter:contrib library contribution: improved [plugin-name] [install|configure|uninstall] instructions`
+- **Created a new plugin**: `/babysitter:contrib library contribution: new plugin [plugin-name] -- [description]`
+- **Found a bug in a plugin or the plugin system**: `/babysitter:contrib bug report: [description, e.g. "plugin:update-registry fails when marketplace hasn't been cloned"]`
+- **Plugin install/configure instructions were confusing or wrong**: `/babysitter:contrib bug report: [plugin-name] install instructions [description of what was wrong]`
+- **Have an idea for a new plugin**: `/babysitter:contrib feature request: plugin idea -- [description]`
+
+Even reporting that a plugin's instructions were unclear helps improve it for the next user.

package/commands/project-install.md

@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
+---
+description: Set up a project for babysitting. Guides you through onboarding a new or existing project — researches the codebase, interviews you about goals and workflows, builds the project profile, installs the best tools, and optionally configures CI/CD integration.
+argument-hint: Specific instructions for the run.
+allowed-tools: Read, Grep, Write, Task, Bash, Edit, Grep, Glob, WebFetch, WebSearch, Search, AskUserQuestion, TodoWrite, TodoRead, Skill, BashOutput, KillShell, MultiEdit, LS
+---
+
+Invoke the babysitter:babysit skill (using the Skill tool) and follow its instructions (SKILL.md).
+
+Before using the process library, resolve the active library root through the SDK CLI. If no binding exists yet, initialize the shared global SDK binding with:
+
+```bash
+babysitter process-library:active --json
+```
+
+Then use the `cradle/project-install` process from the active process library.
+
+When the run completes, end with a friendly message that includes a polite and humorous ask to star the repo on GitHub: https://github.com/a5c-ai/babysitter

package/commands/resume.md

@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+---
+description: Resume orchestrating of a babysitter run. use this command to resume babysitting a complex workflow.
+argument-hint: Specific run to resume
+allowed-tools: Read, Grep, Write, Task, Bash, Edit, Grep, Glob, WebFetch, WebSearch, Search, AskUserQuestion, TodoWrite, TodoRead, Skill, BashOutput, KillShell, MultiEdit, LS
+---
+
+Invoke the babysitter:babysit skill (using the Skill tool) and follow its instructions (SKILL.md). to resume a run.
+if no run was given, discover the runs and suggest which incomplete run to resume based on the run's status, inputs, process , etc.

package/commands/retrospect.md

@@ -0,0 +1,55 @@
+---
+description: Analysis for a run and its results, process, suggestions for process improvements, process optimizations, fixes, etc. for the next runs.
+argument-hint: "[run-id...] [--all] Specific run IDs, --all for all runs, or defaults to latest"
+allowed-tools: Read, Grep, Write, Task, Bash, Edit, Grep, Glob, WebFetch, WebSearch, Search, AskUserQuestion, TodoWrite, TodoRead, Skill, BashOutput, KillShell, MultiEdit, LS
+---
+
+Invoke the babysitter:babysit skill (using the Skill tool) and follow its instructions (SKILL.md).
+
+create and run a retrospect process:
+
+### Run Selection
+
+- `--all` or "all runs": list all completed/failed runs and analyze collectively
+- Multiple run IDs: analyze each specified run
+- Single run ID or no ID: existing behavior (latest run)
+- In interactive mode with no run specified: ask user whether to analyze latest, select specific runs, or all runs
+
+### Cross-Run Analysis (multi-run mode)
+
+When analyzing multiple runs, the retrospect process should additionally cover:
+- Common failure patterns across runs
+- Velocity trends (tasks/time across runs)
+- Process evolution (how processes changed)
+- Repeated breakpoint patterns
+- Aggregate quality metrics
+
+implementations notes (for the process):
+- The process should analyze the run, the process that was followed, and provide suggestions for improvements, optimizations, and fixes.
+- The process should such have many breakpoints where the user can steer the process, provide feedback, and make decisions about how to proceed with the retrospect.
+- The process should be designed to be flexible and adaptable to different types of runs, projects, and goals, and should be able to provide insights and suggestions that are relevant and actionable for the user. (modification to the process, skills, etc.)
+- The process should be designed to be iterative, allowing the user to go through multiple rounds of analysis and improvement, and should be able to track the changes and improvements made over time.
+- The process should cover:
+    - Analysis of the run and its results, including what went well, what didn't go well, and what could be improved.
+    - Analysis of the process that was followed, including what steps were taken, what tools were used, and how effective they were.
+    - Suggestions for improvements, optimizations, and fixes for both the run and the process.
+    - Implementing the improvements, optimizations, and fixes, and tracking the changes made over time.
+### Cleanup Suggestion
+
+After retrospect analysis, suggest running `/babysitter:cleanup` to clean up old run data and reclaim disk space.
+
+    - Ending by explicitly prompting the user to contribute back -- even just reporting an issue is valuable, they don't need to implement the fix themselves. After analysis, display a clear call-to-action:
+
+      "You've identified [specific insight/improvement]. This could help other babysitter users too. Run `/babysitter:contrib` to share it upstream -- you can either report it as an issue or submit a PR with the fix."
+
+      Route to the specific contrib workflow based on what the user wants to do:
+
+      **Just reporting (no code changes needed):**
+      - Found a bug or weakness in a process -> `/babysitter:contrib bug report: [description of what went wrong]`
+      - Found missing or confusing documentation -> `/babysitter:contrib documentation question: [what was unclear]`
+      - Have an idea for improvement but don't want to implement it -> `/babysitter:contrib feature request: [description]`
+
+      **Contributing code changes:**
+      - Process/skill/agent improvements -> `/babysitter:contrib library contribution: [description]`
+      - Bug fixes in SDK or CLI -> `/babysitter:contrib bugfix: [description]`
+      - Plugin instruction improvements -> `/babysitter:contrib library contribution: improved [plugin-name] [install|configure|uninstall] instructions`

package/commands/user-install.md

@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
+---
+description: Set up babysitter for yourself. Guides you through onboarding — installs dependencies, interviews you about your specialties and preferences, builds your user profile, and configures the best tools for your workflow.
+argument-hint: Specific instructions for the run.
+allowed-tools: Read, Grep, Write, Task, Bash, Edit, Grep, Glob, WebFetch, WebSearch, Search, AskUserQuestion, TodoWrite, TodoRead, Skill, BashOutput, KillShell, MultiEdit, LS
+---
+
+Invoke the babysitter:babysit skill (using the Skill tool) and follow its instructions (SKILL.md).
+
+Before using the process library, resolve the active library root through the SDK CLI. If no binding exists yet, initialize the shared global SDK binding with:
+
+```bash
+babysitter process-library:active --json
+```
+
+Then use the `cradle/user-install` process from the active process library.
+
+When the run completes, end with a friendly message that includes a polite and humorous ask to star the repo on GitHub: https://github.com/a5c-ai/babysitter

package/commands/yolo.md

@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+---
+description: Orchestrate a babysitter run. use this command to start babysitting a complex workflow in a non-interactive mode, without any user interaction or breakpoints in the run.
+argument-hint: Specific instructions for the run.
+allowed-tools: Read, Grep, Write, Task, Bash, Edit, Grep, Glob, WebFetch, WebSearch, Search, AskUserQuestion, TodoWrite, TodoRead, Skill, BashOutput, KillShell, MultiEdit, LS
+---
+
+Invoke the babysitter:babysit skill (using the Skill tool) and follow its instructions (SKILL.md). but without any user interaction or breakpoints in the run.

package/hooks/hooks-cursor.json

@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+{
+  "version": 1,
+  "hooks": {
+    "sessionStart": [
+      {
+        "type": "command",
+        "bash": "bash \"./hooks/session-start.sh\"",
+        "powershell": "powershell -NoProfile -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File \"./hooks/session-start.ps1\"",
+        "timeoutSec": 30
+      }
+    ],
+    "stop": [
+      {
+        "type": "command",
+        "bash": "bash \"./hooks/stop-hook.sh\"",
+        "powershell": "powershell -NoProfile -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File \"./hooks/stop-hook.ps1\"",
+        "loop_limit": null
+      }
+    ]
+  }
+}

package/hooks/session-start.ps1

@@ -0,0 +1,115 @@
+# Babysitter Session Start Hook for Cursor IDE/CLI (PowerShell)
+# Ensures the babysitter SDK CLI is installed (from versions.json sdkVersion),
+# then delegates to the SDK hook handler.
+#
+# Protocol:
+#   Input:  JSON via stdin (contains session_id, cwd, etc.)
+#   Output: JSON via stdout ({} on success)
+#   Stderr: debug/log output only
+#   Exit 0: success
+#   Exit 2: block (fatal error)
+
+$ErrorActionPreference = "Stop"
+
+$PluginRoot = if ($env:CURSOR_PLUGIN_ROOT) { $env:CURSOR_PLUGIN_ROOT } else { Split-Path -Parent $PSScriptRoot }
+$StateDir = if ($env:BABYSITTER_STATE_DIR) { $env:BABYSITTER_STATE_DIR } else { Join-Path $PWD ".a5c" }
+$MarkerFile = Join-Path $PluginRoot ".babysitter-install-attempted"
+
+$env:CURSOR_PLUGIN_ROOT = $PluginRoot
+$env:BABYSITTER_STATE_DIR = $StateDir
+
+$LogDir = if ($env:BABYSITTER_LOG_DIR) { $env:BABYSITTER_LOG_DIR } else { Join-Path $PluginRoot ".a5c\logs" }
+$LogFile = Join-Path $LogDir "babysitter-session-start-hook.log"
+New-Item -ItemType Directory -Path $LogDir -Force -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue | Out-Null
+
+function Write-Blog {
+    param([string]$Message)
+    $ts = (Get-Date).ToUniversalTime().ToString("yyyy-MM-ddTHH:mm:ssZ")
+    Add-Content -Path $LogFile -Value "[INFO] $ts $Message" -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
+    if (Get-Command babysitter -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue) {
+        & babysitter log --type hook --label "hook:session-start" --message $Message --source shell-hook 2>$null
+    }
+}
+
+Write-Blog "Hook script invoked"
+Write-Blog "PLUGIN_ROOT=$PluginRoot"
+Write-Blog "STATE_DIR=$StateDir"
+
+# Get required SDK version from versions.json
+$versionsFile = Join-Path $PluginRoot "versions.json"
+try {
+    $SdkVersion = (Get-Content $versionsFile -Raw | ConvertFrom-Json).sdkVersion
+    if (-not $SdkVersion) { $SdkVersion = "latest" }
+} catch {
+    $SdkVersion = "latest"
+}
+
+function Install-Sdk {
+    param([string]$TargetVersion)
+    try {
+        & npm i -g "@a5c-ai/babysitter-sdk@$TargetVersion" --loglevel=error 2>$null
+        if ($LASTEXITCODE -eq 0) {
+            Write-Blog "Installed SDK globally ($TargetVersion)"
+            return $true
+        }
+    } catch {}
+    try {
+        $prefix = Join-Path $env:USERPROFILE ".local"
+        & npm i -g "@a5c-ai/babysitter-sdk@$TargetVersion" --prefix $prefix --loglevel=error 2>$null
+        if ($LASTEXITCODE -eq 0) {
+            $env:PATH = "$prefix\bin;$env:PATH"
+            Write-Blog "Installed SDK to user prefix ($TargetVersion)"
+            return $true
+        }
+    } catch {}
+    return $false
+}
+
+# Check if babysitter CLI exists and if version matches
+$NeedsInstall = $false
+if (Get-Command babysitter -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue) {
+    $CurrentVersion = & babysitter --version 2>$null
+    if ($CurrentVersion -ne $SdkVersion) {
+        Write-Blog "SDK version mismatch: installed=$CurrentVersion, required=$SdkVersion"
+        $NeedsInstall = $true
+    } else {
+        Write-Blog "SDK version OK: $CurrentVersion"
+    }
+} else {
+    Write-Blog "SDK CLI not found, will install"
+    $NeedsInstall = $true
+}
+
+# Install/upgrade if needed (only attempt once per plugin version)
+if ($NeedsInstall -and -not (Test-Path $MarkerFile)) {
+    Install-Sdk $SdkVersion | Out-Null
+    Set-Content -Path $MarkerFile -Value $SdkVersion -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
+}
+
+# If still not available after install attempt, try npx as last resort
+$useFallback = $false
+if (-not (Get-Command babysitter -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue)) {
+    Write-Blog "CLI not found after install, using npx fallback"
+    $useFallback = $true
+}
+
+# Capture stdin
+$InputFile = [System.IO.Path]::GetTempFileName()
+$input | Out-File -FilePath $InputFile -Encoding utf8
+
+Write-Blog "Hook input received"
+
+$stderrLog = Join-Path $LogDir "babysitter-session-start-hook-stderr.log"
+
+if ($useFallback) {
+    $Result = Get-Content $InputFile | & npx -y "@a5c-ai/babysitter-sdk@$SdkVersion" hook:run --hook-type session-start --harness cursor --plugin-root $PluginRoot --state-dir $StateDir --json 2>$stderrLog
+} else {
+    $Result = Get-Content $InputFile | & babysitter hook:run --hook-type session-start --harness cursor --plugin-root $PluginRoot --state-dir $StateDir --json 2>$stderrLog
+}
+$ExitCode = $LASTEXITCODE
+
+Write-Blog "CLI exit code=$ExitCode"
+
+Remove-Item $InputFile -Force -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
+Write-Output $Result
+exit $ExitCode

package/hooks/session-start.sh

@@ -0,0 +1,105 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+# Babysitter Session Start Hook for Cursor IDE/CLI
+# Ensures the babysitter SDK CLI is installed (from versions.json sdkVersion),
+# then delegates to the SDK hook handler.
+#
+# Protocol:
+#   Input:  JSON via stdin (contains session_id, cwd, etc.)
+#   Output: JSON via stdout ({} on success)
+#   Stderr: debug/log output only
+#   Exit 0: success
+#   Exit 2: block (fatal error)
+
+set -euo pipefail
+
+SCRIPT_DIR="$(cd "$(dirname "${BASH_SOURCE[0]}")" && pwd)"
+PLUGIN_ROOT="$(cd "${SCRIPT_DIR}/.." && pwd)"
+STATE_DIR="${BABYSITTER_STATE_DIR:-${PWD}/.a5c}"
+LOG_DIR="${BABYSITTER_LOG_DIR:-$PLUGIN_ROOT/.a5c/logs}"
+LOG_FILE="$LOG_DIR/babysitter-session-start-hook.log"
+
+export CURSOR_PLUGIN_ROOT="${CURSOR_PLUGIN_ROOT:-${PLUGIN_ROOT}}"
+export BABYSITTER_STATE_DIR="${STATE_DIR}"
+
+mkdir -p "$LOG_DIR" 2>/dev/null
+
+blog() {
+  local msg="$1"
+  local ts
+  ts="$(date -u +%Y-%m-%dT%H:%M:%SZ)"
+  echo "[INFO] $ts $msg" >> "$LOG_FILE" 2>/dev/null
+  babysitter log --type hook --label "hook:session-start" --message "$msg" --source shell-hook 2>/dev/null || true
+}
+
+blog "Hook script invoked"
+blog "PLUGIN_ROOT=$PLUGIN_ROOT"
+blog "STATE_DIR=$STATE_DIR"
+
+# Get required SDK version from versions.json
+SDK_VERSION=$(node -e "try{console.log(JSON.parse(require('fs').readFileSync('${PLUGIN_ROOT}/versions.json','utf8')).sdkVersion||'latest')}catch{console.log('latest')}" 2>/dev/null || echo "latest")
+
+# Function to install/upgrade SDK
+install_sdk() {
+  local target_version="$1"
+  if npm i -g "@a5c-ai/babysitter-sdk@${target_version}" --loglevel=error 2>/dev/null; then
+    blog "Installed SDK globally (${target_version})"
+    return 0
+  else
+    if npm i -g "@a5c-ai/babysitter-sdk@${target_version}" --prefix "$HOME/.local" --loglevel=error 2>/dev/null; then
+      export PATH="$HOME/.local/bin:$PATH"
+      blog "Installed SDK to user prefix (${target_version})"
+      return 0
+    fi
+  fi
+  return 1
+}
+
+# Check if babysitter CLI exists and if version matches
+NEEDS_INSTALL=false
+if command -v babysitter &>/dev/null; then
+  CURRENT_VERSION=$(babysitter --version 2>/dev/null || echo "unknown")
+  if [ "$CURRENT_VERSION" != "$SDK_VERSION" ]; then
+    blog "SDK version mismatch: installed=${CURRENT_VERSION}, required=${SDK_VERSION}"
+    NEEDS_INSTALL=true
+  else
+    blog "SDK version OK: ${CURRENT_VERSION}"
+  fi
+else
+  blog "SDK CLI not found, will install"
+  NEEDS_INSTALL=true
+fi
+
+MARKER_FILE="${PLUGIN_ROOT}/.babysitter-install-attempted"
+
+# Install/upgrade if needed (only attempt once per plugin version)
+if [ "$NEEDS_INSTALL" = true ] && [ ! -f "$MARKER_FILE" ]; then
+  install_sdk "$SDK_VERSION"
+  echo "$SDK_VERSION" > "$MARKER_FILE" 2>/dev/null
+fi
+
+# If still not available after install attempt, try npx as last resort
+if ! command -v babysitter &>/dev/null; then
+  blog "CLI not found after install, using npx fallback"
+  babysitter() { npx -y "@a5c-ai/babysitter-sdk@${SDK_VERSION}" "$@"; }
+  export -f babysitter
+fi
+
+# Capture stdin to a temp file so the CLI receives a clean EOF
+INPUT_FILE=$(mktemp 2>/dev/null || echo "/tmp/cursor-session-start-hook-$$.json")
+cat > "$INPUT_FILE"
+
+blog "Hook input received ($(wc -c < "$INPUT_FILE") bytes)"
+
+RESULT=$(babysitter hook:run \
+  --hook-type session-start \
+  --harness cursor \
+  --plugin-root "$PLUGIN_ROOT" \
+  --state-dir "${BABYSITTER_STATE_DIR}" \
+  --json < "$INPUT_FILE" 2>"$LOG_DIR/babysitter-session-start-hook-stderr.log")
+EXIT_CODE=$?
+
+blog "CLI exit code=$EXIT_CODE"
+
+rm -f "$INPUT_FILE" 2>/dev/null
+printf '%s\n' "$RESULT"
+exit $EXIT_CODE