refactor(core): consolidate file structure — 22 files → 6 (closes #273)

7 cards updated, 4 new cards added. Topics: signal-routing,
worker-isolation, storage-layer, adapter-isolation, sense contracts,
workflow runtime enforcement, coding conventions details.

小橘 <xiaoju@shazhou.work>

.knowledge/adapter-isolation.md

@@ -0,0 +1,171 @@
+# Adapter Process Isolation
+
+Describes sandboxing, process isolation, resource limits, and timeout enforcement for adapter invocations in the Nerve workflow system.
+
+## Process Isolation Model
+
+Adapters run in a **two-tier isolation** model:
+
+1. **Workflow Worker Process** — Each workflow runs in a dedicated Node.js worker process (`workflow-worker.ts`) forked from the main daemon
+2. **Adapter Child Process** — Each adapter spawns CLI tools as child processes via `spawnSafe()` with `shell: false`
+
+## Resource Limits & Timeouts
+
+### Adapter-Level Timeouts
+
+- **Default timeout**: 300 seconds (300,000ms) for both cursor and hermes adapters
+- **Configurable** via `AgentConfig.timeout` in adapter factory functions
+- **Wall-clock enforcement** using `setTimeout()` — kills child process with `SIGTERM` on timeout
+- **AbortSignal support** — external cancellation triggers immediate `SIGTERM`
+
+### Timeout Behavior
+
+```ts
+// Timeout resolution priority (packages/core/src/spawn-safe.ts):
+// 1. Explicit timeoutMs value
+// 2. AbortSignal presence → no internal timer (relies on external abort)
+// 3. DEFAULT_TIMEOUT_MS (300_000) fallback
+```
+
+- Child process terminated with `SIGTERM` on timeout/abort
+- Returns `{ kind: "timeout", stdout, stderr }` error result
+- **No grace period** — immediate kill
+- **No SIGKILL escalation** — relies entirely on `SIGTERM` effectiveness
+
+#### SIGTERM Limitations
+
+If a child process **ignores or blocks `SIGTERM`** (e.g., signal handlers, blocked delivery):
+
+- **No fallback to `SIGKILL`** — process may remain alive indefinitely
+- **No escalation timer** — spawnSafe() does not implement progressive signal escalation
+- **Potential zombie/orphan risk** — unresponsive processes continue consuming resources
+- **OS-level cleanup only** — relies on parent process death or OS reaping mechanisms
+
+## Sandboxing Characteristics
+
+### What's Isolated
+
+- **File system**: Child process runs in specified `cwd` (workflow working directory)
+- **Environment**: Controlled env vars via `nerveCommandEnv()` + optional overrides
+- **Network**: No explicit restrictions (inherits parent process network access)
+- **Process tree**: Child processes are direct children, not containerized
+
+### What's NOT Sandboxed
+
+- **No resource quotas** (CPU, memory, disk I/O limits)
+- **No filesystem chroot/containers** — full filesystem access within user permissions
+- **No network isolation** — can make arbitrary network calls
+- **No syscall filtering** — no seccomp or similar restrictions
+
+#### Runtime Resource Enforcement
+
+**No active resource monitoring or constraints**:
+
+- **No cgroups** (Linux) — no CPU, memory, or I/O limits enforced
+- **No job objects** (Windows) — no resource quotas or process tree limits
+- **No worker_threads resource tracking** — Node.js worker processes run unrestricted
+- **Pure timeout-based enforcement** — only wall-clock time limits via `setTimeout()`
+- **OS-scheduled resource sharing** — relies entirely on operating system process scheduling
+
+Adapters can consume unlimited:
+- **CPU time** (until timeout)
+- **Memory** (until OOM)
+- **Disk I/O** (no quotas)
+- **Network bandwidth** (no throttling)
+- **File descriptors** (until ulimit)
+
+#### Environment Variable Security
+
+The `nerveCommandEnv()` function provides **minimal sanitization**:
+
+```ts
+// spawn-safe.ts lines 47-55
+export function nerveCommandEnv(): SpawnEnv {
+  const home = homedir();
+  const pnpmHome = join(home, ".local/share/pnpm");
+  return {
+    ...process.env,           // ← Full parent environment inherited
+    PNPM_HOME: pnpmHome,
+    PATH: `${pnpmHome}:${process.env.PATH ?? ""}`,
+  };
+}
+```
+
+- **No filtering of sensitive keys** — `NODE_OPTIONS`, `LD_PRELOAD`, `PYTHONPATH` passed through unchanged
+- **Full environment inheritance** — all parent process environment variables copied
+- **Injection risk** — malicious env vars (e.g., `NODE_OPTIONS=--require=evil.js`) affect Node.js child processes
+- **Path manipulation** — sensitive PATH entries remain accessible to adapters
+
+## Security Model
+
+### Execution Context
+
+- Uses `shell: false` to prevent shell injection attacks
+- Arguments passed as separate array elements (not shell-parsed)
+- PATH includes `~/.local/share/pnpm` for tool discovery
+- Inherits parent process user/group permissions
+
+#### File Descriptor Management
+
+```ts
+// spawn-safe.ts line 122
+stdio: ["ignore", "pipe", "pipe"]
+```
+
+- **stdin closed**: Child receives no input (`stdio[0]: "ignore"`)
+- **stdout/stderr captured**: Piped to parent for collection (`stdio[1,2]: "pipe"`)
+- **No explicit fd closing**: Node.js default behavior — inherits other file descriptors
+- **Parent sockets/pipes accessible**: Child can access parent's open network connections, database handles, etc.
+- **Security risk**: Adapter processes may access unintended parent file descriptors
+
+### Attack Surface
+
+- CLI tools have **full user-level filesystem access**
+- Can spawn additional processes (not tracked/limited)
+- Network requests unrestricted
+- Resource consumption relies on OS-level limits
+
+## Worker Process Management
+
+### Workflow Isolation
+
+- Each workflow type gets dedicated worker process
+- Worker processes handle multiple concurrent threads (runIds)
+- Kill flags enable per-thread cancellation without killing worker
+- Graceful shutdown waits up to 10 seconds for in-flight operations
+
+#### Cross-RunId Contamination Risks
+
+**Shared mutable state** poses contamination risks between concurrent runIds:
+
+- **`process.env` mutations**: Environment changes affect all subsequent runIds in same worker
+- **`require.cache` pollution**: Module cache shared across all runIds — side effects persist
+- **Global variables**: Any global state mutations from one runId visible to others
+- **`process.cwd()` changes**: Working directory changes affect entire worker process
+- **File descriptors**: Open files/sockets shared between runId executions
+
+**No runId-specific scoping** implemented:
+- Worker reuses single Node.js process for efficiency
+- Each role execution sees cumulative environment from previous runIds
+- **Mitigation relies on adapter discipline** — clean implementations avoid global mutations
+
+### Error Handling
+
+- Adapter failures don't crash the worker process
+- Timeout/abort errors are isolated to specific role execution
+- Worker process survives adapter failures and continues serving other threads
+
+## Configuration
+
+```yaml
+# Example nerve.yaml configuration for timeout overrides
+workflows:
+  my-workflow:
+    roles:
+      coder:
+        adapter:
+          type: cursor
+          timeout: 600000  # 10 minutes in milliseconds
+```
+
+Timeout configuration happens at the adapter creation level, not as a system-wide sandbox policy.

.knowledge/adapter.md

@@ -5,13 +5,23 @@ Adapter = capability. Role = scenario. Workflows declare adapters directly via i
 ## AgentFn Protocol
 
 ```ts
-type AgentFn = (prompt: string, context: WorkflowContext) => Promise<string>
+type AgentFn = (ctx: ThreadContext, systemPrompt: string) => Promise<string>
 ```
 
-- Input: prompt + context (start frame, messages, workdir, AbortSignal)
-- Output: raw string — structured extraction is separate
+- Input: thread context (`{ threadId, start, steps }`) + system prompt (role identity)
+- Output: **single-shot `Promise<string>`** — no streaming support
 - Adapter handles tool-specific details internally
 
+### Streaming Limitations
+
+The `AgentFn` protocol does **not** support streaming responses (`AsyncIterable<string>` or `ReadableStream`). It's strictly limited to single-shot `Promise<string>` returns.
+
+For long-running or incremental agent outputs:
+- CLI tools buffer full output until completion
+- Timeout enforcement via `timeoutMs` (default 300s)
+- No intermediate results exposed to workflow logic
+- Progress indication happens at the CLI tool level only
+
 ## Available Adapters
 
 | Package | Adapter | Tool |
@@ -45,3 +55,14 @@ extract:
 ```
 
 Two-level merge: global → role override. Retry once on parse failure (feeds error back to LLM), then throw `ExtractError`.
+
+## Error Handling
+
+When adapters' underlying CLI tools (e.g., `cursor-agent` or `hermes`) fail, errors are surfaced **synchronously via rejection** with no fallback/retry logic:
+
+- **Missing/unavailable tool**: `spawn_failed` error when CLI binary not found in `$PATH`
+- **Non-zero exit code**: `non_zero_exit` error with captured stdout/stderr
+- **Timeout**: `timeout` error when execution exceeds configured `timeoutMs`
+- **Abort signal**: `aborted` error when `AbortSignal` triggers cancellation
+
+All errors are immediately thrown as `Error` instances with descriptive messages (e.g., `"cursor-agent: exitCode=7 stdout=... stderr=..."`). No automatic retries or fallback adapters.

.knowledge/architecture.md

@@ -5,20 +5,22 @@ Observation engine for autonomous agents — sense the world, react to changes,
 ## Core Pipeline
 
 ```
-External World → Sense → Signal → Reflex → Workflow → Log
+External World → Sense → Signal → Workflow → Log
+                           ↑
+                     compute() returns
+                     { signal, workflow }
 ```
 
-Causality is **one-directional**. Logs are the end of the chain — they cannot trigger Reflexes (prevents feedback loops).
+Causality is **one-directional**. Logs are the end of the chain — they cannot trigger further Senses (prevents feedback loops).
 
-## Three Orthogonal Extension Points
+## Two Extension Points
 
 | Extension | Question | Nature |
 |-----------|----------|--------|
-| **Sense** | What to compute | `compute()` function |
-| **Reflex** | When to compute | Declarative YAML (interval / on) |
+| **Sense** | What to observe & when to react | `compute()` pure function + YAML config (interval / on) |
 | **Workflow** | What to do | Roles + Moderator |
 
-Each is independent. Reflex doesn't know compute internals, Sense doesn't know when it's triggered, Workflow doesn't know why it was started.
+Senses own both the "what" (compute logic) and the "when" (config-driven scheduling). A Sense can trigger a Workflow directly by returning `{ signal, workflow: { name, prompt } }`.
 
 ## Two Event Types
 
@@ -31,3 +33,14 @@ Each is independent. Reflex doesn't know compute internals, Sense doesn't know w
 - One worker per Workflow type (on-demand)
 - Workers never talk to each other
 - All user code runs in isolated Workers; kernel never loads user code directly
+
+## Storage Systems
+
+- **Log Store** — SQLite with WAL mode for audit trails and workflow state
+- **Sense Databases** — Isolated SQLite per sense group for private data
+- **Knowledge Store** — Vector search index for project context
+- **Blob Store** — Content-addressable storage for large artifacts
+
+## Signal Flow
+
+Sense compute outputs are routed through signal routing logic that determines whether to emit a signal or trigger a workflow—never both simultaneously.

.knowledge/cli.md

@@ -6,6 +6,8 @@
 
 ```bash
 nerve init                    # scaffold a new workspace (nerve.yaml, senses/, workflows/)
+nerve init --force            # reinitialize workspace even if ~/.uncaged-nerve/ exists (preserves data/)
+nerve init --from <git-url>   # clone existing workspace from git repository
 nerve validate                # validate nerve.yaml config
 nerve dev                     # run kernel foreground (development, Ctrl+C to stop)
 nerve start                   # start daemon (background)
@@ -14,6 +16,14 @@ nerve status                  # check daemon health (uptime, senses, workflows)
 nerve daemon                  # restart daemon (stop + start)
 ```
 
+### Init Behavior
+
+**Default `nerve init`**: Creates workspace at `~/.uncaged-nerve/`. If this directory already exists and is non-empty, **exits with error** requiring `--force` flag. No merge/overwrite logic — prevents accidental workspace destruction.
+
+**Force mode `nerve init --force`**: Reinitializes workspace even if `~/.uncaged-nerve/` exists. **Preserves `data/` directory** (containing sense SQLite databases and logs) but overwrites all config files (`nerve.yaml`, `package.json`, etc.) and example senses.
+
+**Git clone `nerve init --from <url>`**: Clones existing repository to `~/.uncaged-nerve/`. Requires empty target directory — fails if workspace already exists and is non-empty.
+
 ## Sense Management
 
 ```bash

.knowledge/coding-conventions.md

@@ -24,6 +24,21 @@ type Config = { throttle?: string }
 - `throw` only for programmer errors (bugs)
 - No try-catch for flow control
 
+### Result<T, E> Type
+
+Defined in `@uncaged/nerve-core` (`packages/core/src/result.ts`):
+
+```ts
+export type Result<T, E = Error> = { ok: true; value: T } | { ok: false; error: E };
+```
+
+**Discriminated union** with tagged `ok` field. Helper functions:
+- `ok(value)` → `{ ok: true, value }`
+- `err(error)` → `{ ok: false, error }`
+
+**Exhaustive handling**: Pattern is `if (!result.ok) { handle error }` then access `result.value`. 
+No compiler enforcement - relies on manual discipline and TypeScript's flow control analysis.
+
 ## Naming
 
 | Type | Style |
@@ -38,9 +53,25 @@ type Config = { throttle?: string }
 - Always named exports, never default
 - One module = one responsibility
 
+### Module Naming Conventions
+
+**Primary exports** use descriptive, unambiguous names:
+- Functions: `createXxx()`, `parseXxx()`, `xxxAgent()` (e.g., `createCursorAdapter`, `cursorAgent`)
+- Types: Domain-specific prefixes (e.g., `CursorAgentOptions`, `SenseComputeFn`, `ThreadContext`)
+- Constants: `UPPER_SNAKE_CASE` with context (e.g., `DEFAULT_SENSE_SIGNAL_RETENTION`, `CURSOR_ADAPTER_DEFAULT_MS`)
+
+**Avoiding ambiguity**:
+- Package-scoped naming: `@uncaged/nerve-adapter-cursor` exports `cursorAgent`, `createCursorAdapter`
+- Factory pattern: `createXxxAdapter()` for configurable instances, `xxxAdapter` for defaults
+- Descriptive type prefixes prevent collision (e.g., `CursorAgentOptions` vs `HermesAgentOptions`)
+
 ## Async
 
 - Always `async/await`, never `.then()` chains
+- Use `AbortSignal` for cancellation: `AbortController` to create signals, pass to long-running operations
+- `spawn-safe.ts` and adapter functions accept `abortSignal: AbortSignal | null` parameter
+- On abort: child processes receive `SIGTERM`, async operations should check `signal.aborted`
+- No enforced Biome/Vitest rules for AbortSignal usage (manual discipline required)
 
 ## No Dynamic Import
 

.knowledge/knowledge-layer.md

@@ -19,10 +19,20 @@ nerve knowledge query --repo /path "query"  # search specific repo
 
 ## Embedding
 
-- Remote service: configured via `EMBED_SERVICE_URL` env var (self-hosted Cloudflare Worker + KV cache)
-- Model: Dashscope text-embedding-v3 (1024 dims)
-- Cache: content-addressable (sha256 of model+text), never expires
-- Fallback: word-overlap scoring when embed service not configured
+- **Default model**: Dashscope text-embedding-v3 (1024 dimensions)
+- **Remote service**: configured via `EMBED_SERVICE_URL` env var (self-hosted Cloudflare Worker + KV cache)
+- **Model configuration**: No mechanism to specify alternate models — hardcoded to text-embedding-v3 in remote service
+- **Vector dimensions**: Fixed at 1024 (Float32Array, stored as 4096-byte Buffer blobs in SQLite)
+- **Cache**: content-addressable (sha256 of model+text), never expires
+- **Fallback**: word-overlap scoring when embed service not configured
+
+### Configuration
+
+The embedding model is **not configurable** through `knowledge.yaml` or other config files. The remote service at `embed.shazhou.workers.dev` uses Dashscope text-embedding-v3 exclusively. To use different models, you would need to:
+
+1. Deploy your own embedding service compatible with the same API
+2. Point `EMBED_SERVICE_URL` to your service
+3. Ensure vector dimensions match (1024) or modify knowledge database schema
 
 ## Chunking
 

.knowledge/sense.md

@@ -2,18 +2,39 @@
 
 A `compute()` function that samples or derives external data. The only first-class citizen in nerve.
 
-## Behavior
+## Contract
 
-- Returns `T | null` — non-null emits a Signal, null is silent (no storage write, no signal, no downstream trigger)
-- Each Sense has its own **independent SQLite database**
-- Cross-sense reads are read-only via `peers` parameter
-- Schema defined with Drizzle ORM (`schema.ts` is single source of truth)
+Each sense module (`src/index.ts`) must export:
 
-## Sense → Workflow
+```ts
+export { snapshots as table } from "./schema.ts";  // drizzle table for runtime to insert into
 
-If `compute()` returns an object with `workflow: "name|maxRounds|prompt"`, the engine starts that workflow and does **not** emit a Signal. `workflow: null` or `""` means emit signal normally.
+export async function compute(): Promise<ComputeResult<T>> { ... }  // pure, no args
+```
 
-See `routeSenseComputeOutput` / `parseSenseWorkflowDirective` in `@uncaged/nerve-core`.
+**Function Signature & Input Schema:**
+- `compute()` is **parameterless** — no direct inputs, environment variables available
+- No database access within compute — runtime provides isolated execution context 
+- Must be pure function (no side effects, no external API calls)
+
+**Return Value Contract:**
+- `ComputeResult<T>` = `null | { signal: T; workflow: WorkflowTrigger | null }`
+  - `null` → silent, no storage, no signal  
+  - `{ signal: data, workflow: null }` → persist + emit signal
+  - `{ signal, workflow: WorkflowTrigger }` → persist + emit signal + trigger workflow
+  - Any other value → treated as `{ signal: value, workflow: null }`
+
+**Error Handling & Serialization:**
+- Exceptions caught by worker, logged as errors (no signal emitted)
+- Signal payload must be JSON-serializable (passed via IPC)
+- Invalid workflow triggers silently dropped (signal still emitted)
+
+**Timeout & Scheduling Semantics:**
+- Timeout priority: explicit config → AbortSignal → DEFAULT_TIMEOUT_MS (30s)
+- Enforced via `Promise.race()` with timeout promise
+- Grace period can trigger `process.exit(1)` after timeout (kills worker group)
+- Interval translation: YAML config values used directly as milliseconds in `setInterval()`
+- Jitter control: throttle mechanism prevents rapid-fire, single deferred trigger per throttle window
 
 ## Config (nerve.yaml)
 
@@ -27,3 +48,14 @@ senses:
     interval: 30s        # periodic trigger (optional)
     on: [disk-pressure]  # trigger on signals from other senses (optional)
 ```
+
+## Manual Trigger Context
+
+**`nerve sense trigger <name>`** sends IPC message to running daemon. The compute context is initialized as follows:
+
+- **SQLite Database**: Opened in **read-write mode** at `data/senses/<name>.db`
+- **Migrations**: All `*.sql` files in `senses/<name>/migrations/` applied in lexicographic order
+- **Environment**: Inherits daemon process environment (no special secrets injection)
+- **Arguments**: No runtime arguments or mock inputs supported — `compute()` is always pure function with no parameters
+- **Isolation**: Runs in forked child process (worker) with full filesystem access within user permissions
+- **Persistence**: Runtime automatically calls `db.insert(table).values(result.signal)` if compute returns non-null signal

.knowledge/signal-routing.md

@@ -0,0 +1,91 @@
+# Signal Routing
+
+Signal routing is the core mechanism that determines how Sense outputs flow through the Nerve system.
+
+## Routing Logic
+
+When a Sense `compute()` function returns non-null, the output goes through `routeSenseComputeOutput()` in `packages/core/src/sense-workflow-directive.ts`:
+
+```
+Sense compute() → non-null → routeSenseComputeOutput() → { signal, workflow }
+                           ↓
+          kernel.ts → signal ALWAYS emitted + optional workflow start
+```
+
+## Two Output Formats
+
+### 1. Explicit Format
+```typescript
+{
+  signal: any,           // emitted as signal
+  workflow: {           // optional workflow trigger
+    name: string,
+    maxRounds: number,
+    prompt: string,
+    dryRun: boolean
+  } | null
+}
+```
+
+### 2. Shorthand Format
+Any other value is treated as:
+```typescript
+{ signal: payload, workflow: null }
+```
+
+## Workflow Directive Parsing
+
+## Concrete Routing Predicates
+
+The routing decision is implemented in `routeSenseComputeOutput()` using these exact matching criteria:
+
+### 1. Explicit Format Detection
+```typescript
+if (isPlainRecord(payload) && Object.hasOwn(payload, "signal"))
+```
+- Payload must be a plain object
+- Must have `signal` property (any value)
+- Workflow extracted from `workflow` property or defaults to null
+
+### 2. Workflow Validation
+When workflow is non-null, it's validated via `parseWorkflowTrigger()`:
+- `name`: non-empty string (trimmed)  
+- `maxRounds`: positive integer >= 1
+- `prompt`: string
+- `dryRun`: boolean
+
+**Critical behavior**: Invalid workflows are silently dropped (become null) but signal emission continues. This prevents malformed workflow config from blocking signals.
+
+### 3. Fallback to Shorthand
+Any value that doesn't match explicit format becomes:
+```typescript
+{ signal: payload, workflow: null }
+```
+
+## Processing Flow
+
+```typescript
+// In kernel.ts handleSenseWorkerSignal()
+const { signal: signalPayload, workflow } = routeResult.value;
+
+// Signal is ALWAYS emitted when compute returns non-null
+bus.emit({ id, senseId, payload: signalPayload, timestamp });
+
+// Workflow is started ONLY if workflow is non-null
+if (workflow !== null) {
+  workflowManager.startWorkflow(workflow.name, { ... });
+}
+```
+
+## Legacy String Format (Deprecated)
+
+The old `"name|maxRounds|prompt"` string format is converted to the structured format internally but should not be used in new code.
+
+## Key Behaviors
+
+1. **Signal priority**: Every non-null compute result emits a signal, regardless of workflow
+2. **Additive behavior**: Valid workflow triggers are executed in addition to signal emission
+3. **Failure tolerance**: Invalid workflow directives are silently ignored, signal still emits
+4. **Structure-based routing**: No complex predicates - simply checks object structure and property existence
+
+This routing mechanism ensures clean separation between perception (signals) and action (workflows) while maintaining backward compatibility.

.knowledge/storage-layer.md

@@ -0,0 +1,132 @@
+# Storage Layer
+
+Nerve uses multiple storage systems designed for different data types and access patterns.
+
+## Core Storage Components
+
+### 1. Log Store (`logs.db`)
+Append-only audit trail implemented in SQLite with WAL mode.
+
+**Schema:**
+- `logs` — all system events (signals, workflow transitions, sense outputs)
+- `meta` — key-value store for system metadata
+- `workflow_runs` — materialized view of workflow execution state
+
+**Key Features:**
+- Atomic workflow state updates via transactions
+- Thread message persistence for crash recovery
+- Configurable log archival to JSONL files
+- Full-text search across log entries
+
+### 2. Sense Databases
+Each sense group gets its own SQLite database for private state.
+
+**Characteristics:**
+- Isolated per sense group (e.g., `system-senses.db`)
+- Managed by individual sense compute functions
+- Drizzle ORM integration for schema management
+- No cross-sense data sharing
+
+### 3. Knowledge Store (`knowledge.db`)
+Vector-enabled search index for project context.
+
+**Contents:**
+- Chunked source files with embeddings
+- Curated knowledge cards from `.knowledge/`
+- Semantic search capabilities
+- Global vs. repo-scoped search modes
+
+### 4. Blob Store (CAS)
+Content-addressable storage for large artifacts.
+
+**Design:**
+- SHA-256 based file naming
+- Automatic deduplication
+- Used for workflow artifacts and large payloads
+
+## Consistency & Isolation Mechanisms
+
+### SQLite WAL Mode
+All SQLite databases use `PRAGMA journal_mode=WAL` for:
+- **Writer-reader concurrency** — readers don't block writers
+- **Atomic writes** — each transaction is fully applied or rolled back
+- **Crash recovery** — WAL provides consistent state after crashes
+
+### Transaction Management
+
+#### Log Store Transactions
+Uses `BEGIN IMMEDIATE` transactions (`packages/store/src/log-store.ts`):
+```typescript
+function runInTransaction<T>(db: DatabaseSync, fn: () => T): T {
+  db.exec("BEGIN IMMEDIATE");  // Exclusive write lock
+  try {
+    const result = fn();
+    db.exec("COMMIT");
+    return result;
+  } catch (e) {
+    db.exec("ROLLBACK");
+    throw e;
+  }
+}
+```
+
+**Key Operations:**
+- `upsertWorkflowRun()` — atomically writes log entry + workflow state
+- `archiveLogs()` — transactional export + delete + watermark update
+
+#### Sense Database Isolation
+- Each sense group has its own SQLite file (e.g., `system-senses.db`)
+- No cross-sense transactions or coordination required
+- Independent schema migrations per sense
+- Private `_signals` table for signal history retention
+
+### Process-Level Isolation
+
+#### Worker Process Architecture
+- **One worker per sense group** — prevents data races within group
+- **One worker per workflow type** — isolated execution contexts  
+- **No shared memory** — all communication via IPC messages
+
+#### Concurrency Control
+Workflow manager enforces limits per workflow:
+```yaml
+workflows:
+  my-workflow:
+    concurrency: 2        # Max parallel threads
+    overflow: "queue"     # or "drop" 
+    maxQueue: 10         # Queue depth limit
+```
+
+### Consistency Guarantees & Failure Modes
+
+**Strong Consistency (Single Database)**:
+1. **Within Log Store** — ACID transactions with immediate consistency
+2. **Within Sense DB** — WAL mode ensures atomic commits per database
+3. **Workflow State** — `upsertWorkflowRun()` atomically updates log + materialized view
+
+**No Cross-Database Consistency**:
+- No distributed transactions across multiple SQLite files
+- Log Store and Sense Databases can temporarily diverge during failures
+- Signal emission and workflow triggering are separate, non-atomic operations
+
+**Failure Recovery Mechanisms**:
+- **Sense worker crash**: State rebuilt from sense SQLite database on respawn
+- **Workflow worker crash**: Thread state recovered from log store message history
+- **Kernel crash**: All workers respawned, state recovered from persistent stores
+- **Log Store corruption**: WAL recovery on database open
+- **Sense DB corruption**: Migrations re-run, `_signals` table rebuilt if needed
+
+**Rollback Scenarios**:
+- **Log write failure**: Transaction rolled back, no state changes persisted
+- **Sense compute failure**: Error logged, no signal/workflow emitted
+- **Workflow failure**: Thread marked as failed in materialized view
+- **IPC failure**: Worker respawned, pending operations lost (not rolled back)
+
+## Archive Strategy
+
+Logs older than retention window (default 30 days) are:
+1. Exported to `data/archive/logs/YYYY-MM-DD.jsonl`
+2. Deleted from active database
+3. Watermark updated to prevent re-processing
+
+This keeps the active database size bounded while preserving audit trails.

.knowledge/worker-isolation.md

@@ -0,0 +1,152 @@
+# Worker Isolation
+
+Nerve's worker architecture ensures complete isolation between different types of user code while maintaining system stability.
+
+## Process Architecture
+
+```
+Kernel (Main Process)
+├── Sense Worker (Group A) ── sense-1, sense-2
+├── Sense Worker (Group B) ── sense-3, sense-4
+├── Workflow Worker (cleanup) ── cleanup workflow instances
+└── Workflow Worker (review) ── review workflow instances
+```
+
+## Isolation Boundaries
+
+### 1. Sense Workers
+- **One worker per sense group** (configured in `nerve.yaml`)
+- Groups share a child process but have isolated execution contexts
+- Crash in one sense doesn't affect other groups
+- Each group has its own SQLite database
+
+### 2. Workflow Workers  
+- **One worker per workflow type** (spawned on-demand)
+- Multiple threads of the same workflow share a worker process
+- Concurrency limits enforced at the workflow level
+- Workers terminate when no active threads remain
+
+### 3. Kernel Protection
+- **User code never runs in kernel process**
+- All `compute()` and workflow role functions run in workers
+- Kernel only handles IPC, scheduling, and coordination
+- System remains stable even with infinite loops or crashes in user code
+
+## Worker Lifecycle
+
+### Sense Workers
+```
+nerve daemon start → spawn worker per group → long-lived process
+                   → hot reload on file changes
+                   → respawn on crash
+```
+
+### Workflow Workers
+```
+workflow trigger → check existing worker → reuse or spawn
+                                       → execute thread
+                                       → terminate when idle
+```
+
+## Communication Patterns
+
+### Kernel ↔ Sense Worker
+- IPC via child process stdio
+- JSON-formatted messages
+- Worker reports signals back to kernel
+- Bidirectional: kernel can request immediate computes
+
+### Kernel ↔ Workflow Worker  
+- Similar IPC protocol
+- Workflow definition loaded in worker
+- Role execution results streamed back
+- Thread state managed in kernel
+
+## Resource Limits & Control
+
+### Timeout Enforcement
+Configurable timeouts per sense (in `nerve.yaml`):
+```yaml
+senses:
+  my-sense:
+    timeout: 30000      # Execution timeout (ms)
+    gracePeriod: 5000   # Grace period before hard kill
+```
+
+**Timeout Implementation:**
+- `AbortController` for async operations 
+- `Promise.race()` between compute and timeout
+- Grace period triggers `process.exit(1)` to kill entire worker group
+
+### Memory & CPU Limits
+**No Application-Level Resource Quotas**:
+- No memory caps, CPU throttling, or disk I/O limits enforced by Nerve
+- Workers can consume arbitrary system resources until OS limits
+- No cgroup/container isolation — full filesystem access within user permissions
+- No syscall filtering (no seccomp restrictions)
+
+**OS-Level Constraints Only**:
+- Process memory limited by system `ulimit -m` 
+- CPU usage bounded by scheduler only
+- Network requests unrestricted
+- Can spawn additional processes (not tracked by Nerve)
+
+### Concurrency Control
+
+#### Sense Workers
+- One active compute per sense at a time (serialized via promise chains)
+- No memory sharing between sense groups
+- Crash isolation: one sense crash doesn't affect other groups
+
+#### Workflow Workers
+Per-workflow limits configured in `nerve.yaml`:
+```yaml
+workflows:
+  my-workflow:
+    concurrency: 2        # Max parallel threads
+    overflow: "drop"      # or "queue"
+    maxQueue: 10         # Queue size limit
+```
+
+### Process Management
+
+#### Signal Handling
+Workers ignore session broadcast signals (SIGINT/SIGTERM):
+```typescript
+// Workers ignore terminal signals; kernel coordinates shutdown
+process.on("SIGINT", () => {}); 
+process.on("SIGTERM", () => {});
+```
+
+#### Graceful Shutdown & State Handoff
+**Sense Workers**:
+- IPC `shutdown` message → `process.exit(0)` (immediate)
+- No graceful termination period for senses
+- State rebuilt from SQLite on respawn (no handoff needed)
+
+**Workflow Workers**:
+- IPC `shutdown` → wait for in-flight threads to complete
+- Drain timeout: `WORKER_SHUTDOWN_TIMEOUT_MS` (10s)
+- If threads don't complete → `SIGKILL` force termination
+- Thread state preserved in log store for crash recovery
+
+**State Handoff Mechanism**:
+- No explicit state transfer between old/new workers
+- Sense workers: SQLite database contains full state
+- Workflow workers: Log store contains thread message history
+- Kernel coordinates recovery via `recoverThreadsForWorker()`
+
+## Failure Handling
+
+### Worker Crashes
+- **Sense workers**: Automatic respawn after 1s delay, state rebuilt from DB
+- **Workflow workers**: Crash recovery from log store thread messages  
+- **Kernel protection**: Main process continues, marks affected runs as crashed
+- **Crash limits**: Max 5 crashes per workflow in 60s window (prevents infinite respawn)
+
+### Resource Exhaustion
+- **Memory**: Worker process killed by OS, kernel respawns automatically
+- **Compute timeout**: Grace period → hard kill → respawn
+- **Infinite loops**: Timeout enforcement prevents hanging indefinitely
+
+This architecture allows Nerve to run untrusted or experimental code safely while maintaining system availability.

.knowledge/workflow.md

@@ -6,8 +6,8 @@ Stateful multi-step execution driven by Roles and a Moderator.
 
 - **Workflow** — definition with concurrency strategy
 - **Thread** — one execution instance, unique `runId`
-- **Role** — executes actions (has side effects). `(start, messages) → { content, meta }`
-- **Moderator** — pure routing function. `(context) → next role | END`
+- **Role** — executes actions (has side effects). `(ctx: ThreadContext) → Promise<RoleResult<M>>`
+- **Moderator** — pure routing function. `(ctx: ThreadContext) → next role | END`
 
 ## Thread Lifecycle
 
@@ -54,6 +54,69 @@ const workflow: WorkflowDefinition<MyMeta> = {
 ```
 
 - `adapter: AgentFn` — direct function reference
-- `prompt: string | ((start, messages) => Promise<string>)` — static or dynamic
+- `prompt: string | ((ctx: ThreadContext) => Promise<string>)` — static or dynamic
 - `meta: z.ZodType<M>` — Zod schema, directly (no wrapper needed)
 - `extract: LlmExtractorConfig` — provider for structured extraction
+
+## Runtime Enforcement Mechanisms
+
+### Role Authority & Validation
+
+**Role Function Lookup**:
+- Roles accessed via `def.roles[nextRole]` dictionary lookup
+- Unknown roles trigger immediate workflow error (`Unknown role: ${nextRole}`)
+- No dynamic role registration during execution
+
+**Result Validation** (`validateRoleResult()`):
+```typescript
+// Required return shape from every role function
+{ content: string, meta: Record<string, unknown> }
+```
+- `content` must be string (non-string → workflow error)
+- `meta` must be plain object (array/null/primitive → workflow error)
+- Validation failure terminates thread immediately
+
+### Moderator Authority & Routing Control
+
+**Next Role Selection**:
+- Moderator must return role name from `roles` keys OR `END` symbol
+- Called after every role completion (receives full context)
+- No validation of role name until execution attempt
+- Pure function constraint: cannot perform side effects
+
+**Causal Chain Integrity**:
+- Moderator receives immutable **ThreadContext**: `{ threadId, start, steps }`
+- Steps array contains ALL role outputs in chronological order
+- No role can modify prior steps or start metadata
+- Thread context built from log store on crash recovery
+
+### Unauthorized Command Event Prevention
+
+**Message Flow Control**:
+- Role functions have NO direct access to kernel IPC
+- All outputs flow through `sendWorkflowMessage()` wrapper
+- Worker process validates messages before kernel transmission
+- No direct log store database access from roles
+
+**Process Isolation**:
+- Roles execute in forked worker processes (not kernel)
+- File system access limited to user permissions
+- No network isolation (roles can make arbitrary HTTP calls)
+- Worker has read/write access to workflow workspace only
+
+### Concurrent Thread Management
+
+**Kill Flag Implementation**:
+```typescript
+type KillFlag = { value: boolean };
+// Checked before role execution and after completion
+if (killFlag.value) {
+  sendThreadEvent(runId, "killed", { exitCode: 137 });
+  return;
+}
+```
+
+**Concurrency Enforcement**:
+- Workflow manager enforces per-workflow limits in kernel
+- Excess threads queued/dropped per overflow policy
+- No role can spawn additional threads (no access to workflow manager)

CLAUDE.md

@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 ## Core Concepts
 
 ```
-External World → Sense → Signal → Reflex → Workflow → Log
+External World → Sense → Signal → Workflow → Log
                   ↑                                     ↑
               "what to observe"                  "what to do"
 ```
@@ -14,19 +14,18 @@ External World → Sense → Signal → Reflex → Workflow → Log
 
 | Concept | What it is |
 |---------|-----------|
-| **Sense** | A `compute()` function that samples or derives data. Returns `T \| null` — non-null emits a Signal, null is silent. Each Sense has its own SQLite database. |
+| **Sense** | A `compute()` function that samples or derives data. Returns `ComputeResult<T>` — non-null emits a Signal (and optionally triggers a Workflow), null is silent. Each Sense has its own SQLite database. Scheduling (interval, on) is configured in nerve.yaml. |
 | **Signal** | A notification emitted when a Sense returns non-null. Pure fact, no intent. Distributed via an in-memory Signal Bus. Not persisted. |
-| **Reflex** | A declarative trigger (YAML) connecting Senses to actions. Trigger types: `interval` (periodic), `on` (react to Signals). Action types: trigger a Sense, or start a Workflow. |
 | **Workflow** | A stateful multi-step execution. Contains **Roles** (actors with side effects) and a **Moderator** (pure router). Each instance is a **Thread** with a unique `runId`. |
-| **Log** | Immutable audit trail. Records executions, state transitions, errors. **Cannot trigger Reflexes** — prevents feedback loops. |
-| **Engine** | The kernel orchestrating everything. Holds Signal Bus, Reflex Scheduler, Process Manager, Workflow Manager. Never loads user code directly — all user code runs in isolated Workers. |
+| **Log** | Immutable audit trail. Records executions, state transitions, errors. Cannot trigger Senses — prevents feedback loops. |
+| **Engine** | The kernel orchestrating everything. Holds Signal Bus, Process Manager, Workflow Manager. Never loads user code directly — all user code runs in isolated Workers. |
 | **Daemon** | The `nerve-daemon` package — engine runtime. Runs as a background process. |
 
 ### Architecture Rules
 
-- **Three orthogonal extension points**: Sense (what to compute), Reflex (when to compute), Workflow (what to do)
+- **Two extension points**: Sense (what to observe + when), Workflow (what to do)
 - **Process isolation**: One worker per Sense group (long-lived), one per Workflow type (on-demand). Workers never talk to each other.
-- **Causality is one-directional**: External world → Sense → Signal → Reflex → Action + Log. Logs are the end of the chain.
+- **Causality is one-directional**: External world → Sense → Signal → Workflow + Log. Logs are the end of the chain.
 
 
 
@@ -94,9 +93,34 @@ For mutually exclusive fields, use discriminated unions:
 
 ```typescript
 // ✅ Good
-type ReflexConfig =
-  | { kind: "sense"; sense: string; interval: string | null; on: string[] | null }
-  | { kind: "workflow"; workflow: string; on: string[] | null };
+type ComputeResult<T> =
+  | null
+  | { signal: T; workflow: WorkflowTrigger | null };
+```
+
+### Workflow authoring (user modules)
+
+Roles and moderators take **ThreadContext** (`threadId`, `start`, `steps`) — not separate `StartStep` / message arrays.
+
+```typescript
+import type { RoleResult, ThreadContext, WorkflowDefinition } from "@uncaged/nerve-core";
+import { END } from "@uncaged/nerve-core";
+
+type MyMeta = { round: number };
+
+async function planner(ctx: ThreadContext): Promise<RoleResult<MyMeta>> {
+  void ctx.start;
+  void ctx.steps;
+  return { content: "plan", meta: { round: ctx.steps.length } };
+}
+
+const workflow: WorkflowDefinition<Record<"planner", MyMeta>> = {
+  name: "example",
+  roles: { planner },
+  moderator(ctx: ThreadContext<Record<"planner", MyMeta>>) {
+    return ctx.steps.length === 0 ? "planner" : END;
+  },
+};
 ```
 
 ## Modules & Exports

docs/rfc-004-package-architecture.md

@@ -0,0 +1,187 @@
+# RFC-004: Package Architecture — Shareable Workflows, Roles & Senses
+
+**Author:** 小橘 🍊（NEKO Team）
+**Status:** Draft
+**Created:** 2026-04-29
+
+## Summary
+
+Make workflows, roles, and senses publishable as lightweight npm packages. Workspaces become pure configuration — selecting packages, wiring adapters, and providing credentials. No builtin workflows in the nerve core.
+
+## Motivation
+
+Currently, workflows like `develop-sense` and `develop-workflow` live inside the workspace (`~/.uncaged-nerve/workflows/`). This creates problems:
+
+1. **No sharing** — every workspace duplicates the same workflow code
+2. **No versioning** — upgrading a workflow means manual file edits
+3. **Builtin is a trap** — if we bake workflows into nerve core, they require adapters and LLM providers that may not be installed. A fresh `nerve` install on a bare machine would fail to load builtins.
+4. **Roles are already shared** — `_shared/workspace-committer.ts` proves the pattern works; we just need to formalize it as packages
+
+The adapter pattern (`@uncaged/nerve-adapter-hermes`, `@uncaged/nerve-adapter-cursor`) already established the precedent: infrastructure as packages, workspace as wiring.
+
+## Design
+
+### Package Taxonomy
+
+```
+@uncaged/nerve-core              # types, engine
+@uncaged/nerve-daemon            # runtime
+@uncaged/nerve-workflow-utils    # createRole, decorateRole, withDryRun, onFail, etc.
+
+# Adapters (existing)
+@uncaged/nerve-adapter-hermes
+@uncaged/nerve-adapter-cursor
+
+# Workflows (new)
+@uncaged/nerve-workflow-solve-issue
+@uncaged/nerve-workflow-develop-sense
+@uncaged/nerve-workflow-develop-workflow
+
+# Shared Roles (new)
+@uncaged/nerve-role-committer    # workspace committer (branch, commit, push)
+@uncaged/nerve-role-reviewer     # code review role
+@uncaged/nerve-role-publisher    # PR creation role
+
+# Senses (existing pattern, formalized)
+@uncaged/nerve-sense-cpu-usage
+@uncaged/nerve-sense-disk-usage
+```
+
+### Package Contract
+
+Each package type exports a factory function:
+
+#### Workflow Package
+
+```ts
+// @uncaged/nerve-workflow-develop-sense
+import type { AgentFn, WorkflowDefinition } from "@uncaged/nerve-core";
+import type { LlmExtractorConfig } from "@uncaged/nerve-workflow-utils";
+
+export type SenseMeta = { /* ... */ };
+
+export type CreateDevelopSenseDeps = {
+  defaultAdapter: AgentFn;
+  adapters?: Partial<Record<keyof SenseMeta, AgentFn>>;
+  extract: LlmExtractorConfig;
+  cwd: string;
+};
+
+export function createDevelopSenseWorkflow(deps: CreateDevelopSenseDeps): WorkflowDefinition<SenseMeta>;
+```
+
+Key design decisions:
+- `defaultAdapter` + optional `adapters` override per role — via `Partial<Record<keyof Meta, AgentFn>>`
+- Adapter keys are derived from `Meta` type — adding/removing a role automatically updates the adapter map
+- Roles that don't need an agent simply don't appear in `adapters` (the `Partial` allows this)
+
+#### Role Package
+
+```ts
+// @uncaged/nerve-role-committer
+import type { AgentFn, Role } from "@uncaged/nerve-core";
+import type { LlmExtractorConfig } from "@uncaged/nerve-workflow-utils";
+import { createRole, decorateRole, withDryRun, onFail } from "@uncaged/nerve-workflow-utils";
+
+export type CommitterMeta = { committed: boolean };
+
+export function createCommitterRole(adapter: AgentFn, extract: LlmExtractorConfig): Role<CommitterMeta> {
+  const inner = createRole(adapter, prompt, committerMetaSchema, extract);
+  return decorateRole(inner, [
+    withDryRun({ label: "committer", meta: { committed: true } }),
+    onFail({ label: "committer", meta: { committed: false } }),
+  ]);
+}
+```
+
+Roles compose with the decorator chain from `workflow-utils`:
+- `withDryRun` — skip execution in dry-run mode
+- `onFail` — catch errors into structured failure results
+- `decorateRole(role, [...])` — apply decorators left-to-right
+- Custom `RoleDecorator<M>` can be created for project-specific needs
+
+#### Sense Package
+
+```ts
+// @uncaged/nerve-sense-cpu-usage
+export const senseName = "cpu-usage";
+export const schema = { /* drizzle schema */ };
+export async function compute(ctx: SenseContext): Promise<SenseResult>;
+```
+
+### Workspace as Configuration
+
+The workspace becomes a thin wiring layer:
+
+```
+~/.uncaged-nerve/
+  nerve.yaml           # senses, extract config
+  package.json         # depends on workflow/role/adapter packages
+  workflows/
+    develop-sense/
+      index.ts         # ~10 lines: import package, wire adapters, export
+    solve-issue/
+      index.ts         # same pattern
+```
+
+A typical `index.ts`:
+
+```ts
+import { createDevelopSenseWorkflow } from "@uncaged/nerve-workflow-develop-sense";
+import { hermesAdapter } from "@uncaged/nerve-adapter-hermes";
+import { cursorAdapter } from "@uncaged/nerve-adapter-cursor";
+
+export default createDevelopSenseWorkflow({
+  defaultAdapter: hermesAdapter,
+  adapters: { planner: cursorAdapter, coder: cursorAdapter },
+  extract: { provider: { apiKey, baseUrl, model } },
+  cwd: nerveRoot,
+});
+```
+
+### What Stays in Workspace
+
+- **Custom workflows** — project-specific workflows that aren't general enough to share
+- **Custom senses** — project-specific metrics
+- **Configuration** — adapter selection, credentials, `nerve.yaml`
+- **Overrides** — a workspace can always write its own role/workflow instead of using a package
+
+### Dependency Rules
+
+```
+nerve-core           ← no deps on other nerve packages
+nerve-workflow-utils ← depends on nerve-core
+nerve-adapter-*      ← depends on nerve-core
+nerve-role-*         ← depends on nerve-core, nerve-workflow-utils
+nerve-workflow-*     ← depends on nerve-core, nerve-workflow-utils, may depend on nerve-role-*
+nerve-sense-*        ← depends on nerve-core
+nerve-daemon         ← depends on nerve-core, nerve-store
+```
+
+Workflow packages depend on role packages (not adapters). Adapters are injected at the workspace level.
+
+### Migration Path
+
+1. **Phase 1: Extract role packages** — Start with `@uncaged/nerve-role-committer` (already `_shared/workspace-committer.ts`). Publish, update workspace to import from package.
+2. **Phase 2: Extract workflow packages** — Move `develop-sense` and `develop-workflow` to packages. Workspace `index.ts` becomes pure wiring.
+3. **Phase 3: Sense packages** — Formalize sense packaging (lower priority, senses are already self-contained directories).
+4. **Phase 4: Community** — Document the package contract so others can publish workflows/roles/senses.
+
+### Not in Scope
+
+- **No builtin workflows** — nerve core ships zero workflows. All workflows are packages installed by the workspace.
+- **No workflow marketplace/registry** — just npm packages. `pnpm add @uncaged/nerve-workflow-solve-issue`.
+- **No nerve.yaml workflow declaration** — workflows are still TypeScript entry points. The daemon discovers them the same way it does today.
+
+## Open Questions
+
+1. **Monorepo vs separate repos?** — Should workflow/role packages live in the nerve monorepo or separate repos? Monorepo is easier for coordinated releases; separate repos allow independent versioning.
+2. **Sense package format** — Senses currently bundle with esbuild. Should sense packages ship pre-bundled or as TypeScript source?
+3. **Version coupling** — How tightly should workflow packages pin `nerve-core`? Peer deps with semver range?
+
+## Prior Art
+
+- Adapter packages (`@uncaged/nerve-adapter-*`) — established the factory + injection pattern
+- `_shared/workspace-committer.ts` — proved roles can be shared across workflows
+- `createRole` / `decorateRole` / `withDryRun` / `onFail` in `workflow-utils` — building blocks that role packages compose
+- `defaultAdapter` + `Partial<Record<keyof Meta, AgentFn>>` pattern — adapter injection without coupling

packages/adapter-cursor/src/index.ts

@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-import type { AgentConfig, AgentFn, WorkflowContext } from "@uncaged/nerve-core";
+import type { AgentConfig, AgentFn, ThreadContext } from "@uncaged/nerve-core";
 import { type Result, type SpawnEnv, type SpawnError, ok, spawnSafe } from "@uncaged/nerve-core";
 
 export type CursorAgentMode = "plan" | "ask" | "default";
@@ -84,22 +84,28 @@ function throwCursorSpawnError(error: SpawnError): never {
 /** Default adapter config: model auto-selection and 300s wall-clock cap (milliseconds). */
 const CURSOR_ADAPTER_DEFAULT_MS = 300_000;
 
+export type CursorAdapterConfig = AgentConfig & {
+  /** When set, passes `--mode=ask` or `--mode=plan` to `cursor-agent` (default runs without extra mode). */
+  mode?: CursorAgentMode;
+};
+
 /**
  * Builds a Cursor CLI `AgentFn` from adapter config (model, timeout).
  */
-export function createCursorAdapter(config: AgentConfig): AgentFn {
+export function createCursorAdapter(config: CursorAdapterConfig): AgentFn {
   const timeoutMs = config.timeout;
+  const mode = config.mode ?? "default";
 
-  return async (prompt: string, context: WorkflowContext): Promise<string> => {
+  return async (_ctx: ThreadContext, prompt: string): Promise<string> => {
     const run = await cursorAgent({
       prompt,
-      mode: "default",
+      mode,
       model: config.model,
-      cwd: context.workdir,
+      cwd: process.cwd(),
       env: null,
       timeoutMs,
-      dryRun: context.start.meta.dryRun,
-      abortSignal: context.signal,
+      dryRun: false,
+      abortSignal: null,
     });
     if (!run.ok) {
       throwCursorSpawnError(run.error);

packages/adapter-hermes/src/index.ts

@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-import type { AgentConfig, AgentFn, WorkflowContext } from "@uncaged/nerve-core";
+import type { AgentConfig, AgentFn, ThreadContext } from "@uncaged/nerve-core";
 import { type Result, type SpawnEnv, type SpawnError, ok, spawnSafe } from "@uncaged/nerve-core";
 
 /**
@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@ export function createHermesAdapter(config: AgentConfig): AgentFn {
   const modelFromConfig = config.model === "auto" ? null : config.model;
   const timeoutMs = config.timeout;
 
-  return async (prompt: string, context: WorkflowContext): Promise<string> => {
+  return async (_ctx: ThreadContext, prompt: string): Promise<string> => {
     const run = await hermesAgent({
       prompt,
       model: modelFromConfig,
@@ -106,8 +106,8 @@ export function createHermesAdapter(config: AgentConfig): AgentFn {
       maxTurns: HERMES_ADAPTER_DEFAULT_MAX_TURNS,
       env: null,
       timeoutMs,
-      dryRun: context.start.meta.dryRun,
-      abortSignal: context.signal,
+      dryRun: false,
+      abortSignal: null,
     });
     if (!run.ok) {
       throwHermesSpawnError(run.error);

packages/cli/src/__tests__/create-workflow.test.ts

@@ -33,9 +33,11 @@ describe("buildWorkflowScaffold", () => {
     expect(indexTs).toContain("@uncaged/nerve-core");
   });
 
-  it("root index wires moderator and END", () => {
+  it("root index wires moderator with ThreadContext and END", () => {
     const { indexTs } = buildWorkflowScaffold("test");
     expect(indexTs).toContain("moderator");
+    expect(indexTs).toContain("ThreadContext");
+    expect(indexTs).toContain("ctx.steps.length");
     expect(indexTs).toContain("END");
   });
 
@@ -46,9 +48,13 @@ describe("buildWorkflowScaffold", () => {
     expect(indexTs).toContain("./roles/main/index.js");
   });
 
-  it("main role module exports mainRole function", () => {
+  it("main role module exports mainRole with ThreadContext", () => {
     const { roleMainIndexTs } = buildWorkflowScaffold("test");
     expect(roleMainIndexTs).toContain("export async function mainRole");
+    expect(roleMainIndexTs).toContain("ThreadContext");
+    expect(roleMainIndexTs).toContain("RoleResult");
+    expect(roleMainIndexTs).not.toContain("StartStep");
+    expect(roleMainIndexTs).not.toContain("WorkflowMessage");
   });
 
   it("uses different names per call", () => {

packages/cli/src/__tests__/validate-workflow-agents.test.ts

@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 /**
- * RFC-003 Phase 5: nerve validate — WorkflowSpec adapter usage and extract.
+ * RFC-003 Phase 5: nerve validate — workflow adapter usage and extract.
  */
 
 import { mkdirSync, mkdtempSync, rmSync, writeFileSync } from "node:fs";
@@ -38,9 +38,8 @@ describe("validateAgentConfigurationLayer", () => {
     writeFileSync(
       join(nerveRoot, "workflows", "demo", "src", "index.ts"),
       `
-import type { WorkflowSpec } from "@uncaged/nerve-core";
 const adapter = async () => "";
-const spec: WorkflowSpec<{ r: { x: number } }> = {
+const spec = {
   name: "demo",
   roles: {
     r: { adapter: adapter, prompt: "p", meta: {} as never },

packages/cli/src/commands/create.ts

@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ export function buildWorkflowScaffold(name: string): WorkflowScaffoldFiles {
 }
 
 function buildWorkflowIndexTs(name: string): string {
-  return `import type { WorkflowDefinition } from "@uncaged/nerve-core";
+  return `import type { ThreadContext, WorkflowDefinition } from "@uncaged/nerve-core";
 import { END } from "@uncaged/nerve-core";
 
 import { mainRole } from "./roles/main/index.js";
@@ -64,8 +64,8 @@ const workflow: WorkflowDefinition<Record<"main", MainMeta>> = {
   roles: {
     main: mainRole,
   },
-  moderator({ steps }) {
-    if (steps.length === 0) {
+  moderator(ctx: ThreadContext<Record<"main", MainMeta>>) {
+    if (ctx.steps.length === 0) {
       return "main";
     }
     return END;
@@ -77,18 +77,16 @@ export default workflow;
 }
 
 function buildWorkflowMainRoleIndexTs(name: string): string {
-  return `import type { RoleResult, StartStep, WorkflowMessage } from "@uncaged/nerve-core";
+  return `import type { RoleResult, ThreadContext } from "@uncaged/nerve-core";
 
 /**
  * Main role — implement LLM calls, scripts, HTTP, etc.
  * Optional: align behavior with \`prompt.md\` in this directory.
  */
 export async function mainRole(
-  start: StartStep,
-  messages: WorkflowMessage[],
+  ctx: ThreadContext,
 ): Promise<RoleResult<Record<string, unknown>>> {
-  void start;
-  void messages;
+  void ctx;
   // TODO: implement your role logic here
   return {
     content: "${name} started",

packages/cli/src/workflow-agent-validation.ts

@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ import { join } from "node:path";
 import type { NerveConfig } from "@uncaged/nerve-core";
 
 /**
- * Detects RoleSpec `adapter:` usage in workflow TypeScript sources.
+ * Detects `adapter:` usage in workflow TypeScript sources (e.g. createRole wiring).
  * NOTE: This regex can match occurrences inside comments.
  */
 const WORKFLOW_SPEC_ADAPTER_PATTERN = /adapter:\s*[a-zA-Z_$]/;
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ function collectTsSourceFiles(dir: string, acc: string[]): void {
 }
 
 /**
- * Returns true when any workflow `src` tree appears to use WorkflowSpec roles with adapters.
+ * Returns true when any workflow `src` tree appears to use roles with adapters.
  */
 export function workflowSourcesDeclareAdapterRoles(nerveRoot: string): boolean {
   const workflowsRoot = join(nerveRoot, "workflows");
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ export function validateAgentConfigurationLayer(
     return {
       ok: false,
       message:
-        "extract: required when WorkflowSpec roles use adapters (configure extract.provider and extract.model)",
+        "extract: required when workflow roles use adapters (configure extract.provider and extract.model)",
     };
   }
 

packages/core/package.json

@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@
     "test": "vitest run"
   },
   "dependencies": {
+    "drizzle-orm": "1.0.0-beta.23-c10d10c",
     "yaml": "^2.8.3"
   },
   "devDependencies": {

packages/core/src/__tests__/config.test.ts

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 import { describe, expect, it } from "vitest";
 
-import { parseNerveConfig } from "../parse-nerve-config.js";
+import { parseNerveConfig } from "../config.js";
 
 const VALID_CONFIG = `
 senses:

packages/core/src/__tests__/daemon-ipc-protocol.test.ts

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 import { describe, expect, it } from "vitest";
 
-import { parseDaemonIpcRequest } from "../daemon-ipc-protocol.js";
+import { parseDaemonIpcRequest } from "../daemon.js";
 
 describe("parseDaemonIpcRequest", () => {
   it("parses trigger-workflow", () => {

packages/core/src/__tests__/knowledge-config.test.ts

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 import { describe, expect, it } from "vitest";
 
-import { parseKnowledgeYaml } from "../knowledge-config.js";
+import { parseKnowledgeYaml } from "../config.js";
 
 describe("parseKnowledgeYaml", () => {
   it("parses include and exclude glob lists", () => {

packages/core/src/__tests__/sense-workflow-directive.test.ts

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 import { describe, expect, it } from "vitest";
 
-import { parseWorkflowTrigger, routeSenseComputeOutput } from "../sense-workflow-directive.js";
+import { parseWorkflowTrigger, routeSenseComputeOutput } from "../sense.js";
 
 describe("parseWorkflowTrigger", () => {
   it("accepts a valid trigger object", () => {

packages/core/src/__tests__/spawn-safe.test.ts

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 import { describe, expect, it } from "vitest";
 
-import { spawnSafe } from "../spawn-safe.js";
+import { spawnSafe } from "../util.js";
 
 describe("spawnSafe", () => {
   it("passes argv literally without shell interpretation (injection-safe)", async () => {

packages/core/src/agent-adapter-ids.ts

@@ -1,5 +0,0 @@
-/**
- * Agent adapter ids referenced by tooling / docs (RFC-003).
- * Workflows import adapter packages directly; echo may be used in tests via a small factory.
- */
-export const KNOWN_AGENT_ADAPTER_IDS = ["echo", "cursor", "hermes", "codex"] as const;

packages/core/src/agent.ts

@@ -21,3 +21,9 @@ export class ExtractError extends Error {
     Object.setPrototypeOf(this, new.target.prototype);
   }
 }
+
+/**
+ * Agent adapter ids referenced by tooling / docs (RFC-003).
+ * Workflows import adapter packages directly; echo may be used in tests via a small factory.
+ */
+export const KNOWN_AGENT_ADAPTER_IDS = ["echo", "cursor", "hermes", "codex"] as const;

packages/core/src/config.ts

@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
-/** Default max rows kept in each sense's `_signals` SQLite table (see `retention` on `SenseConfig`). */
-export const DEFAULT_SENSE_SIGNAL_RETENTION = 10_000;
+import { parse } from "yaml";
+
+import { type Result, err, isPlainRecord, ok, parseDurationStringToMs } from "./util.js";
+import { DEFAULT_ENGINE_MAX_ROUNDS } from "./workflow.js";
 
 export type SenseConfig = {
   group: string;
@@ -75,3 +77,398 @@ export type NerveConfig = {
   /** Global extract defaults; `null` when the section is omitted. */
   extract: ExtractConfig | null;
 };
+
+export type KnowledgeConfig = {
+  include: ReadonlyArray<string>;
+  exclude: ReadonlyArray<string>;
+};
+
+/** Default max rows kept in each sense's `_signals` SQLite table (see `retention` on `SenseConfig`). */
+export const DEFAULT_SENSE_SIGNAL_RETENTION = 10_000;
+
+function isValidGroupName(value: string): boolean {
+  return /^[a-zA-Z0-9_-]+$/.test(value);
+}
+
+function parseRetentionField(name: string, field: unknown): Result<number> {
+  if (field === undefined || field === null) {
+    return ok(DEFAULT_SENSE_SIGNAL_RETENTION);
+  }
+  if (typeof field !== "number" || !Number.isInteger(field) || field < 1) {
+    return err(new Error(`senses.${name}.retention: must be a positive integer`));
+  }
+  return ok(field);
+}
+
+function parseDurationField(field: unknown, label: string): Result<number | null> {
+  if (field === undefined || field === null) return ok(null);
+  if (typeof field !== "string") {
+    return err(
+      new Error(`${label}: invalid duration "${field}" (expected e.g. "5s", "10m", "1h")`),
+    );
+  }
+  const msResult = parseDurationStringToMs(field);
+  if (!msResult.ok) {
+    return err(new Error(`${label}: ${msResult.error.message}`));
+  }
+  return ok(msResult.value);
+}
+
+function validateSenseConfig(name: string, raw: unknown): Result<SenseConfig> {
+  if (!isPlainRecord(raw)) {
+    return err(new Error(`senses.${name}: must be an object`));
+  }
+
+  const obj = raw;
+
+  if (typeof obj.group !== "string" || obj.group.trim() === "") {
+    return err(new Error(`senses.${name}.group: required string`));
+  }
+
+  if (!isValidGroupName(obj.group)) {
+    return err(
+      new Error(
+        `senses.${name}.group: invalid name "${obj.group}" (only alphanumeric, underscore, hyphen allowed)`,
+      ),
+    );
+  }
+
+  const throttleResult = parseDurationField(obj.throttle, `senses.${name}.throttle`);
+  if (!throttleResult.ok) return throttleResult;
+
+  const timeoutResult = parseDurationField(obj.timeout, `senses.${name}.timeout`);
+  if (!timeoutResult.ok) return timeoutResult;
+
+  const graceResult = parseDurationField(obj.grace_period, `senses.${name}.grace_period`);
+  if (!graceResult.ok) return graceResult;
+
+  const retentionResult = parseRetentionField(name, obj.retention);
+  if (!retentionResult.ok) return retentionResult;
+
+  const intervalResult = parseDurationField(obj.interval, `senses.${name}.interval`);
+  if (!intervalResult.ok) return intervalResult;
+
+  let on: string[] = [];
+  if (obj.on !== undefined && obj.on !== null) {
+    if (
+      !Array.isArray(obj.on) ||
+      !obj.on.every((item: unknown): item is string => typeof item === "string")
+    ) {
+      return err(new Error(`senses.${name}.on: must be an array of strings`));
+    }
+    on = obj.on;
+  }
+
+  return ok({
+    group: obj.group,
+    throttle: throttleResult.value,
+    timeout: timeoutResult.value,
+    gracePeriod: graceResult.value,
+    retention: retentionResult.value,
+    interval: intervalResult.value,
+    on,
+  });
+}
+
+function parseEngineMaxRounds(obj: Record<string, unknown>): Result<number> {
+  if (obj.max_rounds === undefined || obj.max_rounds === null) {
+    return ok(DEFAULT_ENGINE_MAX_ROUNDS);
+  }
+  if (
+    typeof obj.max_rounds !== "number" ||
+    !Number.isInteger(obj.max_rounds) ||
+    obj.max_rounds < 1
+  ) {
+    return err(new Error("max_rounds: must be a positive integer"));
+  }
+  return ok(obj.max_rounds);
+}
+
+function validateWorkflowConfig(name: string, raw: unknown): Result<WorkflowConfig> {
+  if (!isPlainRecord(raw)) {
+    return err(new Error(`workflows.${name}: must be an object`));
+  }
+
+  const obj = raw;
+
+  if (
+    typeof obj.concurrency !== "number" ||
+    !Number.isInteger(obj.concurrency) ||
+    obj.concurrency < 1
+  ) {
+    return err(new Error(`workflows.${name}.concurrency: must be a positive integer`));
+  }
+
+  if (obj.overflow !== "drop" && obj.overflow !== "queue") {
+    return err(new Error(`workflows.${name}.overflow: must be "drop" or "queue"`));
+  }
+
+  if (obj.overflow === "drop") {
+    if (obj.max_queue !== undefined && obj.max_queue !== null) {
+      return err(new Error(`workflows.${name}: max_queue is not allowed with overflow "drop"`));
+    }
+    return ok({
+      concurrency: obj.concurrency,
+      overflow: "drop" as const,
+    });
+  }
+
+  // overflow: "queue"
+  let maxQueue = 100; // default
+  if (obj.max_queue !== undefined && obj.max_queue !== null) {
+    if (
+      typeof obj.max_queue !== "number" ||
+      !Number.isInteger(obj.max_queue) ||
+      obj.max_queue < 1
+    ) {
+      return err(new Error(`workflows.${name}.max_queue: must be a positive integer`));
+    }
+    maxQueue = obj.max_queue;
+  }
+
+  return ok({
+    concurrency: obj.concurrency,
+    overflow: "queue" as const,
+    maxQueue,
+  });
+}
+
+function parseSenses(
+  obj: Record<string, unknown>,
+): Result<{ senses: Record<string, SenseConfig> }> {
+  if (!isPlainRecord(obj.senses)) {
+    return err(new Error("senses: required object"));
+  }
+
+  const sensesRaw = obj.senses;
+  const senses: Record<string, SenseConfig> = {};
+
+  for (const [name, senseRaw] of Object.entries(sensesRaw)) {
+    const result = validateSenseConfig(name, senseRaw);
+    if (!result.ok) return result;
+    senses[name] = result.value;
+  }
+
+  return ok({ senses });
+}
+
+const DEFAULT_API_BIND_HOST = "127.0.0.1";
+
+/** Hosts that may bind the HTTP API without `api.token` (loopback-only). */
+function isLoopbackOnlyApiHost(host: string): boolean {
+  const h = host.trim();
+  return h === "127.0.0.1" || h.toLowerCase() === "localhost";
+}
+
+function parseApiTokenField(api: Record<string, unknown>): Result<string | null> {
+  if (api.token === undefined || api.token === null) {
+    return ok(null);
+  }
+  if (typeof api.token !== "string") {
+    return err(new Error("api.token: must be a string when provided"));
+  }
+  if (api.token.length === 0) {
+    return err(new Error("api.token: must not be empty when provided"));
+  }
+  return ok(api.token);
+}
+
+function parseApiHostField(api: Record<string, unknown>): Result<string> {
+  if (api.host === undefined || api.host === null) {
+    return ok(DEFAULT_API_BIND_HOST);
+  }
+  if (typeof api.host !== "string") {
+    return err(new Error("api.host: must be a string when provided"));
+  }
+  if (api.host.length === 0) {
+    return err(new Error("api.host: must not be empty when provided"));
+  }
+  return ok(api.host);
+}
+
+function parseApiConfig(obj: Record<string, unknown>): Result<NerveApiConfig> {
+  if (obj.api === undefined || obj.api === null) {
+    return ok({ port: null, token: null, host: DEFAULT_API_BIND_HOST });
+  }
+  if (!isPlainRecord(obj.api)) {
+    return err(new Error("api: must be an object if provided"));
+  }
+  const api = obj.api;
+  if (api.port === undefined || api.port === null) {
+    return ok({ port: null, token: null, host: DEFAULT_API_BIND_HOST });
+  }
+  if (
+    typeof api.port !== "number" ||
+    !Number.isInteger(api.port) ||
+    api.port < 1 ||
+    api.port > 65_535
+  ) {
+    return err(new Error("api.port: must be an integer between 1 and 65535 if provided"));
+  }
+
+  const tokenResult = parseApiTokenField(api);
+  if (!tokenResult.ok) return tokenResult;
+  const hostResult = parseApiHostField(api);
+  if (!hostResult.ok) return hostResult;
+
+  if (!isLoopbackOnlyApiHost(hostResult.value) && tokenResult.value === null) {
+    return err(
+      new Error("api.host binds to non-loopback address, api.token is required for security"),
+    );
+  }
+
+  return ok({ port: api.port, token: tokenResult.value, host: hostResult.value });
+}
+
+function parseWorkflows(obj: Record<string, unknown>): Result<Record<string, WorkflowConfig>> {
+  if (obj.workflows === undefined || obj.workflows === null) return ok({});
+
+  if (!isPlainRecord(obj.workflows)) {
+    return err(new Error("workflows: must be an object if provided"));
+  }
+
+  const workflowsRaw = obj.workflows;
+  const workflows: Record<string, WorkflowConfig> = {};
+
+  for (const [name, wfRaw] of Object.entries(workflowsRaw)) {
+    const result = validateWorkflowConfig(name, wfRaw);
+    if (!result.ok) return result;
+    workflows[name] = result.value;
+  }
+
+  return ok(workflows);
+}
+
+function parseExtract(obj: Record<string, unknown>): Result<ExtractConfig | null> {
+  if (obj.extract === undefined || obj.extract === null) {
+    return ok(null);
+  }
+
+  if (!isPlainRecord(obj.extract)) {
+    return err(new Error("extract: must be an object if provided"));
+  }
+
+  const ext = obj.extract;
+
+  if (typeof ext.provider !== "string" || ext.provider.trim() === "") {
+    return err(new Error("extract.provider: required non-empty string"));
+  }
+
+  if (typeof ext.model !== "string" || ext.model.trim() === "") {
+    return err(new Error("extract.model: required non-empty string"));
+  }
+
+  return ok({ provider: ext.provider, model: ext.model });
+}
+
+export function parseNerveConfig(raw: string): Result<NerveConfig> {
+  let parsed: unknown;
+
+  try {
+    parsed = parse(raw);
+  } catch (e) {
+    const message = e instanceof Error ? e.message : String(e);
+    return err(new Error(`YAML parse error: ${message}`));
+  }
+
+  if (!isPlainRecord(parsed)) {
+    return err(new Error("Config must be a YAML object"));
+  }
+
+  const obj = parsed;
+
+  const sensesResult = parseSenses(obj);
+  if (!sensesResult.ok) return sensesResult;
+  const { senses } = sensesResult.value;
+
+  // Legacy top-level `reflexes` is rejected; each sense carries `interval` / `on` for the sense scheduler.
+  if (Object.hasOwn(obj, "reflexes")) {
+    return err(
+      new Error(
+        "reflexes: top-level key is no longer supported; set `interval` and `on` on each sense under `senses.<name>`",
+      ),
+    );
+  }
+
+  const workflowsResult = parseWorkflows(obj);
+  if (!workflowsResult.ok) return workflowsResult;
+
+  const maxRoundsResult = parseEngineMaxRounds(obj);
+  if (!maxRoundsResult.ok) return maxRoundsResult;
+
+  const apiResult = parseApiConfig(obj);
+  if (!apiResult.ok) return apiResult;
+
+  if (Object.hasOwn(obj, "agents")) {
+    return err(
+      new Error(
+        "agents: key is no longer supported — declare adapters on workflow roles (RFC-003)",
+      ),
+    );
+  }
+
+  const extractResult = parseExtract(obj);
+  if (!extractResult.ok) return extractResult;
+
+  return ok({
+    maxRounds: maxRoundsResult.value,
+    senses,
+    workflows: workflowsResult.value,
+    api: apiResult.value,
+    extract: extractResult.value,
+  });
+}
+
+function parseStringList(field: unknown, label: string): Result<ReadonlyArray<string>> {
+  if (field === undefined || field === null) {
+    return ok([]);
+  }
+  if (!Array.isArray(field)) {
+    return err(new Error(`${label}: must be an array of strings`));
+  }
+  const out: string[] = [];
+  for (let i = 0; i < field.length; i++) {
+    const item = field[i];
+    if (typeof item !== "string" || item.length === 0) {
+      return err(new Error(`${label}[${String(i)}]: must be a non-empty string`));
+    }
+    out.push(item);
+  }
+  return ok(out);
+}
+
+/**
+ * Parse `knowledge.yaml` at the repo root (RFC-003 Knowledge Layer).
+ * `include` / `exclude` entries are glob patterns resolved against the repo root.
+ */
+export function parseKnowledgeYaml(raw: string): Result<KnowledgeConfig> {
+  let parsed: unknown;
+  try {
+    parsed = parse(raw);
+  } catch (e) {
+    const message = e instanceof Error ? e.message : String(e);
+    return err(new Error(`YAML parse error: ${message}`));
+  }
+
+  if (parsed === undefined || parsed === null) {
+    return ok({ include: [], exclude: [] });
+  }
+
+  if (!isPlainRecord(parsed)) {
+    return err(new Error("knowledge.yaml: root must be a mapping"));
+  }
+
+  const includeResult = parseStringList(parsed.include, "include");
+  if (!includeResult.ok) {
+    return includeResult;
+  }
+  const excludeResult = parseStringList(parsed.exclude, "exclude");
+  if (!excludeResult.ok) {
+    return excludeResult;
+  }
+
+  return ok({
+    include: includeResult.value,
+    exclude: excludeResult.value,
+  });
+}

packages/core/src/daemon-payload-guards.ts

@@ -1,33 +0,0 @@
-import type { WorkflowStatus } from "./daemon-ipc-protocol.js";
-import { isPlainRecord } from "./is-plain-record.js";
-import type { SenseInfo } from "./sense.js";
-
-/** Type guard for JSON {@link SenseInfo} payloads from daemon HTTP/IPC. */
-export function isSenseInfo(value: unknown): value is SenseInfo {
-  if (!isPlainRecord(value)) return false;
-  return (
-    typeof value.name === "string" &&
-    typeof value.group === "string" &&
-    (value.throttle === null || typeof value.throttle === "number") &&
-    (value.timeout === null || typeof value.timeout === "number") &&
-    Array.isArray(value.triggers) &&
-    value.triggers.every((t: unknown) => typeof t === "string") &&
-    (value.lastSignalTimestamp === null || typeof value.lastSignalTimestamp === "number")
-  );
-}
-
-/** Type guard for JSON {@link WorkflowStatus} payloads from daemon HTTP/IPC. */
-export function isWorkflowStatus(value: unknown): value is WorkflowStatus {
-  if (!isPlainRecord(value)) return false;
-  const cfg = value.config;
-  if (!isPlainRecord(cfg)) return false;
-  return (
-    typeof value.name === "string" &&
-    typeof value.activeThreads === "number" &&
-    Array.isArray(value.activeRunIds) &&
-    value.activeRunIds.every((id: unknown) => typeof id === "string") &&
-    typeof value.queuedThreads === "number" &&
-    typeof cfg.concurrency === "number" &&
-    typeof cfg.overflow === "string"
-  );
-}

packages/core/src/daemon-transport.ts

@@ -1,28 +0,0 @@
-import type { HealthInfo, WorkflowStatus } from "./daemon-ipc-protocol.js";
-import type { SenseInfo } from "./sense.js";
-
-export type DaemonTransportTriggerResult = { ok: true } | { ok: false; error: string };
-
-export type DaemonTransportWorkflowLaunch = {
-  prompt: string;
-  maxRounds: number;
-  dryRun: boolean;
-};
-
-/**
- * Abstraction over daemon control plane (Unix socket IPC today, HTTP in Phase 2).
- * Implementations live in CLI / tools; the daemon kernel uses shared handler logic.
- */
-export type DaemonTransport = {
-  health(): Promise<HealthInfo>;
-  listSenses(): Promise<SenseInfo[]>;
-  listWorkflows(): Promise<WorkflowStatus[]>;
-  triggerSense(name: string): Promise<DaemonTransportTriggerResult>;
-  /** When `launch` is null, implementations use engine defaults (empty prompt, default max rounds, dryRun false). */
-  triggerWorkflow(
-    name: string,
-    launch: DaemonTransportWorkflowLaunch | null,
-  ): Promise<DaemonTransportTriggerResult>;
-  /** Kill a running or queued workflow thread by `runId` (same field as IPC `kill-workflow`). */
-  killWorkflow(runId: string): Promise<DaemonTransportTriggerResult>;
-};

packages/core/src/daemon.ts

@@ -4,8 +4,8 @@
  * one response object per line from the daemon.
  */
 
-import { isPlainRecord } from "./is-plain-record.js";
 import type { SenseInfo } from "./sense.js";
+import { isPlainRecord } from "./util.js";
 
 /** Runtime status of a registered workflow (for listing / observability). */
 export type WorkflowStatus = {
@@ -100,6 +100,32 @@ export type DaemonIpcResponse =
   | DaemonIpcListWorkflowsResponse
   | DaemonIpcHealthResponse;
 
+export type DaemonTransportTriggerResult = { ok: true } | { ok: false; error: string };
+
+export type DaemonTransportWorkflowLaunch = {
+  prompt: string;
+  maxRounds: number;
+  dryRun: boolean;
+};
+
+/**
+ * Abstraction over daemon control plane (Unix socket IPC today, HTTP in Phase 2).
+ * Implementations live in CLI / tools; the daemon kernel uses shared handler logic.
+ */
+export type DaemonTransport = {
+  health(): Promise<HealthInfo>;
+  listSenses(): Promise<SenseInfo[]>;
+  listWorkflows(): Promise<WorkflowStatus[]>;
+  triggerSense(name: string): Promise<DaemonTransportTriggerResult>;
+  /** When `launch` is null, implementations use engine defaults (empty prompt, default max rounds, dryRun false). */
+  triggerWorkflow(
+    name: string,
+    launch: DaemonTransportWorkflowLaunch | null,
+  ): Promise<DaemonTransportTriggerResult>;
+  /** Kill a running or queued workflow thread by `runId` (same field as IPC `kill-workflow`). */
+  killWorkflow(runId: string): Promise<DaemonTransportTriggerResult>;
+};
+
 function parseTriggerWorkflowFields(
   req: Record<string, unknown>,
 ): DaemonIpcTriggerWorkflowRequest | null {
@@ -150,3 +176,33 @@ export function parseDaemonIpcRequest(line: string): DaemonIpcRequest | null {
     return null;
   }
 }
+
+/** Type guard for JSON {@link SenseInfo} payloads from daemon HTTP/IPC. */
+export function isSenseInfo(value: unknown): value is SenseInfo {
+  if (!isPlainRecord(value)) return false;
+  return (
+    typeof value.name === "string" &&
+    typeof value.group === "string" &&
+    (value.throttle === null || typeof value.throttle === "number") &&
+    (value.timeout === null || typeof value.timeout === "number") &&
+    Array.isArray(value.triggers) &&
+    value.triggers.every((t: unknown) => typeof t === "string") &&
+    (value.lastSignalTimestamp === null || typeof value.lastSignalTimestamp === "number")
+  );
+}
+
+/** Type guard for JSON {@link WorkflowStatus} payloads from daemon HTTP/IPC. */
+export function isWorkflowStatus(value: unknown): value is WorkflowStatus {
+  if (!isPlainRecord(value)) return false;
+  const cfg = value.config;
+  if (!isPlainRecord(cfg)) return false;
+  return (
+    typeof value.name === "string" &&
+    typeof value.activeThreads === "number" &&
+    Array.isArray(value.activeRunIds) &&
+    value.activeRunIds.every((id: unknown) => typeof id === "string") &&
+    typeof value.queuedThreads === "number" &&
+    typeof cfg.concurrency === "number" &&
+    typeof cfg.overflow === "string"
+  );
+}

packages/core/src/duration.ts

@@ -1,22 +0,0 @@
-import type { Result } from "./result.js";
-import { err, ok } from "./result.js";
-
-const DURATION_RE = /^(\d+)([smh])$/;
-
-const DURATION_MULTIPLIERS: Record<string, number> = {
-  s: 1_000,
-  m: 60_000,
-  h: 3_600_000,
-};
-
-/**
- * Parse a duration string such as `5s`, `10m`, `1h` to milliseconds.
- * Used by `parseNerveConfig` sense/workflow duration fields.
- */
-export function parseDurationStringToMs(value: string): Result<number> {
-  const match = DURATION_RE.exec(value);
-  if (!match) {
-    return err(new Error(`invalid duration "${value}" (expected e.g. "5s", "10m", "1h")`));
-  }
-  return ok(Number(match[1]) * DURATION_MULTIPLIERS[match[2]]);
-}

packages/core/src/index.ts

@@ -12,13 +12,15 @@ export type {
   ComputeResult,
 } from "./config.js";
 export type { Signal, SenseInfo } from "./sense.js";
-export { labelSenseTrigger, senseTriggerLabels } from "./sense-trigger-labels.js";
+export type { SenseComputeFn, SenseModule } from "./sense.js";
+export { labelSenseTrigger, senseTriggerLabels } from "./sense.js";
 export type {
   WorkflowMessage,
   RoleResult,
   Role,
   RoleMeta,
   StartStep,
+  ThreadContext,
   WorkflowContext,
   AgentFn,
   RoleStep,
@@ -27,12 +29,11 @@ export type {
   WorkflowDefinition,
 } from "./workflow.js";
 export { START, END, DEFAULT_ENGINE_MAX_ROUNDS } from "./workflow.js";
-export type { PromptInput, RoleSpec, WorkflowSpec } from "./workflow-spec.js";
-export { parseDurationStringToMs } from "./duration.js";
-export type { Schema, ExtractFn } from "./extract-layer.js";
-export { ExtractError } from "./extract-layer.js";
-export type { Result } from "./result.js";
-export { ok, err } from "./result.js";
+export { parseDurationStringToMs } from "./util.js";
+export type { Schema, ExtractFn } from "./agent.js";
+export { ExtractError } from "./agent.js";
+export type { Result } from "./util.js";
+export { ok, err } from "./util.js";
 export {
   nerveCommandEnv,
   spawnSafe,
@@ -40,17 +41,17 @@ export {
   type SpawnError,
   type SpawnResult,
   type SpawnSafeOptions,
-} from "./spawn-safe.js";
-export { parseNerveConfig } from "./parse-nerve-config.js";
-export type { KnowledgeConfig } from "./knowledge-config.js";
-export { parseKnowledgeYaml } from "./knowledge-config.js";
-export { isPlainRecord } from "./is-plain-record.js";
-export { KNOWN_AGENT_ADAPTER_IDS } from "./agent-adapter-ids.js";
+} from "./util.js";
+export { parseNerveConfig } from "./config.js";
+export type { KnowledgeConfig } from "./config.js";
+export { parseKnowledgeYaml } from "./config.js";
+export { isPlainRecord } from "./util.js";
+export { KNOWN_AGENT_ADAPTER_IDS } from "./agent.js";
 
-export type { RoutedSenseOutput } from "./sense-workflow-directive.js";
-export { parseWorkflowTrigger, routeSenseComputeOutput } from "./sense-workflow-directive.js";
+export type { RoutedSenseOutput } from "./sense.js";
+export { parseWorkflowTrigger, routeSenseComputeOutput } from "./sense.js";
 
-export { isSenseInfo, isWorkflowStatus } from "./daemon-payload-guards.js";
+export { isSenseInfo, isWorkflowStatus } from "./daemon.js";
 export type {
   WorkflowStatus,
   HealthInfo,
@@ -68,10 +69,10 @@ export type {
   DaemonIpcListWorkflowsResponse,
   DaemonIpcHealthResponse,
   DaemonIpcResponse,
-} from "./daemon-ipc-protocol.js";
-export { parseDaemonIpcRequest } from "./daemon-ipc-protocol.js";
+} from "./daemon.js";
+export { parseDaemonIpcRequest } from "./daemon.js";
 export type {
   DaemonTransport,
   DaemonTransportTriggerResult,
   DaemonTransportWorkflowLaunch,
-} from "./daemon-transport.js";
+} from "./daemon.js";

packages/core/src/is-plain-record.ts

@@ -1,7 +0,0 @@
-/**
- * Narrows `unknown` to a plain JSON-style object (not null, not array).
- * Use after `JSON.parse` / YAML / IPC when validating structure field-by-field.
- */
-export function isPlainRecord(value: unknown): value is Record<string, unknown> {
-  return typeof value === "object" && value !== null && !Array.isArray(value);
-}

packages/core/src/knowledge-config.ts

@@ -1,64 +0,0 @@
-import { parse } from "yaml";
-
-import { isPlainRecord } from "./is-plain-record.js";
-import type { Result } from "./result.js";
-import { err, ok } from "./result.js";
-
-export type KnowledgeConfig = {
-  include: ReadonlyArray<string>;
-  exclude: ReadonlyArray<string>;
-};
-
-function parseStringList(field: unknown, label: string): Result<ReadonlyArray<string>> {
-  if (field === undefined || field === null) {
-    return ok([]);
-  }
-  if (!Array.isArray(field)) {
-    return err(new Error(`${label}: must be an array of strings`));
-  }
-  const out: string[] = [];
-  for (let i = 0; i < field.length; i++) {
-    const item = field[i];
-    if (typeof item !== "string" || item.length === 0) {
-      return err(new Error(`${label}[${String(i)}]: must be a non-empty string`));
-    }
-    out.push(item);
-  }
-  return ok(out);
-}
-
-/**
- * Parse `knowledge.yaml` at the repo root (RFC-003 Knowledge Layer).
- * `include` / `exclude` entries are glob patterns resolved against the repo root.
- */
-export function parseKnowledgeYaml(raw: string): Result<KnowledgeConfig> {
-  let parsed: unknown;
-  try {
-    parsed = parse(raw);
-  } catch (e) {
-    const message = e instanceof Error ? e.message : String(e);
-    return err(new Error(`YAML parse error: ${message}`));
-  }
-
-  if (parsed === undefined || parsed === null) {
-    return ok({ include: [], exclude: [] });
-  }
-
-  if (!isPlainRecord(parsed)) {
-    return err(new Error("knowledge.yaml: root must be a mapping"));
-  }
-
-  const includeResult = parseStringList(parsed.include, "include");
-  if (!includeResult.ok) {
-    return includeResult;
-  }
-  const excludeResult = parseStringList(parsed.exclude, "exclude");
-  if (!excludeResult.ok) {
-    return excludeResult;
-  }
-
-  return ok({
-    include: includeResult.value,
-    exclude: excludeResult.value,
-  });
-}

packages/core/src/parse-nerve-config.ts

@@ -1,348 +0,0 @@
-import { parse } from "yaml";
-
-import {
-  DEFAULT_SENSE_SIGNAL_RETENTION,
-  type ExtractConfig,
-  type NerveApiConfig,
-  type NerveConfig,
-  type SenseConfig,
-  type WorkflowConfig,
-} from "./config.js";
-import { parseDurationStringToMs } from "./duration.js";
-import { isPlainRecord } from "./is-plain-record.js";
-import type { Result } from "./result.js";
-import { err, ok } from "./result.js";
-import { DEFAULT_ENGINE_MAX_ROUNDS } from "./workflow.js";
-
-function isValidGroupName(value: string): boolean {
-  return /^[a-zA-Z0-9_-]+$/.test(value);
-}
-
-function parseRetentionField(name: string, field: unknown): Result<number> {
-  if (field === undefined || field === null) {
-    return ok(DEFAULT_SENSE_SIGNAL_RETENTION);
-  }
-  if (typeof field !== "number" || !Number.isInteger(field) || field < 1) {
-    return err(new Error(`senses.${name}.retention: must be a positive integer`));
-  }
-  return ok(field);
-}
-
-function parseDurationField(field: unknown, label: string): Result<number | null> {
-  if (field === undefined || field === null) return ok(null);
-  if (typeof field !== "string") {
-    return err(
-      new Error(`${label}: invalid duration "${field}" (expected e.g. "5s", "10m", "1h")`),
-    );
-  }
-  const msResult = parseDurationStringToMs(field);
-  if (!msResult.ok) {
-    return err(new Error(`${label}: ${msResult.error.message}`));
-  }
-  return ok(msResult.value);
-}
-
-function validateSenseConfig(name: string, raw: unknown): Result<SenseConfig> {
-  if (!isPlainRecord(raw)) {
-    return err(new Error(`senses.${name}: must be an object`));
-  }
-
-  const obj = raw;
-
-  if (typeof obj.group !== "string" || obj.group.trim() === "") {
-    return err(new Error(`senses.${name}.group: required string`));
-  }
-
-  if (!isValidGroupName(obj.group)) {
-    return err(
-      new Error(
-        `senses.${name}.group: invalid name "${obj.group}" (only alphanumeric, underscore, hyphen allowed)`,
-      ),
-    );
-  }
-
-  const throttleResult = parseDurationField(obj.throttle, `senses.${name}.throttle`);
-  if (!throttleResult.ok) return throttleResult;
-
-  const timeoutResult = parseDurationField(obj.timeout, `senses.${name}.timeout`);
-  if (!timeoutResult.ok) return timeoutResult;
-
-  const graceResult = parseDurationField(obj.grace_period, `senses.${name}.grace_period`);
-  if (!graceResult.ok) return graceResult;
-
-  const retentionResult = parseRetentionField(name, obj.retention);
-  if (!retentionResult.ok) return retentionResult;
-
-  const intervalResult = parseDurationField(obj.interval, `senses.${name}.interval`);
-  if (!intervalResult.ok) return intervalResult;
-
-  let on: string[] = [];
-  if (obj.on !== undefined && obj.on !== null) {
-    if (
-      !Array.isArray(obj.on) ||
-      !obj.on.every((item: unknown): item is string => typeof item === "string")
-    ) {
-      return err(new Error(`senses.${name}.on: must be an array of strings`));
-    }
-    on = obj.on;
-  }
-
-  return ok({
-    group: obj.group,
-    throttle: throttleResult.value,
-    timeout: timeoutResult.value,
-    gracePeriod: graceResult.value,
-    retention: retentionResult.value,
-    interval: intervalResult.value,
-    on,
-  });
-}
-
-function parseEngineMaxRounds(obj: Record<string, unknown>): Result<number> {
-  if (obj.max_rounds === undefined || obj.max_rounds === null) {
-    return ok(DEFAULT_ENGINE_MAX_ROUNDS);
-  }
-  if (
-    typeof obj.max_rounds !== "number" ||
-    !Number.isInteger(obj.max_rounds) ||
-    obj.max_rounds < 1
-  ) {
-    return err(new Error("max_rounds: must be a positive integer"));
-  }
-  return ok(obj.max_rounds);
-}
-
-function validateWorkflowConfig(name: string, raw: unknown): Result<WorkflowConfig> {
-  if (!isPlainRecord(raw)) {
-    return err(new Error(`workflows.${name}: must be an object`));
-  }
-
-  const obj = raw;
-
-  if (
-    typeof obj.concurrency !== "number" ||
-    !Number.isInteger(obj.concurrency) ||
-    obj.concurrency < 1
-  ) {
-    return err(new Error(`workflows.${name}.concurrency: must be a positive integer`));
-  }
-
-  if (obj.overflow !== "drop" && obj.overflow !== "queue") {
-    return err(new Error(`workflows.${name}.overflow: must be "drop" or "queue"`));
-  }
-
-  if (obj.overflow === "drop") {
-    if (obj.max_queue !== undefined && obj.max_queue !== null) {
-      return err(new Error(`workflows.${name}: max_queue is not allowed with overflow "drop"`));
-    }
-    return ok({
-      concurrency: obj.concurrency,
-      overflow: "drop" as const,
-    });
-  }
-
-  // overflow: "queue"
-  let maxQueue = 100; // default
-  if (obj.max_queue !== undefined && obj.max_queue !== null) {
-    if (
-      typeof obj.max_queue !== "number" ||
-      !Number.isInteger(obj.max_queue) ||
-      obj.max_queue < 1
-    ) {
-      return err(new Error(`workflows.${name}.max_queue: must be a positive integer`));
-    }
-    maxQueue = obj.max_queue;
-  }
-
-  return ok({
-    concurrency: obj.concurrency,
-    overflow: "queue" as const,
-    maxQueue,
-  });
-}
-
-function parseSenses(
-  obj: Record<string, unknown>,
-): Result<{ senses: Record<string, SenseConfig> }> {
-  if (!isPlainRecord(obj.senses)) {
-    return err(new Error("senses: required object"));
-  }
-
-  const sensesRaw = obj.senses;
-  const senses: Record<string, SenseConfig> = {};
-
-  for (const [name, senseRaw] of Object.entries(sensesRaw)) {
-    const result = validateSenseConfig(name, senseRaw);
-    if (!result.ok) return result;
-    senses[name] = result.value;
-  }
-
-  return ok({ senses });
-}
-
-const DEFAULT_API_BIND_HOST = "127.0.0.1";
-
-/** Hosts that may bind the HTTP API without `api.token` (loopback-only). */
-function isLoopbackOnlyApiHost(host: string): boolean {
-  const h = host.trim();
-  return h === "127.0.0.1" || h.toLowerCase() === "localhost";
-}
-
-function parseApiTokenField(api: Record<string, unknown>): Result<string | null> {
-  if (api.token === undefined || api.token === null) {
-    return ok(null);
-  }
-  if (typeof api.token !== "string") {
-    return err(new Error("api.token: must be a string when provided"));
-  }
-  if (api.token.length === 0) {
-    return err(new Error("api.token: must not be empty when provided"));
-  }
-  return ok(api.token);
-}
-
-function parseApiHostField(api: Record<string, unknown>): Result<string> {
-  if (api.host === undefined || api.host === null) {
-    return ok(DEFAULT_API_BIND_HOST);
-  }
-  if (typeof api.host !== "string") {
-    return err(new Error("api.host: must be a string when provided"));
-  }
-  if (api.host.length === 0) {
-    return err(new Error("api.host: must not be empty when provided"));
-  }
-  return ok(api.host);
-}
-
-function parseApiConfig(obj: Record<string, unknown>): Result<NerveApiConfig> {
-  if (obj.api === undefined || obj.api === null) {
-    return ok({ port: null, token: null, host: DEFAULT_API_BIND_HOST });
-  }
-  if (!isPlainRecord(obj.api)) {
-    return err(new Error("api: must be an object if provided"));
-  }
-  const api = obj.api;
-  if (api.port === undefined || api.port === null) {
-    return ok({ port: null, token: null, host: DEFAULT_API_BIND_HOST });
-  }
-  if (
-    typeof api.port !== "number" ||
-    !Number.isInteger(api.port) ||
-    api.port < 1 ||
-    api.port > 65_535
-  ) {
-    return err(new Error("api.port: must be an integer between 1 and 65535 if provided"));
-  }
-
-  const tokenResult = parseApiTokenField(api);
-  if (!tokenResult.ok) return tokenResult;
-  const hostResult = parseApiHostField(api);
-  if (!hostResult.ok) return hostResult;
-
-  if (!isLoopbackOnlyApiHost(hostResult.value) && tokenResult.value === null) {
-    return err(
-      new Error("api.host binds to non-loopback address, api.token is required for security"),
-    );
-  }
-
-  return ok({ port: api.port, token: tokenResult.value, host: hostResult.value });
-}
-
-function parseWorkflows(obj: Record<string, unknown>): Result<Record<string, WorkflowConfig>> {
-  if (obj.workflows === undefined || obj.workflows === null) return ok({});
-
-  if (!isPlainRecord(obj.workflows)) {
-    return err(new Error("workflows: must be an object if provided"));
-  }
-
-  const workflowsRaw = obj.workflows;
-  const workflows: Record<string, WorkflowConfig> = {};
-
-  for (const [name, wfRaw] of Object.entries(workflowsRaw)) {
-    const result = validateWorkflowConfig(name, wfRaw);
-    if (!result.ok) return result;
-    workflows[name] = result.value;
-  }
-
-  return ok(workflows);
-}
-
-function parseExtract(obj: Record<string, unknown>): Result<ExtractConfig | null> {
-  if (obj.extract === undefined || obj.extract === null) {
-    return ok(null);
-  }
-
-  if (!isPlainRecord(obj.extract)) {
-    return err(new Error("extract: must be an object if provided"));
-  }
-
-  const ext = obj.extract;
-
-  if (typeof ext.provider !== "string" || ext.provider.trim() === "") {
-    return err(new Error("extract.provider: required non-empty string"));
-  }
-
-  if (typeof ext.model !== "string" || ext.model.trim() === "") {
-    return err(new Error("extract.model: required non-empty string"));
-  }
-
-  return ok({ provider: ext.provider, model: ext.model });
-}
-
-export function parseNerveConfig(raw: string): Result<NerveConfig> {
-  let parsed: unknown;
-
-  try {
-    parsed = parse(raw);
-  } catch (e) {
-    const message = e instanceof Error ? e.message : String(e);
-    return err(new Error(`YAML parse error: ${message}`));
-  }
-
-  if (!isPlainRecord(parsed)) {
-    return err(new Error("Config must be a YAML object"));
-  }
-
-  const obj = parsed;
-
-  const sensesResult = parseSenses(obj);
-  if (!sensesResult.ok) return sensesResult;
-  const { senses } = sensesResult.value;
-
-  // Legacy top-level `reflexes` is rejected; each sense carries `interval` / `on` for the sense scheduler.
-  if (Object.hasOwn(obj, "reflexes")) {
-    return err(
-      new Error(
-        "reflexes: top-level key is no longer supported; set `interval` and `on` on each sense under `senses.<name>`",
-      ),
-    );
-  }
-
-  const workflowsResult = parseWorkflows(obj);
-  if (!workflowsResult.ok) return workflowsResult;
-
-  const maxRoundsResult = parseEngineMaxRounds(obj);
-  if (!maxRoundsResult.ok) return maxRoundsResult;
-
-  const apiResult = parseApiConfig(obj);
-  if (!apiResult.ok) return apiResult;
-
-  if (Object.hasOwn(obj, "agents")) {
-    return err(
-      new Error(
-        "agents: key is no longer supported — declare adapters on WorkflowSpec roles (RFC-003)",
-      ),
-    );
-  }
-
-  const extractResult = parseExtract(obj);
-  if (!extractResult.ok) return extractResult;
-
-  return ok({
-    maxRounds: maxRoundsResult.value,
-    senses,
-    workflows: workflowsResult.value,
-    api: apiResult.value,
-    extract: extractResult.value,
-  });
-}

packages/core/src/result.ts

@@ -1,9 +0,0 @@
-export type Result<T, E = Error> = { ok: true; value: T } | { ok: false; error: E };
-
-export function ok<T>(value: T): Result<T, never> {
-  return { ok: true, value };
-}
-
-export function err<E = Error>(error: E): Result<never, E> {
-  return { ok: false, error };
-}

packages/core/src/sense-trigger-labels.ts

@@ -1,40 +0,0 @@
-import type { SenseConfig } from "./config.js";
-
-function formatIntervalMs(ms: number): string {
-  const totalSeconds = Math.floor(ms / 1000);
-  if (totalSeconds < 60) return `${totalSeconds}s`;
-  const minutes = Math.floor(totalSeconds / 60);
-  if (minutes < 60) return `${minutes}m`;
-  const hours = Math.floor(minutes / 60);
-  const remainingMinutes = minutes % 60;
-  return `${hours}h ${remainingMinutes}m`;
-}
-
-/** Human-readable label for a sense schedule (`interval` and/or `on`). */
-export function labelSenseTrigger(slice: Pick<SenseConfig, "interval" | "on">): string {
-  const parts: string[] = [];
-  if (slice.interval !== null) {
-    parts.push(`every ${formatIntervalMs(slice.interval)}`);
-  }
-  if (slice.on.length > 0) {
-    parts.push(`on: ${slice.on.join(", ")}`);
-  }
-  if (parts.length === 0) {
-    return "trigger (no interval or on)";
-  }
-  return parts.join(" · ");
-}
-
-/**
- * Human-readable trigger labels for a sense from its `SenseConfig.interval` / `.on`.
- * Returns an empty array when the sense is missing or has no schedule.
- */
-export function senseTriggerLabels(
-  senseName: string,
-  senses: Record<string, SenseConfig>,
-): string[] {
-  const sc = senses[senseName];
-  if (sc === undefined) return [];
-  if (sc.interval === null && sc.on.length === 0) return [];
-  return [labelSenseTrigger({ interval: sc.interval, on: sc.on })];
-}

packages/core/src/sense-workflow-directive.ts

@@ -1,56 +0,0 @@
-import type { WorkflowTrigger } from "./config.js";
-import { isPlainRecord } from "./is-plain-record.js";
-import type { Result } from "./result.js";
-import { err, ok } from "./result.js";
-
-/** Normalized non-null compute output for the kernel (unknown signal payload). */
-export type RoutedSenseOutput = {
-  signal: unknown;
-  workflow: WorkflowTrigger | null;
-};
-
-/**
- * Validates a structured workflow trigger object from Sense compute or IPC.
- */
-export function parseWorkflowTrigger(value: unknown): Result<WorkflowTrigger> {
-  if (!isPlainRecord(value)) {
-    return err(new Error("workflow trigger must be a plain object"));
-  }
-  const nameRaw = value.name;
-  if (typeof nameRaw !== "string" || nameRaw.trim().length === 0) {
-    return err(new Error('workflow trigger: "name" must be a non-empty string'));
-  }
-  const maxRounds = value.maxRounds;
-  if (typeof maxRounds !== "number" || !Number.isInteger(maxRounds) || maxRounds < 1) {
-    return err(new Error('workflow trigger: "maxRounds" must be an integer >= 1'));
-  }
-  const prompt = value.prompt;
-  if (typeof prompt !== "string") {
-    return err(new Error('workflow trigger: "prompt" must be a string'));
-  }
-  const dryRun = value.dryRun;
-  if (typeof dryRun !== "boolean") {
-    return err(new Error('workflow trigger: "dryRun" must be a boolean'));
-  }
-  return ok({ name: nameRaw.trim(), maxRounds, prompt, dryRun });
-}
-
-/**
- * Interprets a Sense compute non-null return value for the engine.
- * - Explicit `{ signal, workflow }` (workflow may be null): validates `workflow` when non-null.
- * - Any other value: treated as `{ signal: payload, workflow: null }` (shorthand).
- */
-export function routeSenseComputeOutput(payload: unknown): Result<RoutedSenseOutput> {
-  if (isPlainRecord(payload) && Object.hasOwn(payload, "signal")) {
-    const wfRaw = Object.hasOwn(payload, "workflow") ? payload.workflow : null;
-    if (wfRaw === null) {
-      return ok({ signal: payload.signal, workflow: null });
-    }
-    const parsed = parseWorkflowTrigger(wfRaw);
-    if (!parsed.ok) {
-      return ok({ signal: payload.signal, workflow: null });
-    }
-    return ok({ signal: payload.signal, workflow: parsed.value });
-  }
-  return ok({ signal: payload, workflow: null });
-}

packages/core/src/sense.ts

@@ -1,3 +1,8 @@
+import type { SQLiteTable } from "drizzle-orm/sqlite-core";
+
+import type { ComputeResult, SenseConfig, WorkflowTrigger } from "./config.js";
+import { type Result, err, isPlainRecord, ok } from "./util.js";
+
 export type Signal = {
   id: number;
   senseId: string;
@@ -15,3 +20,114 @@ export type SenseInfo = {
   triggers: string[];
   lastSignalTimestamp: number | null;
 };
+
+/**
+ * The function signature every sense `src/index.ts` must export as a named
+ * `compute` export.
+ *
+ * Pure: no DB, no peers.
+ * Return `null` to stay silent, or `{ signal, workflow }` to emit a Signal
+ * (and optionally trigger a Workflow).
+ * The runtime handles persistence via `db.insert(table).values(result.signal)`.
+ */
+export type SenseComputeFn<T = unknown> = () => Promise<ComputeResult<T>>;
+
+/**
+ * The full shape a sense module (`src/index.ts`) must export.
+ * `compute` provides the data; `table` tells the runtime where to persist it.
+ */
+export type SenseModule<T = unknown> = {
+  compute: SenseComputeFn<T>;
+  table: SQLiteTable;
+};
+
+/** Normalized non-null compute output for the kernel (unknown signal payload). */
+export type RoutedSenseOutput = {
+  signal: unknown;
+  workflow: WorkflowTrigger | null;
+};
+
+function formatIntervalMs(ms: number): string {
+  const totalSeconds = Math.floor(ms / 1000);
+  if (totalSeconds < 60) return `${totalSeconds}s`;
+  const minutes = Math.floor(totalSeconds / 60);
+  if (minutes < 60) return `${minutes}m`;
+  const hours = Math.floor(minutes / 60);
+  const remainingMinutes = minutes % 60;
+  return `${hours}h ${remainingMinutes}m`;
+}
+
+/** Human-readable label for a sense schedule (`interval` and/or `on`). */
+export function labelSenseTrigger(slice: Pick<SenseConfig, "interval" | "on">): string {
+  const parts: string[] = [];
+  if (slice.interval !== null) {
+    parts.push(`every ${formatIntervalMs(slice.interval)}`);
+  }
+  if (slice.on.length > 0) {
+    parts.push(`on: ${slice.on.join(", ")}`);
+  }
+  if (parts.length === 0) {
+    return "trigger (no interval or on)";
+  }
+  return parts.join(" · ");
+}
+
+/**
+ * Human-readable trigger labels for a sense from its `SenseConfig.interval` / `.on`.
+ * Returns an empty array when the sense is missing or has no schedule.
+ */
+export function senseTriggerLabels(
+  senseName: string,
+  senses: Record<string, SenseConfig>,
+): string[] {
+  const sc = senses[senseName];
+  if (sc === undefined) return [];
+  if (sc.interval === null && sc.on.length === 0) return [];
+  return [labelSenseTrigger({ interval: sc.interval, on: sc.on })];
+}
+
+/**
+ * Validates a structured workflow trigger object from Sense compute or IPC.
+ */
+export function parseWorkflowTrigger(value: unknown): Result<WorkflowTrigger> {
+  if (!isPlainRecord(value)) {
+    return err(new Error("workflow trigger must be a plain object"));
+  }
+  const nameRaw = value.name;
+  if (typeof nameRaw !== "string" || nameRaw.trim().length === 0) {
+    return err(new Error('workflow trigger: "name" must be a non-empty string'));
+  }
+  const maxRounds = value.maxRounds;
+  if (typeof maxRounds !== "number" || !Number.isInteger(maxRounds) || maxRounds < 1) {
+    return err(new Error('workflow trigger: "maxRounds" must be an integer >= 1'));
+  }
+  const prompt = value.prompt;
+  if (typeof prompt !== "string") {
+    return err(new Error('workflow trigger: "prompt" must be a string'));
+  }
+  const dryRun = value.dryRun;
+  if (typeof dryRun !== "boolean") {
+    return err(new Error('workflow trigger: "dryRun" must be a boolean'));
+  }
+  return ok({ name: nameRaw.trim(), maxRounds, prompt, dryRun });
+}
+
+/**
+ * Interprets a Sense compute non-null return value for the engine.
+ * - Explicit `{ signal, workflow }` (workflow may be null): validates `workflow` when non-null.
+ * - Any other value: treated as `{ signal: payload, workflow: null }` (shorthand).
+ */
+export function routeSenseComputeOutput(payload: unknown): Result<RoutedSenseOutput> {
+  if (isPlainRecord(payload) && Object.hasOwn(payload, "signal")) {
+    const wfRaw = Object.hasOwn(payload, "workflow") ? payload.workflow : null;
+    if (wfRaw === null) {
+      return ok({ signal: payload.signal, workflow: null });
+    }
+    const parsed = parseWorkflowTrigger(wfRaw);
+    if (!parsed.ok) {
+      return ok({ signal: payload.signal, workflow: null });
+    }
+    return ok({ signal: payload.signal, workflow: parsed.value });
+  }
+  return ok({ signal: payload, workflow: null });
+}

packages/core/src/util.ts

@@ -1,7 +1,8 @@
 import { spawn } from "node:child_process";
 import { homedir } from "node:os";
 import { join } from "node:path";
-import { type Result, err, ok } from "./result.js";
+
+export type Result<T, E = Error> = { ok: true; value: T } | { ok: false; error: E };
 
 /** Compatible with `process.env` for `child_process.spawn`. */
 export type SpawnEnv = Record<string, string | undefined>;
@@ -40,6 +41,42 @@ type SpawnSafeOptionsInput = SpawnSafeOptions | Omit<SpawnSafeOptions, "dryRun">
 
 const DEFAULT_TIMEOUT_MS = 300_000;
 
+export function ok<T>(value: T): Result<T, never> {
+  return { ok: true, value };
+}
+
+export function err<E = Error>(error: E): Result<never, E> {
+  return { ok: false, error };
+}
+
+/**
+ * Narrows `unknown` to a plain JSON-style object (not null, not array).
+ * Use after `JSON.parse` / YAML / IPC when validating structure field-by-field.
+ */
+export function isPlainRecord(value: unknown): value is Record<string, unknown> {
+  return typeof value === "object" && value !== null && !Array.isArray(value);
+}
+
+const DURATION_RE = /^(\d+)([smh])$/;
+
+const DURATION_MULTIPLIERS: Record<string, number> = {
+  s: 1_000,
+  m: 60_000,
+  h: 3_600_000,
+};
+
+/**
+ * Parse a duration string such as `5s`, `10m`, `1h` to milliseconds.
+ * Used by `parseNerveConfig` sense/workflow duration fields.
+ */
+export function parseDurationStringToMs(value: string): Result<number> {
+  const match = DURATION_RE.exec(value);
+  if (!match) {
+    return err(new Error(`invalid duration "${value}" (expected e.g. "5s", "10m", "1h")`));
+  }
+  return ok(Number(match[1]) * DURATION_MULTIPLIERS[match[2]]);
+}
+
 /**
  * PATH and PNPM_HOME for running `pnpm` and `nerve` from workflow roles.
  * Uses the pnpm store home only (no npm user bin); binaries must resolve via PATH.

packages/core/src/workflow-spec.ts

@@ -1,24 +0,0 @@
-import type { Schema } from "./extract-layer.js";
-import type { AgentFn, Moderator, RoleMeta, StartStep, WorkflowMessage } from "./workflow.js";
-
-/** Static string or async prompt built from thread context (RFC-003 dynamic prompts). */
-export type PromptInput =
-  | string
-  | ((start: StartStep, messages: WorkflowMessage[]) => Promise<string>);
-
-/**
- * Authoring-time role: adapter function, prompt, extract schema (RFC-003).
- * Compiles to runtime `Role<Meta>` via `compileWorkflowSpec`.
- */
-export type RoleSpec<Meta extends Record<string, unknown>> = {
-  adapter: AgentFn;
-  prompt: PromptInput;
-  meta: Schema<Meta>;
-};
-
-/** User-facing workflow authoring shape; compiles to `WorkflowDefinition`. */
-export type WorkflowSpec<M extends RoleMeta> = {
-  name: string;
-  roles: { [K in keyof M]: RoleSpec<M[K]> };
-  moderator: Moderator<M>;
-};

packages/core/src/workflow.ts

@@ -21,39 +21,41 @@ export type WorkflowMessage = {
 /** The typed output of a Role execution. */
 export type RoleResult<Meta> = { content: string; meta: Meta };
 
-/**
- * A Role is a pure async function: receives the engine start frame plus prior
- * role messages only (the start frame is not included in `messages`).
- * Returns typed content + meta. Implementation can be an agent, LLM call,
- * script, HTTP request, etc.
- */
-export type Role<Meta> = (
-  start: StartStep,
-  messages: WorkflowMessage[],
-) => Promise<RoleResult<Meta>>;
-
 /** Maps role names to their meta types — the single generic that drives all inference. */
 export type RoleMeta = Record<string, Record<string, unknown>>;
 
-/** Engine start frame: prompt, max rounds cap, dry-run flag, and timestamps for the thread. */
+/** Engine start frame: initial prompt, max rounds cap, and thread identity. */
 export type StartStep = {
   role: START;
   content: string;
   /** Thread identity (same as workflow `runId`); for role prompts and CLI `nerve thread` context. */
-  meta: { maxRounds: number; dryRun: boolean; threadId: string };
+  meta: { maxRounds: number; threadId: string };
   timestamp: number;
 };
 
-/** Thread context passed to agent adapters (RFC-003): conversation frame, repo root, cancellation. */
-export type WorkflowContext = {
+/**
+ * Thread-scoped context for roles, moderator, and agent adapters (RFC-005).
+ * `workdir` and `signal` are adapter/engine config — not part of this shape.
+ */
+export type ThreadContext<M extends RoleMeta = RoleMeta> = {
+  threadId: string;
   start: StartStep;
-  messages: WorkflowMessage[];
-  workdir: string;
-  signal: AbortSignal;
+  steps: RoleStep<M>[];
 };
 
+/**
+ * @deprecated Use {@link ThreadContext}.
+ */
+export type WorkflowContext = ThreadContext;
+
+/**
+ * A Role receives the full thread context (start frame + prior role steps) and returns
+ * typed content + meta. Implementation can be an agent, LLM call, script, HTTP request, etc.
+ */
+export type Role<Meta> = (ctx: ThreadContext) => Promise<RoleResult<Meta>>;
+
 /** Unified agent invocation — raw string output; structured meta uses the extract layer. */
-export type AgentFn = (prompt: string, context: WorkflowContext) => Promise<string>;
+export type AgentFn = (ctx: ThreadContext, systemPrompt: string) => Promise<string>;
 
 /** A discriminated union of role steps after each execution, aligned with `StartStep` shape. */
 export type RoleStep<M extends RoleMeta> = {
@@ -61,23 +63,17 @@ export type RoleStep<M extends RoleMeta> = {
 }[keyof M & string];
 
 /**
- * Moderator input: the complete workflow history.
- * Contains the start frame and all role steps so far.
- * On initial call, `steps` is empty — moderator can check `steps.length === 0`.
- * Round count is `steps.length`; maxRounds is in `start.meta.maxRounds`.
+ * @deprecated Use {@link ThreadContext}.
  */
-export type ModeratorContext<M extends RoleMeta> = {
-  start: StartStep;
-  steps: RoleStep<M>[];
-};
+export type ModeratorContext<M extends RoleMeta> = ThreadContext<M>;
 
 /**
- * The moderator — a pure routing function. Receives the full workflow context
- * (start frame + all prior steps). Returns the next role name or END.
+ * The moderator — a pure routing function. Receives the full thread context
+ * (start frame + all prior steps). On initial call, `steps` is empty.
+ * Round count is `steps.length`; maxRounds is in `start.meta.maxRounds`.
+ * Returns the next role name or END.
  */
-export type Moderator<M extends RoleMeta> = (
-  context: ModeratorContext<M>,
-) => (keyof M & string) | END;
+export type Moderator<M extends RoleMeta> = (ctx: ThreadContext<M>) => (keyof M & string) | END;
 
 /** The complete definition of a workflow, as authored by users. */
 export type WorkflowDefinition<M extends RoleMeta> = {

packages/daemon/src/__tests__/compile-workflow-spec.test.ts

@@ -1,188 +0,0 @@
-import { describe, expect, it } from "vitest";
-
-import type {
-  AgentFn,
-  ModeratorContext,
-  RoleMeta,
-  Schema,
-  StartStep,
-  WorkflowContext,
-  WorkflowDefinition,
-  WorkflowMessage,
-  WorkflowSpec,
-} from "@uncaged/nerve-core";
-import { END, START } from "@uncaged/nerve-core";
-
-import { compileWorkflowSpec } from "../compile-workflow-spec.js";
-
-type DemoMeta = { n: number };
-
-function echoAdapter(): AgentFn {
-  return async (prompt: string, _ctx: WorkflowContext) => prompt;
-}
-
-function makeStart(threadId = "t1"): StartStep {
-  return {
-    role: START,
-    content: "",
-    meta: { maxRounds: 10, dryRun: false, threadId },
-    timestamp: Date.now(),
-  };
-}
-
-function makeContext(start: StartStep, messages: WorkflowMessage[]): WorkflowContext {
-  return {
-    start,
-    messages,
-    workdir: "/tmp/repo",
-    signal: new AbortController().signal,
-  };
-}
-
-describe("compileWorkflowSpec", () => {
-  it("compiles WorkflowSpec to WorkflowDefinition shape", () => {
-    const witness: DemoMeta | null = null;
-    const schema: Schema<DemoMeta> = { witness };
-
-    const spec: WorkflowSpec<{ main: DemoMeta }> = {
-      name: "demo",
-      roles: {
-        main: {
-          adapter: echoAdapter(),
-          prompt: "hello",
-          meta: schema,
-        },
-      },
-      moderator: (_ctx: ModeratorContext<{ main: DemoMeta }>) => END,
-    };
-
-    const def = compileWorkflowSpec(spec, {
-      extractFn: async <T>(raw: string, _s: Schema<T>) => ({ n: raw.length }) as T,
-      createContext: makeContext,
-    });
-
-    expect(def.name).toBe("demo");
-    expect(typeof def.roles.main).toBe("function");
-    expect(def.moderator).toBe(spec.moderator);
-  });
-
-  it("runs AgentFn then ExtractFn in order", async () => {
-    const witness: DemoMeta | null = null;
-    const schema: Schema<DemoMeta> = { witness };
-
-    const order: string[] = [];
-
-    const baseEcho = echoAdapter();
-    const spyAgent: AgentFn = async (prompt, ctx) => {
-      order.push("agent");
-      return baseEcho(prompt, ctx);
-    };
-
-    const spec: WorkflowSpec<{ main: DemoMeta }> = {
-      name: "order-test",
-      roles: {
-        main: {
-          adapter: spyAgent,
-          prompt: "ping",
-          meta: schema,
-        },
-      },
-      moderator: () => END,
-    };
-
-    const def = compileWorkflowSpec(spec, {
-      extractFn: async <T>(raw: string, _sch: Schema<T>) => {
-        order.push("extract");
-        return { n: raw.length } as T;
-      },
-      createContext: makeContext,
-    });
-
-    const start = makeStart();
-    await def.roles.main(start, []);
-
-    expect(order).toEqual(["agent", "extract"]);
-  });
-
-  it("passes WorkflowContext from createContext to AgentFn (adapter owns timeout)", async () => {
-    const witness: DemoMeta | null = null;
-    const schema: Schema<DemoMeta> = { witness };
-
-    const seenCtx: WorkflowContext[] = [];
-
-    const adapter: AgentFn = async (_prompt, ctx) => {
-      seenCtx.push(ctx);
-      return "x";
-    };
-
-    const spec: WorkflowSpec<{ main: DemoMeta }> = {
-      name: "ctx",
-      roles: {
-        main: {
-          adapter,
-          prompt: "x",
-          meta: schema,
-        },
-      },
-      moderator: () => END,
-    };
-
-    await compileWorkflowSpec(spec, {
-      extractFn: async <T>(_raw: string, _s: Schema<T>) => ({ n: 0 }) as T,
-      createContext: makeContext,
-    }).roles.main(makeStart(), []);
-
-    expect(seenCtx).toHaveLength(1);
-    expect(seenCtx[0].workdir).toBe("/tmp/repo");
-  });
-
-  it("resolves dynamic prompt functions before AgentFn", async () => {
-    const witness: DemoMeta | null = null;
-    const schema: Schema<DemoMeta> = { witness };
-
-    const spec: WorkflowSpec<{ main: DemoMeta }> = {
-      name: "dyn",
-      roles: {
-        main: {
-          adapter: echoAdapter(),
-          prompt: async (start, messages) => `tid=${start.meta.threadId} n=${messages.length}`,
-          meta: schema,
-        },
-      },
-      moderator: () => END,
-    };
-
-    const def = compileWorkflowSpec(spec, {
-      extractFn: async <T>(raw: string, _s: Schema<T>) => ({ n: raw.length }) as T,
-      createContext: makeContext,
-    });
-
-    const start = makeStart("thread-x");
-    const msgs: WorkflowMessage[] = [{ role: "a", content: "m", meta: {}, timestamp: 1 }];
-    const out = await def.roles.main(start, msgs);
-    expect(out.content).toBe("tid=thread-x n=1");
-    expect(out.meta.n).toBe(out.content.length);
-  });
-});
-
-describe("backward compatibility", () => {
-  it("hand-written Role-based WorkflowDefinition remains valid", async () => {
-    type M = RoleMeta & { legacy: { id: string } };
-
-    const manual: WorkflowDefinition<M> = {
-      name: "legacy",
-      roles: {
-        legacy: async (_start, _messages) => ({
-          content: "hi",
-          meta: { id: "a" },
-        }),
-      },
-      moderator: (_ctx: ModeratorContext<M>) => END,
-    };
-
-    const start = makeStart();
-    const out = await manual.roles.legacy(start, []);
-    expect(out.content).toBe("hi");
-    expect(out.meta.id).toBe("a");
-  });
-});

packages/daemon/src/__tests__/sense-runtime.test.ts

@@ -7,10 +7,9 @@ import { drizzle } from "drizzle-orm/node-sqlite";
 import { integer, real, sqliteTable } from "drizzle-orm/sqlite-core";
 import { describe, expect, it } from "vitest";
 
-import { createBlobStore } from "@uncaged/nerve-store";
 import { parseParentMessage } from "../ipc.js";
-import { executeCompute, openPeerDb, openSenseDb, runMigrations } from "../sense-runtime.js";
-import type { ComputeFn, DrizzleDB, PeerMap, SenseRuntime } from "../sense-runtime.js";
+import { executeCompute, openSenseDb, runMigrations } from "../sense-runtime.js";
+import type { DrizzleDB, SenseRuntime } from "../sense-runtime.js";
 
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 // Helpers
@@ -151,76 +150,50 @@ describe("openSenseDb", () => {
   });
 });
 
-// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
-// openPeerDb
-// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-describe("openPeerDb", () => {
-  it("opens an existing db in read-only mode", () => {
-    // Create a writable db first
-    const dbPath = makeTempDbPath();
-    const sqlite = new DatabaseSync(dbPath);
-    sqlite.exec(INIT_SQL);
-    sqlite.prepare("INSERT INTO samples (ts, value) VALUES (1, 42.0)").run();
-    sqlite.close();
-
-    const result = openPeerDb(dbPath);
-    expect(result.ok).toBe(true);
-    if (!result.ok) return;
-
-    // Should be able to read
-    const peerDb = result.value;
-    const rows = peerDb.select().from(samples).all();
-    expect(rows).toHaveLength(1);
-    expect(rows[0].value).toBe(42.0);
-  });
-
-  it("returns err when db path does not exist", () => {
-    const result = openPeerDb("/nonexistent/path/to/peer.db");
-    expect(result.ok).toBe(false);
-  });
-});
-
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 // executeCompute
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 describe("executeCompute", () => {
-  function makeRuntime(computeFn: ComputeFn): {
-    runtime: SenseRuntime;
-    sqlite: DatabaseSync;
-  } {
-    const sqlite = new DatabaseSync(":memory:");
-    sqlite.exec(INIT_SQL);
-    const db = drizzle({ client: sqlite }) as DrizzleDB;
+  function makeRuntime(
+    computeFn: SenseRuntime["compute"],
+    sqlite?: DatabaseSync,
+  ): { runtime: SenseRuntime; sqlite: DatabaseSync } {
+    const db_sqlite = sqlite ?? new DatabaseSync(":memory:");
+    if (!sqlite) db_sqlite.exec(INIT_SQL);
+    const db = drizzle({ client: db_sqlite }) as DrizzleDB;
     return {
-      runtime: { name: "test-sense", db, compute: computeFn, persistSignal: () => {} },
-      sqlite,
+      runtime: {
+        name: "test-sense",
+        db,
+        compute: computeFn,
+        table: samples,
+        persistSignal: () => {},
+      },
+      sqlite: db_sqlite,
     };
   }
 
-  const emptyPeers: PeerMap = {};
+  it("returns non-null and inserts into table when compute returns data", async () => {
+    const { runtime, sqlite } = makeRuntime(async () => ({
+      signal: { ts: 1000, value: 0.5 },
+      workflow: null,
+    }));
 
-  it("returns the compute result when compute returns a non-null value", async () => {
-    const { runtime, sqlite } = makeRuntime(async (db) => {
-      await db.insert(samples).values({ ts: Date.now(), value: 0.5 });
-      return { signal: 0.5, workflow: null };
-    });
-
-    const result = await executeCompute(runtime, emptyPeers);
+    const result = await executeCompute(runtime);
     expect(result.ok).toBe(true);
     if (!result.ok) return;
-    expect(result.value).toEqual({ signal: 0.5, workflow: null });
+    expect(result.value).toEqual({ signal: { ts: 1000, value: 0.5 }, workflow: null });
 
     const rows = sqlite.prepare("SELECT * FROM samples").all();
     expect(rows).toHaveLength(1);
     sqlite.close();
   });
 
-  it("returns null (no signal) when compute returns null", async () => {
+  it("returns null and does not insert when compute returns null", async () => {
     const { runtime, sqlite } = makeRuntime(async () => null);
 
-    const result = await executeCompute(runtime, emptyPeers);
+    const result = await executeCompute(runtime);
     expect(result.ok).toBe(true);
     if (!result.ok) return;
     expect(result.value).toBeNull();
@@ -235,60 +208,14 @@ describe("executeCompute", () => {
       throw new Error("something went wrong");
     });
 
-    const result = await executeCompute(runtime, emptyPeers);
+    const result = await executeCompute(runtime);
     expect(result.ok).toBe(false);
     if (result.ok) return;
     expect(result.error.message).toContain("something went wrong");
     sqlite.close();
   });
 
-  it("compute can read from peers", async () => {
-    // Set up a peer db with data
-    const peerSqlite = new DatabaseSync(":memory:");
-    peerSqlite.exec(INIT_SQL);
-    peerSqlite.prepare("INSERT INTO samples (ts, value) VALUES (100, 3.14)").run();
-    const peerDb = drizzle({ client: peerSqlite }) as DrizzleDB;
-
-    const peers: PeerMap = { "other-sense": peerDb };
-
-    const { runtime, sqlite } = makeRuntime(async (_db, p) => {
-      const rows = await p["other-sense"].select().from(samples).all();
-      return rows.length > 0 ? { signal: rows[0].value, workflow: null } : null;
-    });
-
-    const result = await executeCompute(runtime, peers);
-    expect(result.ok).toBe(true);
-    if (!result.ok) return;
-    expect(result.value).toEqual({ signal: 3.14, workflow: null });
-
-    peerSqlite.close();
-    sqlite.close();
-  });
-
-  it("write to own db does not affect peer db (isolation)", async () => {
-    const peerSqlite = new DatabaseSync(":memory:");
-    peerSqlite.exec(INIT_SQL);
-    const peerDb = drizzle({ client: peerSqlite }) as DrizzleDB;
-    const peers: PeerMap = { "peer-sense": peerDb };
-
-    const { runtime, sqlite } = makeRuntime(async (db) => {
-      await db.insert(samples).values({ ts: 999, value: 9.9 });
-      return { signal: 9.9, workflow: null };
-    });
-
-    await executeCompute(runtime, peers);
-
-    const peerRows = peerSqlite.prepare("SELECT * FROM samples").all();
-    expect(peerRows).toHaveLength(0);
-
-    const ownRows = sqlite.prepare("SELECT * FROM samples").all();
-    expect(ownRows).toHaveLength(1);
-
-    peerSqlite.close();
-    sqlite.close();
-  });
-
-  it("inserts correctly into the sense db directory path", async () => {
+  it("inserts correctly into the sense db from openSenseDb", async () => {
     const dbPath = makeTempDbPath();
     const migrationsDir = makeTempMigrationsDir(INIT_SQL);
     const dbResult = openSenseDb(dbPath, migrationsDir);
@@ -301,14 +228,12 @@ describe("executeCompute", () => {
     const runtime: SenseRuntime = {
       name: "cpu-usage",
       db,
-      compute: async (d) => {
-        await d.insert(samples).values({ ts: 1000, value: 1.23 });
-        return { signal: 1.23, workflow: null };
-      },
+      compute: async () => ({ signal: { ts: 1000, value: 1.23 }, workflow: null }),
+      table: samples,
       persistSignal: () => {},
     };
 
-    const result = await executeCompute(runtime, {});
+    const result = await executeCompute(runtime);
     expect(result.ok).toBe(true);
 
     const rows = dbSqlite.prepare("SELECT * FROM samples").all() as Array<{
@@ -323,17 +248,10 @@ describe("executeCompute", () => {
 
   it("returns err when compute exceeds timeoutMs", async () => {
     const { runtime, sqlite } = makeRuntime(
-      (_db, _peers, options) =>
-        new Promise<null>((resolve, reject) => {
-          const t = setTimeout(() => resolve(null), 5_000);
-          options?.signal.addEventListener("abort", () => {
-            clearTimeout(t);
-            reject(new Error("aborted"));
-          });
-        }),
+      () => new Promise<null>((resolve) => setTimeout(() => resolve(null), 5_000)),
     );
 
-    const result = await executeCompute(runtime, emptyPeers, 50);
+    const result = await executeCompute(runtime, 50);
     expect(result.ok).toBe(false);
     if (result.ok) return;
     expect(result.error.message).toMatch(/timed out/i);
@@ -341,37 +259,14 @@ describe("executeCompute", () => {
   });
 
   it("completes within timeout when compute is fast", async () => {
-    const { runtime, sqlite } = makeRuntime(async () => ({ signal: 42, workflow: null }));
-    const result = await executeCompute(runtime, emptyPeers, 5_000);
+    const { runtime, sqlite } = makeRuntime(async () => ({
+      signal: { ts: 1, value: 42 },
+      workflow: null,
+    }));
+    const result = await executeCompute(runtime, 5_000);
     expect(result.ok).toBe(true);
     if (!result.ok) return;
-    expect(result.value).toEqual({ signal: 42, workflow: null });
-    sqlite.close();
-  });
-
-  it("passes AbortSignal to compute fn", async () => {
-    let capturedSignal: AbortSignal | undefined;
-    const { runtime, sqlite } = makeRuntime(async (_db, _peers, options) => {
-      capturedSignal = options?.signal;
-      return null;
-    });
-
-    await executeCompute(runtime, emptyPeers, 1_000);
-    expect(capturedSignal).toBeInstanceOf(AbortSignal);
-    sqlite.close();
-  });
-
-  it("passes BlobStore as options.blobs when blobStore argument is provided", async () => {
-    const blobsRoot = mkdtempSync(join(tmpdir(), "nerve-blobs-"));
-    const blobStore = createBlobStore(blobsRoot);
-    let seen: ReturnType<typeof createBlobStore> | undefined;
-    const { runtime, sqlite } = makeRuntime(async (_db, _peers, options) => {
-      seen = options?.blobs;
-      return null;
-    });
-
-    await executeCompute(runtime, emptyPeers, undefined, blobStore);
-    expect(seen).toBe(blobStore);
+    expect(result.value).toEqual({ signal: { ts: 1, value: 42 }, workflow: null });
     sqlite.close();
   });
 });
@@ -429,19 +324,14 @@ describe("runMigrations journal", () => {
     const first = runMigrations(sqlite, dir);
     expect(first.ok).toBe(true);
 
-    // Insert a row so we can verify second run doesn't fail on CREATE TABLE
     sqlite.exec("INSERT INTO samples (ts, value) VALUES (1, 1.0)");
 
-    // Run again — migration must NOT re-run (would fail without IF NOT EXISTS but
-    // the journal prevents it even for non-idempotent SQL)
     const nonIdempotentSql = "CREATE TABLE samples2 (id INTEGER PRIMARY KEY)";
     writeFileSync(join(dir, "0002_samples2.sql"), nonIdempotentSql);
 
-    // First time: creates samples2
     const second = runMigrations(sqlite, dir);
     expect(second.ok).toBe(true);
 
-    // Second time: 0002 already in journal, must not re-run
     const third = runMigrations(sqlite, dir);
     expect(third.ok).toBe(true);
 

packages/daemon/src/agent-adapters/echo.ts

@@ -1,9 +1,9 @@
-import type { AgentConfig, AgentFn, WorkflowContext } from "@uncaged/nerve-core";
+import type { AgentConfig, AgentFn, ThreadContext } from "@uncaged/nerve-core";
 
 /**
  * Echo adapter (`type: "echo"`) — returns the assembled prompt unchanged.
  * Used for tests and dry-run wiring before real adapters exist.
  */
 export function createEchoAgent(_config: AgentConfig): AgentFn {
-  return async (prompt: string, _context: WorkflowContext) => prompt;
+  return async (_ctx: ThreadContext, prompt: string) => prompt;
 }

packages/daemon/src/compile-workflow-spec.ts

@@ -1,59 +0,0 @@
-import type {
-  Role,
-  RoleMeta,
-  RoleSpec,
-  Schema,
-  StartStep,
-  WorkflowContext,
-  WorkflowDefinition,
-  WorkflowMessage,
-  WorkflowSpec,
-} from "@uncaged/nerve-core";
-
-export type CompileWorkflowSpecDeps = {
-  /**
-   * Typed extraction for agent raw output (global/role merge applied before compile).
-   */
-  extractFn: <T>(raw: string, schema: Schema<T>) => Promise<T>;
-  /** Builds thread context for each role invocation (workdir, cancellation, etc.). */
-  createContext: (start: StartStep, messages: WorkflowMessage[]) => WorkflowContext;
-};
-
-function compileRoleForSpec<Meta extends Record<string, unknown>>(
-  roleSpec: RoleSpec<Meta>,
-  deps: CompileWorkflowSpecDeps,
-): Role<Meta> {
-  return async (start: StartStep, messages: WorkflowMessage[]) => {
-    const ctx = deps.createContext(start, messages);
-
-    const promptText =
-      typeof roleSpec.prompt === "string"
-        ? roleSpec.prompt
-        : await roleSpec.prompt(start, messages);
-
-    const raw = await roleSpec.adapter(promptText, ctx);
-    const meta = await deps.extractFn(raw, roleSpec.meta);
-    return { content: raw, meta };
-  };
-}
-
-/**
- * Turns RFC-003 `WorkflowSpec` into engine `WorkflowDefinition`: wires adapters and extract per role.
- */
-export function compileWorkflowSpec<M extends RoleMeta>(
-  spec: WorkflowSpec<M>,
-  deps: CompileWorkflowSpecDeps,
-): WorkflowDefinition<M> {
-  const roleKeys = Object.keys(spec.roles) as Array<keyof M & string>;
-  const roles = {} as WorkflowDefinition<M>["roles"];
-
-  for (const key of roleKeys) {
-    roles[key] = compileRoleForSpec(spec.roles[key], deps);
-  }
-
-  return {
-    name: spec.name,
-    roles,
-    moderator: spec.moderator,
-  };
-}

packages/daemon/src/index.ts

@@ -17,13 +17,12 @@ export type {
 
 export type { SignalBus, SignalHandler, Unsubscribe } from "./signal-bus.js";
 
-export type { ComputeFn, DrizzleDB, PeerMap, SenseRuntime } from "./sense-runtime.js";
+export type { DrizzleDB, SenseRuntime } from "./sense-runtime.js";
 
 export {
   runMigrations,
   openSenseDb,
-  openPeerDb,
-  loadComputeFn,
+  loadSenseModule,
   executeCompute,
 } from "./sense-runtime.js";
 
@@ -58,6 +57,4 @@ export type {
 export { createWorkflowManager } from "./workflow-manager.js";
 export type { WorkflowManager } from "./workflow-manager.js";
 
-export { compileWorkflowSpec } from "./compile-workflow-spec.js";
-export type { CompileWorkflowSpecDeps } from "./compile-workflow-spec.js";
 export { createEchoAgent } from "./agent-adapters/echo.js";

packages/daemon/src/ipc.ts

@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
  * Protocol per RFC §5.2: hub-and-spoke, all messages through engine.
  */
 
-import type { Result } from "@uncaged/nerve-core";
+import type { Result, WorkflowTrigger } from "@uncaged/nerve-core";
 import { err, isPlainRecord, ok } from "@uncaged/nerve-core";
 
 /** Parent → Worker: trigger one compute cycle for a sense */
@@ -72,6 +72,13 @@ export type SignalMessage = {
   payload: unknown;
 };
 
+/** Worker → Parent: sense compute result includes a workflow to start */
+export type SenseWorkflowTriggerMessage = {
+  type: "sense-workflow-trigger";
+  sense: string;
+  workflow: WorkflowTrigger;
+};
+
 /** Worker → Parent: compute threw or returned an unexpected error */
 export type ErrorMessage = {
   type: "error";
@@ -139,7 +146,8 @@ export type WorkerToParentMessage =
   | HealthResponseMessage
   | ThreadEventMessage
   | WorkflowErrorMessage
-  | ThreadWorkflowMessageMessage;
+  | ThreadWorkflowMessageMessage
+  | SenseWorkflowTriggerMessage;
 
 const PARENT_MSG_TYPES = new Set([
   "compute",
@@ -340,6 +348,7 @@ const WORKER_MSG_TYPES = new Set([
   "thread-event",
   "workflow-error",
   "thread-workflow-message",
+  "sense-workflow-trigger",
 ]);
 
 function parseThreadWorkflowMessageMsg(
@@ -377,6 +386,36 @@ function parseThreadWorkflowMessageMsg(
   });
 }
 
+function parseSenseWorkflowTriggerMsg(obj: Record<string, unknown>): Result<WorkerToParentMessage> {
+  if (typeof obj.sense !== "string") {
+    return err(new Error("Worker 'sense-workflow-trigger' message missing string 'sense' field"));
+  }
+  if (!isPlainRecord(obj.workflow)) {
+    return err(
+      new Error("Worker 'sense-workflow-trigger' message missing object 'workflow' field"),
+    );
+  }
+  const wf = obj.workflow;
+  if (typeof wf.name !== "string")
+    return err(new Error("Worker 'sense-workflow-trigger' workflow missing string 'name'"));
+  if (typeof wf.maxRounds !== "number")
+    return err(new Error("Worker 'sense-workflow-trigger' workflow missing number 'maxRounds'"));
+  if (typeof wf.prompt !== "string")
+    return err(new Error("Worker 'sense-workflow-trigger' workflow missing string 'prompt'"));
+  if (typeof wf.dryRun !== "boolean")
+    return err(new Error("Worker 'sense-workflow-trigger' workflow missing boolean 'dryRun'"));
+  return ok({
+    type: "sense-workflow-trigger",
+    sense: obj.sense,
+    workflow: {
+      name: wf.name,
+      maxRounds: wf.maxRounds,
+      prompt: wf.prompt,
+      dryRun: wf.dryRun,
+    },
+  });
+}
+
 /** Validate and parse an unknown IPC message received from a worker process. */
 export function parseWorkerMessage(raw: unknown): Result<WorkerToParentMessage> {
   if (!isPlainRecord(raw)) {
@@ -395,5 +434,6 @@ export function parseWorkerMessage(raw: unknown): Result<WorkerToParentMessage>
   if (obj.type === "thread-event") return parseThreadEventMsg(obj);
   if (obj.type === "workflow-error") return parseWorkflowErrorMsg(obj);
   if (obj.type === "thread-workflow-message") return parseThreadWorkflowMessageMsg(obj);
+  if (obj.type === "sense-workflow-trigger") return parseSenseWorkflowTriggerMsg(obj);
   return ok({ type: "ready" });
 }

packages/daemon/src/sense-runtime.ts

@@ -4,43 +4,20 @@ import { DatabaseSync } from "node:sqlite";
 
 import { drizzle } from "drizzle-orm/node-sqlite";
 import type { NodeSQLiteDatabase } from "drizzle-orm/node-sqlite";
+import type { SQLiteTable } from "drizzle-orm/sqlite-core";
 
-import type { ComputeResult, Result } from "@uncaged/nerve-core";
+import type { ComputeResult, Result, SenseComputeFn } from "@uncaged/nerve-core";
 import { DEFAULT_SENSE_SIGNAL_RETENTION, err, isPlainRecord, ok } from "@uncaged/nerve-core";
 
-import type { BlobStore } from "@uncaged/nerve-store";
-
 /** A Drizzle DB instance (schema-generic) */
 export type DrizzleDB = NodeSQLiteDatabase<Record<string, never>>;
 
-/** Read-only map of peer sense name → their Drizzle DB */
-export type PeerMap = Readonly<Record<string, DrizzleDB>>;
-
-/** Options passed to a compute function */
-export type ComputeOptions = {
-  signal: AbortSignal;
-  /** CAS under `data/blobs/`; injected by the sense worker when available. */
-  blobs?: BlobStore;
-};
-
-/**
- * The shape every sense's index.ts must export.
- * Engine injects `db` (read-write), `peers` (read-only), and `options`
- * (`signal`, and `blobs` when running in the sense worker — RFC-001 §8 CAS).
- * Returns a structured result when a signal should be emitted (and optionally a workflow),
- * or null for silence.
- */
-export type ComputeFn<T = unknown> = (
-  db: DrizzleDB,
-  peers: PeerMap,
-  options?: ComputeOptions,
-) => Promise<ComputeResult<T>>;
-
 /** All state held for one sense inside a worker */
 export type SenseRuntime = {
   name: string;
   db: DrizzleDB;
-  compute: ComputeFn;
+  compute: SenseComputeFn;
+  table: SQLiteTable;
   persistSignal: (payload: unknown) => void;
 };
 
@@ -126,13 +103,13 @@ export function runMigrations(sqlite: DatabaseSync, migrationsDir: string): Resu
   return ok(undefined);
 }
 
+/** Run `_signals` row prune after this many inserts (amortize DELETE cost). */
+const SIGNAL_INSERTS_PER_PRUNE = 100;
+
 /**
  * Open (or create) the SQLite file at `dbPath`, run all migrations in
  * `migrationsDir`, and wrap with Drizzle ORM.
  */
-/** Run `_signals` row prune after this many inserts (amortize DELETE cost). */
-const SIGNAL_INSERTS_PER_PRUNE = 100;
-
 export function openSenseDb(
   dbPath: string,
   migrationsDir: string,
@@ -184,27 +161,12 @@ export function openSenseDb(
 }
 
 /**
- * Open a peer sense DB in read-only mode (no migrations).
+ * Dynamically import the compute function and table from a sense's index.ts/js.
+ * The module must export a named `compute` function and a named `table` (SQLiteTable).
  */
-export function openPeerDb(dbPath: string): Result<DrizzleDB> {
-  let sqlite: DatabaseSync;
-
-  try {
-    sqlite = new DatabaseSync(dbPath, { readOnly: true });
-  } catch (e) {
-    const msg = e instanceof Error ? e.message : String(e);
-    return err(new Error(`Failed to open peer database "${dbPath}" (readonly): ${msg}`));
-  }
-
-  // Same schema-agnostic Drizzle wrapper as openSenseDb.
-  return ok(drizzle({ client: sqlite }) as DrizzleDB);
-}
-
-/**
- * Dynamically import the compute function from a sense's index.ts/js.
- * The module must export a named `compute` function.
- */
-export async function loadComputeFn(senseIndexPath: string): Promise<Result<ComputeFn>> {
+export async function loadSenseModule(
+  senseIndexPath: string,
+): Promise<Result<{ compute: SenseComputeFn; table: SQLiteTable }>> {
   let mod: unknown;
 
   try {
@@ -221,26 +183,34 @@ export async function loadComputeFn(senseIndexPath: string): Promise<Result<Comp
     );
   }
 
-  return ok(mod.compute as ComputeFn);
+  if (!("table" in mod) || mod.table === null || typeof mod.table !== "object") {
+    return err(
+      new Error(
+        `Sense module "${senseIndexPath}" must export a named "table" (drizzle SQLiteTable)`,
+      ),
+    );
+  }
+
+  return ok({
+    compute: mod.compute as SenseComputeFn,
+    table: mod.table as SQLiteTable,
+  });
 }
 
 /**
  * Execute a sense's compute function with an optional soft timeout.
  * If timeoutMs is provided and compute takes longer, the AbortSignal is
  * triggered and an error Result is returned.
- * When `blobStore` is set, it is exposed as `options.blobs` (see RFC-001 §8).
+ * When compute returns non-null, `result.signal` is persisted to the sense's
+ * table via `db.insert(table).values(result.signal)` and `persistSignal` is
+ * called with `result.signal`. Returns the full `ComputeResult` so callers
+ * can inspect the `workflow` field.
  */
 export async function executeCompute(
   runtime: SenseRuntime,
-  peers: PeerMap,
   timeoutMs?: number,
-  blobStore?: BlobStore,
 ): Promise<Result<ComputeResult<unknown>>> {
   const controller = new AbortController();
-  const options: ComputeOptions =
-    blobStore !== undefined
-      ? { signal: controller.signal, blobs: blobStore }
-      : { signal: controller.signal };
 
   let timer: ReturnType<typeof setTimeout> | undefined;
   const timeoutPromise =
@@ -254,10 +224,17 @@ export async function executeCompute(
       : null;
 
   try {
-    const computePromise = runtime.compute(runtime.db, peers, options);
+    const computePromise = runtime.compute();
     const result = timeoutPromise
       ? await Promise.race([computePromise, timeoutPromise])
       : await computePromise;
+
+    if (result !== null) {
+      // Cast required: DrizzleDB is schema-agnostic; the sense module guarantees shape compatibility.
+      await runtime.db.insert(runtime.table).values(result.signal as Record<string, unknown>);
+      runtime.persistSignal(result.signal);
+    }
+
     return ok(result);
   } catch (e) {
     const msg = e instanceof Error ? e.message : String(e);

packages/daemon/src/sense-worker.ts

@@ -3,14 +3,13 @@
  *
  * Entry point for `nerve worker sense --group <name>`.
  * Receives the group name via CLI args, reads nerve.yaml, initialises one
- * SenseRuntime per sense in the group, builds peer read-only connections,
- * then signals ready and enters the IPC event loop.
+ * SenseRuntime per sense in the group, then signals ready and enters the
+ * IPC event loop.
  *
  * Layout assumptions (nerve user config at `~/.uncaged-nerve/`):
  *   senses/<name>/index.js        ← compiled compute
  *   senses/<name>/migrations/     ← SQL migration files
  *   data/senses/<name>.db         ← SQLite data file
- *   data/blobs/<aa>/<hashrest>    ← CAS (sha256), via options.blobs in compute
  *   nerve.yaml                    ← config
  */
 
@@ -19,14 +18,13 @@ import "./experimental-warning-suppression.js";
 import { readFileSync } from "node:fs";
 import { join, resolve } from "node:path";
 
-import { parseNerveConfig, routeSenseComputeOutput } from "@uncaged/nerve-core";
-import type { NerveConfig } from "@uncaged/nerve-core";
+import { parseNerveConfig } from "@uncaged/nerve-core";
+import type { NerveConfig, WorkflowTrigger } from "@uncaged/nerve-core";
 
-import { createBlobStore } from "@uncaged/nerve-store";
 import type { WorkerToParentMessage } from "./ipc.js";
 import { parseParentMessage } from "./ipc.js";
-import { executeCompute, loadComputeFn, openPeerDb, openSenseDb } from "./sense-runtime.js";
-import type { DrizzleDB, PeerMap, SenseRuntime } from "./sense-runtime.js";
+import { executeCompute, loadSenseModule, openSenseDb } from "./sense-runtime.js";
+import type { SenseRuntime } from "./sense-runtime.js";
 import { ignoreSessionBroadcastSignals } from "./worker-fork-support.js";
 
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -51,8 +49,12 @@ function sendError(sense: string, error: string): void {
   send({ type: "error", sense, error });
 }
 
+function sendWorkflowTrigger(sense: string, workflow: WorkflowTrigger): void {
+  send({ type: "sense-workflow-trigger", sense, workflow });
+}
+
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
-// Initialisation helpers (each extracted to keep bootstrap complexity low)
+// Initialisation helpers
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 function readConfig(nerveRoot: string): NerveConfig {
@@ -78,7 +80,7 @@ async function initSense(
   nerveRoot: string,
   senseName: string,
   retention: number,
-): Promise<{ db: DrizzleDB; runtime: SenseRuntime }> {
+): Promise<SenseRuntime> {
   const dbPath = join(nerveRoot, "data", "senses", `${senseName}.db`);
   const migrationsDir = join(nerveRoot, "senses", senseName, "migrations");
   const senseIndexPath = resolve(join(nerveRoot, "senses", senseName, "index.js"));
@@ -88,55 +90,20 @@ async function initSense(
     throw new Error(`Failed to init DB for "${senseName}": ${dbResult.error.message}`);
   }
 
-  const computeResult = await loadComputeFn(senseIndexPath);
-  if (!computeResult.ok) {
-    throw new Error(`Failed to load compute for "${senseName}": ${computeResult.error.message}`);
+  const moduleResult = await loadSenseModule(senseIndexPath);
+  if (!moduleResult.ok) {
+    throw new Error(`Failed to load module for "${senseName}": ${moduleResult.error.message}`);
   }
 
-  const { db } = dbResult.value;
   return {
-    db,
-    runtime: {
-      name: senseName,
-      db,
-      compute: computeResult.value,
-      persistSignal: dbResult.value.persistSignal,
-    },
+    name: senseName,
+    db: dbResult.value.db,
+    compute: moduleResult.value.compute,
+    table: moduleResult.value.table,
+    persistSignal: dbResult.value.persistSignal,
   };
 }
 
-function buildPeers(
-  nerveRoot: string,
-  allSenseNames: string[],
-  ownDbs: Map<string, DrizzleDB>,
-  groupSenseNames: Set<string>,
-): PeerMap {
-  const entries: [string, DrizzleDB][] = [];
-
-  for (const peerName of allSenseNames) {
-    // Exclude senses that belong to this worker's own group — they are not peers
-    if (groupSenseNames.has(peerName)) continue;
-
-    const own = ownDbs.get(peerName);
-    if (own !== undefined) {
-      entries.push([peerName, own]);
-      continue;
-    }
-
-    const peerDbPath = join(nerveRoot, "data", "senses", `${peerName}.db`);
-    const peerResult = openPeerDb(peerDbPath);
-    if (!peerResult.ok) {
-      process.stderr.write(
-        `[sense-worker] Warning: could not open peer DB for "${peerName}": ${peerResult.error.message}\n`,
-      );
-      continue;
-    }
-    entries.push([peerName, peerResult.value]);
-  }
-
-  return Object.fromEntries(entries);
-}
-
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 // Grace period: hard kill after soft timeout
 //
@@ -173,13 +140,11 @@ function clearGracePeriodTimer(senseName: string): void {
 async function runCompute(
   senseName: string,
   runtime: SenseRuntime,
-  peers: PeerMap,
   timeoutMs: number,
   gracePeriodMs: number | null,
-  blobStore: ReturnType<typeof createBlobStore>,
 ): Promise<void> {
   try {
-    const result = await executeCompute(runtime, peers, timeoutMs, blobStore);
+    const result = await executeCompute(runtime, timeoutMs);
     if (!result.ok) {
       sendError(senseName, result.error.message);
       if (gracePeriodMs !== null && result.error.message.includes("timed out")) {
@@ -189,13 +154,10 @@ async function runCompute(
     }
     clearGracePeriodTimer(senseName);
     if (result.value != null) {
-      const routeResult = routeSenseComputeOutput(result.value);
-      if (!routeResult.ok) {
-        sendError(senseName, routeResult.error.message);
-        return;
+      sendSignal(senseName, result.value.signal);
+      if (result.value.workflow !== null) {
+        sendWorkflowTrigger(senseName, result.value.workflow);
       }
-      runtime.persistSignal(routeResult.value.signal);
-      sendSignal(senseName, result.value);
     }
   } catch (e: unknown) {
     const errMsg = e instanceof Error ? e.message : String(e);
@@ -210,11 +172,9 @@ async function runCompute(
 function handleMessage(
   raw: unknown,
   runtimes: Map<string, SenseRuntime>,
-  peers: PeerMap,
   group: string,
   senseConfigs: Map<string, { timeout: number | null; gracePeriod: number | null }>,
   inFlight: Map<string, Promise<void>>,
-  blobStore: ReturnType<typeof createBlobStore>,
 ): void {
   const parseResult = parseParentMessage(raw);
   if (!parseResult.ok) {
@@ -245,14 +205,13 @@ function handleMessage(
     return;
   }
 
-  // Look up timeout/gracePeriod per-sense at compute time (RFC §5.3: these are per-sense)
   const sc = senseConfigs.get(msg.sense);
   const timeoutMs = sc?.timeout ?? DEFAULT_TIMEOUT_MS;
   const gracePeriodMs = sc?.gracePeriod ?? null;
 
   const previous = inFlight.get(msg.sense) ?? Promise.resolve();
   const next = previous
-    .then(() => runCompute(msg.sense, runtime, peers, timeoutMs, gracePeriodMs, blobStore))
+    .then(() => runCompute(msg.sense, runtime, timeoutMs, gracePeriodMs))
     .catch((e: unknown) => {
       const errMsg = e instanceof Error ? e.message : String(e);
       sendError(msg.sense, errMsg);
@@ -279,14 +238,12 @@ async function bootstrap(nerveRoot: string, group: string): Promise<void> {
   }
 
   const runtimes = new Map<string, SenseRuntime>();
-  const ownDbs = new Map<string, DrizzleDB>();
   const failedSenses: string[] = [];
 
   for (const senseName of groupSenses) {
     try {
       const retention = config.senses[senseName].retention;
-      const { db, runtime } = await initSense(nerveRoot, senseName, retention);
-      ownDbs.set(senseName, db);
+      const runtime = await initSense(nerveRoot, senseName, retention);
       runtimes.set(senseName, runtime);
     } catch (e: unknown) {
       const eMsg = e instanceof Error ? e.message : String(e);
@@ -297,16 +254,11 @@ async function bootstrap(nerveRoot: string, group: string): Promise<void> {
     }
   }
 
-  // If ALL senses failed, exit with error so kernel respawns
   if (runtimes.size === 0) {
     process.stderr.write(`[sense-worker] All senses in group "${group}" failed to load, exiting\n`);
     process.exit(1);
   }
 
-  const groupSenseNames = new Set(groupSenses);
-  const peers = buildPeers(nerveRoot, Object.keys(config.senses), ownDbs, groupSenseNames);
-
-  // Build per-sense timeout/gracePeriod map (RFC §5.3: these are per-sense, not per-group)
   const senseConfigs = new Map<string, { timeout: number | null; gracePeriod: number | null }>();
   for (const senseName of groupSenses) {
     const sc = config.senses[senseName];
@@ -317,12 +269,11 @@ async function bootstrap(nerveRoot: string, group: string): Promise<void> {
   }
 
   const inFlight = new Map<string, Promise<void>>();
-  const blobStore = createBlobStore(join(nerveRoot, "data", "blobs"));
 
   sendReady();
 
   process.on("message", (raw: unknown) => {
-    handleMessage(raw, runtimes, peers, group, senseConfigs, inFlight, blobStore);
+    handleMessage(raw, runtimes, group, senseConfigs, inFlight);
   });
 }
 

packages/daemon/src/workflow-manager.ts

@@ -127,7 +127,6 @@ function ensureThreadMessagesWithStart(
   threadId: string,
   fallbackPrompt: string,
   fallbackMaxRounds: number,
-  fallbackDryRun: boolean,
 ): WorkflowMessage[] {
   const mapped: WorkflowMessage[] = messages.map((m) => ({
     role: m.role,
@@ -141,7 +140,7 @@ function ensureThreadMessagesWithStart(
   const start: WorkflowMessage = {
     role: START,
     content: fallbackPrompt,
-    meta: { maxRounds: fallbackMaxRounds, dryRun: fallbackDryRun, threadId },
+    meta: { maxRounds: fallbackMaxRounds, threadId },
     timestamp: Date.now(),
   };
   return [start, ...mapped];
@@ -408,7 +407,6 @@ export function createWorkflowManager(
       runId,
       launch.prompt,
       launch.maxRounds,
-      launch.dryRun,
     );
     state.active.add(runId);
     const msg: ResumeThreadMessage = {

packages/daemon/src/workflow-worker.ts

@@ -14,7 +14,14 @@ import "./experimental-warning-suppression.js";
 import { existsSync } from "node:fs";
 import { join, resolve } from "node:path";
 
-import type { RoleMeta, StartStep, WorkflowDefinition, WorkflowMessage } from "@uncaged/nerve-core";
+import type {
+  RoleMeta,
+  RoleStep,
+  StartStep,
+  ThreadContext,
+  WorkflowDefinition,
+  WorkflowMessage,
+} from "@uncaged/nerve-core";
 import { END, START, isPlainRecord } from "@uncaged/nerve-core";
 
 import type {
@@ -87,15 +94,14 @@ function normalizeStartMeta(
   threadIdFallback: string,
 ): StartStep["meta"] {
   if (!isPlainRecord(meta)) {
-    return { maxRounds: maxRoundsFallback, dryRun: false, threadId: threadIdFallback };
+    return { maxRounds: maxRoundsFallback, threadId: threadIdFallback };
   }
   const maxRounds = typeof meta.maxRounds === "number" ? meta.maxRounds : maxRoundsFallback;
-  const dryRun = typeof meta.dryRun === "boolean" ? meta.dryRun : false;
   const threadId =
     typeof meta.threadId === "string" && meta.threadId.length > 0
       ? meta.threadId
       : threadIdFallback;
-  return { maxRounds, dryRun, threadId };
+  return { maxRounds, threadId };
 }
 
 function startStepFromWorkflowMessage(
@@ -107,7 +113,7 @@ function startStepFromWorkflowMessage(
     return {
       role: START,
       content: "",
-      meta: { maxRounds: maxRoundsFallback, dryRun: false, threadId: threadIdFallback },
+      meta: { maxRounds: maxRoundsFallback, threadId: threadIdFallback },
       timestamp: Date.now(),
     };
   }
@@ -124,8 +130,30 @@ type ThreadMessagesState = {
   start: StartStep;
   /** Role outputs only; never includes the `__start__` frame. */
   messages: WorkflowMessage[];
+  /** From IPC (`start-thread` / `resume-thread`); not part of `StartStep.meta`. */
+  dryRun: boolean;
 };
 
+function workflowMessagesToRoleSteps(messages: WorkflowMessage[]): RoleStep<RoleMeta>[] {
+  return messages.map((m) => ({
+    role: m.role,
+    meta: m.meta as Record<string, unknown>,
+    content: m.content,
+    timestamp: m.timestamp,
+  })) as RoleStep<RoleMeta>[];
+}
+
+function buildThreadContext(
+  start: StartStep,
+  roleMessages: WorkflowMessage[],
+): ThreadContext<RoleMeta> {
+  return {
+    threadId: start.meta.threadId,
+    start,
+    steps: workflowMessagesToRoleSteps(roleMessages),
+  };
+}
+
 function initThreadMessages(
   runId: string,
   resumeMessages: WorkflowMessage[],
@@ -139,6 +167,7 @@ function initThreadMessages(
       return {
         start: startStepFromWorkflowMessage(first, maxRounds, runId),
         messages: [...rest],
+        dryRun,
       };
     }
     const prompt = freshPrompt ?? "";
@@ -146,17 +175,18 @@ function initThreadMessages(
       start: {
         role: START,
         content: prompt,
-        meta: { maxRounds, dryRun, threadId: runId },
+        meta: { maxRounds, threadId: runId },
         timestamp: Date.now(),
       },
       messages: [...resumeMessages],
+      dryRun,
     };
   }
   const prompt = freshPrompt ?? "";
   const start: StartStep = {
     role: START,
     content: prompt,
-    meta: { maxRounds, dryRun, threadId: runId },
+    meta: { maxRounds, threadId: runId },
     timestamp: Date.now(),
   };
   sendWorkflowMessage(runId, {
@@ -165,14 +195,13 @@ function initThreadMessages(
     meta: start.meta,
     timestamp: start.timestamp,
   });
-  return { start, messages: [] };
+  return { start, messages: [], dryRun };
 }
 
 async function executeRole(
   def: WorkflowDefinition<RoleMeta>,
   nextRole: string,
-  start: StartStep,
-  messages: WorkflowMessage[],
+  ctx: ThreadContext<RoleMeta>,
   runId: string,
 ): Promise<{ content: string; meta: Record<string, unknown> } | null> {
   const role = def.roles[nextRole];
@@ -183,7 +212,7 @@ async function executeRole(
 
   let result: { content: string; meta: Record<string, unknown> };
   try {
-    result = await role(start, messages);
+    result = await role(ctx);
   } catch (e: unknown) {
     const errMsg = e instanceof Error ? e.message : String(e);
     sendThreadEvent(runId, "failed", { error: errMsg, exitCode: 1 });
@@ -213,37 +242,20 @@ async function runThread(
     dryRun,
   );
 
-  const steps: Array<{
-    role: string;
-    meta: Record<string, unknown>;
-    content: string;
-    timestamp: number;
-  }> = [];
-
-  // Rebuild steps from any resumed messages
-  for (const msg of roleMessages) {
-    steps.push({
-      role: msg.role,
-      meta: msg.meta as Record<string, unknown>,
-      content: msg.content,
-      timestamp: msg.timestamp,
-    });
-  }
-
   if (killFlag.value) {
     sendThreadEvent(runId, "killed", { exitCode: 137 });
     return;
   }
 
-  let nextRole = def.moderator({ start, steps });
+  let nextRole = def.moderator(buildThreadContext(start, roleMessages));
 
   if (nextRole === END) {
     sendThreadEvent(runId, "completed", { exitCode: 0 });
     return;
   }
 
-  while (steps.length < maxRounds) {
-    const result = await executeRole(def, nextRole, start, roleMessages, runId);
+  while (roleMessages.length < maxRounds) {
+    const result = await executeRole(def, nextRole, buildThreadContext(start, roleMessages), runId);
 
     if (killFlag.value) {
       sendThreadEvent(runId, "killed", { exitCode: 137 });
@@ -261,14 +273,7 @@ async function runThread(
     roleMessages.push(message);
     sendWorkflowMessage(runId, message);
 
-    steps.push({
-      role: nextRole,
-      meta: result.meta,
-      content: result.content,
-      timestamp: message.timestamp,
-    });
-
-    nextRole = def.moderator({ start, steps });
+    nextRole = def.moderator(buildThreadContext(start, roleMessages));
 
     if (nextRole === END) {
       sendThreadEvent(runId, "completed", { exitCode: 0 });

packages/role-committer/package.json

@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+{
+  "name": "@uncaged/nerve-role-committer",
+  "version": "0.5.0",
+  "type": "module",
+  "main": "dist/index.js",
+  "types": "dist/index.d.ts",
+  "files": ["dist"],
+  "publishConfig": {
+    "access": "public"
+  },
+  "scripts": {
+    "prepublishOnly": "bash ../../scripts/prepublish-check.sh",
+    "build": "rslib build",
+    "test": "vitest run --passWithNoTests"
+  },
+  "dependencies": {
+    "@uncaged/nerve-core": "workspace:*",
+    "@uncaged/nerve-workflow-utils": "workspace:*",
+    "zod": "^4.3.6"
+  },
+  "devDependencies": {
+    "@rslib/core": "^0.21.3",
+    "typescript": "^5.8.3",
+    "vitest": "^4.1.5"
+  }
+}

packages/role-committer/rslib.config.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+import { defineConfig } from "@rslib/core";
+
+export default defineConfig({
+  lib: [
+    {
+      format: "esm",
+      dts: true,
+    },
+  ],
+  source: {
+    entry: {
+      index: "src/index.ts",
+    },
+  },
+  output: {
+    target: "node",
+    cleanDistPath: true,
+  },
+});

packages/role-committer/src/index.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,59 @@
+import type { AgentFn, Role, ThreadContext } from "@uncaged/nerve-core";
+import type { LlmExtractorConfig } from "@uncaged/nerve-workflow-utils";
+import { createRole, decorateRole, onFail, withDryRun } from "@uncaged/nerve-workflow-utils";
+import { z } from "zod";
+
+export const committerMetaSchema = z.object({
+  committed: z
+    .boolean()
+    .describe("true if branch created, changes committed, and pushed successfully"),
+});
+export type CommitterMeta = z.infer<typeof committerMetaSchema>;
+
+function committerPrompt(threadId: string): string {
+  return `You are the committer agent. The coder finished with a passing build; your job is to branch, commit, and push.
+
+1. Read the workflow thread: \`nerve thread show ${threadId}\` — understand what was planned, coded, and reviewed.
+2. Run \`git status\`. If nothing to commit, set committed=false.
+3. Create a feature branch: infer a good \`fix/<slug>\` or \`feat/<slug>\` name from the thread context.
+4. \`git add -A\`
+5. Write a conventional commit message based on the thread context.
+6. \`git commit -m "<message>"\` — do NOT pass \`--author\`, use repo git config.
+7. \`git push -u origin <branch>\`
+
+**committed=true** only if branch was created, commit succeeded, and **push** succeeded.
+
+End your reply with a JSON line:
+\`\`\`json
+{ "committed": true }
+\`\`\`
+or
+\`\`\`json
+{ "committed": false }
+\`\`\``;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Creates a committer role that branches, commits, and pushes changes.
+ * The agent reads the workflow thread to infer branch name, scope, and commit message.
+ */
+export function createCommitterRole(
+  adapter: AgentFn,
+  extract: LlmExtractorConfig,
+): Role<CommitterMeta> {
+  const inner = createRole(
+    adapter,
+    async (ctx: ThreadContext) => committerPrompt(ctx.threadId),
+    committerMetaSchema,
+    extract,
+  );
+
+  return decorateRole(inner, [
+    withDryRun({
+      label: "committer",
+      meta: { committed: true } as CommitterMeta,
+      dryRun: extract.dryRun === true,
+    }),
+    onFail({ label: "committer", meta: { committed: false } as CommitterMeta }),
+  ]) as Role<CommitterMeta>;
+}

packages/role-committer/tsconfig.json

@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+{
+  "extends": "../../tsconfig.json",
+  "compilerOptions": {
+    "outDir": "dist",
+    "rootDir": "src",
+    "composite": false
+  },
+  "include": ["src"]
+}

packages/role-reviewer/package.json

@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+{
+  "name": "@uncaged/nerve-role-reviewer",
+  "version": "0.5.0",
+  "type": "module",
+  "main": "dist/index.js",
+  "types": "dist/index.d.ts",
+  "files": ["dist"],
+  "publishConfig": {
+    "access": "public"
+  },
+  "scripts": {
+    "prepublishOnly": "bash ../../scripts/prepublish-check.sh",
+    "build": "rslib build",
+    "test": "vitest run --passWithNoTests"
+  },
+  "dependencies": {
+    "@uncaged/nerve-core": "workspace:*",
+    "@uncaged/nerve-workflow-utils": "workspace:*",
+    "zod": "^4.3.6"
+  },
+  "devDependencies": {
+    "@rslib/core": "^0.21.3",
+    "typescript": "^5.8.3",
+    "vitest": "^4.1.5"
+  }
+}

packages/role-reviewer/rslib.config.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+import { defineConfig } from "@rslib/core";
+
+export default defineConfig({
+  lib: [
+    {
+      format: "esm",
+      dts: true,
+    },
+  ],
+  source: {
+    entry: {
+      index: "src/index.ts",
+    },
+  },
+  output: {
+    target: "node",
+    cleanDistPath: true,
+  },
+});

packages/role-reviewer/src/index.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+export { createReviewerRole, reviewerMetaSchema } from "./reviewer.js";
+export type { ReviewerMeta, ReviewerConfig } from "./reviewer.js";

packages/role-reviewer/src/reviewer.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,91 @@
+import type { AgentFn, Role, ThreadContext } from "@uncaged/nerve-core";
+import type { LlmExtractorConfig } from "@uncaged/nerve-workflow-utils";
+import { createRole } from "@uncaged/nerve-workflow-utils";
+import { z } from "zod";
+
+export const reviewerMetaSchema = z.object({
+  approved: z.boolean().describe("true if the diff is clean and ready to merge"),
+});
+export type ReviewerMeta = z.infer<typeof reviewerMetaSchema>;
+
+export type ReviewerConfig = {
+  /** Working directory of the project */
+  cwd: string;
+  /** Path to conventions/standards file, relative to cwd. Default: "CONVENTIONS.md" */
+  conventionsPath: string | null;
+  /** Extra checklist items appended to the review criteria */
+  extraChecks: ReadonlyArray<string>;
+};
+
+const defaults: ReviewerConfig = {
+  cwd: ".",
+  conventionsPath: "CONVENTIONS.md",
+  extraChecks: [],
+};
+
+function reviewerPrompt({
+  threadId,
+  config,
+}: { threadId: string; config: ReviewerConfig }): string {
+  const { cwd, conventionsPath, extraChecks } = config;
+
+  const conventionsBlock = conventionsPath
+    ? `Read project conventions: \`cat ${cwd}/${conventionsPath}\`\n`
+    : "";
+
+  const extraBlock =
+    extraChecks.length > 0
+      ? `\n### 📋 Project-specific checks\n${extraChecks.map((c) => `- ${c}`).join("\n")}\n`
+      : "";
+
+  return `You are a **code reviewer**. You run after the coder and before the tester.
+
+**IMPORTANT: The project is at \`${cwd}\`. Always \`cd ${cwd}\` first.**
+
+Read the workflow thread for context: \`nerve thread ${threadId}\`
+${conventionsBlock}
+## Your job — static analysis of the git diff
+
+Run these commands and analyze the output:
+
+1. **\`cd ${cwd} && git diff --stat\`** — see what files changed
+2. **\`cd ${cwd} && git diff\`** — read the actual diff
+3. **\`cd ${cwd} && git status --short\`** — check for untracked files
+
+## Checklist
+
+### 🔴 Reject (approved: false) — tell coder exactly what to fix
+- **Garbage files**: build artifacts, lockfiles, IDE config that shouldn't be committed
+- **Secrets/credentials**: API keys, tokens, passwords hardcoded in the diff
+- **Unrelated changes**: files modified outside the scope of the task
+${conventionsPath ? `- **Convention violations**: patterns that contradict ${conventionsPath}\n` : ""}${extraBlock}
+### ✅ Approve (approved: true) — no comment needed
+- Diff is clean, focused, follows project standards
+
+End with:
+\`\`\`json
+{ "approved": true }
+\`\`\`
+or
+\`\`\`json
+{ "approved": false }
+\`\`\``;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Creates a reviewer role that performs static analysis on git diffs.
+ * Checks for garbage files, secrets, unrelated changes, and project conventions.
+ */
+export function createReviewerRole(
+  adapter: AgentFn,
+  extract: LlmExtractorConfig,
+  config: Partial<ReviewerConfig> = {},
+): Role<ReviewerMeta> {
+  const resolved: ReviewerConfig = { ...defaults, ...config };
+  return createRole(
+    adapter,
+    async (ctx: ThreadContext) => reviewerPrompt({ threadId: ctx.threadId, config: resolved }),
+    reviewerMetaSchema,
+    extract,
+  );
+}

packages/role-reviewer/tsconfig.json

@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+{
+  "extends": "../../tsconfig.json",
+  "compilerOptions": {
+    "outDir": "dist",
+    "rootDir": "src",
+    "composite": false
+  },
+  "include": ["src"]
+}

packages/workflow-meta/package.json

@@ -0,0 +1,28 @@
+{
+  "name": "@uncaged/nerve-workflow-meta",
+  "version": "0.5.0",
+  "type": "module",
+  "main": "dist/index.js",
+  "types": "dist/index.d.ts",
+  "files": ["dist"],
+  "publishConfig": {
+    "access": "public"
+  },
+  "scripts": {
+    "prepublishOnly": "bash ../../scripts/prepublish-check.sh",
+    "build": "rslib build",
+    "test": "vitest run --passWithNoTests"
+  },
+  "dependencies": {
+    "@uncaged/nerve-core": "workspace:*",
+    "@uncaged/nerve-role-committer": "workspace:*",
+    "@uncaged/nerve-role-reviewer": "workspace:*",
+    "@uncaged/nerve-workflow-utils": "workspace:*",
+    "zod": "^4.3.6"
+  },
+  "devDependencies": {
+    "@rslib/core": "^0.21.3",
+    "typescript": "^5.8.3",
+    "vitest": "^4.1.5"
+  }
+}

packages/workflow-meta/rslib.config.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+import { defineConfig } from "@rslib/core";
+
+export default defineConfig({
+  lib: [
+    {
+      format: "esm",
+      dts: true,
+    },
+  ],
+  source: {
+    entry: {
+      index: "src/index.ts",
+    },
+  },
+  output: {
+    target: "node",
+    cleanDistPath: true,
+  },
+});

packages/workflow-meta/src/develop-sense/build.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,42 @@
+import type { AgentFn, WorkflowDefinition } from "@uncaged/nerve-core";
+import { createCommitterRole } from "@uncaged/nerve-role-committer";
+import { createReviewerRole } from "@uncaged/nerve-role-reviewer";
+import type { LlmExtractorConfig } from "@uncaged/nerve-workflow-utils";
+
+import { moderator } from "./moderator.js";
+import type { SenseMeta } from "./moderator.js";
+import { createCoderRole } from "./roles/coder.js";
+import { createPlannerRole } from "./roles/planner.js";
+import { createTesterRole } from "./roles/tester.js";
+
+export type CreateDevelopSenseDeps = {
+  defaultAdapter: AgentFn;
+  adapters: Partial<Record<keyof SenseMeta, AgentFn>> | null;
+  extract: LlmExtractorConfig;
+  cwd: string;
+};
+
+export function createDevelopSenseWorkflow({
+  defaultAdapter,
+  adapters,
+  extract,
+  cwd,
+}: CreateDevelopSenseDeps): WorkflowDefinition<SenseMeta> {
+  const a = (role: keyof SenseMeta) => adapters?.[role] ?? defaultAdapter;
+  const roles = {
+    planner: createPlannerRole(a("planner"), extract),
+    coder: createCoderRole(a("coder"), extract),
+    reviewer: createReviewerRole(a("reviewer"), extract, {
+      cwd,
+      conventionsPath: "CONVENTIONS.md",
+    }),
+    tester: createTesterRole(a("tester"), extract, cwd),
+    committer: createCommitterRole(a("committer"), extract),
+  };
+
+  return {
+    name: "develop-sense",
+    roles,
+    moderator,
+  };
+}

packages/workflow-meta/src/develop-sense/moderator.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,65 @@
+import { END } from "@uncaged/nerve-core";
+import type { Moderator } from "@uncaged/nerve-core";
+import type { CommitterMeta } from "@uncaged/nerve-role-committer";
+import type { ReviewerMeta } from "@uncaged/nerve-role-reviewer";
+import type { CoderMeta } from "./roles/coder.js";
+import type { PlannerMeta } from "./roles/planner.js";
+import type { TesterMeta } from "./roles/tester.js";
+
+export type SenseMeta = {
+  planner: PlannerMeta;
+  coder: CoderMeta;
+  reviewer: ReviewerMeta;
+  tester: TesterMeta;
+  committer: CommitterMeta;
+};
+
+const MAX_CODER_ROUNDS = 20;
+const MAX_TOTAL_REJECTIONS = 10;
+
+function coderRounds(steps: { role: string }[]): number {
+  return steps.filter((s) => s.role === "coder").length;
+}
+
+function totalRejections(steps: { role: string; meta: unknown }[]): number {
+  return steps.filter((s) => {
+    if (s.role === "reviewer") return !(s.meta as Record<string, boolean>).approved;
+    if (s.role === "tester") return !(s.meta as Record<string, boolean>).passed;
+    if (s.role === "committer") return !(s.meta as Record<string, boolean>).committed;
+    return false;
+  }).length;
+}
+
+function canRetryCoder(steps: { role: string; meta: unknown }[]): boolean {
+  return coderRounds(steps) < MAX_CODER_ROUNDS && totalRejections(steps) < MAX_TOTAL_REJECTIONS;
+}
+
+export const moderator: Moderator<SenseMeta> = (context) => {
+  if (context.steps.length === 0) return "planner";
+
+  const last = context.steps[context.steps.length - 1];
+
+  if (last.role === "planner") return "coder";
+
+  if (last.role === "coder") {
+    if (last.meta.filesCreated) return "reviewer";
+    return canRetryCoder(context.steps) ? "coder" : END;
+  }
+
+  if (last.role === "reviewer") {
+    if (last.meta.approved) return "tester";
+    return canRetryCoder(context.steps) ? "coder" : END;
+  }
+
+  if (last.role === "tester") {
+    if (last.meta.passed) return "committer";
+    return canRetryCoder(context.steps) ? "coder" : END;
+  }
+
+  if (last.role === "committer") {
+    if (last.meta.committed) return END;
+    return canRetryCoder(context.steps) ? "coder" : END;
+  }
+
+  return END;
+};

packages/workflow-meta/src/develop-sense/roles/coder.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,50 @@
+import type { AgentFn, Role, ThreadContext } from "@uncaged/nerve-core";
+import type { LlmExtractorConfig } from "@uncaged/nerve-workflow-utils";
+import { createRole } from "@uncaged/nerve-workflow-utils";
+import { z } from "zod";
+
+export const coderMetaSchema = z.object({
+  filesCreated: z.boolean().describe("true if the sense files were created"),
+});
+export type CoderMeta = z.infer<typeof coderMetaSchema>;
+
+export function coderPrompt({ threadId }: { threadId: string }): string {
+  return `Read the workflow thread for the planner's sense design and any tester feedback: \`nerve thread ${threadId}\`
+Read the nerve-dev skill for sense file structure and conventions: \`cat node_modules/@uncaged/nerve-skills/nerve-dev/SKILL.md\`
+
+## Your task
+
+Implement (or fix) the sense the planner designed. If there is tester feedback in the thread, fix the issues it identified.
+
+## Multi-step approach
+
+You do NOT need to finish everything in one pass. You may return \`done: false\` to continue in the next iteration.
+
+## File structure for each sense
+
+- \`senses/<name>/src/index.ts\` — TypeScript compute source; import schema as \`./schema.ts\`
+- \`senses/<name>/src/schema.ts\` — Drizzle schema (TypeScript)
+- \`senses/<name>/migrations/\` — Drizzle migration files (at sense root, not inside src/)
+- \`senses/<name>/package.json\` — with esbuild build script
+- \`senses/<name>/index.js\` — bundled output generated by \`pnpm build\` (do NOT edit by hand)
+
+Look at existing senses for the package.json template and patterns.
+
+## When to return done: true
+
+Return \`done: true\` ONLY when ALL of the following are true:
+- All required files are created
+- \`pnpm install --no-cache && pnpm build\` succeeds (run it!)
+- \`nerve.yaml\` is updated with the sense config
+
+Return \`done: false\` if you made progress but there is still work to do.`;
+}
+
+export function createCoderRole(adapter: AgentFn, extract: LlmExtractorConfig): Role<CoderMeta> {
+  return createRole(
+    adapter,
+    async (ctx: ThreadContext) => coderPrompt({ threadId: ctx.threadId }),
+    coderMetaSchema,
+    extract,
+  );
+}

packages/workflow-meta/src/develop-sense/roles/planner.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,39 @@
+import type { AgentFn, Role, ThreadContext } from "@uncaged/nerve-core";
+import type { LlmExtractorConfig } from "@uncaged/nerve-workflow-utils";
+import { createRole } from "@uncaged/nerve-workflow-utils";
+import { z } from "zod";
+
+export const plannerMetaSchema = z.object({
+  senseName: z.string().describe("kebab-case sense name from the plan"),
+});
+export type PlannerMeta = z.infer<typeof plannerMetaSchema>;
+
+export function plannerPrompt({ threadId }: { threadId: string }): string {
+  return `You are planning a new Nerve sense.
+
+Read the workflow thread for the user's request: \`nerve thread ${threadId}\`
+Read the nerve-dev skill for sense conventions: \`cat node_modules/@uncaged/nerve-skills/nerve-dev/SKILL.md\`
+Also look at existing senses in the \`senses/\` directory for patterns.
+
+Pick a good kebab-case name for this sense. Produce a PLAN (not code) in markdown:
+
+## Sense Design
+### Name — kebab-case
+### Fields — name, type (integer/real/text), description
+### Compute Logic — step-by-step, specific Node.js APIs or shell commands
+### Trigger Config — group, interval, throttle, timeout
+
+Output ONLY the plan. Be precise and implementation-ready.`;
+}
+
+export function createPlannerRole(
+  adapter: AgentFn,
+  extract: LlmExtractorConfig,
+): Role<PlannerMeta> {
+  return createRole(
+    adapter,
+    async (ctx: ThreadContext) => plannerPrompt({ threadId: ctx.threadId }),
+    plannerMetaSchema,
+    extract,
+  );
+}

packages/workflow-meta/src/develop-sense/roles/tester.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,60 @@
+import type { AgentFn, Role, ThreadContext } from "@uncaged/nerve-core";
+import type { LlmExtractorConfig } from "@uncaged/nerve-workflow-utils";
+import { createRole } from "@uncaged/nerve-workflow-utils";
+import { z } from "zod";
+
+export const testerMetaSchema = z.object({
+  passed: z.boolean().describe("true if all e2e checks passed"),
+});
+export type TesterMeta = z.infer<typeof testerMetaSchema>;
+
+export function testerPrompt({
+  threadId,
+  nerveRoot,
+}: { threadId: string; nerveRoot: string }): string {
+  return `You are testing a newly created Nerve sense end-to-end.
+
+**IMPORTANT: The Nerve workspace is at \`${nerveRoot}\`. All paths below are relative to this directory. Always \`cd ${nerveRoot}\` first.**
+
+Read the workflow thread for context: \`nerve thread ${threadId}\`
+Read the nerve-dev skill for expected file structure: \`cat ${nerveRoot}/node_modules/@uncaged/nerve-skills/nerve-dev/SKILL.md\`
+
+Verify the full lifecycle in this order:
+
+1. **File check** — all required sense files exist:
+   - \`senses/<name>/src/index.ts\`
+   - \`senses/<name>/src/schema.ts\`
+   - \`senses/<name>/migrations/\`
+   - \`senses/<name>/package.json\`
+
+2. **Build** — run inside the sense directory:
+   \`\`\`
+   cd ${nerveRoot}/senses/<name> && pnpm install --no-cache && pnpm build
+   \`\`\`
+   Must produce \`index.js\` at sense root without errors.
+
+3. **Config check** — \`nerve validate\` passes, confirming nerve.yaml is valid.
+
+4. **Sense list** — \`nerve sense list\` shows the sense.
+
+5. **Trigger** — \`nerve sense trigger <name>\` completes without error.
+
+6. **Query** — \`nerve sense query <name>\` — retry up to 20s until rows appear.
+
+If any step fails, include the relevant error output.
+
+Output a clear summary: what you checked, what passed, what failed, and why.`;
+}
+
+export function createTesterRole(
+  adapter: AgentFn,
+  extract: LlmExtractorConfig,
+  nerveRoot: string,
+): Role<TesterMeta> {
+  return createRole(
+    adapter,
+    async (ctx: ThreadContext) => testerPrompt({ threadId: ctx.threadId, nerveRoot }),
+    testerMetaSchema,
+    extract,
+  );
+}

packages/workflow-meta/src/develop-workflow/build.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,42 @@
+import type { AgentFn, WorkflowDefinition } from "@uncaged/nerve-core";
+import { createCommitterRole } from "@uncaged/nerve-role-committer";
+import { createReviewerRole } from "@uncaged/nerve-role-reviewer";
+import type { LlmExtractorConfig } from "@uncaged/nerve-workflow-utils";
+
+import { moderator } from "./moderator.js";
+import type { WorkflowMeta } from "./moderator.js";
+import { createCoderRole } from "./roles/coder.js";
+import { createPlannerRole } from "./roles/planner.js";
+import { createTesterRole } from "./roles/tester.js";
+
+export type CreateDevelopWorkflowDeps = {
+  defaultAdapter: AgentFn;
+  adapters: Partial<Record<keyof WorkflowMeta, AgentFn>> | null;
+  extract: LlmExtractorConfig;
+  nerveRoot: string;
+};
+
+export function createDevelopWorkflowWorkflow({
+  defaultAdapter,
+  adapters,
+  extract,
+  nerveRoot,
+}: CreateDevelopWorkflowDeps): WorkflowDefinition<WorkflowMeta> {
+  const a = (role: keyof WorkflowMeta) => adapters?.[role] ?? defaultAdapter;
+  const roles = {
+    planner: createPlannerRole(a("planner"), extract),
+    coder: createCoderRole(a("coder"), extract),
+    reviewer: createReviewerRole(a("reviewer"), extract, {
+      cwd: nerveRoot,
+      conventionsPath: "CONVENTIONS.md",
+    }),
+    tester: createTesterRole(a("tester"), extract, nerveRoot),
+    committer: createCommitterRole(a("committer"), extract),
+  };
+
+  return {
+    name: "develop-workflow",
+    roles,
+    moderator,
+  };
+}

packages/workflow-meta/src/develop-workflow/moderator.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,67 @@
+import { END } from "@uncaged/nerve-core";
+import type { Moderator } from "@uncaged/nerve-core";
+import type { CommitterMeta } from "@uncaged/nerve-role-committer";
+import type { ReviewerMeta } from "@uncaged/nerve-role-reviewer";
+import type { CoderMeta } from "./roles/coder.js";
+import type { PlannerMeta } from "./roles/planner.js";
+import type { TesterMeta } from "./roles/tester.js";
+
+export type WorkflowMeta = {
+  planner: PlannerMeta;
+  coder: CoderMeta;
+  reviewer: ReviewerMeta;
+  tester: TesterMeta;
+  committer: CommitterMeta;
+};
+
+const MAX_CODER_ROUNDS = 20;
+const MAX_TOTAL_REJECTIONS = 10;
+
+function coderRounds(steps: { role: string }[]): number {
+  return steps.filter((s) => s.role === "coder").length;
+}
+
+function totalRejections(steps: { role: string; meta: unknown }[]): number {
+  return steps.filter((s) => {
+    if (s.role === "reviewer") return !(s.meta as Record<string, boolean>).approved;
+    if (s.role === "tester") return !(s.meta as Record<string, boolean>).passed;
+    if (s.role === "committer") return !(s.meta as Record<string, boolean>).committed;
+    return false;
+  }).length;
+}
+
+function canRetryCoder(steps: { role: string; meta: unknown }[]): boolean {
+  return coderRounds(steps) < MAX_CODER_ROUNDS && totalRejections(steps) < MAX_TOTAL_REJECTIONS;
+}
+
+export const moderator: Moderator<WorkflowMeta> = (context) => {
+  if (context.steps.length === 0) return "planner";
+
+  const last = context.steps[context.steps.length - 1];
+
+  if (last.role === "planner") {
+    return last.meta.ready ? "coder" : END;
+  }
+
+  if (last.role === "coder") {
+    if (last.meta.done) return "reviewer";
+    return canRetryCoder(context.steps) ? "coder" : END;
+  }
+
+  if (last.role === "reviewer") {
+    if (last.meta.approved) return "tester";
+    return canRetryCoder(context.steps) ? "coder" : END;
+  }
+
+  if (last.role === "tester") {
+    if (last.meta.passed) return "committer";
+    return canRetryCoder(context.steps) ? "coder" : END;
+  }
+
+  if (last.role === "committer") {
+    if (last.meta.committed) return END;
+    return canRetryCoder(context.steps) ? "coder" : END;
+  }
+
+  return END;
+};

packages/workflow-meta/src/develop-workflow/roles/coder.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,69 @@
+import type { AgentFn, Role, ThreadContext } from "@uncaged/nerve-core";
+import type { LlmExtractorConfig } from "@uncaged/nerve-workflow-utils";
+import { createRole } from "@uncaged/nerve-workflow-utils";
+import { z } from "zod";
+
+export const coderMetaSchema = z.object({
+  done: z.boolean().describe("true if the workflow files were created and build passes"),
+});
+export type CoderMeta = z.infer<typeof coderMetaSchema>;
+
+export function coderPrompt({ threadId }: { threadId: string }): string {
+  return `Read the workflow thread to get the planner's design and any reviewer/tester/committer feedback: \`nerve thread ${threadId}\`
+Read the nerve-dev skill for workflow file structure and conventions: \`cat node_modules/@uncaged/nerve-skills/nerve-dev/SKILL.md\`
+Also look at existing workflows in the \`workflows/\` directory for patterns.
+
+## Your task
+
+Implement the planner's design. This may be **creating a new workflow** or **modifying an existing one**. If there is reviewer, tester, or committer feedback in the thread, fix the issues they identified.
+
+**IMPORTANT:** The thread contains both the **initial user prompt** (the first message) and the **planner's design**. Read both carefully:
+- The **initial prompt** contains the user's specific requirements for role behavior, tools to use, and acceptance criteria
+- The **planner's design** contains the architecture, file structure, and routing logic
+- When writing role prompts, follow the user's behavioral requirements from the initial prompt — do not invent your own interpretation
+
+## Multi-step approach
+
+You do NOT need to finish everything in one pass. You may return \`done: false\` to continue in the next iteration. For example:
+1. First pass: scaffold files / make structural changes
+2. Second pass: implement role logic
+3. Third pass: fix build/lint errors
+
+## Workflow file structure
+
+Each workflow must have:
+- \`workflows/<name>/index.ts\` — WorkflowDefinition default export
+- \`workflows/<name>/build.ts\` — factory function
+- \`workflows/<name>/moderator.ts\` — moderator + meta types
+- \`workflows/<name>/roles/<role>.ts\` — meta schema and prompt function per role
+- \`workflows/<name>/package.json\` — with esbuild build script
+- \`workflows/<name>/tsconfig.json\` — TypeScript config
+
+For **new workflows**, also update \`nerve.yaml\` with \`workflows.<name>\`.
+
+## Rules
+
+- Keep the WorkflowDefinition<WorkflowMeta> pattern
+- No dynamic import()
+- Use types (not interfaces)
+- Meta should be simple routing signals (single boolean per role)
+- Write compile-ready TypeScript
+
+## When to return done: true
+
+Return \`done: true\` ONLY when ALL of the following are true:
+- All changes from the plan are implemented
+- \`cd workflows/<name> && pnpm install --no-cache && pnpm build\` succeeds (run it!)
+- No lint or type errors remain
+
+Return \`done: false\` if you made progress but there is still work to do, or if build/lint has errors you plan to fix in the next iteration.`;
+}
+
+export function createCoderRole(adapter: AgentFn, extract: LlmExtractorConfig): Role<CoderMeta> {
+  return createRole(
+    adapter,
+    async (ctx: ThreadContext) => coderPrompt({ threadId: ctx.threadId }),
+    coderMetaSchema,
+    extract,
+  );
+}

packages/workflow-meta/src/develop-workflow/roles/planner.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,68 @@
+import type { AgentFn, Role, ThreadContext } from "@uncaged/nerve-core";
+import type { LlmExtractorConfig } from "@uncaged/nerve-workflow-utils";
+import { createRole } from "@uncaged/nerve-workflow-utils";
+import { z } from "zod";
+
+export const plannerMetaSchema = z.object({
+  ready: z.boolean().describe("true if requirements are clear and a workflow can be implemented"),
+});
+export type PlannerMeta = z.infer<typeof plannerMetaSchema>;
+
+export function plannerPrompt({ threadId }: { threadId: string }): string {
+  return `You are a Nerve workflow planner. You can **create new workflows** or **modify existing ones**.
+
+Read the workflow thread for the user's request: \`nerve thread ${threadId}\`
+Read the nerve-dev skill for workflow conventions: \`cat node_modules/@uncaged/nerve-skills/nerve-dev/SKILL.md\`
+List existing workflows: \`ls workflows/\`
+
+## Determine the task type
+
+1. If the user wants to **modify an existing workflow** — read its current code (\`cat workflows/<name>/moderator.ts\`, \`cat workflows/<name>/build.ts\`, \`ls workflows/<name>/roles/\`, etc.) and understand its current structure before planning changes.
+2. If the user wants to **create a new workflow** — look at existing workflows in \`workflows/\` for patterns to follow.
+
+## Produce a PLAN (not code) in markdown
+
+For **new workflows**:
+- Workflow name (kebab-case)
+- Roles list (name, purpose, tool)
+- Flow transitions / moderator routing logic
+- Validation loops design
+- External dependencies
+- Data flow between roles
+
+For **modifications to existing workflows**:
+- Workflow name (existing)
+- What changes are needed and why
+- Files to add/modify/delete
+- Impact on moderator routing logic (this workflow's typical order is planner → coder → reviewer → tester → committer)
+- Backward compatibility considerations (if any)
+
+**For every role (new or modified)**, include a **Role Behavior** section that describes:
+- What the role should do, check, or produce
+- What tools or commands it should use
+- What criteria determine its meta output (e.g. approved/passed/done)
+- Preserve the user's specific requirements verbatim — do NOT summarize away details
+
+If requirements are NOT clear, describe what is missing or ambiguous.
+
+End your response with a JSON block:
+\`\`\`json
+{ "ready": true }
+\`\`\`
+or
+\`\`\`json
+{ "ready": false }
+\`\`\``;
+}
+
+export function createPlannerRole(
+  adapter: AgentFn,
+  extract: LlmExtractorConfig,
+): Role<PlannerMeta> {
+  return createRole(
+    adapter,
+    async (ctx: ThreadContext) => plannerPrompt({ threadId: ctx.threadId }),
+    plannerMetaSchema,
+    extract,
+  );
+}

packages/workflow-meta/src/develop-workflow/roles/tester.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,61 @@
+import type { AgentFn, Role, ThreadContext } from "@uncaged/nerve-core";
+import type { LlmExtractorConfig } from "@uncaged/nerve-workflow-utils";
+import { createRole } from "@uncaged/nerve-workflow-utils";
+import { z } from "zod";
+
+export const testerMetaSchema = z.object({
+  passed: z.boolean().describe("true if all validation checks passed"),
+});
+export type TesterMeta = z.infer<typeof testerMetaSchema>;
+
+export function testerPrompt({
+  threadId,
+  nerveRoot,
+}: { threadId: string; nerveRoot: string }): string {
+  return `You are testing a Nerve workflow — either newly created or recently modified.
+
+**IMPORTANT: The Nerve workspace is at \`${nerveRoot}\`. All paths below are relative to this directory. Always \`cd ${nerveRoot}\` first.**
+
+Read the workflow thread for context: \`nerve thread ${threadId}\`
+Read the nerve-dev skill for expected file structure: \`cat ${nerveRoot}/node_modules/@uncaged/nerve-skills/nerve-dev/SKILL.md\`
+
+Get the workflow name from the thread (the planner's output).
+
+Verify the full lifecycle in this order:
+
+1. **File check** — all required workflow files exist (under \`${nerveRoot}/\`):
+   - \`workflows/<name>/index.ts\`
+   - \`workflows/<name>/build.ts\`
+   - \`workflows/<name>/moderator.ts\`
+   - \`workflows/<name>/roles/\` with one \`.ts\` file per role
+   - \`workflows/<name>/package.json\`
+
+2. **Build** — run inside the workflow directory:
+   \`\`\`
+   cd ${nerveRoot}/workflows/<name> && pnpm install --no-cache && pnpm build
+   \`\`\`
+   Must produce \`dist/index.js\` without errors.
+
+3. **Config check** — \`cd ${nerveRoot} && nerve validate\` passes, confirming nerve.yaml is valid.
+
+4. **Workflow list** — \`nerve workflow list\` shows the workflow.
+
+5. **Trigger test** — \`nerve workflow trigger <name> --dry-run\` if available, otherwise just confirm the workflow appears in \`nerve workflow status\`.
+
+If any step fails, include the relevant error output.
+
+Output a clear summary: what you checked, what passed, what failed, and why.`;
+}
+
+export function createTesterRole(
+  adapter: AgentFn,
+  extract: LlmExtractorConfig,
+  nerveRoot: string,
+): Role<TesterMeta> {
+  return createRole(
+    adapter,
+    async (ctx: ThreadContext) => testerPrompt({ threadId: ctx.threadId, nerveRoot }),
+    testerMetaSchema,
+    extract,
+  );
+}

packages/workflow-meta/src/index.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+export { createDevelopSenseWorkflow } from "./develop-sense/build.js";
+export type { CreateDevelopSenseDeps } from "./develop-sense/build.js";
+export { createDevelopWorkflowWorkflow } from "./develop-workflow/build.js";
+export type { CreateDevelopWorkflowDeps } from "./develop-workflow/build.js";

packages/workflow-meta/tsconfig.json

@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+{
+  "extends": "../../tsconfig.json",
+  "compilerOptions": {
+    "outDir": "dist",
+    "rootDir": "src",
+    "composite": false
+  },
+  "include": ["src"]
+}

packages/workflow-utils/src/__tests__/create-role.test.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,182 @@
+import type {
+  AgentFn,
+  ModeratorContext,
+  RoleMeta,
+  ThreadContext,
+  WorkflowDefinition,
+} from "@uncaged/nerve-core";
+import { END, START } from "@uncaged/nerve-core";
+import { afterEach, describe, expect, it, vi } from "vitest";
+import { z } from "zod";
+
+import { createRole } from "../create-role.js";
+import * as extractFn from "../shared/extract-fn.js";
+
+const provider = {
+  baseUrl: "https://example.com/v1",
+  apiKey: "k",
+  model: "m",
+};
+
+function toolCallResponse(argsJson: string): {
+  ok: boolean;
+  status: number;
+  text: () => Promise<string>;
+} {
+  return {
+    ok: true,
+    status: 200,
+    text: async () =>
+      JSON.stringify({
+        choices: [
+          {
+            message: {
+              tool_calls: [
+                {
+                  function: {
+                    name: "extract",
+                    arguments: argsJson,
+                  },
+                },
+              ],
+            },
+          },
+        ],
+      }),
+  };
+}
+
+function makeStart(threadId: string): {
+  role: typeof START;
+  content: string;
+  meta: { maxRounds: number; threadId: string };
+  timestamp: number;
+} {
+  return {
+    role: START,
+    content: "",
+    meta: { maxRounds: 10, threadId },
+    timestamp: Date.now(),
+  };
+}
+
+function makeCtx(threadId: string): ThreadContext {
+  return {
+    threadId,
+    start: makeStart(threadId),
+    steps: [],
+  };
+}
+
+describe("createRole", () => {
+  afterEach(() => {
+    vi.unstubAllGlobals();
+    vi.restoreAllMocks();
+  });
+
+  it("runs AgentFn then structured extract", async () => {
+    vi.stubGlobal("fetch", vi.fn().mockResolvedValue(toolCallResponse(JSON.stringify({ n: 3 }))));
+
+    const schema = z.object({ n: z.number() });
+    const adapter: AgentFn = async (_ctx, prompt) => prompt;
+    const role = createRole(adapter, "hello", schema, { provider, dryRun: null });
+
+    const out = await role(makeCtx("t1"));
+    expect(out.content).toBe("hello");
+    expect(out.meta).toEqual({ n: 3 });
+  });
+
+  it("passes ThreadContext to AgentFn", async () => {
+    vi.stubGlobal("fetch", vi.fn().mockResolvedValue(toolCallResponse(JSON.stringify({ n: 0 }))));
+
+    const seen: ThreadContext[] = [];
+    const adapter: AgentFn = async (ctx, _prompt) => {
+      seen.push(ctx);
+      return "x";
+    };
+    const role = createRole(adapter, "p", z.object({ n: z.number() }), { provider, dryRun: null });
+    await role(makeCtx("t1"));
+
+    expect(seen).toHaveLength(1);
+    expect(seen[0].threadId).toBe("t1");
+    expect(seen[0].steps).toEqual([]);
+  });
+
+  it("resolves dynamic prompt functions before AgentFn", async () => {
+    vi.stubGlobal("fetch", vi.fn().mockResolvedValue(toolCallResponse(JSON.stringify({ n: 99 }))));
+
+    const schema = z.object({ n: z.number() });
+    const adapter: AgentFn = async (_ctx, prompt) => prompt;
+    const role = createRole(
+      adapter,
+      async (ctx) => `tid=${ctx.threadId} n=${ctx.steps.length}`,
+      schema,
+      { provider, dryRun: null },
+    );
+
+    const ctx: ThreadContext = {
+      threadId: "thread-x",
+      start: makeStart("thread-x"),
+      steps: [],
+    };
+    const out = await role(ctx);
+    expect(out.content).toBe("tid=thread-x n=0");
+    expect(out.meta).toEqual({ n: 99 });
+  });
+
+  it("uses extract dryRun null as live extract", async () => {
+    const spy = vi.spyOn(extractFn, "extractMetaOrThrow").mockResolvedValue({ n: 0 });
+
+    const adapter: AgentFn = async () => "raw";
+    const role = createRole(adapter, "p", z.object({ n: z.number() }), {
+      provider,
+      dryRun: null,
+    });
+    await role(makeCtx("x"));
+
+    expect(spy).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+      "raw",
+      expect.anything(),
+      expect.objectContaining({ provider, dryRun: false }),
+    );
+  });
+
+  it("uses extract.dryRun true for structured extract", async () => {
+    const spy = vi.spyOn(extractFn, "extractMetaOrThrow").mockResolvedValue({ n: 0 });
+
+    const adapter: AgentFn = async () => "raw";
+    const role = createRole(adapter, "p", z.object({ n: z.number() }), {
+      provider,
+      dryRun: true,
+    });
+    await role(makeCtx("x"));
+
+    expect(spy).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+      "raw",
+      expect.anything(),
+      expect.objectContaining({ dryRun: true }),
+    );
+  });
+});
+
+describe("WorkflowDefinition compatibility", () => {
+  it("hand-written Role-based WorkflowDefinition remains valid", async () => {
+    type M = RoleMeta & { legacy: { id: string } };
+
+    const manual: WorkflowDefinition<M> = {
+      name: "legacy",
+      roles: {
+        legacy: async (_ctx) => ({
+          content: "hi",
+          meta: { id: "a" },
+        }),
+      },
+      moderator: (_ctx: ModeratorContext<M>) => END,
+    };
+
+    const ctx = makeCtx("t1");
+    const out = await manual.roles.legacy(ctx);
+    expect(out.content).toBe("hi");
+    expect(out.meta.id).toBe("a");
+  });
+});

packages/workflow-utils/src/__tests__/role-decorators.test.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,116 @@
+import { describe, expect, it } from "vitest";
+
+import type { Role, ThreadContext } from "@uncaged/nerve-core";
+
+import { START } from "@uncaged/nerve-core";
+import { decorateRole, onFail, withDryRun } from "../role-decorators.js";
+
+type TestMeta = Record<string, unknown> & { ok: boolean };
+
+function fakeCtx(): ThreadContext {
+  return {
+    threadId: "t1",
+    start: {
+      role: START,
+      content: "",
+      meta: {
+        threadId: "t1",
+        maxRounds: 10,
+      },
+      timestamp: Date.now(),
+    },
+    steps: [],
+  };
+}
+
+const successRole: Role<TestMeta> = async () => ({
+  content: "done",
+  meta: { ok: true },
+});
+
+const failRole: Role<TestMeta> = async () => {
+  throw new Error("boom");
+};
+
+const failNonErrorRole: Role<TestMeta> = async () => {
+  throw "string error";
+};
+
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// withDryRun
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+describe("withDryRun", () => {
+  const dec = withDryRun<TestMeta>({ label: "test", meta: { ok: true }, dryRun: true });
+
+  it("short-circuits on dry-run", async () => {
+    const role = dec(successRole);
+    const result = await role(fakeCtx());
+    expect(result.content).toBe("[dry-run] test skipped");
+    expect(result.meta).toEqual({ ok: true });
+  });
+
+  it("delegates when not dry-run", async () => {
+    const innerDec = withDryRun<TestMeta>({ label: "test", meta: { ok: true }, dryRun: false });
+    const role = innerDec(successRole);
+    const result = await role(fakeCtx());
+    expect(result.content).toBe("done");
+    expect(result.meta).toEqual({ ok: true });
+  });
+});
+
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// onFail
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+describe("onFail", () => {
+  const dec = onFail<TestMeta>({ label: "test", meta: { ok: false } });
+
+  it("passes through on success", async () => {
+    const role = dec(successRole);
+    const result = await role(fakeCtx());
+    expect(result.content).toBe("done");
+    expect(result.meta).toEqual({ ok: true });
+  });
+
+  it("catches Error and returns structured failure", async () => {
+    const role = dec(failRole);
+    const result = await role(fakeCtx());
+    expect(result.content).toBe("test failed: boom");
+    expect(result.meta).toEqual({ ok: false });
+  });
+
+  it("catches non-Error throws", async () => {
+    const role = dec(failNonErrorRole);
+    const result = await role(fakeCtx());
+    expect(result.content).toBe("test failed: string error");
+    expect(result.meta).toEqual({ ok: false });
+  });
+});
+
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// decorateRole
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+describe("decorateRole", () => {
+  it("applies decorators left-to-right", async () => {
+    const role = decorateRole(failRole, [
+      withDryRun<TestMeta>({ label: "x", meta: { ok: true }, dryRun: false }),
+      onFail<TestMeta>({ label: "x", meta: { ok: false } }),
+    ]);
+    // Not dry-run, so withDryRun passes through → failRole throws → onFail catches
+    const result = await role(fakeCtx());
+    expect(result.content).toBe("x failed: boom");
+    expect(result.meta).toEqual({ ok: false });
+  });
+
+  it("dry-run short-circuits before onFail", async () => {
+    const role = decorateRole(failRole, [
+      withDryRun<TestMeta>({ label: "x", meta: { ok: true }, dryRun: true }),
+      onFail<TestMeta>({ label: "x", meta: { ok: false } }),
+    ]);
+    const result = await role(fakeCtx());
+    expect(result.content).toBe("[dry-run] x skipped");
+    expect(result.meta).toEqual({ ok: true });
+  });
+});

packages/workflow-utils/src/__tests__/role-factories.test.ts

@@ -1,20 +1,24 @@
 import { afterEach, describe, expect, it, vi } from "vitest";
 import { z } from "zod";
 
-import { START } from "@uncaged/nerve-core";
+import { START, type ThreadContext } from "@uncaged/nerve-core";
 
 import { createCursorRole } from "../role-cursor.js";
 import { createHermesRole } from "../role-hermes.js";
 import { createLlmRole } from "../role-llm.js";
 import { createReActRole } from "../role-react.js";
 
-function startFrame(dryRun: boolean, threadId: string) {
+function threadCtx(threadId: string): ThreadContext {
   return {
-    role: START,
-    content: "user prompt",
-    meta: { maxRounds: 10, dryRun, threadId },
-    timestamp: 1,
-  } as const;
+    threadId,
+    start: {
+      role: START,
+      content: "user prompt",
+      meta: { maxRounds: 10, threadId },
+      timestamp: 1,
+    },
+    steps: [],
+  };
 }
 
 describe("createCursorRole", () => {
@@ -27,13 +31,14 @@ describe("createCursorRole", () => {
     const schema = z.object({ done: z.boolean() });
     const role = createCursorRole({
       cwd: process.cwd(),
-      prompt: async (tid) => {
-        expect(tid).toBe("run-1");
+      prompt: async (ctx) => {
+        expect(ctx.threadId).toBe("run-1");
         return "task";
       },
       extract: { provider: { baseUrl: "https://x", apiKey: "k", model: "m" }, schema },
+      dryRun: true,
     });
-    const out = await role(startFrame(true, "run-1"), []);
+    const out = await role(threadCtx("run-1"));
     expect(out.content).toContain("dryRun");
     expect(out.meta).toEqual({ done: false });
   });
@@ -48,13 +53,14 @@ describe("createHermesRole", () => {
   it("uses dry run stub and extract defaults", async () => {
     const schema = z.object({ done: z.boolean() });
     const role = createHermesRole({
-      prompt: async (tid) => {
-        expect(tid).toBe("h1");
+      prompt: async (ctx) => {
+        expect(ctx.threadId).toBe("h1");
         return "hermes task";
       },
       extract: { provider: { baseUrl: "https://x", apiKey: "k", model: "m" }, schema },
+      dryRun: true,
     });
-    const out = await role(startFrame(true, "h1"), []);
+    const out = await role(threadCtx("h1"));
     expect(out.content).toContain("hermes");
     expect(out.meta).toEqual({ done: false });
   });
@@ -99,13 +105,13 @@ describe("createLlmRole", () => {
 
     const role = createLlmRole({
       provider: { baseUrl: "https://api", apiKey: "k", model: "gpt" },
-      prompt: async (tid) => {
-        expect(tid).toBe("llm1");
+      prompt: async (ctx) => {
+        expect(ctx.threadId).toBe("llm1");
         return [{ role: "user" as const, content: "hi" }];
       },
       extract: { provider: { baseUrl: "https://ext", apiKey: "k2", model: "small" }, schema },
     });
-    const out = await role(startFrame(false, "llm1"), []);
+    const out = await role(threadCtx("llm1"));
     expect(out.content).toBe("hello from model");
     expect(out.meta).toEqual({ n: 7 });
   });
@@ -183,8 +189,8 @@ describe("createReActRole", () => {
     const role = createReActRole({
       provider: { baseUrl: "https://api", apiKey: "k", model: "gpt" },
       tools: [tool],
-      prompt: async (tid) => {
-        expect(tid).toBe("r1");
+      prompt: async (ctx) => {
+        expect(ctx.threadId).toBe("r1");
         return [{ role: "user" as const, content: "go" }];
       },
       extract: {
@@ -193,7 +199,7 @@ describe("createReActRole", () => {
       },
       maxIterations: 5,
     });
-    const out = await role(startFrame(false, "r1"), []);
+    const out = await role(threadCtx("r1"));
     expect(out.content).toBe("final answer");
     expect(out.meta).toEqual({ done: true });
   });

packages/workflow-utils/src/create-role.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,35 @@
+import type { AgentFn, Role, ThreadContext } from "@uncaged/nerve-core";
+import type { z } from "zod";
+
+import { extractMetaOrThrow } from "./shared/extract-fn.js";
+import type { LlmProvider } from "./shared/llm-extract.js";
+
+type PromptInput = string | ((ctx: ThreadContext) => Promise<string>);
+
+export type LlmExtractorConfig = {
+  provider: LlmProvider;
+  /** When null, structured extract runs in live mode (not dry-run). */
+  dryRun: boolean | null;
+};
+
+function resolveExtractDryRun(extract: LlmExtractorConfig): boolean {
+  return extract.dryRun === true;
+}
+
+/** Builds a Role from an AgentFn, prompt, Zod meta schema, and LLM extract config. */
+export function createRole<M extends Record<string, unknown>>(
+  adapter: AgentFn,
+  prompt: PromptInput,
+  meta: z.ZodType<M>,
+  extract: LlmExtractorConfig,
+): Role<M> {
+  return async (ctx: ThreadContext) => {
+    const promptText = typeof prompt === "string" ? prompt : await prompt(ctx);
+    const raw = await adapter(ctx, promptText);
+    const result = await extractMetaOrThrow(raw, meta, {
+      provider: extract.provider,
+      dryRun: resolveExtractDryRun(extract),
+    });
+    return { content: raw, meta: result };
+  };
+}

packages/workflow-utils/src/index.ts

@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 // Primary API — role factory templates
+export { createRole, type LlmExtractorConfig } from "./create-role.js";
 export { createCursorRole } from "./role-cursor.js";
 export { createHermesRole } from "./role-hermes.js";
 export { createLlmRole } from "./role-llm.js";
@@ -9,6 +10,7 @@ export {
   assertZodMetaSchemas,
   createLlmExtractFn,
   extractMetaOrThrow,
+  zodMeta,
   type ZodMetaSchema,
 } from "./shared/extract-fn.js";
 export {
@@ -17,7 +19,14 @@ export {
   type NerveYamlError,
   type ReadNerveYamlOptions,
 } from "./shared/context.js";
-export { isDryRun } from "./role-types.js";
+export {
+  decorateRole,
+  withDryRun,
+  onFail,
+  type RoleDecorator,
+  type WithDryRunOptions,
+  type OnFailOptions,
+} from "./role-decorators.js";
 export {
   nerveCommandEnv,
   spawnSafe,
@@ -27,6 +36,7 @@ export {
   type SpawnSafeOptions,
 } from "@uncaged/nerve-core";
 export type { LlmError, LlmProvider } from "./shared/llm-extract.js";
+export { isDryRun } from "./role-types.js";
 export type {
   CliPromptFn,
   CursorRoleDefaults,
@@ -35,6 +45,7 @@ export type {
   HermesRoleRequired,
   LlmMessage,
   LlmPromptFn,
+  LlmRoleDefaults,
   LlmRoleRequired,
   MetaExtractConfig,
   ReActRoleDefaults,

packages/workflow-utils/src/role-cursor.ts

@@ -2,7 +2,6 @@ import { type CursorAgentMode, cursorAgent } from "@uncaged/nerve-adapter-cursor
 import type { Role, SpawnEnv } from "@uncaged/nerve-core";
 
 import type { CursorRoleDefaults, CursorRoleRequired } from "./role-types.js";
-import { isDryRun } from "./role-types.js";
 import { formatLlmError } from "./shared/format-error.js";
 import { llmExtract } from "./shared/llm-extract.js";
 
@@ -11,6 +10,7 @@ const CURSOR_DEFAULTS: CursorRoleDefaults = {
   model: "auto",
   env: {},
   timeoutMs: 300_000,
+  dryRun: false,
 };
 
 function pick<T>(opts: Record<string, unknown>, key: string, fallback: T): T {
@@ -27,14 +27,14 @@ function pick<T>(opts: Record<string, unknown>, key: string, fallback: T): T {
 export function createCursorRole<T>(
   options: CursorRoleRequired<T> & Partial<CursorRoleDefaults>,
 ): Role<T> {
-  return async (start, _messages) => {
-    const dry = isDryRun(start);
+  return async (ctx) => {
     const d = CURSOR_DEFAULTS;
     const mode = pick<CursorAgentMode>(options as Record<string, unknown>, "mode", d.mode);
     const model = pick<string>(options as Record<string, unknown>, "model", d.model);
     const env = pick<SpawnEnv>(options as Record<string, unknown>, "env", d.env);
     const timeoutMs = pick<number>(options as Record<string, unknown>, "timeoutMs", d.timeoutMs);
-    const prompt = await options.prompt(start.meta.threadId);
+    const dry = pick<boolean>(options as Record<string, unknown>, "dryRun", d.dryRun);
+    const prompt = await options.prompt(ctx);
     const run = await cursorAgent({
       prompt,
       mode,

packages/workflow-utils/src/role-decorators.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,90 @@
+import type { Role, ThreadContext } from "@uncaged/nerve-core";
+
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// Decorator types
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+/** A role decorator: takes a role, returns an enhanced role. */
+export type RoleDecorator<M extends Record<string, unknown>> = (role: Role<M>) => Role<M>;
+
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// decorateRole — compose a chain of decorators
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+/**
+ * Apply an ordered list of decorators to a role.
+ * Decorators are applied left-to-right (first in list wraps innermost).
+ *
+ * ```ts
+ * decorateRole(role, [withDryRun(opts), onFail(opts)]);
+ * // equivalent to: onFail(opts)(withDryRun(opts)(role))
+ * ```
+ */
+export function decorateRole<M extends Record<string, unknown>>(
+  role: Role<M>,
+  decorators: RoleDecorator<M>[],
+): Role<M> {
+  return decorators.reduce((r, dec) => dec(r), role);
+}
+
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// withDryRun — skip execution when dry-run is active
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+export type WithDryRunOptions<M> = {
+  /** Used in skip message (e.g. "committer", "publish"). */
+  label: string;
+  /** Meta returned when dry-run skips execution. */
+  meta: M;
+  /** Adapter-level dry-run flag (e.g. from extract / wiring config). */
+  dryRun: boolean;
+};
+
+/**
+ * Returns a decorator that short-circuits with a stable result when
+ * `dryRun` is true.
+ */
+export function withDryRun<M extends Record<string, unknown>>(
+  opts: WithDryRunOptions<M>,
+): RoleDecorator<M> {
+  return (role) => async (ctx: ThreadContext) => {
+    if (opts.dryRun) {
+      return {
+        content: `[dry-run] ${opts.label} skipped`,
+        meta: opts.meta,
+      };
+    }
+    return role(ctx);
+  };
+}
+
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// onFail — catch errors and return a structured failure result
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+export type OnFailOptions<M> = {
+  /** Used in failure message (e.g. "committer", "publish"). */
+  label: string;
+  /** Meta returned when the inner role throws. */
+  meta: M;
+};
+
+/**
+ * Returns a decorator that catches thrown errors and converts them into
+ * a structured RoleResult instead of propagating.
+ */
+export function onFail<M extends Record<string, unknown>>(
+  opts: OnFailOptions<M>,
+): RoleDecorator<M> {
+  return (role) => async (ctx: ThreadContext) => {
+    try {
+      return await role(ctx);
+    } catch (e) {
+      const msg = e instanceof Error ? e.message : String(e);
+      return {
+        content: `${opts.label} failed: ${msg}`,
+        meta: opts.meta,
+      };
+    }
+  };
+}

packages/workflow-utils/src/role-hermes.ts

@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 import type { Role } from "@uncaged/nerve-core";
 
 import type { HermesRoleDefaults, HermesRoleRequired } from "./role-types.js";
-import { isDryRun } from "./role-types.js";
 import { formatLlmError } from "./shared/format-error.js";
 import { hermesAgent, resolveHermesOptions } from "./shared/hermes-agent.js";
 import { llmExtract } from "./shared/llm-extract.js";
@@ -9,10 +8,9 @@ import { llmExtract } from "./shared/llm-extract.js";
 export function createHermesRole<T>(
   options: HermesRoleRequired<T> & Partial<HermesRoleDefaults>,
 ): Role<T> {
-  return async (start, _messages) => {
-    const dry = isDryRun(start);
+  return async (ctx) => {
     const h = resolveHermesOptions(options);
-    const prompt = await options.prompt(start.meta.threadId);
+    const prompt = await options.prompt(ctx);
     const run = await hermesAgent({
       prompt,
       model: h.model,
@@ -22,7 +20,7 @@ export function createHermesRole<T>(
       maxTurns: h.maxTurns,
       env: Object.keys(h.env).length === 0 ? null : h.env,
       timeoutMs: h.timeoutMs,
-      dryRun: dry,
+      dryRun: h.dryRun,
       abortSignal: null,
     });
     if (!run.ok) {
@@ -43,7 +41,7 @@ export function createHermesRole<T>(
       text,
       schema: options.extract.schema,
       provider: options.extract.provider,
-      dryRun: dry,
+      dryRun: h.dryRun,
     });
     if (!metaR.ok) {
       throw new Error(`llmExtract: ${formatLlmError(metaR.error)}`);

packages/workflow-utils/src/role-llm.ts

@@ -1,15 +1,19 @@
 import type { Role } from "@uncaged/nerve-core";
 
-import type { LlmMessage, LlmRoleRequired } from "./role-types.js";
-import { isDryRun } from "./role-types.js";
+import type { LlmMessage, LlmRoleDefaults, LlmRoleRequired } from "./role-types.js";
 import { formatLlmError } from "./shared/format-error.js";
 import { chatCompletionText } from "./shared/llm-chat.js";
 import { llmExtract } from "./shared/llm-extract.js";
 
-export function createLlmRole<T>(options: LlmRoleRequired<T>): Role<T> {
-  return async (start, _messages) => {
-    const dry = isDryRun(start);
-    const messages: LlmMessage[] = await options.prompt(start.meta.threadId);
+const LLM_DEFAULTS: LlmRoleDefaults = {
+  dryRun: false,
+};
+
+export function createLlmRole<T>(options: LlmRoleRequired<T> & Partial<LlmRoleDefaults>): Role<T> {
+  return async (ctx) => {
+    const dry =
+      "dryRun" in options && options.dryRun !== undefined ? options.dryRun : LLM_DEFAULTS.dryRun;
+    const messages: LlmMessage[] = await options.prompt(ctx);
     const result = await chatCompletionText({ provider: options.provider, messages });
     if (!result.ok) {
       throw new Error(`llm: ${formatLlmError(result.error)}`);

packages/workflow-utils/src/role-react.ts

@@ -1,26 +1,26 @@
 import type { Role } from "@uncaged/nerve-core";
 
 import type { LlmMessage, ReActRoleDefaults, ReActRoleRequired } from "./role-types.js";
-import { isDryRun } from "./role-types.js";
 import { formatLlmError } from "./shared/format-error.js";
 import { reActIterativeChat } from "./shared/llm-chat.js";
 import { llmExtract } from "./shared/llm-extract.js";
 
 const REACT_DEFAULTS: ReActRoleDefaults = {
   maxIterations: 10,
+  dryRun: false,
 };
 
 export function createReActRole<T>(
   options: ReActRoleRequired<T> & Partial<ReActRoleDefaults>,
 ): Role<T> {
-  return async (start, _messages) => {
-    const dry = isDryRun(start);
+  return async (ctx) => {
     const def = REACT_DEFAULTS;
     const maxIt =
       "maxIterations" in options && options.maxIterations !== undefined
         ? options.maxIterations
         : def.maxIterations;
-    const messages: LlmMessage[] = await options.prompt(start.meta.threadId);
+    const dry = "dryRun" in options && options.dryRun !== undefined ? options.dryRun : def.dryRun;
+    const messages: LlmMessage[] = await options.prompt(ctx);
     const result = await reActIterativeChat({
       provider: options.provider,
       tools: options.tools,

packages/workflow-utils/src/role-types.ts

@@ -1,18 +1,21 @@
-import type { SpawnEnv, StartStep } from "@uncaged/nerve-core";
+import type { SpawnEnv, StartStep, ThreadContext } from "@uncaged/nerve-core";
 import type { z } from "zod";
 
 import type { LlmProvider } from "./shared/llm-extract.js";
 
-/** Returns the thread-level dry-run flag from the workflow start frame. */
-export function isDryRun(start: StartStep): boolean {
-  return start.meta.dryRun;
+/**
+ * @deprecated `dryRun` has been removed from `StartStep.meta` (RFC-005).
+ * Use adapter/role-level `dryRun` config instead.
+ */
+export function isDryRun(_start: StartStep): boolean {
+  return false;
 }
 
-export type CliPromptFn = (threadId: string) => Promise<string>;
+export type CliPromptFn = (ctx: ThreadContext) => Promise<string>;
 
 export type LlmMessage = { role: "system" | "user" | "assistant"; content: string };
 
-export type LlmPromptFn = (threadId: string) => Promise<LlmMessage[]>;
+export type LlmPromptFn = (ctx: ThreadContext) => Promise<LlmMessage[]>;
 
 export type MetaExtractConfig<T> = {
   provider: LlmProvider;
@@ -37,6 +40,7 @@ export type CursorRoleDefaults = {
   model: string;
   env: SpawnEnv;
   timeoutMs: number;
+  dryRun: boolean;
 };
 
 export type HermesRoleRequired<T> = {
@@ -52,6 +56,7 @@ export type HermesRoleDefaults = {
   maxTurns: number;
   env: SpawnEnv;
   timeoutMs: number;
+  dryRun: boolean;
 };
 
 export type LlmRoleRequired<T> = {
@@ -60,6 +65,10 @@ export type LlmRoleRequired<T> = {
   extract: MetaExtractConfig<T>;
 };
 
+export type LlmRoleDefaults = {
+  dryRun: boolean;
+};
+
 export type ReActRoleRequired<T> = {
   provider: LlmProvider;
   tools: ReActTool[];
@@ -69,4 +78,5 @@ export type ReActRoleRequired<T> = {
 
 export type ReActRoleDefaults = {
   maxIterations: number;
+  dryRun: boolean;
 };

packages/workflow-utils/src/shared/extract-fn.ts

@@ -10,6 +10,11 @@ import { llmErrorToCause, llmExtractWithRetry } from "./llm-extract.js";
  */
 export type ZodMetaSchema<T> = Schema<T> & { readonly zod: z.ZodType<T> };
 
+/** Builds a core `Schema<T>` plus Zod parser for `createRole` meta / `createLlmExtractFn`. */
+export function zodMeta<T>(zod: z.ZodType<T>): ZodMetaSchema<T> {
+  return { witness: null, zod };
+}
+
 export async function extractMetaOrThrow<T>(
   raw: string,
   zodSchema: z.ZodType<T>,
@@ -45,8 +50,8 @@ export function createLlmExtractFn<T>(deps: {
 }
 
 /**
- * Validate that all schemas in a WorkflowSpec are ZodMetaSchema at compile time,
- * before any role is ever invoked. Call this once at daemon startup / hot-reload.
+ * Validate that all schemas are ZodMetaSchema before any role is invoked.
+ * Call this once at daemon startup / hot-reload when wiring roles manually.
  */
 export function assertZodMetaSchemas(schemas: Record<string, Schema<unknown>>): void {
   for (const [roleName, schema] of Object.entries(schemas)) {

packages/workflow-utils/src/shared/hermes-agent.ts

@@ -13,22 +13,30 @@ const HERMES_DEFAULTS: HermesRoleDefaults = {
   maxTurns: 90,
   env: {},
   timeoutMs: 600_000,
+  dryRun: false,
 };
 
+const HERMES_OPTION_KEYS = [
+  "model",
+  "provider",
+  "skills",
+  "quiet",
+  "maxTurns",
+  "env",
+  "timeoutMs",
+  "dryRun",
+] as const satisfies readonly (keyof HermesRoleDefaults)[];
+
 export function resolveHermesOptions<T>(
   options: HermesRoleRequired<T> & Partial<HermesRoleDefaults>,
 ): HermesRoleDefaults {
   const d = HERMES_DEFAULTS;
-  return {
-    model: "model" in options && options.model !== undefined ? options.model : d.model,
-    provider:
-      "provider" in options && options.provider !== undefined ? options.provider : d.provider,
-    skills: "skills" in options && options.skills !== undefined ? options.skills : d.skills,
-    quiet: "quiet" in options && options.quiet !== undefined ? options.quiet : d.quiet,
-    maxTurns:
-      "maxTurns" in options && options.maxTurns !== undefined ? options.maxTurns : d.maxTurns,
-    env: "env" in options && options.env !== undefined ? options.env : d.env,
-    timeoutMs:
-      "timeoutMs" in options && options.timeoutMs !== undefined ? options.timeoutMs : d.timeoutMs,
-  };
+  const o = options as Partial<HermesRoleDefaults>;
+  let resolved: HermesRoleDefaults = { ...d };
+  for (const k of HERMES_OPTION_KEYS) {
+    if (k in o && o[k] !== undefined) {
+      resolved = { ...resolved, [k]: o[k] } as HermesRoleDefaults;
+    }
+  }
+  return resolved;
 }

pnpm-lock.yaml

@@ -86,6 +86,9 @@ importers:
 
   packages/core:
     dependencies:
+      drizzle-orm:
+        specifier: 1.0.0-beta.23-c10d10c
+        version: 1.0.0-beta.23-c10d10c(@cloudflare/workers-types@4.20260425.1)(@types/better-sqlite3@7.6.13)(@types/mssql@9.1.11(@azure/core-client@1.10.1))(better-sqlite3@11.10.0)(mssql@11.0.1(@azure/core-client@1.10.1))(sql.js@1.14.1)(zod@4.3.6)
       yaml:
         specifier: ^2.8.3
         version: 2.8.3
@@ -156,6 +159,50 @@ importers:
         specifier: ^4.14.0
         version: 4.85.0(@cloudflare/workers-types@4.20260425.1)
 
+  packages/role-committer:
+    dependencies:
+      '@uncaged/nerve-core':
+        specifier: workspace:*
+        version: link:../core
+      '@uncaged/nerve-workflow-utils':
+        specifier: workspace:*
+        version: link:../workflow-utils
+      zod:
+        specifier: ^4.3.6
+        version: 4.3.6
+    devDependencies:
+      '@rslib/core':
+        specifier: ^0.21.3
+        version: 0.21.3(typescript@5.9.3)
+      typescript:
+        specifier: ^5.8.3
+        version: 5.9.3
+      vitest:
+        specifier: ^4.1.5
+        version: 4.1.5(@types/node@25.6.0)(vite@8.0.9(@types/node@25.6.0)(esbuild@0.27.7)(yaml@2.8.3))
+
+  packages/role-reviewer:
+    dependencies:
+      '@uncaged/nerve-core':
+        specifier: workspace:*
+        version: link:../core
+      '@uncaged/nerve-workflow-utils':
+        specifier: workspace:*
+        version: link:../workflow-utils
+      zod:
+        specifier: ^4.3.6
+        version: 4.3.6
+    devDependencies:
+      '@rslib/core':
+        specifier: ^0.21.3
+        version: 0.21.3(typescript@5.9.3)
+      typescript:
+        specifier: ^5.8.3
+        version: 5.9.3
+      vitest:
+        specifier: ^4.1.5
+        version: 4.1.5(@types/node@25.6.0)(vite@8.0.9(@types/node@25.6.0)(esbuild@0.27.7)(yaml@2.8.3))
+
   packages/skills: {}
 
   packages/store:
@@ -174,6 +221,34 @@ importers:
         specifier: ^4.1.5
         version: 4.1.5(@types/node@22.19.17)(vite@8.0.9(@types/node@22.19.17)(esbuild@0.27.7)(yaml@2.8.3))
 
+  packages/workflow-meta:
+    dependencies:
+      '@uncaged/nerve-core':
+        specifier: workspace:*
+        version: link:../core
+      '@uncaged/nerve-role-committer':
+        specifier: workspace:*
+        version: link:../role-committer
+      '@uncaged/nerve-role-reviewer':
+        specifier: workspace:*
+        version: link:../role-reviewer
+      '@uncaged/nerve-workflow-utils':
+        specifier: workspace:*
+        version: link:../workflow-utils
+      zod:
+        specifier: ^4.3.6
+        version: 4.3.6
+    devDependencies:
+      '@rslib/core':
+        specifier: ^0.21.3
+        version: 0.21.3(typescript@5.9.3)
+      typescript:
+        specifier: ^5.8.3
+        version: 5.9.3
+      vitest:
+        specifier: ^4.1.5
+        version: 4.1.5(@types/node@25.6.0)(vite@8.0.9(@types/node@25.6.0)(esbuild@0.27.7)(yaml@2.8.3))
+
   packages/workflow-utils:
     dependencies:
       '@uncaged/nerve-adapter-cursor':
@@ -1961,6 +2036,7 @@ packages:
 
   uuid@8.3.2:
     resolution: {integrity: sha512-+NYs2QeMWy+GWFOEm9xnn6HCDp0l7QBD7ml8zLUmJ+93Q5NF0NocErnwkTkXVFNiX3/fpC6afS8Dhb/gz7R7eg==}
+    deprecated: uuid@10 and below is no longer supported.  For ESM codebases, update to uuid@latest.  For CommonJS codebases, use uuid@11 (but be aware this version will likely be deprecated in 2028).
     hasBin: true
 
   vite@8.0.9: