feat: add user skill — CLI guide with quick start and typical workflows

Adds 'uwf skill user' command for agents/humans using the uwf CLI.
Covers setup, workflow management, thread lifecycle, step operations,
CAS queries, logging, and global options with a Quick Start guide.

Refs #538

.gitea/workflows/ci.yml

@@ -22,4 +22,4 @@ jobs:
         run: bun run check
 
       - name: Test
-        run: bun test
+        run: bun run test:ci

.plan/335-setup-validate.md

@@ -1,83 +0,0 @@
-# Test Spec: uwf setup model connectivity validation (#335)
-
-## Context
-
-File: `packages/cli-workflow/src/commands/setup.ts`
-Test file: `packages/cli-workflow/src/__tests__/setup-validate.test.ts`
-
-After `cmdSetup` writes config, it should send a test chat completion request to verify the configured model is reachable. If validation fails, warn the user (don't abort — config is already saved).
-
-## Implementation Notes
-
-- Add a `validateModel(baseUrl, apiKey, model)` function that sends a minimal chat completion request (`POST /chat/completions` with `messages: [{role:"user",content:"hi"}]`, `max_tokens: 1`)
-- Returns `Result<void, string>` — ok if 2xx response, error with reason string otherwise
-- Use `AbortSignal.timeout(15_000)` for the request
-- Both `cmdSetup` and `cmdSetupInteractive` should call it after saving config
-- `cmdSetup` returns validation result in its return object: `{ ...existing, validation: { ok: true } | { ok: false, error: string } }`
-- `cmdSetupInteractive` prints a warning to console if validation fails, success message if it passes
-- Use the project logger (`createLogger`) — no raw `console.log` except in interactive CLI output (per CLAUDE.md)
-
-## Test Cases (vitest)
-
-### 1. `validateModel` — success path
-- Mock `fetch` to return `{ status: 200, ok: true, json: () => ({}) }`
-- Call `validateModel(baseUrl, apiKey, model)`
-- Assert returns `{ ok: true, value: undefined }`
-- Assert fetch was called with correct URL (`${baseUrl}/chat/completions`), correct headers (`Authorization: Bearer ${apiKey}`), correct body (model, messages, max_tokens: 1)
-
-### 2. `validateModel` — HTTP error (401 unauthorized)
-- Mock `fetch` to return `{ status: 401, ok: false, statusText: "Unauthorized" }`
-- Call `validateModel(baseUrl, apiKey, model)`
-- Assert returns `{ ok: false, error: <string containing "401"> }`
-
-### 3. `validateModel` — HTTP error (404 model not found)
-- Mock `fetch` to return `{ status: 404, ok: false, statusText: "Not Found" }`
-- Assert returns `{ ok: false, error: <string containing "404"> }`
-
-### 4. `validateModel` — network timeout
-- Mock `fetch` to throw `DOMException` with name `AbortError`
-- Assert returns `{ ok: false, error: <string containing "timeout" or "unreachable"> }`
-
-### 5. `validateModel` — network error (DNS failure, connection refused)
-- Mock `fetch` to throw `TypeError("fetch failed")`
-- Assert returns `{ ok: false, error: <string mentioning connectivity> }`
-
-### 6. `cmdSetup` — includes validation result on success
-- Mock global `fetch` for `/chat/completions` to succeed
-- Call `cmdSetup({ provider, baseUrl, apiKey, model, storageRoot })`
-- Assert returned object has `validation: { ok: true, value: undefined }`
-- Assert config files are still written (existing behavior preserved)
-
-### 7. `cmdSetup` — includes validation result on failure (config still saved)
-- Mock global `fetch` for `/chat/completions` to return 401
-- Call `cmdSetup({ ... })`
-- Assert returned object has `validation: { ok: false, error: ... }`
-- Assert `config.yaml` and `.env` are still written (validation failure doesn't prevent saving)
-
-### 8. `cmdSetupInteractive` — prints success message on validation pass
-- Mock `fetch` for both `/models` and `/chat/completions` to succeed
-- Mock stdin to provide valid selections
-- Capture console output
-- Assert output contains a success message like "Model verified" or "✓"
-
-### 9. `cmdSetupInteractive` — prints warning on validation failure
-- Mock `fetch`: `/models` succeeds, `/chat/completions` returns 401
-- Mock stdin for valid selections
-- Capture console output
-- Assert output contains a warning about model not being reachable and suggests trying a different model
-
-### 10. `validateModel` — request body correctness
-- Mock `fetch` to capture the request body
-- Call `validateModel(baseUrl, apiKey, "test-model")`
-- Assert body is `{ model: "test-model", messages: [{role: "user", content: "hi"}], max_tokens: 1 }`
-
-## Export Requirements
-
-- `validateModel` must be exported (for direct unit testing)
-- Signature: `async function validateModel(baseUrl: string, apiKey: string, model: string): Promise<Result<void, string>>`
-- `Result` type: `{ ok: true; value: T } | { ok: false; error: E }` (project convention)
-
-## Files to Create/Modify
-
-- **New**: `packages/cli-workflow/src/__tests__/setup-validate.test.ts` — all test cases above
-- **Modify**: `packages/cli-workflow/src/commands/setup.ts` — add `validateModel`, integrate into `cmdSetup` and `cmdSetupInteractive`

.workflows/e2e-walkthrough.yaml

@@ -0,0 +1,269 @@
+name: "e2e-walkthrough"
+description: "End-to-end walkthrough of uwf CLI. Dogfooding: uwf tests uwf. Each role validates a phase of the CLI surface inside an isolated Docker container."
+roles:
+  bootstrap:
+    description: "Start Docker container with isolated storage, verify uwf is runnable"
+    goal: "You are an E2E test runner. Set up an isolated Docker environment and verify basic uwf functionality."
+    capabilities:
+      - docker
+      - shell
+    procedure: |
+      1. Start a Docker container with isolated storage:
+         ```
+         docker run -d --name uwf-e2e-$$ \
+           -v $HOME:$HOME \
+           -e HOME=$HOME \
+           -e UNCAGED_WORKFLOW_STORAGE_ROOT=/tmp/uwf-e2e-storage \
+           -w ~/repos/workflow \
+           node:22-bookworm \
+           sleep infinity
+         ```
+      2. Inside the container, install bun, install deps, then `bun link` all packages
+         so that `uwf`, `uwf-hermes`, `uwf-builtin` are on PATH (from source):
+         ```
+         docker exec uwf-e2e-$$ bash -c '
+           # Install bun
+           curl -fsSL https://bun.sh/install | bash
+           export PATH="$HOME/.bun/bin:$PATH"
+
+           # Isolated storage
+           mkdir -p $UNCAGED_WORKFLOW_STORAGE_ROOT
+
+           # Install workspace deps
+           cd ~/repos/workflow && bun install --frozen-lockfile
+
+           # bun link each package that has a bin entry
+           cd packages/cli-workflow && bun link && cd ../..
+           cd packages/workflow-agent-hermes && bun link && cd ../..
+           cd packages/workflow-agent-builtin && bun link && cd ../..
+         '
+         ```
+      3. Verify all three commands are available inside the container:
+         ```
+         docker exec uwf-e2e-$$ bash -c 'export PATH="$HOME/.bun/bin:$PATH" && uwf --version'
+         docker exec uwf-e2e-$$ bash -c 'export PATH="$HOME/.bun/bin:$PATH" && uwf-hermes --help'
+         docker exec uwf-e2e-$$ bash -c 'export PATH="$HOME/.bun/bin:$PATH" && uwf-builtin --help'
+         ```
+      4. Copy host config if it exists:
+         ```
+         docker exec uwf-e2e-$$ bash -c '
+           if [ -f $HOME/.uncaged/workflow/config.yaml ]; then
+             cp $HOME/.uncaged/workflow/config.yaml $UNCAGED_WORKFLOW_STORAGE_ROOT/config.yaml
+           fi
+         '
+         ```
+
+      Report the container name and confirm uwf + agents are working.
+      Set containerName to the Docker container name for subsequent roles.
+    output: "Report uwf version and container readiness. Set $status to pass with containerName, or fail with error."
+    frontmatter:
+      oneOf:
+        - properties:
+            $status: { const: "pass" }
+            containerName: { type: string }
+          required: [$status, containerName]
+        - properties:
+            $status: { const: "fail" }
+            error: { type: string }
+          required: [$status, error]
+
+  config-and-registry:
+    description: "Validate uwf config commands and workflow registration"
+    goal: "You are an E2E test runner. Validate uwf config operations and workflow registration inside the Docker container."
+    capabilities:
+      - docker
+      - shell
+    procedure: |
+      Use the container from the previous step (containerName is in your prompt).
+      All commands run via: `docker exec <containerName> bash -c '...'`
+      All commands use `uwf` (installed via `bun link` inside the container).
+      Remember to set env vars in each exec:
+        export PATH="$HOME/.bun/bin:$PATH"
+        export UNCAGED_WORKFLOW_STORAGE_ROOT=/tmp/uwf-e2e-storage
+
+      Config tests:
+      1. `uwf config list` — verify it returns valid JSON
+      2. `uwf config set models.test.name test-model` — set a test key
+      3. `uwf config get models.test.name` — verify it returns "test-model"
+
+      Workflow registration tests:
+      4. `uwf workflow add ~/repos/workflow/examples/solve-issue.yaml` — register workflow
+      5. Verify the output contains a hash
+      6. `uwf workflow list` — verify non-empty array
+      7. Capture the workflow name from the list
+      8. `uwf workflow show <name>` — verify it returns roles
+
+      Report all test results with pass/fail counts.
+    output: "Report test results. Set $status to pass (with workflowName and containerName) or fail."
+    frontmatter:
+      oneOf:
+        - properties:
+            $status: { const: "pass" }
+            workflowName: { type: string }
+            containerName: { type: string }
+          required: [$status, workflowName, containerName]
+        - properties:
+            $status: { const: "fail" }
+            error: { type: string }
+            containerName: { type: string }
+          required: [$status, error, containerName]
+
+  thread-ops:
+    description: "Test thread start, list, show, and exec"
+    goal: "You are an E2E test runner. Validate thread creation and execution inside the Docker container."
+    capabilities:
+      - docker
+      - shell
+    procedure: |
+      Use the container (containerName) and workflow (workflowName) from your prompt.
+      All commands via: `docker exec <containerName> bash -c '...'`
+      Set env: PATH="$HOME/.bun/bin:$PATH" UNCAGED_WORKFLOW_STORAGE_ROOT=/tmp/uwf-e2e-storage
+
+      1. `uwf thread start <workflowName> -p 'E2E test: what is 2+2?'` — capture thread ID from JSON output
+      2. `uwf thread list` — verify the thread appears in the list
+      3. `uwf thread show <threadId>` — verify head pointer exists
+      4. `uwf thread exec <threadId> --agent uwf-builtin` — execute one step
+      5. Verify exec returns JSON with a head field
+
+      Report results. Pass threadId and containerName forward.
+    output: "Report test results. Set $status to pass (with threadId, workflowName, containerName) or fail."
+    frontmatter:
+      oneOf:
+        - properties:
+            $status: { const: "pass" }
+            threadId: { type: string }
+            workflowName: { type: string }
+            containerName: { type: string }
+          required: [$status, threadId, workflowName, containerName]
+        - properties:
+            $status: { const: "fail" }
+            error: { type: string }
+            containerName: { type: string }
+          required: [$status, error, containerName]
+
+  inspect:
+    description: "Test step list/show, thread read, and CAS operations"
+    goal: "You are an E2E test runner. Validate read and inspect operations inside the Docker container."
+    capabilities:
+      - docker
+      - shell
+    procedure: |
+      Use the container (containerName) and threadId from your prompt.
+      All commands via: `docker exec <containerName> bash -c '...'`
+      Set env: PATH="$HOME/.bun/bin:$PATH" UNCAGED_WORKFLOW_STORAGE_ROOT=/tmp/uwf-e2e-storage
+
+      Step inspection:
+      1. `uwf step list <threadId>` — verify steps array has length > 1
+      2. Capture the last step hash from the output
+      3. `uwf step show <lastStepHash>` — verify it returns a role field
+
+      Thread read:
+      4. `uwf thread read <threadId>` — verify non-empty output
+
+      CAS operations:
+      5. `uwf cas get <lastStepHash>` — verify returns a type field
+      6. `uwf cas has <lastStepHash>` — verify exits 0
+      7. `uwf cas refs <lastStepHash>` — list refs (may be empty)
+      8. `uwf cas walk <lastStepHash>` — verify returns non-empty array
+
+      Report results. Pass threadId, lastStepHash, workflowName, containerName forward.
+    output: "Report test results. Set $status to pass (with threadId, lastStepHash, workflowName, containerName) or fail."
+    frontmatter:
+      oneOf:
+        - properties:
+            $status: { const: "pass" }
+            threadId: { type: string }
+            lastStepHash: { type: string }
+            workflowName: { type: string }
+            containerName: { type: string }
+          required: [$status, threadId, lastStepHash, workflowName, containerName]
+        - properties:
+            $status: { const: "fail" }
+            error: { type: string }
+            containerName: { type: string }
+          required: [$status, error, containerName]
+
+  cancel-and-fork:
+    description: "Test thread cancel, step fork, and log inspection"
+    goal: "You are an E2E test runner. Validate cancel, fork, and log operations inside the Docker container."
+    capabilities:
+      - docker
+      - shell
+    procedure: |
+      Use containerName, threadId, lastStepHash, and workflowName from your prompt.
+      All commands via: `docker exec <containerName> bash -c '...'`
+      Set env: PATH="$HOME/.bun/bin:$PATH" UNCAGED_WORKFLOW_STORAGE_ROOT=/tmp/uwf-e2e-storage
+
+      Cancel:
+      1. Start a second thread: `uwf thread start <workflowName> -p 'E2E cancel test'`
+      2. Cancel it: `uwf thread cancel <secondThreadId>`
+      3. Verify it appears in completed list: `uwf thread list --status completed`
+
+      Fork:
+      4. Fork from the first thread's last step: `uwf step fork <lastStepHash>`
+      5. Verify fork creates a new thread with a different ID
+
+      Logs:
+      6. `uwf log list` — verify output (may be empty)
+      7. `uwf log show --thread <threadId>` — verify runs without error
+
+      Report results with summary.
+    output: "Report test results with summary. Set $status to pass or fail."
+    frontmatter:
+      oneOf:
+        - properties:
+            $status: { const: "pass" }
+            containerName: { type: string }
+            summary: { type: string }
+          required: [$status, containerName, summary]
+        - properties:
+            $status: { const: "fail" }
+            error: { type: string }
+            containerName: { type: string }
+          required: [$status, error, containerName]
+
+  cleanup:
+    description: "Remove Docker container"
+    goal: "You are an E2E test runner. Clean up the Docker container used for testing."
+    capabilities:
+      - docker
+      - shell
+    procedure: |
+      Remove the Docker container (containerName is in your prompt):
+      1. `docker rm -f <containerName>`
+      2. Verify the container is gone: `docker ps -a --filter name=<containerName> --format '{{.Names}}'` should return empty
+
+      Report cleanup result.
+    output: "Report cleanup result. Set $status to pass or fail."
+    frontmatter:
+      oneOf:
+        - properties:
+            $status: { const: "pass" }
+            summary: { type: string }
+          required: [$status, summary]
+        - properties:
+            $status: { const: "fail" }
+            error: { type: string }
+          required: [$status, error]
+
+graph:
+  $START:
+    _: { role: "bootstrap", prompt: "Set up the Docker container and verify uwf is runnable." }
+  bootstrap:
+    pass: { role: "config-and-registry", prompt: "Container {{{containerName}}} is ready. Validate config and workflow registration." }
+    fail: { role: "$END", prompt: "Bootstrap failed: {{{error}}}. No container was created." }
+  config-and-registry:
+    pass: { role: "thread-ops", prompt: "Config and registry OK. Workflow '{{{workflowName}}}' registered. Container: {{{containerName}}}. Now test thread operations." }
+    fail: { role: "cleanup", prompt: "Config/registry failed: {{{error}}}. Clean up container {{{containerName}}}." }
+  thread-ops:
+    pass: { role: "inspect", prompt: "Thread ops OK. threadId={{{threadId}}}, workflowName={{{workflowName}}}, containerName={{{containerName}}}. Now test inspect operations." }
+    fail: { role: "cleanup", prompt: "Thread ops failed: {{{error}}}. Clean up container {{{containerName}}}." }
+  inspect:
+    pass: { role: "cancel-and-fork", prompt: "Inspect OK. threadId={{{threadId}}}, lastStepHash={{{lastStepHash}}}, workflowName={{{workflowName}}}, containerName={{{containerName}}}. Now test cancel, fork, and logs." }
+    fail: { role: "cleanup", prompt: "Inspect failed: {{{error}}}. Clean up container {{{containerName}}}." }
+  cancel-and-fork:
+    pass: { role: "cleanup", prompt: "All tests passed! {{{summary}}}. Clean up container {{{containerName}}}." }
+    fail: { role: "cleanup", prompt: "Cancel/fork failed: {{{error}}}. Clean up container {{{containerName}}}." }
+  cleanup:
+    pass: { role: "$END", prompt: "E2E walkthrough complete. {{{summary}}}" }
+    fail: { role: "$END", prompt: "Cleanup failed: {{{error}}}. Manual cleanup may be needed." }

examples/e2e-walkthrough.yaml

@@ -1,210 +0,0 @@
-name: "e2e-walkthrough"
-description: "End-to-end walkthrough of uwf CLI. Dogfooding: uwf tests uwf. Each role validates a phase of the CLI surface inside an isolated Docker container."
-roles:
-  bootstrap:
-    description: "Start Docker container with isolated storage, verify uwf is runnable"
-    goal: "You are an E2E test runner. Set up an isolated Docker environment and verify basic uwf functionality."
-    capabilities:
-      - docker
-      - shell
-    procedure: |
-      1. Create a temp dir for this E2E run: `E2E_DIR=$(mktemp -d /tmp/uwf-e2e-XXXXXX)`
-      2. Start a Docker container with isolated storage:
-         ```
-         docker run -d --name uwf-e2e-$$ \
-           -v $HOME:$HOME \
-           -e HOME=$HOME \
-           -e UNCAGED_WORKFLOW_STORAGE_ROOT=/tmp/uwf-e2e-storage \
-           -w ~/repos/workflow \
-           node:22-bookworm \
-           sleep infinity
-         ```
-      3. Inside the container, install bun, install deps, then `bun link` all packages
-         so that `uwf`, `uwf-hermes`, `uwf-builtin` are on PATH (from source):
-         ```
-         docker exec uwf-e2e-$$ bash -c '
-           # Install bun
-           curl -fsSL https://bun.sh/install | bash
-           export PATH="$HOME/.bun/bin:$PATH"
-
-           # Isolated storage
-           mkdir -p $UNCAGED_WORKFLOW_STORAGE_ROOT
-
-           # Install workspace deps
-           cd ~/repos/workflow && bun install --frozen-lockfile
-
-           # bun link each package that has a bin entry
-           cd packages/cli-workflow && bun link && cd ../..
-           cd packages/workflow-agent-hermes && bun link && cd ../..
-           cd packages/workflow-agent-builtin && bun link && cd ../..
-         '
-         ```
-      4. Verify all three commands are available inside the container:
-         ```
-         docker exec uwf-e2e-$$ bash -c 'export PATH="$HOME/.bun/bin:$PATH" && uwf --version'
-         docker exec uwf-e2e-$$ bash -c 'export PATH="$HOME/.bun/bin:$PATH" && uwf-hermes --help'
-         docker exec uwf-e2e-$$ bash -c 'export PATH="$HOME/.bun/bin:$PATH" && uwf-builtin --help'
-         ```
-      5. Copy host config if it exists:
-         ```
-         docker exec uwf-e2e-$$ bash -c '
-           if [ -f $HOME/.uncaged/workflow/config.yaml ]; then
-             cp $HOME/.uncaged/workflow/config.yaml $UNCAGED_WORKFLOW_STORAGE_ROOT/config.yaml
-           fi
-         '
-         ```
-
-      Report the container name and confirm uwf + agents are working.
-      Set containerName to the Docker container name for subsequent roles.
-    output: "Report uwf version and container readiness. Set $status to pass with containerName, or fail with error."
-    frontmatter:
-      oneOf:
-        - properties:
-            $status: { const: "pass" }
-            containerName: { type: string }
-          required: [$status, containerName]
-        - properties:
-            $status: { const: "fail" }
-            error: { type: string }
-          required: [$status, error]
-
-  setup-and-registry:
-    description: "Validate uwf setup, config commands, and workflow registration"
-    goal: "You are an E2E test runner. Validate uwf config operations and workflow registration inside the Docker container."
-    capabilities:
-      - docker
-      - shell
-    procedure: |
-      Use the container from the previous step (containerName is in your prompt).
-      All commands run via: `docker exec <containerName> bash -c '...'`
-      All commands use `uwf` (installed via `bun link` inside the container).
-      Remember to set env vars in each exec:
-        export PATH="$HOME/.bun/bin:$PATH"
-        export UNCAGED_WORKFLOW_STORAGE_ROOT=/tmp/uwf-e2e-storage
-
-      Phase 2 — Config:
-      1. `uwf config list` — verify it returns valid JSON
-      2. `uwf config set models.test.name test-model` — set a test key
-      3. `uwf config get models.test.name` — verify it returns "test-model"
-
-      Phase 3 — Workflow registration:
-      4. `uwf workflow add ~/repos/workflow/examples/solve-issue.yaml` — register workflow
-      5. Verify the output contains a hash
-      6. `uwf workflow list` — verify non-empty array
-      7. Capture the workflow name from the list
-      8. `uwf workflow show <name>` — verify it returns roles
-
-      Report all test results with pass/fail counts.
-    output: "Report test results. Set $status to pass (with workflowName and containerName) or fail (with error and partial results)."
-    frontmatter:
-      oneOf:
-        - properties:
-            $status: { const: "pass" }
-            workflowName: { type: string }
-            containerName: { type: string }
-            testsPassed: { type: number }
-          required: [$status, workflowName, containerName]
-        - properties:
-            $status: { const: "fail" }
-            error: { type: string }
-          required: [$status, error]
-
-  thread-lifecycle:
-    description: "Test thread start, exec, read, step list/show, and CAS operations"
-    goal: "You are an E2E test runner. Validate the full thread lifecycle and CAS operations."
-    capabilities:
-      - docker
-      - shell
-    procedure: |
-      Use the container (containerName) and workflow (workflowName) from your prompt.
-      All commands via: `docker exec <containerName> bash -c '...'`
-      Set env: PATH, UNCAGED_WORKFLOW_STORAGE_ROOT=/tmp/uwf-e2e-storage
-
-      Phase 4 — Thread lifecycle:
-      1. `uwf thread start <workflowName> -p 'E2E test: what is 2+2?'` — capture thread ID
-      2. `uwf thread list` — verify thread appears
-      3. `uwf thread show <threadId>` — verify head pointer exists
-      4. `uwf thread exec <threadId> --agent uwf-builtin` — execute one step
-      5. Verify exec returns step info with head
-
-      Phase 5 — Read & Inspect:
-      6. `uwf step list <threadId>` — verify steps exist (length > 1)
-      7. Capture last step hash
-      8. `uwf step show <lastStepHash>` — verify it returns role
-      9. `uwf thread read <threadId>` — verify non-empty output
-      10. `uwf cas get <lastStepHash>` — verify returns type
-      11. `uwf cas has <lastStepHash>` — verify exists
-      12. `uwf cas refs <lastStepHash>` — list refs
-      13. `uwf cas walk <lastStepHash>` — verify returns nodes
-
-      Report all results. Pass the threadId and lastStepHash forward.
-    output: "Report test results. Set $status to pass (with threadId, lastStepHash, containerName) or fail."
-    frontmatter:
-      oneOf:
-        - properties:
-            $status: { const: "pass" }
-            threadId: { type: string }
-            lastStepHash: { type: string }
-            containerName: { type: string }
-            testsPassed: { type: number }
-          required: [$status, threadId, lastStepHash, containerName]
-        - properties:
-            $status: { const: "fail" }
-            error: { type: string }
-          required: [$status, error]
-
-  cancel-fork-and-logs:
-    description: "Test thread cancel, step fork, and log inspection"
-    goal: "You are an E2E test runner. Validate cancel, fork, and log operations."
-    capabilities:
-      - docker
-      - shell
-    procedure: |
-      Use containerName, threadId (first thread), lastStepHash, and workflowName from your prompt.
-      All commands via: `docker exec <containerName> bash -c '...'`
-      Set env: PATH, UNCAGED_WORKFLOW_STORAGE_ROOT=/tmp/uwf-e2e-storage
-
-      Phase 6 — Cancel & Fork:
-      1. Start a second thread: `uwf thread start <workflowName> -p 'E2E cancel test'`
-      2. Cancel it: `uwf thread cancel <secondThreadId>`
-      3. Verify it appears in completed list: `uwf thread list --status completed`
-      4. Fork from the first thread's last step: `uwf step fork <lastStepHash>`
-      5. Verify fork creates a new thread with different ID
-
-      Phase 7 — Logs:
-      6. `uwf log list` — check log files exist
-      7. `uwf log show --thread <threadId>` — verify log output (may be empty, that's ok)
-
-      Phase 8 — Cleanup:
-      8. Stop and remove the Docker container: `docker rm -f <containerName>`
-
-      Report final results with full summary of all phases.
-    output: "Report final test results with pass/fail counts. Set $status to pass or fail."
-    frontmatter:
-      oneOf:
-        - properties:
-            $status: { const: "pass" }
-            totalPassed: { type: number }
-            summary: { type: string }
-          required: [$status, totalPassed, summary]
-        - properties:
-            $status: { const: "fail" }
-            error: { type: string }
-            totalPassed: { type: number }
-          required: [$status, error]
-
-graph:
-  $START:
-    _: { role: "bootstrap", prompt: "Set up the Docker container and verify uwf is runnable." }
-  bootstrap:
-    pass: { role: "setup-and-registry", prompt: "Container {{{containerName}}} is ready. Validate config and workflow registration." }
-    fail: { role: "$END", prompt: "Bootstrap failed: {{{error}}}" }
-  setup-and-registry:
-    pass: { role: "thread-lifecycle", prompt: "Config and registry OK. Workflow '{{{workflowName}}}' registered. Container: {{{containerName}}}. Now test thread lifecycle." }
-    fail: { role: "$END", prompt: "Setup/registry failed: {{{error}}}" }
-  thread-lifecycle:
-    pass: { role: "cancel-fork-and-logs", prompt: "Thread lifecycle OK. threadId={{{threadId}}}, lastStepHash={{{lastStepHash}}}, containerName={{{containerName}}}. Now test cancel, fork, logs, and cleanup." }
-    fail: { role: "$END", prompt: "Thread lifecycle failed: {{{error}}}" }
-  cancel-fork-and-logs:
-    pass: { role: "$END", prompt: "All E2E tests passed! {{{summary}}}" }
-    fail: { role: "$END", prompt: "Cancel/fork/logs phase failed: {{{error}}}. Passed: {{{totalPassed}}}" }

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

@@ -6,10 +6,12 @@ import { describe, expect, test } from "vitest";
 const __dirname = dirname(fileURLToPath(import.meta.url));
 
 import {
+  cmdSkillActor,
   cmdSkillArchitecture,
   cmdSkillCli,
   cmdSkillList,
   cmdSkillModerator,
+  cmdSkillUser,
   cmdSkillYaml,
 } from "../commands/skill.js";
 
@@ -21,8 +23,9 @@ describe("skill commands", () => {
     expect(result).toContain("architecture");
     expect(result).toContain("yaml");
     expect(result).toContain("moderator");
+    expect(result).toContain("actor");
+    expect(result).toContain("user");
     for (const name of result) {
-      expect(typeof name).toBe("string");
       expect(name).toMatch(/^\S+$/);
     }
   });
@@ -62,6 +65,25 @@ describe("skill commands", () => {
     expect(result).toContain("uwf");
   });
 
+  test("skill actor returns non-empty markdown string", () => {
+    const result = cmdSkillActor();
+    expect(typeof result).toBe("string");
+    expect(result).toContain("frontmatter");
+    expect(result).toContain("CAS");
+    expect(result).toContain("status");
+    expect(result.length).toBeGreaterThan(200);
+  });
+
+  test("skill user returns non-empty markdown string", () => {
+    const result = cmdSkillUser();
+    expect(typeof result).toBe("string");
+    expect(result).toContain("uwf");
+    expect(result).toContain("thread");
+    expect(result).toContain("workflow");
+    expect(result).toContain("Quick Start");
+    expect(result.length).toBeGreaterThan(500);
+  });
+
   test("skill help subcommand is suppressed", () => {
     const output = execFileSync("bun", ["src/cli.ts", "skill", "--help"], {
       cwd: join(__dirname, "..", ".."),
@@ -73,6 +95,8 @@ describe("skill commands", () => {
     expect(output).toContain("architecture");
     expect(output).toContain("yaml");
     expect(output).toContain("moderator");
+    expect(output).toContain("actor");
+    expect(output).toContain("user");
     expect(output).toContain("list");
   });
 });

packages/cli-workflow/src/cli.ts

@@ -17,10 +17,12 @@ import { cmdConfigGet, cmdConfigList, cmdConfigSet } from "./commands/config.js"
 import { cmdLogClean, cmdLogList, cmdLogShow } from "./commands/log.js";
 import { cmdSetup, cmdSetupInteractive } from "./commands/setup.js";
 import {
+  cmdSkillActor,
   cmdSkillArchitecture,
   cmdSkillCli,
   cmdSkillList,
   cmdSkillModerator,
+  cmdSkillUser,
   cmdSkillYaml,
 } from "./commands/skill.js";
 import { cmdStepFork, cmdStepList, cmdStepRead, cmdStepShow } from "./commands/step.js";
@@ -503,6 +505,13 @@ skill
     console.log(cmdSkillYaml());
   });
 
+skill
+  .command("actor")
+  .description("Print the actor reference (frontmatter protocol + CAS)")
+  .action(() => {
+    console.log(cmdSkillActor());
+  });
+
 skill
   .command("moderator")
   .description("Print the moderator reference")
@@ -510,6 +519,13 @@ skill
     console.log(cmdSkillModerator());
   });
 
+skill
+  .command("user")
+  .description("Print the user reference (CLI guide + typical workflows)")
+  .action(() => {
+    console.log(cmdSkillUser());
+  });
+
 skill
   .command("list")
   .description("List all available skill names")

packages/cli-workflow/src/commands/skill.ts

@@ -1,11 +1,13 @@
 export {
+  generateActorReference as cmdSkillActor,
   generateArchitectureReference as cmdSkillArchitecture,
   generateCliReference as cmdSkillCli,
   generateModeratorReference as cmdSkillModerator,
+  generateUserReference as cmdSkillUser,
   generateYamlReference as cmdSkillYaml,
 } from "@uncaged/workflow-util";
 
-const SKILL_NAMES = ["cli", "architecture", "yaml", "moderator"] as const;
+const SKILL_NAMES = ["cli", "architecture", "yaml", "moderator", "actor", "user"] as const;
 
 export function cmdSkillList(): ReadonlyArray<string> {
   return [...SKILL_NAMES];

packages/workflow-agent-hermes/src/session-detail.ts

@@ -150,46 +150,42 @@ function dbMessageToSessionMessage(row: DbMessageRow): HermesSessionMessage {
 export function loadHermesSessionFromDb(
   sessionId: string,
   dbPath: string | null = null,
-): Promise<HermesSessionJson | null> {
+): HermesSessionJson | null {
   const resolvedPath = dbPath ?? getHermesDbPath();
+  let db: InstanceType<typeof Database> | null = null;
   try {
-    const db = new Database(resolvedPath, { readonly: true });
-    try {
-      const session = db
-        .query("SELECT id, model, started_at FROM sessions WHERE id = ?")
-        .get(sessionId) as DbSessionRow | null;
-      if (session === null) {
-        db.close();
-        return Promise.resolve(null);
-      }
-      const rows = db
-        .query(
-          "SELECT role, content, reasoning, tool_calls FROM messages WHERE session_id = ? ORDER BY id",
-        )
-        .all(sessionId) as DbMessageRow[];
-      db.close();
-
-      const messages: HermesSessionMessage[] = [];
-      for (const row of rows) {
-        const role = row.role;
-        if (role !== "user" && role !== "assistant" && role !== "tool") {
-          continue;
-        }
-        messages.push(dbMessageToSessionMessage(row));
-      }
-
-      return Promise.resolve({
-        session_id: session.id,
-        model: session.model,
-        session_start: new Date(session.started_at * 1000).toISOString(),
-        messages,
-      });
-    } catch {
-      db.close();
-      return Promise.resolve(null);
+    db = new Database(resolvedPath, { readonly: true });
+    const session = db
+      .query("SELECT id, model, started_at FROM sessions WHERE id = ?")
+      .get(sessionId) as DbSessionRow | null;
+    if (session === null) {
+      return null;
     }
+    const rows = db
+      .query(
+        "SELECT role, content, reasoning, tool_calls FROM messages WHERE session_id = ? ORDER BY id",
+      )
+      .all(sessionId) as DbMessageRow[];
+
+    const messages: HermesSessionMessage[] = [];
+    for (const row of rows) {
+      const role = row.role;
+      if (role !== "user" && role !== "assistant" && role !== "tool") {
+        continue;
+      }
+      messages.push(dbMessageToSessionMessage(row));
+    }
+
+    return {
+      session_id: session.id,
+      model: session.model,
+      session_start: new Date(session.started_at * 1000).toISOString(),
+      messages,
+    };
   } catch {
-    return Promise.resolve(null);
+    return null;
+  } finally {
+    db?.close();
   }
 }
 

packages/workflow-util/src/actor-reference.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,68 @@
+export function generateActorReference(): string {
+  return `# Actor Reference
+
+You are executing a workflow role. Your system prompt defines your goal, procedure, and output requirements. This reference covers two things you need to know about the workflow engine.
+
+## 1. Frontmatter Output Protocol
+
+Your response **MUST** begin with a YAML frontmatter block at byte position 0 — no preamble text before it.
+
+\`\`\`
+---
+status: done
+myField: some value
+---
+
+... markdown body (your work, explanation, notes) ...
+\`\`\`
+
+### Standard Field
+
+| Field | Values | Default | Description |
+|-------|--------|---------|-------------|
+| \`status\` | \`done\`, \`needs_input\`, \`in_progress\`, \`failed\` | \`done\` | Completion signal — determines which graph edge the moderator follows next |
+
+### Schema-Defined Fields
+
+Your role's output schema (shown in the system prompt under "Deliverable Format") defines additional fields. Output **only** the fields listed there — do not invent extra fields.
+
+### Body
+
+Everything after the closing \`---\` fence is the markdown body. Use it for explanations, logs, or human-readable notes. The body is stored but not parsed by the engine.
+
+### Retry
+
+If the engine cannot parse your frontmatter, it will ask you to retry (up to 2 times). Just output the corrected frontmatter block — don't panic.
+
+## 2. CAS (Content-Addressable Store)
+
+Your frontmatter output is automatically stored in CAS. You can also **use CAS directly** to store intermediate artifacts, build merkle DAGs for large outputs, or reference data from previous steps.
+
+### Commands
+
+\`\`\`
+uwf cas put-text <text>           # store plain text, print hash
+uwf cas put <type-hash> <json>    # store typed JSON data, print hash
+uwf cas get <hash>                # read a CAS node (type + payload)
+uwf cas has <hash>                # check if a hash exists
+uwf cas refs <hash>               # list direct references from a node
+uwf cas walk <hash>               # recursive traversal from a node
+uwf cas schema list               # list registered schemas
+uwf cas schema get <hash>         # show a schema definition
+\`\`\`
+
+### Merkle DAG Pattern
+
+For large outputs, store parts individually and reference their hashes:
+
+\`\`\`bash
+# Store individual sections
+HASH1=$(uwf cas put-text "section 1 content")
+HASH2=$(uwf cas put-text "section 2 content")
+
+# Reference hashes in your frontmatter or in a parent node
+\`\`\`
+
+This enables progressive loading — consumers can fetch the root and resolve children on demand.
+`;
+}

packages/workflow-util/src/index.ts

@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+export { generateActorReference } from "./actor-reference.js";
 export { generateArchitectureReference } from "./architecture-reference.js";
 export { encodeUint64AsCrockford } from "./base32.js";
 export { generateCliReference } from "./cli-reference.js";
@@ -27,4 +28,5 @@ export { err, ok } from "./result.js";
 export { getDefaultWorkflowStorageRoot, getGlobalCasDir } from "./storage-root.js";
 export type { LogFn, Result } from "./types.js";
 export { extractUlidTimestamp, generateUlid } from "./ulid.js";
+export { generateUserReference } from "./user-reference.js";
 export { generateYamlReference } from "./yaml-reference.js";

packages/workflow-util/src/user-reference.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,125 @@
+export function generateUserReference(): string {
+  return `# User Reference
+
+Guide for using the uwf CLI to manage workflows and threads.
+
+## Quick Start
+
+\`\`\`bash
+# 1. Configure provider and model
+uwf setup
+
+# 2. Register a workflow
+uwf workflow add my-workflow.yaml
+
+# 3. Start a thread (creates but does not execute)
+uwf thread start my-workflow -p "Build a login page"
+
+# 4. Execute the thread (runs moderator → agent → extract cycles)
+uwf thread exec <thread-id>          # one step
+uwf thread exec <thread-id> -c 10    # up to 10 steps
+uwf thread exec <thread-id> -c 10 --background  # run in background
+\`\`\`
+
+## Concepts
+
+- **Workflow** — YAML definition with roles and a routing graph; stored as a CAS node
+- **Thread** — A running instance of a workflow; a chain of step nodes in CAS
+- **Step** — One moderator → agent → extract cycle; contains the role's structured output
+- **CAS** — Content-addressable store; every artifact is hashed (XXH64, Crockford Base32)
+
+## Setup
+
+\`\`\`
+uwf setup                                          # interactive wizard
+uwf setup --provider <name> --base-url <url> \\
+           --api-key <key> --model <name>           # non-interactive
+           [--agent <name>]                         # optional default agent
+\`\`\`
+
+Config is stored at \`~/.uncaged/workflow/config.yaml\`. Override storage root with \`UNCAGED_WORKFLOW_STORAGE_ROOT\`.
+
+## Workflow Commands
+
+\`\`\`
+uwf workflow add <file>            # register from YAML file
+uwf workflow show <id>             # show by name or CAS hash
+uwf workflow list                  # list all registered workflows
+\`\`\`
+
+You can also pass a file path directly to \`uwf thread start\` without registering first.
+
+## Thread Lifecycle
+
+\`\`\`
+uwf thread start <workflow> -p <prompt>            # create thread
+uwf thread exec <thread-id>                        # execute one step
+               [--agent <cmd>]                     # override agent
+               [-c, --count <n>]                   # run n steps
+               [--background]                      # run in background
+uwf thread show <thread-id>                        # show head pointer
+uwf thread list                                    # list all threads
+               [--status <filter>]                 # idle, running, completed, cancelled, active (comma-separated)
+               [--after <thread-id>]               # pagination: after this thread
+               [--before <thread-id>]              # pagination: before this thread
+               [--skip <n>]                        # skip first n results
+               [--take <n>]                        # limit results
+uwf thread read <thread-id>                        # render context as markdown
+               [--quota <chars>]                   # max output chars (default 4000)
+               [--before <step-hash>]              # pagination
+               [--start]                           # include start step
+uwf thread stop <thread-id>                        # stop background execution
+uwf thread cancel <thread-id>                      # cancel and archive thread
+\`\`\`
+
+### Typical Lifecycle
+
+\`\`\`
+start → exec (repeat) → thread reaches $END → auto-completed
+                       → or: cancel to abort
+\`\`\`
+
+## Step Commands
+
+\`\`\`
+uwf step list <thread-id>         # list all steps
+uwf step show <step-hash>         # show step details
+uwf step fork <step-hash>         # fork thread from a step (branch)
+\`\`\`
+
+Forking creates a new thread that shares history up to the fork point — useful for retrying from a known-good state.
+
+## CAS Commands
+
+\`\`\`
+uwf cas get <hash>                 # read a node (type + payload)
+            [--timestamp]          # include timestamp
+uwf cas put <type-hash> <data>     # store typed JSON, print hash
+uwf cas put-text <text>            # store plain text, print hash
+uwf cas has <hash>                 # check existence
+uwf cas refs <hash>                # list direct references
+uwf cas walk <hash>                # recursive traversal
+uwf cas reindex                    # rebuild type index
+uwf cas schema list                # list schemas
+uwf cas schema get <hash>          # show schema definition
+\`\`\`
+
+## Log Commands
+
+\`\`\`
+uwf log list                       # list log files
+uwf log show                       # show log entries
+           [--thread <id>]         # filter by thread
+           [--process <pid>]       # filter by process
+           [--date <YYYY-MM-DD>]   # filter by date
+uwf log clean --before <date>      # delete old logs
+\`\`\`
+
+## Global Options
+
+\`\`\`
+uwf --format <json|yaml>           # output format (default: json)
+uwf -V, --version                  # print version
+\`\`\`
+`;
+}