gsd-pi 2.76.0-dev.76f9a2dc5 → 2.76.0-dev.97807402

package/src/resources/extensions/gsd/preferences-types.ts

@@ -28,6 +28,37 @@ export interface ContextManagementConfig {
   compaction_threshold_percent?: number;  // default: 0.70, range: 0.5-0.95
   tool_result_max_chars?: number;         // default: 800, range: 200-10000
 }
+
+/**
+ * Opt-in tool-output sandboxing for sub-sessions. When enabled, the gsd_exec
+ * MCP tool runs scripts in an isolated subprocess and returns only a short
+ * digest to the calling agent's context window; full stdout/stderr persist
+ * in the project memory store and can be retrieved by id later.
+ *
+ * Inspired by mksglu/context-mode (Elastic License 2.0). This is an
+ * independent implementation — no upstream code is incorporated.
+ */
+export interface ContextModeConfig {
+  /** Master switch. Default: true (opt-out via `enabled: false`). */
+  enabled?: boolean;
+  /** Per-invocation timeout in milliseconds. Default: 30_000. Range: 1_000–600_000. */
+  exec_timeout_ms?: number;
+  /** Cap on persisted stdout bytes per invocation. Default: 1_048_576 (1 MiB). Range: 4_096–16_777_216. */
+  exec_stdout_cap_bytes?: number;
+  /** Number of trailing stdout characters returned in the digest. Default: 300. Range: 0–4_000. */
+  exec_digest_chars?: number;
+  /** Environment variables forwarded to sandboxed processes (case-sensitive names). PATH and HOME are always forwarded. */
+  exec_env_allowlist?: string[];
+}
+
+/**
+ * Resolve whether context-mode features (gsd_exec sandbox + compaction
+ * snapshot) should be active. Default is ON: missing config or missing
+ * `enabled` is treated as true. Only `enabled: false` disables.
+ */
+export function isContextModeEnabled(prefs: { context_mode?: ContextModeConfig } | null | undefined): boolean {
+  return prefs?.context_mode?.enabled !== false;
+}
 import type { GitHubSyncConfig } from "../github-sync/types.js";
 
 // ─── Workflow Modes ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
@@ -117,6 +148,7 @@ export const KNOWN_PREFERENCE_KEYS = new Set<string>([
   "flat_rate_providers",
   "language",
   "context_window_override",
+  "context_mode",
 ]);
 
 /** Canonical list of all dispatch unit types. */
@@ -300,6 +332,12 @@ export interface GSDPreferences {
    */
   context_window_override?: number;
   context_management?: ContextManagementConfig;
+  /**
+   * Tool-output sandboxing via gsd_exec. Keeps sub-session context windows
+   * clean by running scripts in a subprocess and only surfacing a short
+   * digest. See `ContextModeConfig`. Default: disabled.
+   */
+  context_mode?: ContextModeConfig;
   token_profile?: TokenProfile;
   phases?: PhaseSkipPreferences;
   auto_visualize?: boolean;
@@ -354,6 +392,14 @@ export interface GSDPreferences {
     checkpoints?: boolean;
     auto_rollback?: boolean;
     timeout_scale_cap?: number;
+    /**
+     * Glob patterns for files that are always expected side-effects of any task.
+     * Files matching any pattern here are excluded from unexpected-change warnings.
+     * Supports standard glob syntax (e.g. `tracking/history/**`, `*.log`).
+     * Fixes #4385/#4436 — audit-trail snapshots, build artifacts, and other
+     * project-level secondary writes shouldn't require per-task declaration.
+     */
+    file_change_allowlist?: string[];
   };
 
 

package/src/resources/extensions/gsd/preferences-validation.ts

@@ -644,6 +644,50 @@ export function validatePreferences(preferences: GSDPreferences): {
     }
   }
 
+  // ─── Context Mode (gsd_exec sandbox) ────────────────────────────────────
+  if (preferences.context_mode !== undefined) {
+    if (typeof preferences.context_mode === "object" && preferences.context_mode !== null) {
+      const cmode = preferences.context_mode as unknown as Record<string, unknown>;
+      const validCmode: Record<string, unknown> = {};
+
+      if (cmode.enabled !== undefined) {
+        if (typeof cmode.enabled === "boolean") validCmode.enabled = cmode.enabled;
+        else errors.push("context_mode.enabled must be a boolean");
+      }
+      if (cmode.exec_timeout_ms !== undefined) {
+        const t = cmode.exec_timeout_ms;
+        if (typeof t === "number" && t >= 1000 && t <= 600_000) validCmode.exec_timeout_ms = Math.floor(t);
+        else errors.push("context_mode.exec_timeout_ms must be a number between 1000 and 600000");
+      }
+      if (cmode.exec_stdout_cap_bytes !== undefined) {
+        const b = cmode.exec_stdout_cap_bytes;
+        if (typeof b === "number" && b >= 4096 && b <= 16_777_216) validCmode.exec_stdout_cap_bytes = Math.floor(b);
+        else errors.push("context_mode.exec_stdout_cap_bytes must be a number between 4096 and 16777216");
+      }
+      if (cmode.exec_digest_chars !== undefined) {
+        const c = cmode.exec_digest_chars;
+        if (typeof c === "number" && c >= 0 && c <= 4000) validCmode.exec_digest_chars = Math.floor(c);
+        else errors.push("context_mode.exec_digest_chars must be a number between 0 and 4000");
+      }
+      if (cmode.exec_env_allowlist !== undefined) {
+        if (
+          Array.isArray(cmode.exec_env_allowlist) &&
+          cmode.exec_env_allowlist.every((v) => typeof v === "string" && /^[A-Z_][A-Z0-9_]*$/i.test(v))
+        ) {
+          validCmode.exec_env_allowlist = cmode.exec_env_allowlist;
+        } else {
+          errors.push("context_mode.exec_env_allowlist must be an array of valid env var names");
+        }
+      }
+
+      if (Object.keys(validCmode).length > 0) {
+        validated.context_mode = validCmode as any;
+      }
+    } else {
+      errors.push("context_mode must be an object");
+    }
+  }
+
   // ─── Parallel Config ────────────────────────────────────────────────────
   if (preferences.parallel && typeof preferences.parallel === "object") {
     const p = preferences.parallel as unknown as Record<string, unknown>;
@@ -697,6 +741,41 @@ export function validatePreferences(preferences: GSDPreferences): {
     }
   }
 
+  // ─── Slice Parallel Config ───────────────────────────────────────────────
+  if (preferences.slice_parallel !== undefined) {
+    if (typeof preferences.slice_parallel === "object" && preferences.slice_parallel !== null) {
+      const sp = preferences.slice_parallel as Record<string, unknown>;
+      const validSp: NonNullable<GSDPreferences["slice_parallel"]> = {};
+
+      if (sp.enabled !== undefined) {
+        if (typeof sp.enabled === "boolean") validSp.enabled = sp.enabled;
+        else errors.push("slice_parallel.enabled must be a boolean");
+      }
+
+      if (sp.max_workers !== undefined) {
+        const maxWorkers = typeof sp.max_workers === "number" ? sp.max_workers : Number(sp.max_workers);
+        if (Number.isFinite(maxWorkers) && maxWorkers >= 1 && maxWorkers <= 8) {
+          validSp.max_workers = Math.floor(maxWorkers);
+        } else {
+          errors.push("slice_parallel.max_workers must be a number between 1 and 8");
+        }
+      }
+
+      const knownSliceParallelKeys = new Set(["enabled", "max_workers"]);
+      for (const key of Object.keys(sp)) {
+        if (!knownSliceParallelKeys.has(key)) {
+          warnings.push(`unknown slice_parallel key "${key}" — ignored`);
+        }
+      }
+
+      if (Object.keys(validSp).length > 0) {
+        validated.slice_parallel = validSp;
+      }
+    } else {
+      errors.push("slice_parallel must be an object");
+    }
+  }
+
   // ─── Reactive Execution ─────────────────────────────────────────────────
   if (preferences.reactive_execution !== undefined) {
     if (typeof preferences.reactive_execution === "object" && preferences.reactive_execution !== null) {

package/src/resources/extensions/gsd/preferences.ts

@@ -68,13 +68,13 @@ export { resolveAllSkillReferences } from "./preferences-skills.js";
 // These lived in preferences-skills.ts but imported loadEffectiveGSDPreferences
 // back from this file, creating a circular dependency. Moved here since they
 // are trivial wrappers over loadEffectiveGSDPreferences.
-export function resolveSkillDiscoveryMode(): SkillDiscoveryMode {
-  const prefs = loadEffectiveGSDPreferences();
+export function resolveSkillDiscoveryMode(basePath?: string): SkillDiscoveryMode {
+  const prefs = loadEffectiveGSDPreferences(basePath);
   return prefs?.preferences.skill_discovery ?? "suggest";
 }
 
-export function resolveSkillStalenessDays(): number {
-  const prefs = loadEffectiveGSDPreferences();
+export function resolveSkillStalenessDays(basePath?: string): number {
+  const prefs = loadEffectiveGSDPreferences(basePath);
   return prefs?.preferences.skill_staleness_days ?? 60;
 }
 
@@ -109,16 +109,16 @@ function legacyGlobalPreferencesPath(): string {
   return join(homedir(), ".pi", "agent", "gsd-preferences.md");
 }
 
-function projectPreferencesPath(): string {
-  return join(gsdRoot(process.cwd()), "PREFERENCES.md");
+function projectPreferencesPath(basePath: string = process.cwd()): string {
+  return join(gsdRoot(basePath), "PREFERENCES.md");
 }
 // Legacy lowercase files can still exist in older projects. Keep them as a
 // compatibility-only fallback, but route new reads/writes through PREFERENCES.md.
 function legacyGlobalPreferencesPathLowercase(): string {
   return join(gsdHome(), "preferences.md");
 }
-function legacyProjectPreferencesPathLowercase(): string {
-  return join(gsdRoot(process.cwd()), "preferences.md");
+function legacyProjectPreferencesPathLowercase(basePath: string = process.cwd()): string {
+  return join(gsdRoot(basePath), "preferences.md");
 }
 
 export function getGlobalGSDPreferencesPath(): string {
@@ -129,8 +129,8 @@ export function getLegacyGlobalGSDPreferencesPath(): string {
   return legacyGlobalPreferencesPath();
 }
 
-export function getProjectGSDPreferencesPath(): string {
-  return projectPreferencesPath();
+export function getProjectGSDPreferencesPath(basePath?: string): string {
+  return projectPreferencesPath(basePath);
 }
 
 // ─── Loading ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
@@ -141,14 +141,14 @@ export function loadGlobalGSDPreferences(): LoadedGSDPreferences | null {
     ?? loadPreferencesFile(legacyGlobalPreferencesPath(), "global");
 }
 
-export function loadProjectGSDPreferences(): LoadedGSDPreferences | null {
-  return loadPreferencesFile(projectPreferencesPath(), "project")
-    ?? loadPreferencesFile(legacyProjectPreferencesPathLowercase(), "project");
+export function loadProjectGSDPreferences(basePath?: string): LoadedGSDPreferences | null {
+  return loadPreferencesFile(projectPreferencesPath(basePath), "project")
+    ?? loadPreferencesFile(legacyProjectPreferencesPathLowercase(basePath), "project");
 }
 
-export function loadEffectiveGSDPreferences(): LoadedGSDPreferences | null {
+export function loadEffectiveGSDPreferences(basePath?: string): LoadedGSDPreferences | null {
   const globalPreferences = loadGlobalGSDPreferences();
-  const projectPreferences = loadProjectGSDPreferences();
+  const projectPreferences = loadProjectGSDPreferences(basePath);
 
   if (!globalPreferences && !projectPreferences) return null;
 
@@ -603,8 +603,8 @@ export function resolvePreDispatchHooks(): PreDispatchHookConfig[] {
  * Worktree isolation requires explicit opt-in because it depends on git
  * branch infrastructure that must be set up before use.
  */
-export function getIsolationMode(): "none" | "worktree" | "branch" {
-  const prefs = loadEffectiveGSDPreferences()?.preferences?.git;
+export function getIsolationMode(basePath?: string): "none" | "worktree" | "branch" {
+  const prefs = loadEffectiveGSDPreferences(basePath)?.preferences?.git;
   if (prefs?.isolation === "worktree") return "worktree";
   if (prefs?.isolation === "branch") return "branch";
   return "none"; // default — no isolation, work on current branch

package/src/resources/extensions/gsd/prompts/discuss-headless.md

@@ -162,6 +162,10 @@ Preserve the specification's exact terminology, emphasis, and specific framing.
 6. For each architectural or pattern decision, call `gsd_decision_save` — the tool auto-assigns IDs and regenerates `.gsd/DECISIONS.md` automatically.
 7. {{commitInstruction}}
 
+### Ready-phrase pre-condition (NON-BYPASSABLE)
+
+Before emitting the ready phrase, verify in the CURRENT turn that you have written `.gsd/PROJECT.md`, `.gsd/REQUIREMENTS.md`, `{{contextPath}}`, and called `gsd_plan_milestone`. If any is missing, **STOP** — emit the missing tool calls in this same turn. The system rejects premature ready signals and retries are capped.
+
 After writing the files, say exactly: "Milestone {{milestoneId}} ready." — nothing else. Auto-mode will start automatically.
 
 ### Multi-Milestone
@@ -234,6 +238,10 @@ For single-milestone projects, do NOT write this file.
 
 7. {{multiMilestoneCommitInstruction}}
 
+### Ready-phrase pre-condition (NON-BYPASSABLE)
+
+Before emitting the ready phrase, verify in the CURRENT turn that you have written `.gsd/PROJECT.md`, `.gsd/REQUIREMENTS.md`, the primary `CONTEXT.md`, called `gsd_plan_milestone` for the primary milestone, and written `.gsd/DISCUSSION-MANIFEST.json` with `gates_completed === total`. If any is missing, **STOP** — emit the missing tool calls in this same turn. The system rejects premature ready signals and retries are capped.
+
 After writing the files, say exactly: "Milestone {{milestoneId}} ready." — nothing else. Auto-mode will start automatically.
 
 ## Critical Rules

package/src/resources/extensions/gsd/prompts/discuss.md

@@ -339,7 +339,20 @@ These sections are in addition to whatever other context the discussion surfaced
 6. For each architectural or pattern decision made during discussion, call `gsd_decision_save` — the tool auto-assigns IDs and regenerates `.gsd/DECISIONS.md` automatically.
 7. {{commitInstruction}}
 
-After writing the files, say exactly: "Milestone {{milestoneId}} ready." — nothing else. Auto-mode will start automatically.
+### Ready-phrase pre-condition (NON-BYPASSABLE)
+
+Before emitting the ready phrase, verify in the CURRENT turn that you have:
+
+- [ ] Written `.gsd/PROJECT.md` (step 2)
+- [ ] Written `.gsd/REQUIREMENTS.md` (step 3)
+- [ ] Written `{{contextPath}}` (step 4)
+- [ ] Called `gsd_plan_milestone` (step 5)
+
+If ANY box is unchecked, **STOP**. Do NOT emit the ready phrase. Emit the missing tool calls in this same turn. The system detects missing artifacts and will reject premature ready signals — you will be asked again and retries are capped.
+
+Do not announce the ready phrase as something you are "about to" do. Do not narrate "now writing the files" as a substitute for actually writing them. The ready phrase is a post-write signal, not an intent signal.
+
+After completing steps 1–7 above, say exactly: "Milestone {{milestoneId}} ready." — nothing else. Auto-mode will start automatically.
 
 ### Multi-Milestone
 
@@ -418,6 +431,20 @@ For single-milestone projects, do NOT write this file — it is only for multi-m
 
 7. {{multiMilestoneCommitInstruction}}
 
-After writing the files, say exactly: "Milestone M001 ready." — nothing else. Auto-mode will start automatically.
+### Ready-phrase pre-condition (NON-BYPASSABLE)
+
+Before emitting the ready phrase, verify in the CURRENT turn that you have:
+
+- [ ] Written `.gsd/PROJECT.md` (Phase 1)
+- [ ] Written `.gsd/REQUIREMENTS.md` (Phase 1)
+- [ ] Written primary-milestone `CONTEXT.md` (Phase 2)
+- [ ] Called `gsd_plan_milestone` for the primary milestone (Phase 2)
+- [ ] Written `.gsd/DISCUSSION-MANIFEST.json` with `gates_completed === total` (Phase 3)
+
+If ANY box is unchecked, **STOP**. Do NOT emit the ready phrase. Emit the missing tool calls in this same turn. The system detects missing artifacts and will reject premature ready signals — you will be asked again and retries are capped.
+
+Do not announce the ready phrase as something you are "about to" do. Do not narrate "now writing the files" as a substitute for actually writing them. The ready phrase is a post-write signal, not an intent signal.
+
+After completing all phases above, say exactly: "Milestone M001 ready." — nothing else. Auto-mode will start automatically.
 
 {{inlinedTemplates}}

package/src/resources/extensions/gsd/prompts/parallel-research-slices.md

@@ -15,8 +15,11 @@ Dispatch ALL slices simultaneously using the `subagent` tool in **parallel mode*
 1. Call `subagent` with `tasks: [...]` containing one entry per slice below
 2. Wait for ALL subagents to complete
 3. Verify each slice's RESEARCH file was written (check the `.gsd/{{mid}}/` directory)
-4. If any subagent failed to write its RESEARCH file, re-run it individually
-5. Report which slices completed research and which (if any) failed
+4. If a subagent failed to write its RESEARCH file, retry it **once** individually
+5. If it fails a second time, write a partial RESEARCH file for that slice with a `## BLOCKER` section explaining the failure — do NOT retry again
+6. Report which slices completed research and which (if any) needed a blocker note
+
+**Important**: Each failed slice gets exactly one retry. After that, write the blocker and move on. Never retry the same slice more than once.
 
 ## Subagent Prompts
 

package/src/resources/extensions/gsd/safety/file-change-validator.ts

@@ -9,10 +9,16 @@
  * Copyright (c) 2026 Jeremy McSpadden <jeremy@fluxlabs.net>
  */
 
+import { createRequire } from "node:module";
 import { execFileSync } from "node:child_process";
 import { normalizePlannedFileReference } from "../files.js";
 import { logWarning } from "../workflow-logger.js";
 
+const _require = createRequire(import.meta.url);
+type PicomatchMatcher = (input: string) => boolean;
+type PicomatchFn = (pattern: string, opts?: { dot?: boolean }) => PicomatchMatcher;
+const picomatch = _require("picomatch") as PicomatchFn;
+
 // ─── Types ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
 export interface FileViolation {
@@ -43,6 +49,7 @@ export function validateFileChanges(
   basePath: string,
   expectedOutput: string[],
   plannedFiles: string[],
+  fileChangeAllowlist: string[] = [],
 ): FileChangeAudit | null {
   const allExpected = new Set([...expectedOutput, ...plannedFiles]);
 
@@ -63,8 +70,12 @@ export function validateFileChanges(
     ),
   );
 
-  // Compute symmetric difference
-  const unexpectedFiles = projectFiles.filter(f => !normalizedExpected.has(f));
+  // Build allowlist matchers once (dot: true so patterns like `**/.hidden` work).
+  const allowlistMatchers = fileChangeAllowlist.map(p => picomatch(p, { dot: true }));
+  const isAllowlisted = (f: string) => allowlistMatchers.some(m => m(f));
+
+  // Compute symmetric difference, excluding allowlisted files
+  const unexpectedFiles = projectFiles.filter(f => !normalizedExpected.has(f) && !isAllowlisted(f));
   const missingFiles = [...normalizedExpected].filter(f => !projectFiles.includes(f));
 
   const violations: FileViolation[] = [];

package/src/resources/extensions/gsd/safety/safety-harness.ts

@@ -25,6 +25,8 @@ export interface SafetyHarnessConfig {
   checkpoints: boolean;
   auto_rollback: boolean;
   timeout_scale_cap: number;
+  /** Glob patterns for files excluded from unexpected-change warnings (#4385). */
+  file_change_allowlist: string[];
 }
 
 // ─── Defaults ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
@@ -39,6 +41,7 @@ const DEFAULTS: SafetyHarnessConfig = {
   checkpoints: true,
   auto_rollback: false,
   timeout_scale_cap: 6,
+  file_change_allowlist: [],
 };
 
 // ─── Public API ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
@@ -62,6 +65,9 @@ export function resolveSafetyHarnessConfig(
     checkpoints: typeof raw.checkpoints === "boolean" ? raw.checkpoints : DEFAULTS.checkpoints,
     auto_rollback: typeof raw.auto_rollback === "boolean" ? raw.auto_rollback : DEFAULTS.auto_rollback,
     timeout_scale_cap: typeof raw.timeout_scale_cap === "number" ? raw.timeout_scale_cap : DEFAULTS.timeout_scale_cap,
+    file_change_allowlist: Array.isArray(raw.file_change_allowlist)
+      ? (raw.file_change_allowlist as unknown[]).filter((p): p is string => typeof p === "string")
+      : DEFAULTS.file_change_allowlist,
   };
 }
 

package/src/resources/extensions/gsd/tests/auto-loop.test.ts

@@ -349,6 +349,122 @@ test("runUnit cancels before dispatch when model restore fails after newSession"
   ]);
 });
 
+test("runUnit cancels before dispatch when provider is not request-ready (#4555)", async () => {
+  _resetPendingResolve();
+
+  const ctx = makeMockCtx();
+  ctx.model = { provider: "anthropic", id: "claude-opus-4-6" };
+  ctx.modelRegistry = {
+    isProviderRequestReady: (_provider: string) => false,
+  };
+
+  const pi = makeMockPi();
+  const s = makeMockSession();
+
+  const result = await runUnit(ctx, pi, s, "task", "T01", "prompt");
+
+  assert.equal(result.status, "cancelled");
+  assert.equal(result.errorContext?.category, "provider");
+  assert.match(
+    result.errorContext?.message ?? "",
+    /Provider anthropic is not request-ready/,
+  );
+  assert.equal(pi.calls.length, 0, "sendMessage must not be called when provider is not ready");
+});
+
+test("runUnit cancels before dispatch using currentUnitModel provider when set (#4555)", async () => {
+  _resetPendingResolve();
+
+  const ctx = makeMockCtx();
+  // ctx.model uses "openai" which IS ready — if the code ignores currentUnitModel
+  // and falls back to ctx.model.provider, the unit would NOT be cancelled. The
+  // test therefore differentiates: only a bug (wrong provider lookup) would pass.
+  ctx.model = { provider: "openai", id: "gpt-4o" };
+  // modelRegistry says anthropic is not ready but openai is
+  ctx.modelRegistry = {
+    isProviderRequestReady: (provider: string) => provider === "openai",
+  };
+
+  const pi = makeMockPi();
+  const s = makeMockSession();
+  // currentUnitModel overrides the provider used in the readiness check
+  s.currentUnitModel = { provider: "anthropic", id: "claude-opus-4-6" };
+
+  const result = await runUnit(ctx, pi, s, "task", "T01", "prompt");
+
+  assert.equal(result.status, "cancelled");
+  assert.equal(result.errorContext?.category, "provider");
+  assert.match(
+    result.errorContext?.message ?? "",
+    /Provider anthropic is not request-ready/,
+  );
+  assert.equal(pi.calls.length, 0, "sendMessage must not be called — anthropic (currentUnitModel) is not ready");
+});
+
+test("runUnit does not cancel before dispatch when provider is request-ready (#4555)", async () => {
+  _resetPendingResolve();
+
+  const ctx = makeMockCtx();
+  ctx.model = { provider: "anthropic", id: "claude-opus-4-6" };
+  ctx.modelRegistry = {
+    isProviderRequestReady: (_provider: string) => true,
+  };
+
+  const pi = makeMockPi();
+  const s = makeMockSession();
+
+  const resultPromise = runUnit(ctx, pi, s, "task", "T01", "prompt");
+
+  await new Promise((r) => setTimeout(r, 10));
+  resolveAgentEnd(makeEvent());
+
+  const result = await resultPromise;
+  assert.equal(result.status, "completed");
+  assert.equal(pi.calls.length, 1, "sendMessage must be called when provider is ready");
+});
+
+test("runUnit proceeds when modelRegistry is absent (no readiness check available) (#4555)", async () => {
+  _resetPendingResolve();
+
+  const ctx = makeMockCtx();
+  ctx.model = { provider: "anthropic", id: "claude-opus-4-6" };
+  // No modelRegistry on ctx — pre-check should be skipped
+
+  const pi = makeMockPi();
+  const s = makeMockSession();
+
+  const resultPromise = runUnit(ctx, pi, s, "task", "T01", "prompt");
+
+  await new Promise((r) => setTimeout(r, 10));
+  resolveAgentEnd(makeEvent());
+
+  const result = await resultPromise;
+  assert.equal(result.status, "completed");
+  assert.equal(pi.calls.length, 1);
+});
+
+test("runUnit proceeds when isProviderRequestReady throws (defensive) (#4555)", async () => {
+  _resetPendingResolve();
+
+  const ctx = makeMockCtx();
+  ctx.model = { provider: "anthropic", id: "claude-opus-4-6" };
+  ctx.modelRegistry = {
+    isProviderRequestReady: (_provider: string) => {
+      throw new Error("registry error");
+    },
+  };
+
+  const pi = makeMockPi();
+  const s = makeMockSession();
+
+  const result = await runUnit(ctx, pi, s, "task", "T01", "prompt");
+
+  // When the readyCheck throws, ready=false → unit cancelled
+  assert.equal(result.status, "cancelled");
+  assert.equal(result.errorContext?.category, "provider");
+  assert.equal(pi.calls.length, 0);
+});
+
 // ─── Structural assertions ───────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
 test("auto-loop.ts exports autoLoop, runUnit, resolveAgentEnd", async () => {

package/src/resources/extensions/gsd/tests/auto-recovery.test.ts

@@ -775,6 +775,55 @@ test("#4414: parallel-research sentinel path does not collide with RESEARCH suff
   }
 });
 
+test("#4068: verifyExpectedArtifact parallel-research treats PARALLEL-BLOCKER as terminal completion", () => {
+  // Regression: when a parallel-research unit times out and the timeout-recovery
+  // machinery writes a PARALLEL-BLOCKER placeholder, verifyExpectedArtifact must
+  // return true so the dispatch loop can advance.  Previously it only returned
+  // true when every slice had a RESEARCH file — meaning a timeout always left
+  // verifyExpectedArtifact returning false, the unit was never cleared from
+  // unitDispatchCount, and the dispatch rule re-fired on the next iteration
+  // (infinite loop, issue #4068 / #4355).
+  const base = makeTmpBase();
+  try {
+    // Write a minimal roadmap
+    writeFileSync(
+      join(base, ".gsd", "milestones", "M001", "M001-ROADMAP.md"),
+      [
+        "# M001: Timeout Test",
+        "",
+        "## Slices",
+        "",
+        "- [ ] **S01: Alpha** `risk:low` `depends:[]`",
+        "- [ ] **S02: Beta** `risk:low` `depends:[]`",
+        "",
+      ].join("\n"),
+      "utf-8",
+    );
+
+    // No RESEARCH files written — subagents timed out
+    clearParseCache();
+    invalidateAllCaches();
+
+    // Simulate timeout-recovery writing the PARALLEL-BLOCKER placeholder
+    const blockerPath = resolveExpectedArtifactPath("research-slice", "M001/parallel-research", base);
+    assert.ok(blockerPath, "PARALLEL-BLOCKER path must resolve for parallel-research unit");
+    writeFileSync(blockerPath!, "# BLOCKER — timeout recovery\n\n**Reason**: hard timeout.\n", "utf-8");
+
+    clearParseCache();
+    invalidateAllCaches();
+
+    // After blocker is written, verifyExpectedArtifact must return true
+    // so the dispatch loop treats this unit as complete and moves on.
+    assert.equal(
+      verifyExpectedArtifact("research-slice", "M001/parallel-research", base),
+      true,
+      "#4068: PARALLEL-BLOCKER on disk must satisfy verifyExpectedArtifact so the loop does not re-dispatch",
+    );
+  } finally {
+    cleanup(base);
+  }
+});
+
 test("#4414: verifyExpectedArtifact parallel-research succeeds when all research-ready slices have RESEARCH", () => {
   const base = makeTmpBase();
   try {