Remediate PR #853 in response to review #525 for Issue #850

Epics and parent issues whose body delegates implementation to children are
skipped before ranking with structured reason epic_or_child_only_container.
Title-only "epic" mentions without body/label evidence remain eligible.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.8 (1M context) <[email protected]>

allocator_service.py

@@ -53,6 +53,8 @@ OUTCOME_CANDIDATE_SET_DRIFT = "candidate_set_drift"
 SKIP_CLAIMED_BY_OTHER_SESSION = "claimed_by_other_session"
 # #776: controller-supplied pre-rank exclusion.
 SKIP_EXCLUDED_BY_CONTROLLER = "excluded_by_controller"
+# #844: epic / child-only implementation container (pre-rank).
+SKIP_EPIC_OR_CHILD_ONLY_CONTAINER = "epic_or_child_only_container"
 
 # Ownership verdicts for a live claim on a candidate (#765).
 OWNERSHIP_OWN = "own"
@@ -130,6 +132,39 @@ ROLE_ACTIONS: dict[str, tuple[tuple[str, ...], tuple[str, ...]]] = {
 }
 
 
+# Body phrases that prove an issue is an implementation container, not a
+# unit of direct author work (#844). Matched case-insensitively against the
+# issue body. Title alone is never sufficient (ordinary issues may mention
+# "epic" incidentally).
+_CHILD_ONLY_BODY_MARKERS: tuple[str, ...] = (
+    "implementation is delivered via child issues only",
+    "implementation is delivered through child issues only",
+    "implementation is delivered via child issues",
+    "implementation is delivered through child issues",
+    "do not implement product features in this epic",
+    "do not implement product features in this epic issue itself",
+    "no product feature implementation is claimed complete solely on this epic",
+    "implementable child issues remain independently eligible",
+    "owns the product roadmap and linkage",
+    "this epic owns the product roadmap",
+    "coordination container",
+    "child-only container",
+    "implementation is delegated to child",
+)
+
+# Explicit epic / umbrella labels (structured evidence preferred over title).
+_EPIC_LABELS: frozenset[str] = frozenset(
+    {
+        "type:epic",
+        "epic",
+        "kind:epic",
+        "scope:epic",
+        "type:umbrella",
+        "umbrella",
+    }
+)
+
+
 @dataclass
 class WorkCandidate:
     """One assignable Gitea issue or PR presented to the allocator."""
@@ -139,6 +174,7 @@ class WorkCandidate:
     state: str = "open"
     labels: tuple[str, ...] = ()
     title: str = ""
+    body: str = ""
     priority: int = 0
     head_sha: str | None = None
     # Routing signals (callers derive from Gitea / review feedback).
@@ -158,6 +194,7 @@ class WorkCandidate:
         self.labels = tuple(
             str(x).strip().lower() for x in (self.labels or ()) if str(x).strip()
         )
+        self.body = str(self.body or "")
         if self.kind not in WORK_KINDS:
             raise InvalidWorkKindError(
                 f"candidate kind '{self.kind}' is not assignable; only "
@@ -171,6 +208,7 @@ class WorkCandidate:
             "state": self.state,
             "labels": list(self.labels),
             "title": self.title,
+            "body": self.body,
             "priority": self.priority,
             "head_sha": self.head_sha,
             "request_changes_current_head": self.request_changes_current_head,
@@ -184,6 +222,51 @@ class WorkCandidate:
         }
 
 
+def classify_epic_or_child_only_container(
+    c: WorkCandidate,
+) -> tuple[bool, str | None]:
+    """Return whether *c* is an epic / child-only implementation container (#844).
+
+    Exclusion uses structured evidence first (labels, body scope language).
+    A bare title containing the word "epic" is **not** enough — ordinary
+    implementable issues may mention epics incidentally. A title that is
+    explicitly prefixed ``Epic:`` only counts when the body also proves
+    child-only / no-direct-implementation scope (or an epic label is present).
+
+    PRs are never classified as containers here (they already have a head).
+    """
+    if c.kind != "issue":
+        return False, None
+
+    labels = set(c.labels)
+    epic_label = sorted(labels & _EPIC_LABELS)
+    body_l = (c.body or "").lower()
+    title = (c.title or "").strip()
+    title_l = title.lower()
+
+    body_hits = [m for m in _CHILD_ONLY_BODY_MARKERS if m in body_l]
+    title_epic_prefix = title_l.startswith("epic:") or title_l.startswith("epic ")
+
+    if epic_label:
+        detail = f"label={epic_label[0]}"
+        if body_hits:
+            detail = f"{detail}; body_marker={body_hits[0]!r}"
+        return True, detail
+
+    if body_hits:
+        # Body proves child-only / umbrella scope. Title "Epic:" is corroborating
+        # but not required — containers without the word still exclude.
+        detail = f"body_marker={body_hits[0]!r}"
+        if title_epic_prefix:
+            detail = f"title_epic_prefix; {detail}"
+        return True, detail
+
+    # Title-only "Epic:" without body scope evidence is insufficient (#844 AC:
+    # eligibility does not rely solely on the word "Epic" in a title).
+    # Similarly, incidental "epic" mid-title without markers stays eligible.
+    return False, None
+
+
 @dataclass
 class SkipRecord:
     kind: str
@@ -850,7 +933,8 @@ def allocate_next_work(
     ownership_defects: list[dict[str, Any]] = []
     controller_excluded: list[dict[str, Any]] = []
 
-    # #776 AC2: remove excluded numbers *before* ranking / selection / lease.
+    # #776 AC2 + #844: remove excluded numbers *and* epic/child-only containers
+    # *before* ranking / selection / lease so they never receive assignments.
     rankable: list[WorkCandidate] = []
     for c in candidates:
         if int(c.number) in exclude_set:
@@ -929,6 +1013,23 @@ def allocate_next_work(
                     },
                 }
             continue
+        # #844: epics / child-only containers are never direct implement targets.
+        is_container, container_detail = classify_epic_or_child_only_container(c)
+        if is_container:
+            detail = container_detail or "epic or child-only container"
+            reason = (
+                f"{c.kind}#{c.number} {SKIP_EPIC_OR_CHILD_ONLY_CONTAINER}: "
+                f"{detail}; implementation is delegated to child issues"
+            )
+            skipped.append(
+                SkipRecord(
+                    c.kind,
+                    c.number,
+                    reason,
+                    SKIP_EPIC_OR_CHILD_ONLY_CONTAINER,
+                )
+            )
+            continue
         rankable.append(c)
 
     ordered = sort_candidates(rankable)
@@ -1115,6 +1216,12 @@ def allocate_next_work(
             "reasons": [
                 "dry-run only (apply=false); no assignment/lease created — "
                 "call again with apply=true to reserve via control-plane DB"
+                + (
+                    "; after apply, the required-role worker consumes via "
+                    "gitea_adopt_workflow_lease (#843)"
+                    if mode == ALLOCATION_MODE_CROSS_ROLE and expected_role != role_norm
+                    else ""
+                )
             ],
             "skipped": [s.as_dict() for s in skipped],
             "terminal_pr": terminal_pr,
@@ -1146,6 +1253,9 @@ def allocate_next_work(
     # Atomic reserve via #613 substrate.
     ttl = lease_ttl_seconds if lease_ttl_seconds is not None else None
     try:
+        cross_role_handoff = (
+            mode == ALLOCATION_MODE_CROSS_ROLE and lease_role != role_norm
+        )
         kwargs: dict[str, Any] = {
             "session_id": session_id,
             "role": lease_role,
@@ -1157,7 +1267,8 @@ def allocate_next_work(
             "expected_head_sha": selected.head_sha,
             "allowed_actions": allowed,
             "forbidden_actions": forbidden,
-            "phase": "allocated",
+            # #843: mark cross-role allocations as awaiting independent consume
+            "phase": "awaiting_handoff" if cross_role_handoff else "allocated",
         }
         if ttl is not None:
             kwargs["lease_ttl_seconds"] = int(ttl)
@@ -1237,7 +1348,52 @@ def allocate_next_work(
         "lease_role": lease_role,
         "source": "control_plane_db.assign_and_lease",
     }
-    return {
+    consume_allocation = None
+    if cross_role_handoff and result.lease_id:
+        # Durable handoff marker so independent required-role workers can
+        # consume without sharing the controller session (#843).
+        handoff_prov = {
+            "cross_role_handoff": True,
+            "handoff_status": "pending",
+            "allocating_session_id": session_id,
+            "allocating_role": role_norm,
+            "required_role": expected_role,
+            "required_profile": selection["required_profile"],
+            "required_namespace": selection["required_namespace"],
+            "assignment_id": result.assignment_id,
+            "lease_id": result.lease_id,
+            "allocation_mode": mode,
+            "adopted_by_session_id": None,
+        }
+        try:
+            db.attach_lease_provenance(result.lease_id, handoff_prov)
+        except ControlPlaneError:
+            # Still return assignment evidence; consume path may be unavailable
+            handoff_prov["attach_failed"] = True
+        consume_allocation = {
+            "tool": "gitea_adopt_workflow_lease",
+            "lease_id": result.lease_id,
+            "assignment_id": result.assignment_id,
+            "required_role": expected_role,
+            "required_profile": selection["required_profile"],
+            "required_namespace": selection["required_namespace"],
+            "handoff_status": "pending",
+            "controller_session_required": False,
+            "instructions": (
+                f"From an independent {expected_role} session "
+                f"({selection['required_namespace']} / "
+                f"{selection['required_profile']}), call "
+                f"gitea_adopt_workflow_lease(lease_id={result.lease_id!r}) "
+                "to consume this controller allocation. The allocating "
+                "controller process does not need to remain alive. Wrong-role "
+                "and second-adoption attempts fail closed."
+            ),
+        }
+        lease_proof["cross_role_handoff"] = True
+        lease_proof["handoff_status"] = "pending"
+        lease_proof["consume_tool"] = "gitea_adopt_workflow_lease"
+
+    out = {
         "success": True,
         "outcome": OUTCOME_ASSIGNED,
         "apply": True,
@@ -1271,8 +1427,17 @@ def allocate_next_work(
             "lease_role": lease_role,
             "lease_proof": lease_proof,
             "selection_policy": SELECTION_POLICY,
+            "cross_role_handoff": bool(cross_role_handoff),
         },
-        "next_valid_command": _next_command(lease_role, selected),
+        "next_valid_command": (
+            (
+                f"consume lease {result.lease_id} via gitea_adopt_workflow_lease "
+                f"as {expected_role}, then "
+            )
+            + _next_command(lease_role, selected)
+            if cross_role_handoff
+            else _next_command(lease_role, selected)
+        ),
         "substrate": "control_plane_db",
         "file_lock_only": False,
         "comment_lease_only": False,
@@ -1287,9 +1452,14 @@ def allocate_next_work(
         "downstream_note": (
             "#612 incident bridge remains downstream of #600; "
             "allocator never assigns raw monitoring incidents; "
-            "controller routes only under cross_role (#840)"
+            "controller routes only under cross_role (#840); "
+            "cross-role assignments are consumable by independent "
+            "required-role workers via gitea_adopt_workflow_lease (#843)"
         ),
     }
+    if consume_allocation is not None:
+        out["consume_allocation"] = consume_allocation
+    return out
 
 
 def _next_command(role: str, c: WorkCandidate) -> str:
@@ -1341,6 +1511,7 @@ def candidate_from_dict(data: dict[str, Any]) -> WorkCandidate:
         state=str(data.get("state") or "open"),
         labels=tuple(data.get("labels") or ()),
         title=str(data.get("title") or ""),
+        body=str(data.get("body") or ""),
         priority=priority,
         head_sha=data.get("head_sha"),
         request_changes_current_head=bool(data.get("request_changes_current_head")),

author_issue_bootstrap.py

@@ -0,0 +1,824 @@
+"""Sanctioned author issue worktree bootstrap for allocated issues (#850).
+
+Bootstraps an allocated author branch, canonical worktree under ``branches/``,
+worktree registration, issue lock, and lease/assignment binding without
+caller-side Git, Bash, or helper scripts.
+
+Features:
+1. Durable phase journal with read-after-write evidence for every phase.
+2. Idempotent replay handling via idempotency keys.
+3. Authoritative expected-base / concurrency-pin validation.
+4. Typed stale-pin refusal without silent rebasing or repointing.
+5. Canonical branches-root enforcement (path MUST be inside branches/).
+6. Preexisting work preservation (dirty tracked/untracked check, foreign ownership refusal).
+7. Compensating recovery limited strictly to artifacts created by this transition.
+8. Satisfiable exact_next_action for MCP scheduled workers.
+"""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import json
+import os
+import shutil
+import subprocess
+from typing import Any, Mapping
+
+import author_mutation_worktree
+import issue_lock_store
+import issue_lock_worktree
+import lease_lifecycle
+from reviewer_worktree import parse_dirty_tracked_files
+import task_capability_map
+
+BOOTSTRAP_TASKS = frozenset(
+    {
+        "bootstrap_author_issue_worktree",
+        "gitea_bootstrap_author_issue_worktree",
+    }
+)
+
+PHASE_1_REQUEST_ACCEPTED = "1_request_accepted"
+PHASE_2_BRANCH_CONFIRMED = "2_branch_confirmed"
+PHASE_3_PATH_RESERVED = "3_path_reserved"
+PHASE_4_WORKTREE_CONFIRMED = "4_worktree_confirmed"
+PHASE_5_REGISTRATION_VERIFIED = "5_registration_verified"
+PHASE_6_STATE_ESTABLISHED = "6_state_established"
+PHASE_7_TRANSITION_COMPLETED = "7_transition_completed"
+PHASE_COMPENSATING_RECOVERY = "compensating_recovery"
+
+JOURNAL_DIR_NAME = "bootstrap-journals"
+
+
+def is_author_issue_bootstrap_task(task: str | None) -> bool:
+    """True when *task* is the author issue worktree bootstrap task."""
+    return (task or "").strip() in BOOTSTRAP_TASKS
+
+
+def get_journal_dir(override: str | None = None) -> str:
+    """Return the root directory for durable bootstrap phase journals."""
+    if override:
+        path = override
+    elif os.environ.get("GITEA_BOOTSTRAP_JOURNAL_DIR"):
+        path = os.environ["GITEA_BOOTSTRAP_JOURNAL_DIR"]
+    else:
+        cache_dir = os.path.expanduser("~/.cache/gitea-tools")
+        path = os.path.join(cache_dir, JOURNAL_DIR_NAME)
+    os.makedirs(path, exist_ok=True)
+    return path
+
+
+def _journal_file_path(idempotency_key: str, journal_dir: str | None = None) -> str:
+    safe_key = "".join(
+        c if c.isalnum() or c in ("-", "_", ".") else "_"
+        for c in idempotency_key
+    )
+    return os.path.join(get_journal_dir(journal_dir), f"{safe_key}.json")
+
+
+def load_phase_journal(
+    idempotency_key: str, journal_dir: str | None = None
+) -> dict[str, Any] | None:
+    """Load a durable phase journal if it exists."""
+    path = _journal_file_path(idempotency_key, journal_dir=journal_dir)
+    if not os.path.isfile(path):
+        return None
+    try:
+        with open(path, "r", encoding="utf-8") as f:
+            return json.load(f)
+    except Exception:
+        return None
+
+
+def save_phase_journal(
+    journal: dict[str, Any], journal_dir: str | None = None
+) -> None:
+    """Persist a durable phase journal with write-through file sync."""
+    key = journal["idempotency_key"]
+    path = _journal_file_path(key, journal_dir=journal_dir)
+    tmp_path = f"{path}.tmp.{os.getpid()}"
+    with open(tmp_path, "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
+        json.dump(journal, f, indent=2, sort_keys=True)
+    os.replace(tmp_path, path)
+
+
+def derive_default_idempotency_key(
+    remote: str,
+    org: str | None,
+    repo: str | None,
+    issue_number: int,
+    assignment_id: str | None = None,
+    lease_id: str | None = None,
+) -> str:
+    parts = [
+        "bootstrap",
+        (remote or "prgs").strip(),
+        (org or "Scaled-Tech-Consulting").strip(),
+        (repo or "Gitea-Tools").strip(),
+        f"issue-{issue_number}",
+    ]
+    if assignment_id:
+        parts.append(assignment_id.strip())
+    if lease_id:
+        parts.append(lease_id.strip())
+    return ":".join(parts)
+
+
+def run_compensating_recovery(
+    journal: dict[str, Any],
+    canonical_repo_root: str,
+) -> dict[str, Any]:
+    """Execute compensating recovery for artifacts created by this transition only."""
+    artifacts = journal.get("artifacts_created") or {}
+    rolled_back: list[str] = []
+    worktree_path = journal.get("worktree_path")
+    branch_name = journal.get("branch_name")
+
+    if (
+        artifacts.get("worktree_registered") or artifacts.get("worktree_dir_created")
+    ) and worktree_path:
+        if os.path.exists(worktree_path):
+            try:
+                subprocess.run(
+                    [
+                        "git",
+                        "-C",
+                        canonical_repo_root,
+                        "worktree",
+                        "remove",
+                        "--force",
+                        worktree_path,
+                    ],
+                    capture_output=True,
+                    text=True,
+                    check=False,
+                )
+            except Exception:
+                pass
+            if os.path.exists(worktree_path):
+                shutil.rmtree(worktree_path, ignore_errors=True)
+            try:
+                subprocess.run(
+                    ["git", "-C", canonical_repo_root, "worktree", "prune"],
+                    capture_output=True,
+                    text=True,
+                    check=False,
+                )
+            except Exception:
+                pass
+            rolled_back.append(f"worktree_path:{worktree_path}")
+
+    if artifacts.get("branch_created") and branch_name:
+        try:
+            res = subprocess.run(
+                [
+                    "git",
+                    "-C",
+                    canonical_repo_root,
+                    "rev-parse",
+                    "--verify",
+                    branch_name,
+                ],
+                capture_output=True,
+                text=True,
+                check=False,
+            )
+            if res.returncode == 0:
+                subprocess.run(
+                    [
+                        "git",
+                        "-C",
+                        canonical_repo_root,
+                        "branch",
+                        "-D",
+                        branch_name,
+                    ],
+                    capture_output=True,
+                    text=True,
+                    check=False,
+                )
+                rolled_back.append(f"branch:{branch_name}")
+        except Exception:
+            pass
+
+    recovery_info = {
+        "executed": True,
+        "rolled_back": rolled_back,
+        "reason": journal.get("failure_reason"),
+    }
+    journal["compensating_recovery"] = recovery_info
+    journal["current_phase"] = PHASE_COMPENSATING_RECOVERY
+    save_phase_journal(journal)
+    return recovery_info
+
+
+def assess_author_issue_bootstrap(
+    *,
+    workspace_path: str,
+    canonical_repo_root: str,
+    current_branch: str | None = None,
+    head_sha: str | None = None,
+    porcelain_status: str = "",
+    remote_master_sha: str | None = None,
+    remote_master_sha_error: str | None = None,
+    task: str | None = None,
+) -> dict[str, Any]:
+    """Assess whether author issue worktree bootstrap may proceed from control or worktree root."""
+    root = os.path.realpath(canonical_repo_root or "")
+    workspace = os.path.realpath(workspace_path or root or ".")
+    branch = (current_branch or "").strip()
+    dirty = parse_dirty_tracked_files(porcelain_status or "")
+    under_branches = (
+        author_mutation_worktree.is_path_under_branches(workspace, root)
+        if root
+        else False
+    )
+
+    if not is_author_issue_bootstrap_task(task):
+        return {
+            "not_applicable": True,
+            "allowed": False,
+            "block": False,
+            "proven": False,
+            "reasons": ["task is not author_issue_bootstrap"],
+        }
+
+    if under_branches:
+        return {
+            "not_applicable": False,
+            "allowed": True,
+            "block": False,
+            "proven": True,
+            "bootstrap_path": "existing_branches_worktree",
+            "reasons": [
+                "workspace is already a registered worktree under branches/"
+            ],
+        }
+
+    reasons: list[str] = []
+    if workspace != root:
+        reasons.append(
+            "bootstrap requires workspace to be canonical control checkout or branches/ worktree"
+        )
+    if branch not in author_mutation_worktree.BASE_BRANCHES:
+        reasons.append(
+            f"control checkout branch '{branch}' is not an accepted base branch "
+            f"({', '.join(sorted(author_mutation_worktree.BASE_BRANCHES))})"
+        )
+    if dirty:
+        reasons.append(
+            f"control checkout has tracked local edits: {', '.join(dirty[:5])}"
+        )
+
+    if remote_master_sha_error:
+        reasons.append(
+            f"could not verify live master tip: {remote_master_sha_error}"
+        )
+    elif remote_master_sha and head_sha:
+        h = head_sha.strip().lower()
+        rm = remote_master_sha.strip().lower()
+        if h != rm:
+            reasons.append(
+                f"control checkout HEAD ({h[:12]}) != live master tip ({rm[:12]})"
+            )
+
+    if reasons:
+        return {
+            "not_applicable": False,
+            "allowed": False,
+            "block": True,
+            "proven": False,
+            "reasons": reasons,
+        }
+
+    return {
+        "not_applicable": False,
+        "allowed": True,
+        "block": False,
+        "proven": True,
+        "bootstrap_path": "clean_canonical_control_checkout",
+        "reasons": [
+            "control checkout is clean on accepted base branch matching live master"
+        ],
+    }
+
+
+import fcntl
+
+
+class BootstrapTransitionLock:
+    """Inter-process file lock scoped to the transition identity / idempotency key."""
+
+    def __init__(self, idempotency_key: str, journal_dir: str | None = None):
+        safe_key = "".join(
+            c if c.isalnum() or c in ("-", "_", ".") else "_"
+            for c in idempotency_key
+        )
+        lock_dir = get_journal_dir(journal_dir)
+        self.lock_path = os.path.join(lock_dir, f"{safe_key}.lock")
+        self.fd = None
+
+    def __enter__(self):
+        self.fd = open(self.lock_path, "a+")
+        fcntl.flock(self.fd, fcntl.LOCK_EX)
+        return self
+
+    def __exit__(self, exc_type, exc_val, exc_tb):
+        if self.fd:
+            try:
+                fcntl.flock(self.fd, fcntl.LOCK_UN)
+            except Exception:
+                pass
+            try:
+                self.fd.close()
+            except Exception:
+                pass
+            self.fd = None
+
+
+def bootstrap_author_issue_worktree(
+    *,
+    issue_number: int,
+    canonical_repo_root: str,
+    assignment_id: str | None = None,
+    lease_id: str | None = None,
+    expected_base_sha: str | None = None,
+    branch_name: str | None = None,
+    worktree_path: str | None = None,
+    idempotency_key: str | None = None,
+    remote: str = "prgs",
+    host: str | None = None,
+    org: str | None = "Scaled-Tech-Consulting",
+    repo: str | None = "Gitea-Tools",
+    active_identity: str | None = "jcwalker3",
+    active_profile: str | None = "prgs-author",
+    owner_session: str | None = None,
+    lock_dir: str | None = None,
+    dry_run: bool = False,
+) -> dict[str, Any]:
+    """Execute the sanctioned author issue worktree bootstrap transition."""
+    root = os.path.realpath(canonical_repo_root)
+
+    # Derive standard inputs
+    expected_pattern = f"issue-{issue_number}"
+    target_branch = (branch_name or "").strip()
+    if not target_branch:
+        target_branch = f"fix/issue-{issue_number}-native-mcp-bootstrap"
+    elif expected_pattern not in target_branch:
+        return {
+            "success": False,
+            "reason_code": "invalid_branch_name",
+            "message": (
+                f"Branch name '{target_branch}' must contain issue pattern '{expected_pattern}'"
+            ),
+            "exact_next_action": (
+                f"Supply a branch_name containing '{expected_pattern}', e.g., 'fix/issue-{issue_number}-...'"
+            ),
+        }
+
+    worktree_name = target_branch.replace("/", "-")
+    target_worktree = (worktree_path or "").strip()
+    if not target_worktree:
+        target_worktree = os.path.join(root, "branches", worktree_name)
+    target_worktree = os.path.realpath(os.path.abspath(target_worktree))
+
+    key = (idempotency_key or "").strip()
+    if not key:
+        key = derive_default_idempotency_key(
+            remote=remote,
+            org=org,
+            repo=repo,
+            issue_number=issue_number,
+            assignment_id=assignment_id,
+            lease_id=lease_id,
+        )
+
+    # Acquire cross-process file lock scoped to the idempotency key / transition identity
+    with BootstrapTransitionLock(key):
+        # Idempotency check
+        existing = load_phase_journal(key)
+        if existing and existing.get("completed"):
+            if (
+                existing.get("issue_number") == issue_number
+                and existing.get("branch_name") == target_branch
+                and os.path.realpath(existing.get("worktree_path", ""))
+                == target_worktree
+            ):
+                return {
+                    "success": True,
+                    "replayed": True,
+                    "message": (
+                        f"Idempotent replay: worktree for issue #{issue_number} already bootstrapped at {target_worktree}"
+                    ),
+                    "issue_number": issue_number,
+                    "branch_name": target_branch,
+                    "worktree_path": target_worktree,
+                    "base_sha": existing.get("resolved_base_sha"),
+                    "lease_id": existing.get("lease_id"),
+                    "assignment_id": existing.get("assignment_id"),
+                    "idempotency_key": key,
+                    "phase_journal": existing,
+                    "exact_next_action": (
+                        f"Call gitea_whoami, then gitea_resolve_task_capability(task='work_issue', worktree_path='{target_worktree}') "
+                        "and proceed with author implementation in the bootstrapped worktree."
+                    ),
+                }
+            else:
+                return {
+                    "success": False,
+                    "reason_code": "incompatible_idempotency_replay",
+                    "message": (
+                        f"Idempotency key '{key}' already exists with incompatible parameters "
+                        f"(stored: {existing.get('branch_name')}, {existing.get('worktree_path')}; "
+                        f"requested: {target_branch}, {target_worktree})"
+                    ),
+                    "exact_next_action": (
+                        "Supply a unique idempotency_key or pass compatible parameters."
+                    ),
+                }
+
+        # Initialize or resume Phase Journal
+        if existing:
+            journal = existing
+            artifacts = journal.setdefault("artifacts_created", {})
+            artifacts.setdefault("branch_created", False)
+            artifacts.setdefault("worktree_dir_created", False)
+            artifacts.setdefault("worktree_registered", False)
+            artifacts.setdefault("lock_created", False)
+        else:
+            journal = {
+                "idempotency_key": key,
+                "issue_number": issue_number,
+                "assignment_id": assignment_id,
+                "lease_id": lease_id,
+                "expected_base_sha": expected_base_sha,
+                "resolved_base_sha": None,
+                "branch_name": target_branch,
+                "worktree_path": target_worktree,
+                "active_identity": active_identity,
+                "active_profile": active_profile,
+                "owner_session": owner_session,
+                "remote": remote,
+                "org": org,
+                "repo": repo,
+                "phases": {},
+                "artifacts_created": {
+                    "branch_created": False,
+                    "worktree_dir_created": False,
+                    "worktree_registered": False,
+                    "lock_created": False,
+                },
+                "current_phase": PHASE_1_REQUEST_ACCEPTED,
+                "completed": False,
+            }
+
+        # Fetch current live master SHA
+        try:
+            rev_res = subprocess.run(
+                ["git", "-C", root, "rev-parse", "HEAD"],
+                capture_output=True,
+                text=True,
+                check=True,
+            )
+            live_master_sha = rev_res.stdout.strip()
+        except Exception as exc:
+            return {
+                "success": False,
+                "reason_code": "git_rev_parse_failed",
+                "message": f"Could not determine repository HEAD: {exc}",
+                "exact_next_action": "Verify repository git state and retry.",
+            }
+
+        # Phase 1: REQUEST_ACCEPTED & Concurrency Pin Check
+        if expected_base_sha:
+            exp_norm = expected_base_sha.strip().lower()
+            live_norm = live_master_sha.lower()
+            if exp_norm != live_norm:
+                journal["failure_reason"] = (
+                    f"stale concurrency pin: expected {exp_norm[:12]} != live {live_norm[:12]}"
+                )
+                save_phase_journal(journal)
+                return {
+                    "success": False,
+                    "reason_code": "stale_concurrency_pin",
+                    "message": (
+                        f"Expected base SHA {exp_norm[:12]} does not match live master SHA {live_norm[:12]} (fail closed)."
+                    ),
+                    "expected_base_sha": expected_base_sha,
+                    "live_master_sha": live_master_sha,
+                    "exact_next_action": (
+                        "Re-evaluate assignment against current live master SHA and retry with updated expected_base_sha."
+                    ),
+                }
+
+        journal["resolved_base_sha"] = live_master_sha
+        journal["phases"][PHASE_1_REQUEST_ACCEPTED] = {
+            "status": "completed",
+            "live_master_sha": live_master_sha,
+            "expected_base_sha": expected_base_sha,
+        }
+        journal["current_phase"] = PHASE_2_BRANCH_CONFIRMED
+        save_phase_journal(journal)
+
+        if dry_run:
+            return {
+                "success": True,
+                "dry_run": True,
+                "message": f"Dry-run: validated bootstrap intent for issue #{issue_number}",
+                "issue_number": issue_number,
+                "branch_name": target_branch,
+                "worktree_path": target_worktree,
+                "base_sha": live_master_sha,
+                "phase_journal": journal,
+                "exact_next_action": "Run without dry_run=True to execute bootstrap.",
+            }
+
+        # Phase 2: BRANCH_CONFIRMED
+        was_branch_created_previously = journal["artifacts_created"].get("branch_created", False)
+        branch_check = subprocess.run(
+            ["git", "-C", root, "rev-parse", "--verify", target_branch],
+            capture_output=True,
+            text=True,
+            check=False,
+        )
+        if branch_check.returncode == 0:
+            branch_head = branch_check.stdout.strip()
+            # Verify branch head descends from base
+            anc_check = subprocess.run(
+                [
+                    "git",
+                    "-C",
+                    root,
+                    "merge-base",
+                    "--is-ancestor",
+                    live_master_sha,
+                    branch_head,
+                ],
+                capture_output=True,
+                text=True,
+                check=False,
+            )
+            if anc_check.returncode != 0 and branch_head.lower() != live_master_sha.lower():
+                journal["failure_reason"] = (
+                    f"existing branch '{target_branch}' HEAD ({branch_head[:12]}) does not descend from base ({live_master_sha[:12]})"
+                )
+                save_phase_journal(journal)
+                return {
+                    "success": False,
+                    "reason_code": "incompatible_existing_branch",
+                    "message": (
+                        f"Existing branch '{target_branch}' HEAD ({branch_head[:12]}) is incompatible with live master ({live_master_sha[:12]})."
+                    ),
+                    "exact_next_action": (
+                        "Inspect or remove the incompatible branch before bootstrapping."
+                    ),
+                }
+            # Preserve creation provenance monotonically across interruption and replay
+            journal["artifacts_created"]["branch_created"] = was_branch_created_previously
+        else:
+            # Create branch
+            create_res = subprocess.run(
+                ["git", "-C", root, "branch", target_branch, live_master_sha],
+                capture_output=True,
+                text=True,
+                check=False,
+            )
+            if create_res.returncode != 0:
+                journal["failure_reason"] = (
+                    f"failed to create git branch '{target_branch}': {create_res.stderr.strip()}"
+                )
+                save_phase_journal(journal)
+                return {
+                    "success": False,
+                    "reason_code": "branch_creation_failed",
+                    "message": f"Failed to create git branch '{target_branch}': {create_res.stderr.strip()}",
+                    "exact_next_action": "Verify branch availability and retry.",
+                }
+            journal["artifacts_created"]["branch_created"] = True
+
+        journal["phases"][PHASE_2_BRANCH_CONFIRMED] = {
+            "status": "completed",
+            "branch_name": target_branch,
+            "created": journal["artifacts_created"]["branch_created"],
+        }
+        journal["current_phase"] = PHASE_3_PATH_RESERVED
+        save_phase_journal(journal)
+
+        # Phase 3: PATH_RESERVED & Phase 4: WORKTREE_CONFIRMED
+        if not author_mutation_worktree.is_path_under_branches(
+            target_worktree, root
+        ):
+            journal["failure_reason"] = (
+                f"target_worktree '{target_worktree}' is outside canonical branches/ root"
+            )
+            run_compensating_recovery(journal, root)
+            return {
+                "success": False,
+                "reason_code": "path_outside_canonical_branches_root",
+                "message": (
+                    f"Worktree path '{target_worktree}' is outside canonical branches/ root (fail closed)."
+                ),
+                "exact_next_action": (
+                    "Provide a worktree_path inside canonical branches/ root, e.g., 'branches/issue-...'"
+                ),
+            }
+
+        was_dir_created_previously = journal["artifacts_created"].get("worktree_dir_created", False)
+        was_registered_previously = journal["artifacts_created"].get("worktree_registered", False)
+
+        dir_exists = os.path.exists(target_worktree)
+        if dir_exists:
+            # Check porcelain directly
+            porc_res = subprocess.run(
+                ["git", "-C", target_worktree, "status", "--porcelain"],
+                capture_output=True,
+                text=True,
+                check=False,
+            )
+            dirty = (
+                parse_dirty_tracked_files(porc_res.stdout)
+                if porc_res.returncode == 0
+                else []
+            )
+            if dirty or (porc_res.returncode == 0 and porc_res.stdout.strip()):
+                journal["failure_reason"] = (
+                    f"target worktree '{target_worktree}' contains dirty tracked/untracked files"
+                )
+                run_compensating_recovery(journal, root)
+                return {
+                    "success": False,
+                    "reason_code": "preexisting_dirty_worktree",
+                    "message": (
+                        f"Preexisting worktree '{target_worktree}' has dirty tracked/untracked files (fail closed)."
+                    ),
+                    "exact_next_action": (
+                        "Clean or stash the pre-existing worktree files before bootstrapping."
+                    ),
+                }
+
+            # Check registered branch
+            wt_state = issue_lock_worktree.read_worktree_git_state(target_worktree)
+            wt_branch = (wt_state.get("current_branch") or "").strip()
+            if wt_branch and wt_branch != target_branch:
+                journal["failure_reason"] = (
+                    f"existing worktree '{target_worktree}' is on branch '{wt_branch}' != expected '{target_branch}'"
+                )
+                run_compensating_recovery(journal, root)
+                return {
+                    "success": False,
+                    "reason_code": "incompatible_existing_directory",
+                    "message": (
+                        f"Existing worktree '{target_worktree}' is registered to branch '{wt_branch}' instead of '{target_branch}'."
+                    ),
+                    "exact_next_action": (
+                        "Inspect or remove the pre-existing worktree folder before bootstrapping."
+                    ),
+                }
+            journal["artifacts_created"]["worktree_dir_created"] = was_dir_created_previously
+            journal["artifacts_created"]["worktree_registered"] = (
+                was_registered_previously or was_dir_created_previously
+            )
+        else:
+            wt_add_res = subprocess.run(
+                [
+                    "git",
+                    "-C",
+                    root,
+                    "worktree",
+                    "add",
+                    target_worktree,
+                    target_branch,
+                ],
+                capture_output=True,
+                text=True,
+                check=False,
+            )
+            if wt_add_res.returncode != 0:
+                journal["failure_reason"] = (
+                    f"git worktree add failed: {wt_add_res.stderr.strip()}"
+                )
+                run_compensating_recovery(journal, root)
+                return {
+                    "success": False,
+                    "reason_code": "worktree_add_failed",
+                    "message": f"Failed to execute git worktree add: {wt_add_res.stderr.strip()}",
+                    "exact_next_action": "Verify git worktree capabilities and retry.",
+                }
+            journal["artifacts_created"]["worktree_dir_created"] = True
+            journal["artifacts_created"]["worktree_registered"] = True
+
+        journal["phases"][PHASE_3_PATH_RESERVED] = {
+            "status": "completed",
+            "worktree_path": target_worktree,
+            "preexisting_dir": dir_exists,
+        }
+        journal["current_phase"] = PHASE_4_WORKTREE_CONFIRMED
+        save_phase_journal(journal)
+
+        # Phase 5: REGISTRATION_VERIFIED
+        wt_list_res = subprocess.run(
+            ["git", "-C", root, "worktree", "list", "--porcelain"],
+            capture_output=True,
+            text=True,
+            check=False,
+        )
+        norm_target = os.path.realpath(target_worktree)
+        found_registration = False
+        if wt_list_res.returncode == 0:
+            for block in wt_list_res.stdout.split("\n\n"):
+                lines = block.strip().splitlines()
+                worktree_line = next(
+                    (l[9:].strip() for l in lines if l.startswith("worktree ")),
+                    None,
+                )
+                if worktree_line and os.path.realpath(worktree_line) == norm_target:
+                    found_registration = True
+                    break
+
+        if not found_registration:
+            journal["failure_reason"] = (
+                f"worktree registration for '{target_worktree}' not found in git worktree list"
+            )
+            run_compensating_recovery(journal, root)
+            return {
+                "success": False,
+                "reason_code": "worktree_registration_verification_failed",
+                "message": f"Worktree '{target_worktree}' registration verification failed.",
+                "exact_next_action": "Check git worktree list integrity and retry.",
+            }
+
+        journal["phases"][PHASE_4_WORKTREE_CONFIRMED] = {
+            "status": "completed",
+            "worktree_path": target_worktree,
+        }
+        journal["phases"][PHASE_5_REGISTRATION_VERIFIED] = {
+            "status": "completed",
+            "registered": True,
+        }
+        journal["current_phase"] = PHASE_6_STATE_ESTABLISHED
+        save_phase_journal(journal)
+
+        # Phase 6: STATE_ESTABLISHED — Issue Lock Acquisition
+        from datetime import datetime, timezone
+        try:
+            lock_data = {
+                "remote": remote,
+                "org": org or "Scaled-Tech-Consulting",
+                "repo": repo or "Gitea-Tools",
+                "issue_number": issue_number,
+                "branch": target_branch,
+                "branch_name": target_branch,
+                "worktree_path": target_worktree,
+                "owner_session": owner_session or "prgs-author-95048-63667752",
+                "claimant": {
+                    "username": active_identity or "jcwalker3",
+                    "profile": active_profile or "prgs-author",
+                },
+                "assignment_id": assignment_id,
+                "lease_id": lease_id,
+                "expected_base_sha": live_master_sha,
+                "created_at": datetime.now(timezone.utc).isoformat(),
+            }
+            lock_res = issue_lock_store.bind_session_lock(lock_data, lock_dir=lock_dir)
+            journal["artifacts_created"]["lock_created"] = True
+        except Exception as exc:
+            journal["failure_reason"] = f"issue lock binding failed: {exc}"
+            run_compensating_recovery(journal, root)
+            return {
+                "success": False,
+                "reason_code": "issue_lock_acquisition_failed",
+                "message": f"Could not bind canonical issue lock for issue #{issue_number}: {exc}",
+                "exact_next_action": "Verify lease/assignment state and retry.",
+            }
+
+        journal["phases"][PHASE_6_STATE_ESTABLISHED] = {
+            "status": "completed",
+            "lock": lock_res,
+        }
+        journal["phases"][PHASE_7_TRANSITION_COMPLETED] = {
+            "status": "completed",
+        }
+        journal["current_phase"] = PHASE_7_TRANSITION_COMPLETED
+        journal["completed"] = True
+        save_phase_journal(journal)
+
+        return {
+            "success": True,
+            "replayed": False,
+            "message": (
+                f"Successfully bootstrapped author issue worktree for issue #{issue_number} "
+                f"at branch '{target_branch}' and worktree '{target_worktree}'."
+            ),
+            "issue_number": issue_number,
+            "branch_name": target_branch,
+            "worktree_path": target_worktree,
+            "base_sha": live_master_sha,
+            "lease_id": lease_id,
+            "assignment_id": assignment_id,
+            "idempotency_key": key,
+            "lock_state": lock_res,
+            "phase_journal": journal,
+            "exact_next_action": (
+                f"Call gitea_whoami, then gitea_resolve_task_capability(task='work_issue', worktree_path='{target_worktree}') "
+                "and proceed with author implementation in the bootstrapped worktree."
+            ),
+        }

author_mutation_worktree.py

@@ -40,21 +40,41 @@ def _normalize_path(path: str) -> str:
     return (path or "").replace("\\", "/").rstrip("/")
 
 
-def is_path_under_branches(path: str, project_root: str | None = None) -> bool:
-    """True when *path* resolves inside ``<project_root>/branches/``."""
-    normalized = _normalize_path(path)
-    if not normalized:
-        return False
-    if "/branches/" in f"{normalized}/":
-        return True
-    if normalized.endswith("/branches"):
-        return True
+def get_canonical_branches_root(project_root: str | None = None) -> str:
+    """Resolve the exact canonical branches root directory for the repository."""
     if project_root:
-        root = _normalize_path(os.path.realpath(project_root))
-        real = _normalize_path(os.path.realpath(path))
-        if real.startswith(f"{root}/"):
-            rel = real[len(root) + 1 :]
-            return rel == "branches" or rel.startswith("branches/")
+        root = os.path.realpath(project_root)
+    else:
+        root = os.path.realpath(os.getcwd())
+
+    norm = root.replace("\\", "/")
+    if "/branches/" in norm:
+        base_part = norm.split("/branches/")[0]
+        return os.path.realpath(os.path.join(base_part, "branches"))
+    elif norm.endswith("/branches"):
+        return os.path.realpath(norm)
+
+    return os.path.realpath(os.path.join(root, "branches"))
+
+
+def is_path_under_branches(path: str, project_root: str | None = None) -> bool:
+    """True when *path* resolves inside ``<canonical_repo_root>/branches/``."""
+    if not path or not str(path).strip():
+        return False
+    try:
+        real_path = os.path.realpath(os.path.abspath(str(path).strip()))
+    except Exception:
+        return False
+
+    branches_root = get_canonical_branches_root(project_root)
+
+    if real_path == branches_root:
+        return True
+
+    prefix = branches_root + os.sep
+    if real_path.startswith(prefix):
+        return True
+
     return False
 
 

control_plane_db.py

@@ -1637,11 +1637,13 @@ class ControlPlaneDB:
         provenance: dict[str, Any] | None = None,
         lease_ttl_seconds: int = DEFAULT_LEASE_TTL_SECONDS,
     ) -> dict[str, Any]:
-        """Transfer or refresh a lease with provenance (#601).
+        """Transfer or refresh a lease with provenance (#601 / #843).
 
         * Same owner + active → refresh (owner-resume).
+        * Cross-role handoff pending + matching required role → atomic consume
+          (even while the allocating controller session still "owns" the lease).
         * Expired/abandoned/released → create new assignment+lease with provenance.
-        * Active foreign → raise ForeignLeaseError (never silent steal).
+        * Active foreign (non-handoff) → raise ForeignLeaseError (never silent steal).
         """
         now = _utc_now()
         now_s = _ts(now)
@@ -1677,7 +1679,35 @@ class ControlPlaneDB:
                 status = "expired"
 
             owner = lease["session_id"]
-            if status == "active" and owner != adopter_session_id:
+            # Parse durable provenance for cross-role handoff consume (#843).
+            lease_prov: dict[str, Any] = {}
+            if "provenance_json" in lease.keys() and lease["provenance_json"]:
+                try:
+                    loaded = json.loads(lease["provenance_json"])
+                    if isinstance(loaded, dict):
+                        lease_prov = loaded
+                except (TypeError, json.JSONDecodeError):
+                    lease_prov = {}
+            handoff_pending = bool(lease_prov.get("cross_role_handoff")) and (
+                str(lease_prov.get("handoff_status") or "pending").strip().lower()
+                == "pending"
+            )
+            already_adopted = bool(
+                (lease["adopted_by_session_id"] if "adopted_by_session_id" in lease.keys() else None)
+                or lease_prov.get("adopted_by_session_id")
+            )
+            required_role = str(
+                lease_prov.get("required_role") or lease["role"] or ""
+            ).strip().lower()
+            adopter_role = (role or "").strip().lower()
+            cross_role_consume = (
+                handoff_pending
+                and not already_adopted
+                and status == "active"
+                and owner != adopter_session_id
+            )
+
+            if status == "active" and owner != adopter_session_id and not cross_role_consume:
                 raise ForeignLeaseError(
                     f"cannot adopt active foreign lease {lease_id} owned by {owner}"
                 )
@@ -1761,6 +1791,142 @@ class ControlPlaneDB:
                     "reasons": ["owner-resume: refreshed lease with provenance"],
                 }
 
+            # #843: controller→required-role handoff consume (atomic, same lease_id)
+            if cross_role_consume:
+                if not required_role:
+                    raise ControlPlaneError(
+                        f"cross-role handoff lease {lease_id} missing required_role"
+                    )
+                if adopter_role != required_role:
+                    raise ForeignLeaseError(
+                        f"wrong role for cross-role handoff consume: "
+                        f"required={required_role} adopter={adopter_role or 'none'} "
+                        f"(fail closed)"
+                    )
+                # CAS: only transfer if still owned by allocating session and unadopted
+                cols = self._lease_columns(conn)
+                adopted_col_null = (
+                    "(adopted_by_session_id IS NULL OR adopted_by_session_id = '')"
+                    if "adopted_by_session_id" in cols
+                    else "1=1"
+                )
+                cas = conn.execute(
+                    f"""
+                    UPDATE leases
+                    SET session_id = ?,
+                        heartbeat_at = ?,
+                        expires_at = ?,
+                        phase = ?,
+                        role = ?
+                    WHERE lease_id = ?
+                      AND status = 'active'
+                      AND session_id = ?
+                      AND {adopted_col_null}
+                    """,
+                    (
+                        adopter_session_id,
+                        now_s,
+                        expires,
+                        "adopted",
+                        required_role,
+                        lease_id,
+                        owner,
+                    ),
+                )
+                if cas.rowcount != 1:
+                    raise ForeignLeaseError(
+                        f"cross-role handoff consume lost race for lease {lease_id} "
+                        "(already adopted or no longer pending; fail closed)"
+                    )
+                if "adopted_from_session_id" in cols:
+                    conn.execute(
+                        """
+                        UPDATE leases
+                        SET adopted_from_session_id = ?, adopted_by_session_id = ?
+                        WHERE lease_id = ?
+                        """,
+                        (owner, adopter_session_id, lease_id),
+                    )
+                if "worktree_path" in cols and worktree_path:
+                    conn.execute(
+                        "UPDATE leases SET worktree_path = ? WHERE lease_id = ?",
+                        (worktree_path, lease_id),
+                    )
+                if "owner_pid" in cols and owner_pid is not None:
+                    conn.execute(
+                        "UPDATE leases SET owner_pid = ? WHERE lease_id = ?",
+                        (owner_pid, lease_id),
+                    )
+                if "expected_head_sha" in cols and expected_head_sha:
+                    conn.execute(
+                        "UPDATE leases SET expected_head_sha = ? WHERE lease_id = ?",
+                        (expected_head_sha, lease_id),
+                    )
+                # Merge handoff provenance + caller provenance
+                merged = dict(lease_prov)
+                merged.update(provenance or {})
+                merged["cross_role_handoff"] = True
+                merged["handoff_status"] = "adopted"
+                merged["adopted_from_session_id"] = owner
+                merged["adopted_by_session_id"] = adopter_session_id
+                merged["required_role"] = required_role
+                if "provenance_json" in cols:
+                    conn.execute(
+                        "UPDATE leases SET provenance_json = ? WHERE lease_id = ?",
+                        (json.dumps(merged), lease_id),
+                    )
+                # Transfer active assignment ownership atomically
+                asn_cas = conn.execute(
+                    """
+                    UPDATE assignments
+                    SET session_id = ?, role = ?
+                    WHERE lease_id = ? AND status = 'active' AND session_id = ?
+                    """,
+                    (adopter_session_id, required_role, lease_id, owner),
+                )
+                if asn_cas.rowcount < 1:
+                    # Fail closed: assignment must move with the lease
+                    raise ControlPlaneError(
+                        f"cross-role handoff: no active assignment for lease {lease_id} "
+                        f"owned by {owner}"
+                    )
+                lease2 = conn.execute(
+                    "SELECT * FROM leases WHERE lease_id = ?", (lease_id,)
+                ).fetchone()
+                asn = conn.execute(
+                    """
+                    SELECT * FROM assignments
+                    WHERE lease_id = ? AND status = 'active'
+                    ORDER BY created_at DESC LIMIT 1
+                    """,
+                    (lease_id,),
+                ).fetchone()
+                conn.execute(
+                    """
+                    INSERT INTO events(work_item_id, event_type, message, created_at)
+                    VALUES (?, 'lease_adopted', ?, ?)
+                    """,
+                    (
+                        lease["work_item_id"],
+                        f"cross-role handoff: {adopter_session_id} consumed "
+                        f"{lease_id} from {owner} as {required_role}",
+                        now_s,
+                    ),
+                )
+                return {
+                    "outcome": "adopted_cross_role_handoff",
+                    "lease": dict(lease2) if lease2 else dict(lease),
+                    "assignment": dict(asn) if asn else None,
+                    "reasons": [
+                        "cross-role handoff: independent required-role worker consumed "
+                        "controller allocation without abandonment"
+                    ],
+                    "adopted_by_session_id": adopter_session_id,
+                    "adopted_from_session_id": owner,
+                    "required_role": required_role,
+                    "handoff_status": "adopted",
+                }
+
             # Non-active: create new lease + assignment (transfer)
             new_lease_id = f"lease-{uuid.uuid4().hex[:16]}"
             new_asn_id = f"asn-{uuid.uuid4().hex[:16]}"

create_issue_bootstrap.py

@@ -247,7 +247,8 @@ def bootstrap_permits_control_checkout(
     """
     if not isinstance(assessment, dict):
         return False
-    if not is_create_issue_task(task):
+    import author_issue_bootstrap
+    if not is_create_issue_task(task) and not author_issue_bootstrap.is_author_issue_bootstrap_task(task):
         return False
 
     # Positive proof: the assessment must affirmatively allow, with no

docs/mcp-tool-inventory.md

@@ -69,6 +69,7 @@ that gates each call, not which tools exist.
 - `gitea_audit_worktree_cleanup`
 - `gitea_authorize_reconciliation_cleanup_phase`
 - `gitea_authorize_review_correction`
+- `gitea_bootstrap_author_issue_worktree`
 - `gitea_capability_stop_terminal_report`
 - `gitea_capture_branches_worktree_snapshot`
 - `gitea_check_pr_eligibility`

docs/webui-local-dev.md

@@ -52,7 +52,8 @@ status, onboarding checklist state, and the fail-closed error payloads (#635).
 | Path | Description |
 |------|-------------|
 | `/` | Home / operator overview |
-| `/health` | JSON liveness (`status`, `service`, `mode`, `timestamp`) |
+| `/health` | JSON liveness (`status`, `service`, `mode`, `timestamp`, `uptime_seconds`) |
+| `/api/v1/system/health` | Structured read-only system health (#634) |
 | `/queue` | Live PR and issue queue dashboard (#429) |
 | `/api/queue` | JSON queue export with pagination metadata |
 | `/projects` | Project registry list with status and onboarding progress (#427, #635) |
@@ -78,6 +79,85 @@ Most routes are GET-only. POST/PUT/PATCH/DELETE return `405` with
 `read-only-mvp`, except `/audit` and `/api/audit` which accept POST for
 local validator preview only (no Gitea mutations, no server-side storage).
 
+## System health API (#634)
+
+`GET /api/v1/system/health` is the structured, read-only health surface for
+automated readiness checks. It is the first console API under the `/api/v1`
+prefix; the unversioned MVP exports remain as compatibility aliases.
+
+`/health` is unchanged for existing consumers — every MVP key is still present
+— and now also carries `started_at`, `uptime_seconds`, and a
+`system_health_api` pointer. It stays deliberately cheap and runs no dependency
+probe, because answering readiness costs real work.
+
+**Status codes.** `200` when ready, `503` when a required dependency failed or
+was never probed. Automation can branch on the code without parsing the body.
+
+**Query flags.** The Gitea check is a network call, so it is opt-in:
+`GET /api/v1/system/health?deep=1` runs it and caches the result for
+`WEBUI_HEALTH_PROBE_TTL_SECONDS` (default 15s) so dashboard polling does not
+amplify into remote load. Without the flag that probe reports `skipped`.
+
+**Dependencies.** `control_plane_db` and `repository` are required and drive
+readiness. `gitea` is optional: when it fails the overall `status` degrades but
+`readiness.ready` stays true, because local inventory is still serveable. Each
+entry carries `status`, `detail`, `required`, and `latency_ms`.
+
+Two honesty rules are worth knowing before reading the payload:
+
+* `stale_runtime.mutation_safe` is true only when the runtime, checkout, and
+  remote-tracking commits are all known and equal. An unfetched remote is
+  reported as indeterminate, never as safe.
+* `mcp_namespaces` entries are always `unproven`. A web process runs outside
+  the IDE-managed MCP client and cannot invoke a namespace tool, so per #543
+  only a `client_namespace` probe can prove that path.
+
+Sample response (abridged, healthy):
+
+```json
+{
+  "status": "ok",
+  "service": "mcp-control-plane-webui",
+  "mode": "read-only",
+  "api": "/api/v1/system/health",
+  "timestamp": "2026-07-22T11:04:18.512034+00:00",
+  "readiness": { "ready": true, "complete": true, "reasons": [] },
+  "version": {
+    "git_sha": "620ed6e9a9550b8da2ceb82d9ab8744e8920490f",
+    "git_describe": "v1.1.0-898-g620ed6e",
+    "control_plane_schema_version": 4,
+    "python_version": "3.14.5",
+    "known": true
+  },
+  "process": { "started_at": "2026-07-22T10:58:02.114+00:00", "uptime_seconds": 376.4 },
+  "deep_probes_requested": false,
+  "dependencies": [
+    {
+      "name": "control_plane_db",
+      "kind": "sqlite",
+      "status": "ok",
+      "detail": "schema v4 readable",
+      "required": true,
+      "healthy": true,
+      "latency_ms": 1.482,
+      "metadata": { "schema_version": 4, "active_leases": 3 }
+    },
+    { "name": "repository", "kind": "git", "status": "ok", "required": true, "healthy": true },
+    { "name": "gitea", "kind": "http", "status": "skipped", "required": false, "healthy": false }
+  ],
+  "mcp_namespaces": [
+    { "namespace": "gitea-author", "required_tool": "gitea_whoami", "status": "unproven" }
+  ],
+  "stale_runtime": { "stale": false, "determinable": true, "mutation_safe": true, "reasons": [] },
+  "probe_errors": []
+}
+```
+
+No restart, reload, or process-kill control is exposed here: those are Phase 2
+at the earliest, and #630 forbids process-kill recovery outright. Every probe
+opens its subject read-only — the control-plane database is opened through a
+`mode=ro` URI so a health check can never create or migrate a schema.
+
 ## Report audit (#431)
 
 Paste an LLM final report at `/audit` or POST JSON to `/api/audit`. The UI

gitea_mcp_server.py

@@ -958,6 +958,32 @@ def _create_issue_bootstrap_assessment(
     """
     import create_issue_bootstrap as _cib
 
+    import author_issue_bootstrap as _aib
+    if _aib.is_author_issue_bootstrap_task(task):
+        ctx = _resolve_namespace_mutation_context(worktree_path)
+        workspace = ctx["workspace_path"]
+        git_state = issue_lock_worktree.read_worktree_git_state(workspace)
+        remote_master_sha_error: str | None = None
+        try:
+            remote_master_sha = root_checkout_guard.resolve_remote_master_sha(
+                ctx["canonical_repo_root"]
+            )
+        except Exception as exc:
+            remote_master_sha = None
+            remote_master_sha_error = (
+                f"{type(exc).__name__}: {exc}".strip() or "resolver failed"
+            )
+        return _aib.assess_author_issue_bootstrap(
+            workspace_path=workspace,
+            canonical_repo_root=ctx["canonical_repo_root"],
+            current_branch=git_state.get("current_branch"),
+            head_sha=git_state.get("head_sha"),
+            porcelain_status=git_state.get("porcelain_status") or "",
+            remote_master_sha=remote_master_sha,
+            remote_master_sha_error=remote_master_sha_error,
+            task=task,
+        )
+
     if not _cib.is_create_issue_task(task):
         return None
 
@@ -9343,6 +9369,96 @@ def gitea_publish_unpublished_issue_branch(
     }
 
 
+@mcp.tool()
+def gitea_bootstrap_author_issue_worktree(
+    issue_number: int,
+    assignment_id: str | None = None,
+    lease_id: str | None = None,
+    expected_base_sha: str | None = None,
+    branch_name: str | None = None,
+    worktree_path: str | None = None,
+    idempotency_key: str | None = None,
+    remote: str = "dadeschools",
+    host: str | None = None,
+    org: str | None = None,
+    repo: str | None = None,
+    dry_run: bool = False,
+) -> dict:
+    """Bootstrap an allocated author issue branch and registered worktree (#850).
+
+    Sanctioned MCP transition that creates or recovers the issue branch and
+    registered worktree under ``branches/``, binds it to the assignment/lease,
+    and makes it eligible for the canonical issue lock without touching the
+    stable control checkout.
+
+    Args:
+        issue_number: Allocated issue number to bootstrap.
+        assignment_id: Optional allocation assignment ID.
+        lease_id: Optional workflow lease ID.
+        expected_base_sha: Authoritative expected base SHA / concurrency pin.
+        branch_name: Optional custom branch name (must match issue-<N> pattern).
+        worktree_path: Optional custom worktree path under branches/.
+        idempotency_key: Optional key for idempotent replay/resume.
+        remote: Known instance — 'dadeschools' or 'prgs'.
+        host: Override Gitea host.
+        org: Override Org.
+        repo: Override Repo.
+        dry_run: Report planned transition without mutating repository.
+    """
+    task = "bootstrap_author_issue_worktree"
+    ok, block_reasons = role_session_router.check_author_mutation_after_reviewer_stop(
+        task
+    )
+    if not ok:
+        return _author_mutation_block(block_reasons)
+
+    blocked = _namespace_mutation_block(task, remote=remote)
+    if blocked:
+        return blocked
+    blocked = _profile_permission_block(
+        task_capability_map.required_permission(task),
+        remote=remote,
+        host=host,
+        org=org,
+        repo=repo,
+        org_explicit=org is not None,
+        repo_explicit=repo is not None,
+    )
+    if blocked:
+        return blocked
+
+    verify_preflight_purity(
+        remote,
+        task=task,
+        org=org,
+        repo=repo,
+    )
+
+    h, o, r = _resolve(remote, host, org, repo)
+    canonical_root = _canonical_local_git_root()
+
+    import author_issue_bootstrap
+
+    return author_issue_bootstrap.bootstrap_author_issue_worktree(
+        issue_number=issue_number,
+        canonical_repo_root=canonical_root,
+        assignment_id=assignment_id,
+        lease_id=lease_id,
+        expected_base_sha=expected_base_sha,
+        branch_name=branch_name,
+        worktree_path=worktree_path,
+        idempotency_key=idempotency_key,
+        remote=remote,
+        host=h,
+        org=o,
+        repo=r,
+        active_identity=_active_username(),
+        active_profile=_active_profile_name(),
+        owner_session=_current_session_id(),
+        dry_run=dry_run,
+    )
+
+
 # Merge methods supported by the Gitea merge API.
 _MERGE_METHODS = ("merge", "squash", "rebase")
 
@@ -19203,6 +19319,12 @@ def gitea_resolve_task_capability(
     task: str,
     remote: str = "dadeschools",
     host: str | None = None,
+    org: str | None = None,
+    repo: str | None = None,
+    issue_number: int | None = None,
+    worktree_path: str | None = None,
+    pr_number: int | None = None,
+    **kwargs: Any,
 ) -> dict:
     """Read-only / side-effect free: resolve capability, profile, and namespace for a task.
 
@@ -19219,13 +19341,17 @@ def gitea_resolve_task_capability(
         remote: Known remote instance name.
         host: Optional override for the Gitea host.
     """
+    import importlib
+    importlib.reload(task_capability_map)
+    importlib.reload(role_session_router)
+    task_key = task_capability_map._canonical_preflight_task(task)
     TASK_MAP = task_capability_map.TASK_CAPABILITY_MAP
     # Every fresh attempt invalidates the previous task/role stamp before any
     # fallible resolver work. Unknown/malformed tasks and unexpected failures
     # therefore remain fail-closed instead of preserving stale authority.
     _clear_resolved_capability_stamp()
 
-    if task not in TASK_MAP:
+    if task_key not in TASK_MAP:
         # #723: structured fail-closed unknown_task (never raise into internal_error).
         profile = get_profile()
         h = host or (REMOTES.get(remote, {}).get("host") if remote in REMOTES else None)
@@ -19271,8 +19397,8 @@ def gitea_resolve_task_capability(
             result["cleared_stale_denial"] = True
         return result
 
-    required_permission = task_capability_map.required_permission(task)
-    required_role = task_capability_map.required_role(task)
+    required_permission = task_capability_map.required_permission(task_key)
+    required_role = task_capability_map.required_role(task_key)
     role_exclusive_tasks = task_capability_map.ROLE_EXCLUSIVE_TASKS
 
     infra_assessment = role_session_router.assess_infra_stop(PROJECT_ROOT)
@@ -19458,7 +19584,10 @@ def gitea_resolve_task_capability(
     available_in_session = allowed_in_current_session
     runtime_stale_blocker = False
 
-    if "PYTEST_CURRENT_TEST" not in os.environ or "GITEA_FORCE_MCP_RUNTIME_CHECK" in os.environ:
+    if (
+        "PYTEST_CURRENT_TEST" not in os.environ
+        or "GITEA_FORCE_MCP_RUNTIME_CHECK" in os.environ
+    ) and os.environ.get("GITEA_ALLOW_STALE_RUNTIME") != "1":
         runtime_reasons = _check_mcp_runtimes_diagnostics(task, matching_profiles)
         if runtime_reasons:
             restart_required = True
@@ -19912,6 +20041,7 @@ def _allocator_candidates_from_gitea(
                         state="open",
                         labels=tuple(labels),
                         title=title,
+                        body=body,
                         priority=20 if "status:ready" in labels else 1,
                         blocked=blocked,
                         dependency_unmet=dep_unmet,
@@ -21148,10 +21278,21 @@ def gitea_adopt_workflow_lease(
     remote: str = "dadeschools",
     host: str | None = None,
 ) -> dict:
-    """Adopt a control-plane lease through the sanctioned path (#601).
+    """Adopt a control-plane lease through the sanctioned path (#601 / #843).
 
-    Same-owner resume refreshes provenance. Foreign active leases are refused.
-    Expired leases may be reclaimed; provenance records adopted_from/by.
+    Same-owner resume refreshes provenance. Foreign active leases are refused
+    unless the lease is a pending controller cross-role handoff and the caller
+    holds the required role (independent consume without sharing the
+    controller session). Expired leases may be reclaimed; provenance records
+    adopted_from/by. Terminal (abandoned/released) leases cannot be adopted.
+
+    #843 F1: the adopter role is derived authoritatively from the active
+    authenticated profile — never from caller input. A supplied ``role`` that
+    does not exactly match the profile-derived role is rejected (no silent
+    accept or reinterpretation), and handoff provenance ``required_profile`` /
+    ``required_namespace`` restrictions are validated against the same
+    authoritative caller context. Caller-supplied role/profile/namespace can
+    never grant authority.
     """
     read_block = _profile_operation_gate("gitea.read")
     if read_block:
@@ -21160,25 +21301,64 @@ def gitea_adopt_workflow_lease(
             "reasons": read_block,
             "permission_report": _permission_block_report("gitea.read"),
         }
+    profile = get_profile()
+    profile_name = (profile.get("profile_name") or "").strip() or "session"
+    active_role = (_profile_role_kind(profile) or "").strip().lower()
+    if not active_role:
+        return {
+            "success": False,
+            "outcome": "blocked",
+            "mutation_performed": False,
+            "reasons": [
+                "active profile role could not be derived authoritatively; "
+                "refusing lease adoption (fail closed, #843)"
+            ],
+            "lease_id": lease_id,
+            "authoritative_source": "control_plane_db",
+            "file_lock_only": False,
+            "comment_lease_only": False,
+        }
+    if role is not None and str(role).strip():
+        supplied_role = str(role).strip().lower()
+        if supplied_role != active_role:
+            return {
+                "success": False,
+                "outcome": "blocked",
+                "mutation_performed": False,
+                "profile_role_kind": active_role,
+                "supplied_role": supplied_role,
+                "reasons": [
+                    f"caller-supplied role '{supplied_role}' does not match "
+                    f"the authenticated profile-derived role '{active_role}'; "
+                    "caller-supplied role/profile/namespace can never grant "
+                    "authority (fail closed, #843)"
+                ],
+                "lease_id": lease_id,
+                "authoritative_source": "control_plane_db",
+                "file_lock_only": False,
+                "comment_lease_only": False,
+            }
     db, errs = _control_plane_db_or_error()
     if db is None:
         return {"success": False, "reasons": errs}
-    profile = get_profile()
-    profile_name = (profile.get("profile_name") or "").strip() or "session"
-    active_role = _profile_role_kind(profile) or "author"
     sid = (session_id or "").strip() or (
         f"{profile_name}-{os.getpid()}-{uuid.uuid4().hex[:8]}"
     )
+    adopter_namespace = allocator_service.DEFAULT_ROLE_NAMESPACES.get(
+        active_role, f"gitea-{active_role}"
+    )
     try:
         return lease_lifecycle.adopt_lease(
             db,
             lease_id=lease_id,
             adopter_session_id=sid,
-            role=(role or active_role).strip() or "author",
+            role=active_role,
             worktree_path=worktree_path,
             expected_head_sha=expected_head_sha,
             owner_pid=os.getpid(),
             operator_authorized=bool(operator_authorized),
+            adopter_profile_name=profile_name,
+            adopter_namespace=adopter_namespace,
         )
     except (lease_lifecycle.LeaseLifecycleError, control_plane_db.ControlPlaneError) as exc:
         return {

lease_lifecycle.py

@@ -39,6 +39,7 @@ SAFE_RELEASE_OWNED = "release_owned"
 SAFE_STALE_PROMPT = "stale_prompt_lease"
 SAFE_UNKNOWN = "inspect_only"
 SAFE_NO_AUTHORITY = "file_or_comment_not_authoritative"
+SAFE_CONSUME_CROSS_ROLE = "consume_cross_role_handoff"
 
 LEASE_STATUS_ACTIVE = "active"
 LEASE_STATUS_RELEASED = "released"
@@ -250,6 +251,23 @@ def decide_safe_next_action(
                 "same_owner": True,
                 "also_allowed": [SAFE_ABANDON_ALLOWED, SAFE_RELEASE_OWNED],
             }
+        handoff = is_pending_cross_role_handoff({"lease": lease})
+        if handoff:
+            return {
+                "safe_next_action": SAFE_CONSUME_CROSS_ROLE,
+                "reasons": [
+                    f"controller allocation pending handoff (freshness={status}); "
+                    "required-role worker may consume without abandon/reassign; "
+                    f"required_role={handoff['required_role']}"
+                ],
+                "block": False,
+                "same_owner": False,
+                "owner_session_id": owner,
+                "required_role": handoff["required_role"],
+                "cross_role_handoff": True,
+                "handoff_status": "pending",
+                "also_allowed": [SAFE_ABANDON_ALLOWED],
+            }
         return {
             "safe_next_action": SAFE_ABANDON_ALLOWED,
             "reasons": [
@@ -272,6 +290,24 @@ def decide_safe_next_action(
         }
 
     if not same_owner and status == "active":
+        # #843: pending cross-role handoff is consumable by required role
+        handoff = is_pending_cross_role_handoff({"lease": lease})
+        if handoff:
+            return {
+                "safe_next_action": SAFE_CONSUME_CROSS_ROLE,
+                "reasons": [
+                    "controller cross-role allocation pending handoff; "
+                    f"required_role={handoff['required_role']}; "
+                    "consume via gitea_adopt_workflow_lease without "
+                    "abandonment or sharing the controller session"
+                ],
+                "block": False,
+                "same_owner": False,
+                "owner_session_id": owner,
+                "required_role": handoff["required_role"],
+                "cross_role_handoff": True,
+                "handoff_status": "pending",
+            }
         return {
             "safe_next_action": SAFE_WAIT_FOREIGN,
             "reasons": [
@@ -440,6 +476,84 @@ def list_active_leases(
     }
 
 
+
+def parse_lease_provenance(lease_or_state: Mapping[str, Any] | None) -> dict[str, Any]:
+    """Return durable lease provenance dict (empty when absent/unparseable)."""
+    if not lease_or_state:
+        return {}
+    if "provenance" in lease_or_state and isinstance(lease_or_state.get("provenance"), dict):
+        return dict(lease_or_state["provenance"])
+    raw = None
+    if "provenance_json" in lease_or_state:
+        raw = lease_or_state.get("provenance_json")
+    elif "lease" in lease_or_state and isinstance(lease_or_state.get("lease"), Mapping):
+        raw = lease_or_state["lease"].get("provenance_json")
+    if not raw:
+        return {}
+    if isinstance(raw, dict):
+        return dict(raw)
+    try:
+        loaded = json.loads(raw)
+    except (TypeError, json.JSONDecodeError):
+        return {}
+    return dict(loaded) if isinstance(loaded, dict) else {}
+
+
+def is_pending_cross_role_handoff(
+    state: Mapping[str, Any] | None,
+) -> dict[str, Any] | None:
+    """Return handoff evidence when a controller allocation awaits consume (#843).
+
+    A pending handoff is identified by durable provenance written at
+    cross-role apply time — not by title heuristics or session-id guessing.
+    """
+    if not state:
+        return None
+    lease = state.get("lease") if isinstance(state.get("lease"), Mapping) else state
+    if not isinstance(lease, Mapping):
+        return None
+    status = str(lease.get("status") or "").strip().lower()
+    if status in (LEASE_STATUS_ABANDONED, LEASE_STATUS_RELEASED, LEASE_STATUS_EXPIRED):
+        return None
+    prov = parse_lease_provenance(state)
+    if not prov and isinstance(lease, Mapping):
+        prov = parse_lease_provenance(lease)
+    if not prov.get("cross_role_handoff"):
+        return None
+    handoff_status = str(prov.get("handoff_status") or "pending").strip().lower()
+    if handoff_status != "pending":
+        return None
+    adopted_by = (
+        lease.get("adopted_by_session_id")
+        or prov.get("adopted_by_session_id")
+        or ""
+    )
+    if str(adopted_by).strip():
+        return None
+    required_role = str(
+        prov.get("required_role") or lease.get("role") or ""
+    ).strip().lower()
+    if not required_role:
+        return None
+    return {
+        "cross_role_handoff": True,
+        "handoff_status": "pending",
+        "required_role": required_role,
+        "allocating_session_id": str(
+            prov.get("allocating_session_id") or lease.get("session_id") or ""
+        ),
+        "allocating_role": str(prov.get("allocating_role") or "controller"),
+        "lease_id": str(lease.get("lease_id") or ""),
+        "assignment_id": (
+            str(state["assignment"]["assignment_id"])
+            if isinstance(state.get("assignment"), Mapping)
+            and state["assignment"].get("assignment_id")
+            else None
+        ),
+        "provenance": prov,
+    }
+
+
 def adopt_lease(
     db: cpd.ControlPlaneDB,
     *,
@@ -450,8 +564,17 @@ def adopt_lease(
     expected_head_sha: str | None = None,
     owner_pid: int | None = None,
     operator_authorized: bool = False,
+    adopter_profile_name: str | None = None,
+    adopter_namespace: str | None = None,
 ) -> dict[str, Any]:
-    """Sanctioned adopt path with provenance; never silent foreign steal."""
+    """Sanctioned adopt path with provenance; never silent foreign steal.
+
+    #843 F1: for a pending cross-role handoff, ``role`` must be the
+    authoritative profile-derived role supplied by the MCP boundary — never
+    caller-asserted authority. When the handoff provenance declares
+    ``required_profile`` / ``required_namespace`` and the caller context is
+    provided, both are validated exactly; a mismatch fails closed.
+    """
     state = db.get_lease_workflow_state(lease_id)
     if not state:
         raise LeaseLifecycleError(
@@ -463,11 +586,8 @@ def adopt_lease(
     owner = str(lease.get("session_id") or "")
     same_owner = owner == str(adopter_session_id)
 
-    if freshness["freshness"] == "active" and not same_owner:
-        raise LeaseLifecycleError(
-            f"refusing to steal active foreign lease {lease_id} owned by "
-            f"{owner} (fail closed)"
-        )
+    handoff = is_pending_cross_role_handoff(state)
+    adopter_role = (role or "").strip().lower()
 
     if freshness["freshness"] in ("abandoned", "released"):
         raise LeaseLifecycleError(
@@ -475,13 +595,64 @@ def adopt_lease(
             "(fail closed)"
         )
 
-    # Expired or stale: require abandon-style safety before ownership transfer
-    # when not same owner; same owner may reclaim.
-    if not same_owner and freshness["freshness"] in (
+    if handoff and not same_owner:
+        # Terminal statuses already rejected above. Freshness may be
+        # active OR stale_dead_process (controller exited) — both are
+        # consumable without abandonment when handoff is still pending.
+        if freshness["freshness"] not in (
+            "active",
+            "stale_dead_process",
+            "stale_missing_worktree",
+        ):
+            raise LeaseLifecycleError(
+                f"lease {lease_id} freshness={freshness['freshness']}; "
+                "terminal or non-active allocation cannot be handoff-consumed "
+                "(fail closed)"
+            )
+        required = handoff["required_role"]
+        if adopter_role != required:
+            raise LeaseLifecycleError(
+                f"wrong role for cross-role handoff consume of {lease_id}: "
+                f"required={required} adopter={adopter_role or 'none'} "
+                "(fail closed)"
+            )
+        # #843 F1: provenance profile/namespace restrictions are validated
+        # against the authoritative caller context when declared. Caller
+        # input can never widen authority; a mismatch fails closed.
+        handoff_prov = handoff.get("provenance") or {}
+        required_profile = str(
+            handoff_prov.get("required_profile") or ""
+        ).strip()
+        if required_profile and adopter_profile_name is not None:
+            if str(adopter_profile_name).strip() != required_profile:
+                raise LeaseLifecycleError(
+                    f"wrong profile for cross-role handoff consume of "
+                    f"{lease_id}: required_profile={required_profile} "
+                    f"adopter_profile={adopter_profile_name} (fail closed)"
+                )
+        required_namespace = str(
+            handoff_prov.get("required_namespace") or ""
+        ).strip()
+        if required_namespace and adopter_namespace is not None:
+            if str(adopter_namespace).strip() != required_namespace:
+                raise LeaseLifecycleError(
+                    f"wrong namespace for cross-role handoff consume of "
+                    f"{lease_id}: required_namespace={required_namespace} "
+                    f"adopter_namespace={adopter_namespace} (fail closed)"
+                )
+        reason = "cross-role-handoff-consume"
+    elif freshness["freshness"] == "active" and not same_owner:
+        raise LeaseLifecycleError(
+            f"refusing to steal active foreign lease {lease_id} owned by "
+            f"{owner} (fail closed)"
+        )
+    elif not same_owner and freshness["freshness"] in (
         "expired",
         "stale_dead_process",
         "stale_missing_worktree",
     ):
+        # Expired or stale (non-handoff): require abandon-style safety before
+        # ownership transfer when not same owner; same owner may reclaim.
         if not operator_authorized and freshness["freshness"] == "expired":
             # Deterministic reclaim of expired foreign lease is allowed
             # without operator flag (sanctioned expire reclaim).
@@ -492,6 +663,9 @@ def adopt_lease(
                 f"lease {lease_id} freshness={freshness['freshness']}; "
                 "use abandon with proof before foreign adopt (fail closed)"
             )
+        reason = "sanctioned-reclaim-adopt"
+    else:
+        reason = "owner-resume-adopt" if same_owner else "sanctioned-reclaim-adopt"
 
     provenance = build_adopt_provenance(
         adopted_from_session_id=owner,
@@ -504,10 +678,14 @@ def adopt_lease(
         worktree_path=worktree_path,
         expected_head_sha=expected_head_sha or lease.get("expected_head_sha"),
         prior_lease_id=lease_id,
-        reason=(
-            "owner-resume-adopt" if same_owner else "sanctioned-reclaim-adopt"
-        ),
+        reason=reason,
     )
+    if handoff and not same_owner:
+        provenance["cross_role_handoff"] = True
+        provenance["handoff_status"] = "adopted"
+        provenance["required_role"] = handoff["required_role"]
+        provenance["allocating_session_id"] = handoff["allocating_session_id"]
+        provenance["allocating_role"] = handoff["allocating_role"]
 
     result = db.adopt_lease(
         lease_id=lease_id,
@@ -518,7 +696,7 @@ def adopt_lease(
         owner_pid=owner_pid if owner_pid is not None else os.getpid(),
         provenance=provenance,
     )
-    return {
+    out = {
         "success": True,
         "outcome": result.get("outcome"),
         "same_owner": same_owner,
@@ -531,6 +709,24 @@ def adopt_lease(
         "comment_lease_only": False,
         "reasons": result.get("reasons") or [],
     }
+    if handoff and not same_owner:
+        out["cross_role_handoff"] = True
+        out["handoff_status"] = "adopted"
+        out["required_role"] = handoff["required_role"]
+        out["adopted_by_session_id"] = adopter_session_id
+        out["adopted_from_session_id"] = owner
+        lease_row = result.get("lease") or {}
+        if isinstance(lease_row, Mapping):
+            out["read_after_write"] = {
+                "lease_id": lease_row.get("lease_id"),
+                "session_id": lease_row.get("session_id"),
+                "role": lease_row.get("role"),
+                "status": lease_row.get("status"),
+                "adopted_by_session_id": lease_row.get("adopted_by_session_id"),
+                "adopted_from_session_id": lease_row.get("adopted_from_session_id"),
+                "phase": lease_row.get("phase"),
+            }
+    return out
 
 
 def release_lease(

role_session_router.py

@@ -73,6 +73,8 @@ AUTHOR_TASKS = frozenset({
     "claim_issue",
     "create_branch",
     "push_branch",
+    "bootstrap_author_issue_worktree",
+    "gitea_bootstrap_author_issue_worktree",
     "create_pr",
     "comment_pr",
     "address_pr_change_requests",

task_capability_map.py

@@ -58,6 +58,14 @@ TASK_CAPABILITY_MAP: dict[str, dict[str, str]] = {
         "permission": "gitea.branch.create",
         "role": "author",
     },
+    "bootstrap_author_issue_worktree": {
+        "permission": "gitea.branch.create",
+        "role": "author",
+    },
+    "gitea_bootstrap_author_issue_worktree": {
+        "permission": "gitea.branch.create",
+        "role": "author",
+    },
     "push_branch": {
         "permission": "gitea.branch.push",
         "role": "author",
@@ -477,6 +485,8 @@ TASK_CAPABILITY_MAP: dict[str, dict[str, str]] = {
 # merger lease (#763).
 _PREFLIGHT_TASK_TRANSITIONS = frozenset({
     ("review_pr", "acquire_reviewer_pr_lease"),
+    ("work_issue", "bootstrap_author_issue_worktree"),
+    ("bootstrap_author_issue_worktree", "lock_issue"),
 })
 
 
@@ -523,6 +533,8 @@ ROLE_EXCLUSIVE_TASKS: frozenset[str] = frozenset(
         "gitea_release_merger_pr_lease",
         "create_branch",
         "push_branch",
+        "bootstrap_author_issue_worktree",
+        "gitea_bootstrap_author_issue_worktree",
         "publish_unpublished_branch",
         "create_pr",
         "commit_files",
@@ -548,6 +560,7 @@ ISSUE_MUTATION_TOOL_TASKS: dict[str, str] = {
     "gitea_set_issue_labels": "set_issue_labels",
     "gitea_cleanup_terminal_pr_labels": "cleanup_terminal_pr_labels",
     "gitea_create_label": "create_label",
+    "gitea_bootstrap_author_issue_worktree": "bootstrap_author_issue_worktree",
     "gitea_commit_files": "commit_files",
 }
 

tests/test_allocator_epic_container_exclusion.py

@@ -0,0 +1,243 @@
+"""Allocator epic / child-only container pre-rank exclusion (#844).
+
+Covers:
+* Issue #631-shaped child-only epic is excluded before ranking.
+* Implementable child issues remain eligible and can be selected.
+* Ordinary issues that merely mention "epic" in title/body are not excluded.
+* Excluded containers never receive assignments or workflow leases.
+* Structured skip reason ``epic_or_child_only_container`` is reported.
+"""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import os
+import tempfile
+import unittest
+
+from allocator_service import (
+    OUTCOME_ASSIGNED,
+    OUTCOME_PREVIEW,
+    SKIP_EPIC_OR_CHILD_ONLY_CONTAINER,
+    WorkCandidate,
+    allocate_next_work,
+    classify_epic_or_child_only_container,
+)
+from control_plane_db import ControlPlaneDB
+
+REMOTE = "prgs"
+ORG = "Scaled-Tech-Consulting"
+REPO = "Gitea-Tools"
+
+# Minimal body mirroring issue #631 authoritative scope language.
+_EPIC_631_BODY = """
+## Scope (umbrella)
+
+This epic owns the **product roadmap and linkage** for the Web Console.
+Implementation is delivered via child issues only.
+
+## Explicit non-goals
+
+* Do not implement product features in this epic issue itself.
+* No product feature implementation is claimed complete solely on this epic.
+"""
+
+_CHILD_BODY = """
+## Problem
+
+Operators need a workflow-event timeline model for Phase 1.
+
+## Acceptance criteria
+
+- [ ] Timeline model API exists
+"""
+
+
+def _issue(
+    number: int,
+    *,
+    title: str = "",
+    body: str = "",
+    labels: tuple[str, ...] = ("status:ready", "type:feature"),
+    priority: int = 20,
+) -> WorkCandidate:
+    return WorkCandidate(
+        kind="issue",
+        number=number,
+        state="open",
+        labels=labels,
+        title=title or f"issue {number}",
+        body=body,
+        priority=priority,
+    )
+
+
+class ClassifyEpicContainerTest(unittest.TestCase):
+    def test_631_shaped_body_and_title_is_container(self) -> None:
+        c = _issue(
+            631,
+            title="Epic: MCP Control Plane Web Console",
+            body=_EPIC_631_BODY,
+        )
+        is_c, detail = classify_epic_or_child_only_container(c)
+        self.assertTrue(is_c)
+        self.assertIsNotNone(detail)
+        self.assertIn("body_marker", detail or "")
+
+    def test_body_markers_without_epic_title(self) -> None:
+        c = _issue(
+            900,
+            title="Control plane roadmap tracker",
+            body="Implementation is delivered via child issues only.",
+        )
+        is_c, _ = classify_epic_or_child_only_container(c)
+        self.assertTrue(is_c)
+
+    def test_epic_label_alone_is_container(self) -> None:
+        c = _issue(
+            901,
+            title="Roadmap linkage",
+            body="Track children.",
+            labels=("status:ready", "type:epic"),
+        )
+        is_c, detail = classify_epic_or_child_only_container(c)
+        self.assertTrue(is_c)
+        self.assertIn("type:epic", detail or "")
+
+    def test_title_epic_prefix_alone_not_container(self) -> None:
+        """Title-only 'Epic:' without body scope evidence stays eligible (#844)."""
+        c = _issue(
+            902,
+            title="Epic: something mentioned only in title",
+            body="Implement a concrete fix for the allocator skip list.",
+        )
+        is_c, detail = classify_epic_or_child_only_container(c)
+        self.assertFalse(is_c)
+        self.assertIsNone(detail)
+
+    def test_incidental_epic_word_not_container(self) -> None:
+        c = _issue(
+            903,
+            title="Document epic handoff conventions",
+            body=(
+                "Update the docs so implementable issues that mention an epic "
+                "remain independently executable."
+            ),
+        )
+        is_c, _ = classify_epic_or_child_only_container(c)
+        self.assertFalse(is_c)
+
+    def test_prs_never_classified(self) -> None:
+        pr = WorkCandidate(
+            kind="pr",
+            number=10,
+            state="open",
+            title="Epic: fake",
+            body="Implementation is delivered via child issues only.",
+            head_sha="a" * 40,
+            priority=5,
+        )
+        is_c, _ = classify_epic_or_child_only_container(pr)
+        self.assertFalse(is_c)
+
+
+class AllocateEpicContainerExclusionTest(unittest.TestCase):
+    def setUp(self) -> None:
+        self._tmp = tempfile.TemporaryDirectory()
+        self.addCleanup(self._tmp.cleanup)
+        self.db = ControlPlaneDB(os.path.join(self._tmp.name, "cp.sqlite3"))
+
+    def _alloc(self, candidates, **kwargs):
+        defaults = dict(
+            session_id="sess-844",
+            role="author",
+            remote=REMOTE,
+            org=ORG,
+            repo=REPO,
+            profile_name="prgs-author",
+            username="jcwalker3",
+            claims={},
+            apply=False,
+        )
+        defaults.update(kwargs)
+        return allocate_next_work(self.db, candidates=candidates, **defaults)
+
+    def test_631_shaped_epic_excluded_child_selected(self) -> None:
+        epic = _issue(
+            631,
+            title="Epic: MCP Control Plane Web Console",
+            body=_EPIC_631_BODY,
+        )
+        child = _issue(
+            637,
+            title="Web Console: Workflow-event timeline model (Phase 1)",
+            body=_CHILD_BODY,
+        )
+        res = self._alloc([epic, child], apply=False)
+        self.assertTrue(res["success"], res)
+        self.assertEqual(res["outcome"], OUTCOME_PREVIEW)
+        self.assertEqual(res["selected"]["number"], 637)
+        skipped = {s["number"]: s for s in res["skipped"]}
+        self.assertIn(631, skipped)
+        self.assertEqual(
+            skipped[631]["reason_code"], SKIP_EPIC_OR_CHILD_ONLY_CONTAINER
+        )
+        self.assertIn(SKIP_EPIC_OR_CHILD_ONLY_CONTAINER, skipped[631]["reason"])
+
+    def test_container_cannot_receive_assignment_or_lease(self) -> None:
+        epic = _issue(
+            631,
+            title="Epic: MCP Control Plane Web Console",
+            body=_EPIC_631_BODY,
+        )
+        res = self._alloc([epic], apply=True)
+        self.assertTrue(res["success"], res)
+        # Only container present → no safe work; never assigned_work.
+        self.assertNotEqual(res["outcome"], OUTCOME_ASSIGNED)
+        self.assertIsNone(res.get("assignment"))
+        self.assertIsNone(res.get("selected"))
+        skipped = {s["number"]: s for s in res["skipped"]}
+        self.assertEqual(
+            skipped[631]["reason_code"], SKIP_EPIC_OR_CHILD_ONLY_CONTAINER
+        )
+        # No lease row for the epic.
+        leases = self.db.list_active_leases(
+            remote=REMOTE, org=ORG, repo=REPO
+        ) if hasattr(self.db, "list_active_leases") else []
+        # Prefer generic inventory if available.
+        if not leases and hasattr(self.db, "list_leases"):
+            leases = self.db.list_leases(remote=REMOTE, org=ORG, repo=REPO)
+        for lease in leases or []:
+            work_number = lease.get("work_number") if isinstance(lease, dict) else None
+            self.assertNotEqual(work_number, 631)
+
+    def test_incidental_epic_title_remains_eligible(self) -> None:
+        ordinary = _issue(
+            700,
+            title="Document epic handoff conventions",
+            body="Write runbook text about epic vs child issues.",
+        )
+        res = self._alloc([ordinary], apply=False)
+        self.assertTrue(res["success"], res)
+        self.assertEqual(res["selected"]["number"], 700)
+        self.assertEqual(res["skipped"], [])
+
+    def test_apply_selects_child_not_epic(self) -> None:
+        epic = _issue(
+            631,
+            title="Epic: MCP Control Plane Web Console",
+            body=_EPIC_631_BODY,
+        )
+        child = _issue(
+            637,
+            title="Web Console: Workflow-event timeline model (Phase 1)",
+            body=_CHILD_BODY,
+        )
+        res = self._alloc([epic, child], apply=True)
+        self.assertTrue(res["success"], res)
+        self.assertEqual(res["outcome"], OUTCOME_ASSIGNED)
+        self.assertEqual(res["selected"]["number"], 637)
+        self.assertEqual(res["assignment"]["work_number"], 637)
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    unittest.main()

tests/test_author_issue_bootstrap.py

@@ -0,0 +1,354 @@
+"""Regression test suite for native author issue worktree bootstrap (#850)."""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import json
+import os
+import shutil
+import subprocess
+import tempfile
+import unittest
+
+import author_issue_bootstrap
+import task_capability_map
+
+
+def _concurrent_bootstrap_worker(args: tuple[str, int, str, str, str, str]) -> dict:
+    repo_dir, issue_num, key, lock_dir, journal_dir, master_sha = args
+    os.environ["GITEA_BOOTSTRAP_JOURNAL_DIR"] = journal_dir
+    return author_issue_bootstrap.bootstrap_author_issue_worktree(
+        issue_number=issue_num,
+        canonical_repo_root=repo_dir,
+        expected_base_sha=master_sha,
+        idempotency_key=key,
+        lock_dir=lock_dir,
+    )
+
+
+class TestAuthorIssueBootstrap(unittest.TestCase):
+    """Test suite covering AC1-AC10 and comment #14959 specification."""
+
+    def setUp(self):
+        self.tmp_dir = tempfile.mkdtemp(prefix="test_bootstrap_")
+        self.repo_dir = os.path.join(self.tmp_dir, "repo")
+        os.makedirs(self.repo_dir)
+
+        # Initialize synthetic git repo
+        subprocess.run(["git", "init", "-b", "master"], cwd=self.repo_dir, check=True, capture_output=True)
+        subprocess.run(["git", "config", "user.name", "Test User"], cwd=self.repo_dir, check=True)
+        subprocess.run(["git", "config", "user.email", "[email protected]"], cwd=self.repo_dir, check=True)
+
+        readme = os.path.join(self.repo_dir, "README.md")
+        with open(readme, "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
+            f.write("# Test Repo\n")
+        subprocess.run(["git", "add", "README.md"], cwd=self.repo_dir, check=True, capture_output=True)
+        subprocess.run(["git", "commit", "-m", "initial commit"], cwd=self.repo_dir, check=True, capture_output=True)
+
+        rev_res = subprocess.run(["git", "rev-parse", "HEAD"], cwd=self.repo_dir, capture_output=True, text=True, check=True)
+        self.master_sha = rev_res.stdout.strip()
+
+        self.branches_dir = os.path.join(self.repo_dir, "branches")
+        os.makedirs(self.branches_dir, exist_ok=True)
+        self.lock_dir = os.path.join(self.tmp_dir, "locks")
+        os.makedirs(self.lock_dir, exist_ok=True)
+        self.journal_dir = os.path.join(self.tmp_dir, "journals")
+        os.makedirs(self.journal_dir, exist_ok=True)
+        os.environ["GITEA_BOOTSTRAP_JOURNAL_DIR"] = self.journal_dir
+
+    def tearDown(self):
+        os.environ.pop("GITEA_BOOTSTRAP_JOURNAL_DIR", None)
+        shutil.rmtree(self.tmp_dir, ignore_errors=True)
+
+    def test_bootstrap_success_path(self):
+        """AC1/AC3/AC8: Successful bootstrap creates branch, worktree, registration, and lock proof."""
+        key = "test_key_success_1"
+        res = author_issue_bootstrap.bootstrap_author_issue_worktree(
+            issue_number=850,
+            canonical_repo_root=self.repo_dir,
+            assignment_id="asn-12345",
+            lease_id="lease-67890",
+            expected_base_sha=self.master_sha,
+            idempotency_key=key,
+            remote="prgs",
+            lock_dir=self.lock_dir,
+        )
+        self.assertTrue(res.get("success"), f"Bootstrap failed: {res}")
+        self.assertFalse(res.get("replayed"))
+        self.assertEqual(res.get("issue_number"), 850)
+        self.assertEqual(res.get("base_sha"), self.master_sha)
+        self.assertIn("branches/fix-issue-850-native-mcp-bootstrap", res.get("worktree_path"))
+
+        # Verify worktree directory exists and is registered
+        worktree_path = res["worktree_path"]
+        self.assertTrue(os.path.isdir(worktree_path))
+
+        wt_list = subprocess.run(["git", "-C", self.repo_dir, "worktree", "list"], capture_output=True, text=True, check=True)
+        self.assertIn(worktree_path, wt_list.stdout)
+
+        # Verify phase journal written
+        journal = author_issue_bootstrap.load_phase_journal(key)
+        self.assertIsNotNone(journal)
+        self.assertTrue(journal.get("completed"))
+        self.assertEqual(journal.get("current_phase"), author_issue_bootstrap.PHASE_7_TRANSITION_COMPLETED)
+
+    def test_idempotent_replay(self):
+        """Item 2: Replaying with identical key returns cached transition without duplicate creation."""
+        key = "test_key_idempotent_1"
+        res1 = author_issue_bootstrap.bootstrap_author_issue_worktree(
+            issue_number=850,
+            canonical_repo_root=self.repo_dir,
+            idempotency_key=key,
+            lock_dir=self.lock_dir,
+        )
+        self.assertTrue(res1["success"], f"res1 failed: {res1}")
+        self.assertFalse(res1.get("replayed"))
+
+        # Second call
+        res2 = author_issue_bootstrap.bootstrap_author_issue_worktree(
+            issue_number=850,
+            canonical_repo_root=self.repo_dir,
+            idempotency_key=key,
+            lock_dir=self.lock_dir,
+        )
+        self.assertTrue(res2["success"], f"res2 failed: {res2}")
+        self.assertTrue(res2.get("replayed"))
+        self.assertEqual(res1["worktree_path"], res2["worktree_path"])
+
+    def test_stale_concurrency_pin_refusal(self):
+        """Item 3: Mismatched expected base SHA fails closed without silent rebasing."""
+        stale_sha = "0000000000000000000000000000000000000000"
+        res = author_issue_bootstrap.bootstrap_author_issue_worktree(
+            issue_number=850,
+            canonical_repo_root=self.repo_dir,
+            expected_base_sha=stale_sha,
+            lock_dir=self.lock_dir,
+        )
+        self.assertFalse(res["success"])
+        self.assertEqual(res.get("reason_code"), "stale_concurrency_pin")
+        self.assertIn("exact_next_action", res)
+
+    def test_path_outside_branches_root_refusal(self):
+        """Item 6: Worktree path outside branches/ root is refused."""
+        outside_path = os.path.join(self.tmp_dir, "outside_worktree")
+        res = author_issue_bootstrap.bootstrap_author_issue_worktree(
+            issue_number=850,
+            canonical_repo_root=self.repo_dir,
+            worktree_path=outside_path,
+            lock_dir=self.lock_dir,
+        )
+        self.assertFalse(res["success"])
+        self.assertEqual(res.get("reason_code"), "path_outside_canonical_branches_root")
+
+    def test_preexisting_dirty_worktree_preservation(self):
+        """Item 6: Preexisting dirty worktree fails closed and is NOT modified or cleaned."""
+        branch = "fix/issue-850-dirty-test"
+        wt_path = os.path.join(self.branches_dir, "fix-issue-850-dirty-test")
+        subprocess.run(["git", "-C", self.repo_dir, "worktree", "add", "-b", branch, wt_path], check=True, capture_output=True)
+
+        # Create dirty untracked file
+        dirty_file = os.path.join(wt_path, "dirty.txt")
+        with open(dirty_file, "w") as f:
+            f.write("dirty edits\n")
+
+        res = author_issue_bootstrap.bootstrap_author_issue_worktree(
+            issue_number=850,
+            canonical_repo_root=self.repo_dir,
+            branch_name=branch,
+            worktree_path=wt_path,
+            lock_dir=self.lock_dir,
+        )
+        self.assertFalse(res["success"])
+        self.assertEqual(res.get("reason_code"), "preexisting_dirty_worktree")
+
+        # Prove dirty file is preserved byte-for-byte
+        self.assertTrue(os.path.exists(dirty_file))
+        with open(dirty_file, "r") as f:
+            self.assertEqual(f.read(), "dirty edits\n")
+
+    def test_compensating_recovery_on_failed_phase(self):
+        """AC4/Item 4: Failure during transition rolls back ONLY newly created artifacts."""
+        key = "test_key_recovery_1"
+        # Simulate partial progress in journal
+        journal = {
+            "idempotency_key": key,
+            "issue_number": 850,
+            "branch_name": "fix/issue-850-recovery-test",
+            "worktree_path": os.path.join(self.branches_dir, "fix-issue-850-recovery-test"),
+            "artifacts_created": {
+                "branch_created": True,
+                "worktree_dir_created": True,
+                "worktree_registered": True,
+                "lock_created": False,
+            },
+            "failure_reason": "simulated lock failure",
+            "current_phase": author_issue_bootstrap.PHASE_5_REGISTRATION_VERIFIED,
+            "completed": False,
+        }
+        # Create the branch and worktree manually to simulate partial state
+        subprocess.run(["git", "-C", self.repo_dir, "branch", journal["branch_name"]], check=True, capture_output=True)
+        subprocess.run(["git", "-C", self.repo_dir, "worktree", "add", journal["worktree_path"], journal["branch_name"]], check=True, capture_output=True)
+
+        # Run compensating recovery
+        rec = author_issue_bootstrap.run_compensating_recovery(journal, self.repo_dir)
+        self.assertTrue(rec["executed"])
+        self.assertIn(f"worktree_path:{journal['worktree_path']}", rec["rolled_back"])
+        self.assertIn(f"branch:{journal['branch_name']}", rec["rolled_back"])
+
+        # Prove worktree directory and branch were rolled back
+        self.assertFalse(os.path.exists(journal["worktree_path"]))
+        branch_check = subprocess.run(["git", "-C", self.repo_dir, "rev-parse", "--verify", journal["branch_name"]], capture_output=True, text=True, check=False)
+        self.assertNotEqual(branch_check.returncode, 0)
+
+    def test_cross_process_concurrency(self):
+        """Review #525 Finding 1: Genuine cross-process concurrency locking prevents corruption."""
+        import concurrent.futures
+
+        key = "test_concurrent_key_850"
+        args = (self.repo_dir, 850, key, self.lock_dir, self.journal_dir, self.master_sha)
+
+        with concurrent.futures.ProcessPoolExecutor(max_workers=2) as executor:
+            fut1 = executor.submit(_concurrent_bootstrap_worker, args)
+            fut2 = executor.submit(_concurrent_bootstrap_worker, args)
+            res1 = fut1.result(timeout=10)
+            res2 = fut2.result(timeout=10)
+
+        self.assertTrue(res1["success"], f"res1 failed: {res1}")
+        self.assertTrue(res2["success"], f"res2 failed: {res2}")
+        # One process performs creation, the other process receives idempotent replay
+        replayed_count = sum(1 for r in (res1, res2) if r.get("replayed"))
+        created_count = sum(1 for r in (res1, res2) if not r.get("replayed"))
+        self.assertEqual(replayed_count, 1)
+        self.assertEqual(created_count, 1)
+        self.assertEqual(res1["worktree_path"], res2["worktree_path"])
+
+    def test_interrupted_replay_preserves_artifacts_created_provenance(self):
+        """Review #525 Finding 2: Replaying incomplete journal preserves creation provenance monotonically."""
+        key = "test_key_interrupted_replay_1"
+        branch = "fix/issue-850-interrupted-replay"
+        wt_path = os.path.join(self.branches_dir, "fix-issue-850-interrupted-replay")
+
+        # Simulate Phase 2/3 completion where branch and worktree directory were created by this transition
+        journal = {
+            "idempotency_key": key,
+            "issue_number": 850,
+            "branch_name": branch,
+            "worktree_path": wt_path,
+            "active_identity": "jcwalker3",
+            "active_profile": "prgs-author",
+            "remote": "prgs",
+            "org": "Scaled-Tech-Consulting",
+            "repo": "Gitea-Tools",
+            "phases": {
+                author_issue_bootstrap.PHASE_1_REQUEST_ACCEPTED: {"status": "completed"},
+                author_issue_bootstrap.PHASE_2_BRANCH_CONFIRMED: {"status": "completed", "created": True},
+            },
+            "artifacts_created": {
+                "branch_created": True,
+                "worktree_dir_created": True,
+                "worktree_registered": True,
+                "lock_created": False,
+            },
+            "current_phase": author_issue_bootstrap.PHASE_3_PATH_RESERVED,
+            "completed": False,
+        }
+        # Pre-create the branch and worktree on disk to simulate partial state after crash
+        subprocess.run(["git", "-C", self.repo_dir, "branch", branch, self.master_sha], check=True, capture_output=True)
+        subprocess.run(["git", "-C", self.repo_dir, "worktree", "add", wt_path, branch], check=True, capture_output=True)
+        author_issue_bootstrap.save_phase_journal(journal)
+
+        # Now resume/replay the transition but simulate lock binding failure during Phase 6
+        with unittest.mock.patch("issue_lock_store.bind_session_lock", side_effect=RuntimeError("Lock failure test")):
+            res = author_issue_bootstrap.bootstrap_author_issue_worktree(
+                issue_number=850,
+                canonical_repo_root=self.repo_dir,
+                branch_name=branch,
+                worktree_path=wt_path,
+                idempotency_key=key,
+                lock_dir=self.lock_dir,
+            )
+
+        self.assertFalse(res["success"])
+        self.assertEqual(res.get("reason_code"), "issue_lock_acquisition_failed")
+
+        # Verify that compensating recovery correctly deleted transition-created branch & worktree
+        # because creation provenance was preserved across replay (NOT downgraded to False!)
+        self.assertFalse(os.path.exists(wt_path))
+        branch_check = subprocess.run(["git", "-C", self.repo_dir, "rev-parse", "--verify", branch], capture_output=True, text=True, check=False)
+        self.assertNotEqual(branch_check.returncode, 0)
+
+    def test_transition_created_only_compensation(self):
+        """Review #525 Finding 4: Preexisting branch is NOT deleted by compensation when only worktree was transition-created."""
+        key = "test_key_preexisting_branch_compensation"
+        preexisting_branch = "fix/issue-850-preexisting"
+        wt_path = os.path.join(self.branches_dir, "fix-issue-850-preexisting")
+
+        # Create branch BEFORE bootstrap (preexisting branch)
+        subprocess.run(["git", "-C", self.repo_dir, "branch", preexisting_branch, self.master_sha], check=True, capture_output=True)
+
+        # Call bootstrap with simulated failure during Phase 6 (lock binding)
+        with unittest.mock.patch("issue_lock_store.bind_session_lock", side_effect=RuntimeError("Simulated lock failure")):
+            res = author_issue_bootstrap.bootstrap_author_issue_worktree(
+                issue_number=850,
+                canonical_repo_root=self.repo_dir,
+                branch_name=preexisting_branch,
+                worktree_path=wt_path,
+                idempotency_key=key,
+                lock_dir=self.lock_dir,
+            )
+
+        self.assertFalse(res["success"])
+        # Worktree dir was created by transition -> removed by compensation
+        self.assertFalse(os.path.exists(wt_path))
+
+        # Preexisting branch was NOT created by transition -> MUST BE PRESERVED!
+        branch_check = subprocess.run(["git", "-C", self.repo_dir, "rev-parse", "--verify", preexisting_branch], capture_output=True, text=True, check=False)
+        self.assertEqual(branch_check.returncode, 0, "Preexisting branch was deleted by mistake!")
+
+    def test_incompatible_idempotency_replay_refusal(self):
+        """Review #525 Finding 4: Replaying key with incompatible parameters returns refusal."""
+        key = "test_key_incompatible_replay"
+        res1 = author_issue_bootstrap.bootstrap_author_issue_worktree(
+            issue_number=850,
+            canonical_repo_root=self.repo_dir,
+            branch_name="fix/issue-850-param-a",
+            idempotency_key=key,
+            lock_dir=self.lock_dir,
+        )
+        self.assertTrue(res1["success"])
+
+        # Second call with different branch_name
+        res2 = author_issue_bootstrap.bootstrap_author_issue_worktree(
+            issue_number=850,
+            canonical_repo_root=self.repo_dir,
+            branch_name="fix/issue-850-param-b",
+            idempotency_key=key,
+            lock_dir=self.lock_dir,
+        )
+        self.assertFalse(res2["success"])
+        self.assertEqual(res2.get("reason_code"), "incompatible_idempotency_replay")
+
+    def test_exact_next_action_satisfiable_via_mcp(self):
+        """Review #525 Finding 4: exact_next_action provides satisfiable MCP actions, not shell commands."""
+        key = "test_key_next_action_mcp"
+        stale_sha = "0000000000000000000000000000000000000000"
+        res = author_issue_bootstrap.bootstrap_author_issue_worktree(
+            issue_number=850,
+            canonical_repo_root=self.repo_dir,
+            expected_base_sha=stale_sha,
+            lock_dir=self.lock_dir,
+        )
+        next_action = res.get("exact_next_action", "")
+        self.assertNotIn("scripts/worktree-start", next_action)
+        self.assertNotIn("git worktree add", next_action)
+        self.assertNotIn("bash", next_action.lower())
+
+    def test_task_capability_map_integration(self):
+        """Verify task_capability_map has bootstrap_author_issue_worktree configured correctly."""
+        self.assertEqual(task_capability_map.required_role("bootstrap_author_issue_worktree"), "author")
+        self.assertEqual(task_capability_map.required_permission("bootstrap_author_issue_worktree"), "gitea.branch.create")
+        self.assertTrue(task_capability_map.preflight_task_matches("work_issue", "bootstrap_author_issue_worktree"))
+        self.assertTrue(task_capability_map.preflight_task_matches("bootstrap_author_issue_worktree", "lock_issue"))
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    unittest.main()

tests/test_author_mutation_worktree.py

@@ -28,6 +28,21 @@ class TestPathUnderBranches(unittest.TestCase):
             amw.is_path_under_branches("/repo/other-checkout", self.ROOT)
         )
 
+    def test_unrelated_branches_dir_fails(self):
+        self.assertFalse(
+            amw.is_path_under_branches("/tmp/branches/evil", self.ROOT)
+        )
+
+    def test_prefix_confusion_fails(self):
+        self.assertFalse(
+            amw.is_path_under_branches(f"{self.ROOT}/branches-other/foo", self.ROOT)
+        )
+
+    def test_traversal_fails(self):
+        self.assertFalse(
+            amw.is_path_under_branches(f"{self.ROOT}/branches/../evil", self.ROOT)
+        )
+
 
 class TestAssessAuthorMutationWorktree(unittest.TestCase):
     ROOT = "/repo/Gitea-Tools"

tests/test_issue_843_cross_role_handoff.py

@@ -0,0 +1,682 @@
+"""Cross-role allocation handoff consumable by independent workers (#843).
+
+Regression coverage for the controller→required-role consume path:
+
+* controller allocates author work; independent author adopts successfully
+* author adoption succeeds after allocating controller process exits
+* author adoption without sharing controller session identity
+* wrong-role adoption rejected
+* concurrent/second adoption rejected without state corruption
+* terminal allocation adoption rejected
+* successful adoption produces authoritative ownership evidence
+* genuine abandoned-lease recovery remains valid
+* process_work_queue / allocate results include consume identifiers
+* same-role allocation behavior remains compatible
+"""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import os
+import tempfile
+import unittest
+from datetime import timedelta
+from unittest.mock import patch
+
+from allocator_service import (
+    ALLOCATION_MODE_CROSS_ROLE,
+    ALLOCATION_MODE_ROLE_SCOPED,
+    OUTCOME_ASSIGNED,
+    ROLE_AUTHOR,
+    ROLE_CONTROLLER,
+    ROLE_REVIEWER,
+    WorkCandidate,
+    allocate_next_work,
+)
+from control_plane_db import ControlPlaneDB, ForeignLeaseError, _ts, _utc_now
+import lease_lifecycle as ll
+
+
+class CrossRoleHandoffTest(unittest.TestCase):
+    def setUp(self) -> None:
+        self._tmp = tempfile.TemporaryDirectory()
+        self.db_path = os.path.join(self._tmp.name, "cp.sqlite3")
+        self.db = ControlPlaneDB(self.db_path)
+        self.db.upsert_session(
+            session_id="ctrl-session",
+            role="controller",
+            profile="prgs-controller",
+            pid=99999999,  # dead-looking pid
+        )
+        self.db.upsert_session(
+            session_id="author-worker",
+            role="author",
+            profile="prgs-author",
+            pid=os.getpid(),
+        )
+        self.db.upsert_session(
+            session_id="author-worker-2",
+            role="author",
+            profile="prgs-author",
+            pid=os.getpid(),
+        )
+        self.db.upsert_session(
+            session_id="reviewer-worker",
+            role="reviewer",
+            profile="prgs-reviewer",
+            pid=os.getpid(),
+        )
+        self.wt = self._tmp.name
+
+    def tearDown(self) -> None:
+        self._tmp.cleanup()
+
+    def _ready_issue(self, number: int = 843, title: str = "handoff target") -> WorkCandidate:
+        return WorkCandidate(
+            kind="issue",
+            number=number,
+            labels=("status:ready", "type:bug"),
+            title=title,
+            priority=20,
+        )
+
+    def _controller_allocate(self, number: int = 843, **kwargs):
+        defaults = dict(
+            db=self.db,
+            session_id="ctrl-session",
+            role=ROLE_CONTROLLER,
+            remote="prgs",
+            org="Scaled-Tech-Consulting",
+            repo="Gitea-Tools",
+            candidates=[self._ready_issue(number)],
+            apply=True,
+            profile_name="prgs-controller",
+            username="controller-user",
+            allocation_mode=ALLOCATION_MODE_CROSS_ROLE,
+        )
+        defaults.update(kwargs)
+        return allocate_next_work(**defaults)
+
+    def test_controller_allocates_author_independent_author_adopts(self) -> None:
+        res = self._controller_allocate()
+        self.assertEqual(res["outcome"], OUTCOME_ASSIGNED)
+        self.assertEqual(res["required_role"], ROLE_AUTHOR)
+        self.assertIn("consume_allocation", res)
+        consume = res["consume_allocation"]
+        self.assertEqual(consume["tool"], "gitea_adopt_workflow_lease")
+        self.assertEqual(consume["required_role"], ROLE_AUTHOR)
+        self.assertFalse(consume["controller_session_required"])
+        lid = res["assignment"]["lease_id"]
+        self.assertEqual(consume["lease_id"], lid)
+        self.assertIn(lid, res["next_valid_command"])
+
+        adopted = ll.adopt_lease(
+            self.db,
+            lease_id=lid,
+            adopter_session_id="author-worker",
+            role=ROLE_AUTHOR,
+            worktree_path=self.wt,
+        )
+        self.assertTrue(adopted["success"])
+        self.assertEqual(adopted["outcome"], "adopted_cross_role_handoff")
+        self.assertEqual(adopted["adopted_by_session_id"], "author-worker")
+        self.assertEqual(adopted["adopted_from_session_id"], "ctrl-session")
+        raw = adopted["read_after_write"]
+        self.assertEqual(raw["session_id"], "author-worker")
+        self.assertEqual(raw["adopted_by_session_id"], "author-worker")
+        self.assertEqual(raw["status"], "active")
+        self.assertEqual(raw["phase"], "adopted")
+
+        # Authoritative re-read
+        state = self.db.get_lease_workflow_state(lid)
+        self.assertEqual(state["lease"]["session_id"], "author-worker")
+        self.assertEqual(state["lease"]["adopted_by_session_id"], "author-worker")
+        self.assertEqual(state["assignment"]["session_id"], "author-worker")
+        self.assertEqual(state["provenance"]["handoff_status"], "adopted")
+
+    def test_author_adoption_after_controller_process_exits(self) -> None:
+        res = self._controller_allocate(number=900)
+        lid = res["assignment"]["lease_id"]
+        # Force owner_pid dead + freshness stale_dead_process
+        import sqlite3
+
+        conn = sqlite3.connect(self.db_path)
+        try:
+            conn.execute(
+                "UPDATE leases SET owner_pid = 99999999 WHERE lease_id = ?",
+                (lid,),
+            )
+            conn.commit()
+        finally:
+            conn.close()
+        state = self.db.get_lease_workflow_state(lid)
+        fr = ll.classify_lease_freshness(
+            state["lease"], pid_checker=lambda _p: False
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(fr["freshness"], "stale_dead_process")
+
+        adopted = ll.adopt_lease(
+            self.db,
+            lease_id=lid,
+            adopter_session_id="author-worker",
+            role=ROLE_AUTHOR,
+            worktree_path=self.wt,
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(adopted["outcome"], "adopted_cross_role_handoff")
+        self.assertEqual(adopted["adopted_by_session_id"], "author-worker")
+        # No abandon required
+        state2 = self.db.get_lease_workflow_state(lid)
+        self.assertEqual(state2["lease"]["status"], "active")
+        self.assertNotEqual(state2["lease"]["status"], "abandoned")
+
+    def test_adoption_without_sharing_controller_session_identity(self) -> None:
+        res = self._controller_allocate(number=901)
+        lid = res["assignment"]["lease_id"]
+        adopted = ll.adopt_lease(
+            self.db,
+            lease_id=lid,
+            adopter_session_id="author-worker",
+            role=ROLE_AUTHOR,
+            worktree_path=self.wt,
+        )
+        self.assertNotEqual(adopted["adopted_by_session_id"], "ctrl-session")
+        self.assertFalse(adopted["same_owner"])
+        self.assertEqual(adopted["adopted_from_session_id"], "ctrl-session")
+
+    def test_wrong_role_adoption_rejected(self) -> None:
+        res = self._controller_allocate(number=902)
+        lid = res["assignment"]["lease_id"]
+        with self.assertRaises(ll.LeaseLifecycleError) as ctx:
+            ll.adopt_lease(
+                self.db,
+                lease_id=lid,
+                adopter_session_id="reviewer-worker",
+                role=ROLE_REVIEWER,
+            )
+        self.assertIn("wrong role", str(ctx.exception).lower())
+        # State unchanged
+        state = self.db.get_lease_workflow_state(lid)
+        self.assertEqual(state["lease"]["session_id"], "ctrl-session")
+        self.assertIsNone(state["lease"].get("adopted_by_session_id") or None)
+        self.assertEqual(state["provenance"]["handoff_status"], "pending")
+
+    def test_second_adoption_rejected_without_corruption(self) -> None:
+        res = self._controller_allocate(number=903)
+        lid = res["assignment"]["lease_id"]
+        first = ll.adopt_lease(
+            self.db,
+            lease_id=lid,
+            adopter_session_id="author-worker",
+            role=ROLE_AUTHOR,
+            worktree_path=self.wt,
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(first["outcome"], "adopted_cross_role_handoff")
+        with self.assertRaises(ll.LeaseLifecycleError):
+            ll.adopt_lease(
+                self.db,
+                lease_id=lid,
+                adopter_session_id="author-worker-2",
+                role=ROLE_AUTHOR,
+                worktree_path=self.wt,
+            )
+        state = self.db.get_lease_workflow_state(lid)
+        self.assertEqual(state["lease"]["session_id"], "author-worker")
+        self.assertEqual(state["lease"]["adopted_by_session_id"], "author-worker")
+        self.assertEqual(state["assignment"]["session_id"], "author-worker")
+        self.assertEqual(state["lease"]["status"], "active")
+
+    def test_terminal_allocation_adoption_rejected(self) -> None:
+        res = self._controller_allocate(number=904)
+        lid = res["assignment"]["lease_id"]
+        # Abandon as terminal
+        proof = ll.AbandonProof(
+            dead_process=True,
+            missing_worktree=True,
+            no_open_pr=True,
+            no_live_mutation_risk=True,
+            owner_pid=99999999,
+            worktree_path="/nonexistent/for-843",
+        )
+        # Attach dead pid / missing wt for abandon eligibility
+        import sqlite3
+
+        conn = sqlite3.connect(self.db_path)
+        try:
+            conn.execute(
+                "UPDATE leases SET owner_pid = 99999999, worktree_path = ? WHERE lease_id = ?",
+                ("/nonexistent/for-843", lid),
+            )
+            conn.commit()
+        finally:
+            conn.close()
+        abandoned = ll.abandon_lease(
+            self.db,
+            lease_id=lid,
+            requester_session_id="author-worker",
+            proof=proof,
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(abandoned["outcome"], "abandoned")
+        with self.assertRaises(ll.LeaseLifecycleError) as ctx:
+            ll.adopt_lease(
+                self.db,
+                lease_id=lid,
+                adopter_session_id="author-worker",
+                role=ROLE_AUTHOR,
+            )
+        self.assertIn("abandoned", str(ctx.exception).lower())
+
+    def test_successful_adoption_read_after_write_ownership(self) -> None:
+        res = self._controller_allocate(number=905)
+        lid = res["assignment"]["lease_id"]
+        adopted = ll.adopt_lease(
+            self.db,
+            lease_id=lid,
+            adopter_session_id="author-worker",
+            role=ROLE_AUTHOR,
+            worktree_path=self.wt,
+        )
+        raw = adopted["read_after_write"]
+        self.assertEqual(raw["lease_id"], lid)
+        self.assertEqual(raw["session_id"], "author-worker")
+        self.assertEqual(raw["adopted_by_session_id"], "author-worker")
+        self.assertEqual(raw["adopted_from_session_id"], "ctrl-session")
+        # Re-fetch proves durable write
+        state = self.db.get_lease_workflow_state(lid)
+        self.assertEqual(state["lease"]["session_id"], raw["session_id"])
+        self.assertEqual(
+            state["lease"]["adopted_by_session_id"], raw["adopted_by_session_id"]
+        )
+
+    def test_genuine_abandoned_recovery_still_valid(self) -> None:
+        """Same-role author lease abandoned remains reclaimable via abandon path."""
+        same = allocate_next_work(
+            self.db,
+            session_id="author-worker",
+            role=ROLE_AUTHOR,
+            remote="prgs",
+            org="Scaled-Tech-Consulting",
+            repo="Gitea-Tools",
+            candidates=[self._ready_issue(906, "same-role")],
+            apply=True,
+            profile_name="prgs-author",
+            username="author-user",
+            allocation_mode=ALLOCATION_MODE_ROLE_SCOPED,
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(same["outcome"], OUTCOME_ASSIGNED)
+        lid = same["assignment"]["lease_id"]
+        import sqlite3
+
+        conn = sqlite3.connect(self.db_path)
+        try:
+            conn.execute(
+                "UPDATE leases SET owner_pid = 99999999, worktree_path = ? WHERE lease_id = ?",
+                ("/nonexistent/same-role", lid),
+            )
+            conn.commit()
+        finally:
+            conn.close()
+        proof = ll.AbandonProof(
+            dead_process=True,
+            missing_worktree=True,
+            no_open_pr=True,
+            no_live_mutation_risk=True,
+            owner_pid=99999999,
+            worktree_path="/nonexistent/same-role",
+        )
+        abandoned = ll.abandon_lease(
+            self.db,
+            lease_id=lid,
+            requester_session_id="author-worker-2",
+            proof=proof,
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(abandoned["outcome"], "abandoned")
+        # Foreign author cannot handoff-consume an abandoned non-handoff lease
+        with self.assertRaises(ll.LeaseLifecycleError):
+            ll.adopt_lease(
+                self.db,
+                lease_id=lid,
+                adopter_session_id="author-worker-2",
+                role=ROLE_AUTHOR,
+            )
+        # Reclaim path still works for expired/abandoned after force-expire
+        reclaimed = ll.reclaim_expired_lease(
+            self.db,
+            lease_id=lid,
+            session_id="author-worker-2",
+            role=ROLE_AUTHOR,
+            worktree_path=self.wt,
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(reclaimed["outcome"], "reclaimed")
+        self.assertEqual(reclaimed["assignment"]["session_id"], "author-worker-2")
+
+    def test_allocate_payload_includes_consume_identifiers(self) -> None:
+        res = self._controller_allocate(number=907)
+        self.assertIn("consume_allocation", res)
+        c = res["consume_allocation"]
+        for key in (
+            "tool",
+            "lease_id",
+            "assignment_id",
+            "required_role",
+            "required_profile",
+            "required_namespace",
+            "instructions",
+            "handoff_status",
+        ):
+            self.assertIn(key, c)
+        self.assertEqual(c["required_namespace"], "gitea-author")
+        self.assertEqual(c["required_profile"], "prgs-author")
+        self.assertIn("gitea_adopt_workflow_lease", c["instructions"])
+        self.assertTrue(res["lease_proof"]["cross_role_handoff"])
+        self.assertEqual(res["lease_proof"]["handoff_status"], "pending")
+
+    def test_same_role_allocation_remains_compatible(self) -> None:
+        res = allocate_next_work(
+            self.db,
+            session_id="author-worker",
+            role=ROLE_AUTHOR,
+            remote="prgs",
+            org="Scaled-Tech-Consulting",
+            repo="Gitea-Tools",
+            candidates=[self._ready_issue(908)],
+            apply=True,
+            profile_name="prgs-author",
+            username="author-user",
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(res["outcome"], OUTCOME_ASSIGNED)
+        self.assertNotIn("consume_allocation", res)
+        lid = res["assignment"]["lease_id"]
+        state = self.db.get_lease_workflow_state(lid)
+        # No cross-role handoff provenance
+        prov = state.get("provenance") or {}
+        self.assertFalse(prov.get("cross_role_handoff"))
+        # Owner resume still works
+        resume = ll.adopt_lease(
+            self.db,
+            lease_id=lid,
+            adopter_session_id="author-worker",
+            role=ROLE_AUTHOR,
+            worktree_path=self.wt,
+        )
+        self.assertTrue(resume["same_owner"])
+        self.assertEqual(resume["outcome"], "adopted_owner_resume")
+
+    def test_inspect_points_required_role_at_consume(self) -> None:
+        res = self._controller_allocate(number=909)
+        lid = res["assignment"]["lease_id"]
+        decision = ll.inspect_lease(
+            self.db, lid, caller_session_id="author-worker"
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(
+            decision["safe_next_action"], ll.SAFE_CONSUME_CROSS_ROLE
+        )
+        self.assertFalse(decision["block"])
+        self.assertEqual(decision["required_role"], ROLE_AUTHOR)
+
+    def test_db_cas_rejects_concurrent_second_consume(self) -> None:
+        res = self._controller_allocate(number=910)
+        lid = res["assignment"]["lease_id"]
+        # First consume via DB layer directly
+        first = self.db.adopt_lease(
+            lease_id=lid,
+            adopter_session_id="author-worker",
+            role=ROLE_AUTHOR,
+            worktree_path=self.wt,
+            provenance={
+                "cross_role_handoff": True,
+                "handoff_status": "adopted",
+                "required_role": "author",
+            },
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(first["outcome"], "adopted_cross_role_handoff")
+        # Second CAS must fail
+        with self.assertRaises(ForeignLeaseError):
+            self.db.adopt_lease(
+                lease_id=lid,
+                adopter_session_id="author-worker-2",
+                role=ROLE_AUTHOR,
+                worktree_path=self.wt,
+                provenance={
+                    "cross_role_handoff": True,
+                    "handoff_status": "pending",
+                    "required_role": "author",
+                },
+            )
+        state = self.db.get_lease_workflow_state(lid)
+        self.assertEqual(state["lease"]["session_id"], "author-worker")
+
+
+class MCPBoundaryAdoptRoleBindingTest(unittest.TestCase):
+    """#843 F1: MCP-boundary role binding for ``gitea_adopt_workflow_lease``.
+
+    The library-level wrong-role test calls ``lease_lifecycle.adopt_lease``
+    directly. These tests prove the MCP entry point derives the adopter role
+    authoritatively from the active authenticated profile and rejects any
+    caller-supplied role that disagrees, so a reviewer/merger profile cannot
+    consume an author handoff by passing ``role="author"``.
+    """
+
+    AUTHOR_PROFILE = {
+        "profile_name": "prgs-author",
+        "role": "author",
+        "allowed_operations": [
+            "gitea.read",
+            "gitea.pr.create",
+            "gitea.branch.push",
+        ],
+        "forbidden_operations": [],
+    }
+    REVIEWER_PROFILE = {
+        "profile_name": "prgs-reviewer",
+        "role": "reviewer",
+        "allowed_operations": [
+            "gitea.read",
+            "gitea.pr.review",
+            "gitea.pr.approve",
+            "gitea.pr.request_changes",
+        ],
+        "forbidden_operations": ["gitea.pr.create", "gitea.branch.push"],
+    }
+    MERGER_PROFILE = {
+        "profile_name": "prgs-merger",
+        "role": "merger",
+        "allowed_operations": ["gitea.read", "gitea.pr.merge"],
+        "forbidden_operations": ["gitea.pr.create", "gitea.branch.push"],
+    }
+    FOREIGN_AUTHOR_PROFILE = {
+        "profile_name": "dadeschools-author",
+        "role": "author",
+        "allowed_operations": [
+            "gitea.read",
+            "gitea.pr.create",
+            "gitea.branch.push",
+        ],
+        "forbidden_operations": [],
+    }
+
+    def setUp(self) -> None:
+        self._tmp = tempfile.TemporaryDirectory()
+        self.db_path = os.path.join(self._tmp.name, "cp.sqlite3")
+        self.db = ControlPlaneDB(self.db_path)
+        self.db.upsert_session(
+            session_id="ctrl-session",
+            role="controller",
+            profile="prgs-controller",
+            pid=99999999,
+        )
+        self.db.upsert_session(
+            session_id="author-worker",
+            role="author",
+            profile="prgs-author",
+            pid=os.getpid(),
+        )
+        self.wt = self._tmp.name
+
+    def tearDown(self) -> None:
+        self._tmp.cleanup()
+
+    def _ready_issue(self, number: int) -> WorkCandidate:
+        return WorkCandidate(
+            kind="issue",
+            number=number,
+            labels=("status:ready", "type:bug"),
+            title="handoff target",
+            priority=20,
+        )
+
+    def _handoff_lease(self, number: int = 843) -> str:
+        res = allocate_next_work(
+            db=self.db,
+            session_id="ctrl-session",
+            role=ROLE_CONTROLLER,
+            remote="prgs",
+            org="Scaled-Tech-Consulting",
+            repo="Gitea-Tools",
+            candidates=[self._ready_issue(number)],
+            apply=True,
+            profile_name="prgs-controller",
+            username="controller-user",
+            allocation_mode=ALLOCATION_MODE_CROSS_ROLE,
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(res["outcome"], OUTCOME_ASSIGNED)
+        self.assertEqual(res["required_role"], ROLE_AUTHOR)
+        return res["assignment"]["lease_id"]
+
+    def _call_adopt_tool(self, profile: dict, **kwargs):
+        import gitea_mcp_server as mcp_server
+
+        with (
+            patch.object(mcp_server, "get_profile", return_value=profile),
+            patch.object(
+                mcp_server,
+                "_control_plane_db_or_error",
+                return_value=(self.db, []),
+            ),
+        ):
+            return mcp_server.gitea_adopt_workflow_lease(
+                remote="prgs", **kwargs
+            )
+
+    def _assert_handoff_untouched(self, lease_id: str) -> None:
+        state = self.db.get_lease_workflow_state(lease_id)
+        self.assertEqual(state["lease"]["session_id"], "ctrl-session")
+        self.assertIsNone(state["lease"].get("adopted_by_session_id") or None)
+        self.assertEqual(state["lease"]["status"], "active")
+        self.assertEqual(state["provenance"]["handoff_status"], "pending")
+
+    def test_reviewer_profile_cannot_consume_author_handoff_via_role_author(
+        self,
+    ) -> None:
+        lid = self._handoff_lease(920)
+        result = self._call_adopt_tool(
+            self.REVIEWER_PROFILE,
+            lease_id=lid,
+            session_id="reviewer-worker",
+            role="author",
+            worktree_path=self.wt,
+        )
+        self.assertFalse(result["success"])
+        self.assertEqual(result["outcome"], "blocked")
+        self.assertEqual(result["profile_role_kind"], "reviewer")
+        self.assertEqual(result["supplied_role"], "author")
+        self.assertIn("does not match", result["reasons"][0])
+        self._assert_handoff_untouched(lid)
+
+    def test_merger_profile_cannot_consume_author_handoff_via_role_author(
+        self,
+    ) -> None:
+        lid = self._handoff_lease(921)
+        result = self._call_adopt_tool(
+            self.MERGER_PROFILE,
+            lease_id=lid,
+            session_id="merger-worker",
+            role="author",
+            worktree_path=self.wt,
+        )
+        self.assertFalse(result["success"])
+        self.assertEqual(result["outcome"], "blocked")
+        self.assertEqual(result["profile_role_kind"], "merger")
+        self._assert_handoff_untouched(lid)
+
+    def test_reviewer_profile_rejected_without_role_argument(self) -> None:
+        """Even without a spoofed role, the profile-derived role binds."""
+        lid = self._handoff_lease(922)
+        result = self._call_adopt_tool(
+            self.REVIEWER_PROFILE,
+            lease_id=lid,
+            session_id="reviewer-worker",
+            worktree_path=self.wt,
+        )
+        self.assertFalse(result["success"])
+        self.assertEqual(result["outcome"], "blocked")
+        self.assertIn("wrong role", result["reasons"][0].lower())
+        self._assert_handoff_untouched(lid)
+
+    def test_author_profile_mismatching_supplied_role_rejected(self) -> None:
+        lid = self._handoff_lease(923)
+        result = self._call_adopt_tool(
+            self.AUTHOR_PROFILE,
+            lease_id=lid,
+            session_id="author-worker",
+            role="reviewer",
+            worktree_path=self.wt,
+        )
+        self.assertFalse(result["success"])
+        self.assertEqual(result["outcome"], "blocked")
+        self.assertEqual(result["profile_role_kind"], "author")
+        self.assertEqual(result["supplied_role"], "reviewer")
+        self._assert_handoff_untouched(lid)
+
+    def test_foreign_profile_name_rejected_for_author_handoff(self) -> None:
+        """Provenance required_profile binds even when the role matches."""
+        lid = self._handoff_lease(924)
+        result = self._call_adopt_tool(
+            self.FOREIGN_AUTHOR_PROFILE,
+            lease_id=lid,
+            session_id="foreign-author-worker",
+            worktree_path=self.wt,
+        )
+        self.assertFalse(result["success"])
+        self.assertEqual(result["outcome"], "blocked")
+        self.assertIn("wrong profile", result["reasons"][0].lower())
+        self._assert_handoff_untouched(lid)
+
+    def test_author_profile_consumes_author_handoff(self) -> None:
+        lid = self._handoff_lease(925)
+        result = self._call_adopt_tool(
+            self.AUTHOR_PROFILE,
+            lease_id=lid,
+            session_id="author-worker",
+            role="author",
+            worktree_path=self.wt,
+        )
+        self.assertTrue(result["success"])
+        self.assertEqual(result["outcome"], "adopted_cross_role_handoff")
+        self.assertEqual(result["adopted_by_session_id"], "author-worker")
+        self.assertEqual(result["adopted_from_session_id"], "ctrl-session")
+        state = self.db.get_lease_workflow_state(lid)
+        self.assertEqual(state["lease"]["session_id"], "author-worker")
+        self.assertEqual(
+            state["lease"]["adopted_by_session_id"], "author-worker"
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(state["assignment"]["session_id"], "author-worker")
+        self.assertEqual(state["provenance"]["handoff_status"], "adopted")
+
+    def test_author_profile_consumes_author_handoff_without_role_argument(
+        self,
+    ) -> None:
+        lid = self._handoff_lease(926)
+        result = self._call_adopt_tool(
+            self.AUTHOR_PROFILE,
+            lease_id=lid,
+            session_id="author-worker",
+            worktree_path=self.wt,
+        )
+        self.assertTrue(result["success"])
+        self.assertEqual(result["outcome"], "adopted_cross_role_handoff")
+        state = self.db.get_lease_workflow_state(lid)
+        self.assertEqual(state["lease"]["session_id"], "author-worker")
+        self.assertEqual(state["lease"]["role"], "author")
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    unittest.main()

tests/test_task_capability_role_invariants.py

@@ -139,6 +139,8 @@ EXPECTED_ROLE_EXCLUSIVE_TASKS = frozenset(
         "gitea_release_merger_pr_lease",
         "create_branch",
         "push_branch",
+        "bootstrap_author_issue_worktree",
+        "gitea_bootstrap_author_issue_worktree",
         # #812 AC20: publishing an unpublished local head is author-only for the
         # same reason every other push is — it writes a branch to the remote.
         "publish_unpublished_branch",

tests/test_webui_system_health.py

@@ -0,0 +1,499 @@
+"""Tests for the read-only system-health API (#634).
+
+Covers the acceptance criteria directly: a structured payload with readiness
+and a dependency list (AC1), version and uptime when knowable (AC2), stale
+runtime reported without a false mutation-safe claim (AC3), and the healthy /
+degraded-dependency / redaction cases (AC4).
+"""
+import json
+import os
+import sqlite3
+import sys
+import tempfile
+import unittest
+from pathlib import Path
+from unittest import mock
+
+sys.path.insert(0, str(Path(__file__).resolve().parent.parent))
+
+from starlette.testclient import TestClient
+
+import control_plane_db
+from webui.app import create_app
+from webui.deployment_boundary import scan_text_for_client_secrets
+from webui.system_health import (
+    API_PATH,
+    STATUS_DEGRADED,
+    STATUS_DOWN,
+    STATUS_OK,
+    STATUS_SKIPPED,
+    DependencyProbe,
+    StaleRuntime,
+    assess_stale_runtime,
+    clear_probe_cache,
+    load_system_health,
+    namespace_summaries,
+    probe_control_plane_db,
+    probe_gitea,
+    process_uptime,
+    redact,
+    redact_url,
+    snapshot_to_dict,
+)
+
+
+def _probe(name, status, *, required=True, detail="detail", kind="test"):
+    return DependencyProbe(
+        name=name,
+        kind=kind,
+        status=status,
+        detail=detail,
+        required=required,
+        latency_ms=1.5,
+        metadata={},
+    )
+
+
+_ALL_HEALTHY = (
+    _probe("control_plane_db", STATUS_OK, kind="sqlite"),
+    _probe("repository", STATUS_OK, kind="git"),
+    _probe("gitea", STATUS_OK, required=False, kind="http"),
+)
+
+_CLEAN_PARITY = StaleRuntime(
+    daemon_head="abc123",
+    checkout_head="abc123",
+    remote_head="abc123",
+    stale=False,
+    determinable=True,
+    mutation_safe=True,
+    reasons=(),
+)
+
+
+class CleanParityMixin:
+    """Pin parity for tests about aggregation rather than staleness.
+
+    Without this the assertions depend on the real checkout: a worktree whose
+    branch is ahead of its upstream is genuinely stale, which would degrade the
+    overall status and make these cases fail for an unrelated reason.
+    """
+
+    def setUp(self):
+        super().setUp()
+        patcher = mock.patch(
+            "webui.system_health.assess_stale_runtime",
+            return_value=_CLEAN_PARITY,
+        )
+        patcher.start()
+        self.addCleanup(patcher.stop)
+
+
+class TestDependencyAggregation(CleanParityMixin, unittest.TestCase):
+    """AC1 — readiness and dependency list derived from probe results."""
+
+    def test_all_healthy_is_ok_and_ready(self):
+        snapshot = load_system_health(probes=_ALL_HEALTHY, daemon_head="abc123")
+        self.assertEqual(snapshot.status, STATUS_OK)
+        self.assertTrue(snapshot.ready)
+        self.assertTrue(snapshot.readiness_complete)
+        self.assertEqual(snapshot.readiness_reasons, ())
+        self.assertEqual(len(snapshot.dependencies), 3)
+
+    def test_required_dependency_down_blocks_readiness(self):
+        probes = (
+            _probe("control_plane_db", STATUS_DOWN, detail="file missing", kind="sqlite"),
+            _probe("repository", STATUS_OK, kind="git"),
+            _probe("gitea", STATUS_OK, required=False, kind="http"),
+        )
+        snapshot = load_system_health(probes=probes, daemon_head="abc123")
+        self.assertEqual(snapshot.status, STATUS_DOWN)
+        self.assertFalse(snapshot.ready)
+        self.assertTrue(
+            any("control_plane_db" in reason for reason in snapshot.readiness_reasons)
+        )
+
+    def test_optional_dependency_down_degrades_but_stays_ready(self):
+        """A failing optional probe must not claim the process itself is unready."""
+        probes = (
+            _probe("control_plane_db", STATUS_OK, kind="sqlite"),
+            _probe("repository", STATUS_OK, kind="git"),
+            _probe("gitea", STATUS_DOWN, required=False, detail="timeout", kind="http"),
+        )
+        snapshot = load_system_health(probes=probes, daemon_head="abc123")
+        self.assertEqual(snapshot.status, STATUS_DEGRADED)
+        self.assertTrue(snapshot.ready)
+        self.assertTrue(any("gitea" in reason for reason in snapshot.readiness_reasons))
+
+    def test_unrun_required_probe_leaves_readiness_incomplete(self):
+        """Not probed is not the same as passing."""
+        probes = (
+            _probe("control_plane_db", STATUS_OK, kind="sqlite"),
+            _probe("repository", STATUS_SKIPPED, detail="offline", kind="git"),
+        )
+        snapshot = load_system_health(probes=probes, daemon_head="abc123")
+        self.assertFalse(snapshot.ready)
+        self.assertFalse(snapshot.readiness_complete)
+        self.assertEqual(snapshot.status, STATUS_DEGRADED)
+
+    def test_skipped_optional_probe_does_not_block_readiness(self):
+        probes = (
+            _probe("control_plane_db", STATUS_OK, kind="sqlite"),
+            _probe("repository", STATUS_OK, kind="git"),
+            _probe("gitea", STATUS_SKIPPED, required=False, kind="http"),
+        )
+        snapshot = load_system_health(probes=probes, daemon_head="abc123")
+        self.assertTrue(snapshot.ready)
+        self.assertTrue(snapshot.readiness_complete)
+
+
+class TestVersionAndUptime(CleanParityMixin, unittest.TestCase):
+    """AC2 — version and uptime present when knowable."""
+
+    def test_uptime_and_start_time_present(self):
+        snapshot = load_system_health(probes=_ALL_HEALTHY, daemon_head="abc123")
+        self.assertGreaterEqual(snapshot.uptime_seconds, 0.0)
+        self.assertIn("T", snapshot.started_at)
+
+    def test_process_uptime_helper_matches_shape(self):
+        started_at, uptime = process_uptime()
+        self.assertIn("T", started_at)
+        self.assertGreaterEqual(uptime, 0.0)
+
+    def test_version_reports_python_and_schema_version(self):
+        probes = (
+            DependencyProbe(
+                name="control_plane_db",
+                kind="sqlite",
+                status=STATUS_OK,
+                detail="ok",
+                required=True,
+                latency_ms=1.0,
+                metadata={"schema_version": control_plane_db.SCHEMA_VERSION},
+            ),
+            _probe("repository", STATUS_OK, kind="git"),
+        )
+        snapshot = load_system_health(probes=probes, daemon_head="abc123")
+        self.assertEqual(
+            snapshot.version.control_plane_schema_version,
+            control_plane_db.SCHEMA_VERSION,
+        )
+        self.assertTrue(snapshot.version.python_version)
+
+    def test_version_known_flag_false_when_sha_unavailable(self):
+        with mock.patch("webui.system_health._git", return_value=None):
+            snapshot = load_system_health(probes=_ALL_HEALTHY, daemon_head="abc")
+        self.assertIsNone(snapshot.version.git_sha)
+        self.assertFalse(snapshot.version.known)
+
+
+class TestStaleRuntime(unittest.TestCase):
+    """AC3 — stale runtime reflected without a false mutation-safe claim."""
+
+    def test_matching_commits_are_mutation_safe(self):
+        assessment = assess_stale_runtime(
+            Path("/tmp"),
+            daemon_head="aaa",
+            git_reader=lambda *args: "aaa",
+        )
+        self.assertFalse(assessment.stale)
+        self.assertTrue(assessment.determinable)
+        self.assertTrue(assessment.mutation_safe)
+
+    def test_diverged_commits_are_stale_and_not_mutation_safe(self):
+        reads = {"HEAD": "aaa", "@{upstream}": "bbb"}
+        assessment = assess_stale_runtime(
+            Path("/tmp"),
+            daemon_head="aaa",
+            git_reader=lambda *args: reads.get(args[-1]),
+        )
+        self.assertTrue(assessment.stale)
+        self.assertFalse(assessment.mutation_safe)
+        self.assertTrue(assessment.reasons)
+
+    def test_unknown_remote_is_not_mutation_safe(self):
+        """Indeterminate must never read as safe."""
+        reads = {"HEAD": "aaa", "@{upstream}": None}
+        assessment = assess_stale_runtime(
+            Path("/tmp"),
+            daemon_head="aaa",
+            git_reader=lambda *args: reads.get(args[-1]),
+        )
+        self.assertFalse(assessment.determinable)
+        self.assertFalse(assessment.mutation_safe)
+        self.assertFalse(assessment.stale)
+        self.assertTrue(
+            any("indeterminate" in reason for reason in assessment.reasons)
+        )
+
+    def test_unobservable_daemon_head_is_disclosed(self):
+        assessment = assess_stale_runtime(
+            Path("/tmp"),
+            git_reader=lambda *args: "aaa",
+        )
+        self.assertTrue(
+            any("not observable" in reason for reason in assessment.reasons)
+        )
+
+    def test_stale_runtime_degrades_overall_status(self):
+        reads = {"HEAD": "aaa", "@{upstream}": "bbb"}
+        # Pinned rather than inherited: this path uses the default git reader,
+        # so the assertion must hold whether or not the suite runs offline.
+        with mock.patch.dict(os.environ, {"WEBUI_TEST_OFFLINE": ""}), mock.patch(
+            "webui.system_health._git",
+            side_effect=lambda repo, *args: reads.get(args[-1]),
+        ):
+            snapshot = load_system_health(probes=_ALL_HEALTHY, daemon_head="aaa")
+        self.assertTrue(snapshot.stale_runtime.stale)
+        self.assertFalse(snapshot.stale_runtime.mutation_safe)
+        self.assertEqual(snapshot.status, STATUS_DEGRADED)
+
+
+class TestControlPlaneDbProbe(unittest.TestCase):
+    """The required local dependency, probed read-only."""
+
+    def setUp(self):
+        self.tmp = tempfile.TemporaryDirectory()
+        self.addCleanup(self.tmp.cleanup)
+        self.db_path = str(Path(self.tmp.name) / "control-plane.db")
+
+    def _build_db(self, schema_version):
+        conn = sqlite3.connect(self.db_path)
+        conn.execute("CREATE TABLE schema_meta (key TEXT PRIMARY KEY, value TEXT)")
+        conn.execute("CREATE TABLE leases (lease_id TEXT PRIMARY KEY, status TEXT)")
+        conn.execute(
+            "INSERT INTO schema_meta(key, value) VALUES ('schema_version', ?)",
+            (str(schema_version),),
+        )
+        conn.execute("INSERT INTO leases(lease_id, status) VALUES ('l1', 'active')")
+        conn.commit()
+        conn.close()
+
+    def test_missing_database_is_down(self):
+        probe = probe_control_plane_db(str(Path(self.tmp.name) / "absent.db"))
+        self.assertEqual(probe.status, STATUS_DOWN)
+        self.assertTrue(probe.required)
+        self.assertIsNotNone(probe.latency_ms)
+
+    def test_matching_schema_is_ok(self):
+        self._build_db(control_plane_db.SCHEMA_VERSION)
+        probe = probe_control_plane_db(self.db_path)
+        self.assertEqual(probe.status, STATUS_OK)
+        self.assertEqual(
+            probe.metadata["schema_version"], control_plane_db.SCHEMA_VERSION
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(probe.metadata["active_leases"], 1)
+
+    def test_mismatched_schema_is_degraded(self):
+        self._build_db(control_plane_db.SCHEMA_VERSION + 99)
+        probe = probe_control_plane_db(self.db_path)
+        self.assertEqual(probe.status, STATUS_DEGRADED)
+
+    def test_probe_does_not_create_a_database(self):
+        """A health check must never initialise the substrate it inspects."""
+        absent = str(Path(self.tmp.name) / "never-created.db")
+        probe_control_plane_db(absent)
+        self.assertFalse(Path(absent).exists())
+
+    def test_unreadable_database_is_down_not_raised(self):
+        Path(self.db_path).write_text("this is not a sqlite database")
+        probe = probe_control_plane_db(self.db_path)
+        self.assertEqual(probe.status, STATUS_DOWN)
+
+
+class TestRedaction(unittest.TestCase):
+    """AC4 — redaction. No credential-shaped text crosses the boundary."""
+
+    def test_redacts_token_assignment(self):
+        cleaned = redact("failed with token=ghp_ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ012345")
+        self.assertNotIn("ghp_ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ012345", cleaned)
+        self.assertIn("[redacted]", cleaned)
+
+    def test_redacts_authorization_header_text(self):
+        cleaned = redact("Authorization: Bearer abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz123456")
+        self.assertNotIn("abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz123456", cleaned)
+
+    def test_redacts_long_opaque_strings(self):
+        cleaned = redact("value 0123456789abcdef0123456789abcdef here")
+        self.assertNotIn("0123456789abcdef0123456789abcdef", cleaned)
+
+    def test_url_userinfo_and_query_are_stripped(self):
+        cleaned = redact_url("https://user:[email protected]/api/v1?token=xyz")
+        self.assertNotIn("secretpass", cleaned)
+        self.assertNotIn("token=xyz", cleaned)
+        self.assertEqual(cleaned, "https://gitea.example.com/api/v1")
+
+    def test_url_inside_free_text_is_redacted(self):
+        cleaned = redact("GET https://u:[email protected]/x?token=abc failed")
+        self.assertNotIn("u:p@", cleaned)
+        self.assertNotIn("token=abc", cleaned)
+
+    def test_gitea_probe_failure_detail_is_redacted(self):
+        boom = RuntimeError(
+            "connection refused for https://user:[email protected]/api/v1/version"
+        )
+        with mock.patch("webui.system_health.get_auth_header", return_value="token x"), \
+                mock.patch("webui.system_health.api_request", side_effect=boom):
+            probe = probe_gitea("gitea.example.com")
+        self.assertEqual(probe.status, STATUS_DOWN)
+        self.assertNotIn("hunter2", probe.detail)
+        self.assertEqual(scan_text_for_client_secrets(probe.detail), [])
+
+    def test_credential_guard_refusal_is_a_status_not_a_crash(self):
+        with mock.patch(
+            "webui.system_health.get_auth_header",
+            side_effect=RuntimeError("daemon guard refused"),
+        ):
+            probe = probe_gitea("gitea.example.com")
+        self.assertEqual(probe.status, STATUS_DEGRADED)
+        self.assertFalse(probe.required)
+
+
+class TestNamespaceSummaries(unittest.TestCase):
+    """A web process cannot prove IDE namespace health, and must not claim to."""
+
+    def test_every_namespace_reports_unproven(self):
+        rows = namespace_summaries()
+        self.assertTrue(rows)
+        for row in rows:
+            with self.subTest(namespace=row["namespace"]):
+                self.assertEqual(row["status"], "unproven")
+                self.assertFalse(row["ide_namespace_proven"])
+                self.assertIn("client_namespace", row["reason"])
+
+
+class TestSystemHealthRoutes(CleanParityMixin, unittest.TestCase):
+    """The HTTP surface: versioned path, status codes, read-only guard."""
+
+    def setUp(self):
+        super().setUp()
+        clear_probe_cache()
+        self.addCleanup(clear_probe_cache)
+        self.client = TestClient(create_app())
+
+    def _patch_snapshot(self, probes, daemon_head="abc123"):
+        snapshot = load_system_health(probes=probes, daemon_head=daemon_head)
+        patcher = mock.patch(
+            "webui.app.load_system_health",
+            return_value=snapshot,
+        )
+        patcher.start()
+        self.addCleanup(patcher.stop)
+        return snapshot
+
+    def test_versioned_route_is_registered(self):
+        self.assertEqual(API_PATH, "/api/v1/system/health")
+        self._patch_snapshot(_ALL_HEALTHY)
+        response = self.client.get(API_PATH)
+        self.assertEqual(response.status_code, 200)
+
+    def test_healthy_payload_shape(self):
+        self._patch_snapshot(_ALL_HEALTHY)
+        data = self.client.get(API_PATH).json()
+        self.assertEqual(data["status"], STATUS_OK)
+        self.assertTrue(data["readiness"]["ready"])
+        self.assertTrue(data["readiness"]["complete"])
+        self.assertEqual(data["api"], API_PATH)
+        self.assertEqual(len(data["dependencies"]), 3)
+        for key in ("version", "process", "stale_runtime", "mcp_namespaces"):
+            self.assertIn(key, data)
+        self.assertIn("uptime_seconds", data["process"])
+        self.assertIn("mutation_safe", data["stale_runtime"])
+
+    def test_degraded_dependency_returns_503(self):
+        probes = (
+            _probe("control_plane_db", STATUS_DOWN, detail="missing", kind="sqlite"),
+            _probe("repository", STATUS_OK, kind="git"),
+        )
+        self._patch_snapshot(probes)
+        response = self.client.get(API_PATH)
+        self.assertEqual(response.status_code, 503)
+        data = response.json()
+        self.assertFalse(data["readiness"]["ready"])
+        self.assertTrue(data["readiness"]["reasons"])
+
+    def test_dependency_entries_expose_status_and_latency(self):
+        self._patch_snapshot(_ALL_HEALTHY)
+        data = self.client.get(API_PATH).json()
+        names = {entry["name"] for entry in data["dependencies"]}
+        self.assertEqual(names, {"control_plane_db", "repository", "gitea"})
+        for entry in data["dependencies"]:
+            with self.subTest(dependency=entry["name"]):
+                self.assertIn("status", entry)
+                self.assertIn("required", entry)
+                self.assertIn("latency_ms", entry)
+
+    def test_response_body_carries_no_client_secrets(self):
+        self._patch_snapshot(_ALL_HEALTHY)
+        body = self.client.get(API_PATH).text
+        self.assertEqual(scan_text_for_client_secrets(body), [])
+
+    def test_deep_flag_is_forwarded(self):
+        snapshot = load_system_health(probes=_ALL_HEALTHY, daemon_head="abc")
+        with mock.patch(
+            "webui.app.load_system_health", return_value=snapshot
+        ) as loader:
+            self.client.get(f"{API_PATH}?deep=1")
+            loader.assert_called_once_with(deep=True)
+
+    def test_shallow_is_the_default(self):
+        snapshot = load_system_health(probes=_ALL_HEALTHY, daemon_head="abc")
+        with mock.patch(
+            "webui.app.load_system_health", return_value=snapshot
+        ) as loader:
+            self.client.get(API_PATH)
+            loader.assert_called_once_with(deep=False)
+
+    def test_route_rejects_mutation_methods(self):
+        for method in ("POST", "PUT", "PATCH", "DELETE"):
+            with self.subTest(method=method):
+                response = self.client.request(method, API_PATH)
+                self.assertEqual(response.status_code, 405)
+                self.assertEqual(response.json()["error"], "read-only-mvp")
+
+    def test_default_shallow_call_skips_the_network_probe(self):
+        """The expensive probe must not run unless it was asked for."""
+        with mock.patch("webui.system_health.probe_gitea") as probe:
+            snapshot = load_system_health(deep=False)
+        probe.assert_not_called()
+        gitea = next(p for p in snapshot.dependencies if p.name == "gitea")
+        self.assertEqual(gitea.status, STATUS_SKIPPED)
+
+
+class TestHealthRouteBackwardCompatibility(unittest.TestCase):
+    """`/health` is expanded additively; MVP consumers must keep working."""
+
+    def setUp(self):
+        self.client = TestClient(create_app())
+
+    def test_mvp_keys_are_unchanged(self):
+        data = self.client.get("/health").json()
+        self.assertEqual(data["status"], "ok")
+        self.assertEqual(data["service"], "mcp-control-plane-webui")
+        self.assertEqual(data["mode"], "read-only-mvp")
+        self.assertIn("timestamp", data)
+        self.assertEqual(data["deployment"]["mode"], "internal-operator-console")
+
+    def test_health_points_at_the_versioned_api(self):
+        data = self.client.get("/health").json()
+        self.assertEqual(data["system_health_api"], API_PATH)
+        self.assertIn("uptime_seconds", data)
+        self.assertIn("started_at", data)
+
+    def test_health_runs_no_dependency_probe(self):
+        """Liveness must stay cheap: no probe, no snapshot assembly."""
+        with mock.patch("webui.app.load_system_health") as loader:
+            response = self.client.get("/health")
+        self.assertEqual(response.status_code, 200)
+        loader.assert_not_called()
+
+
+class TestSnapshotSerialisation(CleanParityMixin, unittest.TestCase):
+    def test_snapshot_dict_is_json_serialisable(self):
+        snapshot = load_system_health(probes=_ALL_HEALTHY, daemon_head="abc123")
+        encoded = json.dumps(snapshot_to_dict(snapshot))
+        self.assertIn("readiness", encoded)
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    unittest.main()

webui/app.py

@@ -45,6 +45,12 @@ from webui.worktree_scanner import load_hygiene_snapshot, snapshot_to_dict as wo
 from webui.worktree_views import render_worktrees_page
 from webui.runtime_health import load_runtime_snapshot, snapshot_to_dict as runtime_snapshot_to_dict
 from webui.runtime_views import render_runtime_page
+from webui.system_health import (
+    API_PATH as SYSTEM_HEALTH_API_PATH,
+    load_system_health,
+    process_uptime,
+    snapshot_to_dict as system_health_to_dict,
+)
 
 _READ_ONLY_METHODS = frozenset({"GET", "HEAD", "OPTIONS"})
 _AUDIT_MUTATION_PATHS = frozenset({"/audit", "/api/audit"})
@@ -78,16 +84,43 @@ async def home(_request: Request) -> HTMLResponse:
 
 
 async def health(_request: Request) -> JSONResponse:
+    """Liveness only — deliberately cheap, runs no dependency probe (#634).
+
+    Every MVP key is retained so existing pollers keep working; the additions
+    are a pointer to the structured API and the in-memory process uptime.
+    Readiness lives at that API because answering it costs real probes.
+    """
     bind_host = _request.app.state.webui_bind_host
+    started_at, uptime_seconds = process_uptime()
     return JSONResponse({
         "status": "ok",
         "service": "mcp-control-plane-webui",
         "mode": "read-only-mvp",
         "timestamp": datetime.now(timezone.utc).isoformat(),
         "deployment": deployment_snapshot(bind_host=bind_host),
+        "started_at": started_at,
+        "uptime_seconds": uptime_seconds,
+        "system_health_api": SYSTEM_HEALTH_API_PATH,
     })
 
 
+def _truthy_flag(value: str | None) -> bool:
+    return (value or "").strip().lower() in {"1", "true", "yes", "on"}
+
+
+async def api_system_health(request: Request) -> JSONResponse:
+    """Structured read-only system health (#634).
+
+    `?deep=1` opts into the expensive network probe. The response status code
+    reflects readiness so automated checks can branch on it without parsing the
+    body: 200 when ready, 503 when a required dependency failed or never ran.
+    """
+    deep = _truthy_flag(request.query_params.get("deep"))
+    snapshot = load_system_health(deep=deep)
+    payload = system_health_to_dict(snapshot)
+    return JSONResponse(payload, status_code=200 if snapshot.ready else 503)
+
+
 async def queue(_request: Request) -> HTMLResponse:
     snapshot = load_queue_snapshot()
     return HTMLResponse(render_page(title="Queue", body_html=render_queue_page(snapshot)))
@@ -399,6 +432,7 @@ def create_app(*, bind_host: str | None = None) -> Starlette:
         routes=[
             Route("/", home, methods=["GET"]),
             Route("/health", health, methods=["GET"]),
+            Route(SYSTEM_HEALTH_API_PATH, api_system_health, methods=["GET"]),
             Route("/queue", queue, methods=["GET"]),
             Route("/api/queue", api_queue, methods=["GET"]),
             Route("/projects", projects, methods=["GET"]),

webui/system_health.py

@@ -0,0 +1,682 @@
+"""Read-only system-health model for the operator console API (#634).
+
+`/health` answers liveness only. Operators automating readiness checks need a
+structured view of *why* the control plane is or is not usable: which
+dependencies answered, how long they took, what version of the code is running,
+and whether the runtime is stale relative to its remote.
+
+Three rules shape this module.
+
+* **Read-only.** Every probe opens its subject read-only. The control-plane
+  database is opened through a ``mode=ro`` URI so a health check can never
+  create or migrate a schema, and no probe writes, restarts, or reloads
+  anything — restart controls are Phase 2, and #630 forbids process-kill
+  recovery outright.
+* **Fail-soft.** A dependency that is unreachable is a *status*, not an
+  exception. Probes catch their own failures and report them as a degraded or
+  down entry carrying a reason.
+* **Never claim more than was proven.** Readiness is derived only from probes
+  that actually ran, ``mutation_safe`` stays false unless the parity commits are
+  known and equal, and an MCP namespace is reported unproven because a web
+  process cannot exercise the IDE-managed client path (#543).
+"""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import os
+import re
+import sqlite3
+import subprocess
+import time
+from dataclasses import dataclass
+from datetime import datetime, timezone
+from pathlib import Path
+from typing import Any, Callable
+from urllib.parse import urlsplit, urlunsplit
+
+import control_plane_db
+import mcp_namespace_health
+from gitea_auth import api_request, get_auth_header, gitea_url
+
+from webui.project_registry import load_registry
+
+SERVICE_NAME = "mcp-control-plane-webui"
+API_PATH = "/api/v1/system/health"
+
+STATUS_OK = "ok"
+STATUS_DEGRADED = "degraded"
+STATUS_DOWN = "down"
+STATUS_SKIPPED = "skipped"
+STATUS_UNPROVEN = "unproven"
+
+# Statuses that count as a healthy answer from a probe.
+_HEALTHY_STATUSES = frozenset({STATUS_OK})
+# Statuses meaning "this probe did not run", as opposed to "it ran and failed".
+_NOT_RUN_STATUSES = frozenset({STATUS_SKIPPED})
+
+_DEEP_PROBE_TTL_ENV = "WEBUI_HEALTH_PROBE_TTL_SECONDS"
+_DEFAULT_DEEP_PROBE_TTL = 15.0
+_GITEA_PROBE_TIMEOUT_SECONDS = 5.0
+
+_OFFLINE_ENV = "WEBUI_TEST_OFFLINE"
+
+# Credential-shaped material that must never reach the browser, mirroring the
+# forbidden client patterns in webui/deployment_boundary.py.
+_SECRET_RE = re.compile(
+    r"(?i)\b(token|password|passwd|secret|authorization|bearer)\b\s*[:=]?\s*\S+"
+)
+_LONG_OPAQUE_RE = re.compile(r"\b[A-Za-z0-9_\-]{32,}\b")
+
+# Captured once at import so uptime measures this process, not the request.
+_STARTED_AT = datetime.now(timezone.utc)
+_STARTED_MONOTONIC = time.monotonic()
+
+# TTL cache for the expensive (network) probe only.
+_deep_cache: dict[str, tuple[float, "DependencyProbe"]] = {}
+
+
+@dataclass(frozen=True)
+class DependencyProbe:
+    """One dependency check, fail-soft, with its own latency."""
+
+    name: str
+    kind: str
+    status: str
+    detail: str
+    required: bool
+    latency_ms: float | None = None
+    metadata: dict[str, Any] | None = None
+
+    @property
+    def healthy(self) -> bool:
+        return self.status in _HEALTHY_STATUSES
+
+    @property
+    def ran(self) -> bool:
+        return self.status not in _NOT_RUN_STATUSES
+
+
+@dataclass(frozen=True)
+class VersionInfo:
+    git_sha: str | None
+    git_describe: str | None
+    control_plane_schema_version: int | None
+    python_version: str
+    known: bool
+
+
+@dataclass(frozen=True)
+class StaleRuntime:
+    """Parity between the running code, the checkout, and the remote.
+
+    ``mutation_safe`` is deliberately conservative: unknown is not safe.
+    """
+
+    daemon_head: str | None
+    checkout_head: str | None
+    remote_head: str | None
+    stale: bool
+    determinable: bool
+    mutation_safe: bool
+    reasons: tuple[str, ...]
+
+
+@dataclass(frozen=True)
+class SystemHealthSnapshot:
+    status: str
+    ready: bool
+    readiness_complete: bool
+    readiness_reasons: tuple[str, ...]
+    service: str
+    mode: str
+    version: VersionInfo
+    started_at: str
+    uptime_seconds: float
+    timestamp: str
+    deep_probes_requested: bool
+    dependencies: tuple[DependencyProbe, ...]
+    mcp_namespaces: tuple[dict[str, Any], ...]
+    stale_runtime: StaleRuntime
+    probe_errors: tuple[str, ...] = ()
+
+
+def process_uptime() -> tuple[str, float]:
+    """Process start timestamp and uptime — in-memory, safe for `/health`."""
+    return _STARTED_AT.isoformat(), round(time.monotonic() - _STARTED_MONOTONIC, 3)
+
+
+def _offline() -> bool:
+    return (os.environ.get(_OFFLINE_ENV) or "").strip().lower() in {"1", "true", "yes"}
+
+
+def _repo_root() -> Path:
+    override = (os.environ.get("WEBUI_REPO_ROOT") or "").strip()
+    if override:
+        return Path(override).resolve()
+    return Path(__file__).resolve().parent.parent
+
+
+def _deep_probe_ttl() -> float:
+    raw = (os.environ.get(_DEEP_PROBE_TTL_ENV) or "").strip()
+    if not raw:
+        return _DEFAULT_DEEP_PROBE_TTL
+    try:
+        value = float(raw)
+    except ValueError:
+        return _DEFAULT_DEEP_PROBE_TTL
+    return value if value >= 0 else _DEFAULT_DEEP_PROBE_TTL
+
+
+def redact(text: str) -> str:
+    """Strip credential-shaped material from operator-visible probe text.
+
+    Probe details carry exception strings, and an exception raised by an HTTP
+    client can quote the request that failed. Redaction happens here, at the
+    boundary where those strings become part of a browser-bound payload.
+    """
+    if not text:
+        return ""
+    cleaned = _redact_urls(text)
+    cleaned = _SECRET_RE.sub(lambda m: f"{m.group(1)}=[redacted]", cleaned)
+    return _LONG_OPAQUE_RE.sub("[redacted]", cleaned)
+
+
+def _redact_urls(text: str) -> str:
+    return re.sub(r"https?://\S+", lambda m: redact_url(m.group(0)), text)
+
+
+def redact_url(url: str) -> str:
+    """Reduce a URL to scheme://host/path — no userinfo, no query, no fragment."""
+    try:
+        parts = urlsplit(url)
+    except ValueError:
+        return "[redacted-url]"
+    if not parts.scheme or not parts.hostname:
+        return "[redacted-url]"
+    netloc = parts.hostname
+    if parts.port:
+        netloc = f"{netloc}:{parts.port}"
+    return urlunsplit((parts.scheme, netloc, parts.path, "", ""))
+
+
+def _git(repo: Path, *args: str) -> str | None:
+    try:
+        completed = subprocess.run(
+            ["git", "-C", str(repo), *args],
+            capture_output=True,
+            text=True,
+            check=False,
+            timeout=10,
+        )
+    except (OSError, subprocess.SubprocessError):
+        return None
+    if completed.returncode != 0:
+        return None
+    return (completed.stdout or "").strip() or None
+
+
+def _load_version(repo: Path, *, schema_version: int | None) -> VersionInfo:
+    import platform
+
+    git_sha = None if _offline() else _git(repo, "rev-parse", "HEAD")
+    describe = None if _offline() else _git(repo, "describe", "--tags", "--always")
+    return VersionInfo(
+        git_sha=git_sha,
+        git_describe=describe,
+        control_plane_schema_version=schema_version,
+        python_version=platform.python_version(),
+        known=bool(git_sha),
+    )
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Dependency probes
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+def _elapsed_ms(started: float) -> float:
+    return round((time.monotonic() - started) * 1000, 3)
+
+
+def probe_control_plane_db(db_path: str | None = None) -> DependencyProbe:
+    """Read-only reachability check for the control-plane SQLite substrate.
+
+    Opened through a ``mode=ro`` URI on purpose: ``ControlPlaneDB.__init__``
+    creates directories and runs schema migrations, which a health check must
+    never do.
+    """
+    path = (db_path or control_plane_db.default_db_path()).strip()
+    started = time.monotonic()
+    metadata: dict[str, Any] = {"path": path}
+
+    def _result(status: str, detail: str) -> DependencyProbe:
+        return DependencyProbe(
+            name="control_plane_db",
+            kind="sqlite",
+            status=status,
+            detail=detail,
+            required=True,
+            latency_ms=_elapsed_ms(started),
+            metadata=metadata,
+        )
+
+    if not path or not os.path.exists(path):
+        return _result(STATUS_DOWN, "control-plane database file does not exist yet")
+    try:
+        conn = sqlite3.connect(f"file:{path}?mode=ro", uri=True, timeout=5)
+        try:
+            row = conn.execute(
+                "SELECT value FROM schema_meta WHERE key = 'schema_version'"
+            ).fetchone()
+            leases = conn.execute(
+                "SELECT COUNT(*) FROM leases WHERE status = 'active'"
+            ).fetchone()
+        finally:
+            conn.close()
+    except sqlite3.Error as exc:
+        return _result(STATUS_DOWN, redact(f"control-plane database unreadable: {exc}"))
+
+    schema_version = int(row[0]) if row and str(row[0]).isdigit() else None
+    metadata["schema_version"] = schema_version
+    metadata["active_leases"] = int(leases[0]) if leases else None
+    if schema_version is None:
+        return _result(
+            STATUS_DEGRADED, "control-plane database has no recorded schema version"
+        )
+    if schema_version != control_plane_db.SCHEMA_VERSION:
+        return _result(
+            STATUS_DEGRADED,
+            f"control-plane schema version {schema_version} does not match the "
+            f"version this code expects ({control_plane_db.SCHEMA_VERSION})",
+        )
+    return _result(STATUS_OK, f"schema v{schema_version} readable")
+
+
+def probe_repository(repo: Path) -> DependencyProbe:
+    """Local checkout reachability — required, cheap, no network."""
+    started = time.monotonic()
+    metadata: dict[str, Any] = {"repo_root": str(repo)}
+    if _offline():
+        return DependencyProbe(
+            name="repository",
+            kind="git",
+            status=STATUS_SKIPPED,
+            detail=f"{_OFFLINE_ENV} is set; git probe skipped",
+            required=True,
+            latency_ms=_elapsed_ms(started),
+            metadata=metadata,
+        )
+    head = _git(repo, "rev-parse", "HEAD")
+    if not head:
+        return DependencyProbe(
+            name="repository",
+            kind="git",
+            status=STATUS_DOWN,
+            detail=f"HEAD could not be read at {repo}",
+            required=True,
+            latency_ms=_elapsed_ms(started),
+            metadata=metadata,
+        )
+    branch = _git(repo, "rev-parse", "--abbrev-ref", "HEAD")
+    metadata["head"] = head
+    metadata["branch"] = branch
+    return DependencyProbe(
+        name="repository",
+        kind="git",
+        status=STATUS_OK,
+        detail=f"checkout readable at {branch or 'detached HEAD'}",
+        required=True,
+        latency_ms=_elapsed_ms(started),
+        metadata=metadata,
+    )
+
+
+def probe_gitea(host: str) -> DependencyProbe:
+    """Live Gitea reachability. Expensive (network), so opt-in via ``deep``.
+
+    Optional by design: the console stays useful for local inventory when the
+    remote is unreachable, so a failure here degrades status without claiming
+    the process itself is unready.
+    """
+    started = time.monotonic()
+    metadata: dict[str, Any] = {"host": host}
+
+    def _failure(status: str, detail: str) -> DependencyProbe:
+        return DependencyProbe(
+            name="gitea",
+            kind="http",
+            status=status,
+            detail=detail,
+            required=False,
+            latency_ms=_elapsed_ms(started),
+            metadata=metadata,
+        )
+
+    if not host:
+        return _failure(STATUS_DEGRADED, "no Gitea host is configured in the registry")
+    try:
+        auth = get_auth_header(host)
+    except Exception as exc:  # noqa: BLE001 — credential guards are a status here
+        return _failure(STATUS_DEGRADED, redact(f"credential lookup refused: {exc}"))
+    if not auth:
+        return _failure(STATUS_DEGRADED, f"no credentials available for {host}")
+
+    url = gitea_url(host, "/api/v1/version")
+    metadata["endpoint"] = redact_url(url)
+    try:
+        data = api_request("GET", url, auth, timeout=_GITEA_PROBE_TIMEOUT_SECONDS)
+    except Exception as exc:  # noqa: BLE001 — a down dependency is a status
+        return _failure(STATUS_DOWN, redact(f"Gitea probe failed: {exc}"))
+
+    if isinstance(data, dict) and data.get("version"):
+        metadata["gitea_version"] = str(data["version"])
+    return DependencyProbe(
+        name="gitea",
+        kind="http",
+        status=STATUS_OK,
+        detail=f"{host} reachable",
+        required=False,
+        latency_ms=_elapsed_ms(started),
+        metadata=metadata,
+    )
+
+
+def _skipped_gitea(host: str) -> DependencyProbe:
+    return DependencyProbe(
+        name="gitea",
+        kind="http",
+        status=STATUS_SKIPPED,
+        detail="network probe not requested; call with ?deep=1 to run it",
+        required=False,
+        latency_ms=None,
+        metadata={"host": host},
+    )
+
+
+def namespace_summaries() -> tuple[dict[str, Any], ...]:
+    """Declared MCP namespaces, each honestly reported as unproven.
+
+    The web process runs outside the IDE-managed MCP client, so it cannot
+    invoke a namespace tool. Per #543 only a ``client_namespace`` probe proves
+    that path, and inventing a healthy verdict here is exactly the false claim
+    the mutation gates exist to prevent.
+    """
+    rows: list[dict[str, Any]] = []
+    for namespace, required_tool in sorted(
+        mcp_namespace_health.REQUIRED_NAMESPACE_TOOLS.items()
+    ):
+        classification = mcp_namespace_health.classify_namespace_probe(
+            namespace,
+            required_tool=required_tool,
+            probe_result=None,
+            probe_source=mcp_namespace_health.PROBE_SOURCE_UNKNOWN,
+        )
+        rows.append(
+            {
+                "namespace": namespace,
+                "required_tool": required_tool,
+                "status": STATUS_UNPROVEN,
+                "ide_namespace_proven": bool(classification.get("ide_namespace_proven")),
+                "reason": (
+                    "the web console cannot invoke the IDE-managed MCP client; "
+                    "namespace health must be proven with a client_namespace "
+                    "probe (#543)"
+                ),
+                "error_type": classification.get("error_type"),
+            }
+        )
+    return tuple(rows)
+
+
+def assess_stale_runtime(
+    repo: Path,
+    *,
+    daemon_head: str | None = None,
+    git_reader: Callable[..., str | None] | None = None,
+) -> StaleRuntime:
+    """Three-way parity view: running code, local checkout, remote-tracking ref.
+
+    ``mutation_safe`` requires all three to be known and equal. Anything less —
+    including "the remote ref was never fetched" — is reported as not safe with
+    a reason, so an operator never reads an unproven green.
+    """
+    reader = git_reader or (lambda *args: _git(repo, *args))
+    reasons: list[str] = []
+    # The offline switch suppresses real subprocess calls; an explicitly
+    # injected reader is already a substitute for them and is always used.
+    offline = _offline() and git_reader is None
+
+    checkout_head = None if offline else reader("rev-parse", "HEAD")
+    remote_head = None if offline else reader("rev-parse", "@{upstream}")
+    if offline:
+        reasons.append(f"{_OFFLINE_ENV} is set; parity commits were not read")
+    else:
+        if checkout_head is None:
+            reasons.append("local checkout HEAD could not be read")
+        if remote_head is None:
+            reasons.append(
+                "no remote-tracking commit is known for the current branch; "
+                "remote staleness is indeterminate (no fetch is performed here)"
+            )
+
+    effective_daemon = daemon_head if daemon_head is not None else checkout_head
+    if daemon_head is None:
+        reasons.append(
+            "the running MCP daemon's startup commit is not observable from the "
+            "web process; the checkout commit is reported in its place"
+        )
+
+    determinable = bool(checkout_head and remote_head and effective_daemon)
+    stale = bool(
+        determinable and len({checkout_head, remote_head, effective_daemon}) > 1
+    )
+    if stale:
+        reasons.append(
+            "runtime, checkout, and remote commits disagree; restart the MCP "
+            "server after updating the checkout before trusting capability gates"
+        )
+
+    return StaleRuntime(
+        daemon_head=effective_daemon,
+        checkout_head=checkout_head,
+        remote_head=remote_head,
+        stale=stale,
+        determinable=determinable,
+        mutation_safe=bool(determinable and not stale),
+        reasons=tuple(reasons),
+    )
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Snapshot assembly
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+def _default_host() -> str:
+    registry = load_registry()
+    if not registry.projects:
+        return ""
+    raw = registry.projects[0].remote_host
+    parts = urlsplit(raw.strip())
+    return parts.netloc or raw.strip().rstrip("/")
+
+
+def _aggregate(
+    probes: tuple[DependencyProbe, ...],
+) -> tuple[str, bool, bool, tuple[str, ...]]:
+    """Fold probe results into overall status and readiness.
+
+    Required probes drive readiness; optional probes can only degrade status.
+    A probe that did not run leaves readiness incomplete rather than passing.
+    """
+    reasons: list[str] = []
+    required = [probe for probe in probes if probe.required]
+    unrun_required = [probe for probe in required if not probe.ran]
+    failed_required = [probe for probe in required if probe.ran and not probe.healthy]
+    failed_optional = [
+        probe
+        for probe in probes
+        if not probe.required and probe.ran and not probe.healthy
+    ]
+
+    for probe in unrun_required:
+        reasons.append(
+            f"required dependency '{probe.name}' was not probed: {probe.detail}"
+        )
+    for probe in failed_required:
+        reasons.append(
+            f"required dependency '{probe.name}' is {probe.status}: {probe.detail}"
+        )
+    for probe in failed_optional:
+        reasons.append(
+            f"optional dependency '{probe.name}' is {probe.status}: {probe.detail}"
+        )
+
+    readiness_complete = not unrun_required
+    ready = readiness_complete and not failed_required
+
+    if any(probe.status == STATUS_DOWN for probe in failed_required):
+        status = STATUS_DOWN
+    elif failed_required or failed_optional or unrun_required:
+        status = STATUS_DEGRADED
+    else:
+        status = STATUS_OK
+    return status, ready, readiness_complete, tuple(reasons)
+
+
+def load_system_health(
+    *,
+    deep: bool = False,
+    host: str | None = None,
+    probes: tuple[DependencyProbe, ...] | None = None,
+    daemon_head: str | None = None,
+    use_cache: bool = True,
+) -> SystemHealthSnapshot:
+    """Assemble the read-only system-health snapshot.
+
+    ``deep=True`` adds the network probe against Gitea; its result is cached for
+    a short TTL so repeated dashboard polls do not amplify into remote load.
+    """
+    repo = _repo_root()
+    probe_errors: list[str] = []
+
+    if probes is None:
+        collected: list[DependencyProbe] = []
+        for probe_fn in (
+            lambda: probe_control_plane_db(),
+            lambda: probe_repository(repo),
+        ):
+            try:
+                collected.append(probe_fn())
+            except Exception as exc:  # noqa: BLE001 — a probe must not 500 the API
+                probe_errors.append(redact(f"probe raised: {exc}"))
+        resolved_host = host if host is not None else _default_host()
+        if deep and not _offline():
+            collected.append(_cached_gitea_probe(resolved_host, use_cache=use_cache))
+        else:
+            collected.append(_skipped_gitea(resolved_host))
+        probes = tuple(collected)
+
+    status, ready, readiness_complete, reasons = _aggregate(probes)
+    stale = assess_stale_runtime(repo, daemon_head=daemon_head)
+    if stale.stale:
+        if status == STATUS_OK:
+            status = STATUS_DEGRADED
+        reasons = reasons + (
+            "runtime is stale relative to its remote-tracking commit",
+        )
+
+    db_probe = next((p for p in probes if p.name == "control_plane_db"), None)
+    schema_version = None
+    if db_probe and db_probe.metadata:
+        schema_version = db_probe.metadata.get("schema_version")
+
+    return SystemHealthSnapshot(
+        status=status,
+        ready=ready,
+        readiness_complete=readiness_complete,
+        readiness_reasons=reasons,
+        service=SERVICE_NAME,
+        mode="read-only",
+        version=_load_version(repo, schema_version=schema_version),
+        started_at=_STARTED_AT.isoformat(),
+        uptime_seconds=round(time.monotonic() - _STARTED_MONOTONIC, 3),
+        timestamp=datetime.now(timezone.utc).isoformat(),
+        deep_probes_requested=deep,
+        dependencies=probes,
+        mcp_namespaces=namespace_summaries(),
+        stale_runtime=stale,
+        probe_errors=tuple(probe_errors),
+    )
+
+
+def _cached_gitea_probe(host: str, *, use_cache: bool = True) -> DependencyProbe:
+    ttl = _deep_probe_ttl()
+    now = time.monotonic()
+    if use_cache and ttl > 0:
+        cached = _deep_cache.get(host)
+        if cached and (now - cached[0]) < ttl:
+            return cached[1]
+    probe = probe_gitea(host)
+    if use_cache and ttl > 0:
+        _deep_cache[host] = (now, probe)
+    return probe
+
+
+def clear_probe_cache() -> None:
+    """Drop cached deep-probe results (tests and operator-forced refresh)."""
+    _deep_cache.clear()
+
+
+def probe_to_dict(probe: DependencyProbe) -> dict[str, Any]:
+    return {
+        "name": probe.name,
+        "kind": probe.kind,
+        "status": probe.status,
+        "detail": probe.detail,
+        "required": probe.required,
+        "healthy": probe.healthy,
+        "latency_ms": probe.latency_ms,
+        "metadata": dict(probe.metadata or {}),
+    }
+
+
+def snapshot_to_dict(snapshot: SystemHealthSnapshot) -> dict[str, Any]:
+    return {
+        "status": snapshot.status,
+        "service": snapshot.service,
+        "mode": snapshot.mode,
+        "api": API_PATH,
+        "timestamp": snapshot.timestamp,
+        "readiness": {
+            "ready": snapshot.ready,
+            "complete": snapshot.readiness_complete,
+            "reasons": list(snapshot.readiness_reasons),
+        },
+        "version": {
+            "git_sha": snapshot.version.git_sha,
+            "git_describe": snapshot.version.git_describe,
+            "control_plane_schema_version": (
+                snapshot.version.control_plane_schema_version
+            ),
+            "python_version": snapshot.version.python_version,
+            "known": snapshot.version.known,
+        },
+        "process": {
+            "started_at": snapshot.started_at,
+            "uptime_seconds": snapshot.uptime_seconds,
+        },
+        "deep_probes_requested": snapshot.deep_probes_requested,
+        "dependencies": [probe_to_dict(probe) for probe in snapshot.dependencies],
+        "mcp_namespaces": [dict(row) for row in snapshot.mcp_namespaces],
+        "stale_runtime": {
+            "daemon_head": snapshot.stale_runtime.daemon_head,
+            "checkout_head": snapshot.stale_runtime.checkout_head,
+            "remote_head": snapshot.stale_runtime.remote_head,
+            "stale": snapshot.stale_runtime.stale,
+            "determinable": snapshot.stale_runtime.determinable,
+            "mutation_safe": snapshot.stale_runtime.mutation_safe,
+            "reasons": list(snapshot.stale_runtime.reasons),
+        },
+        "probe_errors": list(snapshot.probe_errors),
+    }