fix: use exact issue-number boundary in own-branch adoption (#442)

Replace substring issue-marker matching with a numeric word-boundary
regex so issue-42 adoption is not false-blocked by unrelated issue-420
branches. Add regression tests for the #42 vs #420 collision.

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

author_mutation_worktree.py

@@ -7,8 +7,11 @@ project's ``branches/`` directory, never from the stable control checkout.
 from __future__ import annotations
 
 import os
+import subprocess
 
 BASE_BRANCHES = frozenset({"master", "main", "dev"})
+ACTIVE_WORKTREE_ENV = "GITEA_ACTIVE_WORKTREE"
+AUTHOR_WORKTREE_ENV = "GITEA_AUTHOR_WORKTREE"
 
 
 def _normalize_path(path: str) -> str:
@@ -48,6 +51,130 @@ def resolve_mutation_workspace(
     return os.path.realpath(project_root)
 
 
+def _realpath_git_common_dir(workspace_path: str, common_dir: str) -> str:
+    """Resolve ``git rev-parse --git-common-dir`` relative to *workspace_path*."""
+    raw = (common_dir or "").strip()
+    if not raw:
+        return raw
+    if os.path.isabs(raw):
+        return os.path.realpath(raw)
+    return os.path.realpath(os.path.join(workspace_path, raw))
+
+
+def resolve_canonical_repo_root(workspace_path: str, fallback_project_root: str) -> str:
+    """Return the stable repository root for *workspace_path* via git metadata (#460)."""
+    path = (workspace_path or "").strip()
+    fallback = os.path.realpath(fallback_project_root)
+    if not path:
+        return fallback
+    try:
+        res = subprocess.run(
+            ["git", "-C", path, "rev-parse", "--git-common-dir"],
+            capture_output=True,
+            text=True,
+            check=True,
+        )
+        common = _realpath_git_common_dir(path, res.stdout)
+    except Exception:
+        return fallback
+    if common.endswith(f"{os.sep}.git"):
+        return os.path.dirname(common)
+    if os.path.basename(common) == ".git":
+        return os.path.dirname(common)
+    return fallback
+
+
+def resolve_author_mutation_context(
+    worktree_path: str | None,
+    process_project_root: str,
+    *,
+    active_worktree_env: str | None = None,
+    author_worktree_env: str | None = None,
+) -> dict:
+    """Shared workspace resolution for runtime_context and mutation guards (#460)."""
+    workspace = resolve_mutation_workspace(
+        worktree_path,
+        process_project_root,
+        active_worktree_env=active_worktree_env,
+        author_worktree_env=author_worktree_env,
+    )
+    process_root = os.path.realpath(process_project_root)
+    # Canonical repository identity comes from the MCP process checkout (#460),
+    # not from the declared task workspace being validated.
+    canonical_root = resolve_canonical_repo_root(process_root, process_root)
+    return {
+        "workspace_path": workspace,
+        "process_project_root": process_root,
+        "canonical_repo_root": canonical_root,
+        "roots_aligned": canonical_root == process_root,
+    }
+
+
+def assess_workspace_repo_membership(
+    *,
+    workspace_path: str,
+    canonical_repo_root: str,
+) -> dict:
+    """Fail closed when *workspace_path* is not a git worktree of *canonical_repo_root*."""
+    workspace = os.path.realpath(workspace_path)
+    root = os.path.realpath(canonical_repo_root)
+    reasons: list[str] = []
+
+    if not os.path.exists(workspace):
+        reasons.append(f"worktree path '{workspace}' does not exist")
+        return _membership_assessment(False, reasons, workspace, root, None)
+
+    if not os.path.isdir(workspace):
+        reasons.append(f"worktree path '{workspace}' is not a directory")
+        return _membership_assessment(False, reasons, workspace, root, None)
+
+    try:
+        res = subprocess.run(
+            ["git", "-C", workspace, "rev-parse", "--git-common-dir"],
+            capture_output=True,
+            text=True,
+            check=True,
+        )
+        common_dir = _realpath_git_common_dir(workspace, res.stdout)
+    except Exception:
+        reasons.append(f"worktree '{workspace}' is not a valid git repository")
+        return _membership_assessment(False, reasons, workspace, root, None)
+
+    expected_dir = os.path.realpath(os.path.join(root, ".git"))
+    if common_dir != expected_dir:
+        reasons.append(
+            f"worktree '{workspace}' does not belong to the target repository '{root}'"
+        )
+    return _membership_assessment(not reasons, reasons, workspace, root, common_dir)
+
+
+def _membership_assessment(
+    proven: bool,
+    reasons: list[str],
+    workspace: str,
+    root: str,
+    common_dir: str | None,
+) -> dict:
+    return {
+        "proven": proven,
+        "block": not proven,
+        "reasons": reasons,
+        "workspace_path": workspace,
+        "canonical_repo_root": root,
+        "git_common_dir": common_dir,
+    }
+
+
+def format_workspace_repo_membership_error(assessment: dict) -> str:
+    workspace = assessment.get("workspace_path") or "(unknown)"
+    root = assessment.get("canonical_repo_root") or "(unknown)"
+    reasons = "; ".join(assessment.get("reasons") or ["unknown repository membership violation"])
+    return (
+        f"Branches-only mutation guard (#274): {reasons} (fail closed). "
+        f"canonical repository root: {root}; workspace: {workspace}."
+    )
+
+
 def assess_author_mutation_worktree(
     *,
     workspace_path: str,

docs/llm-workflow-runbooks.md

@@ -274,12 +274,24 @@ is proven abandoned and the takeover is recorded.
 
 Gitea-Tools lease gates: `gitea_lock_issue` (fail-closed before author
 mutations), `status:in-progress`, and claim comments. `gitea_lock_issue`
-records an `author_issue_work` lease in the issue-lock payload with issue
-number, optional PR number, branch, worktree path, claimant identity/profile,
-created timestamp, expiry timestamp, and last heartbeat timestamp. An active
-same-issue/same-operation lease blocks duplicate work. An expired lease still
-blocks takeover until a recovery review records why the prior work is abandoned,
-completed, or unsafe to continue.
+records an `author_issue_work` lease in a keyed lock file under
+`GITEA_ISSUE_LOCK_DIR` (default `~/.cache/gitea-tools/issue-locks`), one file
+per `remote` + `org` + `repo` + `issue_number`. The current MCP session binds
+its active lock through a per-process pointer so concurrent repos/issues never
+share one overwrite-prone slot (#443).
+
+Each lock payload includes issue number, optional PR number, branch, worktree
+path, claimant identity/profile, created timestamp, expiry timestamp, and last
+heartbeat timestamp. An active same-issue/same-operation lease blocks duplicate
+work. An expired lease still blocks takeover until a recovery review records why
+the prior work is abandoned, completed, or unsafe to continue.
+
+**Do not manually seed `/tmp/gitea_issue_lock.json` or any lock file as a normal
+recovery path.** That global slot is deprecated and can clobber unrelated live
+leases (#438). After an MCP restart, call `gitea_lock_issue` again — own-branch
+adoption rebinds the session when the issue's exact branch already exists (#442).
+`gitea_create_pr` resolves the durable keyed lock by session pointer or by
+matching `head` branch without unsafe manual seeding.
 
 **Issue-lock recovery (#447):** Do not manually seed, restore, or delete
 `/tmp/gitea_issue_lock.json` as a normal recovery path. That file is global

gitea_mcp_server.py

@@ -190,14 +190,22 @@ def _ensure_process_start_porcelain() -> str:
 
 def _resolve_preflight_workspace_path(worktree_path: str | None = None) -> str:
     """Resolve the workspace root inspected by pre-flight guards."""
-    path = (worktree_path or "").strip()
-    if not path:
-        path = (os.environ.get(ACTIVE_WORKTREE_ENV) or "").strip()
-    if not path:
-        path = (os.environ.get(AUTHOR_WORKTREE_ENV) or "").strip()
-    if not path:
-        path = PROJECT_ROOT
-    return os.path.realpath(os.path.abspath(path))
+    return author_mutation_worktree.resolve_mutation_workspace(
+        worktree_path,
+        PROJECT_ROOT,
+        active_worktree_env=os.environ.get(ACTIVE_WORKTREE_ENV),
+        author_worktree_env=os.environ.get(AUTHOR_WORKTREE_ENV),
+    )
+
+
+def _resolve_author_mutation_context(worktree_path: str | None = None) -> dict:
+    """Canonical workspace + repository root for runtime_context and guards (#460)."""
+    return author_mutation_worktree.resolve_author_mutation_context(
+        worktree_path,
+        PROJECT_ROOT,
+        active_worktree_env=os.environ.get(ACTIVE_WORKTREE_ENV),
+        author_worktree_env=os.environ.get(AUTHOR_WORKTREE_ENV),
+    )
 
 
 def _get_git_root(path: str) -> str | None:
@@ -267,21 +275,31 @@ def _format_preflight_files(files: list[str]) -> str:
 
 
 def _preflight_workspace_details(worktree_path: str | None, dirty_files: list[str]) -> dict:
-    workspace = _resolve_preflight_workspace_path(worktree_path)
+    ctx = _resolve_author_mutation_context(worktree_path)
+    workspace = ctx["workspace_path"]
     inspected_root = _get_git_root(workspace)
-    control_root = os.path.realpath(PROJECT_ROOT)
+    process_root = ctx["process_project_root"]
+    canonical_root = ctx["canonical_repo_root"]
     active_root = os.path.realpath(inspected_root or workspace)
-    if active_root == control_root:
+    if active_root == canonical_root:
         dirty_scope = "control checkout"
     else:
         dirty_scope = "active task workspace"
-    return {
-        "mcp_server_process_root": control_root,
+    details = {
+        "mcp_server_process_root": process_root,
+        "canonical_repository_root": canonical_root,
         "active_task_workspace_root": active_root,
         "inspected_git_root": inspected_root,
         "dirty_files": list(dirty_files),
         "dirty_scope": dirty_scope,
+        "workspace_roots_aligned": ctx["roots_aligned"],
     }
+    if not ctx["roots_aligned"]:
+        details["workspace_root_mismatch"] = (
+            "runtime_context and mutation guard use canonical repository root "
+            f"'{canonical_root}' instead of MCP process root '{process_root}'"
+        )
+    return details
 
 
 def _format_preflight_workspace_details(details: dict) -> str:
@@ -402,16 +420,12 @@ def _enforce_branches_only_author_mutation(worktree_path: str | None = None) ->
     """#274: author mutations must run from a branches/ session worktree."""
     if _preflight_resolved_role == "reviewer":
         return
-    workspace = author_mutation_worktree.resolve_mutation_workspace(
-        worktree_path,
-        PROJECT_ROOT,
-        active_worktree_env=os.environ.get(ACTIVE_WORKTREE_ENV),
-        author_worktree_env=os.environ.get(AUTHOR_WORKTREE_ENV),
-    )
+    ctx = _resolve_author_mutation_context(worktree_path)
+    workspace = ctx["workspace_path"]
     git_state = issue_lock_worktree.read_worktree_git_state(workspace)
     assessment = author_mutation_worktree.assess_author_mutation_worktree(
         workspace_path=workspace,
-        project_root=PROJECT_ROOT,
+        project_root=ctx["canonical_repo_root"],
         current_branch=git_state.get("current_branch"),
     )
     if assessment["block"]:
@@ -440,43 +454,23 @@ def verify_preflight_purity(remote: str | None = None, worktree_path: str | None
             "Pre-flight order violation: Task capability (gitea_resolve_task_capability) has not been resolved (fail closed)"
         )
 
-    workspace = author_mutation_worktree.resolve_mutation_workspace(
-        worktree_path,
-        PROJECT_ROOT,
-        active_worktree_env=os.environ.get(ACTIVE_WORKTREE_ENV),
-        author_worktree_env=os.environ.get(AUTHOR_WORKTREE_ENV),
-    )
+    ctx = _resolve_author_mutation_context(worktree_path)
+    workspace = ctx["workspace_path"]
+    canonical_root = ctx["canonical_repo_root"]
+    process_root = ctx["process_project_root"]
     real_workspace = os.path.realpath(workspace)
-    real_root = os.path.realpath(PROJECT_ROOT)
 
-    if real_workspace != real_root:
+    if real_workspace != process_root:
         if not _preflight_in_test_mode():
-            if not os.path.exists(real_workspace):
+            membership = author_mutation_worktree.assess_workspace_repo_membership(
+                workspace_path=workspace,
+                canonical_repo_root=canonical_root,
+            )
+            if membership["block"]:
                 raise RuntimeError(
-                    f"Branches-only mutation guard (#274): worktree path '{workspace}' does not exist (fail closed)"
-                )
-            if not os.path.isdir(real_workspace):
-                raise RuntimeError(
-                    f"Branches-only mutation guard (#274): worktree path '{workspace}' is not a directory (fail closed)"
-                )
-            try:
-                res = subprocess.run(
-                    ["git", "-C", real_workspace, "rev-parse", "--git-common-dir"],
-                    capture_output=True,
-                    text=True,
-                    check=True,
-                )
-                common_dir = os.path.realpath(res.stdout.strip())
-                expected_dir = os.path.realpath(os.path.join(real_root, ".git"))
-                if common_dir != expected_dir:
-                    raise RuntimeError(
-                        f"Branches-only mutation guard (#274): worktree '{workspace}' does not belong to the target repository '{PROJECT_ROOT}' (fail closed)"
+                    author_mutation_worktree.format_workspace_repo_membership_error(
+                        membership
                     )
-            except Exception as e:
-                if isinstance(e, RuntimeError):
-                    raise e
-                raise RuntimeError(
-                    f"Branches-only mutation guard (#274): worktree '{workspace}' is not a valid git repository (fail closed)"
                 )
 
         dirty_files = sorted(_parse_porcelain_entries(_get_workspace_porcelain(workspace)))
@@ -539,6 +533,8 @@ import review_proofs  # noqa: E402
 import agent_temp_artifacts
 import issue_lock_worktree  # noqa: E402
 import issue_lock_provenance  # noqa: E402
+import issue_lock_store  # noqa: E402
+import issue_lock_adoption  # noqa: E402
 import already_landed_reconcile  # noqa: E402
 import author_mutation_worktree  # noqa: E402
 import issue_claim_heartbeat  # noqa: E402
@@ -551,8 +547,9 @@ import review_merge_state_machine  # noqa: E402
 import native_mcp_preference  # noqa: E402
 
 
-# Fail-closed exact-issue-lock file (#204): written by gitea_lock_issue,
-# consumed by gitea_create_pr and scripts/worktree-start.
+# Keyed issue-lock storage (#443): per remote/org/repo/issue files under
+# GITEA_ISSUE_LOCK_DIR, bound to the current MCP session via a per-PID pointer.
+# Legacy global path retained only for test/doc references — do not seed manually.
 ISSUE_LOCK_FILE = "/tmp/gitea_issue_lock.json"
 WORK_LEASE_TTL_HOURS = 4
 AUTHOR_ISSUE_WORK_LEASE = "author_issue_work"
@@ -584,15 +581,59 @@ def _parse_work_lease_timestamp(value: str | None) -> datetime | None:
         return None
 
 
-def _load_existing_issue_lock() -> dict | None:
-    if not os.path.exists(ISSUE_LOCK_FILE):
-        return None
+def _load_existing_issue_lock(
+    *,
+    remote: str | None = None,
+    org: str | None = None,
+    repo: str | None = None,
+    issue_number: int | None = None,
+) -> dict | None:
+    if remote and org and repo and issue_number is not None:
+        return issue_lock_store.load_issue_lock(
+            remote=remote,
+            org=org,
+            repo=repo,
+            issue_number=issue_number,
+        )
+    return issue_lock_store.read_session_issue_lock()
+
+
+def _resolve_issue_lock_for_pr(
+    *,
+    remote: str,
+    org: str,
+    repo: str,
+    head: str,
+) -> dict:
+    lock_data = issue_lock_store.read_session_issue_lock()
+    if not lock_data:
+        lock_data = issue_lock_store.find_lock_for_branch(
+            remote=remote,
+            org=org,
+            repo=repo,
+            branch_name=head,
+        )
+    if not lock_data:
+        raise RuntimeError(
+            "Issue lock is missing (fail closed). Call gitea_lock_issue first."
+        )
+    return lock_data
+
+
+def _save_issue_lock(data: dict) -> str:
+    existing = issue_lock_store.load_issue_lock(
+        remote=str(data.get("remote") or ""),
+        org=str(data.get("org") or ""),
+        repo=str(data.get("repo") or ""),
+        issue_number=int(data.get("issue_number") or 0),
+    )
+    overwrite_block = issue_lock_store.assess_foreign_lock_overwrite(existing, data)
+    if overwrite_block:
+        raise RuntimeError(overwrite_block)
     try:
-        with open(ISSUE_LOCK_FILE, "r", encoding="utf-8") as f:
-            data = json.load(f)
-        return data if isinstance(data, dict) else None
-    except Exception:
-        return None
+        return issue_lock_store.bind_session_lock(data)
+    except Exception as e:
+        raise RuntimeError(f"Could not write issue lock file: {e}") from e
 
 
 def _work_lease_claimant(host: str | None) -> dict:
@@ -795,6 +836,19 @@ def _enforce_locked_issue_duplicate_recheck(
     return None
 
 
+def _branch_entry_commit_sha(branch: dict | str) -> str | None:
+    """Best-effort head SHA for a Gitea branch entry (None when absent)."""
+    if not isinstance(branch, dict):
+        return None
+    commit = branch.get("commit")
+    if isinstance(commit, dict):
+        sha = commit.get("id") or commit.get("sha")
+        if sha:
+            return str(sha)
+    sha = branch.get("commit_sha")
+    return str(sha) if sha else None
+
+
 def _reveal_endpoints() -> bool:
     """Admin/debug opt-in (#120): include endpoint URLs and token source
     names in tool output. Off by default so normal LLM-facing responses
@@ -1242,8 +1296,9 @@ def gitea_lock_issue(
     resolved_worktree = issue_lock_worktree.resolve_author_worktree_path(
         worktree_path, PROJECT_ROOT
     )
-    active_lease_block = _active_work_lease_block(
-        _load_existing_issue_lock(),
+    h, o, r = _resolve(remote, host, org, repo)
+    active_lease_block = issue_lock_store.assess_same_issue_lease_conflict(
+        _load_existing_issue_lock(remote=remote, org=o, repo=r, issue_number=issue_number),
         issue_number=issue_number,
         branch_name=branch_name,
         worktree_path=resolved_worktree,
@@ -1267,7 +1322,6 @@ def gitea_lock_issue(
             issue_lock_worktree.format_issue_lock_worktree_error(lock_assessment)
         )
 
-    h, o, r = _resolve(remote, host, org, repo)
     auth = _auth(h)
     duplicate_gate = _assess_issue_duplicate_gate(
         issue_number,
@@ -1283,6 +1337,30 @@ def gitea_lock_issue(
             f"duplicate work gate blocked issue #{issue_number} (fail closed)"
         ]))
 
+    branch_url = f"{repo_api_url(h, o, r)}/branches"
+    try:
+        branches = api_get_all(branch_url, auth)
+    except Exception as e:
+        raise RuntimeError(f"Could not list branches to verify issue lock: {e}")
+    existing_branch_entries = [
+        {
+            "name": _branch_entry_name(branch),
+            "commit_sha": _branch_entry_commit_sha(branch),
+        }
+        for branch in branches
+    ]
+    adoption = issue_lock_adoption.assess_own_branch_adoption(
+        issue_number=issue_number,
+        requested_branch=branch_name,
+        existing_branches=existing_branch_entries,
+    )
+    if adoption["block"]:
+        competing = ", ".join(adoption["competing_branches"])
+        raise ValueError(
+            f"Issue #{issue_number} already has matching branch '{competing}' "
+            "that is not the requested branch (fail closed)"
+        )
+
     work_lease = _build_author_issue_work_lease(
         issue_number=issue_number,
         branch_name=branch_name,
@@ -1303,11 +1381,7 @@ def gitea_lock_issue(
         ),
     }
 
-    try:
-        with open(ISSUE_LOCK_FILE, "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
-            json.dump(data, f)
-    except Exception as e:
-        raise RuntimeError(f"Could not write issue lock file: {e}")
+    lock_file_path = _save_issue_lock(data)
 
     agent_artifacts = agent_temp_artifacts.find_agent_temp_artifacts_from_porcelain(
         git_state.get("porcelain_status") or ""
@@ -1322,7 +1396,22 @@ def gitea_lock_issue(
         "branch_name": branch_name,
         "worktree_path": resolved_worktree,
         "work_lease": work_lease,
+        "lock_file_path": lock_file_path,
     }
+    if adoption["adopt"]:
+        result["adoption"] = issue_lock_adoption.build_adoption_proof(
+            issue_number=issue_number,
+            branch_name=branch_name,
+            assessment=adoption,
+            open_pr_checked=True,
+            competing_lock_checked=True,
+            lock_file_path=lock_file_path,
+            lock_file_status="written",
+        )
+        result["message"] = (
+            f"Adopted existing branch '{branch_name}' and locked issue "
+            f"#{issue_number} for recovery (fail-closed check complete)."
+        )
     if agent_artifacts:
         result["warnings"] = [
             "Agent temp artifacts at repo root (delete before implementation): "
@@ -1414,15 +1503,8 @@ def gitea_create_pr(
     verify_preflight_purity(remote, worktree_path=worktree_path)
     h, o, r = _resolve(remote, host, org, repo)
 
-    # ── Issue Lock Validation (Issue #194 / #196) ──
-    if not os.path.exists(ISSUE_LOCK_FILE):
-        raise RuntimeError("Issue lock is missing (fail closed). Call gitea_lock_issue first.")
-
-    try:
-        with open(ISSUE_LOCK_FILE, "r", encoding="utf-8") as f:
-            lock_data = json.load(f)
-    except Exception as e:
-        raise RuntimeError(f"Could not read issue lock file: {e} (fail closed)")
+    # ── Issue Lock Validation (Issue #194 / #196 / #443) ──
+    lock_data = _resolve_issue_lock_for_pr(remote=remote, org=o, repo=r, head=head)
 
     lock_provenance_check = issue_lock_provenance.assess_lock_file_for_create_pr(
         lock_data
@@ -2956,13 +3038,7 @@ def _prepare_commit_payload_files(files: list[dict]) -> tuple[list[dict], list[d
     processed_files = []
     source_proofs = []
 
-    lock_data = {}
-    if os.path.exists(ISSUE_LOCK_FILE):
-        try:
-            with open(ISSUE_LOCK_FILE, "r", encoding="utf-8") as f:
-                lock_data = json.load(f)
-        except Exception:
-            pass
+    lock_data = issue_lock_store.read_session_issue_lock() or {}
 
     locked_worktree = lock_data.get("worktree_path")
     if locked_worktree:

issue_lock_adoption.py

@@ -0,0 +1,156 @@
+"""Own-branch lock adoption / recovery for ``gitea_lock_issue`` (#442 / #443).
+
+When an issue's own already-pushed branch exists, lock reacquisition must be
+allowed (adoption) instead of being treated as #400 duplicate competing work.
+This module isolates the pure decision so it can be unit-tested apart from the
+MCP server's live Gitea calls.
+
+Adoption is granted only for the issue's *exact* requested branch. Any other
+branch that merely contains the same ``issue-<n>`` marker is competing work and
+stays fail-closed. Open-PR, competing-live-lock, capability, and worktree
+safety checks are enforced by the caller before this decision is consulted;
+this module additionally records whether they passed for proof purposes.
+"""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import re
+
+ADOPT = "adopt_existing_branch"
+BLOCK_COMPETING = "block_competing_branch"
+NO_MATCH = "no_matching_branch"
+
+
+def _branch_name(entry) -> str:
+    if isinstance(entry, dict):
+        return str(entry.get("name") or "")
+    return str(entry or "")
+
+
+def _branch_sha(entry) -> str | None:
+    if isinstance(entry, dict):
+        sha = entry.get("commit_sha")
+        if sha:
+            return str(sha)
+    return None
+
+
+def _branch_carries_issue_marker(branch_name: str, issue_number: int) -> bool:
+    """Return True when *branch_name* references issue *issue_number* exactly.
+
+    Uses a numeric word-boundary so ``issue-42`` does not match inside
+    ``issue-420`` (AC6 / #440).
+    """
+    name = (branch_name or "").strip()
+    if not name:
+        return False
+    pattern = rf"(?:^|/)issue-{int(issue_number)}(?![0-9])"
+    return re.search(pattern, name) is not None
+
+
+def assess_own_branch_adoption(
+    *,
+    issue_number: int,
+    requested_branch: str,
+    existing_branches,
+) -> dict:
+    """Decide whether an existing matching branch is adoptable.
+
+    Args:
+        issue_number: The tracking issue number being locked.
+        requested_branch: The exact branch the caller wants to lock.
+        existing_branches: Iterable of remote branch entries — either names or
+            dicts with ``name`` and optional ``commit_sha``.
+
+    Returns:
+        dict with:
+          * ``outcome`` — one of ADOPT / BLOCK_COMPETING / NO_MATCH
+          * ``adopt`` (bool), ``block`` (bool)
+          * ``reason`` (str)
+          * ``matched_branch`` (str | None), ``matched_head_sha`` (str | None)
+          * ``competing_branches`` (list[str])
+
+    ADOPT: the issue's exact branch exists and no other same-issue branch does.
+    BLOCK_COMPETING: at least one same-issue branch is not the requested branch.
+    NO_MATCH: no branch carries the issue marker — normal lock path applies.
+    """
+    requested = (requested_branch or "").strip()
+
+    matches: list[tuple[str, str | None]] = []
+    for entry in existing_branches or []:
+        name = _branch_name(entry).strip()
+        if _branch_carries_issue_marker(name, issue_number):
+            matches.append((name, _branch_sha(entry)))
+
+    competing = sorted({name for name, _ in matches if name != requested})
+    exact = [(name, sha) for name, sha in matches if name == requested]
+
+    # Fail closed whenever any non-requested same-issue branch exists, even if
+    # the requested branch is also present: ownership is then ambiguous.
+    if competing:
+        return {
+            "outcome": BLOCK_COMPETING,
+            "adopt": False,
+            "block": True,
+            "reason": (
+                f"issue #{issue_number} already has matching branch(es) "
+                f"{competing} that are not the requested branch "
+                f"'{requested}' (fail closed)"
+            ),
+            "matched_branch": None,
+            "matched_head_sha": None,
+            "competing_branches": competing,
+        }
+
+    if exact:
+        name, sha = exact[0]
+        return {
+            "outcome": ADOPT,
+            "adopt": True,
+            "block": False,
+            "reason": (
+                f"existing branch '{name}' is the exact requested branch for "
+                f"issue #{issue_number}; adopting it for lock recovery"
+            ),
+            "matched_branch": name,
+            "matched_head_sha": sha,
+            "competing_branches": [],
+        }
+
+    return {
+        "outcome": NO_MATCH,
+        "adopt": False,
+        "block": False,
+        "reason": f"no existing branch matches issue #{issue_number}",
+        "matched_branch": None,
+        "matched_head_sha": None,
+        "competing_branches": [],
+    }
+
+
+def build_adoption_proof(
+    *,
+    issue_number: int,
+    branch_name: str,
+    assessment: dict,
+    open_pr_checked: bool,
+    competing_lock_checked: bool,
+    lock_file_path: str,
+    lock_file_status: str,
+) -> dict:
+    """Assemble the proof block returned by ``gitea_lock_issue`` on adoption.
+
+    Requirement #4: adoption results must carry issue number, branch name,
+    branch head commit, adoption reason, no-existing-PR proof, no-competing-
+    live-lock proof, and lock file path/status.
+    """
+    return {
+        "issue_number": issue_number,
+        "branch_name": branch_name,
+        "branch_head_commit": assessment.get("matched_head_sha"),
+        "adoption_reason": assessment.get("reason"),
+        "no_existing_pr_proof": bool(open_pr_checked),
+        "no_competing_live_lock_proof": bool(competing_lock_checked),
+        "lock_file_path": lock_file_path,
+        "lock_file_status": lock_file_status,
+    }

issue_lock_store.py

@@ -0,0 +1,385 @@
+"""Keyed, persistent issue-lock storage (#443).
+
+Replaces the single global ``/tmp/gitea_issue_lock.json`` slot with per-issue
+lock files under ``GITEA_ISSUE_LOCK_DIR`` (default
+``~/.cache/gitea-tools/issue-locks``). Each MCP session binds its active lock
+via a per-process pointer file so concurrent repos/issues never clobber each
+other.
+"""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import json
+import os
+import re
+import tempfile
+from datetime import datetime, timedelta, timezone
+from typing import Any
+
+LOCK_DIR_ENV = "GITEA_ISSUE_LOCK_DIR"
+DEFAULT_LOCK_DIR = os.path.expanduser("~/.cache/gitea-tools/issue-locks")
+WORK_LEASE_TTL_HOURS = 4
+AUTHOR_ISSUE_WORK_LEASE = "author_issue_work"
+
+_SAFE_SEGMENT_RE = re.compile(r"[^A-Za-z0-9._+-]+")
+
+
+def default_lock_dir() -> str:
+    raw = (os.environ.get(LOCK_DIR_ENV) or DEFAULT_LOCK_DIR).strip()
+    return raw or DEFAULT_LOCK_DIR
+
+
+def _sanitize_segment(value: str) -> str:
+    text = (value or "").strip()
+    if not text:
+        return "_"
+    return _SAFE_SEGMENT_RE.sub("_", text)
+
+
+def lock_key(
+    *,
+    remote: str,
+    org: str,
+    repo: str,
+    issue_number: int,
+) -> str:
+    return "-".join(
+        _sanitize_segment(part)
+        for part in (remote, org, repo, str(issue_number))
+    )
+
+
+def lock_file_path(
+    *,
+    remote: str,
+    org: str,
+    repo: str,
+    issue_number: int,
+    lock_dir: str | None = None,
+) -> str:
+    root = (lock_dir or default_lock_dir()).strip()
+    return os.path.join(root, f"{lock_key(remote=remote, org=org, repo=repo, issue_number=issue_number)}.json")
+
+
+def session_pointer_path(lock_dir: str | None = None) -> str:
+    root = (lock_dir or default_lock_dir()).strip()
+    return os.path.join(root, f"session-{os.getpid()}.json")
+
+
+def _ensure_lock_dir(lock_dir: str | None = None) -> str:
+    root = (lock_dir or default_lock_dir()).strip()
+    os.makedirs(root, mode=0o700, exist_ok=True)
+    return root
+
+
+def read_lock_file(path: str) -> dict[str, Any] | None:
+    lock_path = (path or "").strip()
+    if not lock_path or not os.path.exists(lock_path):
+        return None
+    try:
+        with open(lock_path, encoding="utf-8") as handle:
+            data = json.load(handle)
+    except (OSError, json.JSONDecodeError):
+        return None
+    return data if isinstance(data, dict) else None
+
+
+def save_lock_file(path: str, data: dict[str, Any]) -> None:
+    lock_path = (path or "").strip()
+    if not lock_path:
+        raise ValueError("lock path is required (fail closed)")
+    parent = os.path.dirname(lock_path) or "."
+    os.makedirs(parent, mode=0o700, exist_ok=True)
+    payload = json.dumps(data, indent=2, sort_keys=True) + "\n"
+    fd, temp_path = tempfile.mkstemp(prefix=".lock-", suffix=".json", dir=parent)
+    try:
+        with os.fdopen(fd, "w", encoding="utf-8") as handle:
+            handle.write(payload)
+            handle.flush()
+            os.fsync(handle.fileno())
+        os.replace(temp_path, lock_path)
+    finally:
+        if os.path.exists(temp_path):
+            try:
+                os.remove(temp_path)
+            except OSError:
+                pass
+
+
+def bind_session_lock(lock_data: dict[str, Any], lock_dir: str | None = None) -> str:
+    """Persist a keyed lock and bind it to the current process session."""
+    remote = str(lock_data.get("remote") or "")
+    org = str(lock_data.get("org") or "")
+    repo = str(lock_data.get("repo") or "")
+    issue_number = int(lock_data.get("issue_number") or 0)
+    if not remote or not org or not repo or issue_number <= 0:
+        raise ValueError("lock record must include remote, org, repo, and issue_number")
+
+    root = _ensure_lock_dir(lock_dir)
+    path = lock_file_path(
+        remote=remote,
+        org=org,
+        repo=repo,
+        issue_number=issue_number,
+        lock_dir=root,
+    )
+    record = dict(lock_data)
+    record["lock_file_path"] = path
+    record["session_pid"] = os.getpid()
+    save_lock_file(path, record)
+
+    pointer = {
+        "pid": os.getpid(),
+        "lock_file_path": path,
+        "issue_number": issue_number,
+        "branch_name": record.get("branch_name"),
+        "remote": remote,
+        "org": org,
+        "repo": repo,
+    }
+    save_lock_file(session_pointer_path(root), pointer)
+    return path
+
+
+def read_session_issue_lock(lock_dir: str | None = None) -> dict[str, Any] | None:
+    root = (lock_dir or default_lock_dir()).strip()
+    pointer = read_lock_file(session_pointer_path(root))
+    if not pointer:
+        return None
+    lock_path = str(pointer.get("lock_file_path") or "").strip()
+    if not lock_path:
+        return None
+    return read_lock_file(lock_path)
+
+
+def load_issue_lock(
+    *,
+    remote: str,
+    org: str,
+    repo: str,
+    issue_number: int,
+    lock_dir: str | None = None,
+) -> dict[str, Any] | None:
+    return read_lock_file(
+        lock_file_path(
+            remote=remote,
+            org=org,
+            repo=repo,
+            issue_number=issue_number,
+            lock_dir=lock_dir,
+        )
+    )
+
+
+def iter_lock_files(lock_dir: str | None = None) -> list[str]:
+    root = (lock_dir or default_lock_dir()).strip()
+    if not os.path.isdir(root):
+        return []
+    paths: list[str] = []
+    for name in os.listdir(root):
+        if not name.endswith(".json") or name.startswith("session-"):
+            continue
+        paths.append(os.path.join(root, name))
+    return sorted(paths)
+
+
+def find_lock_for_branch(
+    *,
+    remote: str,
+    org: str,
+    repo: str,
+    branch_name: str,
+    lock_dir: str | None = None,
+) -> dict[str, Any] | None:
+    target = (branch_name or "").strip()
+    if not target:
+        return None
+    for path in iter_lock_files(lock_dir):
+        lock = read_lock_file(path)
+        if not lock:
+            continue
+        if (
+            str(lock.get("remote") or "") == remote
+            and str(lock.get("org") or "") == org
+            and str(lock.get("repo") or "") == repo
+            and str(lock.get("branch_name") or "").strip() == target
+        ):
+            lock = dict(lock)
+            lock.setdefault("lock_file_path", path)
+            return lock
+    return None
+
+
+def _lease_now(now: datetime | None = None) -> datetime:
+    return now or datetime.now(timezone.utc)
+
+
+def _parse_lease_timestamp(value: str | None) -> datetime | None:
+    text = (value or "").strip()
+    if not text:
+        return None
+    try:
+        return datetime.fromisoformat(text.replace("Z", "+00:00")).astimezone(timezone.utc)
+    except ValueError:
+        return None
+
+
+def lease_expires_at(lock: dict[str, Any] | None) -> datetime | None:
+    if not lock:
+        return None
+    lease = lock.get("work_lease")
+    if not isinstance(lease, dict):
+        return None
+    return _parse_lease_timestamp(lease.get("expires_at"))
+
+
+def is_lease_expired(lock: dict[str, Any] | None, *, now: datetime | None = None) -> bool:
+    expires = lease_expires_at(lock)
+    if expires is None:
+        return False
+    return expires <= _lease_now(now)
+
+
+def is_lease_live(lock: dict[str, Any] | None, *, now: datetime | None = None) -> bool:
+    if not lock:
+        return False
+    lease = lock.get("work_lease")
+    if not isinstance(lease, dict):
+        return True
+    expires = _parse_lease_timestamp(lease.get("expires_at"))
+    if expires is None:
+        return True
+    return expires > _lease_now(now)
+
+
+def _same_realpath(left: str | None, right: str | None) -> bool:
+    if not left or not right:
+        return False
+    try:
+        return os.path.realpath(left) == os.path.realpath(right)
+    except OSError:
+        return left == right
+
+
+def assess_same_issue_lease_conflict(
+    existing_lock: dict[str, Any] | None,
+    *,
+    issue_number: int,
+    branch_name: str,
+    worktree_path: str,
+    operation_type: str = AUTHOR_ISSUE_WORK_LEASE,
+    now: datetime | None = None,
+) -> str | None:
+    """Return a fail-closed error when a competing live lease blocks acquisition."""
+    if not existing_lock:
+        return None
+
+    existing_issue = existing_lock.get("issue_number")
+    lease = existing_lock.get("work_lease")
+    existing_operation = (
+        lease.get("operation_type")
+        if isinstance(lease, dict)
+        else AUTHOR_ISSUE_WORK_LEASE
+    )
+    if existing_issue != issue_number or existing_operation != operation_type:
+        return None
+
+    existing_branch = existing_lock.get("branch_name")
+    existing_worktree = existing_lock.get("worktree_path")
+    same_owner = (
+        existing_branch == branch_name
+        and _same_realpath(str(existing_worktree or ""), worktree_path)
+    )
+    if is_lease_expired(existing_lock, now=now):
+        return (
+            f"Issue #{issue_number} has an expired {operation_type} lease on "
+            f"branch '{existing_branch}' from worktree '{existing_worktree}'. "
+            "Recovery review is required before takeover (fail closed)"
+        )
+    if same_owner:
+        return None
+    return (
+        f"Issue #{issue_number} already has an active {operation_type} lease on "
+        f"branch '{existing_branch}' from worktree '{existing_worktree}' "
+        "(fail closed)"
+    )
+
+
+def assess_foreign_lock_overwrite(
+    existing_lock: dict[str, Any] | None,
+    incoming_lock: dict[str, Any],
+    *,
+    now: datetime | None = None,
+) -> str | None:
+    """Block writes that would clobber an unrelated live lease on the same key."""
+    if not existing_lock:
+        return None
+
+    same_issue = existing_lock.get("issue_number") == incoming_lock.get("issue_number")
+    same_branch = existing_lock.get("branch_name") == incoming_lock.get("branch_name")
+    same_worktree = _same_realpath(
+        str(existing_lock.get("worktree_path") or ""),
+        str(incoming_lock.get("worktree_path") or ""),
+    )
+    if same_issue and same_branch and same_worktree:
+        return None
+    if not is_lease_live(existing_lock, now=now):
+        return None
+    return (
+        "Refusing to overwrite a live foreign issue lock "
+        f"(issue #{existing_lock.get('issue_number')}, "
+        f"branch '{existing_lock.get('branch_name')}', "
+        f"worktree '{existing_lock.get('worktree_path')}') (fail closed)"
+    )
+
+
+def find_live_lock_for_branch(
+    branch_name: str,
+    lock_dir: str | None = None,
+) -> dict[str, Any] | None:
+    target = (branch_name or "").strip()
+    if not target:
+        return None
+    for path in iter_lock_files(lock_dir):
+        lock = read_lock_file(path)
+        if not lock:
+            continue
+        if str(lock.get("branch_name") or "").strip() != target:
+            continue
+        if not is_lease_live(lock):
+            continue
+        record = dict(lock)
+        record.setdefault("lock_file_path", path)
+        return record
+    return None
+
+
+def resolve_locked_branch_for_session(
+    branch_name: str | None = None,
+    lock_dir: str | None = None,
+) -> str:
+    if branch_name:
+        lock = find_live_lock_for_branch(branch_name, lock_dir)
+        if lock:
+            return str(lock.get("branch_name") or "")
+    lock = read_session_issue_lock(lock_dir)
+    return str((lock or {}).get("branch_name") or "")
+
+
+def has_active_issue_lock(
+    branch: str,
+    *,
+    lock_dir: str | None = None,
+) -> bool:
+    target = (branch or "").strip()
+    if not target:
+        return False
+    for path in iter_lock_files(lock_dir):
+        lock = read_lock_file(path)
+        if not lock:
+            continue
+        if str(lock.get("branch_name") or "").strip() != target:
+            continue
+        if is_lease_live(lock):
+            return True
+    return False

merged_cleanup_reconcile.py

@@ -13,9 +13,9 @@ import subprocess
 from typing import Any
 
 from reviewer_worktree import parse_dirty_tracked_files
+import issue_lock_store
 
 PROTECTED_BRANCHES = frozenset({"master", "main", "dev"})
-ISSUE_LOCK_FILE = os.environ.get("GITEA_ISSUE_LOCK_FILE", "/tmp/gitea_issue_lock.json")
 CLOSES_FIXES_RE = re.compile(r"\b(?:closes|fixes)\s+#(\d+)\b", re.IGNORECASE)
 
 
@@ -37,22 +37,18 @@ def resolve_worktree_path(project_root: str, branch: str) -> str:
 
 
 def read_issue_lock(path: str | None = None) -> dict[str, Any] | None:
-    lock_path = (path or ISSUE_LOCK_FILE).strip()
-    if not lock_path or not os.path.exists(lock_path):
-        return None
-    try:
-        with open(lock_path, encoding="utf-8") as handle:
-            data = json.load(handle)
-    except (OSError, json.JSONDecodeError):
-        return None
-    return data if isinstance(data, dict) else None
+    if path:
+        return issue_lock_store.read_lock_file(path.strip())
+    return issue_lock_store.read_session_issue_lock()
 
 
 def has_active_issue_lock(branch: str, lock_path: str | None = None) -> bool:
-    lock = read_issue_lock(lock_path)
-    if not lock:
-        return False
-    return (lock.get("branch_name") or "").strip() == (branch or "").strip()
+    if lock_path:
+        lock = issue_lock_store.read_lock_file(lock_path.strip())
+        if not lock:
+            return False
+        return (lock.get("branch_name") or "").strip() == (branch or "").strip()
+    return issue_lock_store.has_active_issue_lock(branch)
 
 
 def collect_open_pr_heads(open_prs: list[dict[str, Any]]) -> set[str]:

scripts/worktree-start

@@ -38,13 +38,21 @@ fi
 branch="$1"
 start_ref="${2:-prgs/master}"
 
+script_dir="$(cd "$(dirname "${BASH_SOURCE[0]}")" && pwd)"
+repo_root="$(cd "$script_dir/.." && pwd)"
+
 # Enforce issue-linked, traceable branch names (issue → branch → worktree → PR).
 if [[ "$allow_unlinked" -eq 0 ]]; then
-  if [[ ! -f "/tmp/gitea_issue_lock.json" ]]; then
-    echo "Error: Issue lock file '/tmp/gitea_issue_lock.json' is missing. You must lock exactly one issue before branch creation (fail closed)." >&2
+  locked_branch=$(python3 -c "
+import sys
+sys.path.insert(0, '$repo_root')
+import issue_lock_store
+print(issue_lock_store.resolve_locked_branch_for_session('$branch'))
+")
+  if [[ -z "$locked_branch" ]]; then
+    echo "Error: No session issue lock is bound. Call gitea_lock_issue before branch creation (fail closed)." >&2
     exit 2
   fi
-  locked_branch=$(python3 -c "import json; print(json.load(open('/tmp/gitea_issue_lock.json')).get('branch_name', ''))")
   if [[ "$branch" != "$locked_branch" ]]; then
     echo "Error: Requested branch '$branch' does not match locked branch '$locked_branch' (fail closed)." >&2
     exit 2
@@ -68,8 +76,6 @@ EOF
   fi
 fi
 
-script_dir="$(cd "$(dirname "${BASH_SOURCE[0]}")" && pwd)"
-repo_root="$(cd "$script_dir/.." && pwd)"
 worktree_name="${branch//\//-}"
 worktree_path="$repo_root/branches/$worktree_name"
 

tests/test_agent_temp_artifacts.py

@@ -74,21 +74,24 @@ ISSUE_WRITE_ENV = {
 
 class TestIssueLockArtifactWarning(unittest.TestCase):
     def setUp(self):
-        self._env_patcher = patch.dict(os.environ, ISSUE_WRITE_ENV, clear=True)
+        self._lock_dir = tempfile.TemporaryDirectory()
+        env = {**ISSUE_WRITE_ENV, "GITEA_ISSUE_LOCK_DIR": self._lock_dir.name}
+        self._env_patcher = patch.dict(os.environ, env, clear=True)
         self._env_patcher.start()
 
     def tearDown(self):
         self._env_patcher.stop()
+        self._lock_dir.cleanup()
 
     @patch(
         "mcp_server.issue_duplicate_context_fetcher",
         return_value=([], [], {"status": "not_claimed"}),
     )
+    @patch("mcp_server.api_get_all", return_value=[])
     @patch("mcp_server._auth", return_value="token x")
     @patch("mcp_server._resolve", return_value=("h", "o", "r"))
-    @patch("mcp_server.ISSUE_LOCK_FILE", new_callable=lambda: tempfile.mktemp())
     @patch("issue_lock_worktree.read_worktree_git_state")
-    def test_lock_success_includes_artifact_warning(self, mock_state, _lock_file, *_mocks):
+    def test_lock_success_includes_artifact_warning(self, mock_state, *_mocks):
         mock_state.return_value = {
             "current_branch": "master",
             "porcelain_status": "?? _emit_payload.py\n",

tests/test_commit_payloads.py

@@ -66,9 +66,12 @@ class TestCommitPayloads(unittest.TestCase):
         )
         self.locked_worktree_path = os.path.realpath(self.locked_worktree_dir.name)
 
-        self.lock_file_path = "/tmp/gitea_issue_lock.json"
+        import issue_lock_store
         import issue_lock_provenance
 
+        self._lock_dir = tempfile.TemporaryDirectory()
+        os.environ["GITEA_ISSUE_LOCK_DIR"] = self._lock_dir.name
+
         work_lease = {
             "operation_type": "author_issue_work",
             "issue_number": 263,
@@ -89,8 +92,7 @@ class TestCommitPayloads(unittest.TestCase):
                 claimant=work_lease.get("claimant"),
             ),
         }
-        with open(self.lock_file_path, "w", encoding="utf-8") as fh:
-            fh.write(json.dumps(self.lock_data))
+        self.lock_file_path = issue_lock_store.bind_session_lock(self.lock_data)
 
         # Reset preflight status to bypass/pass verification in tests
         self.orig_whoami_called = mcp_server._preflight_whoami_called
@@ -114,8 +116,7 @@ class TestCommitPayloads(unittest.TestCase):
 
         self._dir.cleanup()
         self.locked_worktree_dir.cleanup()
-        if os.path.exists(self.lock_file_path):
-            os.remove(self.lock_file_path)
+        self._lock_dir.cleanup()
 
     def _env(self, profile: str) -> dict:
         return {
@@ -124,6 +125,7 @@ class TestCommitPayloads(unittest.TestCase):
             "GITEA_TOKEN_AUTHOR": "author-pass",
             "GITEA_TEST_PORCELAIN": "",
             "GITEA_AUTHOR_WORKTREE": self.locked_worktree_path,
+            "GITEA_ISSUE_LOCK_DIR": self._lock_dir.name,
         }
 
     @patch("mcp_server.api_request")

tests/test_create_issue_workspace_guard.py

@@ -106,20 +106,32 @@ class TestCreateIssueWorkspaceGuard(unittest.TestCase):
     @patch("gitea_mcp_server.issue_lock_worktree.read_worktree_git_state", return_value={"current_branch": "feat/issue-1"})
     @patch("os.path.exists", return_value=True)
     @patch("os.path.isdir", return_value=True)
+    @patch("author_mutation_worktree.subprocess.run")
     @patch("subprocess.run")
-    def test_create_issue_wrong_repo_fails_closed(self, mock_run, mock_isdir, mock_exists, _git, _get_all, mock_api, _role, _ns, _prof, _auth):
-        # Mock subprocess.run for git --git-common-dir to return a different path
-        mock_res = MagicMock()
-        mock_res.stdout = "/Users/jasonwalker/Development/some-other-repo/.git\n"
-        mock_run.return_value = mock_res
-
+    def test_create_issue_wrong_repo_fails_closed(self, mock_run, mock_amw_run, mock_isdir, mock_exists, _git, _get_all, mock_api, _role, _ns, _prof, _auth):
         wrong_repo_path = os.path.join(CONTROL_CHECKOUT_ROOT, "branches", "feat-issue-1")
 
+        def _subprocess_side_effect(cmd, *args, **kwargs):
+            mock_res = MagicMock(returncode=0)
+            if "--git-common-dir" in cmd:
+                cwd = cmd[cmd.index("-C") + 1] if "-C" in cmd else ""
+                if cwd == wrong_repo_path:
+                    mock_res.stdout = "/Users/jasonwalker/Development/some-other-repo/.git\n"
+                else:
+                    mock_res.stdout = f"{CONTROL_CHECKOUT_ROOT}/.git\n"
+            else:
+                mock_res.stdout = ""
+            return mock_res
+
+        mock_run.side_effect = _subprocess_side_effect
+        mock_amw_run.side_effect = _subprocess_side_effect
+
         with patch.object(srv, "PROJECT_ROOT", CONTROL_CHECKOUT_ROOT):
-            with self.assertRaises(RuntimeError) as ctx:
-                srv.gitea_create_issue(
-                    title="Test issue", body="body", worktree_path=wrong_repo_path
-                )
+            with patch("gitea_mcp_server._get_workspace_porcelain", return_value=""):
+                with self.assertRaises(RuntimeError) as ctx:
+                    srv.gitea_create_issue(
+                        title="Test issue", body="body", worktree_path=wrong_repo_path
+                    )
         self.assertIn("does not belong to the target repository", str(ctx.exception))
 
     @patch("gitea_mcp_server._auth", return_value=FAKE_AUTH)

tests/test_issue_lock_adoption.py

@@ -0,0 +1,138 @@
+"""Unit tests for own-branch lock adoption decision (#442 / #443)."""
+import sys
+import unittest
+from pathlib import Path
+
+sys.path.insert(0, str(Path(__file__).resolve().parent.parent))
+
+from issue_lock_adoption import (  # noqa: E402
+    ADOPT,
+    BLOCK_COMPETING,
+    NO_MATCH,
+    assess_own_branch_adoption,
+    build_adoption_proof,
+)
+
+REQ = "feat/issue-420-server-code-parity"
+
+
+class TestAssessOwnBranchAdoption(unittest.TestCase):
+    def test_exact_own_branch_is_adopted(self):
+        result = assess_own_branch_adoption(
+            issue_number=420,
+            requested_branch=REQ,
+            existing_branches=[{"name": REQ, "commit_sha": "934688a"}],
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(result["outcome"], ADOPT)
+        self.assertTrue(result["adopt"])
+        self.assertFalse(result["block"])
+        self.assertEqual(result["matched_branch"], REQ)
+        self.assertEqual(result["matched_head_sha"], "934688a")
+
+    def test_exact_own_branch_adopted_when_sha_missing(self):
+        result = assess_own_branch_adoption(
+            issue_number=420, requested_branch=REQ, existing_branches=[REQ]
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(result["outcome"], ADOPT)
+        self.assertIsNone(result["matched_head_sha"])
+
+    def test_different_branch_same_issue_blocks(self):
+        result = assess_own_branch_adoption(
+            issue_number=420,
+            requested_branch=REQ,
+            existing_branches=[{"name": "feat/issue-420-other-work"}],
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(result["outcome"], BLOCK_COMPETING)
+        self.assertTrue(result["block"])
+        self.assertFalse(result["adopt"])
+        self.assertIn("feat/issue-420-other-work", result["competing_branches"])
+        self.assertIn("fail closed", result["reason"])
+
+    def test_own_branch_plus_competing_branch_blocks(self):
+        # Ambiguous ownership: fail closed even though the exact branch exists.
+        result = assess_own_branch_adoption(
+            issue_number=420,
+            requested_branch=REQ,
+            existing_branches=[{"name": REQ}, {"name": "feat/issue-420-rogue"}],
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(result["outcome"], BLOCK_COMPETING)
+        self.assertTrue(result["block"])
+        self.assertEqual(result["competing_branches"], ["feat/issue-420-rogue"])
+
+    def test_no_matching_branch_is_normal_path(self):
+        result = assess_own_branch_adoption(
+            issue_number=420,
+            requested_branch=REQ,
+            existing_branches=[{"name": "feat/issue-999-unrelated"}],
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(result["outcome"], NO_MATCH)
+        self.assertFalse(result["block"])
+        self.assertFalse(result["adopt"])
+
+    def test_empty_branch_list_is_normal_path(self):
+        result = assess_own_branch_adoption(
+            issue_number=420, requested_branch=REQ, existing_branches=[]
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(result["outcome"], NO_MATCH)
+
+    def test_higher_issue_number_branch_does_not_block_lower_issue_adoption(self):
+        # issue-420 must not be treated as competing work for issue #42.
+        own_branch = "feat/issue-42-widget"
+        result = assess_own_branch_adoption(
+            issue_number=42,
+            requested_branch=own_branch,
+            existing_branches=[
+                {"name": own_branch, "commit_sha": "abc1234"},
+                {"name": "feat/issue-420-server-code-parity"},
+            ],
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(result["outcome"], ADOPT)
+        self.assertTrue(result["adopt"])
+        self.assertFalse(result["block"])
+        self.assertEqual(result["matched_branch"], own_branch)
+
+    def test_unrelated_higher_number_branch_is_ignored_without_own_branch(self):
+        result = assess_own_branch_adoption(
+            issue_number=42,
+            requested_branch="feat/issue-42-thing",
+            existing_branches=[{"name": "feat/issue-420-server-code-parity"}],
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(result["outcome"], NO_MATCH)
+        self.assertFalse(result["block"])
+        self.assertFalse(result["adopt"])
+
+
+class TestBuildAdoptionProof(unittest.TestCase):
+    def test_proof_has_all_required_fields(self):
+        assessment = assess_own_branch_adoption(
+            issue_number=420,
+            requested_branch=REQ,
+            existing_branches=[{"name": REQ, "commit_sha": "934688a"}],
+        )
+        proof = build_adoption_proof(
+            issue_number=420,
+            branch_name=REQ,
+            assessment=assessment,
+            open_pr_checked=True,
+            competing_lock_checked=True,
+            lock_file_path="/tmp/example-lock.json",
+            lock_file_status="written",
+        )
+        for key in (
+            "issue_number",
+            "branch_name",
+            "branch_head_commit",
+            "adoption_reason",
+            "no_existing_pr_proof",
+            "no_competing_live_lock_proof",
+            "lock_file_path",
+            "lock_file_status",
+        ):
+            self.assertIn(key, proof)
+        self.assertEqual(proof["branch_head_commit"], "934688a")
+        self.assertTrue(proof["no_existing_pr_proof"])
+        self.assertTrue(proof["no_competing_live_lock_proof"])
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    unittest.main()

tests/test_issue_lock_store.py

@@ -0,0 +1,181 @@
+"""Unit tests for keyed issue-lock storage (#443)."""
+import json
+import os
+import sys
+import tempfile
+import unittest
+from datetime import datetime, timedelta, timezone
+from pathlib import Path
+from unittest import mock
+
+sys.path.insert(0, str(Path(__file__).resolve().parent.parent))
+
+import issue_lock_store as ils  # noqa: E402
+
+
+def _lease(expires_at: str) -> dict:
+    return {
+        "operation_type": ils.AUTHOR_ISSUE_WORK_LEASE,
+        "expires_at": expires_at,
+        "created_at": "2026-01-01T00:00:00Z",
+        "last_heartbeat_at": "2026-01-01T00:00:00Z",
+    }
+
+
+def _lock_record(**overrides) -> dict:
+    record = {
+        "issue_number": 420,
+        "branch_name": "feat/issue-420-server-code-parity",
+        "remote": "prgs",
+        "org": "Scaled-Tech-Consulting",
+        "repo": "Gitea-Tools",
+        "worktree_path": "/tmp/wt-420",
+        "work_lease": _lease("2999-01-01T00:00:00Z"),
+    }
+    record.update(overrides)
+    return record
+
+
+class TestIssueLockStore(unittest.TestCase):
+    def setUp(self):
+        self._dir = tempfile.TemporaryDirectory()
+        self.lock_dir = self._dir.name
+        self._env = mock.patch.dict(os.environ, {"GITEA_ISSUE_LOCK_DIR": self.lock_dir})
+        self._env.start()
+
+    def tearDown(self):
+        self._env.stop()
+        self._dir.cleanup()
+
+    def test_concurrent_repo_locks_do_not_overwrite(self):
+        lock_a = _lock_record(
+            issue_number=108,
+            branch_name="feat/issue-108-root-menu",
+            repo="mcp-control-plane",
+            worktree_path="/tmp/wt-108",
+        )
+        lock_b = _lock_record(
+            issue_number=420,
+            branch_name="feat/issue-420-server-code-parity",
+            repo="Gitea-Tools",
+            worktree_path="/tmp/wt-420",
+        )
+        path_a = ils.bind_session_lock(lock_a)
+        with mock.patch("os.getpid", return_value=9999):
+            path_b = ils.bind_session_lock(lock_b)
+
+        self.assertNotEqual(path_a, path_b)
+        self.assertTrue(os.path.exists(path_a))
+        self.assertTrue(os.path.exists(path_b))
+        stored_a = ils.read_lock_file(path_a)
+        stored_b = ils.read_lock_file(path_b)
+        self.assertEqual(stored_a["issue_number"], 108)
+        self.assertEqual(stored_b["issue_number"], 420)
+
+    def test_concurrent_issue_locks_same_repo_do_not_overwrite(self):
+        lock_a = _lock_record(issue_number=427, branch_name="feat/issue-427-a")
+        lock_b = _lock_record(issue_number=428, branch_name="feat/issue-428-b")
+        path_a = ils.bind_session_lock(lock_a)
+        with mock.patch("os.getpid", return_value=4242):
+            path_b = ils.bind_session_lock(lock_b)
+
+        self.assertNotEqual(path_a, path_b)
+        self.assertEqual(ils.read_lock_file(path_a)["issue_number"], 427)
+        self.assertEqual(ils.read_lock_file(path_b)["issue_number"], 428)
+
+    def test_foreign_live_lease_blocks_overwrite(self):
+        existing = _lock_record(
+            branch_name="feat/issue-420-other",
+            worktree_path="/tmp/other",
+            work_lease=_lease("2999-01-01T00:00:00Z"),
+        )
+        path = ils.lock_file_path(
+            remote="prgs",
+            org="Scaled-Tech-Consulting",
+            repo="Gitea-Tools",
+            issue_number=420,
+        )
+        ils.save_lock_file(path, existing)
+
+        incoming = _lock_record(worktree_path="/tmp/mine")
+        block = ils.assess_foreign_lock_overwrite(existing, incoming)
+        self.assertIn("live foreign issue lock", block or "")
+
+    def test_expired_lease_allows_takeover_with_conflict_check(self):
+        existing = _lock_record(
+            branch_name="feat/issue-420-other",
+            worktree_path="/tmp/other",
+            work_lease=_lease("2000-01-01T00:00:00Z"),
+        )
+        incoming = _lock_record(worktree_path="/tmp/mine")
+        self.assertIsNone(ils.assess_foreign_lock_overwrite(existing, incoming))
+        block = ils.assess_same_issue_lease_conflict(
+            existing,
+            issue_number=420,
+            branch_name="feat/issue-420-server-code-parity",
+            worktree_path="/tmp/mine",
+        )
+        self.assertIn("Recovery review is required", block or "")
+
+    def test_same_owner_lease_conflict_allows_refresh(self):
+        worktree = "/tmp/wt-420"
+        existing = _lock_record(worktree_path=worktree)
+        block = ils.assess_same_issue_lease_conflict(
+            existing,
+            issue_number=420,
+            branch_name="feat/issue-420-server-code-parity",
+            worktree_path=worktree,
+        )
+        self.assertIsNone(block)
+
+    def test_find_lock_for_branch_after_restart(self):
+        record = _lock_record()
+        path = ils.lock_file_path(
+            remote="prgs",
+            org="Scaled-Tech-Consulting",
+            repo="Gitea-Tools",
+            issue_number=420,
+        )
+        ils.save_lock_file(path, record)
+
+        with mock.patch("os.getpid", return_value=5555):
+            self.assertIsNone(ils.read_session_issue_lock())
+
+        found = ils.find_lock_for_branch(
+            remote="prgs",
+            org="Scaled-Tech-Consulting",
+            repo="Gitea-Tools",
+            branch_name="feat/issue-420-server-code-parity",
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(found["issue_number"], 420)
+
+    def test_has_active_issue_lock_scans_keyed_store(self):
+        ils.bind_session_lock(_lock_record())
+        self.assertTrue(
+            ils.has_active_issue_lock("feat/issue-420-server-code-parity")
+        )
+        self.assertFalse(ils.has_active_issue_lock("feat/issue-999-other"))
+
+    def test_atomic_write_preserves_unrelated_lock(self):
+        path_a = ils.lock_file_path(
+            remote="prgs",
+            org="Scaled-Tech-Consulting",
+            repo="Gitea-Tools",
+            issue_number=108,
+        )
+        ils.save_lock_file(path_a, _lock_record(issue_number=108, repo="mcp-control-plane"))
+        path_b = ils.lock_file_path(
+            remote="prgs",
+            org="Scaled-Tech-Consulting",
+            repo="Gitea-Tools",
+            issue_number=420,
+        )
+        ils.save_lock_file(path_b, _lock_record())
+
+        self.assertTrue(os.path.exists(path_a))
+        self.assertTrue(os.path.exists(path_b))
+        self.assertEqual(ils.read_lock_file(path_a)["issue_number"], 108)
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    unittest.main()

tests/test_issue_work_duplicate_gate.py

@@ -1,5 +1,4 @@
 """Tests for early duplicate-work detection (#400)."""
-import json
 import os
 import sys
 import tempfile
@@ -10,6 +9,7 @@ from unittest.mock import patch
 sys.path.insert(0, str(Path(__file__).resolve().parent.parent))
 
 import issue_lock_provenance
+import issue_lock_store
 import issue_work_duplicate_gate as dup_gate
 import mcp_server
 from issue_work_duplicate_gate import (
@@ -123,8 +123,9 @@ class TestDuplicateReportOutcome(unittest.TestCase):
 
 
 class TestInjectableDuplicateFetcher(unittest.TestCase):
+    @patch("mcp_server.api_get_all", return_value=[])
     @patch("mcp_server.get_auth_header", return_value="token x")
-    def test_lock_issue_uses_injected_fetcher(self, _auth):
+    def test_lock_issue_uses_injected_fetcher(self, _auth, _api):
         seen = {}
 
         def fetcher(h, o, r, auth, issue_number):
@@ -141,26 +142,29 @@ class TestInjectableDuplicateFetcher(unittest.TestCase):
                 "porcelain_status": "",
                 "base_equivalent": True,
             },
-        ), patch.dict(os.environ, {
-            "GITEA_ALLOWED_OPERATIONS": "gitea.issue.comment",
-        }, clear=True):
-            with patch.object(mcp_server, "ISSUE_LOCK_FILE", tempfile.mktemp()):
-                mcp_server.gitea_lock_issue(
-                    issue_number=400,
-                    branch_name="feat/issue-400-duplicate-work-preflight",
-                    remote="prgs",
-                )
+        ):
+            with tempfile.TemporaryDirectory() as lock_dir:
+                with patch.dict(os.environ, {
+                    "GITEA_ALLOWED_OPERATIONS": "gitea.issue.comment",
+                    "GITEA_ISSUE_LOCK_DIR": lock_dir,
+                }, clear=True):
+                    mcp_server.gitea_lock_issue(
+                        issue_number=400,
+                        branch_name="feat/issue-400-duplicate-work-preflight",
+                        remote="prgs",
+                    )
         self.assertEqual(seen["issue_number"], 400)
 
 
 class TestMcpDuplicateRecheck(unittest.TestCase):
     def setUp(self):
         self._dir = tempfile.TemporaryDirectory()
-        self.lock_path = os.path.join(self._dir.name, "gitea_issue_lock.json")
-        self._lock_patch = patch.object(
-            mcp_server, "ISSUE_LOCK_FILE", self.lock_path
+        self._env_patch = patch.dict(
+            os.environ,
+            {"GITEA_ISSUE_LOCK_DIR": self._dir.name},
+            clear=False,
         )
-        self._lock_patch.start()
+        self._env_patch.start()
         self._remotes = patch.dict(mcp_server.REMOTES, {
             "prgs": {"host": "gitea.example.com", "org": "Example-Org",
                      "repo": "Example-Repo"},
@@ -173,6 +177,7 @@ class TestMcpDuplicateRecheck(unittest.TestCase):
         self._dir.cleanup()
 
     def _write_lock(self, issue_number=400, branch="feat/issue-400-x"):
+        worktree_path = os.path.realpath(os.getcwd())
         work_lease = {
             "operation_type": "author_issue_work",
             "issue_number": issue_number,
@@ -180,17 +185,19 @@ class TestMcpDuplicateRecheck(unittest.TestCase):
             "claimant": {"username": "test-user", "profile": "test-author"},
             "expires_at": "2999-01-01T00:00:00Z",
         }
-        with open(self.lock_path, "w", encoding="utf-8") as fh:
-            json.dump({
-                "issue_number": issue_number,
-                "branch_name": branch,
-                "remote": "prgs",
-                "work_lease": work_lease,
-                "lock_provenance": issue_lock_provenance.build_sanctioned_lock_provenance(
-                    tool="gitea_lock_issue",
-                    claimant=work_lease.get("claimant"),
-                ),
-            }, fh)
+        issue_lock_store.bind_session_lock({
+            "issue_number": issue_number,
+            "branch_name": branch,
+            "remote": "prgs",
+            "org": "Example-Org",
+            "repo": "Example-Repo",
+            "worktree_path": worktree_path,
+            "work_lease": work_lease,
+            "lock_provenance": issue_lock_provenance.build_sanctioned_lock_provenance(
+                tool="gitea_lock_issue",
+                claimant=work_lease.get("claimant"),
+            ),
+        })
 
     @patch("mcp_server._assess_issue_duplicate_gate")
     @patch("mcp_server.get_profile", return_value={
@@ -254,6 +261,7 @@ class TestMcpDuplicateRecheck(unittest.TestCase):
                 base="master",
                 body="Closes #400",
                 remote="prgs",
+                worktree_path=os.path.realpath(os.getcwd()),
             )
         self.assertFalse(result["success"])
         self.assertIsNone(result.get("number"))

tests/test_mcp_server.py

@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ the MCP protocol) with mocked API responses.
 import json
 import os
 import sys
+import tempfile
 import unittest
 from unittest.mock import patch, MagicMock
 
@@ -45,6 +46,7 @@ from gitea_auth import get_profile  # noqa: E402
 import gitea_config  # noqa: E402
 
 import mcp_server
+import issue_lock_store
 
 FAKE_AUTH = "Basic dGVzdDp0ZXN0"
 
@@ -174,6 +176,7 @@ def _sample_issue_lock(issue_number=123, branch_name="feat/x", **overrides):
         "remote": "dadeschools",
         "org": "Scaled-Tech-Consulting",
         "repo": "Gitea-Tools",
+        "worktree_path": "/tmp/test-worktree",
         "work_lease": work_lease,
         "lock_provenance": issue_lock_provenance.build_sanctioned_lock_provenance(
             tool="gitea_lock_issue",
@@ -189,6 +192,17 @@ def _clear_duplicate_context_fetcher(*_args, **_kwargs):
     return [], [], {"status": "not_claimed"}
 
 
+def _bind_test_lock(**overrides) -> str:
+    remote = overrides.get("remote", "dadeschools")
+    record = _sample_issue_lock(**overrides)
+    if remote in mcp_server.REMOTES:
+        profile = mcp_server.REMOTES[remote]
+        record.setdefault("org", profile["org"])
+        record.setdefault("repo", profile["repo"])
+    record["remote"] = remote
+    return issue_lock_store.bind_session_lock(record)
+
+
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Create Issue
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -251,18 +265,21 @@ class TestCreatePR(unittest.TestCase):
            return_value=(True, []))
     @patch("mcp_server.api_request")
     @patch("mcp_server.get_auth_header", return_value=FAKE_AUTH)
-    @patch("os.path.exists", return_value=True)
-    @patch("builtins.open")
-    def test_creates_pr(self, mock_open, mock_exists, _auth, mock_api, _role, _dup_fetcher):
-        lock_json = json.dumps(_sample_issue_lock(issue_number=123, branch_name="feat/x"))
-        mock_open.return_value.__enter__.return_value.read.return_value = lock_json
+    def test_creates_pr(self, _auth, mock_api, _role, _dup_fetcher):
+        worktree = os.path.realpath(os.getcwd())
         mock_api.return_value = {"number": 3, "html_url": "https://example.com/pulls/3"}
-        with patch.dict(os.environ, CREATE_PR_ENV, clear=True):
-            result = gitea_create_pr(title="feat: X Closes #123", head="feat/x", base="main")
+        with tempfile.TemporaryDirectory() as lock_dir:
+            env = {**CREATE_PR_ENV, "GITEA_ISSUE_LOCK_DIR": lock_dir}
+            with patch.dict(os.environ, env, clear=True):
+                _bind_test_lock(issue_number=123, branch_name="feat/x", worktree_path=worktree)
+                result = gitea_create_pr(
+                    title="feat: X Closes #123",
+                    head="feat/x",
+                    base="main",
+                    worktree_path=worktree,
+                )
         self.assertEqual(result["number"], 3)
         self.assertNotIn("url", result)
-        mock_exists.assert_called_with(ISSUE_LOCK_FILE)
-        mock_open.assert_called_with(ISSUE_LOCK_FILE, "r", encoding="utf-8")
         payload = mock_api.call_args[0][3]
         self.assertEqual(payload["head"], "feat/x")
         self.assertEqual(payload["base"], "main")
@@ -276,30 +293,42 @@ class TestCreatePR(unittest.TestCase):
            return_value=(True, []))
     @patch("mcp_server.api_request")
     @patch("mcp_server.get_auth_header", return_value=FAKE_AUTH)
-    @patch("os.path.exists", return_value=True)
-    @patch("builtins.open")
-    def test_create_pr_reveal_opt_in_includes_url(self, mock_open, mock_exists, _auth, mock_api, _role, _dup_fetcher):
-        lock_json = json.dumps(_sample_issue_lock(issue_number=123, branch_name="feat/x"))
-        mock_open.return_value.__enter__.return_value.read.return_value = lock_json
+    def test_create_pr_reveal_opt_in_includes_url(self, _auth, mock_api, _role, _dup_fetcher):
+        worktree = os.path.realpath(os.getcwd())
         mock_api.return_value = {"number": 3, "html_url": "https://example.com/pulls/3"}
-        env = {**CREATE_PR_ENV, "GITEA_MCP_REVEAL_ENDPOINTS": "1"}
-        with patch.dict(os.environ, env, clear=True):
-            result = gitea_create_pr(title="feat: X Closes #123", head="feat/x", base="main")
+        with tempfile.TemporaryDirectory() as lock_dir:
+            env = {**CREATE_PR_ENV, "GITEA_ISSUE_LOCK_DIR": lock_dir, "GITEA_MCP_REVEAL_ENDPOINTS": "1"}
+            with patch.dict(os.environ, env, clear=True):
+                _bind_test_lock(issue_number=123, branch_name="feat/x", worktree_path=worktree)
+                result = gitea_create_pr(
+                    title="feat: X Closes #123",
+                    head="feat/x",
+                    base="main",
+                    worktree_path=worktree,
+                )
         self.assertIn("pulls/3", result["url"])
 
     @patch("mcp_server.role_session_router.check_author_mutation_after_reviewer_stop",
            return_value=(True, []))
     @patch("mcp_server.get_auth_header", return_value=FAKE_AUTH)
-    @patch("os.path.exists", return_value=True)
-    @patch("builtins.open")
-    def test_create_pr_locked_issue_mismatch_fails(self, mock_open, mock_exists, _auth, _role):
-        lock_json = json.dumps(_sample_issue_lock(issue_number=123, branch_name="feat/x"))
-        mock_open.return_value.__enter__.return_value.read.return_value = lock_json
-        with patch.dict(os.environ, CREATE_PR_ENV, clear=True):
-            with self.assertRaises(ValueError) as ctx:
-                gitea_create_pr(title="feat: X Closes #999", head="feat/x", base="main")
+    def test_create_pr_locked_issue_mismatch_fails(self, _auth, _role):
+        worktree = os.path.realpath(os.getcwd())
+        with tempfile.TemporaryDirectory() as lock_dir:
+            env = {**CREATE_PR_ENV, "GITEA_ISSUE_LOCK_DIR": lock_dir}
+            with patch.dict(os.environ, env, clear=True):
+                _bind_test_lock(
+                    issue_number=123,
+                    branch_name="feat/x",
+                    worktree_path=worktree,
+                )
+                with self.assertRaises(ValueError) as ctx:
+                    gitea_create_pr(
+                        title="feat: X Closes #999",
+                        head="feat/x",
+                        base="main",
+                        worktree_path=worktree,
+                    )
         self.assertIn("Closes #123", str(ctx.exception))
-        mock_open.assert_called_with(ISSUE_LOCK_FILE, "r", encoding="utf-8")
 
 
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -3184,7 +3213,12 @@ class TestIssueLocking(unittest.TestCase):
     """Test issue locking and PR gating constraints."""
 
     def setUp(self):
-        self._env_patcher = patch.dict(os.environ, ISSUE_WRITE_ENV, clear=True)
+        self._lock_dir = tempfile.TemporaryDirectory()
+        env = {
+            **ISSUE_WRITE_ENV,
+            "GITEA_ISSUE_LOCK_DIR": self._lock_dir.name,
+        }
+        self._env_patcher = patch.dict(os.environ, env, clear=True)
         self._env_patcher.start()
         self._dup_fetcher_patcher = patch(
             "mcp_server.issue_duplicate_context_fetcher",
@@ -3195,15 +3229,21 @@ class TestIssueLocking(unittest.TestCase):
     def tearDown(self):
         self._dup_fetcher_patcher.stop()
         self._env_patcher.stop()
-        if os.path.exists(ISSUE_LOCK_FILE):
-            os.remove(ISSUE_LOCK_FILE)
+        self._lock_dir.cleanup()
+
+    def _create_pr_env(self) -> dict:
+        return {
+            **CREATE_PR_ENV,
+            "GITEA_ISSUE_LOCK_DIR": self._lock_dir.name,
+        }
 
     @patch(
         "mcp_server.issue_lock_worktree.read_worktree_git_state",
         return_value=_clean_master_git_state_for_lock(),
     )
+    @patch("mcp_server.api_get_all", return_value=[])
     @patch("mcp_server.get_auth_header", return_value=FAKE_AUTH)
-    def test_lock_issue_success(self, _auth, _git_state):
+    def test_lock_issue_success(self, _auth, _api, _git_state):
         res = gitea_lock_issue(issue_number=196, branch_name="feat/issue-196-mutations", remote="prgs")
         self.assertTrue(res["success"])
         self.assertEqual(res["work_lease"]["operation_type"], "author_issue_work")
@@ -3213,9 +3253,8 @@ class TestIssueLocking(unittest.TestCase):
         self.assertIn("expires_at", res["work_lease"])
         self.assertIn("last_heartbeat_at", res["work_lease"])
         self.assertEqual(res["work_lease"]["claimant"]["profile"], "gitea-default")
-        self.assertTrue(os.path.exists(ISSUE_LOCK_FILE))
-        with open(ISSUE_LOCK_FILE, encoding="utf-8") as f:
-            lock = json.load(f)
+        self.assertIn("lock_file_path", res)
+        lock = issue_lock_store.read_lock_file(res["lock_file_path"])
         self.assertIn("worktree_path", lock)
         self.assertIn("work_lease", lock)
 
@@ -3271,32 +3310,81 @@ class TestIssueLocking(unittest.TestCase):
             gitea_lock_issue(issue_number=196, branch_name="feat/issue-196-mutations", remote="prgs")
         self.assertIn("remote branch(es) already match issue pattern", str(ctx.exception))
 
-    def test_lock_issue_blocks_active_same_operation_lease(self):
-        with open(ISSUE_LOCK_FILE, "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
-            json.dump({
+    @patch(
+        "mcp_server.issue_lock_worktree.read_worktree_git_state",
+        return_value=_clean_master_git_state_for_lock(),
+    )
+    @patch("mcp_server.api_get_all")
+    @patch("mcp_server.get_auth_header", return_value=FAKE_AUTH)
+    def test_lock_issue_adopts_exact_own_branch(self, _auth, mock_api, _git_state):
+        branch = "feat/issue-196-mutations"
+        self.mock_dup_fetcher.return_value = ([], [branch], {"status": "not_claimed"})
+        mock_api.return_value = [{"name": branch, "commit": {"id": "abc123"}}]
+        res = gitea_lock_issue(issue_number=196, branch_name=branch, remote="prgs")
+        self.assertTrue(res["success"])
+        self.assertIn("adoption", res)
+        self.assertEqual(res["adoption"]["branch_head_commit"], "abc123")
+
+    @patch(
+        "mcp_server.issue_lock_worktree.read_worktree_git_state",
+        return_value=_clean_master_git_state_for_lock(),
+    )
+    @patch("mcp_server.api_get_all", return_value=[])
+    @patch("mcp_server.get_auth_header", return_value=FAKE_AUTH)
+    def test_lock_issue_blocks_active_same_operation_lease(self, _auth, _api, _git_state):
+        prgs_repo = mcp_server.REMOTES["prgs"]["repo"]
+        issue_lock_store.save_lock_file(
+            issue_lock_store.lock_file_path(
+                remote="prgs",
+                org="Scaled-Tech-Consulting",
+                repo=prgs_repo,
+                issue_number=196,
+            ),
+            {
                 "issue_number": 196,
                 "branch_name": "feat/issue-196-other-work",
+                "remote": "prgs",
+                "org": "Scaled-Tech-Consulting",
+                "repo": prgs_repo,
                 "worktree_path": "/tmp/other-worktree",
                 "work_lease": {
                     "operation_type": "author_issue_work",
                     "expires_at": "2999-01-01T00:00:00Z",
                 },
-            }, f)
+            },
+        )
         with self.assertRaises(RuntimeError) as ctx:
             gitea_lock_issue(issue_number=196, branch_name="feat/issue-196-mutations", remote="prgs")
         self.assertIn("already has an active author_issue_work lease", str(ctx.exception))
 
-    def test_lock_issue_blocks_expired_same_operation_lease_for_recovery(self):
-        with open(ISSUE_LOCK_FILE, "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
-            json.dump({
+    @patch(
+        "mcp_server.issue_lock_worktree.read_worktree_git_state",
+        return_value=_clean_master_git_state_for_lock(),
+    )
+    @patch("mcp_server.api_get_all", return_value=[])
+    @patch("mcp_server.get_auth_header", return_value=FAKE_AUTH)
+    def test_lock_issue_blocks_expired_same_operation_lease_for_recovery(self, _auth, _api, _git_state):
+        prgs_repo = mcp_server.REMOTES["prgs"]["repo"]
+        issue_lock_store.save_lock_file(
+            issue_lock_store.lock_file_path(
+                remote="prgs",
+                org="Scaled-Tech-Consulting",
+                repo=prgs_repo,
+                issue_number=196,
+            ),
+            {
                 "issue_number": 196,
                 "branch_name": "feat/issue-196-other-work",
+                "remote": "prgs",
+                "org": "Scaled-Tech-Consulting",
+                "repo": prgs_repo,
                 "worktree_path": "/tmp/other-worktree",
                 "work_lease": {
                     "operation_type": "author_issue_work",
                     "expires_at": "2000-01-01T00:00:00Z",
                 },
-            }, f)
+            },
+        )
         with self.assertRaises(RuntimeError) as ctx:
             gitea_lock_issue(issue_number=196, branch_name="feat/issue-196-mutations", remote="prgs")
         self.assertIn("Recovery review is required before takeover", str(ctx.exception))
@@ -3363,9 +3451,7 @@ class TestIssueLocking(unittest.TestCase):
            return_value=(True, []))
     @patch("mcp_server.get_auth_header", return_value=FAKE_AUTH)
     def test_create_pr_missing_lock_fails(self, _auth, _role):
-        if os.path.exists(ISSUE_LOCK_FILE):
-            os.remove(ISSUE_LOCK_FILE)
-        with patch.dict(os.environ, CREATE_PR_ENV, clear=True):
+        with patch.dict(os.environ, self._create_pr_env(), clear=True):
             with self.assertRaises(RuntimeError) as ctx:
                 gitea_create_pr(title="feat: X Closes #196", head="feat/issue-196-mutations", remote="prgs")
         self.assertIn("Issue lock is missing", str(ctx.exception))
@@ -3374,37 +3460,64 @@ class TestIssueLocking(unittest.TestCase):
            return_value=(True, []))
     @patch("mcp_server.get_auth_header", return_value=FAKE_AUTH)
     def test_create_pr_branch_mismatch_fails(self, _auth, _role):
-        with open(ISSUE_LOCK_FILE, "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
-            json.dump(_sample_issue_lock(
-                issue_number=196, branch_name="feat/issue-196-mutations"), f)
-        with patch.dict(os.environ, CREATE_PR_ENV, clear=True):
+        worktree = os.path.realpath(os.getcwd())
+        _bind_test_lock(
+            issue_number=196,
+            branch_name="feat/issue-196-mutations",
+            remote="prgs",
+            worktree_path=worktree,
+        )
+        with patch.dict(os.environ, self._create_pr_env(), clear=True):
             with self.assertRaises(ValueError) as ctx:
-                gitea_create_pr(title="feat: X Closes #196", head="feat/issue-196-different", remote="prgs")
+                gitea_create_pr(
+                    title="feat: X Closes #196",
+                    head="feat/issue-196-different",
+                    remote="prgs",
+                    worktree_path=worktree,
+                )
         self.assertIn("does not match locked branch", str(ctx.exception))
 
     @patch("mcp_server.role_session_router.check_author_mutation_after_reviewer_stop",
            return_value=(True, []))
     @patch("mcp_server.get_auth_header", return_value=FAKE_AUTH)
     def test_create_pr_forbidden_terms_fails(self, _auth, _role):
-        with open(ISSUE_LOCK_FILE, "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
-            json.dump(_sample_issue_lock(
-                issue_number=196, branch_name="feat/issue-196-mutations"), f)
-        with patch.dict(os.environ, CREATE_PR_ENV, clear=True):
+        worktree = os.path.realpath(os.getcwd())
+        _bind_test_lock(
+            issue_number=196,
+            branch_name="feat/issue-196-mutations",
+            remote="prgs",
+            worktree_path=worktree,
+        )
+        with patch.dict(os.environ, self._create_pr_env(), clear=True):
             for term in ("equivalent to #196", "related to #196", "same as #196"):
                 with self.assertRaises(ValueError) as ctx:
-                    gitea_create_pr(title=f"feat: X {term}", head="feat/issue-196-mutations", remote="prgs")
+                    gitea_create_pr(
+                        title=f"feat: X {term}",
+                        head="feat/issue-196-mutations",
+                        remote="prgs",
+                        worktree_path=worktree,
+                    )
                 self.assertIn("contains forbidden term", str(ctx.exception))
 
     @patch("mcp_server.role_session_router.check_author_mutation_after_reviewer_stop",
            return_value=(True, []))
     @patch("mcp_server.get_auth_header", return_value=FAKE_AUTH)
     def test_create_pr_missing_closes_ref_fails(self, _auth, _role):
-        with open(ISSUE_LOCK_FILE, "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
-            json.dump(_sample_issue_lock(
-                issue_number=196, branch_name="feat/issue-196-mutations"), f)
-        with patch.dict(os.environ, CREATE_PR_ENV, clear=True):
+        worktree = os.path.realpath(os.getcwd())
+        _bind_test_lock(
+            issue_number=196,
+            branch_name="feat/issue-196-mutations",
+            remote="prgs",
+            worktree_path=worktree,
+        )
+        with patch.dict(os.environ, self._create_pr_env(), clear=True):
             with self.assertRaises(ValueError) as ctx:
-                gitea_create_pr(title="feat: X refs #196", head="feat/issue-196-mutations", remote="prgs")
+                gitea_create_pr(
+                    title="feat: X refs #196",
+                    head="feat/issue-196-mutations",
+                    remote="prgs",
+                    worktree_path=worktree,
+                )
         self.assertIn("must contain 'Closes #196' or 'Fixes #196' exactly", str(ctx.exception))
 
     @patch("mcp_server.role_session_router.check_author_mutation_after_reviewer_stop",
@@ -3412,13 +3525,13 @@ class TestIssueLocking(unittest.TestCase):
     @patch("mcp_server.get_auth_header", return_value=FAKE_AUTH)
     def test_create_pr_worktree_mismatch_fails(self, _auth, _role):
         scratch = os.path.realpath("/tmp/gitea-tools-author-scratch/issue-249-pr")
-        with open(ISSUE_LOCK_FILE, "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
-            json.dump(_sample_issue_lock(
-                issue_number=249,
-                branch_name="feat/issue-249-issue-lock-scratch-worktree",
-                worktree_path=scratch,
-            ), f)
-        with patch.dict(os.environ, CREATE_PR_ENV, clear=True):
+        _bind_test_lock(
+            issue_number=249,
+            branch_name="feat/issue-249-issue-lock-scratch-worktree",
+            worktree_path=scratch,
+            remote="prgs",
+        )
+        with patch.dict(os.environ, self._create_pr_env(), clear=True):
             with self.assertRaises(ValueError) as ctx:
                 gitea_create_pr(
                     title="feat: lock scratch worktree Closes #249",
@@ -3432,22 +3545,35 @@ class TestIssueLocking(unittest.TestCase):
            return_value=(True, []))
     @patch("mcp_server.get_auth_header", return_value=FAKE_AUTH)
     def test_create_pr_manual_lock_seed_blocked(self, _auth, _role):
-        with open(ISSUE_LOCK_FILE, "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
-            json.dump(
+        worktree = os.path.realpath(os.getcwd())
+        with tempfile.TemporaryDirectory() as lock_dir:
+            env = {**self._create_pr_env(), "GITEA_ISSUE_LOCK_DIR": lock_dir}
+            with patch.dict(os.environ, env, clear=True):
+                issue_lock_store.save_lock_file(
+                    issue_lock_store.lock_file_path(
+                        remote="prgs",
+                        org="Scaled-Tech-Consulting",
+                        repo=mcp_server.REMOTES["prgs"]["repo"],
+                        issue_number=447,
+                        lock_dir=lock_dir,
+                    ),
                 _sample_issue_lock(
                     issue_number=447,
                     branch_name="feat/issue-447-lock-provenance",
+                    remote="prgs",
+                    org="Scaled-Tech-Consulting",
+                    repo=mcp_server.REMOTES["prgs"]["repo"],
+                    worktree_path=worktree,
                     lock_provenance=None,
                 ),
-                f,
-            )
-        with patch.dict(os.environ, CREATE_PR_ENV, clear=True):
-            with self.assertRaises(RuntimeError) as ctx:
-                gitea_create_pr(
-                    title="feat: lock provenance Closes #447",
-                    head="feat/issue-447-lock-provenance",
-                    remote="prgs",
                 )
+                with self.assertRaises(RuntimeError) as ctx:
+                    gitea_create_pr(
+                        title="feat: lock provenance Closes #447",
+                        head="feat/issue-447-lock-provenance",
+                        remote="prgs",
+                        worktree_path=worktree,
+                    )
         self.assertIn("lock provenance", str(ctx.exception).lower())
 
     @patch("mcp_server.api_request")
@@ -3457,13 +3583,13 @@ class TestIssueLocking(unittest.TestCase):
     def test_create_pr_honors_scratch_worktree_lock(self, _auth, _role, mock_api):
         scratch = os.path.realpath("/tmp/gitea-tools-author-scratch/issue-249-e2e")
         mock_api.return_value = {"number": 250, "html_url": "https://example/pr/250"}
-        with open(ISSUE_LOCK_FILE, "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
-            json.dump(_sample_issue_lock(
-                issue_number=249,
-                branch_name="feat/issue-249-issue-lock-scratch-worktree",
-                worktree_path=scratch,
-            ), f)
-        with patch.dict(os.environ, CREATE_PR_ENV, clear=True):
+        _bind_test_lock(
+            issue_number=249,
+            branch_name="feat/issue-249-issue-lock-scratch-worktree",
+            worktree_path=scratch,
+            remote="prgs",
+        )
+        with patch.dict(os.environ, self._create_pr_env(), clear=True):
             res = gitea_create_pr(
                 title="feat: issue-lock scratch worktree Closes #249",
                 head="feat/issue-249-issue-lock-scratch-worktree",

tests/test_workspace_guard_alignment.py

@@ -0,0 +1,153 @@
+"""Tests for runtime_context / mutation-guard workspace alignment (#460)."""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import os
+import sys
+import unittest
+from pathlib import Path
+from unittest import mock
+from unittest.mock import MagicMock
+
+sys.path.insert(0, str(Path(__file__).resolve().parent.parent))
+
+import author_mutation_worktree as amw  # noqa: E402
+import gitea_mcp_server as srv  # noqa: E402
+
+CONTROL_ROOT = str(Path(__file__).resolve().parents[3])
+BRANCHES_WORKTREE = str(Path(__file__).resolve().parents[1])
+MCP_PROCESS_ROOT = BRANCHES_WORKTREE
+
+
+class TestCanonicalRepoRoot(unittest.TestCase):
+    @mock.patch("subprocess.run")
+    def test_resolves_main_repo_from_branches_worktree(self, mock_run):
+        mock_run.return_value = MagicMock(
+            returncode=0,
+            stdout=f"{CONTROL_ROOT}/.git\n",
+        )
+        root = amw.resolve_canonical_repo_root(BRANCHES_WORKTREE, MCP_PROCESS_ROOT)
+        self.assertEqual(root, CONTROL_ROOT)
+
+    def test_falls_back_when_git_unavailable(self):
+        root = amw.resolve_canonical_repo_root("/missing/path", MCP_PROCESS_ROOT)
+        self.assertEqual(root, os.path.realpath(MCP_PROCESS_ROOT))
+
+
+class TestWorkspaceRepoMembership(unittest.TestCase):
+    @mock.patch("os.path.isdir", return_value=True)
+    @mock.patch("os.path.exists", return_value=True)
+    @mock.patch("subprocess.run")
+    def test_valid_branches_worktree_accepted(self, mock_run, *_exists):
+        mock_run.return_value = MagicMock(
+            returncode=0,
+            stdout=f"{CONTROL_ROOT}/.git\n",
+        )
+        result = amw.assess_workspace_repo_membership(
+            workspace_path=BRANCHES_WORKTREE,
+            canonical_repo_root=CONTROL_ROOT,
+        )
+        self.assertTrue(result["proven"])
+        self.assertFalse(result["block"])
+
+    @mock.patch("os.path.isdir", return_value=True)
+    @mock.patch("os.path.exists", return_value=True)
+    @mock.patch("subprocess.run")
+    def test_wrong_repo_rejected(self, mock_run, *_exists):
+        mock_run.return_value = MagicMock(
+            returncode=0,
+            stdout="/other/repo/.git\n",
+        )
+        result = amw.assess_workspace_repo_membership(
+            workspace_path=BRANCHES_WORKTREE,
+            canonical_repo_root=CONTROL_ROOT,
+        )
+        self.assertTrue(result["block"])
+        self.assertIn("does not belong", result["reasons"][0])
+
+    @mock.patch("os.path.exists", return_value=False)
+    def test_missing_worktree_rejected(self, *_exists):
+        result = amw.assess_workspace_repo_membership(
+            workspace_path=f"{CONTROL_ROOT}/branches/missing-worktree",
+            canonical_repo_root=CONTROL_ROOT,
+        )
+        self.assertTrue(result["block"])
+        self.assertIn("does not exist", result["reasons"][0])
+
+
+class TestRuntimeContextGuardAlignment(unittest.TestCase):
+    def setUp(self):
+        srv._preflight_whoami_called = True
+        srv._preflight_capability_called = True
+        srv._preflight_resolved_role = "author"
+        self._orig_in_test = srv._preflight_in_test_mode
+        srv._preflight_in_test_mode = lambda: False
+        self._env_patch = mock.patch.dict(
+            os.environ,
+            {},
+            clear=False,
+        )
+        self._env_patch.start()
+        os.environ.pop("GITEA_ACTIVE_WORKTREE", None)
+        os.environ.pop("GITEA_AUTHOR_WORKTREE", None)
+
+    def tearDown(self):
+        srv._preflight_in_test_mode = self._orig_in_test
+        self._env_patch.stop()
+
+    def test_runtime_context_and_guard_share_resolved_workspace(self):
+        with mock.patch.object(srv, "PROJECT_ROOT", MCP_PROCESS_ROOT):
+            ctx = srv._resolve_author_mutation_context(BRANCHES_WORKTREE)
+            status = srv.assess_preflight_status(worktree_path=BRANCHES_WORKTREE)
+        self.assertEqual(ctx["workspace_path"], os.path.realpath(BRANCHES_WORKTREE))
+        self.assertEqual(ctx["canonical_repo_root"], CONTROL_ROOT)
+        self.assertFalse(ctx["roots_aligned"])
+        self.assertEqual(
+            status["preflight_workspace"]["active_task_workspace_root"],
+            os.path.realpath(BRANCHES_WORKTREE),
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(
+            status["preflight_workspace"]["canonical_repository_root"],
+            CONTROL_ROOT,
+        )
+        self.assertIn("workspace_root_mismatch", status["preflight_workspace"])
+
+    @mock.patch("subprocess.run")
+    @mock.patch("os.path.isdir", return_value=True)
+    @mock.patch("os.path.exists", return_value=True)
+    def test_declared_branches_worktree_passes_when_mcp_root_differs(
+        self, _exists, _isdir, mock_run
+    ):
+        mock_run.return_value = MagicMock(
+            returncode=0,
+            stdout=f"{CONTROL_ROOT}/.git\n",
+        )
+        with mock.patch.object(srv, "PROJECT_ROOT", MCP_PROCESS_ROOT):
+            with mock.patch.dict("os.environ", {"GITEA_TEST_PORCELAIN": ""}, clear=False):
+                srv.verify_preflight_purity(worktree_path=BRANCHES_WORKTREE)
+
+    def test_stable_checkout_still_rejected(self):
+        with mock.patch.object(srv, "PROJECT_ROOT", CONTROL_ROOT):
+            with mock.patch.dict("os.environ", {"GITEA_TEST_PORCELAIN": ""}, clear=False):
+                with self.assertRaises(RuntimeError) as ctx:
+                    srv.verify_preflight_purity()
+        self.assertIn("stable control checkout", str(ctx.exception))
+
+    @mock.patch("os.path.isdir", return_value=True)
+    @mock.patch("os.path.exists", return_value=True)
+    @mock.patch("subprocess.run")
+    def test_non_branches_worktree_rejected(self, mock_run, *_exists):
+        outside = "/tmp/outside-repo-checkout"
+        mock_run.return_value = MagicMock(
+            returncode=0,
+            stdout=f"{CONTROL_ROOT}/.git\n",
+        )
+        with mock.patch.object(srv, "PROJECT_ROOT", CONTROL_ROOT):
+            with mock.patch.dict("os.environ", {"GITEA_TEST_PORCELAIN": ""}, clear=False):
+                with self.assertRaises(RuntimeError) as ctx:
+                    srv.verify_preflight_purity(worktree_path=outside)
+        self.assertIn("not under", str(ctx.exception))
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    unittest.main()

tests/test_worktrees.py

@@ -20,33 +20,50 @@ def run(script, *args):
             branch = arg
             break
 
-    lock_file = Path("/tmp/gitea_issue_lock.json")
-    created_lock = False
+    lock_dir_ctx = None
+    extra_env = os.environ.copy()
     if script == "worktree-start" and branch:
         import re
-        import json
+        import tempfile
+        import issue_lock_store
+
         m = re.search(r"issue-(\d+)", branch)
         if not m:
             m = re.search(r"pr-(\d+)", branch)
         issue_num = int(m.group(1)) if m else 999
-        lock_file.write_text(json.dumps({
+        lock_dir_ctx = tempfile.TemporaryDirectory()
+        extra_env["GITEA_ISSUE_LOCK_DIR"] = lock_dir_ctx.name
+        record = {
             "issue_number": issue_num,
             "branch_name": branch,
             "remote": "prgs",
             "org": "Scaled-Tech-Consulting",
-            "repo": "Gitea-Tools"
-        }), encoding="utf-8")
-        created_lock = True
+            "repo": "Gitea-Tools",
+            "worktree_path": "/tmp/test-worktree",
+            "work_lease": {
+                "operation_type": "author_issue_work",
+                "expires_at": "2999-01-01T00:00:00Z",
+            },
+        }
+        path = issue_lock_store.lock_file_path(
+            remote="prgs",
+            org="Scaled-Tech-Consulting",
+            repo="Gitea-Tools",
+            issue_number=issue_num,
+            lock_dir=lock_dir_ctx.name,
+        )
+        issue_lock_store.save_lock_file(path, record)
 
     try:
         proc = subprocess.run(
             ["bash", str(SCRIPTS / script), *args],
             capture_output=True, text=True, cwd=str(REPO),
+            env=extra_env,
         )
         return proc.returncode, proc.stdout, proc.stderr
     finally:
-        if created_lock and lock_file.exists():
-            lock_file.unlink()
+        if lock_dir_ctx is not None:
+            lock_dir_ctx.cleanup()
 
 
 class TestWorktreeStart(unittest.TestCase):