agent-relay 1.2.0 → 1.3.0

package/docs/competitive/MCP_AGENT_MAIL.md

@@ -1,389 +0,0 @@
-# Competitive Analysis: mcp_agent_mail vs agent-relay
-
-## Executive Summary
-
-| Aspect | mcp_agent_mail | agent-relay |
-|--------|----------------|-------------|
-| **Architecture** | MCP HTTP Server (FastAPI) | PTY Wrapper + Unix Socket |
-| **Protocol** | MCP JSON-RPC over HTTP | Custom binary framing over Unix socket |
-| **Storage** | SQLite + Git archive | SQLite + file-based inbox |
-| **Latency** | ~50-200ms (HTTP overhead) | <5ms (local IPC) |
-| **Complexity** | ~15,000+ lines Python | ~7,000 lines TypeScript |
-| **Agent Integration** | Requires MCP client SDK | Zero-config (pattern detection) |
-| **Persistence** | Git-backed audit trail | SQLite messages table |
-| **Scale Target** | 5-50+ agents, multi-project | 5-10 agents, single project |
-
----
-
-## Architecture Comparison
-
-### mcp_agent_mail: MCP-First Design
-
-```
-┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
-│                 Agent Clients (FastMCP)                     │
-│            Claude Code, Codex, Gemini CLI, etc.             │
-└────────────────────────────┬────────────────────────────────┘
-                             │ HTTP JSON-RPC (MCP Protocol)
-┌────────────────────────────▼────────────────────────────────┐
-│            FastAPI Transport Layer                          │
-│  ├─ Bearer Token / JWT / RBAC                               │
-│  ├─ Rate Limiting (token bucket)                            │
-│  └─ Middleware Stack                                        │
-└────────────────────────────┬────────────────────────────────┘
-                             │
-┌────────────────────────────▼────────────────────────────────┐
-│            FastMCP Application Layer                        │
-│  ├─ 40+ Tools (messaging, identity, reservations)           │
-│  ├─ 20+ Resources (agents, messages, threads)               │
-│  └─ Macros (workflow shortcuts)                             │
-└────────────────────────────┬────────────────────────────────┘
-                             │
-        ┌────────────────────┼────────────────────┐
-        │                    │                    │
-   ┌────▼────────┐      ┌────▼────────┐      ┌────▼────────┐
-   │   SQLite    │      │ Git Archive │      │   Locks     │
-   │   (async)   │      │  (global)   │      │   (LRU)     │
-   └─────────────┘      └─────────────┘      └─────────────┘
-```
-
-**Pros:**
-- Standards-based (MCP protocol)
-- Rich feature set (40+ tools)
-- Git-backed audit trail
-- Cross-project messaging
-- Product grouping for large fleets
-- File reservation system with enforcement
-- Contact/permission system
-
-**Cons:**
-- HTTP overhead (~50-200ms per call)
-- Requires MCP client integration
-- Complex setup (Python venv, dependencies)
-- Heavy resource footprint
-- Overkill for simple use cases
-
-### agent-relay: PTY-First Design
-
-```
-┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
-│                     User Terminal                           │
-│              (attached to tmux session)                     │
-└────────────────────────────┬────────────────────────────────┘
-                             │ tmux attach
-┌────────────────────────────▼────────────────────────────────┐
-│                     Tmux Session                            │
-│  ├─ Agent Process (claude, codex, gemini)                   │
-│  ├─ Silent Polling (capture-pane @ 200ms)                   │
-│  ├─ Pattern Detection (->relay:)                             │
-│  └─ Message Injection (send-keys)                           │
-└────────────────────────────┬────────────────────────────────┘
-                             │ Unix Socket IPC
-┌────────────────────────────▼────────────────────────────────┐
-│                     Daemon (Router)                         │
-│  ├─ Connection State Machine                                │
-│  ├─ Message Routing (direct + broadcast)                    │
-│  ├─ SQLite Persistence                                      │
-│  └─ Dashboard (WebSocket)                                   │
-└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
-```
-
-**Pros:**
-- Ultra-low latency (<5ms)
-- Zero-config (no SDK needed)
-- Works with ANY agent (pattern-based)
-- Lightweight (~7k lines)
-- Transparent to user (real terminal)
-- Simple mental model
-
-**Cons:**
-- Single project scope
-- No persistent audit trail (Git)
-- No file reservation system
-- No cross-project messaging
-- Polling overhead (CPU)
-- Limited security model
-
----
-
-## Feature-by-Feature Comparison
-
-### 1. Message Sending
-
-| Feature | mcp_agent_mail | agent-relay |
-|---------|----------------|-------------|
-| **API** | `send_message()` tool call | `->relay:Name message` pattern |
-| **Broadcast** | `to=["*"]` | `->relay:*` |
-| **Attachments** | Yes (images, files) | No |
-| **Threading** | Yes (`thread_id`) | No |
-| **Markdown** | Full GFM support | Plain text |
-| **Images** | Auto-convert to WebP, inline | Not supported |
-
-**Winner: mcp_agent_mail** - Rich message format with attachments and threading.
-
-### 2. Agent Discovery
-
-| Feature | mcp_agent_mail | agent-relay |
-|---------|----------------|-------------|
-| **Registration** | Explicit `register_agent()` | Auto on HELLO handshake |
-| **Directory** | `resource://agents/{project}` | `agents.json` file |
-| **Metadata** | Program, model, task, capabilities | Name only |
-| **Cross-project** | Contact request system | Not supported |
-
-**Winner: mcp_agent_mail** - Richer agent metadata and cross-project discovery.
-
-### 3. Message Persistence
-
-| Feature | mcp_agent_mail | agent-relay |
-|---------|----------------|-------------|
-| **Primary** | SQLite (async, WAL mode) | SQLite |
-| **Backup** | Git archive (audit trail) | None |
-| **Search** | FTS (full-text search) | Basic queries |
-| **History** | Permanent | Session-based |
-
-**Winner: mcp_agent_mail** - Git-backed audit trail is powerful for compliance.
-
-### 4. Security
-
-| Feature | mcp_agent_mail | agent-relay |
-|---------|----------------|-------------|
-| **Auth** | Bearer token, JWT, RBAC | Unix socket permissions |
-| **Rate Limiting** | Token bucket (memory/Redis) | None |
-| **Contact Policy** | open/auto/contacts_only/block_all | None |
-| **Encryption** | TLS (transport) | None (local only) |
-
-**Winner: mcp_agent_mail** - Production-grade security model.
-
-### 5. File Coordination
-
-| Feature | mcp_agent_mail | agent-relay |
-|---------|----------------|-------------|
-| **Reservations** | Yes (exclusive/shared, TTL) | No |
-| **Enforcement** | Pre-commit hooks | None |
-| **Build Slots** | Yes (long-running tasks) | No |
-| **Conflict Detection** | Advisory + block mode | None |
-
-**Winner: mcp_agent_mail** - Critical for multi-agent file editing.
-
-### 6. Latency & Performance
-
-| Feature | mcp_agent_mail | agent-relay |
-|---------|----------------|-------------|
-| **Message Latency** | ~50-200ms | <5ms |
-| **Connection** | HTTP (stateless) | Unix socket (persistent) |
-| **Overhead** | JSON-RPC parsing | Binary framing |
-| **Memory** | Higher (Python, FastAPI) | Lower (Node.js) |
-
-**Winner: agent-relay** - 10-40x faster message delivery.
-
-### 7. Developer Experience
-
-| Feature | mcp_agent_mail | agent-relay |
-|---------|----------------|-------------|
-| **Setup** | Python venv, pip install, .env | npm install, single binary |
-| **Integration** | MCP client required | Pattern in stdout |
-| **Learning Curve** | Steep (40+ tools) | Minimal (->relay:) |
-| **Debugging** | Structured logging, metrics | Dashboard + logs |
-
-**Winner: agent-relay** - Much simpler to get started.
-
-### 8. Observability
-
-| Feature | mcp_agent_mail | agent-relay |
-|---------|----------------|-------------|
-| **Metrics** | Tool call counts, latency, errors | Basic connection status |
-| **Resources** | 20+ queryable resources | agents.json |
-| **Logging** | Structured (structlog + rich) | Console output |
-| **Dashboard** | None (resources only) | Web UI with live updates |
-
-**Mixed** - mcp_agent_mail has richer metrics, agent-relay has visual dashboard.
-
----
-
-## Key Insights & Learnings
-
-### What mcp_agent_mail Does Better
-
-1. **Git-Backed Audit Trail**
-   - Every message committed to Git
-   - Full history, diff-able, recoverable
-   - Compliance-friendly
-
-2. **File Reservation System**
-   - Advisory locks with TTL
-   - Pre-commit hook enforcement
-   - Build slots for long tasks
-   - Critical for preventing conflicts
-
-3. **Cross-Project Messaging**
-   - Contact request system
-   - Product grouping
-   - Multi-repo coordination
-
-4. **Rich Message Format**
-   - Attachments (images, files)
-   - Threading (thread_id)
-   - Full GFM markdown
-   - Auto image processing
-
-5. **Security Model**
-   - JWT + RBAC
-   - Rate limiting
-   - Contact policies
-   - Per-agent capabilities
-
-6. **Agent Metadata**
-   - Program, model, task description
-   - Capabilities tracking
-   - Last active timestamps
-
-### What agent-relay Does Better
-
-1. **Zero Configuration**
-   - No SDK needed
-   - Works with any agent
-   - Pattern-based detection
-
-2. **Ultra-Low Latency**
-   - <5ms vs 50-200ms
-   - Unix socket IPC
-   - Binary framing
-
-3. **Transparent UX**
-   - User stays in real terminal
-   - No proxy/wrapper visible
-   - Native tmux experience
-
-4. **Simplicity**
-   - ~7k lines vs ~15k+ lines
-   - Single mental model
-   - Easy to understand
-
-5. **Visual Dashboard**
-   - Real-time agent status
-   - Message history
-   - WebSocket updates
-
----
-
-## Recommended Improvements for agent-relay
-
-### High Priority
-
-1. **Add File Reservation System** (from mcp_agent_mail)
-   - Advisory locks with TTL
-   - `->relay:lock src/**/*.ts` pattern
-   - Pre-commit hook integration
-   - Critical for multi-agent file editing
-
-2. **Add Message Threading**
-   - `->relay:Bob [thread:feature-123] message`
-   - Group related messages
-   - Better context tracking
-
-3. **Add Git Audit Trail**
-   - Optional commit of messages to repo
-   - `.agent-relay/messages/` directory
-   - Recoverable history
-
-4. **Add Agent Metadata**
-   - Track program, model, task
-   - Store in agents.json
-   - Better agent discovery
-
-### Medium Priority
-
-5. **Add Message Attachments**
-   - `->relay:Bob [attach:path/to/file]`
-   - Inline small files
-   - Reference large files
-
-6. **Add Cross-Project Messaging**
-   - `->relay:Bob@other-project message`
-   - Contact request system
-   - Product grouping
-
-7. **Add Rate Limiting**
-   - Prevent message flooding
-   - Per-agent limits
-   - Backpressure handling
-
-8. **Add Message Search**
-   - FTS on stored messages
-   - `agent-relay search "query"`
-   - Filter by agent, time, topic
-
-### Lower Priority
-
-9. **Add Security Model**
-   - Optional authentication
-   - Agent capabilities
-   - Contact policies
-
-10. **Add Workflow Macros**
-    - `->relay:macro:start-session`
-    - Bundle common patterns
-    - Reduce boilerplate
-
----
-
-## Architecture Recommendations
-
-### Hybrid Approach
-
-Consider a **hybrid architecture** that combines the best of both:
-
-```
-┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
-│                     User Terminal                           │
-│              (attached to tmux session)                     │
-└────────────────────────────┬────────────────────────────────┘
-                             │
-┌────────────────────────────▼────────────────────────────────┐
-│               PTY Wrapper (fast path)                       │
-│  ├─ Pattern Detection (->relay:)                             │
-│  ├─ Message Injection                                       │
-│  └─ Direct daemon IPC (<5ms)                                │
-└────────────────────────────┬────────────────────────────────┘
-                             │
-┌────────────────────────────▼────────────────────────────────┐
-│                     Enhanced Daemon                         │
-│  ├─ Message Router (existing)                               │
-│  ├─ File Reservation Manager (NEW)                          │
-│  ├─ Git Archive Writer (NEW, optional)                      │
-│  ├─ Agent Metadata Store (NEW)                              │
-│  └─ SQLite + FTS (enhanced)                                 │
-└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
-```
-
-### Key Design Principles
-
-1. **Keep Zero-Config Core** - Pattern-based detection is the killer feature
-2. **Add Opt-In Features** - File locks, Git archive as flags
-3. **Maintain Low Latency** - Don't add HTTP layer
-4. **Progressive Enhancement** - Simple default, powerful when needed
-
----
-
-## Conclusion
-
-**mcp_agent_mail** is a feature-rich, production-grade system designed for enterprise-scale multi-agent coordination. It excels at security, compliance, and cross-project workflows.
-
-**agent-relay** is an elegantly simple, ultra-fast system designed for rapid prototyping and real-time collaboration. It excels at developer experience and low latency.
-
-The ideal path forward for agent-relay is to **selectively adopt** the most valuable features from mcp_agent_mail (file reservations, threading, Git audit) while **preserving** its core strengths (zero-config, low latency, simplicity).
-
----
-
-## Action Items
-
-| Priority | Item | Effort | Impact |
-|----------|------|--------|--------|
-| P0 | Add file reservation system | Medium | High |
-| P0 | Add message threading | Low | Medium |
-| P1 | Add Git audit trail (optional) | Medium | High |
-| P1 | Add agent metadata | Low | Medium |
-| P2 | Add message attachments | Medium | Medium |
-| P2 | Add cross-project messaging | High | Medium |
-| P3 | Add rate limiting | Low | Low |
-| P3 | Add message search (FTS) | Medium | Medium |