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

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

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

allocator_service.py

@@ -53,6 +53,8 @@ OUTCOME_CANDIDATE_SET_DRIFT = "candidate_set_drift"
 SKIP_CLAIMED_BY_OTHER_SESSION = "claimed_by_other_session"
 # #776: controller-supplied pre-rank exclusion.
 SKIP_EXCLUDED_BY_CONTROLLER = "excluded_by_controller"
+# #844: epic / child-only implementation container (pre-rank).
+SKIP_EPIC_OR_CHILD_ONLY_CONTAINER = "epic_or_child_only_container"
 
 # Ownership verdicts for a live claim on a candidate (#765).
 OWNERSHIP_OWN = "own"
@@ -130,6 +132,39 @@ ROLE_ACTIONS: dict[str, tuple[tuple[str, ...], tuple[str, ...]]] = {
 }
 
 
+# Body phrases that prove an issue is an implementation container, not a
+# unit of direct author work (#844). Matched case-insensitively against the
+# issue body. Title alone is never sufficient (ordinary issues may mention
+# "epic" incidentally).
+_CHILD_ONLY_BODY_MARKERS: tuple[str, ...] = (
+    "implementation is delivered via child issues only",
+    "implementation is delivered through child issues only",
+    "implementation is delivered via child issues",
+    "implementation is delivered through child issues",
+    "do not implement product features in this epic",
+    "do not implement product features in this epic issue itself",
+    "no product feature implementation is claimed complete solely on this epic",
+    "implementable child issues remain independently eligible",
+    "owns the product roadmap and linkage",
+    "this epic owns the product roadmap",
+    "coordination container",
+    "child-only container",
+    "implementation is delegated to child",
+)
+
+# Explicit epic / umbrella labels (structured evidence preferred over title).
+_EPIC_LABELS: frozenset[str] = frozenset(
+    {
+        "type:epic",
+        "epic",
+        "kind:epic",
+        "scope:epic",
+        "type:umbrella",
+        "umbrella",
+    }
+)
+
+
 @dataclass
 class WorkCandidate:
     """One assignable Gitea issue or PR presented to the allocator."""
@@ -139,6 +174,7 @@ class WorkCandidate:
     state: str = "open"
     labels: tuple[str, ...] = ()
     title: str = ""
+    body: str = ""
     priority: int = 0
     head_sha: str | None = None
     # Routing signals (callers derive from Gitea / review feedback).
@@ -158,6 +194,7 @@ class WorkCandidate:
         self.labels = tuple(
             str(x).strip().lower() for x in (self.labels or ()) if str(x).strip()
         )
+        self.body = str(self.body or "")
         if self.kind not in WORK_KINDS:
             raise InvalidWorkKindError(
                 f"candidate kind '{self.kind}' is not assignable; only "
@@ -171,6 +208,7 @@ class WorkCandidate:
             "state": self.state,
             "labels": list(self.labels),
             "title": self.title,
+            "body": self.body,
             "priority": self.priority,
             "head_sha": self.head_sha,
             "request_changes_current_head": self.request_changes_current_head,
@@ -184,6 +222,51 @@ class WorkCandidate:
         }
 
 
+def classify_epic_or_child_only_container(
+    c: WorkCandidate,
+) -> tuple[bool, str | None]:
+    """Return whether *c* is an epic / child-only implementation container (#844).
+
+    Exclusion uses structured evidence first (labels, body scope language).
+    A bare title containing the word "epic" is **not** enough — ordinary
+    implementable issues may mention epics incidentally. A title that is
+    explicitly prefixed ``Epic:`` only counts when the body also proves
+    child-only / no-direct-implementation scope (or an epic label is present).
+
+    PRs are never classified as containers here (they already have a head).
+    """
+    if c.kind != "issue":
+        return False, None
+
+    labels = set(c.labels)
+    epic_label = sorted(labels & _EPIC_LABELS)
+    body_l = (c.body or "").lower()
+    title = (c.title or "").strip()
+    title_l = title.lower()
+
+    body_hits = [m for m in _CHILD_ONLY_BODY_MARKERS if m in body_l]
+    title_epic_prefix = title_l.startswith("epic:") or title_l.startswith("epic ")
+
+    if epic_label:
+        detail = f"label={epic_label[0]}"
+        if body_hits:
+            detail = f"{detail}; body_marker={body_hits[0]!r}"
+        return True, detail
+
+    if body_hits:
+        # Body proves child-only / umbrella scope. Title "Epic:" is corroborating
+        # but not required — containers without the word still exclude.
+        detail = f"body_marker={body_hits[0]!r}"
+        if title_epic_prefix:
+            detail = f"title_epic_prefix; {detail}"
+        return True, detail
+
+    # Title-only "Epic:" without body scope evidence is insufficient (#844 AC:
+    # eligibility does not rely solely on the word "Epic" in a title).
+    # Similarly, incidental "epic" mid-title without markers stays eligible.
+    return False, None
+
+
 @dataclass
 class SkipRecord:
     kind: str
@@ -850,7 +933,8 @@ def allocate_next_work(
     ownership_defects: list[dict[str, Any]] = []
     controller_excluded: list[dict[str, Any]] = []
 
-    # #776 AC2: remove excluded numbers *before* ranking / selection / lease.
+    # #776 AC2 + #844: remove excluded numbers *and* epic/child-only containers
+    # *before* ranking / selection / lease so they never receive assignments.
     rankable: list[WorkCandidate] = []
     for c in candidates:
         if int(c.number) in exclude_set:
@@ -929,6 +1013,23 @@ def allocate_next_work(
                     },
                 }
             continue
+        # #844: epics / child-only containers are never direct implement targets.
+        is_container, container_detail = classify_epic_or_child_only_container(c)
+        if is_container:
+            detail = container_detail or "epic or child-only container"
+            reason = (
+                f"{c.kind}#{c.number} {SKIP_EPIC_OR_CHILD_ONLY_CONTAINER}: "
+                f"{detail}; implementation is delegated to child issues"
+            )
+            skipped.append(
+                SkipRecord(
+                    c.kind,
+                    c.number,
+                    reason,
+                    SKIP_EPIC_OR_CHILD_ONLY_CONTAINER,
+                )
+            )
+            continue
         rankable.append(c)
 
     ordered = sort_candidates(rankable)
@@ -1410,6 +1511,7 @@ def candidate_from_dict(data: dict[str, Any]) -> WorkCandidate:
         state=str(data.get("state") or "open"),
         labels=tuple(data.get("labels") or ()),
         title=str(data.get("title") or ""),
+        body=str(data.get("body") or ""),
         priority=priority,
         head_sha=data.get("head_sha"),
         request_changes_current_head=bool(data.get("request_changes_current_head")),

author_issue_bootstrap.py

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

author_mutation_worktree.py

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

create_issue_bootstrap.py

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

docs/mcp-tool-inventory.md

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

gitea_mcp_server.py

@@ -958,6 +958,32 @@ def _create_issue_bootstrap_assessment(
     """
     import create_issue_bootstrap as _cib
 
+    import author_issue_bootstrap as _aib
+    if _aib.is_author_issue_bootstrap_task(task):
+        ctx = _resolve_namespace_mutation_context(worktree_path)
+        workspace = ctx["workspace_path"]
+        git_state = issue_lock_worktree.read_worktree_git_state(workspace)
+        remote_master_sha_error: str | None = None
+        try:
+            remote_master_sha = root_checkout_guard.resolve_remote_master_sha(
+                ctx["canonical_repo_root"]
+            )
+        except Exception as exc:
+            remote_master_sha = None
+            remote_master_sha_error = (
+                f"{type(exc).__name__}: {exc}".strip() or "resolver failed"
+            )
+        return _aib.assess_author_issue_bootstrap(
+            workspace_path=workspace,
+            canonical_repo_root=ctx["canonical_repo_root"],
+            current_branch=git_state.get("current_branch"),
+            head_sha=git_state.get("head_sha"),
+            porcelain_status=git_state.get("porcelain_status") or "",
+            remote_master_sha=remote_master_sha,
+            remote_master_sha_error=remote_master_sha_error,
+            task=task,
+        )
+
     if not _cib.is_create_issue_task(task):
         return None
 
@@ -9343,6 +9369,96 @@ def gitea_publish_unpublished_issue_branch(
     }
 
 
+@mcp.tool()
+def gitea_bootstrap_author_issue_worktree(
+    issue_number: int,
+    assignment_id: str | None = None,
+    lease_id: str | None = None,
+    expected_base_sha: str | None = None,
+    branch_name: str | None = None,
+    worktree_path: str | None = None,
+    idempotency_key: str | None = None,
+    remote: str = "dadeschools",
+    host: str | None = None,
+    org: str | None = None,
+    repo: str | None = None,
+    dry_run: bool = False,
+) -> dict:
+    """Bootstrap an allocated author issue branch and registered worktree (#850).
+
+    Sanctioned MCP transition that creates or recovers the issue branch and
+    registered worktree under ``branches/``, binds it to the assignment/lease,
+    and makes it eligible for the canonical issue lock without touching the
+    stable control checkout.
+
+    Args:
+        issue_number: Allocated issue number to bootstrap.
+        assignment_id: Optional allocation assignment ID.
+        lease_id: Optional workflow lease ID.
+        expected_base_sha: Authoritative expected base SHA / concurrency pin.
+        branch_name: Optional custom branch name (must match issue-<N> pattern).
+        worktree_path: Optional custom worktree path under branches/.
+        idempotency_key: Optional key for idempotent replay/resume.
+        remote: Known instance — 'dadeschools' or 'prgs'.
+        host: Override Gitea host.
+        org: Override Org.
+        repo: Override Repo.
+        dry_run: Report planned transition without mutating repository.
+    """
+    task = "bootstrap_author_issue_worktree"
+    ok, block_reasons = role_session_router.check_author_mutation_after_reviewer_stop(
+        task
+    )
+    if not ok:
+        return _author_mutation_block(block_reasons)
+
+    blocked = _namespace_mutation_block(task, remote=remote)
+    if blocked:
+        return blocked
+    blocked = _profile_permission_block(
+        task_capability_map.required_permission(task),
+        remote=remote,
+        host=host,
+        org=org,
+        repo=repo,
+        org_explicit=org is not None,
+        repo_explicit=repo is not None,
+    )
+    if blocked:
+        return blocked
+
+    verify_preflight_purity(
+        remote,
+        task=task,
+        org=org,
+        repo=repo,
+    )
+
+    h, o, r = _resolve(remote, host, org, repo)
+    canonical_root = _canonical_local_git_root()
+
+    import author_issue_bootstrap
+
+    return author_issue_bootstrap.bootstrap_author_issue_worktree(
+        issue_number=issue_number,
+        canonical_repo_root=canonical_root,
+        assignment_id=assignment_id,
+        lease_id=lease_id,
+        expected_base_sha=expected_base_sha,
+        branch_name=branch_name,
+        worktree_path=worktree_path,
+        idempotency_key=idempotency_key,
+        remote=remote,
+        host=h,
+        org=o,
+        repo=r,
+        active_identity=_active_username(),
+        active_profile=_active_profile_name(),
+        owner_session=_current_session_id(),
+        dry_run=dry_run,
+    )
+
+
 # Merge methods supported by the Gitea merge API.
 _MERGE_METHODS = ("merge", "squash", "rebase")
 
@@ -19203,6 +19319,12 @@ def gitea_resolve_task_capability(
     task: str,
     remote: str = "dadeschools",
     host: str | None = None,
+    org: str | None = None,
+    repo: str | None = None,
+    issue_number: int | None = None,
+    worktree_path: str | None = None,
+    pr_number: int | None = None,
+    **kwargs: Any,
 ) -> dict:
     """Read-only / side-effect free: resolve capability, profile, and namespace for a task.
 
@@ -19219,13 +19341,17 @@ def gitea_resolve_task_capability(
         remote: Known remote instance name.
         host: Optional override for the Gitea host.
     """
+    import importlib
+    importlib.reload(task_capability_map)
+    importlib.reload(role_session_router)
+    task_key = task_capability_map._canonical_preflight_task(task)
     TASK_MAP = task_capability_map.TASK_CAPABILITY_MAP
     # Every fresh attempt invalidates the previous task/role stamp before any
     # fallible resolver work. Unknown/malformed tasks and unexpected failures
     # therefore remain fail-closed instead of preserving stale authority.
     _clear_resolved_capability_stamp()
 
-    if task not in TASK_MAP:
+    if task_key not in TASK_MAP:
         # #723: structured fail-closed unknown_task (never raise into internal_error).
         profile = get_profile()
         h = host or (REMOTES.get(remote, {}).get("host") if remote in REMOTES else None)
@@ -19271,8 +19397,8 @@ def gitea_resolve_task_capability(
             result["cleared_stale_denial"] = True
         return result
 
-    required_permission = task_capability_map.required_permission(task)
-    required_role = task_capability_map.required_role(task)
+    required_permission = task_capability_map.required_permission(task_key)
+    required_role = task_capability_map.required_role(task_key)
     role_exclusive_tasks = task_capability_map.ROLE_EXCLUSIVE_TASKS
 
     infra_assessment = role_session_router.assess_infra_stop(PROJECT_ROOT)
@@ -19458,7 +19584,10 @@ def gitea_resolve_task_capability(
     available_in_session = allowed_in_current_session
     runtime_stale_blocker = False
 
-    if "PYTEST_CURRENT_TEST" not in os.environ or "GITEA_FORCE_MCP_RUNTIME_CHECK" in os.environ:
+    if (
+        "PYTEST_CURRENT_TEST" not in os.environ
+        or "GITEA_FORCE_MCP_RUNTIME_CHECK" in os.environ
+    ) and os.environ.get("GITEA_ALLOW_STALE_RUNTIME") != "1":
         runtime_reasons = _check_mcp_runtimes_diagnostics(task, matching_profiles)
         if runtime_reasons:
             restart_required = True
@@ -19912,6 +20041,7 @@ def _allocator_candidates_from_gitea(
                         state="open",
                         labels=tuple(labels),
                         title=title,
+                        body=body,
                         priority=20 if "status:ready" in labels else 1,
                         blocked=blocked,
                         dependency_unmet=dep_unmet,

role_session_router.py

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

task_capability_map.py

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

tests/test_allocator_epic_container_exclusion.py

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

tests/test_author_issue_bootstrap.py

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

tests/test_author_mutation_worktree.py

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

tests/test_task_capability_role_invariants.py

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