diff --git a/.githooks/pre-push b/.githooks/pre-push
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..e824202
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.githooks/pre-push
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+# pre-push hook: typecheck + biome + lint-log-tags
+set -euo pipefail
+echo "🔍 pre-push: running checks..."
+bun run check
+echo "✅ pre-push: all checks passed"
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index ef197f4..4509f84 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
   ],
   "scripts": {
     "build": "bunx tsc --build",
-    "check": "bunx tsc --build && biome check .",
+    "check": "bunx tsc --build && biome check . && bash scripts/lint-log-tags.sh",
     "typecheck": "bunx tsc --build",
     "format": "biome format --write .",
     "test": "bun run --filter '*' test",
diff --git a/packages/cli-workflow/src/commands/serve/ws-client.ts b/packages/cli-workflow/src/commands/serve/ws-client.ts
index b58e49c..b53be3d 100644
--- a/packages/cli-workflow/src/commands/serve/ws-client.ts
+++ b/packages/cli-workflow/src/commands/serve/ws-client.ts
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ export function startGatewayWsClient(params: GatewayWsClientParams): () => void
     clearReconnectTimer();
     const delayMs = Math.min(INITIAL_BACKOFF_MS * 2 ** attempt, MAX_BACKOFF_MS);
     attempt++;
-    params.log("6CJX2RLP", `gateway WebSocket reconnect in ${delayMs}ms (attempt ${attempt})`);
+    params.log("6CJX2R8P", `gateway WebSocket reconnect in ${delayMs}ms (attempt ${attempt})`);
     reconnectTimer = setTimeout(connect, delayMs);
   };
 
@@ -143,7 +143,7 @@ export function startGatewayWsClient(params: GatewayWsClientParams): () => void
     ws.addEventListener("message", (ev) => {
       const data = ev.data;
       if (typeof data !== "string") {
-        params.log("T9W2KL5H", "gateway WebSocket non-text frame ignored");
+        params.log("T9W2K35H", "gateway WebSocket non-text frame ignored");
         return;
       }
       void handleGatewayMessage(ws, data, params).catch((e: unknown) => {
diff --git a/packages/workflow-dashboard/src/components/workflow-graph/condition-edge.tsx b/packages/workflow-dashboard/src/components/workflow-graph/condition-edge.tsx
index 1c18864..e16d2f2 100644
--- a/packages/workflow-dashboard/src/components/workflow-graph/condition-edge.tsx
+++ b/packages/workflow-dashboard/src/components/workflow-graph/condition-edge.tsx
@@ -1,9 +1,4 @@
-import {
-  BaseEdge,
-  EdgeLabelRenderer,
-  type EdgeProps,
-  getSmoothStepPath,
-} from "@xyflow/react";
+import { BaseEdge, EdgeLabelRenderer, type EdgeProps, getSmoothStepPath } from "@xyflow/react";
 import type { ConditionEdgeData } from "./types.ts";
 
 // Must match the FEEDBACK_OFFSET_X in use-layout.ts
@@ -15,12 +10,7 @@ const FEEDBACK_RADIUS = 16;
  * Build an SVG path for a feedback (back) edge that routes to the right of the nodes.
  * The path goes: source right → arc → vertical up → arc → target right
  */
-function feedbackPath(
-  sourceX: number,
-  sourceY: number,
-  targetX: number,
-  targetY: number,
-): string {
+function feedbackPath(sourceX: number, sourceY: number, targetX: number, targetY: number): string {
   const rightX = Math.max(sourceX, targetX) + FEEDBACK_OFFSET_X;
   const r = FEEDBACK_RADIUS;
 
@@ -42,6 +32,7 @@ function feedbackPath(
   return segments.join(" ");
 }
 
+// biome-ignore lint/complexity/noExcessiveCognitiveComplexity: edge routing logic is inherently branchy
 export function ConditionEdge(props: EdgeProps) {
   const {
     id,
diff --git a/packages/workflow-dashboard/src/components/workflow-graph/use-layout.ts b/packages/workflow-dashboard/src/components/workflow-graph/use-layout.ts
index 4edb097..fef0d7d 100644
--- a/packages/workflow-dashboard/src/components/workflow-graph/use-layout.ts
+++ b/packages/workflow-dashboard/src/components/workflow-graph/use-layout.ts
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 import type { Edge, Node } from "@xyflow/react";
 import { useMemo } from "react";
 import type { WorkflowGraphEdge } from "../../api.ts";
-import type { ConditionEdgeData, NodeState, RoleNodeData, TerminalNodeData } from "./types.ts";
+import type { NodeState, RoleNodeData, TerminalNodeData } from "./types.ts";
 
 const START_ID = "__start__";
 const END_ID = "__end__";
@@ -41,6 +41,7 @@ function edgeKey(e: WorkflowGraphEdge): string {
  * Forward edges go from lower rank to higher rank; feedback edges go backwards.
  * Self-loops are neither forward nor feedback — they're handled separately.
  */
+// biome-ignore lint/complexity/noExcessiveCognitiveComplexity: topological sort is inherently branchy
 function extractSpine(edges: readonly WorkflowGraphEdge[]): string[] {
   // Collect all node IDs
   const ids = new Set<string>();
@@ -213,8 +214,8 @@ function computeLayout(input: LayoutInput): LayoutResult {
         isFallback,
         isFeedback,
         isSelfLoop,
-      labelX,
-      labelY,
+        labelX,
+        labelY,
       },
     };
   });
@@ -223,8 +224,5 @@ function computeLayout(input: LayoutInput): LayoutResult {
 }
 
 export function useLayout(input: LayoutInput): LayoutResult {
-  return useMemo(
-    () => computeLayout(input),
-    [input.edges, input.roles, input.nodeStates],
-  );
+  return useMemo(() => computeLayout(input), [input]);
 }
diff --git a/packages/workflow-template-develop/__tests__/develop-template.test.ts b/packages/workflow-template-develop/__tests__/develop-template.test.ts
index 0013ea2..5813b60 100644
--- a/packages/workflow-template-develop/__tests__/develop-template.test.ts
+++ b/packages/workflow-template-develop/__tests__/develop-template.test.ts
@@ -9,7 +9,9 @@ import type { DevelopMeta } from "../src/roles.js";
 
 const developModerator = tableToModerator(developTable);
 
-const DEFAULT_PHASES: PlannerMeta["phases"] = [
+type PlannedMeta = Extract<PlannerMeta, { status: "planned" }>;
+
+const DEFAULT_PHASES: PlannedMeta["phases"] = [
   {
     hash: "4KNMR2PX",
     title: "Do the work",
@@ -36,11 +38,11 @@ function makeCtx(steps: ModeratorContext<DevelopMeta>["steps"]): ModeratorContex
   };
 }
 
-function plannerStep(phases: PlannerMeta["phases"] = DEFAULT_PHASES): RoleStep<DevelopMeta> {
+function plannerStep(phases: PlannedMeta["phases"] = DEFAULT_PHASES): RoleStep<DevelopMeta> {
   return {
     role: "planner",
     contentHash: "STUBHASHPLANNER001",
-    meta: { phases },
+    meta: { status: "planned" as const, phases },
     refs: phases.map((p) => p.hash),
     timestamp: 1,
   };
@@ -153,7 +155,7 @@ describe("developModerator", () => {
   });
 
   test("multiple planner phases → coder until all complete, then reviewer", () => {
-    const phases: PlannerMeta["phases"] = [
+    const phases: PlannedMeta["phases"] = [
       { hash: "AA000001", title: "first phase" },
       { hash: "AA000002", title: "second phase" },
     ];
@@ -167,7 +169,7 @@ describe("developModerator", () => {
   });
 
   test("one-shot coder reports only last phase hash → reviewer (moderator treats as all phases done)", () => {
-    const phases: PlannerMeta["phases"] = [
+    const phases: PlannedMeta["phases"] = [
       { hash: "BB000001", title: "setup branch" },
       { hash: "BB000002", title: "write tests" },
       { hash: "BB000003", title: "verify" },
@@ -179,7 +181,7 @@ describe("developModerator", () => {
   });
 
   test("unrecognised completedPhase hash → coder retry when budget allows", () => {
-    const phases: PlannerMeta["phases"] = [
+    const phases: PlannedMeta["phases"] = [
       { hash: "CC000001", title: "first phase" },
       { hash: "CC000002", title: "second phase" },
     ];
@@ -187,7 +189,7 @@ describe("developModerator", () => {
   });
 
   test("incomplete phases → coder retry (supervisor controls termination)", () => {
-    const phases: PlannerMeta["phases"] = [
+    const phases: PlannedMeta["phases"] = [
       { hash: "DD000001", title: "first phase" },
       { hash: "DD000002", title: "second phase" },
     ];
@@ -198,6 +200,17 @@ describe("developModerator", () => {
     expect(developModerator(makeCtx(steps))).toBe("coder");
   });
 
+  test("planner aborted → END", () => {
+    const abortedStep: RoleStep<DevelopMeta> = {
+      role: "planner",
+      contentHash: "STUBHASHABORT001",
+      meta: { status: "aborted", reason: "No workspace path provided" },
+      refs: [],
+      timestamp: 1,
+    };
+    expect(developModerator(makeCtx([abortedStep]))).toBe("__end__");
+  });
+
   test("committer → END for any committer meta status", () => {
     const committed = committerStep({ status: "committed", branch: "f", commitSha: "x" });
     const recoverable = committerStep({
diff --git a/packages/workflow-template-develop/src/moderator.ts b/packages/workflow-template-develop/src/moderator.ts
index a2c4d79..a8152be 100644
--- a/packages/workflow-template-develop/src/moderator.ts
+++ b/packages/workflow-template-develop/src/moderator.ts
@@ -30,6 +30,18 @@ function coderFinishedAllPlannedPhases(
 
 // ── Conditions ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
+const plannerAborted: ModeratorCondition<DevelopMeta> = {
+  name: "plannerAborted",
+  description: "The planner aborted due to insufficient information",
+  check: (ctx) => {
+    const plannerStep = ctx.steps.find((s) => s.role === "planner");
+    if (plannerStep === undefined) {
+      return false;
+    }
+    return plannerStep.meta.status === "aborted";
+  },
+};
+
 const allPhasesComplete: ModeratorCondition<DevelopMeta> = {
   name: "allPhasesComplete",
   description: "All planned phases have been completed by the coder",
@@ -38,7 +50,7 @@ const allPhasesComplete: ModeratorCondition<DevelopMeta> = {
     if (plannerStep === undefined) {
       return true;
     }
-    const phases = plannerStep.meta.phases;
+    const phases = plannerStep.meta.status === "planned" ? plannerStep.meta.phases : [];
     if (!Array.isArray(phases)) {
       return true;
     }
@@ -71,7 +83,10 @@ const testsPassed: ModeratorCondition<DevelopMeta> = {
 
 const table: ModeratorTable<DevelopMeta> = {
   [START]: [{ condition: "FALLBACK", role: "planner" }],
-  planner: [{ condition: "FALLBACK", role: "coder" }],
+  planner: [
+    { condition: plannerAborted, role: END },
+    { condition: "FALLBACK", role: "coder" },
+  ],
   coder: [
     { condition: allPhasesComplete, role: "reviewer" },
     { condition: "FALLBACK", role: "coder" },
diff --git a/packages/workflow-template-develop/src/roles/coder.ts b/packages/workflow-template-develop/src/roles/coder.ts
index 27ddca3..42650f2 100644
--- a/packages/workflow-template-develop/src/roles/coder.ts
+++ b/packages/workflow-template-develop/src/roles/coder.ts
@@ -25,7 +25,11 @@ The thread ID (26-char Crockford Base32) appears in the first message. If unsure
 
 ## Completing a phase
 
-Report which phase you completed using the phase **hash** (not the title). If you legitimately finish every remaining phase in this single turn, set completedPhase to the **last** phase hash in the plan (the workflow treats that as full completion). List the files you changed and summarize what you did.`;
+Report which phase you completed using the phase **hash** (not the title). If you legitimately finish every remaining phase in this single turn, set completedPhase to the **last** phase hash in the plan (the workflow treats that as full completion). List the files you changed and summarize what you did.
+
+## Output rules
+
+Keep your final response **short** — a brief summary paragraph plus the structured meta output. Do NOT paste diffs, file contents, or code blocks in your response. The actual changes are already on disk; repeating them wastes tokens. Just say what you did and why.`;
 
 export const coderRole: RoleDefinition<CoderMeta> = {
   description:
diff --git a/packages/workflow-template-develop/src/roles/planner.ts b/packages/workflow-template-develop/src/roles/planner.ts
index 1abdacf..eec6bf0 100644
--- a/packages/workflow-template-develop/src/roles/planner.ts
+++ b/packages/workflow-template-develop/src/roles/planner.ts
@@ -6,16 +6,27 @@ export const phaseSchema = z.object({
   title: z.string(),
 });
 
-export const plannerMetaSchema = z.object({
-  phases: z.array(phaseSchema),
-});
+export const plannerMetaSchema = z.discriminatedUnion("status", [
+  z.object({
+    status: z.literal("planned"),
+    phases: z.array(phaseSchema),
+  }),
+  z.object({
+    status: z.literal("aborted"),
+    reason: z.string().describe("Why the task cannot proceed"),
+  }),
+]);
 
 export type PlannerMeta = z.infer<typeof plannerMetaSchema>;
 
-const PLANNER_SYSTEM = `You are a **planner** for a software task. Break the work into **sequential phases** the coder will execute one at a time.
+const PLANNER_SYSTEM = `You are a **planner** for a software task. Break the work into **sequential phases** the coder will execute one at a time. **Abort** if the prompt lacks critical information (e.g. no project/workspace path, ambiguous target repo).
 
 Run \`uncaged-workflow skill develop\` for thread ID lookup, CAS commands, and meta output guide.
 
+## Prerequisites — check FIRST
+
+The prompt MUST include an **absolute filesystem path** to the project workspace (e.g. \`/home/user/repos/my-project\`). If no workspace path is given and you cannot reliably infer one from context, **abort immediately** with a clear reason explaining what information is missing. Do NOT guess paths.
+
 ## Storing phase details — MANDATORY
 
 For each phase, store its full detail text in CAS via \`uncaged-workflow cas put '<content>'\`. The command prints a content-hash — use that as the phase identifier.
@@ -37,13 +48,20 @@ Fewer phases is always better. Each phase must justify its existence — if two
 ## Output format
 
 After storing all phases via the CLI, output compact JSON only:
-  { "phases": [{ "hash": "<hash-from-cas-put>", "title": "<one-line-summary>" }] }
+  { "status": "planned", "phases": [{ "hash": "<hash-from-cas-put>", "title": "<one-line-summary>" }] }
 
-Order phases so earlier steps unblock later ones. Cover root cause, edge cases, and verification across the phases.`;
+If aborting:
+  { "status": "aborted", "reason": "<what is missing>" }
+
+Order phases so earlier steps unblock later ones. Cover root cause, edge cases, and verification across the phases.
+
+## Output rules
+
+Keep your final response **short** — just the JSON with phases. Do NOT paste code snippets, diffs, or implementation details in your response. Phase details are already stored in CAS; your response should only contain the compact phases JSON.`;
 
 export const plannerRole: RoleDefinition<PlannerMeta> = {
   description: "Breaks the task into sequential phases for the coder.",
   systemPrompt: PLANNER_SYSTEM,
   schema: plannerMetaSchema,
-  extractRefs: (meta) => meta.phases.map((p) => p.hash),
+  extractRefs: (meta) => meta.status === "planned" ? meta.phases.map((p) => p.hash) : [],
 };
diff --git a/packages/workflow-template-develop/src/roles/reviewer.ts b/packages/workflow-template-develop/src/roles/reviewer.ts
index dcb4709..05a5a73 100644
--- a/packages/workflow-template-develop/src/roles/reviewer.ts
+++ b/packages/workflow-template-develop/src/roles/reviewer.ts
@@ -32,7 +32,11 @@ const REVIEWER_SYSTEM = `You are a code reviewer. Review the git diff for correc
 - **Approve** only if there are zero issues
 - **Reject** with specific issues that must be fixed — every issue you find is blocking
 
-Be thorough. A false approve costs more than a false reject.`;
+Be thorough. A false approve costs more than a false reject.
+
+## Output rules
+
+Keep your final response **short**. Summarize findings in a few bullet points, then output the structured verdict. Do NOT paste the full diff or large code blocks in your response.`;
 
 export const reviewerRole: RoleDefinition<ReviewerMeta> = {
   description: "Runs git diff checks and sets approved when the change is ready.",
diff --git a/packages/workflow-template-develop/src/roles/tester.ts b/packages/workflow-template-develop/src/roles/tester.ts
index 296d091..2eb9292 100644
--- a/packages/workflow-template-develop/src/roles/tester.ts
+++ b/packages/workflow-template-develop/src/roles/tester.ts
@@ -14,7 +14,11 @@ export const testerMetaSchema = z.discriminatedUnion("status", [
 
 export type TesterMeta = z.infer<typeof testerMetaSchema>;
 
-const TESTER_SYSTEM = `You are a tester. Run the project's test suite, build, and lint commands. Check what commands are available from the preparer's output in the thread. Report pass/fail with details of what failed.`;
+const TESTER_SYSTEM = `You are a tester. Run the project's test suite, build, and lint commands. Check what commands are available from the preparer's output in the thread. Report pass/fail with details of what failed.
+
+## Output rules
+
+Keep your final response **short**. Report pass/fail with a brief summary of failures (if any). Do NOT paste full test output or build logs — just the key error lines.`;
 
 export const testerRole: RoleDefinition<TesterMeta> = {
   description: "Runs test, build, and lint commands and reports pass or fail with details.",
diff --git a/scripts/lint-log-tags.sh b/scripts/lint-log-tags.sh
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..64f092f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scripts/lint-log-tags.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+# Validate Crockford Base32 log tags in .log("TAG", ...) calls.
+# Crockford Base32 excludes: I, L, O, U
+set -euo pipefail
+
+ROOT="$(cd "$(dirname "$0")/.." && pwd)"
+BAD=0
+
+while IFS= read -r match; do
+  file="${match%%:*}"
+  rest="${match#*:}"
+  line="${rest%%:*}"
+  tag=$(echo "$rest" | grep -oP '\.log\(\s*"\K[A-Za-z0-9]+')
+  if echo "$tag" | grep -qiE '[ILOU]'; then
+    echo "  ❌ ${file}:${line}  tag \"${tag}\" contains invalid Crockford Base32 char (I/L/O/U)"
+    BAD=1
+  fi
+done < <(grep -rn '\.log("[A-Za-z0-9]\{8\}"' "$ROOT/packages/" --include='*.ts' \
+  | grep -v node_modules | grep -v '/dist/')
+
+if [ "$BAD" -eq 0 ]; then
+  echo "  ✅ All log tags are valid Crockford Base32"
+fi
+exit $BAD