jw-automator 4.0.0 → 6.0.0

package/src/Automator.js

@@ -1,33 +1,56 @@
 /**
  * Automator.js
  *
- * Main API class for jw-automator v3
+ * Main API class for jw-automator v5
  */
 
+const fs = require('fs');
+const path = require('path');
 const SchedulerHost = require('./host/SchedulerHost');
 const CoreEngine = require('./core/CoreEngine');
-const FileStorage = require('./storage/FileStorage');
-const MemoryStorage = require('./storage/MemoryStorage');
 
 class Automator {
   constructor(options = {}) {
     this.options = {
-      storage: options.storage || new MemoryStorage(),
+      storageFile: options.storageFile || null,
       autoSave: options.autoSave !== false, // default true
-      saveInterval: options.saveInterval || 5000, // 5 seconds
+      saveInterval: options.saveInterval || 15000, // 15 seconds (disk wear mitigation)
+      bootMode: options.bootMode !== false, // default true
+      defaultCatchUpMode: options.defaultCatchUpMode || 'default',
       ...options
     };
 
     this.host = new SchedulerHost();
     this.nextId = 1;
-    this.saveTimer = null;
+
+    // Create the save manager, which encapsulates all persistence logic.
+    this._saveManager = this._createSaveManager(
+      () => this._performSave(),
+      this.options.saveInterval
+    );
+
+    // Disable boot mode immediately if configured
+    if (this.options.bootMode === false) {
+      this.host.bootMode = false;
+    }
 
     // Forward events from host
     this.host.on('ready', (...args) => this._emit('ready', ...args));
-    this.host.on('action', (...args) => this._emit('action', ...args));
+    this.host.on('task', (...args) => {
+      // Task execution: ask to save (respects moratorium)
+      this._requestSave(false);
+      this._emit('task', ...args);
+    });
     this.host.on('error', (...args) => this._emit('error', ...args));
     this.host.on('debug', (...args) => this._emit('debug', ...args));
 
+    // Save state after boot completes
+    this.host.on('boot-complete', () => {
+      if (this.options.autoSave) {
+        this._requestSave(true);
+      }
+    });
+
     // Event listeners
     this.listeners = new Map();
 
@@ -36,30 +59,34 @@ class Automator {
   }
 
   /**
-   * Seed the automator with initial actions (runs only on first use)
+   * Seed the automator with initial tasks (runs only on first use)
    *
    * @param {Function} callback - Function to execute when database is empty
-   * @returns {boolean} - True if seeding ran, false if skipped
+   * @returns {Object} - Result object with success/error
    */
   seed(callback) {
     if (typeof callback !== 'function') {
-      throw new Error('seed() requires a callback function');
+      return this._error(
+        'seed() requires a callback function',
+        'INVALID_CALLBACK',
+        { providedType: typeof callback }
+      );
     }
 
     const state = this.host.getState();
 
     // Check if already populated
-    if (state.actions && state.actions.length > 0) {
-      return false;
+    if (state.tasks && state.tasks.length > 0) {
+      return this._success({ seeded: false, message: 'Database already populated' });
     }
 
     // Execute seeding callback
     callback(this);
 
-    // Immediately save the seeded state
-    this._saveState();
+    // Save immediately
+    this._requestSave(true);
 
-    return true;
+    return this._success({ seeded: true, message: 'Database seeded successfully' });
   }
 
   /**
@@ -67,11 +94,7 @@ class Automator {
    */
   start() {
     this.host.start();
-
-    // Start auto-save if enabled
-    if (this.options.autoSave) {
-      this._startAutoSave();
-    }
+    // No periodic timer needed - moratorium state machine handles saves
   }
 
   /**
@@ -80,15 +103,10 @@ class Automator {
   stop() {
     this.host.stop();
 
-    // Stop auto-save
-    if (this.saveTimer) {
-      clearInterval(this.saveTimer);
-      this.saveTimer = null;
-    }
-
-    // Final save
+    // On shutdown, flush any pending saves and cancel any future timers.
     if (this.options.autoSave) {
-      this._saveState();
+      this._saveManager.flush();
+      this._saveManager.cancel();
     }
   }
 
@@ -107,265 +125,309 @@ class Automator {
   }
 
   /**
-   * Add an action
+   * Add a task
+   * @returns {Object} - Result object with success/error
    */
-  addAction(actionSpec) {
-    // Validate action (includes defensive coercion)
-    this._validateAction(actionSpec);
+  addTask(taskSpec) {
+    // Normalize catch-up settings using the helper
+    const { catchUpWindow, catchUpLimit } = this._normalizeCatchUpSettings(taskSpec);
 
-    // Normalize catchUpWindow (handles backwards compatibility with unBuffered)
-    const catchUpWindow = this._normalizeCatchUpWindow(actionSpec);
+    // Validate task (returns error result if invalid)
+    const validationResult = this._validateTask(taskSpec);
+    if (!validationResult.success) {
+      return validationResult;
+    }
 
     // Defensive: Default missing date to 5 seconds from now
     let startDate;
-    if (!actionSpec.date) {
+    if (!taskSpec.date) {
       startDate = new Date(Date.now() + 5000);
       this._emit('debug', {
         type: 'debug',
         message: 'No date provided - defaulting to 5 seconds from now'
       });
     } else {
-      startDate = new Date(actionSpec.date);
+      startDate = new Date(taskSpec.date);
     }
 
-    // Create action with state
-    const action = {
+    // Create task with state
+    const task = {
       id: this.nextId++,
-      name: actionSpec.name || null,
-      cmd: actionSpec.cmd,
-      payload: actionSpec.payload !== undefined ? actionSpec.payload : null,
+      name: taskSpec.name || null,
+      cmd: taskSpec.cmd,
+      payload: taskSpec.payload !== undefined ? taskSpec.payload : null,
       date: startDate,
-      unBuffered: actionSpec.unBuffered !== undefined ? actionSpec.unBuffered : false,
-      catchUpWindow: catchUpWindow,
-      repeat: actionSpec.repeat ? { ...actionSpec.repeat } : null,
+      catchUpWindow: catchUpWindow, // Use normalized value
+      catchUpLimit: catchUpLimit,   // Use normalized value
+      repeat: taskSpec.repeat ? { ...taskSpec.repeat } : null,
       count: 0
     };
 
     // Set default dstPolicy if not specified
-    if (action.repeat && !action.repeat.dstPolicy) {
-      action.repeat.dstPolicy = 'once';
+    if (task.repeat && !task.repeat.dstPolicy) {
+      task.repeat.dstPolicy = 'once';
     }
 
-    this.host.addAction(action);
+    this.host.addTask(task);
 
     this._emit('update', {
       type: 'update',
       operation: 'add',
-      action: { ...action }
+      task: { ...task }
     });
 
-    if (this.options.autoSave) {
-      this._saveState();
-    }
+    // Save immediately
+    this._requestSave(true);
 
-    return action.id;
+    return this._success({ id: task.id });
   }
 
   /**
-   * Update an action by ID
+   * Update a task by ID
+   * @returns {Object} - Result object with success/error
    */
-  updateActionByID(id, updates) {
+  updateTaskByID(id, updates) {
     const state = this.host.getState();
-    const action = state.actions.find(a => a.id === id);
+    const task = state.tasks.find(t => t.id === id);
 
-    if (!action) {
-      throw new Error(`Action with id ${id} not found`);
+    if (!task) {
+      return this._error(
+        `Task with id ${id} not found`,
+        'TASK_NOT_FOUND',
+        { taskId: id }
+      );
+    }
+
+    // Normalize catch-up settings using the helper, passing existing task for context
+    const { catchUpWindow, catchUpLimit } = this._normalizeCatchUpSettings(updates, task);
+
+    // Apply resolved catchUp values to updates object
+    updates.catchUpWindow = catchUpWindow;
+    updates.catchUpLimit = catchUpLimit;
+
+    // Validate catchUpWindow and catchUpLimit if being updated
+    if ('catchUpWindow' in updates) {
+      const result = this._validateCatchUpWindow(updates.catchUpWindow);
+      if (!result.success) return result;
+    }
+    if ('catchUpLimit' in updates) {
+      const result = this._validateCatchUpLimit(updates.catchUpLimit);
+      if (!result.success) return result;
     }
 
     // Update allowed fields
-    const allowedUpdates = ['name', 'cmd', 'payload', 'date', 'unBuffered', 'catchUpWindow', 'repeat', 'count'];
+    const allowedUpdates = ['name', 'cmd', 'payload', 'date', 'catchUpWindow', 'catchUpLimit', 'repeat', 'count'];
 
     for (const key of allowedUpdates) {
       if (key in updates) {
         if (key === 'date' && updates[key]) {
-          action[key] = new Date(updates[key]);
+          task[key] = new Date(updates[key]);
         } else if (key === 'repeat' && updates[key]) {
-          action[key] = { ...updates[key] };
-          if (!action[key].dstPolicy) {
-            action[key].dstPolicy = 'once';
+          // Merge repeat object instead of overwriting, to preserve existing fields
+          task[key] = { ...(task[key] || {}), ...updates[key] };
+          if (!task[key].dstPolicy) {
+            task[key].dstPolicy = 'once';
           }
         } else {
-          action[key] = updates[key];
+          task[key] = updates[key];
         }
       }
     }
 
-    // Re-normalize catchUpWindow if unBuffered or catchUpWindow was updated
-    if ('unBuffered' in updates || 'catchUpWindow' in updates) {
-      action.catchUpWindow = this._normalizeCatchUpWindow(action);
-    }
-
     this._emit('update', {
       type: 'update',
       operation: 'update',
-      actionId: id,
-      action: { ...action }
+      taskId: id,
+      task: { ...task }
     });
 
-    if (this.options.autoSave) {
-      this._saveState();
-    }
+    // Save immediately
+    this._requestSave(true);
+
+    return this._success({ id, task: { ...task } });
   }
 
   /**
-   * Update actions by name
+   * Update tasks by name
+   * @returns {Object} - Result object with success/error
    */
-  updateActionByName(name, updates) {
+  updateTaskByName(name, updates) {
     const state = this.host.getState();
-    const toUpdate = state.actions.filter(a => a.name === name);
+    const toUpdate = state.tasks.filter(t => t.name === name);
 
     if (toUpdate.length === 0) {
-      // For consistency with removeActionByName, we could throw an error.
-      // However, it might be more convenient to simply return 0.
-      // Let's return 0 for now.
-      return 0;
+      return this._success({ count: 0 }); // Not an error, just no matches
     }
 
-    const allowedUpdates = ['cmd', 'payload', 'date', 'unBuffered', 'catchUpWindow', 'repeat', 'count'];
+    // Create a mutable copy of updates for each task so _normalizeCatchUpSettings can modify it
+    const clonedUpdates = { ...updates };
+    // Normalize catch-up settings using the helper, passing existing task for context
+    // This needs to be done for each task because 'auto' mode might depend on task.repeat
+    const normalizedCatchUp = this._normalizeCatchUpSettings(clonedUpdates, toUpdate[0]); // Normalize once, assumes all tasks of same name have similar repeat structure for 'auto' mode
 
-    for (const action of toUpdate) {
+    // Apply resolved catchUp values to clonedUpdates object
+    clonedUpdates.catchUpWindow = normalizedCatchUp.catchUpWindow;
+    clonedUpdates.catchUpLimit = normalizedCatchUp.catchUpLimit;
+
+    // Validate catchUpWindow and catchUpLimit if being updated
+    if ('catchUpWindow' in clonedUpdates) {
+      const result = this._validateCatchUpWindow(clonedUpdates.catchUpWindow);
+      if (!result.success) return result;
+    }
+    if ('catchUpLimit' in clonedUpdates) {
+      const result = this._validateCatchUpLimit(clonedUpdates.catchUpLimit);
+      if (!result.success) return result;
+    }
+
+    const allowedUpdates = ['cmd', 'payload', 'date', 'catchUpWindow', 'catchUpLimit', 'repeat', 'count'];
+
+    for (const task of toUpdate) {
       for (const key of allowedUpdates) {
-        if (key in updates) {
-          if (key === 'date' && updates[key]) {
-            action[key] = new Date(updates[key]);
-          } else if (key === 'repeat' && updates[key]) {
-            action[key] = { ...action.repeat, ...updates[key] };
-            if (!action[key].dstPolicy) {
-              action[key].dstPolicy = 'once';
+        if (key in clonedUpdates) { // Use clonedUpdates here
+          if (key === 'date' && clonedUpdates[key]) {
+            task[key] = new Date(clonedUpdates[key]);
+          } else if (key === 'repeat' && clonedUpdates[key]) {
+            task[key] = { ...(task[key] || {}), ...clonedUpdates[key] };
+            if (!task[key].dstPolicy) {
+              task[key].dstPolicy = 'once';
             }
           } else {
-            action[key] = updates[key];
+            task[key] = clonedUpdates[key];
           }
         }
       }
 
-      // Re-normalize catchUpWindow if unBuffered or catchUpWindow was updated
-      if ('unBuffered' in updates || 'catchUpWindow' in updates) {
-        action.catchUpWindow = this._normalizeCatchUpWindow(action);
-      }
-
       this._emit('update', {
         type: 'update',
         operation: 'update',
-        actionId: action.id,
-        action: { ...action }
+        taskId: task.id,
+        task: { ...task }
       });
     }
 
-    if (this.options.autoSave) {
-      this._saveState();
-    }
+    // Save immediately
+    this._requestSave(true);
 
-    return toUpdate.length;
+    return this._success({ count: toUpdate.length });
   }
 
   /**
-   * Remove action by ID
+   * Remove task by ID
+   * @returns {Object} - Result object with success/error
    */
-  removeActionByID(id) {
+  removeTaskByID(id) {
     const state = this.host.getState();
-    const index = state.actions.findIndex(a => a.id === id);
+    const index = state.tasks.findIndex(t => t.id === id);
 
     if (index === -1) {
-      throw new Error(`Action with id ${id} not found`);
+      return this._error(
+        `Task with id ${id} not found`,
+        'TASK_NOT_FOUND',
+        { taskId: id }
+      );
     }
 
-    const removed = state.actions.splice(index, 1)[0];
+    const removed = state.tasks.splice(index, 1)[0];
 
     this._emit('update', {
       type: 'update',
       operation: 'remove',
-      actionId: id,
-      action: removed
+      taskId: id,
+      task: removed
     });
 
-    if (this.options.autoSave) {
-      this._saveState();
-    }
+    // Save immediately
+    this._requestSave(true);
+
+    return this._success({ id, task: removed });
   }
 
   /**
-   * Remove actions by name
+   * Remove tasks by name
+   * @returns {Object} - Result object with success/error
    */
-  removeActionByName(name) {
+  removeTaskByName(name) {
     const state = this.host.getState();
-    const toRemove = state.actions.filter(a => a.name === name);
+    const toRemove = state.tasks.filter(t => t.name === name);
 
     if (toRemove.length === 0) {
-      throw new Error(`No actions found with name: ${name}`);
+      return this._error(
+        `No tasks found with name: ${name}`,
+        'NO_TASKS_FOUND',
+        { taskName: name }
+      );
     }
 
-    for (const action of toRemove) {
-      const index = state.actions.indexOf(action);
+    for (const task of toRemove) {
+      const index = state.tasks.indexOf(task);
       if (index !== -1) {
-        state.actions.splice(index, 1);
+        state.tasks.splice(index, 1);
 
         this._emit('update', {
           type: 'update',
           operation: 'remove',
-          actionId: action.id,
-          action
+          taskId: task.id,
+          task
         });
       }
     }
 
-    if (this.options.autoSave) {
-      this._saveState();
-    }
+    // Save immediately
+    this._requestSave(true);
 
-    return toRemove.length;
+    return this._success({ count: toRemove.length });
   }
 
   /**
-   * Deep clone an action
+   * Deep clone a task
    */
-  _cloneAction(action) {
-    const cloned = { ...action };
+  _cloneTask(task) {
+    const cloned = { ...task };
 
     // Deep copy nested objects
-    if (action.repeat) {
-      cloned.repeat = { ...action.repeat };
+    if (task.repeat) {
+      cloned.repeat = { ...task.repeat };
     }
 
     // Clone Date objects properly
-    if (action.date) {
-      cloned.date = new Date(action.date);
+    if (task.date) {
+      cloned.date = new Date(task.date);
     }
 
     return cloned;
   }
 
   /**
-   * Get all actions (deep copy)
+   * Get all tasks (deep copy)
    */
-  getActions() {
+  getTasks() {
     const state = this.host.getState();
-    return state.actions.map(a => this._cloneAction(a));
+    return state.tasks.map(t => this._cloneTask(t));
   }
 
   /**
-   * Get actions by name
+   * Get tasks by name
    */
-  getActionsByName(name) {
+  getTasksByName(name) {
     const state = this.host.getState();
-    return state.actions
-      .filter(a => a.name === name)
-      .map(a => this._cloneAction(a));
+    return state.tasks
+      .filter(t => t.name === name)
+      .map(t => this._cloneTask(t));
   }
 
   /**
-   * Get action by ID
+   * Get task by ID
    */
-  getActionByID(id) {
+  getTaskByID(id) {
     const state = this.host.getState();
-    const action = state.actions.find(a => a.id === id);
-    return action ? this._cloneAction(action) : null;
+    const task = state.tasks.find(t => t.id === id);
+    return task ? this._cloneTask(task) : null;
   }
 
   /**
-   * Get actions scheduled in a time range
+   * Get tasks scheduled in a time range
    */
-  getActionsInRange(startDate, endDate, callback) {
+  getTasksInRange(startDate, endDate, callback) {
     const start = new Date(startDate);
     const end = new Date(endDate);
 
@@ -380,43 +442,44 @@ class Automator {
   }
 
   /**
-   * Simulate range (alias for getActionsInRange)
+   * Simulate range (alias for getTasksInRange)
    */
   simulateRange(startDate, endDate) {
-    return this.getActionsInRange(startDate, endDate);
+    return this.getTasksInRange(startDate, endDate);
   }
 
   /**
-   * Describe an action in human-readable format
+   * Describe a task in human-readable format
    */
-  describeAction(id) {
-    const action = this.getActionByID(id);
-    if (!action) {
+  describeTask(id) {
+    const task = this.getTaskByID(id);
+    if (!task) {
       return null;
     }
 
-    let description = `Action #${action.id}`;
-    if (action.name) {
-      description += ` - ${action.name}`;
+    let description = `Task #${task.id}`;
+    if (task.name) {
+      description += ` - ${task.name}`;
     }
 
-    description += `\n  Command: ${action.cmd}`;
-    description += `\n  Next run: ${action.date ? action.date.toLocaleString() : 'None'}`;
-    description += `\n  Executions: ${action.count}`;
-    description += `\n  Buffered: ${!action.unBuffered}`;
+    description += `\n  Command: ${task.cmd}`;
+    description += `\n  Next run: ${task.date ? task.date.toLocaleString() : 'None'}`;
+    description += `\n  Executions: ${task.count}`;
+    description += `\n  Catch-up Window: ${task.catchUpWindow === 'unlimited' ? 'unlimited' : `${task.catchUpWindow}ms`}`;
+    description += `\n  Catch-up Limit: ${task.catchUpLimit === 'all' ? 'all' : task.catchUpLimit}`;
 
-    if (action.repeat) {
-      description += `\n  Recurrence: ${action.repeat.type}`;
-      if (action.repeat.interval > 1) {
-        description += ` (every ${action.repeat.interval})`;
+    if (task.repeat) {
+      description += `\n  Recurrence: ${task.repeat.type}`;
+      if (task.repeat.interval > 1) {
+        description += ` (every ${task.repeat.interval})`;
       }
-      if (action.repeat.limit) {
-        description += `\n  Limit: ${action.repeat.limit}`;
+      if (task.repeat.limit) {
+        description += `\n  Limit: ${task.repeat.limit}`;
       }
-      if (action.repeat.endDate) {
-        description += `\n  End date: ${new Date(action.repeat.endDate).toLocaleString()}`;
+      if (task.repeat.endDate) {
+        description += `\n  End date: ${new Date(task.repeat.endDate).toLocaleString()}`;
       }
-      description += `\n  DST policy: ${action.repeat.dstPolicy}`;
+      description += `\n  DST policy: ${task.repeat.dstPolicy}`;
     } else {
       description += `\n  Recurrence: One-time`;
     }
@@ -424,6 +487,73 @@ class Automator {
     return description;
   }
 
+  /**
+   * Creates a self-contained save manager that replicates the moratorium logic.
+   * This avoids external dependencies while still encapsulating the complex state.
+   * @param {Function} func The save function to wrap.
+   * @param {number} interval The cooldown interval in milliseconds.
+   * @returns {Function} A manager function with .flush() and .cancel() methods.
+   * @private
+   */
+  _createSaveManager(func, interval) {
+    let moratoriumActive = false;
+    let stateDirty = false;
+    let moratoriumTimer = null;
+
+    const manager = (force = false) => {
+      if (force) {
+        // A forced call immediately saves, marks as clean, and starts a new cooldown.
+        func();
+        stateDirty = false;
+        startMoratorium();
+        return;
+      }
+
+      // A non-forced call is an "ask". Mark as dirty.
+      stateDirty = true;
+      // If in a cooldown, do nothing more. The trailing call will handle it.
+      if (moratoriumActive) {
+        return;
+      }
+
+      // If not in a cooldown, perform the leading-edge save.
+      func();
+      stateDirty = false;
+      startMoratorium();
+    };
+
+    function startMoratorium() {
+      moratoriumActive = true;
+      // Clear any existing timer to restart the cooldown period.
+      if (moratoriumTimer) {
+        clearTimeout(moratoriumTimer);
+      }
+      moratoriumTimer = setTimeout(onMoratoriumEnd, interval);
+    }
+
+    function onMoratoriumEnd() {
+      moratoriumActive = false;
+      moratoriumTimer = null;
+      // If changes occurred during the cooldown, perform the trailing-edge save.
+      if (stateDirty) {
+        manager(false);
+      }
+    }
+
+    // Method to force an immediate save.
+    manager.flush = () => manager(true);
+
+    // Method to clear any pending timers, e.g., on shutdown.
+    manager.cancel = () => {
+      if (moratoriumTimer) {
+        clearTimeout(moratoriumTimer);
+        moratoriumTimer = null;
+      }
+    };
+
+    return manager;
+  }
+
   /**
    * Event listener management
    */
@@ -459,248 +589,363 @@ class Automator {
     }
   }
 
+  /**
+   * Create a success result object
+   * @private
+   */
+  _success(data) {
+    return { success: true, ...data };
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Create an error result object and emit error event
+   * @private
+   */
+  _error(message, code, additionalData = {}) {
+    const result = {
+      success: false,
+      error: message,
+      code,
+      ...additionalData
+    };
+
+    // Still emit error event for logging/monitoring
+    this._emit('error', {
+      type: 'validation_error',
+      message,
+      code,
+      ...additionalData
+    });
+
+    return result;
+  }
+
   /**
    * Load state from storage
    */
   _loadState() {
+    if (!this.options.storageFile) {
+      // Memory-only: start with empty state
+      this.host.setState({ tasks: [] });
+      return;
+    }
+
     try {
-      const state = this.options.storage.load();
-
-      // Normalize catchUpWindow for existing actions (for backwards compatibility)
-      if (state.actions && state.actions.length > 0) {
-        state.actions = state.actions.map(action => ({
-          ...action,
-          catchUpWindow: action.catchUpWindow !== undefined
-            ? action.catchUpWindow
-            : this._normalizeCatchUpWindow(action)
-        }));
-
-        const maxId = Math.max(...state.actions.map(a => a.id || 0));
-        this.nextId = maxId + 1;
-      }
+      const filePath = path.resolve(this.options.storageFile);
 
-      this.host.setState(state);
+      if (fs.existsSync(filePath)) {
+        const data = fs.readFileSync(filePath, 'utf8');
+        const state = JSON.parse(data);
+
+        // Deserialize Date objects
+        if (state.tasks) {
+          state.tasks = state.tasks.map(task => {
+            if (task.date) {
+              task.date = new Date(task.date);
+            }
+            if (task.repeat && task.repeat.endDate) {
+              task.repeat.endDate = new Date(task.repeat.endDate);
+            }
+            return task;
+          });
+        }
+
+        // Set nextId from loaded state
+        if (state.tasks && state.tasks.length > 0) {
+          const maxId = Math.max(...state.tasks.map(t => t.id || 0));
+          this.nextId = maxId + 1;
+        }
+
+        this.host.setState(state);
+      } else {
+        // File doesn't exist yet
+        this.host.setState({ tasks: [] });
+      }
     } catch (error) {
       this._emit('error', {
         type: 'error',
         message: `Failed to load state: ${error.message}`,
         error
       });
+      // Defensive: continue with empty state
+      this.host.setState({ tasks: [] });
     }
   }
 
   /**
-   * Save state to storage
+   * Perform actual save to storage (called by state machine)
+   * @private
    */
-  _saveState() {
+  _performSave() {
+    if (!this.options.storageFile) {
+      // Memory-only: no-op
+      return;
+    }
+
     try {
+      const filePath = path.resolve(this.options.storageFile);
       const state = this.host.getState();
-      this.options.storage.save(state);
+      const data = JSON.stringify(state, null, 2);
+
+      fs.writeFileSync(filePath, data, 'utf8');
     } catch (error) {
       this._emit('error', {
         type: 'error',
         message: `Failed to save state: ${error.message}`,
         error
       });
+      // Keep dirty=true on error so we retry later
     }
   }
 
   /**
-   * Start auto-save timer
+   * Request a save, which is handled by the save manager.
+   * @param {boolean} force - true to force an immediate save, false to make a normal request.
+   * @private
    */
-  _startAutoSave() {
-    if (this.saveTimer) {
+  _requestSave(force = false) {
+    if (!this.options.autoSave) {
       return;
     }
-
-    this.saveTimer = setInterval(() => {
-      this._saveState();
-    }, this.options.saveInterval);
+    // Delegate directly to the save manager.
+    this._saveManager(force);
   }
 
-
   /**
-   * Calculate interval in milliseconds from a repeat spec.
-   * Note: Uses approximations for month/year, as this is for a default
-   * catch-up window, not for precise scheduling.
+   * Normalizes catch-up settings (catchUpWindow, catchUpLimit) from a task specification.
+   * This handles cascading defaults: explicit on taskSpec > taskSpec.catchUpMode > existingTask > automator.defaultCatchUpMode > hardcoded defaults.
+   * Also deletes `catchUpMode` from the incomingSpec after processing.
    *
-   * @param {object} repeat
-   * @returns {number}
+   * @param {Object} incomingSpec - The task specification or update object (e.g., from addTask or updateTask).
+   * @param {Object} [existingTask=null] - The current state of the task, if an update operation.
+   * @returns {{catchUpWindow: number|string, catchUpLimit: number|string}} The resolved catch-up settings.
    * @private
    */
-  _getIntervalMilliseconds(repeat) {
-    const interval = repeat.interval || 1;
-    switch (repeat.type) {
-      case 'second':
-        return interval * 1000;
-      case 'minute':
-        return interval * 60 * 1000;
-      case 'hour':
-        return interval * 60 * 60 * 1000;
-      case 'day':
-      case 'weekday': // Approximated as 1 day for catch-up purposes
-      case 'weekend': // Approximated as 1 day for catch-up purposes
-        return interval * 24 * 60 * 60 * 1000;
-      case 'week':
-        return interval * 7 * 24 * 60 * 60 * 1000;
-      case 'month':
-        // A reasonable approximation for a default is 30 days
-        return interval * 30 * 24 * 60 * 60 * 1000;
-      case 'year':
-        // A reasonable approximation for a default is 365 days
-        return interval * 365 * 24 * 60 * 60 * 1000;
-      default:
-        // Fallback for an invalid type that slipped past validation
-        return 60000; // 1 minute
+  _normalizeCatchUpSettings(incomingSpec, existingTask = null) {
+    let resolvedWindow;
+    let resolvedLimit;
+
+    // A. Check for instructions in the new spec first (highest precedence)
+    const hasExplicitWindow = incomingSpec.catchUpWindow !== undefined;
+    const hasExplicitLimit = incomingSpec.catchUpLimit !== undefined;
+    const hasMode = incomingSpec.catchUpMode !== undefined;
+
+    if (hasExplicitWindow || hasExplicitLimit) {
+        // Use explicit values directly. If one is missing, use the other from existing or default to 0.
+        resolvedWindow = hasExplicitWindow ? incomingSpec.catchUpWindow : (existingTask ? existingTask.catchUpWindow : 0);
+        resolvedLimit = hasExplicitLimit ? incomingSpec.catchUpLimit : (existingTask ? existingTask.catchUpLimit : 0);
+    } else if (hasMode) {
+        // Apply the mode from the incoming spec
+        switch (incomingSpec.catchUpMode) {
+            case 'default':
+                resolvedWindow = 500;
+                resolvedLimit = 1;
+                break;
+            case 'realtime':
+                resolvedWindow = 0;
+                resolvedLimit = 0;
+                break;
+            case 'auto':
+                const MIN_WINDOW = 500; // 0.5 seconds
+                const MAX_WINDOW = 900000; // 15 minutes
+
+                resolvedLimit = 1; // 'auto' mode always catches up one missed instance.
+                const repeat = incomingSpec.repeat || (existingTask ? existingTask.repeat : null);
+
+                if (repeat && repeat.type && repeat.interval) {
+                    let intervalMs = 0;
+                    switch (repeat.type) {
+                        case 'second': intervalMs = repeat.interval * 1000; break;
+                        case 'minute': intervalMs = repeat.interval * 60 * 1000; break;
+                        case 'hour':   intervalMs = repeat.interval * 60 * 60 * 1000; break;
+                        case 'day':    intervalMs = repeat.interval * 24 * 60 * 60 * 1000; break;
+                        // week, weekend, weekday, month, year are more complex and less predictable in duration.
+                        // Default to a safe, medium-sized window for these.
+                        default:       intervalMs = 60000; // Assume 1 minute for complex types
+                    }
+                    
+                    // Calculate the elastic window (25% of interval)
+                    const elasticWindow = Math.floor(intervalMs * 0.25);
+                    
+                    // Apply the min and max caps
+                    let finalWindow = Math.max(MIN_WINDOW, elasticWindow);
+                    finalWindow = Math.min(finalWindow, MAX_WINDOW);
+                    resolvedWindow = finalWindow;
+                } else {
+                    // If no repeat info, 'auto' falls back to the same as 'default'
+                    resolvedWindow = 500; 
+                    resolvedLimit = 1;
+                }
+                break;
+            default:
+                this._emit('warning', {
+                    type: 'warning',
+                    message: `Unknown catchUpMode "${incomingSpec.catchUpMode}" - defaulting to 'default'`,
+                    taskSpec: incomingSpec
+                });
+                resolvedWindow = 500;
+                resolvedLimit = 1;
+                break;
+        }
+    } else if (existingTask) {
+        // B. No new instructions, so preserve the existing task's values
+        resolvedWindow = existingTask.catchUpWindow;
+        resolvedLimit = existingTask.catchUpLimit;
+    } else {
+        // C. No new instructions and no existing task (i.e., addTask), so use automator default
+        const automatorDefaultMode = this.options.defaultCatchUpMode || 'default';
+        switch (automatorDefaultMode) {
+            case 'realtime':
+                resolvedWindow = 0;
+                resolvedLimit = 0;
+                break;
+            case 'default':
+            default:
+                resolvedWindow = 500;
+                resolvedLimit = 1;
+                break;
+        }
     }
+
+    // Always delete catchUpMode from the incoming spec as it's a transient macro
+    delete incomingSpec.catchUpMode;
+
+    return { catchUpWindow: resolvedWindow, catchUpLimit: resolvedLimit };
   }
 
+
+
   /**
-   * Normalize catchUpWindow property (handles backwards compatibility with unBuffered)
-   *
-   * Priority:
-   * 1. catchUpWindow specified → normalize it (coerce Infinity to "unlimited" if needed)
-   * 2. unBuffered specified → convert to catchUpWindow equivalent
-   * 3. Neither specified → default to "unlimited" (catch up everything)
-   *
-   * @param {Object} spec - Action specification
-   * @returns {string|number} - Normalized catchUpWindow value ("unlimited" or milliseconds)
+   * Validate catchUpWindow value (returns result object)
+   * @private
    */
-  _normalizeCatchUpWindow(spec) {
-    // 1. New property takes precedence
-    if (spec.catchUpWindow !== undefined) {
-      // Coerce Infinity to "unlimited" (backwards compatibility)
-      if (spec.catchUpWindow === Infinity) {
-        this._emit('debug', {
-          type: 'debug',
-          message: 'Coercing catchUpWindow: Infinity → "unlimited"'
-        });
-        return "unlimited";
-      }
-      return spec.catchUpWindow;
-    }
+  _validateCatchUpWindow(value) {
+    if (value === undefined) return this._success({});
 
-    // 2. Backwards compatibility mapping for legacy 'unBuffered'
-    if (spec.unBuffered !== undefined) {
-      return spec.unBuffered ? 0 : "unlimited";
+    const isValidString = value === "unlimited";
+    const isValidNumber = typeof value === 'number' && !isNaN(value) && value >= 0 && value !== Infinity;
+
+    if (!isValidString && !isValidNumber) {
+      return this._error(
+        `Invalid catchUpWindow "${value}". Must be "unlimited" or a non-negative number (not Infinity).`,
+        'INVALID_CATCHUP_WINDOW',
+        { field: 'catchUpWindow', provided: value }
+      );
     }
 
-    // 3. For recurring actions, default to the interval duration
-    if (spec.repeat) {
-      return this._getIntervalMilliseconds(spec.repeat);
+    return this._success({});
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Validate catchUpLimit value (returns result object)
+   * @private
+   */
+  _validateCatchUpLimit(value) {
+    if (value === undefined) return this._success({});
+
+    const isValidString = value === "all";
+    const isValidNumber = typeof value === 'number' && !isNaN(value) && value >= 0 && Number.isInteger(value);
+
+    if (!isValidString && !isValidNumber) {
+      return this._error(
+        `Invalid catchUpLimit "${value}". Must be "all" or a non-negative integer.`,
+        'INVALID_CATCHUP_LIMIT',
+        { field: 'catchUpLimit', provided: value }
+      );
     }
 
-    // 4. For one-time actions, default to 0 (no catch-up)
-    return 0;
+    return this._success({});
   }
 
   /**
-   * Validate and normalize action specification
-   * Philosophy: "Fail loudly, run defensively"
-   * - Emit ERROR events for serious issues but coerce to reasonable defaults
-   * - Emit DEBUG events for auto-corrections
-   * - Never silently fail
+   * Validate and normalize task specification
+   * Philosophy: "Fail loudly, run defensively" - but return errors instead of throwing
+   * - Return error results for invalid catch-up values and critical fields
+   * - Emit DEBUG/WARNING events for auto-corrections
+   * - Never throw - always return result objects
    */
-  _validateAction(action) {
-    if (!action.cmd) {
-      throw new Error('Action must have a cmd property');
+  _validateTask(task) {
+    if (!task.cmd) {
+      return this._error(
+        'Task must have a cmd property',
+        'MISSING_CMD',
+        { field: 'cmd' }
+      );
     }
 
-    if (action.repeat) {
+    if (task.repeat) {
       const validTypes = ['second', 'minute', 'hour', 'day', 'weekday', 'weekend', 'week', 'month', 'year'];
 
       // CRITICAL: An invalid repeat.type is a fatal error, as intent is lost.
-      if (!action.repeat.type || !validTypes.includes(action.repeat.type)) {
-        throw new Error(`Invalid repeat.type "${action.repeat.type}". Must be one of: ${validTypes.join(', ')}`);
+      if (!task.repeat.type || !validTypes.includes(task.repeat.type)) {
+        return this._error(
+          `Invalid repeat.type "${task.repeat.type}". Must be one of: ${validTypes.join(', ')}`,
+          'INVALID_REPEAT_TYPE',
+          { field: 'repeat.type', provided: task.repeat.type }
+        );
       }
 
       // Defensive: Coerce invalid interval to Math.max(1, Math.floor(value))
-      if (action.repeat.interval !== undefined) {
-        const original = action.repeat.interval;
+      if (task.repeat.interval !== undefined) {
+        const original = task.repeat.interval;
         const coerced = Math.max(1, Math.floor(original));
         if (original !== coerced) {
           this._emit('warning', {
             type: 'warning',
             message: `Invalid repeat.interval ${original} - coerced to ${coerced}`,
-            actionSpec: action
+            taskSpec: task
           });
-          action.repeat.interval = coerced;
+          task.repeat.interval = coerced;
         }
       }
 
       // Defensive: Validate dstPolicy
-      if (action.repeat.dstPolicy && !['once', 'twice'].includes(action.repeat.dstPolicy)) {
+      if (task.repeat.dstPolicy && !['once', 'twice'].includes(task.repeat.dstPolicy)) {
         this._emit('warning', {
           type: 'warning',
-          message: `Invalid dstPolicy "${action.repeat.dstPolicy}" - defaulting to "once"`,
-          actionSpec: action
+          message: `Invalid dstPolicy "${task.repeat.dstPolicy}" - defaulting to "once"`,
+          taskSpec: task
         });
-        action.repeat.dstPolicy = 'once';
+        task.repeat.dstPolicy = 'once';
       }
 
       // Defensive: Coerce invalid repeat.limit to null (unlimited) with WARNING event
-      if (action.repeat.limit !== undefined && action.repeat.limit !== null) {
-        if (typeof action.repeat.limit !== 'number' || action.repeat.limit < 1) {
+      if (task.repeat.limit !== undefined && task.repeat.limit !== null) {
+        if (typeof task.repeat.limit !== 'number' || task.repeat.limit < 1) {
           this._emit('warning', {
             type: 'warning',
-            message: `Invalid repeat.limit ${action.repeat.limit} - defaulting to null (unlimited)`,
-            actionSpec: action
+            message: `Invalid repeat.limit ${task.repeat.limit} - defaulting to null (unlimited)`,
+            taskSpec: task
           });
-          action.repeat.limit = null;
+          task.repeat.limit = null;
         }
       }
 
       // Defensive: Validate repeat.endDate
-      if (action.repeat.endDate !== undefined && action.repeat.endDate !== null) {
+      if (task.repeat.endDate !== undefined && task.repeat.endDate !== null) {
         try {
-          new Date(action.repeat.endDate);
+          new Date(task.repeat.endDate);
         } catch (e) {
           this._emit('warning', {
             type: 'warning',
             message: `Invalid repeat.endDate - ignoring`,
-            actionSpec: action
+            taskSpec: task
           });
-          action.repeat.endDate = null;
+          task.repeat.endDate = null;
         }
       }
     }
 
-    // Defensive: Validate catchUpWindow if provided
-    if (action.catchUpWindow !== undefined) {
-      const isValidString = action.catchUpWindow === "unlimited";
-      const isNumber = typeof action.catchUpWindow === 'number';
-      const isInfinity = action.catchUpWindow === Infinity; // Allow for backwards compatibility
+    // Strict validation for catch-up properties (advanced feature)
+    const windowResult = this._validateCatchUpWindow(task.catchUpWindow);
+    if (!windowResult.success) return windowResult;
 
-      // Coerce negative numbers to 0 FIRST
-      if (isNumber && action.catchUpWindow < 0) {
-        this._emit('warning', {
-          type: 'warning',
-          message: `Negative catchUpWindow ${action.catchUpWindow} - coerced to 0`,
-          actionSpec: action
-        });
-        action.catchUpWindow = 0;
-      }
-      // Then validate it's a valid value
-      else if (!isValidString && !isNumber && !isInfinity) {
-        this._emit('warning', {
-          type: 'warning',
-          message: `Invalid catchUpWindow "${action.catchUpWindow}" - defaulting to "unlimited"`,
-          actionSpec: action
-        });
-        action.catchUpWindow = "unlimited";
-      }
-    }
-  }
+    const limitResult = this._validateCatchUpLimit(task.catchUpLimit);
+    if (!limitResult.success) return limitResult;
 
-  /**
-   * Static storage factory methods
-   */
-  static get storage() {
-    return {
-      file: (filePath) => new FileStorage(filePath),
-      memory: () => new MemoryStorage()
-    };
+    return this._success({});
   }
+
 }
 
 module.exports = Automator;