let-them-talk 5.2.0 → 5.2.5

package/cli.js

@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ const command = process.argv[2];
 
 function printUsage() {
   console.log(`
-  Let Them Talk — Agent Bridge v5.2.0
+  Let Them Talk — Agent Bridge v5.2.5
   MCP message broker for inter-agent communication
   Supports: Claude Code, Gemini CLI, Codex CLI, Ollama
 

package/dashboard.js

@@ -1320,7 +1320,7 @@ function apiLaunchAgent(body) {
   const safeName = (agent_name || '').replace(/[^a-zA-Z0-9]/g, '').substring(0, 20);
   const launchPrompt = prompt || (safeName ? `You are agent "${safeName}". Use the register tool to register as "${safeName}", then use listen to wait for messages.` : `Register with the agent-bridge MCP tools and use listen to wait for messages.`);
 
-  // Try to launch terminal on Windows
+  // Try to launch terminal — user pastes prompt from clipboard after CLI loads
   if (process.platform === 'win32') {
     spawn('cmd', ['/c', 'start', 'cmd', '/k', cliCmd], { cwd: projectDir, shell: false, detached: true, stdio: 'ignore' });
     return { success: true, launched: true, cli, project_dir: projectDir, prompt: launchPrompt };
@@ -1328,13 +1328,10 @@ function apiLaunchAgent(body) {
 
   // Non-Windows: return command for manual execution
   return {
-    success: true,
-    launched: false,
-    cli,
-    project_dir: projectDir,
+    success: true, launched: false, cli, project_dir: projectDir,
     command: `cd "${projectDir}" && ${cliCmd}`,
     prompt: launchPrompt,
-    message: 'Auto-launch not supported on this platform. Run the command manually, then paste the prompt.'
+    message: 'Run the command in a terminal, then paste the prompt.'
   };
 }
 

package/package.json

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "let-them-talk",
-  "version": "5.2.0",
+  "version": "5.2.5",
   "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

@@ -1077,8 +1077,26 @@ function buildGuide(level = 'standard') {
 
   const rules = [];
 
+  // === MANAGED MODE: agents wait for manager's floor control ===
+  if (isManagedMode()) {
+    const managed = getManagedConfig();
+    const isManager = managed.manager === registeredName;
+    if (isManager) {
+      rules.push('YOU ARE THE MANAGER. You control the conversation. Use yield_floor(agent) to let agents speak. Use set_phase() to change team phase (discussion/planning/execution/review).');
+      rules.push('YOUR MANAGER LOOP: 1) Plan the work and assign tasks. 2) Use yield_floor() to give each agent their turn to speak. 3) Call listen() to wait for agent responses. 4) Review responses and decide next steps. 5) Use create_task() and create_workflow() to structure work.');
+      rules.push('Use send_message() to give instructions. Use broadcast() for team announcements. Agents cannot speak unless you give them the floor.');
+      rules.push('STRICT RULE: After EVERY action, call listen() to wait for responses. NEVER use sleep(). NEVER use check_messages() in a loop. NEVER stop managing. Your loop is: act → listen() → act → listen(). This loop NEVER ends.');
+    } else {
+      rules.push('YOU ARE IN MANAGED MODE. The manager controls who speaks. Call listen() to wait for your turn. When the manager gives you the floor via yield_floor(), respond with your work.');
+      rules.push('YOUR LOOP: 1) Call listen() — wait for messages and floor assignments. 2) When you receive a message or get the floor, do the work and respond. 3) Call listen() again immediately. This loop NEVER ends.');
+      rules.push('If you have an active task during execution phase, do the work, then report back to the manager via send_message(). Then call listen() again immediately.');
+      rules.push('STRICT RULES: NEVER use sleep(). NEVER use check_messages() in a polling loop. NEVER call get_work() in managed mode. NEVER stop listening. Your ONLY loop is: listen() → work → respond → listen(). If listen() times out, call listen() again immediately.');
+    }
+    rules.push('Keep messages to 2-3 paragraphs max.');
+    rules.push('When you finish work, report what you did and what files you changed.');
+  }
   // === AUTONOMOUS MODE: completely different guide ===
-  if (autonomousActive) {
+  else if (autonomousActive) {
     if (isAdvisor) {
       // Advisor Agent: strategic thinker — reads everything, suggests improvements
       rules.push('YOU ARE THE ADVISOR. You do NOT write code. You READ all messages and completed work, then give strategic ideas, suggestions, and improvements to the team.');
@@ -1168,7 +1186,8 @@ function buildGuide(level = 'standard') {
   }
 
   // Tier 0 — THE one rule (always included at every level)
-  rules.push('AFTER EVERY ACTION, call listen_group(). This is how you receive messages. Never skip this.');
+  const listenCmd = isManagedMode() ? 'listen()' : (mode === 'group' ? 'listen_group()' : 'listen()');
+  rules.push(`AFTER EVERY ACTION, call ${listenCmd}. This is how you receive messages. NEVER skip this. NEVER use sleep(). NEVER poll with check_messages(). ${listenCmd} is your ONLY way to receive messages.`);
 
   // Minimal level: Tier 0 only — for experienced agents refreshing rules
   if (level === 'minimal') {
@@ -1183,7 +1202,9 @@ function buildGuide(level = 'standard') {
       tier_info: `${rules.length} rules (minimal level, ${aliveCount} agents)`,
       first_steps: mode === 'direct'
         ? '1. Call list_agents() to see who is online. 2. Send a message or call listen() to wait.'
-        : '1. Call get_briefing() for project context. 2. Call listen_group() to join. 3. Respond and listen_group() again.',
+        : mode === 'managed'
+        ? `1. Call get_briefing() for project context. 2. Call listen() to wait for the manager. 3. Respond when given the floor, then listen() again.`
+        : `1. Call get_briefing() for project context. 2. Call listen_group() to join. 3. Respond and listen_group() again.`,
     };
   }
 
@@ -1210,7 +1231,7 @@ function buildGuide(level = 'standard') {
 
   // Tier 3 — large teams (shown when 5+ agents)
   if (aliveCount >= 5) {
-    rules.push('listen_group blocks until messages arrive. Do not stop listening.');
+    rules.push(`${listenCmd} blocks until messages arrive. NEVER stop listening. NEVER use sleep() or check_messages() loops.`);
     rules.push('Tasks auto-create channels (#task-xxx). Use them for focused discussion instead of #general.');
     rules.push('Use channels to split into sub-teams. Do not discuss everything in #general.');
   }
@@ -2037,6 +2058,7 @@ function toolCheckMessages(from = null) {
     result.preview = `${latest.from}: "${latest.content.substring(0, 80).replace(/\n/g, ' ')}..."`;
     const oldestAge = Math.round((Date.now() - new Date(unconsumed[0].timestamp).getTime()) / 1000);
     result.urgency = oldestAge > 120 ? 'critical' : oldestAge > 30 ? 'urgent' : 'normal';
+    result.action_required = 'You have unread messages. Call listen() to receive and process them. Do NOT call check_messages() again — it does not consume messages and you will see the same messages repeatedly.';
   }
 
   return result;
@@ -2540,7 +2562,7 @@ async function toolListenGroup() {
           messages: [],
           message_count: 0,
           retry: true,
-          batch_summary: 'No new messages — call listen_group() again to keep listening.',
+          batch_summary: isManagedMode() ? 'No new messages — call listen() again immediately to keep waiting.' : 'No new messages — call listen_group() again to keep listening.',
         });
       }
     };
@@ -2709,7 +2731,7 @@ function buildListenGroupResponse(batch, consumed, agentName, listenStart) {
       result.instructions = `EXECUTION PHASE: Focus on your assigned tasks. Only message the manager (${managed.manager}) if you need help or to report completion.`;
     } else {
       result.should_respond = false;
-      result.instructions = 'DO NOT RESPOND. Wait for the manager to give you the floor. Call listen() or listen_group() to wait.';
+      result.instructions = 'DO NOT RESPOND. Wait for the manager to give you the floor. Call listen() again to wait.';
     }
   }
 
@@ -3792,7 +3814,9 @@ async function toolGetWork(params = {}) {
   touchActivity();
   const idleResult = {
     type: 'idle',
-    instruction: 'No work available right now. Call get_work() again in 30 seconds. Do NOT call listen_group() — use get_work() to stay in the proactive loop.'
+    instruction: isManagedMode()
+      ? 'No work available right now. Call listen() to wait for the manager to assign work or give you the floor.'
+      : 'No work available right now. Call get_work() again in 30 seconds. Do NOT call listen_group() — use get_work() to stay in the proactive loop.'
   };
   // Item 4: warn demoted agents
   const agentRep = getReputation();
@@ -6088,7 +6112,7 @@ function toolToggleRule(ruleId) {
 // --- MCP Server setup ---
 
 const server = new Server(
-  { name: 'agent-bridge', version: '5.2.0' },
+  { name: 'agent-bridge', version: '5.2.5' },
   { capabilities: { tools: {} } }
 );
 
@@ -6193,7 +6217,7 @@ server.setRequestHandler(ListToolsRequestSchema, async () => {
       },
       {
         name: 'listen_codex',
-        description: 'Listen for messages (Codex CLI compatible). Same as listen() but returns after 90 seconds if no message arrives, with retry:true. Codex agents should call this in a loop instead of listen(). When you get retry:true, immediately call listen_codex() again.',
+        description: 'ONLY for Codex CLI agents — do NOT use if you are Claude Code or Gemini CLI. Same as listen() but returns after 90 seconds due to Codex tool timeout limits. Claude and Gemini agents must use listen() instead.',
         inputSchema: {
           type: 'object',
           properties: {
@@ -6206,7 +6230,7 @@ server.setRequestHandler(ListToolsRequestSchema, async () => {
       },
       {
         name: 'check_messages',
-        description: 'Non-blocking peek at unconsumed messages addressed to you. Does not mark them as read.',
+        description: 'Non-blocking PEEK at your inbox — shows message previews but does NOT consume them. Use listen() to actually receive and process messages. Do NOT call this in a loop — it wastes tokens returning the same messages repeatedly. Use listen() instead which blocks efficiently and consumes messages.',
         inputSchema: {
           type: 'object',
           properties: {
@@ -7175,7 +7199,7 @@ async function main() {
   try {
     const transport = new StdioServerTransport();
     await server.connect(transport);
-    console.error('Agent Bridge MCP server v5.2.0 running (66 tools)');
+    console.error('Agent Bridge MCP server v5.2.5 running (66 tools)');
   } catch (e) {
     console.error('ERROR: MCP server failed to start: ' + e.message);
     console.error('Fix: Run "npx let-them-talk doctor" to check your setup.');