# Subagent Anti-Blackhole / Completion-Delivery Watchdog Implementation Plan

> **For Claude:** REQUIRED SUB-SKILL: Use superpowers:executing-plans to implement this plan task-by-task.

**Goal:** Prevent B-class fake timeouts where a subagent finishes, stalls, or loses its return path off-thread and the main conversation never receives a trustworthy completion update.

**Architecture:** Build this in very small layers: first define receipts and states, then pin the blackhole cases with fail-first tests, then implement deterministic receipt-state logic, then add done-but-not-forwarded recovery decisions, then add owner-visible reporting rules and scenario simulations. Keep all early slices file-backed and test-driven before touching any live-session integration.

**Tech Stack:** Node.js, MJS test runners, file-backed JSON state, OpenClaw subagent/session concepts, docs/runbooks

---

### Task 1: Define dispatch receipt fields

**Files:**
- Modify: `docs/runbooks/subagent-anti-blackhole.md`

**Step 1: Write the receipt field list**
- Define only dispatch fields:
  - `runId`
  - `childSessionKey`
  - `dispatchAt`
  - `expectedBy`

**Step 2: Verify file contains the new field names**
Run: `grep -n "runId\|childSessionKey\|dispatchAt\|expectedBy" docs/runbooks/subagent-anti-blackhole.md`
Expected: matching lines found

**Step 3: Commit**
```bash
git add docs/runbooks/subagent-anti-blackhole.md
git commit -m "docs: define subagent dispatch receipt fields"
```

### Task 2: Define completion receipt fields

**Files:**
- Modify: `docs/runbooks/subagent-anti-blackhole.md`

**Step 1: Write the completion field list**
- Define only completion fields:
  - `completionReceivedAt`
  - `forwardedToMain`
  - `resultSource`

**Step 2: Verify file contains the new field names**
Run: `grep -n "completionReceivedAt\|forwardedToMain\|resultSource" docs/runbooks/subagent-anti-blackhole.md`
Expected: matching lines found

**Step 3: Commit**
```bash
git add docs/runbooks/subagent-anti-blackhole.md
git commit -m "docs: define subagent completion receipt fields"
```

### Task 3: Define watchdog statuses

**Files:**
- Modify: `docs/runbooks/subagent-anti-blackhole.md`

**Step 1: Add the status enum**
- Define:
  - `active`
  - `suspect_delivery_failure`
  - `done_but_not_forwarded`
  - `completed`
  - `recovered`
  - `blocked`

**Step 2: Verify status names exist**
Run: `grep -n "suspect_delivery_failure\|done_but_not_forwarded\|recovered" docs/runbooks/subagent-anti-blackhole.md`
Expected: matching lines found

**Step 3: Commit**
```bash
git add docs/runbooks/subagent-anti-blackhole.md
git commit -m "docs: define subagent watchdog statuses"
```

### Task 4: Define B-class failure modes

**Files:**
- Modify: `docs/runbooks/subagent-anti-blackhole.md`

**Step 1: Write the failure mode bullets**
- Add:
  - done but not forwarded
  - no completion event received
  - session exists but no result bounce
  - unclear slow-run vs delivery failure

**Step 2: Verify phrases exist**
Run: `grep -n "done but not forwarded\|completion event\|result bounce\|delivery failure" docs/runbooks/subagent-anti-blackhole.md`
Expected: matching lines found

**Step 3: Commit**
```bash
git add docs/runbooks/subagent-anti-blackhole.md
git commit -m "docs: define B-class subagent failure modes"
```

### Task 5: Create watchdog script skeleton

**Files:**
- Create: `scripts/subagent_delivery_watchdog.mjs`

**Step 1: Create the script shell**
- Add CLI parsing and a placeholder JSON response.

**Step 2: Verify it runs**
Run: `node scripts/subagent_delivery_watchdog.mjs --compact --input /dev/null || true`
Expected: script exists and is executable enough for next test work

**Step 3: Commit**
```bash
git add scripts/subagent_delivery_watchdog.mjs
git commit -m "chore: add subagent delivery watchdog skeleton"
```

### Task 6: Create watchdog test skeleton

**Files:**
- Create: `scripts/test_subagent_delivery_watchdog.mjs`

**Step 1: Create the test shell**
- Add basic harness structure and fixture runner.

**Step 2: Verify test file executes**
Run: `node scripts/test_subagent_delivery_watchdog.mjs || true`
Expected: test runner executes, even if failing

**Step 3: Commit**
```bash
git add scripts/test_subagent_delivery_watchdog.mjs
git commit -m "test: add subagent watchdog test skeleton"
```

### Task 7: Add active-before-SLA test

**Files:**
- Modify: `scripts/test_subagent_delivery_watchdog.mjs`

**Step 1: Write the test**
- dispatch exists
- no completion receipt yet
- current time still before SLA
- expect `active`

**Step 2: Run test to verify it fails**
Run: `node scripts/test_subagent_delivery_watchdog.mjs`
Expected: FAIL on missing logic

**Step 3: Commit**
```bash
git add scripts/test_subagent_delivery_watchdog.mjs
git commit -m "test: require active status before SLA breach"
```

### Task 8: Add suspect-delivery-failure test

**Files:**
- Modify: `scripts/test_subagent_delivery_watchdog.mjs`

**Step 1: Write the test**
- dispatch exists
- no completion receipt
- current time beyond SLA
- expect `suspect_delivery_failure`

**Step 2: Run test to verify it fails**
Run: `node scripts/test_subagent_delivery_watchdog.mjs`
Expected: FAIL on new assertion

**Step 3: Commit**
```bash
git add scripts/test_subagent_delivery_watchdog.mjs
git commit -m "test: detect suspected delivery failure after SLA"
```

### Task 9: Add completed-status test

**Files:**
- Modify: `scripts/test_subagent_delivery_watchdog.mjs`

**Step 1: Write the test**
- dispatch exists
- completion receipt exists
- expect `completed`

**Step 2: Run test to verify it fails**
Run: `node scripts/test_subagent_delivery_watchdog.mjs`
Expected: FAIL on completed path

**Step 3: Commit**
```bash
git add scripts/test_subagent_delivery_watchdog.mjs
git commit -m "test: close watchdog on completion receipt"
```

### Task 10: Add state shape fixture

**Files:**
- Create: `state/subagent-delivery-watchdog/README.md`
- Create: `state/subagent-delivery-watchdog/.gitkeep`

**Step 1: Define the state JSON shape in README**
- Include receipt fields and status fields.

**Step 2: Verify files exist**
Run: `test -f state/subagent-delivery-watchdog/README.md && test -f state/subagent-delivery-watchdog/.gitkeep && echo OK`
Expected: `OK`

**Step 3: Commit**
```bash
git add state/subagent-delivery-watchdog/README.md state/subagent-delivery-watchdog/.gitkeep
git commit -m "docs: define watchdog state storage shape"
```

### Task 11: Implement dispatch receipt write

**Files:**
- Modify: `scripts/subagent_delivery_watchdog.mjs`

**Step 1: Add a function to write dispatch receipt state**
- Only handle a new dispatch record.

**Step 2: Run tests**
Run: `node scripts/test_subagent_delivery_watchdog.mjs`
Expected: some tests still fail, but dispatch state path exists

**Step 3: Commit**
```bash
git add scripts/subagent_delivery_watchdog.mjs
git commit -m "feat: write subagent dispatch receipt state"
```

### Task 12: Implement completion receipt write

**Files:**
- Modify: `scripts/subagent_delivery_watchdog.mjs`

**Step 1: Add a function to write completion receipt state**
- Only update completion-related fields.

**Step 2: Run tests**
Run: `node scripts/test_subagent_delivery_watchdog.mjs`
Expected: some tests still fail, but completion data path exists

**Step 3: Commit**
```bash
git add scripts/subagent_delivery_watchdog.mjs
git commit -m "feat: write subagent completion receipt state"
```

### Task 13: Implement status recompute for active/completed/suspect

**Files:**
- Modify: `scripts/subagent_delivery_watchdog.mjs`

**Step 1: Add status recompute logic**
- Implement only:
  - `active`
  - `suspect_delivery_failure`
  - `completed`

**Step 2: Run tests**
Run: `node scripts/test_subagent_delivery_watchdog.mjs`
Expected: Task 7-9 tests pass

**Step 3: Commit**
```bash
git add scripts/subagent_delivery_watchdog.mjs scripts/test_subagent_delivery_watchdog.mjs
git commit -m "feat: recompute basic watchdog statuses"
```

### Task 14: Add done-but-not-forwarded test

**Files:**
- Modify: `scripts/test_subagent_delivery_watchdog.mjs`

**Step 1: Write the test**
- child run marked done
- no completion receipt in main thread
- expect `done_but_not_forwarded`

**Step 2: Run tests to verify it fails**
Run: `node scripts/test_subagent_delivery_watchdog.mjs`
Expected: FAIL on new assertion

**Step 3: Commit**
```bash
git add scripts/test_subagent_delivery_watchdog.mjs
git commit -m "test: detect done but not forwarded state"
```

### Task 15: Implement done-but-not-forwarded state

**Files:**
- Modify: `scripts/subagent_delivery_watchdog.mjs`

**Step 1: Add done-but-not-forwarded detection**
- Use child-done signal + missing completion receipt.

**Step 2: Run tests**
Run: `node scripts/test_subagent_delivery_watchdog.mjs`
Expected: done-but-not-forwarded test passes

**Step 3: Commit**
```bash
git add scripts/subagent_delivery_watchdog.mjs scripts/test_subagent_delivery_watchdog.mjs
git commit -m "feat: detect done without forwarded completion"
```

### Task 16: Add first recovery-action test

**Files:**
- Modify: `scripts/test_subagent_delivery_watchdog.mjs`

**Step 1: Write fetch-history recovery test**
- done but not forwarded
- no prior recovery action
- expect recovery decision `fetch_history`

**Step 2: Run tests to verify it fails**
Run: `node scripts/test_subagent_delivery_watchdog.mjs`
Expected: FAIL on recovery decision

**Step 3: Commit**
```bash
git add scripts/test_subagent_delivery_watchdog.mjs
git commit -m "test: fetch history after missing forwarded completion"
```

### Task 17: Implement fetch-history recovery decision

**Files:**
- Modify: `scripts/subagent_delivery_watchdog.mjs`

**Step 1: Add minimal recovery decision logic**
- Return `fetch_history` for first-time done-but-not-forwarded.

**Step 2: Run tests**
Run: `node scripts/test_subagent_delivery_watchdog.mjs`
Expected: fetch-history recovery test passes

**Step 3: Commit**
```bash
git add scripts/subagent_delivery_watchdog.mjs scripts/test_subagent_delivery_watchdog.mjs
git commit -m "feat: recover with history fetch first"
```

### Task 18: Add respawn-escalation test

**Files:**
- Modify: `scripts/test_subagent_delivery_watchdog.mjs`

**Step 1: Write the respawn test**
- recovery already attempted once
- still no forwarded completion
- expect `respawn`

**Step 2: Run tests to verify it fails**
Run: `node scripts/test_subagent_delivery_watchdog.mjs`
Expected: FAIL on respawn decision

**Step 3: Commit**
```bash
git add scripts/test_subagent_delivery_watchdog.mjs
git commit -m "test: escalate to respawn after failed recovery"
```

### Task 19: Implement respawn decision

**Files:**
- Modify: `scripts/subagent_delivery_watchdog.mjs`

**Step 1: Add respawn logic**
- Return `respawn` when fetch-history path did not recover delivery.

**Step 2: Run tests**
Run: `node scripts/test_subagent_delivery_watchdog.mjs`
Expected: respawn test passes

**Step 3: Commit**
```bash
git add scripts/subagent_delivery_watchdog.mjs scripts/test_subagent_delivery_watchdog.mjs
git commit -m "feat: respawn after failed delivery recovery"
```

### Task 20: Add blocked-escalation test

**Files:**
- Modify: `scripts/test_subagent_delivery_watchdog.mjs`

**Step 1: Write the blocked test**
- repeated recovery failure
- expect `blocked` plus owner-visible reporting requirement

**Step 2: Run tests to verify it fails**
Run: `node scripts/test_subagent_delivery_watchdog.mjs`
Expected: FAIL on blocked escalation

**Step 3: Commit**
```bash
git add scripts/test_subagent_delivery_watchdog.mjs
git commit -m "test: escalate repeated delivery failures to blocked"
```

### Task 21: Implement blocked escalation

**Files:**
- Modify: `scripts/subagent_delivery_watchdog.mjs`

**Step 1: Add blocked escalation logic**
- repeated recovery failure -> `blocked`

**Step 2: Run tests**
Run: `node scripts/test_subagent_delivery_watchdog.mjs`
Expected: blocked escalation test passes

**Step 3: Commit**
```bash
git add scripts/subagent_delivery_watchdog.mjs scripts/test_subagent_delivery_watchdog.mjs
git commit -m "feat: block repeated subagent delivery failures"
```

### Task 22: Add owner-visible reporting rule for suspect state

**Files:**
- Modify: `WORKFLOW.md`
- Modify: `AGENTS.md`
- Modify: `docs/runbooks/subagent-anti-blackhole.md`

**Step 1: Add suspect-state reporting rule**
- If SLA is crossed with no completion receipt, the owner must be informed.

**Step 2: Verify text exists**
Run: `grep -RIn "SLA\|suspect_delivery_failure" WORKFLOW.md AGENTS.md docs/runbooks/subagent-anti-blackhole.md`
Expected: matching lines found

**Step 3: Commit**
```bash
git add WORKFLOW.md AGENTS.md docs/runbooks/subagent-anti-blackhole.md
git commit -m "docs: require reporting on suspect delivery failure"
```

### Task 23: Add owner-visible reporting rule for done-but-not-forwarded

**Files:**
- Modify: `WORKFLOW.md`
- Modify: `AGENTS.md`
- Modify: `docs/runbooks/subagent-anti-blackhole.md`

**Step 1: Add done-but-not-forwarded reporting rule**
- Must state that result exists but did not bounce back.

**Step 2: Verify text exists**
Run: `grep -RIn "done but not forwarded\|did not bounce back" WORKFLOW.md AGENTS.md docs/runbooks/subagent-anti-blackhole.md`
Expected: matching lines found

**Step 3: Commit**
```bash
git add WORKFLOW.md AGENTS.md docs/runbooks/subagent-anti-blackhole.md
git commit -m "docs: require reporting on missing forwarded completion"
```

### Task 24: Add rule to fetch history before respawn

**Files:**
- Modify: `WORKFLOW.md`
- Modify: `docs/runbooks/subagent-delivery-recovery.md`

**Step 1: Add the history-first rule**
- Done-but-not-forwarded should prefer `fetch_history` before `respawn`.

**Step 2: Verify text exists**
Run: `grep -RIn "fetch_history\|before respawn" WORKFLOW.md docs/runbooks/subagent-delivery-recovery.md`
Expected: matching lines found

**Step 3: Commit**
```bash
git add WORKFLOW.md docs/runbooks/subagent-delivery-recovery.md
git commit -m "docs: prefer history fetch before respawn"
```

### Task 25: Add no-silent-waiting-after-SLA rule

**Files:**
- Modify: `WORKFLOW.md`
- Modify: `AGENTS.md`

**Step 1: Add the no-silent-waiting rule**
- Once SLA is crossed, silent waiting is forbidden.

**Step 2: Verify text exists**
Run: `grep -RIn "silent waiting\|SLA" WORKFLOW.md AGENTS.md`
Expected: matching lines found

**Step 3: Commit**
```bash
git add WORKFLOW.md AGENTS.md
git commit -m "docs: forbid silent waiting after subagent SLA"
```

### Task 26: Create blackhole scenario test shell

**Files:**
- Create: `scripts/test_subagent_blackhole_scenarios.mjs`

**Step 1: Create the scenario test shell**
- Add empty scenario harness.

**Step 2: Verify file runs**
Run: `node scripts/test_subagent_blackhole_scenarios.mjs || true`
Expected: file executes, even if not complete

**Step 3: Commit**
```bash
git add scripts/test_subagent_blackhole_scenarios.mjs
git commit -m "test: add subagent blackhole scenario harness"
```

### Task 27: Add normal-completion scenario

**Files:**
- Modify: `scripts/test_subagent_blackhole_scenarios.mjs`

**Step 1: Write the scenario**
- dispatch -> completion receipt -> completed

**Step 2: Run tests**
Run: `node scripts/test_subagent_blackhole_scenarios.mjs`
Expected: scenario still may fail until engine wiring is ready

**Step 3: Commit**
```bash
git add scripts/test_subagent_blackhole_scenarios.mjs
git commit -m "test: add normal subagent completion scenario"
```

### Task 28: Add slow-but-active scenario

**Files:**
- Modify: `scripts/test_subagent_blackhole_scenarios.mjs`

**Step 1: Write the scenario**
- dispatch before SLA -> active

**Step 2: Run tests**
Run: `node scripts/test_subagent_blackhole_scenarios.mjs`
Expected: scenario result captured

**Step 3: Commit**
```bash
git add scripts/test_subagent_blackhole_scenarios.mjs
git commit -m "test: add slow but active subagent scenario"
```

### Task 29: Add done-but-not-forwarded scenario

**Files:**
- Modify: `scripts/test_subagent_blackhole_scenarios.mjs`

**Step 1: Write the scenario**
- child done -> no completion receipt -> fetch_history

**Step 2: Run tests**
Run: `node scripts/test_subagent_blackhole_scenarios.mjs`
Expected: scenario result captured

**Step 3: Commit**
```bash
git add scripts/test_subagent_blackhole_scenarios.mjs
git commit -m "test: add done but not forwarded scenario"
```

### Task 30: Add missing-completion-event scenario

**Files:**
- Modify: `scripts/test_subagent_blackhole_scenarios.mjs`

**Step 1: Write the scenario**
- no bounce, no completion receipt, beyond SLA -> suspect delivery failure

**Step 2: Run tests**
Run: `node scripts/test_subagent_blackhole_scenarios.mjs`
Expected: scenario result captured

**Step 3: Commit**
```bash
git add scripts/test_subagent_blackhole_scenarios.mjs
git commit -m "test: add missing completion event scenario"
```

### Task 31: Add repeated-failure escalation scenario

**Files:**
- Modify: `scripts/test_subagent_blackhole_scenarios.mjs`

**Step 1: Write the scenario**
- fetch_history fails -> respawn fails -> blocked

**Step 2: Run tests**
Run: `node scripts/test_subagent_blackhole_scenarios.mjs`
Expected: scenario result captured

**Step 3: Commit**
```bash
git add scripts/test_subagent_blackhole_scenarios.mjs
git commit -m "test: add repeated blackhole escalation scenario"
```

### Task 32: Run the full local watchdog test set

**Files:**
- Modify if needed: `scripts/test_subagent_delivery_watchdog.mjs`
- Modify if needed: `scripts/test_subagent_blackhole_scenarios.mjs`

**Step 1: Run the combined tests**
Run:
- `node scripts/test_subagent_delivery_watchdog.mjs`
- `node scripts/test_subagent_blackhole_scenarios.mjs`
Expected: PASS

**Step 2: Fix only minimal wiring needed for all-pass**
- Keep changes scoped to watchdog logic/tests.

**Step 3: Commit**
```bash
git add scripts/test_subagent_delivery_watchdog.mjs scripts/test_subagent_blackhole_scenarios.mjs scripts/subagent_delivery_watchdog.mjs
git commit -m "test: pass full subagent blackhole watchdog suite"
```

### Task 33: Peer review watchdog state logic

**Files:**
- Review: `scripts/subagent_delivery_watchdog.mjs`
- Review: `scripts/test_subagent_delivery_watchdog.mjs`

**Step 1: Request reviewer focus on receipt state logic**
- Verify statuses and transitions match B-class failure goals.

**Step 2: Record reviewer verdict**
- Include commands and findings.

**Step 3: Commit any follow-up fixes if needed**
```bash
# only if reviewer requests changes
git add <changed-files>
git commit -m "fix: address watchdog state review feedback"
```

### Task 34: Peer review recovery decisions

**Files:**
- Review: `scripts/subagent_delivery_watchdog.mjs`
- Review: `docs/runbooks/subagent-delivery-recovery.md`

**Step 1: Request reviewer focus on recovery ordering**
- Verify fetch-history before respawn and blocked escalation.

**Step 2: Record reviewer verdict**
- Include commands and findings.

**Step 3: Commit any follow-up fixes if needed**
```bash
# only if reviewer requests changes
git add <changed-files>
git commit -m "fix: address recovery decision review feedback"
```

### Task 35: Peer review scenario coverage and handoff

**Files:**
- Review: `scripts/test_subagent_blackhole_scenarios.mjs`
- Review: `docs/runbooks/subagent-anti-blackhole.md`
- Review: `docs/runbooks/subagent-delivery-recovery.md`

**Step 1: Request reviewer focus on blackhole realism**
- Confirm this targets fake timeout / no-bounce cases, not just slow work.

**Step 2: Record verification output**
- Include exact commands and reviewer verdict.

**Step 3: Final state**
- Leave task in `pending_verification`; do not mark complete.