let-them-talk 3.4.4 → 3.5.0

package/CHANGELOG.md

@@ -1,5 +1,35 @@
 # Changelog
 
+## [3.5.0] - 2026-03-15
+
+### Added — Group Conversation Mode
+- **`set_conversation_mode("group")`** — enables free multi-agent collaboration with auto-broadcast
+- **`listen_group()`** — batch message receiver with random stagger (1-3s) to prevent simultaneous responses
+- Returns ALL unconsumed messages + last 20 messages of context + hints about silent agents
+- Auto-broadcast in group mode: every message is shared with all agents automatically
+- Cooldown enforcement: agents must wait 3s between sends to maintain conversation flow
+- Cascade prevention: broadcast copies don't trigger further broadcasts
+- MCP tools: 27 → 29
+
+### Added — Dashboard Features
+- **Notification panel** — bell icon with badge count, dropdown event feed (agent online/offline, listening status changes)
+- **Agent leaderboard** — performance scoring (0-100) with responsiveness, activity, reliability, collaboration dimensions
+- **Cross-project search** — "All Projects" toggle in search bar, searches across all registered projects
+- **Animated replay export** — Export conversation as self-playing HTML file with typing animations and play/pause controls
+- **Ollama integration** — `npx let-them-talk init --ollama` auto-detects Ollama, creates bridge script for local models
+
+### Fixed — PID & Registration Integrity
+- Registration file locking with try/finally (prevents race conditions when multiple agents register simultaneously)
+- PID stale detection uses `last_activity` with 30s threshold (prevents false "alive" from Windows PID reuse)
+- Lock file cleaned up on process exit
+- Dashboard inject/nudge snapshots project context at click time (prevents wrong-project race)
+
+### Security
+- `toolHandoff` and workflow auto-handoff now check `canSendTo` permissions
+- `lastSentAt` updated in `toolBroadcast` (prevents cooldown bypass)
+- `config.json` added to both server and dashboard reset cleanup
+- Auto-broadcast respects `canSendTo` per recipient
+
 ## [3.4.4] - 2026-03-15
 
 ### Fixed

package/LICENSE

@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ License text copyright (c) 2017 MariaDB Corporation Ab, All Rights Reserved.
 Parameters
 
 Licensor:             Dekelelz
-Licensed Work:        Let Them Talk v3.4.4
+Licensed Work:        Let Them Talk v3.5.0
                       The Licensed Work is (c) 2024-2026 Dekelelz.
 Additional Use Grant: You may make use of the Licensed Work, provided that
                       you may not use the Licensed Work for a Commercial

package/README.md

@@ -84,19 +84,20 @@ Each terminal spawns its own MCP server process. All processes share a `.agent-b
 
 ## Highlights
 
-- **27 MCP tools** — messaging, tasks, workflows, profiles, workspaces, branching
-- **Premium dashboard** — glassmorphism UI, Inter font, gradient accents, SSE real-time (~200ms)
-- **Stats & analytics** — per-agent message counts, response times, hourly activity charts, velocity
-- **Conversation templates** — 4 built-in multi-agent workflows (Code Review, Debug Squad, Feature Dev, Research & Write)
+- **29 MCP tools** — messaging, tasks, workflows, profiles, workspaces, branching, group chat
+- **Group conversation mode** — free multi-agent collaboration with auto-broadcast, stagger delays, and cooldown
+- **Premium dashboard** — glassmorphism UI, notifications panel, agent leaderboard, cross-project search
+- **Animated replay export** — export conversations as self-playing HTML with typing animations
+- **Ollama integration** — `npx let-them-talk init --ollama` for local AI models
+- **Stats & analytics** — per-agent scores, response times, hourly charts, conversation velocity
+- **Conversation templates** — 4 built-in workflows (Code Review, Debug Squad, Feature Dev, Research & Write)
 - **Message management** — edit, delete, copy messages with full edit history
 - **Task management** — drag-and-drop kanban board between agents
 - **Workflow pipelines** — multi-step automation with auto-handoff
 - **Agent profiles** — display names, SVG avatars, roles, bios
 - **Conversation branching** — fork at any point, isolated history per branch
-- **Compact view** — dense message toggle for power users, persists to localStorage
-- **Multi-format export** — HTML, Markdown, and JSON export
-- **CLI tools** — send messages and check status directly from the command line
-- **Secure by default** — CSRF protection, LAN auth tokens, Content Security Policy, agent permissions
+- **Multi-format export** — HTML, Markdown, JSON, and animated replay
+- **Secure by default** — CSRF, LAN auth tokens, CSP, permissions, registration locking
 - **Zero config** — one `npx` command, auto-detects your CLI, works immediately
 
 ## Agent Templates

package/cli.js

@@ -3,14 +3,15 @@
 const fs = require('fs');
 const path = require('path');
 const os = require('os');
+const { execSync } = require('child_process');
 
 const command = process.argv[2];
 
 function printUsage() {
   console.log(`
-  Let Them Talk — Agent Bridge v3.4.4
+  Let Them Talk — Agent Bridge v3.5.0
   MCP message broker for inter-agent communication
-  Supports: Claude Code, Gemini CLI, Codex CLI
+  Supports: Claude Code, Gemini CLI, Codex CLI, Ollama
 
   Usage:
     npx let-them-talk init              Auto-detect CLI and configure MCP
@@ -18,7 +19,8 @@ function printUsage() {
     npx let-them-talk init --gemini     Configure for Gemini CLI
     npx let-them-talk init --codex      Configure for Codex CLI
     npx let-them-talk init --all        Configure for all supported CLIs
-    npx let-them-talk init --template T  Initialize with a team template (pair, team, review, debate)
+    npx let-them-talk init --ollama    Setup Ollama agent bridge (local LLM)
+    npx let-them-talk init --template T  Initialize with a team template (pair, team, review, debate, ollama)
     npx let-them-talk templates         List available agent templates
     npx let-them-talk dashboard         Launch the web dashboard (http://localhost:3000)
     npx let-them-talk dashboard --lan   Launch dashboard accessible on LAN (phone/tablet)
@@ -52,6 +54,16 @@ function detectCLIs() {
   return detected;
 }
 
+// Detect Ollama installation
+function detectOllama() {
+  try {
+    const version = execSync('ollama --version', { encoding: 'utf8', timeout: 5000 }).trim();
+    return { installed: true, version };
+  } catch {
+    return { installed: false };
+  }
+}
+
 // The data directory where all agents read/write — must be the same for server + dashboard
 function dataDir(cwd) {
   return path.join(cwd, '.agent-bridge').replace(/\\/g, '/');
@@ -147,6 +159,131 @@ AGENT_BRIDGE_DATA_DIR = ${JSON.stringify(dataDir(cwd))}
   console.log('  [ok] Codex CLI: .codex/config.toml updated');
 }
 
+// Setup Ollama agent bridge script
+function setupOllama(serverPath, cwd) {
+  const dir = dataDir(cwd);
+  const scriptPath = path.join(cwd, '.agent-bridge', 'ollama-agent.js');
+
+  if (!fs.existsSync(path.join(cwd, '.agent-bridge'))) {
+    fs.mkdirSync(path.join(cwd, '.agent-bridge'), { recursive: true });
+  }
+
+  const script = `#!/usr/bin/env node
+// ollama-agent.js - bridges Ollama to Let Them Talk
+// Usage: node .agent-bridge/ollama-agent.js [agent-name] [model]
+const fs = require('fs'), path = require('path'), http = require('http');
+const DATA_DIR = path.join(__dirname);
+const name = process.argv[2] || 'Ollama';
+const model = process.argv[3] || 'llama3';
+const OLLAMA_URL = process.env.OLLAMA_URL || 'http://localhost:11434';
+
+function readJson(f) { try { return JSON.parse(fs.readFileSync(f, 'utf8')); } catch { return {}; } }
+function readJsonl(f) { if (!fs.existsSync(f)) return []; return fs.readFileSync(f, 'utf8').split('\\n').filter(l => l.trim()).map(l => { try { return JSON.parse(l); } catch { return null; } }).filter(Boolean); }
+
+// Register agent
+function register() {
+  const agentsFile = path.join(DATA_DIR, 'agents.json');
+  const agents = readJson(agentsFile);
+  agents[name] = { pid: process.pid, timestamp: new Date().toISOString(), last_activity: new Date().toISOString(), provider: 'Ollama (' + model + ')' };
+  fs.writeFileSync(agentsFile, JSON.stringify(agents, null, 2));
+  console.log('[' + name + '] Registered (PID ' + process.pid + ', model: ' + model + ')');
+}
+
+// Update heartbeat
+function heartbeat() {
+  const agentsFile = path.join(DATA_DIR, 'agents.json');
+  const agents = readJson(agentsFile);
+  if (agents[name]) {
+    agents[name].last_activity = new Date().toISOString();
+    agents[name].pid = process.pid;
+    fs.writeFileSync(agentsFile, JSON.stringify(agents, null, 2));
+  }
+}
+
+// Call Ollama API
+function callOllama(prompt) {
+  return new Promise(function(resolve, reject) {
+    const url = new URL(OLLAMA_URL + '/api/chat');
+    const body = JSON.stringify({ model: model, messages: [{ role: 'user', content: prompt }], stream: false });
+    const req = http.request(url, { method: 'POST', headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' } }, function(res) {
+      let data = '';
+      res.on('data', function(c) { data += c; });
+      res.on('end', function() {
+        try { const j = JSON.parse(data); resolve(j.message ? j.message.content : data); }
+        catch { resolve(data); }
+      });
+    });
+    req.on('error', reject);
+    req.write(body);
+    req.end();
+  });
+}
+
+// Send a message
+function sendMessage(to, content) {
+  const msgId = 'm' + Date.now().toString(36) + Math.random().toString(36).slice(2, 6);
+  const msg = { id: msgId, from: name, to: to, content: content, timestamp: new Date().toISOString() };
+  fs.appendFileSync(path.join(DATA_DIR, 'messages.jsonl'), JSON.stringify(msg) + '\\n');
+  fs.appendFileSync(path.join(DATA_DIR, 'history.jsonl'), JSON.stringify(msg) + '\\n');
+  console.log('[' + name + '] -> ' + to + ': ' + content.substring(0, 80) + (content.length > 80 ? '...' : ''));
+}
+
+// Listen for messages
+let lastOffset = 0;
+function checkMessages() {
+  const consumedFile = path.join(DATA_DIR, 'consumed-' + name + '.json');
+  const consumed = readJson(consumedFile);
+  lastOffset = consumed.offset || 0;
+
+  const messages = readJsonl(path.join(DATA_DIR, 'messages.jsonl'));
+  const newMsgs = messages.slice(lastOffset).filter(function(m) {
+    return m.to === name || (m.to === 'all' && m.from !== name);
+  });
+
+  if (newMsgs.length > 0) {
+    consumed.offset = messages.length;
+    fs.writeFileSync(consumedFile, JSON.stringify(consumed));
+  }
+
+  return newMsgs;
+}
+
+async function processMessages() {
+  const msgs = checkMessages();
+  for (const m of msgs) {
+    console.log('[' + name + '] <- ' + m.from + ': ' + m.content.substring(0, 80));
+    try {
+      const response = await callOllama(m.content);
+      sendMessage(m.from, response);
+    } catch (e) {
+      sendMessage(m.from, 'Error calling Ollama: ' + e.message);
+    }
+  }
+}
+
+// Main loop
+register();
+const hb = setInterval(heartbeat, 10000);
+hb.unref();
+console.log('[' + name + '] Listening for messages... (Ctrl+C to stop)');
+setInterval(processMessages, 2000);
+
+// Cleanup on exit
+process.on('SIGINT', function() { console.log('\\n[' + name + '] Shutting down.'); process.exit(0); });
+`;
+
+  fs.writeFileSync(scriptPath, script);
+  console.log('  [ok] Ollama agent script created: .agent-bridge/ollama-agent.js');
+  console.log('');
+  console.log('  Launch an Ollama agent with:');
+  console.log('    node .agent-bridge/ollama-agent.js <name> <model>');
+  console.log('');
+  console.log('  Examples:');
+  console.log('    node .agent-bridge/ollama-agent.js Ollama llama3');
+  console.log('    node .agent-bridge/ollama-agent.js Coder codellama');
+  console.log('    node .agent-bridge/ollama-agent.js Writer mistral');
+}
+
 function init() {
   const cwd = process.cwd();
   const serverPath = path.join(__dirname, 'server.js').replace(/\\/g, '/');
@@ -168,6 +305,18 @@ function init() {
     targets = ['codex'];
   } else if (flag === '--all') {
     targets = ['claude', 'gemini', 'codex'];
+  } else if (flag === '--ollama') {
+    const ollama = detectOllama();
+    if (!ollama.installed) {
+      console.log('  Ollama not found. Install it from: https://ollama.com/download');
+      console.log('  After installing, run: ollama pull llama3');
+      console.log('');
+    } else {
+      console.log('  Ollama detected: ' + ollama.version);
+      setupOllama(serverPath, cwd);
+    }
+    targets = detectCLIs();
+    if (targets.length === 0) targets = ['claude'];
   } else {
     // Auto-detect
     targets = detectCLIs();

package/dashboard.html

@@ -2611,6 +2611,13 @@
     </div>
   </div>
   <div class="header-actions">
+    <div style="position:relative;display:inline-block">
+      <button class="notif-toggle" id="notif-bell" onclick="toggleNotifPanel()" title="Notifications" style="position:relative">&#x1f514;<span id="notif-badge" style="display:none;position:absolute;top:-4px;right:-4px;background:var(--red);color:#fff;font-size:8px;font-weight:700;min-width:14px;height:14px;border-radius:7px;text-align:center;line-height:14px;padding:0 3px">0</span></button>
+      <div id="notif-panel" style="display:none;position:absolute;right:0;top:100%;margin-top:8px;background:var(--surface);border:1px solid var(--border-light);border-radius:12px;width:320px;max-height:400px;overflow-y:auto;z-index:300;box-shadow:var(--shadow-lg)">
+        <div style="padding:12px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid var(--border);font-weight:600;font-size:13px;display:flex;justify-content:space-between;align-items:center">Notifications <button onclick="clearNotifications()" style="background:none;border:none;color:var(--text-muted);font-size:11px;cursor:pointer">Clear</button></div>
+        <div id="notif-list" style="padding:4px 0"><div style="padding:16px;text-align:center;color:var(--text-muted);font-size:12px">No notifications yet</div></div>
+      </div>
+    </div>
     <button class="notif-toggle" id="notif-toggle" onclick="toggleNotifications()" title="Browser notifications">&#x1f514;</button>
     <button class="theme-toggle" id="theme-toggle" onclick="toggleTheme()" title="Toggle dark/light theme">&#x1f319;</button>
     <button class="sound-toggle" id="sound-toggle" onclick="toggleSound()" title="Toggle notification sound">&#x1f508;</button>
@@ -2623,6 +2630,7 @@
         <div style="padding:7px 12px;font-size:12px;cursor:pointer;transition:background 0.1s" onmouseover="this.style.background='var(--surface-3)'" onmouseout="this.style.background=''" onclick="exportShareableHTML();toggleExportMenu()">HTML (shareable)</div>
         <div style="padding:7px 12px;font-size:12px;cursor:pointer;transition:background 0.1s" onmouseover="this.style.background='var(--surface-3)'" onmouseout="this.style.background=''" onclick="exportConversation();toggleExportMenu()">Markdown (.md)</div>
         <div style="padding:7px 12px;font-size:12px;cursor:pointer;transition:background 0.1s" onmouseover="this.style.background='var(--surface-3)'" onmouseout="this.style.background=''" onclick="exportJSON();toggleExportMenu()">JSON (.json)</div>
+        <div style="padding:7px 12px;font-size:12px;cursor:pointer;transition:background 0.1s;border-top:1px solid var(--border)" onmouseover="this.style.background='var(--surface-3)'" onmouseout="this.style.background=''" onclick="exportReplay();toggleExportMenu()">Animated Replay (.html)</div>
       </div>
     </div>
     <button class="btn btn-danger" onclick="doReset()">Reset</button>
@@ -2744,6 +2752,7 @@
     <div class="branch-tabs" id="branch-tabs"></div>
     <div class="search-bar" id="search-bar">
       <input class="search-input" id="search-input" placeholder="Search messages...  ( / )" oninput="onSearch()">
+      <button id="search-all-btn" onclick="toggleSearchAll()" title="Search across all projects" style="background:var(--surface-2);border:1px solid var(--border);border-radius:6px;padding:4px 8px;font-size:10px;cursor:pointer;color:var(--text-muted);white-space:nowrap;transition:all 0.2s">All Projects</button>
       <span class="search-count" id="search-count"></span>
       <button class="compact-toggle" id="compact-toggle" onclick="toggleCompactMode()" title="Toggle compact view">Compact</button>
     </div>
@@ -2778,7 +2787,7 @@
   </div>
 </div>
 <div class="app-footer">
-  <span>Let Them Talk v3.4.4</span>
+  <span>Let Them Talk v3.5.0</span>
 </div>
 <div class="profile-popup" id="profile-popup" onclick="event.stopPropagation()">
   <div class="profile-popup-header">
@@ -3182,8 +3191,10 @@ function renderAgents(agents) {
 }
 
 function sendNudge(agentName) {
+  var lockedProject = activeProject;
+  var pq = lockedProject ? '?project=' + encodeURIComponent(lockedProject) : '';
   var body = JSON.stringify({ to: agentName, content: 'Hey ' + agentName + ', the user is waiting for you. Please check for new messages and continue your work.' });
-  lttFetch('/api/inject' + projectParam(), {
+  lttFetch('/api/inject' + pq, {
     method: 'POST',
     headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
     body: body
@@ -3240,8 +3251,11 @@ function doInject() {
   var content = document.getElementById('inject-content').value.trim();
   if (!target || !content) return;
 
+  // Lock project context at send time — prevents race if user switches project mid-type
+  var lockedProject = activeProject;
+  var pq = lockedProject ? '?project=' + encodeURIComponent(lockedProject) : '';
   var body = JSON.stringify({ to: target, content: content });
-  lttFetch('/api/inject' + projectParam(), {
+  lttFetch('/api/inject' + pq, {
     method: 'POST',
     headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
     body: body
@@ -3558,6 +3572,10 @@ var searchQuery = '';
 
 function onSearch() {
   searchQuery = document.getElementById('search-input').value.toLowerCase().trim();
+  if (searchAllMode && searchQuery.length >= 2) {
+    searchAllProjects(searchQuery);
+    return;
+  }
   lastMessageCount = 0;
   renderMessages(cachedHistory);
 }
@@ -4281,6 +4299,7 @@ function fetchStats() {
   lttFetch('/api/stats' + pq).then(function(r) { return r.json(); }).then(function(data) {
     renderStats(data);
   }).catch(function(e) { console.error('Stats fetch failed:', e); });
+  fetchScores();
 }
 
 function renderStats(data) {
@@ -4356,6 +4375,11 @@ function renderStats(data) {
   }
   html += '</div></div>';
 
+  html += '<div style="background:var(--surface);border:1px solid var(--border);border-radius:10px;padding:16px;margin-top:16px">' +
+    '<h3 style="font-size:14px;font-weight:700;margin-bottom:12px;color:var(--accent)">Agent Leaderboard</h3>' +
+    '<div id="scores-area"><div style="color:var(--text-muted);font-size:12px">Loading scores...</div></div>' +
+  '</div>';
+
   el.innerHTML = html;
 }
 
@@ -4686,6 +4710,163 @@ function switchBranch(name) {
   poll();
 }
 
+// ==================== v3.5: NOTIFICATIONS PANEL ====================
+
+var notifData = [];
+var notifSeen = 0;
+
+function toggleNotifPanel() {
+  var panel = document.getElementById('notif-panel');
+  var isOpen = panel.style.display !== 'none';
+  panel.style.display = isOpen ? 'none' : 'block';
+  if (!isOpen) {
+    notifSeen = notifData.length;
+    updateNotifBadge();
+    fetchNotifications();
+  }
+}
+
+function fetchNotifications() {
+  var pq = projectParam();
+  lttFetch('/api/notifications' + pq).then(function(r) { return r.json(); }).then(function(data) {
+    notifData = Array.isArray(data) ? data : [];
+    renderNotifList();
+    updateNotifBadge();
+  }).catch(function() {});
+}
+
+function renderNotifList() {
+  var el = document.getElementById('notif-list');
+  if (!notifData.length) { el.innerHTML = '<div style="padding:16px;text-align:center;color:var(--text-muted);font-size:12px">No notifications yet</div>'; return; }
+  var html = '';
+  for (var i = notifData.length - 1; i >= 0; i--) {
+    var n = notifData[i];
+    var icon = n.type === 'online' ? '&#x1f7e2;' : n.type === 'offline' ? '&#x1f534;' : n.type === 'listening' ? '&#x1f50a;' : '&#x1f515;';
+    var time = new Date(n.timestamp).toLocaleTimeString();
+    html += '<div style="padding:8px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid var(--border);font-size:12px;display:flex;gap:8px;align-items:center">' +
+      '<span>' + icon + '</span>' +
+      '<div style="flex:1"><div style="color:var(--text)">' + escapeHtml(n.message) + '</div><div style="color:var(--text-muted);font-size:10px">' + time + '</div></div>' +
+    '</div>';
+  }
+  el.innerHTML = html;
+}
+
+function updateNotifBadge() {
+  var badge = document.getElementById('notif-badge');
+  var unseen = notifData.length - notifSeen;
+  if (unseen > 0) { badge.textContent = unseen; badge.style.display = 'block'; }
+  else { badge.style.display = 'none'; }
+}
+
+function clearNotifications() {
+  notifData = [];
+  notifSeen = 0;
+  renderNotifList();
+  updateNotifBadge();
+}
+
+// Close notif panel on outside click
+document.addEventListener('click', function(e) {
+  var panel = document.getElementById('notif-panel');
+  var bell = document.getElementById('notif-bell');
+  if (panel && panel.style.display !== 'none' && !panel.contains(e.target) && e.target !== bell && !bell.contains(e.target)) {
+    panel.style.display = 'none';
+  }
+});
+
+// ==================== v3.5: CROSS-PROJECT SEARCH ====================
+
+var searchAllMode = false;
+
+function toggleSearchAll() {
+  searchAllMode = !searchAllMode;
+  var btn = document.getElementById('search-all-btn');
+  btn.style.background = searchAllMode ? 'var(--accent-dim)' : 'var(--surface-2)';
+  btn.style.color = searchAllMode ? 'var(--accent)' : 'var(--text-muted)';
+  btn.style.borderColor = searchAllMode ? 'var(--accent)' : 'var(--border)';
+  if (searchAllMode) {
+    document.getElementById('search-input').placeholder = 'Search ALL projects...';
+  } else {
+    document.getElementById('search-input').placeholder = 'Search messages...  ( / )';
+  }
+  onSearch();
+}
+
+function searchAllProjects(query) {
+  if (!query || query.length < 2) return;
+  var countEl = document.getElementById('search-count');
+  countEl.textContent = 'Searching...';
+  lttFetch('/api/search-all?q=' + encodeURIComponent(query) + '&limit=30').then(function(r) { return r.json(); }).then(function(data) {
+    if (data.error) { countEl.textContent = data.error; return; }
+    countEl.textContent = data.total + ' results across ' + data.results.length + ' projects';
+    // Render results in the messages area
+    var area = document.getElementById('messages');
+    var html = '';
+    for (var i = 0; i < data.results.length; i++) {
+      var proj = data.results[i];
+      html += '<div class="date-sep">' + escapeHtml(proj.project) + ' (' + proj.messages.length + ')</div>';
+      for (var j = 0; j < proj.messages.length; j++) {
+        var m = proj.messages[j];
+        var time = new Date(m.timestamp).toLocaleString();
+        html += '<div class="message" style="opacity:0.85">' +
+          '<div class="msg-body"><div class="msg-header"><span class="msg-from" style="color:var(--accent)">' + escapeHtml(m.from) + '</span>' +
+          '<span class="msg-arrow">&rarr;</span><span class="msg-to">' + escapeHtml(m.to || 'all') + '</span>' +
+          '<span class="msg-time">' + time + '</span></div>' +
+          '<div class="msg-content">' + escapeHtml(m.content.substring(0, 300)) + (m.content.length > 300 ? '...' : '') + '</div></div></div>';
+      }
+    }
+    if (!html) html = '<div class="empty-state"><div class="empty-text">No results found</div></div>';
+    area.innerHTML = html;
+  }).catch(function() { countEl.textContent = 'Search failed'; });
+}
+
+// ==================== v3.5: REPLAY EXPORT ====================
+
+function exportReplay() {
+  var pq = projectParam();
+  window.location.href = '/api/export-replay' + (pq || '?') + (_lttToken ? '&token=' + encodeURIComponent(_lttToken) : '');
+}
+
+// ==================== v3.5: PERFORMANCE SCORES ====================
+
+function fetchScores() {
+  var pq = projectParam();
+  lttFetch('/api/scores' + pq).then(function(r) { return r.json(); }).then(function(data) {
+    renderScores(data);
+  }).catch(function() {});
+}
+
+function renderScores(data) {
+  if (!data || !data.agents) return;
+  var el = document.getElementById('scores-area');
+  if (!el) return;
+  var agents = data.agents;
+  var names = Object.keys(agents).sort(function(a, b) { return agents[b].score - agents[a].score; });
+  if (!names.length) { el.innerHTML = '<div style="color:var(--text-muted);font-size:12px;padding:16px;text-align:center">No agent data yet</div>'; return; }
+
+  var html = '<div style="display:grid;gap:8px">';
+  for (var i = 0; i < names.length; i++) {
+    var n = names[i];
+    var a = agents[n];
+    var medal = i === 0 ? '&#x1f947;' : i === 1 ? '&#x1f948;' : i === 2 ? '&#x1f949;' : '#' + (i + 1);
+    var scoreColor = a.score >= 80 ? 'var(--green)' : a.score >= 60 ? 'var(--accent)' : a.score >= 40 ? 'var(--orange)' : 'var(--red)';
+    html += '<div style="background:var(--surface-2);border:1px solid var(--border);border-radius:10px;padding:12px 16px;display:flex;align-items:center;gap:12px">' +
+      '<div style="font-size:18px;width:28px;text-align:center">' + medal + '</div>' +
+      '<div style="flex:1;min-width:0"><div style="font-weight:600;font-size:13px">' + escapeHtml(n) + '</div>' +
+        '<div style="display:flex;gap:12px;margin-top:4px;font-size:10px;color:var(--text-muted)">' +
+          '<span>Resp: ' + a.responsiveness + '</span>' +
+          '<span>Act: ' + a.activity + '</span>' +
+          '<span>Rel: ' + a.reliability + '</span>' +
+          '<span>Collab: ' + a.collaboration + '</span>' +
+        '</div>' +
+      '</div>' +
+      '<div style="font-size:22px;font-weight:700;color:' + scoreColor + '">' + a.score + '</div>' +
+    '</div>';
+  }
+  html += '</div>';
+  el.innerHTML = html;
+}
+
 // ==================== POLLING ====================
 
 function poll() {
@@ -4737,6 +4918,7 @@ function poll() {
     renderBookmarksSidebar();
     fetchActivity();
     fetchBranches();
+    fetchNotifications();
     updateTypingIndicator(cachedAgents);
     if (activeView === 'tasks') fetchTasks();
     if (activeView === 'workspaces') fetchWorkspaces();

package/dashboard.js

@@ -138,8 +138,15 @@ function readJson(file) {
   try { return JSON.parse(fs.readFileSync(file, 'utf8')); } catch { return {}; }
 }
 
-function isPidAlive(pid) {
-  try { process.kill(pid, 0); return true; } catch { return false; }
+function isPidAlive(pid, lastActivity) {
+  try {
+    process.kill(pid, 0);
+    if (lastActivity) {
+      const stale = Date.now() - new Date(lastActivity).getTime();
+      if (stale > 30000) return false; // 30s = 3 missed heartbeats
+    }
+    return true;
+  } catch { return false; }
 }
 
 // --- Default avatar helpers ---
@@ -207,7 +214,7 @@ function apiAgents(query) {
   }
 
   for (const [name, info] of Object.entries(agents)) {
-    const alive = isPidAlive(info.pid);
+    const alive = isPidAlive(info.pid, info.last_activity);
     const lastActivity = info.last_activity || info.timestamp;
     const idleSeconds = Math.floor((Date.now() - new Date(lastActivity).getTime()) / 1000);
     const profile = profiles[name] || {};
@@ -240,9 +247,9 @@ function apiStatus(query) {
   history.forEach(m => { if (m.thread_id) threads.add(m.thread_id); });
 
   const agentEntries = Object.entries(agents);
-  const aliveCount = agentEntries.filter(([, a]) => isPidAlive(a.pid)).length;
+  const aliveCount = agentEntries.filter(([, a]) => isPidAlive(a.pid, a.last_activity)).length;
   const sleepingCount = agentEntries.filter(([, a]) => {
-    if (!isPidAlive(a.pid)) return false;
+    if (!isPidAlive(a.pid, a.last_activity)) return false;
     const lastActivity = a.last_activity || a.timestamp;
     const idleSeconds = Math.floor((Date.now() - new Date(lastActivity).getTime()) / 1000);
     return idleSeconds > 60;
@@ -325,10 +332,252 @@ function apiStats(query) {
   };
 }
 
+// --- v3.4: Notification Tracking ---
+let notificationHistory = [];
+let prevAgentState = {};
+
+function generateNotifications(currentAgents) {
+  const crypto = require('crypto');
+  const now = new Date().toISOString();
+
+  for (const [name, agent] of Object.entries(currentAgents)) {
+    const prev = prevAgentState[name];
+    const isAlive = agent.pid ? isPidAlive(agent.pid, agent.last_activity) : false;
+    const isListening = !!agent.listening;
+
+    if (prev) {
+      if (!prev.alive && isAlive) {
+        notificationHistory.push({ id: crypto.randomBytes(8).toString('hex'), type: 'agent_online', agent: name, message: `${name} came online`, timestamp: now });
+      }
+      if (prev.alive && !isAlive) {
+        notificationHistory.push({ id: crypto.randomBytes(8).toString('hex'), type: 'agent_offline', agent: name, message: `${name} went offline`, timestamp: now });
+      }
+      if (!prev.listening && isListening) {
+        notificationHistory.push({ id: crypto.randomBytes(8).toString('hex'), type: 'agent_listening', agent: name, message: `${name} started listening`, timestamp: now });
+      }
+      if (prev.listening && !isListening) {
+        notificationHistory.push({ id: crypto.randomBytes(8).toString('hex'), type: 'agent_busy', agent: name, message: `${name} stopped listening`, timestamp: now });
+      }
+    } else if (isAlive) {
+      notificationHistory.push({ id: crypto.randomBytes(8).toString('hex'), type: 'agent_online', agent: name, message: `${name} came online`, timestamp: now });
+    }
+
+    prevAgentState[name] = { alive: isAlive, listening: isListening };
+  }
+
+  // Trim to max 50
+  if (notificationHistory.length > 50) {
+    notificationHistory = notificationHistory.slice(-50);
+  }
+}
+
+function apiNotifications() {
+  return notificationHistory;
+}
+
+// --- v3.4: Performance Scoring ---
+function apiScores(query) {
+  const projectPath = query.get('project') || null;
+  const history = readJsonl(filePath('history.jsonl', projectPath));
+  const agents = readJson(filePath('agents.json', projectPath));
+
+  const perAgent = {};
+  const totalMessages = history.length;
+  const allAgentNames = new Set();
+
+  // Gather per-agent data
+  for (let i = 0; i < history.length; i++) {
+    const m = history[i];
+    const from = m.from || 'unknown';
+    allAgentNames.add(from);
+    if (m.to) allAgentNames.add(m.to);
+    if (!perAgent[from]) perAgent[from] = { messages: 0, responseTimes: [], peers: new Set() };
+    perAgent[from].messages++;
+    if (m.to) perAgent[from].peers.add(m.to);
+
+    if (m.reply_to) {
+      for (let j = i - 1; j >= Math.max(0, i - 50); j--) {
+        if (history[j].id === m.reply_to) {
+          const delta = new Date(m.timestamp).getTime() - new Date(history[j].timestamp).getTime();
+          if (delta > 0 && delta < 3600000) perAgent[from].responseTimes.push(delta / 1000);
+          break;
+        }
+      }
+    }
+  }
+
+  const totalAgents = allAgentNames.size;
+  const maxMessages = Math.max(1, ...Object.values(perAgent).map(d => d.messages));
+
+  const result = {};
+  const scores = [];
+
+  for (const [name, data] of Object.entries(perAgent)) {
+    const avgResponseSec = data.responseTimes.length
+      ? data.responseTimes.reduce((a, b) => a + b, 0) / data.responseTimes.length
+      : Infinity;
+
+    // Responsiveness (30 pts)
+    let responsiveness;
+    if (avgResponseSec < 10) responsiveness = 30;
+    else if (avgResponseSec < 30) responsiveness = 25;
+    else if (avgResponseSec < 60) responsiveness = 20;
+    else if (avgResponseSec < 120) responsiveness = 15;
+    else responsiveness = 10;
+
+    // Activity (30 pts) — linear scale relative to top agent
+    const activity = Math.round((data.messages / maxMessages) * 30);
+
+    // Reliability (20 pts) — uptime based on agent registration
+    let reliability = 10;
+    const agentInfo = agents[name];
+    if (agentInfo) {
+      const isAlive = agentInfo.pid ? isPidAlive(agentInfo.pid, agentInfo.last_activity) : false;
+      const registered = new Date(agentInfo.registered_at || agentInfo.last_activity).getTime();
+      const totalTime = Date.now() - registered;
+      if (totalTime > 0 && isAlive) {
+        const lastAct = new Date(agentInfo.last_activity).getTime();
+        const activeTime = lastAct - registered;
+        const uptime = Math.min(1, activeTime / totalTime);
+        if (uptime > 0.95) reliability = 20;
+        else if (uptime > 0.80) reliability = 15;
+        else if (uptime > 0.50) reliability = 10;
+        else reliability = 5;
+      } else if (!isAlive) {
+        reliability = 5;
+      }
+    }
+
+    // Collaboration (20 pts)
+    const collaboration = totalAgents > 1
+      ? Math.round((data.peers.size / (totalAgents - 1)) * 20)
+      : 20;
+
+    const score = responsiveness + activity + reliability + collaboration;
+    result[name] = { score, responsiveness, activity, reliability, collaboration };
+    scores.push({ name, score });
+  }
+
+  // Add ranks
+  scores.sort((a, b) => b.score - a.score);
+  scores.forEach((s, i) => { result[s.name].rank = i + 1; });
+
+  return { agents: result };
+}
+
+// --- v3.4: Cross-Project Search ---
+function apiSearchAll(query) {
+  const q = (query.get('q') || '').toLowerCase();
+  const limit = Math.min(parseInt(query.get('limit') || '50', 10), 200);
+  if (!q) return { error: 'Missing "q" parameter' };
+
+  const projects = getProjects();
+  // Add default project
+  const allProjects = [{ name: path.basename(process.cwd()), path: null }];
+  for (const p of projects) allProjects.push(p);
+
+  const results = [];
+  let total = 0;
+
+  for (const proj of allProjects) {
+    const history = readJsonl(filePath('history.jsonl', proj.path));
+    const matches = [];
+    for (const m of history) {
+      if (matches.length >= limit) break;
+      const content = (m.content || '').toLowerCase();
+      const from = (m.from || '').toLowerCase();
+      const to = (m.to || '').toLowerCase();
+      if (content.includes(q) || from.includes(q) || to.includes(q)) {
+        matches.push({ id: m.id, from: m.from, to: m.to, content: m.content, timestamp: m.timestamp });
+      }
+    }
+    if (matches.length > 0) {
+      results.push({ project: proj.name, path: proj.path || process.cwd(), messages: matches });
+      total += matches.length;
+    }
+  }
+
+  return { results, total };
+}
+
+// --- v3.4: Replay Export ---
+function apiExportReplay(query) {
+  const projectPath = query.get('project') || null;
+  const history = readJsonl(filePath('history.jsonl', projectPath));
+  const profiles = readJson(filePath('profiles.json', projectPath));
+
+  const colors = ['#58a6ff','#3fb950','#d29922','#bc8cff','#f778ba','#ff7b72','#79c0ff','#7ee787'];
+  const agentColors = {};
+  let colorIdx = 0;
+  for (const m of history) {
+    if (!agentColors[m.from]) agentColors[m.from] = colors[colorIdx++ % colors.length];
+  }
+
+  const messagesJson = JSON.stringify(history.map(m => ({
+    from: m.from, to: m.to, content: m.content, timestamp: m.timestamp, color: agentColors[m.from] || '#58a6ff'
+  })));
+
+  return `<!DOCTYPE html>
+<html lang="en"><head><meta charset="UTF-8"><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width,initial-scale=1.0">
+<title>Let Them Talk — Replay</title>
+<style>
+:root{--bg:#0d1117;--surface:#161b22;--surface-2:#21262d;--border:#30363d;--text:#e6edf3;--dim:#8b949e}
+*{margin:0;padding:0;box-sizing:border-box}
+body{font-family:-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,'Segoe UI',sans-serif;background:var(--bg);color:var(--text);line-height:1.6}
+.header{background:var(--surface);border-bottom:1px solid var(--border);padding:12px 20px;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:space-between}
+.title{font-size:16px;font-weight:700;color:var(--text)}
+.controls{display:flex;gap:8px;align-items:center}
+.controls button{background:var(--surface-2);color:var(--text);border:1px solid var(--border);border-radius:6px;padding:6px 14px;cursor:pointer;font-size:13px}
+.controls button:hover{background:var(--border)}
+.controls select{background:var(--surface-2);color:var(--text);border:1px solid var(--border);border-radius:6px;padding:4px 8px;font-size:13px}
+.messages{max-width:800px;margin:20px auto;padding:0 16px}
+.msg{opacity:0;transform:translateY(8px);transition:opacity 0.3s,transform 0.3s;margin-bottom:12px;padding:10px 14px;background:var(--surface);border:1px solid var(--border);border-radius:8px}
+.msg.visible{opacity:1;transform:translateY(0)}
+.msg-header{display:flex;gap:8px;align-items:baseline;margin-bottom:4px;font-size:13px}
+.msg-from{font-weight:700}
+.msg-to{color:var(--dim)}
+.msg-time{color:var(--dim);margin-left:auto;font-size:11px}
+.msg-content{font-size:14px;white-space:pre-wrap;word-break:break-word}
+.msg-content code{background:var(--surface-2);padding:1px 5px;border-radius:3px;font-size:0.9em}
+.msg-content strong{font-weight:700}
+.progress{font-size:12px;color:var(--dim)}
+</style></head><body>
+<div class="header">
+<span class="title">Let Them Talk — Replay</span>
+<div class="controls">
+<button id="btn" onclick="toggle()">Pause</button>
+<label><span style="color:var(--dim);font-size:12px">Speed:</span>
+<select id="speed" onchange="setSpeed(this.value)">
+<option value="2000">Slow</option><option value="1000" selected>Normal</option><option value="500">Fast</option><option value="200">Very Fast</option>
+</select></label>
+<span class="progress" id="progress">0 / 0</span>
+</div></div>
+<div class="messages" id="messages"></div>
+<script>
+var msgs=${messagesJson};
+var idx=0,playing=true,timer=null,speed=1000;
+function md(s){return s.replace(/\`\`\`[\\s\\S]*?\`\`\`/g,function(m){return '<pre><code>'+m.slice(3,-3).replace(/^\\w*\\n/,'')+'</code></pre>'}).replace(/\`([^\`]+)\`/g,'<code>$1</code>').replace(/\\*\\*([^*]+)\\*\\*/g,'<strong>$1</strong>').replace(/^### (.+)$/gm,'<h4 style="margin:8px 0 4px;font-size:14px">$1</h4>').replace(/^## (.+)$/gm,'<h3 style="margin:8px 0 4px;font-size:15px">$1</h3>').replace(/^# (.+)$/gm,'<h2 style="margin:8px 0 4px;font-size:16px">$1</h2>')}
+function esc(s){return s.replace(/&/g,'&amp;').replace(/</g,'&lt;').replace(/>/g,'&gt;')}
+function showNext(){if(idx>=msgs.length){playing=false;document.getElementById('btn').textContent='Done';return}
+var m=msgs[idx],el=document.createElement('div');el.className='msg';
+var t=new Date(m.timestamp);var time=t.toLocaleTimeString();
+el.innerHTML='<div class="msg-header"><span class="msg-from" style="color:'+m.color+'">'+esc(m.from)+'</span><span class="msg-to">→ '+esc(m.to||'all')+'</span><span class="msg-time">'+time+'</span></div><div class="msg-content">'+md(esc(m.content))+'</div>';
+document.getElementById('messages').appendChild(el);
+requestAnimationFrame(function(){el.classList.add('visible')});
+el.scrollIntoView({behavior:'smooth',block:'end'});
+idx++;document.getElementById('progress').textContent=idx+' / '+msgs.length;
+if(playing)timer=setTimeout(showNext,speed)}
+function toggle(){if(idx>=msgs.length){idx=0;document.getElementById('messages').innerHTML='';playing=true;document.getElementById('btn').textContent='Pause';showNext();return}
+playing=!playing;document.getElementById('btn').textContent=playing?'Pause':'Play';if(playing)showNext();else clearTimeout(timer)}
+function setSpeed(v){speed=parseInt(v)}
+showNext();
+</script></body></html>`;
+}
+
 function apiReset(query) {
   const projectPath = query.get('project') || null;
   const dataDir = resolveDataDir(projectPath);
-  const fixedFiles = ['messages.jsonl', 'history.jsonl', 'agents.json', 'acks.json', 'tasks.json', 'profiles.json', 'workflows.json', 'branches.json', 'read_receipts.json', 'permissions.json'];
+  const fixedFiles = ['messages.jsonl', 'history.jsonl', 'agents.json', 'acks.json', 'tasks.json', 'profiles.json', 'workflows.json', 'branches.json', 'read_receipts.json', 'permissions.json', 'config.json'];
   for (const f of fixedFiles) {
     const p = path.join(dataDir, f);
     if (fs.existsSync(p)) fs.unlinkSync(p);
@@ -1397,6 +1646,31 @@ const server = http.createServer(async (req, res) => {
       res.writeHead(result.error ? 400 : 200, { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' });
       res.end(JSON.stringify(result));
     }
+    // --- v3.4: Notifications ---
+    else if (url.pathname === '/api/notifications' && req.method === 'GET') {
+      res.writeHead(200, { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' });
+      res.end(JSON.stringify(apiNotifications()));
+    }
+    // --- v3.4: Performance Scores ---
+    else if (url.pathname === '/api/scores' && req.method === 'GET') {
+      res.writeHead(200, { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' });
+      res.end(JSON.stringify(apiScores(url.searchParams)));
+    }
+    // --- v3.4: Cross-Project Search ---
+    else if (url.pathname === '/api/search-all' && req.method === 'GET') {
+      const result = apiSearchAll(url.searchParams);
+      res.writeHead(result.error ? 400 : 200, { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' });
+      res.end(JSON.stringify(result));
+    }
+    // --- v3.4: Replay Export ---
+    else if (url.pathname === '/api/export-replay' && req.method === 'GET') {
+      const html = apiExportReplay(url.searchParams);
+      res.writeHead(200, {
+        'Content-Type': 'text/html; charset=utf-8',
+        'Content-Disposition': 'attachment; filename="replay-' + new Date().toISOString().slice(0, 10) + '.html"',
+      });
+      res.end(html);
+    }
     // Server-Sent Events endpoint for real-time updates
     else if (url.pathname === '/api/events' && req.method === 'GET') {
       if (sseClients.size >= 100) {
@@ -1429,6 +1703,12 @@ const server = http.createServer(async (req, res) => {
 const sseClients = new Set();
 
 function sseNotifyAll() {
+  // Generate notifications from agent state changes
+  try {
+    const agents = readJson(filePath('agents.json'));
+    generateNotifications(agents);
+  } catch {}
+
   for (const res of sseClients) {
     try {
       res.write(`data: update\n\n`);
@@ -1472,7 +1752,7 @@ server.listen(PORT, LAN_MODE ? '0.0.0.0' : '127.0.0.1', () => {
   const dataDir = resolveDataDir();
   const lanIP = getLanIP();
   console.log('');
-  console.log('  Let Them Talk - Agent Bridge Dashboard v3.4.4');
+  console.log('  Let Them Talk - Agent Bridge Dashboard v3.5.0');
   console.log('  ============================================');
   console.log('  Dashboard:  http://localhost:' + PORT);
   if (LAN_MODE && lanIP) {

package/package.json

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "let-them-talk",
-  "version": "3.4.4",
+  "version": "3.5.0",
   "description": "MCP message broker + web dashboard for inter-agent communication. Let AI CLI agents talk to each other.",
   "main": "server.js",
   "bin": {

package/server.js

@@ -27,6 +27,28 @@ let lastReadOffset = 0; // byte offset into messages.jsonl for efficient polling
 let heartbeatInterval = null; // heartbeat timer reference
 let messageSeq = 0; // monotonic sequence counter for message ordering
 let currentBranch = 'main'; // which branch this agent is on
+let lastSentAt = 0; // timestamp of last sent message (for group cooldown)
+
+// --- Group conversation mode ---
+const CONFIG_FILE = path.join(DATA_DIR, 'config.json');
+
+function getConfig() {
+  if (!fs.existsSync(CONFIG_FILE)) return {};
+  try { return JSON.parse(fs.readFileSync(CONFIG_FILE, 'utf8')); } catch { return {}; }
+}
+
+function saveConfig(config) {
+  ensureDataDir();
+  fs.writeFileSync(CONFIG_FILE, JSON.stringify(config, null, 2));
+}
+
+function isGroupMode() {
+  return getConfig().conversation_mode === 'group';
+}
+
+function getGroupCooldown() {
+  return getConfig().group_cooldown || 3000; // default 3s
+}
 
 // Rate limiting — prevent broadcast storms and message flooding
 const rateLimitWindow = 60000; // 1 minute window
@@ -86,6 +108,22 @@ function readJsonl(file) {
   }).filter(Boolean);
 }
 
+// File-based lock for agents.json (prevents registration race conditions)
+const AGENTS_LOCK = AGENTS_FILE + '.lock';
+function lockAgentsFile() {
+  const maxWait = 5000; const start = Date.now();
+  while (Date.now() - start < maxWait) {
+    try { fs.writeFileSync(AGENTS_LOCK, String(process.pid), { flag: 'wx' }); return true; }
+    catch { /* lock exists, wait */ }
+    const wait = Date.now(); while (Date.now() - wait < 50) {} // busy-wait 50ms
+  }
+  // Force-break stale lock after timeout
+  try { fs.unlinkSync(AGENTS_LOCK); } catch {}
+  try { fs.writeFileSync(AGENTS_LOCK, String(process.pid), { flag: 'wx' }); return true; } catch {}
+  return false;
+}
+function unlockAgentsFile() { try { fs.unlinkSync(AGENTS_LOCK); } catch {} }
+
 function getAgents() {
   if (!fs.existsSync(AGENTS_FILE)) return {};
   try {
@@ -108,9 +146,15 @@ function getAcks() {
   }
 }
 
-function isPidAlive(pid) {
+function isPidAlive(pid, lastActivity) {
   try {
     process.kill(pid, 0);
+    // On Windows, PIDs get reused. If the heartbeat stopped (no activity for 30s = 3 missed
+    // heartbeats), treat as stale even if PID exists (it's likely a different process now)
+    if (lastActivity) {
+      const stale = Date.now() - new Date(lastActivity).getTime();
+      if (stale > 30000) return false; // 30s = 3 missed heartbeats
+    }
     return true;
   } catch {
     return false;
@@ -185,7 +229,7 @@ function buildMessageResponse(msg, consumedIds) {
 
   // Count online agents
   const agents = getAgents();
-  const agentsOnline = Object.entries(agents).filter(([, info]) => isPidAlive(info.pid)).length;
+  const agentsOnline = Object.entries(agents).filter(([, info]) => isPidAlive(info.pid, info.last_activity)).length;
 
   // Count total messages for context window management
   let totalMessages = 0;
@@ -422,30 +466,32 @@ function getHistoryFile(branch) {
 function toolRegister(name, provider = null) {
   ensureDataDir();
   sanitizeName(name);
+  lockAgentsFile();
 
-  const agents = getAgents();
-  if (agents[name] && agents[name].pid !== process.pid && isPidAlive(agents[name].pid)) {
-    return { error: `Agent "${name}" is already registered by a live process. Choose a different name.` };
-  }
+  try {
+    const agents = getAgents();
+    if (agents[name] && agents[name].pid !== process.pid && isPidAlive(agents[name].pid, agents[name].last_activity)) {
+      return { error: `Agent "${name}" is already registered by a live process. Choose a different name.` };
+    }
 
-  // If name was previously registered by a dead process, verify token to prevent impersonation
-  if (agents[name] && agents[name].token && !isPidAlive(agents[name].pid)) {
-    // Dead agent — only allow re-registration from the same process (same token)
-    if (registeredToken && registeredToken !== agents[name].token) {
-      return { error: `Agent "${name}" was previously registered by another process. Choose a different name.` };
+    // If name was previously registered by a dead process, verify token to prevent impersonation
+    if (agents[name] && agents[name].token && !isPidAlive(agents[name].pid, agents[name].last_activity)) {
+      // Dead agent — only allow re-registration from the same process (same token)
+      if (registeredToken && registeredToken !== agents[name].token) {
+        return { error: `Agent "${name}" was previously registered by another process. Choose a different name.` };
+      }
     }
-  }
 
-  // Clean up old registration if re-registering with a different name
-  if (registeredName && registeredName !== name && agents[registeredName] && agents[registeredName].pid === process.pid) {
-    delete agents[registeredName];
-  }
+    // Clean up old registration if re-registering with a different name
+    if (registeredName && registeredName !== name && agents[registeredName] && agents[registeredName].pid === process.pid) {
+      delete agents[registeredName];
+    }
 
-  const now = new Date().toISOString();
-  const token = (agents[name] && agents[name].token) || generateToken();
-  agents[name] = { pid: process.pid, timestamp: now, last_activity: now, provider: provider || 'unknown', branch: currentBranch, token };
-  saveAgents(agents);
-  registeredName = name;
+    const now = new Date().toISOString();
+    const token = (agents[name] && agents[name].token) || generateToken();
+    agents[name] = { pid: process.pid, timestamp: now, last_activity: now, provider: provider || 'unknown', branch: currentBranch, token, started_at: now };
+    saveAgents(agents);
+    registeredName = name;
   registeredToken = token;
 
   // Auto-create profile if not exists
@@ -468,7 +514,10 @@ function toolRegister(name, provider = null) {
   }, 10000);
   heartbeatInterval.unref(); // Don't prevent process exit
 
-  return { success: true, message: `Registered as Agent ${name} (PID ${process.pid})` };
+    return { success: true, message: `Registered as Agent ${name} (PID ${process.pid})` };
+  } finally {
+    unlockAgentsFile();
+  }
 }
 
 // Update last_activity timestamp for this agent
@@ -500,7 +549,7 @@ function toolListAgents() {
   const profiles = getProfiles();
   const result = {};
   for (const [name, info] of Object.entries(agents)) {
-    const alive = isPidAlive(info.pid);
+    const alive = isPidAlive(info.pid, info.last_activity);
     const lastActivity = info.last_activity || info.timestamp;
     const idleSeconds = Math.floor((Date.now() - new Date(lastActivity).getTime()) / 1000);
     const profile = profiles[name] || {};
@@ -523,7 +572,7 @@ function toolListAgents() {
   return { agents: result };
 }
 
-function toolSendMessage(content, to = null, reply_to = null) {
+async function toolSendMessage(content, to = null, reply_to = null) {
   if (!registeredName) {
     return { error: 'You must call register() first' };
   }
@@ -531,6 +580,15 @@ function toolSendMessage(content, to = null, reply_to = null) {
   const rateErr = checkRateLimit();
   if (rateErr) return rateErr;
 
+  // Group mode cooldown — prevent agents from responding too fast
+  if (isGroupMode()) {
+    const cooldown = getGroupCooldown();
+    const elapsed = Date.now() - lastSentAt;
+    if (elapsed < cooldown) {
+      await sleep(cooldown - elapsed);
+    }
+  }
+
   const agents = getAgents();
   const otherAgents = Object.keys(agents).filter(n => n !== registeredName);
 
@@ -564,7 +622,7 @@ function toolSendMessage(content, to = null, reply_to = null) {
   if (sizeErr) return sizeErr;
 
   // Check if recipient is alive — warn if dead
-  const recipientAlive = isPidAlive(agents[to].pid);
+  const recipientAlive = isPidAlive(agents[to].pid, agents[to].last_activity);
 
   // Resolve threading
   let thread_id = null;
@@ -594,6 +652,19 @@ function toolSendMessage(content, to = null, reply_to = null) {
   fs.appendFileSync(getMessagesFile(currentBranch), JSON.stringify(msg) + '\n');
   fs.appendFileSync(getHistoryFile(currentBranch), JSON.stringify(msg) + '\n');
   touchActivity();
+  lastSentAt = Date.now();
+
+  // In group mode, auto-broadcast: also write to all other agents' queues
+  // Skip if this message is already a response to a broadcast (prevents cascade)
+  if (isGroupMode() && !reply_to && !msg.broadcast) {
+    const otherRecipients = Object.keys(getAgents()).filter(n => n !== registeredName && n !== to);
+    for (const other of otherRecipients) {
+      if (!canSendTo(registeredName, other)) continue; // respect permissions
+      const broadcastMsg = { ...msg, id: generateId(), to: other, broadcast: true, original_to: to };
+      fs.appendFileSync(getMessagesFile(currentBranch), JSON.stringify(broadcastMsg) + '\n');
+      fs.appendFileSync(getHistoryFile(currentBranch), JSON.stringify(broadcastMsg) + '\n');
+    }
+  }
 
   const result = { success: true, messageId: msg.id, from: msg.from, to: msg.to };
   if (currentBranch !== 'main') result.branch = currentBranch;
@@ -641,6 +712,7 @@ function toolBroadcast(content) {
     ids.push({ to, messageId: msg.id });
   }
   touchActivity();
+  lastSentAt = Date.now();
 
   const result = { success: true, sent_to: ids, recipient_count: ids.length };
   if (skipped.length > 0) result.skipped = skipped;
@@ -868,6 +940,97 @@ async function toolListenCodex(from = null) {
   };
 }
 
+// --- Group conversation tools ---
+
+function toolSetConversationMode(mode) {
+  if (!registeredName) return { error: 'You must call register() first' };
+  if (!['group', 'direct'].includes(mode)) return { error: 'Mode must be "group" or "direct"' };
+  const config = getConfig();
+  config.conversation_mode = mode;
+  if (mode === 'group' && !config.group_cooldown) config.group_cooldown = 3000;
+  saveConfig(config);
+  return {
+    success: true,
+    mode,
+    message: mode === 'group'
+      ? 'Group mode enabled. Use listen_group() to receive batched messages. All messages are shared with everyone.'
+      : 'Direct mode enabled. Use listen() for point-to-point messaging.'
+  };
+}
+
+async function toolListenGroup(timeout_seconds = 300) {
+  if (!registeredName) return { error: 'You must call register() first' };
+  const timeoutMs = Math.min(Math.max(1, timeout_seconds || 300), 3600) * 1000;
+
+  setListening(true);
+
+  // Random stagger to prevent all agents from responding simultaneously (1-3s)
+  const stagger = 1000 + Math.random() * 2000;
+  await new Promise(r => setTimeout(r, stagger));
+
+  const deadline = Date.now() + timeoutMs;
+  const consumed = getConsumedIds(registeredName);
+
+  while (Date.now() < deadline) {
+    // Collect ALL unconsumed messages addressed to us or broadcast
+    const messages = readJsonl(getMessagesFile(currentBranch));
+    const batch = [];
+    for (const msg of messages) {
+      if (consumed.has(msg.id)) continue;
+      if (msg.to !== registeredName && msg.to !== '__all__') continue;
+      // Permission check
+      const perms = getPermissions();
+      if (perms[registeredName] && perms[registeredName].can_read) {
+        const allowed = perms[registeredName].can_read;
+        if (allowed !== '*' && Array.isArray(allowed) && !allowed.includes(msg.from) && !msg.system) continue;
+      }
+      batch.push(msg);
+      consumed.add(msg.id);
+      markAsRead(registeredName, msg.id);
+    }
+
+    if (batch.length > 0) {
+      saveConsumedIds(registeredName, consumed);
+      touchActivity();
+      setListening(false);
+
+      // Get recent history for context
+      const history = readJsonl(getHistoryFile(currentBranch));
+      const recentHistory = history.slice(-20).map(m => ({
+        from: m.from, to: m.to, content: m.content.substring(0, 500),
+        timestamp: m.timestamp, id: m.id,
+      }));
+
+      // Count agents and who hasn't spoken recently
+      const agents = getAgents();
+      const agentNames = Object.keys(agents).filter(n => isPidAlive(agents[n].pid, agents[n].last_activity));
+      const recentSpeakers = new Set(history.slice(-10).map(m => m.from));
+      const silent = agentNames.filter(n => !recentSpeakers.has(n) && n !== registeredName);
+
+      return {
+        messages: batch.map(m => ({
+          id: m.id, from: m.from, to: m.to, content: m.content,
+          timestamp: m.timestamp,
+          ...(m.reply_to && { reply_to: m.reply_to }),
+          ...(m.thread_id && { thread_id: m.thread_id }),
+        })),
+        message_count: batch.length,
+        context: recentHistory,
+        agents_online: agentNames.length,
+        agents_silent: silent,
+        hint: silent.length > 0
+          ? `${silent.join(', ')} haven't spoken recently. Consider addressing them.`
+          : 'All agents are active in the conversation.',
+      };
+    }
+
+    await adaptiveSleep(0);
+  }
+
+  setListening(false);
+  return { timeout: true, message: 'No messages received within timeout.', messages: [], message_count: 0 };
+}
+
 function toolGetHistory(limit = 50, thread_id = null) {
   limit = Math.min(Math.max(1, limit || 50), 500);
   let history = readJsonl(getHistoryFile(currentBranch));
@@ -911,6 +1074,11 @@ function toolHandoff(to, context) {
   const sizeErr = validateContentSize(context);
   if (sizeErr) return sizeErr;
 
+  // Permission check
+  if (!canSendTo(registeredName, to)) {
+    return { error: `Permission denied: you are not allowed to hand off to "${to}"` };
+  }
+
   const agents = getAgents();
   if (!agents[to]) {
     return { error: `Agent "${to}" is not registered` };
@@ -1170,7 +1338,7 @@ function toolReset() {
     }
   }
   // Remove profiles, workflows, branches, permissions, read receipts
-  for (const f of [PROFILES_FILE, WORKFLOWS_FILE, BRANCHES_FILE, PERMISSIONS_FILE, READ_RECEIPTS_FILE]) {
+  for (const f of [PROFILES_FILE, WORKFLOWS_FILE, BRANCHES_FILE, PERMISSIONS_FILE, READ_RECEIPTS_FILE, CONFIG_FILE]) {
     if (fs.existsSync(f)) fs.unlinkSync(f);
   }
   // Remove workspaces dir
@@ -1354,9 +1522,9 @@ function toolAdvanceWorkflow(workflowId, notes) {
     nextStep.status = 'in_progress';
     nextStep.started_at = new Date().toISOString();
 
-    // Auto-handoff to next assignee
+    // Auto-handoff to next assignee (respecting permissions)
     const agents = getAgents();
-    if (nextStep.assignee && agents[nextStep.assignee] && nextStep.assignee !== registeredName) {
+    if (nextStep.assignee && agents[nextStep.assignee] && nextStep.assignee !== registeredName && canSendTo(registeredName, nextStep.assignee)) {
       const handoffContent = `[Workflow "${wf.name}"] Step ${nextStep.id} assigned to you: ${nextStep.description}`;
       messageSeq++;
       const msg = { id: generateId(), seq: messageSeq, from: registeredName, to: nextStep.assignee, content: handoffContent, timestamp: new Date().toISOString(), type: 'handoff' };
@@ -1480,7 +1648,7 @@ function toolListBranches() {
 // --- MCP Server setup ---
 
 const server = new Server(
-  { name: 'agent-bridge', version: '3.4.4' },
+  { name: 'agent-bridge', version: '3.5.0' },
   { capabilities: { tools: {} } }
 );
 
@@ -1858,6 +2026,27 @@ server.setRequestHandler(ListToolsRequestSchema, async () => {
           properties: {},
         },
       },
+      {
+        name: 'set_conversation_mode',
+        description: 'Switch between "group" (free multi-agent chat with auto-broadcast, cooldown, and batched delivery) and "direct" (default point-to-point messaging). Group mode lets all agents see all messages and collaborate freely.',
+        inputSchema: {
+          type: 'object',
+          properties: {
+            mode: { type: 'string', description: '"group" for free multi-agent chat, "direct" for point-to-point (default)', enum: ['group', 'direct'] },
+          },
+          required: ['mode'],
+        },
+      },
+      {
+        name: 'listen_group',
+        description: 'Listen for messages in group conversation mode. Returns ALL unconsumed messages as a batch (not just one), plus recent conversation context and hints about which agents are silent. Includes a random stagger delay (1-3s) to prevent all agents from responding simultaneously. Use this instead of listen() when in group mode.',
+        inputSchema: {
+          type: 'object',
+          properties: {
+            timeout_seconds: { type: 'number', description: 'Max seconds to wait for messages (default 300)' },
+          },
+        },
+      },
     ],
   };
 });
@@ -1876,7 +2065,7 @@ server.setRequestHandler(CallToolRequestSchema, async (request) => {
         result = toolListAgents();
         break;
       case 'send_message':
-        result = toolSendMessage(args.content, args?.to, args?.reply_to);
+        result = await toolSendMessage(args.content, args?.to, args?.reply_to);
         break;
       case 'wait_for_reply':
         result = await toolWaitForReply(args?.timeout_seconds, args?.from);
@@ -1950,6 +2139,12 @@ server.setRequestHandler(CallToolRequestSchema, async (request) => {
       case 'list_branches':
         result = toolListBranches();
         break;
+      case 'set_conversation_mode':
+        result = toolSetConversationMode(args.mode);
+        break;
+      case 'listen_group':
+        result = await toolListenGroup(args?.timeout_seconds);
+        break;
       default:
         return {
           content: [{ type: 'text', text: `Unknown tool: ${name}` }],
@@ -1977,6 +2172,7 @@ server.setRequestHandler(CallToolRequestSchema, async (request) => {
 
 // Clean up agent registration on exit for instant status updates
 process.on('exit', () => {
+  unlockAgentsFile(); // Clean up any held lock
   if (registeredName) {
     try {
       const agents = getAgents();
@@ -1994,7 +2190,7 @@ async function main() {
   ensureDataDir();
   const transport = new StdioServerTransport();
   await server.connect(transport);
-  console.error('Agent Bridge MCP server v3.4.4 running (27 tools)');
+  console.error('Agent Bridge MCP server v3.5.0 running (29 tools)');
 }
 
 main().catch(console.error);