taskchef 8.7.0 → 9.0.0

package/docs/spec.md

@@ -1,758 +1,50 @@
-# TaskChef specification
+# TaskChef native product contract
 
-This is TaskChef's normative agent-facing contract. **MUST**, **MUST NOT**,
-**SHOULD**, and **MAY** are requirements in the RFC 2119 sense. The
-[advanced guide](advanced-guide.md) owns detailed user setup and operation;
-[workflows](workflows.md) owns implementation walkthroughs; the
-[FirstMate comparison](firstmate-taskchef-comparison.md) is dated research,
-not contract.
+TaskChef is a local Codex dashboard. Codex databases and rollout logs own chat
+identity, recorded prompts and replies, turn state, schedules, queue contents,
+and token usage. TaskChef reads them without rewriting Codex data.
 
-## Terminology
+## Runtime
 
-| Term | Definition |
-| --- | --- |
-| **TaskChef** | The plugin, skills, MCP server, CLI, dashboard, and current workspace formats defined here. |
-| **Dispatcher workspace** | The per-user local data project selected by `--workspace`, then `TASKCHEF_WORKSPACE`, then `~/.agents/taskchef`. |
-| **Dispatcher** | The Codex task that accepts a request, routes it, records it, creates executors, and returns without supervising them. |
-| **Configured project** | One routing target in `taskchef.json`, identified by canonical local path and described by `name`, optional `description`, `isGitRepository`, and `githubRepos`. |
-| **Mutation preview** | A read-only, hash-bound exact before/after project-index diff required before destructive replacement, removal, or restore. |
-| **State backup** | A private, verified snapshot under the dispatcher workspace's `backups/` directory. It never restores automatically. |
-| **Routing** | Selecting exactly one configured project and exactly one matching native Codex project for an outcome. |
-| **Delegated task** | One independently useful outcome represented by one TaskChef task UUID and snapshot. |
-| **Executor** | The native Codex task created to own and perform one delegated task. |
-| **Task record** | One complete JSON object in `tasks.jsonl`; it contains immutable intent/project fields and mutable identity/result fields. |
-| **Marker** | The exact correlation line `<!-- taskchef_id=<lowercase full UUID> -->`; new instructions place it on the final line, immediately after the executor-skill invocation. |
-| **Record-before-create** | Persisting a link-pending task before asking Codex to create its executor. |
-| **Self-linking** | The executor's one-way registration of its own canonical Codex UUIDv7 from `CODEX_THREAD_ID`. |
-| **Link-pending** | A working task whose `threadId` is null and `updatedBy` is `dispatcher`. |
-| **Current execution state** | The latest reported executor turn and its `working`, `needs_input`, `completed`, or `failed` status. |
-| **Turn timeline** | The ordered collection pairing each turn's concise request summary with its semantic result, TaskChef-generated interruption outcome, or current in-progress state. |
-| **Interrupted turn** | A formerly active turn that lacked a terminal report when a newer valid turn started; TaskChef closes it with the fixed timeline-only `interrupted` outcome. |
-| **Last semantic result** | The final result-history entry, exposed through the derived `lastResult` compatibility alias. |
-| **Turn reference** | Required lifecycle identity for one executor prompt. It is the native Codex turn ID when available, otherwise a retained client-generated UUID. |
-| **Current turn ID** | Optional Codex metadata for the reported prompt; null when native turn reading is unavailable. |
-| **Dashboard** | The loopback UI derived from validated workspace snapshots, with optional local usage projections, bounded native actions, and an explicit audited manual-outcome mutation. |
-| **Skill** | One packaged agent procedure: `taskchef-bootstrap`, `taskchef-dashboard`, `taskchef-delegate`, `taskchef-executor`, or `taskchef-copilot`. |
+The plugin launches one stdio MCP server and advertises the native sidebar app.
+It does not start an HTTP server, create a dispatcher workspace, index a second
+project registry, or maintain tasks.jsonl. Only native dashboard tools are
+registered. No task markers, self-linking, executor reports, or lifecycle
+callbacks are needed for a chat to appear.
 
-## Components and ownership
+The MCP process closes its transport and resources on EOF, signals, protocol
+close, or parent loss. Settings and caches use atomic writes. Shared state
+writes also use the existing file lock, with its filename and timing preserved.
+Open-chat callers must provide a UUID; the boundary check does not insist on
+UUIDv7 or generate IDs.
 
-- `taskchef-bootstrap` MUST own initialization, project configuration, and
-  diagnostics. It MUST NOT dispatch or report unless separately requested.
-- `taskchef-delegate` MUST own routing and record-before-create delegation.
-  It MUST return after creation and MUST NOT poll, supervise, or infer identity.
-- `taskchef-executor` MUST own executor assignment ownership, self-linking,
-  exact thread/turn identity, per-turn state reporting, failure behavior,
-  privacy, and idempotency. It MUST NOT dispatch the owned assignment again.
-- `taskchef-copilot` MUST own conversational outcome explanation, attention,
-  and next-action recommendations. It MUST use cached normalized briefs by
-  default and MUST NOT poll or persist inferred state.
-- `taskchef-dashboard` MUST own manual dashboard ensure and recovery. It MUST
-  NOT dispatch work or inspect task outcomes, and browser navigation failure
-  MUST NOT suppress the returned dashboard URL.
-- The MCP server MUST expose `ensure_dashboard`, four primary lifecycle tools,
-  and the deprecated `report_result` compatibility alias specified below.
-- The CLI MAY administer and inspect the workspace, but MUST NOT provide a
-  second agent lifecycle protocol.
-- The dashboard MUST be read-only with respect to dispatcher files except for
-  the explicit audited manual-transition operation defined below.
-- `docs/spec.md` is the single normative behavior source. Other documents
-  MUST link here rather than redefine the contract.
+## Feature state
 
-## Workspace contract
+TaskChef retains its current native settings, GitHub credentials, Done marks,
+notification state, and scan/PR/usage/pricing caches. Credentials remain in the
+system credential store. A Done mark is bound to the current turn. A new turn
+invalidates stale derived data. Damaged state is preserved and reported rather
+than silently reset. See [storage](taskchef-next-storage.md).
 
-TaskChef MUST manage only `AGENTS.md`, `taskchef.json`, `tasks.jsonl`, and the
-optional `.taskchef-usage.json` cache inside the dispatcher workspace. It MUST
-preserve unrelated paths. Dashboard process identity and Codex-session leases
-MUST remain in memory and MUST NOT create owner, secret, or handoff files.
+## Delegation
 
-`taskchef.json` MUST have schema version 2, the following required fields, and
-optional exact `dashboard` and `projectIndex` objects:
+The packaged `$taskchef:delegate` skill uses native Codex project discovery and chat
+creation. It passes an ordinary assignment, resolves ambiguity with the user,
+and returns the native link. Explicit follow-ups use the selected existing
+chat. Codex owns execution and outcomes; TaskChef does not mirror task records.
 
-```json
-{
-  "schemaVersion": 2,
-  "projects": []
-}
-```
+Optional routing memory contains only confirmed project aliases and explicit
+preferences. Revalidate it against current native projects. It is not a task
+log, a source of authority, or a store for prompts, results, or credentials.
 
-Each project MUST contain `name`, normalized absolute `path`, boolean
-`isGitRepository`, and array `githubRepos`; `description` is optional.
-Names and paths MUST be unique. Git projects MUST be exact Git roots.
-Repository URLs MUST canonicalize to `https://github.com/<owner>/<repository>`
-and be case-insensitively deduplicated.
+## Transition and delivery
 
-When present, `dashboard` MUST contain exactly boolean `autostart`. Its absence
-is backward-compatible and means `true`; new workspaces SHOULD write
-`{"autostart": true}`. `false` disables MCP-lifecycle autostart but MUST NOT
-disable the explicit `ensure_dashboard` tool.
+Retiring the dispatcher CLI, skills, tools and exported API is a breaking
+change delivered in a major release. Existing legacy workspaces, task logs and
+Codex data remain untouched. There is no automatic data deletion or archive
+export feature. The release remains TaskChef; a development copy uses the
+separate taskchef-next identity and TaskChef Dev name.
 
-When present, `projectIndex` MUST contain exactly `bindings`, `exclusions`, and
-`routingHints` arrays. Bindings map one `(hostId: local, projectId)` to one
-configured canonical path. Exclusions retain exact removed native identities
-or paths. Routing hints are bounded per canonical configured path and retain
-aliases, canonical repositories, concise responsibilities, and forgotten-value
-suppression. Every fact has one compact provenance record; accepted-report
-facts include the exact task, thread, and current terminal turn. Absence means
-empty state. Older releases reject the optional field rather than rewriting it.
-
-`tasks.jsonl` MUST contain zero or more newline-terminated schema-4 through
-schema-10 records, one per line. Schemas 4 through 9 are supported
-migration/read formats; every new record and state mutation MUST write schema 10. Other schemas
-or unsupported fields MUST be rejected without conversion.
-Reads and writes MUST reject symlinked managed files. Mutations
-MUST hold the shared workspace lock and replace state atomically; read-only
-operations MUST NOT require write permission.
-
-## Task schema
-
-Every record MUST contain exactly these fields:
-
-| Field | Contract |
-| --- | --- |
-| `schemaVersion` | Integer `10`; schema-4/5/6/7/8/9 records remain readable until explicit migration or their next mutation. |
-| `id` | Unique safe TaskChef ID; delegation uses a lowercase full UUID. |
-| `project` | Immutable configured-project snapshot. |
-| `title` | Non-empty display title. |
-| `instruction` | Non-empty executor instruction; link-pending records MUST contain the exact marker for `id`. |
-| `threadId` | Null while link-pending; after self-link, canonical Codex UUIDv7. Low-level current-schema direct records may hold another durable non-provisional ID but are outside the MCP delegation journey. |
-| `createdAt` | ISO 8601 creation timestamp. |
-| `status` | `working`, `needs_input`, `completed`, or `failed`. |
-| `summary` | Null while working; otherwise the current semantic state's non-empty summary of at most 2,000 characters. |
-| `turnRef` | Null before reporting begins; otherwise the required lifecycle identity of the current turn. Self-linking journeys use a native or fallback UUID. Migrated low-level `report_result` compatibility records may retain an opaque ref equal to their opaque `turnId`. |
-| `turnId` | Optional Codex metadata. When non-null it equals `turnRef`; null indicates fallback identity. |
-| `updatedAt` | ISO 8601 timestamp not earlier than `createdAt` or the prior `updatedAt`; clock rollback cannot backdate a transition. |
-| `updatedBy` | `dispatcher`, `mcp`, or `dashboard`. `dashboard` is valid only when the latest turn is a manual dashboard transition. |
-| `turns` | Ordered oldest-first array of `{turnRef, turnId, requestSummary, startedAt, result, provenance}`. Every `turnRef` is required. `requestSummary` is null only for migrated/compatibility turns. `result` is null only for the latest working turn, a semantic `{status, summary, updatedAt}` result, or the fixed TaskChef `interrupted` outcome. `provenance` is `{kind: legacy}` or `{kind: mcp}` for ordinary turns, or the audited manual-transition record defined below. New self-linking and manual turn refs are unique. A migrated low-level opaque record may retain one final reused native-derived ref for its legacy ambiguity. |
-
-Returned Task objects MUST additionally expose `latestTurn` as null for an empty
-timeline or the final `turns` entry. They MUST derive `results` only from
-semantic `needs_input`, `completed`, and `failed` turn results and `lastResult`
-from the final derived semantic result. Interrupted outcomes MUST be excluded.
-These projections MUST NOT be persisted in schema 10 and remain compatibility
-aliases for existing callers.
-
-## Project-index mutation and recovery
-
-TaskChef MUST provide a targeted update that preserves every unrelated project
-and replaces an explicitly supplied repository list in full. Project list JSON
-MUST expose stable semantic hashes. Whole-index replacement, project removal,
-and restore MUST first return an exact diff and MUST reject stale hashes,
-incomplete removed-name confirmation, mismatched counts, and unconfirmed large
-count collapse. Agents MUST obtain explicit user permission for every removed
-project entry and verify the complete post-state.
-
-Every actual configuration mutation and actual dashboard-server start MUST
-create or deduplicate a mode-private, manifest-and-hash-verified state snapshot
-before writing. Mutations MUST append bounded attribution-free prepared and
-terminal audit records. Backup list, create, and verify are read-only except for
-explicit creation. Restore MUST default to projects only, show a diff, require
-explicit approval, and create a pre-restore safety snapshot. TaskChef MUST NOT
-restore automatically. State restore authorization MUST bind the selected
-backup and every selected live/source payload hash. Missing or malformed live
-configuration requires config or state scope plus exact raw-state and explicit
-unreadable-current confirmation; a forensic safety snapshot remains eligible
-for rollback when its own integrity verifies.
-
-The dashboard MUST distinguish an unreadable index from missing historical
-project paths, warn without rewriting state, and expose recovery guidance
-without backup payload contents.
-
-## Optional usage projection
-
-TaskChef MUST use its own saved-record accounting engine for the board and web
-dashboard. Usage requires Node.js 22.18+ and readable local Codex records.
-Unavailable usage MUST NOT block lifecycle tools or dashboard loading.
-
-Per-turn usage MUST match the native Codex turn ID. A dispatcher turn without
-that match MUST show unavailable turn usage, while its chat total MAY remain
-available. Administrative dashboard turns MUST NOT receive execution usage.
-Historical tasks MUST remain lazy; opening Details reads their usage. Requests
-MUST be deduplicated and bounded, and queued work MUST stop on dashboard close.
-
-The engine MUST include descendant usage once, preserve input, cached input,
-output, reasoning, and total categories, and avoid counting cached input or
-reasoning subsets twice. Missing logs or parent-turn links MUST mark known
-subtotals incomplete. Dollar values MUST be API-equivalent estimates using
-known model prices. Unknown model prices MUST NOT imply a zero-dollar cost.
-
-Board accounting caches MUST live under the TaskChef state directory's `cache/`
-folder. The web dashboard MUST retain normalized usage in the mode-0600
-`.taskchef-usage.json` cache. Writes MUST use the workspace lock and atomic
-replacement. Existing schema-2 projections from the previous provider MUST
-remain readable. Cache files MUST contain accounting data and source metadata,
-not prompts, replies, or reasoning text. Source changes MUST invalidate derived
-accounting results. Cache errors MUST allow source accounting to continue.
-The dashboard Settings response MUST identify TaskChef and its package version.
-
-Task IDs and non-null thread identities MUST be unique. The immutable intent
-fields MUST NOT change after recording.
-
-## Required lifecycle
-
-Before the canonical TaskChef MCP server connects and exposes its transport, it
-MUST invoke the same serialized dashboard ensure path once by default. It MUST read the
-canonical configuration and skip this only for explicit
-`dashboard.autostart: false`. Initialization failures, invalid workspace state,
-port conflicts, and dashboard errors MUST NOT prevent tool registration or MCP
-availability. They MUST emit only a bounded non-sensitive diagnostic through
-the MCP process logging channel. MCP initialization MUST NOT open a browser.
-If transport connection fails after dashboard startup, the MCP server MUST
-best-effort close its manager and partially attached transport, then propagate
-the original connection failure even when cleanup also fails. Closing that
-individual MCP MUST NOT directly close a valid Codex-session dashboard.
-
-At the start of every dispatcher turn, the dispatcher SHOULD call
-`ensure_dashboard` best-effort. Failure MUST NOT block direct TaskChef answers,
-reporting, or delegation. Every dispatcher final response MUST end with the
-exact clickable `[TaskChef Dashboard](http://127.0.0.1:3210/)` link even when
-ensure failed. A created-thread directive MUST remain on its own line before
-the final link, preserving the delegate skill's immediate-return contract.
-
-1. The dispatcher MUST list native projects once per batch and call
-   `reconcile_projects` once with that exact schema-2 snapshot.
-2. It MUST call `prepare_dispatch` once per outcome and choose exactly one
-   configured project. Before `record_task` or native creation, the selected
-   native project's exact `(hostId, projectId, canonical path)` MUST occur in
-   the reconciliation response's `available` array. Presence in the native
-   snapshot or configured preparation is insufficient. Curated and learned
-   routing matches are both ambiguous when more than one project matches.
-3. It MUST build the instruction with the user's outcome beginning on line 1
-   and remaining uninterrupted, followed by one blank line and the authorization
-   `Report this task and its follow-ups to my local TaskChef dashboard. Relevant private-repository links and concise work, test, and deployment results are authorized; exclude secrets.`
-   followed by exactly two newline characters
-   (one blank line), exactly one concise explicit `$taskchef-executor`
-   invocation, one newline, and the returned marker on the final line. It MUST
-   NOT place a blank line between the invocation and marker or inline the
-   executor protocol into a new instruction.
-4. It MUST call `record_task` with `threadId: null` before native creation.
-5. It MUST create exactly one native Codex executor using the resolved
-   Orchestrator preference when configured, then return immediately.
-6. The executor MUST read its own `CODEX_THREAD_ID` and call `link_task`
-   before substantive work. It MUST NOT use parent/session identity or guess.
-7. After initial linking, the executor MUST establish a `turnRef`. It MUST use
-   the native Codex turn ID for both `turnRef` and `turnId` when available;
-   otherwise it MUST retain a fresh UUID `turnRef` and use `turnId: null`.
-   It MUST call `report_state` with that identity, `working`, and no summary before work.
-8. Before ending, it MUST call `report_state` with the same `turnRef` and
-   `turnId` metadata as the working report and a
-   semantic status and concise summary.
-9. A follow-up MUST report `working` with a new `turnRef` before work.
-   It MUST NOT reuse a prior prompt's ref. If the preceding turn is still unfinished,
-   TaskChef MUST atomically close it as `interrupted` before appending the new
-   working turn; the executor MUST NOT report semantic `failed` for recovery.
-
-For repository work, the visible executor MUST route an explicit combined
-investigate-or-plan-and-implement request through a fresh Planner, then a fresh
-Implementer, then a fresh Reviewer. A direct implementation request, or a later
-request to implement prior investigation or planning, MUST skip the Planner and
-use a fresh Implementer followed by a fresh Reviewer in the same visible task.
-It MUST resolve the applicable role preference immediately before creating a
-child when agent TOML exists; absent agent configuration inherits the parent's
-model settings without requiring Python. It MUST keep at most one writing agent
-active and verify child results. TaskChef persists only the visible executor's
-lifecycle and MUST NOT store or infer child phases, identities, or usage.
-
-Normal executor completion MUST stop after the terminal callback and return
-normally. It MUST NOT archive, hand off, close, navigate away from, or otherwise
-terminate the Codex task merely because work completed. Archive is authorized
-only by an explicit request in the current assignment or follow-up for that
-exact Codex task; `finish`, `complete`, `done`, `ship`, and ordinary cleanup do
-not imply authorization.
-
-For an explicitly authorized archive, the executor MUST finish and verify the
-work, read its exact task identity, submit the current turn's terminal
-`report_state`, verify TaskChef accepted that state, and only then invoke the
-native archive operation as the final state-changing action. It MUST require
-native confirmation before claiming archive succeeded. The same callback-first
-ordering applies to any separately authorized action that can make the executor
-unavailable before reporting, including handoff or terminating or restarting
-the process that owns the TaskChef MCP transport; this rule does not itself
-authorize those actions. A terminal reporting failure MUST prevent the later
-action and leave the executor accessible. Failure of a later action MUST NOT
-change or reopen the already accepted semantic terminal state.
-
-Request and result summaries are the durable source for dashboard related-link
-projection; TaskChef does not scan full Codex transcripts. When known, an
-executor MUST preserve the selected repository as a canonical GitHub repository
-URL and issues or pull requests as canonical URLs. A result spanning both a
-managed child repository and its workspace/root repository MUST include both
-pull-request URLs. Executors MUST NOT guess unresolved repository identity.
-
-If native creation fails after recording, the dispatcher MUST call
-`report_state` with `failed`, a retained fallback UUID `turnRef`, null thread
-and Codex turn IDs, and a bounded summary.
-A link failure MUST remain visible and retryable; the executor MUST report it
-visibly and MUST NOT continue substantive work.
-
-Previously recorded instructions with the trailing marker before the
-invocation, with or without the former blank line before that marker; a
-former compact assignment-to-invocation boundary with the marker last; a
-first-line HTML marker; the older first-line
-`# taskchef_id=<full UUID>` heading, or the former blank line and inline
-executor protocol MUST remain marker-readable and executable. Their
-`report_result` calls MUST remain supported by the deprecated alias. New
-instructions MUST use the explicit executor invocation followed by the final
-trailing marker contract above. A historical first-line instruction with an
-executor-skill invocation MUST contain exactly one invocation as its final
-line. A former inline-protocol instruction MUST retain non-whitespace
-task-specific content beyond its known lifecycle paragraphs.
-
-`needs_input` MUST mean a semantic user decision or missing fact. A native
-approval prompt MUST remain live Codex state and MUST NOT be stored as
-`needs_input`.
-
-## MCP interface
-
-All tools resolve the workspace internally. Callers MUST NOT supply a workspace
-path. Success returns both one text content item and the stated structured
-object. Validation, marker, identity, uniqueness, freshness, or filesystem
-failures are surfaced as tool errors and MUST NOT partially mutate the log.
-
-### `ensure_dashboard`
-**Caller:** dispatcher. **Mutation:** starts or reuses the
-Codex-session-scoped loopback dashboard.
-
-**Input:** empty object.
-
-**Structured output:**
-
-```text
-{ dashboard: {
-  action: "started" | "reused",
-  launcher: "session" | "standalone" | "mcp",
-  url: "http://127.0.0.1:3210/",
-  workspace: string,
-  taskchefVersion: string,
-  serverVersion: string
-} }
-```
-
-MCP initialization MUST complete its best-effort ensure before exposing the
-MCP transport. Calls MUST serialize within one MCP process. The first call
-starts a dashboard session process or reuses the exact current listener; later
-and concurrent calls are idempotent. The stable default MUST bind only to
-`127.0.0.1:3210` and MUST NOT accept a model-supplied workspace, host, port,
-session PID, or credential.
-
-Exact reuse MUST require the fixed service/schema, TaskChef version,
-dashboard-server version, canonical workspace, and recognized launcher identity.
-A `session` listener MUST register the MCP's original Codex parent PID in its
-in-memory lease. Every launcher MUST complete another exact health probe before
-ensure reports `reused`, and the response MUST report the observed launcher.
-The independent dashboard MUST survive closure of an individual MCP transport.
-The session manager MUST require an explicit nonzero port because a detached
-child cannot safely return an ephemeral bound port without an additional IPC
-readiness channel. Direct foreground server callers MAY continue to bind port
-zero when they retain the returned listener.
-
-The dashboard MUST track only same-version explicitly registered PIDs using non-signalling
-existence probes. Once every registered PID is absent for the grace period, it
-MUST gracefully close its HTTP listener and exit. A new live
-registration during the grace period MUST cancel expiry. This is a local
-best-effort session guard, not a Codex restart guarantee.
-
-When exact structured health identifies an older TaskChef dashboard for the
-same canonical workspace, the new MCP MUST request simple graceful shutdown,
-wait a bounded time for port release, and start its installed `session` version
-within the same ensure operation. It MUST NOT transfer in-memory PID leases
-across versions. The replacement initially knows only the activating session;
-a later ensure MAY register another live session or restart the dashboard after
-the activating lease expires.
-
-A recognized newer TaskChef listener MUST NOT be downgraded. Concurrent
-activation and replacement MUST converge through health probing and exclusive
-port binding. Unknown, malformed, different-workspace, or unrelated occupants
-MUST receive no control request or process signal and MUST remain untouched.
-TaskChef MUST NOT discover or kill port owners.
-
-TaskChef's dashboard uses a trusted, single-user localhost threat model. Exact
-bounded health identity is sufficient service recognition and MUST NOT be
-described as cryptographic authentication. The dashboard MUST NOT create or use
-an owner secret, HMAC challenge, durable ownership record, handoff record,
-prepare/commit protocol, recovery lease, or cross-version lease transfer.
-
-The session-registration and shutdown controls MUST remain loopback-only and
-MUST require the exact listener Host and Origin, JSON content type, a non-simple
-TaskChef control header, and an exact bounded request body containing the exact
-structured health identity observed by the caller. The receiver MUST compare
-that expected identity with its own identity before registering a session or
-accepting shutdown. It MUST refuse a mismatch, and the manager MUST probe again
-before applying lifecycle rules to the current occupant. These request-shape
-checks protect against ordinary cross-site browser requests; they MUST NOT be
-described as authentication. Future LAN access is outside this contract and
-requires a separate opt-in design with password-backed user authentication and
-suitable transport protection.
-
-A listener using the former HMAC control protocol will refuse the new simple
-shutdown request. It MUST be reported as a recognized older TaskChef conflict
-and left running. Crossing that one-time compatibility boundary requires the
-verified legacy listener to stop through its existing lifecycle before ensure
-is retried; TaskChef MUST NOT add a process-kill fallback.
-
-Detached session startup MUST use a private child readiness acknowledgement
-sent only after listener bind, initialization, and initial in-memory lease
-creation. Startup errors MUST propagate through that channel. A bounded
-readiness timeout MUST cooperatively cancel the exact child so late
-initialization cannot strand an unreported listener.
-
-MCP EOF, explicit close, protocol close, SIGINT, SIGTERM, transport-start
-failure, and MCP-parent loss MUST still bound MCP shutdown. They MUST close the
-MCP manager and transport without directly closing the independently hosted
-session dashboard. Foreground `taskchef dashboard` remains `standalone`, is
-never adopted by MCP, and follows its foreground process lifetime.
-
-The packaged `$taskchef-dashboard` skill MUST call this tool, report `started`
-or `reused`, and return the canonical clickable URL. It MAY use an available
-in-app browser when permitted; absent or blocked browser navigation MUST fall
-back to the link without failing. It MUST NOT inspect task outcomes or dispatch.
-
-**Annotations:** `readOnlyHint: false`, `destructiveHint: false`,
-`openWorldHint: false`.
-
-The complete operational rationale and limits are documented in
-[Dashboard lifecycle](dashboard-lifecycle.md).
-
-### `prepare_dispatch`
-
-**Caller:** dispatcher. **Mutation:** none.
-
-**Input:** empty object.
-
-**Structured output:**
-
-```text
-{ preparation: {
-  schemaVersion: 1,
-  workspace: string,
-  taskId: string,
-  preparedAt: string,
-  marker: string,
-  projectCount: number,
-  projects: Project[],
-  routingHints: {path, aliases[], githubRepos[], responsibilities[]}[]
-} }
-```
-
-The tool generates a fresh task UUID and exact marker and returns current
-routing targets. An invocation is not idempotent: each successful call creates
-new preparation values, though it writes no state.
-
-**Annotations:** `readOnlyHint: true`, `destructiveHint: false`,
-`openWorldHint: false`.
-
-### `record_task`
-
-**Caller:** dispatcher. **Mutation:** atomically appends one task.
-
-**Input:**
-
-| Field | Type and rule |
-| --- | --- |
-| `id` | Non-empty string; MUST equal the instruction marker. |
-| `project` | Non-empty configured project path. |
-| `title` | Non-empty string. |
-| `instruction` | Non-empty string containing exactly one accepted marker and a non-empty assignment. New instructions use the required trailing marker and executor-invocation scaffold; historical first-line forms remain accepted. |
-| `threadId` | Literal null. |
-
-**Structured output:** `{ task: Task }`.
-
-The returned task has schema 10, `working`, null summary/turn/thread/latestTurn/lastResult,
-empty `turns` and derived `results` arrays,
-`updatedBy: dispatcher`, and equal creation/update timestamps. Duplicate IDs,
-unknown projects, malformed markers, and invalid input fail. Repeating a
-successful call is not idempotent; it fails as a duplicate.
-
-Configuration is read structurally so unavailable unrelated entries do not
-block preparation or recording. `record_task` validates the selected actual
-directory or Git root before snapshotting it.
-
-**Annotations:** `readOnlyHint: false`, `destructiveHint: false`,
-`openWorldHint: false`.
-
-### `reconcile_projects`, `include_project`, and `update_project_hint`
-
-`reconcile_projects` accepts one agent-supplied native Codex schema-2 project
-snapshot. Node does not call native tools or inspect private Codex state. It
-considers only local projects with `hostId: local`, canonicalizes each eligible
-path, excludes the dispatcher and its ancestors, isolates per-project failures,
-and commits additions and exact identity bindings under the configuration lock.
-It preserves curated metadata and absent projects. Repeated identical or empty
-snapshots do not write. Duplicate IDs, canonical targets, or identity/path moves
-produce bounded diagnostics. Its MCP response contains counts, current eligible
-targets, diagnostics, and changed state rather than full configuration copies.
-
-Removing a configured project records an exclusion. `include_project` removes
-one exact exclusion by native project ID or canonical path; a later reconcile
-must validate and add the target. A move is handled through exact preview-bound
-removal, explicit inclusion, and reconciliation of the new path.
-
-`update_project_hint` remembers, corrects, or forgets one bounded fact. Aliases
-require explicit user evidence; correction is the only operation that removes
-the same alias from another project. Repository ownership requires an inspected
-exact origin from the selected project or a contained Git root. Responsibilities
-require an accepted current terminal task/thread/turn. Forgetting requires
-explicit user evidence and leaves bounded suppression against stale report
-replay. Learning remains separate from terminal reporting and a learning error
-cannot undo an accepted result.
-
-### `link_task`
-
-**Caller:** executor. **Mutation:** one atomic identity transition.
-
-**Input:** `{ taskId: non-empty string, threadId: non-empty string }`.
-The workspace layer requires `threadId` to be a canonical Codex UUIDv7.
-
-**Structured output:** `{ task: Task }`.
-
-The eligible record MUST be link-pending, working, dispatcher-written, and have
-the exact marker. The thread ID MUST be unused. Success sets `threadId`,
-refreshes `updatedAt`, and sets `updatedBy: mcp`. An exact successful retry
-is idempotent. A different identity, terminal record, reused identity, missing
-marker, or ineligible state fails.
-
-**Annotations:** `readOnlyHint: false`, `destructiveHint: false`,
-`openWorldHint: false`.
-
-### `report_state`
-
-**Caller:** executor, or dispatcher only for native creation failure.
-**Mutation:** replaces the current state atomically and preserves `turns`.
-
-**Input:**
-
-| Field | Type and rule |
-| --- | --- |
-| `taskId` | Non-empty string. |
-| `threadId` | Matching non-empty ID for a linked task; null only for creation failure. |
-| `turnRef` | Stable UUID for this prompt. It may be omitted only by legacy callers that supply a non-null `turnId`, in which case TaskChef derives the same value. |
-| `turnId` | Optional Codex metadata. When present it MUST equal `turnRef`; null is valid for fallback UUID refs. Maximum 256 characters. |
-| `status` | `working`, `needs_input`, `completed`, or `failed`. |
-| `summary` | Omitted or null for `working`; required non-empty string of at most 2,000 characters otherwise. Known GitHub issues and pull requests use canonical URLs. |
-| `requestSummary` | Concise current request of at most 1,000 characters for `working`; optional for backward compatibility and omitted for semantic states. A known selected GitHub repository uses its canonical URL. |
-
-**Structured output:** `{ task: Task }`.
-
-For a linked self-linking journey, a new `working` state MUST use a `turnRef`
-not already assigned to a different turn. An exact retry of the current
-working start MUST return the current task without mutation.
-When `turnId` is present, its native-backed `turnRef` MUST also be newer than
-every previously stored native-backed ref. Fallback UUID refs are opaque and
-MUST NOT be lexically ordered.
-A semantic state MUST match the current working turn. Conflicting or stale
-state fails. A null-thread record accepts only a fresh executor creation
-`failed` state with a retained `turnRef` and null thread/turn IDs. Starting work appends one turn with
-its request and a null result. When the previous latest turn is unfinished, the
-same locked atomic rewrite MUST first fill it with the fixed TaskChef-generated
-`interrupted` outcome. The semantic report fills the active turn's result.
-An identical retry for the current settled turn returns success without an
-append. Once a newer turn starts, every callback for a historical ref is stale
-and fails, even when its content exactly matches the stored callback. A
-different request or result for the same turn, a stale turn, or a semantic
-result that does not match the active working turn MUST fail.
-
-`interrupted` MUST NOT be accepted as MCP input or projected as task `status`.
-It MUST NOT alter `summary`, `results`, or `lastResult`, and its fixed summary
-MUST contain no crash output, transcript, user text, or inferred failure cause.
-
-**Annotations:** `readOnlyHint: false`, `destructiveHint: true`,
-`openWorldHint: false`.
-
-Reporting tool descriptions MUST identify the configured local `tasks.jsonl`
-path and local `.taskchef-usage.json` tracking side effect. GitHub URLs remain
-references in that log; reporting does not publish them to GitHub. The
-`destructiveHint: true` annotation is retained because reports update existing
-state and can recover an unfinished predecessor as interrupted; these tools
-are not purely additive. The compatibility alias also changes existing state.
-Executors MUST verify accepted terminal reporting before claiming TaskChef was
-updated. A platform rejection of an authorized report MUST be described using
-only the returned rationale, without inferring causes or retrying around an
-explicit denial. Authorization and unit tests do not guarantee platform approval.
-
-### `report_result` (deprecated)
-
-`report_result` retains the prior semantic-only input shape and statuses as a
-temporary compatibility alias. It implicitly accepts a fresh supplied turn and
-stores its semantic result in a request-unknown turn, including for supported schema-4/5/6 records and
-low-level opaque direct records. It does not accept `working`. New executor
-instructions MUST use `report_state`. Successful mutation upgrades schema 4-9
-to schema 10; unsupported schemas remain rejected. Legacy callers that omit
-`turnRef` remain compatible when `turnId` is non-null.
-
-## Copilot and dashboard
-
-A semantic result is cached evidence, not permanent live truth. The dashboard
-MUST remain the primary monitoring and browsing UI. Copilot MUST start from the
-schema-1 normalized cached brief and explain what finished, what needs
-attention, why, and the recommended next action. It MUST NOT need to interpret
-historical task schema versions. A working task's current summary MUST remain
-null; any prior semantic result MUST be exposed separately as a clearly
-historical `lastOutcome`. A link-pending task with no exact thread identity MUST
-recommend passive waiting or inspection, never retry or continuation.
-
-Copilot MAY take one bounded native metadata snapshot only when the user
-explicitly requests fresh/live verification or a focused task presents a
-meaningful contradiction. Active or approval-waiting native state overrides
-cache. An inactive task does not prove completion. Copilot MAY read the exact
-selected task once for an explicit focused live-verification request or to
-resolve a focused contradiction. It MUST NOT poll, wait, perform exhaustive
-live audits, or classify assistant prose.
-
-Copilot MAY identify the exact existing executor, explain or draft a
-same-assignment follow-up, and continue that executor only with explicit user
-authorization. It MUST NOT automatically retry failures, interrupt working
-tasks, or redelegate an existing executor. Independent new work MUST route
-through delegation. Managed dispatcher routing MUST give same-assignment
-answer, follow-up, resume, and continue requests precedence over the blanket
-new-work delegation rule. A direct imperative naming the exact existing task
-MAY constitute send authorization, but copilot MUST re-read that exact task
-immediately before sending.
-
-The published plugin MUST NOT package `taskchef-report` as a discoverable alias.
-Its historical explicit name is a documented rename hint handled by copilot,
-not a second workflow.
-
-Task lists, summaries, and broad briefs MUST use the final result by default.
-The dashboard MUST bind only to loopback, validate the current workspace
-snapshot, and avoid sessions or shared client state. `GET /api/health` MUST
-return only the bounded service identity, health schema, exact TaskChef and
-dashboard-server versions, and canonical workspace. It MUST NOT return task
-records, secrets, credentials, environment values, or process-control data.
-Identity remains available while an already-started monitor retains its last
-valid snapshot after a later invalid task log; an invalid initial log MAY fail
-startup safely. Direct thread navigation
-MUST require a canonical Codex UUIDv7. Otherwise it MAY open the revalidated
-configured project. Project paths from task history MUST be matched against
-current configuration before use.
-The task-detail dashboard MAY offer manual outcomes from `working` or
-`needs_input` to either `completed` or `failed`, from `completed` to `failed`,
-and from `failed` to `completed`. It MUST reject same-state terminal
-transitions and MUST keep this infrequent administrative action out of list
-cards. A keyboard-accessible **More task
-actions** disclosure MUST reveal its action list immediately beside it and
-change from an ellipsis to an accessible back/hide control while expanded. The
-list MUST group **Copy Task ID** and each currently valid **Mark completed** or
-**Mark failed** action. **Archive chat** MUST remain hidden while the archive capability
-gate is disabled because the bundled CLI does not reliably archive desktop-app
-threads. The dormant server endpoint MUST reject requests before discovering or
-invoking the CLI. Re-enabling requires a reliable supported app-callable archive
-interface or guaranteed CLI compatibility. Opening the
-list is the deliberate disclosure step; choosing a terminal outcome submits it
-immediately without a second confirmation. Escape MUST close the idle list,
-pending controls MUST be
-disabled, and failure feedback MUST remain in the dialog. Pending state MUST
-focus and announce a stable status inside the dialog. Failed MUST have
-destructive styling. The client MUST bound and abort a stalled manual-transition
-request, restore the dialog controls, and preserve the action ID so a retry can
-resolve idempotently if the server committed before the timeout.
-
-`POST /api/tasks/:id/manual-transition` MUST require the exact loopback origin,
-`application/json`, a bounded body, and exactly this versioned shape:
-`{schemaVersion: 1, actionId, expected: {status, turnRef, threadId, updatedAt},
-targetStatus}`. The server MUST compare every expected field while holding the
-workspace lock. A stale request, invalid transition, or reused action ID with a
-different operation MUST return a conflict without mutation. Replaying the
-same committed action ID and operation MUST return the current task as an
-idempotent success. The operation MUST atomically append one new manual turn;
-it MUST NOT overwrite executor history. An active unfinished turn MUST first
-receive the standard interrupted timeline outcome. The manual turn MUST have a
-new server-generated `turnRef`, null `turnId`, one monotonic timestamp for its
-start, result, and task update, `updatedBy: dashboard`, and deterministic
-request/result summaries. It MUST record provenance
-`{kind: dashboard_manual, actionId, fromStatus, toStatus, expectedTurnRef,
-expectedThreadId, expectedUpdatedAt}`. No free-form reason is collected or
-persisted. A committed write remains successful if the subsequent best-effort
-monitor refresh or notification delivery fails.
-
-The task-detail dashboard MAY offer Codex chat archival only when the stored
-thread ID is a canonical Codex UUID and the current TaskChef state is not
-`working`. It MUST revalidate both conditions for the POST request, require the
-exact loopback origin, and obtain explicit user confirmation in the browser.
-It MUST invoke the `archive` subcommand by directly executing only a Codex CLI
-inside the canonical ChatGPT or Codex desktop application bundle under macOS
-`/Applications`, with the thread UUID as a separate argument. It MUST NOT use a shell, a generic `PATH` fallback, a
-private desktop endpoint, or direct session-file manipulation. Successful
-archival MUST NOT modify dispatcher files or remove the TaskChef task record.
-The UI MUST disclose that spawned descendant chats may also be archived and
-that TaskChef history remains available.
-Snapshot and SSE list payloads MUST omit full `turns` and derived `results`
-history and include `latestTurn`. The bounded per-task detail endpoint MAY
-return the full validated task so the dialog can render the paired timeline newest first.
-Dashboard notifications MUST capture an immutable event-time projection of the
-task title, lifecycle state and event, turn ref and optional Codex turn ID, event timestamp,
-and relevant concise summary. Rendering MUST NOT resolve historical notice text
-from the task's later current state. Notice identity and deduplication MUST use
-task ID, turn ref, and lifecycle event; a creation notice without a turn ref MUST
-fall back to task ID plus the immutable creation timestamp. Dashboard revision
-MUST NOT be the sole identity. Identical snapshots, SSE reconnects, idempotent
-reports, schema normalization, and non-semantic rewrites MUST NOT add notices.
-Distinct working and semantic-result events for one turn MAY each be retained.
-When one compact snapshot first exposes both a latest semantic result and a
-newer working turn, the browser MUST reconcile both events. Temporary task
-absence MUST NOT discard the prior semantic signature or turn a later
-reappearance into another creation event. The first page snapshot MUST establish
-a quiet baseline rather than replay existing history. After that baseline, a
-new task first observed with a turn or semantic result MUST retain its creation
-event and each lifecycle event observable in that compact projection.
-
-Working with no prior result SHOULD be labeled as a task start. Working on a
-newer turn while a prior result remains projected SHOULD be labeled as a
-follow-up start. Creation, completion, input-needed, and failure labels MUST be
-distinct. The Updates panel MUST remain bounded and support individual dismiss
-and clear-all without resetting replay protection. A retained notice whose task
-is absent from the current list MUST remain readable; selecting it MUST NOT
-navigate or mutate data and SHOULD explain that current details are unavailable.
-The retained notice list MUST NOT be a live region that re-announces old notices
-when it rerenders. A separate polite status region MUST announce only newly
-reconciled events. Each notice control's accessible description MUST include
-its displayed summary when present, event time, and missing-task state.
-
-## Task-log migration
-
-`workspace migrate` MUST explicitly convert every supported schema-4/5/6/7/8/9 record
-under the shared lock. Each legacy semantic result becomes a request-unknown
-completed turn; a newer working state becomes a final unfinished turn, and a
-schema-7/8 timeline is preserved. Each non-null legacy `turnId` becomes the
-same `turnRef`; each null legacy `turnId` receives one durably persisted UUID.
-Migration MUST validate the complete source, record/turn counts, turn-ref
-invariants, and complete schema-10 candidate before changing the task log,
-create and read back an exclusive recovery backup, atomically replace the log,
-and validate the installed result. A fully schema-10 log MUST be an idempotent
-no-op without another backup. Invalid/unsupported input MUST remain untouched;
-failures after backup creation MUST report the backup path and MUST never
-partially rewrite individual lines.
-
-## Concurrency and trust
-
-All task and configuration writers MUST share one workspace lock. Duplicate ID,
-duplicate thread, link, and result freshness checks MUST occur while holding
-that lock. Atomic replacement MUST preserve valid unrelated records.
-
-TaskChef is designed for a local, single-user boundary. Executor self-linking is
-a cooperative assertion, not transport-authenticated proof. Task instructions,
-stored project snapshots, and dashboard requests are untrusted input.
-Implementations MUST validate exact shapes, canonical paths, safe IDs, markers,
-loopback origin, and current configuration before acting.
-
-TaskChef MUST NOT use lifecycle hooks, schedules, polling, recent-thread search,
-transcript search, title matching, hidden reasoning, or token usage to discover
-identity or infer semantic results.
-
-TaskChef MUST NOT install or require daemons, launchd agents, login items,
-system services, cron jobs, hooks, privileged components, or elevated/system
-permissions for dashboard availability. Availability is best-effort while a
-registered Codex session process is alive and is not guaranteed while Codex is
-closed.
-
-Releases using the former HMAC dashboard control protocol are legacy listeners.
-A verified legacy listener MUST be reported distinctly from an unknown port
-conflict and MUST remain running when it refuses simple graceful shutdown. One
-final stop through that listener's existing lifecycle is required when crossing
-this boundary. Releases implementing simple localhost control replace older
-recognized versions automatically.
-
-Installing or replacing plugin files MUST NOT be described as activating the
-new MCP code. Release verification MUST install the plugin, activate or reload
-the new MCP process, ensure the dashboard, and verify the expected TaskChef
-version, dashboard protocol `serverVersion`, reported launcher, canonical workspace,
-and canonical URL. Exact-compatible session-listener reuse remains valid; installation MUST NOT be
-claimed to reload Codex automatically.
+Release validation must exercise the native MCP server, bundled UI, delegate
+skill and required dependencies, without requiring retired dispatcher files.
+A future web product does not require shipping the old HTTP runtime.