chore: clear staticcheck nits surfaced by the v16 audit

Fixes the six minor staticcheck findings (no behavior change):
- S1011 ×2: loop+append → append(dst, src...) in agenteval/score.go and
  cli/agent_eval.go.
- S1016: convert rawResult to searchResult instead of a field-by-field struct
  literal in tools/web_search.go (identical fields).
- ST1005: lowercase the "unsafe redirect URL" error string in tools/web_fetch.go
  (+ update its test assertion).
- SA4006: drop the dead final assignment to next in a provider_wizard test
  (keep the type assertion).
- S1009: remove the redundant nil check before len() in a provideronboarding
  test.

staticcheck drops 32 → 26 (remaining: 15 U1000 unused + 11 SA1019 deprecated
mouse API — separate audit items). gofmt/vet/build/test (full) pass;
deadcode unchanged (100); govulncheck 0.

internal/agenteval/score.go

@@ -125,9 +125,7 @@ func Score(suite Suite, input ScoreInput) Report {
 	if len(task.RequiredTraceEvents) > 0 {
 		report.Results = append(report.Results, scoreTraceEvents(task.RequiredTraceEvents, input))
 	}
-	for _, result := range unknownCommandResults(input.CommandResults, seenCommands, input) {
-		report.Results = append(report.Results, result)
-	}
+	report.Results = append(report.Results, unknownCommandResults(input.CommandResults, seenCommands, input)...)
 	report.finishSummary()
 	return report
 }

internal/cli/agent_eval.go

@@ -515,9 +515,7 @@ func agentEvalReportFromBenchmark(suite agenteval.Suite, report agenteval.Benchm
 		if task.Agent.Truncated {
 			converted.Truncated = true
 		}
-		for _, failure := range agentEvalFailuresFromTaskReport(task) {
-			converted.Failures = append(converted.Failures, failure)
-		}
+		converted.Failures = append(converted.Failures, agentEvalFailuresFromTaskReport(task)...)
 	}
 	return converted
 }

internal/cli/app.go

@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ import (
 	"fmt"
 	"io"
 	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
 	"strings"
 	"time"
 
@@ -23,6 +24,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/Gitlawb/zero/internal/sessions"
 	"github.com/Gitlawb/zero/internal/skills"
 	"github.com/Gitlawb/zero/internal/specialist"
+	"github.com/Gitlawb/zero/internal/swarm"
 	"github.com/Gitlawb/zero/internal/tools"
 	"github.com/Gitlawb/zero/internal/tui"
 	"github.com/Gitlawb/zero/internal/update"
@@ -240,6 +242,8 @@ func runWithDeps(args []string, stdout io.Writer, stderr io.Writer, deps appDeps
 	case "exec":
 		// Forward leading --add-dir occurrences so exec's own parser collects them.
 		return runExec(append(addDirFlagArgs(addDirs), args[1:]...), stdout, stderr, deps)
+	case "daemon":
+		return runDaemon(args[1:], stdout, stderr, deps)
 	case "config":
 		return runConfig(args[1:], stdout, stderr, deps)
 	case "models":
@@ -415,6 +419,12 @@ func runInteractiveTUIWithSetup(stderr io.Writer, deps appDeps, permissionMode a
 	if err != nil {
 		return writeAppError(stderr, "failed to resolve user config path: "+err.Error(), 1)
 	}
+	doctorUserConfigPath := ""
+	projectConfigPath := ""
+	if resolveOptions, optErr := config.DefaultResolveOptions(workspaceRoot); optErr == nil {
+		doctorUserConfigPath = resolveOptions.UserConfigPath
+		projectConfigPath = resolveOptions.ProjectConfigPath
+	}
 
 	needsSetup := setupRequired(resolved)
 	setupVisible := forceSetup || needsSetup
@@ -507,20 +517,24 @@ func runInteractiveTUIWithSetup(stderr io.Writer, deps appDeps, permissionMode a
 	})
 	lastKnownMCPConfig := mcpConfig
 	return deps.runTUI(context.Background(), tui.Options{
-		Cwd:                workspaceRoot,
-		UserConfigPath:     userConfigPath,
-		ProviderName:       resolved.Provider.Name,
-		ModelName:          resolved.Provider.Model,
-		ProviderProfile:    resolved.Provider,
-		FavoriteModels:     resolved.Preferences.FavoriteModels,
-		Provider:           provider,
-		NewProvider:        deps.newProvider,
-		Registry:           registry,
-		SessionStore:       deps.newSessionStore(),
-		SandboxStore:       sandboxStore,
-		MCPConfig:          mcpConfig,
-		MCPPermissionStore: mcpPermissionStore,
-		MCPTokenStore:      mcpTokenStore,
+		Cwd:                  workspaceRoot,
+		UserConfigPath:       userConfigPath,
+		DoctorUserConfigPath: doctorUserConfigPath,
+		ProjectConfigPath:    projectConfigPath,
+		ProviderName:         resolved.Provider.Name,
+		ModelName:            resolved.Provider.Model,
+		ProviderProfile:      resolved.Provider,
+		FavoriteModels:       resolved.Preferences.FavoriteModels,
+		Provider:             provider,
+		NewProvider:          deps.newProvider,
+		ProbeProviderHealth:  deps.probeProviderHealth,
+		UserAgent:            userAgent(),
+		Registry:             registry,
+		SessionStore:         deps.newSessionStore(),
+		SandboxStore:         sandboxStore,
+		MCPConfig:            mcpConfig,
+		MCPPermissionStore:   mcpPermissionStore,
+		MCPTokenStore:        mcpTokenStore,
 		MCPCommand: func(ctx context.Context, args []string) tui.MCPCommandResult {
 			if ctx == nil {
 				ctx = context.Background()
@@ -582,12 +596,37 @@ func newCoreRegistryScoped(workspaceRoot string, scope tools.PathScope) *tools.R
 	return registry
 }
 
-func registerSpecialistTools(registry *tools.Registry, workspaceRoot string) (*specialist.Runtime, error) {
+// agentToolRuntime bundles the specialist runtime with the swarm it backs so
+// their lifetimes (and shutdown) stay paired: registerSpecialistTools brings up
+// both, closeSpecialistRuntime tears down both.
+type agentToolRuntime struct {
+	specialist *specialist.Runtime
+	swarm      *swarm.Swarm
+}
+
+func registerSpecialistTools(registry *tools.Registry, workspaceRoot string) (*agentToolRuntime, error) {
 	paths, err := specialist.DefaultPaths(workspaceRoot)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
-	return specialist.RegisterTools(registry, specialist.Executor{Paths: paths})
+	executor := specialist.Executor{Paths: paths}
+	runtime, err := specialist.RegisterTools(registry, executor)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	// The swarm reuses the same specialist executor to launch each member, so
+	// every member runs under the orchestrator's sandbox + policy. Mailbox state
+	// lives under the workspace so its files fall within the sandbox write rules.
+	sw, err := swarm.New(swarm.Options{
+		BaseDir:  filepath.Join(workspaceRoot, ".zero", "swarm"),
+		Launcher: swarm.NewSpecialistLauncher(executor),
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		runtime.Close()
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	swarm.RegisterTools(registry, sw)
+	return &agentToolRuntime{specialist: runtime, swarm: sw}, nil
 }
 
 func shouldRegisterExecSpecialistTools(options execOptions) bool {
@@ -609,12 +648,17 @@ func closeMCPRuntime(stderr io.Writer, runtime mcpToolRuntime) {
 	}
 }
 
-func closeSpecialistRuntime(stderr io.Writer, runtime *specialist.Runtime) {
+func closeSpecialistRuntime(stderr io.Writer, runtime *agentToolRuntime) {
 	if runtime == nil {
 		return
 	}
-	if err := runtime.Close(); err != nil {
-		_, _ = fmt.Fprintf(stderr, "[zero] specialist_cleanup_error: %s\n", err)
+	if runtime.swarm != nil {
+		runtime.swarm.Close()
+	}
+	if runtime.specialist != nil {
+		if err := runtime.specialist.Close(); err != nil {
+			_, _ = fmt.Fprintf(stderr, "[zero] specialist_cleanup_error: %s\n", err)
+		}
 	}
 }
 
@@ -637,6 +681,7 @@ Usage:
 
 Commands:
   exec       Run a one-shot prompt through the Go agent runtime
+  daemon     Manage the local background worker daemon (start/stop/status/run/attach)
   setup      Guide first-run provider setup
   config     Inspect resolved Go configuration without leaking secrets
   models     List Zero model registry entries

internal/cli/app_test.go

@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ import (
 	"io"
 	"os"
 	"path/filepath"
+	"runtime"
 	"strings"
 	"testing"
 	"time"
@@ -59,10 +60,38 @@ func TestRunPrintsHelp(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+func setCLIUserConfigRoot(t *testing.T) string {
+	t.Helper()
+
+	root := t.TempDir()
+	switch runtime.GOOS {
+	case "windows":
+		t.Setenv("APPDATA", root)
+	case "darwin":
+		t.Setenv("HOME", root)
+	default:
+		t.Setenv("XDG_CONFIG_HOME", root)
+	}
+
+	configRoot, err := os.UserConfigDir()
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("UserConfigDir() error = %v", err)
+	}
+	return configRoot
+}
+
 func TestRunNoArgsLaunchesSetupTUIWithNilProviderWhenNoProviderConfigured(t *testing.T) {
 	var stdout bytes.Buffer
 	var stderr bytes.Buffer
 	cwd := t.TempDir()
+	setCLIUserConfigRoot(t)
+	projectConfigPath := filepath.Join(cwd, ".zero", "config.json")
+	if err := os.MkdirAll(filepath.Dir(projectConfigPath), 0o700); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("create project config parent: %v", err)
+	}
+	if err := os.WriteFile(projectConfigPath, []byte("{}"), 0o600); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("write project config: %v", err)
+	}
 	userConfigPath := filepath.Join(t.TempDir(), "zero", "config.json")
 	var launchedOptions tui.Options
 
@@ -104,6 +133,12 @@ func TestRunNoArgsLaunchesSetupTUIWithNilProviderWhenNoProviderConfigured(t *tes
 	if launchedOptions.UserConfigPath != userConfigPath {
 		t.Fatalf("UserConfigPath = %q, want %q", launchedOptions.UserConfigPath, userConfigPath)
 	}
+	if launchedOptions.DoctorUserConfigPath != "" {
+		t.Fatalf("DoctorUserConfigPath = %q, want empty for missing user config", launchedOptions.DoctorUserConfigPath)
+	}
+	if launchedOptions.ProjectConfigPath != projectConfigPath {
+		t.Fatalf("ProjectConfigPath = %q, want %q", launchedOptions.ProjectConfigPath, projectConfigPath)
+	}
 	if launchedOptions.Provider != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("Provider = %#v, want nil", launchedOptions.Provider)
 	}

internal/cli/backends.go

@@ -17,6 +17,13 @@ type backendStatusOptions struct {
 }
 
 func runBackends(args []string, stdout io.Writer, stderr io.Writer, deps appDeps) int {
+	if len(args) > 0 {
+		switch args[0] {
+		case "doctor":
+			return runBackendsDoctor(args[1:], stdout, stderr, deps)
+		}
+	}
+
 	options, help, err := parseBackendsArgs(args)
 	if err != nil {
 		return writeExecUsageError(stderr, err.Error())
@@ -44,6 +51,44 @@ func runBackends(args []string, stdout io.Writer, stderr io.Writer, deps appDeps
 	return exitSuccess
 }
 
+type backendDoctorOptions struct {
+	json bool
+}
+
+func runBackendsDoctor(args []string, stdout io.Writer, stderr io.Writer, deps appDeps) int {
+	options, help, err := parseBackendsDoctorArgs(args)
+	if err != nil {
+		return writeExecUsageError(stderr, err.Error())
+	}
+	if help {
+		if err := writeBackendsDoctorHelp(stdout); err != nil {
+			return exitCrash
+		}
+		return exitSuccess
+	}
+
+	report, err := backendDoctorReport(deps)
+	if err != nil {
+		return writeAppError(stderr, redaction.ErrorMessage(err, redaction.Options{}), exitCrash)
+	}
+	if options.json {
+		if err := writePrettyJSON(stdout, report); err != nil {
+			return exitCrash
+		}
+		if !report.OK {
+			return exitProvider
+		}
+		return exitSuccess
+	}
+	if _, err := fmt.Fprintln(stdout, redaction.RedactString(formatBackendDoctorReport(report), redaction.Options{})); err != nil {
+		return exitCrash
+	}
+	if !report.OK {
+		return exitProvider
+	}
+	return exitSuccess
+}
+
 func parseBackendsArgs(args []string) (backendStatusOptions, bool, error) {
 	options := backendStatusOptions{}
 	for _, arg := range args {
@@ -59,6 +104,21 @@ func parseBackendsArgs(args []string) (backendStatusOptions, bool, error) {
 	return options, false, nil
 }
 
+func parseBackendsDoctorArgs(args []string) (backendDoctorOptions, bool, error) {
+	options := backendDoctorOptions{}
+	for _, arg := range args {
+		switch arg {
+		case "-h", "--help", "help":
+			return options, true, nil
+		case "--json":
+			options.json = true
+		default:
+			return options, false, execUsageError{fmt.Sprintf("unknown backends doctor flag %q", arg)}
+		}
+	}
+	return options, false, nil
+}
+
 func backendLifecycleSnapshot(deps appDeps) (zerocommands.BackendLifecycleSnapshot, error) {
 	cwd, err := deps.getwd()
 	if err != nil {
@@ -86,6 +146,32 @@ func backendLifecycleSnapshot(deps appDeps) (zerocommands.BackendLifecycleSnapsh
 	return zerocommands.NewBackendLifecycleSnapshot(servers, hookResult.Config.Hooks, pluginResult.Plugins), nil
 }
 
+func backendDoctorReport(deps appDeps) (zerocommands.BackendDoctorReport, error) {
+	cwd, err := deps.getwd()
+	if err != nil {
+		return zerocommands.BackendDoctorReport{}, fmt.Errorf("failed to resolve workspace: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	cfg, err := deps.resolveMCPConfig(cwd)
+	if err != nil {
+		return zerocommands.BackendDoctorReport{}, err
+	}
+	hookResult, err := deps.loadHooks(hooks.LoadOptions{Cwd: cwd})
+	if err != nil {
+		return zerocommands.BackendDoctorReport{}, err
+	}
+	pluginResult, err := deps.loadPlugins(plugins.LoadOptions{Cwd: cwd})
+	if err != nil {
+		return zerocommands.BackendDoctorReport{}, err
+	}
+
+	return zerocommands.NewBackendDoctorReport(zerocommands.BackendDoctorInput{
+		MCP:     cfg,
+		Hooks:   hookResult,
+		Plugins: pluginResult,
+	}), nil
+}
+
 func formatBackendLifecycleSnapshot(snapshot zerocommands.BackendLifecycleSnapshot) string {
 	lines := []string{"Zero Backends:"}
 	lines = append(lines, fmt.Sprintf("  MCP servers: %d", len(snapshot.MCPServers)))
@@ -135,16 +221,52 @@ func formatBackendLifecycleSnapshot(snapshot zerocommands.BackendLifecycleSnapsh
 	return strings.Join(lines, "\n")
 }
 
+func formatBackendDoctorReport(report zerocommands.BackendDoctorReport) string {
+	lines := []string{
+		"Zero backend doctor",
+		"Overall: " + string(report.Status),
+	}
+	for _, check := range report.Checks {
+		target := ""
+		if check.Target != "" {
+			target = " " + check.Target
+		}
+		lines = append(lines, fmt.Sprintf("[%s] %s%s - %s", check.Status, check.ID, target, check.Message))
+		if check.Action != "" {
+			lines = append(lines, "  action: "+check.Action)
+		}
+	}
+	return strings.Join(lines, "\n")
+}
+
 func writeBackendsHelp(w io.Writer) error {
 	_, err := fmt.Fprint(w, `Usage:
   zero backends [flags]
+  zero backends doctor [flags]
 
 Inspect MCP, hook, and plugin backend lifecycle state without connecting to
 external MCP servers.
 
+Commands:
+  doctor    Diagnose MCP, hook, and plugin backend setup
+
 Flags:
       --json    Print backend lifecycle data as JSON
   -h, --help    Show this help
 `)
 	return err
 }
+
+func writeBackendsDoctorHelp(w io.Writer) error {
+	_, err := fmt.Fprint(w, `Usage:
+  zero backends doctor [flags]
+
+Diagnose MCP, hook, and plugin backend setup without connecting to external MCP
+servers or executing hooks/plugins.
+
+Flags:
+      --json    Print backend diagnostics as JSON
+  -h, --help    Show this help
+`)
+	return err
+}

internal/cli/backends_test.go

@@ -5,7 +5,12 @@ import (
 	"context"
 	"encoding/json"
 	"errors"
+	"net/http"
+	"net/http/httptest"
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
 	"strings"
+	"sync/atomic"
 	"testing"
 
 	"github.com/Gitlawb/zero/internal/config"
@@ -153,3 +158,220 @@ func TestRunBackendsTextAndHelp(t *testing.T) {
 		}
 	}
 }
+
+func TestRunBackendsDoctorJSONAndTextWithoutConnectingMCP(t *testing.T) {
+	cwd := t.TempDir()
+	secret := "sk-proj-" + strings.Repeat("b", 24)
+	deps := appDeps{
+		getwd: func() (string, error) { return cwd, nil },
+		resolveMCPConfig: func(workspaceRoot string) (config.MCPConfig, error) {
+			if workspaceRoot != cwd {
+				t.Fatalf("workspaceRoot = %q, want %q", workspaceRoot, cwd)
+			}
+			return config.MCPConfig{Servers: map[string]config.MCPServerConfig{
+				"remote": {
+					Type: "http",
+					URL:  "https://api.example.com/mcp?token=" + secret,
+				},
+				"broken": {
+					Type: "http",
+				},
+			}}, nil
+		},
+		loadHooks: func(options hooks.LoadOptions) (hooks.LoadResult, error) {
+			if options.Cwd != cwd {
+				t.Fatalf("hook Cwd = %q, want %q", options.Cwd, cwd)
+			}
+			return hooks.LoadResult{Diagnostics: []hooks.Diagnostic{{
+				Kind:    hooks.DiagnosticSchema,
+				Message: "schema failed " + secret,
+				HookID:  "zero.bad",
+			}}}, nil
+		},
+		loadPlugins: func(options plugins.LoadOptions) (plugins.LoadResult, error) {
+			if options.Cwd != cwd {
+				t.Fatalf("plugin Cwd = %q, want %q", options.Cwd, cwd)
+			}
+			return plugins.LoadResult{Plugins: []plugins.LoadedPlugin{{
+				ID:      "zero.docs",
+				Name:    "Docs",
+				Enabled: true,
+				Source:  plugins.SourceProject,
+			}}}, nil
+		},
+		registerMCPTools: func(context.Context, *tools.Registry, config.MCPConfig, mcp.RegisterOptions) (mcpToolRuntime, error) {
+			return nil, errors.New("zero backends doctor must not connect to MCP servers")
+		},
+	}
+
+	var stdout bytes.Buffer
+	var stderr bytes.Buffer
+	exitCode := runWithDeps([]string{"backends", "doctor", "--json"}, &stdout, &stderr, deps)
+	if exitCode != exitProvider {
+		t.Fatalf("exitCode = %d, want %d stderr=%s stdout=%s", exitCode, exitProvider, stderr.String(), stdout.String())
+	}
+	if strings.Contains(stdout.String(), secret) || strings.Contains(stdout.String(), "sk-proj-") {
+		t.Fatalf("backend doctor JSON leaked secret material:\n%s", stdout.String())
+	}
+	var payload zerocommands.BackendDoctorReport
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(stdout.Bytes(), &payload); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("backend doctor JSON failed to decode: %v\n%s", err, stdout.String())
+	}
+	if payload.OK {
+		t.Fatalf("payload.OK = true, want false for invalid MCP/hook diagnostic: %#v", payload.Checks)
+	}
+	if payload.Status != zerocommands.BackendDoctorStatusFail {
+		t.Fatalf("payload.Status = %q, want %q", payload.Status, zerocommands.BackendDoctorStatusFail)
+	}
+	assertBackendDoctorPayloadCheck(t, payload, "backend.mcp.invalid", "broken")
+	assertBackendDoctorPayloadCheck(t, payload, "backend.hooks.diagnostic", "zero.bad")
+
+	stdout.Reset()
+	stderr.Reset()
+	exitCode = runWithDeps([]string{"backends", "doctor"}, &stdout, &stderr, deps)
+	if exitCode != exitProvider {
+		t.Fatalf("text exitCode = %d, want %d stderr=%s", exitCode, exitProvider, stderr.String())
+	}
+	for _, want := range []string{"Zero backend doctor", "[fail] backend.mcp.invalid", "zero mcp add broken", "[fail] backend.hooks.diagnostic"} {
+		if !strings.Contains(stdout.String(), want) {
+			t.Fatalf("backend doctor text missing %q:\n%s", want, stdout.String())
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func TestRunBackendsDoctorHelp(t *testing.T) {
+	var stdout bytes.Buffer
+	var stderr bytes.Buffer
+	exitCode := runWithDeps([]string{"backends", "doctor", "--help"}, &stdout, &stderr, appDeps{})
+	if exitCode != exitSuccess {
+		t.Fatalf("exitCode = %d stderr=%s", exitCode, stderr.String())
+	}
+	for _, want := range []string{"Usage:", "zero backends doctor", "--json"} {
+		if !strings.Contains(stdout.String(), want) {
+			t.Fatalf("backend doctor help missing %q:\n%s", want, stdout.String())
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func TestRunBackendsDoctorDoesNotConnectOrExecuteConfiguredBackends(t *testing.T) {
+	cwd := t.TempDir()
+	hookSentinel := filepath.Join(cwd, "hook-ran")
+	pluginToolSentinel := filepath.Join(cwd, "plugin-tool-ran")
+	pluginHookSentinel := filepath.Join(cwd, "plugin-hook-ran")
+	helperCommand := os.Args[0]
+	helperArgs := func(path string) []string {
+		return []string{"-test.run=TestBackendDoctorHelperProcess", "--", "--zero-backend-doctor-sentinel", path}
+	}
+
+	var hits int32
+	server := httptest.NewServer(http.HandlerFunc(func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+		atomic.AddInt32(&hits, 1)
+		w.WriteHeader(http.StatusOK)
+	}))
+	defer server.Close()
+
+	hookConfigPath := filepath.Join(cwd, ".zero", "hooks.json")
+	writeBackendDoctorJSON(t, hookConfigPath, map[string]any{
+		"enabled": true,
+		"hooks": []any{map[string]any{
+			"id":      "zero.sentinel",
+			"event":   "sessionStart",
+			"command": helperCommand,
+			"args":    helperArgs(hookSentinel),
+		}},
+	})
+	pluginDir := filepath.Join(cwd, ".zero", "plugins", "sentinel")
+	writeBackendDoctorJSON(t, filepath.Join(pluginDir, "plugin.json"), map[string]any{
+		"schemaVersion": 1,
+		"id":            "zero.sentinel",
+		"name":          "Sentinel",
+		"version":       "1.0.0",
+		"tools": []any{map[string]any{
+			"name":    "sentinel_tool",
+			"command": helperCommand,
+			"args":    helperArgs(pluginToolSentinel),
+		}},
+		"hooks": []any{map[string]any{
+			"name":    "sentinel_hook",
+			"event":   "sessionStart",
+			"command": helperCommand,
+			"args":    helperArgs(pluginHookSentinel),
+		}},
+	})
+
+	deps := appDeps{
+		getwd: func() (string, error) { return cwd, nil },
+		resolveMCPConfig: func(string) (config.MCPConfig, error) {
+			return config.MCPConfig{Servers: map[string]config.MCPServerConfig{
+				"remote": {Type: "http", URL: server.URL + "/mcp"},
+			}}, nil
+		},
+		loadHooks: func(options hooks.LoadOptions) (hooks.LoadResult, error) {
+			return hooks.LoadConfig(hooks.LoadOptions{
+				Cwd:               options.Cwd,
+				UserConfigPath:    filepath.Join(cwd, "missing-user-hooks.json"),
+				ProjectConfigPath: hookConfigPath,
+			})
+		},
+		loadPlugins: func(options plugins.LoadOptions) (plugins.LoadResult, error) {
+			return plugins.Load(plugins.LoadOptions{
+				Roots: []plugins.Root{{Source: plugins.SourceProject, Path: filepath.Join(cwd, ".zero", "plugins")}},
+				Cwd:   options.Cwd,
+			})
+		},
+		registerMCPTools: func(context.Context, *tools.Registry, config.MCPConfig, mcp.RegisterOptions) (mcpToolRuntime, error) {
+			return nil, errors.New("zero backends doctor must not register MCP tools")
+		},
+	}
+
+	var stdout bytes.Buffer
+	var stderr bytes.Buffer
+	exitCode := runWithDeps([]string{"backends", "doctor", "--json"}, &stdout, &stderr, deps)
+	if exitCode != exitSuccess {
+		t.Fatalf("exitCode = %d stderr=%s stdout=%s", exitCode, stderr.String(), stdout.String())
+	}
+	if got := atomic.LoadInt32(&hits); got != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("backend doctor connected to MCP HTTP server %d time(s)", got)
+	}
+	for _, sentinel := range []string{hookSentinel, pluginToolSentinel, pluginHookSentinel} {
+		if _, err := os.Stat(sentinel); !errors.Is(err, os.ErrNotExist) {
+			t.Fatalf("backend doctor executed configured backend command, sentinel=%s err=%v", sentinel, err)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func assertBackendDoctorPayloadCheck(t *testing.T, report zerocommands.BackendDoctorReport, id string, target string) {
+	t.Helper()
+	for _, check := range report.Checks {
+		if check.ID == id && check.Target == target {
+			return
+		}
+	}
+	t.Fatalf("check %s/%s not found in %#v", id, target, report.Checks)
+}
+
+func writeBackendDoctorJSON(t *testing.T, path string, value any) {
+	t.Helper()
+	if err := os.MkdirAll(filepath.Dir(path), 0o700); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("create dir for %s: %v", path, err)
+	}
+	data, err := json.MarshalIndent(value, "", "  ")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("marshal %s: %v", path, err)
+	}
+	if err := os.WriteFile(path, data, 0o600); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("write %s: %v", path, err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestBackendDoctorHelperProcess(t *testing.T) {
+	for index, arg := range os.Args {
+		if arg != "--zero-backend-doctor-sentinel" || index+1 >= len(os.Args) {
+			continue
+		}
+		if err := os.WriteFile(os.Args[index+1], []byte("executed"), 0o600); err != nil {
+			os.Exit(2)
+		}
+		os.Exit(0)
+	}
+}

internal/cli/daemon.go

@@ -0,0 +1,331 @@
+package cli
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"io"
+	"os"
+	"os/exec"
+	"os/signal"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"strings"
+	"syscall"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/Gitlawb/zero/internal/background"
+	"github.com/Gitlawb/zero/internal/daemon"
+)
+
+// runDaemon dispatches the `zero daemon ...` subcommands. The daemon supervises a
+// pool of headless `zero exec` workers and routes sessions to them over an
+// owner-only local control socket. It is an ADDITIVE surface — interactive and
+// one-shot exec are unchanged.
+func runDaemon(args []string, stdout io.Writer, stderr io.Writer, _ appDeps) int {
+	if len(args) == 0 {
+		return writeDaemonUsage(stderr, exitUsage)
+	}
+	sub, rest := args[0], args[1:]
+	switch sub {
+	case "start":
+		return runDaemonStart(rest, stdout, stderr)
+	case "stop":
+		return runDaemonStop(rest, stdout, stderr)
+	case "status":
+		return runDaemonStatus(rest, stdout, stderr)
+	case "run":
+		return runDaemonRun(rest, stdout, stderr)
+	case "attach":
+		return runDaemonAttach(rest, stdout, stderr)
+	case "-h", "--help", "help":
+		return writeDaemonUsage(stdout, exitSuccess)
+	default:
+		fmt.Fprintf(stderr, "unknown daemon subcommand %q\n", sub)
+		return writeDaemonUsage(stderr, exitUsage)
+	}
+}
+
+func writeDaemonUsage(w io.Writer, code int) int {
+	fmt.Fprint(w, `Usage: zero daemon <command>
+
+Commands:
+  start [--foreground]      Start the daemon (background by default).
+  stop                      Gracefully stop the running daemon.
+  status                    Show daemon / pool / session status.
+  run --session <id> [--cwd <dir>] [--prompt <text>] [exec flags...]
+                            Create/route a session and stream its output.
+  attach <session>          Attach to a running session's stream.
+`)
+	return code
+}
+
+// runDaemonStart starts the daemon. Without --foreground it spawns a detached
+// background process running the foreground daemon and returns once it is up.
+func runDaemonStart(args []string, stdout io.Writer, stderr io.Writer) int {
+	foreground := false
+	for _, a := range args {
+		switch a {
+		case "--foreground", "-f":
+			foreground = true
+		case "-h", "--help":
+			return writeDaemonUsage(stdout, exitSuccess)
+		default:
+			return writeExecUsageError(stderr, fmt.Sprintf("unknown flag %q for daemon start", a))
+		}
+	}
+	paths, err := daemon.DefaultPaths()
+	if err != nil {
+		return writeAppError(stderr, err.Error(), exitCrash)
+	}
+	if foreground {
+		return runDaemonForeground(paths, stdout, stderr)
+	}
+	return runDaemonStartDetached(paths, stdout, stderr)
+}
+
+// runDaemonForeground runs the daemon in this process until SIGINT/SIGTERM. Each
+// worker is a headless `zero exec` child with the sandbox re-entrancy markers
+// scrubbed (NewExecLauncher) so it establishes its own sandbox.
+func runDaemonForeground(paths daemon.Paths, stdout io.Writer, stderr io.Writer) int {
+	launcher, err := daemon.NewExecLauncher(daemon.ExecLauncherConfig{})
+	if err != nil {
+		return writeAppError(stderr, err.Error(), exitCrash)
+	}
+	logf := func(line string) { fmt.Fprintln(stderr, "[daemon] "+line) }
+	pool, err := daemon.NewPool(daemon.PoolOptions{Launcher: launcher, Log: logf})
+	if err != nil {
+		return writeAppError(stderr, err.Error(), exitCrash)
+	}
+	mgr, err := daemon.NewSessionManager(daemon.SessionManagerOptions{Pool: pool})
+	if err != nil {
+		return writeAppError(stderr, err.Error(), exitCrash)
+	}
+	srv, err := daemon.NewServer(daemon.ServerOptions{Paths: paths, Manager: mgr, Pool: pool, Log: logf})
+	if err != nil {
+		return writeAppError(stderr, err.Error(), exitCrash)
+	}
+
+	sigCh := make(chan os.Signal, 1)
+	signal.Notify(sigCh, os.Interrupt, syscall.SIGTERM)
+	go func() {
+		<-sigCh
+		srv.Shutdown()
+	}()
+
+	if err := srv.Serve(); err != nil {
+		return writeAppError(stderr, err.Error(), exitCrash)
+	}
+	return exitSuccess
+}
+
+// runDaemonStartDetached spawns the foreground daemon as a detached background
+// process (its own process group, output to a log file) and waits for it to bind.
+func runDaemonStartDetached(paths daemon.Paths, stdout io.Writer, stderr io.Writer) int {
+	if daemonReachable(paths) {
+		fmt.Fprintln(stdout, "zero daemon is already running")
+		return exitSuccess
+	}
+	exe, err := os.Executable()
+	if err != nil {
+		return writeAppError(stderr, err.Error(), exitCrash)
+	}
+	if err := os.MkdirAll(filepath.Dir(paths.Socket), 0o700); err != nil {
+		return writeAppError(stderr, err.Error(), exitCrash)
+	}
+	logPath := filepath.Join(filepath.Dir(paths.Socket), "daemon.log")
+	logFile, err := os.OpenFile(logPath, os.O_CREATE|os.O_WRONLY|os.O_APPEND, 0o600)
+	if err != nil {
+		return writeAppError(stderr, err.Error(), exitCrash)
+	}
+	defer logFile.Close()
+
+	cmd := exec.Command(exe, "daemon", "start", "--foreground")
+	cmd.Stdout = logFile
+	cmd.Stderr = logFile
+	background.ConfigureChildProcessGroup(cmd) // own process group: outlives this shell
+	if err := cmd.Start(); err != nil {
+		return writeAppError(stderr, err.Error(), exitCrash)
+	}
+	_ = cmd.Process.Release()
+
+	deadline := time.Now().Add(5 * time.Second)
+	for time.Now().Before(deadline) {
+		if daemonReachable(paths) {
+			fmt.Fprintf(stdout, "zero daemon started (socket %s)\n", paths.Socket)
+			return exitSuccess
+		}
+		time.Sleep(25 * time.Millisecond)
+	}
+	return writeAppError(stderr, "daemon did not come up within timeout; see "+logPath, exitCrash)
+}
+
+func runDaemonStop(args []string, stdout io.Writer, stderr io.Writer) int {
+	if helpRequested(args) {
+		return writeDaemonUsage(stdout, exitSuccess)
+	}
+	if len(args) > 0 {
+		return writeExecUsageError(stderr, "daemon stop takes no arguments")
+	}
+	paths, err := daemon.DefaultPaths()
+	if err != nil {
+		return writeAppError(stderr, err.Error(), exitCrash)
+	}
+	client, err := daemon.Dial(paths.Socket)
+	if err != nil {
+		fmt.Fprintln(stdout, "zero daemon is not running")
+		return exitSuccess
+	}
+	defer client.Close()
+	if err := client.Shutdown(); err != nil {
+		return writeAppError(stderr, err.Error(), exitCrash)
+	}
+	fmt.Fprintln(stdout, "zero daemon stopped")
+	return exitSuccess
+}
+
+func runDaemonStatus(args []string, stdout io.Writer, stderr io.Writer) int {
+	if helpRequested(args) {
+		return writeDaemonUsage(stdout, exitSuccess)
+	}
+	if len(args) > 0 {
+		return writeExecUsageError(stderr, "daemon status takes no arguments")
+	}
+	paths, err := daemon.DefaultPaths()
+	if err != nil {
+		return writeAppError(stderr, err.Error(), exitCrash)
+	}
+	client, err := daemon.Dial(paths.Socket)
+	if err != nil {
+		fmt.Fprintln(stdout, "zero daemon is not running")
+		return exitSuccess
+	}
+	defer client.Close()
+	report, err := client.Status()
+	if err != nil {
+		return writeAppError(stderr, err.Error(), exitCrash)
+	}
+	fmt.Fprintf(stdout, "daemon pid=%d version=%d socket=%s\n", report.PID, report.Version, report.Socket)
+	fmt.Fprintf(stdout, "pool size=%d busy=%d queue=%d\n", report.PoolSize, len(report.Workers), report.QueueDepth)
+	for _, s := range report.Sessions {
+		fmt.Fprintf(stdout, "  session %s state=%s lines=%d\n", s.ID, s.State, s.Lines)
+	}
+	return exitSuccess
+}
+
+func runDaemonRun(args []string, stdout io.Writer, stderr io.Writer) int {
+	session, cwd, prompt := "", "", ""
+	var forward []string
+	for i := 0; i < len(args); i++ {
+		a := args[i]
+		value := func() (string, bool) {
+			if i+1 >= len(args) {
+				return "", false
+			}
+			i++
+			return args[i], true
+		}
+		switch {
+		case a == "-h" || a == "--help":
+			return writeDaemonUsage(stdout, exitSuccess)
+		case a == "--session":
+			v, ok := value()
+			if !ok {
+				return writeExecUsageError(stderr, "--session requires a value")
+			}
+			session = v
+		case strings.HasPrefix(a, "--session="):
+			session = strings.TrimPrefix(a, "--session=")
+		case a == "--cwd":
+			v, ok := value()
+			if !ok {
+				return writeExecUsageError(stderr, "--cwd requires a value")
+			}
+			cwd = v
+		case strings.HasPrefix(a, "--cwd="):
+			cwd = strings.TrimPrefix(a, "--cwd=")
+		case a == "--prompt" || a == "-p":
+			v, ok := value()
+			if !ok {
+				return writeExecUsageError(stderr, "--prompt requires a value")
+			}
+			prompt = v
+		case strings.HasPrefix(a, "--prompt="):
+			prompt = strings.TrimPrefix(a, "--prompt=")
+		default:
+			// Forwarded verbatim to the worker `zero exec` (reuses exec's own flag
+			// parsing for per-session run options).
+			forward = append(forward, a)
+		}
+	}
+	if strings.TrimSpace(session) == "" {
+		return writeExecUsageError(stderr, "daemon run requires --session <id>")
+	}
+	if prompt == "" && len(forward) == 0 {
+		return writeExecUsageError(stderr, "daemon run requires --prompt <text> or exec args")
+	}
+	paths, err := daemon.DefaultPaths()
+	if err != nil {
+		return writeAppError(stderr, err.Error(), exitCrash)
+	}
+	client, err := daemon.Dial(paths.Socket)
+	if err != nil {
+		return writeAppError(stderr, "zero daemon is not running (start it with `zero daemon start`)", exitCrash)
+	}
+	defer client.Close()
+	if err := client.Run(session, cwd, prompt, forward, func(line string) { fmt.Fprintln(stdout, line) }); err != nil {
+		return writeAppError(stderr, err.Error(), exitCrash)
+	}
+	return exitSuccess
+}
+
+func runDaemonAttach(args []string, stdout io.Writer, stderr io.Writer) int {
+	session := ""
+	extra := 0
+	for _, a := range args {
+		if a == "-h" || a == "--help" {
+			return writeDaemonUsage(stdout, exitSuccess)
+		}
+		if session == "" {
+			session = a
+			continue
+		}
+		extra++
+	}
+	if strings.TrimSpace(session) == "" {
+		return writeExecUsageError(stderr, "daemon attach requires a <session> id")
+	}
+	if extra > 0 {
+		return writeExecUsageError(stderr, "daemon attach accepts exactly one <session> id")
+	}
+	paths, err := daemon.DefaultPaths()
+	if err != nil {
+		return writeAppError(stderr, err.Error(), exitCrash)
+	}
+	client, err := daemon.Dial(paths.Socket)
+	if err != nil {
+		return writeAppError(stderr, "zero daemon is not running (start it with `zero daemon start`)", exitCrash)
+	}
+	defer client.Close()
+	if err := client.Attach(session, func(line string) { fmt.Fprintln(stdout, line) }); err != nil {
+		return writeAppError(stderr, err.Error(), exitCrash)
+	}
+	return exitSuccess
+}
+
+// daemonReachable reports whether a daemon is accepting connections (a successful
+// handshake). Used for the single-instance check and start-up wait.
+func daemonReachable(paths daemon.Paths) bool {
+	client, err := daemon.Dial(paths.Socket)
+	if err != nil {
+		return false
+	}
+	_ = client.Close()
+	return true
+}
+
+func helpRequested(args []string) bool {
+	for _, a := range args {
+		if a == "-h" || a == "--help" {
+			return true
+		}
+	}
+	return false
+}

internal/cli/daemon_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,123 @@
+package cli
+
+import (
+	"bytes"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+)
+
+// isolateDaemonPaths points DefaultPaths at a temp dir so the test never touches
+// a real daemon on the dev machine.
+func isolateDaemonPaths(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Helper()
+	t.Setenv("XDG_RUNTIME_DIR", t.TempDir())
+}
+
+func runDaemonCLI(t *testing.T, args ...string) (int, string, string) {
+	t.Helper()
+	var out, errb bytes.Buffer
+	code := runDaemon(args, &out, &errb, appDeps{})
+	return code, out.String(), errb.String()
+}
+
+func TestDaemonUsage(t *testing.T) {
+	code, _, _ := runDaemonCLI(t)
+	if code != exitUsage {
+		t.Fatalf("no-args exit = %d, want exitUsage", code)
+	}
+	code, out, _ := runDaemonCLI(t, "--help")
+	if code != exitSuccess || !strings.Contains(out, "Usage: zero daemon") {
+		t.Fatalf("--help exit=%d out=%q", code, out)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestDaemonUnknownSubcommand(t *testing.T) {
+	code, _, errb := runDaemonCLI(t, "frobnicate")
+	if code != exitUsage {
+		t.Fatalf("unknown subcommand exit = %d, want exitUsage", code)
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(errb, "unknown daemon subcommand") {
+		t.Fatalf("stderr = %q, want unknown-subcommand message", errb)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestDaemonRunRequiresSession(t *testing.T) {
+	isolateDaemonPaths(t)
+	code, _, errb := runDaemonCLI(t, "run", "--prompt", "hi")
+	if code != exitUsage {
+		t.Fatalf("run without --session exit = %d, want exitUsage", code)
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(errb, "--session") {
+		t.Fatalf("stderr = %q, want a --session hint", errb)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestDaemonRunRequiresPromptOrArgs(t *testing.T) {
+	isolateDaemonPaths(t)
+	code, _, errb := runDaemonCLI(t, "run", "--session", "s1")
+	if code != exitUsage {
+		t.Fatalf("run without prompt/args exit = %d, want exitUsage", code)
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(errb, "--prompt") {
+		t.Fatalf("stderr = %q, want a --prompt hint", errb)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestDaemonStopWhenNotRunning(t *testing.T) {
+	isolateDaemonPaths(t)
+	code, out, _ := runDaemonCLI(t, "stop")
+	if code != exitSuccess {
+		t.Fatalf("stop (not running) exit = %d, want exitSuccess", code)
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(out, "not running") {
+		t.Fatalf("stop output = %q, want 'not running'", out)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestDaemonStatusWhenNotRunning(t *testing.T) {
+	isolateDaemonPaths(t)
+	code, out, _ := runDaemonCLI(t, "status")
+	if code != exitSuccess {
+		t.Fatalf("status (not running) exit = %d, want exitSuccess", code)
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(out, "not running") {
+		t.Fatalf("status output = %q, want 'not running'", out)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestDaemonAttachRequiresSession(t *testing.T) {
+	isolateDaemonPaths(t)
+	code, _, errb := runDaemonCLI(t, "attach")
+	if code != exitUsage {
+		t.Fatalf("attach without session exit = %d, want exitUsage", code)
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(errb, "session") {
+		t.Fatalf("stderr = %q, want a session hint", errb)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestDaemonRunWhenNotRunning(t *testing.T) {
+	isolateDaemonPaths(t)
+	code, _, errb := runDaemonCLI(t, "run", "--session", "s1", "--prompt", "hello")
+	if code != exitCrash {
+		t.Fatalf("run (no daemon) exit = %d, want exitCrash", code)
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(errb, "not running") {
+		t.Fatalf("stderr = %q, want 'not running'", errb)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestDaemonSubcommandsRejectExtraArgs(t *testing.T) {
+	isolateDaemonPaths(t)
+	cases := [][]string{
+		{"stop", "oops"},
+		{"status", "oops"},
+		{"attach", "s1", "extra"},
+	}
+	for _, args := range cases {
+		code, _, errb := runDaemonCLI(t, args...)
+		if code != exitUsage {
+			t.Fatalf("%v exit = %d, want exitUsage (reject extra args); stderr=%q", args, code, errb)
+		}
+	}
+}

internal/cli/exec.go

@@ -19,7 +19,6 @@ import (
 	"github.com/Gitlawb/zero/internal/providers"
 	"github.com/Gitlawb/zero/internal/sandbox"
 	"github.com/Gitlawb/zero/internal/sessions"
-	"github.com/Gitlawb/zero/internal/specialist"
 	"github.com/Gitlawb/zero/internal/specmode"
 	"github.com/Gitlawb/zero/internal/streamjson"
 	"github.com/Gitlawb/zero/internal/tools"
@@ -163,7 +162,7 @@ func runExec(args []string, stdout io.Writer, stderr io.Writer, deps appDeps) in
 	if options.allowEscalation {
 		registry.Register(tools.NewEscalateModelTool())
 	}
-	var specialistRuntime *specialist.Runtime
+	var specialistRuntime *agentToolRuntime
 	if shouldRegisterExecSpecialistTools(options) {
 		var err error
 		specialistRuntime, err = registerSpecialistTools(registry, workspaceRoot)
@@ -704,7 +703,8 @@ func buildExecSandboxEngine(workspaceRoot string, resolved config.ResolvedConfig
 // depth — it guarantees that even a direct/programmatic caller passing a typo
 // can never WIDEN the ceiling back to the High default.
 // applyConfiguredSandboxPolicy overlays every config-sourced sandbox knob onto
-// the default policy: the autonomy ceiling and the network mode.
+// the default policy (the autonomy ceiling and the network mode), plus the
+// ZERO_SANDBOX_AUTO_ALLOW_BASH environment opt-in.
 func applyConfiguredSandboxPolicy(policy sandbox.Policy, cfg config.SandboxConfig) sandbox.Policy {
 	policy = applyConfiguredAutonomyCeiling(policy, cfg.MaxAutonomy)
 	if network := strings.TrimSpace(cfg.Network); network != "" {
@@ -721,6 +721,12 @@ func applyConfiguredSandboxPolicy(policy sandbox.Policy, cfg config.SandboxConfi
 	if cfg.MonitorDenials {
 		policy.MonitorDenials = true
 	}
+	// ZERO_SANDBOX_AUTO_ALLOW_BASH opts into auto-allowing a *sandboxed* shell
+	// command without a prompt — the active sandbox is the safety boundary, and
+	// the engine only honors this when the shell sandbox is actually active. Like
+	// the flags above it only ever turns the opt-in ON; unset/blank stays off
+	// (prompt), and an explicit config opt-in is preserved.
+	policy = sandbox.ApplyAutoAllowBashEnv(policy)
 	return policy
 }
 

internal/cli/sandbox_test.go

@@ -662,6 +662,19 @@ func TestApplyConfiguredSandboxPolicyHardeningFlags(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+func TestApplyConfiguredSandboxPolicyHonorsAutoAllowBashEnv(t *testing.T) {
+	// Unset/blank: the opt-in stays off so a sandboxed bash command still prompts.
+	t.Setenv(sandbox.EnvAutoAllowBash, "")
+	if got := applyConfiguredSandboxPolicy(sandbox.DefaultPolicy(), config.SandboxConfig{}); got.AutoAllowBashWhenSandboxed {
+		t.Fatal("auto-allow-bash must be off when ZERO_SANDBOX_AUTO_ALLOW_BASH is unset")
+	}
+	// Truthy: the env opt-in is wired through the central policy builder.
+	t.Setenv(sandbox.EnvAutoAllowBash, "true")
+	if got := applyConfiguredSandboxPolicy(sandbox.DefaultPolicy(), config.SandboxConfig{}); !got.AutoAllowBashWhenSandboxed {
+		t.Fatal("ZERO_SANDBOX_AUTO_ALLOW_BASH=true must enable AutoAllowBashWhenSandboxed")
+	}
+}
+
 func newSandboxTestStore(t *testing.T) *sandbox.GrantStore {
 	t.Helper()
 	store, err := sandbox.NewGrantStore(sandbox.StoreOptions{

internal/config/resolver_test.go

@@ -1094,7 +1094,8 @@ func TestResolveProviderProfileExtendedJSONAliases(t *testing.T) {
 			"auth_scheme": "raw",
 			"auth_header_value": "header-secret",
 			"custom_headers": {"X-Zero": "1"},
-			"model_id": "custom-model"
+			"model_id": "custom-model",
+			"parse_think_tags": true
 		}]
 	}`)
 
@@ -1119,6 +1120,30 @@ func TestResolveProviderProfileExtendedJSONAliases(t *testing.T) {
 	if profile.CustomHeaders["X-Zero"] != "1" {
 		t.Fatalf("CustomHeaders = %#v, want X-Zero header", profile.CustomHeaders)
 	}
+	if profile.ParseThinkTags == nil || !*profile.ParseThinkTags {
+		t.Fatalf("ParseThinkTags = %#v, want true", profile.ParseThinkTags)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestResolveProviderProfileParseThinkTagsFalseAlias(t *testing.T) {
+	path := writeConfig(t, `{
+		"activeProvider": "custom",
+		"providers": [{
+			"name": "custom",
+			"provider_kind": "openai-compatible",
+			"base_url": "https://custom.example/v1",
+			"model_id": "custom-model",
+			"parse_think_tags": false
+		}]
+	}`)
+
+	resolved, err := Resolve(ResolveOptions{UserConfigPath: path, Env: map[string]string{}})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Resolve() error = %v", err)
+	}
+	if resolved.Provider.ParseThinkTags == nil || *resolved.Provider.ParseThinkTags {
+		t.Fatalf("ParseThinkTags = %#v, want explicit false", resolved.Provider.ParseThinkTags)
+	}
 }
 
 func TestResolveRejectsUnknownProviderCatalogID(t *testing.T) {

internal/config/types.go

@@ -34,6 +34,7 @@ type ProviderProfile struct {
 	AuthHeaderValue string            `json:"authHeaderValue,omitempty"`
 	CustomHeaders   map[string]string `json:"customHeaders,omitempty"`
 	Model           string            `json:"model,omitempty"`
+	ParseThinkTags  *bool             `json:"parseThinkTags,omitempty"`
 	Description     string            `json:"description,omitempty"`
 }
 
@@ -51,6 +52,7 @@ func HasProviderProfile(profile ProviderProfile) bool {
 		strings.TrimSpace(profile.AuthHeaderValue) != "" ||
 		profile.CustomHeaders != nil ||
 		strings.TrimSpace(profile.Model) != "" ||
+		profile.ParseThinkTags != nil ||
 		strings.TrimSpace(profile.Description) != ""
 }
 
@@ -304,6 +306,8 @@ func (profile *ProviderProfile) UnmarshalJSON(data []byte) error {
 		CustomHeadersSnake   map[string]string `json:"custom_headers"`
 		Model                string            `json:"model"`
 		ModelID              string            `json:"model_id"`
+		ParseThinkTags       *bool             `json:"parseThinkTags"`
+		ParseThinkTagsSnake  *bool             `json:"parse_think_tags"`
 		Description          string            `json:"description"`
 	}
 
@@ -325,6 +329,7 @@ func (profile *ProviderProfile) UnmarshalJSON(data []byte) error {
 	profile.AuthHeaderValue = firstNonEmpty(raw.AuthHeaderValue, raw.AuthHeaderValueSnake)
 	profile.CustomHeaders = firstNonNilMap(raw.CustomHeaders, raw.CustomHeadersSnake)
 	profile.Model = strings.TrimSpace(firstNonEmpty(raw.Model, raw.ModelID))
+	profile.ParseThinkTags = firstNonNilBool(raw.ParseThinkTags, raw.ParseThinkTagsSnake)
 	profile.Description = strings.TrimSpace(raw.Description)
 	return nil
 }
@@ -348,6 +353,15 @@ func firstNonNilMap(values ...map[string]string) map[string]string {
 	return nil
 }
 
+func firstNonNilBool(values ...*bool) *bool {
+	for _, value := range values {
+		if value != nil {
+			return value
+		}
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
 func copyStringMap(values map[string]string) map[string]string {
 	if values == nil {
 		return nil

internal/daemon/backoff.go

@@ -0,0 +1,41 @@
+package daemon
+
+import (
+	"math/rand"
+	"time"
+)
+
+// Backoff bounds. Mirrors reference-daemon-code-agent-js/worker-manager.js:
+// backoffMs(consecutive) = jitter(min(1000 * 2**consecutive, 300000)).
+const (
+	backoffUnit = time.Second
+	backoffCap  = 5 * time.Minute
+)
+
+// backoffBase returns the un-jittered exponential delay for a 1-based restart
+// count: min(1s * 2^attempt, 5m). attempt<=0 yields the unit delay.
+func backoffBase(attempt int) time.Duration {
+	if attempt <= 0 {
+		return backoffUnit
+	}
+	// Shift carefully: cap before overflow. 2^attempt * 1s exceeds the cap well
+	// before any int64 overflow (cap is 5m), so clamp once it would exceed it.
+	d := backoffUnit
+	for i := 0; i < attempt; i++ {
+		d *= 2
+		if d >= backoffCap {
+			return backoffCap
+		}
+	}
+	return d
+}
+
+// BackoffWithJitter returns backoffBase(attempt) scaled by a uniform random
+// factor in [0.5, 1.5), matching worker-manager.js jitter(base) =
+// base*(0.5 + random()). The jitter de-synchronizes simultaneous restarts so a
+// fleet of workers does not thunder back at the same instant.
+func BackoffWithJitter(attempt int) time.Duration {
+	base := backoffBase(attempt)
+	factor := 0.5 + rand.Float64() //nolint:gosec // jitter, not security-sensitive
+	return time.Duration(float64(base) * factor)
+}

internal/daemon/backoff_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,38 @@
+package daemon
+
+import (
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+)
+
+func TestBackoffBaseExponentialAndCap(t *testing.T) {
+	cases := []struct {
+		attempt int
+		want    time.Duration
+	}{
+		{0, 1 * time.Second},
+		{1, 2 * time.Second},
+		{2, 4 * time.Second},
+		{3, 8 * time.Second},
+		{20, backoffCap}, // far past the cap
+	}
+	for _, tc := range cases {
+		if got := backoffBase(tc.attempt); got != tc.want {
+			t.Fatalf("backoffBase(%d) = %s, want %s", tc.attempt, got, tc.want)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func TestBackoffWithJitterBounds(t *testing.T) {
+	for attempt := 1; attempt <= 6; attempt++ {
+		base := backoffBase(attempt)
+		lo := time.Duration(float64(base) * 0.5)
+		hi := time.Duration(float64(base) * 1.5)
+		for i := 0; i < 200; i++ {
+			got := BackoffWithJitter(attempt)
+			if got < lo || got >= hi {
+				t.Fatalf("BackoffWithJitter(%d) = %s, want in [%s,%s)", attempt, got, lo, hi)
+			}
+		}
+	}
+}

internal/daemon/client.go

@@ -0,0 +1,117 @@
+package daemon
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"net"
+	"time"
+)
+
+// Client is a control-socket client used by the `zero daemon run|attach|status|
+// stop` subcommands. It performs the version handshake on Dial.
+type Client struct {
+	conn net.Conn
+}
+
+// Dial connects to the daemon control socket and completes the handshake.
+func Dial(socketPath string) (*Client, error) {
+	conn, err := net.DialTimeout("unix", socketPath, 5*time.Second)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	c := &Client{conn: conn}
+	if err := c.handshake(); err != nil {
+		_ = conn.Close()
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	return c, nil
+}
+
+func (c *Client) handshake() error {
+	if err := WriteControl(c.conn, Ctrl{Type: CtrlHello, Version: ProtoVersion}); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	reply, err := ReadControl(c.conn)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	if reply.Type != CtrlHelloOK {
+		return fmt.Errorf("daemon: handshake rejected: %s", reply.Message)
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+// Close closes the connection.
+func (c *Client) Close() error { return c.conn.Close() }
+
+// Run starts/routes a session and streams its stream-json output lines to onLine
+// until the session ends. It returns the session's terminal error, if any.
+func (c *Client) Run(session, cwd, prompt string, args []string, onLine func(string)) error {
+	if err := WriteControl(c.conn, Ctrl{Type: CtrlRun, Session: session, Cwd: cwd, Prompt: prompt, Args: args}); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	return c.streamLoop(onLine)
+}
+
+// Attach streams a running session's output (buffered history + live) to onLine.
+func (c *Client) Attach(session string, onLine func(string)) error {
+	if err := WriteControl(c.conn, Ctrl{Type: CtrlAttach, Session: session}); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	return c.streamLoop(onLine)
+}
+
+func (c *Client) streamLoop(onLine func(string)) error {
+	for {
+		msg, err := ReadControl(c.conn)
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		switch msg.Type {
+		case CtrlAck:
+			// dispatch acknowledged; keep reading
+		case CtrlData:
+			if onLine != nil {
+				onLine(msg.Line)
+			}
+		case CtrlEnd:
+			return nil
+		case CtrlError:
+			return fmt.Errorf("daemon: %s", msg.Message)
+		default:
+			return fmt.Errorf("daemon: unexpected message %q", msg.Type)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// Status requests the daemon/worker/session status report.
+func (c *Client) Status() (*StatusReport, error) {
+	if err := WriteControl(c.conn, Ctrl{Type: CtrlStatus}); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	msg, err := ReadControl(c.conn)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	if msg.Type == CtrlError {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("daemon: %s", msg.Message)
+	}
+	if msg.Type != CtrlStatusResult || msg.Status == nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("daemon: unexpected status reply %q", msg.Type)
+	}
+	return msg.Status, nil
+}
+
+// Shutdown asks the daemon to drain and stop.
+func (c *Client) Shutdown() error {
+	if err := WriteControl(c.conn, Ctrl{Type: CtrlShutdown}); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	msg, err := ReadControl(c.conn)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	if msg.Type == CtrlError {
+		return fmt.Errorf("daemon: %s", msg.Message)
+	}
+	return nil
+}

internal/daemon/launcher.go

@@ -0,0 +1,165 @@
+package daemon
+
+import (
+	"bufio"
+	"context"
+	"errors"
+	"fmt"
+	"io"
+	"os"
+	"os/exec"
+	"strings"
+
+	"github.com/Gitlawb/zero/internal/background"
+	"github.com/Gitlawb/zero/internal/sandbox"
+)
+
+// reentrancyMarkers are the env vars zero sets on a command it has ALREADY
+// wrapped in a sandbox. The daemon MUST strip them from every worker's
+// environment: a worker that inherited them would trip zero's re-entrancy guard
+// (sandbox.IsAlreadySandboxed needs BOTH) and run with a pass-through plan —
+// i.e. UNSANDBOXED — silently defeating the sandbox. Stripping them forces each
+// worker to (re)establish its own sandbox. This is the daemon's #1 security
+// invariant: it must NOT bypass the sandbox.
+var reentrancyMarkers = []string{sandbox.EnvSandboxed, sandbox.EnvSandboxBackend}
+
+// scrubWorkerEnv returns env with the sandbox re-entrancy markers removed. Every
+// other variable is preserved — including the ZERO_SANDBOX_* policy config the
+// worker reads to rebuild its own policy — so the sandbox policy is PROPAGATED,
+// not bypassed. The caller's slice is never mutated.
+func scrubWorkerEnv(env []string) []string {
+	out := make([]string, 0, len(env))
+	for _, kv := range env {
+		drop := false
+		for _, marker := range reentrancyMarkers {
+			if strings.HasPrefix(kv, marker+"=") {
+				drop = true
+				break
+			}
+		}
+		if !drop {
+			out = append(out, kv)
+		}
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+// execWorker is a WorkerHandle backed by a `zero exec` child process speaking
+// stream-json on stdout.
+type execWorker struct {
+	cmd    *exec.Cmd
+	stdout io.ReadCloser
+	lines  *scannerLines
+	pid    int
+}
+
+func (w *execWorker) Stdout() Lines { return w.lines }
+func (w *execWorker) Pid() int      { return w.pid }
+
+func (w *execWorker) Wait() (int, error) {
+	err := w.cmd.Wait()
+	if err == nil {
+		return 0, nil
+	}
+	var exitErr *exec.ExitError
+	if errors.As(err, &exitErr) {
+		return exitErr.ExitCode(), nil
+	}
+	return -1, err
+}
+
+func (w *execWorker) Kill() error {
+	if w.cmd.Process == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	// background.TerminateProcess is the cross-platform terminate (kills the
+	// process group on POSIX, taskkill /T on Windows).
+	return background.TerminateProcess(w.cmd.Process.Pid)
+}
+
+// scannerLines adapts a bufio.Scanner to the Lines interface.
+type scannerLines struct {
+	sc *bufio.Scanner
+}
+
+func (s *scannerLines) Next() (string, bool, error) {
+	if s.sc.Scan() {
+		return s.sc.Text(), true, nil
+	}
+	if err := s.sc.Err(); err != nil {
+		return "", false, err
+	}
+	return "", false, nil
+}
+
+// ExecLauncherConfig configures the production worker launcher.
+type ExecLauncherConfig struct {
+	// Executable is the zero binary to spawn (defaults to os.Executable()).
+	Executable string
+	// BaseArgs are prepended before the per-session args (defaults to the headless
+	// stream-json exec invocation `exec --output-format stream-json`).
+	BaseArgs []string
+	// Env is the base environment for workers (defaults to os.Environ()). The
+	// re-entrancy markers are always scrubbed from it.
+	Env []string
+}
+
+// NewExecLauncher builds a Launcher that spawns `zero exec` workers which speak
+// stream-json on stdout. Each worker:
+//   - runs with the re-entrancy markers SCRUBBED from its env (so it establishes
+//     its own sandbox; the daemon never bypasses the sandbox), while the rest of
+//     the policy config/env is propagated;
+//   - is placed in its own process group (background.ConfigureChildProcessGroup)
+//     so Kill / drain can terminate it and any children cleanly;
+//   - has its per-session working directory (spec.Cwd) and flags (spec.Args)
+//     applied. The pool does the os/exec itself and uses internal/background only
+//     for process-group setup + cross-platform terminate.
+func NewExecLauncher(cfg ExecLauncherConfig) (Launcher, error) {
+	exe := cfg.Executable
+	if exe == "" {
+		resolved, err := os.Executable()
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("daemon: locate zero executable: %w", err)
+		}
+		exe = resolved
+	}
+	baseArgs := cfg.BaseArgs
+	if baseArgs == nil {
+		baseArgs = []string{"exec", "--output-format", "stream-json"}
+	}
+	baseEnv := cfg.Env
+	if baseEnv == nil {
+		baseEnv = os.Environ()
+	}
+	env := scrubWorkerEnv(baseEnv)
+
+	return func(ctx context.Context, spec WorkerSpec) (WorkerHandle, error) {
+		args := make([]string, 0, len(baseArgs)+len(spec.Args))
+		args = append(args, baseArgs...)
+		args = append(args, spec.Args...)
+
+		cmd := exec.CommandContext(ctx, exe, args...)
+		cmd.Dir = spec.Cwd
+		cmd.Env = env
+		cmd.Stdin = nil // the prompt is passed via flags; no streamed stdin input
+		background.ConfigureChildProcessGroup(cmd)
+
+		stdout, err := cmd.StdoutPipe()
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("daemon: worker stdout pipe: %w", err)
+		}
+		if err := cmd.Start(); err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("daemon: start worker: %w", err)
+		}
+
+		scanner := bufio.NewScanner(stdout)
+		// Allow long stream-json lines up to the control-frame cap.
+		scanner.Buffer(make([]byte, 0, 64*1024), MaxFrameSize)
+		return &execWorker{
+			cmd:    cmd,
+			stdout: stdout,
+			lines:  &scannerLines{sc: scanner},
+			pid:    cmd.Process.Pid,
+		}, nil
+	}, nil
+}

internal/daemon/launcher_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,102 @@
+package daemon
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"runtime"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/Gitlawb/zero/internal/sandbox"
+)
+
+func TestScrubWorkerEnvRemovesReentrancyMarkers(t *testing.T) {
+	in := []string{
+		"PATH=/bin",
+		sandbox.EnvSandboxed + "=1",
+		"ZERO_SANDBOX_AUTO_ALLOW_BASH=1", // policy config — must be PRESERVED
+		sandbox.EnvSandboxBackend + "=bubblewrap",
+		"HOME=/home/u",
+	}
+	out := scrubWorkerEnv(in)
+
+	for _, kv := range out {
+		if strings.HasPrefix(kv, sandbox.EnvSandboxed+"=") || strings.HasPrefix(kv, sandbox.EnvSandboxBackend+"=") {
+			t.Fatalf("re-entrancy marker not scrubbed: %q", kv)
+		}
+	}
+	want := map[string]bool{"PATH=/bin": true, "ZERO_SANDBOX_AUTO_ALLOW_BASH=1": true, "HOME=/home/u": true}
+	got := map[string]bool{}
+	for _, kv := range out {
+		got[kv] = true
+	}
+	for w := range want {
+		if !got[w] {
+			t.Fatalf("scrub dropped a non-marker var: %q", w)
+		}
+	}
+	if len(out) != len(want) {
+		t.Fatalf("scrub result = %v, want exactly %d preserved vars", out, len(want))
+	}
+	if len(in) != 5 {
+		t.Fatal("scrubWorkerEnv must not mutate the caller's slice")
+	}
+}
+
+// TestExecLauncherScrubsEnvEndToEnd proves the spawned WORKER PROCESS actually
+// receives an environment without the re-entrancy markers — the security
+// invariant. It uses /bin/sh to dump the worker env, so it is POSIX-only.
+func TestExecLauncherScrubsEnvEndToEnd(t *testing.T) {
+	if runtime.GOOS == "windows" {
+		t.Skip("uses the POSIX env dumper /bin/sh -c env")
+	}
+	launcher, err := NewExecLauncher(ExecLauncherConfig{
+		Executable: "/bin/sh",
+		BaseArgs:   []string{"-c", "env"},
+		Env: append([]string{"KEEP=yes"},
+			sandbox.EnvSandboxed+"=1",
+			sandbox.EnvSandboxBackend+"=bubblewrap"),
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("NewExecLauncher: %v", err)
+	}
+	h, err := launcher(context.Background(), WorkerSpec{})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("launch: %v", err)
+	}
+	lines := h.Stdout()
+	var got []string
+	for {
+		line, ok, lerr := lines.Next()
+		if lerr != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("read worker stdout: %v", lerr)
+		}
+		if !ok {
+			break
+		}
+		got = append(got, line)
+	}
+	if _, err := h.Wait(); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("worker wait: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	keepSeen := false
+	for _, l := range got {
+		if strings.HasPrefix(l, sandbox.EnvSandboxed+"=") || strings.HasPrefix(l, sandbox.EnvSandboxBackend+"=") {
+			t.Fatalf("worker process still has a re-entrancy marker in its env: %q", l)
+		}
+		if l == "KEEP=yes" {
+			keepSeen = true
+		}
+	}
+	if !keepSeen {
+		t.Fatalf("worker env lost a non-marker var (KEEP=yes); got %v", got)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestNewExecLauncherDefaults(t *testing.T) {
+	// With no Executable it resolves the test binary's own path (os.Executable),
+	// and constructs without error.
+	if _, err := NewExecLauncher(ExecLauncherConfig{}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("NewExecLauncher with defaults: %v", err)
+	}
+}

internal/daemon/lock.go

@@ -0,0 +1,87 @@
+package daemon
+
+import (
+	"errors"
+	"fmt"
+	"io/fs"
+	"os"
+	"strconv"
+	"strings"
+)
+
+// Single-instance lock. Mirrors reference-daemon-code-agent-js/supervisor.js's
+// lock file: a PID file created with O_EXCL. A second start fails; a STALE lock
+// left by a dead daemon (the recorded PID is no longer alive) is reclaimed so the
+// daemon recovers from an unclean shutdown without manual cleanup.
+
+// ErrAlreadyRunning is returned when a live daemon already holds the lock.
+var ErrAlreadyRunning = errors.New("daemon: another instance is already running")
+
+// fileLock is an acquired single-instance lock.
+type fileLock struct {
+	path string
+}
+
+// processAlive reports whether pid is a live process. Implemented per-platform
+// (lock_posix.go / lock_windows.go). It is a package var so tests can stub it.
+var processAlive = osProcessAlive
+
+// acquireLock takes the single-instance lock at path, reclaiming a stale lock
+// whose recorded PID is dead. isAlive overrides the liveness check (tests pass a
+// stub); nil uses the real processAlive.
+func acquireLock(path string, isAlive func(pid int) bool) (*fileLock, error) {
+	if isAlive == nil {
+		isAlive = processAlive
+	}
+	// At most two passes: create, or detect-stale-then-retry once.
+	for attempt := 0; attempt < 2; attempt++ {
+		f, err := os.OpenFile(path, os.O_CREATE|os.O_EXCL|os.O_WRONLY, 0o600)
+		if err == nil {
+			// A failed PID write would leave a malformed lock file that another
+			// process reads as stale (unparsable PID) and wrongly reclaims, breaking
+			// the single-instance guarantee — so on write failure, remove it and fail.
+			if _, werr := fmt.Fprintf(f, "%d\n", os.Getpid()); werr != nil {
+				_ = f.Close()
+				_ = os.Remove(path)
+				return nil, werr
+			}
+			if cerr := f.Close(); cerr != nil {
+				_ = os.Remove(path)
+				return nil, cerr
+			}
+			return &fileLock{path: path}, nil
+		}
+		if !errors.Is(err, fs.ErrExist) {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		pid, perr := readPidFile(path)
+		if perr == nil && pid > 0 && isAlive(pid) {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("%w (pid %d)", ErrAlreadyRunning, pid)
+		}
+		// Stale lock (dead PID or unreadable) — remove and retry once.
+		if rmErr := os.Remove(path); rmErr != nil && !errors.Is(rmErr, fs.ErrNotExist) {
+			return nil, rmErr
+		}
+	}
+	return nil, ErrAlreadyRunning
+}
+
+// release removes the lock file. Safe to call once.
+func (l *fileLock) release() error {
+	if l == nil || l.path == "" {
+		return nil
+	}
+	if err := os.Remove(l.path); err != nil && !errors.Is(err, fs.ErrNotExist) {
+		return err
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+// readPidFile reads and parses the PID recorded in a lock file.
+func readPidFile(path string) (int, error) {
+	data, err := os.ReadFile(path)
+	if err != nil {
+		return 0, err
+	}
+	return strconv.Atoi(strings.TrimSpace(string(data)))
+}

internal/daemon/lock_posix.go

@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+//go:build !windows
+
+package daemon
+
+import (
+	"errors"
+	"syscall"
+)
+
+// osProcessAlive reports whether pid is a live process on POSIX. Signal 0 does
+// not deliver a signal; it only checks existence/permission. ESRCH means no such
+// process (dead); EPERM means it exists but we may not signal it (alive).
+func osProcessAlive(pid int) bool {
+	if pid <= 0 {
+		return false
+	}
+	err := syscall.Kill(pid, 0)
+	if err == nil {
+		return true
+	}
+	return errors.Is(err, syscall.EPERM)
+}

internal/daemon/lock_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,77 @@
+package daemon
+
+import (
+	"errors"
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"strconv"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+)
+
+func TestLockSingleInstance(t *testing.T) {
+	path := filepath.Join(t.TempDir(), "daemon.lock")
+	alive := func(int) bool { return true }
+
+	l1, err := acquireLock(path, alive)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("first acquireLock: %v", err)
+	}
+	// Second acquire while the holder is "alive" must be refused.
+	if _, err := acquireLock(path, alive); !errors.Is(err, ErrAlreadyRunning) {
+		t.Fatalf("second acquireLock err = %v, want ErrAlreadyRunning", err)
+	}
+	// After release, a new acquire succeeds.
+	if err := l1.release(); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("release: %v", err)
+	}
+	l2, err := acquireLock(path, alive)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("acquire after release: %v", err)
+	}
+	_ = l2.release()
+}
+
+func TestLockStaleRecovery(t *testing.T) {
+	path := filepath.Join(t.TempDir(), "daemon.lock")
+	// Simulate a stale lock from a crashed daemon: a PID file whose process is
+	// dead.
+	if err := os.WriteFile(path, []byte("4242\n"), 0o600); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("write stale lock: %v", err)
+	}
+	dead := func(int) bool { return false }
+	l, err := acquireLock(path, dead)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("stale-lock recovery failed: %v", err)
+	}
+	// The lock now records OUR pid, not the stale one.
+	data, _ := os.ReadFile(path)
+	if strings.TrimSpace(string(data)) != strconv.Itoa(os.Getpid()) {
+		t.Fatalf("reclaimed lock pid = %q, want %d", strings.TrimSpace(string(data)), os.Getpid())
+	}
+	_ = l.release()
+}
+
+func TestLockReleaseRemovesFile(t *testing.T) {
+	path := filepath.Join(t.TempDir(), "daemon.lock")
+	l, err := acquireLock(path, func(int) bool { return true })
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("acquireLock: %v", err)
+	}
+	if err := l.release(); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("release: %v", err)
+	}
+	if _, err := os.Stat(path); !errors.Is(err, os.ErrNotExist) {
+		t.Fatalf("lock file still present after release: %v", err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestProcessAliveSelfAndDead(t *testing.T) {
+	if !osProcessAlive(os.Getpid()) {
+		t.Fatal("osProcessAlive(self) = false, want true")
+	}
+	// PID 0 / negative are never live.
+	if osProcessAlive(0) || osProcessAlive(-1) {
+		t.Fatal("osProcessAlive must reject non-positive pids")
+	}
+}

internal/daemon/lock_windows.go

@@ -0,0 +1,27 @@
+//go:build windows
+
+package daemon
+
+import "golang.org/x/sys/windows"
+
+// osProcessAlive reports whether pid is a live process on Windows. It opens the
+// process for limited query access; a successful open with a non-exited status
+// means the PID is live. x/sys is already a module dependency.
+func osProcessAlive(pid int) bool {
+	if pid <= 0 {
+		return false
+	}
+	handle, err := windows.OpenProcess(windows.PROCESS_QUERY_LIMITED_INFORMATION, false, uint32(pid))
+	if err != nil {
+		return false
+	}
+	defer windows.CloseHandle(handle)
+	var code uint32
+	if err := windows.GetExitCodeProcess(handle, &code); err != nil {
+		// Could not query; treat the open as proof of life (conservative: do not
+		// reclaim a lock we are unsure about).
+		return true
+	}
+	const stillActive = 259 // STILL_ACTIVE
+	return code == stillActive
+}

internal/daemon/paths.go

@@ -0,0 +1,42 @@
+package daemon
+
+import (
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"strings"
+)
+
+// DefaultDir returns the per-user directory for the daemon's runtime files:
+// $XDG_RUNTIME_DIR/zero when set (a tmpfs owned by the user on Linux), otherwise
+// ~/.zero. Mirrors supervisor.js / config.js choosing a per-user runtime dir.
+func DefaultDir() (string, error) {
+	if rt := strings.TrimSpace(os.Getenv("XDG_RUNTIME_DIR")); rt != "" {
+		return filepath.Join(rt, "zero"), nil
+	}
+	home, err := os.UserHomeDir()
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+	return filepath.Join(home, ".zero"), nil
+}
+
+// Paths bundles the daemon's socket, lock, and status file paths.
+type Paths struct {
+	Socket string
+	Lock   string
+	Status string
+}
+
+// DefaultPaths returns the daemon control-socket, lock, and status file paths
+// under DefaultDir.
+func DefaultPaths() (Paths, error) {
+	dir, err := DefaultDir()
+	if err != nil {
+		return Paths{}, err
+	}
+	return Paths{
+		Socket: filepath.Join(dir, "daemon.sock"),
+		Lock:   filepath.Join(dir, "daemon.lock"),
+		Status: filepath.Join(dir, "daemon.status"),
+	}, nil
+}

internal/daemon/pool.go

@@ -0,0 +1,355 @@
+package daemon
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"errors"
+	"fmt"
+	"sync"
+	"time"
+)
+
+// Exit codes a worker may use to signal restart policy. Mirrors
+// reference-daemon-code-agent-js/worker-manager.js EXIT_TEMPFAIL/EXIT_PERMANENT.
+const (
+	// ExitTempfail asks for a retry after a fixed cool-off (transient failure).
+	ExitTempfail = 75
+	// ExitPermanent asks the daemon to STOP retrying this work (fatal).
+	ExitPermanent = 76
+)
+
+// defaultPoolSize, defaultMaxAttempts and defaultKillTimeout are used when a
+// PoolOptions field is left zero.
+const (
+	defaultPoolSize    = 4
+	defaultMaxAttempts = 5
+	defaultKillTimeout = 5 * time.Second
+)
+
+// ErrPoolDraining is returned by Run once the pool is shutting down.
+var ErrPoolDraining = errors.New("daemon: pool is draining")
+
+// ErrPermanent is returned when a worker exits ExitPermanent or the attempt cap
+// is exhausted; the request must not be retried.
+var ErrPermanent = errors.New("daemon: worker failed permanently")
+
+// WorkerSpec describes the worker to launch for one session attempt.
+type WorkerSpec struct {
+	Session string
+	Cwd     string
+	// Args are the per-session exec flags (e.g. --prompt ...), parsed by the CLI
+	// and appended after `exec` by the production launcher.
+	Args []string
+}
+
+// WorkerHandle is a launched worker process the pool supervises. The production
+// launcher wraps an exec.Cmd running `zero exec -i/-o stream-json`; tests inject
+// a fake. Stdout yields the worker's stream-json event lines.
+type WorkerHandle interface {
+	Stdout() Lines
+	// Wait blocks until the worker exits and returns its process exit code.
+	Wait() (int, error)
+	// Kill force-terminates the worker (used on drain timeout).
+	Kill() error
+	Pid() int
+}
+
+// Lines is a stream of stream-json output lines from a worker. Next returns the
+// next line and io-EOF-style ok=false when the stream ends.
+type Lines interface {
+	Next() (line string, ok bool, err error)
+}
+
+// Launcher spawns a worker for a single attempt. It must apply the sandbox/env
+// policy (the production launcher scrubs the re-entrancy markers so the worker
+// re-establishes its own sandbox — see newExecLauncher).
+type Launcher func(ctx context.Context, spec WorkerSpec) (WorkerHandle, error)
+
+// PoolOptions configures a Pool. Zero fields take documented defaults.
+type PoolOptions struct {
+	// Size is the max number of concurrent workers (lease slots). Sessions beyond
+	// this queue until a slot frees.
+	Size int
+	// Launcher spawns a worker. Required.
+	Launcher Launcher
+	// MaxAttempts caps the total attempts per request (first + retries). When
+	// exhausted, Run returns ErrPermanent (mirrors capping consecutive restarts).
+	MaxAttempts int
+	// KillTimeout bounds graceful termination before SIGKILL-equivalent on drain.
+	KillTimeout time.Duration
+	// Backoff returns the delay before retry attempt n (1-based crash count).
+	// Defaults to BackoffWithJitter; tests inject a deterministic function.
+	Backoff func(attempt int) time.Duration
+	// TempfailDelay is the cool-off after an ExitTempfail exit. Defaults to 30s.
+	TempfailDelay time.Duration
+	// Log, when set, receives one line per lifecycle event.
+	Log func(string)
+}
+
+// Pool is a bounded, self-healing worker pool. A crashed worker never takes down
+// the pool: Run retries on a fresh worker with backoff up to MaxAttempts, and an
+// ExitPermanent worker stops retries. Drain stops new work and kills stragglers.
+type Pool struct {
+	opts  PoolOptions
+	slots chan struct{}
+
+	mu       sync.Mutex
+	draining bool
+	active   map[int]WorkerHandle // pid -> handle, for drain/kill + status
+	nextID   int
+
+	drainOnce sync.Once
+	drained   chan struct{}
+}
+
+// workerStat tracks one in-flight request's restart count (local to Run).
+type workerStat struct {
+	id       int
+	restarts int
+}
+
+// NewPool builds a pool from opts, filling defaults.
+func NewPool(opts PoolOptions) (*Pool, error) {
+	if opts.Launcher == nil {
+		return nil, errors.New("daemon: pool requires a Launcher")
+	}
+	if opts.Size <= 0 {
+		opts.Size = defaultPoolSize
+	}
+	if opts.MaxAttempts <= 0 {
+		opts.MaxAttempts = defaultMaxAttempts
+	}
+	if opts.KillTimeout <= 0 {
+		opts.KillTimeout = defaultKillTimeout
+	}
+	if opts.TempfailDelay <= 0 {
+		opts.TempfailDelay = 30 * time.Second
+	}
+	if opts.Backoff == nil {
+		opts.Backoff = BackoffWithJitter
+	}
+	return &Pool{
+		opts:    opts,
+		slots:   make(chan struct{}, opts.Size),
+		active:  map[int]WorkerHandle{},
+		drained: make(chan struct{}),
+	}, nil
+}
+
+// Size returns the configured max concurrency.
+func (p *Pool) Size() int { return p.opts.Size }
+
+func (p *Pool) logf(format string, args ...any) {
+	if p.opts.Log != nil {
+		p.opts.Log(fmt.Sprintf(format, args...))
+	}
+}
+
+// acquire takes a lease slot, queuing until one frees or ctx is cancelled / the
+// pool drains.
+func (p *Pool) acquire(ctx context.Context) error {
+	p.mu.Lock()
+	draining := p.draining
+	p.mu.Unlock()
+	if draining {
+		return ErrPoolDraining
+	}
+	select {
+	case p.slots <- struct{}{}:
+		return nil
+	case <-ctx.Done():
+		return ctx.Err()
+	case <-p.drained:
+		return ErrPoolDraining
+	}
+}
+
+func (p *Pool) release() { <-p.slots }
+
+// QueueDepth reports how many lease slots are currently in use.
+func (p *Pool) QueueDepth() int { return len(p.slots) }
+
+// Sink receives a worker's stream-json output lines for one request.
+type Sink interface {
+	Line(line string)
+}
+
+// Run leases a worker slot and dispatches spec to a worker, streaming its
+// stream-json lines to sink. It is at-least-once with bounded retries: a worker
+// that crashes (non-zero, non-permanent) is retried on a fresh worker after a
+// backoff; ExitPermanent or exhausting MaxAttempts returns ErrPermanent. Run
+// queues when all slots are busy. The returned int is the final worker exit code.
+func (p *Pool) Run(ctx context.Context, spec WorkerSpec, sink Sink) (int, error) {
+	if err := p.acquire(ctx); err != nil {
+		return 0, err
+	}
+	defer p.release()
+
+	// Lease hook: a sink that tracks queue->running state is notified the instant
+	// a worker slot is leased (mirrors lease.js acquiring a worker for a session).
+	if s, ok := sink.(interface{ Started() }); ok {
+		s.Started()
+	}
+
+	stat := p.newStat()
+	var lastErr error
+	for attempt := 1; attempt <= p.opts.MaxAttempts; attempt++ {
+		if p.isDraining() {
+			return 0, ErrPoolDraining
+		}
+		code, err := p.runOnce(ctx, stat.id, spec, sink)
+		switch {
+		case err != nil:
+			lastErr = err
+			if ctx.Err() != nil {
+				return 0, ctx.Err()
+			}
+			p.logf("worker %d launch/run error: %v", stat.id, err)
+		case code == 0:
+			return 0, nil // clean success
+		case code == ExitPermanent:
+			p.logf("worker %d exited permanently (code=%d) — not retrying", stat.id, code)
+			return code, ErrPermanent
+		case code == ExitTempfail:
+			lastErr = fmt.Errorf("worker %d tempfail (code=%d)", stat.id, code)
+			p.logf("worker %d tempfail — retry after %s", stat.id, p.opts.TempfailDelay)
+			if !p.sleep(ctx, p.opts.TempfailDelay) {
+				return 0, ctx.Err()
+			}
+			continue // tempfail retries do not count against the crash backoff
+		default:
+			lastErr = fmt.Errorf("worker %d exited code=%d", stat.id, code)
+		}
+
+		if attempt == p.opts.MaxAttempts {
+			break
+		}
+		stat.restarts++
+		delay := p.opts.Backoff(stat.restarts)
+		p.logf("worker %d restart %d after backoff %s", stat.id, stat.restarts, delay)
+		if !p.sleep(ctx, delay) {
+			return 0, ctx.Err()
+		}
+	}
+	if lastErr == nil {
+		lastErr = ErrPermanent
+	}
+	return ExitPermanent, fmt.Errorf("%w: %v", ErrPermanent, lastErr)
+}
+
+// runOnce launches a single worker, pumps its output to sink, and returns its
+// exit code. The worker handle is tracked so Drain can kill it.
+func (p *Pool) runOnce(ctx context.Context, id int, spec WorkerSpec, sink Sink) (int, error) {
+	handle, err := p.opts.Launcher(ctx, spec)
+	if err != nil {
+		return 0, err
+	}
+	p.track(handle)
+	defer p.untrack(handle)
+
+	// Pump stdout lines until the stream ends.
+	lines := handle.Stdout()
+	for {
+		line, ok, lerr := lines.Next()
+		if lerr != nil {
+			break
+		}
+		if !ok {
+			break
+		}
+		if sink != nil {
+			sink.Line(line)
+		}
+	}
+	return handle.Wait()
+}
+
+func (p *Pool) newStat() *workerStat {
+	p.mu.Lock()
+	defer p.mu.Unlock()
+	p.nextID++
+	return &workerStat{id: p.nextID}
+}
+
+func (p *Pool) track(h WorkerHandle) {
+	p.mu.Lock()
+	p.active[h.Pid()] = h
+	p.mu.Unlock()
+}
+
+func (p *Pool) untrack(h WorkerHandle) {
+	p.mu.Lock()
+	delete(p.active, h.Pid())
+	p.mu.Unlock()
+}
+
+func (p *Pool) isDraining() bool {
+	p.mu.Lock()
+	defer p.mu.Unlock()
+	return p.draining
+}
+
+// sleep waits d, returning false if ctx is cancelled first. A non-positive d
+// returns immediately.
+func (p *Pool) sleep(ctx context.Context, d time.Duration) bool {
+	if d <= 0 {
+		return ctx.Err() == nil
+	}
+	timer := time.NewTimer(d)
+	defer timer.Stop()
+	select {
+	case <-timer.C:
+		return true
+	case <-ctx.Done():
+		return false
+	}
+}
+
+// Drain stops accepting new work, gives in-flight workers a grace window
+// (KillTimeout) to finish on their own, then force-kills any straggler. It
+// returns as soon as the pool is idle (graceful) or the window elapses. Safe to
+// call once; subsequent calls are no-ops.
+func (p *Pool) Drain() {
+	p.drainOnce.Do(func() {
+		p.mu.Lock()
+		p.draining = true
+		p.mu.Unlock()
+		close(p.drained)
+
+		// Grace window: poll until idle or the deadline.
+		deadline := time.Now().Add(p.opts.KillTimeout)
+		for time.Now().Before(deadline) {
+			p.mu.Lock()
+			n := len(p.active)
+			p.mu.Unlock()
+			if n == 0 {
+				return // all workers drained gracefully
+			}
+			time.Sleep(5 * time.Millisecond)
+		}
+
+		// Timed out: force-kill remaining workers.
+		p.mu.Lock()
+		handles := make([]WorkerHandle, 0, len(p.active))
+		for _, h := range p.active {
+			handles = append(handles, h)
+		}
+		p.mu.Unlock()
+		for _, h := range handles {
+			p.logf("drain: killing straggler worker pid=%d", h.Pid())
+			_ = h.Kill()
+		}
+	})
+}
+
+// WorkerStats returns a snapshot of the currently-active (busy) workers, bounded
+// by the pool size. The on-demand pool keeps no idle workers, so an empty result
+// means the pool is idle.
+func (p *Pool) WorkerStats() []WorkerStatus {
+	p.mu.Lock()
+	defer p.mu.Unlock()
+	out := make([]WorkerStatus, 0, len(p.active))
+	for pid := range p.active {
+		out = append(out, WorkerStatus{PID: pid, State: "busy"})
+	}
+	return out
+}

internal/daemon/pool_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,248 @@
+package daemon
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"errors"
+	"sync"
+	"sync/atomic"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+)
+
+// --- test doubles ---------------------------------------------------------
+
+type fakeLines struct {
+	lines []string
+	i     int
+}
+
+func (f *fakeLines) Next() (string, bool, error) {
+	if f.i >= len(f.lines) {
+		return "", false, nil
+	}
+	l := f.lines[f.i]
+	f.i++
+	return l, true, nil
+}
+
+type fakeWorker struct {
+	pid      int
+	out      []string
+	exitCode int
+	killed   int32
+	waitCh   chan struct{} // when non-nil, Wait blocks until closed (drain tests)
+}
+
+func (w *fakeWorker) Stdout() Lines { return &fakeLines{lines: w.out} }
+func (w *fakeWorker) Wait() (int, error) {
+	if w.waitCh != nil {
+		<-w.waitCh
+	}
+	return w.exitCode, nil
+}
+func (w *fakeWorker) Kill() error {
+	atomic.StoreInt32(&w.killed, 1)
+	if w.waitCh != nil {
+		select {
+		case <-w.waitCh:
+		default:
+			close(w.waitCh)
+		}
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+func (w *fakeWorker) Pid() int { return w.pid }
+
+// seqLauncher hands out the given workers in order, then errors.
+func seqLauncher(workers ...*fakeWorker) (Launcher, *int32) {
+	var calls int32
+	l := func(_ context.Context, _ WorkerSpec) (WorkerHandle, error) {
+		n := atomic.AddInt32(&calls, 1)
+		idx := int(n) - 1
+		if idx >= len(workers) {
+			return nil, errors.New("no more fake workers")
+		}
+		return workers[idx], nil
+	}
+	return l, &calls
+}
+
+type collectSink struct {
+	mu    sync.Mutex
+	lines []string
+}
+
+func (c *collectSink) Line(line string) {
+	c.mu.Lock()
+	c.lines = append(c.lines, line)
+	c.mu.Unlock()
+}
+
+// --- tests ----------------------------------------------------------------
+
+func TestPoolRunStreamsAndSucceeds(t *testing.T) {
+	launcher, calls := seqLauncher(&fakeWorker{pid: 1, out: []string{"a", "b"}, exitCode: 0})
+	pool, err := NewPool(PoolOptions{Size: 2, Launcher: launcher})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("NewPool: %v", err)
+	}
+	sink := &collectSink{}
+	code, err := pool.Run(context.Background(), WorkerSpec{Session: "s"}, sink)
+	if err != nil || code != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("Run = (%d,%v), want (0,nil)", code, err)
+	}
+	if len(sink.lines) != 2 || sink.lines[0] != "a" || sink.lines[1] != "b" {
+		t.Fatalf("sink lines = %v, want [a b]", sink.lines)
+	}
+	if *calls != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("launcher calls = %d, want 1", *calls)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestPoolRunRetriesWithBackoff(t *testing.T) {
+	launcher, calls := seqLauncher(
+		&fakeWorker{pid: 1, exitCode: 1},                      // crash
+		&fakeWorker{pid: 2, exitCode: 1},                      // crash
+		&fakeWorker{pid: 3, exitCode: 0, out: []string{"ok"}}, // success
+	)
+	var backoffArgs []int
+	pool, _ := NewPool(PoolOptions{
+		Size: 1, Launcher: launcher, MaxAttempts: 5,
+		Backoff: func(attempt int) time.Duration { backoffArgs = append(backoffArgs, attempt); return 0 },
+	})
+	sink := &collectSink{}
+	code, err := pool.Run(context.Background(), WorkerSpec{Session: "s"}, sink)
+	if err != nil || code != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("Run = (%d,%v), want (0,nil)", code, err)
+	}
+	if *calls != 3 {
+		t.Fatalf("launcher calls = %d, want 3 (2 crashes + success)", *calls)
+	}
+	// Backoff invoked between attempts with an increasing 1-based restart count.
+	if len(backoffArgs) != 2 || backoffArgs[0] != 1 || backoffArgs[1] != 2 {
+		t.Fatalf("backoff attempts = %v, want [1 2]", backoffArgs)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestPoolRunPermanentStopsImmediately(t *testing.T) {
+	launcher, calls := seqLauncher(&fakeWorker{pid: 1, exitCode: ExitPermanent})
+	pool, _ := NewPool(PoolOptions{Size: 1, Launcher: launcher, Backoff: func(int) time.Duration { return 0 }})
+	code, err := pool.Run(context.Background(), WorkerSpec{Session: "s"}, &collectSink{})
+	if !errors.Is(err, ErrPermanent) {
+		t.Fatalf("Run err = %v, want ErrPermanent", err)
+	}
+	if code != ExitPermanent {
+		t.Fatalf("Run code = %d, want %d", code, ExitPermanent)
+	}
+	if *calls != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("permanent exit must not retry; launcher calls = %d, want 1", *calls)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestPoolRunCapExhausted(t *testing.T) {
+	launcher, calls := seqLauncher(
+		&fakeWorker{pid: 1, exitCode: 1},
+		&fakeWorker{pid: 2, exitCode: 1},
+		&fakeWorker{pid: 3, exitCode: 1},
+	)
+	pool, _ := NewPool(PoolOptions{Size: 1, Launcher: launcher, MaxAttempts: 3, Backoff: func(int) time.Duration { return 0 }})
+	_, err := pool.Run(context.Background(), WorkerSpec{Session: "s"}, &collectSink{})
+	if !errors.Is(err, ErrPermanent) {
+		t.Fatalf("Run err = %v, want ErrPermanent after cap", err)
+	}
+	if *calls != 3 {
+		t.Fatalf("launcher calls = %d, want 3 (== MaxAttempts)", *calls)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestPoolRunTempfailRetries(t *testing.T) {
+	launcher, calls := seqLauncher(
+		&fakeWorker{pid: 1, exitCode: ExitTempfail},
+		&fakeWorker{pid: 2, exitCode: 0, out: []string{"ok"}},
+	)
+	pool, _ := NewPool(PoolOptions{Size: 1, Launcher: launcher, TempfailDelay: time.Millisecond})
+	code, err := pool.Run(context.Background(), WorkerSpec{Session: "s"}, &collectSink{})
+	if err != nil || code != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("Run = (%d,%v), want (0,nil)", code, err)
+	}
+	if *calls != 2 {
+		t.Fatalf("launcher calls = %d, want 2 (tempfail + success)", *calls)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestPoolQueuesWhenFull(t *testing.T) {
+	block := make(chan struct{})
+	first := &fakeWorker{pid: 1, waitCh: block}
+	second := &fakeWorker{pid: 2, exitCode: 0}
+	launcher, _ := seqLauncher(first, second)
+	pool, _ := NewPool(PoolOptions{Size: 1, Launcher: launcher})
+
+	started := make(chan struct{})
+	go func() {
+		close(started)
+		_, _ = pool.Run(context.Background(), WorkerSpec{Session: "a"}, &collectSink{})
+	}()
+	<-started
+	// Wait until the first run holds the only slot.
+	waitFor(t, func() bool { return pool.QueueDepth() == 1 })
+
+	secondDone := make(chan struct{})
+	go func() {
+		_, _ = pool.Run(context.Background(), WorkerSpec{Session: "b"}, &collectSink{})
+		close(secondDone)
+	}()
+	// The second run must NOT complete while the slot is held.
+	select {
+	case <-secondDone:
+		t.Fatal("second run completed while the only slot was busy (no queueing)")
+	case <-time.After(50 * time.Millisecond):
+	}
+	// Free the slot; the queued run now proceeds.
+	close(block)
+	select {
+	case <-secondDone:
+	case <-time.After(2 * time.Second):
+		t.Fatal("queued run did not proceed after slot freed")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestPoolDrainKillsStraggler(t *testing.T) {
+	block := make(chan struct{})
+	straggler := &fakeWorker{pid: 1, waitCh: block}
+	launcher, _ := seqLauncher(straggler)
+	pool, _ := NewPool(PoolOptions{Size: 1, Launcher: launcher, MaxAttempts: 1, KillTimeout: 10 * time.Millisecond})
+
+	runDone := make(chan struct{})
+	go func() {
+		_, _ = pool.Run(context.Background(), WorkerSpec{Session: "a"}, &collectSink{})
+		close(runDone)
+	}()
+	waitFor(t, func() bool { return pool.QueueDepth() == 1 })
+
+	pool.Drain() // KillTimeout elapses, straggler is force-killed
+	if atomic.LoadInt32(&straggler.killed) != 1 {
+		t.Fatal("Drain must kill a straggler still running after KillTimeout")
+	}
+	select {
+	case <-runDone:
+	case <-time.After(2 * time.Second):
+		t.Fatal("run did not finish after drain kill")
+	}
+
+	// A new Run after drain is refused.
+	if _, err := pool.Run(context.Background(), WorkerSpec{Session: "b"}, &collectSink{}); !errors.Is(err, ErrPoolDraining) {
+		t.Fatalf("Run after drain err = %v, want ErrPoolDraining", err)
+	}
+}
+
+func waitFor(t *testing.T, cond func() bool) {
+	t.Helper()
+	deadline := time.Now().Add(2 * time.Second)
+	for time.Now().Before(deadline) {
+		if cond() {
+			return
+		}
+		time.Sleep(time.Millisecond)
+	}
+	t.Fatal("condition not met within timeout")
+}

internal/daemon/protocol.go

@@ -0,0 +1,184 @@
+// Package daemon implements zero's long-running daemon/server mode: a local
+// control server that supervises a pool of headless `zero exec` worker processes
+// and routes multiple agent sessions to them over an owner-only local socket.
+//
+// It reuses zero's existing building blocks rather than inventing new ones:
+//   - internal/background : child-process group setup + cross-platform terminate.
+//   - internal/streamjson : the line-based agent event protocol on worker stdio.
+//   - internal/cli (exec) : a worker is a `zero exec -i/-o stream-json` process.
+//
+// The control plane (this file) is a small framed codec mirrored from the
+// reference daemon's protocol.js: a 4-byte big-endian length prefix, a 1-byte
+// frame kind, then a JSON control payload, with a 1 MiB frame cap and a
+// version-negotiation handshake. The agent event stream itself stays stream-json.
+package daemon
+
+import (
+	"encoding/binary"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"errors"
+	"fmt"
+	"io"
+)
+
+// Wire constants. Mirrors reference-daemon-code-agent-js/protocol.js
+// (FRAME_DATA/FRAME_CTRL, HEADER_SIZE, MAX_FRAME_SIZE, PROTO_VERSION).
+const (
+	// ProtoVersion is the control-protocol version advertised in the handshake.
+	ProtoVersion = 1
+	// MaxFrameSize caps a single control frame payload at 1 MiB. A larger
+	// advertised length is rejected before any allocation (fail closed).
+	MaxFrameSize = 1 << 20
+	// frameHeaderSize is 4 bytes big-endian length + 1 byte kind.
+	frameHeaderSize = 5
+)
+
+// FrameKind tags a frame's payload. Mirrors protocol.js FRAME_DATA/FRAME_CTRL.
+type FrameKind uint8
+
+const (
+	// KindData carries an opaque payload (e.g. a stream-json line). Reserved for
+	// future use; the control plane uses KindCtrl.
+	KindData FrameKind = 0
+	// KindCtrl carries a JSON-encoded control message (see Ctrl).
+	KindCtrl FrameKind = 1
+)
+
+// ErrFrameTooLarge is returned when a frame's advertised payload length exceeds
+// MaxFrameSize. The reader rejects it without allocating the buffer.
+var ErrFrameTooLarge = errors.New("daemon: control frame exceeds size cap")
+
+// ErrUnknownFrameKind is returned for a frame whose kind byte is not recognized.
+var ErrUnknownFrameKind = errors.New("daemon: unknown control frame kind")
+
+// WriteFrame writes a single framed message: [uint32BE len][uint8 kind][payload].
+// It rejects an over-cap payload before writing anything so a buggy/hostile caller
+// cannot emit a frame a conforming reader would refuse.
+func WriteFrame(w io.Writer, kind FrameKind, payload []byte) error {
+	if len(payload) > MaxFrameSize {
+		return fmt.Errorf("%w (%d > %d)", ErrFrameTooLarge, len(payload), MaxFrameSize)
+	}
+	header := make([]byte, frameHeaderSize)
+	binary.BigEndian.PutUint32(header[:4], uint32(len(payload)))
+	header[4] = byte(kind)
+	if _, err := w.Write(header); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	if len(payload) == 0 {
+		return nil
+	}
+	_, err := w.Write(payload)
+	return err
+}
+
+// ReadFrame reads a single framed message. It validates the advertised length
+// against MaxFrameSize BEFORE allocating, so an oversize or hostile frame is
+// rejected (ErrFrameTooLarge) rather than triggering a huge allocation. An
+// unrecognized kind byte yields ErrUnknownFrameKind after the payload is drained
+// so the stream stays in sync.
+func ReadFrame(r io.Reader) (FrameKind, []byte, error) {
+	header := make([]byte, frameHeaderSize)
+	if _, err := io.ReadFull(r, header); err != nil {
+		return 0, nil, err
+	}
+	length := binary.BigEndian.Uint32(header[:4])
+	if length > MaxFrameSize {
+		return 0, nil, fmt.Errorf("%w (%d > %d)", ErrFrameTooLarge, length, MaxFrameSize)
+	}
+	kind := FrameKind(header[4])
+	payload := make([]byte, length)
+	if length > 0 {
+		if _, err := io.ReadFull(r, payload); err != nil {
+			return 0, nil, err
+		}
+	}
+	if kind != KindData && kind != KindCtrl {
+		return kind, nil, ErrUnknownFrameKind
+	}
+	return kind, payload, nil
+}
+
+// CtrlType is the discriminator for a control message.
+type CtrlType string
+
+const (
+	// CtrlHello is the client's opening handshake; Version is the highest control
+	// version it speaks.
+	CtrlHello CtrlType = "hello"
+	// CtrlHelloOK is the daemon's handshake reply with the negotiated Version.
+	CtrlHelloOK CtrlType = "hello_ok"
+	// CtrlRun asks the daemon to create/route a session and stream its output.
+	CtrlRun CtrlType = "run"
+	// CtrlAttach asks the daemon to attach the client to a running session's stream.
+	CtrlAttach CtrlType = "attach"
+	// CtrlStatus requests daemon/worker/session status.
+	CtrlStatus CtrlType = "status"
+	// CtrlStatusResult carries the status payload (see StatusReport in Status).
+	CtrlStatusResult CtrlType = "status_result"
+	// CtrlData carries one stream-json line of agent output back to the client.
+	CtrlData CtrlType = "data"
+	// CtrlAck acknowledges receipt/dispatch of a request (at-least-once dispatch).
+	CtrlAck CtrlType = "ack"
+	// CtrlEnd marks the end of a session's stream.
+	CtrlEnd CtrlType = "end"
+	// CtrlShutdown asks the daemon to drain and stop.
+	CtrlShutdown CtrlType = "shutdown"
+	// CtrlError carries a human-readable error for the client.
+	CtrlError CtrlType = "error"
+)
+
+// Ctrl is a control message carried in a KindCtrl frame as JSON. Unused fields
+// are omitted so frames stay small.
+type Ctrl struct {
+	Type    CtrlType `json:"type"`
+	Version int      `json:"version,omitempty"`
+	Session string   `json:"session,omitempty"`
+	Cwd     string   `json:"cwd,omitempty"`
+	Args    []string `json:"args,omitempty"`
+	Prompt  string   `json:"prompt,omitempty"`
+	// Line is one stream-json event line (for CtrlData).
+	Line string `json:"line,omitempty"`
+	// Message is a human-readable detail (for CtrlError / CtrlAck).
+	Message string `json:"message,omitempty"`
+	// Status is populated on CtrlStatusResult.
+	Status *StatusReport `json:"status,omitempty"`
+}
+
+// WriteControl marshals a control message into a KindCtrl frame.
+func WriteControl(w io.Writer, msg Ctrl) error {
+	payload, err := json.Marshal(msg)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	return WriteFrame(w, KindCtrl, payload)
+}
+
+// ReadControl reads the next frame and decodes it as a control message. A
+// non-control frame yields ErrUnknownFrameKind so the caller fails closed.
+func ReadControl(r io.Reader) (Ctrl, error) {
+	kind, payload, err := ReadFrame(r)
+	if err != nil {
+		return Ctrl{}, err
+	}
+	if kind != KindCtrl {
+		return Ctrl{}, ErrUnknownFrameKind
+	}
+	var msg Ctrl
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(payload, &msg); err != nil {
+		return Ctrl{}, fmt.Errorf("daemon: decode control message: %w", err)
+	}
+	return msg, nil
+}
+
+// NegotiateVersion picks the protocol version both ends can speak: the lower of
+// the client's advertised version and ProtoVersion. A non-positive client
+// version is invalid and yields ok=false so the daemon can reject the connection.
+func NegotiateVersion(clientVersion int) (int, bool) {
+	if clientVersion <= 0 {
+		return 0, false
+	}
+	if clientVersion < ProtoVersion {
+		return clientVersion, true
+	}
+	return ProtoVersion, true
+}

internal/daemon/protocol_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,120 @@
+package daemon
+
+import (
+	"bytes"
+	"encoding/binary"
+	"errors"
+	"io"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+)
+
+func TestFrameRoundTrip(t *testing.T) {
+	var buf bytes.Buffer
+	payloads := [][]byte{[]byte("hello"), {}, []byte(strings.Repeat("x", 4096))}
+	for _, p := range payloads {
+		if err := WriteFrame(&buf, KindCtrl, p); err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("WriteFrame: %v", err)
+		}
+	}
+	for i, want := range payloads {
+		kind, got, err := ReadFrame(&buf)
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("ReadFrame[%d]: %v", i, err)
+		}
+		if kind != KindCtrl {
+			t.Fatalf("frame[%d] kind = %d, want KindCtrl", i, kind)
+		}
+		if !bytes.Equal(got, want) {
+			t.Fatalf("frame[%d] payload = %q, want %q", i, got, want)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func TestControlRoundTrip(t *testing.T) {
+	var buf bytes.Buffer
+	msg := Ctrl{Type: CtrlRun, Session: "s1", Cwd: "/tmp", Args: []string{"--prompt", "hi"}}
+	if err := WriteControl(&buf, msg); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("WriteControl: %v", err)
+	}
+	got, err := ReadControl(&buf)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("ReadControl: %v", err)
+	}
+	if got.Type != CtrlRun || got.Session != "s1" || got.Cwd != "/tmp" || len(got.Args) != 2 {
+		t.Fatalf("round-trip mismatch: %+v", got)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestWriteFrameRejectsOversize(t *testing.T) {
+	var buf bytes.Buffer
+	err := WriteFrame(&buf, KindCtrl, make([]byte, MaxFrameSize+1))
+	if !errors.Is(err, ErrFrameTooLarge) {
+		t.Fatalf("WriteFrame oversize err = %v, want ErrFrameTooLarge", err)
+	}
+	if buf.Len() != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("oversize WriteFrame must not emit any bytes, wrote %d", buf.Len())
+	}
+}
+
+func TestReadFrameRejectsOversizeBeforeAlloc(t *testing.T) {
+	// A header advertising a 4 GiB payload must be rejected without reading or
+	// allocating that payload.
+	header := make([]byte, frameHeaderSize)
+	binary.BigEndian.PutUint32(header[:4], MaxFrameSize+1)
+	header[4] = byte(KindCtrl)
+	_, _, err := ReadFrame(bytes.NewReader(header))
+	if !errors.Is(err, ErrFrameTooLarge) {
+		t.Fatalf("ReadFrame oversize err = %v, want ErrFrameTooLarge", err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestReadFrameUnknownKind(t *testing.T) {
+	var buf bytes.Buffer
+	// Hand-write a frame with an unknown kind byte (7) and a small payload.
+	header := make([]byte, frameHeaderSize)
+	binary.BigEndian.PutUint32(header[:4], 2)
+	header[4] = 7
+	buf.Write(header)
+	buf.Write([]byte("ab"))
+	_, _, err := ReadFrame(&buf)
+	if !errors.Is(err, ErrUnknownFrameKind) {
+		t.Fatalf("unknown kind err = %v, want ErrUnknownFrameKind", err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestReadFrameTruncated(t *testing.T) {
+	// Header promises 10 bytes but only 3 follow → unexpected EOF.
+	var buf bytes.Buffer
+	header := make([]byte, frameHeaderSize)
+	binary.BigEndian.PutUint32(header[:4], 10)
+	header[4] = byte(KindCtrl)
+	buf.Write(header)
+	buf.Write([]byte("abc"))
+	_, _, err := ReadFrame(&buf)
+	if err == nil || errors.Is(err, ErrFrameTooLarge) {
+		t.Fatalf("truncated frame err = %v, want a read error", err)
+	}
+	if !errors.Is(err, io.ErrUnexpectedEOF) {
+		t.Fatalf("truncated frame err = %v, want io.ErrUnexpectedEOF", err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestNegotiateVersion(t *testing.T) {
+	cases := []struct {
+		client int
+		want   int
+		wantOK bool
+	}{
+		{client: 1, want: 1, wantOK: true},
+		{client: 99, want: ProtoVersion, wantOK: true}, // clamp down to ours
+		{client: 0, want: 0, wantOK: false},
+		{client: -3, want: 0, wantOK: false},
+	}
+	for _, tc := range cases {
+		got, ok := NegotiateVersion(tc.client)
+		if got != tc.want || ok != tc.wantOK {
+			t.Fatalf("NegotiateVersion(%d) = (%d,%v), want (%d,%v)", tc.client, got, ok, tc.want, tc.wantOK)
+		}
+	}
+}

internal/daemon/server.go

@@ -0,0 +1,294 @@
+package daemon
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"errors"
+	"fmt"
+	"net"
+	"os"
+	"sync"
+	"time"
+)
+
+// Server is the daemon control plane. Mirrors reference-daemon-code-agent-js/
+// supervisor.js (single-instance lock, status file, lifecycle) + the accept loop
+// that routes framed control requests to the SessionManager/Pool. It listens on
+// an owner-only local Unix socket and NEVER binds a TCP port.
+type Server struct {
+	opts      ServerOptions
+	startedAt time.Time
+
+	listener net.Listener
+	lock     *fileLock
+
+	ctx    context.Context
+	cancel context.CancelFunc
+
+	wg           sync.WaitGroup
+	shutdownOnce sync.Once
+	done         chan struct{}
+}
+
+// ServerOptions configures a Server.
+type ServerOptions struct {
+	Paths   Paths
+	Manager *SessionManager
+	Pool    *Pool
+	Version int
+	Now     func() time.Time
+	Log     func(string)
+	isAlive func(int) bool // test hook for the single-instance lock
+}
+
+// NewServer validates options and builds a Server.
+func NewServer(opts ServerOptions) (*Server, error) {
+	if opts.Manager == nil || opts.Pool == nil {
+		return nil, errors.New("daemon: server requires a Pool and SessionManager")
+	}
+	if opts.Paths.Socket == "" || opts.Paths.Lock == "" || opts.Paths.Status == "" {
+		return nil, errors.New("daemon: server requires socket, lock, and status paths")
+	}
+	if opts.Version <= 0 {
+		opts.Version = ProtoVersion
+	}
+	if opts.Now == nil {
+		opts.Now = time.Now
+	}
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
+	return &Server{
+		opts:   opts,
+		ctx:    ctx,
+		cancel: cancel,
+		done:   make(chan struct{}),
+	}, nil
+}
+
+func (s *Server) logf(format string, args ...any) {
+	if s.opts.Log != nil {
+		s.opts.Log(fmt.Sprintf(format, args...))
+	}
+}
+
+// Serve acquires the single-instance lock, binds the owner-only control socket,
+// writes the status file, and serves connections until Shutdown. It blocks. On
+// return it has released the lock and removed the socket/status files.
+func (s *Server) Serve() error {
+	if err := checkSocketPathLength(s.opts.Paths.Socket); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	if err := secureSocketParent(s.opts.Paths.Socket); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	lock, err := acquireLock(s.opts.Paths.Lock, s.opts.isAlive)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	s.lock = lock
+	defer s.cleanup()
+
+	// A leftover socket file from an unclean exit would make Listen fail with
+	// "address already in use"; we hold the lock, so any socket here is stale.
+	_ = os.Remove(s.opts.Paths.Socket)
+
+	listener, err := net.Listen("unix", s.opts.Paths.Socket)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("daemon: bind control socket: %w", err)
+	}
+	s.listener = listener
+	if err := hardenSocketFile(s.opts.Paths.Socket); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("daemon: harden control socket: %w", err)
+	}
+	s.startedAt = s.opts.Now()
+	if err := s.writeStatusFile(); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	s.logf("daemon listening on %s (pid %d)", s.opts.Paths.Socket, os.Getpid())
+
+	for {
+		conn, err := listener.Accept()
+		if err != nil {
+			select {
+			case <-s.done:
+				s.wg.Wait()
+				return nil // clean shutdown
+			default:
+				// Transient accept error during normal operation.
+				s.logf("accept error: %v", err)
+				return fmt.Errorf("daemon: accept: %w", err)
+			}
+		}
+		s.wg.Add(1)
+		go func() {
+			defer s.wg.Done()
+			s.handleConn(conn)
+		}()
+	}
+}
+
+// Shutdown stops accepting connections, cancels in-flight runs, drains the pool,
+// and removes the socket/lock/status files. Safe to call multiple times.
+func (s *Server) Shutdown() {
+	s.shutdownOnce.Do(func() {
+		close(s.done)
+		s.cancel() // stop in-flight pool runs
+		if s.listener != nil {
+			_ = s.listener.Close()
+		}
+		s.opts.Pool.Drain()
+	})
+}
+
+func (s *Server) cleanup() {
+	if s.listener != nil {
+		_ = s.listener.Close()
+	}
+	_ = os.Remove(s.opts.Paths.Socket)
+	_ = os.Remove(s.opts.Paths.Status)
+	if s.lock != nil {
+		_ = s.lock.release()
+	}
+}
+
+func (s *Server) writeStatusFile() error {
+	status := StatusFile{
+		PID:       os.Getpid(),
+		Socket:    s.opts.Paths.Socket,
+		Version:   s.opts.Version,
+		StartedAt: s.startedAt,
+	}
+	data, err := json.MarshalIndent(status, "", "  ")
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	if err := os.WriteFile(s.opts.Paths.Status, data, 0o600); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("daemon: write status file: %w", err)
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+// handleConn performs the handshake then dispatches a single control command.
+func (s *Server) handleConn(conn net.Conn) {
+	defer conn.Close()
+
+	hello, err := ReadControl(conn)
+	if err != nil {
+		return
+	}
+	if hello.Type != CtrlHello {
+		_ = WriteControl(conn, Ctrl{Type: CtrlError, Message: "expected hello"})
+		return
+	}
+	version, ok := NegotiateVersion(hello.Version)
+	if !ok {
+		_ = WriteControl(conn, Ctrl{Type: CtrlError, Message: "unsupported protocol version"})
+		return
+	}
+	if err := WriteControl(conn, Ctrl{Type: CtrlHelloOK, Version: version}); err != nil {
+		return
+	}
+
+	cmd, err := ReadControl(conn)
+	if err != nil {
+		return
+	}
+	switch cmd.Type {
+	case CtrlRun:
+		s.handleRun(conn, cmd)
+	case CtrlAttach:
+		s.handleAttach(conn, cmd)
+	case CtrlStatus:
+		s.handleStatus(conn)
+	case CtrlShutdown:
+		_ = WriteControl(conn, Ctrl{Type: CtrlAck, Message: "shutting down"})
+		s.Shutdown()
+	default:
+		_ = WriteControl(conn, Ctrl{Type: CtrlError, Message: fmt.Sprintf("unknown command %q", cmd.Type)})
+	}
+}
+
+func (s *Server) handleRun(conn net.Conn, cmd Ctrl) {
+	if cmd.Session == "" {
+		_ = WriteControl(conn, Ctrl{Type: CtrlError, Message: "run requires a session id"})
+		return
+	}
+	args := cmd.Args
+	if cmd.Prompt != "" {
+		args = append(args, "--prompt", cmd.Prompt)
+	}
+	sess, err := s.opts.Manager.Start(s.ctx, WorkerSpec{Session: cmd.Session, Cwd: cmd.Cwd, Args: args})
+	if err != nil {
+		_ = WriteControl(conn, Ctrl{Type: CtrlError, Message: err.Error()})
+		return
+	}
+	_ = WriteControl(conn, Ctrl{Type: CtrlAck, Session: sess.ID()})
+	buffered, live, cancel := sess.Subscribe()
+	defer cancel()
+	s.streamToClient(conn, sess, buffered, live)
+}
+
+func (s *Server) handleAttach(conn net.Conn, cmd Ctrl) {
+	if cmd.Session == "" {
+		_ = WriteControl(conn, Ctrl{Type: CtrlError, Message: "attach requires a session id"})
+		return
+	}
+	buffered, live, cancel, err := s.opts.Manager.Attach(cmd.Session)
+	if err != nil {
+		_ = WriteControl(conn, Ctrl{Type: CtrlError, Message: err.Error()})
+		return
+	}
+	defer cancel()
+	sess, _ := s.opts.Manager.Get(cmd.Session)
+	_ = WriteControl(conn, Ctrl{Type: CtrlAck, Session: cmd.Session})
+	s.streamToClient(conn, sess, buffered, live)
+}
+
+// streamToClient writes the buffered history then live lines as CtrlData frames,
+// finishing with CtrlEnd (or CtrlError if the session failed). A write error
+// (client disconnected) ends the stream without affecting the session.
+func (s *Server) streamToClient(conn net.Conn, sess *Session, buffered []string, live <-chan string) {
+	for _, line := range buffered {
+		if err := WriteControl(conn, Ctrl{Type: CtrlData, Line: line}); err != nil {
+			return
+		}
+	}
+	for {
+		select {
+		case line, ok := <-live:
+			if !ok {
+				s.finishStream(conn, sess)
+				return
+			}
+			if err := WriteControl(conn, Ctrl{Type: CtrlData, Line: line}); err != nil {
+				return
+			}
+		case <-s.done:
+			_ = WriteControl(conn, Ctrl{Type: CtrlEnd, Message: "daemon shutting down"})
+			return
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func (s *Server) finishStream(conn net.Conn, sess *Session) {
+	if sess != nil {
+		if err := sess.Err(); err != nil {
+			_ = WriteControl(conn, Ctrl{Type: CtrlError, Session: sess.ID(), Message: err.Error()})
+			return
+		}
+	}
+	_ = WriteControl(conn, Ctrl{Type: CtrlEnd})
+}
+
+func (s *Server) handleStatus(conn net.Conn) {
+	report := StatusReport{
+		PID:        os.Getpid(),
+		Version:    s.opts.Version,
+		Socket:     s.opts.Paths.Socket,
+		StartedAt:  s.startedAt,
+		PoolSize:   s.opts.Pool.Size(),
+		Workers:    s.opts.Pool.WorkerStats(),
+		Sessions:   s.opts.Manager.Statuses(),
+		QueueDepth: s.opts.Pool.QueueDepth(),
+	}
+	_ = WriteControl(conn, Ctrl{Type: CtrlStatusResult, Status: &report})
+}

internal/daemon/server_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,176 @@
+package daemon
+
+import (
+	"errors"
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+)
+
+func newTestServer(t *testing.T, launcher Launcher) (*Server, Paths) {
+	t.Helper()
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	paths := Paths{
+		Socket: filepath.Join(dir, "d.sock"),
+		Lock:   filepath.Join(dir, "d.lock"),
+		Status: filepath.Join(dir, "d.status"),
+	}
+	pool, err := NewPool(PoolOptions{Size: 2, Launcher: launcher, KillTimeout: 200 * time.Millisecond})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("NewPool: %v", err)
+	}
+	mgr, err := NewSessionManager(SessionManagerOptions{Pool: pool})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("NewSessionManager: %v", err)
+	}
+	srv, err := NewServer(ServerOptions{Paths: paths, Manager: mgr, Pool: pool})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("NewServer: %v", err)
+	}
+	return srv, paths
+}
+
+func waitForFile(t *testing.T, path string) {
+	t.Helper()
+	deadline := time.Now().Add(2 * time.Second)
+	for time.Now().Before(deadline) {
+		if _, err := os.Stat(path); err == nil {
+			return
+		}
+		time.Sleep(2 * time.Millisecond)
+	}
+	t.Fatalf("file %s did not appear within timeout", path)
+}
+
+func TestServerEndToEnd(t *testing.T) {
+	out := []string{`{"type":"event","seq":1}`, `{"type":"event","seq":2}`}
+	launcher, _ := seqLauncher(&fakeWorker{pid: 1, out: out, exitCode: 0})
+	srv, paths := newTestServer(t, launcher)
+
+	serveErr := make(chan error, 1)
+	go func() { serveErr <- srv.Serve() }()
+	waitForFile(t, paths.Status)
+
+	// --- run a session and collect its stream-json output ---
+	runClient, err := Dial(paths.Socket)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Dial(run): %v", err)
+	}
+	var got []string
+	if err := runClient.Run("s1", "", "hello", nil, func(line string) { got = append(got, line) }); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Run: %v", err)
+	}
+	runClient.Close()
+	if len(got) != 2 || got[0] != out[0] || got[1] != out[1] {
+		t.Fatalf("streamed lines = %v, want %v", got, out)
+	}
+
+	// --- status reflects the session ---
+	statusClient, err := Dial(paths.Socket)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Dial(status): %v", err)
+	}
+	report, err := statusClient.Status()
+	statusClient.Close()
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Status: %v", err)
+	}
+	if report.PoolSize != 2 {
+		t.Fatalf("status PoolSize = %d, want 2", report.PoolSize)
+	}
+	foundSession := false
+	for _, s := range report.Sessions {
+		if s.ID == "s1" {
+			foundSession = true
+			if s.State != string(SessionDone) {
+				t.Fatalf("session s1 state = %s, want done", s.State)
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	if !foundSession {
+		t.Fatalf("status missing session s1: %+v", report.Sessions)
+	}
+
+	// --- attach to the finished session sees the buffered history ---
+	attachClient, err := Dial(paths.Socket)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Dial(attach): %v", err)
+	}
+	var attached []string
+	if err := attachClient.Attach("s1", func(line string) { attached = append(attached, line) }); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Attach: %v", err)
+	}
+	attachClient.Close()
+	if len(attached) != 2 {
+		t.Fatalf("attach lines = %v, want 2 buffered", attached)
+	}
+
+	// --- graceful stop, daemon cleans up ---
+	stopClient, err := Dial(paths.Socket)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Dial(stop): %v", err)
+	}
+	if err := stopClient.Shutdown(); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Shutdown: %v", err)
+	}
+	stopClient.Close()
+
+	select {
+	case err := <-serveErr:
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("Serve returned error: %v", err)
+		}
+	case <-time.After(3 * time.Second):
+		t.Fatal("Serve did not return after shutdown")
+	}
+	// Socket, status, and lock files are removed on exit.
+	for _, p := range []string{paths.Socket, paths.Status, paths.Lock} {
+		if _, err := os.Stat(p); !errors.Is(err, os.ErrNotExist) {
+			t.Fatalf("file %s not cleaned up after shutdown: %v", p, err)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func TestServerSecondInstanceFails(t *testing.T) {
+	block := make(chan struct{})
+	defer close(block)
+	launcher, _ := seqLauncher(&fakeWorker{pid: 1, waitCh: block})
+	srv1, paths := newTestServer(t, launcher)
+
+	serveErr := make(chan error, 1)
+	go func() { serveErr <- srv1.Serve() }()
+	waitForFile(t, paths.Status)
+
+	// A second server on the same paths must refuse to start (single instance).
+	pool2, _ := NewPool(PoolOptions{Size: 1, Launcher: launcher})
+	mgr2, _ := NewSessionManager(SessionManagerOptions{Pool: pool2})
+	srv2, _ := NewServer(ServerOptions{Paths: paths, Manager: mgr2, Pool: pool2})
+	if err := srv2.Serve(); !errors.Is(err, ErrAlreadyRunning) {
+		t.Fatalf("second Serve err = %v, want ErrAlreadyRunning", err)
+	}
+
+	srv1.Shutdown()
+	<-serveErr
+}
+
+func TestServerRejectsUnknownCommand(t *testing.T) {
+	block := make(chan struct{})
+	defer close(block)
+	launcher, _ := seqLauncher(&fakeWorker{pid: 1, waitCh: block})
+	srv, paths := newTestServer(t, launcher)
+	go func() { _ = srv.Serve() }()
+	defer srv.Shutdown()
+	waitForFile(t, paths.Status)
+
+	client, err := Dial(paths.Socket)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Dial: %v", err)
+	}
+	defer client.Close()
+	// Run with an empty session id is rejected with an error frame.
+	err = client.Run("", "", "hi", nil, nil)
+	if err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("run with empty session id must return an error")
+	}
+}

internal/daemon/session.go

@@ -0,0 +1,306 @@
+package daemon
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"errors"
+	"sort"
+	"sync"
+)
+
+// Session/lease/roster model. Mirrors reference-daemon-code-agent-js/
+// session-manager.js (sessionID -> worker + metrics), lease.js (one active
+// request per worker) and roster.js (the live session registry). Because zero's
+// `exec` worker is one-shot, each session is served by exactly one worker via
+// Pool.Run, so "one active request per worker" holds inherently and the pool's
+// bounded slots provide the queue-when-full behavior.
+
+// SessionState is a session's lifecycle phase.
+type SessionState string
+
+const (
+	// SessionQueued: created, waiting for a free pool slot.
+	SessionQueued SessionState = "queued"
+	// SessionRunning: a worker is leased and producing output.
+	SessionRunning SessionState = "running"
+	// SessionDone: the worker finished cleanly.
+	SessionDone SessionState = "done"
+	// SessionFailed: the worker failed permanently / the run errored.
+	SessionFailed SessionState = "failed"
+)
+
+// ErrSessionExists is returned when starting a session ID already in use.
+var ErrSessionExists = errors.New("daemon: session already exists")
+
+// ErrSessionNotFound is returned by Get/Attach for an unknown session ID.
+var ErrSessionNotFound = errors.New("daemon: session not found")
+
+const defaultSessionBuffer = 1024
+
+// Session is one routed agent run. It buffers recent output (so a late `attach`
+// sees history) and fans live lines out to subscribers. It implements the pool's
+// Sink (Line) and the lease "started" hook (Started).
+type Session struct {
+	id  string
+	cwd string
+
+	mu          sync.Mutex
+	state       SessionState
+	buffer      []string
+	maxBuffer   int
+	lines       int
+	finished    bool
+	err         error
+	exitCode    int
+	subscribers map[int]chan string
+	nextSub     int
+	done        chan struct{}
+}
+
+func newSession(id, cwd string, maxBuffer int) *Session {
+	if maxBuffer <= 0 {
+		maxBuffer = defaultSessionBuffer
+	}
+	return &Session{
+		id:          id,
+		cwd:         cwd,
+		state:       SessionQueued,
+		maxBuffer:   maxBuffer,
+		subscribers: map[int]chan string{},
+		done:        make(chan struct{}),
+	}
+}
+
+// ID returns the session ID.
+func (s *Session) ID() string { return s.id }
+
+// Done is closed when the session finishes (success or failure).
+func (s *Session) Done() <-chan struct{} { return s.done }
+
+// Err returns the terminal error (nil on clean completion); valid after Done.
+func (s *Session) Err() error {
+	s.mu.Lock()
+	defer s.mu.Unlock()
+	return s.err
+}
+
+// State returns the current lifecycle phase.
+func (s *Session) State() SessionState {
+	s.mu.Lock()
+	defer s.mu.Unlock()
+	return s.state
+}
+
+// Started marks the session running once the pool leases a worker (lease hook).
+func (s *Session) Started() {
+	s.mu.Lock()
+	if s.state == SessionQueued {
+		s.state = SessionRunning
+	}
+	s.mu.Unlock()
+}
+
+// Line records and broadcasts one stream-json output line.
+func (s *Session) Line(line string) {
+	s.mu.Lock()
+	s.lines++
+	s.buffer = append(s.buffer, line)
+	if len(s.buffer) > s.maxBuffer {
+		// Drop the oldest line; the ring keeps only the most recent maxBuffer.
+		s.buffer = s.buffer[len(s.buffer)-s.maxBuffer:]
+	}
+	subs := make([]chan string, 0, len(s.subscribers))
+	for _, ch := range s.subscribers {
+		subs = append(subs, ch)
+	}
+	s.mu.Unlock()
+	for _, ch := range subs {
+		// Non-blocking: a slow/stalled subscriber must not stall the worker pump.
+		// Dropped live lines remain available via the buffer for a fresh attach.
+		select {
+		case ch <- line:
+		default:
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func (s *Session) finish(exitCode int, err error) {
+	s.mu.Lock()
+	s.finished = true
+	s.exitCode = exitCode
+	s.err = err
+	if err != nil {
+		s.state = SessionFailed
+	} else {
+		s.state = SessionDone
+	}
+	subs := s.subscribers
+	s.subscribers = map[int]chan string{}
+	s.mu.Unlock()
+	for _, ch := range subs {
+		close(ch)
+	}
+	close(s.done)
+}
+
+// Subscribe returns the buffered history plus a channel of subsequent live lines
+// and a cancel func. If the session has already finished, the live channel is
+// returned already closed. Mirrors attach.js.
+func (s *Session) Subscribe() (buffered []string, live <-chan string, cancel func()) {
+	s.mu.Lock()
+	defer s.mu.Unlock()
+	buffered = append([]string(nil), s.buffer...)
+	if s.finished {
+		ch := make(chan string)
+		close(ch)
+		return buffered, ch, func() {}
+	}
+	id := s.nextSub
+	s.nextSub++
+	ch := make(chan string, 256)
+	s.subscribers[id] = ch
+	cancel = func() {
+		s.mu.Lock()
+		if c, ok := s.subscribers[id]; ok {
+			delete(s.subscribers, id)
+			close(c)
+		}
+		s.mu.Unlock()
+	}
+	return buffered, ch, cancel
+}
+
+func (s *Session) status() SessionStatus {
+	s.mu.Lock()
+	defer s.mu.Unlock()
+	return SessionStatus{ID: s.id, State: string(s.state), Lines: s.lines}
+}
+
+func (s *Session) isFinished() bool {
+	s.mu.Lock()
+	defer s.mu.Unlock()
+	return s.finished
+}
+
+// defaultMaxSessions bounds the retained session registry so a long-running
+// daemon does not accumulate finished sessions without limit.
+const defaultMaxSessions = 256
+
+// SessionManager owns the live session registry and routes each session to a
+// pool worker. Mirrors session-manager.js + roster.js. Finished sessions are
+// retained (so a late `attach` sees history) up to MaxSessions, past which the
+// oldest FINISHED ones are evicted; running/queued sessions are never evicted.
+type SessionManager struct {
+	pool        *Pool
+	maxBuffer   int
+	maxSessions int
+
+	mu       sync.Mutex
+	sessions map[string]*Session
+	order    []string // creation order, for FIFO eviction of finished sessions
+}
+
+// SessionManagerOptions configures a SessionManager.
+type SessionManagerOptions struct {
+	Pool      *Pool
+	MaxBuffer int // per-session output ring size; 0 => default
+	// MaxSessions caps the retained session registry; 0 => default. The oldest
+	// FINISHED sessions are evicted once the cap is exceeded.
+	MaxSessions int
+}
+
+// NewSessionManager builds a manager over pool.
+func NewSessionManager(opts SessionManagerOptions) (*SessionManager, error) {
+	if opts.Pool == nil {
+		return nil, errors.New("daemon: session manager requires a Pool")
+	}
+	maxSessions := opts.MaxSessions
+	if maxSessions <= 0 {
+		maxSessions = defaultMaxSessions
+	}
+	return &SessionManager{
+		pool:        opts.Pool,
+		maxBuffer:   opts.MaxBuffer,
+		maxSessions: maxSessions,
+		sessions:    map[string]*Session{},
+	}, nil
+}
+
+// Start creates a session for spec and dispatches it to the pool. It returns the
+// Session immediately (non-blocking); the run proceeds in the background and the
+// session transitions queued -> running -> done/failed. A duplicate ID is
+// rejected with ErrSessionExists.
+func (m *SessionManager) Start(ctx context.Context, spec WorkerSpec) (*Session, error) {
+	m.mu.Lock()
+	if _, exists := m.sessions[spec.Session]; exists {
+		m.mu.Unlock()
+		return nil, ErrSessionExists
+	}
+	sess := newSession(spec.Session, spec.Cwd, m.maxBuffer)
+	m.sessions[spec.Session] = sess
+	m.order = append(m.order, spec.Session)
+	m.pruneLocked()
+	m.mu.Unlock()
+
+	go func() {
+		code, err := m.pool.Run(ctx, spec, sess)
+		sess.finish(code, err)
+	}()
+	return sess, nil
+}
+
+// pruneLocked evicts the oldest FINISHED sessions while the registry exceeds
+// maxSessions, so a long-running daemon does not retain finished sessions without
+// bound. Running/queued sessions are never evicted (a transient burst can exceed
+// the cap until those finish). Caller must hold m.mu.
+func (m *SessionManager) pruneLocked() {
+	if len(m.sessions) <= m.maxSessions {
+		return
+	}
+	kept := m.order[:0]
+	for _, id := range m.order {
+		s, ok := m.sessions[id]
+		if !ok {
+			continue // already removed
+		}
+		if len(m.sessions) > m.maxSessions && s.isFinished() {
+			delete(m.sessions, id)
+			continue
+		}
+		kept = append(kept, id)
+	}
+	m.order = kept
+}
+
+// Get returns a session by ID.
+func (m *SessionManager) Get(id string) (*Session, bool) {
+	m.mu.Lock()
+	defer m.mu.Unlock()
+	s, ok := m.sessions[id]
+	return s, ok
+}
+
+// Attach returns the buffered history + live stream for an existing session.
+func (m *SessionManager) Attach(id string) (buffered []string, live <-chan string, cancel func(), err error) {
+	s, ok := m.Get(id)
+	if !ok {
+		return nil, nil, nil, ErrSessionNotFound
+	}
+	b, l, c := s.Subscribe()
+	return b, l, c, nil
+}
+
+// Statuses returns a snapshot of all sessions, sorted by ID for stable output.
+func (m *SessionManager) Statuses() []SessionStatus {
+	m.mu.Lock()
+	sessions := make([]*Session, 0, len(m.sessions))
+	for _, s := range m.sessions {
+		sessions = append(sessions, s)
+	}
+	m.mu.Unlock()
+	out := make([]SessionStatus, 0, len(sessions))
+	for _, s := range sessions {
+		out = append(out, s.status())
+	}
+	sort.Slice(out, func(i, j int) bool { return out[i].ID < out[j].ID })
+	return out
+}

internal/daemon/session_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,179 @@
+package daemon
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"errors"
+	"sync/atomic"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+)
+
+func drain(t *testing.T, buffered []string, live <-chan string) []string {
+	t.Helper()
+	got := append([]string(nil), buffered...)
+	timeout := time.After(2 * time.Second)
+	for {
+		select {
+		case line, ok := <-live:
+			if !ok {
+				return got
+			}
+			got = append(got, line)
+		case <-timeout:
+			t.Fatal("timed out draining session stream")
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func TestSessionStartRoutesAndStreams(t *testing.T) {
+	launcher, _ := seqLauncher(&fakeWorker{pid: 1, out: []string{"e1", "e2", "e3"}, exitCode: 0})
+	pool, _ := NewPool(PoolOptions{Size: 2, Launcher: launcher})
+	mgr, err := NewSessionManager(SessionManagerOptions{Pool: pool})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("NewSessionManager: %v", err)
+	}
+	sess, err := mgr.Start(context.Background(), WorkerSpec{Session: "s1"})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Start: %v", err)
+	}
+	buffered, live, cancel := sess.Subscribe()
+	defer cancel()
+	got := drain(t, buffered, live)
+	if len(got) != 3 || got[0] != "e1" || got[2] != "e3" {
+		t.Fatalf("streamed lines = %v, want [e1 e2 e3]", got)
+	}
+	<-sess.Done()
+	if sess.State() != SessionDone {
+		t.Fatalf("state = %s, want done", sess.State())
+	}
+}
+
+func TestSessionDuplicateIDRejected(t *testing.T) {
+	block := make(chan struct{})
+	defer close(block)
+	launcher, _ := seqLauncher(&fakeWorker{pid: 1, waitCh: block})
+	pool, _ := NewPool(PoolOptions{Size: 2, Launcher: launcher})
+	mgr, _ := NewSessionManager(SessionManagerOptions{Pool: pool})
+	if _, err := mgr.Start(context.Background(), WorkerSpec{Session: "dup"}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("first Start: %v", err)
+	}
+	if _, err := mgr.Start(context.Background(), WorkerSpec{Session: "dup"}); !errors.Is(err, ErrSessionExists) {
+		t.Fatalf("second Start err = %v, want ErrSessionExists", err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestSessionLeaseQueuesWhenPoolFull(t *testing.T) {
+	block := make(chan struct{})
+	a := &fakeWorker{pid: 1, waitCh: block}
+	b := &fakeWorker{pid: 2, out: []string{"b1"}, exitCode: 0}
+	launcher, calls := seqLauncher(a, b)
+	pool, _ := NewPool(PoolOptions{Size: 1, Launcher: launcher})
+	mgr, _ := NewSessionManager(SessionManagerOptions{Pool: pool})
+
+	sa, _ := mgr.Start(context.Background(), WorkerSpec{Session: "a"})
+	waitFor(t, func() bool { return sa.State() == SessionRunning })
+
+	sb, _ := mgr.Start(context.Background(), WorkerSpec{Session: "b"})
+	// b must stay queued (its worker not yet launched) while a holds the slot.
+	time.Sleep(50 * time.Millisecond)
+	if sb.State() != SessionQueued {
+		t.Fatalf("session b state = %s, want queued while pool full", sb.State())
+	}
+	if n := atomic.LoadInt32(calls); n != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("launcher calls = %d, want 1 (b not launched yet)", n)
+	}
+
+	close(block) // a finishes, slot frees, b proceeds
+	<-sb.Done()
+	if sb.State() != SessionDone {
+		t.Fatalf("session b state = %s, want done", sb.State())
+	}
+	if n := atomic.LoadInt32(calls); n != 2 {
+		t.Fatalf("launcher calls = %d, want 2 after slot freed", n)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestSessionAttachAfterFinishSeesBuffer(t *testing.T) {
+	launcher, _ := seqLauncher(&fakeWorker{pid: 1, out: []string{"x", "y"}, exitCode: 0})
+	pool, _ := NewPool(PoolOptions{Size: 1, Launcher: launcher})
+	mgr, _ := NewSessionManager(SessionManagerOptions{Pool: pool})
+	sess, _ := mgr.Start(context.Background(), WorkerSpec{Session: "s"})
+	<-sess.Done()
+
+	buffered, live, cancel, err := mgr.Attach("s")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Attach: %v", err)
+	}
+	defer cancel()
+	got := drain(t, buffered, live)
+	if len(got) != 2 || got[0] != "x" || got[1] != "y" {
+		t.Fatalf("attach buffered = %v, want [x y]", got)
+	}
+	if _, _, _, err := mgr.Attach("missing"); !errors.Is(err, ErrSessionNotFound) {
+		t.Fatalf("Attach(missing) err = %v, want ErrSessionNotFound", err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestSessionManagerEvictsFinishedOverCap(t *testing.T) {
+	launcher, _ := seqLauncher(
+		&fakeWorker{pid: 1, out: []string{"a"}, exitCode: 0},
+		&fakeWorker{pid: 2, out: []string{"b"}, exitCode: 0},
+		&fakeWorker{pid: 3, out: []string{"c"}, exitCode: 0},
+	)
+	pool, _ := NewPool(PoolOptions{Size: 2, Launcher: launcher})
+	mgr, _ := NewSessionManager(SessionManagerOptions{Pool: pool, MaxSessions: 2})
+
+	for _, id := range []string{"s1", "s2", "s3"} {
+		s, err := mgr.Start(context.Background(), WorkerSpec{Session: id})
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("Start(%s): %v", id, err)
+		}
+		<-s.Done() // finish before starting the next so prune can evict it
+	}
+
+	// Past the cap of 2, the oldest FINISHED session (s1) is evicted; the two
+	// newest are retained.
+	if _, ok := mgr.Get("s1"); ok {
+		t.Fatal("oldest finished session must be evicted past the cap")
+	}
+	if _, ok := mgr.Get("s2"); !ok {
+		t.Fatal("s2 must be retained")
+	}
+	if _, ok := mgr.Get("s3"); !ok {
+		t.Fatal("s3 (newest) must be retained")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestSessionManagerKeepsRunningOverCap(t *testing.T) {
+	// All sessions are running (workers block), so none are evicted even past cap.
+	block := make(chan struct{})
+	defer close(block)
+	launcher, _ := seqLauncher(
+		&fakeWorker{pid: 1, waitCh: block},
+		&fakeWorker{pid: 2, waitCh: block},
+	)
+	pool, _ := NewPool(PoolOptions{Size: 2, Launcher: launcher})
+	mgr, _ := NewSessionManager(SessionManagerOptions{Pool: pool, MaxSessions: 1})
+
+	s1, _ := mgr.Start(context.Background(), WorkerSpec{Session: "r1"})
+	s2, _ := mgr.Start(context.Background(), WorkerSpec{Session: "r2"})
+	waitFor(t, func() bool { return s1.State() == SessionRunning && s2.State() == SessionRunning })
+	if _, ok := mgr.Get("r1"); !ok {
+		t.Fatal("a running session must never be evicted, even past the cap")
+	}
+	if _, ok := mgr.Get("r2"); !ok {
+		t.Fatal("a running session must never be evicted, even past the cap")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestSessionStatuses(t *testing.T) {
+	launcher, _ := seqLauncher(&fakeWorker{pid: 1, out: []string{"l"}, exitCode: 0})
+	pool, _ := NewPool(PoolOptions{Size: 1, Launcher: launcher})
+	mgr, _ := NewSessionManager(SessionManagerOptions{Pool: pool})
+	sess, _ := mgr.Start(context.Background(), WorkerSpec{Session: "only"})
+	<-sess.Done()
+	st := mgr.Statuses()
+	if len(st) != 1 || st[0].ID != "only" || st[0].State != string(SessionDone) || st[0].Lines != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("statuses = %+v, want one done session with 1 line", st)
+	}
+}

internal/daemon/socket.go

@@ -0,0 +1,27 @@
+package daemon
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+)
+
+// maxUnixSocketPath bounds the socket path to the smallest platform sun_path
+// limit so we surface a clear error instead of a cryptic bind failure. macOS
+// allows 104 bytes incl. the NUL (so 103 chars); Linux allows 108. 103 is the
+// safe cross-platform ceiling.
+const maxUnixSocketPath = 103
+
+// secureSocketParent creates the socket's parent directory owner-only (0700 on
+// POSIX; on Windows the per-user profile directory is already ACL-restricted).
+func secureSocketParent(socketPath string) error {
+	return os.MkdirAll(filepath.Dir(socketPath), 0o700)
+}
+
+// checkSocketPathLength rejects an over-long unix socket path before bind.
+func checkSocketPathLength(socketPath string) error {
+	if len(socketPath) > maxUnixSocketPath {
+		return fmt.Errorf("daemon: socket path too long (%d > %d): %s", len(socketPath), maxUnixSocketPath, socketPath)
+	}
+	return nil
+}

internal/daemon/socket_posix.go

@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+//go:build !windows
+
+package daemon
+
+import "os"
+
+// hardenSocketFile restricts the control socket to its owner (0600) so no other
+// local user can connect. Combined with the 0700 parent directory this makes the
+// control plane owner-only, as required by the security model.
+func hardenSocketFile(path string) error {
+	return os.Chmod(path, 0o600)
+}

internal/daemon/socket_windows.go

@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+//go:build windows
+
+package daemon
+
+// hardenSocketFile is a no-op on Windows: AF_UNIX socket files do not honor POSIX
+// mode bits, and the daemon places the socket under the per-user profile
+// directory, which is already ACL-restricted to the owner. A dedicated restricted
+// ACL (or a named pipe with an explicit DACL) is a documented follow-up.
+func hardenSocketFile(string) error { return nil }

internal/daemon/status.go

@@ -0,0 +1,43 @@
+package daemon
+
+import "time"
+
+// StatusReport is the daemon/worker/session snapshot returned by `zero daemon
+// status` (CtrlStatusResult). Mirrors reference-daemon-code-agent-js/status.js.
+type StatusReport struct {
+	PID        int             `json:"pid"`
+	Version    int             `json:"version"`
+	Socket     string          `json:"socket"`
+	StartedAt  time.Time       `json:"startedAt"`
+	PoolSize   int             `json:"poolSize"`
+	Workers    []WorkerStatus  `json:"workers"`
+	Sessions   []SessionStatus `json:"sessions"`
+	QueueDepth int             `json:"queueDepth"`
+}
+
+// WorkerStatus is one worker's lifecycle snapshot.
+type WorkerStatus struct {
+	ID                 int    `json:"id"`
+	PID                int    `json:"pid"`
+	State              string `json:"state"`
+	ConsecutiveCrashes int    `json:"consecutiveCrashes"`
+	Restarts           int    `json:"restarts"`
+	Session            string `json:"session,omitempty"`
+}
+
+// SessionStatus is one session's routing/metrics snapshot.
+type SessionStatus struct {
+	ID    string `json:"id"`
+	State string `json:"state"`
+	Lines int    `json:"lines"`
+}
+
+// StatusFile is the on-disk daemon status document (pid, socket, version,
+// started-at), written next to the lock so `status`/`stop` work without a live
+// connection. Mirrors supervisor.js's status file.
+type StatusFile struct {
+	PID       int       `json:"pid"`
+	Socket    string    `json:"socket"`
+	Version   int       `json:"version"`
+	StartedAt time.Time `json:"startedAt"`
+}

internal/doctor/doctor.go

@@ -158,6 +158,9 @@ func providerModelCheck(profile config.ProviderProfile) Check {
 	if emptyProviderProfile(profile) {
 		return check("provider.model", "Provider model", StatusWarn, "Model validity was skipped because provider config is unavailable.", nil)
 	}
+	if strings.TrimSpace(profile.Model) == "" {
+		return check("provider.model", "Provider model", StatusFail, "Provider model is required.", map[string]any{"provider": providerName(profile)})
+	}
 	registry, err := modelregistry.DefaultRegistry()
 	if err != nil {
 		return check("provider.model", "Provider model", StatusFail, "Model registry could not be loaded: "+err.Error(), nil)
@@ -165,7 +168,7 @@ func providerModelCheck(profile config.ProviderProfile) Check {
 	model, err := registry.Require(profile.Model)
 	if err != nil {
 		if profile.ProviderKind == config.ProviderKindOpenAICompatible || profile.ProviderKind == config.ProviderKindAnthropicCompat {
-			return check("provider.model", "Provider model", StatusWarn, fmt.Sprintf("Custom %s model was not found in the Zero registry; runtime will pass it through to the configured provider.", profile.ProviderKind), map[string]any{"model": profile.Model, "provider": providerName(profile)})
+			return check("provider.model", "Provider model", StatusWarn, fmt.Sprintf("Custom %s model was not found in the Zero registry; runtime will pass it through to the configured provider. Run `zero doctor --connectivity` to validate the endpoint and auth.", profile.ProviderKind), map[string]any{"model": profile.Model, "provider": providerName(profile)})
 		}
 		return check("provider.model", "Provider model", StatusFail, "Provider model is invalid: "+err.Error(), map[string]any{"model": profile.Model})
 	}

internal/doctor/doctor_test.go

@@ -86,6 +86,96 @@ func TestRunReportWarnsForUnknownOpenAICompatibleModel(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+func TestProviderModelUnknownOpenAICompatibleModelWarnsPassThrough(t *testing.T) {
+	report := Run(Options{
+		Now:     fixedDoctorClock("2026-06-04T15:45:00Z"),
+		Runtime: "go",
+		Provider: config.ProviderProfile{
+			Name:         "openrouter",
+			ProviderKind: config.ProviderKindOpenAICompatible,
+			BaseURL:      "https://openrouter.ai/api/v1",
+			Model:        "vendor/new-dynamic-model",
+		},
+	})
+
+	if !report.OK {
+		t.Fatalf("unknown openai-compatible model should warn, not fail: %#v", report)
+	}
+	check := report.Check("provider.model")
+	if check == nil {
+		t.Fatalf("expected provider.model check: %#v", report.Checks)
+	}
+	if check.Status != StatusWarn {
+		t.Fatalf("provider.model status = %s, want warn: %#v", check.Status, check)
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(check.Message, "runtime will pass it through") || !strings.Contains(check.Message, "doctor --connectivity") {
+		t.Fatalf("provider.model message should explain pass-through connectivity validation, got %q", check.Message)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestProviderModelMissingModelFails(t *testing.T) {
+	report := Run(Options{
+		Now:     fixedDoctorClock("2026-06-04T15:45:00Z"),
+		Runtime: "go",
+		Provider: config.ProviderProfile{
+			Name:         "ollama-cloud",
+			ProviderKind: config.ProviderKindOpenAICompatible,
+			BaseURL:      "https://ollama.com/v1",
+			Model:        "   ",
+		},
+	})
+
+	if report.OK {
+		t.Fatalf("missing model should fail: %#v", report)
+	}
+	check := report.Check("provider.model")
+	if check == nil || check.Status != StatusFail || !strings.Contains(check.Message, "required") {
+		t.Fatalf("expected missing model failure: %#v", report.Checks)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestProviderModelBuiltInUnknownModelFails(t *testing.T) {
+	report := Run(Options{
+		Now:     fixedDoctorClock("2026-06-04T15:45:00Z"),
+		Runtime: "go",
+		Provider: config.ProviderProfile{
+			Name:         "openai",
+			ProviderKind: config.ProviderKindOpenAI,
+			BaseURL:      config.OpenAIBaseURL,
+			Model:        "vendor/new-dynamic-model",
+		},
+	})
+
+	if report.OK {
+		t.Fatalf("built-in provider unknown model should fail: %#v", report)
+	}
+	check := report.Check("provider.model")
+	if check == nil || check.Status != StatusFail || !strings.Contains(check.Message, "unknown Zero model") {
+		t.Fatalf("expected built-in unknown model failure: %#v", report.Checks)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestProviderModelRegisteredProviderMismatchFails(t *testing.T) {
+	report := Run(Options{
+		Now:     fixedDoctorClock("2026-06-04T15:45:00Z"),
+		Runtime: "go",
+		Provider: config.ProviderProfile{
+			Name:         "openai",
+			ProviderKind: config.ProviderKindOpenAI,
+			BaseURL:      config.OpenAIBaseURL,
+			Model:        "gemini-2.5-pro",
+		},
+	})
+
+	if report.OK {
+		t.Fatalf("registered provider mismatch should fail: %#v", report)
+	}
+	check := report.Check("provider.model")
+	if check == nil || check.Status != StatusFail || !strings.Contains(check.Message, "not available for provider") {
+		t.Fatalf("expected registered provider mismatch failure: %#v", report.Checks)
+	}
+}
+
 func writeDoctorConfig(t *testing.T, body string) string {
 	t.Helper()
 	dir := t.TempDir()

internal/provideronboarding/localruntime_test.go

@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ func TestDetectLocalRuntimesReportsReachableRuntime(t *testing.T) {
 	if !detected[0].Reachable {
 		t.Fatalf("runtime should be reachable: %#v", detected[0])
 	}
-	if detected[0].Models == nil || len(detected[0].Models) == 0 || detected[0].Models[0] != "llama3.1" {
+	if len(detected[0].Models) == 0 || detected[0].Models[0] != "llama3.1" {
 		t.Fatalf("expected discovered model list, got %#v", detected[0].Models)
 	}
 }

internal/providers/factory.go

@@ -40,6 +40,7 @@ func New(profile config.ProviderProfile, options Options) (zeroruntime.Provider,
 			MaxTokens:       resolved.maxOutputTokens,
 			HTTPClient:      options.HTTPClient,
 			UserAgent:       options.UserAgent,
+			ParseThinkTags:  parseThinkTagsForProfile(profile, resolved),
 		})
 	case config.ProviderKindAnthropic, config.ProviderKindAnthropicCompat:
 		return anthropic.New(anthropic.Options{
@@ -72,6 +73,40 @@ func New(profile config.ProviderProfile, options Options) (zeroruntime.Provider,
 	}
 }
 
+func parseThinkTagsForProfile(profile config.ProviderProfile, resolved resolvedProfile) bool {
+	if profile.ParseThinkTags != nil {
+		return *profile.ParseThinkTags
+	}
+	if resolved.providerKind != config.ProviderKindOpenAICompatible {
+		return false
+	}
+	return modelMayEmitThinkTags(resolved.apiModel)
+}
+
+func modelMayEmitThinkTags(model string) bool {
+	model = strings.ToLower(strings.TrimSpace(model))
+	for _, marker := range []string{
+		"deepseek-r1",
+		"deepseek-reasoner",
+		"gpt-oss",
+		"glm-z1",
+		"kimi-k2-thinking",
+		"magistral",
+		"minimax-m3",
+		"nemotron",
+		"qwen3",
+		"qwq",
+		"reasoner",
+		"reasoning",
+		"thinking",
+	} {
+		if strings.Contains(model, marker) {
+			return true
+		}
+	}
+	return false
+}
+
 type resolvedProfile struct {
 	providerKind    config.ProviderKind
 	apiModel        string

internal/providers/factory_test.go

@@ -108,6 +108,33 @@ func TestNewSupportsOpenAIProviderKind(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+func TestParseThinkTagsForProfileUsesConservativeDefaultsAndOverride(t *testing.T) {
+	openAICompatible := resolvedProfile{providerKind: config.ProviderKindOpenAICompatible, apiModel: "qwen3-coder:480b"}
+	if !parseThinkTagsForProfile(config.ProviderProfile{}, openAICompatible) {
+		t.Fatal("qwen3 OpenAI-compatible model should parse inline think tags by default")
+	}
+
+	generic := resolvedProfile{providerKind: config.ProviderKindOpenAICompatible, apiModel: "factory-model"}
+	if parseThinkTagsForProfile(config.ProviderProfile{}, generic) {
+		t.Fatal("generic OpenAI-compatible model should preserve literal think tags by default")
+	}
+
+	official := resolvedProfile{providerKind: config.ProviderKindOpenAI, apiModel: "gpt-4.1"}
+	if parseThinkTagsForProfile(config.ProviderProfile{}, official) {
+		t.Fatal("official OpenAI model should preserve literal think tags by default")
+	}
+
+	enabled := true
+	if !parseThinkTagsForProfile(config.ProviderProfile{ParseThinkTags: &enabled}, generic) {
+		t.Fatal("explicit parseThinkTags=true should enable inline think parsing")
+	}
+
+	disabled := false
+	if parseThinkTagsForProfile(config.ProviderProfile{ParseThinkTags: &disabled}, openAICompatible) {
+		t.Fatal("explicit parseThinkTags=false should disable inline think parsing")
+	}
+}
+
 func TestNewResolvesKnownModelToAPIModelAndProvider(t *testing.T) {
 	transport := &captureTransport{
 		responseBody: "data: {\"type\":\"message_stop\"}\n\n",

internal/providers/openai/provider.go

@@ -40,6 +40,9 @@ type Options struct {
 	// StreamIdleTimeout aborts the stream if no data arrives for this long.
 	// Zero uses defaultStreamIdleTimeout.
 	StreamIdleTimeout time.Duration
+	// ParseThinkTags converts streamed <think>...</think> content into reasoning
+	// events for OpenAI-compatible models known to emit that legacy format.
+	ParseThinkTags bool
 }
 
 // Provider streams completions from an OpenAI-compatible chat completions API.
@@ -55,6 +58,7 @@ type Provider struct {
 	httpClient        *http.Client
 	userAgent         string
 	streamIdleTimeout time.Duration
+	parseThinkTags    bool
 }
 
 // New creates an OpenAI-compatible provider.
@@ -100,6 +104,7 @@ func New(options Options) (*Provider, error) {
 		httpClient:        httpClient,
 		userAgent:         options.UserAgent,
 		streamIdleTimeout: idleTimeout,
+		parseThinkTags:    options.ParseThinkTags,
 	}, nil
 }
 
@@ -162,7 +167,7 @@ func (provider *Provider) stream(ctx context.Context, body []byte, events chan<-
 		return
 	}
 
-	state := newToolState()
+	state := newToolState(provider.parseThinkTags)
 	// Use the shared SSE reader (also used by the Anthropic/Gemini providers) so
 	// multi-line "data:" continuation fields are joined into one payload, and the
 	// idle watchdog / context cancellation are handled uniformly.
@@ -170,7 +175,8 @@ func (provider *Provider) stream(ctx context.Context, body []byte, events chan<-
 		return provider.emitPayload(ctx, data, state, events)
 	})
 	if errors.Is(err, providerio.ErrStreamIdle) {
-		state.closeOpen(ctx, events)
+		state.flushBufferedContent(events)
+		state.closeBufferedOpen(events)
 		sendEvent(ctx, events, zeroruntime.StreamEvent{
 			Type:  zeroruntime.StreamEventError,
 			Error: provider.redact(fmt.Sprintf("provider stream error: idle timeout after %s (upstream stopped sending data)", provider.streamIdleTimeout)),
@@ -178,16 +184,19 @@ func (provider *Provider) stream(ctx context.Context, body []byte, events chan<-
 		return
 	}
 	if err != nil {
-		state.closeOpen(ctx, events)
+		state.flushBufferedContent(events)
+		state.closeBufferedOpen(events)
 		sendEvent(ctx, events, zeroruntime.StreamEvent{Type: zeroruntime.StreamEventError, Error: provider.redact("provider stream error: " + err.Error())})
 		return
 	}
 	if ctxErr := ctx.Err(); ctxErr != nil {
-		state.closeOpen(ctx, events)
+		state.flushBufferedContent(events)
+		state.closeBufferedOpen(events)
 		sendEvent(ctx, events, zeroruntime.StreamEvent{Type: zeroruntime.StreamEventError, Error: provider.redact("provider stream error: " + ctxErr.Error())})
 		return
 	}
 	if !state.done {
+		state.flushContent(ctx, events)
 		state.closeOpen(ctx, events)
 		sendEvent(ctx, events, zeroruntime.StreamEvent{Type: zeroruntime.StreamEventDone, FinishReason: state.finishReason})
 	}
@@ -199,6 +208,7 @@ func (provider *Provider) stream(ctx context.Context, body []byte, events chan<-
 func (provider *Provider) emitPayload(ctx context.Context, data string, state *toolState, events chan<- zeroruntime.StreamEvent) bool {
 	var chunk streamChunk
 	if err := json.Unmarshal([]byte(data), &chunk); err != nil {
+		state.flushContent(ctx, events)
 		state.closeOpen(ctx, events)
 		sendEvent(ctx, events, zeroruntime.StreamEvent{
 			Type:  zeroruntime.StreamEventError,
@@ -208,6 +218,7 @@ func (provider *Provider) emitPayload(ctx context.Context, data string, state *t
 		return false
 	}
 	if chunk.Error != nil {
+		state.flushContent(ctx, events)
 		state.closeOpen(ctx, events)
 		sendEvent(ctx, events, zeroruntime.StreamEvent{
 			Type:  zeroruntime.StreamEventError,
@@ -234,15 +245,13 @@ func (provider *Provider) emitChunk(
 			})
 		}
 		if choice.Delta.Content != "" {
-			sendEvent(ctx, events, zeroruntime.StreamEvent{
-				Type:    zeroruntime.StreamEventText,
-				Content: choice.Delta.Content,
-			})
+			state.emitContent(ctx, events, choice.Delta.Content)
 		}
 		for _, toolCall := range choice.Delta.ToolCalls {
 			state.applyDelta(ctx, toolCall, events)
 		}
 		if choice.FinishReason == "tool_calls" {
+			state.flushContent(ctx, events)
 			state.closeOpen(ctx, events)
 		}
 		if reason := mapFinishReason(choice.FinishReason); reason != "" {
@@ -314,6 +323,13 @@ func sendEvent(ctx context.Context, events chan<- zeroruntime.StreamEvent, event
 	}
 }
 
+func sendBufferedEvent(events chan<- zeroruntime.StreamEvent, event zeroruntime.StreamEvent) {
+	select {
+	case events <- event:
+	default:
+	}
+}
+
 func (provider *Provider) openAIRequest(request zeroruntime.CompletionRequest) chatCompletionRequest {
 	messages := make([]chatMessage, 0, len(request.Messages))
 	for _, message := range request.Messages {

internal/providers/openai/provider_test.go

@@ -244,6 +244,53 @@ func TestStreamCompletionEmitsReasoningBeforeRegularContent(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+func TestStreamCompletionPreservesLiteralThinkTagsByDefault(t *testing.T) {
+	provider := newTestProvider(t, func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+		writeSSE(w, `{"choices":[{"delta":{"content":"show <think>literal</think> markup"}}]}`)
+		writeSSE(w, `[DONE]`)
+	})
+
+	events := collectProviderEvents(t, provider)
+	assertEvent(t, events[0], zeroruntime.StreamEventText, "show <think>literal</think> markup")
+	if reasoning := eventsOfType(events, zeroruntime.StreamEventReasoning); len(reasoning) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("literal think tags must not emit reasoning by default, got %#v", reasoning)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestStreamCompletionSplitsInlineThinkTagsFromContent(t *testing.T) {
+	provider := newTestProviderWithThinkTags(t, func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+		writeSSE(w, `{"choices":[{"delta":{"content":"<think>private reasoning</think>public answer"}}]}`)
+		writeSSE(w, `[DONE]`)
+	})
+
+	events := collectProviderEvents(t, provider)
+	assertEvent(t, events[0], zeroruntime.StreamEventReasoning, "private reasoning")
+	assertEvent(t, events[1], zeroruntime.StreamEventText, "public answer")
+	if events[2].Type != zeroruntime.StreamEventDone {
+		t.Fatalf("third event = %#v, want done", events[2])
+	}
+}
+
+func TestStreamCompletionSplitsInlineThinkTagsAcrossChunks(t *testing.T) {
+	provider := newTestProviderWithThinkTags(t, func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+		writeSSE(w, `{"choices":[{"delta":{"content":"<thi"}}]}`)
+		writeSSE(w, `{"choices":[{"delta":{"content":"nk>reason"}}]}`)
+		writeSSE(w, `{"choices":[{"delta":{"content":"ing</"}}]}`)
+		writeSSE(w, `{"choices":[{"delta":{"content":"think> answer"}}]}`)
+		writeSSE(w, `[DONE]`)
+	})
+
+	events := collectProviderEvents(t, provider)
+	reasoning := eventsOfType(events, zeroruntime.StreamEventReasoning)
+	if len(reasoning) != 2 || reasoning[0].Content != "reason" || reasoning[1].Content != "ing" {
+		t.Fatalf("reasoning events = %#v, want split reasoning content", reasoning)
+	}
+	text := eventsOfType(events, zeroruntime.StreamEventText)
+	if len(text) != 1 || text[0].Content != " answer" {
+		t.Fatalf("text events = %#v, want answer-only content", text)
+	}
+}
+
 func TestStreamCompletionBuffersToolArgsUntilIDAndNameArrive(t *testing.T) {
 	provider := newTestProvider(t, func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 		writeSSE(w, `{"choices":[{"delta":{"tool_calls":[{"index":0,"function":{"arguments":"{\"path\":"}}]}}]}`)
@@ -385,19 +432,83 @@ func TestStreamCompletionEmitsErrorWhenContextCancels(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+func TestStreamCompletionFlushesBufferedContentWhenContextCancels(t *testing.T) {
+	release := make(chan struct{})
+	provider := newTestProviderWithThinkTags(t, func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+		writeSSE(w, `{"choices":[{"delta":{"content":"visible <thi"}}]}`)
+		select {
+		case <-r.Context().Done():
+		case <-release:
+		}
+	})
+	defer close(release)
+
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
+	stream, err := provider.StreamCompletion(ctx, zeroruntime.CompletionRequest{})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("StreamCompletion returned setup error: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	events := []zeroruntime.StreamEvent{}
+	select {
+	case event, ok := <-stream:
+		if !ok {
+			t.Fatal("stream closed before first text event")
+		}
+		events = append(events, event)
+	case <-time.After(2 * time.Second):
+		t.Fatal("timed out waiting for first text event")
+	}
+	cancel()
+	events = append(events, readAll(stream)...)
+
+	if len(events) != 3 ||
+		events[0].Type != zeroruntime.StreamEventText || events[0].Content != "visible " ||
+		events[1].Type != zeroruntime.StreamEventText || events[1].Content != "<thi" ||
+		events[2].Type != zeroruntime.StreamEventError {
+		t.Fatalf("events = %#v, want text, buffered text, then context error", events)
+	}
+	if done := eventsOfType(events, zeroruntime.StreamEventDone); len(done) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("events = %#v, want no done after context cancel", events)
+	}
+}
+
 func newTestProvider(t *testing.T, handler http.HandlerFunc) *Provider {
 	t.Helper()
 	return newTestProviderWithKey(t, "", handler)
 }
 
 func newTestProviderWithKey(t *testing.T, apiKey string, handler http.HandlerFunc) *Provider {
+	t.Helper()
+	return newTestProviderWithOptions(t, Options{APIKey: apiKey}, handler)
+}
+
+func newTestProviderWithThinkTags(t *testing.T, handler http.HandlerFunc) *Provider {
+	t.Helper()
+	return newTestProviderWithOptions(t, Options{ParseThinkTags: true}, handler)
+}
+
+func newTestProviderWithOptions(t *testing.T, options Options, handler http.HandlerFunc) *Provider {
 	t.Helper()
 	server := httptest.NewServer(handler)
 	t.Cleanup(server.Close)
+	options.BaseURL = server.URL
+	if strings.TrimSpace(options.Model) == "" {
+		options.Model = "gpt-test"
+	}
 	provider, err := New(Options{
-		APIKey:  apiKey,
-		BaseURL: server.URL,
-		Model:   "gpt-test",
+		APIKey:            options.APIKey,
+		BaseURL:           options.BaseURL,
+		Model:             options.Model,
+		AuthHeader:        options.AuthHeader,
+		AuthScheme:        options.AuthScheme,
+		AuthHeaderValue:   options.AuthHeaderValue,
+		CustomHeaders:     options.CustomHeaders,
+		HTTPClient:        options.HTTPClient,
+		UserAgent:         options.UserAgent,
+		MaxTokens:         options.MaxTokens,
+		StreamIdleTimeout: options.StreamIdleTimeout,
+		ParseThinkTags:    options.ParseThinkTags,
 	})
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("New returned error: %v", err)

internal/providers/openai/tool_state.go

@@ -3,12 +3,20 @@ package openai
 import (
 	"context"
 	"sort"
+	"strings"
 
 	"github.com/Gitlawb/zero/internal/zeroruntime"
 )
 
+const (
+	thinkOpenTag  = "<think>"
+	thinkCloseTag = "</think>"
+)
+
 type toolState struct {
-	calls map[int]*pendingToolCall
+	calls          map[int]*pendingToolCall
+	think          thinkTagSplitter
+	parseThinkTags bool
 	// finishReason holds the normalized terminal stop reason (zeroruntime
 	// FinishReason*) when the response ended abnormally (length/content_filter),
 	// so the provider can attach it to the done event. Empty for a normal finish.
@@ -26,8 +34,128 @@ type pendingToolCall struct {
 	ended     bool
 }
 
-func newToolState() *toolState {
-	return &toolState{calls: make(map[int]*pendingToolCall)}
+func newToolState(parseThinkTags bool) *toolState {
+	return &toolState{calls: make(map[int]*pendingToolCall), parseThinkTags: parseThinkTags}
+}
+
+type streamEventEmitter func(zeroruntime.StreamEvent)
+
+type thinkTagSplitter struct {
+	pending    string
+	inThinking bool
+}
+
+func (state *toolState) emitContent(ctx context.Context, events chan<- zeroruntime.StreamEvent, content string) {
+	state.emitContentWith(content, func(event zeroruntime.StreamEvent) {
+		sendEvent(ctx, events, event)
+	})
+}
+
+func (state *toolState) flushContent(ctx context.Context, events chan<- zeroruntime.StreamEvent) {
+	state.flushContentWith(func(event zeroruntime.StreamEvent) {
+		sendEvent(ctx, events, event)
+	})
+}
+
+func (state *toolState) flushBufferedContent(events chan<- zeroruntime.StreamEvent) {
+	state.flushContentWith(func(event zeroruntime.StreamEvent) {
+		sendBufferedEvent(events, event)
+	})
+}
+
+func (state *toolState) emitContentWith(content string, emit streamEventEmitter) {
+	if !state.parseThinkTags {
+		emit(zeroruntime.StreamEvent{Type: zeroruntime.StreamEventText, Content: content})
+		return
+	}
+	state.think.push(content, func(eventType zeroruntime.StreamEventType, text string) {
+		emit(zeroruntime.StreamEvent{Type: eventType, Content: text})
+	})
+}
+
+func (state *toolState) flushContentWith(emit streamEventEmitter) {
+	if !state.parseThinkTags {
+		return
+	}
+	state.think.flush(func(eventType zeroruntime.StreamEventType, text string) {
+		emit(zeroruntime.StreamEvent{Type: eventType, Content: text})
+	})
+}
+
+func (splitter *thinkTagSplitter) push(content string, emit func(zeroruntime.StreamEventType, string)) {
+	if content == "" {
+		return
+	}
+	splitter.pending += content
+	splitter.drain(false, emit)
+}
+
+func (splitter *thinkTagSplitter) flush(emit func(zeroruntime.StreamEventType, string)) {
+	splitter.drain(true, emit)
+}
+
+func (splitter *thinkTagSplitter) drain(final bool, emit func(zeroruntime.StreamEventType, string)) {
+	for {
+		tag := thinkOpenTag
+		if splitter.inThinking {
+			tag = thinkCloseTag
+		}
+		if index := indexFold(splitter.pending, tag); index >= 0 {
+			splitter.emitCurrent(emit, splitter.pending[:index])
+			splitter.pending = splitter.pending[index+len(tag):]
+			splitter.inThinking = !splitter.inThinking
+			continue
+		}
+		if final {
+			splitter.emitCurrent(emit, splitter.pending)
+			splitter.pending = ""
+			return
+		}
+		keep := trailingTagPrefixLen(splitter.pending, tag)
+		if keep == len(splitter.pending) {
+			return
+		}
+		emitText := splitter.pending[:len(splitter.pending)-keep]
+		splitter.emitCurrent(emit, emitText)
+		splitter.pending = splitter.pending[len(splitter.pending)-keep:]
+		return
+	}
+}
+
+func (splitter *thinkTagSplitter) emitCurrent(emit func(zeroruntime.StreamEventType, string), text string) {
+	if text == "" {
+		return
+	}
+	eventType := zeroruntime.StreamEventText
+	if splitter.inThinking {
+		eventType = zeroruntime.StreamEventReasoning
+	}
+	emit(eventType, text)
+}
+
+func trailingTagPrefixLen(text string, tag string) int {
+	maxLen := min(len(text), len(tag)-1)
+	for length := maxLen; length > 0; length-- {
+		if strings.EqualFold(text[len(text)-length:], tag[:length]) {
+			return length
+		}
+	}
+	return 0
+}
+
+func indexFold(text string, needle string) int {
+	if needle == "" {
+		return 0
+	}
+	if len(text) < len(needle) {
+		return -1
+	}
+	for index := 0; index <= len(text)-len(needle); index++ {
+		if strings.EqualFold(text[index:index+len(needle)], needle) {
+			return index
+		}
+	}
+	return -1
 }
 
 func (state *toolState) applyDelta(
@@ -78,6 +206,18 @@ func (state *toolState) applyDelta(
 }
 
 func (state *toolState) closeOpen(ctx context.Context, events chan<- zeroruntime.StreamEvent) {
+	state.closeOpenWith(func(event zeroruntime.StreamEvent) {
+		sendEvent(ctx, events, event)
+	})
+}
+
+func (state *toolState) closeBufferedOpen(events chan<- zeroruntime.StreamEvent) {
+	state.closeOpenWith(func(event zeroruntime.StreamEvent) {
+		sendBufferedEvent(events, event)
+	})
+}
+
+func (state *toolState) closeOpenWith(emit streamEventEmitter) {
 	indexes := make([]int, 0, len(state.calls))
 	for index := range state.calls {
 		indexes = append(indexes, index)
@@ -95,20 +235,20 @@ func (state *toolState) closeOpen(ctx context.Context, events chan<- zeroruntime
 		if call.id == "" || call.name == "" {
 			if call.id != "" || call.name != "" || call.arguments != "" {
 				call.ended = true
-				sendEvent(ctx, events, zeroruntime.StreamEvent{Type: zeroruntime.StreamEventToolCallDropped})
+				emit(zeroruntime.StreamEvent{Type: zeroruntime.StreamEventToolCallDropped})
 			}
 			continue
 		}
 		if !call.started {
 			call.started = true
-			sendEvent(ctx, events, zeroruntime.StreamEvent{
+			emit(zeroruntime.StreamEvent{
 				Type:       zeroruntime.StreamEventToolCallStart,
 				ToolCallID: call.id,
 				ToolName:   call.name,
 			})
 		}
 		if call.arguments != "" {
-			sendEvent(ctx, events, zeroruntime.StreamEvent{
+			emit(zeroruntime.StreamEvent{
 				Type:              zeroruntime.StreamEventToolCallDelta,
 				ToolCallID:        call.id,
 				ArgumentsFragment: call.arguments,
@@ -116,7 +256,7 @@ func (state *toolState) closeOpen(ctx context.Context, events chan<- zeroruntime
 			call.arguments = ""
 		}
 		call.ended = true
-		sendEvent(ctx, events, zeroruntime.StreamEvent{
+		emit(zeroruntime.StreamEvent{
 			Type:       zeroruntime.StreamEventToolCallEnd,
 			ToolCallID: call.id,
 		})

internal/sandbox/adapters.go

@@ -23,15 +23,26 @@ type Backend struct {
 	// under a seatbelt profile that restricts outbound to the proxy port);
 	// bubblewrap isolates the network namespace with no bridge to the host proxy,
 	// so scoped egress there collapses to deny until a real relay exists.
-	ScopedEgress bool   `json:"scopedEgress,omitempty"`
-	Executable   string `json:"executable,omitempty"`
-	Message      string `json:"message,omitempty"`
+	ScopedEgress bool `json:"scopedEgress,omitempty"`
+	// ProxyEgress reports a backend that routes scoped egress through the local
+	// filtering proxy on a BEST-EFFORT basis (the child must honor the proxy env)
+	// rather than via OS-level network isolation. The WSL policy-only fallback uses
+	// this: there is no netns/seatbelt to enforce egress, but the proxy still
+	// applies the allow/deny gate to well-behaved clients.
+	ProxyEgress bool   `json:"proxyEgress,omitempty"`
+	Executable  string `json:"executable,omitempty"`
+	Message     string `json:"message,omitempty"`
 }
 
 // EnforcesScopedEgress reports whether a populated NetworkScoped allowlist can be
-// enforced by this backend. When false, scoped egress must fail closed (collapse
-// to deny) rather than silently run with unrestricted networking.
+// routed through the filtering proxy by this backend. When false, scoped egress
+// must fail closed (collapse to deny) rather than silently run with unrestricted
+// networking. A native backend needs an executable; the WSL fallback uses
+// best-effort proxy egress (ProxyEgress) with no native isolation.
 func (backend Backend) EnforcesScopedEgress() bool {
+	if backend.ProxyEgress {
+		return true
+	}
 	return backend.Available && backend.Executable != "" && backend.ScopedEgress
 }
 
@@ -65,6 +76,12 @@ func SelectBackend(options BackendOptions) Backend {
 		if path, err := lookup("bwrap"); err == nil && path != "" {
 			return nativeBackend(goos, BackendBubblewrap, path, "bubblewrap sandbox available")
 		}
+		// Under WSL (no bubblewrap), do NOT silently degrade to a plain policy-only
+		// runner: select the WSL backend, which still routes egress through the
+		// filtering proxy and is gated on AllowPolicyOnlyRunner in the runner.
+		if info := detectWSL(); info.IsWSL {
+			return wslBackend(goos, info)
+		}
 		return policyOnlyBackend(goos, "policy-only fallback: bubblewrap is not installed")
 	case "darwin":
 		if path, err := lookup("sandbox-exec"); err == nil && path != "" {
@@ -94,6 +111,26 @@ func nativeBackend(goos string, name BackendName, executable string, message str
 	}
 }
 
+// wslBackend is the policy-only WSL fallback: no native isolation, but scoped
+// egress is routed best-effort through the filtering proxy (ProxyEgress). The
+// runner gates it on Policy.AllowPolicyOnlyRunner and records a downgrade note.
+func wslBackend(goos string, info WSLInfo) Backend {
+	msg := "policy-only WSL fallback: bubblewrap unavailable under WSL; egress routed through the filtering proxy"
+	if info.IsWSL2 {
+		msg = "policy-only WSL2 fallback: bubblewrap unavailable/unreliable under WSL2; egress routed through the filtering proxy"
+	}
+	return Backend{
+		Name:            BackendWSL,
+		Available:       false,
+		Platform:        goos,
+		Fallback:        true,
+		CommandWrapping: false,
+		NativeIsolation: false,
+		ProxyEgress:     true,
+		Message:         msg,
+	}
+}
+
 func policyOnlyBackend(goos string, message string) Backend {
 	return Backend{
 		Name:            BackendPolicyOnly,

internal/sandbox/batch.go

@@ -1,33 +0,0 @@
-package sandbox
-
-// RequiredAutonomyForBatch returns the highest autonomy tier required to run a
-// batch of operations without further prompting, given each operation's
-// classified risk. RiskCritical and RiskHigh both map to AutonomyHigh because
-// the autonomy ladder has three tiers and the risk ladder has four. Any risk
-// level that is empty or unrecognised fails closed to AutonomyHigh so an
-// unclassified operation can never silently lower the batch ceiling. An empty
-// batch requires only AutonomyLow.
-func RequiredAutonomyForBatch(risks []Risk) Autonomy {
-	required := AutonomyLow
-	for _, risk := range risks {
-		tier := riskToAutonomy(risk.Level)
-		if autonomyRank[tier] > autonomyRank[required] {
-			required = tier
-		}
-	}
-	return required
-}
-
-func riskToAutonomy(level RiskLevel) Autonomy {
-	switch level {
-	case RiskLow:
-		return AutonomyLow
-	case RiskMedium:
-		return AutonomyMedium
-	case RiskHigh, RiskCritical:
-		return AutonomyHigh
-	default:
-		// Unknown / empty risk is treated as the highest tier (fail-closed).
-		return AutonomyHigh
-	}
-}

internal/sandbox/batch_test.go

@@ -1,26 +0,0 @@
-package sandbox
-
-import "testing"
-
-func TestRequiredAutonomyForBatch(t *testing.T) {
-	cases := []struct {
-		name  string
-		risks []Risk
-		want  Autonomy
-	}{
-		{"empty slice is low", nil, AutonomyLow},
-		{"single low", []Risk{{Level: RiskLow}}, AutonomyLow},
-		{"mixed low and medium is medium", []Risk{{Level: RiskLow}, {Level: RiskMedium}}, AutonomyMedium},
-		{"any high is high", []Risk{{Level: RiskLow}, {Level: RiskHigh}}, AutonomyHigh},
-		{"any critical is high", []Risk{{Level: RiskMedium}, {Level: RiskCritical}}, AutonomyHigh},
-		{"unknown risk fails closed to high", []Risk{{Level: RiskLevel("weird")}}, AutonomyHigh},
-		{"empty-level risk fails closed to high", []Risk{{Level: RiskLevel("")}}, AutonomyHigh},
-	}
-	for _, tc := range cases {
-		t.Run(tc.name, func(t *testing.T) {
-			if got := RequiredAutonomyForBatch(tc.risks); got != tc.want {
-				t.Fatalf("RequiredAutonomyForBatch(%v) = %q, want %q", tc.risks, got, tc.want)
-			}
-		})
-	}
-}

internal/sandbox/egress.go

@@ -2,6 +2,8 @@ package sandbox
 
 import (
 	"context"
+	"crypto/tls"
+	"crypto/x509"
 	"errors"
 	"fmt"
 	"io"
@@ -32,9 +34,21 @@ import (
 type egressProxy struct {
 	listener net.Listener
 	server   *http.Server
-	allowed  []string
-	denied   []string
-	log      func(string)
+	// socksListener serves the SOCKS5 CONNECT front-end on a SEPARATE loopback
+	// port. It runs the same authorize()/domainAllowed() gate as the HTTP proxy, so
+	// a client configured with ALL_PROXY=socks5://<socksAddr> is filtered
+	// identically. Bound to 127.0.0.1:0 like the HTTP listener.
+	socksListener net.Listener
+	allowed       []string
+	denied        []string
+	log           func(string)
+
+	// mitm, when non-nil (Policy.InspectTLS), makes handleConnect TERMINATE TLS
+	// using a locally generated CA so the decrypted Host can be re-checked against
+	// the allow/deny gate. mitmTransport dials upstreams with full validation
+	// (system roots unless upstreamRoots is set for tests) — never InsecureSkipVerify.
+	mitm          *mitmCA
+	mitmTransport *http.Transport
 
 	// domainPrompt, when set, is asked to authorize an UNKNOWN host (one neither
 	// allowed nor explicitly denied) instead of failing closed. It must return
@@ -71,6 +85,14 @@ type egressOptions struct {
 	// fail-closed behavior.
 	DomainPrompt  func(ctx context.Context, host string, port int) (bool, error)
 	PromptTimeout time.Duration
+	// InspectTLS enables TLS termination (MITM) so the proxy can enforce the
+	// allow/deny gate on the decrypted request Host. Off => pure CONNECT
+	// passthrough (the default, byte-for-byte unchanged).
+	InspectTLS bool
+	// upstreamRoots overrides the root CAs used to validate UPSTREAM TLS. nil =
+	// system roots (production). Tests set it to an httptest server's pool so
+	// validation is exercised WITHOUT InsecureSkipVerify.
+	upstreamRoots *x509.CertPool
 }
 
 // errEmptyAllowlist is returned when a scoped-egress proxy is requested with no
@@ -89,9 +111,18 @@ func newEgressProxy(options egressOptions) (*egressProxy, error) {
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("bind scoped-egress proxy: %w", err)
 	}
+	// Bind the SOCKS5 front-end on its own loopback port. Fail closed: if it
+	// cannot bind, tear down the HTTP listener and return an error so the caller
+	// treats scoped egress as a full deny rather than starting a partial proxy.
+	socksListener, err := net.Listen("tcp", "127.0.0.1:0")
+	if err != nil {
+		_ = listener.Close()
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("bind scoped-egress socks proxy: %w", err)
+	}
 
 	proxy := &egressProxy{
 		listener:      listener,
+		socksListener: socksListener,
 		allowed:       allowed,
 		denied:        denied,
 		log:           options.Log,
@@ -100,6 +131,31 @@ func newEgressProxy(options egressOptions) (*egressProxy, error) {
 		decisionCache: map[string]bool{},
 		inflight:      map[string]chan struct{}{},
 	}
+	if options.InspectTLS {
+		ca, err := newMITMCA()
+		if err != nil {
+			_ = listener.Close()
+			_ = socksListener.Close()
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		proxy.mitm = ca
+		dialer := &net.Dialer{Timeout: 30 * time.Second, KeepAlive: 30 * time.Second}
+		proxy.mitmTransport = &http.Transport{
+			// Bound the TCP connect phase so a blackholed upstream cannot park a
+			// handler+goroutine for the OS default (minutes) — mirrors the
+			// net.DialTimeout the passthrough CONNECT path uses.
+			DialContext: dialer.DialContext,
+			// Upstream TLS is validated normally; upstreamRoots is nil in production
+			// (system roots) and set only by tests. NEVER InsecureSkipVerify.
+			TLSClientConfig: &tls.Config{MinVersion: tls.VersionTLS12, RootCAs: options.upstreamRoots},
+			// Keep upstream on HTTP/1.1: the decrypted client side is HTTP/1.1, so an
+			// HTTP/2 upstream response would serialize an invalid status line back to
+			// the client. (handleConnectMITM also normalizes the response proto.)
+			ForceAttemptHTTP2:     false,
+			TLSHandshakeTimeout:   30 * time.Second,
+			ResponseHeaderTimeout: 30 * time.Second,
+		}
+	}
 	proxy.server = &http.Server{
 		Handler:           http.HandlerFunc(proxy.handle),
 		ReadHeaderTimeout: 30 * time.Second,
@@ -108,10 +164,11 @@ func newEgressProxy(options egressOptions) (*egressProxy, error) {
 		// Serve returns ErrServerClosed on Close; nothing else to do.
 		_ = proxy.server.Serve(listener)
 	}()
+	go proxy.serveSocks(socksListener)
 	return proxy, nil
 }
 
-// Addr returns the loopback host:port the proxy is listening on.
+// Addr returns the loopback host:port the HTTP proxy is listening on.
 func (proxy *egressProxy) Addr() string {
 	if proxy == nil || proxy.listener == nil {
 		return ""
@@ -119,6 +176,25 @@ func (proxy *egressProxy) Addr() string {
 	return proxy.listener.Addr().String()
 }
 
+// SocksAddr returns the loopback host:port the SOCKS5 front-end is listening on,
+// or "" when no SOCKS listener is active.
+func (proxy *egressProxy) SocksAddr() string {
+	if proxy == nil || proxy.socksListener == nil {
+		return ""
+	}
+	return proxy.socksListener.Addr().String()
+}
+
+// CACertPEM returns the MITM CA's public certificate (PEM) when TLS inspection
+// is active, or nil for a plain passthrough proxy. The runner writes this to a
+// file and surfaces it via ZERO_SANDBOX_CA_CERT.
+func (proxy *egressProxy) CACertPEM() []byte {
+	if proxy == nil || proxy.mitm == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	return proxy.mitm.caPEM()
+}
+
 // Close stops the proxy and releases its listener. It is safe to call multiple
 // times.
 func (proxy *egressProxy) Close() error {
@@ -130,12 +206,26 @@ func (proxy *egressProxy) Close() error {
 		if proxy.server != nil {
 			err = proxy.server.Close()
 		}
+		// Closing the SOCKS listener unblocks serveSocks's Accept loop so the
+		// goroutine returns. Report its error only if the HTTP close succeeded.
+		if proxy.socksListener != nil {
+			if cerr := proxy.socksListener.Close(); cerr != nil && err == nil {
+				err = cerr
+			}
+		}
+		if proxy.mitmTransport != nil {
+			proxy.mitmTransport.CloseIdleConnections()
+		}
 	})
 	return err
 }
 
 func (proxy *egressProxy) handle(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 	if r.Method == http.MethodConnect {
+		if proxy.mitm != nil {
+			proxy.handleConnectMITM(w, r)
+			return
+		}
 		proxy.handleConnect(w, r)
 		return
 	}

internal/sandbox/egress_socks.go

@@ -0,0 +1,156 @@
+package sandbox
+
+import (
+	"encoding/binary"
+	"io"
+	"net"
+	"strconv"
+	"time"
+)
+
+// SOCKS5 wire constants (RFC 1928). The proxy speaks only the no-auth CONNECT
+// subset: enough for a sandboxed process configured with ALL_PROXY=socks5://...
+// to tunnel TCP through the same allow/deny gate the HTTP proxy enforces.
+const (
+	socksVersion5          = 0x05
+	socksNoAuth            = 0x00
+	socksNoAcceptable      = 0xFF
+	socksCmdConnect        = 0x01
+	socksAtypIPv4          = 0x01
+	socksAtypDomain        = 0x03
+	socksAtypIPv6          = 0x04
+	socksRepSuccess        = 0x00
+	socksRepGeneralFailure = 0x01
+	socksRepNotAllowed     = 0x02
+	socksRepCmdUnsupported = 0x07
+)
+
+// socksHandshakeTimeout bounds the greeting+request exchange so a stalled or
+// malformed client cannot pin a goroutine; it is cleared before the relay so an
+// established tunnel is not torn down.
+const socksHandshakeTimeout = 30 * time.Second
+
+// serveSocks accepts SOCKS5 connections until the listener is closed.
+func (proxy *egressProxy) serveSocks(listener net.Listener) {
+	for {
+		conn, err := listener.Accept()
+		if err != nil {
+			return // listener closed
+		}
+		go proxy.handleSocksConn(conn)
+	}
+}
+
+// handleSocksConn runs one SOCKS5 CONNECT through the SAME authorize() gate as
+// the HTTP proxy: an allowed (host, port) is dialed and relayed; a denied target
+// gets a SOCKS "connection not allowed" reply and is never dialed. Fail-closed:
+// any protocol/read error just closes the connection.
+func (proxy *egressProxy) handleSocksConn(conn net.Conn) {
+	defer conn.Close()
+	_ = conn.SetDeadline(time.Now().Add(socksHandshakeTimeout))
+
+	host, port, ok := socksNegotiate(conn)
+	if !ok {
+		return
+	}
+	targetLabel := net.JoinHostPort(host, strconv.Itoa(port))
+	if !proxy.authorize(host, port) {
+		proxy.logDecision("deny", "SOCKS", targetLabel)
+		_ = socksReply(conn, socksRepNotAllowed)
+		return
+	}
+	upstream, err := net.DialTimeout("tcp", targetLabel, 30*time.Second)
+	if err != nil {
+		proxy.logDecision("deny", "SOCKS", targetLabel)
+		_ = socksReply(conn, socksRepGeneralFailure)
+		return
+	}
+	defer upstream.Close()
+	if err := socksReply(conn, socksRepSuccess); err != nil {
+		return
+	}
+	// Clear the handshake deadline; the tunnel is long-lived.
+	_ = conn.SetDeadline(time.Time{})
+	proxy.logDecision("allow", "SOCKS", targetLabel)
+	relay(conn, upstream)
+}
+
+// socksNegotiate performs the no-auth greeting and a CONNECT request, returning
+// the requested host and port. ok=false means negotiation failed (an error reply
+// has already been written where the protocol calls for one) and the caller
+// should close the connection.
+func socksNegotiate(conn net.Conn) (host string, port int, ok bool) {
+	greeting := make([]byte, 2) // VER, NMETHODS
+	if _, err := io.ReadFull(conn, greeting); err != nil || greeting[0] != socksVersion5 {
+		return "", 0, false
+	}
+	methods := make([]byte, int(greeting[1]))
+	if _, err := io.ReadFull(conn, methods); err != nil {
+		return "", 0, false
+	}
+	// RFC 1928: select a method the client actually offered. We only support
+	// no-auth; if the client did not offer it, reply "no acceptable methods"
+	// (0xFF) and abort rather than forcing a method it never advertised.
+	supportsNoAuth := false
+	for _, method := range methods {
+		if method == socksNoAuth {
+			supportsNoAuth = true
+			break
+		}
+	}
+	if !supportsNoAuth {
+		_, _ = conn.Write([]byte{socksVersion5, socksNoAcceptable})
+		return "", 0, false
+	}
+	if _, err := conn.Write([]byte{socksVersion5, socksNoAuth}); err != nil {
+		return "", 0, false
+	}
+
+	header := make([]byte, 4) // VER, CMD, RSV, ATYP
+	if _, err := io.ReadFull(conn, header); err != nil || header[0] != socksVersion5 {
+		return "", 0, false
+	}
+	if header[1] != socksCmdConnect {
+		_ = socksReply(conn, socksRepCmdUnsupported)
+		return "", 0, false
+	}
+	switch header[3] {
+	case socksAtypIPv4:
+		addr := make([]byte, net.IPv4len)
+		if _, err := io.ReadFull(conn, addr); err != nil {
+			return "", 0, false
+		}
+		host = net.IP(addr).String()
+	case socksAtypIPv6:
+		addr := make([]byte, net.IPv6len)
+		if _, err := io.ReadFull(conn, addr); err != nil {
+			return "", 0, false
+		}
+		host = net.IP(addr).String()
+	case socksAtypDomain:
+		length := make([]byte, 1)
+		if _, err := io.ReadFull(conn, length); err != nil {
+			return "", 0, false
+		}
+		name := make([]byte, int(length[0]))
+		if _, err := io.ReadFull(conn, name); err != nil {
+			return "", 0, false
+		}
+		host = string(name)
+	default:
+		_ = socksReply(conn, socksRepGeneralFailure)
+		return "", 0, false
+	}
+	portBytes := make([]byte, 2)
+	if _, err := io.ReadFull(conn, portBytes); err != nil {
+		return "", 0, false
+	}
+	return host, int(binary.BigEndian.Uint16(portBytes)), true
+}
+
+// socksReply writes a minimal SOCKS5 reply with the given status and a zero IPv4
+// bound address (clients ignore BND.ADDR/BND.PORT for CONNECT).
+func socksReply(conn net.Conn, status byte) error {
+	_, err := conn.Write([]byte{socksVersion5, status, 0x00, socksAtypIPv4, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0})
+	return err
+}

internal/sandbox/egress_socks_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,187 @@
+package sandbox
+
+import (
+	"io"
+	"net"
+	"strconv"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+)
+
+// socks5Connect performs a SOCKS5 no-auth greeting and a CONNECT request for the
+// given ATYP/address/port through proxyAddr, returning the open connection and
+// the server's REP byte. The caller closes the connection.
+func socks5Connect(t *testing.T, proxyAddr string, atyp byte, addr []byte, port int) (net.Conn, byte) {
+	t.Helper()
+	conn, err := net.DialTimeout("tcp", proxyAddr, 2*time.Second)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("dial socks proxy: %v", err)
+	}
+	_ = conn.SetDeadline(time.Now().Add(2 * time.Second))
+
+	// Greeting: VER=5, NMETHODS=1, METHOD=0 (no auth).
+	if _, err := conn.Write([]byte{socksVersion5, 0x01, socksNoAuth}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("write greeting: %v", err)
+	}
+	method := make([]byte, 2)
+	if _, err := io.ReadFull(conn, method); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("read method selection: %v", err)
+	}
+	if method[0] != socksVersion5 || method[1] != socksNoAuth {
+		t.Fatalf("method selection = %v, want [5 0]", method)
+	}
+
+	// Request: VER=5, CMD=CONNECT, RSV=0, ATYP, ADDR, PORT(2, big-endian).
+	request := append([]byte{socksVersion5, socksCmdConnect, 0x00, atyp}, addr...)
+	request = append(request, byte(port>>8), byte(port&0xff))
+	if _, err := conn.Write(request); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("write request: %v", err)
+	}
+	reply := make([]byte, 10) // VER, REP, RSV, ATYP(IPv4), BND.ADDR(4), BND.PORT(2)
+	if _, err := io.ReadFull(conn, reply); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("read reply: %v", err)
+	}
+	return conn, reply[1]
+}
+
+func TestEgressProxySocksAddrBindsLoopback(t *testing.T) {
+	proxy, err := newEgressProxy(egressOptions{Allowed: []string{"github.com"}})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("newEgressProxy: %v", err)
+	}
+	defer proxy.Close()
+
+	if proxy.SocksAddr() == "" {
+		t.Fatal("SocksAddr must be non-empty while the proxy is running")
+	}
+	if proxy.SocksAddr() == proxy.Addr() {
+		t.Fatalf("SOCKS and HTTP listeners must be distinct ports, both %q", proxy.Addr())
+	}
+	host, _, err := net.SplitHostPort(proxy.SocksAddr())
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("SplitHostPort(%q): %v", proxy.SocksAddr(), err)
+	}
+	if host != "127.0.0.1" {
+		t.Fatalf("SOCKS bound to %q, want loopback 127.0.0.1", host)
+	}
+}
+
+// TestEgressProxySocksRejectsUnsupportedAuth verifies the proxy honors SOCKS5
+// method negotiation: a client offering only methods the proxy does not support
+// (here user/pass 0x02, no no-auth) gets the "no acceptable methods" reply (0xFF)
+// rather than the proxy forcing a method the client never advertised.
+func TestEgressProxySocksRejectsUnsupportedAuth(t *testing.T) {
+	proxy, err := newEgressProxy(egressOptions{Allowed: []string{"github.com"}})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("newEgressProxy: %v", err)
+	}
+	defer proxy.Close()
+
+	conn, err := net.DialTimeout("tcp", proxy.SocksAddr(), 2*time.Second)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("dial socks proxy: %v", err)
+	}
+	defer conn.Close()
+	_ = conn.SetDeadline(time.Now().Add(2 * time.Second))
+
+	// Greeting: VER=5, NMETHODS=1, METHOD=0x02 (user/pass) — no-auth NOT offered.
+	if _, err := conn.Write([]byte{socksVersion5, 0x01, 0x02}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("write greeting: %v", err)
+	}
+	resp := make([]byte, 2)
+	if _, err := io.ReadFull(conn, resp); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("read method selection: %v", err)
+	}
+	if resp[0] != socksVersion5 || resp[1] != socksNoAcceptable {
+		t.Fatalf("method selection = %v, want [5 0xFF] (no acceptable methods)", resp)
+	}
+}
+
+// TestEgressProxySocksConnectAllowed verifies an allowlisted SOCKS5 CONNECT is
+// authorized through the SAME gate, dialed, and relayed to a fake upstream.
+func TestEgressProxySocksConnectAllowed(t *testing.T) {
+	upstream, err := net.Listen("tcp", "127.0.0.1:0")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("listen upstream: %v", err)
+	}
+	defer upstream.Close()
+	go func() {
+		c, aerr := upstream.Accept()
+		if aerr != nil {
+			return
+		}
+		defer c.Close()
+		buf := make([]byte, 4)
+		if _, rerr := io.ReadFull(c, buf); rerr != nil {
+			return
+		}
+		_, _ = c.Write([]byte("pong"))
+	}()
+
+	_, portStr, _ := net.SplitHostPort(upstream.Addr().String())
+	port, _ := strconv.Atoi(portStr)
+
+	// Allow the loopback IP so the IPv4 CONNECT is authorized.
+	proxy, err := newEgressProxy(egressOptions{Allowed: []string{"127.0.0.1"}})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("newEgressProxy: %v", err)
+	}
+	defer proxy.Close()
+
+	conn, rep := socks5Connect(t, proxy.SocksAddr(), socksAtypIPv4, net.IPv4(127, 0, 0, 1).To4(), port)
+	defer conn.Close()
+	if rep != socksRepSuccess {
+		t.Fatalf("SOCKS CONNECT to allowed host REP = %#x, want success (0)", rep)
+	}
+	if _, err := conn.Write([]byte("ping")); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("write through tunnel: %v", err)
+	}
+	got := make([]byte, 4)
+	if _, err := io.ReadFull(conn, got); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("read through tunnel: %v", err)
+	}
+	if string(got) != "pong" {
+		t.Fatalf("tunneled response = %q, want pong", string(got))
+	}
+}
+
+// TestEgressProxySocksConnectDenied verifies a non-allowlisted SOCKS5 CONNECT
+// (domain form) is refused with the "connection not allowed" reply.
+func TestEgressProxySocksConnectDenied(t *testing.T) {
+	proxy, err := newEgressProxy(egressOptions{Allowed: []string{"allowed.example"}})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("newEgressProxy: %v", err)
+	}
+	defer proxy.Close()
+
+	domain := "denied.example"
+	addr := append([]byte{byte(len(domain))}, []byte(domain)...)
+	conn, rep := socks5Connect(t, proxy.SocksAddr(), socksAtypDomain, addr, 443)
+	conn.Close()
+	if rep != socksRepNotAllowed {
+		t.Fatalf("SOCKS CONNECT to denied host REP = %#x, want not-allowed (2)", rep)
+	}
+}
+
+// TestEgressProxySocksDenyWinsOverAllow verifies the SOCKS gate honors
+// deny-wins: a denied subdomain of an allowed domain is refused (REP 2), proving
+// the SOCKS path runs the same authorize()/domainAllowed() logic as the HTTP
+// proxy rather than a parallel, weaker check.
+func TestEgressProxySocksDenyWinsOverAllow(t *testing.T) {
+	proxy, err := newEgressProxy(egressOptions{
+		Allowed: []string{"allowed.example"},
+		Denied:  []string{"blocked.allowed.example"},
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("newEgressProxy: %v", err)
+	}
+	defer proxy.Close()
+
+	denied := "blocked.allowed.example"
+	addr := append([]byte{byte(len(denied))}, []byte(denied)...)
+	conn, rep := socks5Connect(t, proxy.SocksAddr(), socksAtypDomain, addr, 443)
+	conn.Close()
+	if rep != socksRepNotAllowed {
+		t.Fatalf("denied subdomain REP = %#x, want not-allowed (2) (deny must win)", rep)
+	}
+}

internal/sandbox/engine.go

@@ -65,6 +65,35 @@ func (engine *Engine) Scope() *Scope {
 	return engine.scope
 }
 
+// ReadExclusions returns the resolved DenyRead/AllowRead exclusion matcher for
+// this engine's policy, resolving each policy entry ONCE. The search tools build
+// it a single time per run and reuse it across the whole walk so the predicates
+// don't re-run Abs/EvalSymlinks per visited path. Returns nil for a nil engine
+// (the matcher's methods treat nil as "exclude nothing").
+func (engine *Engine) ReadExclusions() *ReadExclusions {
+	// A disabled policy enforces nothing, so it must not filter search results
+	// either (Evaluate already allows every request under ModeDisabled).
+	if engine == nil || engine.policy.Mode == ModeDisabled {
+		return nil
+	}
+	return &ReadExclusions{
+		workspaceRoot: engine.workspaceRoot,
+		denyRoots:     resolvePolicyPaths(engine.policy.DenyRead),
+		allowRoots:    resolvePolicyPaths(engine.policy.AllowRead),
+	}
+}
+
+// ReadExclusionGlobs returns the ripgrep-style --glob exclusion args for this
+// engine's policy + scope (see the package-level ReadExclusionGlobs). Empty when
+// DenyRead is unset or the engine has no scope.
+func (engine *Engine) ReadExclusionGlobs() []string {
+	// A disabled policy filters nothing (parity with ReadExclusions / Evaluate).
+	if engine == nil || engine.policy.Mode == ModeDisabled {
+		return nil
+	}
+	return ReadExclusionGlobs(engine.policy, engine.scope)
+}
+
 // effectiveNetworkMode is the single source of truth for the engine's active
 // network mode: it collapses an empty-allowlist scoped policy to deny, and ALSO
 // downgrades scoped to deny when the backend cannot actually route scoped egress
@@ -90,6 +119,13 @@ func (engine *Engine) effectiveNetworkMode(policy Policy) NetworkMode {
 // their pre-sandbox behaviour); deny blocks everything; scoped allows only hosts
 // in AllowedDomains minus DeniedDomains (an empty allowlist, or a backend that
 // can't enforce scoped egress, collapses to deny).
+//
+// By default the first-party, in-process tools that consult this gate are NOT
+// subject to the network policy (EnforceToolNetwork is off): that policy exists
+// to confine the sandboxed SHELL's egress, which these tools don't use, and they
+// retain their own SSRF/port/redirect safeguards. Set EnforceToolNetwork to also
+// hold them to the allow/scoped/deny policy. The sandboxed-shell egress decision
+// lives in Evaluate via effectiveNetworkMode and is unaffected by this flag.
 func (engine *Engine) NetworkHostAllowed(host string) (bool, NetworkMode) {
 	if engine == nil {
 		return true, NetworkAllow
@@ -98,6 +134,10 @@ func (engine *Engine) NetworkHostAllowed(host string) (bool, NetworkMode) {
 	if policy.Mode == ModeDisabled {
 		return true, NetworkAllow
 	}
+	if !policy.EnforceToolNetwork {
+		// First-party in-process tools are exempt unless the operator opts in.
+		return true, NetworkAllow
+	}
 	switch mode := engine.effectiveNetworkMode(policy); mode {
 	case NetworkAllow:
 		return true, mode
@@ -109,6 +149,19 @@ func (engine *Engine) NetworkHostAllowed(host string) (bool, NetworkMode) {
 	}
 }
 
+// toolNetworkExempt reports whether a request is exempt from the engine-level
+// network deny because it is a first-party, in-process network TOOL — one that
+// declares SideEffectNetwork (web_search / web_fetch) — and the operator has not
+// opted into EnforceToolNetwork. Such tools do not use the sandboxed shell's
+// egress; they keep their own SSRF/host safeguards, and NetworkHostAllowed (also
+// gated by EnforceToolNetwork) governs them at run time. A SHELL command merely
+// classified as network (SideEffectShell) is NOT exempt, so shell egress stays
+// blocked under deny. Mirrors the NetworkHostAllowed exemption so the Evaluate
+// gate and the per-tool gate never diverge.
+func (engine *Engine) toolNetworkExempt(policy Policy, request Request) bool {
+	return !policy.EnforceToolNetwork && request.SideEffect == SideEffectNetwork
+}
+
 // scopeFor returns the scope to validate request paths against. The engine's
 // shared scope applies only when the request targets the engine's own
 // workspace root; a per-request override root gets an ad-hoc single-root scope
@@ -221,11 +274,17 @@ func (engine *Engine) Evaluate(ctx context.Context, request Request) Decision {
 	if request.Permission == PermissionDeny {
 		return deny(request, risk, ViolationDeniedPermission, "", permissionReason(request), false)
 	}
-	if policy.EnforceWorkspace && request.WorkspaceRoot != "" {
-		for _, requested := range requestPaths(request) {
-			if violation := scope.validate(requested); violation != nil {
-				return deny(request, risk, violation.Code, violation.Path, violation.Reason, false)
-			}
+	// The fine-grained path lists (DenyRead/DenyWrite/AllowRead/AllowWrite) apply
+	// whenever the sandbox is enforcing, independent of EnforceWorkspace and even
+	// when there is no workspace root (absolute paths are still resolved and
+	// matched), so they are honored consistently with the grep/glob exclusion path
+	// and can't be bypassed by an engine built without a workspace root. The
+	// workspace boundary itself needs a root, so it is gated on having one. Mode is
+	// already known to be enforcing here (ModeDisabled returned above).
+	enforceWorkspace := policy.EnforceWorkspace && request.WorkspaceRoot != ""
+	for _, requested := range requestPaths(request) {
+		if violation := validatePathWithPolicy(scope, policy, request.SideEffect, enforceWorkspace, request.WorkspaceRoot, requested); violation != nil {
+			return deny(request, risk, violation.Code, violation.Path, violation.Reason, false)
 		}
 	}
 	// effectiveNetworkMode collapses an empty-allowlist scoped policy to deny, and
@@ -235,7 +294,7 @@ func (engine *Engine) Evaluate(ctx context.Context, request Request) Decision {
 	// than running with unrestricted networking. Shared with NetworkHostAllowed so
 	// the per-tool gate can't diverge from this decision. Allow is unchanged.
 	netMode := engine.effectiveNetworkMode(policy)
-	if netMode == NetworkDeny && HasRiskCategory(risk, "network") {
+	if netMode == NetworkDeny && HasRiskCategory(risk, "network") && !engine.toolNetworkExempt(policy, request) {
 		return deny(request, risk, ViolationNetwork, "", "network access is blocked by sandbox policy", false)
 	}
 	if policy.DenyDestructiveShell && HasRiskCategory(risk, "destructive") {

internal/sandbox/engine_test.go

@@ -9,6 +9,53 @@ import (
 	"time"
 )
 
+// TestEvaluateExemptsNetworkToolsFromDenyByDefault reproduces the web_search
+// hard-deny: under NetworkDeny, the engine-level network gate must NOT deny a
+// first-party network TOOL (SideEffect=network) by default, so it follows the
+// normal permission flow instead of being blocked outright. EnforceToolNetwork
+// restores the strict deny, and a network SHELL command stays denied either way.
+func TestEvaluateExemptsNetworkToolsFromDenyByDefault(t *testing.T) {
+	base := Policy{Mode: ModeEnforce, Network: NetworkDeny, MaxAutonomy: AutonomyHigh}
+
+	// Default (EnforceToolNetwork off): web_search is NOT network-denied.
+	engine := NewEngine(EngineOptions{Policy: base})
+	d := engine.Evaluate(context.Background(), Request{
+		ToolName: "web_search", SideEffect: SideEffectNetwork, Permission: PermissionPrompt,
+	})
+	if d.Action == ActionDeny {
+		t.Fatalf("web_search must not be network-denied by default, got deny: %s", d.ErrorString())
+	}
+
+	// Granted permission → it actually runs (ActionAllow), not blocked.
+	allowed := engine.Evaluate(context.Background(), Request{
+		ToolName: "web_search", SideEffect: SideEffectNetwork, Permission: PermissionPrompt, PermissionGranted: true,
+	})
+	if allowed.Action != ActionAllow {
+		t.Fatalf("granted web_search must be allowed under deny by default, got %q (%s)", allowed.Action, allowed.ErrorString())
+	}
+
+	// EnforceToolNetwork on → strict: the network tool is denied at the gate.
+	strict := base
+	strict.EnforceToolNetwork = true
+	strictEngine := NewEngine(EngineOptions{Policy: strict})
+	ds := strictEngine.Evaluate(context.Background(), Request{
+		ToolName: "web_search", SideEffect: SideEffectNetwork, Permission: PermissionPrompt, PermissionGranted: true,
+	})
+	if ds.Action != ActionDeny || ds.Violation == nil || ds.Violation.Code != ViolationNetwork {
+		t.Fatalf("with EnforceToolNetwork, web_search must be network-denied, got %q (%+v)", ds.Action, ds.Violation)
+	}
+
+	// A network SHELL command (SideEffect=shell) stays denied under deny — shell
+	// egress is never exempt, even with EnforceToolNetwork off.
+	shell := engine.Evaluate(context.Background(), Request{
+		ToolName: "bash", SideEffect: SideEffectShell, PermissionGranted: true,
+		Args: map[string]any{"command": "curl https://evil.test"},
+	})
+	if shell.Action != ActionDeny || shell.Violation == nil || shell.Violation.Code != ViolationNetwork {
+		t.Fatalf("a network shell command must stay denied under deny, got %q (%+v)", shell.Action, shell.Violation)
+	}
+}
+
 func TestEngineEvaluatesReadPromptAndPersistentDecisions(t *testing.T) {
 	root := t.TempDir()
 	store, err := NewGrantStore(StoreOptions{
@@ -295,7 +342,11 @@ func TestEngineClassifiesNetworkAndDestructiveShellCommands(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestEngineDeniesNetworkSideEffectWhenPolicyBlocksNetwork(t *testing.T) {
-	engine := NewEngine(EngineOptions{WorkspaceRoot: t.TempDir(), Policy: DefaultPolicy()})
+	// EnforceToolNetwork opts the in-process network tools into the policy; by
+	// default they are exempt (see TestEvaluateExemptsNetworkToolsFromDenyByDefault).
+	policy := DefaultPolicy()
+	policy.EnforceToolNetwork = true
+	engine := NewEngine(EngineOptions{WorkspaceRoot: t.TempDir(), Policy: policy})
 
 	decision := engine.Evaluate(context.Background(), Request{
 		ToolName:       "web_fetch",
@@ -736,7 +787,11 @@ func TestEngineNetworkHostAllowed(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 	for _, tc := range cases {
 		t.Run(tc.name, func(t *testing.T) {
-			engine := NewEngine(EngineOptions{Policy: tc.policy, Backend: tc.backend})
+			// This table exercises the ENFORCED tool-network gate; the default
+			// (exempt) posture is covered by TestEngineNetworkHostAllowedToolNetworkDefaultExempt.
+			policy := tc.policy
+			policy.EnforceToolNetwork = true
+			engine := NewEngine(EngineOptions{Policy: policy, Backend: tc.backend})
 			allowed, mode := engine.NetworkHostAllowed(tc.host)
 			if allowed != tc.allowed || mode != tc.mode {
 				t.Fatalf("NetworkHostAllowed(%q) = (%v, %q), want (%v, %q)", tc.host, allowed, mode, tc.allowed, tc.mode)
@@ -749,3 +804,21 @@ func TestEngineNetworkHostAllowed(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatalf("nil engine NetworkHostAllowed = (%v, %q), want (true, allow)", allowed, mode)
 	}
 }
+
+// TestEngineNetworkHostAllowedToolNetworkDefaultExempt verifies the default
+// posture: with EnforceToolNetwork off, the in-process tool gate is exempt from
+// the network policy, so even a deny / scoped-unlisted host is allowed (the
+// sandboxed-shell egress decision is separate and unaffected).
+func TestEngineNetworkHostAllowedToolNetworkDefaultExempt(t *testing.T) {
+	egressBackend := Backend{Name: BackendSandboxExec, Available: true, Executable: "/usr/bin/sandbox-exec", ScopedEgress: true}
+	policies := []Policy{
+		{Mode: ModeEnforce, Network: NetworkDeny},
+		{Mode: ModeEnforce, Network: NetworkScoped, AllowedDomains: []string{"allowed.test"}},
+	}
+	for _, policy := range policies {
+		engine := NewEngine(EngineOptions{Policy: policy, Backend: egressBackend})
+		if allowed, _ := engine.NetworkHostAllowed("evil.test"); !allowed {
+			t.Fatalf("default (EnforceToolNetwork off) must allow the tool host under network=%q", policy.Network)
+		}
+	}
+}

internal/sandbox/mitm.go

@@ -0,0 +1,261 @@
+package sandbox
+
+import (
+	"bufio"
+	"crypto/ecdsa"
+	"crypto/elliptic"
+	"crypto/rand"
+	"crypto/tls"
+	"crypto/x509"
+	"crypto/x509/pkix"
+	"encoding/pem"
+	"fmt"
+	"io"
+	"math/big"
+	"net"
+	"net/http"
+	"os"
+	"strings"
+	"sync"
+	"time"
+)
+
+// MITM TLS interception (opt-in via Policy.InspectTLS). Mirrors
+// reference-sandbox-wsl-mitm-code-agent-js/sandbox-manager.js mitmCA/getMitmCA
+// and network/proxy.js. The proxy terminates TLS toward the SANDBOXED CLIENT
+// using an ephemeral, locally generated CA so it can read the decrypted request
+// and apply the SAME allow/deny gate on the real Host — visibility, not new
+// authority. The UPSTREAM connection is always validated against real roots
+// (never InsecureSkipVerify).
+
+// mitmCA is an ephemeral certificate authority that mints per-host leaf certs.
+// It lives only for the proxy's lifetime; only its PUBLIC cert is ever exposed
+// (so the sandboxed client can trust the minted leaves).
+type mitmCA struct {
+	cert    *x509.Certificate
+	key     *ecdsa.PrivateKey
+	certDER []byte
+
+	mu     sync.Mutex
+	leaves map[string]*tls.Certificate
+}
+
+// maxMITMLeafCacheEntries caps the per-host leaf cache so an attacker cannot grow
+// it without bound. Combined with minting for the AUTHORIZED host (not arbitrary
+// client SNI), this keeps the cache size to roughly the allowlist size.
+const maxMITMLeafCacheEntries = 512
+
+func randomSerial() (*big.Int, error) {
+	serial, err := rand.Int(rand.Reader, new(big.Int).Lsh(big.NewInt(1), 128))
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("mitm: serial: %w", err)
+	}
+	return serial, nil
+}
+
+// newMITMCA generates a fresh ECDSA CA. The key never leaves the process.
+func newMITMCA() (*mitmCA, error) {
+	key, err := ecdsa.GenerateKey(elliptic.P256(), rand.Reader)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("mitm: generate CA key: %w", err)
+	}
+	serial, err := randomSerial()
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	now := time.Now()
+	tmpl := &x509.Certificate{
+		SerialNumber:          serial,
+		Subject:               pkix.Name{CommonName: "zero sandbox MITM CA", Organization: []string{"zero-sandbox"}},
+		NotBefore:             now.Add(-time.Hour),
+		NotAfter:              now.Add(24 * time.Hour),
+		KeyUsage:              x509.KeyUsageCertSign | x509.KeyUsageCRLSign | x509.KeyUsageDigitalSignature,
+		BasicConstraintsValid: true,
+		IsCA:                  true,
+		MaxPathLenZero:        true,
+	}
+	der, err := x509.CreateCertificate(rand.Reader, tmpl, tmpl, &key.PublicKey, key)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("mitm: create CA cert: %w", err)
+	}
+	cert, err := x509.ParseCertificate(der)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("mitm: parse CA cert: %w", err)
+	}
+	return &mitmCA{cert: cert, key: key, certDER: der, leaves: map[string]*tls.Certificate{}}, nil
+}
+
+// caPEM returns the CA's PUBLIC certificate in PEM (safe to write/expose).
+func (ca *mitmCA) caPEM() []byte {
+	return pem.EncodeToMemory(&pem.Block{Type: "CERTIFICATE", Bytes: ca.certDER})
+}
+
+// leafFor mints (and caches) a leaf certificate for host, signed by the CA, with
+// the CA appended so the chain verifies against the CA alone.
+func (ca *mitmCA) leafFor(host string) (*tls.Certificate, error) {
+	host = hostnameOnly(host)
+	if host == "" {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("mitm: empty host for leaf cert")
+	}
+	ca.mu.Lock()
+	defer ca.mu.Unlock()
+	if leaf, ok := ca.leaves[host]; ok {
+		return leaf, nil
+	}
+	// Bound the cache: past the cap, mint without caching so memory stays bounded
+	// (a small per-request cost rather than unbounded growth).
+	cacheable := len(ca.leaves) < maxMITMLeafCacheEntries
+	leafKey, err := ecdsa.GenerateKey(elliptic.P256(), rand.Reader)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	serial, err := randomSerial()
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	now := time.Now()
+	tmpl := &x509.Certificate{
+		SerialNumber: serial,
+		Subject:      pkix.Name{CommonName: host},
+		NotBefore:    now.Add(-time.Hour),
+		NotAfter:     now.Add(24 * time.Hour),
+		KeyUsage:     x509.KeyUsageDigitalSignature,
+		ExtKeyUsage:  []x509.ExtKeyUsage{x509.ExtKeyUsageServerAuth},
+	}
+	if ip := net.ParseIP(host); ip != nil {
+		tmpl.IPAddresses = []net.IP{ip}
+	} else {
+		tmpl.DNSNames = []string{host}
+	}
+	der, err := x509.CreateCertificate(rand.Reader, tmpl, ca.cert, &leafKey.PublicKey, ca.key)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("mitm: mint leaf for %s: %w", host, err)
+	}
+	leaf := &tls.Certificate{Certificate: [][]byte{der, ca.certDER}, PrivateKey: leafKey}
+	if cacheable {
+		ca.leaves[host] = leaf
+	}
+	return leaf, nil
+}
+
+// writeMITMCAFile writes the CA's PUBLIC cert PEM to an owner-only temp file and
+// returns its path, so the runner can surface it via ZERO_SANDBOX_CA_CERT.
+func writeMITMCAFile(pemBytes []byte) (string, error) {
+	f, err := os.CreateTemp("", "zero-sandbox-ca-*.pem")
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("mitm: create CA file: %w", err)
+	}
+	if err := f.Chmod(0o600); err != nil {
+		_ = f.Close()
+		_ = os.Remove(f.Name())
+		return "", err
+	}
+	if _, err := f.Write(pemBytes); err != nil {
+		_ = f.Close()
+		_ = os.Remove(f.Name())
+		return "", err
+	}
+	if err := f.Close(); err != nil {
+		_ = os.Remove(f.Name())
+		return "", err
+	}
+	return f.Name(), nil
+}
+
+// handleConnectMITM terminates TLS toward the client (minting a leaf for the
+// requested host), then for each decrypted request re-checks the real Host
+// through the SAME authorize gate and forwards it upstream with full system-root
+// validation. A denied host gets a 403 over the decrypted channel and is never
+// forwarded.
+func (proxy *egressProxy) handleConnectMITM(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+	target := r.Host
+	if target == "" {
+		target = r.URL.Host
+	}
+	if !proxy.authorizeTarget(target, 443) {
+		proxy.logDecision("deny", "CONNECT", target)
+		http.Error(w, "scoped egress: host not allowed", http.StatusForbidden)
+		return
+	}
+	hijacker, ok := w.(http.Hijacker)
+	if !ok {
+		http.Error(w, "scoped egress: hijack unsupported", http.StatusInternalServerError)
+		return
+	}
+	clientConn, _, err := hijacker.Hijack()
+	if err != nil {
+		return
+	}
+	defer clientConn.Close()
+	if _, err := io.WriteString(clientConn, "HTTP/1.1 200 Connection Established\r\n\r\n"); err != nil {
+		return
+	}
+
+	host := hostnameOnly(target)
+	tlsConn := tls.Server(clientConn, &tls.Config{
+		MinVersion: tls.VersionTLS12,
+		GetCertificate: func(_ *tls.ClientHelloInfo) (*tls.Certificate, error) {
+			// Mint for the AUTHORIZED CONNECT host, never the arbitrary client SNI:
+			// honoring SNI would let an attacker churn distinct names to force
+			// unbounded key generation and cache growth.
+			return proxy.mitm.leafFor(host)
+		},
+	})
+	if err := tlsConn.Handshake(); err != nil {
+		return
+	}
+	defer tlsConn.Close()
+
+	reader := bufio.NewReader(tlsConn)
+	for {
+		req, err := http.ReadRequest(reader)
+		if err != nil {
+			return // client closed or EOF
+		}
+		reqHost := req.Host
+		if reqHost == "" {
+			reqHost = host
+		}
+		// MITM widens VISIBILITY, never authority: the decrypted Host passes the
+		// SAME full authorize() gate as the CONNECT check (deny-wins, empty allowlist
+		// => deny, and an interactive DomainPrompt is honored consistently).
+		if !proxy.authorizeTarget(reqHost, 443) {
+			proxy.logDecision("deny", req.Method, reqHost)
+			writeMITMResponse(tlsConn, http.StatusForbidden, "scoped egress: host not allowed")
+			return
+		}
+		req.URL.Scheme = "https"
+		req.URL.Host = normalizeConnectTarget(target)
+		req.RequestURI = ""
+		resp, err := proxy.mitmTransport.RoundTrip(req)
+		if err != nil {
+			proxy.logDecision("deny", req.Method, reqHost)
+			writeMITMResponse(tlsConn, http.StatusBadGateway, "scoped egress: upstream request failed")
+			return
+		}
+		proxy.logDecision("allow", req.Method, reqHost)
+		// Re-frame the response as HTTP/1.1 for the decrypted (HTTP/1.1) client
+		// connection, regardless of how the upstream replied.
+		resp.Proto, resp.ProtoMajor, resp.ProtoMinor = "HTTP/1.1", 1, 1
+		writeErr := resp.Write(tlsConn)
+		_ = resp.Body.Close()
+		if writeErr != nil || req.Close || resp.Close {
+			return
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// writeMITMResponse writes a minimal plaintext HTTP/1.1 response over the
+// decrypted client connection.
+func writeMITMResponse(conn net.Conn, code int, msg string) {
+	body := msg + "\n"
+	resp := &http.Response{
+		StatusCode:    code,
+		ProtoMajor:    1,
+		ProtoMinor:    1,
+		Header:        http.Header{"Content-Type": []string{"text/plain; charset=utf-8"}},
+		Body:          io.NopCloser(strings.NewReader(body)),
+		ContentLength: int64(len(body)),
+	}
+	_ = resp.Write(conn)
+}

internal/sandbox/mitm_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,158 @@
+package sandbox
+
+import (
+	"bufio"
+	"crypto/tls"
+	"crypto/x509"
+	"fmt"
+	"io"
+	"net"
+	"net/http"
+	"net/http/httptest"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+)
+
+func TestEgressProxyPassthroughNoCAByDefault(t *testing.T) {
+	proxy, err := newEgressProxy(egressOptions{Allowed: []string{"github.com"}})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("newEgressProxy: %v", err)
+	}
+	defer proxy.Close()
+	if proxy.mitm != nil {
+		t.Fatal("InspectTLS off must not create a MITM CA (pure passthrough)")
+	}
+	if proxy.CACertPEM() != nil {
+		t.Fatal("passthrough proxy must expose no CA cert")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestMITMCAMintsChainingLeaf(t *testing.T) {
+	ca, err := newMITMCA()
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("newMITMCA: %v", err)
+	}
+	leaf, err := ca.leafFor("api.example.com")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("leafFor: %v", err)
+	}
+	leafCert, err := x509.ParseCertificate(leaf.Certificate[0])
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("parse leaf: %v", err)
+	}
+	roots := x509.NewCertPool()
+	if !roots.AppendCertsFromPEM(ca.caPEM()) {
+		t.Fatal("append CA PEM")
+	}
+	if _, err := leafCert.Verify(x509.VerifyOptions{
+		Roots:     roots,
+		DNSName:   "api.example.com",
+		KeyUsages: []x509.ExtKeyUsage{x509.ExtKeyUsageServerAuth},
+	}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("minted leaf must chain to the CA: %v", err)
+	}
+	// Per-host caching.
+	if leaf2, _ := ca.leafFor("api.example.com"); leaf2 != leaf {
+		t.Fatal("leafFor must cache one leaf per host")
+	}
+}
+
+// mitmConnect performs a CONNECT through the proxy then opens a TLS client that
+// trusts ONLY the MITM CA, returning the decrypted client connection.
+func mitmConnect(t *testing.T, proxyAddr, target string, caPEM []byte, serverName string) *tls.Conn {
+	t.Helper()
+	conn, err := net.DialTimeout("tcp", proxyAddr, 2*time.Second)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("dial proxy: %v", err)
+	}
+	// Bound the whole exchange (CONNECT read + TLS handshake + request/response) so
+	// a regression cannot hang the test indefinitely.
+	if err := conn.SetDeadline(time.Now().Add(10 * time.Second)); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("set deadline: %v", err)
+	}
+	fmt.Fprintf(conn, "CONNECT %s HTTP/1.1\r\nHost: %s\r\n\r\n", target, target)
+	br := bufio.NewReader(conn)
+	resp, err := http.ReadResponse(br, &http.Request{Method: "CONNECT"})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("read CONNECT response: %v", err)
+	}
+	if resp.StatusCode != http.StatusOK {
+		t.Fatalf("CONNECT status = %d, want 200", resp.StatusCode)
+	}
+	if br.Buffered() != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("proxy over-sent %d bytes after CONNECT 200", br.Buffered())
+	}
+	pool := x509.NewCertPool()
+	if !pool.AppendCertsFromPEM(caPEM) {
+		t.Fatal("append MITM CA PEM")
+	}
+	tlsConn := tls.Client(conn, &tls.Config{RootCAs: pool, ServerName: serverName})
+	if err := tlsConn.Handshake(); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("client TLS handshake trusting the MITM CA: %v", err)
+	}
+	return tlsConn
+}
+
+func TestEgressProxyMITMForwardsAllowlistedHost(t *testing.T) {
+	upstream := httptest.NewTLSServer(http.HandlerFunc(func(w http.ResponseWriter, _ *http.Request) {
+		fmt.Fprint(w, "upstream-ok")
+	}))
+	defer upstream.Close()
+	host := mustHost(t, upstream.URL)
+	target := mustHostPort(t, upstream.URL)
+
+	// Trust the upstream's real cert explicitly (NOT InsecureSkipVerify): proves
+	// the MITM still validates the upstream chain.
+	upstreamRoots := x509.NewCertPool()
+	upstreamRoots.AddCert(upstream.Certificate())
+
+	proxy, err := newEgressProxy(egressOptions{Allowed: []string{host}, InspectTLS: true, upstreamRoots: upstreamRoots})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("newEgressProxy: %v", err)
+	}
+	defer proxy.Close()
+	if proxy.CACertPEM() == nil {
+		t.Fatal("InspectTLS must generate a CA")
+	}
+
+	tlsConn := mitmConnect(t, proxy.Addr(), target, proxy.CACertPEM(), host)
+	defer tlsConn.Close()
+	fmt.Fprintf(tlsConn, "GET / HTTP/1.1\r\nHost: %s\r\nConnection: close\r\n\r\n", host)
+	resp, err := http.ReadResponse(bufio.NewReader(tlsConn), &http.Request{Method: http.MethodGet})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("read decrypted response: %v", err)
+	}
+	defer resp.Body.Close()
+	if resp.StatusCode != http.StatusOK {
+		t.Fatalf("allowlisted forwarded request status = %d, want 200", resp.StatusCode)
+	}
+	body, err := io.ReadAll(resp.Body)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("read decrypted body: %v", err)
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(string(body), "upstream-ok") {
+		t.Fatalf("MITM did not forward the allowlisted request, got %q", string(body))
+	}
+}
+
+func TestEgressProxyMITMBlocksDeniedDecryptedHost(t *testing.T) {
+	// CONNECT to an allowed host, but send a Host header that is NOT allowlisted —
+	// the MITM re-checks the DECRYPTED Host and blocks it before forwarding.
+	proxy, err := newEgressProxy(egressOptions{Allowed: []string{"127.0.0.1"}, InspectTLS: true})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("newEgressProxy: %v", err)
+	}
+	defer proxy.Close()
+
+	tlsConn := mitmConnect(t, proxy.Addr(), "127.0.0.1:443", proxy.CACertPEM(), "127.0.0.1")
+	defer tlsConn.Close()
+	fmt.Fprint(tlsConn, "GET / HTTP/1.1\r\nHost: blocked.example\r\nConnection: close\r\n\r\n")
+	resp, err := http.ReadResponse(bufio.NewReader(tlsConn), nil)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("read decrypted response: %v", err)
+	}
+	if resp.StatusCode != http.StatusForbidden {
+		t.Fatalf("denied decrypted Host status = %d, want 403", resp.StatusCode)
+	}
+}

internal/sandbox/pathlists.go

@@ -0,0 +1,374 @@
+package sandbox
+
+import (
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"strings"
+)
+
+// This file implements the fine-grained AllowRead/DenyRead/AllowWrite/DenyWrite
+// path lists (Policy fields). They layer ON TOP of the workspace + Scope guards
+// and never bypass them: AllowRead only re-includes inside a DenyRead carve-out,
+// AllowWrite is consulted only after the workspace/Scope guard already denied a
+// write, and every match is symlink-resolved so a symlink prefix cannot evade a
+// deny or sneak past an allow. All lists default empty, so an unconfigured policy
+// behaves exactly as before.
+
+// resolvePolicyPath home-expands, makes absolute, and symlink-resolves a single
+// policy path entry. ok is false for a blank entry or one that does not exist
+// (EvalSymlinks requires existence) so a bogus entry is dropped — a non-existent
+// deny protects nothing and a non-existent allow grants nothing.
+func resolvePolicyPath(entry string) (string, bool) {
+	trimmed := strings.TrimSpace(entry)
+	if trimmed == "" {
+		return "", false
+	}
+	if trimmed == "~" || strings.HasPrefix(trimmed, "~/") || strings.HasPrefix(trimmed, "~"+string(filepath.Separator)) {
+		home, err := os.UserHomeDir()
+		if err != nil {
+			return "", false
+		}
+		trimmed = filepath.Join(home, strings.TrimPrefix(strings.TrimPrefix(trimmed[1:], "/"), string(filepath.Separator)))
+	}
+	absolute, err := filepath.Abs(trimmed)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", false
+	}
+	resolved, err := filepath.EvalSymlinks(absolute)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", false
+	}
+	return resolved, true
+}
+
+// resolvePolicyPaths resolves and de-duplicates a list of policy path entries,
+// dropping blanks and non-existent entries. Files and directories are both kept
+// (a DenyRead/DenyWrite entry may target a single sensitive file).
+func resolvePolicyPaths(entries []string) []string {
+	if len(entries) == 0 {
+		return nil
+	}
+	seen := make(map[string]struct{}, len(entries))
+	out := make([]string, 0, len(entries))
+	for _, entry := range entries {
+		resolved, ok := resolvePolicyPath(entry)
+		if !ok {
+			continue
+		}
+		if _, dup := seen[resolved]; dup {
+			continue
+		}
+		seen[resolved] = struct{}{}
+		out = append(out, resolved)
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+// resolveWriteRootPaths is resolvePolicyPaths restricted to existing directories
+// that are not the filesystem root — the only valid targets for an OS write bind
+// and for an AllowWrite grant root.
+func resolveWriteRootPaths(entries []string) []string {
+	resolved := resolvePolicyPaths(entries)
+	if len(resolved) == 0 {
+		return nil
+	}
+	out := make([]string, 0, len(resolved))
+	for _, path := range resolved {
+		info, err := os.Stat(path)
+		if err != nil || !info.IsDir() {
+			continue
+		}
+		if filepath.Dir(path) == path {
+			continue // refuse the filesystem root as a write root
+		}
+		out = append(out, path)
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+// pathUnderPolicyRoot reports whether requestedPath lies within root. A relative
+// requestedPath is resolved against workspaceRoot; the portion of an absolute
+// path outside root is symlink-resolved (via NormalizePrefixForRoot) so a
+// symlink prefix cannot evade the match. root must be an already-resolved
+// absolute path.
+func pathUnderPolicyRoot(requestedPath, root, workspaceRoot string) bool {
+	if root == "" {
+		return false
+	}
+	abs := requestedPath
+	if !filepath.IsAbs(abs) {
+		if workspaceRoot == "" {
+			return false
+		}
+		abs = filepath.Join(workspaceRoot, abs)
+	}
+	normalized := NormalizePrefixForRoot(abs, root)
+	return pathWithinRoot(root, normalized)
+}
+
+// readDenied reports whether path is excluded by the DenyRead list with no
+// more-specific AllowRead re-inclusion. "More specific" means an AllowRead entry
+// nested inside the matched DenyRead entry — that subtree is read back in while
+// the rest of the denied tree stays blocked. It resolves the policy entries on
+// each call, so it suits a one-shot check (the Evaluate gate). A search walk that
+// checks many paths should use ReadExclusions, which resolves the entries once.
+func readDenied(policy Policy, workspaceRoot, path string) bool {
+	return readDeniedResolved(workspaceRoot, resolvePolicyPaths(policy.DenyRead), resolvePolicyPaths(policy.AllowRead), path)
+}
+
+// readDeniedResolved is readDenied operating on ALREADY-resolved deny/allow roots,
+// so a caller that resolved the policy entries once can reuse them across many
+// path checks instead of re-running Abs/EvalSymlinks per path.
+func readDeniedResolved(workspaceRoot string, denyRoots, allowRoots []string, path string) bool {
+	if len(denyRoots) == 0 {
+		return false
+	}
+	for _, deny := range denyRoots {
+		if !pathUnderPolicyRoot(path, deny, workspaceRoot) {
+			continue
+		}
+		reincluded := false
+		for _, allow := range allowRoots {
+			// The allow entry must sit inside the deny entry to be "more specific",
+			// and the path must fall under that allow entry.
+			if pathWithinRoot(deny, allow) && pathUnderPolicyRoot(path, allow, workspaceRoot) {
+				reincluded = true
+				break
+			}
+		}
+		if !reincluded {
+			return true
+		}
+	}
+	return false
+}
+
+// ReadExclusions holds the resolved DenyRead/AllowRead roots for a policy so a
+// search walk resolves each policy entry ONCE (Abs/EvalSymlinks) and reuses the
+// result across every visited path, rather than re-resolving per path. Build it
+// with Engine.ReadExclusions and reuse it for the whole grep/glob walk.
+type ReadExclusions struct {
+	workspaceRoot string
+	denyRoots     []string
+	allowRoots    []string
+}
+
+// Active reports whether any DenyRead root is configured. When false the
+// exclusions are a no-op and the search behaves exactly as before.
+func (rx *ReadExclusions) Active() bool {
+	return rx != nil && len(rx.denyRoots) > 0
+}
+
+// PathExcluded reports whether reading path is excluded by DenyRead, honoring a
+// more-specific AllowRead re-inclusion. It is the per-file predicate for a walk.
+func (rx *ReadExclusions) PathExcluded(path string) bool {
+	if !rx.Active() {
+		return false
+	}
+	return readDeniedResolved(rx.workspaceRoot, rx.denyRoots, rx.allowRoots, path)
+}
+
+// DirExcluded reports whether a directory subtree can be skipped wholesale during
+// a walk: it is read-denied AND contains no nested AllowRead root (descending is
+// required to reach a re-included subtree). When it returns false on a denied dir
+// because of a nested allow, PathExcluded still filters the denied siblings.
+func (rx *ReadExclusions) DirExcluded(path string) bool {
+	if !rx.Active() {
+		return false
+	}
+	if !readDeniedResolved(rx.workspaceRoot, rx.denyRoots, rx.allowRoots, path) {
+		return false
+	}
+	abs := path
+	if !filepath.IsAbs(abs) && rx.workspaceRoot != "" {
+		abs = filepath.Join(rx.workspaceRoot, path)
+	}
+	// allowRoots are symlink-resolved (resolvePolicyPaths), so resolve abs the
+	// same way before the prefix comparison — otherwise a dir reached THROUGH a
+	// symlink would fail to match a nested AllowRead root and be wrongly skipped,
+	// dropping a re-included subtree. Best-effort: keep abs if it can't resolve
+	// (e.g. a non-existent path), matching the deny check's tolerant behavior.
+	if resolved, err := filepath.EvalSymlinks(abs); err == nil {
+		abs = resolved
+	}
+	return !hasNestedAllowReadResolved(rx.allowRoots, abs)
+}
+
+// allowWriteScope builds an ad-hoc Scope from the resolved AllowWrite roots so a
+// write to an AllowWrite path is validated with the SAME symlink-traversal logic
+// the workspace Scope uses. Returns nil when there are no usable AllowWrite roots.
+func allowWriteScope(policy Policy) *Scope {
+	roots := resolveWriteRootPaths(policy.AllowWrite)
+	if len(roots) == 0 {
+		return nil
+	}
+	return &Scope{workspaceRoot: roots[0], extraRoots: roots[1:]}
+}
+
+// validateWritePath enforces the write precedence: DenyWrite wins, then (when
+// workspace enforcement is on) a workspace/Scope-writable path is allowed, then
+// an absolute path under an AllowWrite root is allowed, otherwise the base
+// workspace/Scope violation stands. The DenyWrite list applies regardless of
+// enforceWorkspace; the workspace boundary itself applies only when
+// enforceWorkspace. It never bypasses the symlink/out-of-workspace guards.
+func validateWritePath(scope *Scope, policy Policy, enforceWorkspace bool, workspaceRoot, path string) *pathViolation {
+	// DenyWrite wins regardless of workspace enforcement.
+	for _, deny := range resolvePolicyPaths(policy.DenyWrite) {
+		if pathUnderPolicyRoot(path, deny, workspaceRoot) {
+			return &pathViolation{
+				Code:   ViolationPolicyDenied,
+				Path:   path,
+				Reason: path + " is excluded by the sandbox DenyWrite policy",
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	if !enforceWorkspace {
+		// Workspace confinement is off: only the explicit DenyWrite list restricts.
+		return nil
+	}
+	base := scope.validate(path)
+	if base == nil {
+		return nil // writable under the workspace / Scope guard
+	}
+	// AllowWrite only extends ABSOLUTE paths: a relative path is inherently
+	// workspace-relative and already resolved by the base guard above.
+	if filepath.IsAbs(path) {
+		if allow := allowWriteScope(policy); allow != nil && allow.validate(path) == nil {
+			return nil
+		}
+	}
+	return base
+}
+
+// validatePathWithPolicy is the single entry point the engine uses to validate a
+// request path. The fine-grained read/write lists (DenyRead/DenyWrite, with
+// AllowRead/AllowWrite) apply whenever the sandbox is enforcing, INDEPENDENT of
+// enforceWorkspace, so they match the grep/glob path that also honors DenyRead
+// directly. The workspace boundary (scope.validate) applies only when
+// enforceWorkspace. Behavior is unchanged when the lists are empty.
+func validatePathWithPolicy(scope *Scope, policy Policy, sideEffect SideEffect, enforceWorkspace bool, workspaceRoot, path string) *pathViolation {
+	// A relative path cannot be anchored without a workspace root, so it cannot be
+	// checked against the (absolute) path lists or workspace boundary. Fail closed
+	// when there is anything to enforce; otherwise it is a no-op (unchanged from the
+	// pre-path-list behavior, where an empty workspace root skipped validation).
+	if workspaceRoot == "" && !filepath.IsAbs(path) {
+		if enforceWorkspace || policyHasPathLists(policy) {
+			return &pathViolation{
+				Code:   ViolationOutsideWorkspace,
+				Path:   path,
+				Reason: path + " cannot be validated without a workspace root",
+			}
+		}
+		return nil
+	}
+	switch sideEffect {
+	case SideEffectRead:
+		if readDenied(policy, workspaceRoot, path) {
+			return &pathViolation{
+				Code:   ViolationPolicyDenied,
+				Path:   path,
+				Reason: path + " is excluded by the sandbox DenyRead policy",
+			}
+		}
+		if enforceWorkspace {
+			return scope.validate(path)
+		}
+		return nil
+	case SideEffectWrite, SideEffectOutOfWorkspace:
+		return validateWritePath(scope, policy, enforceWorkspace, workspaceRoot, path)
+	default:
+		if enforceWorkspace {
+			return scope.validate(path)
+		}
+		return nil
+	}
+}
+
+// hasNestedAllowReadResolved reports whether any already-resolved AllowRead root
+// sits strictly inside dir (an already-resolved absolute path). When true, a
+// read-denied dir must still be descended during a walk so the re-included
+// subtree is reachable.
+func hasNestedAllowReadResolved(allowRoots []string, dir string) bool {
+	for _, allow := range allowRoots {
+		if allow != dir && pathWithinRoot(dir, allow) {
+			return true
+		}
+	}
+	return false
+}
+
+// workspaceRelGlob returns target as a clean, slash-separated path relative to
+// workspaceRoot, or ok=false when target is the root itself or lies outside it
+// (a workspace-rooted search never reaches such a path, so no glob is needed).
+func workspaceRelGlob(workspaceRoot, target string) (string, bool) {
+	rel, err := filepath.Rel(workspaceRoot, target)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", false
+	}
+	if rel == "." || rel == ".." || strings.HasPrefix(rel, ".."+string(filepath.Separator)) || filepath.IsAbs(rel) {
+		return "", false
+	}
+	return filepath.ToSlash(rel), true
+}
+
+// ReadExclusionGlobs returns ripgrep-style --glob exclusion args for the policy's
+// DenyRead subtrees that fall inside the scope's workspace root, so a
+// ripgrep-based search never descends into a read-denied subtree. For each such
+// entry it emits `--glob`, `!<rel>` and `--glob`, `!<rel>/**`. Mirrors the
+// read-subtree exclusion globs used by comparable executor sandboxes.
+//
+// The projection is exclusions-only: a positive ripgrep glob would switch the
+// search into whitelist mode and restrict it to only matching files, so AllowRead
+// re-inclusion is NOT expressed here. The Go-native grep/glob tools honor
+// AllowRead precisely via the cached predicate (Engine.ReadExclusions); this
+// function is the coarser ripgrep-format export for an external rg-based
+// consumer. Empty when DenyRead is unset (the default), so search behavior is
+// unchanged.
+func ReadExclusionGlobs(policy Policy, scope *Scope) []string {
+	denyRoots := resolvePolicyPaths(policy.DenyRead)
+	if len(denyRoots) == 0 || scope == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	workspaceRoot := scope.WorkspaceRoot()
+	if workspaceRoot == "" {
+		return nil
+	}
+	var globs []string
+	for _, deny := range denyRoots {
+		rel, ok := workspaceRelGlob(workspaceRoot, deny)
+		if !ok {
+			continue
+		}
+		globs = append(globs, "--glob", "!"+rel, "--glob", "!"+rel+"/**")
+	}
+	return globs
+}
+
+// policyHasPathLists reports whether any fine-grained path list has an
+// ENFORCEABLE entry. It resolves the lists (matching how the rest of this file
+// normalizes them) rather than counting raw config, so a typo or non-existent
+// entry — which resolution drops — doesn't spuriously fail-close relative
+// requests when there is no workspace root.
+func policyHasPathLists(policy Policy) bool {
+	return len(resolvePolicyPaths(policy.DenyRead)) > 0 ||
+		len(resolvePolicyPaths(policy.AllowRead)) > 0 ||
+		len(resolvePolicyPaths(policy.DenyWrite)) > 0 ||
+		len(resolveWriteRootPaths(policy.AllowWrite)) > 0
+}
+
+// dedupeStrings returns xs with duplicates removed, preserving first-seen order.
+func dedupeStrings(xs []string) []string {
+	if len(xs) <= 1 {
+		return xs
+	}
+	seen := make(map[string]struct{}, len(xs))
+	out := make([]string, 0, len(xs))
+	for _, x := range xs {
+		if _, dup := seen[x]; dup {
+			continue
+		}
+		seen[x] = struct{}{}
+		out = append(out, x)
+	}
+	return out
+}

internal/sandbox/pathlists_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,426 @@
+package sandbox
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+)
+
+// resolvedTempDir returns a symlink-resolved temp dir so paths built under it
+// compare equal to the EvalSymlinks-normalized forms the path lists produce
+// (macOS /var -> /private/var would otherwise diverge).
+func resolvedTempDir(t *testing.T) string {
+	t.Helper()
+	resolved, err := filepath.EvalSymlinks(t.TempDir())
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("EvalSymlinks(tempdir): %v", err)
+	}
+	return resolved
+}
+
+func mkdir(t *testing.T, path string) string {
+	t.Helper()
+	if err := os.MkdirAll(path, 0o755); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("MkdirAll(%q): %v", path, err)
+	}
+	return path
+}
+
+func TestReadDenyAllowPrecedence(t *testing.T) {
+	ws := resolvedTempDir(t)
+	mkdir(t, filepath.Join(ws, "src"))
+	secret := mkdir(t, filepath.Join(ws, "secret"))
+	public := mkdir(t, filepath.Join(ws, "secret", "public"))
+
+	cases := []struct {
+		name       string
+		policy     Policy
+		path       string
+		wantDenied bool
+	}{
+		{
+			name:       "no lists: nothing denied",
+			policy:     Policy{},
+			path:       filepath.Join(secret, "data"),
+			wantDenied: false,
+		},
+		{
+			name:       "denyread blocks subtree",
+			policy:     Policy{DenyRead: []string{secret}},
+			path:       filepath.Join(secret, "data"),
+			wantDenied: true,
+		},
+		{
+			name:       "denyread does not touch siblings",
+			policy:     Policy{DenyRead: []string{secret}},
+			path:       filepath.Join(ws, "src", "main.go"),
+			wantDenied: false,
+		},
+		{
+			name:       "more-specific allowread re-includes",
+			policy:     Policy{DenyRead: []string{secret}, AllowRead: []string{public}},
+			path:       filepath.Join(public, "ok.txt"),
+			wantDenied: false,
+		},
+		{
+			name:       "allowread only re-includes its own subtree",
+			policy:     Policy{DenyRead: []string{secret}, AllowRead: []string{public}},
+			path:       filepath.Join(secret, "other.txt"),
+			wantDenied: true,
+		},
+	}
+	for _, tc := range cases {
+		t.Run(tc.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			if got := readDenied(tc.policy, ws, tc.path); got != tc.wantDenied {
+				t.Fatalf("readDenied(%q) = %v, want %v", tc.path, got, tc.wantDenied)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestWritePrecedenceMatrix(t *testing.T) {
+	ws := resolvedTempDir(t)
+	mkdir(t, filepath.Join(ws, "src"))
+	wsSecret := mkdir(t, filepath.Join(ws, "secret"))
+	ext := resolvedTempDir(t)
+	mkdir(t, filepath.Join(ext, "build"))
+	extProtected := mkdir(t, filepath.Join(ext, "build", "protected"))
+	outside := resolvedTempDir(t) // never allowed
+
+	scope, err := NewScope(ws, nil)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("NewScope: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	cases := []struct {
+		name      string
+		policy    Policy
+		path      string
+		wantAllow bool
+	}{
+		{
+			name:      "workspace path writable by default",
+			policy:    Policy{},
+			path:      filepath.Join(ws, "src", "main.go"),
+			wantAllow: true,
+		},
+		{
+			name:      "outside path denied by default",
+			policy:    Policy{},
+			path:      filepath.Join(outside, "x"),
+			wantAllow: false,
+		},
+		{
+			name:      "allowwrite extends to external root",
+			policy:    Policy{AllowWrite: []string{filepath.Join(ext, "build")}},
+			path:      filepath.Join(ext, "build", "out.o"),
+			wantAllow: true,
+		},
+		{
+			name:      "denywrite wins over workspace",
+			policy:    Policy{DenyWrite: []string{wsSecret}},
+			path:      filepath.Join(wsSecret, "creds"),
+			wantAllow: false,
+		},
+		{
+			name:      "denywrite wins over allowwrite",
+			policy:    Policy{AllowWrite: []string{filepath.Join(ext, "build")}, DenyWrite: []string{extProtected}},
+			path:      filepath.Join(extProtected, "x"),
+			wantAllow: false,
+		},
+		{
+			name:      "allowwrite does not allow unlisted external path",
+			policy:    Policy{AllowWrite: []string{filepath.Join(ext, "build")}},
+			path:      filepath.Join(outside, "x"),
+			wantAllow: false,
+		},
+	}
+	for _, tc := range cases {
+		t.Run(tc.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			// This matrix exercises the workspace-enforced write precedence.
+			violation := validateWritePath(scope, tc.policy, true, ws, tc.path)
+			gotAllow := violation == nil
+			if gotAllow != tc.wantAllow {
+				t.Fatalf("validateWritePath(%q) allow=%v (violation=%v), want allow=%v", tc.path, gotAllow, violation, tc.wantAllow)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestReadExclusionGlobs(t *testing.T) {
+	ws := resolvedTempDir(t)
+	secret := mkdir(t, filepath.Join(ws, "secret"))
+	scope, err := NewScope(ws, nil)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("NewScope: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	// Empty DenyRead → no globs (default behavior unchanged).
+	if globs := ReadExclusionGlobs(Policy{}, scope); globs != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("empty DenyRead must yield no globs, got %v", globs)
+	}
+
+	// DenyRead inside the workspace → ripgrep exclusion globs for the rel path.
+	got := strings.Join(ReadExclusionGlobs(Policy{DenyRead: []string{secret}}, scope), " ")
+	want := "--glob !secret --glob !secret/**"
+	if got != want {
+		t.Fatalf("ReadExclusionGlobs = %q, want %q", got, want)
+	}
+
+	// DenyRead OUTSIDE the workspace → skipped (a rooted search never reaches it).
+	outside := resolvedTempDir(t)
+	if globs := ReadExclusionGlobs(Policy{DenyRead: []string{outside}}, scope); globs != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("out-of-workspace DenyRead must yield no globs, got %v", globs)
+	}
+}
+
+// TestReadDirExcludedDescendsForNestedAllow verifies a read-denied dir is NOT
+// skipped wholesale when it contains a nested AllowRead root, so the walk can
+// still reach the re-included subtree.
+func TestReadDirExcludedDescendsForNestedAllow(t *testing.T) {
+	ws := resolvedTempDir(t)
+	secret := mkdir(t, filepath.Join(ws, "secret"))
+	public := mkdir(t, filepath.Join(ws, "secret", "public"))
+
+	engine := NewEngine(EngineOptions{
+		WorkspaceRoot: ws,
+		Policy:        Policy{Mode: ModeEnforce, EnforceWorkspace: true, DenyRead: []string{secret}, AllowRead: []string{public}},
+	})
+	// The denied dir must be descended (nested allow), but the denied dir's own
+	// files are still excluded per-file.
+	rx := engine.ReadExclusions()
+	if rx.DirExcluded(secret) {
+		t.Fatalf("a denied dir with a nested AllowRead must not be skipped wholesale")
+	}
+	if !rx.PathExcluded(filepath.Join(secret, "creds")) {
+		t.Fatalf("a denied file outside the re-included subtree must be excluded")
+	}
+	if rx.PathExcluded(filepath.Join(public, "ok")) {
+		t.Fatalf("a re-included AllowRead file must not be excluded")
+	}
+}
+
+// TestDirExcludedResolvesSymlinkPrefix verifies DirExcluded resolves a symlink
+// in the path prefix before checking for a nested AllowRead root, so a denied dir
+// reached through a symlink is NOT skipped wholesale when it contains a
+// re-included subtree (the resolved allowRoots would otherwise never match).
+func TestDirExcludedResolvesSymlinkPrefix(t *testing.T) {
+	ws := resolvedTempDir(t)
+	real := mkdir(t, filepath.Join(ws, "real"))
+	secret := mkdir(t, filepath.Join(real, "secret"))
+	public := mkdir(t, filepath.Join(secret, "public"))
+	link := filepath.Join(ws, "link")
+	if err := os.Symlink(real, link); err != nil {
+		t.Skipf("symlinks unavailable on this platform: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	engine := NewEngine(EngineOptions{
+		WorkspaceRoot: ws,
+		Policy:        Policy{Mode: ModeEnforce, EnforceWorkspace: true, DenyRead: []string{secret}, AllowRead: []string{public}},
+	})
+	rx := engine.ReadExclusions()
+	// secret reached THROUGH the symlink still contains the re-included AllowRead
+	// subtree once the prefix is resolved, so it must not be skipped wholesale.
+	if rx.DirExcluded(filepath.Join(link, "secret")) {
+		t.Fatalf("DirExcluded must resolve the symlink prefix and detect the nested AllowRead (must not skip)")
+	}
+}
+
+// TestPathListsApplyWithoutWorkspaceEnforcement verifies the explicit path lists
+// (DenyWrite/DenyRead) are honored even when EnforceWorkspace is off, while the
+// workspace boundary itself is not enforced in that mode.
+func TestPathListsApplyWithoutWorkspaceEnforcement(t *testing.T) {
+	ws := resolvedTempDir(t)
+	secret := mkdir(t, filepath.Join(ws, "secret"))
+	outside := resolvedTempDir(t)
+	scope, err := NewScope(ws, nil)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("NewScope: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	// DenyWrite still blocks even with workspace enforcement off.
+	denyPolicy := Policy{DenyWrite: []string{secret}}
+	if v := validateWritePath(scope, denyPolicy, false, ws, filepath.Join(secret, "creds")); v == nil {
+		t.Fatal("DenyWrite must block even when EnforceWorkspace is off")
+	}
+	// With enforcement off and no DenyWrite match, an out-of-workspace write is
+	// NOT blocked (the workspace boundary is intentionally not applied).
+	if v := validateWritePath(scope, denyPolicy, false, ws, filepath.Join(outside, "x")); v != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("with EnforceWorkspace off, a non-denied path must be allowed, got %v", v)
+	}
+	// DenyRead still blocks reads even with workspace enforcement off.
+	if v := validatePathWithPolicy(scope, Policy{DenyRead: []string{secret}}, SideEffectRead, false, ws, filepath.Join(secret, "x")); v == nil {
+		t.Fatal("DenyRead must block reads even when EnforceWorkspace is off")
+	}
+}
+
+// TestEvaluatePathListsWithoutWorkspaceRoot verifies the path lists are enforced
+// even on an engine built WITHOUT a workspace root: absolute paths are matched
+// against DenyWrite, and an unanchorable relative path fails closed.
+func TestEvaluatePathListsWithoutWorkspaceRoot(t *testing.T) {
+	secret := resolvedTempDir(t)
+	other := resolvedTempDir(t)
+	engine := NewEngine(EngineOptions{
+		Policy: Policy{Mode: ModeEnforce, MaxAutonomy: AutonomyHigh, DenyWrite: []string{secret}},
+	})
+
+	denied := engine.Evaluate(context.Background(), Request{
+		ToolName: "write_file", SideEffect: SideEffectWrite,
+		Args: map[string]any{"path": filepath.Join(secret, "x")},
+	})
+	if denied.Action != ActionDeny {
+		t.Fatalf("absolute DenyWrite path must be denied without a workspace root, got %q", denied.Action)
+	}
+
+	ok := engine.Evaluate(context.Background(), Request{
+		ToolName: "write_file", SideEffect: SideEffectWrite,
+		Args: map[string]any{"path": filepath.Join(other, "x")},
+	})
+	if ok.Action == ActionDeny {
+		t.Fatalf("a non-denied absolute path must not be denied without a workspace root, got deny: %s", ok.ErrorString())
+	}
+
+	rel := engine.Evaluate(context.Background(), Request{
+		ToolName: "write_file", SideEffect: SideEffectWrite,
+		Args: map[string]any{"path": "x"},
+	})
+	if rel.Action != ActionDeny {
+		t.Fatalf("an unanchorable relative path must fail closed when path lists exist, got %q", rel.Action)
+	}
+}
+
+// TestReadExclusionsInactiveWhenDisabled verifies a disabled policy filters
+// nothing — ReadExclusions/ReadExclusionGlobs are inert under ModeDisabled even
+// when DenyRead is configured.
+func TestReadExclusionsInactiveWhenDisabled(t *testing.T) {
+	ws := resolvedTempDir(t)
+	secret := mkdir(t, filepath.Join(ws, "secret"))
+	engine := NewEngine(EngineOptions{
+		WorkspaceRoot: ws,
+		Policy:        Policy{Mode: ModeDisabled, DenyRead: []string{secret}},
+	})
+	if rx := engine.ReadExclusions(); rx.Active() {
+		t.Fatal("ReadExclusions must be inactive under a disabled policy")
+	}
+	if globs := engine.ReadExclusionGlobs(); globs != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("ReadExclusionGlobs must be empty under a disabled policy, got %v", globs)
+	}
+}
+
+// TestEvaluateAppliesReadDeny verifies the lists are wired into Evaluate: a read
+// under DenyRead is denied, while a sibling read is not.
+func TestEvaluateAppliesReadDeny(t *testing.T) {
+	ws := resolvedTempDir(t)
+	mkdir(t, filepath.Join(ws, "src"))
+	secret := mkdir(t, filepath.Join(ws, "secret"))
+
+	engine := NewEngine(EngineOptions{
+		WorkspaceRoot: ws,
+		Policy: Policy{
+			Mode:             ModeEnforce,
+			EnforceWorkspace: true,
+			MaxAutonomy:      AutonomyHigh,
+			DenyRead:         []string{secret},
+		},
+	})
+
+	denied := engine.Evaluate(context.Background(), Request{
+		ToolName:   "read_file",
+		SideEffect: SideEffectRead,
+		Args:       map[string]any{"path": filepath.Join(secret, "creds.txt")},
+	})
+	if denied.Action != ActionDeny {
+		t.Fatalf("read under DenyRead = %q, want deny", denied.Action)
+	}
+
+	ok := engine.Evaluate(context.Background(), Request{
+		ToolName:   "read_file",
+		SideEffect: SideEffectRead,
+		Args:       map[string]any{"path": filepath.Join(ws, "src", "main.go")},
+	})
+	if ok.Action == ActionDeny {
+		t.Fatalf("read of a non-denied sibling must not be denied, got %q (%s)", ok.Action, ok.ErrorString())
+	}
+}
+
+// TestEvaluateAppliesWriteAllow verifies an external write is denied by default
+// but permitted once the path is on AllowWrite.
+func TestEvaluateAppliesWriteAllow(t *testing.T) {
+	ws := resolvedTempDir(t)
+	ext := resolvedTempDir(t)
+	build := mkdir(t, filepath.Join(ext, "build"))
+
+	base := Policy{Mode: ModeEnforce, EnforceWorkspace: true, MaxAutonomy: AutonomyHigh}
+	target := filepath.Join(build, "out.o")
+
+	denyEngine := NewEngine(EngineOptions{WorkspaceRoot: ws, Policy: base})
+	denied := denyEngine.Evaluate(context.Background(), Request{
+		ToolName:   "write_file",
+		SideEffect: SideEffectWrite,
+		Args:       map[string]any{"path": target},
+	})
+	if denied.Action != ActionDeny {
+		t.Fatalf("external write without AllowWrite = %q, want deny", denied.Action)
+	}
+
+	allowPolicy := base
+	allowPolicy.AllowWrite = []string{build}
+	allowEngine := NewEngine(EngineOptions{WorkspaceRoot: ws, Policy: allowPolicy})
+	allowed := allowEngine.Evaluate(context.Background(), Request{
+		ToolName:   "write_file",
+		SideEffect: SideEffectWrite,
+		Args:       map[string]any{"path": target},
+	})
+	if allowed.Action == ActionDeny {
+		t.Fatalf("external write under AllowWrite must not be denied, got deny: %s", allowed.ErrorString())
+	}
+}
+
+// TestWriteRootsReflectAllowWrite verifies AllowWrite roots flow into the OS
+// backend write binds (so a sandboxed shell can write there).
+func TestWriteRootsReflectAllowWrite(t *testing.T) {
+	ws := resolvedTempDir(t)
+	ext := resolvedTempDir(t)
+	build := mkdir(t, filepath.Join(ext, "build"))
+
+	engine := NewEngine(EngineOptions{
+		WorkspaceRoot: ws,
+		Policy:        Policy{Mode: ModeEnforce, EnforceWorkspace: true, AllowWrite: []string{build}},
+	})
+	roots := engine.writeRoots(ws)
+	found := false
+	for _, r := range roots {
+		if r == build {
+			found = true
+		}
+	}
+	if !found {
+		t.Fatalf("writeRoots must include AllowWrite root %q, got %v", build, roots)
+	}
+}
+
+// TestSandboxExecProfileEmitsDenyWriteRule verifies a DenyWrite directory becomes
+// an explicit seatbelt deny clause AFTER the write-allow (last-match-wins).
+func TestSandboxExecProfileEmitsDenyWriteRule(t *testing.T) {
+	ws := resolvedTempDir(t)
+	secret := mkdir(t, filepath.Join(ws, "secret"))
+
+	policy := Policy{Mode: ModeEnforce, EnforceWorkspace: true, DenyWrite: []string{secret}}
+	profile := sandboxExecProfile([]string{ws}, policy, "", "", "")
+
+	// The path is escaped the same way the profile escapes it (e.g. Windows
+	// backslashes are doubled), so the assertion holds on every platform.
+	wantDeny := `(deny file-write* (subpath "` + sandboxProfileString(secret) + `"))`
+	if !strings.Contains(profile, wantDeny) {
+		t.Fatalf("profile missing DenyWrite rule %q:\n%s", wantDeny, profile)
+	}
+	// The deny clause must appear AFTER the write-allow so seatbelt's
+	// last-match-wins lets it override the bind.
+	allowIdx := strings.Index(profile, "(allow file-write*")
+	denyIdx := strings.Index(profile, wantDeny)
+	if allowIdx < 0 || denyIdx < 0 || denyIdx < allowIdx {
+		t.Fatalf("DenyWrite rule must follow the write-allow (allow@%d deny@%d):\n%s", allowIdx, denyIdx, profile)
+	}
+}

internal/sandbox/reentrancy_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,90 @@
+package sandbox
+
+import "testing"
+
+func TestIsAlreadySandboxed(t *testing.T) {
+	// A lone ZERO_SANDBOXED=1 (no corroborating backend marker) must NOT count as
+	// sandboxed — stronger provenance than a single ambient flag.
+	t.Setenv(EnvSandboxBackend, "")
+	t.Setenv(EnvSandboxed, "1")
+	if IsAlreadySandboxed() {
+		t.Fatalf("IsAlreadySandboxed must be false when only %s=1 is set without %s", EnvSandboxed, EnvSandboxBackend)
+	}
+	// The backend marker alone (no ZERO_SANDBOXED=1) must not count either.
+	t.Setenv(EnvSandboxBackend, string(BackendBubblewrap))
+	t.Setenv(EnvSandboxed, "")
+	if IsAlreadySandboxed() {
+		t.Fatalf("IsAlreadySandboxed must be false when only %s is set", EnvSandboxBackend)
+	}
+	// Both correlated markers present (as sandboxEnvironment sets them) → sandboxed.
+	t.Setenv(EnvSandboxed, "1")
+	if !IsAlreadySandboxed() {
+		t.Fatalf("IsAlreadySandboxed must be true when both %s=1 and %s are set", EnvSandboxed, EnvSandboxBackend)
+	}
+	t.Setenv(EnvSandboxed, "0")
+	if IsAlreadySandboxed() {
+		t.Fatalf("IsAlreadySandboxed must be false when %s=0", EnvSandboxed)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestSandboxEnvironmentMarksSandboxed(t *testing.T) {
+	env := sandboxEnvironment(DefaultPolicy(), BackendBubblewrap, "/home/agent")
+	// Both correlated markers must be set: IsAlreadySandboxed requires BOTH, so a
+	// regression that drops either one would silently break re-entrancy detection.
+	wantSandboxed := EnvSandboxed + "=1"
+	wantBackend := EnvSandboxBackend + "=" + string(BackendBubblewrap)
+	var gotSandboxed, gotBackend bool
+	for _, entry := range env {
+		switch entry {
+		case wantSandboxed:
+			gotSandboxed = true
+		case wantBackend:
+			gotBackend = true
+		}
+	}
+	if !gotSandboxed || !gotBackend {
+		t.Fatalf("sandboxEnvironment must set %q and %q so a wrapped command is detectable; got %#v", wantSandboxed, wantBackend, env)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestBuildCommandPlanWrapsWhenNotAlreadySandboxed(t *testing.T) {
+	// Ensure neither re-entrancy marker is set so we are NOT seen as sandboxed.
+	t.Setenv(EnvSandboxed, "")
+	t.Setenv(EnvSandboxBackend, "")
+	root := t.TempDir()
+	engine := NewEngine(EngineOptions{
+		WorkspaceRoot: root,
+		Policy:        DefaultPolicy(),
+		Backend:       Backend{Name: BackendBubblewrap, Available: true, Executable: "/usr/bin/bwrap"},
+	})
+	plan, err := engine.BuildCommandPlan(CommandSpec{Name: "/bin/sh", Args: []string{"-c", "pwd"}, Dir: root})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("BuildCommandPlan: %v", err)
+	}
+	if !plan.Wrapped || plan.Name != "/usr/bin/bwrap" {
+		t.Fatalf("expected a wrapped bubblewrap plan, got wrapped=%v name=%q", plan.Wrapped, plan.Name)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestBuildCommandPlanReEntrancyGuardReturnsPassThrough(t *testing.T) {
+	// Simulate running inside an already-wrapped process: BOTH correlated markers
+	// that sandboxEnvironment sets together must be present for the guard to fire.
+	t.Setenv(EnvSandboxed, "1")
+	t.Setenv(EnvSandboxBackend, string(BackendBubblewrap))
+	root := t.TempDir()
+	engine := NewEngine(EngineOptions{
+		WorkspaceRoot: root,
+		Policy:        DefaultPolicy(),
+		Backend:       Backend{Name: BackendBubblewrap, Available: true, Executable: "/usr/bin/bwrap"},
+	})
+	plan, err := engine.BuildCommandPlan(CommandSpec{Name: "/bin/sh", Args: []string{"-c", "pwd"}, Dir: root})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("BuildCommandPlan: %v", err)
+	}
+	if plan.Wrapped {
+		t.Fatalf("re-entrancy guard must return an unwrapped pass-through plan, got wrapped=%v name=%q args=%v", plan.Wrapped, plan.Name, plan.Args)
+	}
+	if plan.Name != "/bin/sh" {
+		t.Fatalf("pass-through plan must run the command directly, got name=%q", plan.Name)
+	}
+}

internal/sandbox/risk.go

@@ -106,6 +106,22 @@ func classifyWithScope(request Request, scope *Scope) Risk {
 		if pipedInstallerPattern.MatchString(command) {
 			add("piped_installer", RiskCritical)
 		}
+		// AST second opinion (analyzer.go): walks the parsed shell tree, so it
+		// catches destructive/network programs the regexes miss — e.g. shred,
+		// fdisk, parted, and commands hidden behind sudo/env wrappers or a
+		// `sh -c <payload>` launcher — and flags an unparseable (obfuscated)
+		// script as elevated risk. It only ADDS categories, so a benign,
+		// parseable command is classified exactly as before.
+		analysis := AnalyzeCommand(command)
+		if analysis.Network {
+			add("network", RiskCritical)
+		}
+		if analysis.Destructive {
+			add("destructive", RiskCritical)
+		}
+		if analysis.TooComplex {
+			add("unparseable_command", RiskHigh)
+		}
 	}
 
 	for _, path := range requestPaths(request) {

internal/sandbox/risk_hardening_test.go

@@ -229,3 +229,69 @@ func TestClassifyNoneSideEffectIsLowRisk(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatalf("control-only tool must not classify as out_of_workspace: %#v", risk)
 	}
 }
+
+// The following tests cover the AST analyzer wired into classifyWithScope as a
+// second opinion to the regex detectors.
+
+func TestClassifyASTCatchesDestructiveProgramsRegexMisses(t *testing.T) {
+	// shred/fdisk/parted are irrecoverably destructive but absent from the regex
+	// pattern; the AST analyzer flags them — including behind a sh -c launcher or
+	// a sudo/env wrapper (effectiveProgram resolves the real program). The escalated
+	// level (Critical) is part of the contract, so assert it alongside the category.
+	for _, command := range []string{
+		"shred -u secret.txt",
+		"fdisk /dev/sda",
+		"parted /dev/sda mklabel gpt",
+		"bash -c 'shred /etc/passwd'",
+		"sudo shred -u secret.txt",
+		"env shred -u secret.txt",
+	} {
+		risk := classifyCommand(command)
+		if risk.Level != RiskCritical || !HasRiskCategory(risk, "destructive") {
+			t.Fatalf("Classify(%q) = level %s, categories %v; want critical destructive", command, risk.Level, risk.Categories)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func TestClassifyASTCatchesNetworkProgramsRegexMisses(t *testing.T) {
+	for _, command := range []string{
+		"telnet example.com 23",
+		"ftp ftp.example.com",
+		"sftp user@host",
+		"sudo telnet example.com 23",
+	} {
+		risk := classifyCommand(command)
+		if risk.Level != RiskCritical || !HasRiskCategory(risk, "network") {
+			t.Fatalf("Classify(%q) = level %s, categories %v; want critical network", command, risk.Level, risk.Categories)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func TestClassifyFlagsUnparseableCommand(t *testing.T) {
+	// An unparseable (e.g. obfuscated) script can't be analyzed statically; the
+	// AST analyzer reports TooComplex so the classifier elevates it to High.
+	risk := classifyCommand(`echo "unterminated`)
+	if risk.Level != RiskHigh || !HasRiskCategory(risk, "unparseable_command") {
+		t.Fatalf("Classify of unparseable command = level %s, categories %v; want high unparseable_command", risk.Level, risk.Categories)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestClassifyASTDoesNotFlagQuotedProgramName(t *testing.T) {
+	// A program name inside a quoted argument is not a command, so the AST
+	// analyzer must not flag it (documenting a destructive command in an echo).
+	risk := classifyCommand(`echo "shred wipes files"`)
+	if HasRiskCategory(risk, "destructive") {
+		t.Fatalf("Classify(%q) wrongly flagged destructive: %v", `echo "shred wipes files"`, risk.Categories)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestClassifyBenignCommandStaysClean(t *testing.T) {
+	for _, command := range []string{"echo hello", "ls -la", "go build ./..."} {
+		risk := classifyCommand(command)
+		for _, category := range []string{"destructive", "network", "unparseable_command"} {
+			if HasRiskCategory(risk, category) {
+				t.Fatalf("Classify(%q) wrongly flagged %s: %v", command, category, risk.Categories)
+			}
+		}
+	}
+}

internal/sandbox/runner.go

@@ -17,6 +17,13 @@ const bubblewrapWorkspace = "/workspace"
 
 var errPolicyOnlyRunnerDisabled = errors.New("policy-only sandbox runner is disabled")
 
+// errWSLPolicyOnlyDisabled is returned when running under WSL without bubblewrap
+// and the policy has NOT opted into the policy-only runner — fail closed rather
+// than run with no native isolation.
+var errWSLPolicyOnlyDisabled = errors.New("bubblewrap is unavailable under WSL and Policy.AllowPolicyOnlyRunner is disabled: " +
+	"enable AllowPolicyOnlyRunner to run under the policy-only WSL fallback (engine policy + proxy egress, no native isolation), " +
+	"or install/enable bubblewrap")
+
 type CommandSpec struct {
 	Name string
 	Args []string
@@ -39,6 +46,10 @@ type CommandPlan struct {
 	// StartDenialMonitor to capture what the sandbox blocked. Empty unless
 	// Policy.MonitorDenials is set on a macOS sandbox-exec plan.
 	MonitorTag string `json:"monitorTag,omitempty"`
+	// Notes records auditable least-privilege downgrade notes — e.g. the WSL
+	// policy-only fallback noting that native isolation was unavailable. Surfaced to
+	// the operator; never affects enforcement.
+	Notes []string `json:"notes,omitempty"`
 	// cleanup releases resources tied to the plan's lifetime — currently the
 	// scoped-egress proxy, which must outlive the command run and be shut down
 	// afterwards. It is never serialized; callers invoke it via Cleanup() once the
@@ -99,6 +110,29 @@ func ProxyEnv(addr string) []string {
 	}
 }
 
+// ProxyEnvWithSocks is the SOCKS-aware form of ProxyEnv built ON TOP of it:
+// HTTP_PROXY/HTTPS_PROXY stay on the HTTP listener (httpAddr) for HTTP(S)-aware
+// clients, while ALL_PROXY/all_proxy are re-pointed at the SOCKS5 front-end
+// (socksAddr) so a client that honors ALL_PROXY tunnels arbitrary TCP through the
+// same allow/deny gate. When socksAddr is empty it returns exactly ProxyEnv's
+// output, so the SOCKS upgrade is purely additive and never weakens the default.
+func ProxyEnvWithSocks(httpAddr, socksAddr string) []string {
+	env := ProxyEnv(httpAddr)
+	if socksAddr == "" {
+		return env
+	}
+	socksURL := "socks5://" + socksAddr
+	for i, kv := range env {
+		switch {
+		case strings.HasPrefix(kv, "ALL_PROXY="):
+			env[i] = "ALL_PROXY=" + socksURL
+		case strings.HasPrefix(kv, "all_proxy="):
+			env[i] = "all_proxy=" + socksURL
+		}
+	}
+	return env
+}
+
 func (engine *Engine) CommandContext(ctx context.Context, spec CommandSpec) (*exec.Cmd, CommandPlan, error) {
 	if ctx == nil {
 		ctx = context.Background()
@@ -118,10 +152,20 @@ func (engine *Engine) CommandContext(ctx context.Context, spec CommandSpec) (*ex
 // only applies to engines built without a workspace root (NewEngine always
 // builds a scope otherwise); it is kept as defense in depth.
 func (engine *Engine) writeRoots(workspaceRoot string) []string {
+	var roots []string
 	if engine.scope != nil {
-		return engine.scope.Roots()
+		roots = engine.scope.Roots()
+	} else {
+		roots = []string{workspaceRoot}
 	}
-	return []string{workspaceRoot}
+	// Reflect the policy's AllowWrite roots in the OS backend write binds so a
+	// sandboxed shell command may write where the policy grants writes. DenyWrite
+	// is enforced at the policy gate, and on sandbox-exec additionally as an
+	// explicit deny rule (see sandboxExecProfile).
+	if extra := resolveWriteRootPaths(engine.policy.AllowWrite); len(extra) > 0 {
+		roots = dedupeStrings(append(roots, extra...))
+	}
+	return roots
 }
 
 func (engine *Engine) BuildCommandPlan(spec CommandSpec) (CommandPlan, error) {
@@ -146,6 +190,15 @@ func (engine *Engine) BuildCommandPlan(spec CommandSpec) (CommandPlan, error) {
 	if backend.Name == "" {
 		backend = Backend{Name: BackendPolicyOnly, Message: "policy-only fallback: sandbox backend was not selected"}
 	}
+	// Re-entrancy guard: a command spawned by a process we already wrapped (both
+	// ZERO_SANDBOXED=1 and ZERO_SANDBOX_BACKEND set in its env — see
+	// IsAlreadySandboxed) must not be wrapped again — nested bwrap / sandbox-exec
+	// fails and a second egress proxy would be redundant. Return a pass-through
+	// plan. Mirrors the already-sandboxed guard used by comparable executor
+	// sandboxes.
+	if IsAlreadySandboxed() {
+		return directCommandPlan(spec, backend, policy, workspaceRoot), nil
+	}
 	if policy.Mode == ModeDisabled {
 		return directCommandPlan(spec, backend, policy, workspaceRoot), nil
 	}
@@ -166,6 +219,18 @@ func (engine *Engine) BuildCommandPlan(spec CommandSpec) (CommandPlan, error) {
 			}
 			return sandboxExecCommandPlan(spec, workspaceRoot, engine.writeRoots(workspaceRoot), policy, backend, egress), nil
 		}
+	case BackendWSL:
+		// WSL fallback: no native isolation available. Fail closed unless the policy
+		// opted into the policy-only runner; otherwise run policy-only with the
+		// command's egress routed through the filtering proxy and an auditable note.
+		if !policy.AllowPolicyOnlyRunner {
+			return CommandPlan{}, errWSLPolicyOnlyDisabled
+		}
+		egress, err := startScopedEgress(policy, backend)
+		if err != nil {
+			return CommandPlan{}, err
+		}
+		return wslCommandPlan(spec, workspaceRoot, policy, backend, egress), nil
 	}
 	if !policy.AllowPolicyOnlyRunner {
 		return CommandPlan{}, errPolicyOnlyRunnerDisabled
@@ -173,12 +238,79 @@ func (engine *Engine) BuildCommandPlan(spec CommandSpec) (CommandPlan, error) {
 	return directCommandPlan(spec, backend, policy, workspaceRoot), nil
 }
 
+// wslCommandPlan builds the WSL policy-only fallback plan: the command runs
+// DIRECTLY (no native wrap, since bubblewrap is unavailable under WSL) but with
+// the sandbox env markers (ZERO_SANDBOXED=1, ZERO_SANDBOX_BACKEND=wsl) and, when
+// a scoped-egress proxy was started, the proxy env so well-behaved clients route
+// through the allow/deny gate. It carries a least-privilege downgrade note.
+func wslCommandPlan(spec CommandSpec, workspaceRoot string, policy Policy, backend Backend, egress *scopedEgress) CommandPlan {
+	// The WSL fallback runs the command DIRECTLY (no native wrap), so it inherits
+	// the caller's environment like the generic policy-only runner; the sandbox
+	// markers are appended last so they cannot be shadowed by the caller's env.
+	var env []string
+	if spec.Env != nil {
+		env = cloneStrings(spec.Env)
+	} else {
+		env = append(env, os.Environ()...)
+	}
+	env = append(env,
+		EnvSandboxBackend+"="+string(BackendWSL),
+		"ZERO_SANDBOX_NETWORK="+string(policy.Network),
+		EnvSandboxed+"=1",
+	)
+	note := "WSL: native process isolation (bubblewrap) is unavailable; downgraded to the policy-only runner " +
+		"(least privilege). The engine still enforces the full policy."
+	if egress != nil {
+		env = append(env, ProxyEnvWithSocks(egress.addr, egress.socksAddr)...)
+		env = appendCACertEnv(env, egress)
+		note = "WSL: native process isolation (bubblewrap) is unavailable; downgraded to the policy-only runner " +
+			"with proxy egress (least privilege). The engine still enforces the full policy."
+	}
+	plan := CommandPlan{
+		Backend:       backend,
+		WorkspaceRoot: workspaceRoot,
+		Policy:        policy,
+		Wrapped:       false,
+		Name:          spec.Name,
+		Args:          cloneStrings(spec.Args),
+		Dir:           spec.Dir,
+		Env:           env,
+		Notes:         []string{note},
+	}
+	if egress != nil {
+		plan.cleanup = egress.cleanup
+	}
+	return plan
+}
+
 // scopedEgress holds the address of a started scoped-egress proxy and the
 // cleanup that shuts it down. A nil *scopedEgress means scoped egress is not in
 // effect for this command (the network mode is allow or deny-equivalent).
 type scopedEgress struct {
-	addr    string
-	cleanup func()
+	addr string
+	// socksAddr is the loopback address of the proxy's SOCKS5 front-end, used to
+	// set ALL_PROXY=socks5://<socksAddr>. Empty when the proxy exposes no SOCKS
+	// listener, in which case ALL_PROXY falls back to the HTTP proxy.
+	socksAddr string
+	// caCertPath is the path to the MITM CA's public cert (PEM), set only when
+	// Policy.InspectTLS started a TLS-terminating proxy. Surfaced to the sandboxed
+	// client via ZERO_SANDBOX_CA_CERT so it can trust the minted leaves.
+	caCertPath string
+	cleanup    func()
+}
+
+// EnvCACert is the env var pointing the sandboxed client at the MITM CA's public
+// cert so it can trust the proxy's minted leaf certificates (only set when
+// Policy.InspectTLS is on).
+const EnvCACert = "ZERO_SANDBOX_CA_CERT"
+
+// appendCACertEnv adds ZERO_SANDBOX_CA_CERT when the egress proxy is terminating
+// TLS (InspectTLS). It is a no-op for a plain passthrough proxy.
+func appendCACertEnv(env []string, egress *scopedEgress) []string {
+	if egress == nil || egress.caCertPath == "" {
+		return env
+	}
+	return append(env, EnvCACert+"="+egress.caCertPath)
 }
 
 // startScopedEgress starts the local filtering proxy when the policy's effective
@@ -196,13 +328,32 @@ func startScopedEgress(policy Policy, backend Backend) (*scopedEgress, error) {
 		return nil, nil
 	}
 	proxy, err := startEgressProxy(egressOptions{
-		Allowed: policy.AllowedDomains,
-		Denied:  policy.DeniedDomains,
+		Allowed:    policy.AllowedDomains,
+		Denied:     policy.DeniedDomains,
+		InspectTLS: policy.InspectTLS,
 	})
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("scoped egress unavailable, denying network: %w", err)
 	}
-	return &scopedEgress{addr: proxy.Addr(), cleanup: func() { _ = proxy.Close() }}, nil
+	se := &scopedEgress{addr: proxy.Addr(), socksAddr: proxy.SocksAddr(), cleanup: func() { _ = proxy.Close() }}
+	if policy.InspectTLS {
+		// Write the MITM CA's PUBLIC cert so the sandboxed client can trust the
+		// minted leaves; surface it via ZERO_SANDBOX_CA_CERT and clean it up with
+		// the proxy. Reuses no new bind path: sandbox-exec already allows file-read,
+		// and the WSL policy-only runner shares the host filesystem.
+		caPath, werr := writeMITMCAFile(proxy.CACertPEM())
+		if werr != nil {
+			_ = proxy.Close()
+			return nil, werr
+		}
+		se.caCertPath = caPath
+		base := se.cleanup
+		se.cleanup = func() {
+			base()
+			_ = os.Remove(caPath)
+		}
+	}
+	return se, nil
 }
 
 func directCommandPlan(spec CommandSpec, backend Backend, policy Policy, workspaceRoot string) CommandPlan {
@@ -374,21 +525,25 @@ func findSeccompHelper() string {
 }
 
 func sandboxExecCommandPlan(spec CommandSpec, workspaceRoot string, writeRoots []string, policy Policy, backend Backend, egress *scopedEgress) CommandPlan {
-	var proxyPort string
+	var proxyPort, socksPort string
 	if egress != nil {
 		if _, port, err := net.SplitHostPort(egress.addr); err == nil {
 			proxyPort = port
 		}
+		if _, port, err := net.SplitHostPort(egress.socksAddr); err == nil {
+			socksPort = port
+		}
 	}
 	denialTag := ""
 	if policy.MonitorDenials {
 		denialTag = nextSandboxDenialTag()
 	}
-	args := []string{"-p", sandboxExecProfile(writeRoots, policy, proxyPort, denialTag), spec.Name}
+	args := []string{"-p", sandboxExecProfile(writeRoots, policy, proxyPort, socksPort, denialTag), spec.Name}
 	args = append(args, spec.Args...)
 	env := sandboxEnvironment(policy, BackendSandboxExec, workspaceRoot)
 	if egress != nil {
-		env = append(env, ProxyEnv(egress.addr)...)
+		env = append(env, ProxyEnvWithSocks(egress.addr, egress.socksAddr)...)
+		env = appendCACertEnv(env, egress)
 	}
 	plan := CommandPlan{
 		Backend:       backend,
@@ -426,8 +581,9 @@ func sandboxEnvironment(policy Policy, backend BackendName, home string) []strin
 		"HOME=" + home,
 		"PATH=" + firstEnv("PATH", defaultPath()),
 		"TERM=" + firstEnv("TERM", "dumb"),
-		"ZERO_SANDBOX_BACKEND=" + string(backend),
+		EnvSandboxBackend + "=" + string(backend),
 		"ZERO_SANDBOX_NETWORK=" + string(policy.Network),
+		EnvSandboxed + "=1",
 	}
 	if runtime.GOOS == "windows" {
 		env = append(env, "COMSPEC="+firstEnv("COMSPEC", "cmd.exe"))
@@ -540,8 +696,8 @@ func sandboxMachLookupRule() string {
 	return "(allow mach-lookup\n  " + strings.Join(filters, "\n  ") + ")"
 }
 
-func sandboxExecProfile(writeRoots []string, policy Policy, proxyPort string, denialTag string) string {
-	networkRule := networkRuleFor(policy, proxyPort)
+func sandboxExecProfile(writeRoots []string, policy Policy, proxyPort string, socksPort string, denialTag string) string {
+	networkRule := networkRuleFor(policy, proxyPort, socksPort)
 	writeRule := "(allow file-write*)"
 	if policy.EnforceWorkspace {
 		// The granted write roots are the only writable *project* locations. Temp
@@ -566,7 +722,7 @@ func sandboxExecProfile(writeRoots []string, policy Policy, proxyPort string, de
 		// filters `log stream` for this exact (per-plan) tag.
 		denyDefault = `(deny default (with message "` + sandboxProfileString(denialTag) + `"))`
 	}
-	return strings.Join([]string{
+	rules := []string{
 		"(version 1)",
 		denyDefault,
 		"(allow process*)",
@@ -579,27 +735,67 @@ func sandboxExecProfile(writeRoots []string, policy Policy, proxyPort string, de
 		sandboxMachLookupRule(),
 		"(allow file-read*)",
 		writeRule,
-		networkRule,
-	}, "\n")
+	}
+	// DenyWrite entries are emitted AFTER the write allow so seatbelt's
+	// last-match-wins makes them override the workspace/AllowWrite binds — so
+	// "DenyWrite wins" holds for shell commands too, not just the policy gate.
+	rules = append(rules, denyWriteRules(policy)...)
+	rules = append(rules, networkRule)
+	return strings.Join(rules, "\n")
+}
+
+// denyWriteRules returns seatbelt deny clauses for the policy's resolved
+// DenyWrite paths: a (subpath ...) clause for a directory, a (literal ...) clause
+// for a single file. Empty when DenyWrite is unset.
+func denyWriteRules(policy Policy) []string {
+	resolved := resolvePolicyPaths(policy.DenyWrite)
+	if len(resolved) == 0 {
+		return nil
+	}
+	out := make([]string, 0, len(resolved))
+	for _, path := range resolved {
+		filter := `(subpath "` + sandboxProfileString(path) + `")`
+		if info, err := os.Stat(path); err == nil && !info.IsDir() {
+			filter = `(literal "` + sandboxProfileString(path) + `")`
+		}
+		out = append(out, "(deny file-write* "+filter+")")
+	}
+	return out
 }
 
 // networkRuleFor returns the seatbelt network clause for a policy. allow opens
 // all network; deny (and an empty-allowlist scoped policy, which effectiveNetwork
 // collapses to deny) blocks all network; scoped denies general network but
-// permits only outbound to the local proxy port on localhost, so traffic must
-// flow through the filtering proxy. A scoped policy with no resolvable proxy port
-// falls back to a full deny (fail closed).
-func networkRuleFor(policy Policy, proxyPort string) string {
+// permits only outbound to the local proxy ports on localhost, so traffic must
+// flow through the filtering proxy. Both the HTTP proxy port and the SOCKS5
+// front-end port are allowed (a sandboxed process configured with
+// ALL_PROXY=socks5://... must reach the SOCKS listener). A scoped policy with no
+// resolvable proxy port falls back to a full deny (fail closed).
+func networkRuleFor(policy Policy, proxyPort string, socksPort string) string {
 	switch effectiveNetwork(policy) {
 	case NetworkAllow:
 		return "(allow network*)"
 	case NetworkScoped:
-		if strings.TrimSpace(proxyPort) == "" {
+		rules := []string{"(deny network*)"}
+		seen := map[string]struct{}{}
+		// Deny by default, then allow only outbound to each distinct proxy port on
+		// loopback. Duplicate/empty ports are skipped so the clause stays minimal.
+		for _, port := range []string{proxyPort, socksPort} {
+			port = strings.TrimSpace(port)
+			if port == "" {
+				continue
+			}
+			if _, ok := seen[port]; ok {
+				continue
+			}
+			seen[port] = struct{}{}
+			rules = append(rules, `(allow network-outbound (remote ip "localhost:`+sandboxProfileString(port)+`"))`)
+		}
+		if len(rules) == 1 {
+			// No resolvable proxy port: fail closed.
 			return "(deny network*)"
 		}
-		// Deny by default, then allow only outbound to the proxy on loopback.
-		return "(deny network*)\n" +
-			`(allow network-outbound (remote ip "localhost:` + sandboxProfileString(proxyPort) + `"))`
+		return strings.Join(rules, "\n")
 	default:
 		return "(deny network*)"
 	}

internal/sandbox/runner_scoped_test.go

@@ -23,8 +23,17 @@ func TestScopedNetworkGateInEvaluate(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 	sandboxExec := Backend{Name: BackendSandboxExec, Available: true, Executable: "/usr/sbin/sandbox-exec", ScopedEgress: true}
 
+	// This test exercises the network GATE for a network tool, so it opts the
+	// in-process tools into the network policy (EnforceToolNetwork); by default
+	// those tools are exempt and would not be gated here.
+	enforcedScoped := func(allowed, denied []string) Policy {
+		p := scopedPolicy(allowed, denied)
+		p.EnforceToolNetwork = true
+		return p
+	}
+
 	// An enforcing backend lets a populated scoped policy permit a network tool.
-	enforcing := NewEngine(EngineOptions{WorkspaceRoot: root, Policy: scopedPolicy([]string{"github.com"}, nil), Backend: sandboxExec})
+	enforcing := NewEngine(EngineOptions{WorkspaceRoot: root, Policy: enforcedScoped([]string{"github.com"}, nil), Backend: sandboxExec})
 	if decision := enforcing.Evaluate(context.Background(), networkRequest); decision.Action == ActionDeny {
 		t.Fatalf("enforcing backend + scoped policy denied a network tool: %#v", decision)
 	}
@@ -35,7 +44,7 @@ func TestScopedNetworkGateInEvaluate(t *testing.T) {
 		"policy-only": {},
 	}
 	for name, backend := range unenforceable {
-		engine := NewEngine(EngineOptions{WorkspaceRoot: root, Policy: scopedPolicy([]string{"github.com"}, nil), Backend: backend})
+		engine := NewEngine(EngineOptions{WorkspaceRoot: root, Policy: enforcedScoped([]string{"github.com"}, nil), Backend: backend})
 		decision := engine.Evaluate(context.Background(), networkRequest)
 		if decision.Action != ActionDeny || decision.Violation == nil || decision.Violation.Code != ViolationNetwork {
 			t.Fatalf("%s backend must deny scoped network it cannot enforce, got %#v", name, decision)
@@ -43,7 +52,7 @@ func TestScopedNetworkGateInEvaluate(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 
 	// Empty allowlist still fails closed regardless of backend.
-	empty := NewEngine(EngineOptions{WorkspaceRoot: root, Policy: scopedPolicy(nil, nil), Backend: sandboxExec})
+	empty := NewEngine(EngineOptions{WorkspaceRoot: root, Policy: enforcedScoped(nil, nil), Backend: sandboxExec})
 	decision := empty.Evaluate(context.Background(), networkRequest)
 	if decision.Action != ActionDeny || decision.Violation == nil || decision.Violation.Code != ViolationNetwork {
 		t.Fatalf("empty scoped policy must deny network like NetworkDeny, got %#v", decision)

internal/sandbox/runner_test.go

@@ -233,7 +233,7 @@ func resolvedTestPath(t *testing.T, path string) string {
 }
 
 func TestSandboxExecProfileIncludesExtraWriteRoots(t *testing.T) {
-	profile := sandboxExecProfile([]string{"/ws", "/extra root"}, Policy{Mode: ModeEnforce, EnforceWorkspace: true}, "", "")
+	profile := sandboxExecProfile([]string{"/ws", "/extra root"}, Policy{Mode: ModeEnforce, EnforceWorkspace: true}, "", "", "")
 	if !strings.Contains(profile, "(allow file-write*") {
 		t.Fatalf("profile missing file-write rule:\n%s", profile)
 	}
@@ -251,7 +251,7 @@ func TestSandboxExecProfileIncludesExtraWriteRoots(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestSandboxExecProfileTagsDenialsWhenMonitoring(t *testing.T) {
-	off := sandboxExecProfile([]string{"/ws"}, Policy{Mode: ModeEnforce, EnforceWorkspace: true}, "", "")
+	off := sandboxExecProfile([]string{"/ws"}, Policy{Mode: ModeEnforce, EnforceWorkspace: true}, "", "", "")
 	if strings.Contains(off, "with message") {
 		t.Fatalf("denials must not be tagged when monitoring is off:\n%s", off)
 	}
@@ -259,7 +259,7 @@ func TestSandboxExecProfileTagsDenialsWhenMonitoring(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatalf("profile missing the plain default-deny:\n%s", off)
 	}
 
-	on := sandboxExecProfile([]string{"/ws"}, Policy{Mode: ModeEnforce, EnforceWorkspace: true, MonitorDenials: true}, "", "run-tag-123")
+	on := sandboxExecProfile([]string{"/ws"}, Policy{Mode: ModeEnforce, EnforceWorkspace: true, MonitorDenials: true}, "", "", "run-tag-123")
 	if !strings.Contains(on, `(deny default (with message "run-tag-123"))`) {
 		t.Fatalf("denials must be tagged when monitoring is on:\n%s", on)
 	}
@@ -291,7 +291,7 @@ func TestSandboxExecCommandPlanUsesUniquePerPlanDenialTag(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestSandboxExecProfileGrantsSignalAndMachLookup(t *testing.T) {
-	profile := sandboxExecProfile([]string{"/ws"}, Policy{Mode: ModeEnforce, EnforceWorkspace: true}, "", "")
+	profile := sandboxExecProfile([]string{"/ws"}, Policy{Mode: ModeEnforce, EnforceWorkspace: true}, "", "", "")
 
 	// Signalling own process group lets a sandboxed script kill the children it
 	// spawns; without it seatbelt denies kill() with "Operation not permitted".
@@ -465,3 +465,47 @@ func TestProxyEnv(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatalf("ProxyEnv NO_PROXY must exclude loopback, got %q/%q", env["NO_PROXY"], env["no_proxy"])
 	}
 }
+
+func TestProxyEnvWithSocks(t *testing.T) {
+	env := map[string]string{}
+	for _, kv := range ProxyEnvWithSocks("127.0.0.1:8899", "127.0.0.1:1080") {
+		if i := strings.IndexByte(kv, '='); i >= 0 {
+			env[kv[:i]] = kv[i+1:]
+		}
+	}
+	// HTTP_PROXY/HTTPS_PROXY stay on the HTTP listener...
+	const httpURL = "http://127.0.0.1:8899"
+	for _, key := range []string{"HTTP_PROXY", "HTTPS_PROXY", "http_proxy", "https_proxy"} {
+		if env[key] != httpURL {
+			t.Fatalf("ProxyEnvWithSocks[%s] = %q, want %q", key, env[key], httpURL)
+		}
+	}
+	// ...while ALL_PROXY/all_proxy point at the SOCKS5 front-end.
+	const socksURL = "socks5://127.0.0.1:1080"
+	for _, key := range []string{"ALL_PROXY", "all_proxy"} {
+		if env[key] != socksURL {
+			t.Fatalf("ProxyEnvWithSocks[%s] = %q, want %q", key, env[key], socksURL)
+		}
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(env["NO_PROXY"], "127.0.0.1") {
+		t.Fatalf("ProxyEnvWithSocks NO_PROXY must exclude loopback, got %q", env["NO_PROXY"])
+	}
+}
+
+// TestProxyEnvWithSocksEmptyFallsBackToHTTP verifies the SOCKS upgrade is purely
+// additive: with no SOCKS address, ALL_PROXY falls back to the HTTP proxy exactly
+// as the legacy ProxyEnv produced, never weakening the default.
+func TestProxyEnvWithSocksEmptyFallsBackToHTTP(t *testing.T) {
+	env := map[string]string{}
+	for _, kv := range ProxyEnvWithSocks("127.0.0.1:8899", "") {
+		if i := strings.IndexByte(kv, '='); i >= 0 {
+			env[kv[:i]] = kv[i+1:]
+		}
+	}
+	const httpURL = "http://127.0.0.1:8899"
+	for _, key := range []string{"ALL_PROXY", "all_proxy"} {
+		if env[key] != httpURL {
+			t.Fatalf("ProxyEnvWithSocks(empty socks)[%s] = %q, want HTTP fallback %q", key, env[key], httpURL)
+		}
+	}
+}

internal/sandbox/types.go

@@ -12,6 +12,31 @@ import (
 // only an explicit truthy value enables it.
 const EnvAutoAllowBash = "ZERO_SANDBOX_AUTO_ALLOW_BASH"
 
+// EnvSandboxed marks a process that zero has already wrapped in a sandbox: every
+// wrapped command carries ZERO_SANDBOXED=1 in its environment. When such a
+// process spawns another command through the engine, the re-entrancy guard
+// returns a pass-through plan instead of double-wrapping it — nested bwrap /
+// sandbox-exec fails, and a second egress proxy would be redundant. Mirrors the
+// already-sandboxed guard used by comparable executor sandboxes. Unset by default.
+const EnvSandboxed = "ZERO_SANDBOXED"
+
+// EnvSandboxBackend records which backend wrapped the command. sandboxEnvironment
+// always sets it alongside EnvSandboxed, so it serves as a corroborating marker:
+// the re-entrancy guard requires BOTH, raising the provenance bar above a single
+// ambient flag (a stray or hand-exported ZERO_SANDBOXED=1 with no backend marker
+// no longer forces an unsandboxed pass-through).
+const EnvSandboxBackend = "ZERO_SANDBOX_BACKEND"
+
+// IsAlreadySandboxed reports whether the current process is already running
+// inside a zero-created sandbox. It requires BOTH correlated markers that
+// sandboxEnvironment sets together — EnvSandboxed == "1" AND a non-empty
+// EnvSandboxBackend — so a single user-set/inherited ZERO_SANDBOXED=1 cannot by
+// itself disable wrapping. zero sets both only on genuinely wrapped commands;
+// pass-through (direct) plans set neither.
+func IsAlreadySandboxed() bool {
+	return os.Getenv(EnvSandboxed) == "1" && strings.TrimSpace(os.Getenv(EnvSandboxBackend)) != ""
+}
+
 type SideEffect string
 type Permission string
 type PermissionMode string
@@ -106,6 +131,11 @@ const (
 	BackendBubblewrap  BackendName = "bubblewrap"
 	BackendSandboxExec BackendName = "sandbox-exec"
 	BackendPolicyOnly  BackendName = "policy-only"
+	// BackendWSL is the policy-only fallback used under WSL when bubblewrap is
+	// unavailable/unreliable: there is no native OS isolation, but network egress
+	// is still routed through the local filtering proxy and the command runs under
+	// the full policy engine. It is surfaced via ZERO_SANDBOX_BACKEND=wsl.
+	BackendWSL BackendName = "wsl"
 )
 
 const (
@@ -133,6 +163,14 @@ type Policy struct {
 	// NetworkDeny so existing policies keep their exact behaviour.
 	AllowedDomains []string `json:"allowedDomains,omitempty"`
 	DeniedDomains  []string `json:"deniedDomains,omitempty"`
+	// EnforceToolNetwork, when true, subjects the first-party in-process network
+	// tools (web_search / web_fetch) to the sandbox network policy via
+	// NetworkHostAllowed. It is OFF by default: that policy exists to confine the
+	// sandboxed SHELL's egress, which these tools do not use, so by default they
+	// are allowed to run (keeping their own SSRF/port/redirect/redaction
+	// safeguards). The sandboxed-shell egress decision is independent of this flag.
+	// Turn it on to also hold web_search/web_fetch to the allow/scoped/deny policy.
+	EnforceToolNetwork bool `json:"enforceToolNetwork,omitempty"`
 	// AutoAllowBashWhenSandboxed, when true, auto-allows the bash tool WITHOUT a
 	// permission prompt — but only when the sandbox is actually active (a
 	// native-isolation backend wraps the command). The sandbox is then the safety
@@ -153,6 +191,40 @@ type Policy struct {
 	// (runs without the filter) when the helper binary is not found. Ignored on
 	// non-bubblewrap backends.
 	BlockUnixSockets bool `json:"blockUnixSockets,omitempty"`
+	// AllowRead/DenyRead/AllowWrite/DenyWrite are fine-grained path lists layered
+	// ON TOP of the workspace + Scope guards; they never bypass the symlink /
+	// out-of-workspace protections. Each entry is home-expanded, made absolute, and
+	// symlink-resolved (an entry that does not exist is dropped). All default empty,
+	// so an unconfigured policy behaves exactly as before. Semantics:
+	//
+	//   - Read: a path readable under the base workspace/Scope guard is denied if it
+	//     falls under a DenyRead entry, UNLESS a more-specific AllowRead entry (one
+	//     nested inside that DenyRead entry) re-includes it. AllowRead only
+	//     re-includes within a DenyRead carve-out; it never extends reads beyond the
+	//     workspace.
+	//   - Write: DenyWrite wins over everything; otherwise a path writable under the
+	//     workspace/Scope guard is allowed; otherwise an absolute path under an
+	//     AllowWrite root is allowed; otherwise it is denied. AllowWrite roots are
+	//     also reflected in the OS backend write binds, and on sandbox-exec DenyWrite
+	//     entries are emitted as explicit deny rules so the precedence holds for
+	//     shell commands too.
+	AllowRead  []string `json:"allowRead,omitempty"`
+	DenyRead   []string `json:"denyRead,omitempty"`
+	AllowWrite []string `json:"allowWrite,omitempty"`
+	DenyWrite  []string `json:"denyWrite,omitempty"`
+	// InspectTLS, when true, lets the in-process scoped-egress proxy TERMINATE TLS
+	// (using a locally generated, ephemeral CA) so it can enforce the per-host
+	// allow/deny rules on the DECRYPTED request Host — today a CONNECT tunnel only
+	// reveals the host once. OFF by default: the proxy stays a pure CONNECT
+	// passthrough, byte-for-byte unchanged. SECURITY/TRUST: enabling this means the
+	// sandbox can read the plaintext of the sandboxed process's TLS traffic. The
+	// MITM only re-signs toward the sandboxed client; the upstream connection is
+	// ALWAYS validated against the system roots (never InsecureSkipVerify), and the
+	// decrypted Host still passes the SAME authorize()/domainAllowed() gate — MITM
+	// widens visibility, never authority. The generated CA's public cert is written
+	// to the sandbox runtime dir and surfaced via ZERO_SANDBOX_CA_CERT so the
+	// sandboxed client can trust it.
+	InspectTLS bool `json:"inspectTLS,omitempty"`
 }
 
 type Request struct {

internal/sandbox/wsl.go

@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+package sandbox
+
+import "strings"
+
+// WSLInfo describes the Windows Subsystem for Linux environment, if any. It is
+// derived from /proc/version. Mirrors reference wsl/index.js isWSL/isWSL2 and
+// sandbox-manager.js isWsl (reads /proc/version, matches "microsoft").
+type WSLInfo struct {
+	IsWSL  bool
+	IsWSL2 bool
+	Kernel string
+}
+
+// parseWSL classifies a /proc/version string. IsWSL is set when it contains
+// "microsoft" or "wsl"; IsWSL2 additionally requires "microsoft" and the absence
+// of the legacy "wsl1" marker. Factored out (pure) so it is table-testable
+// without a real /proc on any GOOS.
+func parseWSL(procVersion string) WSLInfo {
+	lower := strings.ToLower(procVersion)
+	isWSL := strings.Contains(lower, "microsoft") || strings.Contains(lower, "wsl")
+	info := WSLInfo{IsWSL: isWSL, Kernel: strings.TrimSpace(procVersion)}
+	if isWSL {
+		info.IsWSL2 = strings.Contains(lower, "microsoft") && !strings.Contains(lower, "wsl1")
+	}
+	return info
+}

internal/sandbox/wsl_linux.go

@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+//go:build linux
+
+package sandbox
+
+import "os"
+
+// detectWSL reads /proc/version once and classifies the WSL environment. A read
+// error (no /proc) yields the zero WSLInfo (not WSL).
+func detectWSL() WSLInfo {
+	data, err := os.ReadFile("/proc/version")
+	if err != nil {
+		return WSLInfo{}
+	}
+	return parseWSL(string(data))
+}

internal/sandbox/wsl_other.go

@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+//go:build !linux
+
+package sandbox
+
+// detectWSL is a no-op on non-Linux platforms: WSL is a Linux-under-Windows
+// environment, so the host GOOS is never WSL. Keeps the package building on all
+// platforms.
+func detectWSL() WSLInfo { return WSLInfo{} }

internal/sandbox/wsl_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,139 @@
+package sandbox
+
+import (
+	"errors"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+)
+
+func TestParseWSL(t *testing.T) {
+	cases := []struct {
+		name     string
+		input    string
+		wantWSL  bool
+		wantWSL2 bool
+	}{
+		{
+			name:     "wsl2 microsoft kernel",
+			input:    "Linux version 5.15.90.1-microsoft-standard-WSL2 (...)",
+			wantWSL:  true,
+			wantWSL2: true,
+		},
+		{
+			name:     "wsl1 legacy marker",
+			input:    "Linux version 4.4.0-19041-Microsoft (wsl1 build) ...",
+			wantWSL:  true,
+			wantWSL2: false,
+		},
+		{
+			name:     "plain linux",
+			input:    "Linux version 6.8.0-generic (gcc ...) #1 SMP",
+			wantWSL:  false,
+			wantWSL2: false,
+		},
+	}
+	for _, tc := range cases {
+		t.Run(tc.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			got := parseWSL(tc.input)
+			if got.IsWSL != tc.wantWSL || got.IsWSL2 != tc.wantWSL2 {
+				t.Fatalf("parseWSL(%q) = {IsWSL:%v IsWSL2:%v}, want {%v %v}", tc.input, got.IsWSL, got.IsWSL2, tc.wantWSL, tc.wantWSL2)
+			}
+			if got.IsWSL && got.Kernel == "" {
+				t.Fatalf("parseWSL should record the kernel string")
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func wslBackendForTest() Backend {
+	return Backend{Name: BackendWSL, Platform: "linux", Fallback: true, ProxyEgress: true}
+}
+
+func TestWSLPlanFailsClosedWithoutPolicyOnly(t *testing.T) {
+	root := t.TempDir()
+	policy := scopedPolicy([]string{"github.com"}, nil)
+	policy.AllowPolicyOnlyRunner = false // explicitly refuse the degraded runner
+	engine := NewEngine(EngineOptions{WorkspaceRoot: root, Policy: policy, Backend: wslBackendForTest()})
+
+	_, err := engine.BuildCommandPlan(CommandSpec{Name: "/bin/sh", Args: []string{"-c", "pwd"}, Dir: root})
+	if !errors.Is(err, errWSLPolicyOnlyDisabled) {
+		t.Fatalf("WSL without AllowPolicyOnlyRunner err = %v, want errWSLPolicyOnlyDisabled", err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestWSLPolicyOnlyPlanCarriesProxyAndMarkers(t *testing.T) {
+	root := t.TempDir()
+	// scopedPolicy uses DefaultPolicy (AllowPolicyOnlyRunner=true) + an allowlist,
+	// so the WSL fallback starts the filtering proxy and runs policy-only.
+	engine := NewEngine(EngineOptions{WorkspaceRoot: root, Policy: scopedPolicy([]string{"github.com"}, nil), Backend: wslBackendForTest()})
+
+	plan, err := engine.BuildCommandPlan(CommandSpec{Name: "/bin/sh", Args: []string{"-c", "pwd"}, Dir: root, Env: []string{}})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("BuildCommandPlan: %v", err)
+	}
+	defer plan.Cleanup()
+
+	// Policy-only: the command runs directly, not OS-wrapped.
+	if plan.Wrapped || plan.Name != "/bin/sh" {
+		t.Fatalf("WSL plan must run the command directly, got wrapped=%v name=%q", plan.Wrapped, plan.Name)
+	}
+	env := strings.Join(plan.Env, "\n")
+	if !strings.Contains(env, EnvSandboxed+"=1") {
+		t.Fatalf("WSL plan env missing %s=1:\n%s", EnvSandboxed, env)
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(env, EnvSandboxBackend+"=wsl") {
+		t.Fatalf("WSL plan env missing %s=wsl:\n%s", EnvSandboxBackend, env)
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(env, "HTTP_PROXY=") || !strings.Contains(env, "ALL_PROXY=") {
+		t.Fatalf("WSL plan env missing proxy env (ProxyEnvWithSocks):\n%s", env)
+	}
+	if len(plan.Notes) == 0 || !strings.Contains(strings.Join(plan.Notes, " "), "policy-only") {
+		t.Fatalf("WSL plan must record a least-privilege downgrade note, got %v", plan.Notes)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestWSLPlanPreservesCallerEnv(t *testing.T) {
+	root := t.TempDir()
+	engine := NewEngine(EngineOptions{WorkspaceRoot: root, Policy: DefaultPolicy(), Backend: wslBackendForTest()})
+	plan, err := engine.BuildCommandPlan(CommandSpec{
+		Name: "/bin/sh", Args: []string{"-c", "true"}, Dir: root,
+		Env: []string{"FOO=bar", "PATH=/custom/bin"},
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("BuildCommandPlan: %v", err)
+	}
+	defer plan.Cleanup()
+	env := strings.Join(plan.Env, "\n")
+	// The WSL direct-run inherits the caller's env (it is not OS-wrapped)...
+	if !strings.Contains(env, "FOO=bar") || !strings.Contains(env, "PATH=/custom/bin") {
+		t.Fatalf("WSL plan must preserve caller env, got:\n%s", env)
+	}
+	// ...with the sandbox markers appended (so they win over caller env).
+	if !strings.Contains(env, EnvSandboxed+"=1") || !strings.Contains(env, EnvSandboxBackend+"=wsl") {
+		t.Fatalf("WSL plan must append sandbox markers:\n%s", env)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestWSLPolicyOnlyDenyPlanHasMarkersNoProxy(t *testing.T) {
+	root := t.TempDir()
+	// Default policy (NetworkDeny) → no proxy started, but the WSL markers + note
+	// still apply and the plan still runs (AllowPolicyOnlyRunner default true).
+	engine := NewEngine(EngineOptions{WorkspaceRoot: root, Policy: DefaultPolicy(), Backend: wslBackendForTest()})
+	// Explicit empty env so the assertion below is not confused by a dev/CI
+	// HTTP_PROXY inherited via os.Environ().
+	plan, err := engine.BuildCommandPlan(CommandSpec{Name: "/bin/sh", Args: []string{"-c", "pwd"}, Dir: root, Env: []string{}})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("BuildCommandPlan: %v", err)
+	}
+	defer plan.Cleanup()
+	env := strings.Join(plan.Env, "\n")
+	if !strings.Contains(env, EnvSandboxBackend+"=wsl") || !strings.Contains(env, EnvSandboxed+"=1") {
+		t.Fatalf("WSL deny plan must still carry sandbox markers:\n%s", env)
+	}
+	if len(plan.Notes) == 0 || !strings.Contains(strings.Join(plan.Notes, " "), "policy-only") {
+		t.Fatalf("WSL deny plan must record a least-privilege downgrade note, got %v", plan.Notes)
+	}
+	if strings.Contains(env, "HTTP_PROXY=") || strings.Contains(env, "HTTPS_PROXY=") || strings.Contains(env, "ALL_PROXY=") {
+		t.Fatalf("WSL deny plan must NOT export any proxy env vars (network denied):\n%s", env)
+	}
+}

internal/specialist/exec.go

@@ -58,14 +58,20 @@ type BuildArgsInput struct {
 	CurrentDepth          int
 	Description           string
 	Cwd                   string
+	// PermissionMode is the parent's resolved permission mode. Empty preserves
+	// the historical "--auto high" (the Task tool omits it); a caller that
+	// passes a non-unsafe mode (e.g. the swarm propagating a non-unsafe
+	// orchestrator) gets a non-unsafe child so authority is never widened.
+	PermissionMode string
 }
 
 type BuildResumeArgsInput struct {
-	SessionID    string
-	Prompt       string
-	CurrentDepth int
-	Manifest     Manifest
-	Cwd          string
+	SessionID      string
+	Prompt         string
+	CurrentDepth   int
+	Manifest       Manifest
+	Cwd            string
+	PermissionMode string
 }
 
 type BuildArgsResult struct {
@@ -90,8 +96,32 @@ type TaskRunOptions struct {
 	ParentReasoningEffort string
 	CurrentDepth          int
 	Cwd                   string
+	// PermissionMode propagates the parent's resolved permission mode to the
+	// child. Empty keeps the historical "--auto high"; a non-unsafe value runs
+	// the child non-unsafe so it never gains more authority than the parent.
+	PermissionMode string
 }
 
+// specialistAutonomy maps a parent permission mode to the child's "--auto"
+// level. A headless specialist child cannot answer interactive prompts, so it
+// runs autonomously — but only at "high" (unsafe) when the parent is itself
+// unsafe (or when no mode is provided, preserving the Task tool's behavior).
+// Any other parent mode yields the non-unsafe "low" level, so the child's
+// authority never exceeds the parent's.
+func specialistAutonomy(permissionMode string) string {
+	switch strings.TrimSpace(permissionMode) {
+	case "", string(permissionModeUnsafe):
+		return "high"
+	default:
+		return "low"
+	}
+}
+
+// permissionModeUnsafe mirrors agent.PermissionModeUnsafe without importing the
+// agent package (which would create an import cycle): exec resolves "--auto high"
+// to this mode.
+const permissionModeUnsafe = "unsafe"
+
 type ExecResult struct {
 	Result    tools.Result
 	SessionID string
@@ -147,7 +177,7 @@ func (executor Executor) BuildArgs(input BuildArgsInput) (BuildArgsResult, error
 	args := []string{"exec", "--init-session-id", sessionID}
 	args = append(args, promptArgs...)
 	args = appendModelArgs(args, input.Manifest, input.ParentModel, input.ParentReasoningEffort)
-	args = append(args, "--auto", "high", "--output-format", "stream-json")
+	args = append(args, "--auto", specialistAutonomy(input.PermissionMode), "--output-format", "stream-json")
 	toolAllowlist, err := resolvedToolAllowlist(input.Manifest)
 	if err != nil {
 		return BuildArgsResult{}, err
@@ -199,7 +229,7 @@ func (executor Executor) BuildResumeArgs(input BuildResumeArgsInput) (BuildArgsR
 	}
 	args := []string{"exec", "--resume", sessionID}
 	args = append(args, promptArgs...)
-	args = append(args, "--auto", "high", "--output-format", "stream-json")
+	args = append(args, "--auto", specialistAutonomy(input.PermissionMode), "--output-format", "stream-json")
 	toolAllowlist, err := resolvedToolAllowlist(input.Manifest)
 	if err != nil {
 		return BuildArgsResult{}, err
@@ -230,6 +260,7 @@ func (executor Executor) runFresh(ctx context.Context, params TaskParameters, op
 		CurrentDepth:          options.CurrentDepth,
 		Description:           params.Description,
 		Cwd:                   options.Cwd,
+		PermissionMode:        options.PermissionMode,
 	})
 	if err != nil {
 		return ExecResult{}, err
@@ -257,11 +288,12 @@ func (executor Executor) runResume(ctx context.Context, params TaskParameters, o
 		return ExecResult{}, err
 	}
 	built, err := executor.BuildResumeArgs(BuildResumeArgsInput{
-		SessionID:    params.Resume,
-		Prompt:       params.Prompt,
-		CurrentDepth: options.CurrentDepth,
-		Manifest:     manifest,
-		Cwd:          options.Cwd,
+		SessionID:      params.Resume,
+		Prompt:         params.Prompt,
+		CurrentDepth:   options.CurrentDepth,
+		Manifest:       manifest,
+		Cwd:            options.Cwd,
+		PermissionMode: options.PermissionMode,
 	})
 	if err != nil {
 		return ExecResult{}, err

internal/specialist/exec_test.go

@@ -64,6 +64,65 @@ func TestBuildArgsCreatesFreshSpecialistExecInvocation(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+func TestSpecialistAutonomyByPermissionMode(t *testing.T) {
+	cases := map[string]string{
+		"":           "high", // back-compat: the Task tool omits the mode
+		"unsafe":     "high",
+		"auto":       "low",
+		"ask":        "low",
+		"spec-draft": "low",
+		"whatever":   "low",
+	}
+	for mode, want := range cases {
+		if got := specialistAutonomy(mode); got != want {
+			t.Errorf("specialistAutonomy(%q) = %q, want %q", mode, got, want)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func TestBuildArgsAutonomyHonorsPermissionMode(t *testing.T) {
+	executor := Executor{NewSessionID: func() (string, error) { return "child", nil }}
+	manifest := Manifest{Metadata: Metadata{Name: "reviewer"}, SystemPrompt: "x", ResolvedTools: []string{"read_file"}}
+
+	// A non-unsafe parent mode yields a non-unsafe child (--auto low), so a
+	// swarm member never gains more authority than a non-unsafe orchestrator.
+	res, err := executor.BuildArgs(BuildArgsInput{Manifest: manifest, Prompt: "p", PermissionMode: "auto"})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("BuildArgs: %v", err)
+	}
+	if !containsSequence(res.Args, []string{"--auto", "low"}) {
+		t.Fatalf("non-unsafe parent must yield --auto low, got %v", res.Args)
+	}
+	if containsSequence(res.Args, []string{"--auto", "high"}) {
+		t.Fatalf("non-unsafe parent must NOT yield --auto high: %v", res.Args)
+	}
+
+	// An unsafe parent (and the empty back-compat case) keep --auto high.
+	for _, mode := range []string{"unsafe", ""} {
+		out, err := executor.BuildArgs(BuildArgsInput{Manifest: manifest, Prompt: "p", PermissionMode: mode})
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("BuildArgs(%q): %v", mode, err)
+		}
+		if !containsSequence(out.Args, []string{"--auto", "high"}) {
+			t.Fatalf("mode %q must yield --auto high, got %v", mode, out.Args)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func TestBuildResumeArgsAutonomyHonorsPermissionMode(t *testing.T) {
+	executor := Executor{}
+	manifest := Manifest{Metadata: Metadata{Name: "reviewer"}, ResolvedTools: []string{"read_file"}}
+	res, err := executor.BuildResumeArgs(BuildResumeArgsInput{
+		SessionID: "child_session", Prompt: "p", Manifest: manifest, PermissionMode: "auto",
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("BuildResumeArgs: %v", err)
+	}
+	if !containsSequence(res.Args, []string{"--auto", "low"}) || containsSequence(res.Args, []string{"--auto", "high"}) {
+		t.Fatalf("resume non-unsafe parent must yield --auto low, got %v", res.Args)
+	}
+}
+
 func TestBuildArgsSessionTitleFallsBackToNameWithoutDescription(t *testing.T) {
 	executor := Executor{NewSessionID: func() (string, error) { return "child", nil }}
 	manifest := Manifest{

internal/swarm/coordinator.go

@@ -0,0 +1,259 @@
+package swarm
+
+import (
+	"errors"
+	"fmt"
+	"sort"
+	"sync"
+	"time"
+)
+
+// TaskStatus is the lifecycle state of a swarm task.
+type TaskStatus string
+
+const (
+	// StatusPending: registered but the member has not started.
+	StatusPending TaskStatus = "pending"
+	// StatusRunning: the member is executing.
+	StatusRunning TaskStatus = "running"
+	// StatusDone: the member finished successfully.
+	StatusDone TaskStatus = "done"
+	// StatusFailed: the member exited with an error.
+	StatusFailed TaskStatus = "failed"
+	// StatusHandedOff: ownership was transferred to another agent.
+	StatusHandedOff TaskStatus = "handed-off"
+)
+
+// terminal reports whether a status is final (no further transitions expected).
+func (s TaskStatus) terminal() bool {
+	return s == StatusDone || s == StatusFailed || s == StatusHandedOff
+}
+
+// valid reports whether a status is one of the known lifecycle states. Unknown
+// statuses are rejected (fail closed) so a task can never enter an undefined
+// state that Summarize and the lifecycle logic cannot reason about.
+func (s TaskStatus) valid() bool {
+	switch s {
+	case StatusPending, StatusRunning, StatusDone, StatusFailed, StatusHandedOff:
+		return true
+	default:
+		return false
+	}
+}
+
+// Task is one unit of work tracked by the coordinator. It is returned by value
+// from snapshots so callers cannot mutate coordinator state without the lock.
+type Task struct {
+	ID          string
+	AgentID     string
+	Team        string
+	Description string
+	Status      TaskStatus
+	Result      string
+	Err         string
+	CreatedAt   time.Time
+	UpdatedAt   time.Time
+}
+
+// agentColors palette for stable per-agent coloring in the TUI/status. Provider
+// -neutral ANSI-ish names; the renderer maps them to styles.
+var agentColors = []string{"cyan", "magenta", "green", "yellow", "blue", "red"}
+
+// Coordinator is the in-memory task registry + team color assigner shared by an
+// orchestrator and its members. It is safe for concurrent use.
+type Coordinator struct {
+	mu         sync.RWMutex
+	tasks      map[string]*Task
+	colors     map[string]string // agentID -> color
+	colorIndex int
+	now        func() time.Time // injectable clock for tests
+}
+
+// NewCoordinator returns an empty coordinator using the wall clock.
+func NewCoordinator() *Coordinator {
+	return &Coordinator{
+		tasks:  map[string]*Task{},
+		colors: map[string]string{},
+		now:    time.Now,
+	}
+}
+
+// ErrTaskExists is returned when registering a duplicate task ID.
+var ErrTaskExists = errors.New("swarm: task already registered")
+
+// ErrUnknownTask is returned when updating/removing a missing task ID.
+var ErrUnknownTask = errors.New("swarm: unknown task")
+
+// Register adds a new pending task. The ID must be unique and non-empty.
+func (c *Coordinator) Register(id, agentID, team, description string) (Task, error) {
+	if id == "" {
+		return Task{}, errors.New("swarm: task id is required")
+	}
+	c.mu.Lock()
+	defer c.mu.Unlock()
+	if _, ok := c.tasks[id]; ok {
+		return Task{}, fmt.Errorf("%w: %s", ErrTaskExists, id)
+	}
+	now := c.now()
+	t := &Task{
+		ID:          id,
+		AgentID:     agentID,
+		Team:        team,
+		Description: description,
+		Status:      StatusPending,
+		CreatedAt:   now,
+		UpdatedAt:   now,
+	}
+	c.tasks[id] = t
+	c.assignColorLocked(agentID)
+	return *t, nil
+}
+
+// SetStatus transitions a task. Transitions out of a terminal state are
+// rejected (fail closed) so a late member update cannot resurrect a finished
+// task.
+func (c *Coordinator) SetStatus(id string, status TaskStatus) error {
+	if !status.valid() {
+		return fmt.Errorf("swarm: invalid task status %q", status)
+	}
+	c.mu.Lock()
+	defer c.mu.Unlock()
+	t, ok := c.tasks[id]
+	if !ok {
+		return fmt.Errorf("%w: %s", ErrUnknownTask, id)
+	}
+	if t.Status.terminal() && t.Status != status {
+		return fmt.Errorf("swarm: task %s is %s (terminal); cannot move to %s", id, t.Status, status)
+	}
+	t.Status = status
+	t.UpdatedAt = c.now()
+	return nil
+}
+
+// Complete marks a task done with its result.
+func (c *Coordinator) Complete(id, result string) error {
+	return c.finish(id, StatusDone, result, "")
+}
+
+// Fail marks a task failed with an error message.
+func (c *Coordinator) Fail(id, errMsg string) error {
+	return c.finish(id, StatusFailed, "", errMsg)
+}
+
+func (c *Coordinator) finish(id string, status TaskStatus, result, errMsg string) error {
+	c.mu.Lock()
+	defer c.mu.Unlock()
+	t, ok := c.tasks[id]
+	if !ok {
+		return fmt.Errorf("%w: %s", ErrUnknownTask, id)
+	}
+	if t.Status.terminal() {
+		return fmt.Errorf("swarm: task %s already %s", id, t.Status)
+	}
+	t.Status = status
+	t.Result = result
+	t.Err = errMsg
+	t.UpdatedAt = c.now()
+	return nil
+}
+
+// Reassign transfers a task to a new agent (handoff/orphan-adoption). The task
+// returns to pending under the new owner unless it is already terminal.
+func (c *Coordinator) Reassign(id, newAgentID string) error {
+	c.mu.Lock()
+	defer c.mu.Unlock()
+	t, ok := c.tasks[id]
+	if !ok {
+		return fmt.Errorf("%w: %s", ErrUnknownTask, id)
+	}
+	if t.Status.terminal() {
+		return fmt.Errorf("swarm: task %s already %s; cannot reassign", id, t.Status)
+	}
+	t.AgentID = newAgentID
+	t.Status = StatusPending
+	t.UpdatedAt = c.now()
+	c.assignColorLocked(newAgentID)
+	return nil
+}
+
+// Get returns a snapshot of one task.
+func (c *Coordinator) Get(id string) (Task, bool) {
+	c.mu.RLock()
+	defer c.mu.RUnlock()
+	t, ok := c.tasks[id]
+	if !ok {
+		return Task{}, false
+	}
+	return *t, true
+}
+
+// List returns snapshots of all tasks, ordered by creation time then ID for
+// stable output.
+func (c *Coordinator) List() []Task {
+	c.mu.RLock()
+	out := make([]Task, 0, len(c.tasks))
+	for _, t := range c.tasks {
+		out = append(out, *t)
+	}
+	c.mu.RUnlock()
+	sort.Slice(out, func(i, j int) bool {
+		if out[i].CreatedAt.Equal(out[j].CreatedAt) {
+			return out[i].ID < out[j].ID
+		}
+		return out[i].CreatedAt.Before(out[j].CreatedAt)
+	})
+	return out
+}
+
+// Color returns the stable color assigned to an agent (assigning one on first
+// use), so status output colors each member consistently.
+func (c *Coordinator) Color(agentID string) string {
+	c.mu.Lock()
+	defer c.mu.Unlock()
+	return c.assignColorLocked(agentID)
+}
+
+func (c *Coordinator) assignColorLocked(agentID string) string {
+	if agentID == "" {
+		return ""
+	}
+	if color, ok := c.colors[agentID]; ok {
+		return color
+	}
+	color := agentColors[c.colorIndex%len(agentColors)]
+	c.colors[agentID] = color
+	c.colorIndex++
+	return color
+}
+
+// Summary is an aggregate count of tasks by status for the status tool.
+type Summary struct {
+	Total     int
+	Pending   int
+	Running   int
+	Done      int
+	Failed    int
+	HandedOff int
+}
+
+// Summarize aggregates current task counts.
+func (c *Coordinator) Summarize() Summary {
+	c.mu.RLock()
+	defer c.mu.RUnlock()
+	s := Summary{Total: len(c.tasks)}
+	for _, t := range c.tasks {
+		switch t.Status {
+		case StatusPending:
+			s.Pending++
+		case StatusRunning:
+			s.Running++
+		case StatusDone:
+			s.Done++
+		case StatusFailed:
+			s.Failed++
+		case StatusHandedOff:
+			s.HandedOff++
+		}
+	}
+	return s
+}

internal/swarm/coordinator_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,151 @@
+package swarm
+
+import (
+	"errors"
+	"sync"
+	"testing"
+)
+
+func TestCoordinatorRegisterAndDuplicate(t *testing.T) {
+	c := NewCoordinator()
+	if _, err := c.Register("t1", "a1", "team", "desc"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Register: %v", err)
+	}
+	task, ok := c.Get("t1")
+	if !ok || task.Status != StatusPending {
+		t.Fatalf("Get after register: ok=%v status=%v", ok, task.Status)
+	}
+	if _, err := c.Register("t1", "a1", "team", "desc"); !errors.Is(err, ErrTaskExists) {
+		t.Fatalf("duplicate Register err = %v, want ErrTaskExists", err)
+	}
+	if _, err := c.Register("", "a", "team", "d"); err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("empty id must error")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestCoordinatorLifecycleTransitions(t *testing.T) {
+	c := NewCoordinator()
+	_, _ = c.Register("t1", "a1", "team", "desc")
+	if err := c.SetStatus("t1", StatusRunning); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("SetStatus running: %v", err)
+	}
+	if err := c.Complete("t1", "result-data"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Complete: %v", err)
+	}
+	task, _ := c.Get("t1")
+	if task.Status != StatusDone || task.Result != "result-data" {
+		t.Fatalf("after Complete: status=%v result=%q", task.Status, task.Result)
+	}
+	// Terminal guard: cannot move done -> running, nor complete twice.
+	if err := c.SetStatus("t1", StatusRunning); err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("moving a done task to running must fail")
+	}
+	if err := c.Complete("t1", "x"); err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("completing a done task must fail")
+	}
+	if err := c.Fail("t1", "boom"); err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("failing a done task must fail")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestCoordinatorRejectsInvalidStatus(t *testing.T) {
+	c := NewCoordinator()
+	_, _ = c.Register("t1", "a1", "team", "desc")
+	if err := c.SetStatus("t1", TaskStatus("bogus")); err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("SetStatus must reject an unknown status")
+	}
+	// The task stays in its prior (valid) state.
+	if task, _ := c.Get("t1"); task.Status != StatusPending {
+		t.Fatalf("rejected status must not mutate the task, got %v", task.Status)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestCoordinatorUnknownTask(t *testing.T) {
+	c := NewCoordinator()
+	if err := c.SetStatus("missing", StatusRunning); !errors.Is(err, ErrUnknownTask) {
+		t.Fatalf("SetStatus(missing) = %v, want ErrUnknownTask", err)
+	}
+	if err := c.Complete("missing", "x"); !errors.Is(err, ErrUnknownTask) {
+		t.Fatalf("Complete(missing) = %v, want ErrUnknownTask", err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestCoordinatorReassign(t *testing.T) {
+	c := NewCoordinator()
+	_, _ = c.Register("t1", "a1", "team", "desc")
+	_ = c.SetStatus("t1", StatusRunning)
+	if err := c.Reassign("t1", "a2"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Reassign: %v", err)
+	}
+	task, _ := c.Get("t1")
+	if task.AgentID != "a2" || task.Status != StatusPending {
+		t.Fatalf("after Reassign: agent=%q status=%v", task.AgentID, task.Status)
+	}
+	// Cannot reassign a terminal task.
+	_ = c.Complete("t1", "done")
+	if err := c.Reassign("t1", "a3"); err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("reassigning a terminal task must fail")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestCoordinatorColorStability(t *testing.T) {
+	c := NewCoordinator()
+	first := c.Color("a1")
+	if first == "" {
+		t.Fatal("Color should assign a non-empty color")
+	}
+	if again := c.Color("a1"); again != first {
+		t.Fatalf("Color not stable: %q vs %q", first, again)
+	}
+	if other := c.Color("a2"); other == "" {
+		t.Fatal("second agent should also get a color")
+	}
+	if c.Color("") != "" {
+		t.Fatal("empty agent id should get no color")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestCoordinatorSummarize(t *testing.T) {
+	c := NewCoordinator()
+	_, _ = c.Register("p", "a", "team", "")
+	_, _ = c.Register("r", "b", "team", "")
+	_ = c.SetStatus("r", StatusRunning)
+	_, _ = c.Register("d", "c", "team", "")
+	_ = c.Complete("d", "ok")
+	s := c.Summarize()
+	if s.Total != 3 || s.Pending != 1 || s.Running != 1 || s.Done != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("Summarize = %+v", s)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestCoordinatorConcurrentRegister(t *testing.T) {
+	c := NewCoordinator()
+	var wg sync.WaitGroup
+	for i := 0; i < 50; i++ {
+		wg.Add(1)
+		go func(n int) {
+			defer wg.Done()
+			id := "task-" + string(rune('a'+n%26)) + "-" + itoa(n)
+			_, _ = c.Register(id, id, "team", "desc")
+			_ = c.SetStatus(id, StatusRunning)
+			_ = c.Complete(id, "done")
+		}(i)
+	}
+	wg.Wait()
+	if got := len(c.List()); got != 50 {
+		t.Fatalf("List len = %d, want 50", got)
+	}
+}
+
+// itoa avoids importing strconv just for the concurrency test id.
+func itoa(n int) string {
+	if n == 0 {
+		return "0"
+	}
+	var b []byte
+	for n > 0 {
+		b = append([]byte{byte('0' + n%10)}, b...)
+		n /= 10
+	}
+	return string(b)
+}

internal/swarm/definition.go

@@ -0,0 +1,133 @@
+// Package swarm adds a multi-agent SWARM on top of zero's single sub-agent
+// mechanism (internal/specialist): an orchestrator can spawn and coordinate
+// MULTIPLE specialist members that run concurrently, communicate via per-agent
+// mailboxes, and hand work off. It composes internal/specialist (to launch each
+// member), internal/daemon (pooled workers when a daemon is running) and
+// internal/background. Everything is additive and opt-in — the existing single
+// "task" tool is unchanged; swarm tools are only active when invoked.
+//
+// Every member runs under the SAME sandbox + risk/autonomy policy as the
+// orchestrator: the swarm never grants a member more authority than its parent.
+package swarm
+
+import (
+	"errors"
+	"sort"
+	"strings"
+	"sync"
+)
+
+// ErrUnknownAgentType is returned when a definition lookup misses.
+var ErrUnknownAgentType = errors.New("swarm: unknown agent type")
+
+// modelInherit is the sentinel meaning "use the orchestrator's model" — members
+// never silently pick a different (e.g. more capable) model.
+const modelInherit = "inherit"
+
+// Definition is one entry in the agent roster: how a member of a given type
+// behaves (agent type, when to use it, model — "inherit" by default —,
+// permission mode, and a system-prompt builder).
+type Definition struct {
+	AgentType      string
+	WhenToUse      string
+	Model          string // "inherit" => use the orchestrator's model
+	PermissionMode string
+	// SystemPrompt returns the member's system prompt for the given task context.
+	// It is a func so a definition can fold the task briefing in.
+	SystemPrompt func(ctx PromptContext) string
+}
+
+// PromptContext is the minimal context handed to a definition's SystemPrompt.
+type PromptContext struct {
+	Team string
+	Task string
+}
+
+// Registry is the agent roster: definitions looked up by agent type. Built-ins
+// are seeded at construction; user-defined definitions extend or override them.
+type Registry struct {
+	mu   sync.RWMutex
+	defs map[string]Definition
+}
+
+// NewRegistry builds a registry seeded with the built-in roster.
+func NewRegistry() *Registry {
+	r := &Registry{defs: map[string]Definition{}}
+	for _, def := range builtinDefinitions() {
+		r.defs[def.AgentType] = def
+	}
+	return r
+}
+
+// Register adds or overrides a definition (user-defined agents extend the
+// built-ins). An empty AgentType is rejected.
+func (r *Registry) Register(def Definition) error {
+	agentType := strings.TrimSpace(def.AgentType)
+	if agentType == "" {
+		return errors.New("swarm: definition requires an agentType")
+	}
+	if def.Model == "" {
+		def.Model = modelInherit
+	}
+	def.AgentType = agentType
+	r.mu.Lock()
+	r.defs[agentType] = def
+	r.mu.Unlock()
+	return nil
+}
+
+// Lookup returns the definition for agentType, or ErrUnknownAgentType.
+func (r *Registry) Lookup(agentType string) (Definition, error) {
+	r.mu.RLock()
+	def, ok := r.defs[strings.TrimSpace(agentType)]
+	r.mu.RUnlock()
+	if !ok {
+		return Definition{}, ErrUnknownAgentType
+	}
+	return def, nil
+}
+
+// AgentTypes returns the registered agent types, sorted, for status/help.
+func (r *Registry) AgentTypes() []string {
+	r.mu.RLock()
+	types := make([]string, 0, len(r.defs))
+	for t := range r.defs {
+		types = append(types, t)
+	}
+	r.mu.RUnlock()
+	sort.Strings(types)
+	return types
+}
+
+// builtinDefinitions returns the seeded roster (teammate, subagent) — kept
+// minimal; user-defined agents extend it via Register.
+func builtinDefinitions() []Definition {
+	return []Definition{
+		{
+			AgentType: "teammate",
+			WhenToUse: "In-process teammate for parallel task execution; delegate work to run alongside the orchestrator.",
+			Model:     modelInherit,
+			// Empty PermissionMode => inherit the orchestrator's mode (never widened).
+			SystemPrompt: func(ctx PromptContext) string {
+				return "You are a teammate agent collaborating with an orchestrator on team " +
+					displayTeam(ctx.Team) + ". Complete your assigned task and report results.\n\nTask: " + ctx.Task
+			},
+		},
+		{
+			AgentType: "subagent",
+			WhenToUse: "General-purpose subagent for an isolated, delegated task; starts with zero prior context.",
+			Model:     modelInherit,
+			SystemPrompt: func(ctx PromptContext) string {
+				return "You are a subagent spawned to complete a specific task. You start with zero context — " +
+					"the briefing below is all you know.\n\nTask: " + ctx.Task
+			},
+		},
+	}
+}
+
+func displayTeam(team string) string {
+	if strings.TrimSpace(team) == "" {
+		return "default"
+	}
+	return team
+}

internal/swarm/definition_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,74 @@
+package swarm
+
+import (
+	"errors"
+	"testing"
+)
+
+func TestRegistryBuiltins(t *testing.T) {
+	r := NewRegistry()
+	for _, want := range []string{"teammate", "subagent"} {
+		def, err := r.Lookup(want)
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("builtin %q missing: %v", want, err)
+		}
+		if def.Model != modelInherit {
+			t.Fatalf("builtin %q model = %q, want inherit", want, def.Model)
+		}
+		if def.SystemPrompt == nil {
+			t.Fatalf("builtin %q must have a SystemPrompt", want)
+		}
+		if got := def.SystemPrompt(PromptContext{Team: "t", Task: "do x"}); got == "" {
+			t.Fatalf("builtin %q SystemPrompt returned empty", want)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func TestRegistryLookupUnknown(t *testing.T) {
+	r := NewRegistry()
+	if _, err := r.Lookup("nope"); !errors.Is(err, ErrUnknownAgentType) {
+		t.Fatalf("Lookup(nope) err = %v, want ErrUnknownAgentType", err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestRegistryRegisterOverrideAndDefaultModel(t *testing.T) {
+	r := NewRegistry()
+	if err := r.Register(Definition{AgentType: "  custom  "}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Register: %v", err)
+	}
+	def, err := r.Lookup("custom")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Lookup(custom): %v", err)
+	}
+	if def.AgentType != "custom" {
+		t.Fatalf("agentType not trimmed: %q", def.AgentType)
+	}
+	if def.Model != modelInherit {
+		t.Fatalf("default model = %q, want inherit", def.Model)
+	}
+	// Override a builtin.
+	if err := r.Register(Definition{AgentType: "teammate", Model: "fixed-model"}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("override Register: %v", err)
+	}
+	if got, _ := r.Lookup("teammate"); got.Model != "fixed-model" {
+		t.Fatalf("override model = %q, want fixed-model", got.Model)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestRegistryRegisterRejectsEmpty(t *testing.T) {
+	r := NewRegistry()
+	if err := r.Register(Definition{AgentType: "   "}); err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("Register with blank agentType must error")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestRegistryAgentTypesSorted(t *testing.T) {
+	r := NewRegistry()
+	_ = r.Register(Definition{AgentType: "alpha"})
+	types := r.AgentTypes()
+	for i := 1; i < len(types); i++ {
+		if types[i-1] > types[i] {
+			t.Fatalf("AgentTypes not sorted: %v", types)
+		}
+	}
+}

internal/swarm/launcher_specialist.go

@@ -0,0 +1,47 @@
+package swarm
+
+import (
+	"context"
+
+	"github.com/Gitlawb/zero/internal/specialist"
+)
+
+// NewSpecialistLauncher adapts internal/specialist.Executor into a
+// MemberLauncher: each swarm member runs as a specialist sub-agent. This is the
+// production "direct" launch path (used when no daemon pool is wired). The
+// member inherits the orchestrator's model via spec.Model and runs in spec.Cwd,
+// so it stays under the same sandbox + policy as its parent — the swarm never
+// grants a member more authority.
+//
+// agentType maps to the specialist agent name; the specialist's own definition
+// for that name governs the member's system prompt and tools. RunInBackground is
+// deliberately left false: the swarm provides concurrency itself (one goroutine
+// per member), so each Run executes to completion inside its goroutine.
+//
+// spec.PermissionMode (resolved + clamped by buildSpec, never above the
+// orchestrator's) is propagated so the child only runs unsafe/high autonomy when
+// the orchestrator is itself unsafe; otherwise it runs non-unsafe. An empty mode
+// is substituted with the non-unsafe "auto" default so a swarm member can never
+// fall into the historical empty-means-high path — that is the Task tool's
+// behavior, not the swarm's.
+func NewSpecialistLauncher(executor specialist.Executor) MemberLauncher {
+	return FuncLauncher{Run: func(ctx context.Context, spec MemberSpec) (MemberResult, error) {
+		permissionMode := spec.PermissionMode
+		if permissionMode == "" {
+			permissionMode = permissionModeAuto
+		}
+		res, err := executor.Run(ctx, specialist.TaskParameters{
+			Name:        spec.AgentType,
+			Prompt:      spec.Task,
+			Description: spec.AgentType + " · team " + spec.Team,
+		}, specialist.TaskRunOptions{
+			ParentModel:    spec.Model,
+			Cwd:            spec.Cwd,
+			PermissionMode: permissionMode,
+		})
+		if err != nil {
+			return MemberResult{}, err
+		}
+		return MemberResult{Result: res.Result.Output, SessionID: res.SessionID}, nil
+	}}
+}

internal/swarm/lifecycle.go

@@ -0,0 +1,176 @@
+package swarm
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+)
+
+// Spawn registers a task and launches a member of agentType to run it under the
+// given team, inheriting the orchestrator's policy. It returns the task id
+// immediately; the member runs concurrently (under the Swarm's base context, so
+// it outlives this call) and reports its result through the coordinator. If the
+// team is at its slot cap the member is queued and launches when a slot frees
+// (it stays pending in the coordinator until then).
+func (s *Swarm) Spawn(pol Policy, teamName, agentType, task, cwd string) (string, error) {
+	def, err := s.registry.Lookup(agentType)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+	team := sanitizeName(teamName)
+	id := s.nextID(agentType)
+	if _, err := s.coord.Register(id, id, team, task); err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+	s.rememberCwd(id, cwd)
+	spec := s.buildSpec(pol, id, id, team, def, task, cwd)
+	s.dispatch(spec)
+	return id, nil
+}
+
+// dispatch admits a spec to its team (launching now or queuing for a slot).
+func (s *Swarm) dispatch(spec MemberSpec) {
+	t := s.team(spec.Team)
+	if t.admit(spec) {
+		s.launch(t, spec)
+	}
+	// Otherwise the spec is queued; the coordinator task stays pending until a
+	// slot frees and afterExit launches it.
+}
+
+// launch starts a member for spec and supervises it. A synchronous launch
+// failure fails the task and frees the slot.
+func (s *Swarm) launch(t *Team, spec MemberSpec) {
+	handle, err := s.launcher.Launch(s.baseCtx, spec)
+	if err != nil {
+		_ = s.coord.Fail(spec.TaskID, "launch: "+err.Error())
+		s.afterExit(t)
+		return
+	}
+	m := &Member{ID: spec.ID, AgentType: spec.AgentType, TaskID: spec.TaskID, handle: handle}
+	t.addMember(m)
+	_ = s.coord.SetStatus(spec.TaskID, StatusRunning)
+	go s.watch(t, m, spec)
+}
+
+// watch awaits a member, applies bounded relaunch on temporary failures, records
+// the terminal outcome, then frees the slot and drains the queue.
+//
+// The relaunch counter is per-member (m.restarts) and the same spec is reused on
+// retry. This is sound because a Member is bound 1:1 to its spec for its whole
+// life (Member.ID == MemberSpec.ID); a retry never reuses the struct for a
+// different spec.
+func (s *Swarm) watch(t *Team, m *Member, spec MemberSpec) {
+	res, err := m.handle.Wait()
+	if err != nil {
+		if isRetryable(err) && m.restarts < maxMemberRestarts {
+			if nh, relErr := s.launcher.Launch(s.baseCtx, spec); relErr == nil {
+				m.restarts++
+				m.handle = nh
+				go s.watch(t, m, spec)
+				return
+			}
+			// fall through to record the original error if relaunch fails
+		}
+		_ = s.coord.Fail(m.TaskID, memberError(err))
+	} else {
+		_ = s.coord.Complete(m.TaskID, res.Result)
+	}
+	t.removeMember(m.ID)
+	s.afterExit(t)
+}
+
+// afterExit releases the just-vacated slot and launches the next queued spec, if
+// any. Each exit drains at most one queued member; that member's own exit drains
+// the next, so the queue empties one-per-slot without unbounded recursion.
+func (s *Swarm) afterExit(t *Team) {
+	next, ok := t.onExit()
+	if !ok {
+		return
+	}
+	s.launch(t, next)
+}
+
+// Handoff transfers a task to a fresh member of toAgentType, delivering a note to
+// the new member's inbox and marking the original task handed-off. It returns the
+// new task id. A handoff of an already-terminal task is rejected (fail closed).
+func (s *Swarm) Handoff(pol Policy, teamName, taskID, toAgentType, note string) (string, error) {
+	task, ok := s.coord.Get(taskID)
+	if !ok {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("%w: %s", ErrUnknownTask, taskID)
+	}
+	if task.Status.terminal() {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("swarm: task %s already %s; cannot hand off", taskID, task.Status)
+	}
+	def, err := s.registry.Lookup(toAgentType)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+	team := sanitizeName(teamName)
+	newID := s.nextID(toAgentType)
+	handoffTask := task.Description
+	if note != "" {
+		handoffTask += "\n\nHandoff note: " + note
+	}
+	if _, err := s.coord.Register(newID, newID, team, handoffTask); err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+	cwd := s.cwdFor(taskID)
+	s.rememberCwd(newID, cwd)
+	// Deliver the handoff note to the new member's inbox. A mailbox failure must
+	// not silently strand the handoff, so it is surfaced to the caller.
+	if note != "" {
+		if mbErr := s.mailbox.Send(team, newID, Message{
+			From: task.AgentID, Subject: "handoff", Body: note, Type: "handoff", Time: nowRFC3339(),
+		}); mbErr != nil {
+			return "", fmt.Errorf("swarm: deliver handoff note: %w", mbErr)
+		}
+	}
+	// Retire the original task (it has been re-delegated).
+	_ = s.coord.SetStatus(taskID, StatusHandedOff)
+	spec := s.buildSpec(pol, newID, newID, team, def, handoffTask, cwd)
+	s.dispatch(spec)
+	return newID, nil
+}
+
+// AdoptOrphans re-parents tasks in a team whose owning member is no longer live
+// (e.g. a crashed worker) onto fresh members of toAgentType, returning the
+// adopted task ids. Terminal tasks and tasks with a live owner are left alone.
+func (s *Swarm) AdoptOrphans(pol Policy, teamName, toAgentType string) ([]string, error) {
+	def, err := s.registry.Lookup(toAgentType)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	team := sanitizeName(teamName)
+	t := s.team(team)
+	live := t.liveAgents()
+	var adopted []string
+	for _, task := range s.coord.List() {
+		if task.Team != team || task.Status.terminal() {
+			continue
+		}
+		if _, ok := live[task.AgentID]; ok {
+			continue // still has a live member
+		}
+		newAgent := s.nextID(toAgentType)
+		if err := s.coord.Reassign(task.ID, newAgent); err != nil {
+			continue // raced to terminal; skip
+		}
+		cwd := s.cwdFor(task.ID)
+		s.rememberCwd(task.ID, cwd)
+		spec := s.buildSpec(pol, newAgent, task.ID, team, def, task.Description, cwd)
+		s.dispatch(spec)
+		adopted = append(adopted, task.ID)
+	}
+	return adopted, nil
+}
+
+// Collect returns snapshots of every task in a team, for swarm_collect/status.
+func (s *Swarm) Collect(teamName string) []Task {
+	team := sanitizeName(teamName)
+	var out []Task
+	for _, task := range s.coord.List() {
+		if task.Team == team {
+			out = append(out, task)
+		}
+	}
+	return out
+}

internal/swarm/lifecycle_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,345 @@
+package swarm
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"strings"
+	"sync"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+)
+
+// controllableLauncher records every launched spec and lets a test control each
+// member's outcome and (optionally) gate completion until a channel is closed.
+type controllableLauncher struct {
+	mu        sync.Mutex
+	specs     []MemberSpec
+	attempts  map[string]int
+	gate      chan struct{} // nil => members return immediately
+	result    func(spec MemberSpec, attempt int) (MemberResult, error)
+	launchErr error
+}
+
+func newLauncher(result func(MemberSpec, int) (MemberResult, error)) *controllableLauncher {
+	return &controllableLauncher{attempts: map[string]int{}, result: result}
+}
+
+func (l *controllableLauncher) Launch(ctx context.Context, spec MemberSpec) (MemberHandle, error) {
+	l.mu.Lock()
+	if l.launchErr != nil {
+		err := l.launchErr
+		l.mu.Unlock()
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	l.specs = append(l.specs, spec)
+	l.attempts[spec.ID]++
+	attempt := l.attempts[spec.ID]
+	gate := l.gate
+	result := l.result
+	l.mu.Unlock()
+
+	h := &funcHandle{id: spec.ID, done: make(chan struct{})}
+	go func() {
+		defer close(h.done)
+		if gate != nil {
+			select {
+			case <-gate:
+			case <-ctx.Done():
+				h.err = ctx.Err()
+				return
+			}
+		}
+		if result != nil {
+			h.res, h.err = result(spec, attempt)
+		}
+	}()
+	return h, nil
+}
+
+func (l *controllableLauncher) recorded() []MemberSpec {
+	l.mu.Lock()
+	defer l.mu.Unlock()
+	out := make([]MemberSpec, len(l.specs))
+	copy(out, l.specs)
+	return out
+}
+
+func (l *controllableLauncher) attemptCount(id string) int {
+	l.mu.Lock()
+	defer l.mu.Unlock()
+	return l.attempts[id]
+}
+
+func newSwarmFor(t *testing.T, l MemberLauncher) *Swarm {
+	t.Helper()
+	sw, err := New(Options{BaseDir: t.TempDir(), Launcher: l, MaxTeamSize: 2})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("New: %v", err)
+	}
+	t.Cleanup(sw.Close)
+	return sw
+}
+
+func waitFor(t *testing.T, what string, cond func() bool) {
+	t.Helper()
+	deadline := time.Now().Add(3 * time.Second)
+	for time.Now().Before(deadline) {
+		if cond() {
+			return
+		}
+		time.Sleep(5 * time.Millisecond)
+	}
+	t.Fatalf("timed out waiting for %s", what)
+}
+
+func okFor(spec MemberSpec, _ int) (MemberResult, error) {
+	return MemberResult{Result: "ok:" + spec.Task, SessionID: "sess-" + spec.ID}, nil
+}
+
+func TestSpawnCompletes(t *testing.T) {
+	l := newLauncher(okFor)
+	sw := newSwarmFor(t, l)
+	id, err := sw.Spawn(Policy{Model: "m"}, "team", "teammate", "build widget", "/work")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Spawn: %v", err)
+	}
+	waitFor(t, "task done", func() bool {
+		task, ok := sw.Coordinator().Get(id)
+		return ok && task.Status == StatusDone
+	})
+	task, _ := sw.Coordinator().Get(id)
+	if task.Result != "ok:build widget" {
+		t.Fatalf("result = %q", task.Result)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestSpawnInheritsPolicy(t *testing.T) {
+	l := newLauncher(okFor)
+	sw := newSwarmFor(t, l)
+	_, err := sw.Spawn(Policy{Model: "orch-model", PermissionMode: permissionModeAuto}, "team", "teammate", "task", "/cwd")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Spawn: %v", err)
+	}
+	waitFor(t, "spec recorded", func() bool { return len(l.recorded()) == 1 })
+	spec := l.recorded()[0]
+	if spec.Model != "orch-model" {
+		t.Fatalf("member model = %q, want inherited orch-model", spec.Model)
+	}
+	if spec.PermissionMode != permissionModeAuto {
+		t.Fatalf("member permission mode = %q, want inherited auto", spec.PermissionMode)
+	}
+	if spec.Cwd != "/cwd" {
+		t.Fatalf("member cwd = %q, want /cwd", spec.Cwd)
+	}
+	if spec.SystemPrompt == "" {
+		t.Fatal("member should carry a resolved system prompt")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestConcurrencyCapAndQueueDrains(t *testing.T) {
+	gate := make(chan struct{})
+	l := newLauncher(okFor)
+	l.gate = gate
+	sw := newSwarmFor(t, l) // MaxTeamSize 2
+	pol := Policy{Model: "m"}
+	for i := 0; i < 5; i++ {
+		if _, err := sw.Spawn(pol, "team", "teammate", "task", ""); err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("Spawn %d: %v", i, err)
+		}
+	}
+	team := sw.team("team")
+	if team.Running() != 2 || team.QueueDepth() != 3 {
+		t.Fatalf("cap not enforced: running=%d queue=%d, want 2/3", team.Running(), team.QueueDepth())
+	}
+	// Release everyone; the queue should drain one-per-slot until all are done.
+	close(gate)
+	waitFor(t, "all tasks done", func() bool { return sw.Coordinator().Summarize().Done == 5 })
+	if team.Running() != 0 || team.QueueDepth() != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("after drain running=%d queue=%d, want 0/0", team.Running(), team.QueueDepth())
+	}
+	if got := len(l.recorded()); got != 5 {
+		t.Fatalf("launched %d members, want 5", got)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestRetryOnTemporaryError(t *testing.T) {
+	l := newLauncher(func(spec MemberSpec, attempt int) (MemberResult, error) {
+		if attempt < 3 {
+			return MemberResult{}, ErrMemberTemporary
+		}
+		return MemberResult{Result: "recovered"}, nil
+	})
+	sw := newSwarmFor(t, l)
+	id, _ := sw.Spawn(Policy{}, "team", "teammate", "task", "")
+	waitFor(t, "task recovered", func() bool {
+		task, ok := sw.Coordinator().Get(id)
+		return ok && task.Status == StatusDone
+	})
+	if got := l.attemptCount(id); got != 3 {
+		t.Fatalf("attempts = %d, want 3 (initial + 2 retries)", got)
+	}
+	task, _ := sw.Coordinator().Get(id)
+	if task.Result != "recovered" {
+		t.Fatalf("result = %q, want recovered", task.Result)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestRetryExhaustionFails(t *testing.T) {
+	l := newLauncher(func(MemberSpec, int) (MemberResult, error) {
+		return MemberResult{}, ErrMemberTemporary
+	})
+	sw := newSwarmFor(t, l)
+	id, _ := sw.Spawn(Policy{}, "team", "teammate", "task", "")
+	waitFor(t, "task failed", func() bool {
+		task, ok := sw.Coordinator().Get(id)
+		return ok && task.Status == StatusFailed
+	})
+	if got := l.attemptCount(id); got != maxMemberRestarts+1 {
+		t.Fatalf("attempts = %d, want %d", got, maxMemberRestarts+1)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestPermanentErrorNoRetry(t *testing.T) {
+	l := newLauncher(func(MemberSpec, int) (MemberResult, error) {
+		return MemberResult{}, errPlain("hard failure")
+	})
+	sw := newSwarmFor(t, l)
+	id, _ := sw.Spawn(Policy{}, "team", "teammate", "task", "")
+	waitFor(t, "task failed", func() bool {
+		task, ok := sw.Coordinator().Get(id)
+		return ok && task.Status == StatusFailed
+	})
+	if got := l.attemptCount(id); got != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("attempts = %d, want 1 (no retry on permanent error)", got)
+	}
+	task, _ := sw.Coordinator().Get(id)
+	if task.Err == "" {
+		t.Fatal("failed task should record an error message")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestHandoffDeliversNoteAndRetiresOriginal(t *testing.T) {
+	gate := make(chan struct{})
+	l := newLauncher(okFor)
+	l.gate = gate // keep the original member running so it is non-terminal
+	sw := newSwarmFor(t, l)
+	pol := Policy{Model: "m"}
+	origID, _ := sw.Spawn(pol, "team", "teammate", "original task", "/w")
+	waitFor(t, "original running", func() bool {
+		task, ok := sw.Coordinator().Get(origID)
+		return ok && task.Status == StatusRunning
+	})
+
+	newID, err := sw.Handoff(pol, "team", origID, "subagent", "please continue")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Handoff: %v", err)
+	}
+	// Original retired.
+	orig, _ := sw.Coordinator().Get(origID)
+	if orig.Status != StatusHandedOff {
+		t.Fatalf("original status = %v, want handed-off", orig.Status)
+	}
+	// Note delivered to the new member's inbox.
+	msgs, err := sw.Mailbox().ReadAndConsume("team", newID)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("read new inbox: %v", err)
+	}
+	if len(msgs) != 1 || msgs[0].Body != "please continue" || msgs[0].Type != "handoff" {
+		t.Fatalf("handoff note not delivered: %+v", msgs)
+	}
+	// The new member carries the handoff note in its task and preserves cwd.
+	close(gate)
+	waitFor(t, "spec for new member", func() bool {
+		for _, s := range l.recorded() {
+			if s.ID == newID {
+				return true
+			}
+		}
+		return false
+	})
+	for _, s := range l.recorded() {
+		if s.ID == newID {
+			if s.Cwd != "/w" {
+				t.Fatalf("handoff lost cwd: %q", s.Cwd)
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	// A handoff of an already-terminal task is rejected.
+	waitFor(t, "new task done", func() bool {
+		task, ok := sw.Coordinator().Get(newID)
+		return ok && task.Status == StatusDone
+	})
+	if _, err := sw.Handoff(pol, "team", newID, "teammate", "again"); err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("handoff of a terminal task must fail")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestAdoptOrphans(t *testing.T) {
+	l := newLauncher(okFor)
+	sw := newSwarmFor(t, l)
+	// Simulate a crashed member: a running task in the coordinator whose owning
+	// agent has no live member in the team.
+	if _, err := sw.Coordinator().Register("orphan-1", "ghost", "team", "stranded work"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Register: %v", err)
+	}
+	_ = sw.Coordinator().SetStatus("orphan-1", StatusRunning)
+
+	adopted, err := sw.AdoptOrphans(Policy{Model: "m"}, "team", "subagent")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("AdoptOrphans: %v", err)
+	}
+	if len(adopted) != 1 || adopted[0] != "orphan-1" {
+		t.Fatalf("adopted = %v, want [orphan-1]", adopted)
+	}
+	// The orphan is relaunched under a fresh agent and completes.
+	waitFor(t, "orphan completed", func() bool {
+		task, ok := sw.Coordinator().Get("orphan-1")
+		return ok && task.Status == StatusDone
+	})
+	task, _ := sw.Coordinator().Get("orphan-1")
+	if task.AgentID == "ghost" {
+		t.Fatal("orphan should be reassigned to a new agent")
+	}
+	// A second adoption finds nothing (the task now has a live/owned outcome).
+	again, _ := sw.AdoptOrphans(Policy{}, "team", "subagent")
+	if len(again) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("second adoption = %v, want none", again)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestCollectScopesToTeam(t *testing.T) {
+	l := newLauncher(okFor)
+	sw := newSwarmFor(t, l)
+	a, _ := sw.Spawn(Policy{}, "alpha", "teammate", "ta", "")
+	_, _ = sw.Spawn(Policy{}, "beta", "teammate", "tb", "")
+	waitFor(t, "alpha done", func() bool {
+		task, ok := sw.Coordinator().Get(a)
+		return ok && task.Status == StatusDone
+	})
+	collected := sw.Collect("alpha")
+	if len(collected) != 1 || collected[0].Team != "alpha" {
+		t.Fatalf("Collect(alpha) = %+v, want one alpha task", collected)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestFuncLauncherRecoversPanic(t *testing.T) {
+	// A panic inside a member's Run must surface as that member's error, never
+	// escape the goroutine and crash the orchestrator.
+	l := FuncLauncher{Run: func(context.Context, MemberSpec) (MemberResult, error) {
+		panic("boom in member")
+	}}
+	h, err := l.Launch(context.Background(), MemberSpec{ID: "m1"})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Launch: %v", err)
+	}
+	_, err = h.Wait()
+	if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "panicked") {
+		t.Fatalf("panic must surface as a member error, got %v", err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestSpawnUnknownAgentType(t *testing.T) {
+	sw := newSwarmFor(t, newLauncher(okFor))
+	if _, err := sw.Spawn(Policy{}, "team", "does-not-exist", "task", ""); err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("Spawn with unknown agent type must error")
+	}
+}

internal/swarm/lock_other.go

@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+//go:build !windows
+
+package swarm
+
+import (
+	"errors"
+	"os"
+)
+
+// isLockContended reports whether an O_EXCL lock-create error means the lock is
+// currently held (so the caller should retry/wait) rather than a hard failure.
+// On POSIX an existing lock surfaces only as os.ErrExist.
+func isLockContended(err error) bool {
+	return errors.Is(err, os.ErrExist)
+}

internal/swarm/lock_windows.go

@@ -0,0 +1,30 @@
+//go:build windows
+
+package swarm
+
+import (
+	"errors"
+	"os"
+	"syscall"
+)
+
+// Windows error codes that an O_EXCL create (or a racing delete) can surface
+// when another writer holds the lock file open, instead of ERROR_FILE_EXISTS.
+// Treating them as "contended" makes the lock retry/wait rather than fail the
+// whole send/read spuriously under contention.
+const (
+	errorAccessDenied     = syscall.Errno(5)  // ERROR_ACCESS_DENIED
+	errorSharingViolation = syscall.Errno(32) // ERROR_SHARING_VIOLATION
+)
+
+// isLockContended reports whether an O_EXCL lock-create error means the lock is
+// currently held (so the caller should retry/wait) rather than a hard failure.
+// On Windows a held lock can appear as ERROR_FILE_EXISTS (mapped to os.ErrExist)
+// but also as ERROR_ACCESS_DENIED / ERROR_SHARING_VIOLATION when the file is
+// concurrently open or pending deletion.
+func isLockContended(err error) bool {
+	if errors.Is(err, os.ErrExist) {
+		return true
+	}
+	return errors.Is(err, errorAccessDenied) || errors.Is(err, errorSharingViolation)
+}

internal/swarm/mailbox.go

@@ -0,0 +1,383 @@
+package swarm
+
+import (
+	"encoding/json"
+	"errors"
+	"fmt"
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"regexp"
+	"strings"
+	"sync/atomic"
+	"time"
+)
+
+// Mailbox is a per-agent, per-team message inbox persisted as a JSON array on
+// disk at <baseDir>/<team>/inboxes/<agent>.json, written atomically under a
+// lock file. It is hardened for untrusted input:
+//
+//   - inbox files and their parent dirs are owner-only (0600/0700);
+//   - every write takes an exclusive lock file (bounded retry, stale-break);
+//   - message bodies and whole inboxes are size-capped (fail closed on oversize);
+//   - team/agent names are sanitized so a name can never escape the base dir;
+//   - malformed inbox JSON is rejected rather than silently reset (fail closed).
+type Mailbox struct {
+	// BaseDir is the root under which <team>/inboxes/<agent>.json live. It must
+	// be set (NewMailbox enforces this).
+	BaseDir string
+	// MaxMessageBytes caps a single serialized message. 0 => defaultMaxMessageBytes.
+	MaxMessageBytes int
+	// MaxMessages caps the number of messages retained in one inbox. 0 =>
+	// defaultMaxMessages. Sends past the cap fail closed.
+	MaxMessages int
+	// LockTimeout bounds how long Send/MarkRead wait for the inbox lock.
+	LockTimeout time.Duration
+}
+
+const (
+	defaultMaxMessageBytes = 64 * 1024 // 64 KiB per message
+	defaultMaxMessages     = 1000      // per inbox
+	defaultLockTimeout     = 5 * time.Second
+	lockStaleAfter         = 30 * time.Second
+	inboxFileMode          = 0o600
+	inboxDirMode           = 0o700
+)
+
+// ErrMailboxFull is returned when an inbox is at MaxMessages.
+var ErrMailboxFull = errors.New("swarm: mailbox is full")
+
+// ErrMessageTooLarge is returned when a single message exceeds MaxMessageBytes.
+var ErrMessageTooLarge = errors.New("swarm: message exceeds size cap")
+
+// Message is one inbox entry. Time is RFC3339 and set on Send if empty.
+type Message struct {
+	From    string `json:"from"`
+	To      string `json:"to"`
+	Subject string `json:"subject,omitempty"`
+	Body    string `json:"body"`
+	Type    string `json:"type"`
+	Read    bool   `json:"read"`
+	Time    string `json:"time,omitempty"`
+}
+
+// NewMailbox validates baseDir and returns a Mailbox with defaults applied.
+func NewMailbox(baseDir string) (*Mailbox, error) {
+	if strings.TrimSpace(baseDir) == "" {
+		return nil, errors.New("swarm: mailbox base dir is required")
+	}
+	abs, err := filepath.Abs(baseDir)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("swarm: resolve mailbox base dir: %w", err)
+	}
+	return &Mailbox{
+		BaseDir:         abs,
+		MaxMessageBytes: defaultMaxMessageBytes,
+		MaxMessages:     defaultMaxMessages,
+		LockTimeout:     defaultLockTimeout,
+	}, nil
+}
+
+var nameUnsafe = regexp.MustCompile(`[^a-zA-Z0-9\-_]`)
+
+// sanitizeName replaces any char outside [A-Za-z0-9-_] with '-', defaulting
+// empty input to "default" and an all-unsafe result to "unknown". This
+// guarantees the name is a single safe path segment (no '/', '\\', '.', '..').
+func sanitizeName(name string) string {
+	trimmed := strings.TrimSpace(name)
+	if trimmed == "" {
+		trimmed = "default"
+	}
+	cleaned := nameUnsafe.ReplaceAllString(trimmed, "-")
+	if cleaned == "" {
+		return "unknown"
+	}
+	return cleaned
+}
+
+func (m *Mailbox) maxMessageBytes() int {
+	if m.MaxMessageBytes > 0 {
+		return m.MaxMessageBytes
+	}
+	return defaultMaxMessageBytes
+}
+
+func (m *Mailbox) maxMessages() int {
+	if m.MaxMessages > 0 {
+		return m.MaxMessages
+	}
+	return defaultMaxMessages
+}
+
+func (m *Mailbox) lockTimeout() time.Duration {
+	if m.LockTimeout > 0 {
+		return m.LockTimeout
+	}
+	return defaultLockTimeout
+}
+
+// inboxPath returns the sanitized, base-confined inbox path for (team, agent)
+// and verifies it cannot escape BaseDir lexically (defense in depth on top of
+// sanitize). Symlink-aware confinement happens in ensureInboxDir.
+func (m *Mailbox) inboxPath(team, agent string) (string, error) {
+	dir := filepath.Join(m.BaseDir, sanitizeName(team), "inboxes")
+	path := filepath.Join(dir, sanitizeName(agent)+".json")
+	if within, err := pathWithin(m.BaseDir, path); err != nil || !within {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("swarm: inbox path escapes base dir (team=%q agent=%q)", team, agent)
+	}
+	return path, nil
+}
+
+// pathWithin reports whether target is base or lives under it (lexically).
+func pathWithin(base, target string) (bool, error) {
+	rel, err := filepath.Rel(base, target)
+	if err != nil {
+		return false, err
+	}
+	if rel == ".." || strings.HasPrefix(rel, ".."+string(os.PathSeparator)) {
+		return false, nil
+	}
+	return true, nil
+}
+
+// ensureInboxDir creates the inbox's parent directories owner-only, then
+// verifies — after resolving symlinks — that the real directory stays within the
+// real base dir. This defends against a symlink planted under BaseDir (e.g. a
+// pre-existing "inboxes" -> /etc) that the lexical inboxPath check cannot catch.
+// Only after confinement is confirmed are the directories tightened to 0700, so
+// a chmod can never land outside the base via a symlink.
+func (m *Mailbox) ensureInboxDir(inboxPath string) error {
+	dir := filepath.Dir(inboxPath) // <base>/<team>/inboxes
+	if err := os.MkdirAll(dir, inboxDirMode); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("swarm: create inbox dir: %w", err)
+	}
+	realBase, err := filepath.EvalSymlinks(m.BaseDir)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("swarm: resolve base dir: %w", err)
+	}
+	realDir, err := filepath.EvalSymlinks(dir)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("swarm: resolve inbox dir: %w", err)
+	}
+	if within, err := pathWithin(realBase, realDir); err != nil || !within {
+		return fmt.Errorf("swarm: inbox dir escapes base dir via symlink")
+	}
+	// MkdirAll leaves an existing dir's permissions untouched; tighten the team
+	// and inboxes dirs to owner-only so mailbox contents are never group/world
+	// readable even if a dir pre-existed with broad perms.
+	_ = os.Chmod(dir, inboxDirMode)
+	_ = os.Chmod(filepath.Dir(dir), inboxDirMode) // <base>/<team>
+	return nil
+}
+
+// Send appends msg to the recipient's inbox under the team, taking the inbox
+// lock. It fails closed on oversize messages or a full inbox.
+//
+// Each send rewrites the whole inbox (read all → append one → write all), so it
+// is O(N) in the inbox size. That is intentional given the small bounds
+// (MaxMessages × MaxMessageBytes); if those caps are raised substantially,
+// switch to an append-only log with periodic compaction.
+func (m *Mailbox) Send(team, recipient string, msg Message) error {
+	path, err := m.inboxPath(team, recipient)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	if msg.Type == "" {
+		msg.Type = "message"
+	}
+	if msg.To == "" {
+		msg.To = sanitizeName(recipient)
+	}
+	if msg.Time == "" {
+		msg.Time = time.Now().UTC().Format(time.RFC3339)
+	}
+	encoded, err := json.Marshal(msg)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("swarm: encode message: %w", err)
+	}
+	if len(encoded) > m.maxMessageBytes() {
+		return fmt.Errorf("%w: %d > %d bytes", ErrMessageTooLarge, len(encoded), m.maxMessageBytes())
+	}
+	if err := m.ensureInboxDir(path); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	release, err := acquireLock(path+".lock", m.lockTimeout())
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	defer release()
+
+	messages, err := m.readLocked(path)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	if len(messages) >= m.maxMessages() {
+		return fmt.Errorf("%w: %d messages", ErrMailboxFull, len(messages))
+	}
+	messages = append(messages, msg)
+	return atomicWriteJSON(path, messages)
+}
+
+// ReadAndConsume reads the recipient's inbox and marks every previously-unread
+// message read under one lock, returning the messages with their read flags as
+// they were BEFORE this read (so the caller can tell which were new). The inbox
+// is empty (no error) if it does not yet exist; malformed inbox JSON is reported
+// as an error (fail closed) and nothing is written.
+func (m *Mailbox) ReadAndConsume(team, recipient string) ([]Message, error) {
+	path, err := m.inboxPath(team, recipient)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	// The lock file lives beside the inbox; create the dir so it can be taken
+	// even on first read of a not-yet-existing inbox.
+	if err := m.ensureInboxDir(path); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	release, err := acquireLock(path+".lock", m.lockTimeout())
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	defer release()
+
+	messages, err := m.readLocked(path)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	if len(messages) == 0 {
+		return messages, nil
+	}
+	// Snapshot pre-consume state to return, then flip unread -> read on disk.
+	snapshot := make([]Message, len(messages))
+	copy(snapshot, messages)
+	changed := false
+	for i := range messages {
+		if !messages[i].Read {
+			messages[i].Read = true
+			changed = true
+		}
+	}
+	if changed {
+		if err := atomicWriteJSON(path, messages); err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+	}
+	return snapshot, nil
+}
+
+// readLocked reads and decodes an inbox file. Callers that mutate must hold the
+// lock; pure readers may call it directly (a torn read surfaces as a decode
+// error and is retried by the caller, never silently treated as empty).
+func (m *Mailbox) readLocked(path string) ([]Message, error) {
+	raw, err := os.ReadFile(path)
+	if err != nil {
+		if errors.Is(err, os.ErrNotExist) {
+			return nil, nil
+		}
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("swarm: read inbox: %w", err)
+	}
+	if len(raw) == 0 {
+		return nil, nil
+	}
+	// Reject an oversized inbox file outright rather than decoding untrusted,
+	// unbounded JSON into memory. The bound is the cap on total message bytes
+	// (maxMessages × maxMessageBytes) doubled to allow for pretty-printed JSON
+	// (indentation, field names, brackets) overhead versus the compact bytes the
+	// per-message cap measures.
+	if maxFile := m.maxMessages() * m.maxMessageBytes() * 2; len(raw) > maxFile {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("swarm: inbox file too large (%d bytes)", len(raw))
+	}
+	var messages []Message
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(raw, &messages); err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("swarm: malformed inbox %s: %w", filepath.Base(path), err)
+	}
+	for i := range messages {
+		if messages[i].Type == "" {
+			messages[i].Type = "message"
+		}
+	}
+	return messages, nil
+}
+
+// atomicWriteJSON writes data as pretty JSON to a sibling temp file (0600) then
+// renames it over path, so a reader never observes a partial write.
+func atomicWriteJSON(path string, data any) error {
+	encoded, err := json.MarshalIndent(data, "", "  ")
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("swarm: encode inbox: %w", err)
+	}
+	dir := filepath.Dir(path)
+	tmp, err := os.CreateTemp(dir, ".inbox-*.tmp")
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("swarm: create temp inbox: %w", err)
+	}
+	tmpName := tmp.Name()
+	defer os.Remove(tmpName) // no-op after a successful rename
+	if err := tmp.Chmod(inboxFileMode); err != nil {
+		tmp.Close()
+		return fmt.Errorf("swarm: chmod temp inbox: %w", err)
+	}
+	if _, err := tmp.Write(encoded); err != nil {
+		tmp.Close()
+		return fmt.Errorf("swarm: write temp inbox: %w", err)
+	}
+	if err := tmp.Close(); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("swarm: close temp inbox: %w", err)
+	}
+	if err := os.Rename(tmpName, path); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("swarm: commit inbox: %w", err)
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+// lockSeq makes each lock token unique within the process even when two
+// goroutines acquire in the same nanosecond.
+var lockSeq atomic.Uint64
+
+// acquireLock takes an exclusive lock by creating lockPath with O_EXCL. It
+// retries with a short backoff until timeout, breaking a lock whose file is
+// older than lockStaleAfter (so a crashed holder cannot deadlock the swarm).
+//
+// Each holder writes a unique token into the lock file and release is
+// OWNERSHIP-AWARE: it removes the lock only if it still holds our token. After a
+// stale-break another writer may legitimately own the lock; unconditionally
+// removing it would let a third writer in and create split-brain writers that
+// can corrupt or drop mailbox updates.
+func acquireLock(lockPath string, timeout time.Duration) (func(), error) {
+	token := fmt.Sprintf("%d-%d-%d", os.Getpid(), time.Now().UnixNano(), lockSeq.Add(1))
+	deadline := time.Now().Add(timeout)
+	for {
+		f, err := os.OpenFile(lockPath, os.O_CREATE|os.O_EXCL|os.O_WRONLY, inboxFileMode)
+		if err == nil {
+			// Record our ownership token; the exclusive create already holds the
+			// lock, so a write error only weakens diagnostics, not safety.
+			_, _ = f.WriteString(token)
+			f.Close()
+			var released bool
+			return func() {
+				if released {
+					return
+				}
+				released = true
+				if data, rerr := os.ReadFile(lockPath); rerr == nil && string(data) == token {
+					os.Remove(lockPath)
+				}
+			}, nil
+		}
+		if !isLockContended(err) {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("swarm: acquire lock: %w", err)
+		}
+		// Lock held: break it if stale, otherwise wait. The break is conditional
+		// on the file's content being unchanged since we observed it, so we do not
+		// delete a lock another writer rotated in between.
+		if info, statErr := os.Stat(lockPath); statErr == nil && time.Since(info.ModTime()) > lockStaleAfter {
+			stale, _ := os.ReadFile(lockPath)
+			if data, rerr := os.ReadFile(lockPath); rerr == nil && string(data) == string(stale) {
+				os.Remove(lockPath)
+			}
+			continue
+		}
+		if time.Now().After(deadline) {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("swarm: timed out acquiring lock %s", filepath.Base(lockPath))
+		}
+		time.Sleep(20 * time.Millisecond)
+	}
+}

internal/swarm/mailbox_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,276 @@
+package swarm
+
+import (
+	"errors"
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"runtime"
+	"strings"
+	"sync"
+	"sync/atomic"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+)
+
+func newTestMailbox(t *testing.T) *Mailbox {
+	t.Helper()
+	mb, err := NewMailbox(t.TempDir())
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("NewMailbox: %v", err)
+	}
+	return mb
+}
+
+func TestSanitizeName(t *testing.T) {
+	cases := map[string]string{
+		"":           "default",
+		"   ":        "default",
+		"team-1_ok":  "team-1_ok",
+		"../../etc":  "------etc",
+		"a/b\\c":     "a-b-c",
+		"team name!": "team-name-",
+		"!!!":        "---",
+		"plain":      "plain",
+	}
+	for in, want := range cases {
+		if got := sanitizeName(in); got != want {
+			t.Errorf("sanitizeName(%q) = %q, want %q", in, got, want)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func TestMailboxSendAndConsume(t *testing.T) {
+	mb := newTestMailbox(t)
+	if err := mb.Send("team", "bob", Message{From: "alice", Body: "hello"}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Send: %v", err)
+	}
+	if err := mb.Send("team", "bob", Message{From: "alice", Body: "again"}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Send 2: %v", err)
+	}
+	msgs, err := mb.ReadAndConsume("team", "bob")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("ReadAndConsume: %v", err)
+	}
+	if len(msgs) != 2 {
+		t.Fatalf("got %d messages, want 2", len(msgs))
+	}
+	// First read returns them as unread (pre-consume snapshot), with defaults set.
+	if msgs[0].Read || msgs[0].Type != "message" || msgs[0].To != "bob" || msgs[0].Time == "" {
+		t.Fatalf("message defaults wrong: %+v", msgs[0])
+	}
+	// Second read shows them already consumed (read).
+	msgs2, err := mb.ReadAndConsume("team", "bob")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("ReadAndConsume 2: %v", err)
+	}
+	for _, m := range msgs2 {
+		if !m.Read {
+			t.Fatalf("message should be read after consume: %+v", m)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func TestMailboxReadMissingIsEmpty(t *testing.T) {
+	mb := newTestMailbox(t)
+	msgs, err := mb.ReadAndConsume("team", "nobody")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("ReadAndConsume missing: %v", err)
+	}
+	if len(msgs) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("missing inbox should be empty, got %d", len(msgs))
+	}
+}
+
+func TestMailboxOversizeMessageRejected(t *testing.T) {
+	mb := newTestMailbox(t)
+	mb.MaxMessageBytes = 64
+	err := mb.Send("team", "bob", Message{From: "a", Body: strings.Repeat("x", 1000)})
+	if !errors.Is(err, ErrMessageTooLarge) {
+		t.Fatalf("oversize Send err = %v, want ErrMessageTooLarge", err)
+	}
+	// Nothing should have been written.
+	msgs, _ := mb.ReadAndConsume("team", "bob")
+	if len(msgs) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("oversize Send must not persist, got %d messages", len(msgs))
+	}
+}
+
+func TestMailboxFullRejected(t *testing.T) {
+	mb := newTestMailbox(t)
+	mb.MaxMessages = 2
+	for i := 0; i < 2; i++ {
+		if err := mb.Send("team", "bob", Message{From: "a", Body: "ok"}); err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("Send %d: %v", i, err)
+		}
+	}
+	if err := mb.Send("team", "bob", Message{From: "a", Body: "overflow"}); !errors.Is(err, ErrMailboxFull) {
+		t.Fatalf("full Send err = %v, want ErrMailboxFull", err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestMailboxMalformedFailsClosed(t *testing.T) {
+	mb := newTestMailbox(t)
+	// Write a valid message so the inbox path exists, then corrupt the file.
+	if err := mb.Send("team", "bob", Message{From: "a", Body: "ok"}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Send: %v", err)
+	}
+	path, err := mb.inboxPath("team", "bob")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("inboxPath: %v", err)
+	}
+	if err := os.WriteFile(path, []byte("{not json"), 0o600); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("corrupt inbox: %v", err)
+	}
+	if _, err := mb.ReadAndConsume("team", "bob"); err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("malformed inbox must fail closed (error), not be treated as empty")
+	}
+	// A subsequent Send also fails closed rather than clobbering unknown data.
+	if err := mb.Send("team", "bob", Message{From: "a", Body: "x"}); err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("Send into a malformed inbox must fail closed")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestMailboxPathConfinement(t *testing.T) {
+	mb := newTestMailbox(t)
+	// A traversal-style name is sanitized into a single safe segment; the inbox
+	// stays under BaseDir.
+	path, err := mb.inboxPath("../../evil", "../escape")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("inboxPath: %v", err)
+	}
+	rel, err := filepath.Rel(mb.BaseDir, path)
+	if err != nil || strings.HasPrefix(rel, "..") {
+		t.Fatalf("inbox path escaped base dir: base=%q path=%q rel=%q", mb.BaseDir, path, rel)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestMailboxFileMode(t *testing.T) {
+	if runtime.GOOS == "windows" {
+		t.Skip("unix file modes")
+	}
+	mb := newTestMailbox(t)
+	if err := mb.Send("team", "bob", Message{From: "a", Body: "ok"}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Send: %v", err)
+	}
+	path, _ := mb.inboxPath("team", "bob")
+	info, err := os.Stat(path)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("stat: %v", err)
+	}
+	if perm := info.Mode().Perm(); perm != 0o600 {
+		t.Fatalf("inbox file mode = %o, want 600", perm)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestMailboxTightensDirPerms(t *testing.T) {
+	if runtime.GOOS == "windows" {
+		t.Skip("unix file modes")
+	}
+	base := t.TempDir()
+	// Pre-create the team + inboxes dirs with broad perms; ensureInboxDir must
+	// tighten them to 0700 despite MkdirAll leaving existing dirs untouched.
+	broad := filepath.Join(base, "team", "inboxes")
+	if err := os.MkdirAll(broad, 0o755); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("pre-create: %v", err)
+	}
+	mb, err := NewMailbox(base)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("NewMailbox: %v", err)
+	}
+	if err := mb.Send("team", "bob", Message{From: "a", Body: "ok"}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Send: %v", err)
+	}
+	for _, dir := range []string{broad, filepath.Join(base, "team")} {
+		info, err := os.Stat(dir)
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("stat %s: %v", dir, err)
+		}
+		if perm := info.Mode().Perm(); perm != 0o700 {
+			t.Fatalf("dir %s mode = %o, want 700", dir, perm)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func TestMailboxRejectsSymlinkedInboxDir(t *testing.T) {
+	if runtime.GOOS == "windows" {
+		t.Skip("symlink semantics differ")
+	}
+	base := t.TempDir()
+	outside := t.TempDir() // a dir OUTSIDE base
+	// Plant a symlink: <base>/team/inboxes -> <outside>. A lexical check passes,
+	// but the symlink-aware confinement must reject the write.
+	if err := os.MkdirAll(filepath.Join(base, "team"), 0o700); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("mkdir team: %v", err)
+	}
+	if err := os.Symlink(outside, filepath.Join(base, "team", "inboxes")); err != nil {
+		t.Skipf("symlink unsupported: %v", err)
+	}
+	mb, err := NewMailbox(base)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("NewMailbox: %v", err)
+	}
+	if err := mb.Send("team", "bob", Message{From: "a", Body: "escape"}); err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("Send into a symlinked-out inbox dir must fail closed")
+	}
+	// And nothing was written outside the base.
+	if entries, _ := os.ReadDir(outside); len(entries) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("write escaped base via symlink: %d entries in %s", len(entries), outside)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestMailboxLockReleaseIsOwnershipAware(t *testing.T) {
+	mb := newTestMailbox(t)
+	path, _ := mb.inboxPath("team", "bob")
+	if err := mb.ensureInboxDir(path); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("ensureInboxDir: %v", err)
+	}
+	lockPath := path + ".lock"
+	// Writer A acquires the lock.
+	releaseA, err := acquireLock(lockPath, time.Second)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("acquire A: %v", err)
+	}
+	// Simulate a stale-break + takeover by writer B: overwrite the lock content
+	// with B's token (as a fresh acquire after a break would).
+	if err := os.WriteFile(lockPath, []byte("writer-B-token"), 0o600); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("simulate B takeover: %v", err)
+	}
+	// A's release must NOT delete B's lock (ownership-aware).
+	releaseA()
+	if _, err := os.Stat(lockPath); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("A's release deleted B's lock (split-brain): %v", err)
+	}
+	// B's own release removes it.
+	os.Remove(lockPath)
+}
+
+func TestMailboxConcurrentSends(t *testing.T) {
+	mb := newTestMailbox(t)
+	// High fan-out + a generous lock timeout so heavy contention is exercised
+	// (and a lock regression — e.g. a Windows sharing-violation treated as fatal —
+	// would surface as lost/failed messages here rather than flaking).
+	mb.LockTimeout = 10 * time.Second
+	const n = 200
+	var wg sync.WaitGroup
+	var failures atomic.Int32
+	for i := 0; i < n; i++ {
+		wg.Add(1)
+		go func() {
+			defer wg.Done()
+			if err := mb.Send("team", "bob", Message{From: "a", Body: "concurrent"}); err != nil {
+				failures.Add(1)
+			}
+		}()
+	}
+	wg.Wait()
+	if f := failures.Load(); f != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("%d concurrent Sends failed (lock contention not handled)", f)
+	}
+	msgs, err := mb.ReadAndConsume("team", "bob")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("ReadAndConsume: %v", err)
+	}
+	if len(msgs) != n {
+		t.Fatalf("concurrent sends lost messages: got %d, want %d", len(msgs), n)
+	}
+}

internal/swarm/member.go

@@ -0,0 +1,97 @@
+package swarm
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"errors"
+	"fmt"
+)
+
+// MemberSpec is the fully-resolved instruction to launch one member. The swarm
+// builds it from a Definition + task; a MemberLauncher turns it into a running
+// agent. PermissionMode/Model carry the orchestrator's policy so the launcher
+// can never grant a member more authority than its parent.
+type MemberSpec struct {
+	// ID identifies the running member (its agent id). For a freshly spawned
+	// member this equals TaskID; after an orphan adoption a new agent (new ID)
+	// takes over the original TaskID.
+	ID             string
+	TaskID         string
+	AgentType      string
+	Team           string
+	Task           string
+	Cwd            string
+	Model          string // resolved (never the "inherit" sentinel)
+	PermissionMode string
+	SystemPrompt   string
+}
+
+// MemberResult is what a finished member returns.
+type MemberResult struct {
+	Result    string
+	SessionID string
+}
+
+// MemberHandle is a running member. Wait blocks until the member exits and
+// returns its result or error; ID identifies the member.
+type MemberHandle interface {
+	ID() string
+	Wait() (MemberResult, error)
+}
+
+// MemberLauncher turns a MemberSpec into a running member. Production wires two
+// implementations behind this seam — one over internal/specialist.Executor
+// (direct) and one over internal/daemon.Pool (when a daemon is running) — while
+// tests inject a fake. Keeping the seam here means the swarm core has no
+// compile-time dependency on either heavy subsystem.
+type MemberLauncher interface {
+	Launch(ctx context.Context, spec MemberSpec) (MemberHandle, error)
+}
+
+// RunFunc executes a member to completion. Both production launchers and tests
+// supply one; FuncLauncher adapts it to the MemberLauncher interface by running
+// it in a goroutine.
+type RunFunc func(ctx context.Context, spec MemberSpec) (MemberResult, error)
+
+// FuncLauncher is the single MemberLauncher implementation: it runs a RunFunc in
+// a goroutine and exposes a handle. Production builds one whose RunFunc calls
+// specialist.Executor.Run (or submits to daemon.Pool); tests build one whose
+// RunFunc is a stub.
+type FuncLauncher struct {
+	Run RunFunc
+}
+
+// Launch starts the RunFunc for spec and returns a handle to await it.
+func (l FuncLauncher) Launch(ctx context.Context, spec MemberSpec) (MemberHandle, error) {
+	if l.Run == nil {
+		return nil, errors.New("swarm: FuncLauncher requires a Run func")
+	}
+	h := &funcHandle{id: spec.ID, done: make(chan struct{})}
+	go func() {
+		defer close(h.done)
+		// A panic in a member's Run must fail only that member, never crash the
+		// orchestrator process. Recover and surface it as the member's error.
+		defer func() {
+			if r := recover(); r != nil {
+				h.res = MemberResult{}
+				h.err = fmt.Errorf("swarm: member %s panicked: %v", spec.ID, r)
+			}
+		}()
+		h.res, h.err = l.Run(ctx, spec)
+	}()
+	return h, nil
+}
+
+type funcHandle struct {
+	id   string
+	done chan struct{}
+	res  MemberResult
+	err  error
+}
+
+func (h *funcHandle) ID() string { return h.id }
+
+// Wait blocks until the member exits and returns its result/error.
+func (h *funcHandle) Wait() (MemberResult, error) {
+	<-h.done
+	return h.res, h.err
+}

internal/swarm/team.go

@@ -0,0 +1,360 @@
+package swarm
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"errors"
+	"fmt"
+	"strconv"
+	"strings"
+	"sync"
+	"sync/atomic"
+	"time"
+)
+
+// defaultMaxTeamSize bounds concurrently-running members per team. Spawns past
+// the cap queue and launch as slots free up (mirrors daemon.Pool's bounded,
+// on-demand worker model).
+const defaultMaxTeamSize = 8
+
+// maxMemberRestarts bounds automatic relaunches of a member that exits with a
+// temporary error, mirroring daemon.Pool's bounded backoff retries.
+const maxMemberRestarts = 2
+
+// Options configures a Swarm.
+type Options struct {
+	// BaseDir is the mailbox root (required).
+	BaseDir string
+	// Launcher turns specs into running members (required).
+	Launcher MemberLauncher
+	// Registry is the agent roster; nil => a fresh built-in registry.
+	Registry *Registry
+	// Coordinator tracks tasks; nil => a fresh coordinator.
+	Coordinator *Coordinator
+	// MaxTeamSize caps concurrent members per team; 0 => defaultMaxTeamSize.
+	MaxTeamSize int
+	// Definitions are user-defined agents to add to the roster (extending or
+	// overriding the built-ins). Empty agent types are rejected.
+	Definitions []Definition
+	// Context is the parent context for all members; members outlive the
+	// per-call tool context (a spawn returns immediately). nil => Background.
+	// Close cancels the derived context, stopping every member.
+	Context context.Context
+}
+
+// Policy is the orchestrator's live model + permission mode at spawn time. Every
+// member inherits it: a member never runs on a different model than requested,
+// nor with a more permissive mode than its parent. It is passed per call (not
+// stored on the Swarm) because the orchestrator's model/mode can change
+// mid-session (e.g. an escalate-model).
+type Policy struct {
+	Model          string
+	PermissionMode string
+}
+
+// Swarm is the façade the swarm tools call. It owns the agent roster, the task
+// coordinator, the mailbox, and the live teams, and enforces that every member
+// inherits the orchestrator's model + permission mode.
+type Swarm struct {
+	registry    *Registry
+	coord       *Coordinator
+	mailbox     *Mailbox
+	launcher    MemberLauncher
+	maxTeamSize int
+
+	baseCtx context.Context
+	cancel  context.CancelFunc
+
+	mu      sync.Mutex
+	teams   map[string]*Team
+	taskCwd map[string]string // taskID -> cwd, for handoff/adoption relaunch
+	idSeq   atomic.Uint64
+}
+
+// Team is a named set of concurrently-running members with a bounded slot count
+// and a FIFO queue for overflow spawns.
+type Team struct {
+	Name string
+
+	mu      sync.Mutex
+	members map[string]*Member
+	queue   []MemberSpec
+	running int
+	maxSize int
+}
+
+// Member is one running agent within a team.
+type Member struct {
+	ID        string
+	AgentType string
+	TaskID    string
+	handle    MemberHandle
+	restarts  int
+}
+
+// New validates options and returns a Swarm.
+func New(opts Options) (*Swarm, error) {
+	if opts.Launcher == nil {
+		return nil, errors.New("swarm: a MemberLauncher is required")
+	}
+	mb, err := NewMailbox(opts.BaseDir)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	registry := opts.Registry
+	if registry == nil {
+		registry = NewRegistry()
+	}
+	for _, def := range opts.Definitions {
+		if err := registry.Register(def); err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+	}
+	coord := opts.Coordinator
+	if coord == nil {
+		coord = NewCoordinator()
+	}
+	maxTeam := opts.MaxTeamSize
+	if maxTeam <= 0 {
+		maxTeam = defaultMaxTeamSize
+	}
+	parent := opts.Context
+	if parent == nil {
+		parent = context.Background()
+	}
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(parent)
+	return &Swarm{
+		registry:    registry,
+		coord:       coord,
+		mailbox:     mb,
+		launcher:    opts.Launcher,
+		maxTeamSize: maxTeam,
+		baseCtx:     ctx,
+		cancel:      cancel,
+		teams:       map[string]*Team{},
+		taskCwd:     map[string]string{},
+	}, nil
+}
+
+// Close cancels every running member's context and releases resources. It is
+// safe to call more than once.
+func (s *Swarm) Close() {
+	if s.cancel != nil {
+		s.cancel()
+	}
+}
+
+// rememberCwd records a task's working dir so a handoff/adoption relaunch keeps it.
+func (s *Swarm) rememberCwd(taskID, cwd string) {
+	s.mu.Lock()
+	s.taskCwd[taskID] = cwd
+	s.mu.Unlock()
+}
+
+// cwdFor returns a task's recorded working dir ("" if none).
+func (s *Swarm) cwdFor(taskID string) string {
+	s.mu.Lock()
+	defer s.mu.Unlock()
+	return s.taskCwd[taskID]
+}
+
+// Registry exposes the roster (for tool listing / user-defined registration).
+func (s *Swarm) Registry() *Registry { return s.registry }
+
+// Coordinator exposes the task registry (for status/collect).
+func (s *Swarm) Coordinator() *Coordinator { return s.coord }
+
+// Mailbox exposes the message store (for send/inbox tools).
+func (s *Swarm) Mailbox() *Mailbox { return s.mailbox }
+
+// team returns the named team, creating it on first use.
+func (s *Swarm) team(name string) *Team {
+	key := sanitizeName(name)
+	s.mu.Lock()
+	defer s.mu.Unlock()
+	t, ok := s.teams[key]
+	if !ok {
+		t = &Team{Name: key, members: map[string]*Member{}, maxSize: s.maxTeamSize}
+		s.teams[key] = t
+	}
+	return t
+}
+
+// nextID mints a stable, unique member/task id within the process.
+func (s *Swarm) nextID(agentType string) string {
+	n := s.idSeq.Add(1)
+	return sanitizeName(agentType) + "-" + strconv.FormatUint(n, 10)
+}
+
+// resolveModel folds the "inherit" sentinel into the orchestrator's model so a
+// launched member never silently runs on a different model.
+func resolveModel(pol Policy, def Definition) string {
+	if def.Model == "" || def.Model == modelInherit {
+		return pol.Model
+	}
+	return def.Model
+}
+
+// resolvePermissionMode never widens authority: a member uses its definition's
+// mode only if it is not more permissive than the orchestrator's. Unknown modes
+// fall back to the orchestrator's mode (fail closed).
+func resolvePermissionMode(pol Policy, def Definition) string {
+	if def.PermissionMode == "" {
+		return pol.PermissionMode
+	}
+	if permissionRank(def.PermissionMode) > permissionRank(pol.PermissionMode) {
+		// Definition asks for more than the parent has — clamp to the parent.
+		return pol.PermissionMode
+	}
+	return def.PermissionMode
+}
+
+// Runtime permission modes (mirror internal/agent.PermissionMode without
+// importing it, to avoid an import cycle). These are the actual values that flow
+// through tools.RunOptions.PermissionMode — NOT the TUI display names.
+const (
+	permissionModeAsk       = "ask"        // prompts for every tool (most restrictive)
+	permissionModeSpecDraft = "spec-draft" // spec-drafting only
+	permissionModeAuto      = "auto"       // auto-approve low-risk
+	permissionModeUnsafe    = "unsafe"     // approve everything (most permissive)
+)
+
+// permissionRank orders permission modes from least to most permissive so the
+// swarm can clamp a member to no more than its parent. Unknown/empty modes rank
+// as the strictest (0) so they never accidentally widen access. spec-draft
+// (which scopes a child to spec tooling) ranks below ask: it never grants more
+// authority than prompting-for-everything, so a spec-draft parent clamps members
+// hardest among the known modes.
+func permissionRank(mode string) int {
+	switch strings.TrimSpace(mode) {
+	case permissionModeSpecDraft:
+		return 1
+	case permissionModeAsk:
+		return 2
+	case permissionModeAuto:
+		return 3
+	case permissionModeUnsafe:
+		return 4
+	default:
+		return 0
+	}
+}
+
+// admit reserves a running slot for a spec, or queues it. It reports whether the
+// caller should launch immediately.
+func (t *Team) admit(spec MemberSpec) (launchNow bool) {
+	t.mu.Lock()
+	defer t.mu.Unlock()
+	if t.running < t.maxSize {
+		t.running++
+		return true
+	}
+	t.queue = append(t.queue, spec)
+	return false
+}
+
+// onExit releases a slot after a member exits and returns the next queued spec
+// (already re-reserving its slot) if one is waiting.
+func (t *Team) onExit() (MemberSpec, bool) {
+	t.mu.Lock()
+	defer t.mu.Unlock()
+	if t.running > 0 {
+		t.running--
+	}
+	if len(t.queue) > 0 && t.running < t.maxSize {
+		next := t.queue[0]
+		t.queue = t.queue[1:]
+		t.running++
+		return next, true
+	}
+	return MemberSpec{}, false
+}
+
+func (t *Team) addMember(m *Member) {
+	t.mu.Lock()
+	t.members[m.ID] = m
+	t.mu.Unlock()
+}
+
+func (t *Team) removeMember(id string) {
+	t.mu.Lock()
+	delete(t.members, id)
+	t.mu.Unlock()
+}
+
+// liveAgents returns the set of agent ids that currently have a live member, so
+// orphan detection can tell which tasks have lost their owner.
+func (t *Team) liveAgents() map[string]struct{} {
+	t.mu.Lock()
+	defer t.mu.Unlock()
+	live := make(map[string]struct{}, len(t.members))
+	for _, m := range t.members {
+		live[m.ID] = struct{}{}
+	}
+	return live
+}
+
+// QueueDepth reports how many specs are waiting for a slot (status/tests).
+func (t *Team) QueueDepth() int {
+	t.mu.Lock()
+	defer t.mu.Unlock()
+	return len(t.queue)
+}
+
+// Running reports how many members are currently occupying a slot.
+func (t *Team) Running() int {
+	t.mu.Lock()
+	defer t.mu.Unlock()
+	return t.running
+}
+
+// ErrMemberTemporary marks a member failure as transient (worker died, transient
+// I/O) so the swarm relaunches it within maxMemberRestarts, mirroring daemon
+// EXIT_TEMPFAIL semantics. Permanent failures are not retried.
+var ErrMemberTemporary = errors.New("swarm: temporary member failure")
+
+// isRetryable reports whether a member error should trigger a bounded relaunch.
+func isRetryable(err error) bool {
+	if err == nil {
+		return false
+	}
+	if errors.Is(err, ErrMemberTemporary) {
+		return true
+	}
+	var t interface{ Temporary() bool }
+	if errors.As(err, &t) {
+		return t.Temporary()
+	}
+	return false
+}
+
+// buildSpec resolves a definition + task into a launchable spec under the
+// orchestrator's policy. memberID identifies the running agent; taskID is the
+// coordinator task it serves (equal for a fresh spawn, distinct after adoption).
+func (s *Swarm) buildSpec(pol Policy, memberID, taskID, team string, def Definition, task, cwd string) MemberSpec {
+	prompt := ""
+	if def.SystemPrompt != nil {
+		prompt = def.SystemPrompt(PromptContext{Team: team, Task: task})
+	}
+	return MemberSpec{
+		ID:             memberID,
+		TaskID:         taskID,
+		AgentType:      def.AgentType,
+		Team:           team,
+		Task:           task,
+		Cwd:            cwd,
+		Model:          resolveModel(pol, def),
+		PermissionMode: resolvePermissionMode(pol, def),
+		SystemPrompt:   prompt,
+	}
+}
+
+// memberError wraps a member's failure for coordinator recording.
+func memberError(err error) string {
+	if err == nil {
+		return ""
+	}
+	return fmt.Sprintf("%v", err)
+}
+
+// nowRFC3339 is a tiny helper for mailbox handoff notes.
+func nowRFC3339() string { return time.Now().UTC().Format(time.RFC3339) }

internal/swarm/team_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,91 @@
+package swarm
+
+import "testing"
+
+func TestResolveModelInherit(t *testing.T) {
+	pol := Policy{Model: "orchestrator-model"}
+	if got := resolveModel(pol, Definition{Model: modelInherit}); got != "orchestrator-model" {
+		t.Fatalf("inherit model = %q, want orchestrator-model", got)
+	}
+	if got := resolveModel(pol, Definition{Model: ""}); got != "orchestrator-model" {
+		t.Fatalf("empty model = %q, want orchestrator-model", got)
+	}
+	if got := resolveModel(pol, Definition{Model: "explicit"}); got != "explicit" {
+		t.Fatalf("explicit model = %q, want explicit", got)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestResolvePermissionModeNeverWidens(t *testing.T) {
+	parent := Policy{PermissionMode: permissionModeAuto} // "auto"
+	// A definition asking for MORE than the parent (unsafe > auto) is clamped down.
+	if got := resolvePermissionMode(parent, Definition{PermissionMode: permissionModeUnsafe}); got != permissionModeAuto {
+		t.Fatalf("clamp = %q, want auto (never widen)", got)
+	}
+	// A definition asking for LESS keeps its stricter mode (ask < auto).
+	if got := resolvePermissionMode(parent, Definition{PermissionMode: permissionModeAsk}); got != permissionModeAsk {
+		t.Fatalf("stricter = %q, want ask", got)
+	}
+	// Empty inherits the parent.
+	if got := resolvePermissionMode(parent, Definition{PermissionMode: ""}); got != permissionModeAuto {
+		t.Fatalf("empty = %q, want auto", got)
+	}
+	// An unsafe parent still honors a stricter definition (auto < unsafe).
+	if got := resolvePermissionMode(Policy{PermissionMode: permissionModeUnsafe}, Definition{PermissionMode: permissionModeAuto}); got != permissionModeAuto {
+		t.Fatalf("unsafe parent + auto def = %q, want auto (stricter honored)", got)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestTeamAdmitAndQueue(t *testing.T) {
+	tm := &Team{Name: "t", members: map[string]*Member{}, maxSize: 2}
+	if !tm.admit(MemberSpec{ID: "a"}) || !tm.admit(MemberSpec{ID: "b"}) {
+		t.Fatal("first two admits should launch now")
+	}
+	if tm.admit(MemberSpec{ID: "c"}) {
+		t.Fatal("third admit should queue, not launch")
+	}
+	if tm.Running() != 2 || tm.QueueDepth() != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("running=%d queue=%d, want 2/1", tm.Running(), tm.QueueDepth())
+	}
+	// One exit drains the single queued spec (re-reserving its slot).
+	next, ok := tm.onExit()
+	if !ok || next.ID != "c" {
+		t.Fatalf("onExit = %+v ok=%v, want spec c", next, ok)
+	}
+	if tm.Running() != 2 || tm.QueueDepth() != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("after drain running=%d queue=%d, want 2/0", tm.Running(), tm.QueueDepth())
+	}
+	// Two more exits empty the team (no queue left).
+	if _, ok := tm.onExit(); ok {
+		t.Fatal("onExit with empty queue should not return a spec")
+	}
+	if _, ok := tm.onExit(); ok {
+		t.Fatal("onExit with empty queue should not return a spec")
+	}
+	if tm.Running() != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("running = %d, want 0", tm.Running())
+	}
+}
+
+func TestIsRetryable(t *testing.T) {
+	if isRetryable(nil) {
+		t.Fatal("nil is not retryable")
+	}
+	if !isRetryable(ErrMemberTemporary) {
+		t.Fatal("ErrMemberTemporary must be retryable")
+	}
+	if isRetryable(errPlain("permanent")) {
+		t.Fatal("a plain error is not retryable")
+	}
+	if !isRetryable(tempErr{}) {
+		t.Fatal("an error with Temporary()==true must be retryable")
+	}
+}
+
+type errPlain string
+
+func (e errPlain) Error() string { return string(e) }
+
+type tempErr struct{}
+
+func (tempErr) Error() string   { return "temp" }
+func (tempErr) Temporary() bool { return true }

internal/swarm/tools.go

@@ -0,0 +1,402 @@
+package swarm
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"errors"
+	"fmt"
+	"sort"
+	"strings"
+
+	"github.com/Gitlawb/zero/internal/tools"
+)
+
+// Tool names. All swarm tools are additive and only act when invoked; the
+// existing single "Task" tool is unchanged.
+const (
+	SpawnToolName   = "swarm_spawn"
+	SendToolName    = "swarm_send"
+	InboxToolName   = "swarm_inbox"
+	StatusToolName  = "swarm_status"
+	HandoffToolName = "swarm_handoff"
+	CollectToolName = "swarm_collect"
+)
+
+// RegisterTools registers the six swarm tools backed by one shared Swarm. The
+// caller owns the Swarm's lifetime (call Swarm.Close on shutdown).
+func RegisterTools(registry *tools.Registry, sw *Swarm) {
+	registry.Register(&spawnTool{sw: sw})
+	registry.Register(&sendTool{sw: sw})
+	registry.Register(&inboxTool{sw: sw})
+	registry.Register(&statusTool{sw: sw})
+	registry.Register(&handoffTool{sw: sw})
+	registry.Register(&collectTool{sw: sw})
+}
+
+// policyFrom derives the member-inheritance policy from the live tool options so
+// each spawned member runs on the orchestrator's current model + permission mode.
+func policyFrom(options tools.RunOptions) Policy {
+	return Policy{Model: options.Model, PermissionMode: options.PermissionMode}
+}
+
+func swarmStr(args map[string]any, key string) string {
+	if args == nil {
+		return ""
+	}
+	if v, ok := args[key]; ok {
+		if s, ok := v.(string); ok {
+			return strings.TrimSpace(s)
+		}
+	}
+	return ""
+}
+
+func okResult(output, kind, summary string) tools.Result {
+	return tools.Result{Status: tools.StatusOK, Output: output, Display: tools.Display{Kind: kind, Summary: summary}}
+}
+
+func errResult(format string, a ...any) tools.Result {
+	return tools.Result{Status: tools.StatusError, Output: "Error: " + fmt.Sprintf(format, a...)}
+}
+
+// ---- swarm_spawn -----------------------------------------------------------
+
+type spawnTool struct{ sw *Swarm }
+
+func (t *spawnTool) Name() string { return SpawnToolName }
+func (t *spawnTool) Description() string {
+	return "Spawn a swarm member of the given agent type to run a task concurrently under a team. Returns a task id immediately; results are reported through swarm_status/swarm_collect."
+}
+func (t *spawnTool) Parameters() tools.Schema {
+	return tools.Schema{
+		Type: "object",
+		Properties: map[string]tools.PropertySchema{
+			"agent_type": {Type: "string", Description: "Roster agent type to spawn (e.g. teammate, subagent)."},
+			"task":       {Type: "string", Description: "The focused task/briefing for the member."},
+			"team":       {Type: "string", Description: "Team to spawn into. Defaults to \"default\"."},
+		},
+		Required:             []string{"agent_type", "task"},
+		AdditionalProperties: false,
+	}
+}
+func (t *spawnTool) Safety() tools.Safety {
+	return tools.Safety{
+		SideEffect:      tools.SideEffectShell,
+		Permission:      tools.PermissionPrompt,
+		Reason:          "Spawns a swarm member sub-agent under the orchestrator's sandbox and policy.",
+		AdvertiseInAuto: true,
+	}
+}
+func (t *spawnTool) Run(ctx context.Context, args map[string]any) tools.Result {
+	return t.RunWithOptions(ctx, args, tools.RunOptions{})
+}
+func (t *spawnTool) RunWithOptions(_ context.Context, args map[string]any, options tools.RunOptions) tools.Result {
+	agentType := swarmStr(args, "agent_type")
+	task := swarmStr(args, "task")
+	team := swarmStr(args, "team")
+	if agentType == "" {
+		return errResult("swarm_spawn requires agent_type")
+	}
+	if task == "" {
+		return errResult("swarm_spawn requires task")
+	}
+	id, err := t.sw.Spawn(policyFrom(options), team, agentType, task, options.Cwd)
+	if err != nil {
+		if errors.Is(err, ErrUnknownAgentType) {
+			return errResult("%v; available agent types: %s", err, strings.Join(t.sw.Registry().AgentTypes(), ", "))
+		}
+		return errResult("%v", err)
+	}
+	out := fmt.Sprintf("Spawned %s as task %s on team %s.", agentType, id, displayTeam(team))
+	res := okResult(out, "swarm", out)
+	res.Meta = map[string]string{"task_id": id, "team": sanitizeName(team), "agent_type": agentType}
+	return res
+}
+
+// ---- swarm_send ------------------------------------------------------------
+
+type sendTool struct{ sw *Swarm }
+
+func (t *sendTool) Name() string { return SendToolName }
+func (t *sendTool) Description() string {
+	return "Send a message to another swarm member's inbox on a team."
+}
+func (t *sendTool) Parameters() tools.Schema {
+	return tools.Schema{
+		Type: "object",
+		Properties: map[string]tools.PropertySchema{
+			"to":      {Type: "string", Description: "Recipient member/agent id."},
+			"body":    {Type: "string", Description: "Message body."},
+			"subject": {Type: "string", Description: "Optional subject."},
+			"from":    {Type: "string", Description: "Optional sender id (the orchestrator by default)."},
+			"team":    {Type: "string", Description: "Team to send within. Defaults to \"default\"."},
+		},
+		Required:             []string{"to", "body"},
+		AdditionalProperties: false,
+	}
+}
+func (t *sendTool) Safety() tools.Safety {
+	return tools.Safety{
+		SideEffect:      tools.SideEffectWrite,
+		Permission:      tools.PermissionAllow,
+		Reason:          "Writes a message to an owner-only swarm inbox file.",
+		AdvertiseInAuto: true,
+	}
+}
+func (t *sendTool) Run(ctx context.Context, args map[string]any) tools.Result {
+	return t.RunWithOptions(ctx, args, tools.RunOptions{})
+}
+func (t *sendTool) RunWithOptions(_ context.Context, args map[string]any, _ tools.RunOptions) tools.Result {
+	to := swarmStr(args, "to")
+	body := swarmStr(args, "body")
+	if to == "" {
+		return errResult("swarm_send requires to")
+	}
+	if body == "" {
+		return errResult("swarm_send requires body")
+	}
+	team := swarmStr(args, "team")
+	from := swarmStr(args, "from")
+	if from == "" {
+		from = "orchestrator"
+	}
+	msg := Message{From: from, Subject: swarmStr(args, "subject"), Body: body}
+	if err := t.sw.Mailbox().Send(team, to, msg); err != nil {
+		return errResult("%v", err)
+	}
+	out := fmt.Sprintf("Delivered message to %s on team %s.", sanitizeName(to), displayTeam(team))
+	return okResult(out, "swarm", out)
+}
+
+// ---- swarm_inbox -----------------------------------------------------------
+
+type inboxTool struct{ sw *Swarm }
+
+func (t *inboxTool) Name() string { return InboxToolName }
+func (t *inboxTool) Description() string {
+	return "Read a member's inbox on a team. Returns all messages and marks previously-unread ones as read."
+}
+func (t *inboxTool) Parameters() tools.Schema {
+	return tools.Schema{
+		Type: "object",
+		Properties: map[string]tools.PropertySchema{
+			"agent": {Type: "string", Description: "Member/agent id whose inbox to read."},
+			"team":  {Type: "string", Description: "Team the inbox belongs to. Defaults to \"default\"."},
+		},
+		Required:             []string{"agent"},
+		AdditionalProperties: false,
+	}
+}
+func (t *inboxTool) Safety() tools.Safety {
+	return tools.Safety{
+		// Reading an inbox marks messages read (a benign metadata flip in an
+		// owner-only file), so it is classified as a write but auto-allowed.
+		SideEffect:      tools.SideEffectWrite,
+		Permission:      tools.PermissionAllow,
+		Reason:          "Reads and marks-read an owner-only swarm inbox file.",
+		AdvertiseInAuto: true,
+	}
+}
+func (t *inboxTool) Run(ctx context.Context, args map[string]any) tools.Result {
+	return t.RunWithOptions(ctx, args, tools.RunOptions{})
+}
+func (t *inboxTool) RunWithOptions(_ context.Context, args map[string]any, _ tools.RunOptions) tools.Result {
+	agent := swarmStr(args, "agent")
+	if agent == "" {
+		return errResult("swarm_inbox requires agent")
+	}
+	team := swarmStr(args, "team")
+	messages, err := t.sw.Mailbox().ReadAndConsume(team, agent)
+	if err != nil {
+		return errResult("%v", err)
+	}
+	var b strings.Builder
+	fmt.Fprintf(&b, "Inbox for %s on team %s: %d message(s)\n", sanitizeName(agent), displayTeam(team), len(messages))
+	for i, msg := range messages {
+		state := "read"
+		if !msg.Read {
+			state = "unread"
+		}
+		subject := msg.Subject
+		if subject != "" {
+			subject = " [" + subject + "]"
+		}
+		fmt.Fprintf(&b, "  [%d] (%s) from %s%s: %s\n", i, state, msg.From, subject, msg.Body)
+	}
+	out := strings.TrimRight(b.String(), "\n")
+	return okResult(out, "swarm", fmt.Sprintf("%d message(s)", len(messages)))
+}
+
+// ---- swarm_status ----------------------------------------------------------
+
+type statusTool struct{ sw *Swarm }
+
+func (t *statusTool) Name() string { return StatusToolName }
+func (t *statusTool) Description() string {
+	return "Report swarm task status: counts by state and per-task lines. Optionally scoped to one team."
+}
+func (t *statusTool) Parameters() tools.Schema {
+	return tools.Schema{
+		Type: "object",
+		Properties: map[string]tools.PropertySchema{
+			"team": {Type: "string", Description: "Optional team to scope to."},
+		},
+		AdditionalProperties: false,
+	}
+}
+func (t *statusTool) Safety() tools.Safety {
+	return tools.Safety{
+		SideEffect:      tools.SideEffectRead,
+		Permission:      tools.PermissionAllow,
+		Reason:          "Reports in-memory swarm task status.",
+		AdvertiseInAuto: true,
+	}
+}
+func (t *statusTool) Run(ctx context.Context, args map[string]any) tools.Result {
+	return t.RunWithOptions(ctx, args, tools.RunOptions{})
+}
+func (t *statusTool) RunWithOptions(_ context.Context, args map[string]any, _ tools.RunOptions) tools.Result {
+	team := swarmStr(args, "team")
+	tasks := t.sw.Coordinator().List()
+	if team != "" {
+		want := sanitizeName(team)
+		filtered := tasks[:0:0]
+		for _, task := range tasks {
+			if task.Team == want {
+				filtered = append(filtered, task)
+			}
+		}
+		tasks = filtered
+	}
+	return okResult(renderTasks(t.sw.Coordinator(), tasks, team), "swarm", fmt.Sprintf("%d task(s)", len(tasks)))
+}
+
+// ---- swarm_handoff ---------------------------------------------------------
+
+type handoffTool struct{ sw *Swarm }
+
+func (t *handoffTool) Name() string { return HandoffToolName }
+func (t *handoffTool) Description() string {
+	return "Hand a task off to a fresh member of another agent type, delivering an optional note to the new member's inbox."
+}
+func (t *handoffTool) Parameters() tools.Schema {
+	return tools.Schema{
+		Type: "object",
+		Properties: map[string]tools.PropertySchema{
+			"task_id":       {Type: "string", Description: "Task id to hand off."},
+			"to_agent_type": {Type: "string", Description: "Roster agent type to take over."},
+			"note":          {Type: "string", Description: "Optional handoff note delivered to the new member's inbox."},
+			"team":          {Type: "string", Description: "Team the task belongs to. Defaults to \"default\"."},
+		},
+		Required:             []string{"task_id", "to_agent_type"},
+		AdditionalProperties: false,
+	}
+}
+func (t *handoffTool) Safety() tools.Safety {
+	return tools.Safety{
+		SideEffect:      tools.SideEffectShell,
+		Permission:      tools.PermissionPrompt,
+		Reason:          "Spawns a replacement swarm member to take over a task, and writes the handoff note to the new member's inbox.",
+		AdvertiseInAuto: true,
+	}
+}
+func (t *handoffTool) Run(ctx context.Context, args map[string]any) tools.Result {
+	return t.RunWithOptions(ctx, args, tools.RunOptions{})
+}
+func (t *handoffTool) RunWithOptions(_ context.Context, args map[string]any, options tools.RunOptions) tools.Result {
+	taskID := swarmStr(args, "task_id")
+	to := swarmStr(args, "to_agent_type")
+	if taskID == "" {
+		return errResult("swarm_handoff requires task_id")
+	}
+	if to == "" {
+		return errResult("swarm_handoff requires to_agent_type")
+	}
+	team := swarmStr(args, "team")
+	newID, err := t.sw.Handoff(policyFrom(options), team, taskID, to, swarmStr(args, "note"))
+	if err != nil {
+		return errResult("%v", err)
+	}
+	out := fmt.Sprintf("Handed off task %s to %s as task %s on team %s.", taskID, to, newID, displayTeam(team))
+	res := okResult(out, "swarm", out)
+	res.Meta = map[string]string{"task_id": newID, "previous_task_id": taskID}
+	return res
+}
+
+// ---- swarm_collect ---------------------------------------------------------
+
+type collectTool struct{ sw *Swarm }
+
+func (t *collectTool) Name() string { return CollectToolName }
+func (t *collectTool) Description() string {
+	return "Collect the results of a team's tasks (status, result, and any error per task)."
+}
+func (t *collectTool) Parameters() tools.Schema {
+	return tools.Schema{
+		Type: "object",
+		Properties: map[string]tools.PropertySchema{
+			"team": {Type: "string", Description: "Team to collect from. Defaults to \"default\"."},
+		},
+		AdditionalProperties: false,
+	}
+}
+func (t *collectTool) Safety() tools.Safety {
+	return tools.Safety{
+		SideEffect:      tools.SideEffectRead,
+		Permission:      tools.PermissionAllow,
+		Reason:          "Reports in-memory swarm task results.",
+		AdvertiseInAuto: true,
+	}
+}
+func (t *collectTool) Run(ctx context.Context, args map[string]any) tools.Result {
+	return t.RunWithOptions(ctx, args, tools.RunOptions{})
+}
+func (t *collectTool) RunWithOptions(_ context.Context, args map[string]any, _ tools.RunOptions) tools.Result {
+	team := swarmStr(args, "team")
+	tasks := t.sw.Collect(team)
+	var b strings.Builder
+	fmt.Fprintf(&b, "Results for team %s: %d task(s)\n", displayTeam(team), len(tasks))
+	for _, task := range tasks {
+		line := fmt.Sprintf("  - %s [%s] %s", task.ID, task.Status, task.Description)
+		if task.Result != "" {
+			line += "\n      result: " + collapse(task.Result)
+		}
+		if task.Err != "" {
+			line += "\n      error: " + collapse(task.Err)
+		}
+		b.WriteString(line + "\n")
+	}
+	out := strings.TrimRight(b.String(), "\n")
+	return okResult(out, "swarm", fmt.Sprintf("%d task(s)", len(tasks)))
+}
+
+// renderTasks formats a status summary + per-task lines, colored per agent.
+func renderTasks(coord *Coordinator, tasks []Task, team string) string {
+	s := coord.Summarize()
+	var b strings.Builder
+	scope := "all teams"
+	if strings.TrimSpace(team) != "" {
+		scope = "team " + sanitizeName(team)
+	}
+	fmt.Fprintf(&b, "Swarm status (%s): %d task(s) — %d running, %d pending, %d done, %d failed, %d handed-off\n",
+		scope, len(tasks), s.Running, s.Pending, s.Done, s.Failed, s.HandedOff)
+	sorted := make([]Task, len(tasks))
+	copy(sorted, tasks)
+	sort.Slice(sorted, func(i, j int) bool { return sorted[i].ID < sorted[j].ID })
+	for _, task := range sorted {
+		fmt.Fprintf(&b, "  - %s [%s] (%s) %s\n", task.ID, task.Status, coord.Color(task.AgentID), collapse(task.Description))
+	}
+	return strings.TrimRight(b.String(), "\n")
+}
+
+// collapse trims a possibly-multiline string to a single compact line for
+// status/collect output.
+func collapse(s string) string {
+	s = strings.ReplaceAll(s, "\n", " ")
+	s = strings.Join(strings.Fields(s), " ")
+	const max = 200 // runes, not bytes — never slice mid-character
+	runes := []rune(s)
+	if len(runes) > max {
+		return string(runes[:max]) + "…"
+	}
+	return s
+}

internal/swarm/tools_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,202 @@
+package swarm
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+	"unicode/utf8"
+
+	"github.com/Gitlawb/zero/internal/tools"
+)
+
+func TestCollapseRuneSafeTruncation(t *testing.T) {
+	// 300 multi-byte runes: truncation must not split a rune (no invalid UTF-8).
+	got := collapse(strings.Repeat("🚀", 300))
+	if !utf8.ValidString(got) {
+		t.Fatalf("collapse produced invalid UTF-8: %q", got)
+	}
+	if n := utf8.RuneCountInString(got); n != 201 { // 200 runes + ellipsis
+		t.Fatalf("collapse rune count = %d, want 201", n)
+	}
+}
+
+func newToolSwarm(t *testing.T, l MemberLauncher) (*tools.Registry, *Swarm) {
+	t.Helper()
+	sw := newSwarmFor(t, l)
+	reg := tools.NewRegistry()
+	RegisterTools(reg, sw)
+	return reg, sw
+}
+
+func TestRegisterToolsRegistersAll(t *testing.T) {
+	reg, _ := newToolSwarm(t, newLauncher(okFor))
+	for _, name := range []string{SpawnToolName, SendToolName, InboxToolName, StatusToolName, HandoffToolName, CollectToolName} {
+		if _, ok := reg.Get(name); !ok {
+			t.Fatalf("tool %q not registered", name)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func TestSpawnToolThroughRegistry(t *testing.T) {
+	l := newLauncher(okFor)
+	reg, sw := newToolSwarm(t, l)
+	res := reg.RunWithOptions(context.Background(), SpawnToolName, map[string]any{
+		"agent_type": "teammate",
+		"task":       "do the thing",
+		"team":       "alpha",
+	}, tools.RunOptions{PermissionGranted: true, Model: "m1", Cwd: "/work"})
+	if res.Status != tools.StatusOK {
+		t.Fatalf("spawn result status = %v, output=%q", res.Status, res.Output)
+	}
+	id := res.Meta["task_id"]
+	if id == "" {
+		t.Fatal("spawn must return a task_id in Meta")
+	}
+	waitFor(t, "spec recorded", func() bool { return len(l.recorded()) == 1 })
+	spec := l.recorded()[0]
+	if spec.Model != "m1" || spec.Cwd != "/work" {
+		t.Fatalf("policy/cwd not threaded into member: model=%q cwd=%q", spec.Model, spec.Cwd)
+	}
+	if _, ok := sw.Coordinator().Get(id); !ok {
+		t.Fatalf("task %q not tracked by coordinator", id)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestSpawnToolRequiresPermission(t *testing.T) {
+	reg, _ := newToolSwarm(t, newLauncher(okFor))
+	// swarm_spawn is a prompt tool: without a grant the registry refuses it.
+	res := reg.RunWithOptions(context.Background(), SpawnToolName, map[string]any{
+		"agent_type": "teammate", "task": "x",
+	}, tools.RunOptions{})
+	if res.Status != tools.StatusError || !strings.Contains(res.Output, "Permission required") {
+		t.Fatalf("ungranted spawn should be refused, got status=%v output=%q", res.Status, res.Output)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestSpawnToolValidation(t *testing.T) {
+	_, sw := newToolSwarm(t, newLauncher(okFor))
+	tool := &spawnTool{sw: sw}
+	if res := tool.Run(context.Background(), map[string]any{"task": "x"}); res.Status != tools.StatusError {
+		t.Fatal("missing agent_type must error")
+	}
+	if res := tool.Run(context.Background(), map[string]any{"agent_type": "teammate"}); res.Status != tools.StatusError {
+		t.Fatal("missing task must error")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestSendAndInboxTools(t *testing.T) {
+	reg, _ := newToolSwarm(t, newLauncher(okFor))
+	send := reg.RunWithOptions(context.Background(), SendToolName, map[string]any{
+		"to": "bob", "body": "ping", "team": "alpha", "subject": "hi",
+	}, tools.RunOptions{})
+	if send.Status != tools.StatusOK {
+		t.Fatalf("send status = %v output=%q", send.Status, send.Output)
+	}
+	inbox := reg.RunWithOptions(context.Background(), InboxToolName, map[string]any{
+		"agent": "bob", "team": "alpha",
+	}, tools.RunOptions{})
+	if inbox.Status != tools.StatusOK {
+		t.Fatalf("inbox status = %v", inbox.Status)
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(inbox.Output, "ping") || !strings.Contains(inbox.Output, "[hi]") {
+		t.Fatalf("inbox output missing message: %q", inbox.Output)
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(inbox.Output, "unread") {
+		t.Fatalf("first inbox read should show unread: %q", inbox.Output)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestSendToolValidation(t *testing.T) {
+	_, sw := newToolSwarm(t, newLauncher(okFor))
+	tool := &sendTool{sw: sw}
+	if res := tool.Run(context.Background(), map[string]any{"body": "x"}); res.Status != tools.StatusError {
+		t.Fatal("missing to must error")
+	}
+	if res := tool.Run(context.Background(), map[string]any{"to": "bob"}); res.Status != tools.StatusError {
+		t.Fatal("missing body must error")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestStatusAndCollectTools(t *testing.T) {
+	reg, sw := newToolSwarm(t, newLauncher(okFor))
+	spawn := reg.RunWithOptions(context.Background(), SpawnToolName, map[string]any{
+		"agent_type": "teammate", "task": "compute", "team": "alpha",
+	}, tools.RunOptions{PermissionGranted: true, Model: "m"})
+	id := spawn.Meta["task_id"]
+	waitFor(t, "task done", func() bool {
+		task, ok := sw.Coordinator().Get(id)
+		return ok && task.Status == StatusDone
+	})
+	status := reg.RunWithOptions(context.Background(), StatusToolName, map[string]any{"team": "alpha"}, tools.RunOptions{})
+	if status.Status != tools.StatusOK || !strings.Contains(status.Output, id) {
+		t.Fatalf("status output missing task: %q", status.Output)
+	}
+	collect := reg.RunWithOptions(context.Background(), CollectToolName, map[string]any{"team": "alpha"}, tools.RunOptions{})
+	if collect.Status != tools.StatusOK || !strings.Contains(collect.Output, "ok:compute") {
+		t.Fatalf("collect output missing result: %q", collect.Output)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestSpawnToolUnknownTypeListsAvailable(t *testing.T) {
+	_, sw := newToolSwarm(t, newLauncher(okFor))
+	tool := &spawnTool{sw: sw}
+	res := tool.RunWithOptions(context.Background(), map[string]any{
+		"agent_type": "ghost", "task": "x",
+	}, tools.RunOptions{})
+	if res.Status != tools.StatusError || !strings.Contains(res.Output, "available agent types") {
+		t.Fatalf("unknown type should list available agents, got %q", res.Output)
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(res.Output, "teammate") {
+		t.Fatalf("available agents should include builtins, got %q", res.Output)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestNewWithUserDefinitions(t *testing.T) {
+	used := false
+	sw, err := New(Options{
+		BaseDir:  t.TempDir(),
+		Launcher: newLauncher(okFor),
+		Definitions: []Definition{{
+			AgentType:    "researcher",
+			SystemPrompt: func(PromptContext) string { used = true; return "research" },
+		}},
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("New with definitions: %v", err)
+	}
+	t.Cleanup(sw.Close)
+	if _, err := sw.Spawn(Policy{Model: "m"}, "team", "researcher", "find things", ""); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Spawn user-defined agent: %v", err)
+	}
+	waitFor(t, "researcher used", func() bool { return used })
+
+	// A bad definition makes New fail closed.
+	if _, err := New(Options{BaseDir: t.TempDir(), Launcher: newLauncher(okFor), Definitions: []Definition{{AgentType: "  "}}}); err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("New with a blank-agentType definition must error")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestHandoffToolThroughRegistry(t *testing.T) {
+	gate := make(chan struct{})
+	l := newLauncher(okFor)
+	l.gate = gate
+	reg, sw := newToolSwarm(t, l)
+	spawn := reg.RunWithOptions(context.Background(), SpawnToolName, map[string]any{
+		"agent_type": "teammate", "task": "long", "team": "alpha",
+	}, tools.RunOptions{PermissionGranted: true, Model: "m"})
+	origID := spawn.Meta["task_id"]
+	waitFor(t, "running", func() bool {
+		task, ok := sw.Coordinator().Get(origID)
+		return ok && task.Status == StatusRunning
+	})
+	res := reg.RunWithOptions(context.Background(), HandoffToolName, map[string]any{
+		"task_id": origID, "to_agent_type": "subagent", "note": "carry on", "team": "alpha",
+	}, tools.RunOptions{PermissionGranted: true, Model: "m"})
+	if res.Status != tools.StatusOK {
+		t.Fatalf("handoff status = %v output=%q", res.Status, res.Output)
+	}
+	if res.Meta["previous_task_id"] != origID || res.Meta["task_id"] == "" {
+		t.Fatalf("handoff meta wrong: %+v", res.Meta)
+	}
+	close(gate)
+}

internal/tools/glob.go

@@ -8,6 +8,8 @@ import (
 	"regexp"
 	"sort"
 	"strings"
+
+	"github.com/Gitlawb/zero/internal/sandbox"
 )
 
 type globTool struct {
@@ -44,6 +46,17 @@ func NewScopedGlobTool(workspaceRoot string, scope PathScope) Tool {
 }
 
 func (tool globTool) Run(_ context.Context, args map[string]any) Result {
+	return tool.runWith(args, readExcluder{})
+}
+
+// RunWithSandbox runs glob while skipping subtrees the sandbox policy denies
+// reads to (DenyRead). With no DenyRead configured the excluder is a no-op and
+// behavior is unchanged.
+func (tool globTool) RunWithSandbox(_ context.Context, args map[string]any, engine *sandbox.Engine) Result {
+	return tool.runWith(args, sandboxReadExcluder(engine))
+}
+
+func (tool globTool) runWith(args map[string]any, exclude readExcluder) Result {
 	pattern, err := aliasedStringArg(args, []string{"pattern", "glob", "match", "query", "expression"}, "", true, false)
 	if err != nil {
 		return errorResult("Error: Invalid arguments for glob: " + err.Error())
@@ -75,7 +88,7 @@ func (tool globTool) Run(_ context.Context, args map[string]any) Result {
 		return errorResult("Error running glob " + fmt.Sprintf("%q", pattern) + ": " + err.Error())
 	}
 
-	matches, err := scanGlob(root, displayRoot, matcher, includeDirs)
+	matches, err := scanGlob(root, displayRoot, matcher, includeDirs, exclude)
 	if err != nil {
 		return errorResult("Error running glob " + fmt.Sprintf("%q", pattern) + ": " + err.Error())
 	}
@@ -99,7 +112,7 @@ func (tool globTool) Run(_ context.Context, args map[string]any) Result {
 	}
 }
 
-func scanGlob(root string, displayRoot string, matcher *regexp.Regexp, includeDirs bool) ([]string, error) {
+func scanGlob(root string, displayRoot string, matcher *regexp.Regexp, includeDirs bool, exclude readExcluder) ([]string, error) {
 	matches := []string{}
 	err := filepath.WalkDir(root, func(path string, entry fs.DirEntry, walkErr error) error {
 		if walkErr != nil {
@@ -117,6 +130,10 @@ func scanGlob(root string, displayRoot string, matcher *regexp.Regexp, includeDi
 		if entry.IsDir() && shouldSkipDirectory(entry.Name()) {
 			return filepath.SkipDir
 		}
+		if entry.IsDir() && exclude.dirExcluded(path) {
+			// Skip a read-denied subtree (sandbox DenyRead) wholesale.
+			return filepath.SkipDir
+		}
 		if entry.IsDir() && !includeDirs {
 			return nil
 		}
@@ -129,6 +146,11 @@ func scanGlob(root string, displayRoot string, matcher *regexp.Regexp, includeDi
 		if !entry.IsDir() && shouldSkipWorkspaceFile(normalized) {
 			return nil
 		}
+		// A read-denied path (even an includeDirs directory with a nested allow we
+		// still descended into) must not appear in results.
+		if exclude.fileExcluded(path) {
+			return nil
+		}
 		if matcher.MatchString(normalized) {
 			match := normalized
 			// When cwd resolved to an extra (non-workspace) root, resolveScopedPath

internal/tools/grep.go

@@ -8,6 +8,8 @@ import (
 	"regexp"
 	"sort"
 	"strings"
+
+	"github.com/Gitlawb/zero/internal/sandbox"
 )
 
 type grepTool struct {
@@ -54,6 +56,18 @@ func NewScopedGrepTool(workspaceRoot string, scope PathScope) Tool {
 }
 
 func (tool grepTool) Run(_ context.Context, args map[string]any) Result {
+	return tool.runWith(args, readExcluder{})
+}
+
+// RunWithSandbox runs the search while skipping subtrees the sandbox policy
+// denies reads to (DenyRead), so grep never surfaces content from a read-denied
+// path. With no DenyRead configured the excluder is a no-op and behavior is
+// unchanged.
+func (tool grepTool) RunWithSandbox(_ context.Context, args map[string]any, engine *sandbox.Engine) Result {
+	return tool.runWith(args, sandboxReadExcluder(engine))
+}
+
+func (tool grepTool) runWith(args map[string]any, exclude readExcluder) Result {
 	pattern, err := aliasedStringArg(args, []string{"pattern", "query", "regex", "search", "expression"}, "", true, false)
 	if err != nil {
 		return errorResult("Error: Invalid arguments for grep: " + err.Error())
@@ -124,7 +138,7 @@ func (tool grepTool) Run(_ context.Context, args map[string]any) Result {
 		}
 	}
 
-	files, err := grepFiles(resolvedRoot, target, globMatcher)
+	files, err := grepFiles(resolvedRoot, target, globMatcher, exclude)
 	if err != nil {
 		return errorResult("Error running grep: " + err.Error())
 	}
@@ -225,7 +239,7 @@ func confineGrepFile(resolvedRoot string, path string) (string, string, bool) {
 	return filepath.ToSlash(relative), resolved, true
 }
 
-func grepFiles(resolvedRoot string, target string, globMatcher *regexp.Regexp) ([]string, error) {
+func grepFiles(resolvedRoot string, target string, globMatcher *regexp.Regexp, exclude readExcluder) ([]string, error) {
 	info, err := os.Stat(target)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
@@ -239,6 +253,9 @@ func grepFiles(resolvedRoot string, target string, globMatcher *regexp.Regexp) (
 		if shouldSkipWorkspaceFile(relative) {
 			return []string{}, nil
 		}
+		if exclude.fileExcluded(target) {
+			return []string{}, nil
+		}
 		// A single explicit file is matched by its base name so a pattern like
 		// "*.go" applies regardless of how deep the file sits under the workspace.
 		if globMatcher == nil || globMatcher.MatchString(filepath.Base(target)) {
@@ -265,6 +282,13 @@ func grepFiles(resolvedRoot string, target string, globMatcher *regexp.Regexp) (
 			return filepath.SkipDir
 		}
 		if entry.IsDir() {
+			// Skip a read-denied subtree (sandbox DenyRead) wholesale.
+			if exclude.dirExcluded(path) {
+				return filepath.SkipDir
+			}
+			return nil
+		}
+		if exclude.fileExcluded(path) {
 			return nil
 		}
 		// Confine each candidate through symlinks: a symlink inside the workspace

internal/tools/read_exclusions.go

@@ -0,0 +1,31 @@
+package tools
+
+import "github.com/Gitlawb/zero/internal/sandbox"
+
+// readExcluder skips read-denied paths (the sandbox DenyRead policy) during a
+// search walk. The zero value (both funcs nil) excludes nothing, so a
+// non-sandboxed search behaves exactly as before — the exclusions are opt-in and
+// only ever REMOVE results, never add them.
+type readExcluder struct {
+	file func(string) bool
+	dir  func(string) bool
+}
+
+func (e readExcluder) fileExcluded(path string) bool { return e.file != nil && e.file(path) }
+func (e readExcluder) dirExcluded(path string) bool  { return e.dir != nil && e.dir(path) }
+
+// sandboxReadExcluder builds a readExcluder from a sandbox engine's DenyRead
+// policy. The engine's read-exclusion matcher resolves the policy paths ONCE here
+// (not per visited path), and the closures reuse it for the whole walk. A nil
+// engine or an inactive (no DenyRead) policy yields the no-op excluder, so the
+// search tools keep their pre-sandbox behavior.
+func sandboxReadExcluder(engine *sandbox.Engine) readExcluder {
+	if engine == nil {
+		return readExcluder{}
+	}
+	rx := engine.ReadExclusions()
+	if !rx.Active() {
+		return readExcluder{}
+	}
+	return readExcluder{file: rx.PathExcluded, dir: rx.DirExcluded}
+}

internal/tools/read_exclusions_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,99 @@
+package tools
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/Gitlawb/zero/internal/sandbox"
+)
+
+// denyReadFixture builds a workspace with an ordinary file and a secret subtree,
+// returning the resolved workspace root and a sandbox engine whose DenyRead
+// covers the secret dir.
+func denyReadFixture(t *testing.T) (string, *sandbox.Engine) {
+	t.Helper()
+	ws, err := filepath.EvalSymlinks(t.TempDir())
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("EvalSymlinks: %v", err)
+	}
+	if err := os.WriteFile(filepath.Join(ws, "main.go"), []byte("package main\n"), 0o600); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("write main.go: %v", err)
+	}
+	secret := filepath.Join(ws, "secret")
+	if err := os.MkdirAll(secret, 0o755); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("mkdir secret: %v", err)
+	}
+	if err := os.WriteFile(filepath.Join(secret, "creds.go"), []byte("package main\n"), 0o600); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("write creds.go: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	scope, err := sandbox.NewScope(ws, nil)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("NewScope: %v", err)
+	}
+	engine := sandbox.NewEngine(sandbox.EngineOptions{
+		WorkspaceRoot: ws,
+		Policy: sandbox.Policy{
+			Mode:             sandbox.ModeEnforce,
+			EnforceWorkspace: true,
+			DenyRead:         []string{secret},
+		},
+		Scope: scope,
+	})
+	return ws, engine
+}
+
+func TestGrepSkipsDenyReadSubtree(t *testing.T) {
+	ws, engine := denyReadFixture(t)
+	tool, ok := NewGrepTool(ws).(sandboxAwareTool)
+	if !ok {
+		t.Fatal("grep tool must be sandbox-aware")
+	}
+	args := map[string]any{"pattern": "package main", "output_mode": "files_with_matches"}
+
+	// Sandboxed: the DenyRead subtree must be excluded from results.
+	sandboxed := tool.RunWithSandbox(context.Background(), args, engine)
+	if sandboxed.Status != StatusOK {
+		t.Fatalf("grep failed: %s", sandboxed.Output)
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(sandboxed.Output, "main.go") {
+		t.Fatalf("grep must still match the non-denied file, got:\n%s", sandboxed.Output)
+	}
+	if strings.Contains(sandboxed.Output, "creds.go") {
+		t.Fatalf("grep must NOT surface a DenyRead file, got:\n%s", sandboxed.Output)
+	}
+
+	// Without a sandbox, the same search includes the secret file (default behavior).
+	plain := NewGrepTool(ws).Run(context.Background(), args)
+	if !strings.Contains(plain.Output, "creds.go") {
+		t.Fatalf("non-sandboxed grep should include the secret file, got:\n%s", plain.Output)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestGlobSkipsDenyReadSubtree(t *testing.T) {
+	ws, engine := denyReadFixture(t)
+	tool, ok := NewGlobTool(ws).(sandboxAwareTool)
+	if !ok {
+		t.Fatal("glob tool must be sandbox-aware")
+	}
+	args := map[string]any{"pattern": "**/*.go"}
+
+	sandboxed := tool.RunWithSandbox(context.Background(), args, engine)
+	if sandboxed.Status != StatusOK {
+		t.Fatalf("glob failed: %s", sandboxed.Output)
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(sandboxed.Output, "main.go") {
+		t.Fatalf("glob must still match the non-denied file, got:\n%s", sandboxed.Output)
+	}
+	if strings.Contains(sandboxed.Output, "creds.go") {
+		t.Fatalf("glob must NOT surface a DenyRead file, got:\n%s", sandboxed.Output)
+	}
+
+	plain := NewGlobTool(ws).Run(context.Background(), args)
+	if !strings.Contains(plain.Output, "creds.go") {
+		t.Fatalf("non-sandboxed glob should include the secret file, got:\n%s", plain.Output)
+	}
+}

internal/tools/web_fetch.go

@@ -302,7 +302,7 @@ func webFetchRedirectPolicy(previous func(*http.Request, []*http.Request) error,
 			return fmt.Errorf("too many redirects: maximum is %d", webFetchRedirectLimit)
 		}
 		if err := validateParsedWebFetchURL(request.Context(), request.URL, resolver, gate); err != nil {
-			return fmt.Errorf("Unsafe redirect URL: %w", err)
+			return fmt.Errorf("unsafe redirect URL: %w", err)
 		}
 		if previous != nil {
 			return previous(request, via)

internal/tools/web_fetch_test.go

@@ -285,7 +285,7 @@ func TestWebFetchToolRejectsUnsafeRedirects(t *testing.T) {
 			if result.Status != StatusError {
 				t.Fatalf("expected redirect safety error, got %s: %s", result.Status, result.Output)
 			}
-			if !strings.Contains(result.Output, "Unsafe redirect URL") {
+			if !strings.Contains(result.Output, "unsafe redirect URL") {
 				t.Fatalf("expected unsafe redirect message, got %q", result.Output)
 			}
 		})
@@ -386,7 +386,9 @@ func TestWebFetchRunWithSandboxBlocksDeniedHost(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 
 	engine := zeroSandbox.NewEngine(zeroSandbox.EngineOptions{
-		Policy: zeroSandbox.Policy{Mode: zeroSandbox.ModeEnforce, Network: zeroSandbox.NetworkDeny},
+		// EnforceToolNetwork opts the in-process tool into the network policy; off
+		// (the default) would let web_fetch run despite deny.
+		Policy: zeroSandbox.Policy{Mode: zeroSandbox.ModeEnforce, Network: zeroSandbox.NetworkDeny, EnforceToolNetwork: true},
 	})
 	result := tool.RunWithSandbox(context.Background(), map[string]any{"url": "https://example.com"}, engine)
 	if result.Status != StatusError {
@@ -405,7 +407,7 @@ func TestWebFetchRunWithSandboxScopedBlocksUnlistedHost(t *testing.T) {
 	tool := newWebFetchToolWithClient(failingClient).(webFetchTool)
 
 	engine := zeroSandbox.NewEngine(zeroSandbox.EngineOptions{
-		Policy: zeroSandbox.Policy{Mode: zeroSandbox.ModeEnforce, Network: zeroSandbox.NetworkScoped, AllowedDomains: []string{"allowed.test"}},
+		Policy: zeroSandbox.Policy{Mode: zeroSandbox.ModeEnforce, Network: zeroSandbox.NetworkScoped, AllowedDomains: []string{"allowed.test"}, EnforceToolNetwork: true},
 		Backend: zeroSandbox.Backend{
 			Name: zeroSandbox.BackendSandboxExec, Available: true,
 			Executable: "/usr/bin/sandbox-exec", ScopedEgress: true,
@@ -433,7 +435,7 @@ func TestRegistryRoutesWebFetchThroughSandboxScopedPolicy(t *testing.T) {
 	registry.Register(newWebFetchToolWithClient(failingClient))
 
 	engine := zeroSandbox.NewEngine(zeroSandbox.EngineOptions{
-		Policy: zeroSandbox.Policy{Mode: zeroSandbox.ModeEnforce, Network: zeroSandbox.NetworkScoped, AllowedDomains: []string{"allowed.test"}},
+		Policy: zeroSandbox.Policy{Mode: zeroSandbox.ModeEnforce, Network: zeroSandbox.NetworkScoped, AllowedDomains: []string{"allowed.test"}, EnforceToolNetwork: true},
 		Backend: zeroSandbox.Backend{
 			Name: zeroSandbox.BackendSandboxExec, Available: true,
 			Executable: "/usr/bin/sandbox-exec", ScopedEgress: true,

internal/tools/web_search.go

@@ -276,7 +276,7 @@ func parseSearchResults(body []byte) ([]searchResult, error) {
 	convert := func(raw []rawResult) []searchResult {
 		out := make([]searchResult, 0, len(raw))
 		for _, item := range raw {
-			out = append(out, searchResult{Title: item.Title, URL: item.URL, Snippet: item.Snippet})
+			out = append(out, searchResult(item))
 		}
 		return out
 	}

internal/tools/web_search_test.go

@@ -160,18 +160,36 @@ func TestHTTPSearchBackendEndpointHost(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
-func TestWebSearchRunWithSandboxBlocksUnderDeny(t *testing.T) {
-	backend := &fakeHostedBackend{host: "search.example"}
+// TestWebSearchRunWithSandboxAllowsByDefaultUnderDeny verifies the default
+// posture: a first-party in-process tool is NOT subject to the sandbox network
+// policy unless EnforceToolNetwork is set, so web_search runs even under deny.
+func TestWebSearchRunWithSandboxAllowsByDefaultUnderDeny(t *testing.T) {
+	backend := &fakeHostedBackend{host: "search.example", results: []searchResult{{Title: "T", URL: "https://x.test"}}}
 	tool := newWebSearchToolWithBackend(backend).(webSearchTool)
 	engine := zeroSandbox.NewEngine(zeroSandbox.EngineOptions{
 		Policy: zeroSandbox.Policy{Mode: zeroSandbox.ModeEnforce, Network: zeroSandbox.NetworkDeny},
 	})
 	res := tool.RunWithSandbox(context.Background(), map[string]any{"query": "hi"}, engine)
+	if res.Status != StatusOK {
+		t.Fatalf("web_search must run by default even under deny, got %q: %s", res.Status, res.Output)
+	}
+	if !backend.called {
+		t.Fatal("search backend must be called when tool-network enforcement is off (default)")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestWebSearchRunWithSandboxBlocksUnderDenyWhenEnforced(t *testing.T) {
+	backend := &fakeHostedBackend{host: "search.example"}
+	tool := newWebSearchToolWithBackend(backend).(webSearchTool)
+	engine := zeroSandbox.NewEngine(zeroSandbox.EngineOptions{
+		Policy: zeroSandbox.Policy{Mode: zeroSandbox.ModeEnforce, Network: zeroSandbox.NetworkDeny, EnforceToolNetwork: true},
+	})
+	res := tool.RunWithSandbox(context.Background(), map[string]any{"query": "hi"}, engine)
 	if res.Status != StatusError || !strings.Contains(res.Output, "disabled") {
 		t.Fatalf("expected deny block, got %q: %s", res.Status, res.Output)
 	}
 	if backend.called {
-		t.Fatal("search backend must not be called under network deny")
+		t.Fatal("search backend must not be called under network deny when enforced")
 	}
 }
 
@@ -179,7 +197,7 @@ func TestWebSearchRunWithSandboxScopedBlocksUnlistedHost(t *testing.T) {
 	backend := &fakeHostedBackend{host: "search.example"}
 	tool := newWebSearchToolWithBackend(backend).(webSearchTool)
 	engine := zeroSandbox.NewEngine(zeroSandbox.EngineOptions{
-		Policy: zeroSandbox.Policy{Mode: zeroSandbox.ModeEnforce, Network: zeroSandbox.NetworkScoped, AllowedDomains: []string{"allowed.test"}},
+		Policy: zeroSandbox.Policy{Mode: zeroSandbox.ModeEnforce, Network: zeroSandbox.NetworkScoped, AllowedDomains: []string{"allowed.test"}, EnforceToolNetwork: true},
 		Backend: zeroSandbox.Backend{
 			Name: zeroSandbox.BackendSandboxExec, Available: true,
 			Executable: "/usr/bin/sandbox-exec", ScopedEgress: true,
@@ -198,7 +216,7 @@ func TestWebSearchRunWithSandboxScopedAllowsListedHost(t *testing.T) {
 	backend := &fakeHostedBackend{host: "search.example", results: []searchResult{{Title: "T", URL: "https://x.test"}}}
 	tool := newWebSearchToolWithBackend(backend).(webSearchTool)
 	engine := zeroSandbox.NewEngine(zeroSandbox.EngineOptions{
-		Policy: zeroSandbox.Policy{Mode: zeroSandbox.ModeEnforce, Network: zeroSandbox.NetworkScoped, AllowedDomains: []string{"search.example"}},
+		Policy: zeroSandbox.Policy{Mode: zeroSandbox.ModeEnforce, Network: zeroSandbox.NetworkScoped, AllowedDomains: []string{"search.example"}, EnforceToolNetwork: true},
 		Backend: zeroSandbox.Backend{
 			Name: zeroSandbox.BackendSandboxExec, Available: true,
 			Executable: "/usr/bin/sandbox-exec", ScopedEgress: true,

internal/tui/command_center.go

@@ -6,6 +6,8 @@ import (
 	"strings"
 	"time"
 
+	tea "github.com/charmbracelet/bubbletea"
+
 	"github.com/Gitlawb/zero/internal/config"
 	"github.com/Gitlawb/zero/internal/doctor"
 	"github.com/Gitlawb/zero/internal/modelregistry"
@@ -14,13 +16,200 @@ import (
 	zsearch "github.com/Gitlawb/zero/internal/search"
 )
 
-func (m model) doctorText() string {
-	report := doctor.Run(doctor.Options{
-		Now:      m.now,
-		Runtime:  "go",
-		Provider: m.providerProfile,
+const doctorStatusRowID = "doctor/status"
+
+func (m model) startDoctorCommand(args string) (model, tea.Cmd) {
+	connectivity, fix, help, err := parseDoctorCommandArgs(args)
+	if err != nil {
+		m.transcript = reduceTranscript(m.transcript, transcriptAction{kind: actionAppendSystem, text: doctorUsageText(commandStatusBlocked, err.Error())})
+		return m, nil
+	}
+	if help {
+		m.transcript = reduceTranscript(m.transcript, transcriptAction{kind: actionAppendSystem, text: doctorUsageText(commandStatusInfo, "Show local diagnostics for provider, model, sandbox, LSP, and backend setup.")})
+		return m, nil
+	}
+	if fix {
+		return m.startDoctorFixCommand()
+	}
+	if !connectivity {
+		m = m.setDoctorStatusRow(m.doctorText(false))
+		return m, nil
+	}
+
+	m.doctorCommandSeq++
+	id := m.doctorCommandSeq
+	snapshot := m
+	m.doctorInFlight = true
+	m.doctorFrame = 0
+	m = m.setDoctorStatusRow(m.doctorConnectivityRunningText())
+	return m, tea.Batch(func() tea.Msg {
+		return doctorCommandResultMsg{id: id, text: snapshot.doctorText(true)}
+	}, m.spinner.Tick)
+}
+
+func (m model) startDoctorFixCommand() (model, tea.Cmd) {
+	report := doctor.Run(m.doctorOptions(false))
+	if doctorReportNeedsProviderSetup(report) {
+		if m.pending {
+			m.transcript = reduceTranscript(m.transcript, transcriptAction{kind: actionAppendSystem, text: doctorFixBusyText()})
+			return m, nil
+		}
+		m.providerWizard = m.newProviderWizard()
+		m.clearSuggestions()
+		m.transcript = reduceTranscript(m.transcript, transcriptAction{kind: actionAppendSystem, text: doctorFixProviderSetupText()})
+		return m, nil
+	}
+	if doctorReportCanProbeConnectivity(report) {
+		return m.startDoctorCommand("--connectivity")
+	}
+	m.transcript = reduceTranscript(m.transcript, transcriptAction{kind: actionAppendSystem, text: doctorFixPlanText(report)})
+	return m, nil
+}
+
+func (m model) doctorText(connectivity bool) string {
+	report := doctor.Run(m.doctorOptions(connectivity))
+	return renderCommandOutput(doctorCommandOutput(report, nil))
+}
+
+func parseDoctorCommandArgs(args string) (connectivity bool, fix bool, help bool, err error) {
+	for _, field := range strings.Fields(args) {
+		switch strings.ToLower(field) {
+		case "--connectivity", "connectivity":
+			connectivity = true
+		case "--fix", "fix":
+			fix = true
+		case "-h", "--help", "help":
+			help = true
+		default:
+			return false, false, false, fmt.Errorf("unknown doctor flag %q", field)
+		}
+	}
+	if connectivity && fix {
+		return false, false, false, fmt.Errorf("choose either %q or %q, not both", "fix", "--connectivity")
+	}
+	return connectivity, fix, help, nil
+}
+
+func doctorReportNeedsProviderSetup(report doctor.Report) bool {
+	for _, id := range []string{"provider.config", "provider.model"} {
+		if check := report.Check(id); check != nil && check.Status == doctor.StatusFail {
+			return true
+		}
+	}
+	return false
+}
+
+func doctorReportCanProbeConnectivity(report doctor.Report) bool {
+	check := report.Check("provider.connectivity")
+	return check != nil && check.Status != doctor.StatusPass
+}
+
+func doctorUsageText(status commandStatus, message string) string {
+	return renderCommandOutput(commandOutput{
+		Title:  "Diagnostics",
+		Status: status,
+		Sections: []commandSection{{
+			Title: "Usage",
+			Lines: []string{
+				message,
+				"/doctor",
+				"/doctor fix",
+				"/doctor --connectivity",
+				"/health",
+			},
+		}},
 	})
-	return doctor.Format(report)
+}
+
+func doctorFixProviderSetupText() string {
+	return renderCommandOutput(commandOutput{
+		Title:  "Diagnostics fix",
+		Status: commandStatusInfo,
+		Sections: []commandSection{{
+			Title: "Provider",
+			Lines: []string{"Opening provider setup. Choose a provider, add credentials, then select a model."},
+		}},
+		Hints: []string{"Esc closes setup"},
+	})
+}
+
+func doctorFixBusyText() string {
+	return renderCommandOutput(commandOutput{
+		Title:  "Diagnostics fix",
+		Status: commandStatusWarning,
+		Sections: []commandSection{{
+			Title: "Provider",
+			Lines: []string{"Cannot open provider setup while a run is active."},
+		}},
+		Hints: []string{"stop the current run, then retry /doctor fix"},
+	})
+}
+
+func doctorFixPlanText(report doctor.Report) string {
+	return renderCommandOutput(commandOutput{
+		Title:  "Diagnostics fix",
+		Status: doctorCommandStatus(report),
+		Sections: []commandSection{{
+			Title: "Next actions",
+			Lines: doctorFixLines(report),
+		}},
+		Hints: []string{"run /doctor --connectivity to recheck provider health"},
+	})
+}
+
+func doctorFixLines(report doctor.Report) []string {
+	lines := []string{}
+	hasIssue := false
+	for _, check := range report.Checks {
+		if check.Status == doctor.StatusPass {
+			continue
+		}
+		hasIssue = true
+		switch check.ID {
+		case "sandbox.backend":
+			lines = append(lines, "native sandbox: use WSL2 or a Linux container on Windows")
+		case "lsp.servers":
+			lines = append(lines, "language servers: install missing LSP binaries on PATH")
+		case "provider.connectivity":
+			lines = append(lines, "provider connectivity: run /doctor --connectivity")
+		case "config.files", "config.validation":
+			lines = append(lines, "config: run /provider to create or repair provider config")
+		}
+	}
+	if len(lines) == 0 {
+		if hasIssue {
+			return []string{"No automatic fixes are available for the detected diagnostics."}
+		}
+		return []string{"No automatic fixes are available because diagnostics are already clean."}
+	}
+	return lines
+}
+
+func (m model) doctorConnectivityRunningText() string {
+	return strings.Join([]string{
+		"Checking provider",
+		"Zero is probing the active endpoint. Keep typing; messages will queue until the check finishes.",
+		m.doctorAnimationLine(),
+		"provider: " + displayValue(m.providerName, displayValue(m.providerProfile.Name, "unknown")),
+		"model: " + displayValue(m.modelName, displayValue(m.providerProfile.Model, "unknown")),
+	}, "\n")
+}
+
+func (m model) doctorAnimationLine() string {
+	frame := compactFrames[m.doctorFrame%len(compactFrames)]
+	return frame + " checking provider connectivity..."
+}
+
+func (m model) setDoctorStatusRow(text string) model {
+	row := transcriptRow{kind: rowSystem, id: doctorStatusRowID, tool: "doctor", text: text}
+	for i := len(m.transcript) - 1; i >= 0; i-- {
+		if m.transcript[i].id == doctorStatusRowID {
+			m.transcript[i] = row
+			return m
+		}
+	}
+	m.transcript = appendTranscriptRow(m.transcript, row)
+	return m
 }
 
 func (m model) searchText(query string) string {

internal/tui/command_output.go

@@ -39,6 +39,105 @@ type commandRow struct {
 	Text string
 }
 
+type commandCard struct {
+	Title    string
+	Summary  []string
+	Sections []commandCardSection
+	Actions  []string
+}
+
+type commandCardSection struct {
+	Title  string
+	Fields []commandField
+	Lines  []string
+	Rows   []commandRow
+}
+
+const commandCardTranscriptPrefix = "\x00command-card\x00"
+
+func renderCommandCardTranscript(card commandCard) string {
+	return commandCardTranscriptPrefix + renderCommandCard(card)
+}
+
+func commandCardTranscriptPayload(text string) (string, bool) {
+	if !strings.HasPrefix(text, commandCardTranscriptPrefix) {
+		return text, false
+	}
+	return strings.TrimPrefix(text, commandCardTranscriptPrefix), true
+}
+
+func renderCommandCard(card commandCard) string {
+	lines := []string{}
+
+	title := compactCommandOutputText(card.Title)
+	if title == "" {
+		title = "Zero"
+	}
+	lines = append(lines, title)
+
+	if summary := compactCommandCardList(card.Summary); len(summary) > 0 {
+		lines = append(lines, strings.Join(summary, " | "))
+	}
+
+	for _, section := range card.Sections {
+		lines = append(lines, formatCommandCardSection(section)...)
+	}
+
+	if actions := compactCommandCardList(card.Actions); len(actions) > 0 {
+		lines = append(lines, "actions: "+strings.Join(actions, " | "))
+	}
+
+	return strings.Join(lines, "\n")
+}
+
+func formatCommandCardSection(section commandCardSection) []string {
+	lines := []string{}
+
+	if title := compactCommandOutputText(section.Title); title != "" {
+		lines = append(lines, title)
+	}
+
+	keyWidth := 0
+	fields := make([]commandField, 0, len(section.Fields))
+	for _, field := range section.Fields {
+		key := compactCommandOutputText(field.Key)
+		value := compactCommandOutputText(field.Value)
+		if key == "" || value == "" {
+			continue
+		}
+		if len(key) > keyWidth {
+			keyWidth = len(key)
+		}
+		fields = append(fields, commandField{Key: key, Value: value})
+	}
+	for _, field := range fields {
+		lines = append(lines, "  "+field.Key+strings.Repeat(" ", keyWidth-len(field.Key)+2)+field.Value)
+	}
+
+	for _, line := range section.Lines {
+		if text := compactCommandOutputText(line); text != "" {
+			lines = append(lines, "  "+text)
+		}
+	}
+	for _, row := range section.Rows {
+		if text := compactCommandOutputText(row.Text); text != "" {
+			lines = append(lines, "  - "+text)
+		}
+	}
+
+	return lines
+}
+
+func compactCommandCardList(values []string) []string {
+	compacted := make([]string, 0, len(values))
+	for _, value := range values {
+		if text := compactCommandOutputText(value); text != "" {
+			compacted = append(compacted, text)
+		}
+	}
+	return compacted
+}
+
 func formatCommandOutput(output commandOutput) string {
 	lines := []string{}
 

internal/tui/command_output_test.go

@@ -49,6 +49,81 @@ func TestFormatCommandOutputRendersSectionsFieldsRowsAndHints(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+func TestFormatCommandCardRendersBoundedDashboard(t *testing.T) {
+	got := renderCommandCard(commandCard{
+		Title:   "Context",
+		Summary: []string{"go runtime", "ask permissions", "1 tool"},
+		Sections: []commandCardSection{
+			{
+				Title: "Runtime",
+				Fields: []commandField{
+					{Key: "cwd", Value: `D:\repo`},
+					{Key: "provider", Value: "openai"},
+				},
+			},
+			{
+				Title: "Tools",
+				Fields: []commandField{
+					{Key: "registered", Value: "1"},
+				},
+			},
+		},
+		Actions: []string{"/permissions manage access", "/tools inspect catalog"},
+	})
+
+	want := strings.Join([]string{
+		"Context",
+		"go runtime | ask permissions | 1 tool",
+		"Runtime",
+		"  cwd       D:\\repo",
+		"  provider  openai",
+		"Tools",
+		"  registered  1",
+		"actions: /permissions manage access | /tools inspect catalog",
+	}, "\n")
+
+	if got != want {
+		t.Fatalf("unexpected command card:\nwant:\n%s\n\ngot:\n%s", want, got)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestFormatCommandCardRedactsTokenLikeText(t *testing.T) {
+	got := renderCommandCard(commandCard{
+		Title:   "Context",
+		Summary: []string{"provider sk-proj-summary-secret-value"},
+		Sections: []commandCardSection{
+			{
+				Title: "Runtime",
+				Fields: []commandField{
+					{Key: "api key", Value: "sk-ant-api03-abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz"},
+				},
+				Lines: []string{
+					"google token AIza1234567890abcdef",
+				},
+				Rows: []commandRow{
+					{Text: "shell used sk-proj-row-secret-value"},
+				},
+			},
+		},
+		Actions: []string{"retry with sk-proj-action-secret-value"},
+	})
+
+	for _, secret := range []string{
+		"sk-proj-summary-secret-value",
+		"sk-ant-api03-abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz",
+		"AIza1234567890abcdef",
+		"sk-proj-row-secret-value",
+		"sk-proj-action-secret-value",
+	} {
+		if strings.Contains(got, secret) {
+			t.Fatalf("expected token-like text to be redacted, got:\n%s", got)
+		}
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(got, "[REDACTED]") {
+		t.Fatalf("expected redacted marker in command card, got:\n%s", got)
+	}
+}
+
 func TestFormatCommandOutputSupportsAllStatuses(t *testing.T) {
 	tests := []struct {
 		name   string

internal/tui/command_polish_test.go

@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ package tui
 
 import (
 	"context"
+	"errors"
 	"path/filepath"
 	"strings"
 	"testing"
@@ -107,6 +108,139 @@ func TestProviderCommandRedactsCredentialBearingBaseURL(t *testing.T) {
 	assertContains(t, text, "base url: https://proxy.local/v1?api_key=[REDACTED]")
 }
 
+func TestToolsCommandRendersCommandCard(t *testing.T) {
+	m := newModel(context.Background(), Options{
+		Registry: tools.NewRegistry(),
+	})
+	m.input.SetValue("/tools")
+
+	updated, cmd := m.Update(tea.KeyMsg{Type: tea.KeyEnter})
+	next := updated.(model)
+
+	if cmd != nil {
+		t.Fatal("expected /tools to be handled without starting an agent run")
+	}
+	emptyText := transcriptText(next.transcript)
+	for _, want := range []string{
+		"Tools",
+		"0 registered | no tools available",
+		"Registry",
+		"registered  0",
+		"actions: /mcp manage servers | /permissions manage access",
+	} {
+		assertContains(t, emptyText, want)
+	}
+	assertNotContains(t, emptyText, "status: warning")
+	assertNotContains(t, emptyText, "registered tools:")
+
+	registry := tools.NewRegistry()
+	registry.Register(tools.NewReadFileTool("."))
+	m = newModel(context.Background(), Options{
+		Registry: registry,
+	})
+	m.input.SetValue("/tools")
+
+	updated, cmd = m.Update(tea.KeyMsg{Type: tea.KeyEnter})
+	next = updated.(model)
+
+	if cmd != nil {
+		t.Fatal("expected /tools to be handled without starting an agent run")
+	}
+	toolsText := transcriptText(next.transcript)
+	for _, want := range []string{
+		"Tools",
+		"1 registered | registered catalog",
+		"Registry",
+		"registered  1",
+		"Available",
+		"- read_file",
+		"actions: /mcp manage servers | /permissions manage access",
+	} {
+		assertContains(t, toolsText, want)
+	}
+	assertNotContains(t, toolsText, "status: ok")
+	assertNotContains(t, toolsText, "registered tools:")
+}
+
+func TestToolsCommandCardHandlesNilRegistry(t *testing.T) {
+	text := model{}.toolsText()
+
+	for _, want := range []string{
+		"Tools",
+		"0 registered | no tools available",
+		"registered  0",
+	} {
+		assertContains(t, text, want)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestToolsCommandShowsFullSortedCatalog(t *testing.T) {
+	registry := tools.NewRegistry()
+	for _, name := range []string{
+		"write_file",
+		"read_file",
+		"grep",
+		"glob",
+		"edit_file",
+		"apply_patch",
+		"bash",
+		"web_search",
+		"web_fetch",
+	} {
+		registry.Register(commandTestMCPTool{name: name, description: name + " tool"})
+	}
+
+	m := newModel(context.Background(), Options{
+		Registry: registry,
+	})
+	m.input.SetValue("/tools")
+
+	updated, cmd := m.Update(tea.KeyMsg{Type: tea.KeyEnter})
+	next := updated.(model)
+
+	if cmd != nil {
+		t.Fatal("expected /tools to be handled without starting an agent run")
+	}
+	text := transcriptText(next.transcript)
+	for _, want := range []string{
+		"9 registered | registered catalog",
+		"- apply_patch",
+		"- bash",
+		"- edit_file",
+		"- glob",
+		"- grep",
+		"- read_file",
+		"- web_fetch",
+		"- web_search",
+		"- write_file",
+	} {
+		assertContains(t, text, want)
+	}
+	assertNotContains(t, text, "... 1 more")
+
+	previous := -1
+	for _, want := range []string{
+		"- apply_patch",
+		"- bash",
+		"- edit_file",
+		"- glob",
+		"- grep",
+		"- read_file",
+		"- web_fetch",
+		"- web_search",
+		"- write_file",
+	} {
+		current := strings.Index(text, want)
+		if current < 0 {
+			t.Fatalf("expected tools output to contain %q, got:\n%s", want, text)
+		}
+		if current <= previous {
+			t.Fatalf("expected tools output to keep sorted order at %q, got:\n%s", want, text)
+		}
+		previous = current
+	}
+}
+
 func TestContextAndPermissionsCommandsRenderProductState(t *testing.T) {
 	registry := tools.NewRegistry()
 	registry.Register(tools.NewReadFileTool("."))
@@ -140,9 +274,24 @@ func TestContextAndPermissionsCommandsRenderProductState(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatal("expected /context to be handled without starting an agent run")
 	}
 	contextText := transcriptText(next.transcript)
-	for _, want := range []string{"Context", "status: ok", "Runtime", "Session", "Tools", "cwd: D:\\codings\\Opensource\\Zero", "registered tools: 1"} {
+	for _, want := range []string{
+		"Context",
+		"go runtime | ask permissions | 1 tool",
+		"Runtime",
+		"cwd        D:\\codings\\Opensource\\Zero",
+		"provider   openai",
+		"model      gpt-4.1",
+		"Session",
+		"active      none",
+		"compaction  idle",
+		"Tools",
+		"registered  1",
+		"actions: /permissions manage access | /tools inspect catalog",
+	} {
 		assertContains(t, contextText, want)
 	}
+	assertNotContains(t, contextText, "status: ok")
+	assertNotContains(t, contextText, "permission mode:")
 
 	next.input.SetValue("/permissions")
 	updated, cmd = next.Update(tea.KeyMsg{Type: tea.KeyEnter})
@@ -151,10 +300,88 @@ func TestContextAndPermissionsCommandsRenderProductState(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatal("expected /permissions to be handled without starting an agent run")
 	}
 	permissionText := transcriptText(next.transcript)
-	for _, want := range []string{"Permissions", "status: ok", "Permission mode: ask", "persistent grants: 1", "bash [allow/high]", "[REDACTED]"} {
+	for _, want := range []string{
+		"Permissions",
+		"ask permissions",
+		"1 persistent grant",
+		"State",
+		"mode  ask",
+		"Grants",
+		"bash [allow/high]",
+		"[REDACTED]",
+	} {
 		assertContains(t, permissionText, want)
 	}
 	assertNotContains(t, permissionText, "sk-proj-sensitive")
+	assertNotContains(t, permissionText, "status: ok")
+	assertNotContains(t, permissionText, "Permission mode:")
+}
+
+// stubGrantStore is a minimal test double for sandbox.GrantStore. It only
+// implements List, which is enough to exercise the error path of
+// permissionsText().
+type stubGrantStore struct {
+	listErr error
+}
+
+func (store *stubGrantStore) List() ([]sandbox.Grant, error) {
+	return nil, store.listErr
+}
+
+func TestPermissionsCommandCardHandlesNilStoreAndEmptyGrants(t *testing.T) {
+	nilStore := model{permissionMode: agent.PermissionModeAuto}.permissionsText()
+	for _, want := range []string{
+		"Permissions",
+		"auto permissions",
+		"grants unavailable",
+		"mode  auto",
+		"persistent grants: unavailable",
+	} {
+		assertContains(t, nilStore, want)
+	}
+	assertNotContains(t, nilStore, "status: warning")
+
+	store, err := sandbox.NewGrantStore(sandbox.StoreOptions{FilePath: filepath.Join(t.TempDir(), "empty-grants.json")})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("NewGrantStore returned error: %v", err)
+	}
+	emptyText := model{permissionMode: agent.PermissionModeAsk, sandboxStore: store}.permissionsText()
+	for _, want := range []string{
+		"Permissions",
+		"ask permissions",
+		"no persistent grants",
+		"mode  ask",
+		"none",
+	} {
+		assertContains(t, emptyText, want)
+	}
+	assertNotContains(t, emptyText, "status: info")
+
+	errStore := &stubGrantStore{listErr: errors.New("storage failure")}
+	errText := model{permissionMode: agent.PermissionModeAsk}.permissionsTextWithStore(errStore)
+	for _, want := range []string{
+		"Permissions",
+		"ask permissions",
+		"grants error",
+		"mode  ask",
+		"error: storage failure",
+	} {
+		assertContains(t, errText, want)
+	}
+	assertNotContains(t, errText, "status: blocked")
+}
+
+func TestContextCommandCardHandlesNilRegistryAndStableStyle(t *testing.T) {
+	text := model{}.contextText()
+
+	for _, want := range []string{
+		"Context",
+		"0 tools",
+		"style      balanced",
+		"root        unknown",
+	} {
+		assertContains(t, text, want)
+	}
 }
 
 func TestCompactCommandAvoidsShellOnlyPlaceholder(t *testing.T) {

internal/tui/command_views.go

@@ -10,40 +10,54 @@ import (
 
 	"github.com/Gitlawb/zero/internal/config"
 	"github.com/Gitlawb/zero/internal/providercatalog"
+	"github.com/Gitlawb/zero/internal/sandbox"
+	"github.com/Gitlawb/zero/internal/tools"
 	"github.com/Gitlawb/zero/internal/zerocommands"
 )
 
 func (m model) toolsText() string {
-	registered := m.registry.All()
+	registered := m.registeredTools()
+	count := len(registered)
 	if len(registered) == 0 {
-		return renderCommandOutput(commandOutput{
-			Title:  "Tools",
-			Status: commandStatusWarning,
-			Sections: []commandSection{{
+		return renderCommandCardTranscript(commandCard{
+			Title:   "Tools",
+			Summary: []string{"0 registered", "no tools available"},
+			Sections: []commandCardSection{{
 				Title: "Registry",
-				Lines: []string{"registered tools: 0"},
+				Fields: []commandField{
+					{Key: "registered", Value: "0"},
+				},
 			}},
+			Actions: []string{"/mcp manage servers", "/permissions manage access"},
 		})
 	}
 
-	names := make([]string, 0, len(registered))
+	names := make([]string, 0, count)
 	for _, tool := range registered {
-		names = append(names, commandBullet(tool.Name()))
+		names = append(names, tool.Name())
 	}
 	sort.Strings(names)
-	return renderCommandOutput(commandOutput{
-		Title:  "Tools",
-		Status: commandStatusOK,
-		Sections: []commandSection{
+	available := make([]string, 0, len(names))
+	for _, name := range names {
+		available = append(available, commandBullet(name))
+	}
+
+	return renderCommandCardTranscript(commandCard{
+		Title:   "Tools",
+		Summary: []string{fmt.Sprintf("%d registered", count), "registered catalog"},
+		Sections: []commandCardSection{
 			{
 				Title: "Registry",
-				Lines: []string{fmt.Sprintf("registered tools: %d", len(names))},
+				Fields: []commandField{
+					{Key: "registered", Value: fmt.Sprint(count)},
+				},
 			},
 			{
 				Title: "Available",
-				Lines: names,
+				Lines: available,
 			},
 		},
+		Actions: []string{"/mcp manage servers", "/permissions manage access"},
 	})
 }
 
@@ -247,35 +261,57 @@ func splitMCPCommandArgs(args string) ([]string, error) {
 }
 
 func (m model) permissionsText() string {
-	stateLines := []string{
-		"Permission mode: " + string(m.permissionMode),
-	}
 	if m.sandboxStore == nil {
-		return renderCommandOutput(commandOutput{
-			Title:  "Permissions",
-			Status: commandStatusWarning,
-			Sections: []commandSection{
-				{Title: "State", Lines: stateLines},
-				{Title: "Sandbox grants:", Lines: []string{"persistent grants: unavailable"}},
+		return m.permissionsTextWithStore(nil)
+	}
+	return m.permissionsTextWithStore(m.sandboxStore)
+}
+
+func (m model) permissionsTextWithStore(store grantLister) string {
+	mode := string(m.permissionMode)
+	if store == nil {
+		return renderCommandCardTranscript(commandCard{
+			Title:   "Permissions",
+			Summary: []string{mode + " permissions", "grants unavailable"},
+			Sections: []commandCardSection{
+				{
+					Title: "State",
+					Fields: []commandField{
+						{Key: "mode", Value: mode},
+					},
+				},
+				{
+					Title: "Grants",
+					Lines: []string{"persistent grants: unavailable"},
+				},
 			},
 		})
 	}
 
-	grants, err := m.sandboxStore.List()
+	grants, err := store.List()
 	if err != nil {
-		return renderCommandOutput(commandOutput{
-			Title:  "Permissions",
-			Status: commandStatusBlocked,
-			Sections: []commandSection{
-				{Title: "State", Lines: stateLines},
-				{Title: "Sandbox grants:", Lines: []string{"error: " + err.Error()}},
+		return renderCommandCardTranscript(commandCard{
+			Title:   "Permissions",
+			Summary: []string{mode + " permissions", "grants error"},
+			Sections: []commandCardSection{
+				{
+					Title: "State",
+					Fields: []commandField{
+						{Key: "mode", Value: mode},
+					},
+				},
+				{
+					Title: "Grants",
+					Lines: []string{"error: " + err.Error()},
+				},
 			},
 		})
 	}
+
 	snapshots := zerocommands.SandboxGrantSnapshots(grants)
-	grantLines := []string{fmt.Sprintf("persistent grants: %d", len(snapshots))}
+	grantRows := []commandRow{}
 	if len(snapshots) == 0 {
-		grantLines = append(grantLines, "none")
+		grantRows = append(grantRows, commandRow{Text: "none"})
 	} else {
 		for _, grant := range snapshots {
 			line := fmt.Sprintf("%s [%s/%s]", grant.ToolName, grant.Decision, grant.MaxAutonomy)
@@ -285,19 +321,45 @@ func (m model) permissionsText() string {
 			if grant.Reason != "" {
 				line += " - " + grant.Reason
 			}
-			grantLines = append(grantLines, commandBullet(line))
+			grantRows = append(grantRows, commandRow{Text: line})
 		}
 	}
-	return renderCommandOutput(commandOutput{
-		Title:  "Permissions",
-		Status: commandStatusOK,
-		Sections: []commandSection{
-			{Title: "State", Lines: stateLines},
-			{Title: "Sandbox grants:", Lines: grantLines},
+
+	return renderCommandCardTranscript(commandCard{
+		Title:   "Permissions",
+		Summary: []string{mode + " permissions", formatGrantCount(len(snapshots))},
+		Sections: []commandCardSection{
+			{
+				Title: "State",
+				Fields: []commandField{
+					{Key: "mode", Value: mode},
+				},
+			},
+			{
+				Title: "Grants",
+				Rows:  grantRows,
+			},
 		},
 	})
 }
 
+// grantLister is the subset of sandbox.GrantStore used by permissionsText().
+// It exists to let tests inject error-stub stores without reaching for a real
+// filesystem path.
+type grantLister interface {
+	List() ([]sandbox.Grant, error)
+}
+
+func formatGrantCount(count int) string {
+	if count == 0 {
+		return "no persistent grants"
+	}
+	if count == 1 {
+		return "1 persistent grant"
+	}
+	return fmt.Sprintf("%d persistent grants", count)
+}
+
 func (m model) providerText() string {
 	profileLines := []string{
 		"provider: " + displayValue(m.providerName, "none"),
@@ -461,42 +523,75 @@ func (m model) modelText(args string) string {
 }
 
 func (m model) contextText() string {
-	toolCount := len(m.registry.All())
-	return renderCommandOutput(commandOutput{
-		Title:  "Context",
-		Status: commandStatusOK,
-		Sections: []commandSection{
+	toolCount := len(m.registeredTools())
+	return renderCommandCardTranscript(commandCard{
+		Title: "Context",
+		Summary: []string{
+			"go runtime",
+			string(m.permissionMode) + " permissions",
+			pluralizeCount(toolCount, "tool", "tools"),
+		},
+		Sections: []commandCardSection{
 			{
 				Title: "Runtime",
-				Lines: []string{
-					"cwd: " + displayValue(m.cwd, "unknown"),
-					"provider: " + displayValue(m.providerName, "none"),
-					"model: " + displayValue(m.modelName, "none"),
-					"permission mode: " + string(m.permissionMode),
-					"effort: " + m.effortDisplay(),
-					"style: " + m.responseStyle,
-					"usage: " + m.usageSummaryText(),
-					fmt.Sprintf("max turns: %d", m.agentOptions.MaxTurns),
+				Fields: []commandField{
+					{Key: "cwd", Value: displayValue(m.cwd, "unknown")},
+					{Key: "provider", Value: displayValue(m.providerName, "none")},
+					{Key: "model", Value: displayValue(m.modelName, "none")},
+					{Key: "effort", Value: m.effortDisplay()},
+					{Key: "style", Value: displayValue(m.responseStyle, defaultResponseStyle)},
+					{Key: "usage", Value: m.usageSummaryText()},
+					{Key: "max turns", Value: fmt.Sprint(m.agentOptions.MaxTurns)},
 				},
 			},
 			{
 				Title: "Session",
-				Lines: []string{
-					"active session: " + displayValue(m.activeSession.SessionID, "none"),
-					"session root: " + displayValue(m.sessionStore.RootDir, "unknown"),
-					"compaction: " + m.compactionStatus(),
+				Fields: []commandField{
+					{Key: "active", Value: displayValue(m.activeSession.SessionID, "none")},
+					{Key: "root", Value: displayValue(m.sessionRootDir(), "unknown")},
+					{Key: "compaction", Value: contextCompactionStatus(m.compactionStatus())},
 				},
 			},
 			{
 				Title: "Tools",
-				Lines: []string{
-					fmt.Sprintf("registered tools: %d", toolCount),
+				Fields: []commandField{
+					{Key: "registered", Value: fmt.Sprint(toolCount)},
 				},
 			},
 		},
+		Actions: []string{"/permissions manage access", "/tools inspect catalog"},
 	})
 }
 
+func (m model) registeredTools() []tools.Tool {
+	if m.registry == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	return m.registry.All()
+}
+
+func (m model) sessionRootDir() string {
+	if m.sessionStore == nil {
+		return ""
+	}
+	return m.sessionStore.RootDir
+}
+
+func pluralizeCount(count int, singular string, plural string) string {
+	label := plural
+	if count == 1 {
+		label = singular
+	}
+	return fmt.Sprintf("%d %s", count, label)
+}
+
+func contextCompactionStatus(status string) string {
+	if status == "not compacted" {
+		return "idle"
+	}
+	return status
+}
+
 func (m model) configText() string {
 	return renderCommandOutput(commandOutput{
 		Title:  "Config",

internal/tui/commands.go

@@ -210,11 +210,19 @@ var commandDefinitions = []commandDefinition{
 		description: "Show or set post-edit self-correction depth (LSP-only default; on/tests/full add the project test plan; off/lsp disable tests, LSP-only).",
 		kind:        commandSelfCorrect,
 	},
+	{
+		name:        "/help",
+		usage:       "/help",
+		group:       commandGroupMeta,
+		description: "Show available commands.",
+		kind:        commandHelp,
+	},
 	{
 		name:        "/doctor",
-		usage:       "/doctor",
+		aliases:     []string{"/health"},
+		usage:       "/doctor [fix|--connectivity]",
 		group:       commandGroupRuntime,
-		description: "Show local diagnostics.",
+		description: "Show diagnostics, open safe fixes, or run provider connectivity checks.",
 		kind:        commandDoctor,
 	},
 	{
@@ -246,13 +254,6 @@ var commandDefinitions = []commandDefinition{
 		description: "Show input style state.",
 		kind:        commandInputStyle,
 	},
-	{
-		name:        "/help",
-		usage:       "/help",
-		group:       commandGroupMeta,
-		description: "Show available commands.",
-		kind:        commandHelp,
-	},
 	{
 		name:        "/exit",
 		aliases:     []string{"/quit"},

internal/tui/doctor_command_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,345 @@
+package tui
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"reflect"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+
+	tea "github.com/charmbracelet/bubbletea"
+
+	"github.com/Gitlawb/zero/internal/config"
+	"github.com/Gitlawb/zero/internal/doctor"
+	"github.com/Gitlawb/zero/internal/providerhealth"
+)
+
+func TestParseDoctorCommandArgsRejectsFixWithConnectivity(t *testing.T) {
+	_, _, _, err := parseDoctorCommandArgs("fix --connectivity")
+	if err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("parseDoctorCommandArgs accepted both fix and --connectivity")
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "choose either") {
+		t.Fatalf("error = %q, want mutually exclusive flag guidance", err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestDoctorOptionsIncludeConfigPaths(t *testing.T) {
+	m := newModel(context.Background(), Options{
+		UserConfigPath:    "C:/zero/user.json",
+		ProjectConfigPath: "C:/repo/.zero/config.json",
+		ProviderProfile: config.ProviderProfile{
+			Name:         "openai",
+			ProviderKind: config.ProviderKindOpenAI,
+			Model:        "gpt-4.1",
+		},
+	})
+
+	options := m.doctorOptions(false)
+
+	if options.UserConfig != "C:/zero/user.json" {
+		t.Fatalf("UserConfig = %q, want %q", options.UserConfig, "C:/zero/user.json")
+	}
+	if options.ProjectConfig != "C:/repo/.zero/config.json" {
+		t.Fatalf("ProjectConfig = %q, want %q", options.ProjectConfig, "C:/repo/.zero/config.json")
+	}
+	if options.Connectivity {
+		t.Fatal("Connectivity = true, want false")
+	}
+	if options.ProviderHealth != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("ProviderHealth = %#v, want nil without connectivity", options.ProviderHealth)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestDoctorOptionsConnectivityInvokesConfiguredProviderHealthProbe(t *testing.T) {
+	profile := config.ProviderProfile{
+		Name:         "custom",
+		ProviderKind: config.ProviderKindOpenAICompatible,
+		BaseURL:      "https://api.example.com/v1",
+		Model:        "custom-model",
+	}
+	var called int
+	var gotOptions providerhealth.Options
+	m := newModel(context.Background(), Options{
+		ProviderProfile: profile,
+		UserAgent:       "zero-test",
+		ProbeProviderHealth: func(_ context.Context, options providerhealth.Options) providerhealth.Result {
+			called++
+			gotOptions = options
+			return providerhealth.Result{
+				Status: providerhealth.StatusPass,
+				Checks: []providerhealth.Check{{
+					ID:      "provider.connectivity",
+					Status:  providerhealth.StatusPass,
+					Message: "reachable",
+				}},
+			}
+		},
+	})
+
+	options := m.doctorOptions(true)
+	report := doctor.Run(options)
+
+	if called != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("probe called %d time(s), want 1", called)
+	}
+	if !gotOptions.Connectivity {
+		t.Fatal("probe Connectivity = false, want true")
+	}
+	if gotOptions.UserAgent != "zero-test" {
+		t.Fatalf("probe UserAgent = %q, want %q", gotOptions.UserAgent, "zero-test")
+	}
+	if !reflect.DeepEqual(gotOptions.Profile, profile) {
+		t.Fatalf("probe Profile = %#v, want %#v", gotOptions.Profile, profile)
+	}
+	check := report.Check("provider.connectivity")
+	if options.ProviderHealth == nil || check == nil || check.Status != doctor.StatusPass {
+		t.Fatalf("connectivity check = %#v, ProviderHealth = %#v; want passing injected health", check, options.ProviderHealth)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestDoctorConnectivityCommandRunsProbeAsynchronously(t *testing.T) {
+	profile := config.ProviderProfile{
+		Name:         "custom",
+		ProviderKind: config.ProviderKindOpenAICompatible,
+		BaseURL:      "https://api.example.com/v1",
+		Model:        "custom-model",
+	}
+	called := false
+	m := newModel(context.Background(), Options{
+		ProviderProfile: profile,
+		ProbeProviderHealth: func(context.Context, providerhealth.Options) providerhealth.Result {
+			called = true
+			return providerhealth.Result{
+				Status: providerhealth.StatusPass,
+				Checks: []providerhealth.Check{{
+					ID:      "provider.connectivity",
+					Status:  providerhealth.StatusPass,
+					Message: "reachable",
+				}},
+			}
+		},
+	})
+	m.input.SetValue("/doctor --connectivity")
+
+	updated, cmd := m.Update(tea.KeyMsg{Type: tea.KeyEnter})
+	next := updated.(model)
+	if cmd == nil {
+		t.Fatal("expected /doctor --connectivity to return an async command")
+	}
+	if called {
+		t.Fatal("provider probe ran synchronously before the returned command executed")
+	}
+	if !transcriptContains(next.transcript, "checking provider connectivity") {
+		t.Fatalf("expected running doctor status, got %#v", next.transcript)
+	}
+
+	msg := execCmd(cmd)
+	if !called {
+		t.Fatal("provider probe did not run when the async command executed")
+	}
+	updated, _ = next.Update(msg)
+	final := updated.(model)
+	for _, want := range []string{"Diagnostics", "[pass] provider.connectivity", "reachable"} {
+		if !transcriptContains(final.transcript, want) {
+			t.Fatalf("expected final doctor transcript to contain %q, got %#v", want, final.transcript)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func TestDoctorCommandUsesDiagnosticCenterRow(t *testing.T) {
+	m := newModel(context.Background(), Options{
+		ProviderProfile: config.ProviderProfile{
+			Name:         "custom",
+			ProviderKind: config.ProviderKindOpenAICompatible,
+			BaseURL:      "https://api.example.com/v1",
+			Model:        "custom-model",
+		},
+	})
+	m.input.SetValue("/doctor")
+
+	updated, cmd := m.Update(tea.KeyMsg{Type: tea.KeyEnter})
+	next := updated.(model)
+	if cmd != nil {
+		t.Fatal("expected plain /doctor to render synchronously")
+	}
+	row := newestDoctorStatusRow(next.transcript)
+	if row == nil {
+		t.Fatalf("expected /doctor to render a doctor status row, got %#v", next.transcript)
+	}
+	if row.id != doctorStatusRowID {
+		t.Fatalf("expected /doctor row id %q, got %q", doctorStatusRowID, row.id)
+	}
+	text := row.text
+	for _, want := range []string{"Diagnostics", "checks need attention", "Actions"} {
+		if !strings.Contains(text, want) {
+			t.Fatalf("doctor row missing %q:\n%s", want, text)
+		}
+	}
+	for _, unwanted := range []string{"Generated", "Checks", "[pass]"} {
+		if strings.Contains(text, unwanted) {
+			t.Fatalf("doctor row should hide %q:\n%s", unwanted, text)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func TestDoctorConnectivityCommandAnimatesAndReplacesStatusRow(t *testing.T) {
+	profile := config.ProviderProfile{
+		Name:         "custom",
+		ProviderKind: config.ProviderKindOpenAICompatible,
+		BaseURL:      "https://api.example.com/v1",
+		Model:        "custom-model",
+	}
+	m := newModel(context.Background(), Options{
+		ProviderProfile: profile,
+		ProbeProviderHealth: func(context.Context, providerhealth.Options) providerhealth.Result {
+			return providerhealth.Result{
+				Status: providerhealth.StatusPass,
+				Checks: []providerhealth.Check{{
+					ID:      "provider.connectivity",
+					Status:  providerhealth.StatusPass,
+					Message: "reachable",
+				}},
+			}
+		},
+	})
+	m.input.SetValue("/doctor --connectivity")
+
+	updated, cmd := m.Update(tea.KeyMsg{Type: tea.KeyEnter})
+	next := updated.(model)
+	if cmd == nil {
+		t.Fatal("expected /doctor --connectivity to start an async command")
+	}
+	beforeRows := len(next.transcript)
+	before := newestDoctorStatusText(next.transcript)
+
+	updated, _ = next.Update(next.spinner.Tick())
+	ticked := updated.(model)
+	after := newestDoctorStatusText(ticked.transcript)
+	if before == "" || after == "" {
+		t.Fatalf("expected doctor status row before=%q after=%q", before, after)
+	}
+	if before == after {
+		t.Fatalf("expected doctor status to animate on tick, still %q", after)
+	}
+
+	updated, _ = ticked.Update(execCmd(cmd))
+	final := updated.(model)
+	if len(final.transcript) != beforeRows {
+		t.Fatalf("expected final doctor report to replace the running row, rows before=%d after=%d: %#v", beforeRows, len(final.transcript), final.transcript)
+	}
+	if got := countDoctorDiagnosticRows(final.transcript); got != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("expected one doctor diagnostic row after completion, got %d: %#v", got, final.transcript)
+	}
+	if transcriptContains(final.transcript, "checking provider connectivity") {
+		t.Fatalf("expected stale running copy to be replaced, got %#v", final.transcript)
+	}
+	if !transcriptContains(final.transcript, "[pass] provider.connectivity") {
+		t.Fatalf("expected completed diagnostics result, got %#v", final.transcript)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestDoctorFixOpensProviderWizardWhenProviderMissing(t *testing.T) {
+	m := newModel(context.Background(), Options{})
+	m.input.SetValue("/doctor fix")
+
+	updated, cmd := m.Update(tea.KeyMsg{Type: tea.KeyEnter})
+	next := updated.(model)
+	if cmd != nil {
+		t.Fatal("expected /doctor fix provider setup path to be handled synchronously")
+	}
+	if next.providerWizard == nil {
+		t.Fatalf("expected /doctor fix to open provider setup wizard, transcript %#v", next.transcript)
+	}
+	if !transcriptContains(next.transcript, "Opening provider setup") {
+		t.Fatalf("expected doctor fix transcript to explain provider setup, got %#v", next.transcript)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestDoctorFixLinesShowNoAutomaticFixForUnmappedFailure(t *testing.T) {
+	lines := doctorFixLines(doctor.Report{Checks: []doctor.Check{{
+		ID:      "provider.auth",
+		Status:  doctor.StatusFail,
+		Message: "API key rejected.",
+	}}})
+
+	text := strings.Join(lines, "\n")
+	if strings.Contains(text, "already clean") {
+		t.Fatalf("doctorFixLines reported clean diagnostics for an unmapped failure:\n%s", text)
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(text, "No automatic fixes are available") {
+		t.Fatalf("doctorFixLines = %q, want no automatic fix guidance", text)
+	}
+}
+
+func newestDoctorStatusText(rows []transcriptRow) string {
+	if row := newestDoctorStatusRow(rows); row != nil {
+		return row.text
+	}
+	return ""
+}
+
+func newestDoctorStatusRow(rows []transcriptRow) *transcriptRow {
+	for i := len(rows) - 1; i >= 0; i-- {
+		row := rows[i]
+		if row.kind == rowSystem && row.id == doctorStatusRowID {
+			return &rows[i]
+		}
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func countDoctorDiagnosticRows(rows []transcriptRow) int {
+	count := 0
+	for _, row := range rows {
+		if row.kind == rowSystem && row.id == doctorStatusRowID {
+			count++
+		}
+	}
+	return count
+}
+
+func TestDoctorFixRunsConnectivityWhenProviderConfigured(t *testing.T) {
+	profile := config.ProviderProfile{
+		Name:         "custom",
+		ProviderKind: config.ProviderKindOpenAICompatible,
+		BaseURL:      "https://api.example.com/v1",
+		Model:        "custom-model",
+	}
+	called := false
+	m := newModel(context.Background(), Options{
+		ProviderProfile: profile,
+		ProbeProviderHealth: func(context.Context, providerhealth.Options) providerhealth.Result {
+			called = true
+			return providerhealth.Result{
+				Status: providerhealth.StatusPass,
+				Checks: []providerhealth.Check{{
+					ID:      "provider.connectivity",
+					Status:  providerhealth.StatusPass,
+					Message: "reachable",
+				}},
+			}
+		},
+	})
+	m.input.SetValue("/doctor fix")
+
+	updated, cmd := m.Update(tea.KeyMsg{Type: tea.KeyEnter})
+	next := updated.(model)
+	if cmd == nil {
+		t.Fatal("expected /doctor fix to run provider connectivity asynchronously")
+	}
+	if called {
+		t.Fatal("provider probe ran synchronously before the returned command executed")
+	}
+	if !transcriptContains(next.transcript, "checking provider connectivity") {
+		t.Fatalf("expected running doctor status, got %#v", next.transcript)
+	}
+
+	updated, _ = next.Update(execCmd(cmd))
+	final := updated.(model)
+	if !called {
+		t.Fatal("provider probe did not run when /doctor fix command executed")
+	}
+	if !transcriptContains(final.transcript, "[pass] provider.connectivity") {
+		t.Fatalf("expected connectivity result in transcript, got %#v", final.transcript)
+	}
+}

internal/tui/doctor_view.go

@@ -0,0 +1,198 @@
+package tui
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"strings"
+
+	"github.com/Gitlawb/zero/internal/doctor"
+	"github.com/Gitlawb/zero/internal/zerocommands"
+)
+
+func doctorCommandOutput(report doctor.Report, backend *zerocommands.BackendLifecycleSnapshot) commandOutput {
+	sections := []commandSection{{
+		Title: "Summary",
+		Lines: doctorSummaryLines(report.Checks),
+	}}
+
+	provider, platform, other := doctorCheckSections(report.Checks)
+	sections = appendNonEmptyDoctorSection(sections, "Provider", provider)
+	sections = appendNonEmptyDoctorSection(sections, "Platform", platform)
+	sections = appendNonEmptyDoctorSection(sections, "Other", other)
+	if backend != nil {
+		sections = append(sections, doctorBackendSection(*backend))
+	}
+	if actions := doctorActions(report.Checks, backend); len(actions) > 0 {
+		sections = append(sections, commandSection{
+			Title: "Actions",
+			Lines: actions,
+		})
+	}
+
+	return commandOutput{
+		Title:    "Diagnostics",
+		Status:   doctorCommandStatus(report),
+		Sections: sections,
+	}
+}
+
+func doctorCommandStatus(report doctor.Report) commandStatus {
+	hasWarning := false
+	for _, check := range report.Checks {
+		switch check.Status {
+		case doctor.StatusFail:
+			return commandStatusBlocked
+		case doctor.StatusWarn:
+			hasWarning = true
+		}
+	}
+	if hasWarning {
+		return commandStatusWarning
+	}
+	return commandStatusOK
+}
+
+func doctorCheckSections(checks []doctor.Check) (provider []commandRow, platform []commandRow, other []commandRow) {
+	for _, check := range checks {
+		if check.Status == doctor.StatusPass && check.ID != "provider.connectivity" {
+			continue
+		}
+		row := commandRow{Text: doctorCheckRow(check)}
+		switch doctorCheckGroup(check.ID) {
+		case "provider":
+			provider = append(provider, row)
+		case "platform":
+			platform = append(platform, row)
+		default:
+			other = append(other, row)
+		}
+	}
+	return provider, platform, other
+}
+
+func doctorCheckGroup(id string) string {
+	switch id {
+	case "provider.config", "provider.model", "provider.connectivity", "provider.auth", "provider.runtime":
+		return "provider"
+	case "sandbox.backend", "lsp.servers", "runtime.go", "config.files", "config.validation":
+		return "platform"
+	default:
+		return ""
+	}
+}
+
+func doctorSummaryLines(checks []doctor.Check) []string {
+	pass, warn, fail := doctorStatusCounts(checks)
+	attention := warn + fail
+	if attention == 0 {
+		return []string{
+			fmt.Sprintf("%s healthy", doctorCheckCountLabel(pass)),
+			"All core systems are ready.",
+		}
+	}
+	return []string{
+		fmt.Sprintf("%s %s attention", doctorCheckCountLabel(attention), doctorAttentionVerb(attention)),
+		fmt.Sprintf("%s healthy", doctorCheckCountLabel(pass)),
+	}
+}
+
+func doctorCheckCountLabel(count int) string {
+	if count == 1 {
+		return "1 check"
+	}
+	return fmt.Sprintf("%d checks", count)
+}
+
+func doctorAttentionVerb(count int) string {
+	if count == 1 {
+		return "needs"
+	}
+	return "need"
+}
+
+func doctorStatusCounts(checks []doctor.Check) (pass int, warn int, fail int) {
+	for _, check := range checks {
+		switch check.Status {
+		case doctor.StatusPass:
+			pass++
+		case doctor.StatusWarn:
+			warn++
+		case doctor.StatusFail:
+			fail++
+		}
+	}
+	return pass, warn, fail
+}
+
+func doctorCheckRow(check doctor.Check) string {
+	parts := []string{fmt.Sprintf("[%s]", check.Status)}
+	if check.ID != "" {
+		parts = append(parts, check.ID)
+	}
+	if check.Message != "" {
+		parts = append(parts, "-", check.Message)
+	}
+	return strings.Join(parts, " ")
+}
+
+func appendNonEmptyDoctorSection(sections []commandSection, title string, rows []commandRow) []commandSection {
+	if len(rows) == 0 {
+		return sections
+	}
+	return append(sections, commandSection{
+		Title: title,
+		Rows:  rows,
+	})
+}
+
+func doctorBackendSection(backend zerocommands.BackendLifecycleSnapshot) commandSection {
+	return commandSection{
+		Title: "Backend",
+		Fields: []commandField{
+			{Key: "MCP servers", Value: fmt.Sprintf("%d", len(backend.MCPServers))},
+			{Key: "Hooks", Value: fmt.Sprintf("%d", len(backend.Hooks))},
+			{Key: "Plugins", Value: fmt.Sprintf("%d", len(backend.Plugins))},
+		},
+	}
+}
+
+func doctorActions(checks []doctor.Check, backend *zerocommands.BackendLifecycleSnapshot) []string {
+	seen := map[string]bool{}
+	actions := []string{}
+	add := func(action string) {
+		action = strings.TrimSpace(action)
+		if action == "" || seen[action] {
+			return
+		}
+		seen[action] = true
+		actions = append(actions, action)
+	}
+
+	for _, check := range checks {
+		if check.Status == doctor.StatusPass {
+			continue
+		}
+		message := strings.ToLower(check.Message)
+		switch check.ID {
+		case "provider.config", "provider.model":
+			add("/provider - configure the active provider and model")
+			add("/doctor fix - open guided diagnostics repair")
+		case "provider.connectivity":
+			add("/doctor --connectivity - probe the provider endpoint")
+		case "sandbox.backend":
+			if strings.Contains(message, "windows") || strings.Contains(message, "policy-only") {
+				add("WSL2 or Linux container - enable native sandbox isolation on Windows")
+			}
+		case "lsp.servers":
+			if strings.Contains(message, "missing") {
+				add("install missing language servers - restore code intelligence on PATH")
+			}
+		}
+	}
+
+	if backend != nil {
+		add("/mcp - inspect MCP servers")
+		add("/hooks - inspect hooks")
+		add("/plugins - inspect plugins")
+	}
+	return actions
+}

internal/tui/doctor_view_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,261 @@
+package tui
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/Gitlawb/zero/internal/doctor"
+	"github.com/Gitlawb/zero/internal/zerocommands"
+)
+
+func TestDoctorCommandOutputMapsOverallStatus(t *testing.T) {
+	tests := []struct {
+		name   string
+		checks []doctor.Check
+		want   commandStatus
+	}{
+		{
+			name: "all pass is ok",
+			checks: []doctor.Check{
+				doctorCheck("provider.config", doctor.StatusPass, "Provider config loaded."),
+				doctorCheck("runtime.go", doctor.StatusPass, "Go runtime is available."),
+			},
+			want: commandStatusOK,
+		},
+		{
+			name: "warnings only is warning",
+			checks: []doctor.Check{
+				doctorCheck("provider.config", doctor.StatusPass, "Provider config loaded."),
+				doctorCheck("lsp.servers", doctor.StatusWarn, "1 language server missing from PATH."),
+			},
+			want: commandStatusWarning,
+		},
+		{
+			name: "any failure is blocked",
+			checks: []doctor.Check{
+				doctorCheck("provider.config", doctor.StatusFail, "No LLM provider is configured."),
+				doctorCheck("runtime.go", doctor.StatusPass, "Go runtime is available."),
+			},
+			want: commandStatusBlocked,
+		},
+	}
+
+	for _, test := range tests {
+		t.Run(test.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			output := doctorCommandOutput(doctor.Report{GeneratedAt: "2026-06-14T00:00:00Z", Checks: test.checks}, nil)
+			if output.Status != test.want {
+				t.Fatalf("Status = %q, want %q", output.Status, test.want)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestDoctorSummaryLinesUseSingularGrammar(t *testing.T) {
+	healthy := doctorSummaryLines([]doctor.Check{
+		doctorCheck("runtime.go", doctor.StatusPass, "Go runtime is available."),
+	})
+	if got, want := healthy[0], "1 check healthy"; got != want {
+		t.Fatalf("healthy summary = %q, want %q", got, want)
+	}
+
+	attention := doctorSummaryLines([]doctor.Check{
+		doctorCheck("provider.model", doctor.StatusWarn, "Provider model is not configured."),
+	})
+	if got, want := attention[0], "1 check needs attention"; got != want {
+		t.Fatalf("attention summary = %q, want %q", got, want)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestDoctorResultBorderStyleUsesSummaryStatusLine(t *testing.T) {
+	text := strings.Join([]string{
+		"Diagnostics",
+		"",
+		"status: blocked",
+		"",
+		"Summary",
+		"- status: ok appears in detail text only",
+	}, "\n")
+
+	got := fmt.Sprint(doctorResultBorderStyle(text).GetForeground())
+	want := fmt.Sprint(zeroTheme.red.GetForeground())
+	if got != want {
+		t.Fatalf("border foreground = %s, want blocked red %s", got, want)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestDoctorCommandOutputGroupsProviderAndPlatformChecks(t *testing.T) {
+	output := doctorCommandOutput(doctor.Report{Checks: []doctor.Check{
+		doctorCheck("provider.config", doctor.StatusPass, "Provider config loaded."),
+		doctorCheck("provider.model", doctor.StatusWarn, "Provider model is not configured."),
+		doctorCheck("provider.connectivity", doctor.StatusFail, "Provider connectivity failed."),
+		doctorCheck("sandbox.backend", doctor.StatusWarn, "No native sandbox backend on windows; ZERO falls back to policy-only preflight checks."),
+		doctorCheck("runtime.go", doctor.StatusPass, "Zero Go runtime is available."),
+		doctorCheck("config.files", doctor.StatusPass, "Zero config file inputs are available."),
+	}}, nil)
+
+	provider := doctorSection(output, "Provider")
+	if provider == nil {
+		t.Fatalf("missing Provider section: %#v", output.Sections)
+	}
+	assertRowsContain(t, provider.Rows, "provider.model", "provider.connectivity")
+	assertRowsDoNotContain(t, provider.Rows, "provider.config")
+
+	platform := doctorSection(output, "Platform")
+	if platform == nil {
+		t.Fatalf("missing Platform section: %#v", output.Sections)
+	}
+	assertRowsContain(t, platform.Rows, "sandbox.backend")
+	assertRowsDoNotContain(t, platform.Rows, "runtime.go", "config.files")
+}
+
+func TestDoctorCommandOutputIsProblemFirstDiagnosticCenter(t *testing.T) {
+	output := doctorCommandOutput(doctor.Report{GeneratedAt: "2026-06-14T00:00:00Z", Checks: []doctor.Check{
+		doctorCheck("provider.config", doctor.StatusPass, "Provider config loaded."),
+		doctorCheck("provider.model", doctor.StatusWarn, "Provider model is not configured."),
+		doctorCheck("provider.connectivity", doctor.StatusWarn, "Connectivity probe skipped."),
+		doctorCheck("runtime.go", doctor.StatusPass, "Zero Go runtime is available."),
+		doctorCheck("config.files", doctor.StatusPass, "Zero config files are available."),
+		doctorCheck("lsp.servers", doctor.StatusWarn, "2 language server(s) missing from PATH."),
+	}}, nil)
+
+	text := formatCommandOutput(output)
+	for _, want := range []string{
+		"3 checks need attention",
+		"3 checks healthy",
+		"provider.model",
+		"provider.connectivity",
+		"lsp.servers",
+		"Actions",
+		"/doctor fix",
+	} {
+		if !strings.Contains(text, want) {
+			t.Fatalf("formatted output missing %q:\n%s", want, text)
+		}
+	}
+	for _, unwanted := range []string{
+		"Generated",
+		"Checks",
+		"provider.config",
+		"runtime.go",
+		"config.files",
+	} {
+		if strings.Contains(text, unwanted) {
+			t.Fatalf("formatted output should hide %q:\n%s", unwanted, text)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func TestDoctorCommandOutputAddsActionableHints(t *testing.T) {
+	output := doctorCommandOutput(doctor.Report{Checks: []doctor.Check{
+		doctorCheck("provider.config", doctor.StatusFail, "No LLM provider is configured."),
+		doctorCheck("provider.model", doctor.StatusWarn, "Provider model is not configured."),
+		doctorCheck("provider.connectivity", doctor.StatusWarn, "Provider connectivity was skipped."),
+		doctorCheck("sandbox.backend", doctor.StatusWarn, "No native sandbox backend on windows; ZERO falls back to policy-only preflight checks."),
+		doctorCheck("lsp.servers", doctor.StatusWarn, "2 language server(s) missing from PATH; affected files degrade to text-only edits."),
+	}}, nil)
+
+	text := formatCommandOutput(output)
+	for _, want := range []string{
+		"/provider",
+		"/doctor --connectivity",
+		"WSL2",
+		"Linux container",
+		"install missing language servers",
+	} {
+		if !strings.Contains(text, want) {
+			t.Fatalf("formatted output missing %q:\n%s", want, text)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func TestDoctorCommandOutputIsNilBackendSafe(t *testing.T) {
+	output := doctorCommandOutput(doctor.Report{Checks: []doctor.Check{
+		doctorCheck("runtime.go", doctor.StatusPass, "Go runtime is available."),
+	}}, nil)
+
+	if section := doctorSection(output, "Backend"); section != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("unexpected Backend section for nil backend: %#v", section)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestDoctorCommandOutputIncludesBackendCountsAndHints(t *testing.T) {
+	backend := zerocommands.BackendLifecycleSnapshot{
+		MCPServers: []zerocommands.MCPServerSnapshot{{Name: "filesystem"}, {Name: "github"}},
+		Hooks:      []zerocommands.HookSnapshot{{ID: "lint", Enabled: true}},
+		Plugins:    []zerocommands.PluginSnapshot{{ID: "browser"}, {ID: "github"}, {ID: "linear"}},
+	}
+
+	output := doctorCommandOutput(doctor.Report{Checks: []doctor.Check{
+		doctorCheck("runtime.go", doctor.StatusPass, "Go runtime is available."),
+	}}, &backend)
+
+	section := doctorSection(output, "Backend")
+	if section == nil {
+		t.Fatalf("missing Backend section: %#v", output.Sections)
+	}
+	assertField(t, section.Fields, "MCP servers", "2")
+	assertField(t, section.Fields, "Hooks", "1")
+	assertField(t, section.Fields, "Plugins", "3")
+
+	text := formatCommandOutput(output)
+	for _, want := range []string{"/mcp", "/hooks", "/plugins"} {
+		if !strings.Contains(text, want) {
+			t.Fatalf("formatted output missing %q:\n%s", want, text)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func doctorCheck(id string, status doctor.Status, message string) doctor.Check {
+	return doctor.Check{
+		ID:      id,
+		Label:   id,
+		Status:  status,
+		Message: message,
+	}
+}
+
+func doctorSection(output commandOutput, title string) *commandSection {
+	for index := range output.Sections {
+		if output.Sections[index].Title == title {
+			return &output.Sections[index]
+		}
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func assertRowsContain(t *testing.T, rows []commandRow, wants ...string) {
+	t.Helper()
+	text := ""
+	for _, row := range rows {
+		text += row.Text + "\n"
+	}
+	for _, want := range wants {
+		if !strings.Contains(text, want) {
+			t.Fatalf("rows missing %q:\n%s", want, text)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func assertRowsDoNotContain(t *testing.T, rows []commandRow, wants ...string) {
+	t.Helper()
+	text := ""
+	for _, row := range rows {
+		text += row.Text + "\n"
+	}
+	for _, want := range wants {
+		if strings.Contains(text, want) {
+			t.Fatalf("rows unexpectedly contain %q:\n%s", want, text)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func assertField(t *testing.T, fields []commandField, key string, value string) {
+	t.Helper()
+	for _, field := range fields {
+		if field.Key == key && field.Value == value {
+			return
+		}
+	}
+	t.Fatalf("missing field %s=%s in %#v", key, value, fields)
+}