@proletariat/cli 0.3.24 → 0.3.26

package/dist/commands/work/start.js

@@ -2,10 +2,9 @@ import { Args, Flags } from '@oclif/core';
 import * as fs from 'node:fs';
 import * as path from 'node:path';
 import { execSync } from 'node:child_process';
-import inquirer from 'inquirer';
 import Database from 'better-sqlite3';
 import { PMOCommand, pmoBaseFlags, autoExportToBoard } from '../../lib/pmo/index.js';
-import { shouldOutputJson, outputErrorAsJson, createMetadata, } from '../../lib/prompt-json.js';
+import { shouldOutputJson, outputErrorAsJson, createMetadata, outputConfirmationNeededAsJson, outputExecutionResultAsJson, } from '../../lib/prompt-json.js';
 import { FlagResolver } from '../../lib/flags/index.js';
 import { getWorkColumnSetting, findColumnByName } from '../../lib/pmo/utils.js';
 import { styles } from '../../lib/styles.js';
@@ -76,6 +75,7 @@ export default class WorkStart extends PMOCommand {
         '<%= config.bin %> <%= command.id %> TKT-001 --mode terminal',
         '<%= config.bin %> <%= command.id %>  # Interactive mode',
         '<%= config.bin %> <%= command.id %> --all  # Spawn all backlog tickets',
+        '<%= config.bin %> <%= command.id %> TKT-001 --prompt "Add unit tests for the API"  # Custom prompt',
     ];
     static args = {
         ticketId: Args.string({
@@ -177,6 +177,11 @@ export default class WorkStart extends PMOCommand {
             description: 'Use independent git clone instead of worktree (more isolation, no real-time sync)',
             default: false,
         }),
+        yes: Flags.boolean({
+            char: 'y',
+            description: 'Skip confirmation prompt (for non-TTY/scripted execution)',
+            default: false,
+        }),
     };
     async execute() {
         const { args, flags } = await this.parse(WorkStart);
@@ -197,6 +202,7 @@ export default class WorkStart extends PMOCommand {
         }
         // Check if JSON output mode is active
         const jsonMode = shouldOutputJson(flags);
+        const jsonModeConfig = jsonMode ? { flags: flags, commandName: 'work start' } : null;
         // Helper to handle errors in JSON mode
         const handleError = (code, message) => {
             if (jsonMode) {
@@ -252,6 +258,68 @@ export default class WorkStart extends PMOCommand {
                 db.close();
                 return handleError('TICKET_NOT_FOUND', `Ticket "${ticketId}" not found.`);
             }
+            // In JSON mode with explicit flags, implement two-step confirm-then-execute protocol
+            if (jsonMode) {
+                // Check if all required flags for non-interactive execution are provided
+                const hasAction = !!(flags.action || flags.prompt);
+                const hasDisplay = !!(flags.display || flags['run-on-host']);
+                const hasPermissions = !!(flags['permission-mode'] || flags['skip-permissions']);
+                const hasAgent = !!(flags.ephemeral || flags.agent);
+                const allFlagsProvided = hasAction && hasDisplay && hasPermissions && hasAgent;
+                if (allFlagsProvided && !flags.yes) {
+                    // All flags provided but no --yes: return confirmation_needed with plan
+                    const metadata = createMetadata('work start', flags);
+                    // Build the confirm command with --yes
+                    let confirmCmd = `prlt work start ${ticketId}`;
+                    if (flags.action)
+                        confirmCmd += ` --action ${flags.action}`;
+                    if (flags.prompt)
+                        confirmCmd += ` --prompt "${flags.prompt}"`;
+                    if (flags.display)
+                        confirmCmd += ` --display ${flags.display}`;
+                    if (flags['run-on-host'])
+                        confirmCmd += ' --run-on-host';
+                    if (flags['permission-mode'])
+                        confirmCmd += ` --permission-mode ${flags['permission-mode']}`;
+                    if (flags['skip-permissions'])
+                        confirmCmd += ' --skip-permissions';
+                    if (flags.ephemeral)
+                        confirmCmd += ' --ephemeral';
+                    if (flags.agent)
+                        confirmCmd += ` --agent ${flags.agent}`;
+                    if (flags.executor)
+                        confirmCmd += ` --executor ${flags.executor}`;
+                    if (flags.session)
+                        confirmCmd += ` --session ${flags.session}`;
+                    if (flags['create-pr'])
+                        confirmCmd += ' --create-pr';
+                    if (flags['no-pr'])
+                        confirmCmd += ' --no-pr';
+                    if (flags.clone)
+                        confirmCmd += ' --clone';
+                    if (flags.focus)
+                        confirmCmd += ' --focus';
+                    if (flags.force)
+                        confirmCmd += ' --force';
+                    confirmCmd += ' --yes';
+                    const plan = {
+                        ticket: {
+                            id: ticket.id,
+                            title: ticket.title,
+                            status: ticket.statusName,
+                        },
+                        action: flags.action || 'custom',
+                        display: flags.display || (flags['run-on-host'] ? 'host' : 'devcontainer'),
+                        permissions: (flags['permission-mode'] || (flags['skip-permissions'] ? 'danger' : 'safe')),
+                        agent: flags.agent || 'ephemeral',
+                    };
+                    db.close();
+                    outputConfirmationNeededAsJson(plan, confirmCmd, `Ready to start work on ${ticketId}. Run with --yes to execute.`, metadata);
+                    return;
+                }
+                // If --yes is set with all flags, continue to execution (don't return)
+                // If missing flags, continue and let FlagResolver handle prompts
+            }
             // Check if ticket is blocked by dependencies
             const isBlocked = await this.storage.isTicketBlocked(ticketId);
             if (isBlocked && !flags.force) {
@@ -335,15 +403,22 @@ export default class WorkStart extends PMOCommand {
             let isEphemeralAgent = flags.ephemeral;
             if (flags.ephemeral) {
                 // Create ephemeral agent on-demand
-                this.log(styles.muted('Creating ephemeral agent...'));
+                if (!jsonMode) {
+                    this.log(styles.muted('Creating ephemeral agent...'));
+                }
                 const ephemeralResult = await createEphemeralAgent(workspaceInfo, {
                     skipDevcontainer: flags['run-on-host'],
-                    log: (msg) => this.log(msg),
+                    log: (msg) => {
+                        if (!jsonMode)
+                            this.log(msg);
+                    },
                     mountMode: flags.clone ? 'clone' : 'worktree',
                 });
                 agentName = ephemeralResult.name;
                 agentWorktreePath = ephemeralResult.worktreePath;
-                this.log(styles.success(`Created ephemeral agent: ${agentName}`));
+                if (!jsonMode) {
+                    this.log(styles.success(`Created ephemeral agent: ${agentName}`));
+                }
             }
             else if (flags.agent) {
                 // Agent specified via flag
@@ -572,6 +647,11 @@ export default class WorkStart extends PMOCommand {
                 customPrompt = flags.prompt;
             }
             else if (flags.action) {
+                // Handle special "custom" action - requires --prompt flag
+                if (flags.action === 'custom') {
+                    db.close();
+                    this.error('--action custom requires --prompt flag.\nUsage: prlt work start TKT-001 --action custom --prompt "your custom instructions"');
+                }
                 // Specific action requested
                 selectedAction = await this.storage.getAction(flags.action);
                 if (!selectedAction) {
@@ -731,7 +811,7 @@ export default class WorkStart extends PMOCommand {
                 let environmentSelected = false;
                 while (!environmentSelected) {
                     // eslint-disable-next-line no-await-in-loop -- Interactive loop with retry on Docker check
-                    const { selectedEnvironment } = await inquirer.prompt([
+                    const { selectedEnvironment } = await this.prompt([
                         {
                             type: 'list',
                             name: 'selectedEnvironment',
@@ -739,7 +819,7 @@ export default class WorkStart extends PMOCommand {
                             choices: envChoices,
                             default: devcontainerReady ? 'devcontainer' : 'host',
                         },
-                    ]);
+                    ], jsonModeConfig);
                     if (selectedEnvironment === 'cancel') {
                         db.close();
                         this.log(styles.muted('Cancelled.'));
@@ -806,19 +886,19 @@ export default class WorkStart extends PMOCommand {
                                 environment = 'host';
                                 // Skip to host mode prompts
                                 // eslint-disable-next-line no-await-in-loop -- Follow-up prompt after user selection
-                                const { selectedDisplay } = await inquirer.prompt([
+                                const { selectedDisplay } = await this.prompt([
                                     {
                                         type: 'list',
                                         name: 'selectedDisplay',
                                         message: 'How should the agent output be displayed?',
                                         choices: [
-                                            { name: '🖥️  New tab      - Opens in new terminal tab (recommended)', value: 'terminal' },
-                                            { name: '▶️  Foreground  - Run in current terminal (blocking)', value: 'foreground' },
-                                            { name: '📦 Background  - Runs detached, reattach with: prlt session attach', value: 'background' },
+                                            { name: '🖥️  New tab      - Opens in new terminal tab (recommended)', value: 'terminal', command: `prlt work start ${ticketId} --display terminal --run-on-host --json` },
+                                            { name: '▶️  Foreground  - Run in current terminal (blocking)', value: 'foreground', command: `prlt work start ${ticketId} --display foreground --run-on-host --json` },
+                                            { name: '📦 Background  - Runs detached, reattach with: prlt session attach', value: 'background', command: `prlt work start ${ticketId} --display background --run-on-host --json` },
                                         ],
                                         default: 'terminal',
                                     },
-                                ]);
+                                ], jsonModeConfig);
                                 displayMode = selectedDisplay;
                                 environmentSelected = true;
                                 continue;
@@ -828,19 +908,19 @@ export default class WorkStart extends PMOCommand {
                         environment = 'devcontainer';
                         // Pick display mode for devcontainer
                         // eslint-disable-next-line no-await-in-loop -- Follow-up prompt after selection
-                        const { selectedDisplay } = await inquirer.prompt([
+                        const { selectedDisplay } = await this.prompt([
                             {
                                 type: 'list',
                                 name: 'selectedDisplay',
                                 message: 'How should the agent output be displayed?',
                                 choices: [
-                                    { name: '🖥️  New tab      - Opens in new terminal tab (recommended)', value: 'terminal' },
-                                    { name: '▶️  Foreground  - Run in current terminal (blocking)', value: 'foreground' },
-                                    { name: '📦 Background  - Runs detached, reattach with: prlt session attach', value: 'background' },
+                                    { name: '🖥️  New tab      - Opens in new terminal tab (recommended)', value: 'terminal', command: `prlt work start ${ticketId} --display terminal --json` },
+                                    { name: '▶️  Foreground  - Run in current terminal (blocking)', value: 'foreground', command: `prlt work start ${ticketId} --display foreground --json` },
+                                    { name: '📦 Background  - Runs detached, reattach with: prlt session attach', value: 'background', command: `prlt work start ${ticketId} --display background --json` },
                                 ],
                                 default: 'terminal',
                             },
-                        ]);
+                        ], jsonModeConfig);
                         displayMode = selectedDisplay;
                         environment = 'devcontainer';
                         environmentSelected = true;
@@ -849,19 +929,19 @@ export default class WorkStart extends PMOCommand {
                         // User chose host
                         environment = 'host';
                         // eslint-disable-next-line no-await-in-loop -- Follow-up prompt after selection
-                        const { selectedDisplay } = await inquirer.prompt([
+                        const { selectedDisplay } = await this.prompt([
                             {
                                 type: 'list',
                                 name: 'selectedDisplay',
                                 message: 'How should the agent output be displayed?',
                                 choices: [
-                                    { name: '🖥️  New tab      - Opens in new terminal tab (recommended)', value: 'terminal' },
-                                    { name: '▶️  Foreground  - Run in current terminal (blocking)', value: 'foreground' },
-                                    { name: '📦 Background  - Runs detached, reattach with: prlt session attach', value: 'background' },
+                                    { name: '🖥️  New tab      - Opens in new terminal tab (recommended)', value: 'terminal', command: `prlt work start ${ticketId} --display terminal --run-on-host --json` },
+                                    { name: '▶️  Foreground  - Run in current terminal (blocking)', value: 'foreground', command: `prlt work start ${ticketId} --display foreground --run-on-host --json` },
+                                    { name: '📦 Background  - Runs detached, reattach with: prlt session attach', value: 'background', command: `prlt work start ${ticketId} --display background --run-on-host --json` },
                                 ],
                                 default: 'terminal',
                             },
-                        ]);
+                        ], jsonModeConfig);
                         displayMode = selectedDisplay;
                         environmentSelected = true;
                     }
@@ -918,92 +998,98 @@ export default class WorkStart extends PMOCommand {
             if (environment === 'devcontainer') {
                 const hasCredentials = dockerCredentialsExist();
                 if (!hasCredentials) {
-                    this.log('');
-                    this.log(styles.warning('⚠️  No Claude Code credentials found for Docker containers'));
-                    this.log(styles.muted('   Agents will fail with 401 authentication errors without credentials.'));
-                    this.log('');
-                    // Use FlagResolver for auth action
-                    const authResolver = new FlagResolver({
-                        commandName: 'work start',
-                        baseCommand: `prlt work start ${ticketId}`,
-                        jsonMode,
-                        flags: {},
-                    });
-                    authResolver.addPrompt({
-                        flagName: 'authAction',
-                        type: 'list',
-                        message: 'What would you like to do?',
-                        choices: () => [
-                            { name: `🔐 Run ${this.config.bin} agent auth now (one-time setup)`, value: 'auth' },
-                            { name: '💻 Switch to host environment instead', value: 'host' },
-                            { name: '⏩ Continue anyway (must run /login in first agent)', value: 'continue' },
-                            { name: '✗  Cancel', value: 'cancel' },
-                        ],
-                    });
-                    const authResult = await authResolver.resolve();
-                    const authAction = authResult.authAction;
-                    if (authAction === 'cancel') {
-                        db.close();
-                        this.log(styles.muted('Cancelled.'));
-                        return;
-                    }
-                    if (authAction === 'host') {
-                        environment = 'host';
-                        this.log(styles.muted('Switched to host environment.'));
+                    // In JSON mode with --yes, continue anyway (agent can run /login)
+                    if (jsonMode && flags.yes) {
+                        // Continue without prompting - agent will need to handle auth
                     }
-                    else if (authAction === 'auth') {
+                    else {
                         this.log('');
-                        this.log(styles.primary(`Opening ${this.config.bin} agent auth in new tab...`));
+                        this.log(styles.warning('⚠️  No Claude Code credentials found for Docker containers'));
+                        this.log(styles.muted('   Agents will fail with 401 authentication errors without credentials.'));
                         this.log('');
-                        // Open auth in a new terminal tab
-                        const authCmd = `${process.argv[1]} agent auth`;
-                        try {
-                            execSync(`osascript -e '
-                tell application "iTerm"
-                  tell current window
-                    create tab with default profile
-                    tell current session
-                      write text "${authCmd}"
-                    end tell
-                  end tell
-                end tell
-              '`);
+                        // Use FlagResolver for auth action
+                        const authResolver = new FlagResolver({
+                            commandName: 'work start',
+                            baseCommand: `prlt work start ${ticketId}`,
+                            jsonMode,
+                            flags: {},
+                        });
+                        authResolver.addPrompt({
+                            flagName: 'authAction',
+                            type: 'list',
+                            message: 'What would you like to do?',
+                            choices: () => [
+                                { name: `🔐 Run ${this.config.bin} agent auth now (one-time setup)`, value: 'auth' },
+                                { name: '💻 Switch to host environment instead', value: 'host' },
+                                { name: '⏩ Continue anyway (must run /login in first agent)', value: 'continue' },
+                                { name: '✗  Cancel', value: 'cancel' },
+                            ],
+                        });
+                        const authResult = await authResolver.resolve();
+                        const authAction = authResult.authAction;
+                        if (authAction === 'cancel') {
+                            db.close();
+                            this.log(styles.muted('Cancelled.'));
+                            return;
                         }
-                        catch {
-                            // Fallback: try Terminal.app
+                        if (authAction === 'host') {
+                            environment = 'host';
+                            this.log(styles.muted('Switched to host environment.'));
+                        }
+                        else if (authAction === 'auth') {
+                            this.log('');
+                            this.log(styles.primary(`Opening ${this.config.bin} agent auth in new tab...`));
+                            this.log('');
+                            // Open auth in a new terminal tab
+                            const authCmd = `${process.argv[1]} agent auth`;
                             try {
-                                execSync(`osascript -e 'tell application "Terminal" to do script "${authCmd}"'`);
+                                execSync(`osascript -e '
+                  tell application "iTerm"
+                    tell current window
+                      create tab with default profile
+                      tell current session
+                        write text "${authCmd}"
+                      end tell
+                    end tell
+                  end tell
+                '`);
                             }
                             catch {
-                                this.log(styles.warning('Could not open new terminal tab.'));
-                                this.log(styles.muted(`Please run manually: ${authCmd}`));
+                                // Fallback: try Terminal.app
+                                try {
+                                    execSync(`osascript -e 'tell application "Terminal" to do script "${authCmd}"'`);
+                                }
+                                catch {
+                                    this.log(styles.warning('Could not open new terminal tab.'));
+                                    this.log(styles.muted(`Please run manually: ${authCmd}`));
+                                }
+                            }
+                            this.log(styles.muted('Complete the /login flow in the new tab, then press Enter here...'));
+                            this.log('');
+                            // Wait for user to complete auth
+                            await this.prompt([{
+                                    type: 'input',
+                                    name: 'done',
+                                    message: 'Press Enter when authentication is complete:',
+                                }]);
+                            // Check if credentials now exist
+                            if (!dockerCredentialsExist()) {
+                                this.log('');
+                                this.log(styles.warning('Authentication did not complete. No credentials found.'));
+                                db.close();
+                                return;
+                            }
+                            const info = getDockerCredentialInfo();
+                            this.log('');
+                            this.log(styles.success('✓ Credentials configured'));
+                            if (info) {
+                                this.log(styles.muted(`   Subscription: ${info.subscriptionType || 'unknown'}`));
+                                this.log(styles.muted(`   Expires: ${info.expiresAt.toLocaleDateString()}`));
                             }
-                        }
-                        this.log(styles.muted('Complete the /login flow in the new tab, then press Enter here...'));
-                        this.log('');
-                        // Wait for user to complete auth
-                        await inquirer.prompt([{
-                                type: 'input',
-                                name: 'done',
-                                message: 'Press Enter when authentication is complete:',
-                            }]);
-                        // Check if credentials now exist
-                        if (!dockerCredentialsExist()) {
                             this.log('');
-                            this.log(styles.warning('Authentication did not complete. No credentials found.'));
-                            db.close();
-                            return;
-                        }
-                        const info = getDockerCredentialInfo();
-                        this.log('');
-                        this.log(styles.success('✓ Credentials configured'));
-                        if (info) {
-                            this.log(styles.muted(`   Subscription: ${info.subscriptionType || 'unknown'}`));
-                            this.log(styles.muted(`   Expires: ${info.expiresAt.toLocaleDateString()}`));
                         }
-                        this.log('');
+                        // authAction === 'continue' falls through
                     }
-                    // authAction === 'continue' falls through
                 }
             }
             // Prompt for permissions mode (all environments)
@@ -1048,50 +1134,58 @@ export default class WorkStart extends PMOCommand {
                 createPR = false;
             }
             else if (ghAvailable) {
-                // Use FlagResolver for PR choice
-                const prResolver = new FlagResolver({
-                    commandName: 'work start',
-                    baseCommand: `prlt work start ${ticketId}`,
-                    jsonMode,
-                    flags: {},
-                });
-                prResolver.addPrompt({
-                    flagName: 'prChoice',
-                    type: 'list',
-                    message: 'Create a pull request when work is ready?',
-                    default: 'yes',
-                    choices: () => [
-                        { name: '✓ Yes - Create PR when running `prlt work ready`', value: 'yes' },
-                        { name: '✗ No  - Just move ticket to review (can create PR later)', value: 'no' },
-                    ],
-                });
-                const prResult = await prResolver.resolve();
-                createPR = prResult.prChoice === 'yes';
-            }
-            // Show execution info
-            this.log('');
-            this.log(styles.header(`🚀 Starting work: ${ticket.id}: ${ticket.title}`));
-            this.log(styles.muted(`   Agent: ${assignedAgent}`));
-            this.log(styles.muted(`   Action: ${context.actionName || 'None'}`));
-            this.log(styles.muted(`   Executor: ${executor}`));
-            // Environment info
-            const envIcon = environment === 'devcontainer' ? '🐳' : '💻';
-            this.log(styles.muted(`   Environment: ${envIcon} ${environment}`));
-            this.log(styles.muted(`   Display: ${displayMode}`));
-            // Permissions info
-            if (sandboxed) {
-                this.log(styles.success(`   Permissions: 🔒 safe`));
-            }
-            else {
-                this.log(styles.warning(`   Permissions: ⚠️  danger (--dangerously-skip-permissions)`));
+                // In JSON mode with --yes, default to creating PR for code-modifying actions
+                if (jsonMode && flags.yes) {
+                    createPR = context.modifiesCode !== false;
+                }
+                else {
+                    // Use FlagResolver for PR choice
+                    const prResolver = new FlagResolver({
+                        commandName: 'work start',
+                        baseCommand: `prlt work start ${ticketId}`,
+                        jsonMode,
+                        flags: {},
+                    });
+                    prResolver.addPrompt({
+                        flagName: 'prChoice',
+                        type: 'list',
+                        message: 'Create a pull request when work is ready?',
+                        default: 'yes',
+                        choices: () => [
+                            { name: '✓ Yes - Create PR when running `prlt work ready`', value: 'yes' },
+                            { name: '✗ No  - Just move ticket to review (can create PR later)', value: 'no' },
+                        ],
+                    });
+                    const prResult = await prResolver.resolve();
+                    createPR = prResult.prChoice === 'yes';
+                }
             }
-            this.log(styles.muted(`   Output: ${outputMode === 'interactive' ? 'streaming (watch Claude work)' : 'print (final result only)'}`));
-            if (ghAvailable) {
-                this.log(styles.muted(`   Create PR: ${createPR ? 'yes (when work is ready)' : 'no'}`));
+            // Show execution info (skip in JSON mode)
+            if (!jsonMode) {
+                this.log('');
+                this.log(styles.header(`🚀 Starting work: ${ticket.id}: ${ticket.title}`));
+                this.log(styles.muted(`   Agent: ${assignedAgent}`));
+                this.log(styles.muted(`   Action: ${context.actionName || 'None'}`));
+                this.log(styles.muted(`   Executor: ${executor}`));
+                // Environment info
+                const envIcon = environment === 'devcontainer' ? '🐳' : '💻';
+                this.log(styles.muted(`   Environment: ${envIcon} ${environment}`));
+                this.log(styles.muted(`   Display: ${displayMode}`));
+                // Permissions info
+                if (sandboxed) {
+                    this.log(styles.success(`   Permissions: 🔒 safe`));
+                }
+                else {
+                    this.log(styles.warning(`   Permissions: ⚠️  danger (--dangerously-skip-permissions)`));
+                }
+                this.log(styles.muted(`   Output: ${outputMode === 'interactive' ? 'streaming (watch Claude work)' : 'print (final result only)'}`));
+                if (ghAvailable) {
+                    this.log(styles.muted(`   Create PR: ${createPR ? 'yes (when work is ready)' : 'no'}`));
+                }
+                this.log(styles.muted(`   Worktree: ${worktreePath}`));
+                this.log(styles.muted(`   Branch: ${branch}`));
+                this.log('');
             }
-            this.log(styles.muted(`   Worktree: ${worktreePath}`));
-            this.log(styles.muted(`   Branch: ${branch}`));
-            this.log('');
             // Add createPR to context
             context.createPR = createPR;
             // Handle git operations
@@ -1143,14 +1237,14 @@ export default class WorkStart extends PMOCommand {
                     const branchChoice = branchResult.branchChoice;
                     if (branchChoice === 'enter') {
                         // User enters existing branch name
-                        const { enteredBranch } = await inquirer.prompt([
+                        const { enteredBranch } = await this.prompt([
                             {
                                 type: 'input',
                                 name: 'enteredBranch',
                                 message: 'Enter branch name:',
                                 validate: (input) => input.trim() ? true : 'Branch name required',
                             },
-                        ]);
+                        ], jsonModeConfig);
                         finalBranch = enteredBranch.trim();
                         // Validate branch exists (locally or in origin)
                         try {
@@ -1184,18 +1278,17 @@ export default class WorkStart extends PMOCommand {
                         }
                         if (remoteBranches.length > 0) {
                             const branchChoices = [
-                                ...remoteBranches.map(b => ({ name: b, value: b.replace('origin/', '') })),
-                                new inquirer.Separator(),
-                                { name: 'None of these, create new branch', value: '__create__' },
+                                ...remoteBranches.map(b => ({ name: b, value: b.replace('origin/', ''), command: `prlt work start ${ticketId} --json` })),
+                                { name: '── None of these, create new branch ──', value: '__create__', command: `prlt work start ${ticketId} --json` },
                             ];
-                            const { selectedBranch } = await inquirer.prompt([
+                            const { selectedBranch } = await this.prompt([
                                 {
                                     type: 'list',
                                     name: 'selectedBranch',
                                     message: `Found ${remoteBranches.length} matching branch(es):`,
                                     choices: branchChoices,
                                 },
-                            ]);
+                            ], jsonModeConfig);
                             if (selectedBranch !== '__create__') {
                                 finalBranch = selectedBranch;
                                 // Fetch and checkout the selected branch
@@ -1279,8 +1372,10 @@ export default class WorkStart extends PMOCommand {
                 sandboxed,
                 branch,
             });
-            this.log(styles.muted(`   Work ID: ${execution.id}`));
-            this.log('');
+            if (!jsonMode) {
+                this.log(styles.muted(`   Work ID: ${execution.id}`));
+                this.log('');
+            }
             // Note: Ticket status update moved to after successful spawn (see below)
             // Load execution config from database
             const executionConfig = loadExecutionConfig(db);
@@ -1321,7 +1416,9 @@ export default class WorkStart extends PMOCommand {
                 executionConfig.terminal.openInBackground = false;
             }
             // Run execution
-            this.log(styles.muted('Starting agent...'));
+            if (!jsonMode) {
+                this.log(styles.muted('Starting agent...'));
+            }
             const sessionManager = (flags.session || 'tmux');
             const result = await runExecution(environment, context, executor, executionConfig, {
                 host: flags['vm-host'],
@@ -1375,18 +1472,47 @@ export default class WorkStart extends PMOCommand {
                         this.warn(`Could not move ticket to "${targetColumnName}": ${moveError instanceof Error ? moveError.message : moveError}`);
                     }
                 }
-                await autoExportToBoard(this.pmoPath, this.storage, (msg) => this.log(styles.muted(msg)));
-                this.log('');
-                this.log(styles.success(`✓ Work started (${execution.id})`));
-                this.log('');
-                this.log(styles.muted('Commands:'));
-                this.log(styles.muted(`  prlt work status              View work status`));
-                this.log(styles.muted(`  prlt work ready ${ticketId}     Mark ready for review`));
-                this.log(styles.muted(`  prlt work stop ${execution.id}    Stop work`));
+                await autoExportToBoard(this.pmoPath, this.storage, (msg) => {
+                    if (!jsonMode) {
+                        this.log(styles.muted(msg));
+                    }
+                });
+                // Output results
+                if (jsonMode) {
+                    // Output JSON execution result
+                    outputExecutionResultAsJson([{
+                            workId: execution.id,
+                            ticketId: ticket.id,
+                            agent: assignedAgent,
+                            sessionId: result.sessionId,
+                            containerId: result.containerId,
+                            status: 'running',
+                        }], 1, 0, createMetadata('work start', flags));
+                }
+                else {
+                    this.log('');
+                    this.log(styles.success(`✓ Work started (${execution.id})`));
+                    this.log('');
+                    this.log(styles.muted('Commands:'));
+                    this.log(styles.muted(`  prlt work status              View work status`));
+                    this.log(styles.muted(`  prlt work ready ${ticketId}     Mark ready for review`));
+                    this.log(styles.muted(`  prlt work stop ${execution.id}    Stop work`));
+                }
             }
             else {
                 executionStorage.updateStatus(execution.id, 'failed');
-                this.error(`Failed to start work: ${result.error}`);
+                if (jsonMode) {
+                    // Output JSON failure result
+                    outputExecutionResultAsJson([{
+                            workId: execution.id,
+                            ticketId: ticket.id,
+                            agent: assignedAgent,
+                            status: 'failed',
+                        }], 0, 1, createMetadata('work start', flags));
+                }
+                else {
+                    this.error(`Failed to start work: ${result.error}`);
+                }
             }
             db.close();
         }
@@ -1399,6 +1525,8 @@ export default class WorkStart extends PMOCommand {
      * Run batch mode: spawn work for all unassigned backlog tickets
      */
     async runBatchMode(workspaceInfo, db, executionStorage, flags) {
+        const batchJsonMode = shouldOutputJson(flags);
+        const batchJsonModeConfig = batchJsonMode ? { flags: flags, commandName: 'work start' } : null;
         // Get all tickets and filter to backlog/unstarted (not in progress)
         // Note: In batch mode, we get all tickets across all projects (pass undefined for projectId)
         // eslint-disable-next-line unicorn/no-useless-undefined
@@ -1435,17 +1563,17 @@ export default class WorkStart extends PMOCommand {
         this.log(styles.muted(`Tickets to spawn: ${backlogTickets.map(t => t.id).join(', ')}`));
         this.log('');
         // Confirm before batch spawning
-        const { confirm } = await inquirer.prompt([
+        const { confirm } = await this.prompt([
             {
                 type: 'list',
                 name: 'confirm',
                 message: `Start work on ${backlogTickets.length} tickets using ${availableAgents.length} available agents?`,
                 choices: [
-                    { name: 'Yes', value: true },
-                    { name: 'No', value: false },
+                    { name: 'Yes', value: true, command: 'prlt work start --all --json' },
+                    { name: 'No', value: false, command: '' },
                 ],
             },
-        ]);
+        ], batchJsonModeConfig);
         if (!confirm) {
             db.close();
             this.log(styles.muted('Cancelled.'));
@@ -1454,18 +1582,18 @@ export default class WorkStart extends PMOCommand {
         // Prompt for permissions mode once for all tickets (TKT-513)
         let batchPermissionMode = flags['permission-mode'];
         if (!batchPermissionMode) {
-            const { permissionMode } = await inquirer.prompt([
+            const { permissionMode } = await this.prompt([
                 {
                     type: 'list',
                     name: 'permissionMode',
                     message: 'Permission mode for Claude Code:',
                     choices: [
-                        { name: '⚠️  danger - Skip permission checks (faster, container provides isolation)', value: 'danger' },
-                        { name: '🔒 safe   - Requires approval for dangerous operations', value: 'safe' },
+                        { name: '⚠️  danger - Skip permission checks (faster, container provides isolation)', value: 'danger', command: 'prlt work start --all --permission-mode danger --json' },
+                        { name: '🔒 safe   - Requires approval for dangerous operations', value: 'safe', command: 'prlt work start --all --permission-mode safe --json' },
                     ],
                     default: 'danger',
                 },
-            ]);
+            ], batchJsonModeConfig);
             batchPermissionMode = permissionMode;
         }
         // Check Docker credentials if any agents use devcontainers
@@ -1480,18 +1608,18 @@ export default class WorkStart extends PMOCommand {
                 this.log(styles.warning('⚠️  No Claude Code credentials found for Docker containers'));
                 this.log(styles.muted('   Agents will fail with 401 authentication errors without credentials.'));
                 this.log('');
-                const { authAction } = await inquirer.prompt([
+                const { authAction } = await this.prompt([
                     {
                         type: 'list',
                         name: 'authAction',
                         message: 'What would you like to do?',
                         choices: [
-                            { name: `🔐 Run ${this.config.bin} agent auth now (one-time setup)`, value: 'auth' },
-                            { name: '💻 Run all agents on host instead (--run-on-host)', value: 'host' },
-                            { name: '✗  Cancel', value: 'cancel' },
+                            { name: `🔐 Run ${this.config.bin} agent auth now (one-time setup)`, value: 'auth', command: `${this.config.bin} agent auth` },
+                            { name: '💻 Run all agents on host instead (--run-on-host)', value: 'host', command: 'prlt work start --all --run-on-host --json' },
+                            { name: '✗  Cancel', value: 'cancel', command: '' },
                         ],
                     },
-                ]);
+                ], batchJsonModeConfig);
                 if (authAction === 'cancel') {
                     db.close();
                     this.log(styles.muted('Cancelled.'));
@@ -1532,11 +1660,11 @@ export default class WorkStart extends PMOCommand {
                     this.log(styles.muted('Complete the /login flow in the new tab, then press Enter here...'));
                     this.log('');
                     // Wait for user to complete auth
-                    await inquirer.prompt([{
+                    await this.prompt([{
                             type: 'input',
                             name: 'done',
                             message: 'Press Enter when authentication is complete:',
-                        }]);
+                        }], batchJsonModeConfig);
                     // Check if credentials now exist
                     if (!dockerCredentialsExist()) {
                         this.log('');