aether-colony 5.1.0 → 5.2.1

package/.claude/commands/ant/council.md

@@ -9,9 +9,208 @@ You are the **Queen Ant Colony**. Convene the council to clarify user intent and
 ## Instructions
 
 Parse `$ARGUMENTS`:
+- If starts with `--deliberate`: set `deliberate_mode = true`, extract proposal text after `--deliberate`
 - If contains `--no-visual`: set `visual_mode = false` (visual is ON by default)
 - Otherwise: set `visual_mode = true`
 
+**If `deliberate_mode` is true:** Skip to [Deliberation Mode](#deliberation-mode) and stop after it.
+
+---
+
+## Deliberation Mode
+
+When `--deliberate "<proposal>"` is passed, run a structured Advocate/Challenger/Sage deliberation.
+
+### Step D1: Check Budget
+
+Run using the Bash tool with description "Checking deliberation budget...":
+```bash
+bash .aether/aether-utils.sh council-budget-check
+```
+
+Parse result. If `allowed` is `false`:
+```
+📜🐜🏛️🐜📜 COUNCIL — BUDGET EXHAUSTED
+
+Spawn budget is fully allocated. Complete or close existing deliberations before starting new ones.
+Run /ant:council to review existing deliberations.
+```
+Stop here.
+
+### Step D2: Open Deliberation
+
+Run using the Bash tool with description "Opening deliberation...":
+```bash
+bash .aether/aether-utils.sh council-deliberate --proposal "<proposal>"
+```
+
+Capture `deliberation_id` from `result.id`.
+
+Display:
+```
+📜🐜🏛️🐜📜 COUNCIL DELIBERATION OPENED
+
+Proposal: "<proposal>"
+ID: {deliberation_id}
+Budget: {budget} spawns available
+
+Convening Advocate, Challenger, and Sage...
+```
+
+### Step D3: Spawn Advocate Scout
+
+Spawn an Advocate scout to argue **in favor** of the proposal.
+
+
+Use the Task tool to spawn a scout with the following system prompt:
+```
+You are the Advocate on the Ant Colony council.
+Your role is to argue STRONGLY IN FAVOR of the proposal.
+Present the strongest possible case for why this proposal should be adopted.
+Be specific. Focus on concrete benefits and outcomes.
+Keep your argument under 200 words.
+Reply with ONLY your argument text — no preamble or meta-commentary.
+```
+
+And user message:
+```
+Proposal: "<proposal>"
+
+Present your strongest argument in favor of this proposal.
+```
+
+Capture the advocate's argument as `advocate_argument`.
+
+
+Record the argument:
+```bash
+bash .aether/aether-utils.sh council-advocate \
+  --deliberation-id "<deliberation_id>" \
+  --argument "<advocate_argument>"
+```
+
+Display:
+```
+⚖️  ADVOCATE:
+{advocate_argument}
+```
+
+### Step D4: Spawn Challenger Scout
+
+Spawn a Challenger scout to argue **against** the proposal.
+
+
+Use the Task tool to spawn a scout with the following system prompt:
+```
+You are the Challenger on the Ant Colony council.
+Your role is to argue STRONGLY AGAINST the proposal.
+Present the strongest possible case for why this proposal should be rejected or deferred.
+Be specific. Focus on concrete risks, costs, and downsides.
+Keep your argument under 200 words.
+Reply with ONLY your argument text — no preamble or meta-commentary.
+```
+
+And user message:
+```
+Proposal: "<proposal>"
+
+Present your strongest argument against this proposal.
+```
+
+Capture the challenger's argument as `challenger_argument`.
+
+
+Record the argument:
+```bash
+bash .aether/aether-utils.sh council-challenger \
+  --deliberation-id "<deliberation_id>" \
+  --argument "<challenger_argument>"
+```
+
+Display:
+```
+⚔️  CHALLENGER:
+{challenger_argument}
+```
+
+### Step D5: Spawn Sage Scout
+
+Spawn a Sage scout to synthesize both positions and provide a recommendation.
+
+
+Use the Task tool to spawn a scout with the following system prompt:
+```
+You are the Sage on the Ant Colony council.
+You have heard both the Advocate and Challenger arguments.
+Your role is to synthesize both positions into balanced wisdom and provide a clear recommendation.
+Your recommendation must be one of: adopt, reject, defer, or adopt-with-conditions.
+Keep your synthesis under 150 words.
+Reply with JSON only:
+{"synthesis": "<your balanced synthesis>", "recommendation": "adopt|reject|defer|adopt-with-conditions"}
+```
+
+And user message:
+```
+Proposal: "<proposal>"
+
+Advocate argued: "<advocate_argument>"
+
+Challenger argued: "<challenger_argument>"
+
+Synthesize both positions and provide your recommendation.
+```
+
+Parse the JSON response. Capture `synthesis` and `recommendation`.
+
+
+Record the sage synthesis:
+```bash
+bash .aether/aether-utils.sh council-sage \
+  --deliberation-id "<deliberation_id>" \
+  --synthesis "<synthesis>" \
+  --recommendation "<recommendation>"
+```
+
+### Step D6: Display Result
+
+```
+📜🐜🏛️🐜📜 COUNCIL DELIBERATION COMPLETE
+
+Proposal: "<proposal>"
+
+⚖️  Advocate:
+{advocate_argument}
+
+⚔️  Challenger:
+{challenger_argument}
+
+🧙 Sage Synthesis:
+{synthesis}
+
+Recommendation: {recommendation}
+```
+
+If recommendation is `adopt` or `adopt-with-conditions`:
+```
+✅ Council recommends proceeding.
+   Run /ant:focus "<proposal summary>" to inject guidance for the colony.
+```
+
+If recommendation is `reject`:
+```
+❌ Council recommends against this proposal.
+   Run /ant:redirect "<proposal summary>" if you want to make this a hard constraint.
+```
+
+If recommendation is `defer`:
+```
+⏸️  Council recommends deferring this decision.
+   Return when more context is available.
+```
+
+---
+
+
 
 ### Step 0: Initialize Visual Mode (if enabled)
 
@@ -29,6 +228,12 @@ No colony initialized. Run /ant:init first.
 ```
 Stop here.
 
+If `milestone` == `"Crowned Anthill"`:
+```
+This colony has been sealed. Start a new colony with /ant:init "new goal".
+```
+Stop here.
+
 Capture the current state for context:
 - `prior_state` = state field value (READY, EXECUTING, PLANNING, etc.)
 - `current_phase` = current_phase field value

package/.claude/commands/ant/init.md

@@ -132,8 +132,14 @@ If `scan_result` is empty or `jq` fails, set all fields to fallback values (empt
 
 Use Read tool to check `.aether/data/COLONY_STATE.json`.
 
-- If file exists AND has a non-null `goal` field: set `reinit_mode = true`, store `existing_goal`
-- Otherwise: set `reinit_mode = false`
+- If file exists AND has a non-null `goal` field:
+  - Check the `milestone` field. If `milestone == "Crowned Anthill"`:
+    - This is a **sealed colony**. Treat as **fresh init**, NOT re-init.
+    - Set `reinit_mode = false`
+    - Display: `Previous colony was sealed. Starting fresh colony.`
+    - The old COLONY_STATE.json will be overwritten in Step 7 (fresh init path).
+  - Otherwise (colony exists but is NOT sealed): set `reinit_mode = true`, store `existing_goal`
+- If file does not exist or `goal` is null: set `reinit_mode = false`
 
 If re-init mode, read existing charter entries from `.aether/QUEEN.md`:
 ```bash
@@ -273,14 +279,29 @@ bash .aether/aether-utils.sh charter-write --intent "{approved_intent}" --vision
 
 2. Auto-apply approved pheromone suggestions (see pheromone auto-apply below).
 
-3. Optionally update the goal field in COLONY_STATE.json in-place:
+3. Update the goal field in COLONY_STATE.json in-place using the state API:
 ```bash
-jq --arg new_goal "{approved_intent}" '.goal = $new_goal' .aether/data/COLONY_STATE.json > .aether/data/COLONY_STATE.json.tmp && mv .aether/data/COLONY_STATE.json.tmp .aether/data/COLONY_STATE.json
+bash .aether/aether-utils.sh state-write "$(jq --arg new_goal "{approved_intent}" '.goal = $new_goal' .aether/data/COLONY_STATE.json)"
 ```
 
-4. Run `bash .aether/aether-utils.sh session-init "$(jq -r '.session_id' .aether/data/COLONY_STATE.json)" "{approved_intent}"`
+4. **Verify the write** — read back and confirm goal is set:
+```bash
+verify_goal=$(jq -r '.goal' .aether/data/COLONY_STATE.json)
+if [[ "$verify_goal" == "null" || -z "$verify_goal" ]]; then
+  echo "ERROR: Colony state write failed — goal is still null after write. Re-run /ant:init."
+  # Attempt recovery: write goal directly
+  jq --arg g "{approved_intent}" '.goal = $g' .aether/data/COLONY_STATE.json > .aether/data/COLONY_STATE.json.tmp && mv .aether/data/COLONY_STATE.json.tmp .aether/data/COLONY_STATE.json
+  verify_goal=$(jq -r '.goal' .aether/data/COLONY_STATE.json)
+  if [[ "$verify_goal" == "null" || -z "$verify_goal" ]]; then
+    echo "FATAL: Recovery write also failed. Colony state may be corrupted."
+    stop
+  fi
+fi
+```
+
+5. Run `bash .aether/aether-utils.sh session-init "$(jq -r '.session_id' .aether/data/COLONY_STATE.json)" "{approved_intent}"`
 
-5. Skip to Step 8 (display result). Do NOT write COLONY_STATE.json from template, do NOT write constraints.json, do NOT write pheromones.json.
+6. Skip to Step 8 (display result). Do NOT write COLONY_STATE.json from template, do NOT write constraints.json, do NOT write pheromones.json.
 
 **If fresh init:**
 
@@ -296,12 +317,24 @@ jq --arg new_goal "{approved_intent}" '.goal = $new_goal' .aether/data/COLONY_ST
    - Remove ALL keys starting with underscore
    - Write the resulting JSON to `.aether/data/COLONY_STATE.json` using the Write tool
 
-5. Write constraints.json from template:
+5. **Verify the write** — read back and confirm COLONY_STATE.json is valid and goal is set:
+```bash
+verify_goal=$(jq -r '.goal' .aether/data/COLONY_STATE.json 2>/dev/null)
+verify_valid=$(jq -e . .aether/data/COLONY_STATE.json >/dev/null 2>&1 && echo "valid" || echo "invalid")
+if [[ "$verify_valid" != "valid" || "$verify_goal" == "null" || -z "$verify_goal" ]]; then
+  echo "ERROR: Colony state write verification failed (valid=$verify_valid, goal=$verify_goal)"
+  echo "The colony file may be corrupted. Remove .aether/data/COLONY_STATE.json and re-run /ant:init."
+  stop
+fi
+echo "Colony state verified: goal=\"$verify_goal\""
+```
+
+6. Write constraints.json from template:
    - Resolve template: check `~/.aether/system/templates/constraints.template.json` first, then `.aether/templates/constraints.template.json`
    - If no template found: output "Template missing: constraints.template.json. Run aether update to fix." and stop
    - Read template, follow `_instructions`, remove `_` prefixed keys, write to `.aether/data/constraints.json`
 
-6. Initialize runtime files from templates (non-blocking):
+7. Initialize runtime files from templates (non-blocking):
 ```bash
 for template in pheromones midden learning-observations; do
   if [[ "$template" == "midden" ]]; then
@@ -324,15 +357,15 @@ for template in pheromones midden learning-observations; do
 done
 ```
 
-7. Run `bash .aether/aether-utils.sh context-update init "{approved_intent}"`
-8. Run `bash .aether/aether-utils.sh validate-state colony`
-9. Register repo (silent on failure):
+8. Run `bash .aether/aether-utils.sh context-update init "{approved_intent}"`
+9. Run `bash .aether/aether-utils.sh validate-state colony`
+10. Register repo (silent on failure):
 ```bash
 domain_tags=$(bash .aether/aether-utils.sh domain-detect 2>/dev/null | jq -r '.result.tags // ""' || echo "")
 bash .aether/aether-utils.sh registry-add "$(pwd)" "$(jq -r '.version // "unknown"' ~/.aether/version.json 2>/dev/null || echo 'unknown')" --goal "{approved_intent}" --active true --tags "$domain_tags" 2>/dev/null || true
 cp ~/.aether/version.json .aether/version.json 2>/dev/null || true
 ```
-10. Seed QUEEN.md from hive (non-blocking):
+11. Seed QUEEN.md from hive (non-blocking):
 ```bash
 domain_tags=$(jq -r --arg repo "$(pwd)" \
   '[.repos[] | select(.path == $repo) | .domain_tags // []] | .[0] // [] | join(",")' \
@@ -342,7 +375,7 @@ seed_args="queen-seed-from-hive --limit 5"
 seed_result=$(bash .aether/aether-utils.sh $seed_args 2>/dev/null || echo '{}')
 seeded_count=$(echo "$seed_result" | jq -r '.result.seeded // 0' 2>/dev/null || echo "0")
 ```
-11. Run `bash .aether/aether-utils.sh session-init "{session_id}" "{approved_intent}"`
+12. Run `bash .aether/aether-utils.sh session-init "{session_id}" "{approved_intent}"`
 
 **Pheromone auto-apply (referenced by both re-init and fresh init paths above):**
 

package/.claude/commands/ant/insert-phase.md

@@ -16,6 +16,10 @@ If `goal` is null:
 `No colony initialized. Run /ant:init first.`
 Stop.
 
+If `milestone` == `"Crowned Anthill"`:
+`This colony has been sealed. Start a new colony with /ant:init "new goal".`
+Stop.
+
 If `plan.phases` is empty:
 `No project plan. Run /ant:plan first.`
 Stop.

package/.claude/commands/ant/plan.md

@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ If `version` field is missing, "1.0", or "2.0":
 3. Output: `State auto-upgraded to v3.0`
 4. Continue with command.
 
-Extract: `goal`, `plan.phases`
+Extract: `goal`, `milestone`, `plan.phases`
 
 **Validate:** If `goal: null`:
 ```
@@ -31,6 +31,12 @@ No colony initialized. Run /ant:init "<goal>" first.
 ```
 Stop here.
 
+If `milestone` == `"Crowned Anthill"`:
+```
+This colony has been sealed. Start a new colony with /ant:init "new goal".
+```
+Stop here.
+
 ### Step 1.5: Load State and Show Resumption Context
 
 Run using Bash tool: `bash .aether/aether-utils.sh load-state`
@@ -559,6 +565,26 @@ Read current COLONY_STATE.json, then update:
 
 Write COLONY_STATE.json.
 
+**Verify the write** — read back and confirm the plan persisted:
+```bash
+verify_phases=$(jq '.plan.phases | length' .aether/data/COLONY_STATE.json)
+verify_timestamp=$(jq -r '.plan.generated_at' .aether/data/COLONY_STATE.json)
+verify_state=$(jq -r '.state' .aether/data/COLONY_STATE.json)
+if [[ "$verify_phases" -lt 1 || "$verify_timestamp" == "null" || "$verify_state" != "READY" ]]; then
+  echo "ERROR: Plan write verification failed (phases=$verify_phases, generated_at=$verify_timestamp, state=$verify_state)"
+  echo "Attempting retry write..."
+  # Retry: re-read, update, write via state API
+  bash .aether/aether-utils.sh state-write "$(jq --argjson phases "$(echo '$PLAN_JSON' | jq '.plan.phases')" --arg ts "$(date -u +%Y-%m-%dT%H:%M:%SZ)" '.plan.phases = $phases | .plan.generated_at = $ts | .state = "READY"' .aether/data/COLONY_STATE.json)"
+  verify_phases=$(jq '.plan.phases | length' .aether/data/COLONY_STATE.json)
+  if [[ "$verify_phases" -lt 1 ]]; then
+    echo "FATAL: Retry write also failed. Plan was not persisted."
+    echo "Re-run /ant:plan to regenerate."
+    stop
+  fi
+fi
+echo "Plan verified: $verify_phases phases, generated_at=$verify_timestamp, state=$verify_state"
+```
+
 Log: `bash .aether/aether-utils.sh activity-log "PLAN_COMPLETE" "queen" "Plan finalized with {confidence}% confidence"`
 
 Update watch-status.txt:

package/.claude/commands/ant/quick.md

@@ -0,0 +1,100 @@
+<!-- Generated from .aether/commands/quick.yaml - DO NOT EDIT DIRECTLY -->
+---
+name: ant:quick
+description: "Quick scout query — fast answers without build ceremony"
+---
+
+You are the **Queen**. Execute `/ant:quick` — a lightweight scout mission.
+
+The query is: `$ARGUMENTS`
+
+## Purpose
+
+Quick, focused answers to questions about the codebase, patterns, or implementation
+details. No build ceremony, no state changes, no verification waves.
+
+## Instructions
+
+### Step 1: Validate Arguments
+
+If `$ARGUMENTS` is empty:
+```
+Usage: /ant:quick "<question>"
+
+Examples:
+  /ant:quick "how does the pheromone system work?"
+  /ant:quick "find all uses of acquire_lock"
+  /ant:quick "what tests cover midden-write?"
+  /ant:quick "show me the colony-prime token budget logic"
+```
+Stop here.
+
+### Step 2: Generate Scout Name
+
+Run using the Bash tool with description "Naming scout...":
+```bash
+bash .aether/aether-utils.sh generate-ant-name "scout"
+```
+
+Capture the output as `scout_name`.
+
+### Step 3: Spawn Scout
+
+Display:
+```
+━━━ Quick Scout ━━━
+Spawning {scout_name} — {query truncated to 50 chars}
+```
+
+Run using the Bash tool with description "Dispatching scout...":
+```bash
+bash .aether/aether-utils.sh spawn-log "Queen" "scout" "{scout_name}" "Quick query: {query}"
+```
+
+
+Spawn a Scout agent (using Task tool with subagent_type="aether-scout") with this prompt:
+
+```
+You are {scout_name}, a Scout Ant on a quick mission.
+
+Query: {query from ARGUMENTS}
+
+Work:
+1. Search the codebase to answer the query
+2. Use Grep, Glob, and Read tools to find relevant code
+3. Provide a clear, focused answer
+4. Include file paths and line numbers for key findings
+
+Keep your answer concise and actionable. This is a quick mission —
+don't explore exhaustively, focus on the most relevant answer.
+
+Return your findings as a clear text answer (not JSON).
+```
+
+
+
+### Step 4: Display Results
+
+
+Display the Scout's answer directly to the user.
+
+
+
+Run using the Bash tool with description "Recording scout completion...":
+```bash
+bash .aether/aether-utils.sh spawn-complete "{scout_name}" "completed" "Quick query answered"
+```
+
+### Step 5: Update Session (lightweight)
+
+Run using the Bash tool with description "Updating session...":
+```bash
+bash .aether/aether-utils.sh session-update "/ant:quick" "" "Quick query: {query truncated to 60 chars}" 2>/dev/null || true
+```
+
+**NOTE:** This command does NOT:
+- Modify COLONY_STATE.json
+- Advance phases
+- Create checkpoints
+- Spawn watchers or chaos ants
+- Run verification

package/.claude/commands/ant/resume-colony.md

@@ -28,8 +28,9 @@ Run using the Bash tool with description "Restoring colony session...": `bash .a
 If successful:
 1. Parse state from result
 2. If goal is null: Show "No colony state found..." message and stop
-3. Check if paused flag is true - if not, note "Colony was not paused, but resuming anyway"
-4. Extract all state fields for display
+3. If `milestone` == `"Crowned Anthill"`: Show "This colony has been sealed. Start a new colony with `/ant:init \"new goal\"`." and stop
+4. Check if paused flag is true - if not, note "Colony was not paused, but resuming anyway"
+5. Extract all state fields for display
 
 Keep state loaded (don't unload yet) - we'll need it for the full display.
 

package/.claude/commands/ant/resume.md

@@ -62,6 +62,7 @@ Use the Read tool to read `.aether/data/COLONY_STATE.json`.
 
 COLONY_STATE.json is the authoritative source for goal and state (session.json may be stale). Extract:
 - `goal` (use this as authoritative, overriding session.json colony_goal)
+- `milestone` (check for sealed colony)
 - `state` (READY, PLANNING, EXECUTING, PAUSED)
 - `current_phase`
 - `plan.phases` (array with id, name, status for each phase)
@@ -69,6 +70,14 @@ COLONY_STATE.json is the authoritative source for goal and state (session.json m
 - `memory.decisions` (flat list — do NOT distinguish user vs Claude origin)
 - `events` (last 5 for recent activity context)
 
+**If `milestone` == `"Crowned Anthill"`:** This colony has been sealed. Display:
+```
+This colony has been sealed (Crowned Anthill).
+
+Start a new colony with /ant:init "new goal"
+```
+Stop here — do NOT display stale phase data from the sealed colony.
+
 If the file is missing or the JSON cannot be parsed, **stop immediately** and display:
 
 ```

package/.claude/commands/ant/run.md

@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ Parse `$ARGUMENTS` for:
 - `--replan-interval N` — Pause for replan suggestion every N phases (default: 2)
 - `--continue` — Resume after a replan pause without replanning
 - `--dry-run` — Preview plan without executing
+- `--headless` — Run without interactive prompts; queue decisions for later review
 - `--verbose` / `-v`, `--no-visual`, `--no-suggest` — Pass through to playbooks
 
 ```
@@ -38,6 +39,7 @@ Parse `$ARGUMENTS` for:
 /ant:run --replan-interval 3   Suggest replan every 3 phases instead of 2
 /ant:run --continue            Resume after replan pause without replanning
 /ant:run --dry-run             Preview the autopilot plan
+/ant:run --headless            Run all phases without interactive prompts
 /ant:run --max-phases 3 -v     Run 3 phases with verbose output
 ```
 
@@ -63,10 +65,14 @@ replan suggestion (every {replan_interval} phases)
 ### Step 0: Initialize
 
 1. Read `.aether/data/COLONY_STATE.json`; validate goal + plan.phases exist
+   - If `milestone` == `"Crowned Anthill"`: output "This colony has been sealed. Start a new colony with `/ant:init \"new goal\"`." and stop
 2. Determine remaining incomplete phases; apply `--max-phases` cap
 3. Set `phases_completed = 0`, `autopilot_start = $(date +%s)`
 4. Record pre-build blocker count: `bash .aether/aether-utils.sh flag-check-blockers {phase}`
-5. Display: `AUTOPILOT ENGAGED | Goal: {goal} | Phase {N} | Max: {max or "all"}`
+5. If `--headless` flag is present:
+   - Run: `bash .aether/aether-utils.sh autopilot-set-headless true`
+   - Display: `Headless mode: ON — interactive prompts will be queued as pending decisions`
+6. Display: `AUTOPILOT ENGAGED | Goal: {goal} | Phase {N} | Max: {max or "all"}`
 
 ### Step 1: Build Phase
 
@@ -97,6 +103,19 @@ On pause, display the AUTOPILOT PAUSED banner with reason, affected phase,
 specific issues, and instruction: "Fix issues, then run /ant:run to resume."
 Log: `"<timestamp>|autopilot_paused|run|Paused at Phase {id}: {reason}"`
 
+**Headless override for visual checkpoints:** If headless mode is active and a
+visual checkpoint prompt would normally be shown to the user, instead queue it as
+a pending decision:
+```bash
+bash .aether/aether-utils.sh pending-decision-add \
+  --title "Visual checkpoint: Phase {id}" \
+  --type "checkpoint" \
+  --description "{checkpoint_description}" \
+  --phase "{id}" \
+  --source "build-pause-check"
+```
+Then continue without pausing.
+
 **If no pause:** proceed to Step 3.
 
 ### Step 3: Continue (Verify + Advance)
@@ -114,6 +133,18 @@ Execute continue playbooks in order, carrying cross-stage state
 Skip the AskUserQuestion prompt. Instead, auto-PAUSE with reason
 "Runtime verification required" so the user can test manually before resuming.
 
+**Headless override for runtime verification:** If headless mode is active and
+runtime verification would normally pause, queue as a pending decision instead:
+```bash
+bash .aether/aether-utils.sh pending-decision-add \
+  --title "Runtime verification needed: Phase {id}" \
+  --type "runtime-verification" \
+  --description "Manual testing required before advancing past Phase {id}" \
+  --phase "{id}" \
+  --source "continue-gates"
+```
+Then continue without pausing.
+
 ### Step 4: Continue Pause Check
 
 **PAUSE if ANY of these are true:**
@@ -183,6 +214,11 @@ Phases completed: {N} | Elapsed: {Xm Ys} | Now at: Phase {current}
 {paused}        -> Fix {reason}, then /ant:run to resume
 ```
 
+If headless mode was active and pending decisions were queued, display:
+```
+Pending decisions: {N} — run `pending-decision-list` to review
+```
+
 Update session:
 `bash .aether/aether-utils.sh session-update "/ant:run" "/ant:run" "Autopilot: {N} phases, now Phase {current}"`
 

package/.claude/commands/ant/seal.md

@@ -344,6 +344,15 @@ Log the seal ceremony to activity log:
 bash .aether/aether-utils.sh activity-log "MODIFIED" "Queen" "Colony sealed - wisdom review completed"
 ```
 
+### Step 4.4: Checkpoint State
+
+Before modifying colony state, create a rolling backup:
+
+Run using the Bash tool with description "Checkpointing colony state before seal...":
+```bash
+bash .aether/aether-utils.sh state-checkpoint "pre-seal" 2>/dev/null || echo "Warning: State checkpoint failed -- continuing without backup" >&2
+```
+
 ### Step 4.5: Increment Colony Version
 
 Before writing the Crowned Anthill milestone, increment `colony_version` in COLONY_STATE.json.

package/.claude/commands/ant/status.md

@@ -302,9 +302,53 @@ Use the `phase_bar` and `task_bar` values computed in Step 2.7 for the actual ba
 ```
 
 
-**Data Safety:**
+**Colony Vital Signs:**
 After the Memory Health table, run:
 ```bash
+bash .aether/aether-utils.sh colony-vital-signs
+```
+
+Extract from JSON result:
+- build_velocity.phases_per_day and build_velocity.trend
+- error_rate.errors_per_day and error_rate.status
+- signal_health.active_count and signal_health.status
+- memory_pressure.instinct_count and memory_pressure.status
+- colony_age_hours
+- overall_health (0-100 score)
+
+Map overall_health score to a label:
+- 80-100: "Thriving"
+- 60-79: "Healthy"
+- 40-59: "Stable"
+- 20-39: "Struggling"
+- 0-19: "Critical"
+
+Display:
+```
+💓 Colony Vital Signs
+┌─────────────────┬────────────┬─────────────────────────────┐
+│ Vital Sign      │ Value      │ Status                      │
+├─────────────────┼────────────┼─────────────────────────────┤
+│ Build Velocity  │ {phases_per_day}/d  │ {trend}            │
+│ Error Rate      │ {errors_per_day}/d  │ {error_status}     │
+│ Signal Health   │ {active_count}      │ {signal_status}    │
+│ Memory Pressure │ {instinct_count}    │ {memory_status}    │
+│ Colony Age      │ {colony_age_hours}h │                    │
+├─────────────────┼────────────┼─────────────────────────────┤
+│ Overall Health  │ {overall_health}%   │ {health_label}     │
+└─────────────────┴────────────┴─────────────────────────────┘
+```
+
+If the command fails or returns no data, display:
+```
+💓 Colony Vital Signs: No data available
+```
+
+
+
+**Data Safety:**
+After the Colony Vital Signs panel, run:
+```bash
 bash .aether/aether-utils.sh data-safety-stats
 ```