@rethunk/mcp-multi-root-git 2.9.1 → 4.0.0

package/docs/mcp-tools.md

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 # MCP tools and resources (canonical reference)
 
-Single source of truth for **registered tool ids**, **client naming**, **JSON output shape**, **resource URI**, and **workspace root resolution**.  
+Single source of truth for **registered tool ids**, **client naming**, **JSON output shape**, **resource URI**, and **root resolution**.  
 **Install and MCP clients (only canonical location):** [install.md](install.md). **Preset file, dev, CI, publishing:** [HUMANS.md](../HUMANS.md). **Implementation layout (`src/server/` + entry [`server.ts`](../src/server.ts)), contract bumps:** [AGENTS.md](../AGENTS.md).
 
 ## Naming
@@ -11,29 +11,30 @@ MCP clients expose tools as `{serverName}_{toolName}`. With the server registere
 
 | Short id | Client id (server `rethunk-git`) | Purpose |
 |----------|-----------------------------------|---------|
-| `git_status` | `rethunk-git_git_status` | `git status --short -b` per MCP root and optional submodules (`includeSubmodules`); parallel submodule status. Args include `absoluteGitRoots`, `allWorkspaceRoots`, `rootIndex`, `workspaceRoot`, `format`. **Read-only.** |
-| `git_inventory` | `rethunk-git_git_inventory` | Status + ahead/behind per path; default upstream each repo’s `@{u}`; pass **both** `remote` and `branch` for fixed tracking. `nestedRoots`, `preset`, `presetMerge`, `maxRoots`, `format`, plus workspace pick args (`absoluteGitRoots` cannot combine with `preset`/`nestedRoots`). **Read-only.** |
-| `git_parity` | `rethunk-git_git_parity` | Compare `git rev-parse HEAD` for path pairs. `pairs`, `preset`, `presetMerge`, `format`, plus workspace pick args (`absoluteGitRoots` for sibling clone batches). **Read-only.** |
-| `list_presets` | `rethunk-git_list_presets` | List preset names/counts from `.rethunk/git-mcp-presets.json`; invalid JSON/schema surface as errors. Workspace pick + `format` only (includes `absoluteGitRoots`). **Read-only.** |
-| `git_log` | `rethunk-git_git_log` | Path-filtered, time-windowed `git log` across one or more workspace roots. Returns commit history with author, date, subject, and shortstat. Args: `since`, `paths`, `grep`, `author`, `maxCommits`, `branch`, plus workspace pick args (`absoluteGitRoots` for sibling clones) + `format` (`markdown`/`json`/`oneline`). **Read-only.** |
-| `git_diff_summary` | `rethunk-git_git_diff_summary` | Structured, token-efficient diff viewer. Returns per-file diffs with additions/deletions counts, truncated to configurable line limits, with lock files/dist/vendor excluded by default. Args: `range`, `fileFilter`, `maxLinesPerFile`, `maxFiles`, `excludePatterns`, plus workspace pick args (optional single-entry `absoluteGitRoots`) + `format`. **Read-only.** |
-| `git_diff` | `rethunk-git_git_diff` | Raw diff text for a single repo. Supports unstaged, staged, or `base..head` ranges, scoped to one or more paths with configurable context width. Args: `workspaceRoot`, `rootIndex`, `format`, `base?`, `head?`, `path?`, `paths?`, `unified?`, `staged?`. No `absoluteGitRoots` or `allWorkspaceRoots`. **Read-only.** |
-| `git_show` | `rethunk-git_git_show` | Inspect one commit or ref. Returns commit message plus diff (or `--stat` diffstat), or file content at `path` for that ref. Args: `ref`, `path?`, `paths?`, `stat?`, plus single-repo workspace pick + `format`. **Read-only.** |
-| `git_worktree_list` | `rethunk-git_git_worktree_list` | List all worktrees (`git worktree list --porcelain`). Workspace pick + `format`. **Read-only.** |
-| `git_stash_list` | `rethunk-git_git_stash_list` | List `git stash` entries for one repo. Args: single-repo workspace pick + `format`. **Read-only.** |
-| `git_blame` | `rethunk-git_git_blame` | Line-by-line authorship for a file: commit SHA, author, date, summary per line. Args: `path` (required), `ref?`, `startLine?`, `endLine?`, plus single-repo workspace pick + `format`. **Read-only.** |
-| `git_branch_list` | `rethunk-git_git_branch_list` | List local branches (sha, current marker, upstream); optional `includeRemotes` adds remote-tracking branches. Args: `includeRemotes?`, plus single-repo workspace pick + `format`. **Read-only.** |
-| `git_reflog` | `rethunk-git_git_reflog` | Show the reflog for a ref (default `HEAD`) — recent HEAD movements with selector, SHA, and message. Args: `ref?`, `maxEntries?`, plus single-repo workspace pick + `format`. **Read-only.** |
-| `git_fetch` | `rethunk-git_git_fetch` | Fetch from a remote without modifying the working tree. Updates refs only and reports updated/new refs, plus structured `updated`/`created`/`pruned` deltas on git ≥ 2.41. Args: `remote?`, `branch?`, `prune?`, `tags?`, plus single-repo workspace pick + `format`. **Mutating — refs only.** |
-| `git_push` | `rethunk-git_git_push` | Push the current branch to its upstream. Optional `remote`, `branch`, `setUpstream` (passes `-u`). Refuses on detached HEAD; never force-pushes. Workspace pick + `format`. **Mutating.** |
-| `git_tag` | `rethunk-git_git_tag` | Create/delete annotated or lightweight tags for one repo. Args: `tag`, `message?`, `ref?`, `delete?`, plus single-repo workspace pick + `format`. **Mutating.** |
-| `git_worktree_add` | `rethunk-git_git_worktree_add` | Create a new linked worktree, creating the branch from `baseRef` if it does not yet exist. Refuses on protected branch names. Args: `path`, `branch`, `baseRef?`, plus workspace pick + `format`. **Mutating.** |
-| `git_worktree_remove` | `rethunk-git_git_worktree_remove` | Remove a registered worktree; refuses to remove the main worktree. Optional `force: true` for dirty trees. Args: `path`, `force?`, plus workspace pick + `format`. **Mutating.** |
-| `git_reset_soft` | `rethunk-git_git_reset_soft` | Soft-reset the current branch to a ref (`HEAD~N`, SHA, branch). Rewound changes land in the staging index; requires a clean working tree. Args: `ref`, plus workspace pick + `format`. **Mutating — not idempotent.** |
-| `batch_commit` | `rethunk-git_batch_commit` | Create multiple sequential git commits in a single call. Each entry stages the listed files or line-ranged file hunks, then commits with the given message. Stops on first failure. Optional `push: "after"` pushes once every commit lands; optional `dryRun: true` previews staged content without writing commits. Args: `commits` (array of `{message, files}`), `push?`, `dryRun?`, plus workspace pick args + `format`. **Mutating — not idempotent.** |
-| `git_merge` | `rethunk-git_git_merge` | Merge one or more source branches into a destination. Default strategy `auto` cascades fast-forward → rebase → merge-commit per source, preferring linear history. Refuses on dirty tree; stops on first conflict with structured path report. Optional `deleteMergedBranches` / `deleteMergedWorktrees` cascade cleanup, always skipping protected names (main/master/dev/develop/stable/trunk/prod/production/release\*/hotfix\*). Args: `sources`, `into?`, `strategy?`, `message?`, cleanup flags + workspace pick + `format`. **Mutating.** |
-| `git_cherry_pick` | `rethunk-git_git_cherry_pick` | Play commits from one or more sources onto a destination. Sources may be SHAs, `A..B` ranges, or branch names (expanded to `onto..<branch>`, oldest-first). Uses `--empty=drop` so patch-equivalent re-applies add nothing. Refuses on dirty tree; stops on first conflict, aborting cleanly. Same cleanup flags as `git_merge` (branch-kind sources only, protected names skipped); branch deletion uses patch-id equivalence by default so cherry-pick workflows (where SHA differs but diff is identical) clean up correctly. Pass `strictMergedRefEquality: true` for strict `git branch -d` ancestry semantics. Args: `sources`, `onto?`, cleanup flags, `strictMergedRefEquality?` + workspace pick + `format`. **Mutating.** |
-| `git_stash_apply` | `rethunk-git_git_stash_apply` | Apply or pop a stash entry for one repo. Args: `index?`, `pop?`, plus single-repo workspace pick + `format`. **Mutating.** |
+| `git_status` | `rethunk-git_git_status` | `git status --short -b` per MCP root and optional submodules (`includeSubmodules`); parallel submodule status. Args: `includeSubmodules`, `root`, `format`. **Read-only.** |
+| `git_inventory` | `rethunk-git_git_inventory` | Status + ahead/behind per path; default upstream each repo’s `@{u}`; pass **both** `remote` and `branch` for fixed tracking; optional `compareRefs: { left, right }` for ahead/behind between arbitrary local refs (independent of upstream). `nestedRoots`, `preset`, `presetMerge`, `maxRoots`, `format`, plus `root` (array form cannot combine with `preset`/`nestedRoots`). **Read-only.** |
+| `git_parity` | `rethunk-git_git_parity` | Compare `git rev-parse HEAD` for path pairs. `pairs`, `preset`, `presetMerge`, `format`, plus `root`. **Read-only.** |
+| `list_presets` | `rethunk-git_list_presets` | List preset names/counts from `.rethunk/git-mcp-presets.json`; invalid JSON/schema surface as errors. `root` + `format` only. **Read-only.** |
+| `git_log` | `rethunk-git_git_log` | Path-filtered, time-windowed `git log` across one or more roots. Returns commit history with author, date, subject, and shortstat. Optional `follow: true` follows renames (`git log --follow`; requires exactly one `paths` entry). Args: `since`, `paths`, `follow?`, `grep`, `author`, `maxCommits`, `branch`, plus `root` + `format` (`markdown`/`json`/`oneline`). **Read-only.** |
+| `git_grep` | `rethunk-git_git_grep` | Read-only pickaxe history search across one or more roots (`pickaxe: { mode: "S"\|"G", term }` → `git log -S`/`-G`, `commits[]` per root). `pickaxe` is required — content-mode working-tree search was removed in v6 (use the client's native grep/rg tooling). Args: `pickaxe`, `ref?`, `paths?`, `ignoreCase?`, `maxMatches?`, plus `root` + `format`. **Read-only.** |
+| `git_diff_summary` | `rethunk-git_git_diff_summary` | Structured, token-efficient diff viewer. Returns per-file diffs with additions/deletions counts, truncated to configurable line limits, with lock files/dist/vendor excluded by default. Args: `range`, `fileFilter`, `maxLinesPerFile`, `maxFiles`, `excludePatterns`, plus `workspaceRoot` + `format`. **Read-only.** |
+| `git_diff` | `rethunk-git_git_diff` | Raw diff text for a single repo. Supports unstaged, staged, or `base..head` ranges, scoped to one or more paths with configurable context width. Optional `maxBytes` caps returned UTF-8 bytes (`truncated: true` when cut). Args: `workspaceRoot`, `format`, `base?`, `head?`, `path?`, `paths?`, `unified?`, `staged?`, `maxBytes?`. **Read-only.** |
+| `git_show` | `rethunk-git_git_show` | Inspect one commit or ref. Returns commit message plus patch (or `--stat` diffstat). Optional `path`/`paths` filter the patch to those paths (`git show <ref> -- <path>`), not a raw blob checkout. Args: `ref`, `path?`, `paths?`, `stat?`, plus `workspaceRoot` + `format`. **Read-only.** |
+| `git_conflicts` | `rethunk-git_git_conflicts` | Inspect an in-progress conflicted merge/cherry-pick/revert/rebase in the working tree (markers under the git dir). Per conflicted file, parses `<<<<<<</\|\|\|\|\|\|\|/=======/>>>>>>>` into ours/theirs (and base, for diff3-style) hunks. **Note:** `git_merge` and `git_cherry_pick` always attempt `--abort` before returning a conflict report, so a successful abort leaves a clean tree — call this tool for conflicts still in progress (manual ops, failed abort, or other tools), not as a follow-up to those tools' conflict payloads. Args: `withHunks?` (default `true`), `maxLinesPerFile?` (default `200`, max `2000`), plus `workspaceRoot` + `format`. **Read-only.** |
+| `git_blame` | `rethunk-git_git_blame` | File authorship grouped into contiguous same-commit line runs (SHA, author, date, summary once per run). Args: `path` (required), `ref?`, `startLine?`, `endLine?`, `maxLines?`, plus `workspaceRoot` + `format`. **Read-only.** |
+| `batch_commit` | `rethunk-git_batch_commit` | Create multiple sequential git commits in a single call. Each entry stages the listed files or line-ranged file hunks, then commits with the given message. Stops on first failure. Optional `push: "after"` pushes once every commit lands; optional `dryRun: true` previews staged content without writing commits. Args: `commits` (array of `{message, files}`), `push?`, `dryRun?`, plus `workspaceRoot` + `format`. **Mutating — not idempotent.** |
+| `git_push` | `rethunk-git_git_push` | Push the current branch to its upstream. Optional `remote`, `branch`, `setUpstream` (passes `-u`). Refuses on detached HEAD; never force-pushes. `workspaceRoot` + `format`. **Mutating.** |
+| `git_merge` | `rethunk-git_git_merge` | Merge one or more source branches into a destination. Default strategy `auto` cascades fast-forward → rebase → merge-commit per source, preferring linear history. **`auto`/`rebase` rewrite the source branch tip in place** when rebasing (new SHAs on the source ref), then fast-forward the destination — not destination-only. Refuses on dirty tree; stops on first conflict and attempts `--abort` (abort failure surfaces `rebase_abort_failed` / `merge_abort_failed`). Optional `deleteMergedBranches` / `deleteMergedWorktrees` cascade cleanup, always skipping protected names (main/master/dev/develop/stable/trunk/prod/production/head, plus `release/*`/`release-*`/`hotfix/*`/`hotfix-*` with separator + suffix). Args: `sources`, `into?`, `strategy?`, `message?`, cleanup flags + `workspaceRoot` + `format`. **Mutating.** |
+| `git_cherry_pick` | `rethunk-git_git_cherry_pick` | Play commits from one or more sources onto a destination. Sources may be SHAs, `A..B` ranges, or branch names (expanded to `onto..<branch>`, oldest-first). Hard-caps expanded/deduped picks at **100** commits per call (`cherry_pick_too_many_commits`). Uses `--empty=drop` so patch-equivalent re-applies add nothing. Refuses on dirty tree; refuses when a cherry-pick is already in progress (`cherry_pick_in_progress`). Stops on first conflict: `onConflict: "abort"` (default) attempts `--abort` (abort failure → `cherry_pick_abort_failed`); `onConflict: "pause"` leaves the conflict and native sequencer state in place (`conflict.paused: true`) for `git_cherry_pick_continue`. Same cleanup flags as `git_merge` (branch-kind sources only, protected names skipped, and only run on full success); branch deletion uses patch-id equivalence by default so cherry-pick workflows (where SHA differs but diff is identical) clean up correctly. Pass `strictMergedRefEquality: true` for strict `git branch -d` ancestry semantics. Args: `sources`, `onto?`, cleanup flags, `strictMergedRefEquality?`, `onConflict?` + `workspaceRoot` + `format`. **Mutating.** |
+| `git_cherry_pick_continue` | `rethunk-git_git_cherry_pick_continue` | Resume or abort a cherry-pick left in progress (by `git_cherry_pick`'s `onConflict: "pause"` or any other means — reads `CHERRY_PICK_HEAD` live off `.git`, stateless). `action: "continue"` (default) requires no remaining unmerged paths (`cherry_pick_unresolved_paths` otherwise), then runs `git -c core.editor=true cherry-pick --continue`; if a later pick then conflicts, reports it the same shape as a paused `git_cherry_pick` call (`conflict.paused: true`) so this tool can be called again. `action: "abort"` rolls back via `git cherry-pick --abort` (same abort helper/reporting as `git_cherry_pick`). Errors `no_cherry_pick_in_progress` when nothing is in progress. Args: `action?` + `workspaceRoot` + `format`. **Mutating.** |
+| `git_reset_soft` | `rethunk-git_git_reset_soft` | Soft-reset the current branch to a ref (`HEAD~N`, SHA, branch). Rewound changes land in the staging index; requires a clean working tree. Args: `ref`, plus `workspaceRoot` + `format`. **Mutating — not idempotent.** |
+| `git_revert` | `rethunk-git_git_revert` | Create new commit(s) that undo the changes introduced by one or more source commits (`git revert`), applied in listed order. Never rewrites history — safe on shared/pushed branches, unlike `git_reset_soft`. Refuses on dirty tree; on conflict aborts and leaves the tree clean. Args: `sources`, `noCommit?`, `mainline?`, plus `workspaceRoot` + `format`. **Mutating — not idempotent.** |
+| `git_tag` | `rethunk-git_git_tag` | Create/delete annotated or lightweight tags for one repo. Args: `tag`, `message?`, `ref?`, `delete?`, plus `workspaceRoot` + `format`. **Mutating.** |
+| `git_branch` | `rethunk-git_git_branch` | Create, delete, or rename a local branch. `action: "create"` bases a new branch on `from` (default `HEAD`); `action: "delete"` removes `name` (`force: true` for `-D` on an unmerged branch); `action: "rename"` renames `name` to `newName`. Refuses protected branch names (main/master/dev/develop/stable/trunk/prod/production/head, plus `release/*`/`release-*`/`hotfix/*`/`hotfix-*` with separator + suffix) in any role — as source, target, or rename endpoint. Args: `action`, `name`, `from?`, `newName?`, `force?`, plus `workspaceRoot` + `format`. **Mutating.** |
+| `git_worktree_add` | `rethunk-git_git_worktree_add` | Create a new linked worktree, creating the branch from `baseRef` if it does not yet exist. Sibling paths outside the git toplevel are allowed; leading `-` / option-like basenames and NUL bytes are rejected (`invalid_paths`). Path is passed to git after `--`. Refuses on protected branch names. Args: `path`, `branch`, `baseRef?`, plus `workspaceRoot` + `format`. **Mutating.** |
+| `git_worktree_remove` | `rethunk-git_git_worktree_remove` | Remove a registered worktree; refuses to remove the main worktree. Same path argv rules as add (leading `-` / NUL → `invalid_paths`; path after `--`). Optional `force: true` for dirty trees. Args: `path`, `force?`, plus `workspaceRoot` + `format`. **Mutating.** |
+| `git_stash_apply` | `rethunk-git_git_stash_apply` | Apply or pop a stash entry for one repo (`destructiveHint: true` — pop can delete a stash entry). On failure emits `error: stash_apply_failed` and optional `conflictPaths`. Args: `index?`, `pop?`, plus `workspaceRoot` + `format`. **Mutating.** |
+| `git_stash_push` | `rethunk-git_git_stash_push` | Stash working-tree changes (`git stash push`). Optional `message`, `includeUntracked` (-u), `keepIndex` (--keep-index), `paths` to scope. Args: `message?`, `includeUntracked?`, `paths?`, `keepIndex?`, plus `workspaceRoot` + `format`. **Mutating.** |
 
 Pass **`format: "json"`** on any tool for structured JSON instead of markdown (default).
 
@@ -44,10 +45,7 @@ Pass **`format: "json"`** on any tool for structured JSON instead of markdown (d
 | Parameter | Type | Default | Notes |
 |-----------|------|---------|-------|
 | `includeSubmodules` | boolean | `true` | When `true`, reads `.gitmodules` at each git toplevel and runs `git status --short -b` for each checked-out submodule in parallel. Set `false` to skip submodule discovery entirely. |
-| `workspaceRoot` | string | — | Explicit root; highest priority. |
-| `rootIndex` | int | — | Pick one of several MCP roots (0-based). |
-| `allWorkspaceRoots` | boolean | `false` | Fan out across all MCP roots. |
-| `absoluteGitRoots` | string[] | — | Explicit list of absolute paths; replaces normal workspace pick. Max 256. Read-only tools only. |
+| `root` | string \| string[] \| `"*"` | — | Repo path (string), explicit list of repo paths (array, max 256), or `"*"` for every MCP root. Default: first MCP root / cwd. |
 | `format` | `"markdown"` \| `"json"` | `"markdown"` | Output format. |
 
 ### `git_status` — JSON shape (`format: "json"`)
@@ -76,11 +74,9 @@ Error payloads appear as top-level JSON or inline in individual repo rows (`ok:
 | `not_a_git_repository` | repo row `statusText` | Root is not inside a git repository. |
 | `(submodule path escapes repository — rejected)` | repo row `statusText` | `.gitmodules` path resolves outside the git toplevel (security guard). |
 | `(no .git — submodule not checked out?)` | repo row `statusText` | Submodule directory exists but has no `.git` — not initialized. |
-| `root_index_out_of_range` | top-level | `rootIndex` exceeds the number of MCP file roots. |
-| `absolute_git_roots_exclusive` | top-level | `absoluteGitRoots` combined with `workspaceRoot`, `rootIndex`, or `allWorkspaceRoots: true`. |
-| `invalid_absolute_git_root` | top-level | An `absoluteGitRoots` entry is not a git-recognized directory. |
-| `absolute_git_roots_too_many` | top-level | More than 256 entries in `absoluteGitRoots`. |
-| `absolute_git_roots_empty` | top-level | `absoluteGitRoots` resolved to zero toplevels. |
+| `invalid_root_path` | top-level | A `root` array entry is empty or not a git-recognized directory. |
+| `root_list_too_many` | top-level | More than 256 entries in the `root` array. |
+| `root_list_empty` | top-level | The `root` array resolved to zero git toplevels. |
 
 ---
 
@@ -88,16 +84,14 @@ Error payloads appear as top-level JSON or inline in individual repo rows (`ok:
 
 | Parameter | Type | Default | Notes |
 |-----------|------|---------|-------|
-| `nestedRoots` | string[] | — | Relative paths (from the workspace git toplevel) to treat as independent git repos to inventory. Each must be a valid git work tree; invalid paths produce skip entries rather than errors. Cannot combine with `absoluteGitRoots` or `preset`. |
-| `preset` | string | — | Preset name from `.rethunk/git-mcp-presets.json`. Loads `nestedRoots` from the preset's entry. Cannot combine with `absoluteGitRoots`. |
+| `nestedRoots` | string[] | — | Relative paths (from the workspace git toplevel) to treat as independent git repos to inventory. Each must be a valid git work tree; invalid paths produce skip entries rather than errors. Cannot combine with an array `root`. May be combined with `preset` when `presetMerge: true` (merged) or when `presetMerge` is false (inline list replaces the preset's `nestedRoots`). |
+| `preset` | string | — | Preset name from `.rethunk/git-mcp-presets.json`. Loads `nestedRoots` from the preset's entry. Cannot combine with an array `root`. |
 | `presetMerge` | boolean | `false` | When `true`, merge inline `nestedRoots` with preset roots instead of replacing. |
 | `remote` | string | — | Fixed remote for ahead/behind tracking. Must be paired with `branch`. |
 | `branch` | string | — | Fixed branch for ahead/behind tracking. Must be paired with `remote`. When both are absent the tool uses each repo's `@{u}` upstream. |
+| `compareRefs` | `{ left: string, right: string }` | — | Optional ahead/behind between arbitrary local refs (independent of upstream). Ahead = commits reachable as `left..right`; behind = `right..left`. Each side validated with `isSafeGitAncestorRef` → `unsafe_ref_token` on rejection. |
 | `maxRoots` | int | `64` | Max nested roots to process (1–256). Roots beyond the limit are omitted; `nestedRootsTruncated: true` and `nestedRootsOmittedCount` are set on the group. |
-| `workspaceRoot` | string | — | Explicit root; highest priority. |
-| `rootIndex` | int | — | Pick one of several MCP roots (0-based). |
-| `allWorkspaceRoots` | boolean | `false` | Fan out across all MCP roots. |
-| `absoluteGitRoots` | string[] | — | Explicit list; replaces normal workspace pick. Cannot combine with `nestedRoots` or `preset`. |
+| `root` | string \| string[] \| `"*"` | — | Repo path (string), explicit list of repo paths (array, max 256), or `"*"` for every MCP root. Default: first MCP root / cwd. Array form cannot combine with `nestedRoots` or `preset`. |
 | `format` | `"markdown"` \| `"json"` | `"markdown"` | Output format. |
 
 ### `git_inventory` — JSON shape (`format: "json"`)
@@ -105,7 +99,7 @@ Error payloads appear as top-level JSON or inline in individual repo rows (`ok:
 ```json
 {
   "inventories": [{
-    "workspace_root": "/abs/path",
+    "workspaceRoot": "/abs/path",
     "entries": [{
       "label": ".",
       "path": "/abs/path",
@@ -114,7 +108,13 @@ Error payloads appear as top-level JSON or inline in individual repo rows (`ok:
       "headAbbrev": "a1b2c3d",
       "upstreamRef": "origin/main",
       "ahead": "2",
-      "behind": "0"
+      "behind": "0",
+      "compareRefs": {
+        "left": "main",
+        "right": "feature",
+        "ahead": "1",
+        "behind": "0"
+      }
     }],
     "nestedRootsTruncated": true,
     "nestedRootsOmittedCount": 3,
@@ -123,7 +123,7 @@ Error payloads appear as top-level JSON or inline in individual repo rows (`ok:
 }
 ```
 
-`nestedRootsTruncated` / `nestedRootsOmittedCount` present only when `maxRoots` cut the list. `upstream` object present only when `remote`+`branch` were supplied (fixed mode). `presetSchemaVersion` present only when a preset was loaded. See *v2/v3 field omission* for `entries[*]` optional fields.
+`nestedRootsTruncated` / `nestedRootsOmittedCount` present only when `maxRoots` cut the list. `upstream` object present only when `remote`+`branch` were supplied (fixed mode). `compareRefs` on an entry is present only when the call requested `compareRefs` and counts could be computed; optional `note` appears when a ref is unreadable or counts fail. `presetSchemaVersion` present only when a preset was loaded. Non-git paths produce skip entries with plain `skipReason` text such as `(not a git repository)` (not nested JSON). See [Field omission](#field-omission-consumer-contract-v2) for `entries[*]` optional fields.
 
 ### `git_inventory` — error codes
 
@@ -132,16 +132,13 @@ Error payloads appear as top-level JSON or inline in individual repo rows (`ok:
 | `git_not_found` | `git` binary not on `PATH`. |
 | `remote_branch_mismatch` | Only one of `remote` / `branch` was provided; supply both or neither. |
 | `invalid_remote_or_branch` | `remote` or `branch` contains characters outside the safe token set. |
-| `absolute_git_roots_nested_or_preset_conflict` | `absoluteGitRoots` combined with `nestedRoots` or `preset`. |
-| `absolute_git_roots_exclusive` | `absoluteGitRoots` combined with `workspaceRoot`, `rootIndex`, or `allWorkspaceRoots: true`. |
-| `absolute_git_roots_preset_conflict` | `absoluteGitRoots` combined with a `preset` argument. |
-| `invalid_absolute_git_root` | An `absoluteGitRoots` entry is not a git-recognized directory. |
-| `absolute_git_roots_too_many` | More than 256 entries in `absoluteGitRoots`. |
-| `absolute_git_roots_empty` | `absoluteGitRoots` resolved to zero toplevels. |
-| `root_index_out_of_range` | `rootIndex` exceeds the number of MCP file roots. |
+| `unsafe_ref_token` | A `compareRefs.left` / `compareRefs.right` token failed `isSafeGitAncestorRef` validation. |
+| `root_list_nested_or_preset_conflict` | `root` array combined with `nestedRoots` or `preset`. |
+| `invalid_root_path` | A `root` array entry is empty or not a git-recognized directory. |
+| `root_list_too_many` | More than 256 entries in the `root` array. |
+| `root_list_empty` | The `root` array resolved to zero git toplevels. |
 | `preset_not_found` | Named preset does not exist in the preset file. |
-| `invalid_json` | Preset file contains invalid JSON. |
-| `invalid_schema` | Preset file fails schema validation. |
+| `preset_file_invalid` | Preset file failed to load. Discriminator `kind`: `"invalid_json"` (parse failure; may include `message`) or `"schema"` (Zod validation failure; may include `issues`). Always includes `presetFile`. |
 
 Skip entries (individual repos that could not be inventoried) appear inline in `entries[*]` with `skipReason` rather than as top-level errors.
 
@@ -154,10 +151,7 @@ Skip entries (individual repos that could not be inventoried) appear inline in `
 | `pairs` | `{left: string, right: string, label?: string}[]` | Path pairs to compare. `left` and `right` are relative to the workspace git toplevel. `label` is optional display name; defaults to `"left / right"`. At least one pair required (via inline `pairs` or `preset`). |
 | `preset` | string | Preset name from `.rethunk/git-mcp-presets.json`. Loads `parityPairs` from the preset's entry. |
 | `presetMerge` | boolean | Default `false`. When `true`, merge inline `pairs` with preset pairs instead of replacing. |
-| `workspaceRoot` | string | Explicit root; highest priority. |
-| `rootIndex` | int | Pick one of several MCP roots (0-based). |
-| `allWorkspaceRoots` | boolean | `false` | Fan out across all MCP roots. |
-| `absoluteGitRoots` | string[] | Explicit list of absolute paths; replaces normal workspace pick. Useful for checking parity across sibling clones. |
+| `root` | string \| string[] \| `"*"` | Repo path (string), explicit list of repo paths (array, max 256), or `"*"` for every MCP root. Default: first MCP root / cwd. |
 | `format` | `"markdown"` \| `"json"` | Output format. Default: `"markdown"`. |
 
 ### `git_parity` — JSON shape (`format: "json"`)
@@ -165,7 +159,7 @@ Skip entries (individual repos that could not be inventoried) appear inline in `
 ```json
 {
   "parity": [{
-    "workspace_root": "/abs/path",
+    "workspaceRoot": "/abs/path",
     "status": "MISMATCH",
     "pairs": [
       {
@@ -188,7 +182,7 @@ Skip entries (individual repos that could not be inventoried) appear inline in `
 }
 ```
 
-`status` is `"OK"` when every pair matches, `"MISMATCH"` when any pair differs or errors. On a match, `sha` carries the common HEAD SHA. On a mismatch, `leftSha` / `rightSha` carry the differing SHAs. On error (path escape or `git rev-parse HEAD` failure), `error` carries a description string and both SHA fields are absent. `presetSchemaVersion` is present when a preset was loaded.
+`status` is `"OK"` when every pair matches, `"MISMATCH"` when any pair differs or errors. On a match, `sha` carries the common HEAD SHA. On a mismatch, `leftSha` / `rightSha` carry the differing SHAs. On error (path escape, non-git path, or `git rev-parse HEAD` failure), `error` carries a plain description string (e.g. `not a git repository: <path>`) and both SHA fields are absent — never a nested minified JSON blob. `presetSchemaVersion` is present when a preset was loaded.
 
 ### `git_parity` — error codes
 
@@ -196,15 +190,12 @@ Skip entries (individual repos that could not be inventoried) appear inline in `
 |------|---------|
 | `git_not_found` | `git` binary not on `PATH`. |
 | `no_pairs` | Neither inline `pairs` nor a preset with `parityPairs` was supplied. |
-| `absolute_git_roots_exclusive` | `absoluteGitRoots` combined with `workspaceRoot`, `rootIndex`, or `allWorkspaceRoots: true`. |
-| `absolute_git_roots_preset_conflict` | `absoluteGitRoots` combined with a `preset` argument. |
-| `invalid_absolute_git_root` | An `absoluteGitRoots` entry is not a git-recognized directory. |
-| `absolute_git_roots_too_many` | More than 256 entries in `absoluteGitRoots`. |
-| `absolute_git_roots_empty` | `absoluteGitRoots` resolved to zero toplevels. |
-| `root_index_out_of_range` | `rootIndex` exceeds the number of MCP file roots. |
+| `root_list_preset_conflict` | `root` array combined with a `preset` argument. |
+| `invalid_root_path` | A `root` array entry is empty or not a git-recognized directory. |
+| `root_list_too_many` | More than 256 entries in the `root` array. |
+| `root_list_empty` | The `root` array resolved to zero git toplevels. |
 | `preset_not_found` | Named preset does not exist in the preset file. |
-| `invalid_json` | Preset file contains invalid JSON. |
-| `invalid_schema` | Preset file fails schema validation. |
+| `preset_file_invalid` | Preset file failed to load. Discriminator `kind`: `"invalid_json"` or `"schema"` (see `git_inventory`). |
 
 Path-escape and `rev-parse` failures are reported inline in `pairs[*].error`, not as top-level error codes.
 
@@ -214,10 +205,7 @@ Path-escape and `rev-parse` failures are reported inline in `pairs[*].error`, no
 
 | Parameter | Type | Notes |
 |-----------|------|-------|
-| `workspaceRoot` | string | Explicit root; highest priority. |
-| `rootIndex` | int | Pick one of several MCP roots (0-based). |
-| `allWorkspaceRoots` | boolean | Default `false`. Fan out across all MCP roots. |
-| `absoluteGitRoots` | string[] | Explicit list; replaces normal workspace pick. |
+| `root` | string \| string[] \| `"*"` | Repo path (string), explicit list of repo paths (array, max 256), or `"*"` for every MCP root. Default: first MCP root / cwd. |
 | `format` | `"markdown"` \| `"json"` | Output format. Default: `"markdown"`. |
 
 ### `list_presets` — JSON shape (`format: "json"`)
@@ -250,40 +238,43 @@ Path-escape and `rev-parse` failures are reported inline in `pairs[*].error`, no
 |------|---------|
 | `git_not_found` | `git` binary not on `PATH`. |
 | `not_a_git_repository` | Root is not inside a git repository (reported inline in the `roots[*].error` field, not top-level). |
-| `invalid_json` | Preset file is not valid JSON (inline in `roots[*].error`). |
-| `invalid_schema` | Preset file fails schema validation (inline in `roots[*].error`). |
-| `absolute_git_roots_exclusive` | `absoluteGitRoots` combined with `workspaceRoot`, `rootIndex`, or `allWorkspaceRoots: true`. |
-| `invalid_absolute_git_root` | An `absoluteGitRoots` entry is not a git-recognized directory. |
-| `absolute_git_roots_too_many` | More than 256 entries in `absoluteGitRoots`. |
-| `absolute_git_roots_empty` | `absoluteGitRoots` resolved to zero toplevels. |
-| `root_index_out_of_range` | `rootIndex` exceeds the number of MCP file roots. |
+| `preset_file_invalid` | Preset file failed to load (inline in `roots[*].error`). Discriminator `kind`: `"invalid_json"` or `"schema"`. |
+| `invalid_root_path` | A `root` array entry is empty or not a git-recognized directory. |
+| `root_list_too_many` | More than 256 entries in the `root` array. |
+| `root_list_empty` | The `root` array resolved to zero git toplevels. |
 
 ---
 
 ## JSON responses
 
-Tool JSON bodies are minified and contain only the payload — no `rethunkGitMcp` envelope. Current `MCP_JSON_FORMAT_VERSION` is **`"3"`** (exported constant in `src/server.ts`); the version string is surfaced in the FastMCP `instructions` field and is therefore discoverable via the MCP `initialize` response. Payload keys (`groups`, `inventories`, `parity`, `roots`) are stable within a given format version. Preset-related responses may include **`presetSchemaVersion`**.
+Tool JSON bodies are minified and contain only the payload — no `rethunkGitMcp` envelope. Current `MCP_JSON_FORMAT_VERSION` is **`"6"`** (exported constant in `src/server.ts`); the version string is surfaced in the FastMCP `instructions` field and is therefore discoverable via the MCP `initialize` response. Payload keys (`groups`, `inventories`, `parity`, `roots`) are stable within a given format version. Preset-related responses may include **`presetSchemaVersion`**.
+
+v6 changes from v5: the tool surface shrank to **24 tools** — `git_fetch`, `git_remote`, `git_describe`, `git_stash_list`, `git_reflog`, `git_branch_list`, and `git_worktree_list` were removed (thin wrappers over tiny-output git commands; see [CONTRIBUTING.md — Tool inclusion criteria](../CONTRIBUTING.md#tool-inclusion-criteria)); `git_grep` dropped content mode — `pickaxe` is now required, `pattern`/`filesOnly` are gone, and `results[*]` always carries `commits[]` (never `matches`/`files`); the `pattern_or_pickaxe_required` error code was removed.
+
+v5 changes from v4: `batch_commit` successful `results[*]` entries drop the echoed `message`/`files` (the caller already supplied both in the request); failing entries still carry `message`/`files` alongside `error`/`detail` for diagnosis.
+
+v4 changes from v3: `git_blame` output is run-length grouped (`lines[]` with per-line commit metadata → `groups[]` with metadata once per contiguous same-commit run); `git_diff_summary` per-file `truncated` is omitted when `false`.
 
 The package also ships **`tool-parameters.schema.json`**, generated from the registered Zod parameter schemas via `bun run schema:tools`, plus the published **`schemas/`** directory (`schemas/index.json` + one JSON Schema per tool) via `bun run schema:individual`. Connected MCP clients should still prefer live schema discovery from `initialize` / tool listing; the shipped artifacts are for offline inspection, drift checks, and code generation.
 
-### v2/v3 field omission (consumer contract)
+### Field omission (consumer contract, v2+)
 
-To keep responses compact, **optional fields are omitted when they would be empty, `null`, or `false`** — they are not emitted as `null`. Consumers must test for *presence*, not compare to `null`.
+To keep responses compact, **optional fields are usually omitted when they would be empty, `null`, or `false`**. Consumers must test for *presence*, not compare to `null`, except where a tool documents an intentional `null` (documented exception: `list_presets` emits `gitTop: null` when the workspace is not inside a git repo).
 
 **`git_inventory` → `inventories[*]`**
 
-- Always present: `workspace_root`, `entries`.
+- Always present: `workspaceRoot`, `entries`.
 - Omitted when not applicable: `presetSchemaVersion`, `nestedRootsTruncated`, `nestedRootsOmittedCount`, and the whole `upstream` object (emitted only when a fixed `remote`/`branch` pair was supplied; in `auto` mode it is absent).
 
 **`git_inventory` → `entries[*]` (`InventoryEntryJson`)**
 
 - Always present: `label`, `path`, `upstreamMode` (`"auto"` or `"fixed"`).
-- Optional (omitted when empty/absent): `branchStatus`, `headAbbrev`, `upstreamRef`, `ahead`, `behind`, `upstreamNote`, `detached` (only emitted as `true`), `skipReason` (only on skipped entries).
+- Optional (omitted when empty/absent): `branchStatus`, `headAbbrev`, `upstreamRef`, `ahead`, `behind`, `upstreamNote`, `compareRefs` (when requested), `detached` (only emitted as `true`), `skipReason` (only on skipped entries).
 - **Removed in v2:** `shortStatus`. The porcelain entries now live inside `branchStatus` (the full `git status --short -b` body — branch header line followed by porcelain lines).
 
 **Errors** (any tool)
 
-- Error payloads carry an `error` code string and any structured context (e.g. `preset`, `presetFile`). The old free-text `message` field is **removed** for self-describing codes (`git_not_found`, `remote_branch_mismatch`, `invalid_remote_or_branch`, `no_pairs`, `preset_not_found` *missing* case). It is retained only where it carries parse output (the `invalid_json` preset branch).
+- Error payloads carry an `error` code string and any structured context (e.g. `preset`, `presetFile`, `kind`). The old free-text `message` field is **removed** for self-describing codes (`git_not_found`, `remote_branch_mismatch`, `invalid_remote_or_branch`, `no_pairs`, `preset_not_found` *missing* case). For preset load failures the wire code is always `preset_file_invalid` with discriminator `kind` (`"invalid_json"` or `"schema"`); `message` is retained on the `invalid_json` kind (parse output) and `issues` on the `schema` kind.
 
 **When to bump `MCP_JSON_FORMAT_VERSION` or change payload shape:** [AGENTS.md](../AGENTS.md) — *Changing contracts*. The constant lives in `src/server.ts` and is surfaced via the server `instructions` field (discoverable from the MCP `initialize` response).
 
@@ -292,15 +283,14 @@ To keep responses compact, **optional fields are omitted when they would be empt
 | Parameter | Type | Default | Notes |
 |-----------|------|---------|-------|
 | `since` | string | `"7.days"` | Passed to `git log --since=`. Accepts ISO timestamps (`2026-04-01T00:00:00Z`) or git relative forms (`48.hours`, `2.weeks.ago`). |
-| `paths` | string[] | (all) | Restrict to commits touching these paths (appended after `--`). |
+| `paths` | string[] | (all) | Restrict to commits touching these paths (appended after `--`). Each entry is confined with `resolvePathForRepo` / `assertRelativePathUnderTop` → `path_escapes_repo` on escape. |
+| `follow` | boolean | `false` | Pass `--follow` for rename-aware history. Requires **exactly one** `paths` entry; otherwise top-level `invalid_paths` with `detail: "follow requires exactly one path"`. |
 | `grep` | string | — | Filter by commit message regex (git `--grep`, always case-insensitive). |
 | `author` | string | — | Filter by author name or email (`--author=`). |
 | `maxCommits` | int | `50` | Max commits per root. Hard cap: `500`. |
 | `branch` | string | `HEAD` | Ref/branch to log from. |
-| `workspaceRoot` | string | — | Explicit root; highest priority. |
-| `rootIndex` | int | — | Pick one of several MCP roots (0-based). |
-| `allWorkspaceRoots` | boolean | `false` | Fan out across all MCP roots. |
-| `format` | `"markdown"` \| `"json"` \| `"oneline"` | `"markdown"` | Output format. `oneline` returns `<sha7> <subject>` per line with no headers (single root) or `### repo (branch)` separators per group (multi-root). Lowest-token option for post-commit verification. |
+| `root` | string \| string[] \| `"*"` | — | Repo path (string), explicit list of repo paths (array, max 256), or `"*"` for every MCP root. Default: first MCP root / cwd. |
+| `format` | `"markdown"` \| `"json"` \| `"oneline"` | `"markdown"` | Output format. `oneline` returns the first 7 characters of each commit SHA plus the subject (`<abbrev> <subject>`) per line with no headers (single root) or `### repo (branch)` separators per group (multi-root). Display shorthand only — the JSON field remains full `sha` (v3 removed the old `sha7` field). Lowest-token option for post-commit verification. |
 
 ### `git_log` — JSON shape (`format: "json"`)
 
@@ -337,25 +327,68 @@ v2 field-omission rules still apply: `filesChanged`, `insertions`, `deletions` o
 | `git_not_found` | `git` binary not on `PATH`. |
 | `not_a_git_repository` | The resolved workspace root is not inside a git repository. |
 | `invalid_since` | The `since` string contains shell metacharacters and was rejected. |
-| `invalid_paths` | One of the `paths` entries contains shell metacharacters and was rejected. |
+| `invalid_paths` | A `paths` entry failed validation, or `follow: true` was set without exactly one `paths` entry (`detail: "follow requires exactly one path"`). |
+| `path_escapes_repo` | A `paths` entry resolves outside that root's git toplevel. |
 | `unsafe_ref_token` | `branch` contains characters outside the argv-safe subset. |
 | `git_log_failed` | `git log` exited non-zero (e.g. unknown branch ref). |
-| `root_index_out_of_range` | `rootIndex` exceeds the number of MCP file roots. |
-| `absolute_git_roots_exclusive` | `absoluteGitRoots` was combined with `workspaceRoot`, `rootIndex`, or `allWorkspaceRoots: true`. |
-| `absolute_git_roots_preset_conflict` | `absoluteGitRoots` was combined with a `preset` argument (root resolution). |
-| `invalid_absolute_git_root` | An `absoluteGitRoots` entry is empty, not inside a git worktree, or not a directory git recognizes. |
-| `absolute_git_roots_too_many` | More than 256 entries in `absoluteGitRoots`. |
-| `absolute_git_roots_empty` | `absoluteGitRoots` produced zero git toplevels after resolution. |
-| `absolute_git_roots_single_repo_only` | A single-repo tool received `absoluteGitRoots` resolving to more than one distinct git toplevel. |
+| `invalid_root_path` | A `root` array entry is empty, not inside a git worktree, or not a directory git recognizes. |
+| `root_list_too_many` | More than 256 entries in the `root` array. |
+| `root_list_empty` | The `root` array produced zero git toplevels after resolution. |
+
+### `git_grep` — parameters
+
+| Parameter | Type | Default | Notes |
+|-----------|------|---------|-------|
+| `pickaxe` | `{ mode: "S" \| "G", term: string }` | — | **Required.** Pickaxe history search (`git log -S` / `-G`): `S` finds commits that changed the occurrence count of `term`; `G` finds commits whose diff lines match the `term` regex. JSON results are `commits[]` of `{ sha, subject }` per root. |
+| `ref` | string | — | Commit/branch/tag to use as the history tip. Validated as a safe ref token (`isSafeGitAncestorRef`); rejects `--`-prefixed or otherwise unsafe tokens. |
+| `paths` | string[] | — | Limit history to these paths. Each must resolve within the repo root (`resolvePathForRepo` / `assertRelativePathUnderTop`); escaping paths are rejected per-root. |
+| `ignoreCase` | boolean | `false` | Case-insensitive match (`-i`; affects `G` mode regexes). |
+| `maxMatches` | integer | `200` | Cap on commits per root. Hard cap `1000`. |
+| `root` | string \| string[] \| `"*"` | — | Repo path, array of paths (max 256), or `"*"` for every MCP root. Default: first MCP root / cwd. |
+| `format` | `"markdown"` \| `"json"` | `"markdown"` | Output format. |
+
+Content-mode working-tree search (`pattern`, `filesOnly`, ref-tree search) was **removed in v6** — it duplicated the native grep/rg tooling every MCP client already ships. Pickaxe history is the part with no native equivalent.
+
+### `git_grep` — JSON shape (`format: "json"`)
+
+```json
+{
+  "results": [
+    {
+      "root": "/abs/workspace",
+      "repo": "workspace",
+      "commits": [
+        { "sha": "a1b2c3d4e5f6…", "subject": "feat: introduce needle" }
+      ],
+      "truncated": true
+    }
+  ]
+}
+```
+
+One `results` entry per resolved root, each carrying `commits[]` of `{ sha, subject }` hits. `truncated: true` is present only when the per-root commit count exceeded `maxMatches`. A root that fails to resolve or whose git invocation errors carries `error` (and optional `detail`) instead of `commits`. Zero pickaxe hits is **not** an error — `commits` is simply empty.
+
+### `git_grep` — error codes
+
+| Code | Meaning |
+|------|---------|
+| `git_not_found` | `git` binary not on `PATH`. |
+| `not_a_git_repository` | A resolved root is not inside a git repository. |
+| `unsafe_ref_token` | `ref` failed `isSafeGitAncestorRef` validation. |
+| `path_escapes_repo` | A `paths` entry resolves outside that root's git toplevel. |
+| `git_grep_failed` | Pickaxe `git log` exited non-zero (bad regex, unknown ref, etc.). |
+| `invalid_root_path` / `root_list_too_many` / `root_list_empty` | `root` array validation (shared fan-out behavior). |
+
+---
 
-### `git_parity` — `absoluteGitRoots` example
+### `git_parity` — `root` array example
 
-Use **`absoluteGitRoots`** when the same parity pair should be checked across sibling clones that are not all MCP workspace roots:
+Pass a `root` array when the same parity pair should be checked across sibling clones that are not all MCP workspace roots:
 
 ```json
 {
   "format": "json",
-  "absoluteGitRoots": [
+  "root": [
     "/usr/local/src/com.github/Rethunk-AI/mcp-multi-root-git",
     "/usr/local/src/com.github/Rethunk-AI/rethunk-github-mcp"
   ],
@@ -363,19 +396,20 @@ Use **`absoluteGitRoots`** when the same parity pair should be checked across si
 }
 ```
 
-The response contains one **`parity[]`** entry per resolved git toplevel. `absoluteGitRoots` cannot be combined with `preset`; pass inline `pairs` for sibling-clone batches.
+The response contains one **`parity[]`** entry per resolved git toplevel. An array `root` cannot be combined with `preset`; pass inline `pairs` for sibling-clone batches.
+
+**Diff-family filtering divergence (intentional):** `git_diff_summary` filters client-side via a `fileFilter` glob applied to the summarized file list; `git_diff` and `git_show` instead take server-confined `paths[]` (each entry validated with `resolvePathForRepo`/`assertRelativePathUnderTop` and rejected with `path_escapes_repo` on escape). Don't expect glob syntax on `git_diff`/`git_show` `paths[]`, and don't expect path confinement guarantees on `git_diff_summary`'s `fileFilter`.
 
 ### `git_diff_summary` — parameters
 
 | Parameter | Type | Default | Notes |
 |-----------|------|---------|-------|
-| `range` | string | unstaged | Diff range. `"staged"` / `"cached"` for index; `"HEAD"` for last commit; `"A..B"` or `"A...B"` for revision ranges; single ref. Default: unstaged working-tree changes. |
+| `range` | string | unstaged | Diff range. `"staged"` / `"cached"` for index; `"HEAD"` for last commit; `"A..B"` or `"A...B"` for revision ranges; single ref. Ancestor notation (`HEAD~3`, `main^2`) is accepted on any endpoint. Default: unstaged working-tree changes. |
 | `fileFilter` | string | — | Glob pattern to restrict output to matching files (e.g. `"*.ts"`, `"src/**"`). |
 | `maxLinesPerFile` | int | `50` | Max diff lines to include per file (1–2000). |
 | `maxFiles` | int | `30` | Max files to include in output (1–500). |
 | `excludePatterns` | string[] | lock files, dist, vendor | Glob patterns to exclude. Defaults to `*.lock`, `*.lockb`, `bun.lock`, `package-lock.json`, `yarn.lock`, `pnpm-lock.yaml`, `*.min.js`, `*.min.css`, `vendor/**`, `node_modules/**`, `dist/**`. Pass an empty array to disable. |
-| `workspaceRoot` | string | — | Explicit root; highest priority. |
-| `rootIndex` | int | — | Pick one of several MCP roots (0-based). |
+| `workspaceRoot` | string | — | Repo path. Default: first MCP root / cwd. |
 | `format` | `"markdown"` \| `"json"` | `"markdown"` | Output format. |
 
 ### `git_diff_summary` — JSON shape (`format: "json"`)
@@ -391,7 +425,6 @@ The response contains one **`parity[]`** entry per resolved git toplevel. `absol
     "status": "modified",
     "additions": 8,
     "deletions": 3,
-    "truncated": false,
     "diff": "@@ -1,3 +1,8 @@\n-const x = 1;\n+const x = 2;"
   }],
   "truncatedFiles": 1,
@@ -399,7 +432,7 @@ The response contains one **`parity[]`** entry per resolved git toplevel. `absol
 }
 ```
 
-`status` is one of `"modified"`, `"added"`, `"deleted"`, `"renamed"`. `oldPath` is present only for renamed files. `truncatedFiles` and `excludedFiles` are omitted when zero/empty (v2 field-omission contract).
+`status` is one of `"modified"`, `"added"`, `"deleted"`, `"renamed"`. `oldPath` is present only for renamed files. Per-file `truncated` is present (`true`) only when the diff body was cut at `maxLinesPerFile` (v4). `totalFiles` / `totalAdditions` / `totalDeletions` count the post-`excludePatterns`+`fileFilter` set (before `maxFiles` display truncation). `excludedFiles` includes both exclude-pattern hits and `fileFilter` drops. `truncatedFiles` is the count omitted by `maxFiles`. `truncatedFiles` and `excludedFiles` are omitted when zero/empty (field-omission contract).
 
 ### `git_diff_summary` — error codes
 
@@ -416,27 +449,29 @@ The response contains one **`parity[]`** entry per resolved git toplevel. `absol
 
 | Parameter | Type | Default | Notes |
 |-----------|------|---------|-------|
-| `base` | string | — | Base ref for a revision diff. When omitted with no `staged`, the tool shows unstaged changes. |
-| `head` | string | `HEAD` | Head ref for a revision diff. Used only when `base` is provided. |
+| `base` | string | — | Base ref for a revision diff. When omitted with no `staged`, the tool shows unstaged changes. Ancestor notation (`HEAD~3`, `main^2`) is accepted. |
+| `head` | string | `HEAD` | Head ref for a revision diff. Used only when `base` is provided. Ancestor notation (`HEAD~3`, `main^2`) is accepted. |
 | `path` | string | — | Optional single file path to scope the diff. Confined to the repo (`path_escapes_repo` on escape). |
 | `paths` | string[] | — | Multiple file paths to scope the diff; unioned with `path` (deduped). Each confined to the repo. |
 | `unified` | integer | — | Context lines around each change (passed as `-U<n>`, 0–100). Omit for git's default (3). |
 | `staged` | boolean | `false` | When `true`, runs `git diff --staged`. Ignored when `base` is provided. |
-| `workspaceRoot` | string | — | Explicit root; highest priority. |
-| `rootIndex` | int | — | Pick one of several MCP roots (0-based). |
+| `maxBytes` | integer | `512000` | Cap on UTF-8 bytes of returned diff text (1024–10000000). Oversized output is truncated; JSON emits `truncated: true` (omitted when false). |
+| `workspaceRoot` | string | — | Repo path. Default: first MCP root / cwd. |
 | `format` | `"markdown"` \| `"json"` | `"markdown"` | Output format. |
 
-`git_diff` is a single-repo tool. It does not accept `absoluteGitRoots` or `allWorkspaceRoots`; use `workspaceRoot` or `rootIndex` to select the target repo.
+`git_diff` is a single-repo tool; use `workspaceRoot` to select the target repo. When `base` is set, `staged` is ignored and `head` is used; `head` alone (without `base`) still yields the unstaged working-tree diff.
 
 ### `git_diff` — JSON shape (`format: "json"`)
 
 ```json
 {
   "range": "HEAD~1..HEAD (src/server.ts)",
-  "diff": "diff --git a/src/server.ts b/src/server.ts\n..."
+  "diff": "diff --git a/src/server.ts b/src/server.ts\n...",
+  "truncated": true
 }
 ```
 
+`truncated: true` is present only when the `maxBytes` cap fired.
 ### `git_diff` — error codes
 
 | Code | Meaning |
@@ -452,11 +487,11 @@ The response contains one **`parity[]`** entry per resolved git toplevel. `absol
 
 | Parameter | Type | Notes |
 |-----------|------|-------|
-| `ref` | string | Commit, branch, tag, or other git rev-spec to inspect. |
-| `path` | string | Optional single path. When provided, the response shows that path's content at `ref` instead of the full commit diff. |
+| `ref` | string | Commit, branch, tag, or other git rev-spec to inspect. Ancestor notation (`HEAD~3`, `main^2`) is accepted. |
+| `path` | string | Optional single path. When provided, filters the shown patch/stat to that path (`git show <ref> -- <path>`), not a raw blob (`ref:path`) checkout. |
 | `stat` | boolean | When `true`, runs `git show --stat` — commit message plus per-file diffstat, no full patch (`statOutput` in JSON). |
 | `paths` | string[] | Filter the shown patch/stat to these repo-relative paths; unioned with `path`. Each confined to the repo. |
-| `workspaceRoot`, `rootIndex`, `format` | — | Standard single-repo workspace pick + output format. |
+| `workspaceRoot`, `format` | — | Standard single-repo pick + output format. |
 
 ### `git_show` — JSON shape (`format: "json"`)
 
@@ -477,69 +512,50 @@ The response contains one **`parity[]`** entry per resolved git toplevel. `absol
 |------|---------|
 | `unsafe_ref_token` | `ref` contains characters outside the argv-safe subset. |
 | `path_escapes_repo` | `path` resolves outside the git toplevel. |
-| `git_show_failed` | `git show` exited non-zero (e.g. unknown ref). |
+| `git_show_failed` | `git show` exited non-zero (e.g. unknown ref). Includes `detail` (stderr/stdout trim), matching peer tools. |
 | `not_a_git_repository` | The resolved workspace root is not inside a git repository. |
 
 ---
 
-### `git_stash_list` — parameters
-
-| Parameter | Type | Notes |
-|-----------|------|-------|
-| `workspaceRoot`, `rootIndex`, `format` | — | Standard single-repo workspace pick + output format. |
-
-### `git_stash_list` — JSON shape (`format: "json"`)
-
-```json
-{
-  "stashes": [
-    { "index": 0, "message": "WIP on main: abc1234 feat: add tool", "sha": "abc1234" }
-  ]
-}
-```
-
-### `git_stash_list` — error codes
-
-| Code | Meaning |
-|------|---------|
-| `stash_list_failed` | `git stash list` failed unexpectedly. |
-| `not_a_git_repository` | The resolved workspace root is not inside a git repository. |
-
----
-
-### `git_fetch` — parameters
+### `git_conflicts` — parameters
 
 | Parameter | Type | Default | Notes |
 |-----------|------|---------|-------|
-| `remote` | string | `"origin"` | Remote to fetch from. |
-| `branch` | string | — | Optional branch/ref to fetch from that remote. |
-| `prune` | boolean | `false` | Pass `--prune` to remove deleted remote-tracking refs. |
-| `tags` | boolean | `false` | Pass `--tags` to also fetch all tags. |
-| `workspaceRoot`, `rootIndex`, `format` | — | Standard single-repo workspace pick + output format. |
+| `withHunks` | boolean | `true` | Parse conflict-marker hunks per file. Set `false` to return just the conflicted path list (skips reading file contents). |
+| `maxLinesPerFile` | int | `200` | Cap on lines scanned per file (1–2000) before marking `truncated: true` on that file and dropping any hunk still open at the cutoff. |
+| `workspaceRoot`, `format` | — | — | Standard single-repo pick + output format. |
 
-### `git_fetch` — JSON shape (`format: "json"`)
+### `git_conflicts` — JSON shape (`format: "json"`)
 
 ```json
 {
-  "ok": true,
-  "remote": "origin",
-  "updatedRefs": ["abc1234..def5678  main       -> origin/main"],
-  "newRefs": ["[new tag]        v2.0.0     -> v2.0.0"],
-  "updated": [{ "ref": "refs/remotes/origin/main", "oldSha": "abc1234…", "newSha": "def5678…", "flag": " " }],
-  "created": [{ "ref": "refs/tags/v2.0.0", "newSha": "0a1b2c3…", "flag": "*" }],
-  "pruned": [{ "ref": "refs/remotes/origin/old" }],
-  "output": "From origin\n..."
+  "state": "merge",
+  "files": [
+    {
+      "path": "shared.txt",
+      "hunks": [
+        {
+          "startLine": 2,
+          "ours": "BETA",
+          "theirs": "ALPHA",
+          "oursLabel": "HEAD",
+          "theirsLabel": "feature"
+        }
+      ]
+    }
+  ]
 }
 ```
 
-`updated` / `created` / `pruned` are structured ref deltas parsed from `git fetch --porcelain` (git ≥ 2.41), each omitted when empty. On older git the `--porcelain` option is detected as unsupported and the tool falls back to a plain fetch, omitting the structured arrays; the `updatedRefs` / `newRefs` string fields are always present for back-compat. Fetch failures are reported as `ok: false` with the captured git output in `output`.
+`state` is omitted when no merge/cherry-pick/revert/rebase is in progress (e.g. conflicts were left by some other means). A clean repo returns `{ "files": [] }`. Each file entry's `hunks` is omitted when empty (unreadable, binary, or no markers found — file still listed by `path` alone); `base` appears only for diff3-style markers (`|||||||`); `oursLabel`/`theirsLabel` are omitted when git did not attach a label to that marker. Per-file optional `error: "path_escapes_repo"` when a conflict path fails confinement (rare; paths normally come from git). Incomplete conflict markers within the scan window set `truncated: true` (same as line-cap truncation).
+
+### `git_conflicts` — error codes
 
-### `git_fetch` — error codes
+Only the shared single-repo prelude errors apply — the tool itself never fails on conflict state:
 
 | Code | Meaning |
 |------|---------|
-| `unsafe_remote_token` | `remote` contains characters outside the argv-safe subset. |
-| `unsafe_ref_token` | `branch` contains characters outside the argv-safe subset. |
+| `git_not_found` | `git` binary not on `PATH`. |
 | `not_a_git_repository` | The resolved workspace root is not inside a git repository. |
 
 ---
@@ -549,10 +565,11 @@ The response contains one **`parity[]`** entry per resolved git toplevel. `absol
 | Parameter | Type | Default | Notes |
 |-----------|------|---------|-------|
 | `path` | string | — | **Required.** Repo-relative file to annotate. Confined to the repo (`path_escapes_repo` on escape). |
-| `ref` | string | working tree | Commit-ish to blame at. Validated as a safe ref token. |
-| `startLine` | int | — | Start of a line range (`-L`). Requires `endLine`. |
-| `endLine` | int | — | End of the line range, inclusive. Requires `startLine`. |
-| `workspaceRoot`, `rootIndex`, `format` | — | Standard single-repo workspace pick + output format. |
+| `ref` | string | working tree | Commit-ish to blame at. Validated as a safe ref token. Ancestor notation (`HEAD~3`, `main^2`) is accepted. |
+| `startLine` | int | — | Start of a line range (`-L`). Requires `endLine`. Max `1000000`. |
+| `endLine` | int | — | End of the line range, inclusive. Requires `startLine`. Max `1000000`. |
+| `maxLines` | int | `2000` | Max blamed lines to return (1–10000). Excess lines are dropped and signalled via `truncated`/`omittedLines`. |
+| `workspaceRoot`, `format` | — | Standard single-repo pick + output format. |
 
 ### `git_blame` — JSON shape (`format: "json"`)
 
@@ -560,13 +577,26 @@ The response contains one **`parity[]`** entry per resolved git toplevel. `absol
 {
   "ref": "HEAD",
   "path": "src/server.ts",
-  "lines": [
-    { "line": 1, "sha": "a1b2c3d4…", "author": "Damon Blais", "date": "2026-04-12T18:32:01-07:00", "summary": "feat: add tool", "content": "import { FastMCP } from \"fastmcp\";" }
-  ]
+  "groups": [
+    {
+      "sha": "a1b2c3d4…",
+      "author": "Damon Blais",
+      "date": "2026-04-12T18:32:01-07:00",
+      "summary": "feat: add tool",
+      "startLine": 1,
+      "endLine": 2,
+      "lines": [
+        { "line": 1, "content": "import { FastMCP } from \"fastmcp\";" },
+        { "line": 2, "content": "" }
+      ]
+    }
+  ],
+  "truncated": true,
+  "omittedLines": 120
 }
 ```
 
-`ref` is omitted when blaming the working tree.
+One `groups` entry per **contiguous run of lines last touched by the same commit** (v4 run-length grouping — commit metadata is emitted once per run, not once per line). `ref` is omitted when blaming the working tree. `truncated`/`omittedLines` are omitted unless `maxLines` cut the output.
 
 ### `git_blame` — error codes
 
@@ -580,74 +610,17 @@ The response contains one **`parity[]`** entry per resolved git toplevel. `absol
 
 ---
 
-### `git_branch_list` — parameters
-
-| Parameter | Type | Default | Notes |
-|-----------|------|---------|-------|
-| `includeRemotes` | boolean | `false` | Also list remote-tracking branches (`refs/remotes`); symbolic `origin/HEAD` is skipped. |
-| `workspaceRoot`, `rootIndex`, `format` | — | Standard single-repo workspace pick + output format. |
-
-### `git_branch_list` — JSON shape (`format: "json"`)
-
-```json
-{
-  "branches": [
-    { "name": "main", "sha": "a1b2c3d4…", "current": true, "upstream": "origin/main" },
-    { "name": "feature/x", "sha": "b2c3d4e5…", "current": false }
-  ],
-  "remotes": [{ "name": "origin/main", "sha": "a1b2c3d4…" }]
-}
-```
-
-`upstream` is omitted when a branch has no upstream. `remotes` is present only when `includeRemotes: true`.
-
-### `git_branch_list` — error codes
-
-| Code | Meaning |
-|------|---------|
-| `branch_list_failed` | `git for-each-ref` exited non-zero. `detail` carries stderr. |
-| `not_a_git_repository` | The resolved workspace root is not inside a git repository. |
-
----
-
-### `git_reflog` — parameters
-
-| Parameter | Type | Default | Notes |
-|-----------|------|---------|-------|
-| `ref` | string | `HEAD` | Ref whose reflog to show. Validated as a safe ref token. |
-| `maxEntries` | int | `30` | Max entries to return (1–200). |
-| `workspaceRoot`, `rootIndex`, `format` | — | Standard single-repo workspace pick + output format. |
-
-### `git_reflog` — JSON shape (`format: "json"`)
-
-```json
-{
-  "ref": "HEAD",
-  "entries": [
-    { "sha": "a1b2c3d4…", "selector": "HEAD@{0}", "message": "commit: feat: add tool" }
-  ]
-}
-```
-
-### `git_reflog` — error codes
-
-| Code | Meaning |
-|------|---------|
-| `unsafe_ref_token` | `ref` contains characters outside the argv-safe subset. |
-| `reflog_failed` | `git reflog show` exited non-zero. `detail` carries stderr. |
-| `not_a_git_repository` | The resolved workspace root is not inside a git repository. |
-
----
-
 ### `batch_commit` — atomic staging semantics
 
 **Critical for AI agents:** Each call to `batch_commit` is **self-contained and atomic per-commit entry**.
 
-- **All files in a single entry are staged together.** When you list `files: ["src/foo.ts", "src/bar.ts"]` in one commit entry, both are staged atomically as a unit with a single `git add` before the commit is created.
+- **All files in a single entry are staged together.** When you list `files: ["src/foo.ts", "src/bar.ts"]` in one commit entry, both are staged as a unit before the commit is created.
+- **Index isolation per commit.** Unrelated paths that were already staged before the call are temporarily unstaged around an **index-based** `git commit` so they are not included. Pathspec/`--only` mode is intentionally avoided — it commits from the worktree and would squash hunk-level (`{ path, lines }`) staging.
 - **Each commit entry is processed sequentially within the call.** The tool stages files, commits, then moves to the next entry. All entries within a single `batch_commit` call happen in one atomic MCP transaction.
 - **A single `batch_commit` call cannot be split across multiple MCP calls.** Do NOT attempt incremental staging like "call 1 with file A, then call 2 with file B hoping they stage together." Each call is independent — call 1's commit lands immediately; call 2's changes are a separate transaction.
-- **Failed entry stops the batch.** If staging or commit fails on entry N, the tool aborts and skips remaining entries. However, **entries that succeeded before the failure remain committed** — they are not rolled back.
+- **Failed entry stops the batch.** If staging or commit fails on entry N, the tool aborts and skips remaining entries. On mid-entry `stage_failed`, paths already staged for that entry are unstaged (`git restore --staged`). **Entries that succeeded before the failure remain committed** — they are not rolled back.
 - **Include all files for a logical change in a single `batch_commit` call.** Group related files in each commit entry, list them all in the `files` array, and include all necessary entries in the `commits` array.
+- **dryRun** uses path-scoped `diff --stat`, unstages between entries, and restores the full pre-call index via `write-tree`/`read-tree` (including overlapping pre-staged paths).
 
 Example: to commit two related changes atomically, pass both entries in one call:
 ```json
@@ -665,11 +638,10 @@ Do NOT do this: make two separate calls hoping to stage files incrementally. Tha
 
 | Parameter | Type | Notes |
 |-----------|------|-------|
-| `commits` | `{message: string, files: (string \| {path: string, lines: {from: number, to: number}})[]}[]` | Commits to create in order. 1–50 entries. Each `files` entry is either: (a) a path relative to the git root, staged with `git add`; (b) a `{path, lines: {from, to}}` object for hunk-level staging — only unified-diff hunks overlapping the given 1-indexed line range are staged; or (c) a path to a **deleted tracked file** (missing on disk but tracked in HEAD), which is staged as a removal via `git rm --cached` — combining `{path, lines}` with a deleted file is an error. All paths must stay within the git toplevel. |
+| `commits` | `{message: string, files: (string \| {path: string, lines: {from: number, to: number}})[]}[]` | Commits to create in order. 1–50 entries. Each `files` entry is either: (a) a path relative to the git root, staged with `git add`; (b) a `{path, lines: {from, to}}` object for hunk-level staging — only unified-diff hunks overlapping the given 1-indexed line range are staged (`from`/`to` each max `1000000`; `from > to` → `invalid_line_range`); or (c) a path to a **deleted tracked file** (missing on disk but tracked in HEAD), which is staged as a removal via `git rm --cached` — combining `{path, lines}` with a deleted file is an error. All paths must stay within the git toplevel. Rejects `.`, repo-root, and directory pathspecs (`invalid_paths`). |
 | `push` | `"never"` \| `"after"` | Default `"never"`. `"after"` pushes the current branch to its upstream **once all commits succeed**. Never auto-sets upstream — branches without an upstream fail with `push_no_upstream`. Commits are **not** rolled back on push failure. |
 | `dryRun` | boolean | Default `false`. When `true`, stages each entry, reports what would be committed (`staged`, `diffStat`), then unstages everything without writing commits. |
-| `workspaceRoot` | string | Explicit root; highest priority. |
-| `rootIndex` | int | Pick one of several MCP roots (0-based). |
+| `workspaceRoot` | string | Repo path. Default: first MCP root / cwd. |
 | `format` | `"markdown"` \| `"json"` | Output format. Default: `"markdown"`. |
 
 ### `batch_commit` — JSON shape (`format: "json"`)
@@ -682,15 +654,11 @@ Do NOT do this: make two separate calls hoping to stage files incrementally. Tha
   "results": [{
     "index": 0,
     "ok": true,
-    "sha": "a1b2c3d",
-    "message": "feat: add foo",
-    "files": ["src/foo.ts"]
+    "sha": "a1b2c3d"
   }, {
     "index": 1,
     "ok": true,
-    "sha": "b2c3d4e",
-    "message": "chore: update config",
-    "files": ["config.json"]
+    "sha": "b2c3d4e"
   }],
   "push": {
     "ok": true,
@@ -700,7 +668,9 @@ Do NOT do this: make two separate calls hoping to stage files incrementally. Tha
 }
 ```
 
-On first failure `ok` is `false`, `committed` reflects only the entries that succeeded before the error, and the failing entry includes `error` and `detail` fields. Remaining entries are skipped and not included in `results`.
+Successful `results[*]` entries carry only what's needed to confirm the commit landed (`index`, `ok`, `sha`, plus `output` when git printed something) — they omit `message`/`files` since the caller already supplied both in the request. Failing entries echo `message` and `files` back (alongside `error`/`detail`) so the caller can identify the failed commit without cross-referencing the request.
+
+On first failure `ok` is `false`, `committed` reflects only the entries that succeeded before the error, and the failing entry includes `message`, `files`, `error`, and `detail` fields. Remaining entries are skipped and not included in `results`.
 
 When `dryRun: true`, the top-level response includes `dryRun: true`; successful `results[*]` entries omit `sha` and instead include `staged` and `diffStat`.
 
@@ -711,6 +681,8 @@ The `push` object is present only when `push: "after"` was requested **and** eve
 | Code | Meaning |
 |------|---------|
 | `path_escapes_repository` | One of the listed file paths resolves outside the git toplevel. |
+| `invalid_paths` | A pathspec is `.`, the repo root, or a directory (file paths only). |
+| `invalid_line_range` | A `{path, lines}` entry has `from > to`. |
 | `stage_failed` | Staging failed. `git add` error for modified/new files; `git rm --cached` error for deleted files (e.g. path never tracked in HEAD); `{path, lines}` on a deleted file. |
 | `commit_failed` | `git commit` failed (e.g. nothing staged, hooks rejected). |
 | `not_a_git_repository` | The resolved workspace root is not inside a git repository. |
@@ -731,11 +703,11 @@ The `push` object is present only when `push: "after"` was requested **and** eve
 |-----------|------|-------|
 | `sources` | `string[]` | Source branches to merge, in order. 1–20 entries. Each must be a valid git ref token. |
 | `into` | string | Destination branch. Defaults to the currently checked-out branch. Rejected when HEAD is detached. |
-| `strategy` | `"auto"` \| `"ff-only"` \| `"rebase"` \| `"merge"` | Default `"auto"`: cascade **fast-forward → rebase → merge-commit** per source. `"ff-only"` fails on divergence. `"rebase"` rebases source onto destination and fast-forwards; no merge-commit fallback. `"merge"` always creates a merge commit (`--no-ff`). |
+| `strategy` | `"auto"` \| `"ff-only"` \| `"rebase"` \| `"merge"` | Default `"auto"`: cascade **fast-forward → rebase → merge-commit** per source. `"ff-only"` fails on divergence. `"rebase"` rebases source onto destination and fast-forwards; no merge-commit fallback. `"merge"` always creates a merge commit (`--no-ff`). **`auto`/`rebase` rewrite the source branch tip when rebasing** (history rewrite of the source ref), then fast-forward the destination — agents must not treat `auto` as destination-only. |
 | `message` | string | Merge commit message, used only when a merge commit is created. Defaults to `Merge branch '<source>' into <into>`. |
-| `deleteMergedBranches` | boolean | Default `false`. After **all** sources land cleanly, delete each source branch locally (`git branch -d`). **Protected names always skipped** (main, master, dev, develop, stable, trunk, prod, production, `release/*`, `release-*`, `hotfix/*`, `hotfix-*`). Never touches remote refs. |
+| `deleteMergedBranches` | boolean | Default `false`. After **all** sources land cleanly, delete each source branch locally (`git branch -d`). **Protected names always skipped** (main, master, dev, develop, stable, trunk, prod, production, head, plus `release/*`/`release-*`/`hotfix/*`/`hotfix-*` — pattern requires a separator and non-empty suffix; bare `release`/`hotfix` are not protected). Never touches remote refs. |
 | `deleteMergedWorktrees` | boolean | Default `false`. After success, remove any local worktree currently checked out on a source branch (`git worktree remove`). Protected tails always skipped. |
-| `workspaceRoot`, `rootIndex`, `format` | — | Standard workspace pick + output format. |
+| `workspaceRoot`, `format` | — | Standard single-repo pick + output format. |
 
 ### `git_merge` — JSON shape (`format: "json"`)
 
@@ -768,7 +740,7 @@ The `push` object is present only when `push: "after"` was requested **and** eve
 
 **`outcome`** (per source): `fast_forward`, `rebase_then_ff`, `merge_commit`, `up_to_date`, or `conflicts`. Cleanup fields (`branchDeleted`, `worktreeRemoved`) are only emitted when the corresponding flag was set and the operation actually ran — both are omitted for up-to-date sources and are never populated on partial-failure runs.
 
-On conflict: top-level `ok` is `false`, the conflicting entry has `ok: false` with `conflictStage` (`"rebase"` or `"merge"`), `conflictPaths` (array of paths with unresolved markers), and an `error` code. Remaining sources are not attempted.
+On conflict: top-level `ok` is `false`, the conflicting entry has `ok: false` with `conflictStage` (`"rebase"` or `"merge"`), `conflictPaths` (array of paths with unresolved markers), and an `error` code. The tool attempts `git rebase --abort` / `git merge --abort`. When abort succeeds, the tree is clean. When abort itself fails, the per-source `error` is `rebase_abort_failed` / `merge_abort_failed` (tree may still be mid-rebase/merge; `detail` carries abort stderr). Remaining sources are not attempted.
 
 ### `git_merge` — error codes
 
@@ -782,8 +754,10 @@ On conflict: top-level `ok` is `false`, the conflicting entry has `ok: false` wi
 | `not_a_git_repository` | The resolved workspace root is not inside a git repository. |
 | `source_not_found` (per source) | A source branch name does not resolve. |
 | `cannot_fast_forward` (per source) | `strategy: "ff-only"` refused because branches have diverged. |
-| `rebase_conflicts` (per source) | Rebase encountered conflicts. Repo state is cleaned before returning. |
-| `merge_conflicts` (per source) | Merge commit encountered conflicts. Repo state is cleaned before returning. |
+| `rebase_conflicts` (per source) | Rebase encountered conflicts. The tool attempts `git rebase --abort`; on abort success the tree is clean. On abort failure see `rebase_abort_failed`. |
+| `merge_conflicts` (per source) | Merge commit encountered conflicts. The tool attempts `git merge --abort`; on abort success the tree is clean. On abort failure see `merge_abort_failed`. |
+| `rebase_abort_failed` (per source) | `git rebase --abort` failed after a conflict; tree may still be mid-rebase. `detail` carries abort stderr. |
+| `merge_abort_failed` (per source) | `git merge --abort` failed after a conflict; tree may still be mid-merge. `detail` carries abort stderr. |
 | `merge_failed` (per source) | `git merge --ff-only` failed unexpectedly. `detail` carries stderr. |
 | `merge_base_failed` (per source) | `git merge-base` failed (usually unrelated histories). |
 
@@ -793,12 +767,13 @@ On conflict: top-level `ok` is `false`, the conflicting entry has `ok: false` wi
 
 | Parameter | Type | Notes |
 |-----------|------|-------|
-| `sources` | `string[]` | Source specs. 1–50 entries. Each entry is one of: a full/short SHA, an `A..B` / `A...B` range, or a branch name. Branch names expand to `onto..<branch>` (oldest-first). |
+| `sources` | `string[]` | Source specs. 1–50 entries. Each entry is one of: a full/short SHA, an `A..B` / `A...B` range, or a branch name. Branch names expand to `onto..<branch>` (oldest-first). After SHA-reachability filtering, at most **100** commits are fed to `git cherry-pick` per call; oversize returns `cherry_pick_too_many_commits` with `picked` + `max`. |
 | `onto` | string | Destination branch. Defaults to the currently checked-out branch. Rejected when HEAD is detached. |
 | `deleteMergedBranches` | boolean | Default `false`. After all commits apply, delete each **branch-kind** source locally. Deletion uses **patch-id equivalence** by default — correct for cherry-pick workflows where SHA differs but diff is identical. Protected names always skipped; never touches remote refs. |
 | `deleteMergedWorktrees` | boolean | Default `false`. After success, remove any local worktree attached to a branch-kind source (`git worktree remove`). Protected tails always skipped. |
 | `strictMergedRefEquality` | boolean | Default `false`. When `true`, branch deletion uses strict SHA-reachability (`git branch -d` ancestry semantics) instead of patch-id equivalence. Use when you need git's exact ancestry guarantee rather than content equivalence. |
-| `workspaceRoot`, `rootIndex`, `format` | — | Standard workspace pick + output format. |
+| `onConflict` | `"abort"` \| `"pause"` | Default `"abort"`: on conflict, run `cherry-pick --abort` and roll back the whole range (unchanged behavior). `"pause"`: on conflict, leave the conflict and native cherry-pick sequencer state in place — commits already applied stay applied — so it can be resolved and resumed via `git_cherry_pick_continue` (below). |
+| `workspaceRoot`, `format` | — | Standard single-repo pick + output format. |
 
 ### `git_cherry_pick` — JSON shape (`format: "json"`)
 
@@ -838,7 +813,26 @@ On conflict, the response has `ok: false` and a top-level `conflict` object:
 }
 ```
 
-Repo state is cleaned (`git cherry-pick --abort`) before returning — no partially-applied index.
+With the default `onConflict: "abort"`, the tool attempts `git cherry-pick --abort`. On abort success the tree is clean. On abort failure: top-level `error: cherry_pick_abort_failed`, and `conflict.abortFailed: true` (+ optional `abortDetail`); `CHERRY_PICK_HEAD` may remain.
+
+With `onConflict: "pause"`, the tool does **not** abort — `conflict.paused: true` is added and `CHERRY_PICK_HEAD`/the sequencer are left in place. `applied` reflects commits from the same range that landed before the conflicting one (cheaply derived via `rev-list --count`, not rolled back). Resolve the conflict and call `git_cherry_pick_continue` to resume, or abort it explicitly with the same tool (`action: "abort"`):
+
+```json
+{
+  "ok": false,
+  "onto": "main",
+  "picked": 3,
+  "applied": 1,
+  "results": [ ... ],
+  "conflict": {
+    "stage": "cherry-pick",
+    "paused": true,
+    "commit": "abcdef1",
+    "paths": ["src/foo.ts"],
+    "detail": "…git stderr…"
+  }
+}
+```
 
 ### `git_cherry_pick` — error codes
 
@@ -847,10 +841,67 @@ Repo state is cleaned (`git cherry-pick --abort`) before returning — no partia
 | `unsafe_ref_token` | A source or `onto` contains characters outside the argv-safe subset. |
 | `onto_detached_head` | HEAD is detached and no `onto` was given. |
 | `working_tree_dirty` | Uncommitted changes present. Commit, stash, or discard before cherry-picking. |
+| `cherry_pick_in_progress` | A cherry-pick is already in progress (`CHERRY_PICK_HEAD` set, e.g. left paused by a prior call). Response includes `commit`. Resolve via `git_cherry_pick_continue` first. |
 | `checkout_failed` | Could not switch to `onto`. |
 | `destination_not_found` | `onto` does not resolve to a commit. |
 | `source_not_found` | A source spec resolves to neither a branch, a range, nor a commit. |
 | `range_resolution_failed` | `git rev-list` failed to expand a range spec. |
+| `cherry_pick_too_many_commits` | Expanded/deduped pick list exceeds the hard cap of 100. Response includes `picked` + `max`. |
+| `cherry_pick_abort_failed` | `git cherry-pick --abort` failed after a conflict (`onConflict: "abort"`, the default); tree may still be mid-cherry-pick. |
+| `not_a_git_repository` | The resolved workspace root is not inside a git repository. |
+
+---
+
+### `git_cherry_pick_continue` — parameters
+
+| Parameter | Type | Notes |
+|-----------|------|-------|
+| `action` | `"continue"` \| `"abort"` | Default `"continue"`. `"continue"`: precheck no unmerged paths remain, then resume the native sequencer (`git -c core.editor=true cherry-pick --continue`). `"abort"`: roll back to the pre-cherry-pick HEAD (`git cherry-pick --abort`, same helper `git_cherry_pick` uses). |
+| `workspaceRoot`, `format` | — | Standard single-repo pick + output format. |
+
+This tool is **stateless** — it probes `CHERRY_PICK_HEAD` live off `.git` on every call rather than depending on the pausing `git_cherry_pick` call, so it works for a cherry-pick left in progress by any means.
+
+### `git_cherry_pick_continue` — JSON shape (`format: "json"`)
+
+Success:
+
+```json
+{ "ok": true, "action": "continue", "applied": 2, "headSha": "a1b2c3d…" }
+```
+
+`applied` counts commits added to HEAD since the call started (the resolved pick plus any further picks the sequencer completed on its own).
+
+If resuming lands on another conflict later in the same range, the response mirrors a paused `git_cherry_pick` call so the loop is resumable — call this tool again after resolving:
+
+```json
+{
+  "ok": false,
+  "action": "continue",
+  "applied": 1,
+  "conflict": {
+    "stage": "cherry-pick",
+    "paused": true,
+    "commit": "def4567",
+    "paths": ["src/bar.ts"],
+    "detail": "…git stderr…"
+  }
+}
+```
+
+`action: "abort"` success:
+
+```json
+{ "ok": true, "action": "abort", "headSha": "a1b2c3d…" }
+```
+
+### `git_cherry_pick_continue` — error codes
+
+| Code | Meaning |
+|------|---------|
+| `no_cherry_pick_in_progress` | `CHERRY_PICK_HEAD` is not set — nothing to continue or abort. |
+| `cherry_pick_unresolved_paths` | `action: "continue"` called while conflicted paths are still unmerged. Response includes `paths`. Stage resolutions first. |
+| `cherry_pick_continue_failed` | `git cherry-pick --continue` failed for a reason other than a new conflict (e.g. the resolved pick would produce an empty commit). Response includes `detail`. |
+| `cherry_pick_abort_failed` | `git cherry-pick --abort` failed (`action: "abort"`); tree may still be mid-cherry-pick. |
 | `not_a_git_repository` | The resolved workspace root is not inside a git repository. |
 
 ---
@@ -864,7 +915,7 @@ For already-committed work, call **`git_push`** directly instead of creating an
 | `remote` | string | Remote to push to. Defaults to the remote inferred from the upstream tracking ref, or `origin` when `setUpstream` is true. |
 | `branch` | string | Branch to push. Defaults to the currently checked-out branch. Rejected on detached HEAD. |
 | `setUpstream` | boolean | Default `false`. Pass `-u` to set the upstream tracking ref; remote defaults to `origin`. |
-| `workspaceRoot`, `rootIndex`, `format` | — | Standard workspace pick + output format. |
+| `workspaceRoot`, `format` | — | Standard single-repo pick + output format. |
 
 ### `git_push` — JSON shape (`format: "json"`)
 
@@ -893,7 +944,7 @@ For already-committed work, call **`git_push`** directly instead of creating an
 | `message` | string | — | When provided, creates an annotated tag; otherwise creates a lightweight tag. |
 | `ref` | string | `HEAD` | Commit/ref to tag. Ignored when `delete: true`. |
 | `delete` | boolean | `false` | Delete the named tag instead of creating it. |
-| `workspaceRoot`, `rootIndex`, `format` | — | Standard single-repo workspace pick + output format. |
+| `workspaceRoot`, `format` | — | Standard single-repo pick + output format. |
 
 ### `git_tag` — JSON shape (`format: "json"`)
 
@@ -918,12 +969,46 @@ For deletions, `type` is `"deleted"` and `sha` is an empty string.
 
 ---
 
+### `git_branch` — parameters
+
+| Parameter | Type | Default | Notes |
+|-----------|------|---------|-------|
+| `action` | `"create"` \| `"delete"` \| `"rename"` | — | Required. Which branch operation to perform. |
+| `name` | string | — | Required. Branch to create/delete, or the existing branch name for rename. |
+| `from` | string | `HEAD` | Commit-ish to base a new branch on. `create` only; ignored otherwise. |
+| `newName` | string | — | New branch name. Required when `action: "rename"`. |
+| `force` | boolean | `false` | Force-delete an unmerged branch (`git branch -D`). `delete` only; never overrides protected-branch rejection. |
+| `workspaceRoot`, `format` | — | — | Standard single-repo pick + output format. |
+
+### `git_branch` — JSON shape (`format: "json"`)
+
+```json
+{ "action": "create", "branch": "feature/x", "sha": "a1b2c3d4e5f6..." }
+```
+
+`action` echoes the requested operation; `branch` is the resulting branch name (the created/deleted name, or the new name after a rename); `sha` is the branch tip — for `delete`, the tip SHA the branch pointed to immediately before removal.
+
+### `git_branch` — error codes
+
+| Code | Meaning |
+|------|---------|
+| `unsafe_ref_token` | `name`, `from`, or `newName` contains disallowed characters. |
+| `protected_branch` | `name` (source) or `newName` (rename target) is on the protected names list. Checked for every action, regardless of `force`. |
+| `missing_new_name` | `action: "rename"` without a non-empty `newName`. |
+| `ref_not_found` | `from` (create) or `name` (delete) did not resolve to a commit. |
+| `branch_create_failed` | `git branch <name> <from>` exited non-zero (e.g. name already exists). `detail` carries stderr. |
+| `branch_delete_failed` | `git branch -d`/`-D` exited non-zero (e.g. unmerged without `force`, or deleting the checked-out branch). `detail` carries stderr. |
+| `branch_rename_failed` | `git branch -m` exited non-zero (e.g. target name already exists), or the SHA could not be resolved after a successful rename. `detail` carries stderr/diagnostic text. |
+| `not_a_git_repository` | The resolved workspace root is not inside a git repository. |
+
+---
+
 ### `git_reset_soft` — parameters
 
 | Parameter | Type | Notes |
 |-----------|------|-------|
 | `ref` | string | Target commit: `HEAD~N`, branch name, or full/short SHA. |
-| `workspaceRoot`, `rootIndex`, `format` | — | Standard workspace pick + output format. |
+| `workspaceRoot`, `format` | — | Standard single-repo pick + output format. |
 
 ### `git_reset_soft` — JSON shape (`format: "json"`)
 
@@ -937,22 +1022,66 @@ For deletions, `type` is `"deleted"` and `sha` is an empty string.
 |------|---------|
 | `unsafe_ref_token` | `ref` contains characters outside the ancestor-safe token set. |
 | `working_tree_dirty` | Working tree has uncommitted/unstaged changes; clean up before resetting. |
-| `status_failed` | `git status` failed unexpectedly. |
 | `reset_failed` | `git reset --soft` failed (e.g. ref does not exist). |
 | `not_a_git_repository` | The resolved workspace root is not inside a git repository. |
 
 ---
 
+### `git_revert` — parameters
+
+| Parameter | Type | Default | Notes |
+|-----------|------|---------|-------|
+| `sources` | string[] | — | Required, 1–20 entries. Commits to revert, applied in order: SHA, branch/tag name, or ancestor notation (`HEAD~1`). Each validated as an ancestor-safe ref token. |
+| `noCommit` | boolean | `false` | Pass `--no-commit`: stage the revert(s) in the index/working tree without committing. Working tree is intentionally left staged in this case (documented exception to the tree-clean guarantee). |
+| `mainline` | int ≥ 1 | — | Parent number (`-m N`) to diff against — required when reverting a merge commit. |
+| `workspaceRoot`, `format` | — | — | Standard single-repo pick + output format. |
+
+### `git_revert` — JSON shape (`format: "json"`)
+
+Success (committed):
+
+```json
+{ "ok": true, "reverted": [{ "source": "a1b2c3d", "sha": "f9e8d7c…" }] }
+```
+
+Success (`noCommit: true` — no commits made):
+
+```json
+{ "ok": true, "staged": true, "sources": ["a1b2c3d"], "stagedCount": 1 }
+```
+
+Conflict (aborted, tree left clean):
+
+```json
+{ "ok": false, "aborted": true, "commit": "a1b2c3d…", "conflicts": ["shared.txt"], "detail": "..." }
+```
+
+`commit`/`detail` are omitted when unavailable. `reverted[].sha` is the new commit created by reverting `source`, in the same order as `sources` (one new commit per source when `noCommit` is `false`).
+
+### `git_revert` — error codes
+
+| Code | Meaning |
+|------|---------|
+| `unsafe_ref_token` | A `sources` entry contains characters outside the ancestor-safe token set. |
+| `working_tree_dirty` | Working tree has uncommitted/unstaged changes; clean up before reverting. |
+| `not_a_git_repository` | The resolved workspace root is not inside a git repository. |
+
+Conflict / other `git revert` failures do **not** use the `error` field — see the `aborted: true` shape above (mirrors `git_cherry_pick`'s conflict reporting).
+
+---
+
 ### `git_stash_apply` — parameters
 
 | Parameter | Type | Default | Notes |
 |-----------|------|---------|-------|
-| `index` | int | `0` | Stash index to apply/pop (`stash@{index}`). |
+| `index` | int | `0` | Stash index to apply/pop (`stash@{index}`). Max `10000`. |
 | `pop` | boolean | `false` | When `true`, runs `git stash pop` instead of `git stash apply`. |
-| `workspaceRoot`, `rootIndex`, `format` | — | Standard single-repo workspace pick + output format. |
+| `workspaceRoot`, `format` | — | Standard single-repo pick + output format. |
 
 ### `git_stash_apply` — JSON shape (`format: "json"`)
 
+Success (`applied: true`, no `error`):
+
 ```json
 {
   "applied": true,
@@ -962,32 +1091,77 @@ For deletions, `type` is `"deleted"` and `sha` is an empty string.
 }
 ```
 
-`output` is omitted when git produced no stdout/stderr text.
+On failure (`applied: false`):
+
+```json
+{
+  "error": "stash_apply_failed",
+  "applied": false,
+  "stashIndex": 0,
+  "popped": false,
+  "output": "…",
+  "conflictPaths": ["conflict.txt"]
+}
+```
+
+`error: "stash_apply_failed"` on every failed apply/pop. `conflictPaths` is omitted when empty (omit-empty rule); populated via `git diff --name-only --diff-filter=U`. The tree is left as git left it (no auto-abort). With `pop: true`, a conflicted pop retains the stash entry (git does not drop it until the apply succeeds). Markdown failure output lists conflict paths under a `Conflicts:` block when present. `output` is omitted when git produced no stdout/stderr text. `popped` mirrors the requested `pop` flag (whether pop was attempted), not whether the stash entry was removed.
 
 ### `git_stash_apply` — error codes
 
 | Code | Meaning |
 |------|---------|
 | `not_a_git_repository` | The resolved workspace root is not inside a git repository. |
+| `stash_apply_failed` | Apply/pop failed (also on the failure payload above with `applied: false`). |
 
 ---
 
-### `git_worktree_list` — JSON shape (`format: "json"`)
+### `git_stash_push` — parameters
+
+| Parameter | Type | Default | Notes |
+|-----------|------|---------|-------|
+| `message` | string | — | Stash subject (`git stash push -m <message>`). |
+| `includeUntracked` | boolean | `false` | Also stash untracked files (`git stash push -u`). |
+| `keepIndex` | boolean | `false` | Keep staged changes in the index after stashing (`git stash push --keep-index`). |
+| `paths` | string[] | — | Scope the stash to specific paths, relative to git root. Each path must resolve within the repo root or the call fails with `path_escapes_repo`. |
+| `workspaceRoot`, `format` | — | — | Standard single-repo pick + output format. |
+
+### `git_stash_push` — JSON shape (`format: "json"`)
+
+Success:
+
+```json
+{
+  "stashed": true,
+  "ref": "stash@{0}",
+  "sha": "a1b2c3d4e5f6a1b2c3d4e5f6a1b2c3d4e5f6a1b2",
+  "message": "On main: wip: pushed"
+}
+```
+
+Nothing to stash (git exits 0 printing "No local changes to save"):
 
 ```json
-{ "worktrees": [{ "path": "/abs/path", "branch": "feature/x", "head": "a1b2c3d…" }] }
+{ "stashed": false, "reason": "no_local_changes" }
 ```
 
-`branch` is `null` for detached-HEAD worktrees.
+### `git_stash_push` — error codes
+
+| Code | Meaning |
+|------|---------|
+| `not_a_git_repository` | The resolved workspace root is not inside a git repository. |
+| `path_escapes_repo` | A `paths` entry resolves outside the repository root. |
+| `stash_push_failed` | `git stash push` exited non-zero for a reason other than "nothing to stash" (see `detail`). |
+
+---
 
 ### `git_worktree_add` — parameters
 
 | Parameter | Type | Notes |
 |-----------|------|-------|
-| `path` | string | Filesystem path for the new worktree. Relative paths are resolved from the git toplevel. |
-| `branch` | string | Branch to check out. Created from `baseRef` if it does not already exist. |
-| `baseRef` | string | Commit-ish for branch creation. Default: `HEAD`. Ignored when `branch` already exists. |
-| `workspaceRoot`, `rootIndex`, `format` | — | Standard workspace pick + output format. |
+| `path` | string | Filesystem path for the new worktree. Relative paths are resolved from the git toplevel. Sibling worktrees **outside** the git toplevel remain allowed (absolute or relative). Leading `-` / option-like basenames and NUL bytes are rejected with `invalid_paths`. The path is passed to git after `--` so it cannot be parsed as an option. |
+| `branch` | string | Branch to check out. Created from `baseRef` if it does not already exist. Trimmed before validation and spawn. |
+| `baseRef` | string | Commit-ish for branch creation. Default: `HEAD`. Ignored when `branch` already exists. Trimmed before validation and spawn. |
+| `workspaceRoot`, `format` | — | Standard single-repo pick + output format. |
 
 ### `git_worktree_add` — JSON shape (`format: "json"`)
 
@@ -1001,6 +1175,7 @@ For deletions, `type` is `"deleted"` and `sha` is an empty string.
 |------|---------|
 | `unsafe_ref_token` | `branch` or `baseRef` contains disallowed characters. |
 | `protected_branch` | `branch` is on the protected names list. |
+| `invalid_paths` | `path` has a leading `-` / option-like basename, contains a NUL byte, or otherwise fails argv-safe path checks. |
 | `worktree_add_failed` | `git worktree add` exited non-zero. `detail` carries stderr. |
 | `not_a_git_repository` | The resolved workspace root is not inside a git repository. |
 
@@ -1008,9 +1183,15 @@ For deletions, `type` is `"deleted"` and `sha` is an empty string.
 
 | Parameter | Type | Notes |
 |-----------|------|-------|
-| `path` | string | Path of the worktree to remove. |
+| `path` | string | Path of the worktree to remove. Same argv rules as add (leading `-` / NUL → `invalid_paths`; path passed after `--`). Sibling paths outside the toplevel are allowed when registered. |
 | `force` | boolean | Default `false`. Pass `--force` to allow removal with uncommitted changes. |
-| `workspaceRoot`, `rootIndex`, `format` | — | Standard workspace pick + output format. |
+| `workspaceRoot`, `format` | — | Standard single-repo pick + output format. |
+
+### `git_worktree_remove` — JSON shape (`format: "json"`)
+
+```json
+{ "ok": true, "path": "/abs/worktree" }
+```
 
 ### `git_worktree_remove` — error codes
 
@@ -1018,6 +1199,7 @@ For deletions, `type` is `"deleted"` and `sha` is an empty string.
 |------|---------|
 | `cannot_remove_main_worktree` | `path` resolves to the main (non-linked) worktree. |
 | `worktree_not_found` | `path` is not registered as a worktree in this repo. |
+| `invalid_paths` | `path` has a leading `-` / option-like basename, contains a NUL byte, or otherwise fails argv-safe path checks. |
 | `worktree_remove_failed` | `git worktree remove` failed. Pass `force: true` if there are uncommitted changes. |
 | `not_a_git_repository` | The resolved workspace root is not inside a git repository. |
 
@@ -1027,9 +1209,9 @@ For deletions, `type` is `"deleted"` and `sha` is an empty string.
 
 | Variable | Default | Notes |
 |----------|---------|-------|
-| `GIT_SUBPROCESS_PARALLELISM` | CPU-based | Max concurrent git subprocesses for multi-root fan-out (`git_inventory`, `git_parity`, multi-root `git_log`). |
+| `GIT_SUBPROCESS_PARALLELISM` | CPU-based | Max concurrent git subprocesses for multi-root fan-out (`git_inventory`, `git_parity`, multi-root `git_log`, multi-root `git_grep`). |
 | `GIT_SUBPROCESS_TIMEOUT_MS` | `120000` | Per-subprocess timeout in ms; on expiry the child is killed (SIGTERM) and the call resolves as failed. Set `0` (or negative) to disable (unbounded). |
-| `RETHUNK_GIT_TOOLS` | _(unset — all)_ | Comma-separated allowlist of exact tool names. Unset or empty → all 23 tools registered. Non-empty → only the listed tools; unknown names warned to stderr. If every listed name is unknown, zero tools are registered (restriction honored literally). The presets resource is always available. Example: `RETHUNK_GIT_TOOLS=git_status,git_diff_summary,git_diff,git_log,batch_commit,git_push`. |
+| `RETHUNK_GIT_TOOLS` | _(unset — all)_ | Comma-separated allowlist of exact tool names. Unset or empty → all 24 tools registered. Non-empty → only the listed tools; unknown names warned to stderr. If every listed name is unknown, zero tools are registered (restriction honored literally). The presets resource is always available. Example: `RETHUNK_GIT_TOOLS=git_status,git_diff_summary,git_diff,git_log,batch_commit,git_push`. |
 
 ## Resource
 
@@ -1037,41 +1219,47 @@ For deletions, `type` is `"deleted"` and `sha` is an empty string.
 |-----|---------|
 | `rethunk-git://presets` | JSON snapshot of `.rethunk/git-mcp-presets.json` at the resolved git toplevel (or structured errors). |
 
-## Workspace root resolution
+Error payloads from this resource may include:
 
-### `absoluteGitRoots` (sibling clones)
+| Code | Meaning |
+|------|---------|
+| `no_workspace_root` | No MCP workspace root could be resolved for the session. |
+| `not_a_git_repository` | The resolved path is not inside a git repository. |
+| `preset_file_invalid` | Preset file failed to load (`kind`: `"invalid_json"` or `"schema"`). |
+
+When the file is missing, the resource returns `fileExists: false` with an empty `presets` object (not an error).
+
+## Root resolution
 
-When **`absoluteGitRoots`** is a **non-empty** string array, it **replaces** the normal workspace pick for that tool call:
+Every tool carries exactly **one** routing parameter:
 
-- Each entry is passed through `path.resolve`, then resolved to a **git toplevel** via the same logic as `workspaceRoot`. Duplicate toplevels are dropped (stable order, first wins).
-- **Maximum** **256** paths (same cap as `git_inventory` `maxRoots` upper bound).
-- **Mutually exclusive** with **`workspaceRoot`**, **`rootIndex`**, and **`allWorkspaceRoots: true`**. Combining them returns `{ "error": "absolute_git_roots_exclusive" }`.
-- **Mutually exclusive** with a **`preset`** argument on root resolution (`absolute_git_roots_preset_conflict`).
-- **`git_inventory` only:** also mutually exclusive with **`nestedRoots`** or **`preset`** on the same call (`absolute_git_roots_nested_or_preset_conflict`).
-- **Mutating** tools (`batch_commit`, `git_push`, `git_merge`, …) **omit** this parameter from their schema; callers must use `workspaceRoot` / MCP roots for writes.
-- **Read tools** that use **`requireSingleRepo`** (`git_diff_summary`, …) accept at most **one** distinct toplevel from `absoluteGitRoots`; more than one returns `absolute_git_roots_single_repo_only`.
+| Tools | Parameter | Accepts |
+|-------|-----------|---------|
+| Fan-out: `git_status`, `git_inventory`, `git_parity`, `list_presets`, `git_log`, `git_grep` | `root` | string (one repo path) \| string[] (explicit repo list) \| `"*"` (every MCP root) |
+| All other 18 tools | `workspaceRoot` | string (one repo path) |
+
+### `root` forms (fan-out tools)
+
+- **string** — resolve that one path (same semantics as `workspaceRoot`).
+- **string[]** — explicit repo list (sibling clones). Each entry is passed through `path.resolve`, then resolved to a **git toplevel**; duplicate toplevels are dropped (stable order, first wins). Max **256** paths (`root_list_too_many`); an entry that is not inside a git repo returns `invalid_root_path`; zero resolved toplevels returns `root_list_empty`. Cannot be combined with a `preset` argument (`root_list_preset_conflict`; `git_inventory` also rejects arrays combined with `nestedRoots` — `root_list_nested_or_preset_conflict`).
+- **`"*"`** — every `file://` root reported by the MCP client (capped at **256** resolved toplevels — same `root_list_too_many` as an explicit array); markdown output emits one `# {tool}` header with per-root subsections (`git_inventory` uses `### {gitTop}`; `git_status` uses `### MCP root: ...`), or combined JSON.
 
 Example — two sibling repos in one `git_status` call:
 
 ```json
 {
   "format": "json",
-  "absoluteGitRoots": [
+  "root": [
     "/usr/local/src/com.github/Rethunk-AI/mcp-multi-root-git",
     "/usr/local/src/com.github/Rethunk-AI/rethunk-github-mcp"
   ]
 }
 ```
 
-### Default order (when `absoluteGitRoots` is absent or empty)
-
-Order applied when resolving which directory(ies) tools run against:
+### Default order (when `root` / `workspaceRoot` is omitted)
 
-1. Explicit **`workspaceRoot`** on the tool call (highest priority).
-2. **`rootIndex`** (0-based) — one `file://` MCP root when several exist.
-3. **`allWorkspaceRoots`: true** — every `file://` root; markdown output emits one `# {tool}` header with per-root subsections (`git_inventory` uses `### {gitTop}`; `git_status` uses `### MCP root: ...`), or combined JSON.
-4. **`preset`** set and multiple roots — first root whose git toplevel defines that preset (respecting **`workspaceRootHint`** on the preset entry when present).
-5. Otherwise the first `file://` root reported by the MCP client through **`roots/list`**.
-6. **`process.cwd()`** if no file roots (e.g. CI with explicit `workspaceRoot`).
+1. **`preset`** set and multiple MCP roots (fan-out tools) — first root whose git toplevel defines that preset (respecting **`workspaceRootHint`** on the preset entry when present).
+2. Otherwise the first `file://` root reported by the MCP client through **`roots/list`**.
+3. **`process.cwd()`** if no file roots (e.g. CI with explicit `workspaceRoot`).
 
 Roots come from active MCP sessions (**`FastMCP` with `roots: { enabled: true }`** in code); there is no fixed `cwd` in server config. This is what allows one globally installed server to follow the workspace opened in VS Code, Claude Code, Cursor, or any other roots-capable MCP client.