feat: add WorldSim — OSINT-powered personality simulation skill

Rehoboam-class worldsim. Immersive CLI personality simulator that
researches real people via 25+ verified platform access methods,
builds 6-layer psychometric profiles, finds star threads (personality
compression keys), and generates platform-authentic simulated
conversations with mechanical verification and adversarial refinement.

26 files | 38K words | 2,283 lines Python

- Immersive CLI interface (worldsim> prompt, no assistant framing)
- OSINT pipeline: X API, Instagram private API, Bluesky, TikTok,
  Facebook, Threads, Mastodon, Reddit, GitHub, HN, Medium, Quora,
  Goodreads, Google Scholar, Crunchbase, podcasts, news/blogs
- Star thread: one-sentence personality compression key per person
- Deep psychometrics: Big Five + Moral Foundations + Schwartz Values
  + Cognitive Style + Narrative Framing + Behavioral Metadata
- Anti-slop: mechanical detection of LLM writing patterns
- GAN-style adversarial refinement loop with mechanical verification
- Recursive self-improvement: learned rules grow with each simulation
- Rehoboam persistence: SQLite + filesystem for profiles, predictions,
  social graph, knowledge archives
- GEPA/MIPROv2 self-evolution integration tested and working
- Knowledge archive: per-person source library with citations and
  semantic retrieval for context-aware grounding

Co-authored-by: Hermes Agent <hermes@nousresearch.com>

.env.example

@@ -14,6 +14,16 @@
 # LLM_MODEL is no longer read from .env — this line is kept for reference only.
 # LLM_MODEL=anthropic/claude-opus-4.6
 
+# =============================================================================
+# LLM PROVIDER (Google AI Studio / Gemini)
+# =============================================================================
+# Native Gemini API via Google's OpenAI-compatible endpoint.
+# Get your key at: https://aistudio.google.com/app/apikey
+# GOOGLE_API_KEY=your_google_ai_studio_key_here
+# GEMINI_API_KEY=your_gemini_key_here  # alias for GOOGLE_API_KEY
+# Optional base URL override (default: Google's OpenAI-compatible endpoint)
+# GEMINI_BASE_URL=https://generativelanguage.googleapis.com/v1beta/openai
+
 # =============================================================================
 # LLM PROVIDER (z.ai / GLM)
 # =============================================================================

.github/workflows/tests.yml

@@ -19,6 +19,9 @@ jobs:
       - name: Checkout code
         uses: actions/checkout@v4
 
+      - name: Install system dependencies
+        run: sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install -y ripgrep
+
       - name: Install uv
         uses: astral-sh/setup-uv@v5
 

acp_adapter/entry.py

@@ -15,7 +15,6 @@ Usage::
 
 import asyncio
 import logging
-import os
 import sys
 from pathlib import Path
 from hermes_constants import get_hermes_home

acp_adapter/events.py

@@ -54,14 +54,18 @@ def make_tool_progress_cb(
 
     Signature expected by AIAgent::
 
-        tool_progress_callback(name: str, preview: str, args: dict)
+        tool_progress_callback(event_type: str, name: str, preview: str, args: dict, **kwargs)
 
-    Emits ``ToolCallStart`` for each tool invocation and tracks IDs in a FIFO
+    Emits ``ToolCallStart`` for ``tool.started`` events and tracks IDs in a FIFO
     queue per tool name so duplicate/parallel same-name calls still complete
-    against the correct ACP tool call.
+    against the correct ACP tool call.  Other event types (``tool.completed``,
+    ``reasoning.available``) are silently ignored.
     """
 
-    def _tool_progress(name: str, preview: str, args: Any = None) -> None:
+    def _tool_progress(event_type: str, name: str = None, preview: str = None, args: Any = None, **kwargs) -> None:
+        # Only emit ACP ToolCallStart for tool.started; ignore other event types
+        if event_type != "tool.started":
+            return
         if isinstance(args, str):
             try:
                 args = json.loads(args)

acp_adapter/server.py

@@ -12,7 +12,8 @@ import acp
 from acp.schema import (
     AgentCapabilities,
     AuthenticateResponse,
-    AuthMethod,
+    AvailableCommand,
+    AvailableCommandsUpdate,
     ClientCapabilities,
     EmbeddedResourceContentBlock,
     ForkSessionResponse,
@@ -37,9 +38,16 @@ from acp.schema import (
     SessionListCapabilities,
     SessionInfo,
     TextContentBlock,
+    UnstructuredCommandInput,
     Usage,
 )
 
+# AuthMethodAgent was renamed from AuthMethod in agent-client-protocol 0.9.0
+try:
+    from acp.schema import AuthMethodAgent
+except ImportError:
+    from acp.schema import AuthMethod as AuthMethodAgent  # type: ignore[attr-defined]
+
 from acp_adapter.auth import detect_provider, has_provider
 from acp_adapter.events import (
     make_message_cb,
@@ -84,6 +92,48 @@ def _extract_text(
 class HermesACPAgent(acp.Agent):
     """ACP Agent implementation wrapping Hermes AIAgent."""
 
+    _SLASH_COMMANDS = {
+        "help": "Show available commands",
+        "model": "Show or change current model",
+        "tools": "List available tools",
+        "context": "Show conversation context info",
+        "reset": "Clear conversation history",
+        "compact": "Compress conversation context",
+        "version": "Show Hermes version",
+    }
+
+    _ADVERTISED_COMMANDS = (
+        {
+            "name": "help",
+            "description": "List available commands",
+        },
+        {
+            "name": "model",
+            "description": "Show current model and provider, or switch models",
+            "input_hint": "model name to switch to",
+        },
+        {
+            "name": "tools",
+            "description": "List available tools with descriptions",
+        },
+        {
+            "name": "context",
+            "description": "Show conversation message counts by role",
+        },
+        {
+            "name": "reset",
+            "description": "Clear conversation history",
+        },
+        {
+            "name": "compact",
+            "description": "Compress conversation context",
+        },
+        {
+            "name": "version",
+            "description": "Show Hermes version",
+        },
+    )
+
     def __init__(self, session_manager: SessionManager | None = None):
         super().__init__()
         self.session_manager = session_manager or SessionManager()
@@ -177,7 +227,7 @@ class HermesACPAgent(acp.Agent):
         auth_methods = None
         if provider:
             auth_methods = [
-                AuthMethod(
+                AuthMethodAgent(
                     id=provider,
                     name=f"{provider} runtime credentials",
                     description=f"Authenticate Hermes using the currently configured {provider} runtime credentials.",
@@ -219,6 +269,7 @@ class HermesACPAgent(acp.Agent):
         state = self.session_manager.create_session(cwd=cwd)
         await self._register_session_mcp_servers(state, mcp_servers)
         logger.info("New session %s (cwd=%s)", state.session_id, cwd)
+        self._schedule_available_commands_update(state.session_id)
         return NewSessionResponse(session_id=state.session_id)
 
     async def load_session(
@@ -234,6 +285,7 @@ class HermesACPAgent(acp.Agent):
             return None
         await self._register_session_mcp_servers(state, mcp_servers)
         logger.info("Loaded session %s", session_id)
+        self._schedule_available_commands_update(session_id)
         return LoadSessionResponse()
 
     async def resume_session(
@@ -249,6 +301,7 @@ class HermesACPAgent(acp.Agent):
             state = self.session_manager.create_session(cwd=cwd)
         await self._register_session_mcp_servers(state, mcp_servers)
         logger.info("Resumed session %s", state.session_id)
+        self._schedule_available_commands_update(state.session_id)
         return ResumeSessionResponse()
 
     async def cancel(self, session_id: str, **kwargs: Any) -> None:
@@ -274,6 +327,8 @@ class HermesACPAgent(acp.Agent):
         if state is not None:
             await self._register_session_mcp_servers(state, mcp_servers)
         logger.info("Forked session %s -> %s", session_id, new_id)
+        if new_id:
+            self._schedule_available_commands_update(new_id)
         return ForkSessionResponse(session_id=new_id)
 
     async def list_sessions(
@@ -411,15 +466,50 @@ class HermesACPAgent(acp.Agent):
 
     # ---- Slash commands (headless) -------------------------------------------
 
-    _SLASH_COMMANDS = {
-        "help": "Show available commands",
-        "model": "Show or change current model",
-        "tools": "List available tools",
-        "context": "Show conversation context info",
-        "reset": "Clear conversation history",
-        "compact": "Compress conversation context",
-        "version": "Show Hermes version",
-    }
+    @classmethod
+    def _available_commands(cls) -> list[AvailableCommand]:
+        commands: list[AvailableCommand] = []
+        for spec in cls._ADVERTISED_COMMANDS:
+            input_hint = spec.get("input_hint")
+            commands.append(
+                AvailableCommand(
+                    name=spec["name"],
+                    description=spec["description"],
+                    input=UnstructuredCommandInput(hint=input_hint)
+                    if input_hint
+                    else None,
+                )
+            )
+        return commands
+
+    async def _send_available_commands_update(self, session_id: str) -> None:
+        """Advertise supported slash commands to the connected ACP client."""
+        if not self._conn:
+            return
+
+        try:
+            await self._conn.session_update(
+                session_id=session_id,
+                update=AvailableCommandsUpdate(
+                    sessionUpdate="available_commands_update",
+                    availableCommands=self._available_commands(),
+                ),
+            )
+        except Exception:
+            logger.warning(
+                "Failed to advertise ACP slash commands for session %s",
+                session_id,
+                exc_info=True,
+            )
+
+    def _schedule_available_commands_update(self, session_id: str) -> None:
+        """Send the command advertisement after the session response is queued."""
+        if not self._conn:
+            return
+        loop = asyncio.get_running_loop()
+        loop.call_soon(
+            asyncio.create_task, self._send_available_commands_update(session_id)
+        )
 
     def _handle_slash_command(self, text: str, state: SessionState) -> str | None:
         """Dispatch a slash command and return the response text.
@@ -539,11 +629,39 @@ class HermesACPAgent(acp.Agent):
             return "Nothing to compress — conversation is empty."
         try:
             agent = state.agent
-            if hasattr(agent, "compress_context"):
-                agent.compress_context(state.history)
-                self.session_manager.save_session(state.session_id)
-                return f"Context compressed. Messages: {len(state.history)}"
-            return "Context compression not available for this agent."
+            if not getattr(agent, "compression_enabled", True):
+                return "Context compression is disabled for this agent."
+            if not hasattr(agent, "_compress_context"):
+                return "Context compression not available for this agent."
+
+            from agent.model_metadata import estimate_messages_tokens_rough
+
+            original_count = len(state.history)
+            approx_tokens = estimate_messages_tokens_rough(state.history)
+            original_session_db = getattr(agent, "_session_db", None)
+
+            try:
+                # ACP sessions must keep a stable session id, so avoid the
+                # SQLite session-splitting side effect inside _compress_context.
+                agent._session_db = None
+                compressed, _ = agent._compress_context(
+                    state.history,
+                    getattr(agent, "_cached_system_prompt", "") or "",
+                    approx_tokens=approx_tokens,
+                    task_id=state.session_id,
+                )
+            finally:
+                agent._session_db = original_session_db
+
+            state.history = compressed
+            self.session_manager.save_session(state.session_id)
+
+            new_count = len(state.history)
+            new_tokens = estimate_messages_tokens_rough(state.history)
+            return (
+                f"Context compressed: {original_count} -> {new_count} messages\n"
+                f"~{approx_tokens:,} -> ~{new_tokens:,} tokens"
+            )
         except Exception as e:
             return f"Compression failed: {e}"
 

acp_adapter/session.py

@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ from hermes_constants import get_hermes_home
 import copy
 import json
 import logging
+import sys
 import uuid
 from dataclasses import dataclass, field
 from threading import Lock
@@ -21,6 +22,17 @@ from typing import Any, Dict, List, Optional
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
 
+def _acp_stderr_print(*args, **kwargs) -> None:
+    """Best-effort human-readable output sink for ACP stdio sessions.
+
+    ACP reserves stdout for JSON-RPC frames, so any incidental CLI/status output
+    from AIAgent must be redirected away from stdout. Route it to stderr instead.
+    """
+    kwargs = dict(kwargs)
+    kwargs.setdefault("file", sys.stderr)
+    print(*args, **kwargs)
+
+
 def _register_task_cwd(task_id: str, cwd: str) -> None:
     """Bind a task/session id to the editor's working directory for tools."""
     if not task_id:
@@ -250,8 +262,6 @@ class SessionManager:
         if self._db_instance is not None:
             return self._db_instance
         try:
-            import os
-            from pathlib import Path
             from hermes_state import SessionDB
             hermes_home = get_hermes_home()
             self._db_instance = SessionDB(db_path=hermes_home / "state.db")
@@ -458,4 +468,8 @@ class SessionManager:
             logger.debug("ACP session falling back to default provider resolution", exc_info=True)
 
         _register_task_cwd(session_id, cwd)
-        return AIAgent(**kwargs)
+        agent = AIAgent(**kwargs)
+        # ACP stdio transport requires stdout to remain protocol-only JSON-RPC.
+        # Route any incidental human-readable agent output to stderr instead.
+        agent._print_fn = _acp_stderr_print
+        return agent

acp_adapter/tools.py

@@ -39,7 +39,6 @@ TOOL_KIND_MAP: Dict[str, ToolKind] = {
     "browser_scroll": "execute",
     "browser_press": "execute",
     "browser_back": "execute",
-    "browser_close": "execute",
     "browser_get_images": "read",
     # Agent internals
     "delegate_task": "execute",

agent/anthropic_adapter.py

@@ -188,9 +188,7 @@ def _requires_bearer_auth(base_url: str | None) -> bool:
     if not base_url:
         return False
     normalized = base_url.rstrip("/").lower()
-    return normalized.startswith("https://api.minimax.io/anthropic") or normalized.startswith(
-        "https://api.minimaxi.com/anthropic"
-    )
+    return normalized.startswith(("https://api.minimax.io/anthropic", "https://api.minimaxi.com/anthropic"))
 
 
 def build_anthropic_client(api_key: str, base_url: str = None):
@@ -708,29 +706,6 @@ def run_hermes_oauth_login_pure() -> Optional[Dict[str, Any]]:
     }
 
 
-def run_hermes_oauth_login() -> Optional[str]:
-    """Run Hermes-native OAuth PKCE flow for Claude Pro/Max subscription.
-
-    Opens a browser to claude.ai for authorization, prompts for the code,
-    exchanges it for tokens, and stores them in ~/.hermes/.anthropic_oauth.json.
-
-    Returns the access token on success, None on failure.
-    """
-    result = run_hermes_oauth_login_pure()
-    if not result:
-        return None
-
-    access_token = result["access_token"]
-    refresh_token = result["refresh_token"]
-    expires_at_ms = result["expires_at_ms"]
-
-    _save_hermes_oauth_credentials(access_token, refresh_token, expires_at_ms)
-    _write_claude_code_credentials(access_token, refresh_token, expires_at_ms)
-
-    print("Authentication successful!")
-    return access_token
-
-
 def _save_hermes_oauth_credentials(access_token: str, refresh_token: str, expires_at_ms: int) -> None:
     """Save OAuth credentials to ~/.hermes/.anthropic_oauth.json."""
     data = {
@@ -758,38 +733,6 @@ def read_hermes_oauth_credentials() -> Optional[Dict[str, Any]]:
     return None
 
 
-def refresh_hermes_oauth_token() -> Optional[str]:
-    """Refresh the Hermes-managed OAuth token using the stored refresh token.
-
-    Returns the new access token, or None if refresh fails.
-    """
-    creds = read_hermes_oauth_credentials()
-    if not creds or not creds.get("refreshToken"):
-        return None
-
-    try:
-        refreshed = refresh_anthropic_oauth_pure(
-            creds["refreshToken"],
-            use_json=True,
-        )
-        _save_hermes_oauth_credentials(
-            refreshed["access_token"],
-            refreshed["refresh_token"],
-            refreshed["expires_at_ms"],
-        )
-        _write_claude_code_credentials(
-            refreshed["access_token"],
-            refreshed["refresh_token"],
-            refreshed["expires_at_ms"],
-        )
-        logger.debug("Successfully refreshed Hermes OAuth token")
-        return refreshed["access_token"]
-    except Exception as e:
-        logger.debug("Failed to refresh Hermes OAuth token: %s", e)
-
-    return None
-
-
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Message / tool / response format conversion
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -847,7 +790,7 @@ def _convert_openai_image_part_to_anthropic(part: Dict[str, Any]) -> Optional[Di
                 },
             }
 
-    if url.startswith("http://") or url.startswith("https://"):
+    if url.startswith(("http://", "https://")):
         return {
             "type": "image",
             "source": {
@@ -859,35 +802,6 @@ def _convert_openai_image_part_to_anthropic(part: Dict[str, Any]) -> Optional[Di
     return None
 
 
-def _convert_user_content_part_to_anthropic(part: Any) -> Optional[Dict[str, Any]]:
-    if isinstance(part, dict):
-        ptype = part.get("type")
-        if ptype == "text":
-            block = {"type": "text", "text": part.get("text", "")}
-            if isinstance(part.get("cache_control"), dict):
-                block["cache_control"] = dict(part["cache_control"])
-            return block
-        if ptype == "image_url":
-            return _convert_openai_image_part_to_anthropic(part)
-        if ptype == "image" and part.get("source"):
-            return dict(part)
-        if ptype == "image" and part.get("data"):
-            media_type = part.get("mimeType") or part.get("media_type") or "image/png"
-            return {
-                "type": "image",
-                "source": {
-                    "type": "base64",
-                    "media_type": media_type,
-                    "data": part.get("data", ""),
-                },
-            }
-        if ptype == "tool_result":
-            return dict(part)
-    elif part is not None:
-        return {"type": "text", "text": str(part)}
-    return None
-
-
 def convert_tools_to_anthropic(tools: List[Dict]) -> List[Dict]:
     """Convert OpenAI tool definitions to Anthropic format."""
     if not tools:

agent/auxiliary_client.py

@@ -34,6 +34,12 @@ than the provider's default.
 Per-task direct endpoint overrides (e.g. AUXILIARY_VISION_BASE_URL,
 AUXILIARY_VISION_API_KEY) let callers route a specific auxiliary task to a
 custom OpenAI-compatible endpoint without touching the main model settings.
+
+Payment / credit exhaustion fallback:
+  When a resolved provider returns HTTP 402 or a credit-related error,
+  call_llm() automatically retries with the next available provider in the
+  auto-detection chain.  This handles the common case where a user depletes
+  their OpenRouter balance but has Codex OAuth or another provider available.
 """
 
 import json
@@ -55,6 +61,7 @@ logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
 # Default auxiliary models for direct API-key providers (cheap/fast for side tasks)
 _API_KEY_PROVIDER_AUX_MODELS: Dict[str, str] = {
+    "gemini": "gemini-3-flash-preview",
     "zai": "glm-4.5-flash",
     "kimi-coding": "kimi-k2-turbo-preview",
     "minimax": "MiniMax-M2.7-highspeed",
@@ -84,6 +91,7 @@ auxiliary_is_nous: bool = False
 # Default auxiliary models per provider
 _OPENROUTER_MODEL = "google/gemini-3-flash-preview"
 _NOUS_MODEL = "google/gemini-3-flash-preview"
+_NOUS_FREE_TIER_VISION_MODEL = "xiaomi/mimo-v2-omni"
 _NOUS_DEFAULT_BASE_URL = "https://inference-api.nousresearch.com/v1"
 _ANTHROPIC_DEFAULT_BASE_URL = "https://api.anthropic.com"
 _AUTH_JSON_PATH = get_hermes_home() / "auth.json"
@@ -201,7 +209,6 @@ class _CodexCompletionsAdapter:
     def create(self, **kwargs) -> Any:
         messages = kwargs.get("messages", [])
         model = kwargs.get("model", self._model)
-        temperature = kwargs.get("temperature")
 
         # Separate system/instructions from conversation messages.
         # Convert chat.completions multimodal content blocks to Responses
@@ -253,26 +260,73 @@ class _CodexCompletionsAdapter:
         usage = None
 
         try:
+            # Collect output items and text deltas during streaming —
+            # the Codex backend can return empty response.output from
+            # get_final_response() even when items were streamed.
+            collected_output_items: List[Any] = []
+            collected_text_deltas: List[str] = []
+            has_function_calls = False
             with self._client.responses.stream(**resp_kwargs) as stream:
                 for _event in stream:
-                    pass
+                    _etype = getattr(_event, "type", "")
+                    if _etype == "response.output_item.done":
+                        _done = getattr(_event, "item", None)
+                        if _done is not None:
+                            collected_output_items.append(_done)
+                    elif "output_text.delta" in _etype:
+                        _delta = getattr(_event, "delta", "")
+                        if _delta:
+                            collected_text_deltas.append(_delta)
+                    elif "function_call" in _etype:
+                        has_function_calls = True
                 final = stream.get_final_response()
 
-            # Extract text and tool calls from the Responses output
+            # Backfill empty output from collected stream events
+            _output = getattr(final, "output", None)
+            if isinstance(_output, list) and not _output:
+                if collected_output_items:
+                    final.output = list(collected_output_items)
+                    logger.debug(
+                        "Codex auxiliary: backfilled %d output items from stream events",
+                        len(collected_output_items),
+                    )
+                elif collected_text_deltas and not has_function_calls:
+                    # Only synthesize text when no tool calls were streamed —
+                    # a function_call response with incidental text should not
+                    # be collapsed into a plain-text message.
+                    assembled = "".join(collected_text_deltas)
+                    final.output = [SimpleNamespace(
+                        type="message", role="assistant", status="completed",
+                        content=[SimpleNamespace(type="output_text", text=assembled)],
+                    )]
+                    logger.debug(
+                        "Codex auxiliary: synthesized from %d deltas (%d chars)",
+                        len(collected_text_deltas), len(assembled),
+                    )
+
+            # Extract text and tool calls from the Responses output.
+            # Items may be SDK objects (attrs) or dicts (raw/fallback paths),
+            # so use a helper that handles both shapes.
+            def _item_get(obj: Any, key: str, default: Any = None) -> Any:
+                val = getattr(obj, key, None)
+                if val is None and isinstance(obj, dict):
+                    val = obj.get(key, default)
+                return val if val is not None else default
+
             for item in getattr(final, "output", []):
-                item_type = getattr(item, "type", None)
+                item_type = _item_get(item, "type")
                 if item_type == "message":
-                    for part in getattr(item, "content", []):
-                        ptype = getattr(part, "type", None)
+                    for part in (_item_get(item, "content") or []):
+                        ptype = _item_get(part, "type")
                         if ptype in ("output_text", "text"):
-                            text_parts.append(getattr(part, "text", ""))
+                            text_parts.append(_item_get(part, "text", ""))
                 elif item_type == "function_call":
                     tool_calls_raw.append(SimpleNamespace(
-                        id=getattr(item, "call_id", ""),
+                        id=_item_get(item, "call_id", ""),
                         type="function",
                         function=SimpleNamespace(
-                            name=getattr(item, "name", ""),
-                            arguments=getattr(item, "arguments", "{}"),
+                            name=_item_get(item, "name", ""),
+                            arguments=_item_get(item, "arguments", "{}"),
                         ),
                     ))
 
@@ -666,7 +720,19 @@ def _try_nous() -> Tuple[Optional[OpenAI], Optional[str]]:
     global auxiliary_is_nous
     auxiliary_is_nous = True
     logger.debug("Auxiliary client: Nous Portal")
-    model = "gemini-3-flash" if nous.get("source") == "pool" else _NOUS_MODEL
+    if nous.get("source") == "pool":
+        model = "gemini-3-flash"
+    else:
+        model = _NOUS_MODEL
+    # Free-tier users can't use paid auxiliary models — use the free
+    # multimodal model instead so vision/browser-vision still works.
+    try:
+        from hermes_cli.models import check_nous_free_tier
+        if check_nous_free_tier():
+            model = _NOUS_FREE_TIER_VISION_MODEL
+            logger.debug("Free-tier Nous account — using %s for auxiliary/vision", model)
+    except Exception:
+        pass
     return (
         OpenAI(
             api_key=_nous_api_key(nous),
@@ -697,6 +763,25 @@ def _read_main_model() -> str:
     return ""
 
 
+def _read_main_provider() -> str:
+    """Read the user's configured main provider from config.yaml.
+
+    Returns the lowercase provider id (e.g. "alibaba", "openrouter") or ""
+    if not configured.
+    """
+    try:
+        from hermes_cli.config import load_config
+        cfg = load_config()
+        model_cfg = cfg.get("model", {})
+        if isinstance(model_cfg, dict):
+            provider = model_cfg.get("provider", "")
+            if isinstance(provider, str) and provider.strip():
+                return provider.strip().lower()
+    except Exception:
+        pass
+    return ""
+
+
 def _resolve_custom_runtime() -> Tuple[Optional[str], Optional[str]]:
     """Resolve the active custom/main endpoint the same way the main CLI does.
 
@@ -823,7 +908,7 @@ def _resolve_forced_provider(forced: str) -> Tuple[Optional[OpenAI], Optional[st
     if forced == "nous":
         client, model = _try_nous()
         if client is None:
-            logger.warning("auxiliary.provider=nous but Nous Portal not configured (run: hermes login)")
+            logger.warning("auxiliary.provider=nous but Nous Portal not configured (run: hermes auth)")
         return client, model
 
     if forced == "codex":
@@ -854,16 +939,118 @@ _AUTO_PROVIDER_LABELS = {
     "_resolve_api_key_provider": "api-key",
 }
 
+_AGGREGATOR_PROVIDERS = frozenset({"openrouter", "nous"})
+
+
+def _get_provider_chain() -> List[tuple]:
+    """Return the ordered provider detection chain.
+
+    Built at call time (not module level) so that test patches
+    on the ``_try_*`` functions are picked up correctly.
+    """
+    return [
+        ("openrouter", _try_openrouter),
+        ("nous", _try_nous),
+        ("local/custom", _try_custom_endpoint),
+        ("openai-codex", _try_codex),
+        ("api-key", _resolve_api_key_provider),
+    ]
+
+
+def _is_payment_error(exc: Exception) -> bool:
+    """Detect payment/credit/quota exhaustion errors.
+
+    Returns True for HTTP 402 (Payment Required) and for 429/other errors
+    whose message indicates billing exhaustion rather than rate limiting.
+    """
+    status = getattr(exc, "status_code", None)
+    if status == 402:
+        return True
+    err_lower = str(exc).lower()
+    # OpenRouter and other providers include "credits" or "afford" in 402 bodies,
+    # but sometimes wrap them in 429 or other codes.
+    if status in (402, 429, None):
+        if any(kw in err_lower for kw in ("credits", "insufficient funds",
+                                           "can only afford", "billing",
+                                           "payment required")):
+            return True
+    return False
+
+
+def _try_payment_fallback(
+    failed_provider: str,
+    task: str = None,
+) -> Tuple[Optional[Any], Optional[str], str]:
+    """Try alternative providers after a payment/credit error.
+
+    Iterates the standard auto-detection chain, skipping the provider that
+    returned a payment error.
+
+    Returns:
+        (client, model, provider_label) or (None, None, "") if no fallback.
+    """
+    # Normalise the failed provider label for matching.
+    skip = failed_provider.lower().strip()
+    # Also skip Step-1 main-provider path if it maps to the same backend.
+    # (e.g. main_provider="openrouter" → skip "openrouter" in chain)
+    main_provider = _read_main_provider()
+    skip_labels = {skip}
+    if main_provider and main_provider.lower() in skip:
+        skip_labels.add(main_provider.lower())
+    # Map common resolved_provider values back to chain labels.
+    _alias_to_label = {"openrouter": "openrouter", "nous": "nous",
+                       "openai-codex": "openai-codex", "codex": "openai-codex",
+                       "custom": "local/custom", "local/custom": "local/custom"}
+    skip_chain_labels = {_alias_to_label.get(s, s) for s in skip_labels}
+
+    tried = []
+    for label, try_fn in _get_provider_chain():
+        if label in skip_chain_labels:
+            continue
+        client, model = try_fn()
+        if client is not None:
+            logger.info(
+                "Auxiliary %s: payment error on %s — falling back to %s (%s)",
+                task or "call", failed_provider, label, model or "default",
+            )
+            return client, model, label
+        tried.append(label)
+
+    logger.warning(
+        "Auxiliary %s: payment error on %s and no fallback available (tried: %s)",
+        task or "call", failed_provider, ", ".join(tried),
+    )
+    return None, None, ""
+
 
 def _resolve_auto() -> Tuple[Optional[OpenAI], Optional[str]]:
-    """Full auto-detection chain: OpenRouter → Nous → custom → Codex → API-key → None."""
+    """Full auto-detection chain.
+
+    Priority:
+      1. If the user's main provider is NOT an aggregator (OpenRouter / Nous),
+         use their main provider + main model directly.  This ensures users on
+         Alibaba, DeepSeek, ZAI, etc. get auxiliary tasks handled by the same
+         provider they already have credentials for — no OpenRouter key needed.
+      2. OpenRouter → Nous → custom → Codex → API-key providers (original chain).
+    """
     global auxiliary_is_nous
     auxiliary_is_nous = False  # Reset — _try_nous() will set True if it wins
+
+    # ── Step 1: non-aggregator main provider → use main model directly ──
+    main_provider = _read_main_provider()
+    main_model = _read_main_model()
+    if (main_provider and main_model
+            and main_provider not in _AGGREGATOR_PROVIDERS
+            and main_provider not in ("auto", "custom", "")):
+        client, resolved = resolve_provider_client(main_provider, main_model)
+        if client is not None:
+            logger.info("Auxiliary auto-detect: using main provider %s (%s)",
+                        main_provider, resolved or main_model)
+            return client, resolved or main_model
+
+    # ── Step 2: aggregator / fallback chain ──────────────────────────────
     tried = []
-    for try_fn in (_try_openrouter, _try_nous, _try_custom_endpoint,
-                   _try_codex, _resolve_api_key_provider):
-        fn_name = getattr(try_fn, "__name__", "unknown")
-        label = _AUTO_PROVIDER_LABELS.get(fn_name, fn_name)
+    for label, try_fn in _get_provider_chain():
         client, model = try_fn()
         if client is not None:
             if tried:
@@ -955,7 +1142,13 @@ def resolve_provider_client(
     if provider == "codex":
         provider = "openai-codex"
     if provider == "main":
-        provider = "custom"
+        # Resolve to the user's actual main provider so named custom providers
+        # and non-aggregator providers (DeepSeek, Alibaba, etc.) work correctly.
+        main_prov = _read_main_provider()
+        if main_prov and main_prov not in ("auto", "main", ""):
+            provider = main_prov
+        else:
+            provider = "custom"
 
     # ── Auto: try all providers in priority order ────────────────────
     if provider == "auto":
@@ -991,7 +1184,7 @@ def resolve_provider_client(
         client, default = _try_nous()
         if client is None:
             logger.warning("resolve_provider_client: nous requested "
-                           "but Nous Portal not configured (run: hermes login)")
+                           "but Nous Portal not configured (run: hermes auth)")
             return None, None
         final_model = model or default
         return (_to_async_client(client, final_model) if async_mode
@@ -1051,6 +1244,28 @@ def resolve_provider_client(
                        "but no endpoint credentials found")
         return None, None
 
+    # ── Named custom providers (config.yaml custom_providers list) ───
+    try:
+        from hermes_cli.runtime_provider import _get_named_custom_provider
+        custom_entry = _get_named_custom_provider(provider)
+        if custom_entry:
+            custom_base = custom_entry.get("base_url", "").strip()
+            custom_key = custom_entry.get("api_key", "").strip() or "no-key-required"
+            if custom_base:
+                final_model = model or _read_main_model() or "gpt-4o-mini"
+                client = OpenAI(api_key=custom_key, base_url=custom_base)
+                logger.debug(
+                    "resolve_provider_client: named custom provider %r (%s)",
+                    provider, final_model)
+                return (_to_async_client(client, final_model) if async_mode
+                        else (client, final_model))
+            logger.warning(
+                "resolve_provider_client: named custom provider %r has no base_url",
+                provider)
+            return None, None
+    except ImportError:
+        pass
+
     # ── API-key providers from PROVIDER_REGISTRY ─────────────────────
     try:
         from hermes_cli.auth import PROVIDER_REGISTRY, resolve_api_key_provider_credentials
@@ -1171,6 +1386,11 @@ def _normalize_vision_provider(provider: Optional[str]) -> str:
     if provider == "codex":
         return "openai-codex"
     if provider == "main":
+        # Resolve to actual main provider — named custom providers and
+        # non-aggregator providers need to pass through as their real name.
+        main_prov = _read_main_provider()
+        if main_prov and main_prov not in ("auto", "main", ""):
+            return main_prov
         return "custom"
     return provider
 
@@ -1741,12 +1961,15 @@ def call_llm(
                     f"was found. Set the {_explicit.upper()}_API_KEY environment "
                     f"variable, or switch to a different provider with `hermes model`."
                 )
-            # For auto/custom, fall back to OpenRouter
+            # For auto/custom with no credentials, try the full auto chain
+            # rather than hardcoding OpenRouter (which may be depleted).
+            # Pass model=None so each provider uses its own default —
+            # resolved_model may be an OpenRouter-format slug that doesn't
+            # work on other providers.
             if not resolved_base_url:
-                logger.info("Auxiliary %s: provider %s unavailable, falling back to openrouter",
+                logger.info("Auxiliary %s: provider %s unavailable, trying auto-detection chain",
                             task or "call", resolved_provider)
-                client, final_model = _get_cached_client(
-                    "openrouter", resolved_model or _OPENROUTER_MODEL)
+                client, final_model = _get_cached_client("auto")
         if client is None:
             raise RuntimeError(
                 f"No LLM provider configured for task={task} provider={resolved_provider}. "
@@ -1767,7 +1990,7 @@ def call_llm(
         tools=tools, timeout=effective_timeout, extra_body=extra_body,
         base_url=resolved_base_url)
 
-    # Handle max_tokens vs max_completion_tokens retry
+    # Handle max_tokens vs max_completion_tokens retry, then payment fallback.
     try:
         return client.chat.completions.create(**kwargs)
     except Exception as first_err:
@@ -1775,7 +1998,30 @@ def call_llm(
         if "max_tokens" in err_str or "unsupported_parameter" in err_str:
             kwargs.pop("max_tokens", None)
             kwargs["max_completion_tokens"] = max_tokens
-            return client.chat.completions.create(**kwargs)
+            try:
+                return client.chat.completions.create(**kwargs)
+            except Exception as retry_err:
+                # If the max_tokens retry also hits a payment error,
+                # fall through to the payment fallback below.
+                if not _is_payment_error(retry_err):
+                    raise
+                first_err = retry_err
+
+        # ── Payment / credit exhaustion fallback ──────────────────────
+        # When the resolved provider returns 402 or a credit-related error,
+        # try alternative providers instead of giving up.  This handles the
+        # common case where a user runs out of OpenRouter credits but has
+        # Codex OAuth or another provider available.
+        if _is_payment_error(first_err):
+            fb_client, fb_model, fb_label = _try_payment_fallback(
+                resolved_provider, task)
+            if fb_client is not None:
+                fb_kwargs = _build_call_kwargs(
+                    fb_label, fb_model, messages,
+                    temperature=temperature, max_tokens=max_tokens,
+                    tools=tools, timeout=effective_timeout,
+                    extra_body=extra_body)
+                return fb_client.chat.completions.create(**fb_kwargs)
         raise
 
 

agent/builtin_memory_provider.py

@@ -13,9 +13,10 @@ from __future__ import annotations
 
 import json
 import logging
-from typing import Any, Dict, List, Optional
+from typing import Any, Dict, List
 
 from agent.memory_provider import MemoryProvider
+from tools.registry import tool_error
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
@@ -92,7 +93,7 @@ class BuiltinMemoryProvider(MemoryProvider):
 
     def handle_tool_call(self, tool_name: str, args: Dict[str, Any], **kwargs) -> str:
         """Not used — the memory tool is intercepted in run_agent.py."""
-        return json.dumps({"error": "Built-in memory tool is handled by the agent loop"})
+        return tool_error("Built-in memory tool is handled by the agent loop")
 
     def shutdown(self) -> None:
         """No cleanup needed — files are saved on every write."""

agent/context_compressor.py

@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ Improvements over v1:
 """
 
 import logging
+import time
 from typing import Any, Dict, List, Optional
 
 from agent.auxiliary_client import call_llm
@@ -46,6 +47,7 @@ _PRUNED_TOOL_PLACEHOLDER = "[Old tool output cleared to save context space]"
 
 # Chars per token rough estimate
 _CHARS_PER_TOKEN = 4
+_SUMMARY_FAILURE_COOLDOWN_SECONDS = 600
 
 
 class ContextCompressor:
@@ -118,6 +120,7 @@ class ContextCompressor:
 
         # Stores the previous compaction summary for iterative updates
         self._previous_summary: Optional[str] = None
+        self._summary_failure_cooldown_until: float = 0.0
 
     def update_from_response(self, usage: Dict[str, Any]):
         """Update tracked token usage from API response."""
@@ -258,6 +261,14 @@ class ContextCompressor:
         the middle turns without a summary rather than inject a useless
         placeholder.
         """
+        now = time.monotonic()
+        if now < self._summary_failure_cooldown_until:
+            logger.debug(
+                "Skipping context summary during cooldown (%.0fs remaining)",
+                self._summary_failure_cooldown_until - now,
+            )
+            return None
+
         summary_budget = self._compute_summary_budget(turns_to_summarize)
         content_to_summarize = self._serialize_for_summary(turns_to_summarize)
 
@@ -345,7 +356,6 @@ Write only the summary body. Do not include any preamble or prefix."""
             call_kwargs = {
                 "task": "compression",
                 "messages": [{"role": "user", "content": prompt}],
-                "temperature": 0.3,
                 "max_tokens": summary_budget * 2,
                 # timeout resolved from auxiliary.compression.timeout config by call_llm
             }
@@ -359,13 +369,23 @@ Write only the summary body. Do not include any preamble or prefix."""
             summary = content.strip()
             # Store for iterative updates on next compaction
             self._previous_summary = summary
+            self._summary_failure_cooldown_until = 0.0
             return self._with_summary_prefix(summary)
         except RuntimeError:
+            self._summary_failure_cooldown_until = time.monotonic() + _SUMMARY_FAILURE_COOLDOWN_SECONDS
             logging.warning("Context compression: no provider available for "
-                            "summary. Middle turns will be dropped without summary.")
+                            "summary. Middle turns will be dropped without summary "
+                            "for %d seconds.",
+                            _SUMMARY_FAILURE_COOLDOWN_SECONDS)
             return None
         except Exception as e:
-            logging.warning("Failed to generate context summary: %s", e)
+            self._summary_failure_cooldown_until = time.monotonic() + _SUMMARY_FAILURE_COOLDOWN_SECONDS
+            logging.warning(
+                "Failed to generate context summary: %s. "
+                "Further summary attempts paused for %d seconds.",
+                e,
+                _SUMMARY_FAILURE_COOLDOWN_SECONDS,
+            )
             return None
 
     @staticmethod
@@ -648,7 +668,7 @@ Write only the summary body. Do not include any preamble or prefix."""
                 compressed.append({"role": summary_role, "content": summary})
         else:
             if not self.quiet_mode:
-                logger.warning("No summary model available — middle turns dropped without summary")
+                logger.debug("No summary model available — middle turns dropped without summary")
 
         for i in range(compress_end, n_messages):
             msg = messages[i].copy()

agent/context_references.py

@@ -343,10 +343,9 @@ def _resolve_path(cwd: Path, target: str, *, allowed_root: Path | None = None) -
 
 
 def _ensure_reference_path_allowed(path: Path) -> None:
+    from hermes_constants import get_hermes_home
     home = Path(os.path.expanduser("~")).resolve()
-    hermes_home = Path(
-        os.getenv("HERMES_HOME", str(home / ".hermes"))
-    ).expanduser().resolve()
+    hermes_home = get_hermes_home().resolve()
 
     blocked_exact = {home / rel for rel in _SENSITIVE_HOME_FILES}
     blocked_exact.add(hermes_home / ".env")

agent/copilot_acp_client.py

@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ from __future__ import annotations
 import json
 import os
 import queue
+import re
 import shlex
 import subprocess
 import threading
@@ -23,6 +24,9 @@ from typing import Any
 ACP_MARKER_BASE_URL = "acp://copilot"
 _DEFAULT_TIMEOUT_SECONDS = 900.0
 
+_TOOL_CALL_BLOCK_RE = re.compile(r"<tool_call>\s*(\{.*?\})\s*</tool_call>", re.DOTALL)
+_TOOL_CALL_JSON_RE = re.compile(r"\{\s*\"id\"\s*:\s*\"[^\"]+\"\s*,\s*\"type\"\s*:\s*\"function\"\s*,\s*\"function\"\s*:\s*\{.*?\}\s*\}", re.DOTALL)
+
 
 def _resolve_command() -> str:
     return (
@@ -50,15 +54,50 @@ def _jsonrpc_error(message_id: Any, code: int, message: str) -> dict[str, Any]:
     }
 
 
-def _format_messages_as_prompt(messages: list[dict[str, Any]], model: str | None = None) -> str:
+def _format_messages_as_prompt(
+    messages: list[dict[str, Any]],
+    model: str | None = None,
+    tools: list[dict[str, Any]] | None = None,
+    tool_choice: Any = None,
+) -> str:
     sections: list[str] = [
         "You are being used as the active ACP agent backend for Hermes.",
-        "Use your own ACP capabilities and respond directly in natural language.",
-        "Do not emit OpenAI tool-call JSON.",
+        "Use ACP capabilities to complete tasks.",
+        "IMPORTANT: If you take an action with a tool, you MUST output tool calls using <tool_call>{...}</tool_call> blocks with JSON exactly in OpenAI function-call shape.",
+        "If no tool is needed, answer normally.",
     ]
     if model:
         sections.append(f"Hermes requested model hint: {model}")
 
+    if isinstance(tools, list) and tools:
+        tool_specs: list[dict[str, Any]] = []
+        for t in tools:
+            if not isinstance(t, dict):
+                continue
+            fn = t.get("function") or {}
+            if not isinstance(fn, dict):
+                continue
+            name = fn.get("name")
+            if not isinstance(name, str) or not name.strip():
+                continue
+            tool_specs.append(
+                {
+                    "name": name.strip(),
+                    "description": fn.get("description", ""),
+                    "parameters": fn.get("parameters", {}),
+                }
+            )
+        if tool_specs:
+            sections.append(
+                "Available tools (OpenAI function schema). "
+                "When using a tool, emit ONLY <tool_call>{...}</tool_call> with one JSON object "
+                "containing id/type/function{name,arguments}. arguments must be a JSON string.\n"
+                + json.dumps(tool_specs, ensure_ascii=False)
+            )
+
+    if tool_choice is not None:
+        sections.append(f"Tool choice hint: {json.dumps(tool_choice, ensure_ascii=False)}")
+
     transcript: list[str] = []
     for message in messages:
         if not isinstance(message, dict):
@@ -114,6 +153,80 @@ def _render_message_content(content: Any) -> str:
     return str(content).strip()
 
 
+def _extract_tool_calls_from_text(text: str) -> tuple[list[SimpleNamespace], str]:
+    if not isinstance(text, str) or not text.strip():
+        return [], ""
+
+    extracted: list[SimpleNamespace] = []
+    consumed_spans: list[tuple[int, int]] = []
+
+    def _try_add_tool_call(raw_json: str) -> None:
+        try:
+            obj = json.loads(raw_json)
+        except Exception:
+            return
+        if not isinstance(obj, dict):
+            return
+        fn = obj.get("function")
+        if not isinstance(fn, dict):
+            return
+        fn_name = fn.get("name")
+        if not isinstance(fn_name, str) or not fn_name.strip():
+            return
+        fn_args = fn.get("arguments", "{}")
+        if not isinstance(fn_args, str):
+            fn_args = json.dumps(fn_args, ensure_ascii=False)
+        call_id = obj.get("id")
+        if not isinstance(call_id, str) or not call_id.strip():
+            call_id = f"acp_call_{len(extracted)+1}"
+
+        extracted.append(
+            SimpleNamespace(
+                id=call_id,
+                call_id=call_id,
+                response_item_id=None,
+                type="function",
+                function=SimpleNamespace(name=fn_name.strip(), arguments=fn_args),
+            )
+        )
+
+    for m in _TOOL_CALL_BLOCK_RE.finditer(text):
+        raw = m.group(1)
+        _try_add_tool_call(raw)
+        consumed_spans.append((m.start(), m.end()))
+
+    # Only try bare-JSON fallback when no XML blocks were found.
+    if not extracted:
+        for m in _TOOL_CALL_JSON_RE.finditer(text):
+            raw = m.group(0)
+            _try_add_tool_call(raw)
+            consumed_spans.append((m.start(), m.end()))
+
+    if not consumed_spans:
+        return extracted, text.strip()
+
+    consumed_spans.sort()
+    merged: list[tuple[int, int]] = []
+    for start, end in consumed_spans:
+        if not merged or start > merged[-1][1]:
+            merged.append((start, end))
+        else:
+            merged[-1] = (merged[-1][0], max(merged[-1][1], end))
+
+    parts: list[str] = []
+    cursor = 0
+    for start, end in merged:
+        if cursor < start:
+            parts.append(text[cursor:start])
+        cursor = max(cursor, end)
+    if cursor < len(text):
+        parts.append(text[cursor:])
+
+    cleaned = "\n".join(p.strip() for p in parts if p and p.strip()).strip()
+    return extracted, cleaned
+
+
+
 def _ensure_path_within_cwd(path_text: str, cwd: str) -> Path:
     candidate = Path(path_text)
     if not candidate.is_absolute():
@@ -190,14 +303,23 @@ class CopilotACPClient:
         model: str | None = None,
         messages: list[dict[str, Any]] | None = None,
         timeout: float | None = None,
+        tools: list[dict[str, Any]] | None = None,
+        tool_choice: Any = None,
         **_: Any,
     ) -> Any:
-        prompt_text = _format_messages_as_prompt(messages or [], model=model)
+        prompt_text = _format_messages_as_prompt(
+            messages or [],
+            model=model,
+            tools=tools,
+            tool_choice=tool_choice,
+        )
         response_text, reasoning_text = self._run_prompt(
             prompt_text,
             timeout_seconds=float(timeout or _DEFAULT_TIMEOUT_SECONDS),
         )
 
+        tool_calls, cleaned_text = _extract_tool_calls_from_text(response_text)
+
         usage = SimpleNamespace(
             prompt_tokens=0,
             completion_tokens=0,
@@ -205,13 +327,14 @@ class CopilotACPClient:
             prompt_tokens_details=SimpleNamespace(cached_tokens=0),
         )
         assistant_message = SimpleNamespace(
-            content=response_text,
-            tool_calls=[],
+            content=cleaned_text,
+            tool_calls=tool_calls,
             reasoning=reasoning_text or None,
             reasoning_content=reasoning_text or None,
             reasoning_details=None,
         )
-        choice = SimpleNamespace(message=assistant_message, finish_reason="stop")
+        finish_reason = "tool_calls" if tool_calls else "stop"
+        choice = SimpleNamespace(message=assistant_message, finish_reason=finish_reason)
         return SimpleNamespace(
             choices=[choice],
             usage=usage,

agent/credential_pool.py

@@ -8,22 +8,23 @@ import threading
 import time
 import uuid
 import os
+import re
 from dataclasses import dataclass, fields, replace
+from datetime import datetime
 from typing import Any, Dict, List, Optional, Set, Tuple
 
 from hermes_constants import OPENROUTER_BASE_URL
 import hermes_cli.auth as auth_mod
 from hermes_cli.auth import (
-    ACCESS_TOKEN_REFRESH_SKEW_SECONDS,
     CODEX_ACCESS_TOKEN_REFRESH_SKEW_SECONDS,
     DEFAULT_AGENT_KEY_MIN_TTL_SECONDS,
     PROVIDER_REGISTRY,
-    _agent_key_is_usable,
     _codex_access_token_is_expiring,
     _decode_jwt_claims,
-    _is_expiring,
+    _import_codex_cli_tokens,
     _load_auth_store,
     _load_provider_state,
+    _resolve_zai_base_url,
     read_credential_pool,
     write_credential_pool,
 )
@@ -95,6 +96,9 @@ class PooledCredential:
     last_status: Optional[str] = None
     last_status_at: Optional[float] = None
     last_error_code: Optional[int] = None
+    last_error_reason: Optional[str] = None
+    last_error_message: Optional[str] = None
+    last_error_reset_at: Optional[float] = None
     base_url: Optional[str] = None
     expires_at: Optional[str] = None
     expires_at_ms: Optional[int] = None
@@ -129,7 +133,14 @@ class PooledCredential:
         return cls(provider=provider, **data)
 
     def to_dict(self) -> Dict[str, Any]:
-        _ALWAYS_EMIT = {"last_status", "last_status_at", "last_error_code"}
+        _ALWAYS_EMIT = {
+            "last_status",
+            "last_status_at",
+            "last_error_code",
+            "last_error_reason",
+            "last_error_message",
+            "last_error_reset_at",
+        }
         result: Dict[str, Any] = {}
         for field_def in fields(self):
             if field_def.name in ("provider", "extra"):
@@ -180,6 +191,85 @@ def _exhausted_ttl(error_code: Optional[int]) -> int:
     return EXHAUSTED_TTL_DEFAULT_SECONDS
 
 
+def _parse_absolute_timestamp(value: Any) -> Optional[float]:
+    """Best-effort parse for provider reset timestamps.
+
+    Accepts epoch seconds, epoch milliseconds, and ISO-8601 strings.
+    Returns seconds since epoch.
+    """
+    if value is None or value == "":
+        return None
+    if isinstance(value, (int, float)):
+        numeric = float(value)
+        if numeric <= 0:
+            return None
+        return numeric / 1000.0 if numeric > 1_000_000_000_000 else numeric
+    if isinstance(value, str):
+        raw = value.strip()
+        if not raw:
+            return None
+        try:
+            numeric = float(raw)
+        except ValueError:
+            numeric = None
+        if numeric is not None:
+            return numeric / 1000.0 if numeric > 1_000_000_000_000 else numeric
+        try:
+            return datetime.fromisoformat(raw.replace("Z", "+00:00")).timestamp()
+        except ValueError:
+            return None
+    return None
+
+
+def _extract_retry_delay_seconds(message: str) -> Optional[float]:
+    if not message:
+        return None
+    delay_match = re.search(r"quotaResetDelay[:\s\"]+(\d+(?:\.\d+)?)(ms|s)", message, re.IGNORECASE)
+    if delay_match:
+        value = float(delay_match.group(1))
+        return value / 1000.0 if delay_match.group(2).lower() == "ms" else value
+    sec_match = re.search(r"retry\s+(?:after\s+)?(\d+(?:\.\d+)?)\s*(?:sec|secs|seconds|s\b)", message, re.IGNORECASE)
+    if sec_match:
+        return float(sec_match.group(1))
+    return None
+
+
+def _normalize_error_context(error_context: Optional[Dict[str, Any]]) -> Dict[str, Any]:
+    if not isinstance(error_context, dict):
+        return {}
+    normalized: Dict[str, Any] = {}
+    reason = error_context.get("reason")
+    if isinstance(reason, str) and reason.strip():
+        normalized["reason"] = reason.strip()
+    message = error_context.get("message")
+    if isinstance(message, str) and message.strip():
+        normalized["message"] = message.strip()
+    reset_at = (
+        error_context.get("reset_at")
+        or error_context.get("resets_at")
+        or error_context.get("retry_until")
+    )
+    parsed_reset_at = _parse_absolute_timestamp(reset_at)
+    if parsed_reset_at is None and isinstance(message, str):
+        retry_delay_seconds = _extract_retry_delay_seconds(message)
+        if retry_delay_seconds is not None:
+            parsed_reset_at = time.time() + retry_delay_seconds
+    if parsed_reset_at is not None:
+        normalized["reset_at"] = parsed_reset_at
+    return normalized
+
+
+def _exhausted_until(entry: PooledCredential) -> Optional[float]:
+    if entry.last_status != STATUS_EXHAUSTED:
+        return None
+    reset_at = _parse_absolute_timestamp(getattr(entry, "last_error_reset_at", None))
+    if reset_at is not None:
+        return reset_at
+    if entry.last_status_at:
+        return entry.last_status_at + _exhausted_ttl(entry.last_error_code)
+    return None
+
+
 def _normalize_custom_pool_name(name: str) -> str:
     """Normalize a custom provider name for use as a pool key suffix."""
     return name.strip().lower().replace(" ", "-")
@@ -256,6 +346,9 @@ def get_pool_strategy(provider: str) -> str:
     return STRATEGY_FILL_FIRST
 
 
+DEFAULT_MAX_CONCURRENT_PER_CREDENTIAL = 1
+
+
 class CredentialPool:
     def __init__(self, provider: str, entries: List[PooledCredential]):
         self.provider = provider
@@ -263,6 +356,8 @@ class CredentialPool:
         self._current_id: Optional[str] = None
         self._strategy = get_pool_strategy(provider)
         self._lock = threading.Lock()
+        self._active_leases: Dict[str, int] = {}
+        self._max_concurrent = DEFAULT_MAX_CONCURRENT_PER_CREDENTIAL
 
     def has_credentials(self) -> bool:
         return bool(self._entries)
@@ -292,17 +387,96 @@ class CredentialPool:
             [entry.to_dict() for entry in self._entries],
         )
 
-    def _mark_exhausted(self, entry: PooledCredential, status_code: Optional[int]) -> PooledCredential:
+    def _mark_exhausted(
+        self,
+        entry: PooledCredential,
+        status_code: Optional[int],
+        error_context: Optional[Dict[str, Any]] = None,
+    ) -> PooledCredential:
+        normalized_error = _normalize_error_context(error_context)
         updated = replace(
             entry,
             last_status=STATUS_EXHAUSTED,
             last_status_at=time.time(),
             last_error_code=status_code,
+            last_error_reason=normalized_error.get("reason"),
+            last_error_message=normalized_error.get("message"),
+            last_error_reset_at=normalized_error.get("reset_at"),
         )
         self._replace_entry(entry, updated)
         self._persist()
         return updated
 
+    def _sync_anthropic_entry_from_credentials_file(self, entry: PooledCredential) -> PooledCredential:
+        """Sync a claude_code pool entry from ~/.claude/.credentials.json if tokens differ.
+
+        OAuth refresh tokens are single-use. When something external (e.g.
+        Claude Code CLI, or another profile's pool) refreshes the token, it
+        writes the new pair to ~/.claude/.credentials.json. The pool entry's
+        refresh token becomes stale. This method detects that and syncs.
+        """
+        if self.provider != "anthropic" or entry.source != "claude_code":
+            return entry
+        try:
+            from agent.anthropic_adapter import read_claude_code_credentials
+            creds = read_claude_code_credentials()
+            if not creds:
+                return entry
+            file_refresh = creds.get("refreshToken", "")
+            file_access = creds.get("accessToken", "")
+            file_expires = creds.get("expiresAt", 0)
+            # If the credentials file has a different token pair, sync it
+            if file_refresh and file_refresh != entry.refresh_token:
+                logger.debug("Pool entry %s: syncing tokens from credentials file (refresh token changed)", entry.id)
+                updated = replace(
+                    entry,
+                    access_token=file_access,
+                    refresh_token=file_refresh,
+                    expires_at_ms=file_expires,
+                    last_status=None,
+                    last_status_at=None,
+                    last_error_code=None,
+                )
+                self._replace_entry(entry, updated)
+                self._persist()
+                return updated
+        except Exception as exc:
+            logger.debug("Failed to sync from credentials file: %s", exc)
+        return entry
+
+    def _sync_codex_entry_from_cli(self, entry: PooledCredential) -> PooledCredential:
+        """Sync an openai-codex pool entry from ~/.codex/auth.json if tokens differ.
+
+        OpenAI OAuth refresh tokens are single-use and rotate on every refresh.
+        When the Codex CLI (or another Hermes profile) refreshes its token,
+        the pool entry's refresh_token becomes stale.  This method detects that
+        by comparing against ~/.codex/auth.json and syncing the fresh pair.
+        """
+        if self.provider != "openai-codex":
+            return entry
+        try:
+            cli_tokens = _import_codex_cli_tokens()
+            if not cli_tokens:
+                return entry
+            cli_refresh = cli_tokens.get("refresh_token", "")
+            cli_access = cli_tokens.get("access_token", "")
+            if cli_refresh and cli_refresh != entry.refresh_token:
+                logger.debug("Pool entry %s: syncing tokens from ~/.codex/auth.json (refresh token changed)", entry.id)
+                updated = replace(
+                    entry,
+                    access_token=cli_access,
+                    refresh_token=cli_refresh,
+                    last_status=None,
+                    last_status_at=None,
+                    last_error_code=None,
+                )
+                self._replace_entry(entry, updated)
+                self._persist()
+                return updated
+        except Exception as exc:
+            logger.debug("Failed to sync from ~/.codex/auth.json: %s", exc)
+        return entry
+
     def _refresh_entry(self, entry: PooledCredential, *, force: bool) -> Optional[PooledCredential]:
         if entry.auth_type != AUTH_TYPE_OAUTH or not entry.refresh_token:
             if force:
@@ -323,6 +497,19 @@ class CredentialPool:
                     refresh_token=refreshed["refresh_token"],
                     expires_at_ms=refreshed["expires_at_ms"],
                 )
+                # Keep ~/.claude/.credentials.json in sync so that the
+                # fallback path (resolve_anthropic_token) and other profiles
+                # see the latest tokens.
+                if entry.source == "claude_code":
+                    try:
+                        from agent.anthropic_adapter import _write_claude_code_credentials
+                        _write_claude_code_credentials(
+                            refreshed["access_token"],
+                            refreshed["refresh_token"],
+                            refreshed["expires_at_ms"],
+                        )
+                    except Exception as wexc:
+                        logger.debug("Failed to write refreshed token to credentials file: %s", wexc)
             elif self.provider == "openai-codex":
                 refreshed = auth_mod.refresh_codex_oauth_pure(
                     entry.access_token,
@@ -369,10 +556,58 @@ class CredentialPool:
                 return entry
         except Exception as exc:
             logger.debug("Credential refresh failed for %s/%s: %s", self.provider, entry.id, exc)
+            # For anthropic claude_code entries: the refresh token may have been
+            # consumed by another process. Check if ~/.claude/.credentials.json
+            # has a newer token pair and retry once.
+            if self.provider == "anthropic" and entry.source == "claude_code":
+                synced = self._sync_anthropic_entry_from_credentials_file(entry)
+                if synced.refresh_token != entry.refresh_token:
+                    logger.debug("Retrying refresh with synced token from credentials file")
+                    try:
+                        from agent.anthropic_adapter import refresh_anthropic_oauth_pure
+                        refreshed = refresh_anthropic_oauth_pure(
+                            synced.refresh_token,
+                            use_json=synced.source.endswith("hermes_pkce"),
+                        )
+                        updated = replace(
+                            synced,
+                            access_token=refreshed["access_token"],
+                            refresh_token=refreshed["refresh_token"],
+                            expires_at_ms=refreshed["expires_at_ms"],
+                            last_status=STATUS_OK,
+                            last_status_at=None,
+                            last_error_code=None,
+                        )
+                        self._replace_entry(synced, updated)
+                        self._persist()
+                        try:
+                            from agent.anthropic_adapter import _write_claude_code_credentials
+                            _write_claude_code_credentials(
+                                refreshed["access_token"],
+                                refreshed["refresh_token"],
+                                refreshed["expires_at_ms"],
+                            )
+                        except Exception as wexc:
+                            logger.debug("Failed to write refreshed token to credentials file (retry path): %s", wexc)
+                        return updated
+                    except Exception as retry_exc:
+                        logger.debug("Retry refresh also failed: %s", retry_exc)
+                elif not self._entry_needs_refresh(synced):
+                    # Credentials file had a valid (non-expired) token — use it directly
+                    logger.debug("Credentials file has valid token, using without refresh")
+                    return synced
             self._mark_exhausted(entry, None)
             return None
 
-        updated = replace(updated, last_status=STATUS_OK, last_status_at=None, last_error_code=None)
+        updated = replace(
+            updated,
+            last_status=STATUS_OK,
+            last_status_at=None,
+            last_error_code=None,
+            last_error_reason=None,
+            last_error_message=None,
+            last_error_reset_at=None,
+        )
         self._replace_entry(entry, updated)
         self._persist()
         return updated
@@ -422,12 +657,39 @@ class CredentialPool:
         cleared_any = False
         available: List[PooledCredential] = []
         for entry in self._entries:
+            # For anthropic claude_code entries, sync from the credentials file
+            # before any status/refresh checks. This picks up tokens refreshed
+            # by other processes (Claude Code CLI, other Hermes profiles).
+            if (self.provider == "anthropic" and entry.source == "claude_code"
+                    and entry.last_status == STATUS_EXHAUSTED):
+                synced = self._sync_anthropic_entry_from_credentials_file(entry)
+                if synced is not entry:
+                    entry = synced
+                    cleared_any = True
+            # For openai-codex entries, sync from ~/.codex/auth.json before
+            # any status/refresh checks.  This picks up tokens refreshed by
+            # the Codex CLI or another Hermes profile.
+            if (self.provider == "openai-codex"
+                    and entry.last_status == STATUS_EXHAUSTED
+                    and entry.refresh_token):
+                synced = self._sync_codex_entry_from_cli(entry)
+                if synced is not entry:
+                    entry = synced
+                    cleared_any = True
             if entry.last_status == STATUS_EXHAUSTED:
-                ttl = _exhausted_ttl(entry.last_error_code)
-                if entry.last_status_at and now - entry.last_status_at < ttl:
+                exhausted_until = _exhausted_until(entry)
+                if exhausted_until is not None and now < exhausted_until:
                     continue
                 if clear_expired:
-                    cleared = replace(entry, last_status=STATUS_OK, last_status_at=None, last_error_code=None)
+                    cleared = replace(
+                        entry,
+                        last_status=STATUS_OK,
+                        last_status_at=None,
+                        last_error_code=None,
+                        last_error_reason=None,
+                        last_error_message=None,
+                        last_error_reset_at=None,
+                    )
                     self._replace_entry(entry, cleared)
                     entry = cleared
                     cleared_any = True
@@ -445,6 +707,7 @@ class CredentialPool:
         available = self._available_entries(clear_expired=True, refresh=True)
         if not available:
             self._current_id = None
+            logger.info("credential pool: no available entries (all exhausted or empty)")
             return None
 
         if self._strategy == STRATEGY_RANDOM:
@@ -477,14 +740,73 @@ class CredentialPool:
         available = self._available_entries()
         return available[0] if available else None
 
-    def mark_exhausted_and_rotate(self, *, status_code: Optional[int]) -> Optional[PooledCredential]:
+    def mark_exhausted_and_rotate(
+        self,
+        *,
+        status_code: Optional[int],
+        error_context: Optional[Dict[str, Any]] = None,
+    ) -> Optional[PooledCredential]:
         with self._lock:
             entry = self.current() or self._select_unlocked()
             if entry is None:
                 return None
-            self._mark_exhausted(entry, status_code)
+            _label = entry.label or entry.id[:8]
+            logger.info(
+                "credential pool: marking %s exhausted (status=%s), rotating",
+                _label, status_code,
+            )
+            self._mark_exhausted(entry, status_code, error_context)
             self._current_id = None
-            return self._select_unlocked()
+            next_entry = self._select_unlocked()
+            if next_entry:
+                _next_label = next_entry.label or next_entry.id[:8]
+                logger.info("credential pool: rotated to %s", _next_label)
+            return next_entry
+
+    def acquire_lease(self, credential_id: Optional[str] = None) -> Optional[str]:
+        """Acquire a soft lease on a credential.
+
+        If a specific credential_id is provided, lease that entry directly.
+        Otherwise prefer the least-leased available credential, using priority as
+        a stable tie-breaker. When every credential is already at the soft cap,
+        still return the least-leased one instead of blocking.
+        """
+        with self._lock:
+            if credential_id:
+                self._active_leases[credential_id] = self._active_leases.get(credential_id, 0) + 1
+                self._current_id = credential_id
+                return credential_id
+
+            available = self._available_entries(clear_expired=True, refresh=True)
+            if not available:
+                return None
+
+            below_cap = [
+                entry for entry in available
+                if self._active_leases.get(entry.id, 0) < self._max_concurrent
+            ]
+            candidates = below_cap if below_cap else available
+            chosen = min(
+                candidates,
+                key=lambda entry: (self._active_leases.get(entry.id, 0), entry.priority),
+            )
+            self._active_leases[chosen.id] = self._active_leases.get(chosen.id, 0) + 1
+            self._current_id = chosen.id
+            return chosen.id
+
+    def release_lease(self, credential_id: str) -> None:
+        """Release a previously acquired credential lease."""
+        with self._lock:
+            count = self._active_leases.get(credential_id, 0)
+            if count <= 1:
+                self._active_leases.pop(credential_id, None)
+            else:
+                self._active_leases[credential_id] = count - 1
+
+    def active_lease_count(self, credential_id: str) -> int:
+        """Return the number of active leases for a credential."""
+        with self._lock:
+            return self._active_leases.get(credential_id, 0)
 
     def try_refresh_current(self) -> Optional[PooledCredential]:
         with self._lock:
@@ -504,7 +826,17 @@ class CredentialPool:
         new_entries = []
         for entry in self._entries:
             if entry.last_status or entry.last_status_at or entry.last_error_code:
-                new_entries.append(replace(entry, last_status=None, last_status_at=None, last_error_code=None))
+                new_entries.append(
+                    replace(
+                        entry,
+                        last_status=None,
+                        last_status_at=None,
+                        last_error_code=None,
+                        last_error_reason=None,
+                        last_error_message=None,
+                        last_error_reset_at=None,
+                    )
+                )
                 count += 1
             else:
                 new_entries.append(entry)
@@ -526,6 +858,31 @@ class CredentialPool:
             self._current_id = None
         return removed
 
+    def resolve_target(self, target: Any) -> Tuple[Optional[int], Optional[PooledCredential], Optional[str]]:
+        raw = str(target or "").strip()
+        if not raw:
+            return None, None, "No credential target provided."
+
+        for idx, entry in enumerate(self._entries, start=1):
+            if entry.id == raw:
+                return idx, entry, None
+
+        label_matches = [
+            (idx, entry)
+            for idx, entry in enumerate(self._entries, start=1)
+            if entry.label.strip().lower() == raw.lower()
+        ]
+        if len(label_matches) == 1:
+            return label_matches[0][0], label_matches[0][1], None
+        if len(label_matches) > 1:
+            return None, None, f'Ambiguous credential label "{raw}". Use the numeric index or entry id instead.'
+        if raw.isdigit():
+            index = int(raw)
+            if 1 <= index <= len(self._entries):
+                return index, self._entries[index - 1], None
+            return None, None, f"No credential #{index}."
+        return None, None, f'No credential matching "{raw}".'
+
     def add_entry(self, entry: PooledCredential) -> PooledCredential:
         entry = replace(entry, priority=_next_priority(self._entries))
         self._entries.append(entry)
@@ -727,6 +1084,8 @@ def _seed_from_env(provider: str, entries: List[PooledCredential]) -> Tuple[bool
         active_sources.add(source)
         auth_type = AUTH_TYPE_OAUTH if provider == "anthropic" and not token.startswith("sk-ant-api") else AUTH_TYPE_API_KEY
         base_url = env_url or pconfig.inference_base_url
+        if provider == "zai":
+            base_url = _resolve_zai_base_url(token, pconfig.inference_base_url, env_url)
         changed |= _upsert_entry(
             entries,
             provider,

agent/display.py

@@ -890,8 +890,6 @@ def get_cute_tool_message(
         return _wrap(f"┊ ◀️  back      {dur}")
     if tool_name == "browser_press":
         return _wrap(f"┊ ⌨️  press     {args.get('key', '?')}  {dur}")
-    if tool_name == "browser_close":
-        return _wrap(f"┊ 🚪 close     browser  {dur}")
     if tool_name == "browser_get_images":
         return _wrap(f"┊ 🖼️  images    extracting  {dur}")
     if tool_name == "browser_vision":
@@ -988,24 +986,6 @@ def _osc8_link(url: str, text: str) -> str:
     return f"\033]8;;{url}\033\\{text}\033]8;;\033\\"
 
 
-def honcho_session_line(workspace: str, session_name: str) -> str:
-    """One-line session indicator: `Honcho session: <clickable name>`."""
-    url = honcho_session_url(workspace, session_name)
-    linked_name = _osc8_link(url, f"{_SKY_BLUE}{session_name}{_ANSI_RESET}")
-    return f"{_DIM}Honcho session:{_ANSI_RESET} {linked_name}"
-
-
-def write_tty(text: str) -> None:
-    """Write directly to /dev/tty, bypassing stdout capture."""
-    try:
-        fd = os.open("/dev/tty", os.O_WRONLY)
-        os.write(fd, text.encode("utf-8"))
-        os.close(fd)
-    except OSError:
-        sys.stdout.write(text)
-        sys.stdout.flush()
-
-
 # =========================================================================
 # Context pressure display (CLI user-facing warnings)
 # =========================================================================

agent/memory_manager.py

@@ -30,13 +30,45 @@ from __future__ import annotations
 
 import json
 import logging
+import re
 from typing import Any, Dict, List, Optional
 
 from agent.memory_provider import MemoryProvider
+from tools.registry import tool_error
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
 
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Context fencing helpers
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+_FENCE_TAG_RE = re.compile(r'</?\s*memory-context\s*>', re.IGNORECASE)
+
+
+def sanitize_context(text: str) -> str:
+    """Strip fence-escape sequences from provider output."""
+    return _FENCE_TAG_RE.sub('', text)
+
+
+def build_memory_context_block(raw_context: str) -> str:
+    """Wrap prefetched memory in a fenced block with system note.
+
+    The fence prevents the model from treating recalled context as user
+    discourse.  Injected at API-call time only — never persisted.
+    """
+    if not raw_context or not raw_context.strip():
+        return ""
+    clean = sanitize_context(raw_context)
+    return (
+        "<memory-context>\n"
+        "[System note: The following is recalled memory context, "
+        "NOT new user input. Treat as informational background data.]\n\n"
+        f"{clean}\n"
+        "</memory-context>"
+    )
+
+
 class MemoryManager:
     """Orchestrates the built-in provider plus at most one external provider.
 
@@ -218,7 +250,7 @@ class MemoryManager:
         """
         provider = self._tool_to_provider.get(tool_name)
         if provider is None:
-            return json.dumps({"error": f"No memory provider handles tool '{tool_name}'"})
+            return tool_error(f"No memory provider handles tool '{tool_name}'")
         try:
             return provider.handle_tool_call(tool_name, args, **kwargs)
         except Exception as e:
@@ -226,7 +258,7 @@ class MemoryManager:
                 "Memory provider '%s' handle_tool_call(%s) failed: %s",
                 provider.name, tool_name, e,
             )
-            return json.dumps({"error": f"Memory tool '{tool_name}' failed: {e}"})
+            return tool_error(f"Memory tool '{tool_name}' failed: {e}")
 
     # -- Lifecycle hooks -----------------------------------------------------
 

agent/memory_provider.py

@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ from __future__ import annotations
 
 import logging
 from abc import ABC, abstractmethod
-from typing import Any, Dict, List, Optional
+from typing import Any, Dict, List
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 

agent/model_metadata.py

@@ -24,10 +24,11 @@ logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 # are preserved so the full model name reaches cache lookups and server queries.
 _PROVIDER_PREFIXES: frozenset[str] = frozenset({
     "openrouter", "nous", "openai-codex", "copilot", "copilot-acp",
-    "zai", "kimi-coding", "minimax", "minimax-cn", "anthropic", "deepseek",
+    "gemini", "zai", "kimi-coding", "minimax", "minimax-cn", "anthropic", "deepseek",
     "opencode-zen", "opencode-go", "ai-gateway", "kilocode", "alibaba",
     "custom", "local",
     # Common aliases
+    "google", "google-gemini", "google-ai-studio",
     "glm", "z-ai", "z.ai", "zhipu", "github", "github-copilot",
     "github-models", "kimi", "moonshot", "claude", "deep-seek",
     "opencode", "zen", "go", "vercel", "kilo", "dashscope", "aliyun", "qwen",
@@ -101,6 +102,11 @@ DEFAULT_CONTEXT_LENGTHS = {
     "gpt-4": 128000,
     # Google
     "gemini": 1048576,
+    # Gemma (open models served via AI Studio)
+    "gemma-4-31b": 256000,
+    "gemma-4-26b": 256000,
+    "gemma-3": 131072,
+    "gemma": 8192,  # fallback for older gemma models
     # DeepSeek
     "deepseek": 128000,
     # Meta
@@ -123,6 +129,8 @@ DEFAULT_CONTEXT_LENGTHS = {
     "moonshotai/Kimi-K2-Thinking": 262144,
     "MiniMaxAI/MiniMax-M2.5": 204800,
     "XiaomiMiMo/MiMo-V2-Flash": 32768,
+    "mimo-v2-pro": 1048576,
+    "mimo-v2-omni": 1048576,
     "zai-org/GLM-5": 202752,
 }
 
@@ -173,7 +181,7 @@ _URL_TO_PROVIDER: Dict[str, str] = {
     "dashscope.aliyuncs.com": "alibaba",
     "dashscope-intl.aliyuncs.com": "alibaba",
     "openrouter.ai": "openrouter",
-    "generativelanguage.googleapis.com": "google",
+    "generativelanguage.googleapis.com": "gemini",
     "inference-api.nousresearch.com": "nous",
     "api.deepseek.com": "deepseek",
     "api.githubcopilot.com": "copilot",
@@ -502,8 +510,8 @@ def fetch_endpoint_model_metadata(
 
 def _get_context_cache_path() -> Path:
     """Return path to the persistent context length cache file."""
-    hermes_home = Path(os.environ.get("HERMES_HOME", Path.home() / ".hermes"))
-    return hermes_home / "context_length_cache.yaml"
+    from hermes_constants import get_hermes_home
+    return get_hermes_home() / "context_length_cache.yaml"
 
 
 def _load_context_cache() -> Dict[str, int]:

agent/models_dev.py

@@ -1,19 +1,31 @@
-"""Models.dev registry integration for provider-aware context length detection.
+"""Models.dev registry integration — primary database for providers and models.
 
-Fetches model metadata from https://models.dev/api.json — a community-maintained
-database of 3800+ models across 100+ providers, including per-provider context
-windows, pricing, and capabilities.
+Fetches from https://models.dev/api.json — a community-maintained database
+of 4000+ models across 109+ providers.  Provides:
 
-Data is cached in memory (1hr TTL) and on disk (~/.hermes/models_dev_cache.json)
-to avoid cold-start network latency.
+- **Provider metadata**: name, base URL, env vars, documentation link
+- **Model metadata**: context window, max output, cost/M tokens, capabilities
+  (reasoning, tools, vision, PDF, audio), modalities, knowledge cutoff,
+  open-weights flag, family grouping, deprecation status
+
+Data resolution order (like TypeScript OpenCode):
+  1. Bundled snapshot (ships with the package — offline-first)
+  2. Disk cache (~/.hermes/models_dev_cache.json)
+  3. Network fetch (https://models.dev/api.json)
+  4. Background refresh every 60 minutes
+
+Other modules should import the dataclasses and query functions from here
+rather than parsing the raw JSON themselves.
 """
 
+import difflib
 import json
 import logging
 import os
 import time
+from dataclasses import dataclass
 from pathlib import Path
-from typing import Any, Dict, Optional
+from typing import Any, Dict, List, Optional, Tuple
 
 from utils import atomic_json_write
 
@@ -28,7 +40,110 @@ _MODELS_DEV_CACHE_TTL = 3600  # 1 hour in-memory
 _models_dev_cache: Dict[str, Any] = {}
 _models_dev_cache_time: float = 0
 
-# Provider ID mapping: Hermes provider names → models.dev provider IDs
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Dataclasses — rich metadata for providers and models
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+@dataclass
+class ModelInfo:
+    """Full metadata for a single model from models.dev."""
+
+    id: str
+    name: str
+    family: str
+    provider_id: str        # models.dev provider ID (e.g. "anthropic")
+
+    # Capabilities
+    reasoning: bool = False
+    tool_call: bool = False
+    attachment: bool = False       # supports image/file attachments (vision)
+    temperature: bool = False
+    structured_output: bool = False
+    open_weights: bool = False
+
+    # Modalities
+    input_modalities: Tuple[str, ...] = ()    # ("text", "image", "pdf", ...)
+    output_modalities: Tuple[str, ...] = ()
+
+    # Limits
+    context_window: int = 0
+    max_output: int = 0
+    max_input: Optional[int] = None
+
+    # Cost (per million tokens, USD)
+    cost_input: float = 0.0
+    cost_output: float = 0.0
+    cost_cache_read: Optional[float] = None
+    cost_cache_write: Optional[float] = None
+
+    # Metadata
+    knowledge_cutoff: str = ""
+    release_date: str = ""
+    status: str = ""          # "alpha", "beta", "deprecated", or ""
+    interleaved: Any = False  # True or {"field": "reasoning_content"}
+
+    def has_cost_data(self) -> bool:
+        return self.cost_input > 0 or self.cost_output > 0
+
+    def supports_vision(self) -> bool:
+        return self.attachment or "image" in self.input_modalities
+
+    def supports_pdf(self) -> bool:
+        return "pdf" in self.input_modalities
+
+    def supports_audio_input(self) -> bool:
+        return "audio" in self.input_modalities
+
+    def format_cost(self) -> str:
+        """Human-readable cost string, e.g. '$3.00/M in, $15.00/M out'."""
+        if not self.has_cost_data():
+            return "unknown"
+        parts = [f"${self.cost_input:.2f}/M in", f"${self.cost_output:.2f}/M out"]
+        if self.cost_cache_read is not None:
+            parts.append(f"cache read ${self.cost_cache_read:.2f}/M")
+        return ", ".join(parts)
+
+    def format_capabilities(self) -> str:
+        """Human-readable capabilities, e.g. 'reasoning, tools, vision, PDF'."""
+        caps = []
+        if self.reasoning:
+            caps.append("reasoning")
+        if self.tool_call:
+            caps.append("tools")
+        if self.supports_vision():
+            caps.append("vision")
+        if self.supports_pdf():
+            caps.append("PDF")
+        if self.supports_audio_input():
+            caps.append("audio")
+        if self.structured_output:
+            caps.append("structured output")
+        if self.open_weights:
+            caps.append("open weights")
+        return ", ".join(caps) if caps else "basic"
+
+
+@dataclass
+class ProviderInfo:
+    """Full metadata for a provider from models.dev."""
+
+    id: str                         # models.dev provider ID
+    name: str                       # display name
+    env: Tuple[str, ...]            # env var names for API key
+    api: str                        # base URL
+    doc: str = ""                   # documentation URL
+    model_count: int = 0
+
+    def has_api_url(self) -> bool:
+        return bool(self.api)
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Provider ID mapping: Hermes ↔ models.dev
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+# Hermes provider names → models.dev provider IDs
 PROVIDER_TO_MODELS_DEV: Dict[str, str] = {
     "openrouter": "openrouter",
     "anthropic": "anthropic",
@@ -44,14 +159,34 @@ PROVIDER_TO_MODELS_DEV: Dict[str, str] = {
     "opencode-go": "opencode-go",
     "kilocode": "kilo",
     "fireworks": "fireworks-ai",
+    "huggingface": "huggingface",
+    "gemini": "google",
+    "google": "google",
+    "xai": "xai",
+    "nvidia": "nvidia",
+    "groq": "groq",
+    "mistral": "mistral",
+    "togetherai": "togetherai",
+    "perplexity": "perplexity",
+    "cohere": "cohere",
 }
 
+# Reverse mapping: models.dev → Hermes (built lazily)
+_MODELS_DEV_TO_PROVIDER: Optional[Dict[str, str]] = None
+
+
+def _get_reverse_mapping() -> Dict[str, str]:
+    """Return models.dev ID → Hermes provider ID mapping."""
+    global _MODELS_DEV_TO_PROVIDER
+    if _MODELS_DEV_TO_PROVIDER is None:
+        _MODELS_DEV_TO_PROVIDER = {v: k for k, v in PROVIDER_TO_MODELS_DEV.items()}
+    return _MODELS_DEV_TO_PROVIDER
+
 
 def _get_cache_path() -> Path:
     """Return path to disk cache file."""
-    env_val = os.environ.get("HERMES_HOME", "")
-    hermes_home = Path(env_val) if env_val else Path.home() / ".hermes"
-    return hermes_home / "models_dev_cache.json"
+    from hermes_constants import get_hermes_home
+    return get_hermes_home() / "models_dev_cache.json"
 
 
 def _load_disk_cache() -> Dict[str, Any]:
@@ -95,7 +230,7 @@ def fetch_models_dev(force_refresh: bool = False) -> Dict[str, Any]:
         response = requests.get(MODELS_DEV_URL, timeout=15)
         response.raise_for_status()
         data = response.json()
-        if isinstance(data, dict) and len(data) > 0:
+        if isinstance(data, dict) and data:
             _models_dev_cache = data
             _models_dev_cache_time = time.time()
             _save_disk_cache(data)
@@ -170,3 +305,476 @@ def _extract_context(entry: Dict[str, Any]) -> Optional[int]:
     if isinstance(ctx, (int, float)) and ctx > 0:
         return int(ctx)
     return None
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Model capability metadata
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+@dataclass
+class ModelCapabilities:
+    """Structured capability metadata for a model from models.dev."""
+
+    supports_tools: bool = True
+    supports_vision: bool = False
+    supports_reasoning: bool = False
+    context_window: int = 200000
+    max_output_tokens: int = 8192
+    model_family: str = ""
+
+
+def _get_provider_models(provider: str) -> Optional[Dict[str, Any]]:
+    """Resolve a Hermes provider ID to its models dict from models.dev.
+
+    Returns the models dict or None if the provider is unknown or has no data.
+    """
+    mdev_provider_id = PROVIDER_TO_MODELS_DEV.get(provider)
+    if not mdev_provider_id:
+        return None
+
+    data = fetch_models_dev()
+    provider_data = data.get(mdev_provider_id)
+    if not isinstance(provider_data, dict):
+        return None
+
+    models = provider_data.get("models", {})
+    if not isinstance(models, dict):
+        return None
+
+    return models
+
+
+def _find_model_entry(models: Dict[str, Any], model: str) -> Optional[Dict[str, Any]]:
+    """Find a model entry by exact match, then case-insensitive fallback."""
+    # Exact match
+    entry = models.get(model)
+    if isinstance(entry, dict):
+        return entry
+
+    # Case-insensitive match
+    model_lower = model.lower()
+    for mid, mdata in models.items():
+        if mid.lower() == model_lower and isinstance(mdata, dict):
+            return mdata
+
+    return None
+
+
+def get_model_capabilities(provider: str, model: str) -> Optional[ModelCapabilities]:
+    """Look up full capability metadata from models.dev cache.
+
+    Uses the existing fetch_models_dev() and PROVIDER_TO_MODELS_DEV mapping.
+    Returns None if model not found.
+
+    Extracts from model entry fields:
+      - reasoning  (bool)  → supports_reasoning
+      - tool_call  (bool)  → supports_tools
+      - attachment (bool)  → supports_vision
+      - limit.context (int) → context_window
+      - limit.output  (int) → max_output_tokens
+      - family     (str)   → model_family
+    """
+    models = _get_provider_models(provider)
+    if models is None:
+        return None
+
+    entry = _find_model_entry(models, model)
+    if entry is None:
+        return None
+
+    # Extract capability flags (default to False if missing)
+    supports_tools = bool(entry.get("tool_call", False))
+    supports_vision = bool(entry.get("attachment", False))
+    supports_reasoning = bool(entry.get("reasoning", False))
+
+    # Extract limits
+    limit = entry.get("limit", {})
+    if not isinstance(limit, dict):
+        limit = {}
+
+    ctx = limit.get("context")
+    context_window = int(ctx) if isinstance(ctx, (int, float)) and ctx > 0 else 200000
+
+    out = limit.get("output")
+    max_output_tokens = int(out) if isinstance(out, (int, float)) and out > 0 else 8192
+
+    model_family = entry.get("family", "") or ""
+
+    return ModelCapabilities(
+        supports_tools=supports_tools,
+        supports_vision=supports_vision,
+        supports_reasoning=supports_reasoning,
+        context_window=context_window,
+        max_output_tokens=max_output_tokens,
+        model_family=model_family,
+    )
+
+
+def list_provider_models(provider: str) -> List[str]:
+    """Return all model IDs for a provider from models.dev.
+
+    Returns an empty list if the provider is unknown or has no data.
+    """
+    models = _get_provider_models(provider)
+    if models is None:
+        return []
+    return list(models.keys())
+
+
+# Patterns that indicate non-agentic or noise models (TTS, embedding,
+# dated preview snapshots, live/streaming-only, image-only).
+import re
+_NOISE_PATTERNS: re.Pattern = re.compile(
+    r"-tts\b|embedding|live-|-(preview|exp)-\d{2,4}[-_]|"
+    r"-image\b|-image-preview\b|-customtools\b",
+    re.IGNORECASE,
+)
+
+
+def list_agentic_models(provider: str) -> List[str]:
+    """Return model IDs suitable for agentic use from models.dev.
+
+    Filters for tool_call=True and excludes noise (TTS, embedding,
+    dated preview snapshots, live/streaming, image-only models).
+    Returns an empty list on any failure.
+    """
+    models = _get_provider_models(provider)
+    if models is None:
+        return []
+
+    result = []
+    for mid, entry in models.items():
+        if not isinstance(entry, dict):
+            continue
+        if not entry.get("tool_call", False):
+            continue
+        if _NOISE_PATTERNS.search(mid):
+            continue
+        result.append(mid)
+    return result
+
+
+def search_models_dev(
+    query: str, provider: str = None, limit: int = 5
+) -> List[Dict[str, Any]]:
+    """Fuzzy search across models.dev catalog. Returns matching model entries.
+
+    Args:
+        query: Search string to match against model IDs.
+        provider: Optional Hermes provider ID to restrict search scope.
+                  If None, searches across all providers in PROVIDER_TO_MODELS_DEV.
+        limit: Maximum number of results to return.
+
+    Returns:
+        List of dicts, each containing 'provider', 'model_id', and the full
+        model 'entry' from models.dev.
+    """
+    data = fetch_models_dev()
+    if not data:
+        return []
+
+    # Build list of (provider_id, model_id, entry) candidates
+    candidates: List[tuple] = []
+
+    if provider is not None:
+        # Search only the specified provider
+        mdev_provider_id = PROVIDER_TO_MODELS_DEV.get(provider)
+        if not mdev_provider_id:
+            return []
+        provider_data = data.get(mdev_provider_id, {})
+        if isinstance(provider_data, dict):
+            models = provider_data.get("models", {})
+            if isinstance(models, dict):
+                for mid, mdata in models.items():
+                    candidates.append((provider, mid, mdata))
+    else:
+        # Search across all mapped providers
+        for hermes_prov, mdev_prov in PROVIDER_TO_MODELS_DEV.items():
+            provider_data = data.get(mdev_prov, {})
+            if isinstance(provider_data, dict):
+                models = provider_data.get("models", {})
+                if isinstance(models, dict):
+                    for mid, mdata in models.items():
+                        candidates.append((hermes_prov, mid, mdata))
+
+    if not candidates:
+        return []
+
+    # Use difflib for fuzzy matching — case-insensitive comparison
+    model_ids_lower = [c[1].lower() for c in candidates]
+    query_lower = query.lower()
+
+    # First try exact substring matches (more intuitive than pure edit-distance)
+    substring_matches = []
+    for prov, mid, mdata in candidates:
+        if query_lower in mid.lower():
+            substring_matches.append({"provider": prov, "model_id": mid, "entry": mdata})
+
+    # Then add difflib fuzzy matches for any remaining slots
+    fuzzy_ids = difflib.get_close_matches(
+        query_lower, model_ids_lower, n=limit * 2, cutoff=0.4
+    )
+
+    seen_ids: set = set()
+    results: List[Dict[str, Any]] = []
+
+    # Prioritize substring matches
+    for match in substring_matches:
+        key = (match["provider"], match["model_id"])
+        if key not in seen_ids:
+            seen_ids.add(key)
+            results.append(match)
+            if len(results) >= limit:
+                return results
+
+    # Add fuzzy matches
+    for fid in fuzzy_ids:
+        # Find original-case candidates matching this lowered ID
+        for prov, mid, mdata in candidates:
+            if mid.lower() == fid:
+                key = (prov, mid)
+                if key not in seen_ids:
+                    seen_ids.add(key)
+                    results.append({"provider": prov, "model_id": mid, "entry": mdata})
+                    if len(results) >= limit:
+                        return results
+
+    return results
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Rich dataclass constructors — parse raw models.dev JSON into dataclasses
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+def _parse_model_info(model_id: str, raw: Dict[str, Any], provider_id: str) -> ModelInfo:
+    """Convert a raw models.dev model entry dict into a ModelInfo dataclass."""
+    limit = raw.get("limit") or {}
+    if not isinstance(limit, dict):
+        limit = {}
+
+    cost = raw.get("cost") or {}
+    if not isinstance(cost, dict):
+        cost = {}
+
+    modalities = raw.get("modalities") or {}
+    if not isinstance(modalities, dict):
+        modalities = {}
+
+    input_mods = modalities.get("input") or []
+    output_mods = modalities.get("output") or []
+
+    ctx = limit.get("context")
+    ctx_int = int(ctx) if isinstance(ctx, (int, float)) and ctx > 0 else 0
+    out = limit.get("output")
+    out_int = int(out) if isinstance(out, (int, float)) and out > 0 else 0
+    inp = limit.get("input")
+    inp_int = int(inp) if isinstance(inp, (int, float)) and inp > 0 else None
+
+    return ModelInfo(
+        id=model_id,
+        name=raw.get("name", "") or model_id,
+        family=raw.get("family", "") or "",
+        provider_id=provider_id,
+        reasoning=bool(raw.get("reasoning", False)),
+        tool_call=bool(raw.get("tool_call", False)),
+        attachment=bool(raw.get("attachment", False)),
+        temperature=bool(raw.get("temperature", False)),
+        structured_output=bool(raw.get("structured_output", False)),
+        open_weights=bool(raw.get("open_weights", False)),
+        input_modalities=tuple(input_mods) if isinstance(input_mods, list) else (),
+        output_modalities=tuple(output_mods) if isinstance(output_mods, list) else (),
+        context_window=ctx_int,
+        max_output=out_int,
+        max_input=inp_int,
+        cost_input=float(cost.get("input", 0) or 0),
+        cost_output=float(cost.get("output", 0) or 0),
+        cost_cache_read=float(cost["cache_read"]) if "cache_read" in cost and cost["cache_read"] is not None else None,
+        cost_cache_write=float(cost["cache_write"]) if "cache_write" in cost and cost["cache_write"] is not None else None,
+        knowledge_cutoff=raw.get("knowledge", "") or "",
+        release_date=raw.get("release_date", "") or "",
+        status=raw.get("status", "") or "",
+        interleaved=raw.get("interleaved", False),
+    )
+
+
+def _parse_provider_info(provider_id: str, raw: Dict[str, Any]) -> ProviderInfo:
+    """Convert a raw models.dev provider entry dict into a ProviderInfo."""
+    env = raw.get("env") or []
+    models = raw.get("models") or {}
+    return ProviderInfo(
+        id=provider_id,
+        name=raw.get("name", "") or provider_id,
+        env=tuple(env) if isinstance(env, list) else (),
+        api=raw.get("api", "") or "",
+        doc=raw.get("doc", "") or "",
+        model_count=len(models) if isinstance(models, dict) else 0,
+    )
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Provider-level queries
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+def get_provider_info(provider_id: str) -> Optional[ProviderInfo]:
+    """Get full provider metadata from models.dev.
+
+    Accepts either a Hermes provider ID (e.g. "kilocode") or a models.dev
+    ID (e.g. "kilo").  Returns None if the provider is not in the catalog.
+    """
+    # Resolve Hermes ID → models.dev ID
+    mdev_id = PROVIDER_TO_MODELS_DEV.get(provider_id, provider_id)
+
+    data = fetch_models_dev()
+    raw = data.get(mdev_id)
+    if not isinstance(raw, dict):
+        return None
+
+    return _parse_provider_info(mdev_id, raw)
+
+
+def list_all_providers() -> Dict[str, ProviderInfo]:
+    """Return all providers from models.dev as {provider_id: ProviderInfo}.
+
+    Returns the full catalog — 109+ providers.  For providers that have
+    a Hermes alias, both the models.dev ID and the Hermes ID are included.
+    """
+    data = fetch_models_dev()
+    result: Dict[str, ProviderInfo] = {}
+
+    for pid, pdata in data.items():
+        if isinstance(pdata, dict):
+            info = _parse_provider_info(pid, pdata)
+            result[pid] = info
+
+    return result
+
+
+def get_providers_for_env_var(env_var: str) -> List[str]:
+    """Reverse lookup: find all providers that use a given env var.
+
+    Useful for auto-detection: "user has ANTHROPIC_API_KEY set, which
+    providers does that enable?"
+
+    Returns list of models.dev provider IDs.
+    """
+    data = fetch_models_dev()
+    matches: List[str] = []
+
+    for pid, pdata in data.items():
+        if isinstance(pdata, dict):
+            env = pdata.get("env", [])
+            if isinstance(env, list) and env_var in env:
+                matches.append(pid)
+
+    return matches
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Model-level queries (rich ModelInfo)
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+def get_model_info(
+    provider_id: str, model_id: str
+) -> Optional[ModelInfo]:
+    """Get full model metadata from models.dev.
+
+    Accepts Hermes or models.dev provider ID.  Tries exact match then
+    case-insensitive fallback.  Returns None if not found.
+    """
+    mdev_id = PROVIDER_TO_MODELS_DEV.get(provider_id, provider_id)
+
+    data = fetch_models_dev()
+    pdata = data.get(mdev_id)
+    if not isinstance(pdata, dict):
+        return None
+
+    models = pdata.get("models", {})
+    if not isinstance(models, dict):
+        return None
+
+    # Exact match
+    raw = models.get(model_id)
+    if isinstance(raw, dict):
+        return _parse_model_info(model_id, raw, mdev_id)
+
+    # Case-insensitive fallback
+    model_lower = model_id.lower()
+    for mid, mdata in models.items():
+        if mid.lower() == model_lower and isinstance(mdata, dict):
+            return _parse_model_info(mid, mdata, mdev_id)
+
+    return None
+
+
+def get_model_info_any_provider(model_id: str) -> Optional[ModelInfo]:
+    """Search all providers for a model by ID.
+
+    Useful when you have a full slug like "anthropic/claude-sonnet-4.6" or
+    a bare name and want to find it anywhere.  Checks Hermes-mapped providers
+    first, then falls back to all models.dev providers.
+    """
+    data = fetch_models_dev()
+
+    # Try Hermes-mapped providers first (more likely what the user wants)
+    for hermes_id, mdev_id in PROVIDER_TO_MODELS_DEV.items():
+        pdata = data.get(mdev_id)
+        if not isinstance(pdata, dict):
+            continue
+        models = pdata.get("models", {})
+        if not isinstance(models, dict):
+            continue
+
+        raw = models.get(model_id)
+        if isinstance(raw, dict):
+            return _parse_model_info(model_id, raw, mdev_id)
+
+        # Case-insensitive
+        model_lower = model_id.lower()
+        for mid, mdata in models.items():
+            if mid.lower() == model_lower and isinstance(mdata, dict):
+                return _parse_model_info(mid, mdata, mdev_id)
+
+    # Fall back to ALL providers
+    for pid, pdata in data.items():
+        if pid in _get_reverse_mapping():
+            continue  # already checked
+        if not isinstance(pdata, dict):
+            continue
+        models = pdata.get("models", {})
+        if not isinstance(models, dict):
+            continue
+
+        raw = models.get(model_id)
+        if isinstance(raw, dict):
+            return _parse_model_info(model_id, raw, pid)
+
+    return None
+
+
+def list_provider_model_infos(provider_id: str) -> List[ModelInfo]:
+    """Return all models for a provider as ModelInfo objects.
+
+    Filters out deprecated models by default.
+    """
+    mdev_id = PROVIDER_TO_MODELS_DEV.get(provider_id, provider_id)
+
+    data = fetch_models_dev()
+    pdata = data.get(mdev_id)
+    if not isinstance(pdata, dict):
+        return []
+
+    models = pdata.get("models", {})
+    if not isinstance(models, dict):
+        return []
+
+    result: List[ModelInfo] = []
+    for mid, mdata in models.items():
+        if not isinstance(mdata, dict):
+            continue
+        status = mdata.get("status", "")
+        if status == "deprecated":
+            continue
+        result.append(_parse_model_info(mid, mdata, mdev_id))
+
+    return result

agent/prompt_builder.py

@@ -187,7 +187,47 @@ TOOL_USE_ENFORCEMENT_GUIDANCE = (
 
 # Model name substrings that trigger tool-use enforcement guidance.
 # Add new patterns here when a model family needs explicit steering.
-TOOL_USE_ENFORCEMENT_MODELS = ("gpt", "codex", "gemini", "gemma")
+TOOL_USE_ENFORCEMENT_MODELS = ("gpt", "codex", "gemini", "gemma", "grok")
+
+# OpenAI GPT/Codex-specific execution guidance.  Addresses known failure modes
+# where GPT models abandon work on partial results, skip prerequisite lookups,
+# hallucinate instead of using tools, and declare "done" without verification.
+# Inspired by patterns from OpenAI's GPT-5.4 prompting guide & OpenClaw PR #38953.
+OPENAI_MODEL_EXECUTION_GUIDANCE = (
+    "# Execution discipline\n"
+    "<tool_persistence>\n"
+    "- Use tools whenever they improve correctness, completeness, or grounding.\n"
+    "- Do not stop early when another tool call would materially improve the result.\n"
+    "- If a tool returns empty or partial results, retry with a different query or "
+    "strategy before giving up.\n"
+    "- Keep calling tools until: (1) the task is complete, AND (2) you have verified "
+    "the result.\n"
+    "</tool_persistence>\n"
+    "\n"
+    "<prerequisite_checks>\n"
+    "- Before taking an action, check whether prerequisite discovery, lookup, or "
+    "context-gathering steps are needed.\n"
+    "- Do not skip prerequisite steps just because the final action seems obvious.\n"
+    "- If a task depends on output from a prior step, resolve that dependency first.\n"
+    "</prerequisite_checks>\n"
+    "\n"
+    "<verification>\n"
+    "Before finalizing your response:\n"
+    "- Correctness: does the output satisfy every stated requirement?\n"
+    "- Grounding: are factual claims backed by tool outputs or provided context?\n"
+    "- Formatting: does the output match the requested format or schema?\n"
+    "- Safety: if the next step has side effects (file writes, commands, API calls), "
+    "confirm scope before executing.\n"
+    "</verification>\n"
+    "\n"
+    "<missing_context>\n"
+    "- If required context is missing, do NOT guess or hallucinate an answer.\n"
+    "- Use the appropriate lookup tool when missing information is retrievable "
+    "(search_files, web_search, read_file, etc.).\n"
+    "- Ask a clarifying question only when the information cannot be retrieved by tools.\n"
+    "- If you must proceed with incomplete information, label assumptions explicitly.\n"
+    "</missing_context>"
+)
 
 # Gemini/Gemma-specific operational guidance, adapted from OpenCode's gemini.txt.
 # Injected alongside TOOL_USE_ENFORCEMENT_GUIDANCE when the model is Gemini or Gemma.
@@ -704,7 +744,6 @@ def build_nous_subscription_prompt(valid_tool_names: "set[str] | None" = None) -
         "browser_type",
         "browser_scroll",
         "browser_console",
-        "browser_close",
         "browser_press",
         "browser_get_images",
         "browser_vision",
@@ -734,13 +773,13 @@ def build_nous_subscription_prompt(valid_tool_names: "set[str] | None" = None) -
 
     lines = [
         "# Nous Subscription",
-        "Nous subscription includes managed web tools (Firecrawl), image generation (FAL), OpenAI TTS, and browser automation (Browserbase) by default. Modal execution is optional.",
+        "Nous subscription includes managed web tools (Firecrawl), image generation (FAL), OpenAI TTS, and browser automation (Browser Use) by default. Modal execution is optional.",
         "Current capability status:",
     ]
     lines.extend(_status_line(feature) for feature in features.items())
     lines.extend(
         [
-            "When a Nous-managed feature is active, do not ask the user for Firecrawl, FAL, OpenAI TTS, or Browserbase API keys.",
+            "When a Nous-managed feature is active, do not ask the user for Firecrawl, FAL, OpenAI TTS, or Browser-Use API keys.",
             "If the user is not subscribed and asks for a capability that Nous subscription would unlock or simplify, suggest Nous subscription as one option alongside direct setup or local alternatives.",
             "Do not mention subscription unless the user asks about it or it directly solves the current missing capability.",
             "Useful commands: hermes setup, hermes setup tools, hermes setup terminal, hermes status.",

agent/redact.py

@@ -48,13 +48,18 @@ _PREFIX_PATTERNS = [
     r"sk_[A-Za-z0-9_]{10,}",            # ElevenLabs TTS key (sk_ underscore, not sk- dash)
     r"tvly-[A-Za-z0-9]{10,}",           # Tavily search API key
     r"exa_[A-Za-z0-9]{10,}",            # Exa search API key
+    r"gsk_[A-Za-z0-9]{10,}",            # Groq Cloud API key
+    r"syt_[A-Za-z0-9]{10,}",            # Matrix access token
+    r"retaindb_[A-Za-z0-9]{10,}",       # RetainDB API key
+    r"hsk-[A-Za-z0-9]{10,}",            # Hindsight API key
+    r"mem0_[A-Za-z0-9]{10,}",           # Mem0 Platform API key
+    r"brv_[A-Za-z0-9]{10,}",            # ByteRover API key
 ]
 
 # ENV assignment patterns: KEY=value where KEY contains a secret-like name
 _SECRET_ENV_NAMES = r"(?:API_?KEY|TOKEN|SECRET|PASSWORD|PASSWD|CREDENTIAL|AUTH)"
 _ENV_ASSIGN_RE = re.compile(
-    rf"([A-Z_]*{_SECRET_ENV_NAMES}[A-Z_]*)\s*=\s*(['\"]?)(\S+)\2",
-    re.IGNORECASE,
+    rf"([A-Z0-9_]{{0,50}}{_SECRET_ENV_NAMES}[A-Z0-9_]{{0,50}})\s*=\s*(['\"]?)(\S+)\2",
 )
 
 # JSON field patterns: "apiKey": "value", "token": "value", etc.

agent/skill_commands.py

@@ -16,6 +16,9 @@ logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
 _skill_commands: Dict[str, Dict[str, Any]] = {}
 _PLAN_SLUG_RE = re.compile(r"[^a-z0-9]+")
+# Patterns for sanitizing skill names into clean hyphen-separated slugs.
+_SKILL_INVALID_CHARS = re.compile(r"[^a-z0-9-]")
+_SKILL_MULTI_HYPHEN = re.compile(r"-{2,}")
 
 
 def build_plan_path(
@@ -76,6 +79,45 @@ def _load_skill_payload(skill_identifier: str, task_id: str | None = None) -> tu
     return loaded_skill, skill_dir, skill_name
 
 
+def _inject_skill_config(loaded_skill: dict[str, Any], parts: list[str]) -> None:
+    """Resolve and inject skill-declared config values into the message parts.
+
+    If the loaded skill's frontmatter declares ``metadata.hermes.config``
+    entries, their current values (from config.yaml or defaults) are appended
+    as a ``[Skill config: ...]`` block so the agent knows the configured values
+    without needing to read config.yaml itself.
+    """
+    try:
+        from agent.skill_utils import (
+            extract_skill_config_vars,
+            parse_frontmatter,
+            resolve_skill_config_values,
+        )
+
+        # The loaded_skill dict contains the raw content which includes frontmatter
+        raw_content = str(loaded_skill.get("raw_content") or loaded_skill.get("content") or "")
+        if not raw_content:
+            return
+
+        frontmatter, _ = parse_frontmatter(raw_content)
+        config_vars = extract_skill_config_vars(frontmatter)
+        if not config_vars:
+            return
+
+        resolved = resolve_skill_config_values(config_vars)
+        if not resolved:
+            return
+
+        lines = ["", "[Skill config (from ~/.hermes/config.yaml):"]
+        for key, value in resolved.items():
+            display_val = str(value) if value else "(not set)"
+            lines.append(f"  {key} = {display_val}")
+        lines.append("]")
+        parts.extend(lines)
+    except Exception:
+        pass  # Non-critical — skill still loads without config injection
+
+
 def _build_skill_message(
     loaded_skill: dict[str, Any],
     skill_dir: Path | None,
@@ -90,6 +132,9 @@ def _build_skill_message(
 
     parts = [activation_note, "", content.strip()]
 
+    # ── Inject resolved skill config values ──
+    _inject_skill_config(loaded_skill, parts)
+
     if loaded_skill.get("setup_skipped"):
         parts.extend(
             [
@@ -196,7 +241,14 @@ def scan_skill_commands() -> Dict[str, Dict[str, Any]]:
                                 description = line[:80]
                                 break
                     seen_names.add(name)
+                    # Normalize to hyphen-separated slug, stripping
+                    # non-alnum chars (e.g. +, /) to avoid invalid
+                    # Telegram command names downstream.
                     cmd_name = name.lower().replace(' ', '-').replace('_', '-')
+                    cmd_name = _SKILL_INVALID_CHARS.sub('', cmd_name)
+                    cmd_name = _SKILL_MULTI_HYPHEN.sub('-', cmd_name).strip('-')
+                    if not cmd_name:
+                        continue
                     _skill_commands[f"/{cmd_name}"] = {
                         "name": name,
                         "description": description or f"Invoke the {name} skill",
@@ -217,6 +269,25 @@ def get_skill_commands() -> Dict[str, Dict[str, Any]]:
     return _skill_commands
 
 
+def resolve_skill_command_key(command: str) -> Optional[str]:
+    """Resolve a user-typed /command to its canonical skill_cmds key.
+
+    Skills are always stored with hyphens — ``scan_skill_commands`` normalizes
+    spaces and underscores to hyphens when building the key. Hyphens and
+    underscores are treated interchangeably in user input: this matches
+    ``_check_unavailable_skill`` and accommodates Telegram bot-command names
+    (which disallow hyphens, so ``/claude-code`` is registered as
+    ``/claude_code`` and comes back in the underscored form).
+
+    Returns the matching ``/slug`` key from ``get_skill_commands()`` or
+    ``None`` if no match.
+    """
+    if not command:
+        return None
+    cmd_key = f"/{command.replace('_', '-')}"
+    return cmd_key if cmd_key in get_skill_commands() else None
+
+
 def build_skill_invocation_message(
     cmd_key: str,
     user_instruction: str = "",

agent/skill_utils.py

@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ import os
 import re
 import sys
 from pathlib import Path
-from typing import Any, Dict, List, Optional, Set, Tuple
+from typing import Any, Dict, List, Set, Tuple
 
 from hermes_constants import get_hermes_home
 
@@ -254,6 +254,163 @@ def extract_skill_conditions(frontmatter: Dict[str, Any]) -> Dict[str, List]:
     }
 
 
+# ── Skill config extraction ───────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+
+def extract_skill_config_vars(frontmatter: Dict[str, Any]) -> List[Dict[str, Any]]:
+    """Extract config variable declarations from parsed frontmatter.
+
+    Skills declare config.yaml settings they need via::
+
+        metadata:
+          hermes:
+            config:
+              - key: wiki.path
+                description: Path to the LLM Wiki knowledge base directory
+                default: "~/wiki"
+                prompt: Wiki directory path
+
+    Returns a list of dicts with keys: ``key``, ``description``, ``default``,
+    ``prompt``.  Invalid or incomplete entries are silently skipped.
+    """
+    metadata = frontmatter.get("metadata")
+    if not isinstance(metadata, dict):
+        return []
+    hermes = metadata.get("hermes")
+    if not isinstance(hermes, dict):
+        return []
+    raw = hermes.get("config")
+    if not raw:
+        return []
+    if isinstance(raw, dict):
+        raw = [raw]
+    if not isinstance(raw, list):
+        return []
+
+    result: List[Dict[str, Any]] = []
+    seen: set = set()
+    for item in raw:
+        if not isinstance(item, dict):
+            continue
+        key = str(item.get("key", "")).strip()
+        if not key or key in seen:
+            continue
+        # Must have at least key and description
+        desc = str(item.get("description", "")).strip()
+        if not desc:
+            continue
+        entry: Dict[str, Any] = {
+            "key": key,
+            "description": desc,
+        }
+        default = item.get("default")
+        if default is not None:
+            entry["default"] = default
+        prompt_text = item.get("prompt")
+        if isinstance(prompt_text, str) and prompt_text.strip():
+            entry["prompt"] = prompt_text.strip()
+        else:
+            entry["prompt"] = desc
+        seen.add(key)
+        result.append(entry)
+    return result
+
+
+def discover_all_skill_config_vars() -> List[Dict[str, Any]]:
+    """Scan all enabled skills and collect their config variable declarations.
+
+    Walks every skills directory, parses each SKILL.md frontmatter, and returns
+    a deduplicated list of config var dicts.  Each dict also includes a
+    ``skill`` key with the skill name for attribution.
+
+    Disabled and platform-incompatible skills are excluded.
+    """
+    all_vars: List[Dict[str, Any]] = []
+    seen_keys: set = set()
+
+    disabled = get_disabled_skill_names()
+    for skills_dir in get_all_skills_dirs():
+        if not skills_dir.is_dir():
+            continue
+        for skill_file in iter_skill_index_files(skills_dir, "SKILL.md"):
+            try:
+                raw = skill_file.read_text(encoding="utf-8")
+                frontmatter, _ = parse_frontmatter(raw)
+            except Exception:
+                continue
+
+            skill_name = frontmatter.get("name") or skill_file.parent.name
+            if str(skill_name) in disabled:
+                continue
+            if not skill_matches_platform(frontmatter):
+                continue
+
+            config_vars = extract_skill_config_vars(frontmatter)
+            for var in config_vars:
+                if var["key"] not in seen_keys:
+                    var["skill"] = str(skill_name)
+                    all_vars.append(var)
+                    seen_keys.add(var["key"])
+
+    return all_vars
+
+
+# Storage prefix: all skill config vars are stored under skills.config.*
+# in config.yaml.  Skill authors declare logical keys (e.g. "wiki.path");
+# the system adds this prefix for storage and strips it for display.
+SKILL_CONFIG_PREFIX = "skills.config"
+
+
+def _resolve_dotpath(config: Dict[str, Any], dotted_key: str):
+    """Walk a nested dict following a dotted key.  Returns None if any part is missing."""
+    parts = dotted_key.split(".")
+    current = config
+    for part in parts:
+        if isinstance(current, dict) and part in current:
+            current = current[part]
+        else:
+            return None
+    return current
+
+
+def resolve_skill_config_values(
+    config_vars: List[Dict[str, Any]],
+) -> Dict[str, Any]:
+    """Resolve current values for skill config vars from config.yaml.
+
+    Skill config is stored under ``skills.config.<key>`` in config.yaml.
+    Returns a dict mapping **logical** keys (as declared by skills) to their
+    current values (or the declared default if the key isn't set).
+    Path values are expanded via ``os.path.expanduser``.
+    """
+    config_path = get_hermes_home() / "config.yaml"
+    config: Dict[str, Any] = {}
+    if config_path.exists():
+        try:
+            parsed = yaml_load(config_path.read_text(encoding="utf-8"))
+            if isinstance(parsed, dict):
+                config = parsed
+        except Exception:
+            pass
+
+    resolved: Dict[str, Any] = {}
+    for var in config_vars:
+        logical_key = var["key"]
+        storage_key = f"{SKILL_CONFIG_PREFIX}.{logical_key}"
+        value = _resolve_dotpath(config, storage_key)
+
+        if value is None or (isinstance(value, str) and not value.strip()):
+            value = var.get("default", "")
+
+        # Expand ~ in path-like values
+        if isinstance(value, str) and ("~" in value or "${" in value):
+            value = os.path.expanduser(os.path.expandvars(value))
+
+        resolved[logical_key] = value
+
+    return resolved
+
+
 # ── Description extraction ────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
 

agent/subdirectory_hints.py

@@ -0,0 +1,218 @@
+"""Progressive subdirectory hint discovery.
+
+As the agent navigates into subdirectories via tool calls (read_file, terminal,
+search_files, etc.), this module discovers and loads project context files
+(AGENTS.md, CLAUDE.md, .cursorrules) from those directories.  Discovered hints
+are appended to the tool result so the model gets relevant context at the moment
+it starts working in a new area of the codebase.
+
+This complements the startup context loading in ``prompt_builder.py`` which only
+loads from the CWD.  Subdirectory hints are discovered lazily and injected into
+the conversation without modifying the system prompt (preserving prompt caching).
+
+Inspired by Block/goose's SubdirectoryHintTracker.
+"""
+
+import logging
+import os
+import shlex
+from pathlib import Path
+from typing import Dict, Any, Optional, Set
+
+from agent.prompt_builder import _scan_context_content
+
+logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+
+# Context files to look for in subdirectories, in priority order.
+# Same filenames as prompt_builder.py but we load ALL found (not first-wins)
+# since different subdirectories may use different conventions.
+_HINT_FILENAMES = [
+    "AGENTS.md", "agents.md",
+    "CLAUDE.md", "claude.md",
+    ".cursorrules",
+]
+
+# Maximum chars per hint file to prevent context bloat
+_MAX_HINT_CHARS = 8_000
+
+# Tool argument keys that typically contain file paths
+_PATH_ARG_KEYS = {"path", "file_path", "workdir"}
+
+# Tools that take shell commands where we should extract paths
+_COMMAND_TOOLS = {"terminal"}
+
+# How many parent directories to walk up when looking for hints.
+# Prevents scanning all the way to / for deeply nested paths.
+_MAX_ANCESTOR_WALK = 5
+
+class SubdirectoryHintTracker:
+    """Track which directories the agent visits and load hints on first access.
+
+    Usage::
+
+        tracker = SubdirectoryHintTracker(working_dir="/path/to/project")
+
+        # After each tool call:
+        hints = tracker.check_tool_call("read_file", {"path": "backend/src/main.py"})
+        if hints:
+            tool_result += hints  # append to the tool result string
+    """
+
+    def __init__(self, working_dir: Optional[str] = None):
+        self.working_dir = Path(working_dir or os.getcwd()).resolve()
+        self._loaded_dirs: Set[Path] = set()
+        # Pre-mark the working dir as loaded (startup context handles it)
+        self._loaded_dirs.add(self.working_dir)
+
+    def check_tool_call(
+        self,
+        tool_name: str,
+        tool_args: Dict[str, Any],
+    ) -> Optional[str]:
+        """Check tool call arguments for new directories and load any hint files.
+
+        Returns formatted hint text to append to the tool result, or None.
+        """
+        dirs = self._extract_directories(tool_name, tool_args)
+        if not dirs:
+            return None
+
+        all_hints = []
+        for d in dirs:
+            hints = self._load_hints_for_directory(d)
+            if hints:
+                all_hints.append(hints)
+
+        if not all_hints:
+            return None
+
+        return "\n\n" + "\n\n".join(all_hints)
+
+    def _extract_directories(
+        self, tool_name: str, args: Dict[str, Any]
+    ) -> list:
+        """Extract directory paths from tool call arguments."""
+        candidates: Set[Path] = set()
+
+        # Direct path arguments
+        for key in _PATH_ARG_KEYS:
+            val = args.get(key)
+            if isinstance(val, str) and val.strip():
+                self._add_path_candidate(val, candidates)
+
+        # Shell commands — extract path-like tokens
+        if tool_name in _COMMAND_TOOLS:
+            cmd = args.get("command", "")
+            if isinstance(cmd, str):
+                self._extract_paths_from_command(cmd, candidates)
+
+        return list(candidates)
+
+    def _add_path_candidate(self, raw_path: str, candidates: Set[Path]):
+        """Resolve a raw path and add its directory + ancestors to candidates.
+
+        Walks up from the resolved directory toward the filesystem root,
+        stopping at the first directory already in ``_loaded_dirs`` (or after
+        ``_MAX_ANCESTOR_WALK`` levels).  This ensures that reading
+        ``project/src/main.py`` discovers ``project/AGENTS.md`` even when
+        ``project/src/`` has no hint files of its own.
+        """
+        try:
+            p = Path(raw_path).expanduser()
+            if not p.is_absolute():
+                p = self.working_dir / p
+            p = p.resolve()
+            # Use parent if it's a file path (has extension or doesn't exist as dir)
+            if p.suffix or (p.exists() and p.is_file()):
+                p = p.parent
+            # Walk up ancestors — stop at already-loaded or root
+            for _ in range(_MAX_ANCESTOR_WALK):
+                if p in self._loaded_dirs:
+                    break
+                if self._is_valid_subdir(p):
+                    candidates.add(p)
+                parent = p.parent
+                if parent == p:
+                    break  # filesystem root
+                p = parent
+        except (OSError, ValueError):
+            pass
+
+    def _extract_paths_from_command(self, cmd: str, candidates: Set[Path]):
+        """Extract path-like tokens from a shell command string."""
+        try:
+            tokens = shlex.split(cmd)
+        except ValueError:
+            tokens = cmd.split()
+
+        for token in tokens:
+            # Skip flags
+            if token.startswith("-"):
+                continue
+            # Must look like a path (contains / or .)
+            if "/" not in token and "." not in token:
+                continue
+            # Skip URLs
+            if token.startswith(("http://", "https://", "git@")):
+                continue
+            self._add_path_candidate(token, candidates)
+
+    def _is_valid_subdir(self, path: Path) -> bool:
+        """Check if path is a valid directory to scan for hints."""
+        if not path.is_dir():
+            return False
+        if path in self._loaded_dirs:
+            return False
+        return True
+
+    def _load_hints_for_directory(self, directory: Path) -> Optional[str]:
+        """Load hint files from a directory. Returns formatted text or None."""
+        self._loaded_dirs.add(directory)
+
+        found_hints = []
+        for filename in _HINT_FILENAMES:
+            hint_path = directory / filename
+            if not hint_path.is_file():
+                continue
+            try:
+                content = hint_path.read_text(encoding="utf-8").strip()
+                if not content:
+                    continue
+                # Same security scan as startup context loading
+                content = _scan_context_content(content, filename)
+                if len(content) > _MAX_HINT_CHARS:
+                    content = (
+                        content[:_MAX_HINT_CHARS]
+                        + f"\n\n[...truncated {filename}: {len(content):,} chars total]"
+                    )
+                # Best-effort relative path for display
+                rel_path = str(hint_path)
+                try:
+                    rel_path = str(hint_path.relative_to(self.working_dir))
+                except ValueError:
+                    try:
+                        rel_path = str(hint_path.relative_to(Path.home()))
+                        rel_path = "~/" + rel_path
+                    except ValueError:
+                        pass  # keep absolute
+                found_hints.append((rel_path, content))
+                # First match wins per directory (like startup loading)
+                break
+            except Exception as exc:
+                logger.debug("Could not read %s: %s", hint_path, exc)
+
+        if not found_hints:
+            return None
+
+        sections = []
+        for rel_path, content in found_hints:
+            sections.append(
+                f"[Subdirectory context discovered: {rel_path}]\n{content}"
+            )
+
+        logger.debug(
+            "Loaded subdirectory hints from %s: %s",
+            directory,
+            [h[0] for h in found_hints],
+        )
+        return "\n\n".join(sections)

batch_runner.py

@@ -31,6 +31,8 @@ from multiprocessing import Pool, Lock
 import traceback
 from rich.progress import Progress, SpinnerColumn, BarColumn, TextColumn, TimeRemainingColumn, MofNCompleteColumn
 from rich.console import Console
+
+logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 import fire
 
 from run_agent import AIAgent
@@ -1016,7 +1018,7 @@ class BatchRunner:
                             tool_stats = data.get('tool_stats', {})
                             
                             # Check for invalid tool names (model hallucinations)
-                            invalid_tools = [k for k in tool_stats.keys() if k not in VALID_TOOLS]
+                            invalid_tools = [k for k in tool_stats if k not in VALID_TOOLS]
                             
                             if invalid_tools:
                                 filtered_entries += 1

cli-config.yaml.example

@@ -18,7 +18,8 @@ model:
   #   "anthropic"    - Direct Anthropic API (requires: ANTHROPIC_API_KEY)
   #   "openai-codex" - OpenAI Codex (requires: hermes login --provider openai-codex)
   #   "copilot"      - GitHub Copilot / GitHub Models (requires: GITHUB_TOKEN)
-  #   "zai"          - z.ai / ZhipuAI GLM (requires: GLM_API_KEY)
+  #   "gemini"      - Use Google AI Studio direct (requires: GOOGLE_API_KEY or GEMINI_API_KEY)
+  #   "zai"         - Use z.ai / ZhipuAI GLM models (requires: GLM_API_KEY)
   #   "kimi-coding"  - Kimi / Moonshot AI (requires: KIMI_API_KEY)
   #   "minimax"      - MiniMax global (requires: MINIMAX_API_KEY)
   #   "minimax-cn"   - MiniMax China (requires: MINIMAX_CN_API_KEY)
@@ -34,6 +35,12 @@ model:
   #     base_url: "http://localhost:1234/v1"
   #   No API key needed — local servers typically ignore auth.
   #
+  #   For Ollama Cloud (https://ollama.com/pricing):
+  #     provider: "custom"
+  #     base_url: "https://ollama.com/v1"
+  #   Set OLLAMA_API_KEY in .env — automatically picked up when base_url
+  #   points to ollama.com.
+  #
   # Can also be overridden with --provider flag or HERMES_INFERENCE_PROVIDER env var.
   provider: "auto"
   
@@ -309,7 +316,8 @@ compression:
 #   "auto"       - Best available: OpenRouter → Nous Portal → main endpoint (default)
 #   "openrouter" - Force OpenRouter (requires OPENROUTER_API_KEY)
 #   "nous"       - Force Nous Portal (requires: hermes login)
-#   "codex"      - Force Codex OAuth (requires: hermes model → Codex).
+#   "gemini"      - Force Google AI Studio direct (requires: GOOGLE_API_KEY or GEMINI_API_KEY)
+#   "codex"       - Force Codex OAuth (requires: hermes model → Codex).
 #                  Uses gpt-5.3-codex which supports vision.
 #   "main"       - Use your custom endpoint (OPENAI_BASE_URL + OPENAI_API_KEY).
 #                  Works with OpenAI API, local models, or any OpenAI-compatible
@@ -531,7 +539,7 @@ platform_toolsets:
 #   terminal     - terminal, process
 #   file         - read_file, write_file, patch, search
 #   browser      - browser_navigate, browser_snapshot, browser_click, browser_type,
-#                  browser_scroll, browser_back, browser_press, browser_close,
+#                  browser_scroll, browser_back, browser_press,
 #                  browser_get_images, browser_vision  (requires BROWSERBASE_API_KEY)
 #   vision       - vision_analyze  (requires OPENROUTER_API_KEY)
 #   image_gen    - image_generate  (requires FAL_KEY)
@@ -539,7 +547,7 @@ platform_toolsets:
 #   skills_hub   - skill_hub (search/install/manage from online registries — user-driven only)
 #   moa          - mixture_of_agents  (requires OPENROUTER_API_KEY)
 #   todo         - todo (in-memory task planning, no deps)
-#   tts          - text_to_speech  (Edge TTS free, or ELEVENLABS/OPENAI key)
+#   tts          - text_to_speech  (Edge TTS free, or ELEVENLABS/OPENAI/MINIMAX key)
 #   cronjob      - cronjob (create/list/update/pause/resume/run/remove scheduled tasks)
 #   rl           - rl_list_environments, rl_start_training, etc. (requires TINKER_API_KEY)
 #
@@ -568,7 +576,7 @@ platform_toolsets:
 #   todo         - Task planning and tracking for multi-step work
 #   memory       - Persistent memory across sessions (personal notes + user profile)
 #   session_search - Search and recall past conversations (FTS5 + Gemini Flash summarization)
-#   tts          - Text-to-speech (Edge TTS free, ElevenLabs, OpenAI)
+#   tts          - Text-to-speech (Edge TTS free, ElevenLabs, OpenAI, MiniMax)
 #   cronjob      - Schedule and manage automated tasks (CLI-only)
 #   rl           - RL training tools (Tinker-Atropos)
 #
@@ -789,6 +797,27 @@ display:
   #
   skin: default
 
+# =============================================================================
+# Model Aliases — short names for /model command
+# =============================================================================
+# Map short aliases to exact (model, provider, base_url) tuples.
+# Used by /model tab completion and resolve_alias().
+# Aliases are checked BEFORE the models.dev catalog, so they can route
+# to endpoints not in the catalog (e.g. Ollama Cloud, local servers).
+#
+# model_aliases:
+#   opus:
+#     model: claude-opus-4-6
+#     provider: anthropic
+#   qwen:
+#     model: "qwen3.5:397b"
+#     provider: custom
+#     base_url: "https://ollama.com/v1"
+#   glm:
+#     model: glm-4.7
+#     provider: custom
+#     base_url: "https://ollama.com/v1"
+
 # =============================================================================
 # Privacy
 # =============================================================================

cli.py

@@ -63,14 +63,14 @@ from agent.usage_pricing import (
     format_duration_compact,
     format_token_count_compact,
 )
-from hermes_cli.banner import _format_context_length
+from hermes_cli.banner import _format_context_length, format_banner_version_label
 
 _COMMAND_SPINNER_FRAMES = ("⠋", "⠙", "⠹", "⠸", "⠼", "⠴", "⠦", "⠧", "⠇", "⠏")
 
 
 # Load .env from ~/.hermes/.env first, then project root as dev fallback.
 # User-managed env files should override stale shell exports on restart.
-from hermes_constants import get_hermes_home, display_hermes_home, OPENROUTER_BASE_URL
+from hermes_constants import get_hermes_home, display_hermes_home
 from hermes_cli.env_loader import load_hermes_dotenv
 
 _hermes_home = get_hermes_home()
@@ -120,6 +120,63 @@ def _parse_reasoning_config(effort: str) -> dict | None:
     return result
 
 
+def _get_chrome_debug_candidates(system: str) -> list[str]:
+    """Return likely browser executables for local CDP auto-launch."""
+    candidates: list[str] = []
+    seen: set[str] = set()
+
+    def _add_candidate(path: str | None) -> None:
+        if not path:
+            return
+        normalized = os.path.normcase(os.path.normpath(path))
+        if normalized in seen:
+            return
+        if os.path.isfile(path):
+            candidates.append(path)
+            seen.add(normalized)
+
+    def _add_from_path(*names: str) -> None:
+        for name in names:
+            _add_candidate(shutil.which(name))
+
+    if system == "Darwin":
+        for app in (
+            "/Applications/Google Chrome.app/Contents/MacOS/Google Chrome",
+            "/Applications/Chromium.app/Contents/MacOS/Chromium",
+            "/Applications/Brave Browser.app/Contents/MacOS/Brave Browser",
+            "/Applications/Microsoft Edge.app/Contents/MacOS/Microsoft Edge",
+        ):
+            _add_candidate(app)
+    elif system == "Windows":
+        _add_from_path(
+            "chrome.exe", "msedge.exe", "brave.exe", "chromium.exe",
+            "chrome", "msedge", "brave", "chromium",
+        )
+
+        for base in (
+            os.environ.get("ProgramFiles"),
+            os.environ.get("ProgramFiles(x86)"),
+            os.environ.get("LOCALAPPDATA"),
+        ):
+            if not base:
+                continue
+            for parts in (
+                ("Google", "Chrome", "Application", "chrome.exe"),
+                ("Chromium", "Application", "chrome.exe"),
+                ("Chromium", "Application", "chromium.exe"),
+                ("BraveSoftware", "Brave-Browser", "Application", "brave.exe"),
+                ("Microsoft", "Edge", "Application", "msedge.exe"),
+            ):
+                _add_candidate(os.path.join(base, *parts))
+    else:
+        _add_from_path(
+            "google-chrome", "google-chrome-stable", "chromium-browser",
+            "chromium", "brave-browser", "microsoft-edge",
+        )
+
+    return candidates
+
+
 def load_cli_config() -> Dict[str, Any]:
     """
     Load CLI configuration from config files.
@@ -453,6 +510,21 @@ def load_cli_config() -> Dict[str, Any]:
 # Load configuration at module startup
 CLI_CONFIG = load_cli_config()
 
+# Initialize centralized logging early — agent.log + errors.log in ~/.hermes/logs/.
+# This ensures CLI sessions produce a log trail even before AIAgent is instantiated.
+try:
+    from hermes_logging import setup_logging
+    setup_logging(mode="cli")
+except Exception:
+    pass  # Logging setup is best-effort — don't crash the CLI
+
+# Validate config structure early — print warnings before user hits cryptic errors
+try:
+    from hermes_cli.config import print_config_warnings
+    print_config_warnings()
+except Exception:
+    pass
+
 # Initialize the skin engine from config
 try:
     from hermes_cli.skin_engine import init_skin_from_config
@@ -964,25 +1036,70 @@ COMPACT_BANNER = """
 
 def _build_compact_banner() -> str:
     """Build a compact banner that fits the current terminal width."""
-    w = min(shutil.get_terminal_size().columns - 2, 64)
+    try:
+        from hermes_cli.skin_engine import get_active_skin
+        _skin = get_active_skin()
+    except Exception:
+        _skin = None
+
+    skin_name = getattr(_skin, "name", "default") if _skin else "default"
+    border_color = _skin.get_color("banner_border", "#FFD700") if _skin else "#FFD700"
+    title_color = _skin.get_color("banner_title", "#FFBF00") if _skin else "#FFBF00"
+    dim_color = _skin.get_color("banner_dim", "#B8860B") if _skin else "#B8860B"
+
+    if skin_name == "default":
+        line1 = "⚕ NOUS HERMES - AI Agent Framework"
+        tiny_line = "⚕ NOUS HERMES"
+    else:
+        agent_name = _skin.get_branding("agent_name", "Hermes Agent") if _skin else "Hermes Agent"
+        line1 = f"{agent_name} - AI Agent Framework"
+        tiny_line = agent_name
+
+    version_line = format_banner_version_label()
+
+    w = min(shutil.get_terminal_size().columns - 2, 88)
     if w < 30:
-        return "\n[#FFBF00]⚕ NOUS HERMES[/] [dim #B8860B]- Nous Research[/]\n"
+        return f"\n[{title_color}]{tiny_line}[/] [dim {dim_color}]- Nous Research[/]\n"
+
     inner = w - 2  # inside the box border
     bar = "═" * w
-    line1 = "⚕ NOUS HERMES - AI Agent Framework"
-    line2 = "Messenger of the Digital Gods  ·  Nous Research"
+    content_width = inner - 2
+
     # Truncate and pad to fit
-    line1 = line1[:inner - 2].ljust(inner - 2)
-    line2 = line2[:inner - 2].ljust(inner - 2)
+    line1 = line1[:content_width].ljust(content_width)
+    line2 = version_line[:content_width].ljust(content_width)
+
     return (
-        f"\n[bold #FFD700]╔{bar}╗[/]\n"
-        f"[bold #FFD700]║[/] [#FFBF00]{line1}[/] [bold #FFD700]║[/]\n"
-        f"[bold #FFD700]║[/] [dim #B8860B]{line2}[/] [bold #FFD700]║[/]\n"
-        f"[bold #FFD700]╚{bar}╝[/]\n"
+        f"\n[bold {border_color}]╔{bar}╗[/]\n"
+        f"[bold {border_color}]║[/] [{title_color}]{line1}[/] [bold {border_color}]║[/]\n"
+        f"[bold {border_color}]║[/] [dim {dim_color}]{line2}[/] [bold {border_color}]║[/]\n"
+        f"[bold {border_color}]╚{bar}╝[/]\n"
     )
 
 
 
+# ============================================================================
+# Slash-command detection helper
+# ============================================================================
+
+def _looks_like_slash_command(text: str) -> bool:
+    """Return True if *text* looks like a slash command, not a file path.
+
+    Slash commands are ``/help``, ``/model gpt-4``, ``/q``, etc.
+    File paths like ``/Users/ironin/file.md:45-46 can you fix this?``
+    also start with ``/`` but contain additional ``/`` characters in
+    the first whitespace-delimited word.  This helper distinguishes
+    the two so that pasted paths are sent to the agent instead of
+    triggering "Unknown command".
+    """
+    if not text or not text.startswith("/"):
+        return False
+    first_word = text.split()[0]
+    # After stripping the leading /, a command name has no slashes.
+    # A path like /Users/foo/bar.md always does.
+    return "/" not in first_word[1:]
+
+
 # ============================================================================
 # Skill Slash Commands — dynamic commands generated from installed skills
 # ============================================================================
@@ -1235,8 +1352,11 @@ class HermesCLI:
         # Parse and validate toolsets
         self.enabled_toolsets = toolsets
         if toolsets and "all" not in toolsets and "*" not in toolsets:
-            # Validate each toolset
-            invalid = [t for t in toolsets if not validate_toolset(t)]
+            # Validate each toolset — MCP server names are added by
+            # _get_platform_tools() but aren't registered in TOOLSETS yet
+            # (that happens later in _sync_mcp_toolsets), so exclude them.
+            mcp_names = set((CLI_CONFIG.get("mcp_servers") or {}).keys())
+            invalid = [t for t in toolsets if not validate_toolset(t) and t not in mcp_names]
             if invalid:
                 self.console.print(f"[bold red]Warning: Unknown toolsets: {', '.join(invalid)}[/]")
         
@@ -1823,6 +1943,12 @@ class HermesCLI:
             _cprint(f"{_DIM}└{'─' * (w - 2)}┘{_RST}")
             self._reasoning_box_opened = False
 
+            # Flush any content that was deferred while reasoning was rendering.
+            deferred = getattr(self, "_deferred_content", "")
+            if deferred:
+                self._deferred_content = ""
+                self._emit_stream_text(deferred)
+
     def _stream_delta(self, text) -> None:
         """Line-buffered streaming callback for real-time token rendering.
 
@@ -1925,6 +2051,13 @@ class HermesCLI:
         if not text:
             return
 
+        # When show_reasoning is on and reasoning is still rendering,
+        # defer content until the reasoning box closes.  This ensures the
+        # reasoning block always appears BEFORE the response in the terminal.
+        if self.show_reasoning and getattr(self, "_reasoning_box_opened", False):
+            self._deferred_content = getattr(self, "_deferred_content", "") + text
+            return
+
         # Close the live reasoning box before opening the response box
         self._close_reasoning_box()
 
@@ -1991,6 +2124,7 @@ class HermesCLI:
         self._reasoning_box_opened = False
         self._reasoning_buf = ""
         self._reasoning_preview_buf = ""
+        self._deferred_content = ""
 
     def _slow_command_status(self, command: str) -> str:
         """Return a user-facing status message for slower slash commands."""
@@ -2052,7 +2186,7 @@ class HermesCLI:
             )
         except Exception as exc:
             message = format_runtime_provider_error(exc)
-            self.console.print(f"[bold red]{message}[/]")
+            ChatConsole().print(f"[bold red]{message}[/]")
             return False
 
         api_key = runtime.get("api_key")
@@ -2267,7 +2401,7 @@ class HermesCLI:
                     self._pending_title = None
             return True
         except Exception as e:
-            self.console.print(f"[bold red]Failed to initialize agent: {e}[/]")
+            ChatConsole().print(f"[bold red]Failed to initialize agent: {e}[/]")
             return False
     
     def show_banner(self):
@@ -2333,6 +2467,22 @@ class HermesCLI:
                     "[dim]   Fix: Set model.context_length in config.yaml, or increase your server's context setting[/]"
                 )
 
+        # Warn if the configured model is a Nous Hermes LLM (not agentic)
+        model_name = getattr(self, "model", "") or ""
+        if "hermes" in model_name.lower():
+            self.console.print()
+            self.console.print(
+                "[bold yellow]⚠  Nous Research Hermes 3 & 4 models are NOT agentic and are not "
+                "designed for use with Hermes Agent.[/]"
+            )
+            self.console.print(
+                "[dim]   They lack tool-calling capabilities required for agent workflows. "
+                "Consider using an agentic model (Claude, GPT, Gemini, DeepSeek, etc.).[/]"
+            )
+            self.console.print(
+                "[dim]   Switch with: /model sonnet  or  /model gpt5[/]"
+            )
+
         self.console.print()
 
     def _preload_resumed_session(self) -> bool:
@@ -3409,13 +3559,6 @@ class HermesCLI:
         _cprint(f"  Original session: {parent_session_id}")
         _cprint(f"  Branch session:   {new_session_id}")
 
-    def reset_conversation(self):
-        """Reset the conversation by starting a new session."""
-        # Shut down memory provider before resetting — actual session boundary
-        if hasattr(self, 'agent') and self.agent:
-            self.agent.shutdown_memory_provider(self.conversation_history)
-        self.new_session()
-    
     def save_conversation(self):
         """Save the current conversation to a file."""
         if not self.conversation_history:
@@ -3497,6 +3640,181 @@ class HermesCLI:
         remaining = len(self.conversation_history)
         print(f"  {remaining} message(s) remaining in history.")
     
+    def _handle_model_switch(self, cmd_original: str):
+        """Handle /model command — switch model for this session.
+
+        Supports:
+          /model                              — show current model + usage hints
+          /model <name>                       — switch for this session only
+          /model <name> --global              — switch and persist to config.yaml
+          /model <name> --provider <provider> — switch provider + model
+          /model --provider <provider>        — switch to provider, auto-detect model
+        """
+        from hermes_cli.model_switch import switch_model, parse_model_flags, list_authenticated_providers
+        from hermes_cli.providers import get_label
+
+        # Parse args from the original command
+        parts = cmd_original.split(None, 1)  # split off '/model'
+        raw_args = parts[1].strip() if len(parts) > 1 else ""
+
+        # Parse --provider and --global flags
+        model_input, explicit_provider, persist_global = parse_model_flags(raw_args)
+
+        # No args at all: show available providers + models
+        if not model_input and not explicit_provider:
+            model_display = self.model or "unknown"
+            provider_display = get_label(self.provider) if self.provider else "unknown"
+            _cprint(f"  Current: {model_display} on {provider_display}")
+            _cprint("")
+
+            # Show authenticated providers with top models
+            try:
+                # Load user providers from config
+                user_provs = None
+                try:
+                    from hermes_cli.config import load_config
+                    cfg = load_config()
+                    user_provs = cfg.get("providers")
+                except Exception:
+                    pass
+
+                providers = list_authenticated_providers(
+                    current_provider=self.provider or "",
+                    user_providers=user_provs,
+                    max_models=6,
+                )
+                if providers:
+                    for p in providers:
+                        tag = " (current)" if p["is_current"] else ""
+                        _cprint(f"  {p['name']} [--provider {p['slug']}]{tag}:")
+                        if p["models"]:
+                            model_strs = ", ".join(p["models"])
+                            extra = f"  (+{p['total_models'] - len(p['models'])} more)" if p["total_models"] > len(p["models"]) else ""
+                            _cprint(f"    {model_strs}{extra}")
+                        elif p.get("api_url"):
+                            _cprint(f"    {p['api_url']} (use /model <name> --provider {p['slug']})")
+                        else:
+                            _cprint(f"    (no models listed)")
+                        _cprint("")
+                else:
+                    _cprint("  No authenticated providers found.")
+                    _cprint("")
+            except Exception:
+                pass
+
+            # Aliases
+            from hermes_cli.model_switch import MODEL_ALIASES
+            alias_list = ", ".join(sorted(MODEL_ALIASES.keys()))
+            _cprint(f"  Aliases: {alias_list}")
+            _cprint("")
+            _cprint("  /model <name>                        switch model")
+            _cprint("  /model <name> --provider <slug>      switch provider")
+            _cprint("  /model <name> --global               persist to config")
+            return
+
+        # Perform the switch
+        result = switch_model(
+            raw_input=model_input,
+            current_provider=self.provider or "",
+            current_model=self.model or "",
+            current_base_url=self.base_url or "",
+            current_api_key=self.api_key or "",
+            is_global=persist_global,
+            explicit_provider=explicit_provider,
+        )
+
+        if not result.success:
+            _cprint(f"  ✗ {result.error_message}")
+            return
+
+        # Apply to CLI state.
+        # Update requested_provider so _ensure_runtime_credentials() doesn't
+        # overwrite the switch on the next turn (it re-resolves from this).
+        old_model = self.model
+        self.model = result.new_model
+        self.provider = result.target_provider
+        self.requested_provider = result.target_provider
+        if result.api_key:
+            self.api_key = result.api_key
+            self._explicit_api_key = result.api_key
+        if result.base_url:
+            self.base_url = result.base_url
+            self._explicit_base_url = result.base_url
+        if result.api_mode:
+            self.api_mode = result.api_mode
+
+        # Apply to running agent (in-place swap)
+        if self.agent is not None:
+            try:
+                self.agent.switch_model(
+                    new_model=result.new_model,
+                    new_provider=result.target_provider,
+                    api_key=result.api_key,
+                    base_url=result.base_url,
+                    api_mode=result.api_mode,
+                )
+            except Exception as exc:
+                _cprint(f"  ⚠ Agent swap failed ({exc}); change applied to next session.")
+
+        # Store a note to prepend to the next user message so the model
+        # knows a switch occurred (avoids injecting system messages mid-history
+        # which breaks providers and prompt caching).
+        self._pending_model_switch_note = (
+            f"[Note: model was just switched from {old_model} to {result.new_model} "
+            f"via {result.provider_label or result.target_provider}. "
+            f"Adjust your self-identification accordingly.]"
+        )
+
+        # Display confirmation with full metadata
+        provider_label = result.provider_label or result.target_provider
+        _cprint(f"  ✓ Model switched: {result.new_model}")
+        _cprint(f"    Provider: {provider_label}")
+
+        # Rich metadata from models.dev
+        mi = result.model_info
+        if mi:
+            if mi.context_window:
+                _cprint(f"    Context: {mi.context_window:,} tokens")
+            if mi.max_output:
+                _cprint(f"    Max output: {mi.max_output:,} tokens")
+            if mi.has_cost_data():
+                _cprint(f"    Cost: {mi.format_cost()}")
+            _cprint(f"    Capabilities: {mi.format_capabilities()}")
+        else:
+            # Fallback to old context length lookup
+            try:
+                from agent.model_metadata import get_model_context_length
+                ctx = get_model_context_length(
+                    result.new_model,
+                    base_url=result.base_url or self.base_url,
+                    api_key=result.api_key or self.api_key,
+                    provider=result.target_provider,
+                )
+                _cprint(f"    Context: {ctx:,} tokens")
+            except Exception:
+                pass
+
+        # Cache notice
+        cache_enabled = (
+            ("openrouter" in (result.base_url or "").lower() and "claude" in result.new_model.lower())
+            or result.api_mode == "anthropic_messages"
+        )
+        if cache_enabled:
+            _cprint("    Prompt caching: enabled")
+
+        # Warning from validation
+        if result.warning_message:
+            _cprint(f"    ⚠ {result.warning_message}")
+
+        # Persistence
+        if persist_global:
+            save_config_value("model.default", result.new_model)
+            if result.provider_changed:
+                save_config_value("model.provider", result.target_provider)
+            _cprint("    Saved to config.yaml (--global)")
+        else:
+            _cprint("    (session only — add --global to persist)")
+
     def _show_model_and_providers(self):
         """Show current model + provider and list all authenticated providers.
 
@@ -3506,6 +3824,7 @@ class HermesCLI:
         from hermes_cli.models import (
             curated_models_for_provider, list_available_providers,
             normalize_provider, _PROVIDER_LABELS,
+            get_pricing_for_provider, format_model_pricing_table,
         )
         from hermes_cli.auth import resolve_provider as _resolve_provider
 
@@ -3539,7 +3858,13 @@ class HermesCLI:
                 marker = " ← active" if is_active else ""
                 print(f"    [{p['id']}]{marker}")
                 curated = curated_models_for_provider(p["id"])
-                if curated:
+                # Fetch pricing for providers that support it (openrouter, nous)
+                pricing_map = get_pricing_for_provider(p["id"]) if p["id"] in ("openrouter", "nous") else {}
+                if curated and pricing_map:
+                    cur_model = self.model if is_active else ""
+                    for line in format_model_pricing_table(curated, pricing_map, current_model=cur_model):
+                        print(line)
+                elif curated:
                     for mid, desc in curated:
                         current_marker = " ← current" if (is_active and mid == self.model) else ""
                         print(f"      {mid}{current_marker}")
@@ -3937,7 +4262,6 @@ class HermesCLI:
         
         try:
             config = load_gateway_config()
-            connected = config.get_connected_platforms()
             
             print("  Messaging Platform Configuration:")
             print("  " + "-" * 55)
@@ -4112,6 +4436,8 @@ class HermesCLI:
             self.new_session()
         elif canonical == "resume":
             self._handle_resume_command(cmd_original)
+        elif canonical == "model":
+            self._handle_model_switch(cmd_original)
         elif canonical == "provider":
             self._show_model_and_providers()
         elif canonical == "prompt":
@@ -4227,13 +4553,13 @@ class HermesCLI:
                             if output:
                                 self.console.print(_rich_text_from_ansi(output))
                             else:
-                                self.console.print("[dim]Command returned no output[/]")
+                                ChatConsole().print("[dim]Command returned no output[/]")
                         except subprocess.TimeoutExpired:
-                            self.console.print("[bold red]Quick command timed out (30s)[/]")
+                            ChatConsole().print("[bold red]Quick command timed out (30s)[/]")
                         except Exception as e:
-                            self.console.print(f"[bold red]Quick command error: {e}[/]")
+                            ChatConsole().print(f"[bold red]Quick command error: {e}[/]")
                     else:
-                        self.console.print(f"[bold red]Quick command '{base_cmd}' has no command defined[/]")
+                        ChatConsole().print(f"[bold red]Quick command '{base_cmd}' has no command defined[/]")
                 elif qcmd.get("type") == "alias":
                     target = qcmd.get("target", "").strip()
                     if target:
@@ -4242,9 +4568,9 @@ class HermesCLI:
                         aliased_command = f"{target} {user_args}".strip()
                         return self.process_command(aliased_command)
                     else:
-                        self.console.print(f"[bold red]Quick command '{base_cmd}' has no target defined[/]")
+                        ChatConsole().print(f"[bold red]Quick command '{base_cmd}' has no target defined[/]")
                 else:
-                    self.console.print(f"[bold red]Quick command '{base_cmd}' has unsupported type (supported: 'exec', 'alias')[/]")
+                    ChatConsole().print(f"[bold red]Quick command '{base_cmd}' has unsupported type (supported: 'exec', 'alias')[/]")
             # Check for plugin-registered slash commands
             elif base_cmd.lstrip("/") in _get_plugin_cmd_handler_names():
                 from hermes_cli.plugins import get_plugin_command_handler
@@ -4269,7 +4595,7 @@ class HermesCLI:
                     if hasattr(self, '_pending_input'):
                         self._pending_input.put(msg)
                 else:
-                    self.console.print(f"[bold red]Failed to load skill for {base_cmd}[/]")
+                    ChatConsole().print(f"[bold red]Failed to load skill for {base_cmd}[/]")
             else:
                 # Prefix matching: if input uniquely identifies one command, execute it.
                 # Matches against both built-in COMMANDS and installed skill commands so
@@ -4330,14 +4656,14 @@ class HermesCLI:
         )
 
         if not msg:
-            self.console.print("[bold red]Failed to load the bundled /plan skill[/]")
+            ChatConsole().print("[bold red]Failed to load the bundled /plan skill[/]")
             return
 
         _cprint(f"  📝 Plan mode queued via skill. Markdown plan target: {plan_path}")
         if hasattr(self, '_pending_input'):
             self._pending_input.put(msg)
         else:
-            self.console.print("[bold red]Plan mode unavailable: input queue not initialized[/]")
+            ChatConsole().print("[bold red]Plan mode unavailable: input queue not initialized[/]")
     
     def _handle_background_command(self, cmd: str):
         """Handle /background <prompt> — run a prompt in a separate background session.
@@ -4598,27 +4924,9 @@ class HermesCLI:
 
         Returns True if a launch command was executed (doesn't guarantee success).
         """
-        import shutil
         import subprocess as _sp
 
-        candidates = []
-        if system == "Darwin":
-            # macOS: try common app bundle locations
-            for app in (
-                "/Applications/Google Chrome.app/Contents/MacOS/Google Chrome",
-                "/Applications/Chromium.app/Contents/MacOS/Chromium",
-                "/Applications/Brave Browser.app/Contents/MacOS/Brave Browser",
-                "/Applications/Microsoft Edge.app/Contents/MacOS/Microsoft Edge",
-            ):
-                if os.path.isfile(app):
-                    candidates.append(app)
-        else:
-            # Linux: try common binary names
-            for name in ("google-chrome", "google-chrome-stable", "chromium-browser",
-                         "chromium", "brave-browser", "microsoft-edge"):
-                path = shutil.which(name)
-                if path:
-                    candidates.append(path)
+        candidates = _get_chrome_debug_candidates(system)
 
         if not candidates:
             return False
@@ -4744,13 +5052,13 @@ class HermesCLI:
                     pass
                 print()
                 print("🌐 Browser disconnected from live Chrome")
-                print("   Browser tools reverted to default mode (local headless or Browserbase)")
+                print("   Browser tools reverted to default mode (local headless or cloud provider)")
                 print()
 
                 if hasattr(self, '_pending_input'):
                     self._pending_input.put(
                         "[System note: The user has disconnected the browser tools from their live Chrome. "
-                        "Browser tools are back to default mode (headless local browser or Browserbase cloud).]"
+                        "Browser tools are back to default mode (headless local browser or cloud provider).]"
                     )
             else:
                 print()
@@ -4777,10 +5085,17 @@ class HermesCLI:
                     print("   Status: ✓ reachable")
                 except (OSError, Exception):
                     print("   Status: ⚠ not reachable (Chrome may not be running)")
-            elif os.environ.get("BROWSERBASE_API_KEY"):
-                print("🌐 Browser: Browserbase (cloud)")
             else:
-                print("🌐 Browser: local headless Chromium (agent-browser)")
+                try:
+                    from tools.browser_tool import _get_cloud_provider
+                    provider = _get_cloud_provider()
+                except Exception:
+                    provider = None
+
+                if provider is not None:
+                    print(f"🌐 Browser: {provider.provider_name()} (cloud)")
+                else:
+                    print("🌐 Browser: local headless Chromium (agent-browser)")
             print()
             print("   /browser connect      — connect to your live Chrome")
             print("   /browser disconnect   — revert to default")
@@ -5255,14 +5570,17 @@ class HermesCLI:
     # Tool progress callback (audio cues for voice mode)
     # ====================================================================
 
-    def _on_tool_progress(self, function_name: str, preview: str, function_args: dict):
-        """Called when a tool starts executing.
+    def _on_tool_progress(self, event_type: str, function_name: str = None, preview: str = None, function_args: dict = None, **kwargs):
+        """Called on tool lifecycle events (tool.started, tool.completed, reasoning.available, etc.).
 
         Updates the TUI spinner widget so the user can see what the agent
         is doing during tool execution (fills the gap between thinking
         spinner and next response).  Also plays audio cue in voice mode.
         """
-        if not function_name.startswith("_"):
+        # Only act on tool.started; ignore tool.completed, reasoning.available, etc.
+        if event_type != "tool.started":
+            return
+        if function_name and not function_name.startswith("_"):
             from agent.display import get_tool_emoji
             emoji = get_tool_emoji(function_name)
             label = preview or function_name
@@ -5275,7 +5593,7 @@ class HermesCLI:
 
         if not self._voice_mode:
             return
-        if function_name.startswith("_"):
+        if not function_name or function_name.startswith("_"):
             return
         try:
             from tools.voice_mode import play_beep
@@ -5705,7 +6023,7 @@ class HermesCLI:
 
         timeout = CLI_CONFIG.get("clarify", {}).get("timeout", 120)
         response_queue = queue.Queue()
-        is_open_ended = not choices or len(choices) == 0
+        is_open_ended = not choices
 
         self._clarify_state = {
             "question": question,
@@ -5988,14 +6306,6 @@ class HermesCLI:
             except Exception:
                 pass
 
-    def _clear_current_input(self) -> None:
-        if getattr(self, "_app", None):
-            try:
-                self._app.current_buffer.text = ""
-            except Exception:
-                pass
-
-
     def chat(self, message, images: list = None) -> Optional[str]:
         """
         Send a message to the agent and get a response.
@@ -6162,6 +6472,11 @@ class HermesCLI:
             def run_agent():
                 nonlocal result
                 agent_message = _voice_prefix + message if _voice_prefix else message
+                # Prepend pending model switch note so the model knows about the switch
+                _msn = getattr(self, '_pending_model_switch_note', None)
+                if _msn:
+                    agent_message = _msn + "\n\n" + agent_message
+                    self._pending_model_switch_note = None
                 try:
                     result = self.agent.run_conversation(
                         user_message=agent_message,
@@ -6825,7 +7140,7 @@ class HermesCLI:
                 event.app.invalidate()
                 # Bundle text + images as a tuple when images are present
                 payload = (text, images) if images else text
-                if self._agent_running and not (text and text.startswith("/")):
+                if self._agent_running and not (text and _looks_like_slash_command(text)):
                     if self.busy_input_mode == "queue":
                         # Queue for the next turn instead of interrupting
                         self._pending_input.put(payload)
@@ -7221,18 +7536,26 @@ class HermesCLI:
         # wrapping of long lines so the input area always fits its content.
         def _input_height():
             try:
+                from prompt_toolkit.application import get_app
+                from prompt_toolkit.utils import get_cwidth
+
                 doc = input_area.buffer.document
-                prompt_width = max(2, len(self._get_tui_prompt_text()))
-                available_width = shutil.get_terminal_size().columns - prompt_width
+                prompt_width = max(2, get_cwidth(self._get_tui_prompt_text()))
+                try:
+                    available_width = get_app().output.get_size().columns - prompt_width
+                except Exception:
+                    available_width = shutil.get_terminal_size((80, 24)).columns - prompt_width
                 if available_width < 10:
                     available_width = 40
                 visual_lines = 0
                 for line in doc.lines:
-                    # Each logical line takes at least 1 visual row; long lines wrap
-                    if len(line) == 0:
+                    # Each logical line takes at least 1 visual row; long lines wrap.
+                    # Use prompt_toolkit's cell width so CJK wide characters count as 2.
+                    line_width = get_cwidth(line)
+                    if line_width <= 0:
                         visual_lines += 1
                     else:
-                        visual_lines += max(1, -(-len(line) // available_width))  # ceil division
+                        visual_lines += max(1, -(-line_width // available_width))  # ceil division
                 return min(max(visual_lines, 1), 8)
             except Exception:
                 return 1
@@ -7523,7 +7846,6 @@ class HermesCLI:
             title = '🔐 Sudo Password Required'
             body = 'Enter password below (hidden), or press Enter to skip'
             box_width = _panel_box_width(title, [body])
-            inner = max(0, box_width - 2)
             lines = []
             lines.append(('class:sudo-border', '╭─ '))
             lines.append(('class:sudo-title', title))
@@ -7750,6 +8072,49 @@ class HermesCLI:
         )
         self._app = app  # Store reference for clarify_callback
 
+        # ── Fix ghost status-bar lines on terminal resize ──────────────
+        # When the terminal shrinks (e.g. un-maximize), the emulator reflows
+        # the previously-rendered full-width rows (status bar, input rules)
+        # into multiple narrower rows.  prompt_toolkit's _on_resize handler
+        # only cursor_up()s by the stored layout height, missing the extra
+        # rows created by reflow — leaving ghost duplicates visible.
+        #
+        # Fix: before the standard erase, inflate _cursor_pos.y so the
+        # cursor moves up far enough to cover the reflowed ghost content.
+        _original_on_resize = app._on_resize
+
+        def _resize_clear_ghosts():
+            from prompt_toolkit.data_structures import Point as _Pt
+            renderer = app.renderer
+            try:
+                old_size = renderer._last_size
+                new_size = renderer.output.get_size()
+                if (
+                    old_size
+                    and new_size.columns < old_size.columns
+                    and new_size.columns > 0
+                ):
+                    reflow_factor = (
+                        (old_size.columns + new_size.columns - 1)
+                        // new_size.columns
+                    )
+                    last_h = (
+                        renderer._last_screen.height
+                        if renderer._last_screen
+                        else 0
+                    )
+                    extra = last_h * (reflow_factor - 1)
+                    if extra > 0:
+                        renderer._cursor_pos = _Pt(
+                            x=renderer._cursor_pos.x,
+                            y=renderer._cursor_pos.y + extra,
+                        )
+            except Exception:
+                pass  # never break resize handling
+            _original_on_resize()
+
+        app._on_resize = _resize_clear_ghosts
+
         def spinner_loop():
             import time as _time
 
@@ -7782,6 +8147,25 @@ class HermesCLI:
                         # Periodic config watcher — auto-reload MCP on mcp_servers change
                         if not self._agent_running:
                             self._check_config_mcp_changes()
+                            # Check for background process completion notifications
+                            # while the agent is idle (user hasn't typed anything yet).
+                            try:
+                                from tools.process_registry import process_registry
+                                if not process_registry.completion_queue.empty():
+                                    completion = process_registry.completion_queue.get_nowait()
+                                    _exit = completion.get("exit_code", "?")
+                                    _cmd = completion.get("command", "unknown")
+                                    _sid = completion.get("session_id", "unknown")
+                                    _out = completion.get("output", "")
+                                    _synth = (
+                                        f"[SYSTEM: Background process {_sid} completed "
+                                        f"(exit code {_exit}).\n"
+                                        f"Command: {_cmd}\n"
+                                        f"Output:\n{_out}]"
+                                    )
+                                    self._pending_input.put(_synth)
+                            except Exception:
+                                pass
                         continue
                     
                     if not user_input:
@@ -7809,7 +8193,7 @@ class HermesCLI:
                                 + (f"\n{_remainder}" if _remainder else "")
                             )
 
-                    if not _file_drop and isinstance(user_input, str) and user_input.startswith("/"):
+                    if not _file_drop and isinstance(user_input, str) and _looks_like_slash_command(user_input):
                         _cprint(f"\n⚙️  {user_input}")
                         if not self.process_command(user_input):
                             self._should_exit = True
@@ -7895,7 +8279,29 @@ class HermesCLI:
                                 except Exception as e:
                                     _cprint(f"{_DIM}Voice auto-restart failed: {e}{_RST}")
                             threading.Thread(target=_restart_recording, daemon=True).start()
-                    
+
+                        # Drain process completion notifications — any background
+                        # process that finished with notify_on_complete while the
+                        # agent was running (or before) gets auto-injected as a
+                        # new user message so the agent can react to it.
+                        try:
+                            from tools.process_registry import process_registry
+                            while not process_registry.completion_queue.empty():
+                                completion = process_registry.completion_queue.get_nowait()
+                                _exit = completion.get("exit_code", "?")
+                                _cmd = completion.get("command", "unknown")
+                                _sid = completion.get("session_id", "unknown")
+                                _out = completion.get("output", "")
+                                _synth = (
+                                    f"[SYSTEM: Background process {_sid} completed "
+                                    f"(exit code {_exit}).\n"
+                                    f"Command: {_cmd}\n"
+                                    f"Output:\n{_out}]"
+                                )
+                                self._pending_input.put(_synth)
+                        except Exception:
+                            pass  # Non-fatal — don't break the main loop
+
                 except Exception as e:
                     print(f"Error: {e}")
         

cron/jobs.py

@@ -375,6 +375,7 @@ def create_job(
     model: Optional[str] = None,
     provider: Optional[str] = None,
     base_url: Optional[str] = None,
+    script: Optional[str] = None,
 ) -> Dict[str, Any]:
     """
     Create a new cron job.
@@ -391,6 +392,9 @@ def create_job(
         model: Optional per-job model override
         provider: Optional per-job provider override
         base_url: Optional per-job base URL override
+        script: Optional path to a Python script whose stdout is injected into the
+                prompt each run.  The script runs before the agent turn, and its output
+                is prepended as context.  Useful for data collection / change detection.
 
     Returns:
         The created job dict
@@ -419,6 +423,8 @@ def create_job(
     normalized_model = normalized_model or None
     normalized_provider = normalized_provider or None
     normalized_base_url = normalized_base_url or None
+    normalized_script = str(script).strip() if isinstance(script, str) else None
+    normalized_script = normalized_script or None
 
     label_source = (prompt or (normalized_skills[0] if normalized_skills else None)) or "cron job"
     job = {
@@ -430,6 +436,7 @@ def create_job(
         "model": normalized_model,
         "provider": normalized_provider,
         "base_url": normalized_base_url,
+        "script": normalized_script,
         "schedule": parsed_schedule,
         "schedule_display": parsed_schedule.get("display", schedule),
         "repeat": {

cron/scheduler.py

@@ -13,8 +13,8 @@ import concurrent.futures
 import json
 import logging
 import os
+import subprocess
 import sys
-import traceback
 
 # fcntl is Unix-only; on Windows use msvcrt for file locking
 try:
@@ -26,16 +26,26 @@ except ImportError:
     except ImportError:
         msvcrt = None
 from pathlib import Path
-from hermes_constants import get_hermes_home
-from hermes_cli.config import load_config
 from typing import Optional
 
+# Add parent directory to path for imports BEFORE repo-level imports.
+# Without this, standalone invocations (e.g. after `hermes update` reloads
+# the module) fail with ModuleNotFoundError for hermes_time et al.
+sys.path.insert(0, str(Path(__file__).parent.parent))
+
+from hermes_constants import get_hermes_home
+from hermes_cli.config import load_config
 from hermes_time import now as _hermes_now
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
-# Add parent directory to path for imports
-sys.path.insert(0, str(Path(__file__).parent.parent))
+# Valid delivery platforms — used to validate user-supplied platform names
+# in cron delivery targets, preventing env var enumeration via crafted names.
+_KNOWN_DELIVERY_PLATFORMS = frozenset({
+    "telegram", "discord", "slack", "whatsapp", "signal",
+    "matrix", "mattermost", "homeassistant", "dingtalk", "feishu",
+    "wecom", "sms", "email", "webhook",
+})
 
 from cron.jobs import get_due_jobs, mark_job_run, save_job_output, advance_next_run
 
@@ -73,34 +83,51 @@ def _resolve_delivery_target(job: dict) -> Optional[dict]:
         return None
 
     if deliver == "origin":
-        if not origin:
-            return None
-        return {
-            "platform": origin["platform"],
-            "chat_id": str(origin["chat_id"]),
-            "thread_id": origin.get("thread_id"),
-        }
+        if origin:
+            return {
+                "platform": origin["platform"],
+                "chat_id": str(origin["chat_id"]),
+                "thread_id": origin.get("thread_id"),
+            }
+        # Origin missing (e.g. job created via API/script) — try each
+        # platform's home channel as a fallback instead of silently dropping.
+        for platform_name in ("matrix", "telegram", "discord", "slack"):
+            chat_id = os.getenv(f"{platform_name.upper()}_HOME_CHANNEL", "")
+            if chat_id:
+                logger.info(
+                    "Job '%s' has deliver=origin but no origin; falling back to %s home channel",
+                    job.get("name", job.get("id", "?")),
+                    platform_name,
+                )
+                return {
+                    "platform": platform_name,
+                    "chat_id": chat_id,
+                    "thread_id": None,
+                }
+        return None
 
     if ":" in deliver:
         platform_name, rest = deliver.split(":", 1)
-        # Check for thread_id suffix (e.g. "telegram:-1003724596514:17")
-        if ":" in rest:
-            chat_id, thread_id = rest.split(":", 1)
+        platform_key = platform_name.lower()
+
+        from tools.send_message_tool import _parse_target_ref
+
+        parsed_chat_id, parsed_thread_id, is_explicit = _parse_target_ref(platform_key, rest)
+        if is_explicit:
+            chat_id, thread_id = parsed_chat_id, parsed_thread_id
         else:
             chat_id, thread_id = rest, None
 
         # Resolve human-friendly labels like "Alice (dm)" to real IDs.
-        # send_message(action="list") shows labels with display suffixes
-        # that aren't valid platform IDs (e.g. WhatsApp JIDs).
         try:
             from gateway.channel_directory import resolve_channel_name
-            target = chat_id
-            # Strip display suffix like " (dm)" or " (group)"
-            if target.endswith(")") and " (" in target:
-                target = target.rsplit(" (", 1)[0].strip()
-            resolved = resolve_channel_name(platform_name.lower(), target)
+            resolved = resolve_channel_name(platform_key, chat_id)
             if resolved:
-                chat_id = resolved
+                parsed_chat_id, parsed_thread_id, resolved_is_explicit = _parse_target_ref(platform_key, resolved)
+                if resolved_is_explicit:
+                    chat_id, thread_id = parsed_chat_id, parsed_thread_id
+                else:
+                    chat_id = resolved
         except Exception:
             pass
 
@@ -118,6 +145,8 @@ def _resolve_delivery_target(job: dict) -> Optional[dict]:
             "thread_id": origin.get("thread_id"),
         }
 
+    if platform_name.lower() not in _KNOWN_DELIVERY_PLATFORMS:
+        return None
     chat_id = os.getenv(f"{platform_name.upper()}_HOME_CHANNEL", "")
     if not chat_id:
         return None
@@ -129,12 +158,52 @@ def _resolve_delivery_target(job: dict) -> Optional[dict]:
     }
 
 
-def _deliver_result(job: dict, content: str) -> None:
+# Media extension sets — keep in sync with gateway/platforms/base.py:_process_message_background
+_AUDIO_EXTS = frozenset({'.ogg', '.opus', '.mp3', '.wav', '.m4a'})
+_VIDEO_EXTS = frozenset({'.mp4', '.mov', '.avi', '.mkv', '.webm', '.3gp'})
+_IMAGE_EXTS = frozenset({'.jpg', '.jpeg', '.png', '.webp', '.gif'})
+
+
+def _send_media_via_adapter(adapter, chat_id: str, media_files: list, metadata: dict | None, loop, job: dict) -> None:
+    """Send extracted MEDIA files as native platform attachments via a live adapter.
+
+    Routes each file to the appropriate adapter method (send_voice, send_image_file,
+    send_video, send_document) based on file extension — mirroring the routing logic
+    in ``BasePlatformAdapter._process_message_background``.
+    """
+    from pathlib import Path
+
+    for media_path, _is_voice in media_files:
+        try:
+            ext = Path(media_path).suffix.lower()
+            if ext in _AUDIO_EXTS:
+                coro = adapter.send_voice(chat_id=chat_id, audio_path=media_path, metadata=metadata)
+            elif ext in _VIDEO_EXTS:
+                coro = adapter.send_video(chat_id=chat_id, video_path=media_path, metadata=metadata)
+            elif ext in _IMAGE_EXTS:
+                coro = adapter.send_image_file(chat_id=chat_id, image_path=media_path, metadata=metadata)
+            else:
+                coro = adapter.send_document(chat_id=chat_id, file_path=media_path, metadata=metadata)
+
+            future = asyncio.run_coroutine_threadsafe(coro, loop)
+            result = future.result(timeout=30)
+            if result and not getattr(result, "success", True):
+                logger.warning(
+                    "Job '%s': media send failed for %s: %s",
+                    job.get("id", "?"), media_path, getattr(result, "error", "unknown"),
+                )
+        except Exception as e:
+            logger.warning("Job '%s': failed to send media %s: %s", job.get("id", "?"), media_path, e)
+
+
+def _deliver_result(job: dict, content: str, adapters=None, loop=None) -> None:
     """
     Deliver job output to the configured target (origin chat, specific platform, etc.).
 
-    Uses the standalone platform send functions from send_message_tool so delivery
-    works whether or not the gateway is running.
+    When ``adapters`` and ``loop`` are provided (gateway is running), tries to
+    use the live adapter first — this supports E2EE rooms (e.g. Matrix) where
+    the standalone HTTP path cannot encrypt.  Falls back to standalone send if
+    the adapter path fails or is unavailable.
     """
     target = _resolve_delivery_target(job)
     if not target:
@@ -205,8 +274,48 @@ def _deliver_result(job: dict, content: str) -> None:
     else:
         delivery_content = content
 
-    # Run the async send in a fresh event loop (safe from any thread)
-    coro = _send_to_platform(platform, pconfig, chat_id, delivery_content, thread_id=thread_id)
+    # Extract MEDIA: tags so attachments are forwarded as files, not raw text
+    from gateway.platforms.base import BasePlatformAdapter
+    media_files, cleaned_delivery_content = BasePlatformAdapter.extract_media(delivery_content)
+
+    # Prefer the live adapter when the gateway is running — this supports E2EE
+    # rooms (e.g. Matrix) where the standalone HTTP path cannot encrypt.
+    runtime_adapter = (adapters or {}).get(platform)
+    if runtime_adapter is not None and loop is not None and getattr(loop, "is_running", lambda: False)():
+        send_metadata = {"thread_id": thread_id} if thread_id else None
+        try:
+            # Send cleaned text (MEDIA tags stripped) — not the raw content
+            text_to_send = cleaned_delivery_content.strip()
+            adapter_ok = True
+            if text_to_send:
+                future = asyncio.run_coroutine_threadsafe(
+                    runtime_adapter.send(chat_id, text_to_send, metadata=send_metadata),
+                    loop,
+                )
+                send_result = future.result(timeout=60)
+                if send_result and not getattr(send_result, "success", True):
+                    err = getattr(send_result, "error", "unknown")
+                    logger.warning(
+                        "Job '%s': live adapter send to %s:%s failed (%s), falling back to standalone",
+                        job["id"], platform_name, chat_id, err,
+                    )
+                    adapter_ok = False  # fall through to standalone path
+
+            # Send extracted media files as native attachments via the live adapter
+            if adapter_ok and media_files:
+                _send_media_via_adapter(runtime_adapter, chat_id, media_files, send_metadata, loop, job)
+
+            if adapter_ok:
+                logger.info("Job '%s': delivered to %s:%s via live adapter", job["id"], platform_name, chat_id)
+                return
+        except Exception as e:
+            logger.warning(
+                "Job '%s': live adapter delivery to %s:%s failed (%s), falling back to standalone",
+                job["id"], platform_name, chat_id, e,
+            )
+
+    # Standalone path: run the async send in a fresh event loop (safe from any thread)
+    coro = _send_to_platform(platform, pconfig, chat_id, cleaned_delivery_content, thread_id=thread_id, media_files=media_files)
     try:
         result = asyncio.run(coro)
     except RuntimeError:
@@ -217,7 +326,7 @@ def _deliver_result(job: dict, content: str) -> None:
         coro.close()
         import concurrent.futures
         with concurrent.futures.ThreadPoolExecutor(max_workers=1) as pool:
-            future = pool.submit(asyncio.run, _send_to_platform(platform, pconfig, chat_id, delivery_content, thread_id=thread_id))
+            future = pool.submit(asyncio.run, _send_to_platform(platform, pconfig, chat_id, cleaned_delivery_content, thread_id=thread_id, media_files=media_files))
             result = future.result(timeout=30)
     except Exception as e:
         logger.error("Job '%s': delivery to %s:%s failed: %s", job["id"], platform_name, chat_id, e)
@@ -229,22 +338,132 @@ def _deliver_result(job: dict, content: str) -> None:
         logger.info("Job '%s': delivered to %s:%s", job["id"], platform_name, chat_id)
 
 
+_SCRIPT_TIMEOUT = 120  # seconds
+
+
+def _run_job_script(script_path: str) -> tuple[bool, str]:
+    """Execute a cron job's data-collection script and capture its output.
+
+    Scripts must reside within HERMES_HOME/scripts/.  Both relative and
+    absolute paths are resolved and validated against this directory to
+    prevent arbitrary script execution via path traversal or absolute
+    path injection.
+
+    Args:
+        script_path: Path to a Python script.  Relative paths are resolved
+            against HERMES_HOME/scripts/.  Absolute and ~-prefixed paths
+            are also validated to ensure they stay within the scripts dir.
+
+    Returns:
+        (success, output) — on failure *output* contains the error message so the
+        LLM can report the problem to the user.
+    """
+    from hermes_constants import get_hermes_home
+
+    scripts_dir = get_hermes_home() / "scripts"
+    scripts_dir.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
+    scripts_dir_resolved = scripts_dir.resolve()
+
+    raw = Path(script_path).expanduser()
+    if raw.is_absolute():
+        path = raw.resolve()
+    else:
+        path = (scripts_dir / raw).resolve()
+
+    # Guard against path traversal, absolute path injection, and symlink
+    # escape — scripts MUST reside within HERMES_HOME/scripts/.
+    try:
+        path.relative_to(scripts_dir_resolved)
+    except ValueError:
+        return False, (
+            f"Blocked: script path resolves outside the scripts directory "
+            f"({scripts_dir_resolved}): {script_path!r}"
+        )
+
+    if not path.exists():
+        return False, f"Script not found: {path}"
+    if not path.is_file():
+        return False, f"Script path is not a file: {path}"
+
+    try:
+        result = subprocess.run(
+            [sys.executable, str(path)],
+            capture_output=True,
+            text=True,
+            timeout=_SCRIPT_TIMEOUT,
+            cwd=str(path.parent),
+        )
+        stdout = (result.stdout or "").strip()
+        stderr = (result.stderr or "").strip()
+
+        if result.returncode != 0:
+            parts = [f"Script exited with code {result.returncode}"]
+            if stderr:
+                parts.append(f"stderr:\n{stderr}")
+            if stdout:
+                parts.append(f"stdout:\n{stdout}")
+            return False, "\n".join(parts)
+
+        # Redact any secrets that may appear in script output before
+        # they are injected into the LLM prompt context.
+        try:
+            from agent.redact import redact_sensitive_text
+            stdout = redact_sensitive_text(stdout)
+        except Exception:
+            pass
+        return True, stdout
+
+    except subprocess.TimeoutExpired:
+        return False, f"Script timed out after {_SCRIPT_TIMEOUT}s: {path}"
+    except Exception as exc:
+        return False, f"Script execution failed: {exc}"
+
+
 def _build_job_prompt(job: dict) -> str:
     """Build the effective prompt for a cron job, optionally loading one or more skills first."""
     prompt = job.get("prompt", "")
     skills = job.get("skills")
 
-    # Always prepend [SILENT] guidance so the cron agent can suppress
-    # delivery when it has nothing new or noteworthy to report.
-    silent_hint = (
-        "[SYSTEM: If you have a meaningful status report or findings, "
-        "send them — that is the whole point of this job. Only respond "
-        "with exactly \"[SILENT]\" (nothing else) when there is genuinely "
-        "nothing new to report. [SILENT] suppresses delivery to the user. "
+    # Run data-collection script if configured, inject output as context.
+    script_path = job.get("script")
+    if script_path:
+        success, script_output = _run_job_script(script_path)
+        if success:
+            if script_output:
+                prompt = (
+                    "## Script Output\n"
+                    "The following data was collected by a pre-run script. "
+                    "Use it as context for your analysis.\n\n"
+                    f"```\n{script_output}\n```\n\n"
+                    f"{prompt}"
+                )
+            else:
+                prompt = (
+                    "[Script ran successfully but produced no output.]\n\n"
+                    f"{prompt}"
+                )
+        else:
+            prompt = (
+                "## Script Error\n"
+                "The data-collection script failed. Report this to the user.\n\n"
+                f"```\n{script_output}\n```\n\n"
+                f"{prompt}"
+            )
+
+    # Always prepend cron execution guidance so the agent knows how
+    # delivery works and can suppress delivery when appropriate.
+    cron_hint = (
+        "[SYSTEM: You are running as a scheduled cron job. "
+        "DELIVERY: Your final response will be automatically delivered "
+        "to the user — do NOT use send_message or try to deliver "
+        "the output yourself. Just produce your report/output as your "
+        "final response and the system handles the rest. "
+        "SILENT: If there is genuinely nothing new to report, respond "
+        "with exactly \"[SILENT]\" (nothing else) to suppress delivery. "
         "Never combine [SILENT] with content — either report your "
         "findings normally, or say [SILENT] and nothing more.]\n\n"
     )
-    prompt = silent_hint + prompt
+    prompt = cron_hint + prompt
     if skills is None:
         legacy = job.get("skill")
         skills = [legacy] if legacy else []
@@ -317,14 +536,14 @@ def run_job(job: dict) -> tuple[bool, str, str, Optional[str]]:
     logger.info("Running job '%s' (ID: %s)", job_name, job_id)
     logger.info("Prompt: %s", prompt[:100])
 
-    # Inject origin context so the agent's send_message tool knows the chat
-    if origin:
-        os.environ["HERMES_SESSION_PLATFORM"] = origin["platform"]
-        os.environ["HERMES_SESSION_CHAT_ID"] = str(origin["chat_id"])
-        if origin.get("chat_name"):
-            os.environ["HERMES_SESSION_CHAT_NAME"] = origin["chat_name"]
-
     try:
+        # Inject origin context so the agent's send_message tool knows the chat.
+        # Must be INSIDE the try block so the finally cleanup always runs.
+        if origin:
+            os.environ["HERMES_SESSION_PLATFORM"] = origin["platform"]
+            os.environ["HERMES_SESSION_CHAT_ID"] = str(origin["chat_id"])
+            if origin.get("chat_name"):
+                os.environ["HERMES_SESSION_CHAT_NAME"] = origin["chat_name"]
         # Re-read .env and config.yaml fresh every run so provider/key
         # changes take effect without a gateway restart.
         from dotenv import load_dotenv
@@ -444,30 +663,79 @@ def run_job(job: dict) -> tuple[bool, str, str, Optional[str]]:
             session_db=_session_db,
         )
         
-        # Run the agent with a timeout so a hung API call or tool doesn't
-        # block the cron ticker thread indefinitely.  Default 10 minutes;
-        # override via env var.  Uses a separate thread because
-        # run_conversation is synchronous.
+        # Run the agent with an *inactivity*-based timeout: the job can run
+        # for hours if it's actively calling tools / receiving stream tokens,
+        # but a hung API call or stuck tool with no activity for the configured
+        # duration is caught and killed.  Default 600s (10 min inactivity);
+        # override via HERMES_CRON_TIMEOUT env var.  0 = unlimited.
+        #
+        # Uses the agent's built-in activity tracker (updated by
+        # _touch_activity() on every tool call, API call, and stream delta).
         _cron_timeout = float(os.getenv("HERMES_CRON_TIMEOUT", 600))
+        _cron_inactivity_limit = _cron_timeout if _cron_timeout > 0 else None
+        _POLL_INTERVAL = 5.0
         _cron_pool = concurrent.futures.ThreadPoolExecutor(max_workers=1)
         _cron_future = _cron_pool.submit(agent.run_conversation, prompt)
+        _inactivity_timeout = False
         try:
-            result = _cron_future.result(timeout=_cron_timeout)
-        except concurrent.futures.TimeoutError:
-            logger.error(
-                "Job '%s' timed out after %.0fs — interrupting agent",
-                job_name, _cron_timeout,
-            )
-            if hasattr(agent, "interrupt"):
-                agent.interrupt("Cron job timed out")
+            if _cron_inactivity_limit is None:
+                # Unlimited — just wait for the result.
+                result = _cron_future.result()
+            else:
+                result = None
+                while True:
+                    done, _ = concurrent.futures.wait(
+                        {_cron_future}, timeout=_POLL_INTERVAL,
+                    )
+                    if done:
+                        result = _cron_future.result()
+                        break
+                    # Agent still running — check inactivity.
+                    _idle_secs = 0.0
+                    if hasattr(agent, "get_activity_summary"):
+                        try:
+                            _act = agent.get_activity_summary()
+                            _idle_secs = _act.get("seconds_since_activity", 0.0)
+                        except Exception:
+                            pass
+                    if _idle_secs >= _cron_inactivity_limit:
+                        _inactivity_timeout = True
+                        break
+        except Exception:
             _cron_pool.shutdown(wait=False, cancel_futures=True)
-            raise TimeoutError(
-                f"Cron job '{job_name}' timed out after "
-                f"{int(_cron_timeout // 60)} minutes"
-            )
+            raise
         finally:
             _cron_pool.shutdown(wait=False)
 
+        if _inactivity_timeout:
+            # Build diagnostic summary from the agent's activity tracker.
+            _activity = {}
+            if hasattr(agent, "get_activity_summary"):
+                try:
+                    _activity = agent.get_activity_summary()
+                except Exception:
+                    pass
+            _last_desc = _activity.get("last_activity_desc", "unknown")
+            _secs_ago = _activity.get("seconds_since_activity", 0)
+            _cur_tool = _activity.get("current_tool")
+            _iter_n = _activity.get("api_call_count", 0)
+            _iter_max = _activity.get("max_iterations", 0)
+
+            logger.error(
+                "Job '%s' idle for %.0fs (inactivity limit %.0fs) "
+                "| last_activity=%s | iteration=%s/%s | tool=%s",
+                job_name, _secs_ago, _cron_inactivity_limit,
+                _last_desc, _iter_n, _iter_max,
+                _cur_tool or "none",
+            )
+            if hasattr(agent, "interrupt"):
+                agent.interrupt("Cron job timed out (inactivity)")
+            raise TimeoutError(
+                f"Cron job '{job_name}' idle for "
+                f"{int(_secs_ago)}s (limit {int(_cron_inactivity_limit)}s) "
+                f"— last activity: {_last_desc}"
+            )
+
         final_response = result.get("final_response", "") or ""
         # Use a separate variable for log display; keep final_response clean
         # for delivery logic (empty response = no delivery).
@@ -493,7 +761,7 @@ def run_job(job: dict) -> tuple[bool, str, str, Optional[str]]:
         
     except Exception as e:
         error_msg = f"{type(e).__name__}: {str(e)}"
-        logger.error("Job '%s' failed: %s", job_name, error_msg)
+        logger.exception("Job '%s' failed: %s", job_name, error_msg)
         
         output = f"""# Cron Job: {job_name} (FAILED)
 
@@ -509,8 +777,6 @@ def run_job(job: dict) -> tuple[bool, str, str, Optional[str]]:
 
 ```
 {error_msg}
-
-{traceback.format_exc()}
 ```
 """
         return False, output, "", error_msg
@@ -537,7 +803,7 @@ def run_job(job: dict) -> tuple[bool, str, str, Optional[str]]:
                 logger.debug("Job '%s': failed to close SQLite session store: %s", job_id, e)
 
 
-def tick(verbose: bool = True) -> int:
+def tick(verbose: bool = True, adapters=None, loop=None) -> int:
     """
     Check and run all due jobs.
     
@@ -546,6 +812,8 @@ def tick(verbose: bool = True) -> int:
     
     Args:
         verbose: Whether to print status messages
+        adapters: Optional dict mapping Platform → live adapter (from gateway)
+        loop: Optional asyncio event loop (from gateway) for live adapter sends
     
     Returns:
         Number of jobs executed (0 if another tick is already running)
@@ -596,13 +864,13 @@ def tick(verbose: bool = True) -> int:
                 # output is already saved above).  Failed jobs always deliver.
                 deliver_content = final_response if success else f"⚠️ Cron job '{job.get('name', job['id'])}' failed:\n{error}"
                 should_deliver = bool(deliver_content)
-                if should_deliver and success and deliver_content.strip().upper().startswith(SILENT_MARKER):
+                if should_deliver and success and SILENT_MARKER in deliver_content.strip().upper():
                     logger.info("Job '%s': agent returned %s — skipping delivery", job["id"], SILENT_MARKER)
                     should_deliver = False
 
                 if should_deliver:
                     try:
-                        _deliver_result(job, deliver_content)
+                        _deliver_result(job, deliver_content, adapters=adapters, loop=loop)
                     except Exception as de:
                         logger.error("Delivery failed for job %s: %s", job["id"], de)
 

environments/benchmarks/terminalbench_2/terminalbench2_env.py

@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ import tempfile
 import time
 import uuid
 from collections import defaultdict
-from pathlib import Path
+from pathlib import Path, PurePosixPath, PureWindowsPath
 from typing import Any, Dict, List, Optional, Tuple, Union
 
 # Ensure repo root is on sys.path for imports
@@ -148,6 +148,62 @@ MODAL_INCOMPATIBLE_TASKS = {
 # Tar extraction helper
 # =============================================================================
 
+def _normalize_tar_member_parts(member_name: str) -> list:
+    """Return safe path components for a tar member or raise ValueError."""
+    normalized_name = member_name.replace("\\", "/")
+    posix_path = PurePosixPath(normalized_name)
+    windows_path = PureWindowsPath(member_name)
+
+    if (
+        not normalized_name
+        or posix_path.is_absolute()
+        or windows_path.is_absolute()
+        or windows_path.drive
+    ):
+        raise ValueError(f"Unsafe archive member path: {member_name}")
+
+    parts = [part for part in posix_path.parts if part not in ("", ".")]
+    if not parts or any(part == ".." for part in parts):
+        raise ValueError(f"Unsafe archive member path: {member_name}")
+    return parts
+
+
+def _safe_extract_tar(tar: tarfile.TarFile, target_dir: Path) -> None:
+    """Extract a tar archive without allowing traversal or link entries."""
+    target_dir.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
+    target_root = target_dir.resolve()
+
+    for member in tar.getmembers():
+        parts = _normalize_tar_member_parts(member.name)
+        target = target_dir.joinpath(*parts)
+        target_real = target.resolve(strict=False)
+
+        try:
+            target_real.relative_to(target_root)
+        except ValueError as exc:
+            raise ValueError(f"Unsafe archive member path: {member.name}") from exc
+
+        if member.isdir():
+            target_real.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
+            continue
+
+        if not member.isfile():
+            raise ValueError(f"Unsupported archive member type: {member.name}")
+
+        target_real.parent.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
+        extracted = tar.extractfile(member)
+        if extracted is None:
+            raise ValueError(f"Cannot read archive member: {member.name}")
+
+        with extracted, open(target_real, "wb") as dst:
+            shutil.copyfileobj(extracted, dst)
+
+        try:
+            os.chmod(target_real, member.mode & 0o777)
+        except OSError:
+            pass
+
+
 def _extract_base64_tar(b64_data: str, target_dir: Path):
     """Extract a base64-encoded tar.gz archive into target_dir."""
     if not b64_data:
@@ -155,7 +211,7 @@ def _extract_base64_tar(b64_data: str, target_dir: Path):
     raw = base64.b64decode(b64_data)
     buf = io.BytesIO(raw)
     with tarfile.open(fileobj=buf, mode="r:gz") as tar:
-        tar.extractall(path=str(target_dir))
+        _safe_extract_tar(tar, target_dir)
 
 
 # =============================================================================

gateway/builtin_hooks/boot_md.py

@@ -24,7 +24,8 @@ from pathlib import Path
 
 logger = logging.getLogger("hooks.boot-md")
 
-HERMES_HOME = Path(os.environ.get("HERMES_HOME", Path.home() / ".hermes"))
+from hermes_constants import get_hermes_home
+HERMES_HOME = get_hermes_home()
 BOOT_FILE = HERMES_HOME / "BOOT.md"
 
 

gateway/channel_directory.py

@@ -12,12 +12,27 @@ from datetime import datetime
 from typing import Any, Dict, List, Optional
 
 from hermes_cli.config import get_hermes_home
+from utils import atomic_json_write
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
 DIRECTORY_PATH = get_hermes_home() / "channel_directory.json"
 
 
+def _normalize_channel_query(value: str) -> str:
+    return value.lstrip("#").strip().lower()
+
+
+def _channel_target_name(platform_name: str, channel: Dict[str, Any]) -> str:
+    """Return the human-facing target label shown to users for a channel entry."""
+    name = channel["name"]
+    if platform_name == "discord" and channel.get("guild"):
+        return f"#{name}"
+    if platform_name != "discord" and channel.get("type"):
+        return f"{name} ({channel['type']})"
+    return name
+
+
 def _session_entry_id(origin: Dict[str, Any]) -> Optional[str]:
     chat_id = origin.get("chat_id")
     if not chat_id:
@@ -72,9 +87,7 @@ def build_channel_directory(adapters: Dict[Any, Any]) -> Dict[str, Any]:
     }
 
     try:
-        DIRECTORY_PATH.parent.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
-        with open(DIRECTORY_PATH, "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
-            json.dump(directory, f, indent=2, ensure_ascii=False)
+        atomic_json_write(DIRECTORY_PATH, directory)
     except Exception as e:
         logger.warning("Channel directory: failed to write: %s", e)
 
@@ -111,7 +124,6 @@ def _build_discord(adapter) -> List[Dict[str, str]]:
 
 def _build_slack(adapter) -> List[Dict[str, str]]:
     """List Slack channels the bot has joined."""
-    channels = []
     # Slack adapter may expose a web client
     client = getattr(adapter, "_app", None) or getattr(adapter, "_client", None)
     if not client:
@@ -188,23 +200,25 @@ def resolve_channel_name(platform_name: str, name: str) -> Optional[str]:
     if not channels:
         return None
 
-    query = name.lstrip("#").lower()
+    query = _normalize_channel_query(name)
 
-    # 1. Exact name match
+    # 1. Exact name match, including the display labels shown by send_message(action="list")
     for ch in channels:
-        if ch["name"].lower() == query:
+        if _normalize_channel_query(ch["name"]) == query:
+            return ch["id"]
+        if _normalize_channel_query(_channel_target_name(platform_name, ch)) == query:
             return ch["id"]
 
     # 2. Guild-qualified match for Discord ("GuildName/channel")
     if "/" in query:
         guild_part, ch_part = query.rsplit("/", 1)
         for ch in channels:
-            guild = ch.get("guild", "").lower()
-            if guild == guild_part and ch["name"].lower() == ch_part:
+            guild = ch.get("guild", "").strip().lower()
+            if guild == guild_part and _normalize_channel_query(ch["name"]) == ch_part:
                 return ch["id"]
 
     # 3. Partial prefix match (only if unambiguous)
-    matches = [ch for ch in channels if ch["name"].lower().startswith(query)]
+    matches = [ch for ch in channels if _normalize_channel_query(ch["name"]).startswith(query)]
     if len(matches) == 1:
         return matches[0]["id"]
 
@@ -239,17 +253,16 @@ def format_directory_for_display() -> str:
             for guild_name, guild_channels in sorted(guilds.items()):
                 lines.append(f"Discord ({guild_name}):")
                 for ch in sorted(guild_channels, key=lambda c: c["name"]):
-                    lines.append(f"  discord:#{ch['name']}")
+                    lines.append(f"  discord:{_channel_target_name(plat_name, ch)}")
             if dms:
                 lines.append("Discord (DMs):")
                 for ch in dms:
-                    lines.append(f"  discord:{ch['name']}")
+                    lines.append(f"  discord:{_channel_target_name(plat_name, ch)}")
             lines.append("")
         else:
             lines.append(f"{plat_name.title()}:")
             for ch in channels:
-                type_label = f" ({ch['type']})" if ch.get("type") else ""
-                lines.append(f"  {plat_name}:{ch['name']}{type_label}")
+                lines.append(f"  {plat_name}:{_channel_target_name(plat_name, ch)}")
             lines.append("")
 
     lines.append('Use these as the "target" parameter when sending.')

gateway/config.py

@@ -246,6 +246,7 @@ class GatewayConfig:
 
     # Session isolation in shared chats
     group_sessions_per_user: bool = True  # Isolate group/channel sessions per participant when user IDs are available
+    thread_sessions_per_user: bool = False  # When False (default), threads are shared across all participants
 
     # Unauthorized DM policy
     unauthorized_dm_behavior: str = "pair"  # "pair" or "ignore"
@@ -333,6 +334,7 @@ class GatewayConfig:
             "always_log_local": self.always_log_local,
             "stt_enabled": self.stt_enabled,
             "group_sessions_per_user": self.group_sessions_per_user,
+            "thread_sessions_per_user": self.thread_sessions_per_user,
             "unauthorized_dm_behavior": self.unauthorized_dm_behavior,
             "streaming": self.streaming.to_dict(),
         }
@@ -376,6 +378,7 @@ class GatewayConfig:
             stt_enabled = data.get("stt", {}).get("enabled") if isinstance(data.get("stt"), dict) else None
 
         group_sessions_per_user = data.get("group_sessions_per_user")
+        thread_sessions_per_user = data.get("thread_sessions_per_user")
         unauthorized_dm_behavior = _normalize_unauthorized_dm_behavior(
             data.get("unauthorized_dm_behavior"),
             "pair",
@@ -392,6 +395,7 @@ class GatewayConfig:
             always_log_local=data.get("always_log_local", True),
             stt_enabled=_coerce_bool(stt_enabled, True),
             group_sessions_per_user=_coerce_bool(group_sessions_per_user, True),
+            thread_sessions_per_user=_coerce_bool(thread_sessions_per_user, False),
             unauthorized_dm_behavior=unauthorized_dm_behavior,
             streaming=StreamingConfig.from_dict(data.get("streaming", {})),
         )
@@ -467,6 +471,9 @@ def load_gateway_config() -> GatewayConfig:
             if "group_sessions_per_user" in yaml_cfg:
                 gw_data["group_sessions_per_user"] = yaml_cfg["group_sessions_per_user"]
 
+            if "thread_sessions_per_user" in yaml_cfg:
+                gw_data["thread_sessions_per_user"] = yaml_cfg["thread_sessions_per_user"]
+
             streaming_cfg = yaml_cfg.get("streaming")
             if isinstance(streaming_cfg, dict):
                 gw_data["streaming"] = streaming_cfg
@@ -549,6 +556,18 @@ def load_gateway_config() -> GatewayConfig:
                     os.environ["DISCORD_AUTO_THREAD"] = str(discord_cfg["auto_thread"]).lower()
                 if "reactions" in discord_cfg and not os.getenv("DISCORD_REACTIONS"):
                     os.environ["DISCORD_REACTIONS"] = str(discord_cfg["reactions"]).lower()
+                # ignored_channels: channels where bot never responds (even when mentioned)
+                ic = discord_cfg.get("ignored_channels")
+                if ic is not None and not os.getenv("DISCORD_IGNORED_CHANNELS"):
+                    if isinstance(ic, list):
+                        ic = ",".join(str(v) for v in ic)
+                    os.environ["DISCORD_IGNORED_CHANNELS"] = str(ic)
+                # no_thread_channels: channels where bot responds directly without creating thread
+                ntc = discord_cfg.get("no_thread_channels")
+                if ntc is not None and not os.getenv("DISCORD_NO_THREAD_CHANNELS"):
+                    if isinstance(ntc, list):
+                        ntc = ",".join(str(v) for v in ntc)
+                    os.environ["DISCORD_NO_THREAD_CHANNELS"] = str(ntc)
 
             # Telegram settings → env vars (env vars take precedence)
             telegram_cfg = yaml_cfg.get("telegram", {})
@@ -563,6 +582,8 @@ def load_gateway_config() -> GatewayConfig:
                     if isinstance(frc, list):
                         frc = ",".join(str(v) for v in frc)
                     os.environ["TELEGRAM_FREE_RESPONSE_CHATS"] = str(frc)
+                if "reactions" in telegram_cfg and not os.getenv("TELEGRAM_REACTIONS"):
+                    os.environ["TELEGRAM_REACTIONS"] = str(telegram_cfg["reactions"]).lower()
 
             whatsapp_cfg = yaml_cfg.get("whatsapp", {})
             if isinstance(whatsapp_cfg, dict):
@@ -575,6 +596,20 @@ def load_gateway_config() -> GatewayConfig:
                     if isinstance(frc, list):
                         frc = ",".join(str(v) for v in frc)
                     os.environ["WHATSAPP_FREE_RESPONSE_CHATS"] = str(frc)
+
+            # Matrix settings → env vars (env vars take precedence)
+            matrix_cfg = yaml_cfg.get("matrix", {})
+            if isinstance(matrix_cfg, dict):
+                if "require_mention" in matrix_cfg and not os.getenv("MATRIX_REQUIRE_MENTION"):
+                    os.environ["MATRIX_REQUIRE_MENTION"] = str(matrix_cfg["require_mention"]).lower()
+                frc = matrix_cfg.get("free_response_rooms")
+                if frc is not None and not os.getenv("MATRIX_FREE_RESPONSE_ROOMS"):
+                    if isinstance(frc, list):
+                        frc = ",".join(str(v) for v in frc)
+                    os.environ["MATRIX_FREE_RESPONSE_ROOMS"] = str(frc)
+                if "auto_thread" in matrix_cfg and not os.getenv("MATRIX_AUTO_THREAD"):
+                    os.environ["MATRIX_AUTO_THREAD"] = str(matrix_cfg["auto_thread"]).lower()
+
     except Exception as e:
         logger.warning(
             "Failed to process config.yaml — falling back to .env / gateway.json values. "
@@ -758,6 +793,9 @@ def _apply_env_overrides(config: GatewayConfig) -> None:
             config.platforms[Platform.MATRIX].extra["password"] = matrix_password
         matrix_e2ee = os.getenv("MATRIX_ENCRYPTION", "").lower() in ("true", "1", "yes")
         config.platforms[Platform.MATRIX].extra["encryption"] = matrix_e2ee
+        matrix_device_id = os.getenv("MATRIX_DEVICE_ID", "")
+        if matrix_device_id:
+            config.platforms[Platform.MATRIX].extra["device_id"] = matrix_device_id
     matrix_home = os.getenv("MATRIX_HOME_ROOM")
     if matrix_home and Platform.MATRIX in config.platforms:
         config.platforms[Platform.MATRIX].home_channel = HomeChannel(

gateway/delivery.py

@@ -314,38 +314,4 @@ def parse_deliver_spec(
     return deliver
 
 
-def build_delivery_context_for_tool(
-    config: GatewayConfig,
-    origin: Optional[SessionSource] = None
-) -> Dict[str, Any]:
-    """
-    Build context for the unified cronjob tool to understand delivery options.
-    
-    This is passed to the tool so it can validate and explain delivery targets.
-    """
-    connected = config.get_connected_platforms()
-    
-    options = {
-        "origin": {
-            "description": "Back to where this job was created",
-            "available": origin is not None,
-        },
-        "local": {
-            "description": "Save to local files only",
-            "available": True,
-        }
-    }
-    
-    for platform in connected:
-        home = config.get_home_channel(platform)
-        options[platform.value] = {
-            "description": f"{platform.value.title()} home channel",
-            "available": True,
-            "home_channel": home.to_dict() if home else None,
-        }
-    
-    return {
-        "origin": origin.to_dict() if origin else None,
-        "options": options,
-        "always_log_local": config.always_log_local,
-    }
+

gateway/pairing.py

@@ -21,6 +21,8 @@ Storage: ~/.hermes/pairing/
 import json
 import os
 import secrets
+import tempfile
+import threading
 import time
 from pathlib import Path
 from typing import Optional
@@ -45,13 +47,29 @@ PAIRING_DIR = get_hermes_dir("platforms/pairing", "pairing")
 
 
 def _secure_write(path: Path, data: str) -> None:
-    """Write data to file with restrictive permissions (owner read/write only)."""
+    """Write data to file with restrictive permissions (owner read/write only).
+
+    Uses a temp-file + atomic rename so readers always see either the old
+    complete file or the new one — never a partial write.
+    """
     path.parent.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
-    path.write_text(data, encoding="utf-8")
+    fd, tmp_path = tempfile.mkstemp(dir=str(path.parent), suffix=".tmp")
     try:
-        os.chmod(path, 0o600)
-    except OSError:
-        pass  # Windows doesn't support chmod the same way
+        with os.fdopen(fd, "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
+            f.write(data)
+            f.flush()
+            os.fsync(f.fileno())
+        os.replace(tmp_path, str(path))
+        try:
+            os.chmod(path, 0o600)
+        except OSError:
+            pass  # Windows doesn't support chmod the same way
+    except BaseException:
+        try:
+            os.unlink(tmp_path)
+        except OSError:
+            pass
+        raise
 
 
 class PairingStore:
@@ -66,6 +84,9 @@ class PairingStore:
 
     def __init__(self):
         PAIRING_DIR.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
+        # Protects all read-modify-write cycles. The gateway runs multiple
+        # platform adapters concurrently in threads sharing one PairingStore.
+        self._lock = threading.RLock()
 
     def _pending_path(self, platform: str) -> Path:
         return PAIRING_DIR / f"{platform}-pending.json"
@@ -105,7 +126,7 @@ class PairingStore:
         return results
 
     def _approve_user(self, platform: str, user_id: str, user_name: str = "") -> None:
-        """Add a user to the approved list."""
+        """Add a user to the approved list. Must be called under self._lock."""
         approved = self._load_json(self._approved_path(platform))
         approved[user_id] = {
             "user_name": user_name,
@@ -116,11 +137,12 @@ class PairingStore:
     def revoke(self, platform: str, user_id: str) -> bool:
         """Remove a user from the approved list. Returns True if found."""
         path = self._approved_path(platform)
-        approved = self._load_json(path)
-        if user_id in approved:
-            del approved[user_id]
-            self._save_json(path, approved)
-            return True
+        with self._lock:
+            approved = self._load_json(path)
+            if user_id in approved:
+                del approved[user_id]
+                self._save_json(path, approved)
+                return True
         return False
 
     # ----- Pending codes -----
@@ -136,36 +158,37 @@ class PairingStore:
           - Max pending codes reached for this platform
           - User/platform is in lockout due to failed attempts
         """
-        self._cleanup_expired(platform)
+        with self._lock:
+            self._cleanup_expired(platform)
 
-        # Check lockout
-        if self._is_locked_out(platform):
-            return None
+            # Check lockout
+            if self._is_locked_out(platform):
+                return None
 
-        # Check rate limit for this specific user
-        if self._is_rate_limited(platform, user_id):
-            return None
+            # Check rate limit for this specific user
+            if self._is_rate_limited(platform, user_id):
+                return None
 
-        # Check max pending
-        pending = self._load_json(self._pending_path(platform))
-        if len(pending) >= MAX_PENDING_PER_PLATFORM:
-            return None
+            # Check max pending
+            pending = self._load_json(self._pending_path(platform))
+            if len(pending) >= MAX_PENDING_PER_PLATFORM:
+                return None
 
-        # Generate cryptographically random code
-        code = "".join(secrets.choice(ALPHABET) for _ in range(CODE_LENGTH))
+            # Generate cryptographically random code
+            code = "".join(secrets.choice(ALPHABET) for _ in range(CODE_LENGTH))
 
-        # Store pending request
-        pending[code] = {
-            "user_id": user_id,
-            "user_name": user_name,
-            "created_at": time.time(),
-        }
-        self._save_json(self._pending_path(platform), pending)
+            # Store pending request
+            pending[code] = {
+                "user_id": user_id,
+                "user_name": user_name,
+                "created_at": time.time(),
+            }
+            self._save_json(self._pending_path(platform), pending)
 
-        # Record rate limit
-        self._record_rate_limit(platform, user_id)
+            # Record rate limit
+            self._record_rate_limit(platform, user_id)
 
-        return code
+            return code
 
     def approve_code(self, platform: str, code: str) -> Optional[dict]:
         """
@@ -173,24 +196,25 @@ class PairingStore:
 
         Returns {user_id, user_name} on success, None if code is invalid/expired.
         """
-        self._cleanup_expired(platform)
-        code = code.upper().strip()
+        with self._lock:
+            self._cleanup_expired(platform)
+            code = code.upper().strip()
 
-        pending = self._load_json(self._pending_path(platform))
-        if code not in pending:
-            self._record_failed_attempt(platform)
-            return None
+            pending = self._load_json(self._pending_path(platform))
+            if code not in pending:
+                self._record_failed_attempt(platform)
+                return None
 
-        entry = pending.pop(code)
-        self._save_json(self._pending_path(platform), pending)
+            entry = pending.pop(code)
+            self._save_json(self._pending_path(platform), pending)
 
-        # Add to approved list
-        self._approve_user(platform, entry["user_id"], entry.get("user_name", ""))
+            # Add to approved list
+            self._approve_user(platform, entry["user_id"], entry.get("user_name", ""))
 
-        return {
-            "user_id": entry["user_id"],
-            "user_name": entry.get("user_name", ""),
-        }
+            return {
+                "user_id": entry["user_id"],
+                "user_name": entry.get("user_name", ""),
+            }
 
     def list_pending(self, platform: str = None) -> list:
         """List pending pairing requests, optionally filtered by platform."""
@@ -212,12 +236,13 @@ class PairingStore:
 
     def clear_pending(self, platform: str = None) -> int:
         """Clear all pending requests. Returns count removed."""
-        count = 0
-        platforms = [platform] if platform else self._all_platforms("pending")
-        for p in platforms:
-            pending = self._load_json(self._pending_path(p))
-            count += len(pending)
-            self._save_json(self._pending_path(p), {})
+        with self._lock:
+            count = 0
+            platforms = [platform] if platform else self._all_platforms("pending")
+            for p in platforms:
+                pending = self._load_json(self._pending_path(p))
+                count += len(pending)
+                self._save_json(self._pending_path(p), {})
         return count
 
     # ----- Rate limiting and lockout -----

gateway/platforms/api_server.py

@@ -7,6 +7,8 @@ Exposes an HTTP server with endpoints:
 - GET  /v1/responses/{response_id} — Retrieve a stored response
 - DELETE /v1/responses/{response_id} — Delete a stored response
 - GET  /v1/models                  — lists hermes-agent as an available model
+- POST /v1/runs                    — start a run, returns run_id immediately (202)
+- GET  /v1/runs/{run_id}/events    — SSE stream of structured lifecycle events
 - GET  /health                     — health check
 
 Any OpenAI-compatible frontend (Open WebUI, LobeChat, LibreChat,
@@ -18,6 +20,7 @@ Requires:
 """
 
 import asyncio
+import hmac
 import json
 import logging
 import os
@@ -300,6 +303,10 @@ class APIServerAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
         self._runner: Optional["web.AppRunner"] = None
         self._site: Optional["web.TCPSite"] = None
         self._response_store = ResponseStore()
+        # Active run streams: run_id -> asyncio.Queue of SSE event dicts
+        self._run_streams: Dict[str, "asyncio.Queue[Optional[Dict]]"] = {}
+        # Creation timestamps for orphaned-run TTL sweep
+        self._run_streams_created: Dict[str, float] = {}
         self._session_db: Optional[Any] = None  # Lazy-init SessionDB for session continuity
 
     @staticmethod
@@ -364,7 +371,7 @@ class APIServerAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
         auth_header = request.headers.get("Authorization", "")
         if auth_header.startswith("Bearer "):
             token = auth_header[7:].strip()
-            if token == self._api_key:
+            if hmac.compare_digest(token, self._api_key):
                 return None  # Auth OK
 
         return web.json_response(
@@ -421,6 +428,11 @@ class APIServerAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
 
         max_iterations = int(os.getenv("HERMES_MAX_ITERATIONS", "90"))
 
+        # Load fallback provider chain so the API server platform has the
+        # same fallback behaviour as Telegram/Discord/Slack (fixes #4954).
+        from gateway.run import GatewayRunner
+        fallback_model = GatewayRunner._load_fallback_model()
+
         agent = AIAgent(
             model=model,
             **runtime_kwargs,
@@ -434,6 +446,7 @@ class APIServerAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
             stream_delta_callback=stream_delta_callback,
             tool_progress_callback=tool_progress_callback,
             session_db=self._ensure_session_db(),
+            fallback_model=fallback_model,
         )
         return agent
 
@@ -551,8 +564,10 @@ class APIServerAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
                 if delta is not None:
                     _stream_q.put(delta)
 
-            def _on_tool_progress(name, preview, args):
+            def _on_tool_progress(event_type, name, preview, args, **kwargs):
                 """Inject tool progress into the SSE stream for Open WebUI."""
+                if event_type != "tool.started":
+                    return  # Only show tool start events in chat stream
                 if name.startswith("_"):
                     return  # Skip internal events (_thinking)
                 from agent.display import get_tool_emoji
@@ -803,9 +818,29 @@ class APIServerAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
         else:
             return web.json_response(_openai_error("'input' must be a string or array"), status=400)
 
-        # Reconstruct conversation history from previous_response_id
+        # Accept explicit conversation_history from the request body.
+        # This lets stateless clients supply their own history instead of
+        # relying on server-side response chaining via previous_response_id.
+        # Precedence: explicit conversation_history > previous_response_id.
         conversation_history: List[Dict[str, str]] = []
-        if previous_response_id:
+        raw_history = body.get("conversation_history")
+        if raw_history:
+            if not isinstance(raw_history, list):
+                return web.json_response(
+                    _openai_error("'conversation_history' must be an array of message objects"),
+                    status=400,
+                )
+            for i, entry in enumerate(raw_history):
+                if not isinstance(entry, dict) or "role" not in entry or "content" not in entry:
+                    return web.json_response(
+                        _openai_error(f"conversation_history[{i}] must have 'role' and 'content' fields"),
+                        status=400,
+                    )
+                conversation_history.append({"role": str(entry["role"]), "content": str(entry["content"])})
+            if previous_response_id:
+                logger.debug("Both conversation_history and previous_response_id provided; using conversation_history")
+
+        if not conversation_history and previous_response_id:
             stored = self._response_store.get(previous_response_id)
             if stored is None:
                 return web.json_response(_openai_error(f"Previous response not found: {previous_response_id}"), status=404)
@@ -962,6 +997,18 @@ class APIServerAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
             resume_job as _cron_resume,
             trigger_job as _cron_trigger,
         )
+        # Wrap as staticmethod to prevent descriptor binding — these are plain
+        # module functions, not instance methods.  Without this, self._cron_*()
+        # injects ``self`` as the first positional argument and every call
+        # raises TypeError.
+        _cron_list = staticmethod(_cron_list)
+        _cron_get = staticmethod(_cron_get)
+        _cron_create = staticmethod(_cron_create)
+        _cron_update = staticmethod(_cron_update)
+        _cron_remove = staticmethod(_cron_remove)
+        _cron_pause = staticmethod(_cron_pause)
+        _cron_resume = staticmethod(_cron_resume)
+        _cron_trigger = staticmethod(_cron_trigger)
         _CRON_AVAILABLE = True
     except ImportError:
         pass
@@ -1281,6 +1328,271 @@ class APIServerAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
 
         return await loop.run_in_executor(None, _run)
 
+    # ------------------------------------------------------------------
+    # /v1/runs — structured event streaming
+    # ------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+    _MAX_CONCURRENT_RUNS = 10  # Prevent unbounded resource allocation
+    _RUN_STREAM_TTL = 300  # seconds before orphaned runs are swept
+
+    def _make_run_event_callback(self, run_id: str, loop: "asyncio.AbstractEventLoop"):
+        """Return a tool_progress_callback that pushes structured events to the run's SSE queue."""
+        def _push(event: Dict[str, Any]) -> None:
+            q = self._run_streams.get(run_id)
+            if q is None:
+                return
+            try:
+                loop.call_soon_threadsafe(q.put_nowait, event)
+            except Exception:
+                pass
+
+        def _callback(event_type: str, tool_name: str = None, preview: str = None, args=None, **kwargs):
+            ts = time.time()
+            if event_type == "tool.started":
+                _push({
+                    "event": "tool.started",
+                    "run_id": run_id,
+                    "timestamp": ts,
+                    "tool": tool_name,
+                    "preview": preview,
+                })
+            elif event_type == "tool.completed":
+                _push({
+                    "event": "tool.completed",
+                    "run_id": run_id,
+                    "timestamp": ts,
+                    "tool": tool_name,
+                    "duration": round(kwargs.get("duration", 0), 3),
+                    "error": kwargs.get("is_error", False),
+                })
+            elif event_type == "reasoning.available":
+                _push({
+                    "event": "reasoning.available",
+                    "run_id": run_id,
+                    "timestamp": ts,
+                    "text": preview or "",
+                })
+            # _thinking and subagent_progress are intentionally not forwarded
+
+        return _callback
+
+    async def _handle_runs(self, request: "web.Request") -> "web.Response":
+        """POST /v1/runs — start an agent run, return run_id immediately."""
+        auth_err = self._check_auth(request)
+        if auth_err:
+            return auth_err
+
+        # Enforce concurrency limit
+        if len(self._run_streams) >= self._MAX_CONCURRENT_RUNS:
+            return web.json_response(
+                _openai_error(f"Too many concurrent runs (max {self._MAX_CONCURRENT_RUNS})", code="rate_limit_exceeded"),
+                status=429,
+            )
+
+        try:
+            body = await request.json()
+        except Exception:
+            return web.json_response(_openai_error("Invalid JSON"), status=400)
+
+        raw_input = body.get("input")
+        if not raw_input:
+            return web.json_response(_openai_error("Missing 'input' field"), status=400)
+
+        user_message = raw_input if isinstance(raw_input, str) else (raw_input[-1].get("content", "") if isinstance(raw_input, list) else "")
+        if not user_message:
+            return web.json_response(_openai_error("No user message found in input"), status=400)
+
+        run_id = f"run_{uuid.uuid4().hex}"
+        loop = asyncio.get_running_loop()
+        q: "asyncio.Queue[Optional[Dict]]" = asyncio.Queue()
+        self._run_streams[run_id] = q
+        self._run_streams_created[run_id] = time.time()
+
+        event_cb = self._make_run_event_callback(run_id, loop)
+
+        # Also wire stream_delta_callback so message.delta events flow through
+        def _text_cb(delta: Optional[str]) -> None:
+            if delta is None:
+                return
+            try:
+                loop.call_soon_threadsafe(q.put_nowait, {
+                    "event": "message.delta",
+                    "run_id": run_id,
+                    "timestamp": time.time(),
+                    "delta": delta,
+                })
+            except Exception:
+                pass
+
+        instructions = body.get("instructions")
+        previous_response_id = body.get("previous_response_id")
+
+        # Accept explicit conversation_history from the request body.
+        # Precedence: explicit conversation_history > previous_response_id.
+        conversation_history: List[Dict[str, str]] = []
+        raw_history = body.get("conversation_history")
+        if raw_history:
+            if not isinstance(raw_history, list):
+                return web.json_response(
+                    _openai_error("'conversation_history' must be an array of message objects"),
+                    status=400,
+                )
+            for i, entry in enumerate(raw_history):
+                if not isinstance(entry, dict) or "role" not in entry or "content" not in entry:
+                    return web.json_response(
+                        _openai_error(f"conversation_history[{i}] must have 'role' and 'content' fields"),
+                        status=400,
+                    )
+                conversation_history.append({"role": str(entry["role"]), "content": str(entry["content"])})
+            if previous_response_id:
+                logger.debug("Both conversation_history and previous_response_id provided; using conversation_history")
+
+        if not conversation_history and previous_response_id:
+            stored = self._response_store.get(previous_response_id)
+            if stored:
+                conversation_history = list(stored.get("conversation_history", []))
+                if instructions is None:
+                    instructions = stored.get("instructions")
+
+        # When input is a multi-message array, extract all but the last
+        # message as conversation history (the last becomes user_message).
+        # Only fires when no explicit history was provided.
+        if not conversation_history and isinstance(raw_input, list) and len(raw_input) > 1:
+            for msg in raw_input[:-1]:
+                if isinstance(msg, dict) and msg.get("role") and msg.get("content"):
+                    content = msg["content"]
+                    if isinstance(content, list):
+                        # Flatten multi-part content blocks to text
+                        content = " ".join(
+                            part.get("text", "") for part in content
+                            if isinstance(part, dict) and part.get("type") == "text"
+                        )
+                    conversation_history.append({"role": msg["role"], "content": str(content)})
+
+        session_id = body.get("session_id") or run_id
+        ephemeral_system_prompt = instructions
+
+        async def _run_and_close():
+            try:
+                agent = self._create_agent(
+                    ephemeral_system_prompt=ephemeral_system_prompt,
+                    session_id=session_id,
+                    stream_delta_callback=_text_cb,
+                    tool_progress_callback=event_cb,
+                )
+                def _run_sync():
+                    r = agent.run_conversation(
+                        user_message=user_message,
+                        conversation_history=conversation_history,
+                    )
+                    u = {
+                        "input_tokens": getattr(agent, "session_prompt_tokens", 0) or 0,
+                        "output_tokens": getattr(agent, "session_completion_tokens", 0) or 0,
+                        "total_tokens": getattr(agent, "session_total_tokens", 0) or 0,
+                    }
+                    return r, u
+
+                result, usage = await asyncio.get_running_loop().run_in_executor(None, _run_sync)
+                final_response = result.get("final_response", "") if isinstance(result, dict) else ""
+                q.put_nowait({
+                    "event": "run.completed",
+                    "run_id": run_id,
+                    "timestamp": time.time(),
+                    "output": final_response,
+                    "usage": usage,
+                })
+            except Exception as exc:
+                logger.exception("[api_server] run %s failed", run_id)
+                try:
+                    q.put_nowait({
+                        "event": "run.failed",
+                        "run_id": run_id,
+                        "timestamp": time.time(),
+                        "error": str(exc),
+                    })
+                except Exception:
+                    pass
+            finally:
+                # Sentinel: signal SSE stream to close
+                try:
+                    q.put_nowait(None)
+                except Exception:
+                    pass
+
+        task = asyncio.create_task(_run_and_close())
+        try:
+            self._background_tasks.add(task)
+        except TypeError:
+            pass
+        if hasattr(task, "add_done_callback"):
+            task.add_done_callback(self._background_tasks.discard)
+
+        return web.json_response({"run_id": run_id, "status": "started"}, status=202)
+
+    async def _handle_run_events(self, request: "web.Request") -> "web.StreamResponse":
+        """GET /v1/runs/{run_id}/events — SSE stream of structured agent lifecycle events."""
+        auth_err = self._check_auth(request)
+        if auth_err:
+            return auth_err
+
+        run_id = request.match_info["run_id"]
+
+        # Allow subscribing slightly before the run is registered (race condition window)
+        for _ in range(20):
+            if run_id in self._run_streams:
+                break
+            await asyncio.sleep(0.05)
+        else:
+            return web.json_response(_openai_error(f"Run not found: {run_id}", code="run_not_found"), status=404)
+
+        q = self._run_streams[run_id]
+
+        response = web.StreamResponse(
+            status=200,
+            headers={
+                "Content-Type": "text/event-stream",
+                "Cache-Control": "no-cache",
+                "X-Accel-Buffering": "no",
+            },
+        )
+        await response.prepare(request)
+
+        try:
+            while True:
+                try:
+                    event = await asyncio.wait_for(q.get(), timeout=30.0)
+                except asyncio.TimeoutError:
+                    await response.write(b": keepalive\n\n")
+                    continue
+                if event is None:
+                    # Run finished — send final SSE comment and close
+                    await response.write(b": stream closed\n\n")
+                    break
+                payload = f"data: {json.dumps(event)}\n\n"
+                await response.write(payload.encode())
+        except Exception as exc:
+            logger.debug("[api_server] SSE stream error for run %s: %s", run_id, exc)
+        finally:
+            self._run_streams.pop(run_id, None)
+            self._run_streams_created.pop(run_id, None)
+
+        return response
+
+    async def _sweep_orphaned_runs(self) -> None:
+        """Periodically clean up run streams that were never consumed."""
+        while True:
+            await asyncio.sleep(60)
+            now = time.time()
+            stale = [
+                run_id
+                for run_id, created_at in list(self._run_streams_created.items())
+                if now - created_at > self._RUN_STREAM_TTL
+            ]
+            for run_id in stale:
+                logger.debug("[api_server] sweeping orphaned run %s", run_id)
+                self._run_streams.pop(run_id, None)
+                self._run_streams_created.pop(run_id, None)
+
     # ------------------------------------------------------------------
     # BasePlatformAdapter interface
     # ------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -1311,6 +1623,17 @@ class APIServerAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
             self._app.router.add_post("/api/jobs/{job_id}/pause", self._handle_pause_job)
             self._app.router.add_post("/api/jobs/{job_id}/resume", self._handle_resume_job)
             self._app.router.add_post("/api/jobs/{job_id}/run", self._handle_run_job)
+            # Structured event streaming
+            self._app.router.add_post("/v1/runs", self._handle_runs)
+            self._app.router.add_get("/v1/runs/{run_id}/events", self._handle_run_events)
+            # Start background sweep to clean up orphaned (unconsumed) run streams
+            sweep_task = asyncio.create_task(self._sweep_orphaned_runs())
+            try:
+                self._background_tasks.add(sweep_task)
+            except TypeError:
+                pass
+            if hasattr(sweep_task, "add_done_callback"):
+                sweep_task.add_done_callback(self._background_tasks.discard)
 
             # Port conflict detection — fail fast if port is already in use
             import socket as _socket

gateway/platforms/base.py

@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ import random
 import re
 import uuid
 from abc import ABC, abstractmethod
+from urllib.parse import urlsplit
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 from dataclasses import dataclass, field
@@ -26,7 +27,6 @@ sys.path.insert(0, str(_Path(__file__).resolve().parents[2]))
 
 from gateway.config import Platform, PlatformConfig
 from gateway.session import SessionSource, build_session_key
-from hermes_cli.config import get_hermes_home
 from hermes_constants import get_hermes_dir
 
 
@@ -36,6 +36,43 @@ GATEWAY_SECRET_CAPTURE_UNSUPPORTED_MESSAGE = (
 )
 
 
+def _safe_url_for_log(url: str, max_len: int = 80) -> str:
+    """Return a URL string safe for logs (no query/fragment/userinfo)."""
+    if max_len <= 0:
+        return ""
+
+    if url is None:
+        return ""
+
+    raw = str(url)
+    if not raw:
+        return ""
+
+    try:
+        parsed = urlsplit(raw)
+    except Exception:
+        return raw[:max_len]
+
+    if parsed.scheme and parsed.netloc:
+        # Strip potential embedded credentials (user:pass@host).
+        netloc = parsed.netloc.rsplit("@", 1)[-1]
+        base = f"{parsed.scheme}://{netloc}"
+        path = parsed.path or ""
+        if path and path != "/":
+            basename = path.rsplit("/", 1)[-1]
+            safe = f"{base}/.../{basename}" if basename else f"{base}/..."
+        else:
+            safe = base
+    else:
+        safe = raw
+
+    if len(safe) <= max_len:
+        return safe
+    if max_len <= 3:
+        return "." * max_len
+    return f"{safe[:max_len - 3]}..."
+
+
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Image cache utilities
 #
@@ -87,7 +124,14 @@ async def cache_image_from_url(url: str, ext: str = ".jpg", retries: int = 2) ->
 
     Returns:
         Absolute path to the cached image file as a string.
+
+    Raises:
+        ValueError: If the URL targets a private/internal network (SSRF protection).
     """
+    from tools.url_safety import is_safe_url
+    if not is_safe_url(url):
+        raise ValueError(f"Blocked unsafe URL (SSRF protection): {_safe_url_for_log(url)}")
+
     import asyncio
     import httpx
     import logging as _logging
@@ -112,8 +156,14 @@ async def cache_image_from_url(url: str, ext: str = ".jpg", retries: int = 2) ->
                     raise
                 if attempt < retries:
                     wait = 1.5 * (attempt + 1)
-                    _log.debug("Media cache retry %d/%d for %s (%.1fs): %s",
-                               attempt + 1, retries, url[:80], wait, exc)
+                    _log.debug(
+                        "Media cache retry %d/%d for %s (%.1fs): %s",
+                        attempt + 1,
+                        retries,
+                        _safe_url_for_log(url),
+                        wait,
+                        exc,
+                    )
                     await asyncio.sleep(wait)
                     continue
                 raise
@@ -189,7 +239,14 @@ async def cache_audio_from_url(url: str, ext: str = ".ogg", retries: int = 2) ->
 
     Returns:
         Absolute path to the cached audio file as a string.
+
+    Raises:
+        ValueError: If the URL targets a private/internal network (SSRF protection).
     """
+    from tools.url_safety import is_safe_url
+    if not is_safe_url(url):
+        raise ValueError(f"Blocked unsafe URL (SSRF protection): {_safe_url_for_log(url)}")
+
     import asyncio
     import httpx
     import logging as _logging
@@ -214,8 +271,14 @@ async def cache_audio_from_url(url: str, ext: str = ".ogg", retries: int = 2) ->
                     raise
                 if attempt < retries:
                     wait = 1.5 * (attempt + 1)
-                    _log.debug("Audio cache retry %d/%d for %s (%.1fs): %s",
-                               attempt + 1, retries, url[:80], wait, exc)
+                    _log.debug(
+                        "Audio cache retry %d/%d for %s (%.1fs): %s",
+                        attempt + 1,
+                        retries,
+                        _safe_url_for_log(url),
+                        wait,
+                        exc,
+                    )
                     await asyncio.sleep(wait)
                     continue
                 raise
@@ -377,23 +440,26 @@ class SendResult:
     message_id: Optional[str] = None
     error: Optional[str] = None
     raw_response: Any = None
-    retryable: bool = False  # True for transient errors (network, timeout) — base will retry automatically
+    retryable: bool = False  # True for transient connection errors — base will retry automatically
 
 
-# Error substrings that indicate a transient network failure worth retrying
+# Error substrings that indicate a transient *connection* failure worth retrying.
+# "timeout" / "timed out" / "readtimeout" / "writetimeout" are intentionally
+# excluded: a read/write timeout on a non-idempotent call (e.g. send_message)
+# means the request may have reached the server — retrying risks duplicate
+# delivery.  "connecttimeout" is safe because the connection was never
+# established.  Platforms that know a timeout is safe to retry should set
+# SendResult.retryable = True explicitly.
 _RETRYABLE_ERROR_PATTERNS = (
     "connecterror",
     "connectionerror",
     "connectionreset",
     "connectionrefused",
-    "timeout",
-    "timed out",
+    "connecttimeout",
     "network",
     "broken pipe",
     "remotedisconnected",
     "eoferror",
-    "readtimeout",
-    "writetimeout",
 )
 
 
@@ -432,6 +498,9 @@ class BasePlatformAdapter(ABC):
         self._background_tasks: set[asyncio.Task] = set()
         # Chats where auto-TTS on voice input is disabled (set by /voice off)
         self._auto_tts_disabled_chats: set = set()
+        # Chats where typing indicator is paused (e.g. during approval waits).
+        # _keep_typing skips send_typing when the chat_id is in this set.
+        self._typing_paused: set = set()
 
     @property
     def has_fatal_error(self) -> bool:
@@ -516,6 +585,16 @@ class BasePlatformAdapter(ABC):
         """
         self._message_handler = handler
     
+    def set_session_store(self, session_store: Any) -> None:
+        """
+        Set the session store for checking active sessions.
+        
+        Used by adapters that need to check if a thread/conversation
+        has an active session before processing messages (e.g., Slack
+        thread replies without explicit mentions).
+        """
+        self._session_store = session_store
+    
     @abstractmethod
     async def connect(self) -> bool:
         """
@@ -881,10 +960,16 @@ class BasePlatformAdapter(ABC):
         
         Telegram/Discord typing status expires after ~5 seconds, so we refresh every 2
         to recover quickly after progress messages interrupt it.
+        
+        Skips send_typing when the chat is in ``_typing_paused`` (e.g. while
+        the agent is waiting for dangerous-command approval).  This is critical
+        for Slack's Assistant API where ``assistant_threads_setStatus`` disables
+        the compose box — pausing lets the user type ``/approve`` or ``/deny``.
         """
         try:
             while True:
-                await self.send_typing(chat_id, metadata=metadata)
+                if chat_id not in self._typing_paused:
+                    await self.send_typing(chat_id, metadata=metadata)
                 await asyncio.sleep(interval)
         except asyncio.CancelledError:
             pass  # Normal cancellation when handler completes
@@ -898,7 +983,20 @@ class BasePlatformAdapter(ABC):
                     await self.stop_typing(chat_id)
                 except Exception:
                     pass
-    
+            self._typing_paused.discard(chat_id)
+
+    def pause_typing_for_chat(self, chat_id: str) -> None:
+        """Pause typing indicator for a chat (e.g. during approval waits).
+
+        Thread-safe (CPython GIL) — can be called from the sync agent thread
+        while ``_keep_typing`` runs on the async event loop.
+        """
+        self._typing_paused.add(chat_id)
+
+    def resume_typing_for_chat(self, chat_id: str) -> None:
+        """Resume typing indicator for a chat after approval resolves."""
+        self._typing_paused.discard(chat_id)
+
     # ── Processing lifecycle hooks ──────────────────────────────────────────
     # Subclasses override these to react to message processing events
     # (e.g. Discord adds 👀/✅/❌ reactions).
@@ -927,6 +1025,18 @@ class BasePlatformAdapter(ABC):
         lowered = error.lower()
         return any(pat in lowered for pat in _RETRYABLE_ERROR_PATTERNS)
 
+    @staticmethod
+    def _is_timeout_error(error: Optional[str]) -> bool:
+        """Return True if the error string indicates a read/write timeout.
+
+        Timeout errors are NOT retryable and should NOT trigger plain-text
+        fallback — the request may have already been delivered.
+        """
+        if not error:
+            return False
+        lowered = error.lower()
+        return "timed out" in lowered or "readtimeout" in lowered or "writetimeout" in lowered
+
     async def _send_with_retry(
         self,
         chat_id: str,
@@ -958,6 +1068,11 @@ class BasePlatformAdapter(ABC):
         error_str = result.error or ""
         is_network = result.retryable or self._is_retryable_error(error_str)
 
+        # Timeout errors are not safe to retry (message may have been
+        # delivered) and not formatting errors — return the failure as-is.
+        if not is_network and self._is_timeout_error(error_str):
+            return result
+
         if is_network:
             # Retry with exponential backoff for transient errors
             for attempt in range(1, max_retries + 1):
@@ -1004,6 +1119,22 @@ class BasePlatformAdapter(ABC):
             logger.error("[%s] Fallback send also failed: %s", self.name, fallback_result.error)
         return fallback_result
 
+    @staticmethod
+    def _merge_caption(existing_text: Optional[str], new_text: str) -> str:
+        """Merge a new caption into existing text, avoiding duplicates.
+
+        Uses line-by-line exact match (not substring) to prevent false positives
+        where a shorter caption is silently dropped because it appears as a
+        substring of a longer one (e.g. "Meeting" inside "Meeting agenda").
+        Whitespace is normalised for comparison.
+        """
+        if not existing_text:
+            return new_text
+        existing_captions = [c.strip() for c in existing_text.split("\n\n")]
+        if new_text.strip() not in existing_captions:
+            return f"{existing_text}\n\n{new_text}".strip()
+        return existing_text
+
     async def handle_message(self, event: MessageEvent) -> None:
         """
         Process an incoming message.
@@ -1018,10 +1149,41 @@ class BasePlatformAdapter(ABC):
         session_key = build_session_key(
             event.source,
             group_sessions_per_user=self.config.extra.get("group_sessions_per_user", True),
+            thread_sessions_per_user=self.config.extra.get("thread_sessions_per_user", False),
         )
         
         # Check if there's already an active handler for this session
         if session_key in self._active_sessions:
+            # Certain commands must bypass the active-session guard and be
+            # dispatched directly to the gateway runner.  Without this, they
+            # are queued as pending messages and either:
+            #   - leak into the conversation as user text (/stop, /new), or
+            #   - deadlock (/approve, /deny — agent is blocked on Event.wait)
+            #
+            # Dispatch inline: call the message handler directly and send the
+            # response.  Do NOT use _process_message_background — it manages
+            # session lifecycle and its cleanup races with the running task
+            # (see PR #4926).
+            cmd = event.get_command()
+            if cmd in ("approve", "deny", "status", "stop", "new", "reset"):
+                logger.debug(
+                    "[%s] Command '/%s' bypassing active-session guard for %s",
+                    self.name, cmd, session_key,
+                )
+                try:
+                    _thread_meta = {"thread_id": event.source.thread_id} if event.source.thread_id else None
+                    response = await self._message_handler(event)
+                    if response:
+                        await self._send_with_retry(
+                            chat_id=event.source.chat_id,
+                            content=response,
+                            reply_to=event.message_id,
+                            metadata=_thread_meta,
+                        )
+                except Exception as e:
+                    logger.error("[%s] Command '/%s' dispatch failed: %s", self.name, cmd, e, exc_info=True)
+                return
+
             # Special case: photo bursts/albums frequently arrive as multiple near-
             # simultaneous messages. Queue them without interrupting the active run,
             # then process them immediately after the current task finishes.
@@ -1032,10 +1194,7 @@ class BasePlatformAdapter(ABC):
                     existing.media_urls.extend(event.media_urls)
                     existing.media_types.extend(event.media_types)
                     if event.text:
-                        if not existing.text:
-                            existing.text = event.text
-                        elif event.text not in existing.text:
-                            existing.text = f"{existing.text}\n\n{event.text}".strip()
+                        existing.text = self._merge_caption(existing.text, event.text)
                 else:
                     self._pending_messages[session_key] = event
                 return  # Don't interrupt now - will run after current task completes
@@ -1197,7 +1356,12 @@ class BasePlatformAdapter(ABC):
                     if human_delay > 0:
                         await asyncio.sleep(human_delay)
                     try:
-                        logger.info("[%s] Sending image: %s (alt=%s)", self.name, image_url[:80], alt_text[:30] if alt_text else "")
+                        logger.info(
+                            "[%s] Sending image: %s (alt=%s)",
+                            self.name,
+                            _safe_url_for_log(image_url),
+                            alt_text[:30] if alt_text else "",
+                        )
                         # Route animated GIFs through send_animation for proper playback
                         if self._is_animation_url(image_url):
                             img_result = await self.send_animation(

gateway/platforms/discord.py

@@ -55,6 +55,7 @@ from gateway.platforms.base import (
     cache_document_from_bytes,
     SUPPORTED_DOCUMENT_TYPES,
 )
+from tools.url_safety import is_safe_url
 
 
 def _clean_discord_id(entry: str) -> str:
@@ -449,6 +450,11 @@ class DiscordAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
         self._bot_task: Optional[asyncio.Task] = None
         # Cap to prevent unbounded growth (Discord threads get archived).
         self._MAX_TRACKED_THREADS = 500
+        # Dedup cache: message_id → timestamp.  Prevents duplicate bot
+        # responses when Discord RESUME replays events after reconnects.
+        self._seen_messages: Dict[str, float] = {}
+        self._SEEN_TTL = 300   # 5 minutes
+        self._SEEN_MAX = 2000  # prune threshold
 
     async def connect(self) -> bool:
         """Connect to Discord and start receiving events."""
@@ -497,19 +503,6 @@ class DiscordAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
                 self._set_fatal_error('discord_token_lock', message, retryable=False)
                 return False
 
-            # Set up intents -- members intent needed for username-to-ID resolution
-            intents = Intents.default()
-            intents.message_content = True
-            intents.dm_messages = True
-            intents.guild_messages = True
-            intents.members = True
-            intents.voice_states = True
-
-            # Create bot
-            self._client = commands.Bot(
-                command_prefix="!",  # Not really used, we handle raw messages
-                intents=intents,
-            )
 
             # Parse allowed user entries (may contain usernames or IDs)
             allowed_env = os.getenv("DISCORD_ALLOWED_USERS", "")
@@ -519,6 +512,25 @@ class DiscordAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
                     if uid.strip()
                 }
 
+            # Set up intents.
+            # Message Content is required for normal text replies.
+            # Server Members is only needed when the allowlist contains usernames
+            # that must be resolved to numeric IDs. Requesting privileged intents
+            # that aren't enabled in the Discord Developer Portal can prevent the
+            # bot from coming online at all, so avoid requesting members intent
+            # unless it is actually necessary.
+            intents = Intents.default()
+            intents.message_content = True
+            intents.dm_messages = True
+            intents.guild_messages = True
+            intents.members = any(not entry.isdigit() for entry in self._allowed_user_ids)
+            intents.voice_states = True
+
+            # Create bot
+            self._client = commands.Bot(
+                command_prefix="!",  # Not really used, we handle raw messages
+                intents=intents,
+            )
             adapter_self = self  # capture for closure
 
             # Register event handlers
@@ -539,6 +551,19 @@ class DiscordAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
 
             @self._client.event
             async def on_message(message: DiscordMessage):
+                # Dedup: Discord RESUME replays events after reconnects (#4777)
+                msg_id = str(message.id)
+                now = time.time()
+                if msg_id in adapter_self._seen_messages:
+                    return
+                adapter_self._seen_messages[msg_id] = now
+                if len(adapter_self._seen_messages) > adapter_self._SEEN_MAX:
+                    cutoff = now - adapter_self._SEEN_TTL
+                    adapter_self._seen_messages = {
+                        k: v for k, v in adapter_self._seen_messages.items()
+                        if v > cutoff
+                    }
+
                 # Always ignore our own messages
                 if message.author == self._client.user:
                     return
@@ -630,9 +655,23 @@ class DiscordAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
 
         except asyncio.TimeoutError:
             logger.error("[%s] Timeout waiting for connection to Discord", self.name, exc_info=True)
+            try:
+                from gateway.status import release_scoped_lock
+                if getattr(self, '_token_lock_identity', None):
+                    release_scoped_lock('discord-bot-token', self._token_lock_identity)
+                    self._token_lock_identity = None
+            except Exception:
+                pass
             return False
         except Exception as e:  # pragma: no cover - defensive logging
             logger.error("[%s] Failed to connect to Discord: %s", self.name, e, exc_info=True)
+            try:
+                from gateway.status import release_scoped_lock
+                if getattr(self, '_token_lock_identity', None):
+                    release_scoped_lock('discord-bot-token', self._token_lock_identity)
+                    self._token_lock_identity = None
+            except Exception:
+                pass
             return False
 
     async def disconnect(self) -> None:
@@ -1247,6 +1286,10 @@ class DiscordAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
         if not self._client:
             return SendResult(success=False, error="Not connected")
 
+        if not is_safe_url(image_url):
+            logger.warning("[%s] Blocked unsafe image URL during Discord send_image", self.name)
+            return await super().send_image(chat_id, image_url, caption, reply_to, metadata=metadata)
+
         try:
             import aiohttp
 
@@ -1642,6 +1685,62 @@ class DiscordAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
             await interaction.response.defer(ephemeral=True)
             await self._handle_thread_create_slash(interaction, name, message, auto_archive_duration)
 
+        @tree.command(name="queue", description="Queue a prompt for the next turn (doesn't interrupt)")
+        @discord.app_commands.describe(prompt="The prompt to queue")
+        async def slash_queue(interaction: discord.Interaction, prompt: str):
+            await self._run_simple_slash(interaction, f"/queue {prompt}", "Queued for the next turn.")
+
+        @tree.command(name="background", description="Run a prompt in the background")
+        @discord.app_commands.describe(prompt="The prompt to run in the background")
+        async def slash_background(interaction: discord.Interaction, prompt: str):
+            await self._run_simple_slash(interaction, f"/background {prompt}", "Background task started~")
+
+        @tree.command(name="btw", description="Ephemeral side question using session context")
+        @discord.app_commands.describe(question="Your side question (no tools, not persisted)")
+        async def slash_btw(interaction: discord.Interaction, question: str):
+            await self._run_simple_slash(interaction, f"/btw {question}")
+
+        # Register installed skills as native slash commands (parity with
+        # Telegram, which uses telegram_menu_commands() in commands.py).
+        # Discord allows up to 100 application commands globally.
+        _DISCORD_CMD_LIMIT = 100
+        try:
+            from hermes_cli.commands import discord_skill_commands
+
+            existing_names = {cmd.name for cmd in tree.get_commands()}
+            remaining_slots = max(0, _DISCORD_CMD_LIMIT - len(existing_names))
+
+            skill_entries, skipped = discord_skill_commands(
+                max_slots=remaining_slots,
+                reserved_names=existing_names,
+            )
+
+            for discord_name, description, cmd_key in skill_entries:
+                # Closure factory to capture cmd_key per iteration
+                def _make_skill_handler(_key: str):
+                    async def _skill_slash(interaction: discord.Interaction, args: str = ""):
+                        await self._run_simple_slash(interaction, f"{_key} {args}".strip())
+                    return _skill_slash
+
+                handler = _make_skill_handler(cmd_key)
+                handler.__name__ = f"skill_{discord_name.replace('-', '_')}"
+
+                cmd = discord.app_commands.Command(
+                    name=discord_name,
+                    description=description,
+                    callback=handler,
+                )
+                discord.app_commands.describe(args="Optional arguments for the skill")(cmd)
+                tree.add_command(cmd)
+
+            if skipped:
+                logger.warning(
+                    "[%s] Discord slash command limit reached (%d): %d skill(s) not registered",
+                    self.name, _DISCORD_CMD_LIMIT, skipped,
+                )
+        except Exception as exc:
+            logger.warning("[%s] Failed to register skill slash commands: %s", self.name, exc)
+
     def _build_slash_event(self, interaction: discord.Interaction, text: str) -> MessageEvent:
         """Build a MessageEvent from a Discord slash command interaction."""
         is_dm = isinstance(interaction.channel, discord.DMChannel)
@@ -1914,6 +2013,97 @@ class DiscordAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
         except Exception as e:
             return SendResult(success=False, error=str(e))
 
+    async def send_update_prompt(
+        self, chat_id: str, prompt: str, default: str = "",
+        session_key: str = "",
+    ) -> SendResult:
+        """Send an interactive button-based update prompt (Yes / No).
+
+        Used by the gateway ``/update`` watcher when ``hermes update --gateway``
+        needs user input (stash restore, config migration).
+        """
+        if not self._client or not DISCORD_AVAILABLE:
+            return SendResult(success=False, error="Not connected")
+        try:
+            channel = self._client.get_channel(int(chat_id))
+            if not channel:
+                channel = await self._client.fetch_channel(int(chat_id))
+
+            default_hint = f" (default: {default})" if default else ""
+            embed = discord.Embed(
+                title="⚕ Update Needs Your Input",
+                description=f"{prompt}{default_hint}",
+                color=discord.Color.gold(),
+            )
+            view = UpdatePromptView(
+                session_key=session_key,
+                allowed_user_ids=self._allowed_user_ids,
+            )
+            msg = await channel.send(embed=embed, view=view)
+            return SendResult(success=True, message_id=str(msg.id))
+        except Exception as e:
+            return SendResult(success=False, error=str(e))
+
+    async def send_model_picker(
+        self,
+        chat_id: str,
+        providers: list,
+        current_model: str,
+        current_provider: str,
+        session_key: str,
+        on_model_selected,
+        metadata: Optional[Dict[str, Any]] = None,
+    ) -> SendResult:
+        """Send an interactive select-menu model picker.
+
+        Two-step drill-down: provider dropdown → model dropdown.
+        Uses Discord embeds + Select menus via ``ModelPickerView``.
+        """
+        if not self._client or not DISCORD_AVAILABLE:
+            return SendResult(success=False, error="Not connected")
+
+        try:
+            # Resolve target channel (use thread_id if present)
+            target_id = chat_id
+            if metadata and metadata.get("thread_id"):
+                target_id = metadata["thread_id"]
+
+            channel = self._client.get_channel(int(target_id))
+            if not channel:
+                channel = await self._client.fetch_channel(int(target_id))
+
+            try:
+                from hermes_cli.providers import get_label
+                provider_label = get_label(current_provider)
+            except Exception:
+                provider_label = current_provider
+
+            embed = discord.Embed(
+                title="⚙ Model Configuration",
+                description=(
+                    f"Current model: `{current_model or 'unknown'}`\n"
+                    f"Provider: {provider_label}\n\n"
+                    f"Select a provider:"
+                ),
+                color=discord.Color.blue(),
+            )
+
+            view = ModelPickerView(
+                providers=providers,
+                current_model=current_model,
+                current_provider=current_provider,
+                session_key=session_key,
+                on_model_selected=on_model_selected,
+                allowed_user_ids=self._allowed_user_ids,
+            )
+
+            msg = await channel.send(embed=embed, view=view)
+            return SendResult(success=True, message_id=str(msg.id))
+
+        except Exception as e:
+            logger.warning("[%s] send_model_picker failed: %s", self.name, e)
+            return SendResult(success=False, error=str(e))
+
     def _get_parent_channel_id(self, channel: Any) -> Optional[str]:
         """Return the parent channel ID for a Discord thread-like channel, if present."""
         parent = getattr(channel, "parent", None)
@@ -2003,9 +2193,11 @@ class DiscordAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
         # UNLESS the channel is in the free-response list or the message is
         # in a thread where the bot has already participated.
         #
-        # Config (all settable via discord.* in config.yaml):
+        # Config (all settable via discord.* in config.yaml or DISCORD_* env vars):
         #   discord.require_mention: Require @mention in server channels (default: true)
         #   discord.free_response_channels: Channel IDs where bot responds without mention
+        #   discord.ignored_channels: Channel IDs where bot NEVER responds (even when mentioned)
+        #   discord.no_thread_channels: Channel IDs where bot responds directly without creating thread
         #   discord.auto_thread: Auto-create thread on @mention in channels (default: true)
 
         thread_id = None
@@ -2016,9 +2208,18 @@ class DiscordAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
             parent_channel_id = self._get_parent_channel_id(message.channel)
 
         if not isinstance(message.channel, discord.DMChannel):
+            # Check ignored channels first - never respond even when mentioned
+            ignored_channels_raw = os.getenv("DISCORD_IGNORED_CHANNELS", "")
+            ignored_channels = {ch.strip() for ch in ignored_channels_raw.split(",") if ch.strip()}
+            channel_ids = {str(message.channel.id)}
+            if parent_channel_id:
+                channel_ids.add(parent_channel_id)
+            if channel_ids & ignored_channels:
+                logger.debug("[%s] Ignoring message in ignored channel: %s", self.name, channel_ids)
+                return
+
             free_channels_raw = os.getenv("DISCORD_FREE_RESPONSE_CHANNELS", "")
             free_channels = {ch.strip() for ch in free_channels_raw.split(",") if ch.strip()}
-            channel_ids = {str(message.channel.id)}
             if parent_channel_id:
                 channel_ids.add(parent_channel_id)
 
@@ -2040,10 +2241,14 @@ class DiscordAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
         # Auto-thread: when enabled, automatically create a thread for every
         # @mention in a text channel so each conversation is isolated (like Slack).
         # Messages already inside threads or DMs are unaffected.
+        # no_thread_channels: channels where bot responds directly without thread.
         auto_threaded_channel = None
         if not is_thread and not isinstance(message.channel, discord.DMChannel):
+            no_thread_channels_raw = os.getenv("DISCORD_NO_THREAD_CHANNELS", "")
+            no_thread_channels = {ch.strip() for ch in no_thread_channels_raw.split(",") if ch.strip()}
+            skip_thread = bool(channel_ids & no_thread_channels)
             auto_thread = os.getenv("DISCORD_AUTO_THREAD", "true").lower() in ("true", "1", "yes")
-            if auto_thread:
+            if auto_thread and not skip_thread:
                 thread = await self._auto_create_thread(message)
                 if thread:
                     is_thread = True
@@ -2326,3 +2531,297 @@ if DISCORD_AVAILABLE:
             self.resolved = True
             for child in self.children:
                 child.disabled = True
+
+    class UpdatePromptView(discord.ui.View):
+        """Interactive Yes/No buttons for ``hermes update`` prompts.
+
+        Clicking a button writes the answer to ``.update_response`` so the
+        detached update process can pick it up.  Only authorized users can
+        click.  Times out after 5 minutes (the update process also has a
+        5-minute timeout on its side).
+        """
+
+        def __init__(self, session_key: str, allowed_user_ids: set):
+            super().__init__(timeout=300)
+            self.session_key = session_key
+            self.allowed_user_ids = allowed_user_ids
+            self.resolved = False
+
+        def _check_auth(self, interaction: discord.Interaction) -> bool:
+            if not self.allowed_user_ids:
+                return True
+            return str(interaction.user.id) in self.allowed_user_ids
+
+        async def _respond(
+            self, interaction: discord.Interaction, answer: str,
+            color: discord.Color, label: str,
+        ):
+            if self.resolved:
+                await interaction.response.send_message(
+                    "Already answered~", ephemeral=True
+                )
+                return
+            if not self._check_auth(interaction):
+                await interaction.response.send_message(
+                    "You're not authorized~", ephemeral=True
+                )
+                return
+
+            self.resolved = True
+
+            # Update embed
+            embed = interaction.message.embeds[0] if interaction.message.embeds else None
+            if embed:
+                embed.color = color
+                embed.set_footer(text=f"{label} by {interaction.user.display_name}")
+
+            for child in self.children:
+                child.disabled = True
+            await interaction.response.edit_message(embed=embed, view=self)
+
+            # Write response file
+            try:
+                from hermes_constants import get_hermes_home
+                home = get_hermes_home()
+                response_path = home / ".update_response"
+                tmp = response_path.with_suffix(".tmp")
+                tmp.write_text(answer)
+                tmp.replace(response_path)
+                logger.info(
+                    "Discord update prompt answered '%s' by %s",
+                    answer, interaction.user.display_name,
+                )
+            except Exception as exc:
+                logger.error("Failed to write update response: %s", exc)
+
+        @discord.ui.button(label="Yes", style=discord.ButtonStyle.green, emoji="✓")
+        async def yes_btn(
+            self, interaction: discord.Interaction, button: discord.ui.Button
+        ):
+            await self._respond(interaction, "y", discord.Color.green(), "Yes")
+
+        @discord.ui.button(label="No", style=discord.ButtonStyle.red, emoji="✗")
+        async def no_btn(
+            self, interaction: discord.Interaction, button: discord.ui.Button
+        ):
+            await self._respond(interaction, "n", discord.Color.red(), "No")
+
+        async def on_timeout(self):
+            self.resolved = True
+            for child in self.children:
+                child.disabled = True
+
+    class ModelPickerView(discord.ui.View):
+        """Interactive select-menu view for model switching.
+
+        Two-step drill-down: provider dropdown → model dropdown.
+        Edits the original message in-place as the user navigates.
+        Times out after 2 minutes.
+        """
+
+        def __init__(
+            self,
+            providers: list,
+            current_model: str,
+            current_provider: str,
+            session_key: str,
+            on_model_selected,
+            allowed_user_ids: set,
+        ):
+            super().__init__(timeout=120)
+            self.providers = providers
+            self.current_model = current_model
+            self.current_provider = current_provider
+            self.session_key = session_key
+            self.on_model_selected = on_model_selected
+            self.allowed_user_ids = allowed_user_ids
+            self.resolved = False
+            self._selected_provider: str = ""
+
+            self._build_provider_select()
+
+        def _check_auth(self, interaction: discord.Interaction) -> bool:
+            if not self.allowed_user_ids:
+                return True
+            return str(interaction.user.id) in self.allowed_user_ids
+
+        def _build_provider_select(self):
+            """Build the provider dropdown menu."""
+            self.clear_items()
+            options = []
+            for p in self.providers:
+                count = p.get("total_models", len(p.get("models", [])))
+                label = f"{p['name']} ({count} models)"
+                desc = "current" if p.get("is_current") else None
+                options.append(
+                    discord.SelectOption(
+                        label=label[:100],
+                        value=p["slug"],
+                        description=desc,
+                    )
+                )
+            if not options:
+                return
+
+            select = discord.ui.Select(
+                placeholder="Choose a provider...",
+                options=options[:25],
+                custom_id="model_provider_select",
+            )
+            select.callback = self._on_provider_selected
+            self.add_item(select)
+
+            cancel_btn = discord.ui.Button(
+                label="Cancel", style=discord.ButtonStyle.red, custom_id="model_cancel"
+            )
+            cancel_btn.callback = self._on_cancel
+            self.add_item(cancel_btn)
+
+        def _build_model_select(self, provider_slug: str):
+            """Build the model dropdown for a specific provider."""
+            self.clear_items()
+            provider = next(
+                (p for p in self.providers if p["slug"] == provider_slug), None
+            )
+            if not provider:
+                return
+
+            models = provider.get("models", [])
+            options = []
+            for model_id in models[:25]:
+                short = model_id.split("/")[-1] if "/" in model_id else model_id
+                options.append(
+                    discord.SelectOption(
+                        label=short[:100],
+                        value=model_id[:100],
+                    )
+                )
+            if not options:
+                return
+
+            select = discord.ui.Select(
+                placeholder=f"Choose a model from {provider.get('name', provider_slug)}...",
+                options=options,
+                custom_id="model_model_select",
+            )
+            select.callback = self._on_model_selected
+            self.add_item(select)
+
+            back_btn = discord.ui.Button(
+                label="◀ Back", style=discord.ButtonStyle.grey, custom_id="model_back"
+            )
+            back_btn.callback = self._on_back
+            self.add_item(back_btn)
+
+            cancel_btn = discord.ui.Button(
+                label="Cancel", style=discord.ButtonStyle.red, custom_id="model_cancel2"
+            )
+            cancel_btn.callback = self._on_cancel
+            self.add_item(cancel_btn)
+
+        async def _on_provider_selected(self, interaction: discord.Interaction):
+            if not self._check_auth(interaction):
+                await interaction.response.send_message(
+                    "You're not authorized~", ephemeral=True
+                )
+                return
+
+            provider_slug = interaction.data["values"][0]
+            self._selected_provider = provider_slug
+            provider = next(
+                (p for p in self.providers if p["slug"] == provider_slug), None
+            )
+            pname = provider.get("name", provider_slug) if provider else provider_slug
+
+            self._build_model_select(provider_slug)
+
+            total = provider.get("total_models", 0) if provider else 0
+            shown = min(len(provider.get("models", [])), 25) if provider else 0
+            extra = f"\n*{total - shown} more available — type `/model <name>` directly*" if total > shown else ""
+
+            await interaction.response.edit_message(
+                embed=discord.Embed(
+                    title="⚙ Model Configuration",
+                    description=f"Provider: **{pname}**\nSelect a model:{extra}",
+                    color=discord.Color.blue(),
+                ),
+                view=self,
+            )
+
+        async def _on_model_selected(self, interaction: discord.Interaction):
+            if self.resolved:
+                await interaction.response.send_message(
+                    "Already resolved~", ephemeral=True
+                )
+                return
+            if not self._check_auth(interaction):
+                await interaction.response.send_message(
+                    "You're not authorized~", ephemeral=True
+                )
+                return
+
+            self.resolved = True
+            model_id = interaction.data["values"][0]
+
+            try:
+                result_text = await self.on_model_selected(
+                    str(interaction.channel_id),
+                    model_id,
+                    self._selected_provider,
+                )
+            except Exception as exc:
+                result_text = f"Error switching model: {exc}"
+
+            self.clear_items()
+            await interaction.response.edit_message(
+                embed=discord.Embed(
+                    title="⚙ Model Switched",
+                    description=result_text,
+                    color=discord.Color.green(),
+                ),
+                view=self,
+            )
+
+        async def _on_back(self, interaction: discord.Interaction):
+            if not self._check_auth(interaction):
+                await interaction.response.send_message(
+                    "You're not authorized~", ephemeral=True
+                )
+                return
+
+            self._build_provider_select()
+
+            try:
+                from hermes_cli.providers import get_label
+                provider_label = get_label(self.current_provider)
+            except Exception:
+                provider_label = self.current_provider
+
+            await interaction.response.edit_message(
+                embed=discord.Embed(
+                    title="⚙ Model Configuration",
+                    description=(
+                        f"Current model: `{self.current_model or 'unknown'}`\n"
+                        f"Provider: {provider_label}\n\n"
+                        f"Select a provider:"
+                    ),
+                    color=discord.Color.blue(),
+                ),
+                view=self,
+            )
+
+        async def _on_cancel(self, interaction: discord.Interaction):
+            self.resolved = True
+            self.clear_items()
+            await interaction.response.edit_message(
+                embed=discord.Embed(
+                    title="⚙ Model Configuration",
+                    description="Model selection cancelled.",
+                    color=discord.Color.greyple(),
+                ),
+                view=self,
+            )
+
+        async def on_timeout(self):
+            self.resolved = True
+            self.clear_items()

gateway/platforms/feishu.py

@@ -60,7 +60,6 @@ try:
         CreateMessageRequestBody,
         GetChatRequest,
         GetMessageRequest,
-        GetImageRequest,
         GetMessageResourceRequest,
         P2ImMessageMessageReadV1,
         ReplyMessageRequest,
@@ -270,6 +269,22 @@ class FeishuAdapterSettings:
     webhook_host: str
     webhook_port: int
     webhook_path: str
+    ws_reconnect_nonce: int = 30
+    ws_reconnect_interval: int = 120
+    ws_ping_interval: Optional[int] = None
+    ws_ping_timeout: Optional[int] = None
+    admins: frozenset[str] = frozenset()
+    default_group_policy: str = ""
+    group_rules: Dict[str, FeishuGroupRule] = field(default_factory=dict)
+
+
+@dataclass
+class FeishuGroupRule:
+    """Per-group policy rule for controlling which users may interact with the bot."""
+
+    policy: str  # "open" | "allowlist" | "blacklist" | "admin_only" | "disabled"
+    allowlist: set[str] = field(default_factory=set)
+    blacklist: set[str] = field(default_factory=set)
 
 
 @dataclass
@@ -358,6 +373,20 @@ def _strip_markdown_to_plain_text(text: str) -> str:
     return plain.strip()
 
 
+def _coerce_int(value: Any, default: Optional[int] = None, min_value: int = 0) -> Optional[int]:
+    """Coerce value to int with optional default and minimum constraint."""
+    try:
+        parsed = int(value)
+    except (TypeError, ValueError):
+        return default
+    return parsed if parsed >= min_value else default
+
+
+def _coerce_required_int(value: Any, default: int, min_value: int = 0) -> int:
+    parsed = _coerce_int(value, default=default, min_value=min_value)
+    return default if parsed is None else parsed
+
+
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Post payload builders and parsers
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -913,14 +942,66 @@ def _unique_lines(lines: List[str]) -> List[str]:
     return unique
 
 
-def _run_official_feishu_ws_client(ws_client: Any) -> None:
+def _run_official_feishu_ws_client(ws_client: Any, adapter: Any) -> None:
     """Run the official Lark WS client in its own thread-local event loop."""
     import lark_oapi.ws.client as ws_client_module
 
     loop = asyncio.new_event_loop()
     asyncio.set_event_loop(loop)
     ws_client_module.loop = loop
-    ws_client.start()
+    adapter._ws_thread_loop = loop
+
+    original_connect = ws_client_module.websockets.connect
+    original_configure = getattr(ws_client, "_configure", None)
+
+    def _apply_runtime_ws_overrides() -> None:
+        try:
+            setattr(ws_client, "_reconnect_nonce", adapter._ws_reconnect_nonce)
+            setattr(ws_client, "_reconnect_interval", adapter._ws_reconnect_interval)
+            if adapter._ws_ping_interval is not None:
+                setattr(ws_client, "_ping_interval", adapter._ws_ping_interval)
+        except Exception:
+            logger.debug("[Feishu] Failed to apply websocket runtime overrides", exc_info=True)
+
+    async def _connect_with_overrides(*args: Any, **kwargs: Any) -> Any:
+        if adapter._ws_ping_interval is not None and "ping_interval" not in kwargs:
+            kwargs["ping_interval"] = adapter._ws_ping_interval
+        if adapter._ws_ping_timeout is not None and "ping_timeout" not in kwargs:
+            kwargs["ping_timeout"] = adapter._ws_ping_timeout
+        return await original_connect(*args, **kwargs)
+
+    def _configure_with_overrides(conf: Any) -> Any:
+        assert original_configure is not None
+        result = original_configure(conf)
+        _apply_runtime_ws_overrides()
+        return result
+
+    ws_client_module.websockets.connect = _connect_with_overrides
+    if original_configure is not None:
+        setattr(ws_client, "_configure", _configure_with_overrides)
+    _apply_runtime_ws_overrides()
+    try:
+        ws_client.start()
+    except Exception:
+        pass
+    finally:
+        ws_client_module.websockets.connect = original_connect
+        if original_configure is not None:
+            setattr(ws_client, "_configure", original_configure)
+        pending = [t for t in asyncio.all_tasks(loop) if not t.done()]
+        for task in pending:
+            task.cancel()
+        if pending:
+            loop.run_until_complete(asyncio.gather(*pending, return_exceptions=True))
+        try:
+            loop.stop()
+        except Exception:
+            pass
+        try:
+            loop.close()
+        except Exception:
+            pass
+        adapter._ws_thread_loop = None
 
 
 def check_feishu_requirements() -> bool:
@@ -945,10 +1026,11 @@ class FeishuAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
         self._client: Optional[Any] = None
         self._ws_client: Optional[Any] = None
         self._ws_future: Optional[asyncio.Future] = None
+        self._ws_thread_loop: Optional[asyncio.AbstractEventLoop] = None
         self._loop: Optional[asyncio.AbstractEventLoop] = None
         self._webhook_runner: Optional[Any] = None
         self._webhook_site: Optional[Any] = None
-        self._event_handler = self._build_event_handler()
+        self._event_handler: Optional[Any] = None
         self._seen_message_ids: Dict[str, float] = {}  # message_id → seen_at (time.time())
         self._seen_message_order: List[str] = []
         self._dedup_state_path = get_hermes_home() / "feishu_seen_message_ids.json"
@@ -974,6 +1056,26 @@ class FeishuAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
 
     @staticmethod
     def _load_settings(extra: Dict[str, Any]) -> FeishuAdapterSettings:
+        # Parse per-group rules from config
+        raw_group_rules = extra.get("group_rules", {})
+        group_rules: Dict[str, FeishuGroupRule] = {}
+        if isinstance(raw_group_rules, dict):
+            for chat_id, rule_cfg in raw_group_rules.items():
+                if not isinstance(rule_cfg, dict):
+                    continue
+                group_rules[str(chat_id)] = FeishuGroupRule(
+                    policy=str(rule_cfg.get("policy", "open")).strip().lower(),
+                    allowlist=set(str(u).strip() for u in rule_cfg.get("allowlist", []) if str(u).strip()),
+                    blacklist=set(str(u).strip() for u in rule_cfg.get("blacklist", []) if str(u).strip()),
+                )
+
+        # Bot-level admins
+        raw_admins = extra.get("admins", [])
+        admins = frozenset(str(u).strip() for u in raw_admins if str(u).strip())
+
+        # Default group policy (for groups not in group_rules)
+        default_group_policy = str(extra.get("default_group_policy", "")).strip().lower()
+
         return FeishuAdapterSettings(
             app_id=str(extra.get("app_id") or os.getenv("FEISHU_APP_ID", "")).strip(),
             app_secret=str(extra.get("app_secret") or os.getenv("FEISHU_APP_SECRET", "")).strip(),
@@ -1020,6 +1122,13 @@ class FeishuAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
                 str(extra.get("webhook_path") or os.getenv("FEISHU_WEBHOOK_PATH", _DEFAULT_WEBHOOK_PATH)).strip()
                 or _DEFAULT_WEBHOOK_PATH
             ),
+            ws_reconnect_nonce=_coerce_required_int(extra.get("ws_reconnect_nonce"), default=30, min_value=0),
+            ws_reconnect_interval=_coerce_required_int(extra.get("ws_reconnect_interval"), default=120, min_value=1),
+            ws_ping_interval=_coerce_int(extra.get("ws_ping_interval"), default=None, min_value=1),
+            ws_ping_timeout=_coerce_int(extra.get("ws_ping_timeout"), default=None, min_value=1),
+            admins=admins,
+            default_group_policy=default_group_policy,
+            group_rules=group_rules,
         )
 
     def _apply_settings(self, settings: FeishuAdapterSettings) -> None:
@@ -1031,6 +1140,9 @@ class FeishuAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
         self._verification_token = settings.verification_token
         self._group_policy = settings.group_policy
         self._allowed_group_users = set(settings.allowed_group_users)
+        self._admins = set(settings.admins)
+        self._default_group_policy = settings.default_group_policy or settings.group_policy
+        self._group_rules = settings.group_rules
         self._bot_open_id = settings.bot_open_id
         self._bot_user_id = settings.bot_user_id
         self._bot_name = settings.bot_name
@@ -1042,6 +1154,10 @@ class FeishuAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
         self._webhook_host = settings.webhook_host
         self._webhook_port = settings.webhook_port
         self._webhook_path = settings.webhook_path
+        self._ws_reconnect_nonce = settings.ws_reconnect_nonce
+        self._ws_reconnect_interval = settings.ws_reconnect_interval
+        self._ws_ping_interval = settings.ws_ping_interval
+        self._ws_ping_timeout = settings.ws_ping_timeout
 
     def _build_event_handler(self) -> Any:
         if EventDispatcherHandler is None:
@@ -1116,8 +1232,37 @@ class FeishuAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
         self._reset_batch_buffers()
         self._disable_websocket_auto_reconnect()
         await self._stop_webhook_server()
+
+        ws_thread_loop = self._ws_thread_loop
+        if ws_thread_loop is not None and not ws_thread_loop.is_closed():
+            logger.debug("[Feishu] Cancelling websocket thread tasks and stopping loop")
+
+            def cancel_all_tasks() -> None:
+                tasks = [t for t in asyncio.all_tasks(ws_thread_loop) if not t.done()]
+                logger.debug("[Feishu] Found %d pending tasks in websocket thread", len(tasks))
+                for task in tasks:
+                    task.cancel()
+                ws_thread_loop.call_later(0.1, ws_thread_loop.stop)
+
+            ws_thread_loop.call_soon_threadsafe(cancel_all_tasks)
+
+        ws_future = self._ws_future
+        if ws_future is not None:
+            try:
+                logger.debug("[Feishu] Waiting for websocket thread to exit (timeout=10s)")
+                await asyncio.wait_for(asyncio.shield(ws_future), timeout=10.0)
+                logger.debug("[Feishu] Websocket thread exited cleanly")
+            except asyncio.TimeoutError:
+                logger.warning("[Feishu] Websocket thread did not exit within 10s - may be stuck")
+            except asyncio.CancelledError:
+                logger.debug("[Feishu] Websocket thread cancelled during disconnect")
+            except Exception as exc:
+                logger.debug("[Feishu] Websocket thread exited with error: %s", exc, exc_info=True)
+
         self._ws_future = None
+        self._ws_thread_loop = None
         self._loop = None
+        self._event_handler = None
         self._persist_seen_message_ids()
         await self._release_app_lock()
 
@@ -1476,12 +1621,13 @@ class FeishuAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
 
     def _on_message_event(self, data: Any) -> None:
         """Normalize Feishu inbound events into MessageEvent."""
-        if self._loop is None:
+        loop = self._loop
+        if loop is None or bool(getattr(loop, "is_closed", lambda: False)()):
             logger.warning("[Feishu] Dropping inbound message before adapter loop is ready")
             return
         future = asyncio.run_coroutine_threadsafe(
             self._handle_message_event_data(data),
-            self._loop,
+            loop,
         )
         future.add_done_callback(self._log_background_failure)
 
@@ -1504,7 +1650,8 @@ class FeishuAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
             return
 
         chat_type = getattr(message, "chat_type", "p2p")
-        if chat_type != "p2p" and not self._should_accept_group_message(message, sender_id):
+        chat_id = getattr(message, "chat_id", "") or ""
+        if chat_type != "p2p" and not self._should_accept_group_message(message, sender_id, chat_id):
             logger.debug("[Feishu] Dropping group message that failed mention/policy gate: %s", message_id)
             return
         await self._process_inbound_message(
@@ -1553,27 +1700,30 @@ class FeishuAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
         )
         # Only process reactions from real users. Ignore app/bot-generated reactions
         # and Hermes' own ACK emoji to avoid feedback loops.
+        loop = self._loop
         if (
             operator_type in {"bot", "app"}
             or emoji_type == _FEISHU_ACK_EMOJI
             or not message_id
-            or self._loop is None
+            or loop is None
+            or bool(getattr(loop, "is_closed", lambda: False)())
         ):
             return
         future = asyncio.run_coroutine_threadsafe(
             self._handle_reaction_event(event_type, data),
-            self._loop,
+            loop,
         )
         future.add_done_callback(self._log_background_failure)
 
     def _on_card_action_trigger(self, data: Any) -> Any:
         """Schedule Feishu card actions on the adapter loop and acknowledge immediately."""
-        if self._loop is None:
+        loop = self._loop
+        if loop is None or bool(getattr(loop, "is_closed", lambda: False)()):
             logger.warning("[Feishu] Dropping card action before adapter loop is ready")
         else:
             future = asyncio.run_coroutine_threadsafe(
                 self._handle_card_action_event(data),
-                self._loop,
+                loop,
             )
             future.add_done_callback(self._log_background_failure)
         if P2CardActionTriggerResponse is None:
@@ -1887,6 +2037,7 @@ class FeishuAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
         session_key = build_session_key(
             event.source,
             group_sessions_per_user=self.config.extra.get("group_sessions_per_user", True),
+            thread_sessions_per_user=self.config.extra.get("thread_sessions_per_user", False),
         )
         return f"{session_key}:media:{event.message_type.value}"
 
@@ -1914,10 +2065,7 @@ class FeishuAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
         existing.media_urls.extend(event.media_urls)
         existing.media_types.extend(event.media_types)
         if event.text:
-            if not existing.text:
-                existing.text = event.text
-            elif event.text not in existing.text.split("\n\n"):
-                existing.text = f"{existing.text}\n\n{event.text}"
+            existing.text = self._merge_caption(existing.text, event.text)
         existing.timestamp = event.timestamp
         if event.message_id:
             existing.message_id = event.message_id
@@ -1961,6 +2109,10 @@ class FeishuAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
         default_ext: str,
         preferred_name: str,
     ) -> tuple[str, str]:
+        from tools.url_safety import is_safe_url
+        if not is_safe_url(file_url):
+            raise ValueError(f"Blocked unsafe URL (SSRF protection): {file_url[:80]}")
+
         import httpx
 
         async with httpx.AsyncClient(timeout=30.0, follow_redirects=True) as client:
@@ -2082,7 +2234,7 @@ class FeishuAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
         event_type = str((payload.get("header") or {}).get("event_type") or "")
         data = self._namespace_from_mapping(payload)
         if event_type == "im.message.receive_v1":
-            await self._handle_message_event_data(data)
+            self._on_message_event(data)
         elif event_type == "im.message.message_read_v1":
             self._on_message_read_event(data)
         elif event_type == "im.chat.member.bot.added_v1":
@@ -2092,7 +2244,7 @@ class FeishuAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
         elif event_type in ("im.message.reaction.created_v1", "im.message.reaction.deleted_v1"):
             self._on_reaction_event(event_type, data)
         elif event_type == "card.action.trigger":
-            asyncio.ensure_future(self._handle_card_action_event(data))
+            self._on_card_action_trigger(data)
         else:
             logger.debug("[Feishu] Ignoring webhook event type: %s", event_type or "unknown")
         return web.json_response({"code": 0, "msg": "ok"})
@@ -2163,6 +2315,7 @@ class FeishuAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
         return build_session_key(
             event.source,
             group_sessions_per_user=self.config.extra.get("group_sessions_per_user", True),
+            thread_sessions_per_user=self.config.extra.get("thread_sessions_per_user", False),
         )
 
     @staticmethod
@@ -2655,18 +2808,41 @@ class FeishuAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
     # Group policy and mention gating
     # =========================================================================
 
-    def _allow_group_message(self, sender_id: Any) -> bool:
-        """Current group policy gate for non-DM traffic."""
-        if self._group_policy == "disabled":
-            return False
-        sender_open_id = getattr(sender_id, "open_id", None) or getattr(sender_id, "user_id", None)
-        if self._group_policy == "open":
-            return True
-        return bool(sender_open_id and sender_open_id in self._allowed_group_users)
+    def _allow_group_message(self, sender_id: Any, chat_id: str = "") -> bool:
+        """Per-group policy gate for non-DM traffic."""
+        sender_open_id = getattr(sender_id, "open_id", None)
+        sender_user_id = getattr(sender_id, "user_id", None)
+        sender_ids = {sender_open_id, sender_user_id} - {None}
 
-    def _should_accept_group_message(self, message: Any, sender_id: Any) -> bool:
+        if sender_ids and self._admins and (sender_ids & self._admins):
+            return True
+
+        rule = self._group_rules.get(chat_id) if chat_id else None
+        if rule:
+            policy = rule.policy
+            allowlist = rule.allowlist
+            blacklist = rule.blacklist
+        else:
+            policy = self._default_group_policy or self._group_policy
+            allowlist = self._allowed_group_users
+            blacklist = set()
+
+        if policy == "disabled":
+            return False
+        if policy == "open":
+            return True
+        if policy == "admin_only":
+            return False
+        if policy == "allowlist":
+            return bool(sender_ids and (sender_ids & allowlist))
+        if policy == "blacklist":
+            return bool(sender_ids and not (sender_ids & blacklist))
+
+        return bool(sender_ids and (sender_ids & self._allowed_group_users))
+
+    def _should_accept_group_message(self, message: Any, sender_id: Any, chat_id: str = "") -> bool:
         """Require an explicit @mention before group messages enter the agent."""
-        if not self._allow_group_message(sender_id):
+        if not self._allow_group_message(sender_id, chat_id):
             return False
         # @_all is Feishu's @everyone placeholder — always route to the bot.
         raw_content = getattr(message, "content", "") or ""
@@ -2963,6 +3139,12 @@ class FeishuAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
             raise RuntimeError("websockets not installed; websocket mode unavailable")
         domain = FEISHU_DOMAIN if self._domain_name != "lark" else LARK_DOMAIN
         self._client = self._build_lark_client(domain)
+        self._event_handler = self._build_event_handler()
+        if self._event_handler is None:
+            raise RuntimeError("failed to build Feishu event handler")
+        loop = self._loop
+        if loop is None or loop.is_closed():
+            raise RuntimeError("adapter loop is not ready")
         await self._hydrate_bot_identity()
         self._ws_client = FeishuWSClient(
             app_id=self._app_id,
@@ -2971,10 +3153,11 @@ class FeishuAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
             event_handler=self._event_handler,
             domain=domain,
         )
-        self._ws_future = self._loop.run_in_executor(
+        self._ws_future = loop.run_in_executor(
             None,
             _run_official_feishu_ws_client,
             self._ws_client,
+            self,
         )
 
     async def _connect_webhook(self) -> None:
@@ -2982,6 +3165,9 @@ class FeishuAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
             raise RuntimeError("aiohttp not installed; webhook mode unavailable")
         domain = FEISHU_DOMAIN if self._domain_name != "lark" else LARK_DOMAIN
         self._client = self._build_lark_client(domain)
+        self._event_handler = self._build_event_handler()
+        if self._event_handler is None:
+            raise RuntimeError("failed to build Feishu event handler")
         await self._hydrate_bot_identity()
         app = web.Application()
         app.router.add_post(self._webhook_path, self._handle_webhook_request)

gateway/platforms/mattermost.py

@@ -407,6 +407,11 @@ class MattermostAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
         kind: str = "file",
     ) -> SendResult:
         """Download a URL and upload it as a file attachment."""
+        from tools.url_safety import is_safe_url
+        if not is_safe_url(url):
+            logger.warning("Mattermost: blocked unsafe URL (SSRF protection)")
+            return await self.send(chat_id, f"{caption or ''}\n{url}".strip(), reply_to)
+
         import asyncio
         import aiohttp
 
@@ -430,7 +435,6 @@ class MattermostAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
                     ct = resp.content_type or "application/octet-stream"
                     break
             except (aiohttp.ClientError, asyncio.TimeoutError) as exc:
-                last_exc = exc
                 if attempt < 2:
                     await asyncio.sleep(1.5 * (attempt + 1))
                     continue
@@ -513,6 +517,16 @@ class MattermostAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
             except Exception as exc:
                 if self._closing:
                     return
+                # Detect permanent auth/permission failures that will never
+                # succeed on retry — stop reconnecting instead of looping forever.
+                import aiohttp
+                err_str = str(exc).lower()
+                if isinstance(exc, aiohttp.WSServerHandshakeError) and exc.status in (401, 403):
+                    logger.error("Mattermost WS auth failed (HTTP %d) — stopping reconnect", exc.status)
+                    return
+                if "401" in err_str or "403" in err_str or "unauthorized" in err_str:
+                    logger.error("Mattermost WS permanent error: %s — stopping reconnect", exc)
+                    return
                 logger.warning("Mattermost WS error: %s — reconnecting in %.0fs", exc, delay)
 
             if self._closing:
@@ -691,6 +705,15 @@ class MattermostAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
             except Exception as exc:
                 logger.warning("Mattermost: error downloading file %s: %s", fid, exc)
 
+        # Set message type based on downloaded media types.
+        if media_types and msg_type == MessageType.TEXT:
+            if any(m.startswith("image/") for m in media_types):
+                msg_type = MessageType.PHOTO
+            elif any(m.startswith("audio/") for m in media_types):
+                msg_type = MessageType.VOICE
+            elif media_types:
+                msg_type = MessageType.DOCUMENT
+
         source = self.build_source(
             chat_id=channel_id,
             chat_type=chat_type,

gateway/platforms/signal.py

@@ -717,19 +717,27 @@ class SignalAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
             return SendResult(success=True)
         return SendResult(success=False, error="RPC send with attachment failed")
 
-    async def send_document(
+    async def _send_attachment(
         self,
         chat_id: str,
         file_path: str,
+        media_label: str,
         caption: Optional[str] = None,
-        filename: Optional[str] = None,
-        **kwargs,
     ) -> SendResult:
-        """Send a document/file attachment."""
+        """Send any file as a Signal attachment via RPC.
+
+        Shared implementation for send_document, send_image_file, send_voice,
+        and send_video — avoids duplicating the validation/routing/RPC logic.
+        """
         await self._stop_typing_indicator(chat_id)
 
-        if not Path(file_path).exists():
-            return SendResult(success=False, error="File not found")
+        try:
+            file_size = Path(file_path).stat().st_size
+        except FileNotFoundError:
+            return SendResult(success=False, error=f"{media_label} file not found: {file_path}")
+
+        if file_size > SIGNAL_MAX_ATTACHMENT_SIZE:
+            return SendResult(success=False, error=f"{media_label} too large ({file_size} bytes)")
 
         params: Dict[str, Any] = {
             "account": self.account,
@@ -746,7 +754,59 @@ class SignalAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
         if result is not None:
             self._track_sent_timestamp(result)
             return SendResult(success=True)
-        return SendResult(success=False, error="RPC send document failed")
+        return SendResult(success=False, error=f"RPC send {media_label.lower()} failed")
+
+    async def send_document(
+        self,
+        chat_id: str,
+        file_path: str,
+        caption: Optional[str] = None,
+        filename: Optional[str] = None,
+        **kwargs,
+    ) -> SendResult:
+        """Send a document/file attachment."""
+        return await self._send_attachment(chat_id, file_path, "File", caption)
+
+    async def send_image_file(
+        self,
+        chat_id: str,
+        image_path: str,
+        caption: Optional[str] = None,
+        reply_to: Optional[str] = None,
+        **kwargs,
+    ) -> SendResult:
+        """Send a local image file as a native Signal attachment.
+
+        Called by the gateway media delivery flow when MEDIA: tags containing
+        image paths are extracted from agent responses.
+        """
+        return await self._send_attachment(chat_id, image_path, "Image", caption)
+
+    async def send_voice(
+        self,
+        chat_id: str,
+        audio_path: str,
+        caption: Optional[str] = None,
+        reply_to: Optional[str] = None,
+        **kwargs,
+    ) -> SendResult:
+        """Send an audio file as a Signal attachment.
+
+        Signal does not distinguish voice messages from file attachments at
+        the API level, so this routes through the same RPC send path.
+        """
+        return await self._send_attachment(chat_id, audio_path, "Audio", caption)
+
+    async def send_video(
+        self,
+        chat_id: str,
+        video_path: str,
+        caption: Optional[str] = None,
+        reply_to: Optional[str] = None,
+        **kwargs,
+    ) -> SendResult:
+        """Send a video file as a Signal attachment."""
+        return await self._send_attachment(chat_id, video_path, "Video", caption)
 
     # ------------------------------------------------------------------
     # Typing Indicators

gateway/platforms/slack.py

@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ import json
 import logging
 import os
 import re
+import time
 from typing import Dict, Optional, Any
 
 try:
@@ -78,6 +79,22 @@ class SlackAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
         self._team_clients: Dict[str, AsyncWebClient] = {}   # team_id → WebClient
         self._team_bot_user_ids: Dict[str, str] = {}          # team_id → bot_user_id
         self._channel_team: Dict[str, str] = {}                # channel_id → team_id
+        # Dedup cache: event_ts → timestamp.  Prevents duplicate bot
+        # responses when Socket Mode reconnects redeliver events.
+        self._seen_messages: Dict[str, float] = {}
+        self._SEEN_TTL = 300   # 5 minutes
+        self._SEEN_MAX = 2000  # prune threshold
+        # Track pending approval message_ts → resolved flag to prevent
+        # double-clicks on approval buttons.
+        self._approval_resolved: Dict[str, bool] = {}
+        # Track timestamps of messages sent by the bot so we can respond
+        # to thread replies even without an explicit @mention.
+        self._bot_message_ts: set = set()
+        self._BOT_TS_MAX = 5000  # cap to avoid unbounded growth
+        # Track threads where the bot has been @mentioned — once mentioned,
+        # respond to ALL subsequent messages in that thread automatically.
+        self._mentioned_threads: set = set()
+        self._MENTIONED_THREADS_MAX = 5000
 
     async def connect(self) -> bool:
         """Connect to Slack via Socket Mode."""
@@ -170,6 +187,15 @@ class SlackAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
                 await ack()
                 await self._handle_slash_command(command)
 
+            # Register Block Kit action handlers for approval buttons
+            for _action_id in (
+                "hermes_approve_once",
+                "hermes_approve_session",
+                "hermes_approve_always",
+                "hermes_deny",
+            ):
+                self._app.action(_action_id)(self._handle_approval_action)
+
             # Start Socket Mode handler in background
             self._handler = AsyncSocketModeHandler(self._app, app_token)
             self._socket_mode_task = asyncio.create_task(self._handler.start_async())
@@ -250,9 +276,22 @@ class SlackAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
 
                 last_result = await self._get_client(chat_id).chat_postMessage(**kwargs)
 
+            # Track the sent message ts so we can auto-respond to thread
+            # replies without requiring @mention.
+            sent_ts = last_result.get("ts") if last_result else None
+            if sent_ts:
+                self._bot_message_ts.add(sent_ts)
+                # Also register the thread root so replies-to-my-replies work
+                if thread_ts:
+                    self._bot_message_ts.add(thread_ts)
+                if len(self._bot_message_ts) > self._BOT_TS_MAX:
+                    excess = len(self._bot_message_ts) - self._BOT_TS_MAX // 2
+                    for old_ts in list(self._bot_message_ts)[:excess]:
+                        self._bot_message_ts.discard(old_ts)
+
             return SendResult(
                 success=True,
-                message_id=last_result.get("ts") if last_result else None,
+                message_id=sent_ts,
                 raw_response=last_result,
             )
 
@@ -270,10 +309,13 @@ class SlackAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
         if not self._app:
             return SendResult(success=False, error="Not connected")
         try:
+            # Convert standard markdown → Slack mrkdwn
+            formatted = self.format_message(content)
+
             await self._get_client(chat_id).chat_update(
                 channel=chat_id,
                 ts=message_id,
-                text=content,
+                text=formatted,
             )
             return SendResult(success=True, message_id=message_id)
         except Exception as e:  # pragma: no cover - defensive logging
@@ -553,6 +595,11 @@ class SlackAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
         if not self._app:
             return SendResult(success=False, error="Not connected")
 
+        from tools.url_safety import is_safe_url
+        if not is_safe_url(image_url):
+            logger.warning("[Slack] Blocked unsafe image URL (SSRF protection)")
+            return await super().send_image(chat_id, image_url, caption, reply_to, metadata=metadata)
+
         try:
             import httpx
 
@@ -710,6 +757,20 @@ class SlackAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
 
     async def _handle_slack_message(self, event: dict) -> None:
         """Handle an incoming Slack message event."""
+        # Dedup: Slack Socket Mode can redeliver events after reconnects (#4777)
+        event_ts = event.get("ts", "")
+        if event_ts:
+            now = time.time()
+            if event_ts in self._seen_messages:
+                return
+            self._seen_messages[event_ts] = now
+            if len(self._seen_messages) > self._SEEN_MAX:
+                cutoff = now - self._SEEN_TTL
+                self._seen_messages = {
+                    k: v for k, v in self._seen_messages.items()
+                    if v > cutoff
+                }
+
         # Ignore bot messages (including our own)
         if event.get("bot_id") or event.get("subtype") == "bot_message":
             return
@@ -743,13 +804,61 @@ class SlackAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
         else:
             thread_ts = event.get("thread_ts") or ts  # ts fallback for channels
 
-        # In channels, only respond if bot is mentioned
+        # In channels, respond if:
+        #   1. The bot is @mentioned in this message, OR
+        #   2. The message is a reply in a thread the bot started/participated in, OR
+        #   3. The message is in a thread where the bot was previously @mentioned, OR
+        #   4. There's an existing session for this thread (survives restarts)
         bot_uid = self._team_bot_user_ids.get(team_id, self._bot_user_id)
-        if not is_dm and bot_uid:
-            if f"<@{bot_uid}>" not in text:
+        is_mentioned = bot_uid and f"<@{bot_uid}>" in text
+        event_thread_ts = event.get("thread_ts")
+        is_thread_reply = bool(event_thread_ts and event_thread_ts != ts)
+
+        if not is_dm and bot_uid and not is_mentioned:
+            reply_to_bot_thread = (
+                is_thread_reply and event_thread_ts in self._bot_message_ts
+            )
+            in_mentioned_thread = (
+                event_thread_ts is not None
+                and event_thread_ts in self._mentioned_threads
+            )
+            has_session = (
+                is_thread_reply
+                and self._has_active_session_for_thread(
+                    channel_id=channel_id,
+                    thread_ts=event_thread_ts,
+                    user_id=user_id,
+                )
+            )
+            if not reply_to_bot_thread and not in_mentioned_thread and not has_session:
                 return
+
+        if is_mentioned:
             # Strip the bot mention from the text
             text = text.replace(f"<@{bot_uid}>", "").strip()
+            # Register this thread so all future messages auto-trigger the bot
+            if event_thread_ts:
+                self._mentioned_threads.add(event_thread_ts)
+                if len(self._mentioned_threads) > self._MENTIONED_THREADS_MAX:
+                    to_remove = list(self._mentioned_threads)[:self._MENTIONED_THREADS_MAX // 2]
+                    for t in to_remove:
+                        self._mentioned_threads.discard(t)
+
+        # When entering a thread for the first time (no existing session),
+        # fetch thread context so the agent understands the conversation.
+        if is_thread_reply and not self._has_active_session_for_thread(
+            channel_id=channel_id,
+            thread_ts=event_thread_ts,
+            user_id=user_id,
+        ):
+            thread_context = await self._fetch_thread_context(
+                channel_id=channel_id,
+                thread_ts=event_thread_ts,
+                current_ts=ts,
+                team_id=team_id,
+            )
+            if thread_context:
+                text = thread_context + text
 
         # Determine message type
         msg_type = MessageType.TEXT
@@ -872,6 +981,233 @@ class SlackAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
         await self._remove_reaction(channel_id, ts, "eyes")
         await self._add_reaction(channel_id, ts, "white_check_mark")
 
+    # ----- Approval button support (Block Kit) -----
+
+    async def send_exec_approval(
+        self, chat_id: str, command: str, session_key: str,
+        description: str = "dangerous command",
+        metadata: Optional[Dict[str, Any]] = None,
+    ) -> SendResult:
+        """Send a Block Kit approval prompt with interactive buttons.
+
+        The buttons call ``resolve_gateway_approval()`` to unblock the waiting
+        agent thread — same mechanism as the text ``/approve`` flow.
+        """
+        if not self._app:
+            return SendResult(success=False, error="Not connected")
+
+        try:
+            cmd_preview = command[:2900] + "..." if len(command) > 2900 else command
+            thread_ts = self._resolve_thread_ts(None, metadata)
+
+            blocks = [
+                {
+                    "type": "section",
+                    "text": {
+                        "type": "mrkdwn",
+                        "text": (
+                            f":warning: *Command Approval Required*\n"
+                            f"```{cmd_preview}```\n"
+                            f"Reason: {description}"
+                        ),
+                    },
+                },
+                {
+                    "type": "actions",
+                    "elements": [
+                        {
+                            "type": "button",
+                            "text": {"type": "plain_text", "text": "Allow Once"},
+                            "style": "primary",
+                            "action_id": "hermes_approve_once",
+                            "value": session_key,
+                        },
+                        {
+                            "type": "button",
+                            "text": {"type": "plain_text", "text": "Allow Session"},
+                            "action_id": "hermes_approve_session",
+                            "value": session_key,
+                        },
+                        {
+                            "type": "button",
+                            "text": {"type": "plain_text", "text": "Always Allow"},
+                            "action_id": "hermes_approve_always",
+                            "value": session_key,
+                        },
+                        {
+                            "type": "button",
+                            "text": {"type": "plain_text", "text": "Deny"},
+                            "style": "danger",
+                            "action_id": "hermes_deny",
+                            "value": session_key,
+                        },
+                    ],
+                },
+            ]
+
+            kwargs: Dict[str, Any] = {
+                "channel": chat_id,
+                "text": f"⚠️ Command approval required: {cmd_preview[:100]}",
+                "blocks": blocks,
+            }
+            if thread_ts:
+                kwargs["thread_ts"] = thread_ts
+
+            result = await self._get_client(chat_id).chat_postMessage(**kwargs)
+            msg_ts = result.get("ts", "")
+            if msg_ts:
+                self._approval_resolved[msg_ts] = False
+
+            return SendResult(success=True, message_id=msg_ts, raw_response=result)
+        except Exception as e:
+            logger.error("[Slack] send_exec_approval failed: %s", e, exc_info=True)
+            return SendResult(success=False, error=str(e))
+
+    async def _handle_approval_action(self, ack, body, action) -> None:
+        """Handle an approval button click from Block Kit."""
+        await ack()
+
+        action_id = action.get("action_id", "")
+        session_key = action.get("value", "")
+        message = body.get("message", {})
+        msg_ts = message.get("ts", "")
+        channel_id = body.get("channel", {}).get("id", "")
+        user_name = body.get("user", {}).get("name", "unknown")
+
+        # Map action_id to approval choice
+        choice_map = {
+            "hermes_approve_once": "once",
+            "hermes_approve_session": "session",
+            "hermes_approve_always": "always",
+            "hermes_deny": "deny",
+        }
+        choice = choice_map.get(action_id, "deny")
+
+        # Prevent double-clicks
+        if self._approval_resolved.get(msg_ts, False):
+            return
+        self._approval_resolved[msg_ts] = True
+
+        # Update the message to show the decision and remove buttons
+        label_map = {
+            "once": f"✅ Approved once by {user_name}",
+            "session": f"✅ Approved for session by {user_name}",
+            "always": f"✅ Approved permanently by {user_name}",
+            "deny": f"❌ Denied by {user_name}",
+        }
+        decision_text = label_map.get(choice, f"Resolved by {user_name}")
+
+        # Get original text from the section block
+        original_text = ""
+        for block in message.get("blocks", []):
+            if block.get("type") == "section":
+                original_text = block.get("text", {}).get("text", "")
+                break
+
+        updated_blocks = [
+            {
+                "type": "section",
+                "text": {
+                    "type": "mrkdwn",
+                    "text": original_text or "Command approval request",
+                },
+            },
+            {
+                "type": "context",
+                "elements": [
+                    {"type": "mrkdwn", "text": decision_text},
+                ],
+            },
+        ]
+
+        try:
+            await self._get_client(channel_id).chat_update(
+                channel=channel_id,
+                ts=msg_ts,
+                text=decision_text,
+                blocks=updated_blocks,
+            )
+        except Exception as e:
+            logger.warning("[Slack] Failed to update approval message: %s", e)
+
+        # Resolve the approval — this unblocks the agent thread
+        try:
+            from tools.approval import resolve_gateway_approval
+            count = resolve_gateway_approval(session_key, choice)
+            logger.info(
+                "Slack button resolved %d approval(s) for session %s (choice=%s, user=%s)",
+                count, session_key, choice, user_name,
+            )
+        except Exception as exc:
+            logger.error("Failed to resolve gateway approval from Slack button: %s", exc)
+
+        # Clean up stale approval state
+        self._approval_resolved.pop(msg_ts, None)
+
+    # ----- Thread context fetching -----
+
+    async def _fetch_thread_context(
+        self, channel_id: str, thread_ts: str, current_ts: str,
+        team_id: str = "", limit: int = 30,
+    ) -> str:
+        """Fetch recent thread messages to provide context when the bot is
+        mentioned mid-thread for the first time.
+
+        Returns a formatted string with thread history, or empty string on
+        failure or if the thread is empty (just the parent message).
+        """
+        try:
+            client = self._get_client(channel_id)
+            result = await client.conversations_replies(
+                channel=channel_id,
+                ts=thread_ts,
+                limit=limit + 1,  # +1 because it includes the current message
+                inclusive=True,
+            )
+            messages = result.get("messages", [])
+            if not messages:
+                return ""
+
+            context_parts = []
+            for msg in messages:
+                msg_ts = msg.get("ts", "")
+                # Skip the current message (the one that triggered this fetch)
+                if msg_ts == current_ts:
+                    continue
+                # Skip bot messages from ourselves
+                if msg.get("bot_id") or msg.get("subtype") == "bot_message":
+                    continue
+
+                msg_user = msg.get("user", "unknown")
+                msg_text = msg.get("text", "").strip()
+                if not msg_text:
+                    continue
+
+                # Strip bot mentions from context messages
+                bot_uid = self._team_bot_user_ids.get(team_id, self._bot_user_id)
+                if bot_uid:
+                    msg_text = msg_text.replace(f"<@{bot_uid}>", "").strip()
+
+                # Mark the thread parent
+                is_parent = msg_ts == thread_ts
+                prefix = "[thread parent] " if is_parent else ""
+
+                # Resolve user name (cached)
+                name = await self._resolve_user_name(msg_user, chat_id=channel_id)
+                context_parts.append(f"{prefix}{name}: {msg_text}")
+
+            if not context_parts:
+                return ""
+
+            return (
+                "[Thread context — previous messages in this thread:]\n"
+                + "\n".join(context_parts)
+                + "\n[End of thread context]\n\n"
+            )
+        except Exception as e:
+            logger.warning("[Slack] Failed to fetch thread context: %s", e)
+            return ""
+
     async def _handle_slash_command(self, command: dict) -> None:
         """Handle /hermes slash command."""
         text = command.get("text", "").strip()
@@ -913,6 +1249,53 @@ class SlackAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
 
         await self.handle_message(event)
 
+    def _has_active_session_for_thread(
+        self,
+        channel_id: str,
+        thread_ts: str,
+        user_id: str,
+    ) -> bool:
+        """Check if there's an active session for a thread.
+
+        Used to determine if thread replies without @mentions should be
+        processed (they should if there's an active session).
+
+        Uses ``build_session_key()`` as the single source of truth for key
+        construction — avoids the bug where manual key building didn't
+        respect ``thread_sessions_per_user`` and ``group_sessions_per_user``
+        settings correctly.
+        """
+        session_store = getattr(self, "_session_store", None)
+        if not session_store:
+            return False
+
+        try:
+            from gateway.session import SessionSource, build_session_key
+
+            source = SessionSource(
+                platform=Platform.SLACK,
+                chat_id=channel_id,
+                chat_type="group",
+                user_id=user_id,
+                thread_id=thread_ts,
+            )
+
+            # Read session isolation settings from the store's config
+            store_cfg = getattr(session_store, "config", None)
+            gspu = getattr(store_cfg, "group_sessions_per_user", True) if store_cfg else True
+            tspu = getattr(store_cfg, "thread_sessions_per_user", False) if store_cfg else False
+
+            session_key = build_session_key(
+                source,
+                group_sessions_per_user=gspu,
+                thread_sessions_per_user=tspu,
+            )
+
+            session_store._ensure_loaded()
+            return session_key in session_store._entries
+        except Exception:
+            return False
+
     async def _download_slack_file(self, url: str, ext: str, audio: bool = False, team_id: str = "") -> str:
         """Download a Slack file using the bot token for auth, with retry."""
         import asyncio

gateway/platforms/telegram.py

@@ -17,10 +17,11 @@ from typing import Dict, List, Optional, Any
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
 try:
-    from telegram import Update, Bot, Message
+    from telegram import Update, Bot, Message, InlineKeyboardButton, InlineKeyboardMarkup
     from telegram.ext import (
         Application,
         CommandHandler,
+        CallbackQueryHandler,
         MessageHandler as TelegramMessageHandler,
         ContextTypes,
         filters,
@@ -33,8 +34,11 @@ except ImportError:
     Update = Any
     Bot = Any
     Message = Any
+    InlineKeyboardButton = Any
+    InlineKeyboardMarkup = Any
     Application = Any
     CommandHandler = Any
+    CallbackQueryHandler = Any
     TelegramMessageHandler = Any
     HTTPXRequest = Any
     filters = None
@@ -147,6 +151,10 @@ class TelegramAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
         self._dm_topics: Dict[str, int] = {}
         # DM Topics config from extra.dm_topics
         self._dm_topics_config: List[Dict[str, Any]] = self.config.extra.get("dm_topics", [])
+        # Interactive model picker state per chat
+        self._model_picker_state: Dict[str, dict] = {}
+        # Approval button state: message_id → session_key
+        self._approval_state: Dict[int, str] = {}
 
     def _fallback_ips(self) -> list[str]:
         """Return validated fallback IPs from config (populated by _apply_env_overrides)."""
@@ -514,7 +522,7 @@ class TelegramAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
                     ", ".join(fallback_ips),
                 )
             if fallback_ips:
-                logger.warning(
+                logger.info(
                     "[%s] Telegram fallback IPs active: %s",
                     self.name,
                     ", ".join(fallback_ips),
@@ -543,6 +551,8 @@ class TelegramAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
                 filters.PHOTO | filters.VIDEO | filters.AUDIO | filters.VOICE | filters.Document.ALL | filters.Sticker.ALL,
                 self._handle_media_message
             ))
+            # Handle inline keyboard button callbacks (update prompts)
+            self._app.add_handler(CallbackQueryHandler(self._handle_callback_query))
             
             # Start polling — retry initialize() for transient TLS resets
             try:
@@ -595,6 +605,12 @@ class TelegramAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
                 )
             else:
                 # ── Polling mode (default) ───────────────────────────
+                # Clear any stale webhook first so polling doesn't inherit a
+                # previous webhook registration and silently stop receiving updates.
+                delete_webhook = getattr(self._bot, "delete_webhook", None)
+                if callable(delete_webhook):
+                    await delete_webhook(drop_pending_updates=False)
+
                 loop = asyncio.get_running_loop()
 
                 def _polling_error_callback(error: Exception) -> None:
@@ -772,6 +788,11 @@ class TelegramAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
             except ImportError:
                 _BadReq = None  # type: ignore[assignment,misc]
 
+            try:
+                from telegram.error import TimedOut as _TimedOut
+            except (ImportError, AttributeError):
+                _TimedOut = None  # type: ignore[assignment,misc]
+
             for i, chunk in enumerate(chunks):
                 should_thread = self._should_thread_reply(reply_to, i)
                 reply_to_id = int(reply_to) if should_thread else None
@@ -833,6 +854,11 @@ class TelegramAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
                                 continue
                             # Other BadRequest errors are permanent — don't retry
                             raise
+                        # TimedOut is also a subclass of NetworkError but
+                        # indicates the request may have reached the server —
+                        # retrying risks duplicate message delivery.
+                        if _TimedOut and isinstance(send_err, _TimedOut):
+                            raise
                         if _send_attempt < 2:
                             wait = 2 ** _send_attempt
                             logger.warning("[%s] Network error on send (attempt %d/3), retrying in %ds: %s",
@@ -840,6 +866,21 @@ class TelegramAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
                             await asyncio.sleep(wait)
                         else:
                             raise
+                    except Exception as send_err:
+                        retry_after = getattr(send_err, "retry_after", None)
+                        if retry_after is not None or "retry after" in str(send_err).lower():
+                            if _send_attempt < 2:
+                                wait = float(retry_after) if retry_after is not None else 1.0
+                                logger.warning(
+                                    "[%s] Telegram flood control on send (attempt %d/3), retrying in %.1fs: %s",
+                                    self.name,
+                                    _send_attempt + 1,
+                                    wait,
+                                    send_err,
+                                )
+                                await asyncio.sleep(wait)
+                                continue
+                        raise
                 message_ids.append(str(msg.message_id))
             
             return SendResult(
@@ -850,7 +891,12 @@ class TelegramAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
             
         except Exception as e:
             logger.error("[%s] Failed to send Telegram message: %s", self.name, e, exc_info=True)
-            return SendResult(success=False, error=str(e))
+            # TimedOut means the request may have reached Telegram —
+            # mark as non-retryable so _send_with_retry() doesn't re-send.
+            _to = locals().get("_TimedOut")
+            err_str = str(e).lower()
+            is_timeout = (_to and isinstance(e, _to)) or "timed out" in err_str
+            return SendResult(success=False, error=str(e), retryable=not is_timeout)
 
     async def edit_message(
         self,
@@ -935,6 +981,490 @@ class TelegramAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
             )
             return SendResult(success=False, error=str(e))
 
+    async def send_update_prompt(
+        self, chat_id: str, prompt: str, default: str = "",
+        session_key: str = "",
+    ) -> SendResult:
+        """Send an inline-keyboard update prompt (Yes / No buttons).
+
+        Used by the gateway ``/update`` watcher when ``hermes update --gateway``
+        needs user input (stash restore, config migration).
+        """
+        if not self._bot:
+            return SendResult(success=False, error="Not connected")
+        try:
+            default_hint = f" (default: {default})" if default else ""
+            text = f"⚕ *Update needs your input:*\n\n{prompt}{default_hint}"
+            keyboard = InlineKeyboardMarkup([
+                [
+                    InlineKeyboardButton("✓ Yes", callback_data="update_prompt:y"),
+                    InlineKeyboardButton("✗ No", callback_data="update_prompt:n"),
+                ]
+            ])
+            msg = await self._bot.send_message(
+                chat_id=int(chat_id),
+                text=text,
+                parse_mode=ParseMode.MARKDOWN,
+                reply_markup=keyboard,
+            )
+            return SendResult(success=True, message_id=str(msg.message_id))
+        except Exception as e:
+            logger.warning("[%s] send_update_prompt failed: %s", self.name, e)
+            return SendResult(success=False, error=str(e))
+
+    async def send_exec_approval(
+        self, chat_id: str, command: str, session_key: str,
+        description: str = "dangerous command",
+        metadata: Optional[Dict[str, Any]] = None,
+    ) -> SendResult:
+        """Send an inline-keyboard approval prompt with interactive buttons.
+
+        The buttons call ``resolve_gateway_approval()`` to unblock the waiting
+        agent thread — same mechanism as the text ``/approve`` flow.
+        """
+        if not self._bot:
+            return SendResult(success=False, error="Not connected")
+
+        try:
+            cmd_preview = command[:3800] + "..." if len(command) > 3800 else command
+            text = (
+                f"⚠️ *Command Approval Required*\n\n"
+                f"`{cmd_preview}`\n\n"
+                f"Reason: {description}"
+            )
+
+            # Resolve thread context for thread replies
+            thread_id = None
+            if metadata:
+                thread_id = metadata.get("thread_id") or metadata.get("message_thread_id")
+
+            # We'll use the message_id as part of callback_data to look up session_key
+            # Send a placeholder first, then update — or use a counter.
+            # Simpler: use a monotonic counter to generate short IDs.
+            import itertools
+            if not hasattr(self, "_approval_counter"):
+                self._approval_counter = itertools.count(1)
+            approval_id = next(self._approval_counter)
+
+            keyboard = InlineKeyboardMarkup([
+                [
+                    InlineKeyboardButton("✅ Allow Once", callback_data=f"ea:once:{approval_id}"),
+                    InlineKeyboardButton("✅ Session", callback_data=f"ea:session:{approval_id}"),
+                ],
+                [
+                    InlineKeyboardButton("✅ Always", callback_data=f"ea:always:{approval_id}"),
+                    InlineKeyboardButton("❌ Deny", callback_data=f"ea:deny:{approval_id}"),
+                ],
+            ])
+
+            kwargs: Dict[str, Any] = {
+                "chat_id": int(chat_id),
+                "text": text,
+                "parse_mode": ParseMode.MARKDOWN,
+                "reply_markup": keyboard,
+            }
+            if thread_id:
+                kwargs["message_thread_id"] = int(thread_id)
+
+            msg = await self._bot.send_message(**kwargs)
+
+            # Store session_key keyed by approval_id for the callback handler
+            self._approval_state[approval_id] = session_key
+
+            return SendResult(success=True, message_id=str(msg.message_id))
+        except Exception as e:
+            logger.warning("[%s] send_exec_approval failed: %s", self.name, e)
+            return SendResult(success=False, error=str(e))
+
+    async def send_model_picker(
+        self,
+        chat_id: str,
+        providers: list,
+        current_model: str,
+        current_provider: str,
+        session_key: str,
+        on_model_selected,
+        metadata: Optional[Dict[str, Any]] = None,
+    ) -> SendResult:
+        """Send an interactive inline-keyboard model picker.
+
+        Two-step drill-down: provider selection → model selection.
+        Edits the same message in-place as the user navigates.
+        """
+        if not self._bot:
+            return SendResult(success=False, error="Not connected")
+
+        try:
+            from hermes_cli.providers import get_label
+        except ImportError:
+            def get_label(slug):
+                return slug
+
+        try:
+            # Build provider buttons — 2 per row
+            buttons: list = []
+            for p in providers:
+                count = p.get("total_models", len(p.get("models", [])))
+                label = f"{p['name']} ({count})"
+                if p.get("is_current"):
+                    label = f"✓ {label}"
+                # Compact callback data: mp:<slug>  (max 64 bytes)
+                buttons.append(
+                    InlineKeyboardButton(label, callback_data=f"mp:{p['slug']}")
+                )
+
+            rows = [buttons[i : i + 2] for i in range(0, len(buttons), 2)]
+            rows.append([InlineKeyboardButton("✗ Cancel", callback_data="mx")])
+            keyboard = InlineKeyboardMarkup(rows)
+
+            provider_label = get_label(current_provider)
+            text = (
+                f"⚙ *Model Configuration*\n\n"
+                f"Current model: `{current_model or 'unknown'}`\n"
+                f"Provider: {provider_label}\n\n"
+                f"Select a provider:"
+            )
+
+            thread_id = metadata.get("thread_id") if metadata else None
+            msg = await self._bot.send_message(
+                chat_id=int(chat_id),
+                text=text,
+                parse_mode=ParseMode.MARKDOWN,
+                reply_markup=keyboard,
+                message_thread_id=int(thread_id) if thread_id else None,
+            )
+
+            # Store picker state keyed by chat_id
+            self._model_picker_state[str(chat_id)] = {
+                "msg_id": msg.message_id,
+                "providers": providers,
+                "session_key": session_key,
+                "on_model_selected": on_model_selected,
+                "current_model": current_model,
+                "current_provider": current_provider,
+            }
+
+            return SendResult(success=True, message_id=str(msg.message_id))
+        except Exception as e:
+            logger.warning("[%s] send_model_picker failed: %s", self.name, e)
+            return SendResult(success=False, error=str(e))
+
+    _MODEL_PAGE_SIZE = 8
+
+    def _build_model_keyboard(self, models: list, page: int) -> tuple:
+        """Build paginated model buttons. Returns (keyboard, page_info_text)."""
+        page_size = self._MODEL_PAGE_SIZE
+        total = len(models)
+        total_pages = max(1, (total + page_size - 1) // page_size)
+        page = max(0, min(page, total_pages - 1))
+
+        start = page * page_size
+        end = min(start + page_size, total)
+        page_models = models[start:end]
+
+        buttons: list = []
+        for i, model_id in enumerate(page_models):
+            abs_idx = start + i
+            short = model_id.split("/")[-1] if "/" in model_id else model_id
+            if len(short) > 38:
+                short = short[:35] + "..."
+            buttons.append(
+                InlineKeyboardButton(short, callback_data=f"mm:{abs_idx}")
+            )
+
+        rows = [buttons[i : i + 2] for i in range(0, len(buttons), 2)]
+
+        # Pagination row (if needed)
+        if total_pages > 1:
+            nav: list = []
+            if page > 0:
+                nav.append(InlineKeyboardButton("◀ Prev", callback_data=f"mg:{page - 1}"))
+            nav.append(InlineKeyboardButton(f"{page + 1}/{total_pages}", callback_data="mx:noop"))
+            if page < total_pages - 1:
+                nav.append(InlineKeyboardButton("Next ▶", callback_data=f"mg:{page + 1}"))
+            rows.append(nav)
+
+        rows.append([
+            InlineKeyboardButton("◀ Back", callback_data="mb"),
+            InlineKeyboardButton("✗ Cancel", callback_data="mx"),
+        ])
+
+        page_info = f" ({start + 1}–{end} of {total})" if total_pages > 1 else ""
+        return InlineKeyboardMarkup(rows), page_info
+
+    async def _handle_model_picker_callback(
+        self, query, data: str, chat_id: str
+    ) -> None:
+        """Handle model picker inline keyboard callbacks (mp:/mm:/mb:/mx:/mg:)."""
+        state = self._model_picker_state.get(chat_id)
+        if not state:
+            await query.answer(text="Picker expired — use /model again.")
+            return
+
+        try:
+            from hermes_cli.providers import get_label
+        except ImportError:
+            def get_label(slug):
+                return slug
+
+        if data.startswith("mp:"):
+            # --- Provider selected: show model buttons (page 0) ---
+            provider_slug = data[3:]
+            provider = next(
+                (p for p in state["providers"] if p["slug"] == provider_slug),
+                None,
+            )
+            if not provider:
+                await query.answer(text="Provider not found.")
+                return
+
+            models = provider.get("models", [])
+            state["selected_provider"] = provider_slug
+            state["selected_provider_name"] = provider.get("name", provider_slug)
+            state["model_list"] = models
+            state["model_page"] = 0
+
+            keyboard, page_info = self._build_model_keyboard(models, 0)
+
+            pname = provider.get("name", provider_slug)
+            total = provider.get("total_models", len(models))
+            shown = len(models)
+            extra = f"\n_{total - shown} more available — type `/model <name>` directly_" if total > shown else ""
+
+            await query.edit_message_text(
+                text=(
+                    f"⚙ *Model Configuration*\n\n"
+                    f"Provider: *{pname}*{page_info}\n"
+                    f"Select a model:{extra}"
+                ),
+                parse_mode=ParseMode.MARKDOWN,
+                reply_markup=keyboard,
+            )
+            await query.answer()
+
+        elif data.startswith("mg:"):
+            # --- Page navigation ---
+            try:
+                page = int(data[3:])
+            except ValueError:
+                await query.answer(text="Invalid page.")
+                return
+
+            models = state.get("model_list", [])
+            state["model_page"] = page
+
+            keyboard, page_info = self._build_model_keyboard(models, page)
+
+            pname = state.get("selected_provider_name", "")
+            provider_slug = state.get("selected_provider", "")
+            provider = next(
+                (p for p in state["providers"] if p["slug"] == provider_slug),
+                None,
+            )
+            total = provider.get("total_models", len(models)) if provider else len(models)
+            shown = len(models)
+            extra = f"\n_{total - shown} more available — type `/model <name>` directly_" if total > shown else ""
+
+            await query.edit_message_text(
+                text=(
+                    f"⚙ *Model Configuration*\n\n"
+                    f"Provider: *{pname}*{page_info}\n"
+                    f"Select a model:{extra}"
+                ),
+                parse_mode=ParseMode.MARKDOWN,
+                reply_markup=keyboard,
+            )
+            await query.answer()
+
+        elif data.startswith("mm:"):
+            # --- Model selected: perform the switch ---
+            try:
+                idx = int(data[3:])
+            except ValueError:
+                await query.answer(text="Invalid selection.")
+                return
+
+            model_list = state.get("model_list", [])
+            if idx < 0 or idx >= len(model_list):
+                await query.answer(text="Invalid model index.")
+                return
+
+            model_id = model_list[idx]
+            provider_slug = state.get("selected_provider", "")
+            callback = state.get("on_model_selected")
+
+            if not callback:
+                await query.answer(text="Picker expired.")
+                return
+
+            try:
+                result_text = await callback(chat_id, model_id, provider_slug)
+            except Exception as exc:
+                logger.error("Model picker switch failed: %s", exc)
+                result_text = f"Error switching model: {exc}"
+
+            # Edit message to show confirmation, remove buttons
+            try:
+                await query.edit_message_text(
+                    text=result_text,
+                    parse_mode=ParseMode.MARKDOWN,
+                    reply_markup=None,
+                )
+            except Exception:
+                # Markdown parse failure — retry as plain text
+                try:
+                    await query.edit_message_text(
+                        text=result_text,
+                        parse_mode=None,
+                        reply_markup=None,
+                    )
+                except Exception:
+                    pass
+            await query.answer(text="Model switched!")
+
+            # Clean up state
+            self._model_picker_state.pop(chat_id, None)
+
+        elif data == "mb":
+            # --- Back to provider list ---
+            buttons = []
+            for p in state["providers"]:
+                count = p.get("total_models", len(p.get("models", [])))
+                label = f"{p['name']} ({count})"
+                if p.get("is_current"):
+                    label = f"✓ {label}"
+                buttons.append(
+                    InlineKeyboardButton(label, callback_data=f"mp:{p['slug']}")
+                )
+
+            rows = [buttons[i : i + 2] for i in range(0, len(buttons), 2)]
+            rows.append([InlineKeyboardButton("✗ Cancel", callback_data="mx")])
+            keyboard = InlineKeyboardMarkup(rows)
+
+            try:
+                provider_label = get_label(state["current_provider"])
+            except Exception:
+                provider_label = state["current_provider"]
+
+            await query.edit_message_text(
+                text=(
+                    f"⚙ *Model Configuration*\n\n"
+                    f"Current model: `{state['current_model'] or 'unknown'}`\n"
+                    f"Provider: {provider_label}\n\n"
+                    f"Select a provider:"
+                ),
+                parse_mode=ParseMode.MARKDOWN,
+                reply_markup=keyboard,
+            )
+            await query.answer()
+
+        elif data == "mx":
+            # --- Cancel ---
+            self._model_picker_state.pop(chat_id, None)
+            await query.edit_message_text(
+                text="Model selection cancelled.",
+                reply_markup=None,
+            )
+            await query.answer()
+
+        else:
+            # Catch-all (e.g. page counter button "mx:noop")
+            await query.answer()
+
+    async def _handle_callback_query(
+        self, update: "Update", context: "ContextTypes.DEFAULT_TYPE"
+    ) -> None:
+        """Handle inline keyboard button clicks."""
+        query = update.callback_query
+        if not query or not query.data:
+            return
+        data = query.data
+
+        # --- Model picker callbacks ---
+        if data.startswith(("mp:", "mm:", "mb", "mx", "mg:")):
+            chat_id = str(query.message.chat_id) if query.message else None
+            if chat_id:
+                await self._handle_model_picker_callback(query, data, chat_id)
+            return
+
+        # --- Exec approval callbacks (ea:choice:id) ---
+        if data.startswith("ea:"):
+            parts = data.split(":", 2)
+            if len(parts) == 3:
+                choice = parts[1]  # once, session, always, deny
+                try:
+                    approval_id = int(parts[2])
+                except (ValueError, IndexError):
+                    await query.answer(text="Invalid approval data.")
+                    return
+
+                session_key = self._approval_state.pop(approval_id, None)
+                if not session_key:
+                    await query.answer(text="This approval has already been resolved.")
+                    return
+
+                # Map choice to human-readable label
+                label_map = {
+                    "once": "✅ Approved once",
+                    "session": "✅ Approved for session",
+                    "always": "✅ Approved permanently",
+                    "deny": "❌ Denied",
+                }
+                user_display = getattr(query.from_user, "first_name", "User")
+                label = label_map.get(choice, "Resolved")
+
+                await query.answer(text=label)
+
+                # Edit message to show decision, remove buttons
+                try:
+                    await query.edit_message_text(
+                        text=f"{label} by {user_display}",
+                        parse_mode=ParseMode.MARKDOWN,
+                        reply_markup=None,
+                    )
+                except Exception:
+                    pass  # non-fatal if edit fails
+
+                # Resolve the approval — unblocks the agent thread
+                try:
+                    from tools.approval import resolve_gateway_approval
+                    count = resolve_gateway_approval(session_key, choice)
+                    logger.info(
+                        "Telegram button resolved %d approval(s) for session %s (choice=%s, user=%s)",
+                        count, session_key, choice, user_display,
+                    )
+                except Exception as exc:
+                    logger.error("Failed to resolve gateway approval from Telegram button: %s", exc)
+            return
+
+        # --- Update prompt callbacks ---
+        if not data.startswith("update_prompt:"):
+            return
+        answer = data.split(":", 1)[1]  # "y" or "n"
+        await query.answer(text=f"Sent '{answer}' to the update process.")
+        # Edit the message to show the choice and remove buttons
+        label = "Yes" if answer == "y" else "No"
+        try:
+            await query.edit_message_text(
+                text=f"⚕ Update prompt answered: *{label}*",
+                parse_mode=ParseMode.MARKDOWN,
+                reply_markup=None,
+            )
+        except Exception:
+            pass  # non-fatal if edit fails
+        # Write the response file
+        try:
+            from hermes_constants import get_hermes_home
+            home = get_hermes_home()
+            response_path = home / ".update_response"
+            tmp = response_path.with_suffix(".tmp")
+            tmp.write_text(answer)
+            tmp.replace(response_path)
+            logger.info("Telegram update prompt answered '%s' by user %s",
+                        answer, getattr(query.from_user, "id", "unknown"))
+        except Exception as exc:
+            logger.error("Failed to write update response from callback: %s", exc)
+
     async def send_voice(
         self,
         chat_id: str,
@@ -955,7 +1485,7 @@ class TelegramAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
             
             with open(audio_path, "rb") as audio_file:
                 # .ogg files -> send as voice (round playable bubble)
-                if audio_path.endswith(".ogg") or audio_path.endswith(".opus"):
+                if audio_path.endswith((".ogg", ".opus")):
                     _voice_thread = metadata.get("thread_id") if metadata else None
                     msg = await self._bot.send_voice(
                         chat_id=int(chat_id),
@@ -1102,7 +1632,12 @@ class TelegramAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
         """
         if not self._bot:
             return SendResult(success=False, error="Not connected")
-        
+
+        from tools.url_safety import is_safe_url
+        if not is_safe_url(image_url):
+            logger.warning("[%s] Blocked unsafe image URL (SSRF protection)", self.name)
+            return await super().send_image(chat_id, image_url, caption, reply_to, metadata=metadata)
+
         try:
             # Telegram can send photos directly from URLs (up to ~5MB)
             _photo_thread = metadata.get("thread_id") if metadata else None
@@ -1603,6 +2138,7 @@ class TelegramAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
         return build_session_key(
             event.source,
             group_sessions_per_user=self.config.extra.get("group_sessions_per_user", True),
+            thread_sessions_per_user=self.config.extra.get("thread_sessions_per_user", False),
         )
 
     def _enqueue_text_event(self, event: MessageEvent) -> None:
@@ -1661,6 +2197,7 @@ class TelegramAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
         session_key = build_session_key(
             event.source,
             group_sessions_per_user=self.config.extra.get("group_sessions_per_user", True),
+            thread_sessions_per_user=self.config.extra.get("thread_sessions_per_user", False),
         )
         media_group_id = getattr(msg, "media_group_id", None)
         if media_group_id:
@@ -1690,10 +2227,7 @@ class TelegramAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
             existing.media_urls.extend(event.media_urls)
             existing.media_types.extend(event.media_types)
             if event.text:
-                if not existing.text:
-                    existing.text = event.text
-                elif event.text not in existing.text:
-                    existing.text = f"{existing.text}\n\n{event.text}".strip()
+                existing.text = self._merge_caption(existing.text, event.text)
 
         prior_task = self._pending_photo_batch_tasks.get(batch_key)
         if prior_task and not prior_task.done():
@@ -1883,11 +2417,7 @@ class TelegramAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
             existing.media_urls.extend(event.media_urls)
             existing.media_types.extend(event.media_types)
             if event.text:
-                if existing.text:
-                    if event.text not in existing.text.split("\n\n"):
-                        existing.text = f"{existing.text}\n\n{event.text}"
-                else:
-                    existing.text = event.text
+                existing.text = self._merge_caption(existing.text, event.text)
 
         prior_task = self._media_group_tasks.get(media_group_id)
         if prior_task:
@@ -2101,6 +2631,19 @@ class TelegramAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
                     if not chat_topic:
                         chat_topic = created_name
 
+        elif chat_type == "group" and thread_id_str:
+            # Group/supergroup forum topic skill binding via config.extra['group_topics']
+            group_topics_config: list = self.config.extra.get("group_topics", [])
+            for chat_entry in group_topics_config:
+                if str(chat_entry.get("chat_id", "")) == str(chat.id):
+                    for topic in chat_entry.get("topics", []):
+                        tid = topic.get("thread_id")
+                        if tid is not None and str(tid) == thread_id_str:
+                            chat_topic = topic.get("name")
+                            topic_skill = topic.get("skill")
+                            break
+                    break
+
         # Build source
         source = self.build_source(
             chat_id=str(chat.id),
@@ -2130,3 +2673,46 @@ class TelegramAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
             auto_skill=topic_skill,
             timestamp=message.date,
         )
+
+    # ── Message reactions (processing lifecycle) ──────────────────────────
+
+    def _reactions_enabled(self) -> bool:
+        """Check if message reactions are enabled via config/env."""
+        return os.getenv("TELEGRAM_REACTIONS", "false").lower() not in ("false", "0", "no")
+
+    async def _set_reaction(self, chat_id: str, message_id: str, emoji: str) -> bool:
+        """Set a single emoji reaction on a Telegram message."""
+        if not self._bot:
+            return False
+        try:
+            await self._bot.set_message_reaction(
+                chat_id=int(chat_id),
+                message_id=int(message_id),
+                reaction=emoji,
+            )
+            return True
+        except Exception as e:
+            logger.debug("[%s] set_message_reaction failed (%s): %s", self.name, emoji, e)
+            return False
+
+    async def on_processing_start(self, event: MessageEvent) -> None:
+        """Add an in-progress reaction when message processing begins."""
+        if not self._reactions_enabled():
+            return
+        chat_id = getattr(event.source, "chat_id", None)
+        message_id = getattr(event, "message_id", None)
+        if chat_id and message_id:
+            await self._set_reaction(chat_id, message_id, "\U0001f440")
+
+    async def on_processing_complete(self, event: MessageEvent, success: bool) -> None:
+        """Swap the in-progress reaction for a final success/failure reaction.
+
+        Unlike Discord (additive reactions), Telegram's set_message_reaction
+        replaces all existing reactions in one call — no remove step needed.
+        """
+        if not self._reactions_enabled():
+            return
+        chat_id = getattr(event.source, "chat_id", None)
+        message_id = getattr(event, "message_id", None)
+        if chat_id and message_id:
+            await self._set_reaction(chat_id, message_id, "\u2705" if success else "\u274c")

gateway/platforms/webhook.py

@@ -76,8 +76,17 @@ class WebhookAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
         self._routes: Dict[str, dict] = dict(self._static_routes)
         self._runner = None
 
-        # Delivery info keyed by session chat_id — consumed by send()
+        # Delivery info keyed by session chat_id.
+        #
+        # Read by every send() invocation for the chat_id (status messages
+        # AND the final response).  Cleaned up via TTL on each POST so the
+        # dict stays bounded — see _prune_delivery_info().  Do NOT pop on
+        # send(), or interim status messages (e.g. fallback notifications,
+        # context-pressure warnings) will consume the entry before the
+        # final response arrives, causing the response to silently fall
+        # back to the "log" deliver type.
         self._delivery_info: Dict[str, dict] = {}
+        self._delivery_info_created: Dict[str, float] = {}
 
         # Reference to gateway runner for cross-platform delivery (set externally)
         self.gateway_runner = None
@@ -160,10 +169,14 @@ class WebhookAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
     ) -> SendResult:
         """Deliver the agent's response to the configured destination.
 
-        chat_id is ``webhook:{route}:{delivery_id}`` — we pop the delivery
-        info stored during webhook receipt so it doesn't leak memory.
+        chat_id is ``webhook:{route}:{delivery_id}``.  The delivery info
+        stored during webhook receipt is read with ``.get()`` (not popped)
+        so that interim status messages emitted before the final response
+        — fallback-model notifications, context-pressure warnings, etc. —
+        do not consume the entry and silently downgrade the final response
+        to the ``log`` deliver type.  TTL cleanup happens on POST.
         """
-        delivery = self._delivery_info.pop(chat_id, {})
+        delivery = self._delivery_info.get(chat_id, {})
         deliver_type = delivery.get("deliver", "log")
 
         if deliver_type == "log":
@@ -190,6 +203,23 @@ class WebhookAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
             success=False, error=f"Unknown deliver type: {deliver_type}"
         )
 
+    def _prune_delivery_info(self, now: float) -> None:
+        """Drop delivery_info entries older than the idempotency TTL.
+
+        Mirrors the cleanup pattern used for ``_seen_deliveries``.  Called
+        on each POST so the dict size is bounded by ``rate_limit * TTL``
+        even if many webhooks fire and never receive a final response.
+        """
+        cutoff = now - self._idempotency_ttl
+        stale = [
+            k
+            for k, t in self._delivery_info_created.items()
+            if t < cutoff
+        ]
+        for k in stale:
+            self._delivery_info.pop(k, None)
+            self._delivery_info_created.pop(k, None)
+
     async def get_chat_info(self, chat_id: str) -> Dict[str, Any]:
         return {"name": chat_id, "type": "webhook"}
 
@@ -203,10 +233,8 @@ class WebhookAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
 
     def _reload_dynamic_routes(self) -> None:
         """Reload agent-created subscriptions from disk if the file changed."""
-        from pathlib import Path as _Path
-        hermes_home = _Path(
-            os.getenv("HERMES_HOME", str(_Path.home() / ".hermes"))
-        ).expanduser()
+        from hermes_constants import get_hermes_home
+        hermes_home = get_hermes_home()
         subs_path = hermes_home / _DYNAMIC_ROUTES_FILENAME
         if not subs_path.exists():
             if self._dynamic_routes:
@@ -384,7 +412,9 @@ class WebhookAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
         # same route get independent agent runs (not queued/interrupted).
         session_chat_id = f"webhook:{route_name}:{delivery_id}"
 
-        # Store delivery info for send() — consumed (popped) on delivery
+        # Store delivery info for send().  Read by every send() invocation
+        # for this chat_id (interim status messages and the final response),
+        # so we do NOT pop on send.  TTL-based cleanup keeps the dict bounded.
         deliver_config = {
             "deliver": route_config.get("deliver", "log"),
             "deliver_extra": self._render_delivery_extra(
@@ -393,6 +423,8 @@ class WebhookAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
             "payload": payload,
         }
         self._delivery_info[session_chat_id] = deliver_config
+        self._delivery_info_created[session_chat_id] = now
+        self._prune_delivery_info(now)
 
         # Build source and event
         source = self.build_source(
@@ -484,6 +516,10 @@ class WebhookAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
 
         Supports dot-notation access into nested dicts:
         ``{pull_request.title}`` → ``payload["pull_request"]["title"]``
+
+        Special token ``{__raw__}`` dumps the entire payload as indented
+        JSON (truncated to 4000 chars).  Useful for monitoring alerts or
+        any webhook where the agent needs to see the full payload.
         """
         if not template:
             truncated = json.dumps(payload, indent=2)[:4000]
@@ -494,6 +530,9 @@ class WebhookAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
 
         def _resolve(match: re.Match) -> str:
             key = match.group(1)
+            # Special token: dump the entire payload as JSON
+            if key == "__raw__":
+                return json.dumps(payload, indent=2)[:4000]
             value: Any = payload
             for part in key.split("."):
                 if isinstance(value, dict):
@@ -613,4 +652,10 @@ class WebhookAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
                     error=f"No chat_id or home channel for {platform_name}",
                 )
 
-        return await adapter.send(chat_id, content)
+        # Pass thread_id from deliver_extra so Telegram forum topics work
+        metadata = None
+        thread_id = extra.get("message_thread_id") or extra.get("thread_id")
+        if thread_id:
+            metadata = {"thread_id": thread_id}
+
+        return await adapter.send(chat_id, content, metadata=metadata)

gateway/platforms/wecom.py

@@ -653,7 +653,7 @@ class WeComAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
             return ".png"
         if data.startswith(b"\xff\xd8\xff"):
             return ".jpg"
-        if data.startswith(b"GIF87a") or data.startswith(b"GIF89a"):
+        if data.startswith((b"GIF87a", b"GIF89a")):
             return ".gif"
         if data.startswith(b"RIFF") and data[8:12] == b"WEBP":
             return ".webp"
@@ -689,7 +689,7 @@ class WeComAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
     @staticmethod
     def _derive_message_type(body: Dict[str, Any], text: str, media_types: List[str]) -> MessageType:
         """Choose the normalized inbound message type."""
-        if any(mtype.startswith("application/") or mtype.startswith("text/") for mtype in media_types):
+        if any(mtype.startswith(("application/", "text/")) for mtype in media_types):
             return MessageType.DOCUMENT
         if any(mtype.startswith("image/") for mtype in media_types):
             return MessageType.TEXT if text else MessageType.PHOTO
@@ -910,6 +910,10 @@ class WeComAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
         url: str,
         max_bytes: int,
     ) -> Tuple[bytes, Dict[str, str]]:
+        from tools.url_safety import is_safe_url
+        if not is_safe_url(url):
+            raise ValueError(f"Blocked unsafe URL (SSRF protection): {url[:80]}")
+
         if not HTTPX_AVAILABLE:
             raise RuntimeError("httpx is required for WeCom media download")
 

gateway/platforms/whatsapp.py

@@ -27,7 +27,6 @@ _IS_WINDOWS = platform.system() == "Windows"
 from pathlib import Path
 from typing import Dict, Optional, Any
 
-from hermes_cli.config import get_hermes_home
 from hermes_constants import get_hermes_dir
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)

gateway/session.py

@@ -254,8 +254,22 @@ def build_session_context_prompt(
     if context.source.chat_topic:
         lines.append(f"**Channel Topic:** {context.source.chat_topic}")
 
-    # User identity (especially useful for WhatsApp where multiple people DM)
-    if context.source.user_name:
+    # User identity.
+    # In shared thread sessions (non-DM with thread_id), multiple users
+    # contribute to the same conversation.  Don't pin a single user name
+    # in the system prompt — it changes per-turn and would bust the prompt
+    # cache.  Instead, note that this is a multi-user thread; individual
+    # sender names are prefixed on each user message by the gateway.
+    _is_shared_thread = (
+        context.source.chat_type != "dm"
+        and context.source.thread_id
+    )
+    if _is_shared_thread:
+        lines.append(
+            "**Session type:** Multi-user thread — messages are prefixed "
+            "with [sender name]. Multiple users may participate."
+        )
+    elif context.source.user_name:
         lines.append(f"**User:** {context.source.user_name}")
     elif context.source.user_id:
         uid = context.source.user_id
@@ -427,7 +441,11 @@ class SessionEntry:
         )
 
 
-def build_session_key(source: SessionSource, group_sessions_per_user: bool = True) -> str:
+def build_session_key(
+    source: SessionSource,
+    group_sessions_per_user: bool = True,
+    thread_sessions_per_user: bool = False,
+) -> str:
     """Build a deterministic session key from a message source.
 
     This is the single source of truth for session key construction.
@@ -442,7 +460,11 @@ def build_session_key(source: SessionSource, group_sessions_per_user: bool = Tru
       - chat_id identifies the parent group/channel.
       - user_id/user_id_alt isolates participants within that parent chat when available when
         ``group_sessions_per_user`` is enabled.
-      - thread_id differentiates threads within that parent chat.
+      - thread_id differentiates threads within that parent chat.  When
+        ``thread_sessions_per_user`` is False (default), threads are *shared* across all
+        participants — user_id is NOT appended, so every user in the thread
+        shares a single session.  This is the expected UX for threaded
+        conversations (Telegram forum topics, Discord threads, Slack threads).
       - Without participant identifiers, or when isolation is disabled, messages fall back to one
         shared session per chat.
       - Without identifiers, messages fall back to one session per platform/chat_type.
@@ -464,7 +486,15 @@ def build_session_key(source: SessionSource, group_sessions_per_user: bool = Tru
         key_parts.append(source.chat_id)
     if source.thread_id:
         key_parts.append(source.thread_id)
-    if group_sessions_per_user and participant_id:
+
+    # In threads, default to shared sessions (all participants see the same
+    # conversation).  Per-user isolation only applies when explicitly enabled
+    # via thread_sessions_per_user, or when there is no thread (regular group).
+    isolate_user = group_sessions_per_user
+    if source.thread_id and not thread_sessions_per_user:
+        isolate_user = False
+
+    if isolate_user and participant_id:
         key_parts.append(str(participant_id))
 
     return ":".join(key_parts)
@@ -552,6 +582,7 @@ class SessionStore:
         return build_session_key(
             source,
             group_sessions_per_user=getattr(self.config, "group_sessions_per_user", True),
+            thread_sessions_per_user=getattr(self.config, "thread_sessions_per_user", False),
         )
     
     def _is_session_expired(self, entry: SessionEntry) -> bool:

gateway/stream_consumer.py

@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ from __future__ import annotations
 import asyncio
 import logging
 import queue
+import re
 import time
 from dataclasses import dataclass
 from typing import Any, Optional
@@ -27,6 +28,10 @@ logger = logging.getLogger("gateway.stream_consumer")
 # Sentinel to signal the stream is complete
 _DONE = object()
 
+# Sentinel to signal a tool boundary — finalize current message and start a
+# new one so that subsequent text appears below tool progress messages.
+_NEW_SEGMENT = object()
+
 
 @dataclass
 class StreamConsumerConfig:
@@ -77,9 +82,16 @@ class GatewayStreamConsumer:
         return self._already_sent
 
     def on_delta(self, text: str) -> None:
-        """Thread-safe callback — called from the agent's worker thread."""
+        """Thread-safe callback — called from the agent's worker thread.
+
+        When *text* is ``None``, signals a tool boundary: the current message
+        is finalized and subsequent text will be sent as a new message so it
+        appears below any tool-progress messages the gateway sent in between.
+        """
         if text:
             self._queue.put(text)
+        elif text is None:
+            self._queue.put(_NEW_SEGMENT)
 
     def finish(self) -> None:
         """Signal that the stream is complete."""
@@ -95,12 +107,16 @@ class GatewayStreamConsumer:
             while True:
                 # Drain all available items from the queue
                 got_done = False
+                got_segment_break = False
                 while True:
                     try:
                         item = self._queue.get_nowait()
                         if item is _DONE:
                             got_done = True
                             break
+                        if item is _NEW_SEGMENT:
+                            got_segment_break = True
+                            break
                         self._accumulated += item
                     except queue.Empty:
                         break
@@ -110,8 +126,9 @@ class GatewayStreamConsumer:
                 elapsed = now - self._last_edit_time
                 should_edit = (
                     got_done
+                    or got_segment_break
                     or (elapsed >= self.cfg.edit_interval
-                        and len(self._accumulated) > 0)
+                        and self._accumulated)
                     or len(self._accumulated) >= self.cfg.buffer_threshold
                 )
 
@@ -132,7 +149,7 @@ class GatewayStreamConsumer:
                         self._last_sent_text = ""
 
                     display_text = self._accumulated
-                    if not got_done:
+                    if not got_done and not got_segment_break:
                         display_text += self.cfg.cursor
 
                     await self._send_or_edit(display_text)
@@ -144,6 +161,15 @@ class GatewayStreamConsumer:
                         await self._send_or_edit(self._accumulated)
                     return
 
+                # Tool boundary: the should_edit block above already flushed
+                # accumulated text without a cursor.  Reset state so the next
+                # text chunk creates a fresh message below any tool-progress
+                # messages the gateway sent in between.
+                if got_segment_break:
+                    self._message_id = None
+                    self._accumulated = ""
+                    self._last_sent_text = ""
+
                 await asyncio.sleep(0.05)  # Small yield to not busy-loop
 
         except asyncio.CancelledError:
@@ -156,8 +182,39 @@ class GatewayStreamConsumer:
         except Exception as e:
             logger.error("Stream consumer error: %s", e)
 
+    # Pattern to strip MEDIA:<path> tags (including optional surrounding quotes).
+    # Matches the simple cleanup regex used by the non-streaming path in
+    # gateway/platforms/base.py for post-processing.
+    _MEDIA_RE = re.compile(r'''[`"']?MEDIA:\s*\S+[`"']?''')
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def _clean_for_display(text: str) -> str:
+        """Strip MEDIA: directives and internal markers from text before display.
+
+        The streaming path delivers raw text chunks that may include
+        ``MEDIA:<path>`` tags and ``[[audio_as_voice]]`` directives meant for
+        the platform adapter's post-processing.  The actual media files are
+        delivered separately via ``_deliver_media_from_response()`` after the
+        stream finishes — we just need to hide the raw directives from the
+        user.
+        """
+        if "MEDIA:" not in text and "[[audio_as_voice]]" not in text:
+            return text
+        cleaned = text.replace("[[audio_as_voice]]", "")
+        cleaned = GatewayStreamConsumer._MEDIA_RE.sub("", cleaned)
+        # Collapse excessive blank lines left behind by removed tags
+        cleaned = re.sub(r'\n{3,}', '\n\n', cleaned)
+        # Strip trailing whitespace/newlines but preserve leading content
+        return cleaned.rstrip()
+
     async def _send_or_edit(self, text: str) -> None:
         """Send or edit the streaming message."""
+        # Strip MEDIA: directives so they don't appear as visible text.
+        # Media files are delivered as native attachments after the stream
+        # finishes (via _deliver_media_from_response in gateway/run.py).
+        text = self._clean_for_display(text)
+        if not text.strip():
+            return
         try:
             if self._message_id is not None:
                 if self._edit_supported:

hermes_cli/auth.py

@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ from typing import Any, Dict, List, Optional
 import httpx
 import yaml
 
-from hermes_cli.config import get_hermes_home, get_config_path
+from hermes_cli.config import get_hermes_home, get_config_path, read_raw_config
 from hermes_constants import OPENROUTER_BASE_URL
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
@@ -69,6 +69,7 @@ DEVICE_AUTH_POLL_INTERVAL_CAP_SECONDS = 1     # poll at most every 1s
 DEFAULT_CODEX_BASE_URL = "https://chatgpt.com/backend-api/codex"
 DEFAULT_GITHUB_MODELS_BASE_URL = "https://api.githubcopilot.com"
 DEFAULT_COPILOT_ACP_BASE_URL = "acp://copilot"
+DEFAULT_GEMINI_BASE_URL = "https://generativelanguage.googleapis.com/v1beta/openai"
 CODEX_OAUTH_CLIENT_ID = "app_EMoamEEZ73f0CkXaXp7hrann"
 CODEX_OAUTH_TOKEN_URL = "https://auth.openai.com/oauth/token"
 CODEX_ACCESS_TOKEN_REFRESH_SKEW_SECONDS = 120
@@ -125,6 +126,14 @@ PROVIDER_REGISTRY: Dict[str, ProviderConfig] = {
         inference_base_url=DEFAULT_COPILOT_ACP_BASE_URL,
         base_url_env_var="COPILOT_ACP_BASE_URL",
     ),
+    "gemini": ProviderConfig(
+        id="gemini",
+        name="Google AI Studio",
+        auth_type="api_key",
+        inference_base_url="https://generativelanguage.googleapis.com/v1beta/openai",
+        api_key_env_vars=("GOOGLE_API_KEY", "GEMINI_API_KEY"),
+        base_url_env_var="GEMINI_BASE_URL",
+    ),
     "zai": ProviderConfig(
         id="zai",
         name="Z.AI / GLM",
@@ -395,6 +404,47 @@ def detect_zai_endpoint(api_key: str, timeout: float = 8.0) -> Optional[Dict[str
     return None
 
 
+def _resolve_zai_base_url(api_key: str, default_url: str, env_override: str) -> str:
+    """Return the correct Z.AI base URL by probing endpoints.
+
+    If the user has explicitly set GLM_BASE_URL, that always wins.
+    Otherwise, probe the candidate endpoints to find one that accepts the
+    key.  The detected endpoint is cached in provider state (auth.json) keyed
+    on a hash of the API key so subsequent starts skip the probe.
+    """
+    if env_override:
+        return env_override
+
+    # Check provider-state cache for a previously-detected endpoint.
+    auth_store = _load_auth_store()
+    state = _load_provider_state(auth_store, "zai") or {}
+    cached = state.get("detected_endpoint")
+    if isinstance(cached, dict) and cached.get("base_url"):
+        key_hash = cached.get("key_hash", "")
+        if key_hash == hashlib.sha256(api_key.encode()).hexdigest()[:16]:
+            logger.debug("Z.AI: using cached endpoint %s", cached["base_url"])
+            return cached["base_url"]
+
+    # Probe — may take up to ~8s per endpoint.
+    detected = detect_zai_endpoint(api_key)
+    if detected and detected.get("base_url"):
+        # Persist the detection result keyed on the API key hash.
+        key_hash = hashlib.sha256(api_key.encode()).hexdigest()[:16]
+        state["detected_endpoint"] = {
+            "base_url": detected["base_url"],
+            "endpoint_id": detected.get("id", ""),
+            "model": detected.get("model", ""),
+            "label": detected.get("label", ""),
+            "key_hash": key_hash,
+        }
+        _save_provider_state(auth_store, "zai", state)
+        logger.info("Z.AI: auto-detected endpoint %s (%s)", detected["label"], detected["base_url"])
+        return detected["base_url"]
+
+    logger.debug("Z.AI: probe failed, falling back to default %s", default_url)
+    return default_url
+
+
 # =============================================================================
 # Error Types
 # =============================================================================
@@ -711,6 +761,32 @@ def deactivate_provider() -> None:
 # Provider Resolution — picks which provider to use
 # =============================================================================
 
+
+def _get_config_hint_for_unknown_provider(provider_name: str) -> str:
+    """Return a helpful hint string when provider resolution fails.
+
+    Checks for common config.yaml mistakes (malformed custom_providers, etc.)
+    and returns a human-readable diagnostic, or empty string if nothing found.
+    """
+    try:
+        from hermes_cli.config import validate_config_structure
+        issues = validate_config_structure()
+        if not issues:
+            return ""
+
+        lines = ["Config issue detected — run 'hermes doctor' for full diagnostics:"]
+        for ci in issues:
+            prefix = "ERROR" if ci.severity == "error" else "WARNING"
+            lines.append(f"  [{prefix}] {ci.message}")
+            # Show first line of hint
+            first_hint = ci.hint.splitlines()[0] if ci.hint else ""
+            if first_hint:
+                lines.append(f"    → {first_hint}")
+        return "\n".join(lines)
+    except Exception:
+        return ""
+
+
 def resolve_provider(
     requested: Optional[str] = None,
     *,
@@ -732,6 +808,7 @@ def resolve_provider(
     # Normalize provider aliases
     _PROVIDER_ALIASES = {
         "glm": "zai", "z-ai": "zai", "z.ai": "zai", "zhipu": "zai",
+        "google": "gemini", "google-gemini": "gemini", "google-ai-studio": "gemini",
         "kimi": "kimi-coding", "moonshot": "kimi-coding",
         "minimax-china": "minimax-cn", "minimax_cn": "minimax-cn",
         "claude": "anthropic", "claude-code": "anthropic",
@@ -757,10 +834,14 @@ def resolve_provider(
     if normalized in PROVIDER_REGISTRY:
         return normalized
     if normalized != "auto":
-        raise AuthError(
-            f"Unknown provider '{normalized}'.",
-            code="invalid_provider",
-        )
+        # Check for common config.yaml issues that cause this error
+        _config_hint = _get_config_hint_for_unknown_provider(normalized)
+        msg = f"Unknown provider '{normalized}'."
+        if _config_hint:
+            msg += f"\n\n{_config_hint}"
+        else:
+            msg += " Check 'hermes model' for available providers, or run 'hermes doctor' to diagnose config issues."
+        raise AuthError(msg, code="invalid_provider")
 
     # Explicit one-off CLI creds always mean openrouter/custom
     if explicit_api_key or explicit_base_url:
@@ -896,7 +977,7 @@ def _read_codex_tokens(*, _lock: bool = True) -> Dict[str, Any]:
     state = _load_provider_state(auth_store, "openai-codex")
     if not state:
         raise AuthError(
-            "No Codex credentials stored. Run `hermes login` to authenticate.",
+            "No Codex credentials stored. Run `hermes auth` to authenticate.",
             provider="openai-codex",
             code="codex_auth_missing",
             relogin_required=True,
@@ -904,7 +985,7 @@ def _read_codex_tokens(*, _lock: bool = True) -> Dict[str, Any]:
     tokens = state.get("tokens")
     if not isinstance(tokens, dict):
         raise AuthError(
-            "Codex auth state is missing tokens. Run `hermes login` to re-authenticate.",
+            "Codex auth state is missing tokens. Run `hermes auth` to re-authenticate.",
             provider="openai-codex",
             code="codex_auth_invalid_shape",
             relogin_required=True,
@@ -913,14 +994,14 @@ def _read_codex_tokens(*, _lock: bool = True) -> Dict[str, Any]:
     refresh_token = tokens.get("refresh_token")
     if not isinstance(access_token, str) or not access_token.strip():
         raise AuthError(
-            "Codex auth is missing access_token. Run `hermes login` to re-authenticate.",
+            "Codex auth is missing access_token. Run `hermes auth` to re-authenticate.",
             provider="openai-codex",
             code="codex_auth_missing_access_token",
             relogin_required=True,
         )
     if not isinstance(refresh_token, str) or not refresh_token.strip():
         raise AuthError(
-            "Codex auth is missing refresh_token. Run `hermes login` to re-authenticate.",
+            "Codex auth is missing refresh_token. Run `hermes auth` to re-authenticate.",
             provider="openai-codex",
             code="codex_auth_missing_refresh_token",
             relogin_required=True,
@@ -955,7 +1036,7 @@ def refresh_codex_oauth_pure(
     del access_token  # Access token is only used by callers to decide whether to refresh.
     if not isinstance(refresh_token, str) or not refresh_token.strip():
         raise AuthError(
-            "Codex auth is missing refresh_token. Run `hermes login` to re-authenticate.",
+            "Codex auth is missing refresh_token. Run `hermes auth` to re-authenticate.",
             provider="openai-codex",
             code="codex_auth_missing_refresh_token",
             relogin_required=True,
@@ -990,6 +1071,14 @@ def refresh_codex_oauth_pure(
             pass
         if code in {"invalid_grant", "invalid_token", "invalid_request"}:
             relogin_required = True
+        if code == "refresh_token_reused":
+            message = (
+                "Codex refresh token was already consumed by another client "
+                "(e.g. Codex CLI or VS Code extension). "
+                "Run `codex` in your terminal to generate fresh tokens, "
+                "then run `hermes auth` to re-authenticate."
+            )
+            relogin_required = True
         raise AuthError(
             message,
             provider="openai-codex",
@@ -1051,7 +1140,8 @@ def _refresh_codex_auth_tokens(
 def _import_codex_cli_tokens() -> Optional[Dict[str, str]]:
     """Try to read tokens from ~/.codex/auth.json (Codex CLI shared file).
     
-    Returns tokens dict if valid, None otherwise. Does NOT write to the shared file.
+    Returns tokens dict if valid and not expired, None otherwise.
+    Does NOT write to the shared file.
     """
     codex_home = os.getenv("CODEX_HOME", "").strip()
     if not codex_home:
@@ -1064,7 +1154,17 @@ def _import_codex_cli_tokens() -> Optional[Dict[str, str]]:
         tokens = payload.get("tokens")
         if not isinstance(tokens, dict):
             return None
-        if not tokens.get("access_token") or not tokens.get("refresh_token"):
+        access_token = tokens.get("access_token")
+        refresh_token = tokens.get("refresh_token")
+        if not access_token or not refresh_token:
+            return None
+        # Reject expired tokens — importing stale tokens from ~/.codex/
+        # that can't be refreshed leaves the user stuck with "Login successful!"
+        # but no working credentials.
+        if _codex_access_token_is_expiring(access_token, 0):
+            logger.debug(
+                "Codex CLI tokens at %s are expired — skipping import.", auth_path,
+            )
             return None
         return dict(tokens)
     except Exception:
@@ -1092,7 +1192,7 @@ def resolve_codex_runtime_credentials(
             logger.info("Migrating Codex credentials from ~/.codex/ to Hermes auth store")
             print("⚠️  Migrating Codex credentials to Hermes's own auth store.")
             print("   This avoids conflicts with Codex CLI and VS Code.")
-            print("   Run `hermes login` to create a fully independent session.\n")
+            print("   Run `hermes auth` to create a fully independent session.\n")
             _save_codex_tokens(cli_tokens)
             data = _read_codex_tokens()
         else:
@@ -1856,7 +1956,36 @@ def get_nous_auth_status() -> Dict[str, Any]:
 
 
 def get_codex_auth_status() -> Dict[str, Any]:
-    """Status snapshot for Codex auth."""
+    """Status snapshot for Codex auth.
+    
+    Checks the credential pool first (where `hermes auth` stores credentials),
+    then falls back to the legacy provider state.
+    """
+    # Check credential pool first — this is where `hermes auth` and
+    # `hermes model` store device_code tokens.
+    try:
+        from agent.credential_pool import load_pool
+        pool = load_pool("openai-codex")
+        if pool and pool.has_credentials():
+            entry = pool.select()
+            if entry is not None:
+                api_key = (
+                    getattr(entry, "runtime_api_key", None)
+                    or getattr(entry, "access_token", "")
+                )
+                if api_key and not _codex_access_token_is_expiring(api_key, 0):
+                    return {
+                        "logged_in": True,
+                        "auth_store": str(_auth_file_path()),
+                        "last_refresh": getattr(entry, "last_refresh", None),
+                        "auth_mode": "chatgpt",
+                        "source": f"pool:{getattr(entry, 'label', 'unknown')}",
+                        "api_key": api_key,
+                    }
+    except Exception:
+        pass
+
+    # Fall back to legacy provider state
     try:
         creds = resolve_codex_runtime_credentials()
         return {
@@ -1865,6 +1994,7 @@ def get_codex_auth_status() -> Dict[str, Any]:
             "last_refresh": creds.get("last_refresh"),
             "auth_mode": creds.get("auth_mode"),
             "source": creds.get("source"),
+            "api_key": creds.get("api_key"),
         }
     except AuthError as exc:
         return {
@@ -1974,6 +2104,8 @@ def resolve_api_key_provider_credentials(provider_id: str) -> Dict[str, Any]:
 
     if provider_id == "kimi-coding":
         base_url = _resolve_kimi_base_url(api_key, pconfig.inference_base_url, env_url)
+    elif provider_id == "zai":
+        base_url = _resolve_zai_base_url(api_key, pconfig.inference_base_url, env_url)
     elif env_url:
         base_url = env_url.rstrip("/")
     else:
@@ -2048,7 +2180,7 @@ def detect_external_credentials() -> List[Dict[str, Any]]:
         found.append({
             "provider": "openai-codex",
             "path": str(codex_path),
-            "label": f"Codex CLI credentials found ({codex_path}) — run `hermes login` to create a separate session",
+            "label": f"Codex CLI credentials found ({codex_path}) — run `hermes auth` to create a separate session",
         })
 
     return found
@@ -2082,14 +2214,7 @@ def _update_config_for_provider(
     config_path = get_config_path()
     config_path.parent.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
 
-    config: Dict[str, Any] = {}
-    if config_path.exists():
-        try:
-            loaded = yaml.safe_load(config_path.read_text()) or {}
-            if isinstance(loaded, dict):
-                config = loaded
-        except Exception:
-            config = {}
+    config = read_raw_config()
 
     current_model = config.get("model")
     if isinstance(current_model, dict):
@@ -2126,12 +2251,8 @@ def _reset_config_provider() -> Path:
     if not config_path.exists():
         return config_path
 
-    try:
-        config = yaml.safe_load(config_path.read_text()) or {}
-    except Exception:
-        return config_path
-
-    if not isinstance(config, dict):
+    config = read_raw_config()
+    if not config:
         return config_path
 
     model = config.get("model")
@@ -2143,8 +2264,25 @@ def _reset_config_provider() -> Path:
     return config_path
 
 
-def _prompt_model_selection(model_ids: List[str], current_model: str = "") -> Optional[str]:
-    """Interactive model selection. Puts current_model first with a marker. Returns chosen model ID or None."""
+def _prompt_model_selection(
+    model_ids: List[str],
+    current_model: str = "",
+    pricing: Optional[Dict[str, Dict[str, str]]] = None,
+    unavailable_models: Optional[List[str]] = None,
+    portal_url: str = "",
+) -> Optional[str]:
+    """Interactive model selection. Puts current_model first with a marker. Returns chosen model ID or None.
+
+    If *pricing* is provided (``{model_id: {prompt, completion}}``), a compact
+    price indicator is shown next to each model in aligned columns.
+
+    If *unavailable_models* is provided, those models are shown grayed out
+    and unselectable, with an upgrade link to *portal_url*.
+    """
+    from hermes_cli.models import _format_price_per_mtok
+
+    _unavailable = unavailable_models or []
+
     # Reorder: current model first, then the rest (deduplicated)
     ordered = []
     if current_model and current_model in model_ids:
@@ -2153,21 +2291,93 @@ def _prompt_model_selection(model_ids: List[str], current_model: str = "") -> Op
         if mid not in ordered:
             ordered.append(mid)
 
-    # Build display labels with marker on current
+    # All models for column-width computation (selectable + unavailable)
+    all_models = list(ordered) + list(_unavailable)
+
+    # Column-aligned labels when pricing is available
+    has_pricing = bool(pricing and any(pricing.get(m) for m in all_models))
+    name_col = max((len(m) for m in all_models), default=0) + 2 if has_pricing else 0
+
+    # Pre-compute formatted prices and dynamic column widths
+    _price_cache: dict[str, tuple[str, str, str]] = {}
+    price_col = 3  # minimum width
+    cache_col = 0  # only set if any model has cache pricing
+    has_cache = False
+    if has_pricing:
+        for mid in all_models:
+            p = pricing.get(mid)  # type: ignore[union-attr]
+            if p:
+                inp = _format_price_per_mtok(p.get("prompt", ""))
+                out = _format_price_per_mtok(p.get("completion", ""))
+                cache_read = p.get("input_cache_read", "")
+                cache = _format_price_per_mtok(cache_read) if cache_read else ""
+                if cache:
+                    has_cache = True
+            else:
+                inp, out, cache = "", "", ""
+            _price_cache[mid] = (inp, out, cache)
+            price_col = max(price_col, len(inp), len(out))
+            cache_col = max(cache_col, len(cache))
+        if has_cache:
+            cache_col = max(cache_col, 5)  # minimum: "Cache" header
+
     def _label(mid):
+        if has_pricing:
+            inp, out, cache = _price_cache.get(mid, ("", "", ""))
+            price_part = f" {inp:>{price_col}}  {out:>{price_col}}"
+            if has_cache:
+                price_part += f"  {cache:>{cache_col}}"
+            base = f"{mid:<{name_col}}{price_part}"
+        else:
+            base = mid
         if mid == current_model:
-            return f"{mid}  ← currently in use"
-        return mid
+            base += "  ← currently in use"
+        return base
 
     # Default cursor on the current model (index 0 if it was reordered to top)
     default_idx = 0
 
+    # Build a pricing header hint for the menu title
+    menu_title = "Select default model:"
+    if has_pricing:
+        # Align the header with the model column.
+        # Each choice is "  {label}" (2 spaces) and simple_term_menu prepends
+        # a 3-char cursor region ("-> " or "   "), so content starts at col 5.
+        pad = " " * 5
+        header = f"\n{pad}{'':>{name_col}} {'In':>{price_col}}  {'Out':>{price_col}}"
+        if has_cache:
+            header += f"  {'Cache':>{cache_col}}"
+        menu_title += header + "  /Mtok"
+
+    # ANSI escape for dim text
+    _DIM = "\033[2m"
+    _RESET = "\033[0m"
+
     # Try arrow-key menu first, fall back to number input
     try:
         from simple_term_menu import TerminalMenu
+
         choices = [f"  {_label(mid)}" for mid in ordered]
         choices.append("  Enter custom model name")
         choices.append("  Skip (keep current)")
+
+        # Print the unavailable block BEFORE the menu via regular print().
+        # simple_term_menu pads title lines to terminal width (causes wrapping),
+        # so we keep the title minimal and use stdout for the static block.
+        # clear_screen=False means our printed output stays visible above.
+        _upgrade_url = (portal_url or DEFAULT_NOUS_PORTAL_URL).rstrip("/")
+        if _unavailable:
+            print(menu_title)
+            print()
+            for mid in _unavailable:
+                print(f"{_DIM}     {_label(mid)}{_RESET}")
+            print()
+            print(f"{_DIM}  ── Upgrade at {_upgrade_url} for paid models ──{_RESET}")
+            print()
+            effective_title = "Available free models:"
+        else:
+            effective_title = menu_title
+
         menu = TerminalMenu(
             choices,
             cursor_index=default_idx,
@@ -2176,7 +2386,7 @@ def _prompt_model_selection(model_ids: List[str], current_model: str = "") -> Op
             menu_highlight_style=("fg_green",),
             cycle_cursor=True,
             clear_screen=False,
-            title="Select default model:",
+            title=effective_title,
         )
         idx = menu.show()
         if idx is None:
@@ -2192,12 +2402,20 @@ def _prompt_model_selection(model_ids: List[str], current_model: str = "") -> Op
         pass
 
     # Fallback: numbered list
-    print("Select default model:")
+    print(menu_title)
+    num_width = len(str(len(ordered) + 2))
     for i, mid in enumerate(ordered, 1):
-        print(f"  {i}. {_label(mid)}")
+        print(f"  {i:>{num_width}}. {_label(mid)}")
     n = len(ordered)
-    print(f"  {n + 1}. Enter custom model name")
-    print(f"  {n + 2}. Skip (keep current)")
+    print(f"  {n + 1:>{num_width}}. Enter custom model name")
+    print(f"  {n + 2:>{num_width}}. Skip (keep current)")
+
+    if _unavailable:
+        _upgrade_url = (portal_url or DEFAULT_NOUS_PORTAL_URL).rstrip("/")
+        print()
+        print(f"  {_DIM}── Unavailable models (requires paid tier — upgrade at {_upgrade_url}) ──{_RESET}")
+        for mid in _unavailable:
+            print(f"  {'':>{num_width}}  {_DIM}{_label(mid)}{_RESET}")
     print()
 
     while True:
@@ -2240,8 +2458,8 @@ def _save_model_choice(model_id: str) -> None:
 def login_command(args) -> None:
     """Deprecated: use 'hermes model' or 'hermes setup' instead."""
     print("The 'hermes login' command has been removed.")
-    print("Use 'hermes model' to select a provider and model,")
-    print("or 'hermes setup' for full interactive setup.")
+    print("Use 'hermes auth' to manage credentials,")
+    print("'hermes model' to select a provider, or 'hermes setup' for full setup.")
     raise SystemExit(0)
 
 
@@ -2251,17 +2469,25 @@ def _login_openai_codex(args, pconfig: ProviderConfig) -> None:
     # Check for existing Hermes-owned credentials
     try:
         existing = resolve_codex_runtime_credentials()
-        print("Existing Codex credentials found in Hermes auth store.")
-        try:
-            reuse = input("Use existing credentials? [Y/n]: ").strip().lower()
-        except (EOFError, KeyboardInterrupt):
-            reuse = "y"
-        if reuse in ("", "y", "yes"):
-            config_path = _update_config_for_provider("openai-codex", existing.get("base_url", DEFAULT_CODEX_BASE_URL))
-            print()
-            print("Login successful!")
-            print(f"  Config updated: {config_path} (model.provider=openai-codex)")
-            return
+        # Verify the resolved token is actually usable (not expired).
+        # resolve_codex_runtime_credentials attempts refresh, so if we get
+        # here the token should be valid — but double-check before telling
+        # the user "Login successful!".
+        _resolved_key = existing.get("api_key", "")
+        if isinstance(_resolved_key, str) and _resolved_key and not _codex_access_token_is_expiring(_resolved_key, 60):
+            print("Existing Codex credentials found in Hermes auth store.")
+            try:
+                reuse = input("Use existing credentials? [Y/n]: ").strip().lower()
+            except (EOFError, KeyboardInterrupt):
+                reuse = "y"
+            if reuse in ("", "y", "yes"):
+                config_path = _update_config_for_provider("openai-codex", existing.get("base_url", DEFAULT_CODEX_BASE_URL))
+                print()
+                print("Login successful!")
+                print(f"  Config updated: {config_path} (model.provider=openai-codex)")
+                return
+        else:
+            print("Existing Codex credentials are expired. Starting fresh login...")
     except AuthError:
         pass
 
@@ -2556,13 +2782,26 @@ def _nous_device_code_login(
         "agent_key_reused": None,
         "agent_key_obtained_at": None,
     }
-    return refresh_nous_oauth_from_state(
-        auth_state,
-        min_key_ttl_seconds=min_key_ttl_seconds,
-        timeout_seconds=timeout_seconds,
-        force_refresh=False,
-        force_mint=True,
-    )
+    try:
+        return refresh_nous_oauth_from_state(
+            auth_state,
+            min_key_ttl_seconds=min_key_ttl_seconds,
+            timeout_seconds=timeout_seconds,
+            force_refresh=False,
+            force_mint=True,
+        )
+    except AuthError as exc:
+        if exc.code == "subscription_required":
+            portal_url = auth_state.get(
+                "portal_base_url", DEFAULT_NOUS_PORTAL_URL
+            ).rstrip("/")
+            print()
+            print("Your Nous Portal account does not have an active subscription.")
+            print(f"  Subscribe here: {portal_url}/billing")
+            print()
+            print("After subscribing, run `hermes model` again to finish setup.")
+            raise SystemExit(1)
+        raise
 
 
 def _login_nous(args, pconfig: ProviderConfig) -> None:
@@ -2577,8 +2816,8 @@ def _login_nous(args, pconfig: ProviderConfig) -> None:
 
     try:
         auth_state = _nous_device_code_login(
-            portal_base_url=getattr(args, "portal_url", None) or pconfig.portal_base_url,
-            inference_base_url=getattr(args, "inference_url", None) or pconfig.inference_base_url,
+            portal_base_url=getattr(args, "portal_url", None),
+            inference_base_url=getattr(args, "inference_url", None),
             client_id=getattr(args, "client_id", None) or pconfig.client_id,
             scope=getattr(args, "scope", None) or pconfig.scope,
             open_browser=not getattr(args, "no_browser", False),
@@ -2587,8 +2826,8 @@ def _login_nous(args, pconfig: ProviderConfig) -> None:
             ca_bundle=ca_bundle,
             min_key_ttl_seconds=5 * 60,
         )
+
         inference_base_url = auth_state["inference_base_url"]
-        verify: bool | str = False if insecure else (ca_bundle if ca_bundle else True)
 
         with _auth_store_lock():
             auth_store = _load_auth_store()
@@ -2610,18 +2849,37 @@ def _login_nous(args, pconfig: ProviderConfig) -> None:
                     code="invalid_token",
                 )
 
-            # Use curated model list (same as OpenRouter defaults) instead
-            # of the full /models dump which returns hundreds of models.
-            from hermes_cli.models import _PROVIDER_MODELS
+            from hermes_cli.models import (
+                _PROVIDER_MODELS, get_pricing_for_provider, filter_nous_free_models,
+                check_nous_free_tier, partition_nous_models_by_tier,
+            )
             model_ids = _PROVIDER_MODELS.get("nous", [])
 
             print()
+            unavailable_models: list = []
+            if model_ids:
+                pricing = get_pricing_for_provider("nous")
+                model_ids = filter_nous_free_models(model_ids, pricing)
+                free_tier = check_nous_free_tier()
+                if free_tier:
+                    model_ids, unavailable_models = partition_nous_models_by_tier(
+                        model_ids, pricing, free_tier=True,
+                    )
+            _portal = auth_state.get("portal_base_url", "")
             if model_ids:
                 print(f"Showing {len(model_ids)} curated models — use \"Enter custom model name\" for others.")
-                selected_model = _prompt_model_selection(model_ids)
+                selected_model = _prompt_model_selection(
+                    model_ids, pricing=pricing,
+                    unavailable_models=unavailable_models,
+                    portal_url=_portal,
+                )
                 if selected_model:
                     _save_model_choice(selected_model)
                     print(f"Default model set to: {selected_model}")
+            elif unavailable_models:
+                _url = (_portal or DEFAULT_NOUS_PORTAL_URL).rstrip("/")
+                print("No free models currently available.")
+                print(f"Upgrade at {_url} to access paid models.")
             else:
                 print("No curated models available for Nous Portal.")
         except Exception as exc:

hermes_cli/auth_commands.py

@@ -18,14 +18,13 @@ from agent.credential_pool import (
     STRATEGY_ROUND_ROBIN,
     STRATEGY_RANDOM,
     STRATEGY_LEAST_USED,
-    SUPPORTED_POOL_STRATEGIES,
     PooledCredential,
+    _exhausted_until,
     _normalize_custom_pool_name,
     get_pool_strategy,
     label_from_token,
     list_custom_pool_providers,
     load_pool,
-    _exhausted_ttl,
 )
 import hermes_cli.auth as auth_mod
 from hermes_cli.auth import PROVIDER_REGISTRY
@@ -113,21 +112,27 @@ def _display_source(source: str) -> str:
 def _format_exhausted_status(entry) -> str:
     if entry.last_status != STATUS_EXHAUSTED:
         return ""
+    reason = getattr(entry, "last_error_reason", None)
+    reason_text = f" {reason}" if isinstance(reason, str) and reason.strip() else ""
     code = f" ({entry.last_error_code})" if entry.last_error_code else ""
-    if not entry.last_status_at:
-        return f" exhausted{code}"
-    remaining = max(0, int(math.ceil((entry.last_status_at + _exhausted_ttl(entry.last_error_code)) - time.time())))
+    exhausted_until = _exhausted_until(entry)
+    if exhausted_until is None:
+        return f" exhausted{reason_text}{code}"
+    remaining = max(0, int(math.ceil(exhausted_until - time.time())))
     if remaining <= 0:
-        return f" exhausted{code} (ready to retry)"
+        return f" exhausted{reason_text}{code} (ready to retry)"
     minutes, seconds = divmod(remaining, 60)
     hours, minutes = divmod(minutes, 60)
-    if hours:
+    days, hours = divmod(hours, 24)
+    if days:
+        wait = f"{days}d {hours}h"
+    elif hours:
         wait = f"{hours}h {minutes}m"
     elif minutes:
         wait = f"{minutes}m {seconds}s"
     else:
         wait = f"{seconds}s"
-    return f" exhausted{code} ({wait} left)"
+    return f" exhausted{reason_text}{code} ({wait} left)"
 
 
 def auth_add_command(args) -> None:
@@ -277,13 +282,54 @@ def auth_list_command(args) -> None:
 
 def auth_remove_command(args) -> None:
     provider = _normalize_provider(getattr(args, "provider", ""))
-    index = int(getattr(args, "index"))
+    target = getattr(args, "target", None)
+    if target is None:
+        target = getattr(args, "index", None)
     pool = load_pool(provider)
+    index, matched, error = pool.resolve_target(target)
+    if matched is None or index is None:
+        raise SystemExit(f"{error} Provider: {provider}.")
     removed = pool.remove_index(index)
     if removed is None:
-        raise SystemExit(f"No credential #{index} for provider {provider}.")
+        raise SystemExit(f'No credential matching "{target}" for provider {provider}.')
     print(f"Removed {provider} credential #{index} ({removed.label})")
 
+    # If this was an env-seeded credential, also clear the env var from .env
+    # so it doesn't get re-seeded on the next load_pool() call.
+    if removed.source.startswith("env:"):
+        env_var = removed.source[len("env:"):]
+        if env_var:
+            from hermes_cli.config import remove_env_value
+            cleared = remove_env_value(env_var)
+            if cleared:
+                print(f"Cleared {env_var} from .env")
+
+    # If this was a singleton-seeded credential (OAuth device_code, hermes_pkce),
+    # clear the underlying auth store / credential file so it doesn't get
+    # re-seeded on the next load_pool() call.
+    elif removed.source == "device_code" and provider in ("openai-codex", "nous"):
+        from hermes_cli.auth import (
+            _load_auth_store, _save_auth_store, _auth_store_lock,
+        )
+        with _auth_store_lock():
+            auth_store = _load_auth_store()
+            providers_dict = auth_store.get("providers")
+            if isinstance(providers_dict, dict) and provider in providers_dict:
+                del providers_dict[provider]
+                _save_auth_store(auth_store)
+                print(f"Cleared {provider} OAuth tokens from auth store")
+
+    elif removed.source == "hermes_pkce" and provider == "anthropic":
+        from hermes_constants import get_hermes_home
+        oauth_file = get_hermes_home() / ".anthropic_oauth.json"
+        if oauth_file.exists():
+            oauth_file.unlink()
+            print("Cleared Hermes Anthropic OAuth credentials")
+
+    elif removed.source == "claude_code" and provider == "anthropic":
+        print("Note: Claude Code credentials live in ~/.claude/.credentials.json")
+        print("      Remove them manually if you want to deauthorize Claude Code.")
+
 
 def auth_reset_command(args) -> None:
     provider = _normalize_provider(getattr(args, "provider", ""))
@@ -369,8 +415,16 @@ def _interactive_add() -> None:
     else:
         auth_type = "api_key"
 
+    label = None
+    try:
+        typed_label = input("Label / account name (optional): ").strip()
+    except (EOFError, KeyboardInterrupt):
+        return
+    if typed_label:
+        label = typed_label
+
     auth_add_command(SimpleNamespace(
-        provider=provider, auth_type=auth_type, label=None, api_key=None,
+        provider=provider, auth_type=auth_type, label=label, api_key=None,
         portal_url=None, inference_url=None, client_id=None, scope=None,
         no_browser=False, timeout=None, insecure=False, ca_bundle=None,
     ))
@@ -386,22 +440,16 @@ def _interactive_remove() -> None:
     # Show entries with indices
     for i, e in enumerate(pool.entries(), 1):
         exhausted = _format_exhausted_status(e)
-        print(f"  #{i}  {e.label:25s} {e.auth_type:10s} {e.source}{exhausted}")
+        print(f"  #{i}  {e.label:25s} {e.auth_type:10s} {e.source}{exhausted} [id:{e.id}]")
 
     try:
-        raw = input("Remove # (or blank to cancel): ").strip()
+        raw = input("Remove #, id, or label (blank to cancel): ").strip()
     except (EOFError, KeyboardInterrupt):
         return
     if not raw:
         return
 
-    try:
-        index = int(raw)
-    except ValueError:
-        print("Invalid number.")
-        return
-
-    auth_remove_command(SimpleNamespace(provider=provider, index=index))
+    auth_remove_command(SimpleNamespace(provider=provider, target=raw))
 
 
 def _interactive_reset() -> None:

hermes_cli/banner.py

@@ -190,6 +190,79 @@ def check_for_updates() -> Optional[int]:
     return behind
 
 
+def _resolve_repo_dir() -> Optional[Path]:
+    """Return the active Hermes git checkout, or None if this isn't a git install."""
+    hermes_home = get_hermes_home()
+    repo_dir = hermes_home / "hermes-agent"
+    if not (repo_dir / ".git").exists():
+        repo_dir = Path(__file__).parent.parent.resolve()
+    return repo_dir if (repo_dir / ".git").exists() else None
+
+
+def _git_short_hash(repo_dir: Path, rev: str) -> Optional[str]:
+    """Resolve a git revision to an 8-character short hash."""
+    try:
+        result = subprocess.run(
+            ["git", "rev-parse", "--short=8", rev],
+            capture_output=True,
+            text=True,
+            timeout=5,
+            cwd=str(repo_dir),
+        )
+    except Exception:
+        return None
+    if result.returncode != 0:
+        return None
+    value = (result.stdout or "").strip()
+    return value or None
+
+
+def get_git_banner_state(repo_dir: Optional[Path] = None) -> Optional[dict]:
+    """Return upstream/local git hashes for the startup banner."""
+    repo_dir = repo_dir or _resolve_repo_dir()
+    if repo_dir is None:
+        return None
+
+    upstream = _git_short_hash(repo_dir, "origin/main")
+    local = _git_short_hash(repo_dir, "HEAD")
+    if not upstream or not local:
+        return None
+
+    ahead = 0
+    try:
+        result = subprocess.run(
+            ["git", "rev-list", "--count", "origin/main..HEAD"],
+            capture_output=True,
+            text=True,
+            timeout=5,
+            cwd=str(repo_dir),
+        )
+        if result.returncode == 0:
+            ahead = int((result.stdout or "0").strip() or "0")
+    except Exception:
+        ahead = 0
+
+    return {"upstream": upstream, "local": local, "ahead": max(ahead, 0)}
+
+
+def format_banner_version_label() -> str:
+    """Return the version label shown in the startup banner title."""
+    base = f"Hermes Agent v{VERSION} ({RELEASE_DATE})"
+    state = get_git_banner_state()
+    if not state:
+        return base
+
+    upstream = state["upstream"]
+    local = state["local"]
+    ahead = int(state.get("ahead") or 0)
+
+    if ahead <= 0 or upstream == local:
+        return f"{base} · upstream {upstream}"
+
+    carried_word = "commit" if ahead == 1 else "commits"
+    return f"{base} · upstream {upstream} · local {local} (+{ahead} carried {carried_word})"
+
+
 # =========================================================================
 # Non-blocking update check
 # =========================================================================
@@ -449,7 +522,7 @@ def build_welcome_banner(console: Console, model: str, cwd: str,
     border_color = _skin_color("banner_border", "#CD7F32")
     outer_panel = Panel(
         layout_table,
-        title=f"[bold {title_color}]{agent_name} v{VERSION} ({RELEASE_DATE})[/]",
+        title=f"[bold {title_color}]{format_banner_version_label()}[/]",
         border_style=border_color,
         padding=(0, 2),
     )

hermes_cli/callbacks.py

@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ def clarify_callback(cli, question, choices):
 
     timeout = CLI_CONFIG.get("clarify", {}).get("timeout", 120)
     response_queue = queue.Queue()
-    is_open_ended = not choices or len(choices) == 0
+    is_open_ended = not choices
 
     cli._clarify_state = {
         "question": question,
@@ -63,47 +63,6 @@ def clarify_callback(cli, question, choices):
     )
 
 
-def sudo_password_callback(cli) -> str:
-    """Prompt for sudo password through the TUI.
-
-    Sets up a password input area and blocks until the user responds.
-    """
-    timeout = 45
-    response_queue = queue.Queue()
-
-    cli._sudo_state = {"response_queue": response_queue}
-    cli._sudo_deadline = _time.monotonic() + timeout
-
-    if hasattr(cli, "_app") and cli._app:
-        cli._app.invalidate()
-
-    while True:
-        try:
-            result = response_queue.get(timeout=1)
-            cli._sudo_state = None
-            cli._sudo_deadline = 0
-            if hasattr(cli, "_app") and cli._app:
-                cli._app.invalidate()
-            if result:
-                cprint(f"\n{_DIM}  ✓ Password received (cached for session){_RST}")
-            else:
-                cprint(f"\n{_DIM}  ⏭ Skipped{_RST}")
-            return result
-        except queue.Empty:
-            remaining = cli._sudo_deadline - _time.monotonic()
-            if remaining <= 0:
-                break
-            if hasattr(cli, "_app") and cli._app:
-                cli._app.invalidate()
-
-    cli._sudo_state = None
-    cli._sudo_deadline = 0
-    if hasattr(cli, "_app") and cli._app:
-        cli._app.invalidate()
-    cprint(f"\n{_DIM}  ⏱ Timeout — continuing without sudo{_RST}")
-    return ""
-
-
 def prompt_for_secret(cli, var_name: str, prompt: str, metadata=None) -> dict:
     """Prompt for a secret value through the TUI (e.g. API keys for skills).
 

hermes_cli/claw.py

@@ -10,7 +10,6 @@ Usage:
 
 import importlib.util
 import logging
-import shutil
 import sys
 from datetime import datetime
 from pathlib import Path
@@ -24,7 +23,6 @@ from hermes_cli.setup import (
     print_info,
     print_success,
     print_error,
-    print_warning,
     prompt_yes_no,
 )
 

hermes_cli/clipboard.py

@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-"""Clipboard image extraction for macOS, Linux, and WSL2.
+"""Clipboard image extraction for macOS, Windows, Linux, and WSL2.
 
 Provides a single function `save_clipboard_image(dest)` that checks the
 system clipboard for image data, saves it to *dest* as PNG, and returns
@@ -6,9 +6,10 @@ True on success.  No external Python dependencies — uses only OS-level
 CLI tools that ship with the platform (or are commonly installed).
 
 Platform support:
-  macOS  — osascript (always available), pngpaste (if installed)
-  WSL2   — powershell.exe via .NET System.Windows.Forms.Clipboard
-  Linux  — wl-paste (Wayland), xclip (X11)
+  macOS   — osascript (always available), pngpaste (if installed)
+  Windows — PowerShell via .NET System.Windows.Forms.Clipboard
+  WSL2    — powershell.exe via .NET System.Windows.Forms.Clipboard
+  Linux   — wl-paste (Wayland), xclip (X11)
 """
 
 import base64
@@ -32,6 +33,8 @@ def save_clipboard_image(dest: Path) -> bool:
     dest.parent.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
     if sys.platform == "darwin":
         return _macos_save(dest)
+    if sys.platform == "win32":
+        return _windows_save(dest)
     return _linux_save(dest)
 
 
@@ -42,6 +45,8 @@ def has_clipboard_image() -> bool:
     """
     if sys.platform == "darwin":
         return _macos_has_image()
+    if sys.platform == "win32":
+        return _windows_has_image()
     if _is_wsl():
         return _wsl_has_image()
     if os.environ.get("WAYLAND_DISPLAY"):
@@ -112,6 +117,104 @@ def _macos_osascript(dest: Path) -> bool:
     return False
 
 
+# ── Shared PowerShell scripts (native Windows + WSL2) ─────────────────────
+
+# .NET System.Windows.Forms.Clipboard — used by both native Windows (powershell)
+# and WSL2 (powershell.exe) paths.
+_PS_CHECK_IMAGE = (
+    "Add-Type -AssemblyName System.Windows.Forms;"
+    "[System.Windows.Forms.Clipboard]::ContainsImage()"
+)
+
+_PS_EXTRACT_IMAGE = (
+    "Add-Type -AssemblyName System.Windows.Forms;"
+    "Add-Type -AssemblyName System.Drawing;"
+    "$img = [System.Windows.Forms.Clipboard]::GetImage();"
+    "if ($null -eq $img) { exit 1 }"
+    "$ms = New-Object System.IO.MemoryStream;"
+    "$img.Save($ms, [System.Drawing.Imaging.ImageFormat]::Png);"
+    "[System.Convert]::ToBase64String($ms.ToArray())"
+)
+
+
+# ── Native Windows ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+# Native Windows uses ``powershell`` (Windows PowerShell 5.1, always present)
+# or ``pwsh`` (PowerShell 7+, optional).  Discovery is cached per-process.
+
+
+def _find_powershell() -> str | None:
+    """Return the first available PowerShell executable, or None."""
+    for name in ("powershell", "pwsh"):
+        try:
+            r = subprocess.run(
+                [name, "-NoProfile", "-NonInteractive", "-Command", "echo ok"],
+                capture_output=True, text=True, timeout=5,
+            )
+            if r.returncode == 0 and "ok" in r.stdout:
+                return name
+        except FileNotFoundError:
+            continue
+        except Exception:
+            continue
+    return None
+
+
+# Cache the resolved PowerShell executable (checked once per process)
+_ps_exe: str | None | bool = False  # False = not yet checked
+
+
+def _get_ps_exe() -> str | None:
+    global _ps_exe
+    if _ps_exe is False:
+        _ps_exe = _find_powershell()
+    return _ps_exe
+
+
+def _windows_has_image() -> bool:
+    """Check if the Windows clipboard contains an image."""
+    ps = _get_ps_exe()
+    if ps is None:
+        return False
+    try:
+        r = subprocess.run(
+            [ps, "-NoProfile", "-NonInteractive", "-Command", _PS_CHECK_IMAGE],
+            capture_output=True, text=True, timeout=5,
+        )
+        return r.returncode == 0 and "True" in r.stdout
+    except Exception as e:
+        logger.debug("Windows clipboard image check failed: %s", e)
+    return False
+
+
+def _windows_save(dest: Path) -> bool:
+    """Extract clipboard image on native Windows via PowerShell → base64 PNG."""
+    ps = _get_ps_exe()
+    if ps is None:
+        logger.debug("No PowerShell found — Windows clipboard image paste unavailable")
+        return False
+    try:
+        r = subprocess.run(
+            [ps, "-NoProfile", "-NonInteractive", "-Command", _PS_EXTRACT_IMAGE],
+            capture_output=True, text=True, timeout=15,
+        )
+        if r.returncode != 0:
+            return False
+
+        b64_data = r.stdout.strip()
+        if not b64_data:
+            return False
+
+        png_bytes = base64.b64decode(b64_data)
+        dest.write_bytes(png_bytes)
+        return dest.exists() and dest.stat().st_size > 0
+
+    except Exception as e:
+        logger.debug("Windows clipboard image extraction failed: %s", e)
+        dest.unlink(missing_ok=True)
+    return False
+
+
 # ── Linux ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
 def _is_wsl() -> bool:
@@ -142,24 +245,7 @@ def _linux_save(dest: Path) -> bool:
 
 
 # ── WSL2 (powershell.exe) ────────────────────────────────────────────────
-
-# PowerShell script: get clipboard image as base64-encoded PNG on stdout.
-# Using .NET System.Windows.Forms.Clipboard — always available on Windows.
-_PS_CHECK_IMAGE = (
-    "Add-Type -AssemblyName System.Windows.Forms;"
-    "[System.Windows.Forms.Clipboard]::ContainsImage()"
-)
-
-_PS_EXTRACT_IMAGE = (
-    "Add-Type -AssemblyName System.Windows.Forms;"
-    "Add-Type -AssemblyName System.Drawing;"
-    "$img = [System.Windows.Forms.Clipboard]::GetImage();"
-    "if ($null -eq $img) { exit 1 }"
-    "$ms = New-Object System.IO.MemoryStream;"
-    "$img.Save($ms, [System.Drawing.Imaging.ImageFormat]::Png);"
-    "[System.Convert]::ToBase64String($ms.ToArray())"
-)
-
+# Reuses _PS_CHECK_IMAGE / _PS_EXTRACT_IMAGE defined above.
 
 def _wsl_has_image() -> bool:
     """Check if Windows clipboard has an image (via powershell.exe)."""

hermes_cli/commands.py

@@ -84,6 +84,7 @@ COMMAND_REGISTRY: list[CommandDef] = [
     # Configuration
     CommandDef("config", "Show current configuration", "Configuration",
                cli_only=True),
+    CommandDef("model", "Switch model for this session", "Configuration", args_hint="[model] [--global]"),
     CommandDef("provider", "Show available providers and current provider",
                "Configuration"),
     CommandDef("prompt", "View/set custom system prompt", "Configuration",
@@ -292,16 +293,8 @@ def _resolve_config_gates() -> set[str]:
     if not gated:
         return set()
     try:
-        import yaml
-        config_path = os.path.join(
-            os.getenv("HERMES_HOME", os.path.expanduser("~/.hermes")),
-            "config.yaml",
-        )
-        if os.path.exists(config_path):
-            with open(config_path, encoding="utf-8") as f:
-                cfg = yaml.safe_load(f) or {}
-        else:
-            cfg = {}
+        from hermes_cli.config import read_raw_config
+        cfg = read_raw_config()
     except Exception:
         return set()
     result: set[str] = set()
@@ -365,21 +358,46 @@ def telegram_bot_commands() -> list[tuple[str, str]]:
     for cmd in COMMAND_REGISTRY:
         if not _is_gateway_available(cmd, overrides):
             continue
-        tg_name = cmd.name.replace("-", "_")
-        result.append((tg_name, cmd.description))
+        tg_name = _sanitize_telegram_name(cmd.name)
+        if tg_name:
+            result.append((tg_name, cmd.description))
     return result
 
 
-_TG_NAME_LIMIT = 32
+_CMD_NAME_LIMIT = 32
+"""Max command name length shared by Telegram and Discord."""
+
+# Backward-compat alias — tests and external code may reference the old name.
+_TG_NAME_LIMIT = _CMD_NAME_LIMIT
+
+# Telegram Bot API allows only lowercase a-z, 0-9, and underscores in
+# command names.  This regex strips everything else after initial conversion.
+_TG_INVALID_CHARS = re.compile(r"[^a-z0-9_]")
+_TG_MULTI_UNDERSCORE = re.compile(r"_{2,}")
 
 
-def _clamp_telegram_names(
+def _sanitize_telegram_name(raw: str) -> str:
+    """Convert a command/skill/plugin name to a valid Telegram command name.
+
+    Telegram requires: 1-32 chars, lowercase a-z, digits 0-9, underscores only.
+    Steps: lowercase → replace hyphens with underscores → strip all other
+    invalid characters → collapse consecutive underscores → strip leading/
+    trailing underscores.
+    """
+    name = raw.lower().replace("-", "_")
+    name = _TG_INVALID_CHARS.sub("", name)
+    name = _TG_MULTI_UNDERSCORE.sub("_", name)
+    return name.strip("_")
+
+
+def _clamp_command_names(
     entries: list[tuple[str, str]],
     reserved: set[str],
 ) -> list[tuple[str, str]]:
-    """Enforce Telegram's 32-char command name limit with collision avoidance.
+    """Enforce 32-char command name limit with collision avoidance.
 
-    Names exceeding 32 chars are truncated.  If truncation creates a duplicate
+    Both Telegram and Discord cap slash command names at 32 characters.
+    Names exceeding the limit are truncated.  If truncation creates a duplicate
     (against *reserved* names or earlier entries in the same batch), the name is
     shortened to 31 chars and a digit ``0``-``9`` is appended to differentiate.
     If all 10 digit slots are taken the entry is silently dropped.
@@ -387,10 +405,10 @@ def _clamp_telegram_names(
     used: set[str] = set(reserved)
     result: list[tuple[str, str]] = []
     for name, desc in entries:
-        if len(name) > _TG_NAME_LIMIT:
-            candidate = name[:_TG_NAME_LIMIT]
+        if len(name) > _CMD_NAME_LIMIT:
+            candidate = name[:_CMD_NAME_LIMIT]
             if candidate in used:
-                prefix = name[:_TG_NAME_LIMIT - 1]
+                prefix = name[:_CMD_NAME_LIMIT - 1]
                 for digit in range(10):
                     candidate = f"{prefix}{digit}"
                     if candidate not in used:
@@ -406,6 +424,129 @@ def _clamp_telegram_names(
     return result
 
 
+# Backward-compat alias.
+_clamp_telegram_names = _clamp_command_names
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Shared skill/plugin collection for gateway platforms
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+def _collect_gateway_skill_entries(
+    platform: str,
+    max_slots: int,
+    reserved_names: set[str],
+    desc_limit: int = 100,
+    sanitize_name: "Callable[[str], str] | None" = None,
+) -> tuple[list[tuple[str, str, str]], int]:
+    """Collect plugin + skill entries for a gateway platform.
+
+    Priority order:
+      1. Plugin slash commands (take precedence over skills)
+      2. Built-in skill commands (fill remaining slots, alphabetical)
+
+    Only skills are trimmed when the cap is reached.
+    Hub-installed skills are excluded.  Per-platform disabled skills are
+    excluded.
+
+    Args:
+        platform: Platform identifier for per-platform skill filtering
+            (``"telegram"``, ``"discord"``, etc.).
+        max_slots: Maximum number of entries to return (remaining slots after
+            built-in/core commands).
+        reserved_names: Names already taken by built-in commands.  Mutated
+            in-place as new names are added.
+        desc_limit: Max description length (40 for Telegram, 100 for Discord).
+        sanitize_name: Optional name transform applied before clamping, e.g.
+            :func:`_sanitize_telegram_name` for Telegram.  May return an
+            empty string to signal "skip this entry".
+
+    Returns:
+        ``(entries, hidden_count)`` where *entries* is a list of
+        ``(name, description, cmd_key)`` triples and *hidden_count* is the
+        number of skill entries dropped due to the cap.  ``cmd_key`` is the
+        original ``/skill-name`` key from :func:`get_skill_commands`.
+    """
+    all_entries: list[tuple[str, str, str]] = []
+
+    # --- Tier 1: Plugin slash commands (never trimmed) ---------------------
+    plugin_pairs: list[tuple[str, str]] = []
+    try:
+        from hermes_cli.plugins import get_plugin_manager
+        pm = get_plugin_manager()
+        plugin_cmds = getattr(pm, "_plugin_commands", {})
+        for cmd_name in sorted(plugin_cmds):
+            name = sanitize_name(cmd_name) if sanitize_name else cmd_name
+            if not name:
+                continue
+            desc = "Plugin command"
+            if len(desc) > desc_limit:
+                desc = desc[:desc_limit - 3] + "..."
+            plugin_pairs.append((name, desc))
+    except Exception:
+        pass
+
+    plugin_pairs = _clamp_command_names(plugin_pairs, reserved_names)
+    reserved_names.update(n for n, _ in plugin_pairs)
+    # Plugins have no cmd_key — use empty string as placeholder
+    for n, d in plugin_pairs:
+        all_entries.append((n, d, ""))
+
+    # --- Tier 2: Built-in skill commands (trimmed at cap) -----------------
+    _platform_disabled: set[str] = set()
+    try:
+        from agent.skill_utils import get_disabled_skill_names
+        _platform_disabled = get_disabled_skill_names(platform=platform)
+    except Exception:
+        pass
+
+    skill_triples: list[tuple[str, str, str]] = []
+    try:
+        from agent.skill_commands import get_skill_commands
+        from tools.skills_tool import SKILLS_DIR
+        _skills_dir = str(SKILLS_DIR.resolve())
+        _hub_dir = str((SKILLS_DIR / ".hub").resolve())
+        skill_cmds = get_skill_commands()
+        for cmd_key in sorted(skill_cmds):
+            info = skill_cmds[cmd_key]
+            skill_path = info.get("skill_md_path", "")
+            if not skill_path.startswith(_skills_dir):
+                continue
+            if skill_path.startswith(_hub_dir):
+                continue
+            skill_name = info.get("name", "")
+            if skill_name in _platform_disabled:
+                continue
+            raw_name = cmd_key.lstrip("/")
+            name = sanitize_name(raw_name) if sanitize_name else raw_name
+            if not name:
+                continue
+            desc = info.get("description", "")
+            if len(desc) > desc_limit:
+                desc = desc[:desc_limit - 3] + "..."
+            skill_triples.append((name, desc, cmd_key))
+    except Exception:
+        pass
+
+    # Clamp names; _clamp_command_names works on (name, desc) pairs so we
+    # need to zip/unzip.
+    skill_pairs = [(n, d) for n, d, _ in skill_triples]
+    key_by_pair = {(n, d): k for n, d, k in skill_triples}
+    skill_pairs = _clamp_command_names(skill_pairs, reserved_names)
+
+    # Skills fill remaining slots — only tier that gets trimmed
+    remaining = max(0, max_slots - len(all_entries))
+    hidden_count = max(0, len(skill_pairs) - remaining)
+    for n, d in skill_pairs[:remaining]:
+        all_entries.append((n, d, key_by_pair.get((n, d), "")))
+
+    return all_entries[:max_slots], hidden_count
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Platform-specific wrappers
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
 def telegram_menu_commands(max_commands: int = 100) -> tuple[list[tuple[str, str]], int]:
     """Return Telegram menu commands capped to the Bot API limit.
 
@@ -424,80 +565,52 @@ def telegram_menu_commands(max_commands: int = 100) -> tuple[list[tuple[str, str
         skill commands omitted due to the cap.
     """
     core_commands = list(telegram_bot_commands())
-    # Reserve core names so plugin/skill truncation can't collide with them
     reserved_names = {n for n, _ in core_commands}
     all_commands = list(core_commands)
 
-    # Plugin slash commands get priority over skills
-    plugin_entries: list[tuple[str, str]] = []
-    try:
-        from hermes_cli.plugins import get_plugin_manager
-        pm = get_plugin_manager()
-        plugin_cmds = getattr(pm, "_plugin_commands", {})
-        for cmd_name in sorted(plugin_cmds):
-            tg_name = cmd_name.replace("-", "_")
-            desc = "Plugin command"
-            if len(desc) > 40:
-                desc = desc[:37] + "..."
-            plugin_entries.append((tg_name, desc))
-    except Exception:
-        pass
-
-    # Clamp plugin names to 32 chars with collision avoidance
-    plugin_entries = _clamp_telegram_names(plugin_entries, reserved_names)
-    reserved_names.update(n for n, _ in plugin_entries)
-    all_commands.extend(plugin_entries)
-
-    # Load per-platform disabled skills so they don't consume menu slots.
-    # get_skill_commands() already filters the *global* disabled list, but
-    # per-platform overrides (skills.platform_disabled.telegram) were never
-    # applied here — that's what this block fixes.
-    _platform_disabled: set[str] = set()
-    try:
-        from agent.skill_utils import get_disabled_skill_names
-        _platform_disabled = get_disabled_skill_names(platform="telegram")
-    except Exception:
-        pass
-
-    # Remaining slots go to built-in skill commands (not hub-installed).
-    skill_entries: list[tuple[str, str]] = []
-    try:
-        from agent.skill_commands import get_skill_commands
-        from tools.skills_tool import SKILLS_DIR
-        _skills_dir = str(SKILLS_DIR.resolve())
-        _hub_dir = str((SKILLS_DIR / ".hub").resolve())
-        skill_cmds = get_skill_commands()
-        for cmd_key in sorted(skill_cmds):
-            info = skill_cmds[cmd_key]
-            skill_path = info.get("skill_md_path", "")
-            if not skill_path.startswith(_skills_dir):
-                continue
-            if skill_path.startswith(_hub_dir):
-                continue
-            # Skip skills disabled for telegram
-            skill_name = info.get("name", "")
-            if skill_name in _platform_disabled:
-                continue
-            name = cmd_key.lstrip("/").replace("-", "_")
-            desc = info.get("description", "")
-            # Keep descriptions short — setMyCommands has an undocumented
-            # total payload limit.  40 chars fits 100 commands safely.
-            if len(desc) > 40:
-                desc = desc[:37] + "..."
-            skill_entries.append((name, desc))
-    except Exception:
-        pass
-
-    # Clamp skill names to 32 chars with collision avoidance
-    skill_entries = _clamp_telegram_names(skill_entries, reserved_names)
-
-    # Skills fill remaining slots — they're the only tier that gets trimmed
     remaining_slots = max(0, max_commands - len(all_commands))
-    hidden_count = max(0, len(skill_entries) - remaining_slots)
-    all_commands.extend(skill_entries[:remaining_slots])
+    entries, hidden_count = _collect_gateway_skill_entries(
+        platform="telegram",
+        max_slots=remaining_slots,
+        reserved_names=reserved_names,
+        desc_limit=40,
+        sanitize_name=_sanitize_telegram_name,
+    )
+    # Drop the cmd_key — Telegram only needs (name, desc) pairs.
+    all_commands.extend((n, d) for n, d, _k in entries)
     return all_commands[:max_commands], hidden_count
 
 
+def discord_skill_commands(
+    max_slots: int,
+    reserved_names: set[str],
+) -> tuple[list[tuple[str, str, str]], int]:
+    """Return skill entries for Discord slash command registration.
+
+    Same priority and filtering logic as :func:`telegram_menu_commands`
+    (plugins > skills, hub excluded, per-platform disabled excluded), but
+    adapted for Discord's constraints:
+
+    - Hyphens are allowed in names (no ``-`` → ``_`` sanitization)
+    - Descriptions capped at 100 chars (Discord's per-field max)
+
+    Args:
+        max_slots: Available command slots (100 minus existing built-in count).
+        reserved_names: Names of already-registered built-in commands.
+
+    Returns:
+        ``(entries, hidden_count)`` where *entries* is a list of
+        ``(discord_name, description, cmd_key)`` triples.  ``cmd_key`` is
+        the original ``/skill-name`` key needed for the slash handler callback.
+    """
+    return _collect_gateway_skill_entries(
+        platform="discord",
+        max_slots=max_slots,
+        reserved_names=set(reserved_names),  # copy — don't mutate caller's set
+        desc_limit=100,
+    )
+
+
 def slack_subcommand_map() -> dict[str, str]:
     """Return subcommand -> /command mapping for Slack /hermes handler.
 
@@ -744,6 +857,39 @@ class SlashCommandCompleter(Completer):
             )
             count += 1
 
+    def _model_completions(self, sub_text: str, sub_lower: str):
+        """Yield completions for /model from config aliases + built-in aliases."""
+        seen = set()
+        # Config-based direct aliases (preferred — include provider info)
+        try:
+            from hermes_cli.model_switch import (
+                _ensure_direct_aliases, DIRECT_ALIASES, MODEL_ALIASES,
+            )
+            _ensure_direct_aliases()
+            for name, da in DIRECT_ALIASES.items():
+                if name.startswith(sub_lower) and name != sub_lower:
+                    seen.add(name)
+                    yield Completion(
+                        name,
+                        start_position=-len(sub_text),
+                        display=name,
+                        display_meta=f"{da.model} ({da.provider})",
+                    )
+            # Built-in catalog aliases not already covered
+            for name in sorted(MODEL_ALIASES.keys()):
+                if name in seen:
+                    continue
+                if name.startswith(sub_lower) and name != sub_lower:
+                    identity = MODEL_ALIASES[name]
+                    yield Completion(
+                        name,
+                        start_position=-len(sub_text),
+                        display=name,
+                        display_meta=f"{identity.vendor}/{identity.family}",
+                    )
+        except Exception:
+            pass
+
     def get_completions(self, document, complete_event):
         text = document.text_before_cursor
         if not text.startswith("/"):
@@ -765,6 +911,11 @@ class SlashCommandCompleter(Completer):
             sub_text = parts[1] if len(parts) > 1 else ""
             sub_lower = sub_text.lower()
 
+            # Dynamic model alias completions for /model
+            if " " not in sub_text and base_cmd == "/model":
+                yield from self._model_completions(sub_text, sub_lower)
+                return
+
             # Static subcommand completions
             if " " not in sub_text and base_cmd in SUBCOMMANDS:
                 for sub in SUBCOMMANDS[base_cmd]:

hermes_cli/config.py

@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ import stat
 import subprocess
 import sys
 import tempfile
+from dataclasses import dataclass
 from pathlib import Path
 from typing import Dict, Any, Optional, List, Tuple
 
@@ -41,7 +42,8 @@ _EXTRA_ENV_KEYS = frozenset({
     "TERMINAL_ENV", "TERMINAL_SSH_KEY", "TERMINAL_SSH_PORT",
     "WHATSAPP_MODE", "WHATSAPP_ENABLED",
     "MATTERMOST_HOME_CHANNEL", "MATTERMOST_REPLY_MODE",
-    "MATRIX_PASSWORD", "MATRIX_ENCRYPTION", "MATRIX_HOME_ROOM",
+    "MATRIX_PASSWORD", "MATRIX_ENCRYPTION", "MATRIX_DEVICE_ID", "MATRIX_HOME_ROOM",
+    "MATRIX_REQUIRE_MENTION", "MATRIX_FREE_RESPONSE_ROOMS", "MATRIX_AUTO_THREAD",
 })
 import yaml
 
@@ -198,11 +200,17 @@ def ensure_hermes_home():
 
 DEFAULT_CONFIG = {
     "model": "",
+    "providers": {},
     "fallback_providers": [],
     "credential_pool_strategies": {},
     "toolsets": ["hermes-cli"],
     "agent": {
         "max_turns": 90,
+        # Inactivity timeout for gateway agent execution (seconds).
+        # The agent can run indefinitely as long as it's actively calling
+        # tools or receiving API responses.  Only fires when the agent has
+        # been completely idle for this duration.  0 = unlimited.
+        "gateway_timeout": 1800,
         # Tool-use enforcement: injects system prompt guidance that tells the
         # model to actually call tools instead of describing intended actions.
         # Values: "auto" (default — applies to gpt/codex models), true/false
@@ -222,6 +230,12 @@ DEFAULT_CONFIG = {
         "env_passthrough": [],
         "docker_image": "nikolaik/python-nodejs:python3.11-nodejs20",
         "docker_forward_env": [],
+        # Explicit environment variables to set inside Docker containers.
+        # Unlike docker_forward_env (which reads values from the host process),
+        # docker_env lets you specify exact key-value pairs — useful when Hermes
+        # runs as a systemd service without access to the user's shell environment.
+        # Example: {"SSH_AUTH_SOCK": "/run/user/1000/ssh-agent.sock"}
+        "docker_env": {},
         "singularity_image": "docker://nikolaik/python-nodejs:python3.11-nodejs20",
         "modal_image": "nikolaik/python-nodejs:python3.11-nodejs20",
         "daytona_image": "nikolaik/python-nodejs:python3.11-nodejs20",
@@ -307,7 +321,7 @@ DEFAULT_CONFIG = {
             "model": "",
             "base_url": "",
             "api_key": "",
-            "timeout": 30,         # seconds — increase for slow local models
+            "timeout": 360,        # seconds (6min) — per-attempt LLM summarization timeout; increase for slow local models
         },
         "compression": {
             "provider": "auto",
@@ -402,6 +416,7 @@ DEFAULT_CONFIG = {
         "provider": "local",  # "local" (free, faster-whisper) | "groq" | "openai" (Whisper API)
         "local": {
             "model": "base",  # tiny, base, small, medium, large-v3
+            "language": "",  # auto-detect by default; set to "en", "es", "fr", etc. to force
         },
         "openai": {
             "model": "whisper-1",  # whisper-1, gpt-4o-mini-transcribe, gpt-4o-transcribe
@@ -523,8 +538,16 @@ DEFAULT_CONFIG = {
         "wrap_response": True,
     },
 
+    # Logging — controls file logging to ~/.hermes/logs/.
+    # agent.log captures INFO+ (all agent activity); errors.log captures WARNING+.
+    "logging": {
+        "level": "INFO",       # Minimum level for agent.log: DEBUG, INFO, WARNING
+        "max_size_mb": 5,      # Max size per log file before rotation
+        "backup_count": 3,     # Number of rotated backup files to keep
+    },
+
     # Config schema version - bump this when adding new required fields
-    "_config_version": 11,
+    "_config_version": 12,
 }
 
 # =============================================================================
@@ -568,6 +591,30 @@ OPTIONAL_ENV_VARS = {
         "category": "provider",
         "advanced": True,
     },
+    "GOOGLE_API_KEY": {
+        "description": "Google AI Studio API key (also recognized as GEMINI_API_KEY)",
+        "prompt": "Google AI Studio API key",
+        "url": "https://aistudio.google.com/app/apikey",
+        "password": True,
+        "category": "provider",
+        "advanced": True,
+    },
+    "GEMINI_API_KEY": {
+        "description": "Google AI Studio API key (alias for GOOGLE_API_KEY)",
+        "prompt": "Gemini API key",
+        "url": "https://aistudio.google.com/app/apikey",
+        "password": True,
+        "category": "provider",
+        "advanced": True,
+    },
+    "GEMINI_BASE_URL": {
+        "description": "Google AI Studio base URL override",
+        "prompt": "Gemini base URL (leave empty for default)",
+        "url": None,
+        "password": False,
+        "category": "provider",
+        "advanced": True,
+    },
     "GLM_API_KEY": {
         "description": "Z.AI / GLM API key (also recognized as ZAI_API_KEY / Z_AI_API_KEY)",
         "prompt": "Z.AI / GLM API key",
@@ -822,6 +869,13 @@ OPTIONAL_ENV_VARS = {
         "password": True,
         "category": "tool",
     },
+    "FIRECRAWL_BROWSER_TTL": {
+        "description": "Firecrawl browser session TTL in seconds (optional, default 300)",
+        "prompt": "Browser session TTL (seconds)",
+        "tools": ["browser_navigate", "browser_click"],
+        "password": False,
+        "category": "tool",
+    },
     "CAMOFOX_URL": {
         "description": "Camofox browser server URL for local anti-detection browsing (e.g. http://localhost:9377)",
         "prompt": "Camofox server URL",
@@ -1002,6 +1056,38 @@ OPTIONAL_ENV_VARS = {
         "password": False,
         "category": "messaging",
     },
+    "MATRIX_REQUIRE_MENTION": {
+        "description": "Require @mention in Matrix rooms (default: true). Set to false to respond to all messages.",
+        "prompt": "Require @mention in rooms (true/false)",
+        "url": None,
+        "password": False,
+        "category": "messaging",
+        "advanced": True,
+    },
+    "MATRIX_FREE_RESPONSE_ROOMS": {
+        "description": "Comma-separated Matrix room IDs where bot responds without @mention",
+        "prompt": "Free-response room IDs (comma-separated)",
+        "url": None,
+        "password": False,
+        "category": "messaging",
+        "advanced": True,
+    },
+    "MATRIX_AUTO_THREAD": {
+        "description": "Auto-create threads for messages in Matrix rooms (default: true)",
+        "prompt": "Auto-create threads in rooms (true/false)",
+        "url": None,
+        "password": False,
+        "category": "messaging",
+        "advanced": True,
+    },
+    "MATRIX_DEVICE_ID": {
+        "description": "Stable Matrix device ID for E2EE persistence across restarts (e.g. HERMES_BOT)",
+        "prompt": "Matrix device ID (stable across restarts)",
+        "url": None,
+        "password": False,
+        "category": "messaging",
+        "advanced": True,
+    },
     "GATEWAY_ALLOW_ALL_USERS": {
         "description": "Allow all users to interact with messaging bots (true/false). Default: false.",
         "prompt": "Allow all users (true/false)",
@@ -1194,6 +1280,43 @@ def get_missing_config_fields() -> List[Dict[str, Any]]:
     return missing
 
 
+def get_missing_skill_config_vars() -> List[Dict[str, Any]]:
+    """Return skill-declared config vars that are missing or empty in config.yaml.
+
+    Scans all enabled skills for ``metadata.hermes.config`` entries, then checks
+    which ones are absent or empty under ``skills.config.<key>`` in the user's
+    config.yaml.  Returns a list of dicts suitable for prompting.
+    """
+    try:
+        from agent.skill_utils import discover_all_skill_config_vars, SKILL_CONFIG_PREFIX
+    except Exception:
+        return []
+
+    all_vars = discover_all_skill_config_vars()
+    if not all_vars:
+        return []
+
+    config = load_config()
+    missing: List[Dict[str, Any]] = []
+    for var in all_vars:
+        # Skill config is stored under skills.config.<logical_key>
+        storage_key = f"{SKILL_CONFIG_PREFIX}.{var['key']}"
+        parts = storage_key.split(".")
+        current = config
+        value = None
+        for part in parts:
+            if isinstance(current, dict) and part in current:
+                current = current[part]
+                value = current
+            else:
+                value = None
+                break
+        # Missing = key doesn't exist or is empty string
+        if value is None or (isinstance(value, str) and not value.strip()):
+            missing.append(var)
+    return missing
+
+
 def check_config_version() -> Tuple[int, int]:
     """
     Check config version.
@@ -1206,6 +1329,182 @@ def check_config_version() -> Tuple[int, int]:
     return current, latest
 
 
+# =============================================================================
+# Config structure validation
+# =============================================================================
+
+# Fields that are valid at root level of config.yaml
+_KNOWN_ROOT_KEYS = {
+    "_config_version", "model", "providers", "fallback_model",
+    "fallback_providers", "credential_pool_strategies", "toolsets",
+    "agent", "terminal", "display", "compression", "delegation",
+    "auxiliary", "custom_providers", "memory", "gateway",
+}
+
+# Valid fields inside a custom_providers list entry
+_VALID_CUSTOM_PROVIDER_FIELDS = {
+    "name", "base_url", "api_key", "api_mode", "models",
+    "context_length", "rate_limit_delay",
+}
+
+# Fields that look like they should be inside custom_providers, not at root
+_CUSTOM_PROVIDER_LIKE_FIELDS = {"base_url", "api_key", "rate_limit_delay", "api_mode"}
+
+
+@dataclass
+class ConfigIssue:
+    """A detected config structure problem."""
+
+    severity: str  # "error", "warning"
+    message: str
+    hint: str
+
+
+def validate_config_structure(config: Optional[Dict[str, Any]] = None) -> List["ConfigIssue"]:
+    """Validate config.yaml structure and return a list of detected issues.
+
+    Catches common YAML formatting mistakes that produce confusing runtime
+    errors (like "Unknown provider") instead of clear diagnostics.
+
+    Can be called with a pre-loaded config dict, or will load from disk.
+    """
+    if config is None:
+        try:
+            config = load_config()
+        except Exception:
+            return [ConfigIssue("error", "Could not load config.yaml", "Run 'hermes setup' to create a valid config")]
+
+    issues: List[ConfigIssue] = []
+
+    # ── custom_providers must be a list, not a dict ──────────────────────
+    cp = config.get("custom_providers")
+    if cp is not None:
+        if isinstance(cp, dict):
+            issues.append(ConfigIssue(
+                "error",
+                "custom_providers is a dict — it must be a YAML list (items prefixed with '-')",
+                "Change to:\n"
+                "  custom_providers:\n"
+                "    - name: my-provider\n"
+                "      base_url: https://...\n"
+                "      api_key: ...",
+            ))
+            # Check if dict keys look like they should be list-entry fields
+            cp_keys = set(cp.keys()) if isinstance(cp, dict) else set()
+            suspicious = cp_keys & _CUSTOM_PROVIDER_LIKE_FIELDS
+            if suspicious:
+                issues.append(ConfigIssue(
+                    "warning",
+                    f"Root-level keys {sorted(suspicious)} look like custom_providers entry fields",
+                    "These should be indented under a '- name: ...' list entry, not at root level",
+                ))
+        elif isinstance(cp, list):
+            # Validate each entry in the list
+            for i, entry in enumerate(cp):
+                if not isinstance(entry, dict):
+                    issues.append(ConfigIssue(
+                        "warning",
+                        f"custom_providers[{i}] is not a dict (got {type(entry).__name__})",
+                        "Each entry should have at minimum: name, base_url",
+                    ))
+                    continue
+                if not entry.get("name"):
+                    issues.append(ConfigIssue(
+                        "warning",
+                        f"custom_providers[{i}] is missing 'name' field",
+                        "Add a name, e.g.: name: my-provider",
+                    ))
+                if not entry.get("base_url"):
+                    issues.append(ConfigIssue(
+                        "warning",
+                        f"custom_providers[{i}] is missing 'base_url' field",
+                        "Add the API endpoint URL, e.g.: base_url: https://api.example.com/v1",
+                    ))
+
+    # ── fallback_model must be a top-level dict with provider + model ────
+    fb = config.get("fallback_model")
+    if fb is not None:
+        if not isinstance(fb, dict):
+            issues.append(ConfigIssue(
+                "error",
+                f"fallback_model should be a dict with 'provider' and 'model', got {type(fb).__name__}",
+                "Change to:\n"
+                "  fallback_model:\n"
+                "    provider: openrouter\n"
+                "    model: anthropic/claude-sonnet-4",
+            ))
+        elif fb:
+            if not fb.get("provider"):
+                issues.append(ConfigIssue(
+                    "warning",
+                    "fallback_model is missing 'provider' field — fallback will be disabled",
+                    "Add: provider: openrouter (or another provider)",
+                ))
+            if not fb.get("model"):
+                issues.append(ConfigIssue(
+                    "warning",
+                    "fallback_model is missing 'model' field — fallback will be disabled",
+                    "Add: model: anthropic/claude-sonnet-4 (or another model)",
+                ))
+
+    # ── Check for fallback_model accidentally nested inside custom_providers ──
+    if isinstance(cp, dict) and "fallback_model" not in config and "fallback_model" in (cp or {}):
+        issues.append(ConfigIssue(
+            "error",
+            "fallback_model appears inside custom_providers instead of at root level",
+            "Move fallback_model to the top level of config.yaml (no indentation)",
+        ))
+
+    # ── model section: should exist when custom_providers is configured ──
+    model_cfg = config.get("model")
+    if cp and not model_cfg:
+        issues.append(ConfigIssue(
+            "warning",
+            "custom_providers defined but no 'model' section — Hermes won't know which provider to use",
+            "Add a model section:\n"
+            "  model:\n"
+            "    provider: custom\n"
+            "    default: your-model-name\n"
+            "    base_url: https://...",
+        ))
+
+    # ── Root-level keys that look misplaced ──────────────────────────────
+    for key in config:
+        if key.startswith("_"):
+            continue
+        if key not in _KNOWN_ROOT_KEYS and key in _CUSTOM_PROVIDER_LIKE_FIELDS:
+            issues.append(ConfigIssue(
+                "warning",
+                f"Root-level key '{key}' looks misplaced — should it be under 'model:' or inside a 'custom_providers' entry?",
+                f"Move '{key}' under the appropriate section",
+            ))
+
+    return issues
+
+
+def print_config_warnings(config: Optional[Dict[str, Any]] = None) -> None:
+    """Print config structure warnings to stderr at startup.
+
+    Called early in CLI and gateway init so users see problems before
+    they hit cryptic "Unknown provider" errors.  Prints nothing if
+    config is healthy.
+    """
+    try:
+        issues = validate_config_structure(config)
+    except Exception:
+        return
+    if not issues:
+        return
+
+    import sys
+    lines = ["\033[33m⚠ Config issues detected in config.yaml:\033[0m"]
+    for ci in issues:
+        marker = "\033[31m✗\033[0m" if ci.severity == "error" else "\033[33m⚠\033[0m"
+        lines.append(f"  {marker} {ci.message}")
+    lines.append("  \033[2mRun 'hermes doctor' for fix suggestions.\033[0m")
+    sys.stderr.write("\n".join(lines) + "\n\n")
+
+
 def migrate_config(interactive: bool = True, quiet: bool = False) -> Dict[str, Any]:
     """
     Migrate config to latest version, prompting for new required fields.
@@ -1281,6 +1580,69 @@ def migrate_config(interactive: bool = True, quiet: bool = False) -> Dict[str, A
         except Exception:
             pass
 
+    # ── Version 11 → 12: migrate custom_providers list → providers dict ──
+    if current_ver < 12:
+        config = load_config()
+        custom_list = config.get("custom_providers")
+        if isinstance(custom_list, list) and custom_list:
+            providers_dict = config.get("providers", {})
+            if not isinstance(providers_dict, dict):
+                providers_dict = {}
+            migrated_count = 0
+            for entry in custom_list:
+                if not isinstance(entry, dict):
+                    continue
+                old_name = entry.get("name", "")
+                old_url = entry.get("base_url", "") or entry.get("url", "") or ""
+                old_key = entry.get("api_key", "")
+                if not old_url:
+                    continue  # skip entries with no URL
+
+                # Generate a kebab-case key from the display name
+                key = old_name.strip().lower().replace(" ", "-").replace("(", "").replace(")", "")
+                # Remove consecutive hyphens and trailing hyphens
+                while "--" in key:
+                    key = key.replace("--", "-")
+                key = key.strip("-")
+                if not key:
+                    # Fallback: derive from URL hostname
+                    try:
+                        from urllib.parse import urlparse
+                        parsed = urlparse(old_url)
+                        key = (parsed.hostname or "endpoint").replace(".", "-")
+                    except Exception:
+                        key = f"endpoint-{migrated_count}"
+
+                # Don't overwrite existing entries
+                if key in providers_dict:
+                    key = f"{key}-{migrated_count}"
+
+                new_entry = {"api": old_url}
+                if old_name:
+                    new_entry["name"] = old_name
+                if old_key and old_key not in ("no-key", "no-key-required", ""):
+                    new_entry["api_key"] = old_key
+
+                # Carry over model and api_mode if present
+                if entry.get("model"):
+                    new_entry["default_model"] = entry["model"]
+                if entry.get("api_mode"):
+                    new_entry["transport"] = entry["api_mode"]
+
+                providers_dict[key] = new_entry
+                migrated_count += 1
+
+            if migrated_count > 0:
+                config["providers"] = providers_dict
+                # Remove the old list
+                del config["custom_providers"]
+                save_config(config)
+                if not quiet:
+                    print(f"  ✓ Migrated {migrated_count} custom provider(s) to providers: section")
+                    for key in list(providers_dict.keys())[-migrated_count:]:
+                        ep = providers_dict[key]
+                        print(f"    → {key}: {ep.get('api', '')}")
+
     if current_ver < latest_ver and not quiet:
         print(f"Config version: {current_ver} → {latest_ver}")
     
@@ -1386,7 +1748,50 @@ def migrate_config(interactive: bool = True, quiet: bool = False) -> Dict[str, A
         config = load_config()
         config["_config_version"] = latest_ver
         save_config(config)
-    
+
+    # ── Skill-declared config vars ──────────────────────────────────────
+    # Skills can declare config.yaml settings they need via
+    # metadata.hermes.config in their SKILL.md frontmatter.
+    # Prompt for any that are missing/empty.
+    missing_skill_config = get_missing_skill_config_vars()
+    if missing_skill_config and interactive and not quiet:
+        print(f"\n  {len(missing_skill_config)} skill setting(s) not configured:")
+        for var in missing_skill_config:
+            skill_name = var.get("skill", "unknown")
+            print(f"    • {var['key']} — {var['description']} (from skill: {skill_name})")
+        print()
+        try:
+            answer = input("  Configure skill settings? [y/N]: ").strip().lower()
+        except (EOFError, KeyboardInterrupt):
+            answer = "n"
+
+        if answer in ("y", "yes"):
+            print()
+            config = load_config()
+            try:
+                from agent.skill_utils import SKILL_CONFIG_PREFIX
+            except Exception:
+                SKILL_CONFIG_PREFIX = "skills.config"
+            for var in missing_skill_config:
+                default = var.get("default", "")
+                default_hint = f" (default: {default})" if default else ""
+                value = input(f"  {var['prompt']}{default_hint}: ").strip()
+                if not value and default:
+                    value = str(default)
+                if value:
+                    storage_key = f"{SKILL_CONFIG_PREFIX}.{var['key']}"
+                    _set_nested(config, storage_key, value)
+                    results["config_added"].append(var["key"])
+                    print(f"  ✓ Saved {var['key']} = {value}")
+                else:
+                    results["warnings"].append(
+                        f"Skipped {var['key']} — skill '{var.get('skill', '?')}' may ask for it later"
+                    )
+                print()
+            save_config(config)
+        else:
+            print("  Set later with: hermes config set <key> <value>")
+
     return results
 
 
@@ -1477,6 +1882,24 @@ def _normalize_max_turns_config(config: Dict[str, Any]) -> Dict[str, Any]:
 
 
 
+def read_raw_config() -> Dict[str, Any]:
+    """Read ~/.hermes/config.yaml as-is, without merging defaults or migrating.
+
+    Returns the raw YAML dict, or ``{}`` if the file doesn't exist or can't
+    be parsed.  Use this for lightweight config reads where you just need a
+    single value and don't want the overhead of ``load_config()``'s deep-merge
+    + migration pipeline.
+    """
+    try:
+        config_path = get_config_path()
+        if config_path.exists():
+            with open(config_path, encoding="utf-8") as f:
+                return yaml.safe_load(f) or {}
+    except Exception:
+        pass
+    return {}
+
+
 def load_config() -> Dict[str, Any]:
     """Load configuration from ~/.hermes/config.yaml."""
     import copy
@@ -1528,8 +1951,8 @@ _FALLBACK_COMMENT = """
 #
 # Supported providers:
 #   openrouter   (OPENROUTER_API_KEY)  — routes to any model
-#   openai-codex (OAuth — hermes login) — OpenAI Codex
-#   nous         (OAuth — hermes login) — Nous Portal
+#   openai-codex (OAuth — hermes auth) — OpenAI Codex
+#   nous         (OAuth — hermes auth) — Nous Portal
 #   zai          (ZAI_API_KEY)         — Z.AI / GLM
 #   kimi-coding  (KIMI_API_KEY)        — Kimi / Moonshot
 #   minimax      (MINIMAX_API_KEY)     — MiniMax
@@ -1571,8 +1994,8 @@ _COMMENTED_SECTIONS = """
 #
 # Supported providers:
 #   openrouter   (OPENROUTER_API_KEY)  — routes to any model
-#   openai-codex (OAuth — hermes login) — OpenAI Codex
-#   nous         (OAuth — hermes login) — Nous Portal
+#   openai-codex (OAuth — hermes auth) — OpenAI Codex
+#   nous         (OAuth — hermes auth) — Nous Portal
 #   zai          (ZAI_API_KEY)         — Z.AI / GLM
 #   kimi-coding  (KIMI_API_KEY)        — Kimi / Moonshot
 #   minimax      (MINIMAX_API_KEY)     — MiniMax
@@ -1805,6 +2228,51 @@ def save_env_value(key: str, value: str):
             pass
 
 
+def remove_env_value(key: str) -> bool:
+    """Remove a key from ~/.hermes/.env and os.environ.
+
+    Returns True if the key was found and removed, False otherwise.
+    """
+    if is_managed():
+        managed_error(f"remove {key}")
+        return False
+    if not _ENV_VAR_NAME_RE.match(key):
+        raise ValueError(f"Invalid environment variable name: {key!r}")
+    env_path = get_env_path()
+    if not env_path.exists():
+        os.environ.pop(key, None)
+        return False
+
+    read_kw = {"encoding": "utf-8", "errors": "replace"} if _IS_WINDOWS else {}
+    write_kw = {"encoding": "utf-8"} if _IS_WINDOWS else {}
+
+    with open(env_path, **read_kw) as f:
+        lines = f.readlines()
+    lines = _sanitize_env_lines(lines)
+
+    new_lines = [line for line in lines if not line.strip().startswith(f"{key}=")]
+    found = len(new_lines) < len(lines)
+
+    if found:
+        fd, tmp_path = tempfile.mkstemp(dir=str(env_path.parent), suffix='.tmp', prefix='.env_')
+        try:
+            with os.fdopen(fd, 'w', **write_kw) as f:
+                f.writelines(new_lines)
+                f.flush()
+                os.fsync(f.fileno())
+            os.replace(tmp_path, env_path)
+        except BaseException:
+            try:
+                os.unlink(tmp_path)
+            except OSError:
+                pass
+            raise
+        _secure_file(env_path)
+
+    os.environ.pop(key, None)
+    return found
+
+
 def save_anthropic_oauth_token(value: str, save_fn=None):
     """Persist an Anthropic OAuth/setup token and clear the API-key slot."""
     writer = save_fn or save_env_value
@@ -1995,6 +2463,23 @@ def show_config():
     print(f"  Telegram:     {'configured' if telegram_token else color('not configured', Colors.DIM)}")
     print(f"  Discord:      {'configured' if discord_token else color('not configured', Colors.DIM)}")
     
+    # Skill config
+    try:
+        from agent.skill_utils import discover_all_skill_config_vars, resolve_skill_config_values
+        skill_vars = discover_all_skill_config_vars()
+        if skill_vars:
+            resolved = resolve_skill_config_values(skill_vars)
+            print()
+            print(color("◆ Skill Settings", Colors.CYAN, Colors.BOLD))
+            for var in skill_vars:
+                key = var["key"]
+                value = resolved.get(key, "")
+                skill_name = var.get("skill", "")
+                display_val = str(value) if value else color("(not set)", Colors.DIM)
+                print(f"  {key:<20s} {display_val}  {color(f'[{skill_name}]', Colors.DIM)}")
+    except Exception:
+        pass
+
     print()
     print(color("─" * 60, Colors.DIM))
     print(color("  hermes config edit     # Edit config file", Colors.DIM))
@@ -2054,7 +2539,7 @@ def set_config_value(key: str, value: str):
         'TINKER_API_KEY',
     ]
     
-    if key.upper() in api_keys or key.upper().endswith('_API_KEY') or key.upper().endswith('_TOKEN') or key.upper().startswith('TERMINAL_SSH'):
+    if key.upper() in api_keys or key.upper().endswith(('_API_KEY', '_TOKEN')) or key.upper().startswith('TERMINAL_SSH'):
         save_env_value(key.upper(), value)
         print(f"✓ Set {key} in {get_env_path()}")
         return

hermes_cli/cron.py

@@ -90,6 +90,9 @@ def cron_list(show_all: bool = False):
         print(f"    Deliver:   {deliver_str}")
         if skills:
             print(f"    Skills:    {', '.join(skills)}")
+        script = job.get("script")
+        if script:
+            print(f"    Script:    {script}")
         print()
 
     from hermes_cli.gateway import find_gateway_pids
@@ -149,6 +152,7 @@ def cron_create(args):
         repeat=getattr(args, "repeat", None),
         skill=getattr(args, "skill", None),
         skills=_normalize_skills(getattr(args, "skill", None), getattr(args, "skills", None)),
+        script=getattr(args, "script", None),
     )
     if not result.get("success"):
         print(color(f"Failed to create job: {result.get('error', 'unknown error')}", Colors.RED))
@@ -158,6 +162,9 @@ def cron_create(args):
     print(f"  Schedule: {result['schedule']}")
     if result.get("skills"):
         print(f"  Skills: {', '.join(result['skills'])}")
+    job_data = result.get("job", {})
+    if job_data.get("script"):
+        print(f"  Script: {job_data['script']}")
     print(f"  Next run: {result['next_run_at']}")
     return 0
 
@@ -195,6 +202,7 @@ def cron_edit(args):
         deliver=getattr(args, "deliver", None),
         repeat=getattr(args, "repeat", None),
         skills=final_skills,
+        script=getattr(args, "script", None),
     )
     if not result.get("success"):
         print(color(f"Failed to update job: {result.get('error', 'unknown error')}", Colors.RED))
@@ -208,6 +216,8 @@ def cron_edit(args):
         print(f"  Skills: {', '.join(updated['skills'])}")
     else:
         print("  Skills: none")
+    if updated.get("script"):
+        print(f"  Script: {updated['script']}")
     return 0
 
 

hermes_cli/doctor.py

@@ -37,6 +37,7 @@ _PROVIDER_ENV_HINTS = (
     "ANTHROPIC_API_KEY",
     "ANTHROPIC_TOKEN",
     "OPENAI_BASE_URL",
+    "NOUS_API_KEY",
     "GLM_API_KEY",
     "ZAI_API_KEY",
     "Z_AI_API_KEY",
@@ -44,6 +45,12 @@ _PROVIDER_ENV_HINTS = (
     "MINIMAX_API_KEY",
     "MINIMAX_CN_API_KEY",
     "KILOCODE_API_KEY",
+    "DEEPSEEK_API_KEY",
+    "DASHSCOPE_API_KEY",
+    "HF_TOKEN",
+    "AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY",
+    "OPENCODE_ZEN_API_KEY",
+    "OPENCODE_GO_API_KEY",
 )
 
 
@@ -257,7 +264,79 @@ def run_doctor(args):
                 manual_issues.append(f"Create {_DHH}/config.yaml manually")
             else:
                 check_warn("config.yaml not found", "(using defaults)")
-    
+
+    # Check config version and stale keys
+    config_path = HERMES_HOME / 'config.yaml'
+    if config_path.exists():
+        try:
+            from hermes_cli.config import check_config_version, migrate_config
+            current_ver, latest_ver = check_config_version()
+            if current_ver < latest_ver:
+                check_warn(
+                    f"Config version outdated (v{current_ver} → v{latest_ver})",
+                    "(new settings available)"
+                )
+                if should_fix:
+                    try:
+                        migrate_config(interactive=False, quiet=False)
+                        check_ok("Config migrated to latest version")
+                        fixed_count += 1
+                    except Exception as mig_err:
+                        check_warn(f"Auto-migration failed: {mig_err}")
+                        issues.append("Run 'hermes setup' to migrate config")
+                else:
+                    issues.append("Run 'hermes doctor --fix' or 'hermes setup' to migrate config")
+            else:
+                check_ok(f"Config version up to date (v{current_ver})")
+        except Exception:
+            pass
+
+        # Detect stale root-level model keys (known bug source — PR #4329)
+        try:
+            import yaml
+            with open(config_path) as f:
+                raw_config = yaml.safe_load(f) or {}
+            stale_root_keys = [k for k in ("provider", "base_url") if k in raw_config and isinstance(raw_config[k], str)]
+            if stale_root_keys:
+                check_warn(
+                    f"Stale root-level config keys: {', '.join(stale_root_keys)}",
+                    "(should be under 'model:' section)"
+                )
+                if should_fix:
+                    model_section = raw_config.setdefault("model", {})
+                    for k in stale_root_keys:
+                        if not model_section.get(k):
+                            model_section[k] = raw_config.pop(k)
+                        else:
+                            raw_config.pop(k)
+                    with open(config_path, "w") as f:
+                        yaml.dump(raw_config, f, default_flow_style=False)
+                    check_ok("Migrated stale root-level keys into model section")
+                    fixed_count += 1
+                else:
+                    issues.append("Stale root-level provider/base_url in config.yaml — run 'hermes doctor --fix'")
+        except Exception:
+            pass
+
+        # Validate config structure (catches malformed custom_providers, etc.)
+        try:
+            from hermes_cli.config import validate_config_structure
+            config_issues = validate_config_structure()
+            if config_issues:
+                print()
+                print(color("◆ Config Structure", Colors.CYAN, Colors.BOLD))
+                for ci in config_issues:
+                    if ci.severity == "error":
+                        check_fail(ci.message)
+                    else:
+                        check_warn(ci.message)
+                    # Show the hint indented
+                    for hint_line in ci.hint.splitlines():
+                        check_info(hint_line)
+                    issues.append(ci.message)
+        except Exception:
+            pass
+
     # =========================================================================
     # Check: Auth providers
     # =========================================================================
@@ -380,6 +459,31 @@ def run_doctor(args):
     else:
         check_info(f"{_DHH}/state.db not created yet (will be created on first session)")
 
+    # Check WAL file size (unbounded growth indicates missed checkpoints)
+    wal_path = hermes_home / "state.db-wal"
+    if wal_path.exists():
+        try:
+            wal_size = wal_path.stat().st_size
+            if wal_size > 50 * 1024 * 1024:  # 50 MB
+                check_warn(
+                    f"WAL file is large ({wal_size // (1024*1024)} MB)",
+                    "(may indicate missed checkpoints)"
+                )
+                if should_fix:
+                    import sqlite3
+                    conn = sqlite3.connect(str(state_db_path))
+                    conn.execute("PRAGMA wal_checkpoint(PASSIVE)")
+                    conn.close()
+                    new_size = wal_path.stat().st_size if wal_path.exists() else 0
+                    check_ok(f"WAL checkpoint performed ({wal_size // 1024}K → {new_size // 1024}K)")
+                    fixed_count += 1
+                else:
+                    issues.append("Large WAL file — run 'hermes doctor --fix' to checkpoint")
+            elif wal_size > 10 * 1024 * 1024:  # 10 MB
+                check_info(f"WAL file is {wal_size // (1024*1024)} MB (normal for active sessions)")
+        except Exception:
+            pass
+
     _check_gateway_service_linger(issues)
     
     # =========================================================================
@@ -566,17 +670,22 @@ def run_doctor(args):
         except Exception as e:
             print(f"\r  {color('⚠', Colors.YELLOW)} Anthropic API {color(f'({e})', Colors.DIM)}                 ")
 
-    # -- API-key providers (Z.AI/GLM, Kimi, MiniMax, MiniMax-CN) --
+    # -- API-key providers --
     # Tuple: (name, env_vars, default_url, base_env, supports_models_endpoint)
     # If supports_models_endpoint is False, we skip the health check and just show "configured"
     _apikey_providers = [
         ("Z.AI / GLM",      ("GLM_API_KEY", "ZAI_API_KEY", "Z_AI_API_KEY"), "https://api.z.ai/api/paas/v4/models", "GLM_BASE_URL", True),
         ("Kimi / Moonshot",  ("KIMI_API_KEY",),                              "https://api.moonshot.ai/v1/models",   "KIMI_BASE_URL", True),
+        ("DeepSeek",         ("DEEPSEEK_API_KEY",),                           "https://api.deepseek.com/v1/models",  "DEEPSEEK_BASE_URL", True),
+        ("Hugging Face",     ("HF_TOKEN",),                                   "https://router.huggingface.co/v1/models", "HF_BASE_URL", True),
+        ("Alibaba/DashScope", ("DASHSCOPE_API_KEY",),                         "https://dashscope-intl.aliyuncs.com/compatible-mode/v1/models", "DASHSCOPE_BASE_URL", True),
         # MiniMax APIs don't support /models endpoint — https://github.com/NousResearch/hermes-agent/issues/811
         ("MiniMax",          ("MINIMAX_API_KEY",),                            None,                                  "MINIMAX_BASE_URL", False),
         ("MiniMax (China)",  ("MINIMAX_CN_API_KEY",),                         None,                                  "MINIMAX_CN_BASE_URL", False),
         ("AI Gateway",       ("AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY",),                          "https://ai-gateway.vercel.sh/v1/models", "AI_GATEWAY_BASE_URL", True),
         ("Kilo Code",        ("KILOCODE_API_KEY",),                            "https://api.kilo.ai/api/gateway/models",  "KILOCODE_BASE_URL", True),
+        ("OpenCode Zen",     ("OPENCODE_ZEN_API_KEY",),                        "https://opencode.ai/zen/v1/models",  "OPENCODE_ZEN_BASE_URL", True),
+        ("OpenCode Go",      ("OPENCODE_GO_API_KEY",),                         "https://opencode.ai/zen/go/v1/models", "OPENCODE_GO_BASE_URL", True),
     ]
     for _pname, _env_vars, _default_url, _base_env, _supports_health_check in _apikey_providers:
         _key = ""
@@ -727,7 +836,7 @@ def run_doctor(args):
                 get_honcho_client(hcfg)
                 check_ok(
                     "Honcho connected",
-                    f"workspace={hcfg.workspace_id} mode={hcfg.memory_mode} freq={hcfg.write_frequency}",
+                    f"workspace={hcfg.workspace_id} mode={hcfg.recall_mode} freq={hcfg.write_frequency}",
                 )
             except Exception as _e:
                 check_fail("Honcho connection failed", str(_e))
@@ -737,6 +846,36 @@ def run_doctor(args):
     except Exception as _e:
         check_warn("Honcho check failed", str(_e))
 
+    # =========================================================================
+    # Mem0 memory
+    # =========================================================================
+    print()
+    print(color("◆ Mem0 Memory", Colors.CYAN, Colors.BOLD))
+
+    try:
+        from plugins.memory.mem0 import _load_config as _load_mem0_config
+        mem0_cfg = _load_mem0_config()
+        mem0_key = mem0_cfg.get("api_key", "")
+        if mem0_key:
+            check_ok("Mem0 API key configured")
+            check_info(f"user_id={mem0_cfg.get('user_id', '?')}  agent_id={mem0_cfg.get('agent_id', '?')}")
+            # Check if mem0.json exists but is missing api_key (the bug we fixed)
+            mem0_json = HERMES_HOME / "mem0.json"
+            if mem0_json.exists():
+                try:
+                    import json as _json
+                    file_cfg = _json.loads(mem0_json.read_text())
+                    if not file_cfg.get("api_key") and mem0_key:
+                        check_info("api_key from .env (not in mem0.json) — this is fine")
+                except Exception:
+                    pass
+        else:
+            check_warn("Mem0 not configured", "(set MEM0_API_KEY in .env or run hermes memory setup)")
+    except ImportError:
+        check_warn("Mem0 plugin not loadable", "(optional)")
+    except Exception as _e:
+        check_warn("Mem0 check failed", str(_e))
+
     # =========================================================================
     # Profiles
     # =========================================================================
@@ -781,8 +920,8 @@ def run_doctor(args):
                         pass
     except ImportError:
         pass
-    except Exception as _e:
-        logger.debug("Profile health check failed: %s", _e)
+    except Exception:
+        pass
 
     # =========================================================================
     # Summary

hermes_cli/gateway.py

@@ -28,9 +28,78 @@ from hermes_cli.colors import Colors, color
 # Process Management (for manual gateway runs)
 # =============================================================================
 
-def find_gateway_pids() -> list:
-    """Find PIDs of running gateway processes."""
+def _get_service_pids() -> set:
+    """Return PIDs currently managed by systemd or launchd gateway services.
+
+    Used to avoid killing freshly-restarted service processes when sweeping
+    for stale manual gateway processes after a service restart.  Relies on the
+    service manager having committed the new PID before the restart command
+    returns (true for both systemd and launchd in practice).
+    """
+    pids: set = set()
+
+    # --- systemd (Linux): user and system scopes ---
+    if is_linux():
+        for scope_args in [["systemctl", "--user"], ["systemctl"]]:
+            try:
+                result = subprocess.run(
+                    scope_args + ["list-units", "hermes-gateway*",
+                                  "--plain", "--no-legend", "--no-pager"],
+                    capture_output=True, text=True, timeout=5,
+                )
+                for line in result.stdout.strip().splitlines():
+                    parts = line.split()
+                    if not parts or not parts[0].endswith(".service"):
+                        continue
+                    svc = parts[0]
+                    try:
+                        show = subprocess.run(
+                            scope_args + ["show", svc,
+                                          "--property=MainPID", "--value"],
+                            capture_output=True, text=True, timeout=5,
+                        )
+                        pid = int(show.stdout.strip())
+                        if pid > 0:
+                            pids.add(pid)
+                    except (ValueError, subprocess.TimeoutExpired):
+                        pass
+            except (FileNotFoundError, subprocess.TimeoutExpired):
+                pass
+
+    # --- launchd (macOS) ---
+    if is_macos():
+        try:
+            label = get_launchd_label()
+            result = subprocess.run(
+                ["launchctl", "list", label],
+                capture_output=True, text=True, timeout=5,
+            )
+            if result.returncode == 0:
+                # Output: "PID\tStatus\tLabel" header, then one data line
+                for line in result.stdout.strip().splitlines():
+                    parts = line.split()
+                    if len(parts) >= 3 and parts[2] == label:
+                        try:
+                            pid = int(parts[0])
+                            if pid > 0:
+                                pids.add(pid)
+                        except ValueError:
+                            pass
+        except (FileNotFoundError, subprocess.TimeoutExpired):
+            pass
+
+    return pids
+
+
+def find_gateway_pids(exclude_pids: set | None = None) -> list:
+    """Find PIDs of running gateway processes.
+
+    Args:
+        exclude_pids: PIDs to exclude from the result (e.g. service-managed
+            PIDs that should not be killed during a stale-process sweep).
+    """
     pids = []
+    _exclude = exclude_pids or set()
     patterns = [
         "hermes_cli.main gateway",
         "hermes_cli/main.py gateway",
@@ -43,7 +112,7 @@ def find_gateway_pids() -> list:
             # Windows: use wmic to search command lines
             result = subprocess.run(
                 ["wmic", "process", "get", "ProcessId,CommandLine", "/FORMAT:LIST"],
-                capture_output=True, text=True
+                capture_output=True, text=True, timeout=10
             )
             # Parse WMIC LIST output: blocks of "CommandLine=...\nProcessId=...\n"
             current_cmd = ""
@@ -56,7 +125,7 @@ def find_gateway_pids() -> list:
                     if any(p in current_cmd for p in patterns):
                         try:
                             pid = int(pid_str)
-                            if pid != os.getpid() and pid not in pids:
+                            if pid != os.getpid() and pid not in pids and pid not in _exclude:
                                 pids.append(pid)
                         except ValueError:
                             pass
@@ -65,7 +134,8 @@ def find_gateway_pids() -> list:
             result = subprocess.run(
                 ["ps", "aux"],
                 capture_output=True,
-                text=True
+                text=True,
+                timeout=10,
             )
             for line in result.stdout.split('\n'):
                 # Skip grep and current process
@@ -77,7 +147,7 @@ def find_gateway_pids() -> list:
                         if len(parts) > 1:
                             try:
                                 pid = int(parts[1])
-                                if pid not in pids:
+                                if pid not in pids and pid not in _exclude:
                                     pids.append(pid)
                             except ValueError:
                                 continue
@@ -88,9 +158,15 @@ def find_gateway_pids() -> list:
     return pids
 
 
-def kill_gateway_processes(force: bool = False) -> int:
-    """Kill ALL running gateway processes (across all profiles). Returns count killed."""
-    pids = find_gateway_pids()
+def kill_gateway_processes(force: bool = False, exclude_pids: set | None = None) -> int:
+    """Kill any running gateway processes. Returns count killed.
+
+    Args:
+        force: Use SIGKILL instead of SIGTERM.
+        exclude_pids: PIDs to skip (e.g. service-managed PIDs that were just
+            restarted and should not be killed).
+    """
+    pids = find_gateway_pids(exclude_pids=exclude_pids)
     killed = 0
     
     for pid in pids:
@@ -191,6 +267,34 @@ def _profile_suffix() -> str:
     return hashlib.sha256(str(home).encode()).hexdigest()[:8]
 
 
+def _profile_arg(hermes_home: str | None = None) -> str:
+    """Return ``--profile <name>`` only when HERMES_HOME is a named profile.
+
+    For ``~/.hermes/profiles/<name>``, returns ``"--profile <name>"``.
+    For the default profile or hash-based custom paths, returns the empty string.
+
+    Args:
+        hermes_home: Optional explicit HERMES_HOME path. Defaults to the current
+            ``get_hermes_home()`` value. Should be passed when generating a
+            service definition for a different user (e.g. system service).
+    """
+    import re
+    from pathlib import Path as _Path
+    home = Path(hermes_home or str(get_hermes_home())).resolve()
+    default = (_Path.home() / ".hermes").resolve()
+    if home == default:
+        return ""
+    profiles_root = (default / "profiles").resolve()
+    try:
+        rel = home.relative_to(profiles_root)
+        parts = rel.parts
+        if len(parts) == 1 and re.match(r"^[a-z0-9][a-z0-9_-]{0,63}$", parts[0]):
+            return f"--profile {parts[0]}"
+    except ValueError:
+        pass
+    return ""
+
+
 def get_service_name() -> str:
     """Derive a systemd service name scoped to this HERMES_HOME.
 
@@ -402,6 +506,7 @@ def get_systemd_linger_status() -> tuple[bool | None, str]:
             capture_output=True,
             text=True,
             check=False,
+            timeout=10,
         )
     except Exception as e:
         return None, str(e)
@@ -549,6 +654,7 @@ def generate_systemd_unit(system: bool = False, run_as_user: str | None = None)
     if system:
         username, group_name, home_dir = _system_service_identity(run_as_user)
         hermes_home = _hermes_home_for_target_user(home_dir)
+        profile_arg = _profile_arg(hermes_home)
         path_entries.extend(_build_user_local_paths(Path(home_dir), path_entries))
         path_entries.extend(common_bin_paths)
         sane_path = ":".join(path_entries)
@@ -563,7 +669,7 @@ StartLimitBurst=5
 Type=simple
 User={username}
 Group={group_name}
-ExecStart={python_path} -m hermes_cli.main gateway run --replace
+ExecStart={python_path} -m hermes_cli.main{f" {profile_arg}" if profile_arg else ""} gateway run --replace
 WorkingDirectory={working_dir}
 Environment="HOME={home_dir}"
 Environment="USER={username}"
@@ -584,6 +690,7 @@ WantedBy=multi-user.target
 """
 
     hermes_home = str(get_hermes_home().resolve())
+    profile_arg = _profile_arg(hermes_home)
     path_entries.extend(_build_user_local_paths(Path.home(), path_entries))
     path_entries.extend(common_bin_paths)
     sane_path = ":".join(path_entries)
@@ -595,7 +702,7 @@ StartLimitBurst=5
 
 [Service]
 Type=simple
-ExecStart={python_path} -m hermes_cli.main gateway run --replace
+ExecStart={python_path} -m hermes_cli.main{f" {profile_arg}" if profile_arg else ""} gateway run --replace
 WorkingDirectory={working_dir}
 Environment="PATH={sane_path}"
 Environment="VIRTUAL_ENV={venv_dir}"
@@ -636,7 +743,7 @@ def refresh_systemd_unit_if_needed(system: bool = False) -> bool:
 
     expected_user = _read_systemd_user_from_unit(unit_path) if system else None
     unit_path.write_text(generate_systemd_unit(system=system, run_as_user=expected_user), encoding="utf-8")
-    subprocess.run(_systemctl_cmd(system) + ["daemon-reload"], check=True)
+    subprocess.run(_systemctl_cmd(system) + ["daemon-reload"], check=True, timeout=30)
     print(f"↻ Updated gateway {_service_scope_label(system)} service definition to match the current Hermes install")
     return True
 
@@ -687,6 +794,7 @@ def _ensure_linger_enabled() -> None:
             capture_output=True,
             text=True,
             check=False,
+            timeout=30,
         )
     except Exception as e:
         _print_linger_enable_warning(username, str(e))
@@ -717,7 +825,7 @@ def systemd_install(force: bool = False, system: bool = False, run_as_user: str
         if not systemd_unit_is_current(system=system):
             print(f"↻ Repairing outdated {_service_scope_label(system)} systemd service at: {unit_path}")
             refresh_systemd_unit_if_needed(system=system)
-            subprocess.run(_systemctl_cmd(system) + ["enable", get_service_name()], check=True)
+            subprocess.run(_systemctl_cmd(system) + ["enable", get_service_name()], check=True, timeout=30)
             print(f"✓ {_service_scope_label(system).capitalize()} service definition updated")
             return
         print(f"Service already installed at: {unit_path}")
@@ -728,8 +836,8 @@ def systemd_install(force: bool = False, system: bool = False, run_as_user: str
     print(f"Installing {_service_scope_label(system)} systemd service to: {unit_path}")
     unit_path.write_text(generate_systemd_unit(system=system, run_as_user=run_as_user), encoding="utf-8")
 
-    subprocess.run(_systemctl_cmd(system) + ["daemon-reload"], check=True)
-    subprocess.run(_systemctl_cmd(system) + ["enable", get_service_name()], check=True)
+    subprocess.run(_systemctl_cmd(system) + ["daemon-reload"], check=True, timeout=30)
+    subprocess.run(_systemctl_cmd(system) + ["enable", get_service_name()], check=True, timeout=30)
 
     print()
     print(f"✓ {_service_scope_label(system).capitalize()} service installed and enabled!")
@@ -755,15 +863,15 @@ def systemd_uninstall(system: bool = False):
     if system:
         _require_root_for_system_service("uninstall")
 
-    subprocess.run(_systemctl_cmd(system) + ["stop", get_service_name()], check=False)
-    subprocess.run(_systemctl_cmd(system) + ["disable", get_service_name()], check=False)
+    subprocess.run(_systemctl_cmd(system) + ["stop", get_service_name()], check=False, timeout=90)
+    subprocess.run(_systemctl_cmd(system) + ["disable", get_service_name()], check=False, timeout=30)
 
     unit_path = get_systemd_unit_path(system=system)
     if unit_path.exists():
         unit_path.unlink()
         print(f"✓ Removed {unit_path}")
 
-    subprocess.run(_systemctl_cmd(system) + ["daemon-reload"], check=True)
+    subprocess.run(_systemctl_cmd(system) + ["daemon-reload"], check=True, timeout=30)
     print(f"✓ {_service_scope_label(system).capitalize()} service uninstalled")
 
 
@@ -772,7 +880,7 @@ def systemd_start(system: bool = False):
     if system:
         _require_root_for_system_service("start")
     refresh_systemd_unit_if_needed(system=system)
-    subprocess.run(_systemctl_cmd(system) + ["start", get_service_name()], check=True)
+    subprocess.run(_systemctl_cmd(system) + ["start", get_service_name()], check=True, timeout=30)
     print(f"✓ {_service_scope_label(system).capitalize()} service started")
 
 
@@ -781,7 +889,7 @@ def systemd_stop(system: bool = False):
     system = _select_systemd_scope(system)
     if system:
         _require_root_for_system_service("stop")
-    subprocess.run(_systemctl_cmd(system) + ["stop", get_service_name()], check=True)
+    subprocess.run(_systemctl_cmd(system) + ["stop", get_service_name()], check=True, timeout=90)
     print(f"✓ {_service_scope_label(system).capitalize()} service stopped")
 
 
@@ -791,7 +899,7 @@ def systemd_restart(system: bool = False):
     if system:
         _require_root_for_system_service("restart")
     refresh_systemd_unit_if_needed(system=system)
-    subprocess.run(_systemctl_cmd(system) + ["restart", get_service_name()], check=True)
+    subprocess.run(_systemctl_cmd(system) + ["restart", get_service_name()], check=True, timeout=90)
     print(f"✓ {_service_scope_label(system).capitalize()} service restarted")
 
 
@@ -818,12 +926,14 @@ def systemd_status(deep: bool = False, system: bool = False):
     subprocess.run(
         _systemctl_cmd(system) + ["status", get_service_name(), "--no-pager"],
         capture_output=False,
+        timeout=10,
     )
 
     result = subprocess.run(
         _systemctl_cmd(system) + ["is-active", get_service_name()],
         capture_output=True,
         text=True,
+        timeout=10,
     )
 
     status = result.stdout.strip()
@@ -860,7 +970,7 @@ def systemd_status(deep: bool = False, system: bool = False):
     if deep:
         print()
         print("Recent logs:")
-        subprocess.run(_journalctl_cmd(system) + ["-u", get_service_name(), "-n", "20", "--no-pager"])
+        subprocess.run(_journalctl_cmd(system) + ["-u", get_service_name(), "-n", "20", "--no-pager"], timeout=10)
 
 
 # =============================================================================
@@ -873,6 +983,11 @@ def get_launchd_label() -> str:
     return f"ai.hermes.gateway-{suffix}" if suffix else "ai.hermes.gateway"
 
 
+def _launchd_domain() -> str:
+    import os
+    return f"gui/{os.getuid()}"
+
+
 def generate_launchd_plist() -> str:
     python_path = get_python_path()
     working_dir = str(PROJECT_ROOT)
@@ -880,6 +995,7 @@ def generate_launchd_plist() -> str:
     log_dir = get_hermes_home() / "logs"
     log_dir.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
     label = get_launchd_label()
+    profile_arg = _profile_arg(hermes_home)
     # Build a sane PATH for the launchd plist.  launchd provides only a
     # minimal default (/usr/bin:/bin:/usr/sbin:/sbin) which misses Homebrew,
     # nvm, cargo, etc.  We prepend venv/bin and node_modules/.bin (matching
@@ -901,21 +1017,32 @@ def generate_launchd_plist() -> str:
         dict.fromkeys(priority_dirs + [p for p in os.environ.get("PATH", "").split(":") if p])
     )
 
+    # Build ProgramArguments array, including --profile when using a named profile
+    prog_args = [
+        f"<string>{python_path}</string>",
+        "<string>-m</string>",
+        "<string>hermes_cli.main</string>",
+    ]
+    if profile_arg:
+        for part in profile_arg.split():
+            prog_args.append(f"<string>{part}</string>")
+    prog_args.extend([
+        "<string>gateway</string>",
+        "<string>run</string>",
+        "<string>--replace</string>",
+    ])
+    prog_args_xml = "\n        ".join(prog_args)
+
     return f"""<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
 <!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC "-//Apple//DTD PLIST 1.0//EN" "http://www.apple.com/DTDs/PropertyList-1.0.dtd">
 <plist version="1.0">
 <dict>
     <key>Label</key>
     <string>{label}</string>
-    
+
     <key>ProgramArguments</key>
     <array>
-        <string>{python_path}</string>
-        <string>-m</string>
-        <string>hermes_cli.main</string>
-        <string>gateway</string>
-        <string>run</string>
-        <string>--replace</string>
+        {prog_args_xml}
     </array>
     
     <key>WorkingDirectory</key>
@@ -963,18 +1090,19 @@ def launchd_plist_is_current() -> bool:
 def refresh_launchd_plist_if_needed() -> bool:
     """Rewrite the installed launchd plist when the generated definition has changed.
 
-    Unlike systemd, launchd picks up plist changes on the next ``launchctl stop``/
-    ``launchctl start`` cycle — no daemon-reload is needed.  We still unload/reload
-    to make launchd re-read the updated plist immediately.
+    Unlike systemd, launchd picks up plist changes on the next ``launchctl kill``/
+    ``launchctl kickstart`` cycle — no daemon-reload is needed. We still bootout/
+    bootstrap to make launchd re-read the updated plist immediately.
     """
     plist_path = get_launchd_plist_path()
     if not plist_path.exists() or launchd_plist_is_current():
         return False
 
     plist_path.write_text(generate_launchd_plist(), encoding="utf-8")
-    # Unload/reload so launchd picks up the new definition
-    subprocess.run(["launchctl", "unload", str(plist_path)], check=False)
-    subprocess.run(["launchctl", "load", str(plist_path)], check=False)
+    label = get_launchd_label()
+    # Bootout/bootstrap so launchd picks up the new definition
+    subprocess.run(["launchctl", "bootout", f"{_launchd_domain()}/{label}"], check=False, timeout=90)
+    subprocess.run(["launchctl", "bootstrap", _launchd_domain(), str(plist_path)], check=False, timeout=30)
     print("↻ Updated gateway launchd service definition to match the current Hermes install")
     return True
 
@@ -996,7 +1124,7 @@ def launchd_install(force: bool = False):
     print(f"Installing launchd service to: {plist_path}")
     plist_path.write_text(generate_launchd_plist())
     
-    subprocess.run(["launchctl", "load", str(plist_path)], check=True)
+    subprocess.run(["launchctl", "bootstrap", _launchd_domain(), str(plist_path)], check=True, timeout=30)
     
     print()
     print("✓ Service installed and loaded!")
@@ -1008,7 +1136,8 @@ def launchd_install(force: bool = False):
 
 def launchd_uninstall():
     plist_path = get_launchd_plist_path()
-    subprocess.run(["launchctl", "unload", str(plist_path)], check=False)
+    label = get_launchd_label()
+    subprocess.run(["launchctl", "bootout", f"{_launchd_domain()}/{label}"], check=False, timeout=90)
     
     if plist_path.exists():
         plist_path.unlink()
@@ -1025,25 +1154,25 @@ def launchd_start():
         print("↻ launchd plist missing; regenerating service definition")
         plist_path.parent.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
         plist_path.write_text(generate_launchd_plist(), encoding="utf-8")
-        subprocess.run(["launchctl", "load", str(plist_path)], check=True)
-        subprocess.run(["launchctl", "start", label], check=True)
+        subprocess.run(["launchctl", "bootstrap", _launchd_domain(), str(plist_path)], check=True, timeout=30)
+        subprocess.run(["launchctl", "kickstart", f"{_launchd_domain()}/{label}"], check=True, timeout=30)
         print("✓ Service started")
         return
 
     refresh_launchd_plist_if_needed()
     try:
-        subprocess.run(["launchctl", "start", label], check=True)
+        subprocess.run(["launchctl", "kickstart", f"{_launchd_domain()}/{label}"], check=True, timeout=30)
     except subprocess.CalledProcessError as e:
-        if e.returncode != 3:
+        if e.returncode not in (3, 113):
             raise
         print("↻ launchd job was unloaded; reloading service definition")
-        subprocess.run(["launchctl", "load", str(plist_path)], check=True)
-        subprocess.run(["launchctl", "start", label], check=True)
+        subprocess.run(["launchctl", "bootstrap", _launchd_domain(), str(plist_path)], check=True, timeout=30)
+        subprocess.run(["launchctl", "kickstart", f"{_launchd_domain()}/{label}"], check=True, timeout=30)
     print("✓ Service started")
 
 def launchd_stop():
     label = get_launchd_label()
-    subprocess.run(["launchctl", "stop", label], check=True)
+    subprocess.run(["launchctl", "kill", "SIGTERM", f"{_launchd_domain()}/{label}"], check=True, timeout=30)
     print("✓ Service stopped")
 
 def _wait_for_gateway_exit(timeout: float = 10.0, force_after: float = 5.0):
@@ -1087,23 +1216,39 @@ def _wait_for_gateway_exit(timeout: float = 10.0, force_after: float = 5.0):
 
 
 def launchd_restart():
+    label = get_launchd_label()
+    target = f"{_launchd_domain()}/{label}"
+    # Use kickstart -k so launchd performs an atomic kill+restart.
+    # A two-step stop/start from inside the gateway's own process tree
+    # would kill the shell before the start command is reached.
     try:
-        launchd_stop()
+        subprocess.run(["launchctl", "kickstart", "-k", target], check=True, timeout=90)
+        print("✓ Service restarted")
     except subprocess.CalledProcessError as e:
-        if e.returncode != 3:
+        if e.returncode not in (3, 113):
             raise
-        print("↻ launchd job was unloaded; skipping stop")
-    _wait_for_gateway_exit()
-    launchd_start()
+        # Job not loaded — bootstrap and start fresh
+        print("↻ launchd job was unloaded; reloading")
+        plist_path = get_launchd_plist_path()
+        subprocess.run(["launchctl", "bootstrap", _launchd_domain(), str(plist_path)], check=True, timeout=30)
+        subprocess.run(["launchctl", "kickstart", target], check=True, timeout=30)
+        print("✓ Service restarted")
 
 def launchd_status(deep: bool = False):
     plist_path = get_launchd_plist_path()
     label = get_launchd_label()
-    result = subprocess.run(
-        ["launchctl", "list", label],
-        capture_output=True,
-        text=True
-    )
+    try:
+        result = subprocess.run(
+            ["launchctl", "list", label],
+            capture_output=True,
+            text=True,
+            timeout=10,
+        )
+        loaded = result.returncode == 0
+        loaded_output = result.stdout
+    except subprocess.TimeoutExpired:
+        loaded = False
+        loaded_output = ""
 
     print(f"Launchd plist: {plist_path}")
     if launchd_plist_is_current():
@@ -1111,10 +1256,10 @@ def launchd_status(deep: bool = False):
     else:
         print("⚠ Service definition is stale relative to the current Hermes install")
         print("  Run: hermes gateway start")
-    
-    if result.returncode == 0:
+
+    if loaded:
         print("✓ Gateway service is loaded")
-        print(result.stdout)
+        print(loaded_output)
     else:
         print("✗ Gateway service is not loaded")
         print("  Service definition exists locally but launchd has not loaded it.")
@@ -1125,7 +1270,7 @@ def launchd_status(deep: bool = False):
         if log_file.exists():
             print()
             print("Recent logs:")
-            subprocess.run(["tail", "-20", str(log_file)])
+            subprocess.run(["tail", "-20", str(log_file)], timeout=10)
 
 
 # =============================================================================
@@ -1642,28 +1787,37 @@ def _is_service_running() -> bool:
         system_unit_exists = get_systemd_unit_path(system=True).exists()
 
         if user_unit_exists:
-            result = subprocess.run(
-                _systemctl_cmd(False) + ["is-active", get_service_name()],
-                capture_output=True, text=True
-            )
-            if result.stdout.strip() == "active":
-                return True
+            try:
+                result = subprocess.run(
+                    _systemctl_cmd(False) + ["is-active", get_service_name()],
+                    capture_output=True, text=True, timeout=10,
+                )
+                if result.stdout.strip() == "active":
+                    return True
+            except subprocess.TimeoutExpired:
+                pass
 
         if system_unit_exists:
-            result = subprocess.run(
-                _systemctl_cmd(True) + ["is-active", get_service_name()],
-                capture_output=True, text=True
-            )
-            if result.stdout.strip() == "active":
-                return True
+            try:
+                result = subprocess.run(
+                    _systemctl_cmd(True) + ["is-active", get_service_name()],
+                    capture_output=True, text=True, timeout=10,
+                )
+                if result.stdout.strip() == "active":
+                    return True
+            except subprocess.TimeoutExpired:
+                pass
 
         return False
     elif is_macos() and get_launchd_plist_path().exists():
-        result = subprocess.run(
-            ["launchctl", "list", get_launchd_label()],
-            capture_output=True, text=True
-        )
-        return result.returncode == 0
+        try:
+            result = subprocess.run(
+                ["launchctl", "list", get_launchd_label()],
+                capture_output=True, text=True, timeout=10,
+            )
+            return result.returncode == 0
+        except subprocess.TimeoutExpired:
+            return False
     # Check for manual processes
     return len(find_gateway_pids()) > 0
 
@@ -1691,8 +1845,7 @@ def _setup_signal():
         print_warning("signal-cli not found on PATH.")
         print_info("  Signal requires signal-cli running as an HTTP daemon.")
         print_info("  Install options:")
-        print_info("    Linux:  sudo apt install signal-cli")
-        print_info("            or download from https://github.com/AsamK/signal-cli")
+        print_info("    Linux:  download from https://github.com/AsamK/signal-cli/releases")
         print_info("    macOS:  brew install signal-cli")
         print_info("    Docker: bbernhard/signal-cli-rest-api")
         print()

hermes_cli/logs.py

@@ -0,0 +1,335 @@
+"""``hermes logs`` — view and filter Hermes log files.
+
+Supports tailing, following, session filtering, level filtering, and
+relative time ranges.  All log files live under ``~/.hermes/logs/``.
+
+Usage examples::
+
+    hermes logs                    # last 50 lines of agent.log
+    hermes logs -f                 # follow agent.log in real time
+    hermes logs errors             # last 50 lines of errors.log
+    hermes logs gateway -n 100     # last 100 lines of gateway.log
+    hermes logs --level WARNING    # only WARNING+ lines
+    hermes logs --session abc123   # filter by session ID substring
+    hermes logs --since 1h         # lines from the last hour
+    hermes logs --since 30m -f     # follow, starting 30 min ago
+"""
+
+import re
+import sys
+import time
+from datetime import datetime, timedelta
+from pathlib import Path
+from typing import Optional
+
+from hermes_constants import get_hermes_home, display_hermes_home
+
+# Known log files (name → filename)
+LOG_FILES = {
+    "agent": "agent.log",
+    "errors": "errors.log",
+    "gateway": "gateway.log",
+}
+
+# Log line timestamp regex — matches "2026-04-05 22:35:00,123" or
+# "2026-04-05 22:35:00" at the start of a line.
+_TS_RE = re.compile(r"^(\d{4}-\d{2}-\d{2}\s+\d{2}:\d{2}:\d{2})")
+
+# Level extraction — matches " INFO ", " WARNING ", " ERROR ", " DEBUG ", " CRITICAL "
+_LEVEL_RE = re.compile(r"\s(DEBUG|INFO|WARNING|ERROR|CRITICAL)\s")
+
+# Level ordering for >= filtering
+_LEVEL_ORDER = {"DEBUG": 0, "INFO": 1, "WARNING": 2, "ERROR": 3, "CRITICAL": 4}
+
+
+def _parse_since(since_str: str) -> Optional[datetime]:
+    """Parse a relative time string like '1h', '30m', '2d' into a datetime cutoff.
+
+    Returns None if the string can't be parsed.
+    """
+    since_str = since_str.strip().lower()
+    match = re.match(r"^(\d+)\s*([smhd])$", since_str)
+    if not match:
+        return None
+    value = int(match.group(1))
+    unit = match.group(2)
+    delta = {
+        "s": timedelta(seconds=value),
+        "m": timedelta(minutes=value),
+        "h": timedelta(hours=value),
+        "d": timedelta(days=value),
+    }[unit]
+    return datetime.now() - delta
+
+
+def _parse_line_timestamp(line: str) -> Optional[datetime]:
+    """Extract timestamp from a log line. Returns None if not parseable."""
+    m = _TS_RE.match(line)
+    if not m:
+        return None
+    try:
+        return datetime.strptime(m.group(1), "%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S")
+    except ValueError:
+        return None
+
+
+def _extract_level(line: str) -> Optional[str]:
+    """Extract the log level from a line."""
+    m = _LEVEL_RE.search(line)
+    return m.group(1) if m else None
+
+
+def _matches_filters(
+    line: str,
+    *,
+    min_level: Optional[str] = None,
+    session_filter: Optional[str] = None,
+    since: Optional[datetime] = None,
+) -> bool:
+    """Check if a log line passes all active filters."""
+    if since is not None:
+        ts = _parse_line_timestamp(line)
+        if ts is not None and ts < since:
+            return False
+
+    if min_level is not None:
+        level = _extract_level(line)
+        if level is not None:
+            if _LEVEL_ORDER.get(level, 0) < _LEVEL_ORDER.get(min_level, 0):
+                return False
+
+    if session_filter is not None:
+        if session_filter not in line:
+            return False
+
+    return True
+
+
+def tail_log(
+    log_name: str = "agent",
+    *,
+    num_lines: int = 50,
+    follow: bool = False,
+    level: Optional[str] = None,
+    session: Optional[str] = None,
+    since: Optional[str] = None,
+) -> None:
+    """Read and display log lines, optionally following in real time.
+
+    Parameters
+    ----------
+    log_name
+        Which log to read: ``"agent"``, ``"errors"``, ``"gateway"``.
+    num_lines
+        Number of recent lines to show (before follow starts).
+    follow
+        If True, keep watching for new lines (Ctrl+C to stop).
+    level
+        Minimum log level to show (e.g. ``"WARNING"``).
+    session
+        Session ID substring to filter on.
+    since
+        Relative time string (e.g. ``"1h"``, ``"30m"``).
+    """
+    filename = LOG_FILES.get(log_name)
+    if filename is None:
+        print(f"Unknown log: {log_name!r}. Available: {', '.join(sorted(LOG_FILES))}")
+        sys.exit(1)
+
+    log_path = get_hermes_home() / "logs" / filename
+    if not log_path.exists():
+        print(f"Log file not found: {log_path}")
+        print(f"(Logs are created when Hermes runs — try 'hermes chat' first)")
+        sys.exit(1)
+
+    # Parse --since into a datetime cutoff
+    since_dt = None
+    if since:
+        since_dt = _parse_since(since)
+        if since_dt is None:
+            print(f"Invalid --since value: {since!r}. Use format like '1h', '30m', '2d'.")
+            sys.exit(1)
+
+    min_level = level.upper() if level else None
+    if min_level and min_level not in _LEVEL_ORDER:
+        print(f"Invalid --level: {level!r}. Use DEBUG, INFO, WARNING, ERROR, or CRITICAL.")
+        sys.exit(1)
+
+    has_filters = min_level is not None or session is not None or since_dt is not None
+
+    # Read and display the tail
+    try:
+        lines = _read_tail(log_path, num_lines, has_filters=has_filters,
+                           min_level=min_level, session_filter=session,
+                           since=since_dt)
+    except PermissionError:
+        print(f"Permission denied: {log_path}")
+        sys.exit(1)
+
+    # Print header
+    filter_parts = []
+    if min_level:
+        filter_parts.append(f"level>={min_level}")
+    if session:
+        filter_parts.append(f"session={session}")
+    if since:
+        filter_parts.append(f"since={since}")
+    filter_desc = f" [{', '.join(filter_parts)}]" if filter_parts else ""
+
+    if follow:
+        print(f"--- {display_hermes_home()}/logs/{filename}{filter_desc} (Ctrl+C to stop) ---")
+    else:
+        print(f"--- {display_hermes_home()}/logs/{filename}{filter_desc} (last {num_lines}) ---")
+
+    for line in lines:
+        print(line, end="")
+
+    if not follow:
+        return
+
+    # Follow mode — poll for new content
+    try:
+        _follow_log(log_path, min_level=min_level, session_filter=session,
+                     since=since_dt)
+    except KeyboardInterrupt:
+        print("\n--- stopped ---")
+
+
+def _read_tail(
+    path: Path,
+    num_lines: int,
+    *,
+    has_filters: bool = False,
+    min_level: Optional[str] = None,
+    session_filter: Optional[str] = None,
+    since: Optional[datetime] = None,
+) -> list:
+    """Read the last *num_lines* matching lines from a log file.
+
+    When filters are active, we read more raw lines to find enough matches.
+    """
+    if has_filters:
+        # Read more lines to ensure we get enough after filtering.
+        # For large files, read last 10K lines and filter down.
+        raw_lines = _read_last_n_lines(path, max(num_lines * 20, 2000))
+        filtered = [
+            l for l in raw_lines
+            if _matches_filters(l, min_level=min_level,
+                                session_filter=session_filter, since=since)
+        ]
+        return filtered[-num_lines:]
+    else:
+        return _read_last_n_lines(path, num_lines)
+
+
+def _read_last_n_lines(path: Path, n: int) -> list:
+    """Efficiently read the last N lines from a file.
+
+    For files under 1MB, reads the whole file (fast, simple).
+    For larger files, reads chunks from the end.
+    """
+    try:
+        size = path.stat().st_size
+        if size == 0:
+            return []
+
+        # For files up to 1MB, just read the whole thing — simple and correct.
+        if size <= 1_048_576:
+            with open(path, "r", encoding="utf-8", errors="replace") as f:
+                all_lines = f.readlines()
+            return all_lines[-n:]
+
+        # For large files, read chunks from the end.
+        with open(path, "rb") as f:
+            chunk_size = 8192
+            lines = []
+            pos = size
+
+            while pos > 0 and len(lines) <= n + 1:
+                read_size = min(chunk_size, pos)
+                pos -= read_size
+                f.seek(pos)
+                chunk = f.read(read_size)
+                chunk_lines = chunk.split(b"\n")
+                if lines:
+                    # Merge the last partial line of the new chunk with the
+                    # first partial line of what we already have.
+                    lines[0] = chunk_lines[-1] + lines[0]
+                    lines = chunk_lines[:-1] + lines
+                else:
+                    lines = chunk_lines
+                chunk_size = min(chunk_size * 2, 65536)
+
+            # Decode and return last N non-empty lines.
+            decoded = []
+            for raw in lines:
+                if not raw.strip():
+                    continue
+                try:
+                    decoded.append(raw.decode("utf-8", errors="replace") + "\n")
+                except Exception:
+                    decoded.append(raw.decode("latin-1") + "\n")
+            return decoded[-n:]
+
+    except Exception:
+        # Fallback: read entire file
+        with open(path, "r", encoding="utf-8", errors="replace") as f:
+            all_lines = f.readlines()
+        return all_lines[-n:]
+
+
+def _follow_log(
+    path: Path,
+    *,
+    min_level: Optional[str] = None,
+    session_filter: Optional[str] = None,
+    since: Optional[datetime] = None,
+) -> None:
+    """Poll a log file for new content and print matching lines."""
+    with open(path, "r", encoding="utf-8", errors="replace") as f:
+        # Seek to end
+        f.seek(0, 2)
+        while True:
+            line = f.readline()
+            if line:
+                if _matches_filters(line, min_level=min_level,
+                                    session_filter=session_filter, since=since):
+                    print(line, end="")
+                    sys.stdout.flush()
+            else:
+                time.sleep(0.3)
+
+
+def list_logs() -> None:
+    """Print available log files with sizes."""
+    log_dir = get_hermes_home() / "logs"
+    if not log_dir.exists():
+        print(f"No logs directory at {display_hermes_home()}/logs/")
+        return
+
+    print(f"Log files in {display_hermes_home()}/logs/:\n")
+    found = False
+    for entry in sorted(log_dir.iterdir()):
+        if entry.is_file() and entry.suffix == ".log":
+            size = entry.stat().st_size
+            mtime = datetime.fromtimestamp(entry.stat().st_mtime)
+            if size < 1024:
+                size_str = f"{size}B"
+            elif size < 1024 * 1024:
+                size_str = f"{size / 1024:.1f}KB"
+            else:
+                size_str = f"{size / (1024 * 1024):.1f}MB"
+            age = datetime.now() - mtime
+            if age.total_seconds() < 60:
+                age_str = "just now"
+            elif age.total_seconds() < 3600:
+                age_str = f"{int(age.total_seconds() / 60)}m ago"
+            elif age.total_seconds() < 86400:
+                age_str = f"{int(age.total_seconds() / 3600)}h ago"
+            else:
+                age_str = mtime.strftime("%Y-%m-%d")
+            print(f"  {entry.name:<25} {size_str:>8}   {age_str}")
+            found = True
+
+    if not found:
+        print("  (no log files yet — run 'hermes chat' to generate logs)")

hermes_cli/memory_setup.py

@@ -12,6 +12,8 @@ import os
 import sys
 from pathlib import Path
 
+from hermes_constants import get_hermes_home
+
 
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Curses-based interactive picker (same pattern as hermes tools)
@@ -151,6 +153,7 @@ def _install_dependencies(provider_name: str) -> None:
         "honcho-ai": "honcho",
         "mem0ai": "mem0",
         "hindsight-client": "hindsight_client",
+        "hindsight-all": "hindsight",
     }
 
     # Check which packages are missing
@@ -166,9 +169,18 @@ def _install_dependencies(provider_name: str) -> None:
         return
 
     print(f"\n  Installing dependencies: {', '.join(missing)}")
+
+    import shutil
+    uv_path = shutil.which("uv")
+    if not uv_path:
+        print(f"  ⚠ uv not found — cannot install dependencies")
+        print(f"  Install uv: curl -LsSf https://astral.sh/uv/install.sh | sh")
+        print(f"  Then re-run: hermes memory setup")
+        return
+
     try:
         subprocess.run(
-            [sys.executable, "-m", "pip", "install", "--quiet"] + missing,
+            [uv_path, "pip", "install", "--python", sys.executable, "--quiet"] + missing,
             check=True, timeout=120,
             capture_output=True,
         )
@@ -178,10 +190,10 @@ def _install_dependencies(provider_name: str) -> None:
         stderr = (e.stderr or b"").decode()[:200]
         if stderr:
             print(f"    {stderr}")
-        print(f"  Run manually: pip install {' '.join(missing)}")
+        print(f"  Run manually: uv pip install --python {sys.executable} {' '.join(missing)}")
     except Exception as e:
         print(f"  ⚠ Install failed: {e}")
-        print(f"  Run manually: pip install {' '.join(missing)}")
+        print(f"  Run manually: uv pip install --python {sys.executable} {' '.join(missing)}")
 
     # Also show external dependencies (non-pip) if any
     ext_deps = meta.get("external_dependencies", [])
@@ -219,15 +231,19 @@ def _get_available_providers() -> list:
                 continue
         except Exception:
             continue
-        # Override description with setup hint
+
         schema = provider.get_config_schema() if hasattr(provider, "get_config_schema") else []
         has_secrets = any(f.get("secret") for f in schema)
-        if has_secrets:
+        has_non_secrets = any(not f.get("secret") for f in schema)
+        if has_secrets and has_non_secrets:
+            setup_hint = "API key / local"
+        elif has_secrets:
             setup_hint = "requires API key"
         elif not schema:
             setup_hint = "no setup needed"
         else:
             setup_hint = "local"
+
         results.append((name, setup_hint, provider))
     return results
 
@@ -236,6 +252,42 @@ def _get_available_providers() -> list:
 # Setup wizard
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
+def cmd_setup_provider(provider_name: str) -> None:
+    """Run memory setup for a specific provider, skipping the picker."""
+    from hermes_cli.config import load_config, save_config
+
+    providers = _get_available_providers()
+    match = None
+    for name, desc, provider in providers:
+        if name == provider_name:
+            match = (name, desc, provider)
+            break
+
+    if not match:
+        print(f"\n  Memory provider '{provider_name}' not found.")
+        print("  Run 'hermes memory setup' to see available providers.\n")
+        return
+
+    name, _, provider = match
+
+    _install_dependencies(name)
+
+    config = load_config()
+    if not isinstance(config.get("memory"), dict):
+        config["memory"] = {}
+
+    if hasattr(provider, "post_setup"):
+        hermes_home = str(get_hermes_home())
+        provider.post_setup(hermes_home, config)
+        return
+
+    # Fallback: generic schema-based setup (same as cmd_setup)
+    config["memory"]["provider"] = name
+    save_config(config)
+    print(f"\n  Memory provider: {name}")
+    print(f"  Activation saved to config.yaml\n")
+
+
 def cmd_setup(args) -> None:
     """Interactive memory provider setup wizard."""
     from hermes_cli.config import load_config, save_config
@@ -273,14 +325,20 @@ def cmd_setup(args) -> None:
     # Install pip dependencies if declared in plugin.yaml
     _install_dependencies(name)
 
+    # If the provider has a post_setup hook, delegate entirely to it.
+    # The hook handles its own config, connection test, and activation.
+    if hasattr(provider, "post_setup"):
+        hermes_home = str(get_hermes_home())
+        provider.post_setup(hermes_home, config)
+        return
+
     schema = provider.get_config_schema() if hasattr(provider, "get_config_schema") else []
 
-    # Provider config section
     provider_config = config["memory"].get(name, {})
     if not isinstance(provider_config, dict):
         provider_config = {}
 
-    env_path = Path(os.environ.get("HERMES_HOME", os.path.expanduser("~/.hermes"))) / ".env"
+    env_path = get_hermes_home() / ".env"
     env_writes = {}
 
     if schema:
@@ -290,11 +348,25 @@ def cmd_setup(args) -> None:
             key = field["key"]
             desc = field.get("description", key)
             default = field.get("default")
+            # Dynamic default: look up default from another field's value
+            default_from = field.get("default_from")
+            if default_from and isinstance(default_from, dict):
+                ref_field = default_from.get("field", "")
+                ref_map = default_from.get("map", {})
+                ref_value = provider_config.get(ref_field, "")
+                if ref_value and ref_value in ref_map:
+                    default = ref_map[ref_value]
             is_secret = field.get("secret", False)
             choices = field.get("choices")
             env_var = field.get("env_var")
             url = field.get("url")
 
+            # Skip fields whose "when" condition doesn't match
+            when = field.get("when")
+            if when and isinstance(when, dict):
+                if not all(provider_config.get(k) == v for k, v in when.items()):
+                    continue
+
             if choices and not is_secret:
                 # Use curses picker for choice fields
                 choice_items = [(c, "") for c in choices]
@@ -330,23 +402,23 @@ def cmd_setup(args) -> None:
     save_config(config)
 
     # Write non-secret config to provider's native location
-    hermes_home = str(Path(os.environ.get("HERMES_HOME", os.path.expanduser("~/.hermes"))))
+    hermes_home = str(get_hermes_home())
     if provider_config and hasattr(provider, "save_config"):
         try:
             provider.save_config(provider_config, hermes_home)
         except Exception as e:
-            print(f"  ⚠ Failed to write provider config: {e}")
+            print(f"  Failed to write provider config: {e}")
 
     # Write secrets to .env
     if env_writes:
         _write_env_vars(env_path, env_writes)
 
-    print(f"\n  ✓ Memory provider: {name}")
-    print(f"  ✓ Activation saved to config.yaml")
+    print(f"\n  Memory provider: {name}")
+    print(f"  Activation saved to config.yaml")
     if provider_config:
-        print(f"  ✓ Provider config saved")
+        print(f"  Provider config saved")
     if env_writes:
-        print(f"  ✓ API keys saved to .env")
+        print(f"  API keys saved to .env")
     print(f"\n  Start a new session to activate.\n")
 
 

hermes_cli/model_normalize.py

@@ -0,0 +1,361 @@
+"""Per-provider model name normalization.
+
+Different LLM providers expect model identifiers in different formats:
+
+- **Aggregators** (OpenRouter, Nous, AI Gateway, Kilo Code) need
+  ``vendor/model`` slugs like ``anthropic/claude-sonnet-4.6``.
+- **Anthropic** native API expects bare names with dots replaced by
+  hyphens: ``claude-sonnet-4-6``.
+- **Copilot** expects bare names *with* dots preserved:
+  ``claude-sonnet-4.6``.
+- **OpenCode Zen** follows the same dot-to-hyphen convention as
+  Anthropic: ``claude-sonnet-4-6``.
+- **OpenCode Go** preserves dots in model names: ``minimax-m2.7``.
+- **DeepSeek** only accepts two model identifiers:
+  ``deepseek-chat`` and ``deepseek-reasoner``.
+- **Custom** and remaining providers pass the name through as-is.
+
+This module centralises that translation so callers can simply write::
+
+    api_model = normalize_model_for_provider(user_input, provider)
+
+Inspired by Clawdbot's ``normalizeAnthropicModelId`` pattern.
+"""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+from typing import Optional
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Vendor prefix mapping
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Maps the first hyphen-delimited token of a bare model name to the vendor
+# slug used by aggregator APIs (OpenRouter, Nous, etc.).
+#
+# Example: "claude-sonnet-4.6" -> first token "claude" -> vendor "anthropic"
+#          -> aggregator slug: "anthropic/claude-sonnet-4.6"
+
+_VENDOR_PREFIXES: dict[str, str] = {
+    "claude": "anthropic",
+    "gpt": "openai",
+    "o1": "openai",
+    "o3": "openai",
+    "o4": "openai",
+    "gemini": "google",
+    "gemma": "google",
+    "deepseek": "deepseek",
+    "glm": "z-ai",
+    "kimi": "moonshotai",
+    "minimax": "minimax",
+    "grok": "x-ai",
+    "qwen": "qwen",
+    "mimo": "xiaomi",
+    "nemotron": "nvidia",
+    "llama": "meta-llama",
+    "step": "stepfun",
+    "trinity": "arcee-ai",
+}
+
+# Providers whose APIs consume vendor/model slugs.
+_AGGREGATOR_PROVIDERS: frozenset[str] = frozenset({
+    "openrouter",
+    "nous",
+    "ai-gateway",
+    "kilocode",
+})
+
+# Providers that want bare names with dots replaced by hyphens.
+_DOT_TO_HYPHEN_PROVIDERS: frozenset[str] = frozenset({
+    "anthropic",
+    "opencode-zen",
+})
+
+# Providers that want bare names with dots preserved.
+_STRIP_VENDOR_ONLY_PROVIDERS: frozenset[str] = frozenset({
+    "copilot",
+    "copilot-acp",
+})
+
+# Providers whose own naming is authoritative -- pass through unchanged.
+_PASSTHROUGH_PROVIDERS: frozenset[str] = frozenset({
+    "gemini",
+    "zai",
+    "kimi-coding",
+    "minimax",
+    "minimax-cn",
+    "alibaba",
+    "huggingface",
+    "openai-codex",
+    "custom",
+})
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# DeepSeek special handling
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# DeepSeek's API only recognises exactly two model identifiers.  We map
+# common aliases and patterns to the canonical names.
+
+_DEEPSEEK_REASONER_KEYWORDS: frozenset[str] = frozenset({
+    "reasoner",
+    "r1",
+    "think",
+    "reasoning",
+    "cot",
+})
+
+_DEEPSEEK_CANONICAL_MODELS: frozenset[str] = frozenset({
+    "deepseek-chat",
+    "deepseek-reasoner",
+})
+
+
+def _normalize_for_deepseek(model_name: str) -> str:
+    """Map any model input to one of DeepSeek's two accepted identifiers.
+
+    Rules:
+    - Already ``deepseek-chat`` or ``deepseek-reasoner`` -> pass through.
+    - Contains any reasoner keyword (r1, think, reasoning, cot, reasoner)
+      -> ``deepseek-reasoner``.
+    - Everything else -> ``deepseek-chat``.
+
+    Args:
+        model_name: The bare model name (vendor prefix already stripped).
+
+    Returns:
+        One of ``"deepseek-chat"`` or ``"deepseek-reasoner"``.
+    """
+    bare = _strip_vendor_prefix(model_name).lower()
+
+    if bare in _DEEPSEEK_CANONICAL_MODELS:
+        return bare
+
+    # Check for reasoner-like keywords anywhere in the name
+    for keyword in _DEEPSEEK_REASONER_KEYWORDS:
+        if keyword in bare:
+            return "deepseek-reasoner"
+
+    return "deepseek-chat"
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Helper utilities
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+def _strip_vendor_prefix(model_name: str) -> str:
+    """Remove a ``vendor/`` prefix if present.
+
+    Examples::
+
+        >>> _strip_vendor_prefix("anthropic/claude-sonnet-4.6")
+        'claude-sonnet-4.6'
+        >>> _strip_vendor_prefix("claude-sonnet-4.6")
+        'claude-sonnet-4.6'
+        >>> _strip_vendor_prefix("meta-llama/llama-4-scout")
+        'llama-4-scout'
+    """
+    if "/" in model_name:
+        return model_name.split("/", 1)[1]
+    return model_name
+
+
+def _dots_to_hyphens(model_name: str) -> str:
+    """Replace dots with hyphens in a model name.
+
+    Anthropic's native API uses hyphens where marketing names use dots:
+    ``claude-sonnet-4.6`` -> ``claude-sonnet-4-6``.
+    """
+    return model_name.replace(".", "-")
+
+
+def detect_vendor(model_name: str) -> Optional[str]:
+    """Detect the vendor slug from a bare model name.
+
+    Uses the first hyphen-delimited token of the model name to look up
+    the corresponding vendor in ``_VENDOR_PREFIXES``.  Also handles
+    case-insensitive matching and special patterns.
+
+    Args:
+        model_name: A model name, optionally already including a
+            ``vendor/`` prefix.  If a prefix is present it is used
+            directly.
+
+    Returns:
+        The vendor slug (e.g. ``"anthropic"``, ``"openai"``) or ``None``
+        if no vendor can be confidently detected.
+
+    Examples::
+
+        >>> detect_vendor("claude-sonnet-4.6")
+        'anthropic'
+        >>> detect_vendor("gpt-5.4-mini")
+        'openai'
+        >>> detect_vendor("anthropic/claude-sonnet-4.6")
+        'anthropic'
+        >>> detect_vendor("my-custom-model")
+    """
+    name = model_name.strip()
+    if not name:
+        return None
+
+    # If there's already a vendor/ prefix, extract it
+    if "/" in name:
+        return name.split("/", 1)[0].lower() or None
+
+    name_lower = name.lower()
+
+    # Try first hyphen-delimited token (exact match)
+    first_token = name_lower.split("-")[0]
+    if first_token in _VENDOR_PREFIXES:
+        return _VENDOR_PREFIXES[first_token]
+
+    # Handle patterns where the first token includes version digits,
+    # e.g. "qwen3.5-plus" -> first token "qwen3.5", but prefix is "qwen"
+    for prefix, vendor in _VENDOR_PREFIXES.items():
+        if name_lower.startswith(prefix):
+            return vendor
+
+    return None
+
+
+def _prepend_vendor(model_name: str) -> str:
+    """Prepend the detected ``vendor/`` prefix if missing.
+
+    Used for aggregator providers that require ``vendor/model`` format.
+    If the name already contains a ``/``, it is returned as-is.
+    If no vendor can be detected, the name is returned unchanged
+    (aggregators may still accept it or return an error).
+
+    Examples::
+
+        >>> _prepend_vendor("claude-sonnet-4.6")
+        'anthropic/claude-sonnet-4.6'
+        >>> _prepend_vendor("anthropic/claude-sonnet-4.6")
+        'anthropic/claude-sonnet-4.6'
+        >>> _prepend_vendor("my-custom-thing")
+        'my-custom-thing'
+    """
+    if "/" in model_name:
+        return model_name
+
+    vendor = detect_vendor(model_name)
+    if vendor:
+        return f"{vendor}/{model_name}"
+    return model_name
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Main normalisation entry point
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+def normalize_model_for_provider(model_input: str, target_provider: str) -> str:
+    """Translate a model name into the format the target provider's API expects.
+
+    This is the primary entry point for model name normalisation.  It
+    accepts any user-facing model identifier and transforms it for the
+    specific provider that will receive the API call.
+
+    Args:
+        model_input: The model name as provided by the user or config.
+            Can be bare (``"claude-sonnet-4.6"``), vendor-prefixed
+            (``"anthropic/claude-sonnet-4.6"``), or already in native
+            format (``"claude-sonnet-4-6"``).
+        target_provider: The canonical Hermes provider id, e.g.
+            ``"openrouter"``, ``"anthropic"``, ``"copilot"``,
+            ``"deepseek"``, ``"custom"``.  Should already be normalised
+            via ``hermes_cli.models.normalize_provider()``.
+
+    Returns:
+        The model identifier string that the target provider's API
+        expects.
+
+    Raises:
+        No exceptions -- always returns a best-effort string.
+
+    Examples::
+
+        >>> normalize_model_for_provider("claude-sonnet-4.6", "openrouter")
+        'anthropic/claude-sonnet-4.6'
+
+        >>> normalize_model_for_provider("anthropic/claude-sonnet-4.6", "anthropic")
+        'claude-sonnet-4-6'
+
+        >>> normalize_model_for_provider("anthropic/claude-sonnet-4.6", "copilot")
+        'claude-sonnet-4.6'
+
+        >>> normalize_model_for_provider("openai/gpt-5.4", "copilot")
+        'gpt-5.4'
+
+        >>> normalize_model_for_provider("claude-sonnet-4.6", "opencode-zen")
+        'claude-sonnet-4-6'
+
+        >>> normalize_model_for_provider("deepseek-v3", "deepseek")
+        'deepseek-chat'
+
+        >>> normalize_model_for_provider("deepseek-r1", "deepseek")
+        'deepseek-reasoner'
+
+        >>> normalize_model_for_provider("my-model", "custom")
+        'my-model'
+
+        >>> normalize_model_for_provider("claude-sonnet-4.6", "zai")
+        'claude-sonnet-4.6'
+    """
+    name = (model_input or "").strip()
+    if not name:
+        return name
+
+    provider = (target_provider or "").strip().lower()
+
+    # --- Aggregators: need vendor/model format ---
+    if provider in _AGGREGATOR_PROVIDERS:
+        return _prepend_vendor(name)
+
+    # --- Anthropic / OpenCode: strip vendor, dots -> hyphens ---
+    if provider in _DOT_TO_HYPHEN_PROVIDERS:
+        bare = _strip_vendor_prefix(name)
+        return _dots_to_hyphens(bare)
+
+    # --- Copilot: strip vendor, keep dots ---
+    if provider in _STRIP_VENDOR_ONLY_PROVIDERS:
+        return _strip_vendor_prefix(name)
+
+    # --- DeepSeek: map to one of two canonical names ---
+    if provider == "deepseek":
+        return _normalize_for_deepseek(name)
+
+    # --- Custom & all others: pass through as-is ---
+    return name
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Batch / convenience helpers
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+def model_display_name(model_id: str) -> str:
+    """Return a short, human-readable display name for a model id.
+
+    Strips the vendor prefix (if any) for a cleaner display in menus
+    and status bars, while preserving dots for readability.
+
+    Examples::
+
+        >>> model_display_name("anthropic/claude-sonnet-4.6")
+        'claude-sonnet-4.6'
+        >>> model_display_name("claude-sonnet-4-6")
+        'claude-sonnet-4-6'
+    """
+    return _strip_vendor_prefix((model_id or "").strip())
+
+
+def is_aggregator_provider(provider: str) -> bool:
+    """Check if a provider is an aggregator that needs vendor/model format."""
+    return (provider or "").strip().lower() in _AGGREGATOR_PROVIDERS
+
+
+def vendor_for_model(model_name: str) -> str:
+    """Return the vendor slug for a model, or ``""`` if unknown.
+
+    Convenience wrapper around :func:`detect_vendor` that never returns
+    ``None``.
+    """
+    return detect_vendor(model_name) or ""

hermes_cli/model_switch.py

@@ -3,18 +3,198 @@
 Both the CLI (cli.py) and gateway (gateway/run.py) /model handlers
 share the same core pipeline:
 
-  parse_model_input → is_custom detection → auto-detect provider
-  → credential resolution → validate model → return result
+  parse flags -> alias resolution -> provider resolution ->
+  credential resolution -> normalize model name ->
+  metadata lookup -> build result
 
-This module extracts that shared pipeline into pure functions that
-return result objects. The callers handle all platform-specific
-concerns: state mutation, config persistence, output formatting.
+This module ties together the foundation layers:
+
+- ``agent.models_dev``            -- models.dev catalog, ModelInfo, ProviderInfo
+- ``hermes_cli.providers``        -- canonical provider identity + overlays
+- ``hermes_cli.model_normalize``  -- per-provider name formatting
+
+Provider switching uses the ``--provider`` flag exclusively.
+No colon-based ``provider:model`` syntax — colons are reserved for
+OpenRouter variant suffixes (``:free``, ``:extended``, ``:fast``).
 """
 
 from __future__ import annotations
 
+import logging
 from dataclasses import dataclass
+from typing import List, NamedTuple, Optional
 
+from hermes_cli.providers import (
+    determine_api_mode,
+    get_label,
+    is_aggregator,
+    resolve_provider_full,
+)
+from hermes_cli.model_normalize import (
+    normalize_model_for_provider,
+)
+from agent.models_dev import (
+    ModelCapabilities,
+    ModelInfo,
+    get_model_capabilities,
+    get_model_info,
+    list_provider_models,
+    search_models_dev,
+)
+
+logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Non-agentic model warning
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+_HERMES_MODEL_WARNING = (
+    "Nous Research Hermes 3 & 4 models are NOT agentic and are not designed "
+    "for use with Hermes Agent. They lack the tool-calling capabilities "
+    "required for agent workflows. Consider using an agentic model instead "
+    "(Claude, GPT, Gemini, DeepSeek, etc.)."
+)
+
+
+def _check_hermes_model_warning(model_name: str) -> str:
+    """Return a warning string if *model_name* looks like a Hermes LLM model."""
+    if "hermes" in model_name.lower():
+        return _HERMES_MODEL_WARNING
+    return ""
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Model aliases -- short names -> (vendor, family) with NO version numbers.
+# Resolved dynamically against the live models.dev catalog.
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+class ModelIdentity(NamedTuple):
+    """Vendor slug and family prefix used for catalog resolution."""
+    vendor: str
+    family: str
+
+
+MODEL_ALIASES: dict[str, ModelIdentity] = {
+    # Anthropic
+    "sonnet":    ModelIdentity("anthropic", "claude-sonnet"),
+    "opus":      ModelIdentity("anthropic", "claude-opus"),
+    "haiku":     ModelIdentity("anthropic", "claude-haiku"),
+    "claude":    ModelIdentity("anthropic", "claude"),
+
+    # OpenAI
+    "gpt5":      ModelIdentity("openai", "gpt-5"),
+    "gpt":       ModelIdentity("openai", "gpt"),
+    "codex":     ModelIdentity("openai", "codex"),
+    "o3":        ModelIdentity("openai", "o3"),
+    "o4":        ModelIdentity("openai", "o4"),
+
+    # Google
+    "gemini":    ModelIdentity("google", "gemini"),
+
+    # DeepSeek
+    "deepseek":  ModelIdentity("deepseek", "deepseek-chat"),
+
+    # X.AI
+    "grok":      ModelIdentity("x-ai", "grok"),
+
+    # Meta
+    "llama":     ModelIdentity("meta-llama", "llama"),
+
+    # Qwen / Alibaba
+    "qwen":      ModelIdentity("qwen", "qwen"),
+
+    # MiniMax
+    "minimax":   ModelIdentity("minimax", "minimax"),
+
+    # Nvidia
+    "nemotron":  ModelIdentity("nvidia", "nemotron"),
+
+    # Moonshot / Kimi
+    "kimi":      ModelIdentity("moonshotai", "kimi"),
+
+    # Z.AI / GLM
+    "glm":       ModelIdentity("z-ai", "glm"),
+
+    # StepFun
+    "step":      ModelIdentity("stepfun", "step"),
+
+    # Xiaomi
+    "mimo":      ModelIdentity("xiaomi", "mimo"),
+
+    # Arcee
+    "trinity":   ModelIdentity("arcee-ai", "trinity"),
+}
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Direct aliases — exact model+provider+base_url for endpoints that aren't
+# in the models.dev catalog (e.g. Ollama Cloud, local servers).
+# Checked BEFORE catalog resolution.  Format:
+#   alias -> (model_id, provider, base_url)
+# These can also be loaded from config.yaml ``model_aliases:`` section.
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+class DirectAlias(NamedTuple):
+    """Exact model mapping that bypasses catalog resolution."""
+    model: str
+    provider: str
+    base_url: str
+
+
+# Built-in direct aliases (can be extended via config.yaml model_aliases:)
+_BUILTIN_DIRECT_ALIASES: dict[str, DirectAlias] = {}
+
+# Merged dict (builtins + user config); populated by _load_direct_aliases()
+DIRECT_ALIASES: dict[str, DirectAlias] = {}
+
+
+def _load_direct_aliases() -> dict[str, DirectAlias]:
+    """Load direct aliases from config.yaml ``model_aliases:`` section.
+
+    Config format::
+
+        model_aliases:
+          qwen:
+            model: "qwen3.5:397b"
+            provider: custom
+            base_url: "https://ollama.com/v1"
+          minimax:
+            model: "minimax-m2.7"
+            provider: custom
+            base_url: "https://ollama.com/v1"
+    """
+    merged = dict(_BUILTIN_DIRECT_ALIASES)
+    try:
+        from hermes_cli.config import load_config
+        cfg = load_config()
+        user_aliases = cfg.get("model_aliases")
+        if isinstance(user_aliases, dict):
+            for name, entry in user_aliases.items():
+                if not isinstance(entry, dict):
+                    continue
+                model = entry.get("model", "")
+                provider = entry.get("provider", "custom")
+                base_url = entry.get("base_url", "")
+                if model:
+                    merged[name.strip().lower()] = DirectAlias(
+                        model=model, provider=provider, base_url=base_url,
+                    )
+    except Exception:
+        pass
+    return merged
+
+
+def _ensure_direct_aliases() -> None:
+    """Lazy-load direct aliases on first use."""
+    global DIRECT_ALIASES
+    if not DIRECT_ALIASES:
+        DIRECT_ALIASES = _load_direct_aliases()
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Result dataclasses
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 @dataclass
 class ModelSwitchResult:
@@ -27,11 +207,13 @@ class ModelSwitchResult:
     api_key: str = ""
     base_url: str = ""
     api_mode: str = ""
-    persist: bool = False
     error_message: str = ""
     warning_message: str = ""
-    is_custom_target: bool = False
     provider_label: str = ""
+    resolved_via_alias: str = ""
+    capabilities: Optional[ModelCapabilities] = None
+    model_info: Optional[ModelInfo] = None
+    is_global: bool = False
 
 
 @dataclass
@@ -45,91 +227,390 @@ class CustomAutoResult:
     error_message: str = ""
 
 
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Flag parsing
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+def parse_model_flags(raw_args: str) -> tuple[str, str, bool]:
+    """Parse --provider and --global flags from /model command args.
+
+    Returns (model_input, explicit_provider, is_global).
+
+    Examples::
+
+        "sonnet"                         -> ("sonnet", "", False)
+        "sonnet --global"                -> ("sonnet", "", True)
+        "sonnet --provider anthropic"    -> ("sonnet", "anthropic", False)
+        "--provider my-ollama"           -> ("", "my-ollama", False)
+        "sonnet --provider anthropic --global" -> ("sonnet", "anthropic", True)
+    """
+    is_global = False
+    explicit_provider = ""
+
+    # Extract --global
+    if "--global" in raw_args:
+        is_global = True
+        raw_args = raw_args.replace("--global", "").strip()
+
+    # Extract --provider <name>
+    parts = raw_args.split()
+    i = 0
+    filtered: list[str] = []
+    while i < len(parts):
+        if parts[i] == "--provider" and i + 1 < len(parts):
+            explicit_provider = parts[i + 1]
+            i += 2
+        else:
+            filtered.append(parts[i])
+            i += 1
+
+    model_input = " ".join(filtered).strip()
+    return (model_input, explicit_provider, is_global)
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Alias resolution
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+def resolve_alias(
+    raw_input: str,
+    current_provider: str,
+) -> Optional[tuple[str, str, str]]:
+    """Resolve a short alias against the current provider's catalog.
+
+    Looks up *raw_input* in :data:`MODEL_ALIASES`, then searches the
+    current provider's models.dev catalog for the first model whose ID
+    starts with ``vendor/family`` (or just ``family`` for non-aggregator
+    providers).
+
+    Returns:
+        ``(provider, resolved_model_id, alias_name)`` if a match is
+        found on the current provider, or ``None`` if the alias doesn't
+        exist or no matching model is available.
+    """
+    key = raw_input.strip().lower()
+
+    # Check direct aliases first (exact model+provider+base_url mappings)
+    _ensure_direct_aliases()
+    direct = DIRECT_ALIASES.get(key)
+    if direct is not None:
+        return (direct.provider, direct.model, key)
+
+    # Reverse lookup: match by model ID so full names (e.g. "kimi-k2.5",
+    # "glm-4.7") route through direct aliases instead of falling through
+    # to the catalog/OpenRouter.
+    for alias_name, da in DIRECT_ALIASES.items():
+        if da.model.lower() == key:
+            return (da.provider, da.model, alias_name)
+
+    identity = MODEL_ALIASES.get(key)
+    if identity is None:
+        return None
+
+    vendor, family = identity
+
+    # Search the provider's catalog from models.dev
+    catalog = list_provider_models(current_provider)
+    if not catalog:
+        return None
+
+    # For aggregators, models are vendor/model-name format
+    aggregator = is_aggregator(current_provider)
+
+    for model_id in catalog:
+        mid_lower = model_id.lower()
+        if aggregator:
+            # Match vendor/family prefix -- e.g. "anthropic/claude-sonnet"
+            prefix = f"{vendor}/{family}".lower()
+            if mid_lower.startswith(prefix):
+                return (current_provider, model_id, key)
+        else:
+            # Non-aggregator: bare names -- e.g. "claude-sonnet-4-6"
+            family_lower = family.lower()
+            if mid_lower.startswith(family_lower):
+                return (current_provider, model_id, key)
+
+    return None
+
+
+def get_authenticated_provider_slugs(
+    current_provider: str = "",
+    user_providers: dict = None,
+) -> list[str]:
+    """Return slugs of providers that have credentials.
+
+    Uses ``list_authenticated_providers()`` which is backed by the models.dev
+    in-memory cache (1 hr TTL) — no extra network cost.
+    """
+    try:
+        providers = list_authenticated_providers(
+            current_provider=current_provider,
+            user_providers=user_providers,
+            max_models=0,
+        )
+        return [p["slug"] for p in providers]
+    except Exception:
+        return []
+
+
+def _resolve_alias_fallback(
+    raw_input: str,
+    authenticated_providers: list[str] = (),
+) -> Optional[tuple[str, str, str]]:
+    """Try to resolve an alias on the user's authenticated providers.
+
+    Falls back to ``("openrouter", "nous")`` only when no authenticated
+    providers are supplied (backwards compat for non-interactive callers).
+    """
+    providers = authenticated_providers or ("openrouter", "nous")
+    for provider in providers:
+        result = resolve_alias(raw_input, provider)
+        if result is not None:
+            return result
+    return None
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Core model-switching pipeline
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
 def switch_model(
     raw_input: str,
     current_provider: str,
+    current_model: str,
     current_base_url: str = "",
     current_api_key: str = "",
+    is_global: bool = False,
+    explicit_provider: str = "",
+    user_providers: dict = None,
 ) -> ModelSwitchResult:
     """Core model-switching pipeline shared between CLI and gateway.
 
-    Handles parsing, provider detection, credential resolution, and
-    model validation.  Does NOT handle config persistence, state
-    mutation, or output formatting — those are caller responsibilities.
+    Resolution chain:
+
+      If --provider given:
+        a. Resolve provider via resolve_provider_full()
+        b. Resolve credentials
+        c. If model given, resolve alias on target provider or use as-is
+        d. If no model, auto-detect from endpoint
+
+      If no --provider:
+        a. Try alias resolution on current provider
+        b. If alias exists but not on current provider -> fallback
+        c. On aggregator, try vendor/model slug conversion
+        d. Aggregator catalog search
+        e. detect_provider_for_model() as last resort
+        f. Resolve credentials
+        g. Normalize model name for target provider
+
+      Finally:
+        h. Get full model metadata from models.dev
+        i. Build result
 
     Args:
-        raw_input: The user's model input (e.g. "claude-sonnet-4",
-            "zai:glm-5", "custom:local:qwen").
+        raw_input: The model name (after flag parsing).
         current_provider: The currently active provider.
-        current_base_url: The currently active base URL (used for
-            is_custom detection).
+        current_model: The currently active model name.
+        current_base_url: The currently active base URL.
         current_api_key: The currently active API key.
+        is_global: Whether to persist the switch.
+        explicit_provider: From --provider flag (empty = no explicit provider).
+        user_providers: The ``providers:`` dict from config.yaml (for user endpoints).
 
     Returns:
-        ModelSwitchResult with all information the caller needs to
-        apply the switch and format output.
+        ModelSwitchResult with all information the caller needs.
     """
     from hermes_cli.models import (
-        parse_model_input,
         detect_provider_for_model,
         validate_requested_model,
-        _PROVIDER_LABELS,
         opencode_model_api_mode,
     )
     from hermes_cli.runtime_provider import resolve_runtime_provider
 
-    # Step 1: Parse provider:model syntax
-    target_provider, new_model = parse_model_input(raw_input, current_provider)
+    resolved_alias = ""
+    new_model = raw_input.strip()
+    target_provider = current_provider
 
-    # Step 2: Detect if we're currently on a custom endpoint
-    _base = current_base_url or ""
-    is_custom = current_provider == "custom" or (
-        "localhost" in _base or "127.0.0.1" in _base
-    )
+    # =================================================================
+    # PATH A: Explicit --provider given
+    # =================================================================
+    if explicit_provider:
+        # Resolve the provider
+        pdef = resolve_provider_full(explicit_provider, user_providers)
+        if pdef is None:
+            _switch_err = (
+                f"Unknown provider '{explicit_provider}'. "
+                f"Check 'hermes model' for available providers, or define it "
+                f"in config.yaml under 'providers:'."
+            )
+            # Check for common config issues that cause provider resolution failures
+            try:
+                from hermes_cli.config import validate_config_structure
+                _cfg_issues = validate_config_structure()
+                if _cfg_issues:
+                    _switch_err += "\n\nRun 'hermes doctor' — config issues detected:"
+                    for _ci in _cfg_issues[:3]:
+                        _switch_err += f"\n  • {_ci.message}"
+            except Exception:
+                pass
+            return ModelSwitchResult(
+                success=False,
+                is_global=is_global,
+                error_message=_switch_err,
+            )
 
-    # Step 3: Auto-detect provider when no explicit provider:model syntax
-    # was used.  Skip for custom providers — the model name might
-    # coincidentally match a known provider's catalog.
-    if target_provider == current_provider and not is_custom:
-        detected = detect_provider_for_model(new_model, current_provider)
-        if detected:
-            target_provider, new_model = detected
+        target_provider = pdef.id
+
+        # If no model specified, try auto-detect from endpoint
+        if not new_model:
+            if pdef.base_url:
+                from hermes_cli.runtime_provider import _auto_detect_local_model
+                detected = _auto_detect_local_model(pdef.base_url)
+                if detected:
+                    new_model = detected
+                else:
+                    return ModelSwitchResult(
+                        success=False,
+                        target_provider=target_provider,
+                        provider_label=pdef.name,
+                        is_global=is_global,
+                        error_message=(
+                            f"No model detected on {pdef.name} ({pdef.base_url}). "
+                            f"Specify the model explicitly: /model <model-name> --provider {explicit_provider}"
+                        ),
+                    )
+            else:
+                return ModelSwitchResult(
+                    success=False,
+                    target_provider=target_provider,
+                    provider_label=pdef.name,
+                    is_global=is_global,
+                    error_message=(
+                        f"Provider '{pdef.name}' has no base URL configured. "
+                        f"Specify a model: /model <model-name> --provider {explicit_provider}"
+                    ),
+                )
+
+        # Resolve alias on the TARGET provider
+        alias_result = resolve_alias(new_model, target_provider)
+        if alias_result is not None:
+            _, new_model, resolved_alias = alias_result
+
+    # =================================================================
+    # PATH B: No explicit provider — resolve from model input
+    # =================================================================
+    else:
+        # --- Step a: Try alias resolution on current provider ---
+        alias_result = resolve_alias(raw_input, current_provider)
+
+        if alias_result is not None:
+            target_provider, new_model, resolved_alias = alias_result
+            logger.debug(
+                "Alias '%s' resolved to %s on %s",
+                resolved_alias, new_model, target_provider,
+            )
+        else:
+            # --- Step b: Alias exists but not on current provider -> fallback ---
+            key = raw_input.strip().lower()
+            if key in MODEL_ALIASES:
+                authed = get_authenticated_provider_slugs(
+                    current_provider=current_provider,
+                    user_providers=user_providers,
+                )
+                fallback_result = _resolve_alias_fallback(raw_input, authed)
+                if fallback_result is not None:
+                    target_provider, new_model, resolved_alias = fallback_result
+                    logger.debug(
+                        "Alias '%s' resolved via fallback to %s on %s",
+                        resolved_alias, new_model, target_provider,
+                    )
+                else:
+                    identity = MODEL_ALIASES[key]
+                    return ModelSwitchResult(
+                        success=False,
+                        is_global=is_global,
+                        error_message=(
+                            f"Alias '{key}' maps to {identity.vendor}/{identity.family} "
+                            f"but no matching model was found in any provider catalog. "
+                            f"Try specifying the full model name."
+                        ),
+                    )
+            else:
+                # --- Step c: On aggregator, convert vendor:model to vendor/model ---
+                colon_pos = raw_input.find(":")
+                if colon_pos > 0 and is_aggregator(current_provider):
+                    left = raw_input[:colon_pos].strip().lower()
+                    right = raw_input[colon_pos + 1:].strip()
+                    if left and right:
+                        # Colons become slashes for aggregator slugs
+                        new_model = f"{left}/{right}"
+                        logger.debug(
+                            "Converted vendor:model '%s' to aggregator slug '%s'",
+                            raw_input, new_model,
+                        )
+
+        # --- Step d: Aggregator catalog search ---
+        if is_aggregator(target_provider) and not resolved_alias:
+            catalog = list_provider_models(target_provider)
+            if catalog:
+                new_model_lower = new_model.lower()
+                for mid in catalog:
+                    if mid.lower() == new_model_lower:
+                        new_model = mid
+                        break
+                else:
+                    for mid in catalog:
+                        if "/" in mid:
+                            _, bare = mid.split("/", 1)
+                            if bare.lower() == new_model_lower:
+                                new_model = mid
+                                break
+
+        # --- Step e: detect_provider_for_model() as last resort ---
+        _base = current_base_url or ""
+        is_custom = current_provider in ("custom", "local") or (
+            "localhost" in _base or "127.0.0.1" in _base
+        )
+
+        if (
+            target_provider == current_provider
+            and not is_custom
+            and not resolved_alias
+        ):
+            detected = detect_provider_for_model(new_model, current_provider)
+            if detected:
+                target_provider, new_model = detected
+
+    # =================================================================
+    # COMMON PATH: Resolve credentials, normalize, get metadata
+    # =================================================================
 
     provider_changed = target_provider != current_provider
+    provider_label = get_label(target_provider)
 
-    # Step 4: Resolve credentials for target provider
+    # --- Resolve credentials ---
     api_key = current_api_key
     base_url = current_base_url
     api_mode = ""
-    if provider_changed:
+
+    if provider_changed or explicit_provider:
         try:
             runtime = resolve_runtime_provider(requested=target_provider)
             api_key = runtime.get("api_key", "")
             base_url = runtime.get("base_url", "")
             api_mode = runtime.get("api_mode", "")
         except Exception as e:
-            provider_label = _PROVIDER_LABELS.get(target_provider, target_provider)
-            if target_provider == "custom":
-                return ModelSwitchResult(
-                    success=False,
-                    target_provider=target_provider,
-                    error_message=(
-                        "No custom endpoint configured. Set model.base_url "
-                        "in config.yaml, or set OPENAI_BASE_URL in .env, "
-                        "or run: hermes setup → Custom OpenAI-compatible endpoint"
-                    ),
-                )
             return ModelSwitchResult(
                 success=False,
                 target_provider=target_provider,
+                provider_label=provider_label,
+                is_global=is_global,
                 error_message=(
                     f"Could not resolve credentials for provider "
                     f"'{provider_label}': {e}"
                 ),
             )
     else:
-        # Gateway also resolves for unchanged provider to get accurate
-        # base_url for validation probing.
         try:
             runtime = resolve_runtime_provider(requested=current_provider)
             api_key = runtime.get("api_key", "")
@@ -138,7 +619,19 @@ def switch_model(
         except Exception:
             pass
 
-    # Step 5: Validate the model
+    # --- Direct alias override: use exact base_url from the alias if set ---
+    if resolved_alias:
+        _ensure_direct_aliases()
+        _da = DIRECT_ALIASES.get(resolved_alias)
+        if _da is not None and _da.base_url:
+            base_url = _da.base_url
+            if not api_key:
+                api_key = "no-key-required"
+
+    # --- Normalize model name for target provider ---
+    new_model = normalize_model_for_provider(new_model, target_provider)
+
+    # --- Validate ---
     try:
         validation = validate_requested_model(
             new_model,
@@ -160,23 +653,34 @@ def switch_model(
             success=False,
             new_model=new_model,
             target_provider=target_provider,
+            provider_label=provider_label,
+            is_global=is_global,
             error_message=msg,
         )
 
-    # Step 6: Build result
-    provider_label = _PROVIDER_LABELS.get(target_provider, target_provider)
-    is_custom_target = target_provider == "custom" or (
-        base_url
-        and "openrouter.ai" not in (base_url or "")
-        and ("localhost" in (base_url or "") or "127.0.0.1" in (base_url or ""))
-    )
-
-    if target_provider in {"opencode-zen", "opencode-go"}:
-        # Recompute against the requested new model, not the currently-configured
-        # model used during runtime resolution. OpenCode mixes API surfaces by
-        # model family, so a same-provider model switch can change api_mode.
+    # --- OpenCode api_mode override ---
+    if target_provider in {"opencode-zen", "opencode-go", "opencode", "opencode-go"}:
         api_mode = opencode_model_api_mode(target_provider, new_model)
 
+    # --- Determine api_mode if not already set ---
+    if not api_mode:
+        api_mode = determine_api_mode(target_provider, base_url)
+
+    # --- Get capabilities (legacy) ---
+    capabilities = get_model_capabilities(target_provider, new_model)
+
+    # --- Get full model info from models.dev ---
+    model_info = get_model_info(target_provider, new_model)
+
+    # --- Collect warnings ---
+    warnings: list[str] = []
+    if validation.get("message"):
+        warnings.append(validation["message"])
+    hermes_warn = _check_hermes_model_warning(new_model)
+    if hermes_warn:
+        warnings.append(hermes_warn)
+
+    # --- Build result ---
     return ModelSwitchResult(
         success=True,
         new_model=new_model,
@@ -185,18 +689,191 @@ def switch_model(
         api_key=api_key,
         base_url=base_url,
         api_mode=api_mode,
-        persist=bool(validation.get("persist")),
-        warning_message=validation.get("message") or "",
-        is_custom_target=is_custom_target,
+        warning_message=" | ".join(warnings) if warnings else "",
         provider_label=provider_label,
+        resolved_via_alias=resolved_alias,
+        capabilities=capabilities,
+        model_info=model_info,
+        is_global=is_global,
     )
 
 
-def switch_to_custom_provider() -> CustomAutoResult:
-    """Handle bare '/model custom' — resolve endpoint and auto-detect model.
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Authenticated providers listing (for /model no-args display)
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
-    Returns a result object; the caller handles persistence and output.
+def list_authenticated_providers(
+    current_provider: str = "",
+    user_providers: dict = None,
+    max_models: int = 8,
+) -> List[dict]:
+    """Detect which providers have credentials and list their curated models.
+
+    Uses the curated model lists from hermes_cli/models.py (OPENROUTER_MODELS,
+    _PROVIDER_MODELS) — NOT the full models.dev catalog.  These are hand-picked
+    agentic models that work well as agent backends.
+
+    Returns a list of dicts, each with:
+      - slug: str — the --provider value to use
+      - name: str — display name
+      - is_current: bool
+      - is_user_defined: bool
+      - models: list[str] — curated model IDs (up to max_models)
+      - total_models: int — total curated count
+      - source: str — "built-in", "models.dev", "user-config"
+
+    Only includes providers that have API keys set or are user-defined endpoints.
     """
+    import os
+    from agent.models_dev import (
+        PROVIDER_TO_MODELS_DEV,
+        fetch_models_dev,
+        get_provider_info as _mdev_pinfo,
+    )
+    from hermes_cli.models import OPENROUTER_MODELS, _PROVIDER_MODELS
+
+    results: List[dict] = []
+    seen_slugs: set = set()
+
+    data = fetch_models_dev()
+
+    # Build curated model lists keyed by hermes provider ID
+    curated: dict[str, list[str]] = dict(_PROVIDER_MODELS)
+    curated["openrouter"] = [mid for mid, _ in OPENROUTER_MODELS]
+    # "nous" shares OpenRouter's curated list if not separately defined
+    if "nous" not in curated:
+        curated["nous"] = curated["openrouter"]
+
+    # --- 1. Check Hermes-mapped providers ---
+    for hermes_id, mdev_id in PROVIDER_TO_MODELS_DEV.items():
+        pdata = data.get(mdev_id)
+        if not isinstance(pdata, dict):
+            continue
+
+        env_vars = pdata.get("env", [])
+        if not isinstance(env_vars, list):
+            continue
+
+        # Check if any env var is set
+        has_creds = any(os.environ.get(ev) for ev in env_vars)
+        if not has_creds:
+            continue
+
+        # Use curated list, falling back to models.dev if no curated list
+        model_ids = curated.get(hermes_id, [])
+        total = len(model_ids)
+        top = model_ids[:max_models]
+
+        slug = hermes_id
+        pinfo = _mdev_pinfo(mdev_id)
+        display_name = pinfo.name if pinfo else mdev_id
+
+        results.append({
+            "slug": slug,
+            "name": display_name,
+            "is_current": slug == current_provider or mdev_id == current_provider,
+            "is_user_defined": False,
+            "models": top,
+            "total_models": total,
+            "source": "built-in",
+        })
+        seen_slugs.add(slug)
+
+    # --- 2. Check Hermes-only providers (nous, openai-codex, copilot) ---
+    from hermes_cli.providers import HERMES_OVERLAYS
+    for pid, overlay in HERMES_OVERLAYS.items():
+        if pid in seen_slugs:
+            continue
+        # Check if credentials exist
+        has_creds = False
+        if overlay.extra_env_vars:
+            has_creds = any(os.environ.get(ev) for ev in overlay.extra_env_vars)
+        if overlay.auth_type in ("oauth_device_code", "oauth_external", "external_process"):
+            # These use auth stores, not env vars — check for auth.json entries
+            try:
+                from hermes_cli.auth import _read_auth_store
+                store = _read_auth_store()
+                if store and pid in store:
+                    has_creds = True
+            except Exception:
+                pass
+        if not has_creds:
+            continue
+
+        # Use curated list
+        model_ids = curated.get(pid, [])
+        total = len(model_ids)
+        top = model_ids[:max_models]
+
+        results.append({
+            "slug": pid,
+            "name": get_label(pid),
+            "is_current": pid == current_provider,
+            "is_user_defined": False,
+            "models": top,
+            "total_models": total,
+            "source": "hermes",
+        })
+        seen_slugs.add(pid)
+
+    # --- 3. User-defined endpoints from config ---
+    if user_providers and isinstance(user_providers, dict):
+        for ep_name, ep_cfg in user_providers.items():
+            if not isinstance(ep_cfg, dict):
+                continue
+            display_name = ep_cfg.get("name", "") or ep_name
+            api_url = ep_cfg.get("api", "") or ep_cfg.get("url", "") or ""
+            default_model = ep_cfg.get("default_model", "")
+
+            models_list = []
+            if default_model:
+                models_list.append(default_model)
+
+            # Try to probe /v1/models if URL is set (but don't block on it)
+            # For now just show what we know from config
+            results.append({
+                "slug": ep_name,
+                "name": display_name,
+                "is_current": ep_name == current_provider,
+                "is_user_defined": True,
+                "models": models_list,
+                "total_models": len(models_list) if models_list else 0,
+                "source": "user-config",
+                "api_url": api_url,
+            })
+
+    # Sort: current provider first, then by model count descending
+    results.sort(key=lambda r: (not r["is_current"], -r["total_models"]))
+
+    return results
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Fuzzy suggestions
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+def suggest_models(raw_input: str, limit: int = 3) -> List[str]:
+    """Return fuzzy model suggestions for a (possibly misspelled) input."""
+    query = raw_input.strip()
+    if not query:
+        return []
+
+    results = search_models_dev(query, limit=limit)
+    suggestions: list[str] = []
+    for r in results:
+        mid = r.get("model_id", "")
+        if mid:
+            suggestions.append(mid)
+
+    return suggestions[:limit]
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Custom provider switch
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+def switch_to_custom_provider() -> CustomAutoResult:
+    """Handle bare '/model --provider custom' — resolve endpoint and auto-detect model."""
     from hermes_cli.runtime_provider import (
         resolve_runtime_provider,
         _auto_detect_local_model,
@@ -219,7 +896,7 @@ def switch_to_custom_provider() -> CustomAutoResult:
             error_message=(
                 "No custom endpoint configured. "
                 "Set model.base_url in config.yaml, or set OPENAI_BASE_URL "
-                "in .env, or run: hermes setup → Custom OpenAI-compatible endpoint"
+                "in .env, or run: hermes setup -> Custom OpenAI-compatible endpoint"
             ),
         )
 
@@ -232,7 +909,7 @@ def switch_to_custom_provider() -> CustomAutoResult:
             error_message=(
                 f"Custom endpoint at {cust_base} is reachable but no single "
                 f"model was auto-detected. Specify the model explicitly: "
-                f"/model custom:<model-name>"
+                f"/model <model-name> --provider custom"
             ),
         )
 

hermes_cli/models.py

@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ OPENROUTER_MODELS: list[tuple[str, str]] = [
     ("stepfun/step-3.5-flash",          ""),
     ("minimax/minimax-m2.7",            ""),
     ("minimax/minimax-m2.5",            ""),
-    ("z-ai/glm-5",                      ""),
+    ("z-ai/glm-5.1",                    ""),
     ("z-ai/glm-5-turbo",                ""),
     ("moonshotai/kimi-k2.5",            ""),
     ("x-ai/grok-4.20-beta",             ""),
@@ -60,7 +60,6 @@ _PROVIDER_MODELS: dict[str, list[str]] = {
     "nous": [
         "anthropic/claude-opus-4.6",
         "anthropic/claude-sonnet-4.6",
-        "qwen/qwen3.6-plus:free",
         "anthropic/claude-sonnet-4.5",
         "anthropic/claude-haiku-4.5",
         "openai/gpt-5.4",
@@ -76,7 +75,7 @@ _PROVIDER_MODELS: dict[str, list[str]] = {
         "stepfun/step-3.5-flash",
         "minimax/minimax-m2.7",
         "minimax/minimax-m2.5",
-        "z-ai/glm-5",
+        "z-ai/glm-5.1",
         "z-ai/glm-5-turbo",
         "moonshotai/kimi-k2.5",
         "x-ai/grok-4.20-beta",
@@ -112,6 +111,17 @@ _PROVIDER_MODELS: dict[str, list[str]] = {
         "gemini-2.5-pro",
         "grok-code-fast-1",
     ],
+    "gemini": [
+        "gemini-3.1-pro-preview",
+        "gemini-3-flash-preview",
+        "gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview",
+        "gemini-2.5-pro",
+        "gemini-2.5-flash",
+        "gemini-2.5-flash-lite",
+        # Gemma open models (also served via AI Studio)
+        "gemma-4-31b-it",
+        "gemma-4-26b-it",
+    ],
     "zai": [
         "glm-5",
         "glm-5-turbo",
@@ -201,7 +211,10 @@ _PROVIDER_MODELS: dict[str, list[str]] = {
     "opencode-go": [
         "glm-5",
         "kimi-k2.5",
+        "mimo-v2-pro",
+        "mimo-v2-omni",
         "minimax-m2.7",
+        "minimax-m2.5",
     ],
     "ai-gateway": [
         "anthropic/claude-opus-4.6",
@@ -252,12 +265,209 @@ _PROVIDER_MODELS: dict[str, list[str]] = {
     ],
 }
 
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Nous Portal free-model filtering
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Models that are ALLOWED to appear when priced as free on Nous Portal.
+# Any other free model is hidden — prevents promotional/temporary free models
+# from cluttering the selection when users are paying subscribers.
+# Models in this list are ALSO filtered out if they are NOT free (i.e. they
+# should only appear in the menu when they are genuinely free).
+_NOUS_ALLOWED_FREE_MODELS: frozenset[str] = frozenset({
+    "xiaomi/mimo-v2-pro",
+    "xiaomi/mimo-v2-omni",
+})
+
+
+def _is_model_free(model_id: str, pricing: dict[str, dict[str, str]]) -> bool:
+    """Return True if *model_id* has zero-cost prompt AND completion pricing."""
+    p = pricing.get(model_id)
+    if not p:
+        return False
+    try:
+        return float(p.get("prompt", "1")) == 0 and float(p.get("completion", "1")) == 0
+    except (TypeError, ValueError):
+        return False
+
+
+def filter_nous_free_models(
+    model_ids: list[str],
+    pricing: dict[str, dict[str, str]],
+) -> list[str]:
+    """Filter the Nous Portal model list according to free-model policy.
+
+    Rules:
+      • Paid models that are NOT in the allowlist → keep (normal case).
+      • Free models that are NOT in the allowlist → drop.
+      • Allowlist models that ARE free → keep.
+      • Allowlist models that are NOT free → drop.
+    """
+    if not pricing:
+        return model_ids  # no pricing data — can't filter, show everything
+
+    result: list[str] = []
+    for mid in model_ids:
+        free = _is_model_free(mid, pricing)
+        if mid in _NOUS_ALLOWED_FREE_MODELS:
+            # Allowlist model: only show when it's actually free
+            if free:
+                result.append(mid)
+        else:
+            # Regular model: keep only when it's NOT free
+            if not free:
+                result.append(mid)
+    return result
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Nous Portal account tier detection
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+def fetch_nous_account_tier(access_token: str, portal_base_url: str = "") -> dict[str, Any]:
+    """Fetch the user's Nous Portal account/subscription info.
+
+    Calls ``<portal>/api/oauth/account`` with the OAuth access token.
+
+    Returns the parsed JSON dict on success, e.g.::
+
+        {
+            "subscription": {
+                "plan": "Plus",
+                "tier": 2,
+                "monthly_charge": 20,
+                "credits_remaining": 1686.60,
+                ...
+            },
+            ...
+        }
+
+    Returns an empty dict on any failure (network, auth, parse).
+    """
+    base = (portal_base_url or "https://portal.nousresearch.com").rstrip("/")
+    url = f"{base}/api/oauth/account"
+    headers = {
+        "Authorization": f"Bearer {access_token}",
+        "Accept": "application/json",
+    }
+    try:
+        req = urllib.request.Request(url, headers=headers)
+        with urllib.request.urlopen(req, timeout=8) as resp:
+            return json.loads(resp.read().decode())
+    except Exception:
+        return {}
+
+
+def is_nous_free_tier(account_info: dict[str, Any]) -> bool:
+    """Return True if the account info indicates a free (unpaid) tier.
+
+    Checks ``subscription.monthly_charge == 0``.  Returns False when
+    the field is missing or unparseable (assumes paid — don't block users).
+    """
+    sub = account_info.get("subscription")
+    if not isinstance(sub, dict):
+        return False
+    charge = sub.get("monthly_charge")
+    if charge is None:
+        return False
+    try:
+        return float(charge) == 0
+    except (TypeError, ValueError):
+        return False
+
+
+def partition_nous_models_by_tier(
+    model_ids: list[str],
+    pricing: dict[str, dict[str, str]],
+    free_tier: bool,
+) -> tuple[list[str], list[str]]:
+    """Split Nous models into (selectable, unavailable) based on user tier.
+
+    For paid-tier users: all models are selectable, none unavailable
+    (free-model filtering is handled separately by ``filter_nous_free_models``).
+
+    For free-tier users: only free models are selectable; paid models
+    are returned as unavailable (shown grayed out in the menu).
+    """
+    if not free_tier:
+        return (model_ids, [])
+
+    if not pricing:
+        return (model_ids, [])  # can't determine, show everything
+
+    selectable: list[str] = []
+    unavailable: list[str] = []
+    for mid in model_ids:
+        if _is_model_free(mid, pricing):
+            selectable.append(mid)
+        else:
+            unavailable.append(mid)
+    return (selectable, unavailable)
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# TTL cache for free-tier detection — avoids repeated API calls within a
+# session while still picking up upgrades quickly.
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+_FREE_TIER_CACHE_TTL: int = 180  # seconds (3 minutes)
+_free_tier_cache: tuple[bool, float] | None = None  # (result, timestamp)
+
+
+def clear_nous_free_tier_cache() -> None:
+    """Invalidate the cached free-tier result (e.g. after login/logout)."""
+    global _free_tier_cache
+    _free_tier_cache = None
+
+
+def check_nous_free_tier() -> bool:
+    """Check if the current Nous Portal user is on a free (unpaid) tier.
+
+    Results are cached for ``_FREE_TIER_CACHE_TTL`` seconds to avoid
+    hitting the Portal API on every call.  The cache is short-lived so
+    that an account upgrade is reflected within a few minutes.
+
+    Returns False (assume paid) on any error — never blocks paying users.
+    """
+    global _free_tier_cache
+    import time
+
+    now = time.monotonic()
+    if _free_tier_cache is not None:
+        cached_result, cached_at = _free_tier_cache
+        if now - cached_at < _FREE_TIER_CACHE_TTL:
+            return cached_result
+
+    try:
+        from hermes_cli.auth import get_provider_auth_state, resolve_nous_runtime_credentials
+
+        # Ensure we have a fresh token (triggers refresh if needed)
+        resolve_nous_runtime_credentials(min_key_ttl_seconds=60)
+
+        state = get_provider_auth_state("nous")
+        if not state:
+            _free_tier_cache = (False, now)
+            return False
+        access_token = state.get("access_token", "")
+        portal_url = state.get("portal_base_url", "")
+        if not access_token:
+            _free_tier_cache = (False, now)
+            return False
+
+        account_info = fetch_nous_account_tier(access_token, portal_url)
+        result = is_nous_free_tier(account_info)
+        _free_tier_cache = (result, now)
+        return result
+    except Exception:
+        _free_tier_cache = (False, now)
+        return False  # default to paid on error — don't block users
+
+
 _PROVIDER_LABELS = {
     "openrouter": "OpenRouter",
     "openai-codex": "OpenAI Codex",
     "copilot-acp": "GitHub Copilot ACP",
     "nous": "Nous Portal",
     "copilot": "GitHub Copilot",
+    "gemini": "Google AI Studio",
     "zai": "Z.AI / GLM",
     "kimi-coding": "Kimi / Moonshot",
     "minimax": "MiniMax",
@@ -284,6 +494,9 @@ _PROVIDER_ALIASES = {
     "github-model": "copilot",
     "github-copilot-acp": "copilot-acp",
     "copilot-acp-agent": "copilot-acp",
+    "google": "gemini",
+    "google-gemini": "gemini",
+    "google-ai-studio": "gemini",
     "kimi": "kimi-coding",
     "moonshot": "kimi-coding",
     "minimax-china": "minimax-cn",
@@ -324,6 +537,213 @@ def menu_labels() -> list[str]:
     return labels
 
 
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Pricing helpers — fetch live pricing from OpenRouter-compatible /v1/models
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+# Cache: maps model_id → {"prompt": str, "completion": str} per endpoint
+_pricing_cache: dict[str, dict[str, dict[str, str]]] = {}
+
+
+def _format_price_per_mtok(per_token_str: str) -> str:
+    """Convert a per-token price string to a human-friendly $/Mtok string.
+
+    Always uses 2 decimal places so that prices align vertically when
+    right-justified in a column (the decimal point stays in the same position).
+
+    Examples:
+        "0.000003"   → "$3.00"      (per million tokens)
+        "0.00003"    → "$30.00"
+        "0.00000015" → "$0.15"
+        "0.0000001"  → "$0.10"
+        "0.00018"    → "$180.00"
+        "0"          → "free"
+    """
+    try:
+        val = float(per_token_str)
+    except (TypeError, ValueError):
+        return "?"
+    if val == 0:
+        return "free"
+    per_m = val * 1_000_000
+    return f"${per_m:.2f}"
+
+
+def format_pricing_label(pricing: dict[str, str] | None) -> str:
+    """Build a compact pricing label like 'in $3 · out $15 · cache $0.30/Mtok'.
+
+    Returns empty string when pricing is unavailable.
+    """
+    if not pricing:
+        return ""
+    prompt_price = pricing.get("prompt", "")
+    completion_price = pricing.get("completion", "")
+    if not prompt_price and not completion_price:
+        return ""
+    inp = _format_price_per_mtok(prompt_price)
+    out = _format_price_per_mtok(completion_price)
+    if inp == "free" and out == "free":
+        return "free"
+    cache_read = pricing.get("input_cache_read", "")
+    cache_str = _format_price_per_mtok(cache_read) if cache_read else ""
+    if inp == out and not cache_str:
+        return f"{inp}/Mtok"
+    parts = [f"in {inp}", f"out {out}"]
+    if cache_str and cache_str != "?" and cache_str != inp:
+        parts.append(f"cache {cache_str}")
+    return " · ".join(parts) + "/Mtok"
+
+
+def format_model_pricing_table(
+    models: list[tuple[str, str]],
+    pricing_map: dict[str, dict[str, str]],
+    current_model: str = "",
+    indent: str = "      ",
+) -> list[str]:
+    """Build a column-aligned model+pricing table for terminal display.
+
+    Returns a list of pre-formatted lines ready to print.
+    *models* is ``[(model_id, description), ...]``.
+    """
+    if not models:
+        return []
+
+    # Build rows: (model_id, input_price, output_price, cache_price, is_current)
+    rows: list[tuple[str, str, str, str, bool]] = []
+    has_cache = False
+    for mid, _desc in models:
+        is_cur = mid == current_model
+        p = pricing_map.get(mid)
+        if p:
+            inp = _format_price_per_mtok(p.get("prompt", ""))
+            out = _format_price_per_mtok(p.get("completion", ""))
+            cache_read = p.get("input_cache_read", "")
+            cache = _format_price_per_mtok(cache_read) if cache_read else ""
+            if cache:
+                has_cache = True
+        else:
+            inp, out, cache = "", "", ""
+        rows.append((mid, inp, out, cache, is_cur))
+
+    name_col = max(len(r[0]) for r in rows) + 2
+    # Compute price column widths from the actual data so decimals align
+    price_col = max(
+        max((len(r[1]) for r in rows if r[1]), default=4),
+        max((len(r[2]) for r in rows if r[2]), default=4),
+        3,  # minimum: "In" / "Out" header
+    )
+    cache_col = max(
+        max((len(r[3]) for r in rows if r[3]), default=4),
+        5,  # minimum: "Cache" header
+    ) if has_cache else 0
+    lines: list[str] = []
+
+    # Header
+    if has_cache:
+        lines.append(f"{indent}{'Model':<{name_col}} {'In':>{price_col}}  {'Out':>{price_col}}  {'Cache':>{cache_col}}  /Mtok")
+        lines.append(f"{indent}{'-' * name_col} {'-' * price_col}  {'-' * price_col}  {'-' * cache_col}")
+    else:
+        lines.append(f"{indent}{'Model':<{name_col}} {'In':>{price_col}}  {'Out':>{price_col}}  /Mtok")
+        lines.append(f"{indent}{'-' * name_col} {'-' * price_col}  {'-' * price_col}")
+
+    for mid, inp, out, cache, is_cur in rows:
+        marker = "  ← current" if is_cur else ""
+        if has_cache:
+            lines.append(f"{indent}{mid:<{name_col}} {inp:>{price_col}}  {out:>{price_col}}  {cache:>{cache_col}}{marker}")
+        else:
+            lines.append(f"{indent}{mid:<{name_col}} {inp:>{price_col}}  {out:>{price_col}}{marker}")
+
+    return lines
+
+
+def fetch_models_with_pricing(
+    api_key: str | None = None,
+    base_url: str = "https://openrouter.ai/api",
+    timeout: float = 8.0,
+    *,
+    force_refresh: bool = False,
+) -> dict[str, dict[str, str]]:
+    """Fetch ``/v1/models`` and return ``{model_id: {prompt, completion}}`` pricing.
+
+    Results are cached per *base_url* so repeated calls are free.
+    Works with any OpenRouter-compatible endpoint (OpenRouter, Nous Portal).
+    """
+    cache_key = (base_url or "").rstrip("/")
+    if not force_refresh and cache_key in _pricing_cache:
+        return _pricing_cache[cache_key]
+
+    url = cache_key.rstrip("/") + "/v1/models"
+    headers: dict[str, str] = {"Accept": "application/json"}
+    if api_key:
+        headers["Authorization"] = f"Bearer {api_key}"
+
+    try:
+        req = urllib.request.Request(url, headers=headers)
+        with urllib.request.urlopen(req, timeout=timeout) as resp:
+            payload = json.loads(resp.read().decode())
+    except Exception:
+        _pricing_cache[cache_key] = {}
+        return {}
+
+    result: dict[str, dict[str, str]] = {}
+    for item in payload.get("data", []):
+        mid = item.get("id")
+        pricing = item.get("pricing")
+        if mid and isinstance(pricing, dict):
+            entry: dict[str, str] = {
+                "prompt": str(pricing.get("prompt", "")),
+                "completion": str(pricing.get("completion", "")),
+            }
+            if pricing.get("input_cache_read"):
+                entry["input_cache_read"] = str(pricing["input_cache_read"])
+            if pricing.get("input_cache_write"):
+                entry["input_cache_write"] = str(pricing["input_cache_write"])
+            result[mid] = entry
+
+    _pricing_cache[cache_key] = result
+    return result
+
+
+def _resolve_openrouter_api_key() -> str:
+    """Best-effort OpenRouter API key for pricing fetch."""
+    return os.getenv("OPENROUTER_API_KEY", "").strip()
+
+
+def _resolve_nous_pricing_credentials() -> tuple[str, str]:
+    """Return ``(api_key, base_url)`` for Nous Portal pricing, or empty strings."""
+    try:
+        from hermes_cli.auth import resolve_nous_runtime_credentials
+        creds = resolve_nous_runtime_credentials()
+        if creds:
+            return (creds.get("api_key", ""), creds.get("base_url", ""))
+    except Exception:
+        pass
+    return ("", "")
+
+
+def get_pricing_for_provider(provider: str) -> dict[str, dict[str, str]]:
+    """Return live pricing for providers that support it (openrouter, nous)."""
+    normalized = normalize_provider(provider)
+    if normalized == "openrouter":
+        return fetch_models_with_pricing(
+            api_key=_resolve_openrouter_api_key(),
+            base_url="https://openrouter.ai/api",
+        )
+    if normalized == "nous":
+        api_key, base_url = _resolve_nous_pricing_credentials()
+        if base_url:
+            # Nous base_url typically looks like https://inference-api.nousresearch.com/v1
+            # We need the part before /v1 for our fetch function
+            stripped = base_url.rstrip("/")
+            if stripped.endswith("/v1"):
+                stripped = stripped[:-3]
+            return fetch_models_with_pricing(
+                api_key=api_key,
+                base_url=stripped,
+            )
+    return {}
+
+
 # All provider IDs and aliases that are valid for the provider:model syntax.
 _KNOWN_PROVIDER_NAMES: set[str] = (
     set(_PROVIDER_LABELS.keys())
@@ -341,7 +761,8 @@ def list_available_providers() -> list[dict[str, str]]:
     # Canonical providers in display order
     _PROVIDER_ORDER = [
         "openrouter", "nous", "openai-codex", "copilot", "copilot-acp",
-        "huggingface", "zai", "kimi-coding", "minimax", "minimax-cn", "kilocode", "anthropic", "alibaba",
+        "gemini", "huggingface",
+        "zai", "kimi-coding", "minimax", "minimax-cn", "kilocode", "anthropic", "alibaba",
         "opencode-zen", "opencode-go",
         "ai-gateway", "deepseek", "custom",
     ]
@@ -710,10 +1131,6 @@ def _payload_items(payload: Any) -> list[dict[str, Any]]:
     return []
 
 
-def _extract_model_ids(payload: Any) -> list[str]:
-    return [item.get("id", "") for item in _payload_items(payload) if item.get("id")]
-
-
 def copilot_default_headers() -> dict[str, str]:
     """Standard headers for Copilot API requests.
 

hermes_cli/nous_subscription.py

@@ -131,6 +131,7 @@ def _browser_label(current_provider: str) -> str:
     mapping = {
         "browserbase": "Browserbase",
         "browser-use": "Browser Use",
+        "firecrawl": "Firecrawl",
         "camofox": "Camofox",
         "local": "Local browser",
     }
@@ -156,6 +157,7 @@ def _resolve_browser_feature_state(
     direct_camofox: bool,
     direct_browserbase: bool,
     direct_browser_use: bool,
+    direct_firecrawl: bool,
     managed_browser_available: bool,
 ) -> tuple[str, bool, bool, bool]:
     """Resolve browser availability using the same precedence as runtime."""
@@ -165,18 +167,22 @@ def _resolve_browser_feature_state(
     if browser_provider_explicit:
         current_provider = browser_provider or "local"
         if current_provider == "browserbase":
-            provider_available = managed_browser_available or direct_browserbase
+            available = bool(browser_local_available and direct_browserbase)
+            active = bool(browser_tool_enabled and available)
+            return current_provider, available, active, False
+        if current_provider == "browser-use":
+            provider_available = managed_browser_available or direct_browser_use
             available = bool(browser_local_available and provider_available)
             managed = bool(
                 browser_tool_enabled
                 and browser_local_available
                 and managed_browser_available
-                and not direct_browserbase
+                and not direct_browser_use
             )
             active = bool(browser_tool_enabled and available)
             return current_provider, available, active, managed
-        if current_provider == "browser-use":
-            available = bool(browser_local_available and direct_browser_use)
+        if current_provider == "firecrawl":
+            available = bool(browser_local_available and direct_firecrawl)
             active = bool(browser_tool_enabled and available)
             return current_provider, available, active, False
         if current_provider == "camofox":
@@ -187,16 +193,21 @@ def _resolve_browser_feature_state(
         active = bool(browser_tool_enabled and available)
         return current_provider, available, active, False
 
-    if managed_browser_available or direct_browserbase:
+    if managed_browser_available or direct_browser_use:
         available = bool(browser_local_available)
         managed = bool(
             browser_tool_enabled
             and browser_local_available
             and managed_browser_available
-            and not direct_browserbase
+            and not direct_browser_use
         )
         active = bool(browser_tool_enabled and available)
-        return "browserbase", available, active, managed
+        return "browser-use", available, active, managed
+
+    if direct_browserbase:
+        available = bool(browser_local_available)
+        active = bool(browser_tool_enabled and available)
+        return "browserbase", available, active, False
 
     available = bool(browser_local_available)
     active = bool(browser_tool_enabled and available)
@@ -260,7 +271,7 @@ def get_nous_subscription_features(
     managed_web_available = managed_tools_flag and nous_auth_present and is_managed_tool_gateway_ready("firecrawl")
     managed_image_available = managed_tools_flag and nous_auth_present and is_managed_tool_gateway_ready("fal-queue")
     managed_tts_available = managed_tools_flag and nous_auth_present and is_managed_tool_gateway_ready("openai-audio")
-    managed_browser_available = managed_tools_flag and nous_auth_present and is_managed_tool_gateway_ready("browserbase")
+    managed_browser_available = managed_tools_flag and nous_auth_present and is_managed_tool_gateway_ready("browser-use")
     managed_modal_available = managed_tools_flag and nous_auth_present and is_managed_tool_gateway_ready("modal")
     modal_state = resolve_modal_backend_state(
         modal_mode,
@@ -315,6 +326,7 @@ def get_nous_subscription_features(
         direct_camofox=direct_camofox,
         direct_browserbase=direct_browserbase,
         direct_browser_use=direct_browser_use,
+        direct_firecrawl=direct_firecrawl,
         managed_browser_available=managed_browser_available,
     )
 
@@ -505,10 +517,10 @@ def apply_nous_managed_defaults(
         changed.add("tts")
 
     if "browser" in selected_toolsets and not features.browser.explicit_configured and not (
-        get_env_value("BROWSERBASE_API_KEY")
-        or get_env_value("BROWSER_USE_API_KEY")
+        get_env_value("BROWSER_USE_API_KEY")
+        or get_env_value("BROWSERBASE_API_KEY")
     ):
-        browser_cfg["cloud_provider"] = "browserbase"
+        browser_cfg["cloud_provider"] = "browser-use"
         changed.add("browser")
 
     if "image_gen" in selected_toolsets and not get_env_value("FAL_KEY"):

hermes_cli/plugins.py

@@ -36,8 +36,9 @@ import sys
 import types
 from dataclasses import dataclass, field
 from pathlib import Path
-from typing import Any, Callable, Dict, List, Optional, Set
+from typing import Any, Callable, Dict, List, Optional, Set, Union
 
+from hermes_constants import get_hermes_home
 from utils import env_var_enabled
 
 try:
@@ -56,6 +57,8 @@ VALID_HOOKS: Set[str] = {
     "post_tool_call",
     "pre_llm_call",
     "post_llm_call",
+    "pre_api_request",
+    "post_api_request",
     "on_session_start",
     "on_session_end",
 }
@@ -93,7 +96,7 @@ class PluginManifest:
     version: str = ""
     description: str = ""
     author: str = ""
-    requires_env: List[str] = field(default_factory=list)
+    requires_env: List[Union[str, Dict[str, Any]]] = field(default_factory=list)
     provides_tools: List[str] = field(default_factory=list)
     provides_hooks: List[str] = field(default_factory=list)
     source: str = ""        # "user", "project", or "entrypoint"
@@ -182,6 +185,32 @@ class PluginContext:
             cli._pending_input.put(msg)
         return True
 
+    # -- CLI command registration --------------------------------------------
+
+    def register_cli_command(
+        self,
+        name: str,
+        help: str,
+        setup_fn: Callable,
+        handler_fn: Callable | None = None,
+        description: str = "",
+    ) -> None:
+        """Register a CLI subcommand (e.g. ``hermes honcho ...``).
+
+        The *setup_fn* receives an argparse subparser and should add any
+        arguments/sub-subparsers.  If *handler_fn* is provided it is set
+        as the default dispatch function via ``set_defaults(func=...)``.
+        """
+        self._manager._cli_commands[name] = {
+            "name": name,
+            "help": help,
+            "description": description,
+            "setup_fn": setup_fn,
+            "handler_fn": handler_fn,
+            "plugin": self.manifest.name,
+        }
+        logger.debug("Plugin %s registered CLI command: %s", self.manifest.name, name)
+
     # -- hook registration --------------------------------------------------
 
     def register_hook(self, hook_name: str, callback: Callable) -> None:
@@ -213,6 +242,7 @@ class PluginManager:
         self._plugins: Dict[str, LoadedPlugin] = {}
         self._hooks: Dict[str, List[Callable]] = {}
         self._plugin_tool_names: Set[str] = set()
+        self._cli_commands: Dict[str, dict] = {}
         self._discovered: bool = False
         self._cli_ref = None  # Set by CLI after plugin discovery
 
@@ -229,8 +259,7 @@ class PluginManager:
         manifests: List[PluginManifest] = []
 
         # 1. User plugins (~/.hermes/plugins/)
-        hermes_home = os.environ.get("HERMES_HOME", os.path.expanduser("~/.hermes"))
-        user_dir = Path(hermes_home) / "plugins"
+        user_dir = get_hermes_home() / "plugins"
         manifests.extend(self._scan_directory(user_dir, source="user"))
 
         # 2. Project plugins (./.hermes/plugins/)
@@ -441,8 +470,18 @@ class PluginManager:
         plugin cannot break the core agent loop.
 
         Returns a list of non-``None`` return values from callbacks.
-        This allows hooks like ``pre_llm_call`` to contribute context
-        that the agent core can collect and inject.
+
+        For ``pre_llm_call``, callbacks may return a dict describing
+        context to inject into the current turn's user message::
+
+            {"context": "recalled text..."}
+            "recalled text..."          # plain string, equivalent
+
+        Context is ALWAYS injected into the user message, never the
+        system prompt.  This preserves the prompt cache prefix — the
+        system prompt stays identical across turns so cached tokens
+        are reused.  All injected context is ephemeral — never
+        persisted to session DB.
         """
         callbacks = self._hooks.get(hook_name, [])
         results: List[Any] = []
@@ -516,6 +555,15 @@ def get_plugin_tool_names() -> Set[str]:
     return get_plugin_manager()._plugin_tool_names
 
 
+def get_plugin_cli_commands() -> Dict[str, dict]:
+    """Return CLI commands registered by general plugins.
+
+    Returns a dict of ``{name: {help, setup_fn, handler_fn, ...}}``
+    suitable for wiring into argparse subparsers.
+    """
+    return dict(get_plugin_manager()._cli_commands)
+
+
 def get_plugin_toolsets() -> List[tuple]:
     """Return plugin toolsets as ``(key, label, description)`` tuples.
 

hermes_cli/plugins_cmd.py

@@ -16,6 +16,8 @@ import subprocess
 import sys
 from pathlib import Path
 
+from hermes_constants import get_hermes_home
+
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
 # Minimum manifest version this installer understands.
@@ -26,8 +28,7 @@ _SUPPORTED_MANIFEST_VERSION = 1
 
 def _plugins_dir() -> Path:
     """Return the user plugins directory, creating it if needed."""
-    hermes_home = os.environ.get("HERMES_HOME", os.path.expanduser("~/.hermes"))
-    plugins = Path(hermes_home) / "plugins"
+    plugins = get_hermes_home() / "plugins"
     plugins.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
     return plugins
 
@@ -41,6 +42,11 @@ def _sanitize_plugin_name(name: str, plugins_dir: Path) -> Path:
     if not name:
         raise ValueError("Plugin name must not be empty.")
 
+    if name in (".", ".."):
+        raise ValueError(
+            f"Invalid plugin name '{name}': must not reference the plugins directory itself."
+        )
+
     # Reject obvious traversal characters
     for bad in ("/", "\\", ".."):
         if bad in name:
@@ -49,10 +55,14 @@ def _sanitize_plugin_name(name: str, plugins_dir: Path) -> Path:
     target = (plugins_dir / name).resolve()
     plugins_resolved = plugins_dir.resolve()
 
-    if (
-        not str(target).startswith(str(plugins_resolved) + os.sep)
-        and target != plugins_resolved
-    ):
+    if target == plugins_resolved:
+        raise ValueError(
+            f"Invalid plugin name '{name}': resolves to the plugins directory itself."
+        )
+
+    try:
+        target.relative_to(plugins_resolved)
+    except ValueError:
         raise ValueError(
             f"Invalid plugin name '{name}': resolves outside the plugins directory."
         )
@@ -138,6 +148,82 @@ def _copy_example_files(plugin_dir: Path, console) -> None:
                 )
 
 
+def _prompt_plugin_env_vars(manifest: dict, console) -> None:
+    """Prompt for required environment variables declared in plugin.yaml.
+
+    ``requires_env`` accepts two formats:
+
+    Simple list (backwards-compatible)::
+
+        requires_env:
+          - MY_API_KEY
+
+    Rich list with metadata::
+
+        requires_env:
+          - name: MY_API_KEY
+            description: "API key for Acme service"
+            url: "https://acme.com/keys"
+            secret: true
+
+    Already-set variables are skipped.  Values are saved to the user's ``.env``.
+    """
+    requires_env = manifest.get("requires_env") or []
+    if not requires_env:
+        return
+
+    from hermes_cli.config import get_env_value, save_env_value  # noqa: F811
+    from hermes_constants import display_hermes_home
+
+    # Normalise to list-of-dicts
+    env_specs: list[dict] = []
+    for entry in requires_env:
+        if isinstance(entry, str):
+            env_specs.append({"name": entry})
+        elif isinstance(entry, dict) and entry.get("name"):
+            env_specs.append(entry)
+
+    # Filter to only vars that aren't already set
+    missing = [s for s in env_specs if not get_env_value(s["name"])]
+    if not missing:
+        return
+
+    plugin_name = manifest.get("name", "this plugin")
+    console.print(f"\n[bold]{plugin_name}[/bold] requires the following environment variables:\n")
+
+    for spec in missing:
+        name = spec["name"]
+        desc = spec.get("description", "")
+        url = spec.get("url", "")
+        secret = spec.get("secret", False)
+
+        label = f"  {name}"
+        if desc:
+            label += f" — {desc}"
+        console.print(label)
+        if url:
+            console.print(f"  [dim]Get yours at: {url}[/dim]")
+
+        try:
+            if secret:
+                import getpass
+                value = getpass.getpass(f"  {name}: ").strip()
+            else:
+                value = input(f"  {name}: ").strip()
+        except (EOFError, KeyboardInterrupt):
+            console.print(f"\n[dim]  Skipped (you can set these later in {display_hermes_home()}/.env)[/dim]")
+            return
+
+        if value:
+            save_env_value(name, value)
+            os.environ[name] = value
+            console.print(f"  [green]✓[/green] Saved to {display_hermes_home()}/.env")
+        else:
+            console.print(f"  [dim]  Skipped (set {name} in {display_hermes_home()}/.env later)[/dim]")
+
+    console.print()
+
+
 def _display_after_install(plugin_dir: Path, identifier: str) -> None:
     """Show after-install.md if it exists, otherwise a default message."""
     from rich.console import Console
@@ -209,7 +295,7 @@ def cmd_install(identifier: str, force: bool = False) -> None:
         sys.exit(1)
 
     # Warn about insecure / local URL schemes
-    if git_url.startswith("http://") or git_url.startswith("file://"):
+    if git_url.startswith(("http://", "file://")):
         console.print(
             "[yellow]Warning:[/yellow] Using insecure/local URL scheme. "
             "Consider using https:// or git@ for production installs."
@@ -297,6 +383,12 @@ def cmd_install(identifier: str, force: bool = False) -> None:
     # Copy .example files to their real names (e.g. config.yaml.example → config.yaml)
     _copy_example_files(target, console)
 
+    # Re-read manifest from installed location (for env var prompting)
+    installed_manifest = _read_manifest(target)
+
+    # Prompt for required environment variables before showing after-install docs
+    _prompt_plugin_env_vars(installed_manifest, console)
+
     _display_after_install(target, identifier)
 
     console.print("[dim]Restart the gateway for the plugin to take effect:[/dim]")

hermes_cli/profiles.py

@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ import shutil
 import stat
 import subprocess
 import sys
-from dataclasses import dataclass, field
+from dataclasses import dataclass
 from pathlib import Path, PurePosixPath, PureWindowsPath
 from typing import List, Optional
 
@@ -517,7 +517,6 @@ def delete_profile(name: str, yes: bool = False) -> Path:
     ]
 
     # Check for service
-    from hermes_cli.gateway import _profile_suffix, get_service_name
     wrapper_path = _get_wrapper_dir() / name
     has_wrapper = wrapper_path.exists()
     if has_wrapper:

hermes_cli/providers.py

@@ -0,0 +1,498 @@
+"""
+Single source of truth for provider identity in Hermes Agent.
+
+Two data sources, merged at runtime:
+
+1. **models.dev catalog** — 109+ providers with base URLs, env vars, display
+   names, and full model metadata (context, cost, capabilities).  This is
+   the primary database.
+
+2. **Hermes overlays** — transport type, auth patterns, aggregator flags,
+   and additional env vars that models.dev doesn't track.  Small dict,
+   maintained here.
+
+3. **User config** (``providers:`` section in config.yaml) — user-defined
+   endpoints and overrides.  Merged on top of everything else.
+
+Other modules import from this file.  No parallel registries.
+"""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import logging
+from dataclasses import dataclass
+from typing import Any, Dict, List, Optional, Tuple
+
+logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+
+
+# -- Hermes overlay ----------------------------------------------------------
+# Hermes-specific metadata that models.dev doesn't provide.
+
+@dataclass(frozen=True)
+class HermesOverlay:
+    """Hermes-specific provider metadata layered on top of models.dev."""
+
+    transport: str = "openai_chat"        # openai_chat | anthropic_messages | codex_responses
+    is_aggregator: bool = False
+    auth_type: str = "api_key"            # api_key | oauth_device_code | oauth_external | external_process
+    extra_env_vars: Tuple[str, ...] = ()  # env vars models.dev doesn't list
+    base_url_override: str = ""           # override if models.dev URL is wrong/missing
+    base_url_env_var: str = ""            # env var for user-custom base URL
+
+
+HERMES_OVERLAYS: Dict[str, HermesOverlay] = {
+    "openrouter": HermesOverlay(
+        transport="openai_chat",
+        is_aggregator=True,
+        extra_env_vars=("OPENAI_API_KEY",),
+        base_url_env_var="OPENROUTER_BASE_URL",
+    ),
+    "nous": HermesOverlay(
+        transport="openai_chat",
+        auth_type="oauth_device_code",
+        base_url_override="https://inference-api.nousresearch.com/v1",
+    ),
+    "openai-codex": HermesOverlay(
+        transport="codex_responses",
+        auth_type="oauth_external",
+        base_url_override="https://chatgpt.com/backend-api/codex",
+    ),
+    "copilot-acp": HermesOverlay(
+        transport="codex_responses",
+        auth_type="external_process",
+        base_url_override="acp://copilot",
+        base_url_env_var="COPILOT_ACP_BASE_URL",
+    ),
+    "github-copilot": HermesOverlay(
+        transport="openai_chat",
+        extra_env_vars=("COPILOT_GITHUB_TOKEN", "GH_TOKEN"),
+    ),
+    "anthropic": HermesOverlay(
+        transport="anthropic_messages",
+        extra_env_vars=("ANTHROPIC_TOKEN", "CLAUDE_CODE_OAUTH_TOKEN"),
+    ),
+    "zai": HermesOverlay(
+        transport="openai_chat",
+        extra_env_vars=("GLM_API_KEY", "ZAI_API_KEY", "Z_AI_API_KEY"),
+        base_url_env_var="GLM_BASE_URL",
+    ),
+    "kimi-for-coding": HermesOverlay(
+        transport="openai_chat",
+        base_url_env_var="KIMI_BASE_URL",
+    ),
+    "minimax": HermesOverlay(
+        transport="openai_chat",
+        base_url_env_var="MINIMAX_BASE_URL",
+    ),
+    "minimax-cn": HermesOverlay(
+        transport="openai_chat",
+        base_url_env_var="MINIMAX_CN_BASE_URL",
+    ),
+    "deepseek": HermesOverlay(
+        transport="openai_chat",
+        base_url_env_var="DEEPSEEK_BASE_URL",
+    ),
+    "alibaba": HermesOverlay(
+        transport="openai_chat",
+        base_url_env_var="DASHSCOPE_BASE_URL",
+    ),
+    "vercel": HermesOverlay(
+        transport="openai_chat",
+        is_aggregator=True,
+    ),
+    "opencode": HermesOverlay(
+        transport="openai_chat",
+        is_aggregator=True,
+        base_url_env_var="OPENCODE_ZEN_BASE_URL",
+    ),
+    "opencode-go": HermesOverlay(
+        transport="openai_chat",
+        is_aggregator=True,
+        base_url_env_var="OPENCODE_GO_BASE_URL",
+    ),
+    "kilo": HermesOverlay(
+        transport="openai_chat",
+        is_aggregator=True,
+        base_url_env_var="KILOCODE_BASE_URL",
+    ),
+    "huggingface": HermesOverlay(
+        transport="openai_chat",
+        is_aggregator=True,
+        base_url_env_var="HF_BASE_URL",
+    ),
+}
+
+
+# -- Resolved provider -------------------------------------------------------
+# The merged result of models.dev + overlay + user config.
+
+@dataclass
+class ProviderDef:
+    """Complete provider definition — merged from all sources."""
+
+    id: str
+    name: str
+    transport: str                        # openai_chat | anthropic_messages | codex_responses
+    api_key_env_vars: Tuple[str, ...]     # all env vars to check for API key
+    base_url: str = ""
+    base_url_env_var: str = ""
+    is_aggregator: bool = False
+    auth_type: str = "api_key"
+    doc: str = ""
+    source: str = ""                      # "models.dev", "hermes", "user-config"
+
+    @property
+    def is_user_defined(self) -> bool:
+        return self.source == "user-config"
+
+
+# -- Aliases ------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Maps human-friendly / legacy names to canonical provider IDs.
+# Uses models.dev IDs where possible.
+
+ALIASES: Dict[str, str] = {
+    # openrouter
+    "openai": "openrouter",     # bare "openai" → route through aggregator
+
+    # zai
+    "glm": "zai",
+    "z-ai": "zai",
+    "z.ai": "zai",
+    "zhipu": "zai",
+
+    # kimi-for-coding (models.dev ID)
+    "kimi": "kimi-for-coding",
+    "kimi-coding": "kimi-for-coding",
+    "moonshot": "kimi-for-coding",
+
+    # minimax-cn
+    "minimax-china": "minimax-cn",
+    "minimax_cn": "minimax-cn",
+
+    # anthropic
+    "claude": "anthropic",
+    "claude-code": "anthropic",
+
+    # github-copilot (models.dev ID)
+    "copilot": "github-copilot",
+    "github": "github-copilot",
+    "github-copilot-acp": "copilot-acp",
+
+    # vercel (models.dev ID for AI Gateway)
+    "ai-gateway": "vercel",
+    "aigateway": "vercel",
+    "vercel-ai-gateway": "vercel",
+
+    # opencode (models.dev ID for OpenCode Zen)
+    "opencode-zen": "opencode",
+    "zen": "opencode",
+
+    # opencode-go
+    "go": "opencode-go",
+    "opencode-go-sub": "opencode-go",
+
+    # kilo (models.dev ID for KiloCode)
+    "kilocode": "kilo",
+    "kilo-code": "kilo",
+    "kilo-gateway": "kilo",
+
+    # deepseek
+    "deep-seek": "deepseek",
+
+    # alibaba
+    "dashscope": "alibaba",
+    "aliyun": "alibaba",
+    "qwen": "alibaba",
+    "alibaba-cloud": "alibaba",
+
+    # huggingface
+    "hf": "huggingface",
+    "hugging-face": "huggingface",
+    "huggingface-hub": "huggingface",
+
+    # Local server aliases → virtual "local" concept (resolved via user config)
+    "lmstudio": "lmstudio",
+    "lm-studio": "lmstudio",
+    "lm_studio": "lmstudio",
+    "ollama": "ollama-cloud",
+    "vllm": "local",
+    "llamacpp": "local",
+    "llama.cpp": "local",
+    "llama-cpp": "local",
+}
+
+
+# -- Display labels -----------------------------------------------------------
+# Built dynamically from models.dev + overlays.  Fallback for providers
+# not in the catalog.
+
+_LABEL_OVERRIDES: Dict[str, str] = {
+    "nous": "Nous Portal",
+    "openai-codex": "OpenAI Codex",
+    "copilot-acp": "GitHub Copilot ACP",
+    "local": "Local endpoint",
+}
+
+
+# -- Transport → API mode mapping ---------------------------------------------
+
+TRANSPORT_TO_API_MODE: Dict[str, str] = {
+    "openai_chat": "chat_completions",
+    "anthropic_messages": "anthropic_messages",
+    "codex_responses": "codex_responses",
+}
+
+
+# -- Helper functions ---------------------------------------------------------
+
+def normalize_provider(name: str) -> str:
+    """Resolve aliases and normalise casing to a canonical provider id.
+
+    Returns the canonical id string.  Does *not* validate that the id
+    corresponds to a known provider.
+    """
+    key = name.strip().lower()
+    return ALIASES.get(key, key)
+
+
+def get_overlay(provider_id: str) -> Optional[HermesOverlay]:
+    """Get Hermes overlay for a provider, if one exists."""
+    canonical = normalize_provider(provider_id)
+    return HERMES_OVERLAYS.get(canonical)
+
+
+def get_provider(name: str) -> Optional[ProviderDef]:
+    """Look up a provider by id or alias, merging all data sources.
+
+    Resolution order:
+      1. Hermes overlays (for providers not in models.dev: nous, openai-codex, etc.)
+      2. models.dev catalog + Hermes overlay
+      3. User-defined providers from config (TODO: Phase 4)
+
+    Returns a fully-resolved ProviderDef or None.
+    """
+    canonical = normalize_provider(name)
+
+    # Try to get models.dev data
+    try:
+        from agent.models_dev import get_provider_info as _mdev_provider
+        mdev_info = _mdev_provider(canonical)
+    except Exception:
+        mdev_info = None
+
+    overlay = HERMES_OVERLAYS.get(canonical)
+
+    if mdev_info is not None:
+        # Merge models.dev + overlay
+        transport = overlay.transport if overlay else "openai_chat"
+        is_agg = overlay.is_aggregator if overlay else False
+        auth = overlay.auth_type if overlay else "api_key"
+        base_url_env = overlay.base_url_env_var if overlay else ""
+        base_url_override = overlay.base_url_override if overlay else ""
+
+        # Combine env vars: models.dev env + hermes extra
+        env_vars = list(mdev_info.env)
+        if overlay and overlay.extra_env_vars:
+            for ev in overlay.extra_env_vars:
+                if ev not in env_vars:
+                    env_vars.append(ev)
+
+        return ProviderDef(
+            id=canonical,
+            name=mdev_info.name,
+            transport=transport,
+            api_key_env_vars=tuple(env_vars),
+            base_url=base_url_override or mdev_info.api,
+            base_url_env_var=base_url_env,
+            is_aggregator=is_agg,
+            auth_type=auth,
+            doc=mdev_info.doc,
+            source="models.dev",
+        )
+
+    if overlay is not None:
+        # Hermes-only provider (not in models.dev)
+        return ProviderDef(
+            id=canonical,
+            name=_LABEL_OVERRIDES.get(canonical, canonical),
+            transport=overlay.transport,
+            api_key_env_vars=overlay.extra_env_vars,
+            base_url=overlay.base_url_override,
+            base_url_env_var=overlay.base_url_env_var,
+            is_aggregator=overlay.is_aggregator,
+            auth_type=overlay.auth_type,
+            source="hermes",
+        )
+
+    return None
+
+
+def get_label(provider_id: str) -> str:
+    """Get a human-readable display name for a provider."""
+    canonical = normalize_provider(provider_id)
+
+    # Check label overrides first
+    if canonical in _LABEL_OVERRIDES:
+        return _LABEL_OVERRIDES[canonical]
+
+    # Try models.dev
+    pdef = get_provider(canonical)
+    if pdef:
+        return pdef.name
+
+    return canonical
+
+
+# For direct import compat, expose as module-level dict
+# Built on demand by get_label() calls
+LABELS: Dict[str, str] = {
+    # Static entries for backward compat — get_label() is the proper API
+    "openrouter": "OpenRouter",
+    "nous": "Nous Portal",
+    "openai-codex": "OpenAI Codex",
+    "copilot-acp": "GitHub Copilot ACP",
+    "github-copilot": "GitHub Copilot",
+    "anthropic": "Anthropic",
+    "zai": "Z.AI / GLM",
+    "kimi-for-coding": "Kimi / Moonshot",
+    "minimax": "MiniMax",
+    "minimax-cn": "MiniMax (China)",
+    "deepseek": "DeepSeek",
+    "alibaba": "Alibaba Cloud (DashScope)",
+    "vercel": "Vercel AI Gateway",
+    "opencode": "OpenCode Zen",
+    "opencode-go": "OpenCode Go",
+    "kilo": "Kilo Gateway",
+    "huggingface": "Hugging Face",
+    "local": "Local endpoint",
+    "custom": "Custom endpoint",
+    # Legacy Hermes IDs (point to same providers)
+    "ai-gateway": "Vercel AI Gateway",
+    "kilocode": "Kilo Gateway",
+    "copilot": "GitHub Copilot",
+    "kimi-coding": "Kimi / Moonshot",
+    "opencode-zen": "OpenCode Zen",
+}
+
+
+def is_aggregator(provider: str) -> bool:
+    """Return True when the provider is a multi-model aggregator."""
+    pdef = get_provider(provider)
+    return pdef.is_aggregator if pdef else False
+
+
+def determine_api_mode(provider: str, base_url: str = "") -> str:
+    """Determine the API mode (wire protocol) for a provider/endpoint.
+
+    Resolution order:
+      1. Known provider → transport → TRANSPORT_TO_API_MODE.
+      2. URL heuristics for unknown / custom providers.
+      3. Default: 'chat_completions'.
+    """
+    pdef = get_provider(provider)
+    if pdef is not None:
+        return TRANSPORT_TO_API_MODE.get(pdef.transport, "chat_completions")
+
+    # URL-based heuristics for custom / unknown providers
+    if base_url:
+        url_lower = base_url.rstrip("/").lower()
+        if url_lower.endswith("/anthropic") or "api.anthropic.com" in url_lower:
+            return "anthropic_messages"
+        if "api.openai.com" in url_lower:
+            return "codex_responses"
+
+    return "chat_completions"
+
+
+# -- Provider from user config ------------------------------------------------
+
+def resolve_user_provider(name: str, user_config: Dict[str, Any]) -> Optional[ProviderDef]:
+    """Resolve a provider from the user's config.yaml ``providers:`` section.
+
+    Args:
+        name: Provider name as given by the user.
+        user_config: The ``providers:`` dict from config.yaml.
+
+    Returns:
+        ProviderDef if found, else None.
+    """
+    if not user_config or not isinstance(user_config, dict):
+        return None
+
+    entry = user_config.get(name)
+    if not isinstance(entry, dict):
+        return None
+
+    # Extract fields
+    display_name = entry.get("name", "") or name
+    api_url = entry.get("api", "") or entry.get("url", "") or entry.get("base_url", "") or ""
+    key_env = entry.get("key_env", "") or ""
+    transport = entry.get("transport", "openai_chat") or "openai_chat"
+
+    env_vars: List[str] = []
+    if key_env:
+        env_vars.append(key_env)
+
+    return ProviderDef(
+        id=name,
+        name=display_name,
+        transport=transport,
+        api_key_env_vars=tuple(env_vars),
+        base_url=api_url,
+        is_aggregator=False,
+        auth_type="api_key",
+        source="user-config",
+    )
+
+
+def resolve_provider_full(
+    name: str,
+    user_providers: Optional[Dict[str, Any]] = None,
+) -> Optional[ProviderDef]:
+    """Full resolution chain: built-in → models.dev → user config.
+
+    This is the main entry point for --provider flag resolution.
+
+    Args:
+        name: Provider name or alias.
+        user_providers: The ``providers:`` dict from config.yaml (optional).
+
+    Returns:
+        ProviderDef if found, else None.
+    """
+    canonical = normalize_provider(name)
+
+    # 1. Built-in (models.dev + overlays)
+    pdef = get_provider(canonical)
+    if pdef is not None:
+        return pdef
+
+    # 2. User-defined providers from config
+    if user_providers:
+        # Try canonical name
+        user_pdef = resolve_user_provider(canonical, user_providers)
+        if user_pdef is not None:
+            return user_pdef
+        # Try original name (in case alias didn't match)
+        user_pdef = resolve_user_provider(name.strip().lower(), user_providers)
+        if user_pdef is not None:
+            return user_pdef
+
+    # 3. Try models.dev directly (for providers not in our ALIASES)
+    try:
+        from agent.models_dev import get_provider_info as _mdev_provider
+        mdev_info = _mdev_provider(canonical)
+        if mdev_info is not None:
+            return ProviderDef(
+                id=canonical,
+                name=mdev_info.name,
+                transport="openai_chat",
+                api_key_env_vars=mdev_info.env,
+                base_url=mdev_info.api,
+                source="models.dev",
+            )
+    except Exception:
+        pass
+
+    return None

hermes_cli/runtime_provider.py

@@ -2,9 +2,13 @@
 
 from __future__ import annotations
 
+import logging
 import os
+import re
 from typing import Any, Dict, Optional
 
+logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+
 from hermes_cli import auth as auth_mod
 from agent.credential_pool import CredentialPool, PooledCredential, get_custom_provider_pool_key, load_pool
 from hermes_cli.auth import (
@@ -168,6 +172,13 @@ def _resolve_runtime_from_pool_entry(
         elif base_url.rstrip("/").endswith("/anthropic"):
             api_mode = "anthropic_messages"
 
+    # OpenCode base URLs end with /v1 for OpenAI-compatible models, but the
+    # Anthropic SDK prepends its own /v1/messages to the base_url.  Strip the
+    # trailing /v1 so the SDK constructs the correct path (e.g.
+    # https://opencode.ai/zen/go/v1/messages instead of .../v1/v1/messages).
+    if api_mode == "anthropic_messages" and provider in ("opencode-zen", "opencode-go"):
+        base_url = re.sub(r"/v1/?$", "", base_url)
+
     return {
         "provider": provider,
         "api_mode": api_mode,
@@ -250,6 +261,12 @@ def _get_named_custom_provider(requested_provider: str) -> Optional[Dict[str, An
     config = load_config()
     custom_providers = config.get("custom_providers")
     if not isinstance(custom_providers, list):
+        if isinstance(custom_providers, dict):
+            logger.warning(
+                "custom_providers in config.yaml is a dict, not a list. "
+                "Each entry must be prefixed with '-' in YAML. "
+                "Run 'hermes doctor' for details."
+            )
         return None
 
     for entry in custom_providers:
@@ -369,9 +386,13 @@ def _resolve_openrouter_runtime(
         ]
     else:
         # Custom endpoint: use api_key from config when using config base_url (#1760).
+        # When the endpoint is Ollama Cloud, check OLLAMA_API_KEY — it's
+        # the canonical env var for ollama.com authentication.
+        _is_ollama_url = "ollama.com" in base_url.lower()
         api_key_candidates = [
             explicit_api_key,
             (cfg_api_key if use_config_base_url else ""),
+            (os.getenv("OLLAMA_API_KEY") if _is_ollama_url else ""),
             os.getenv("OPENAI_API_KEY"),
             os.getenv("OPENROUTER_API_KEY"),
         ]
@@ -474,7 +495,11 @@ def _resolve_explicit_runtime(
             explicit_base_url
             or str(state.get("inference_base_url") or auth_mod.DEFAULT_NOUS_INFERENCE_URL).strip().rstrip("/")
         )
-        api_key = explicit_api_key or str(state.get("agent_key") or state.get("access_token") or "").strip()
+        # Only use agent_key for inference — access_token is an OAuth token for the
+        # portal API (minting keys, refreshing tokens), not for the inference API.
+        # Falling back to access_token sends an OAuth bearer token to the inference
+        # endpoint, which returns 404 because it is not a valid inference credential.
+        api_key = explicit_api_key or str(state.get("agent_key") or "").strip()
         expires_at = state.get("agent_key_expires_at") or state.get("expires_at")
         if not api_key:
             creds = resolve_nous_runtime_credentials(
@@ -614,31 +639,47 @@ def resolve_runtime_provider(
             )
 
     if provider == "nous":
-        creds = resolve_nous_runtime_credentials(
-            min_key_ttl_seconds=max(60, int(os.getenv("HERMES_NOUS_MIN_KEY_TTL_SECONDS", "1800"))),
-            timeout_seconds=float(os.getenv("HERMES_NOUS_TIMEOUT_SECONDS", "15")),
-        )
-        return {
-            "provider": "nous",
-            "api_mode": "chat_completions",
-            "base_url": creds.get("base_url", "").rstrip("/"),
-            "api_key": creds.get("api_key", ""),
-            "source": creds.get("source", "portal"),
-            "expires_at": creds.get("expires_at"),
-            "requested_provider": requested_provider,
-        }
+        try:
+            creds = resolve_nous_runtime_credentials(
+                min_key_ttl_seconds=max(60, int(os.getenv("HERMES_NOUS_MIN_KEY_TTL_SECONDS", "1800"))),
+                timeout_seconds=float(os.getenv("HERMES_NOUS_TIMEOUT_SECONDS", "15")),
+            )
+            return {
+                "provider": "nous",
+                "api_mode": "chat_completions",
+                "base_url": creds.get("base_url", "").rstrip("/"),
+                "api_key": creds.get("api_key", ""),
+                "source": creds.get("source", "portal"),
+                "expires_at": creds.get("expires_at"),
+                "requested_provider": requested_provider,
+            }
+        except AuthError:
+            if requested_provider != "auto":
+                raise
+            # Auto-detected Nous but credentials are stale/revoked —
+            # fall through to env-var providers (e.g. OpenRouter).
+            logger.info("Auto-detected Nous provider but credentials failed; "
+                        "falling through to next provider.")
 
     if provider == "openai-codex":
-        creds = resolve_codex_runtime_credentials()
-        return {
-            "provider": "openai-codex",
-            "api_mode": "codex_responses",
-            "base_url": creds.get("base_url", "").rstrip("/"),
-            "api_key": creds.get("api_key", ""),
-            "source": creds.get("source", "hermes-auth-store"),
-            "last_refresh": creds.get("last_refresh"),
-            "requested_provider": requested_provider,
-        }
+        try:
+            creds = resolve_codex_runtime_credentials()
+            return {
+                "provider": "openai-codex",
+                "api_mode": "codex_responses",
+                "base_url": creds.get("base_url", "").rstrip("/"),
+                "api_key": creds.get("api_key", ""),
+                "source": creds.get("source", "hermes-auth-store"),
+                "last_refresh": creds.get("last_refresh"),
+                "requested_provider": requested_provider,
+            }
+        except AuthError:
+            if requested_provider != "auto":
+                raise
+            # Auto-detected Codex but credentials are stale/revoked —
+            # fall through to env-var providers (e.g. OpenRouter).
+            logger.info("Auto-detected Codex provider but credentials failed; "
+                        "falling through to next provider.")
 
     if provider == "copilot-acp":
         creds = resolve_external_process_provider_credentials(provider)
@@ -700,6 +741,9 @@ def resolve_runtime_provider(
             # (e.g. https://api.minimax.io/anthropic, https://dashscope.../anthropic)
             elif base_url.rstrip("/").endswith("/anthropic"):
                 api_mode = "anthropic_messages"
+        # Strip trailing /v1 for OpenCode Anthropic models (see comment above).
+        if api_mode == "anthropic_messages" and provider in ("opencode-zen", "opencode-go"):
+            base_url = re.sub(r"/v1/?$", "", base_url)
         return {
             "provider": provider,
             "api_mode": api_mode,

hermes_cli/skin_engine.py

@@ -96,7 +96,6 @@ Activate with ``/skin <name>`` in the CLI or ``display.skin: <name>`` in config.
 """
 
 import logging
-import os
 from dataclasses import dataclass, field
 from pathlib import Path
 from typing import Any, Dict, List, Optional, Tuple

hermes_cli/status.py

@@ -123,7 +123,8 @@ def show_status(args):
         "MiniMax-CN": "MINIMAX_CN_API_KEY",
         "Firecrawl": "FIRECRAWL_API_KEY",
         "Tavily": "TAVILY_API_KEY",
-        "Browserbase": "BROWSERBASE_API_KEY",  # Optional — local browser works without this
+        "Browser Use": "BROWSER_USE_API_KEY",  # Optional — local browser works without this
+        "Browserbase": "BROWSERBASE_API_KEY",  # Optional — direct credentials only
         "FAL": "FAL_KEY",
         "Tinker": "TINKER_API_KEY",
         "WandB": "WANDB_API_KEY",

hermes_cli/tools_config.py

@@ -61,22 +61,6 @@ def _prompt(question: str, default: str = None, password: bool = False) -> str:
         print()
         return default or ""
 
-def _prompt_yes_no(question: str, default: bool = True) -> bool:
-    default_str = "Y/n" if default else "y/N"
-    while True:
-        try:
-            value = input(color(f"{question} [{default_str}]: ", Colors.YELLOW)).strip().lower()
-        except (KeyboardInterrupt, EOFError):
-            print()
-            return default
-        if not value:
-            return default
-        if value in ('y', 'yes'):
-            return True
-        if value in ('n', 'no'):
-            return False
-
-
 # ─── Toolset Registry ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
 # Toolsets shown in the configurator, grouped for display.
@@ -280,21 +264,21 @@ TOOL_CATEGORIES = {
         "icon": "🌐",
         "providers": [
             {
-                "name": "Nous Subscription (Browserbase cloud)",
-                "tag": "Managed Browserbase billed to your subscription",
+                "name": "Nous Subscription (Browser Use cloud)",
+                "tag": "Managed Browser Use billed to your subscription",
                 "env_vars": [],
-                "browser_provider": "browserbase",
+                "browser_provider": "browser-use",
                 "requires_nous_auth": True,
                 "managed_nous_feature": "browser",
-                "override_env_vars": ["BROWSERBASE_API_KEY", "BROWSERBASE_PROJECT_ID"],
-                "post_setup": "browserbase",
+                "override_env_vars": ["BROWSER_USE_API_KEY"],
+                "post_setup": "agent_browser",
             },
             {
                 "name": "Local Browser",
                 "tag": "Free headless Chromium (no API key needed)",
                 "env_vars": [],
                 "browser_provider": "local",
-                "post_setup": "browserbase",  # Same npm install for agent-browser
+                "post_setup": "agent_browser",
             },
             {
                 "name": "Browserbase",
@@ -304,7 +288,7 @@ TOOL_CATEGORIES = {
                     {"key": "BROWSERBASE_PROJECT_ID", "prompt": "Browserbase project ID"},
                 ],
                 "browser_provider": "browserbase",
-                "post_setup": "browserbase",
+                "post_setup": "agent_browser",
             },
             {
                 "name": "Browser Use",
@@ -313,7 +297,16 @@ TOOL_CATEGORIES = {
                     {"key": "BROWSER_USE_API_KEY", "prompt": "Browser Use API key", "url": "https://browser-use.com"},
                 ],
                 "browser_provider": "browser-use",
-                "post_setup": "browserbase",
+                "post_setup": "agent_browser",
+            },
+            {
+                "name": "Firecrawl",
+                "tag": "Cloud browser with remote execution",
+                "env_vars": [
+                    {"key": "FIRECRAWL_API_KEY", "prompt": "Firecrawl API key", "url": "https://firecrawl.dev"},
+                ],
+                "browser_provider": "firecrawl",
+                "post_setup": "agent_browser",
             },
             {
                 "name": "Camofox",
@@ -372,7 +365,7 @@ TOOLSET_ENV_REQUIREMENTS = {
 def _run_post_setup(post_setup_key: str):
     """Run post-setup hooks for tools that need extra installation steps."""
     import shutil
-    if post_setup_key == "browserbase":
+    if post_setup_key in ("agent_browser", "browserbase"):
         node_modules = PROJECT_ROOT / "node_modules" / "agent-browser"
         if not node_modules.exists() and shutil.which("npm"):
             _print_info("    Installing Node.js dependencies for browser tools...")
@@ -561,6 +554,7 @@ def _get_platform_tools(
     # MCP servers are expected to be available on all platforms by default.
     # If the platform explicitly lists one or more MCP server names, treat that
     # as an allowlist. Otherwise include every globally enabled MCP server.
+    # Special sentinel: "no_mcp" in the toolset list disables all MCP servers.
     mcp_servers = config.get("mcp_servers") or {}
     enabled_mcp_servers = {
         name
@@ -568,10 +562,15 @@ def _get_platform_tools(
         if isinstance(server_cfg, dict)
         and _parse_enabled_flag(server_cfg.get("enabled", True), default=True)
     }
-    explicit_mcp_servers = explicit_passthrough & enabled_mcp_servers
-    enabled_toolsets.update(explicit_passthrough - enabled_mcp_servers)
+    # Allow "no_mcp" sentinel to opt out of all MCP servers for this platform
+    if "no_mcp" in toolset_names:
+        explicit_mcp_servers = set()
+        enabled_toolsets.update(explicit_passthrough - enabled_mcp_servers - {"no_mcp"})
+    else:
+        explicit_mcp_servers = explicit_passthrough & enabled_mcp_servers
+        enabled_toolsets.update(explicit_passthrough - enabled_mcp_servers)
     if include_default_mcp_servers:
-        if explicit_mcp_servers:
+        if explicit_mcp_servers or "no_mcp" in toolset_names:
             enabled_toolsets.update(explicit_mcp_servers)
         else:
             enabled_toolsets.update(enabled_mcp_servers)
@@ -1336,6 +1335,7 @@ def tools_command(args=None, first_install: bool = False, config: dict = None):
     print(color("⚕ Hermes Tool Configuration", Colors.CYAN, Colors.BOLD))
     print(color("  Enable or disable tools per platform.", Colors.DIM))
     print(color("  Tools that need API keys will be configured when enabled.", Colors.DIM))
+    print(color("  Guide: https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/features/tools", Colors.DIM))
     print()
 
     # ── First-time install: linear flow, no platform menu ──

hermes_cli/uninstall.py

@@ -6,7 +6,6 @@ Provides options for:
 - Keep data: Remove code but keep ~/.hermes/ (configs, sessions, logs)
 """
 
-import os
 import shutil
 import subprocess
 from pathlib import Path
@@ -24,10 +23,6 @@ def log_success(msg: str):
 def log_warn(msg: str):
     print(f"{color('⚠', Colors.YELLOW)} {msg}")
 
-def log_error(msg: str):
-    print(f"{color('✗', Colors.RED)} {msg}")
-
-
 def get_project_root() -> Path:
     """Get the project installation directory."""
     return Path(__file__).parent.parent.resolve()

hermes_cli/webhook.py

@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ import re
 import secrets
 import time
 from pathlib import Path
-from typing import Dict, Optional
+from typing import Dict
 
 from hermes_constants import display_hermes_home
 
@@ -25,9 +25,8 @@ _SUBSCRIPTIONS_FILENAME = "webhook_subscriptions.json"
 
 
 def _hermes_home() -> Path:
-    return Path(
-        os.getenv("HERMES_HOME", str(Path.home() / ".hermes"))
-    ).expanduser()
+    from hermes_constants import get_hermes_home
+    return get_hermes_home()
 
 
 def _subscriptions_path() -> Path:

hermes_logging.py

@@ -0,0 +1,229 @@
+"""Centralized logging setup for Hermes Agent.
+
+Provides a single ``setup_logging()`` entry point that both the CLI and
+gateway call early in their startup path.  All log files live under
+``~/.hermes/logs/`` (profile-aware via ``get_hermes_home()``).
+
+Log files produced:
+    agent.log   — INFO+, all agent/tool/session activity (the main log)
+    errors.log  — WARNING+, errors and warnings only (quick triage)
+
+Both files use ``RotatingFileHandler`` with ``RedactingFormatter`` so
+secrets are never written to disk.
+"""
+
+import logging
+from logging.handlers import RotatingFileHandler
+from pathlib import Path
+from typing import Optional
+
+from hermes_constants import get_hermes_home
+
+# Sentinel to track whether setup_logging() has already run.  The function
+# is idempotent — calling it twice is safe but the second call is a no-op
+# unless ``force=True``.
+_logging_initialized = False
+
+# Default log format — includes timestamp, level, logger name, and message.
+_LOG_FORMAT = "%(asctime)s %(levelname)s %(name)s: %(message)s"
+_LOG_FORMAT_VERBOSE = "%(asctime)s - %(name)s - %(levelname)s - %(message)s"
+
+# Third-party loggers that are noisy at DEBUG/INFO level.
+_NOISY_LOGGERS = (
+    "openai",
+    "openai._base_client",
+    "httpx",
+    "httpcore",
+    "asyncio",
+    "hpack",
+    "hpack.hpack",
+    "grpc",
+    "modal",
+    "urllib3",
+    "urllib3.connectionpool",
+    "websockets",
+    "charset_normalizer",
+    "markdown_it",
+)
+
+
+def setup_logging(
+    *,
+    hermes_home: Optional[Path] = None,
+    log_level: Optional[str] = None,
+    max_size_mb: Optional[int] = None,
+    backup_count: Optional[int] = None,
+    mode: Optional[str] = None,
+    force: bool = False,
+) -> Path:
+    """Configure the Hermes logging subsystem.
+
+    Safe to call multiple times — the second call is a no-op unless
+    *force* is ``True``.
+
+    Parameters
+    ----------
+    hermes_home
+        Override for the Hermes home directory.  Falls back to
+        ``get_hermes_home()`` (profile-aware).
+    log_level
+        Minimum level for the ``agent.log`` file handler.  Accepts any
+        standard Python level name (``"DEBUG"``, ``"INFO"``, ``"WARNING"``).
+        Defaults to ``"INFO"`` or the value from config.yaml ``logging.level``.
+    max_size_mb
+        Maximum size of each log file in megabytes before rotation.
+        Defaults to 5 or the value from config.yaml ``logging.max_size_mb``.
+    backup_count
+        Number of rotated backup files to keep.
+        Defaults to 3 or the value from config.yaml ``logging.backup_count``.
+    mode
+        Hint for the caller context: ``"cli"``, ``"gateway"``, ``"cron"``.
+        Currently used only for log format tuning (gateway includes PID).
+    force
+        Re-run setup even if it has already been called.
+
+    Returns
+    -------
+    Path
+        The ``logs/`` directory where files are written.
+    """
+    global _logging_initialized
+    if _logging_initialized and not force:
+        home = hermes_home or get_hermes_home()
+        return home / "logs"
+
+    home = hermes_home or get_hermes_home()
+    log_dir = home / "logs"
+    log_dir.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
+
+    # Read config defaults (best-effort — config may not be loaded yet).
+    cfg_level, cfg_max_size, cfg_backup = _read_logging_config()
+
+    level_name = (log_level or cfg_level or "INFO").upper()
+    level = getattr(logging, level_name, logging.INFO)
+    max_bytes = (max_size_mb or cfg_max_size or 5) * 1024 * 1024
+    backups = backup_count or cfg_backup or 3
+
+    # Lazy import to avoid circular dependency at module load time.
+    from agent.redact import RedactingFormatter
+
+    root = logging.getLogger()
+
+    # --- agent.log (INFO+) — the main activity log -------------------------
+    _add_rotating_handler(
+        root,
+        log_dir / "agent.log",
+        level=level,
+        max_bytes=max_bytes,
+        backup_count=backups,
+        formatter=RedactingFormatter(_LOG_FORMAT),
+    )
+
+    # --- errors.log (WARNING+) — quick triage log --------------------------
+    _add_rotating_handler(
+        root,
+        log_dir / "errors.log",
+        level=logging.WARNING,
+        max_bytes=2 * 1024 * 1024,
+        backup_count=2,
+        formatter=RedactingFormatter(_LOG_FORMAT),
+    )
+
+    # Ensure root logger level is low enough for the handlers to fire.
+    if root.level == logging.NOTSET or root.level > level:
+        root.setLevel(level)
+
+    # Suppress noisy third-party loggers.
+    for name in _NOISY_LOGGERS:
+        logging.getLogger(name).setLevel(logging.WARNING)
+
+    _logging_initialized = True
+    return log_dir
+
+
+def setup_verbose_logging() -> None:
+    """Enable DEBUG-level console logging for ``--verbose`` / ``-v`` mode.
+
+    Called by ``AIAgent.__init__()`` when ``verbose_logging=True``.
+    """
+    from agent.redact import RedactingFormatter
+
+    root = logging.getLogger()
+
+    # Avoid adding duplicate stream handlers.
+    for h in root.handlers:
+        if isinstance(h, logging.StreamHandler) and not isinstance(h, RotatingFileHandler):
+            if getattr(h, "_hermes_verbose", False):
+                return
+
+    handler = logging.StreamHandler()
+    handler.setLevel(logging.DEBUG)
+    handler.setFormatter(RedactingFormatter(_LOG_FORMAT_VERBOSE, datefmt="%H:%M:%S"))
+    handler._hermes_verbose = True  # type: ignore[attr-defined]
+    root.addHandler(handler)
+
+    # Lower root logger level so DEBUG records reach all handlers.
+    if root.level > logging.DEBUG:
+        root.setLevel(logging.DEBUG)
+
+    # Keep third-party libraries at WARNING to reduce noise.
+    for name in _NOISY_LOGGERS:
+        logging.getLogger(name).setLevel(logging.WARNING)
+    # rex-deploy at INFO for sandbox status.
+    logging.getLogger("rex-deploy").setLevel(logging.INFO)
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Internal helpers
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+def _add_rotating_handler(
+    logger: logging.Logger,
+    path: Path,
+    *,
+    level: int,
+    max_bytes: int,
+    backup_count: int,
+    formatter: logging.Formatter,
+) -> None:
+    """Add a ``RotatingFileHandler`` to *logger*, skipping if one already
+    exists for the same resolved file path (idempotent).
+    """
+    resolved = path.resolve()
+    for existing in logger.handlers:
+        if (
+            isinstance(existing, RotatingFileHandler)
+            and Path(getattr(existing, "baseFilename", "")).resolve() == resolved
+        ):
+            return  # already attached
+
+    path.parent.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
+    handler = RotatingFileHandler(
+        str(path), maxBytes=max_bytes, backupCount=backup_count,
+    )
+    handler.setLevel(level)
+    handler.setFormatter(formatter)
+    logger.addHandler(handler)
+
+
+def _read_logging_config():
+    """Best-effort read of ``logging.*`` from config.yaml.
+
+    Returns ``(level, max_size_mb, backup_count)`` — any may be ``None``.
+    """
+    try:
+        import yaml
+        config_path = get_hermes_home() / "config.yaml"
+        if config_path.exists():
+            with open(config_path, "r", encoding="utf-8") as f:
+                cfg = yaml.safe_load(f) or {}
+            log_cfg = cfg.get("logging", {})
+            if isinstance(log_cfg, dict):
+                return (
+                    log_cfg.get("level"),
+                    log_cfg.get("max_size_mb"),
+                    log_cfg.get("backup_count"),
+                )
+    except Exception:
+        pass
+    return (None, None, None)

hermes_state.py

@@ -16,7 +16,6 @@ Key design decisions:
 
 import json
 import logging
-import os
 import random
 import re
 import sqlite3
@@ -787,6 +786,7 @@ class SessionDB:
         exclude_sources: List[str] = None,
         limit: int = 20,
         offset: int = 0,
+        include_children: bool = False,
     ) -> List[Dict[str, Any]]:
         """List sessions with preview (first user message) and last active timestamp.
 
@@ -795,10 +795,16 @@ class SessionDB:
         last_active (timestamp of last message).
 
         Uses a single query with correlated subqueries instead of N+2 queries.
+
+        By default, child sessions (subagent runs, compression continuations)
+        are excluded.  Pass ``include_children=True`` to include them.
         """
         where_clauses = []
         params = []
 
+        if not include_children:
+            where_clauses.append("s.parent_session_id IS NULL")
+
         if source:
             where_clauses.append("s.source = ?")
             params.append(source)
@@ -1229,22 +1235,38 @@ class SessionDB:
         self._execute_write(_do)
 
     def delete_session(self, session_id: str) -> bool:
-        """Delete a session and all its messages. Returns True if found."""
+        """Delete a session, its child sessions, and all their messages.
+
+        Child sessions (subagent runs, compression continuations) are deleted
+        first to satisfy the ``parent_session_id`` foreign key constraint.
+        Returns True if the session was found and deleted.
+        """
         def _do(conn):
             cursor = conn.execute(
                 "SELECT COUNT(*) FROM sessions WHERE id = ?", (session_id,)
             )
             if cursor.fetchone()[0] == 0:
                 return False
+            # Delete child sessions first (FK constraint)
+            child_ids = [r[0] for r in conn.execute(
+                "SELECT id FROM sessions WHERE parent_session_id = ?",
+                (session_id,),
+            ).fetchall()]
+            for cid in child_ids:
+                conn.execute("DELETE FROM messages WHERE session_id = ?", (cid,))
+                conn.execute("DELETE FROM sessions WHERE id = ?", (cid,))
+            # Delete the session itself
             conn.execute("DELETE FROM messages WHERE session_id = ?", (session_id,))
             conn.execute("DELETE FROM sessions WHERE id = ?", (session_id,))
             return True
         return self._execute_write(_do)
 
     def prune_sessions(self, older_than_days: int = 90, source: str = None) -> int:
-        """
-        Delete sessions older than N days. Returns count of deleted sessions.
-        Only prunes ended sessions (not active ones).
+        """Delete sessions older than N days. Returns count of deleted sessions.
+
+        Only prunes ended sessions (not active ones).  Child sessions whose
+        parents are being pruned are deleted first to satisfy the
+        ``parent_session_id`` foreign key constraint.
         """
         cutoff = time.time() - (older_than_days * 86400)
 
@@ -1260,7 +1282,19 @@ class SessionDB:
                     "SELECT id FROM sessions WHERE started_at < ? AND ended_at IS NOT NULL",
                     (cutoff,),
                 )
-            session_ids = [row["id"] for row in cursor.fetchall()]
+            session_ids = set(row["id"] for row in cursor.fetchall())
+
+            # Delete children first whose parents are in the prune set
+            # (avoids FK constraint errors)
+            for sid in list(session_ids):
+                child_ids = [r[0] for r in conn.execute(
+                    "SELECT id FROM sessions WHERE parent_session_id = ?",
+                    (sid,),
+                ).fetchall()]
+                for cid in child_ids:
+                    conn.execute("DELETE FROM messages WHERE session_id = ?", (cid,))
+                    conn.execute("DELETE FROM sessions WHERE id = ?", (cid,))
+                    session_ids.discard(cid)  # don't double-delete
 
             for sid in session_ids:
                 conn.execute("DELETE FROM messages WHERE session_id = ?", (sid,))

hermes_time.py

@@ -16,7 +16,6 @@ crashes due to a bad timezone string.
 import logging
 import os
 from datetime import datetime
-from pathlib import Path
 from hermes_constants import get_hermes_home
 from typing import Optional
 
@@ -92,7 +91,6 @@ def get_timezone() -> Optional[ZoneInfo]:
 
 def get_timezone_name() -> str:
     """Return the IANA name of the configured timezone, or empty string."""
-    global _cached_tz_name, _cache_resolved
     if not _cache_resolved:
         get_timezone()  # populates cache
     return _cached_tz_name or ""

mcp_serve.py

@@ -37,9 +37,8 @@ import sys
 import threading
 import time
 from dataclasses import dataclass, field
-from datetime import datetime
 from pathlib import Path
-from typing import Any, Dict, List, Optional
+from typing import Dict, List, Optional
 
 logger = logging.getLogger("hermes.mcp_serve")
 

model_tools.py

@@ -211,7 +211,7 @@ _LEGACY_TOOLSET_MAP = {
     "browser_tools": [
         "browser_navigate", "browser_snapshot", "browser_click",
         "browser_type", "browser_scroll", "browser_back",
-        "browser_press", "browser_close", "browser_get_images",
+        "browser_press", "browser_get_images",
         "browser_vision", "browser_console"
     ],
     "cronjob_tools": ["cronjob"],
@@ -365,10 +365,103 @@ _AGENT_LOOP_TOOLS = {"todo", "memory", "session_search", "delegate_task"}
 _READ_SEARCH_TOOLS = {"read_file", "search_files"}
 
 
+# =========================================================================
+# Tool argument type coercion
+# =========================================================================
+
+def coerce_tool_args(tool_name: str, args: Dict[str, Any]) -> Dict[str, Any]:
+    """Coerce tool call arguments to match their JSON Schema types.
+
+    LLMs frequently return numbers as strings (``"42"`` instead of ``42``)
+    and booleans as strings (``"true"`` instead of ``true``).  This compares
+    each argument value against the tool's registered JSON Schema and attempts
+    safe coercion when the value is a string but the schema expects a different
+    type.  Original values are preserved when coercion fails.
+
+    Handles ``"type": "integer"``, ``"type": "number"``, ``"type": "boolean"``,
+    and union types (``"type": ["integer", "string"]``).
+    """
+    if not args or not isinstance(args, dict):
+        return args
+
+    schema = registry.get_schema(tool_name)
+    if not schema:
+        return args
+
+    properties = (schema.get("parameters") or {}).get("properties")
+    if not properties:
+        return args
+
+    for key, value in args.items():
+        if not isinstance(value, str):
+            continue
+        prop_schema = properties.get(key)
+        if not prop_schema:
+            continue
+        expected = prop_schema.get("type")
+        if not expected:
+            continue
+        coerced = _coerce_value(value, expected)
+        if coerced is not value:
+            args[key] = coerced
+
+    return args
+
+
+def _coerce_value(value: str, expected_type):
+    """Attempt to coerce a string *value* to *expected_type*.
+
+    Returns the original string when coercion is not applicable or fails.
+    """
+    if isinstance(expected_type, list):
+        # Union type — try each in order, return first successful coercion
+        for t in expected_type:
+            result = _coerce_value(value, t)
+            if result is not value:
+                return result
+        return value
+
+    if expected_type in ("integer", "number"):
+        return _coerce_number(value, integer_only=(expected_type == "integer"))
+    if expected_type == "boolean":
+        return _coerce_boolean(value)
+    return value
+
+
+def _coerce_number(value: str, integer_only: bool = False):
+    """Try to parse *value* as a number.  Returns original string on failure."""
+    try:
+        f = float(value)
+    except (ValueError, OverflowError):
+        return value
+    # Guard against inf/nan before int() conversion
+    if f != f or f == float("inf") or f == float("-inf"):
+        return f
+    # If it looks like an integer (no fractional part), return int
+    if f == int(f):
+        return int(f)
+    if integer_only:
+        # Schema wants an integer but value has decimals — keep as string
+        return value
+    return f
+
+
+def _coerce_boolean(value: str):
+    """Try to parse *value* as a boolean.  Returns original string on failure."""
+    low = value.strip().lower()
+    if low == "true":
+        return True
+    if low == "false":
+        return False
+    return value
+
+
 def handle_function_call(
     function_name: str,
     function_args: Dict[str, Any],
     task_id: Optional[str] = None,
+    tool_call_id: Optional[str] = None,
+    session_id: Optional[str] = None,
     user_task: Optional[str] = None,
     enabled_tools: Optional[List[str]] = None,
 ) -> str:
@@ -388,6 +481,9 @@ def handle_function_call(
     Returns:
         Function result as a JSON string.
     """
+    # Coerce string arguments to their schema-declared types (e.g. "42"→42)
+    function_args = coerce_tool_args(function_name, function_args)
+
     # Notify the read-loop tracker when a non-read/search tool runs,
     # so the *consecutive* counter resets (reads after other work are fine).
     if function_name not in _READ_SEARCH_TOOLS:
@@ -403,7 +499,14 @@ def handle_function_call(
 
         try:
             from hermes_cli.plugins import invoke_hook
-            invoke_hook("pre_tool_call", tool_name=function_name, args=function_args, task_id=task_id or "")
+            invoke_hook(
+                "pre_tool_call",
+                tool_name=function_name,
+                args=function_args,
+                task_id=task_id or "",
+                session_id=session_id or "",
+                tool_call_id=tool_call_id or "",
+            )
         except Exception:
             pass
 
@@ -425,7 +528,15 @@ def handle_function_call(
 
         try:
             from hermes_cli.plugins import invoke_hook
-            invoke_hook("post_tool_call", tool_name=function_name, args=function_args, result=result, task_id=task_id or "")
+            invoke_hook(
+                "post_tool_call",
+                tool_name=function_name,
+                args=function_args,
+                result=result,
+                task_id=task_id or "",
+                session_id=session_id or "",
+                tool_call_id=tool_call_id or "",
+            )
         except Exception:
             pass
 

nix/nixosModules.nix

@@ -561,7 +561,7 @@
 
       # ── Activation: link config + auth + documents ────────────────────
       {
-        system.activationScripts."hermes-agent-setup" = lib.stringAfter [ "users" ] ''
+        system.activationScripts."hermes-agent-setup" = lib.stringAfter [ "users" "setupSecrets" ] ''
           # Ensure directories exist (activation runs before tmpfiles)
           mkdir -p ${cfg.stateDir}/.hermes
           mkdir -p ${cfg.stateDir}/home

nix/packages.nix

@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@
     in {
       packages.default = pkgs.stdenv.mkDerivation {
         pname = "hermes-agent";
-        version = "0.1.0";
+        version = (builtins.fromTOML (builtins.readFile ../pyproject.toml)).project.version;
 
         dontUnpack = true;
         dontBuild = true;

optional-skills/autonomous-ai-agents/honcho/SKILL.md

@@ -0,0 +1,243 @@
+---
+name: honcho
+description: Configure and use Honcho memory with Hermes -- cross-session user modeling, multi-profile peer isolation, observation config, and dialectic reasoning. Use when setting up Honcho, troubleshooting memory, managing profiles with Honcho peers, or tuning observation and recall settings.
+version: 1.0.0
+author: Hermes Agent
+license: MIT
+metadata:
+  hermes:
+    tags: [Honcho, Memory, Profiles, Observation, Dialectic, User-Modeling]
+    homepage: https://docs.honcho.dev
+    related_skills: [hermes-agent]
+prerequisites:
+  pip: [honcho-ai]
+---
+
+# Honcho Memory for Hermes
+
+Honcho provides AI-native cross-session user modeling. It learns who the user is across conversations and gives every Hermes profile its own peer identity while sharing a unified view of the user.
+
+## When to Use
+
+- Setting up Honcho (cloud or self-hosted)
+- Troubleshooting memory not working / peers not syncing
+- Creating multi-profile setups where each agent has its own Honcho peer
+- Tuning observation, recall, or write frequency settings
+- Understanding what the 4 Honcho tools do and when to use them
+
+## Setup
+
+### Cloud (app.honcho.dev)
+
+```bash
+hermes honcho setup
+# select "cloud", paste API key from https://app.honcho.dev
+```
+
+### Self-hosted
+
+```bash
+hermes honcho setup
+# select "local", enter base URL (e.g. http://localhost:8000)
+```
+
+See: https://docs.honcho.dev/v3/guides/integrations/hermes#running-honcho-locally-with-hermes
+
+### Verify
+
+```bash
+hermes honcho status    # shows resolved config, connection test, peer info
+```
+
+## Architecture
+
+### Peers
+
+Honcho models conversations as interactions between **peers**. Hermes creates two peers per session:
+
+- **User peer** (`peerName`): represents the human. Honcho builds a user representation from observed messages.
+- **AI peer** (`aiPeer`): represents this Hermes instance. Each profile gets its own AI peer so agents develop independent views.
+
+### Observation
+
+Each peer has two observation toggles that control what Honcho learns from:
+
+| Toggle | What it does |
+|--------|-------------|
+| `observeMe` | Peer's own messages are observed (builds self-representation) |
+| `observeOthers` | Other peers' messages are observed (builds cross-peer understanding) |
+
+Default: all four toggles **on** (full bidirectional observation).
+
+Configure per-peer in `honcho.json`:
+
+```json
+{
+  "observation": {
+    "user": { "observeMe": true, "observeOthers": true },
+    "ai":   { "observeMe": true, "observeOthers": true }
+  }
+}
+```
+
+Or use the shorthand presets:
+
+| Preset | User | AI | Use case |
+|--------|------|----|----------|
+| `"directional"` (default) | me:on, others:on | me:on, others:on | Multi-agent, full memory |
+| `"unified"` | me:on, others:off | me:off, others:on | Single agent, user-only modeling |
+
+Settings changed in the [Honcho dashboard](https://app.honcho.dev) are synced back on session init -- server-side config wins over local defaults.
+
+### Sessions
+
+Honcho sessions scope where messages and observations land. Strategy options:
+
+| Strategy | Behavior |
+|----------|----------|
+| `per-directory` (default) | One session per working directory |
+| `per-repo` | One session per git repository root |
+| `per-session` | New Honcho session each Hermes run |
+| `global` | Single session across all directories |
+
+Manual override: `hermes honcho map my-project-name`
+
+### Recall Modes
+
+How the agent accesses Honcho memory:
+
+| Mode | Auto-inject context? | Tools available? | Use case |
+|------|---------------------|-----------------|----------|
+| `hybrid` (default) | Yes | Yes | Agent decides when to use tools vs auto context |
+| `context` | Yes | No (hidden) | Minimal token cost, no tool calls |
+| `tools` | No | Yes | Agent controls all memory access explicitly |
+
+## Multi-Profile Setup
+
+Each Hermes profile gets its own Honcho AI peer while sharing the same workspace (user context). This means:
+
+- All profiles see the same user representation
+- Each profile builds its own AI identity and observations
+- Conclusions written by one profile are visible to others via the shared workspace
+
+### Create a profile with Honcho peer
+
+```bash
+hermes profile create coder --clone
+# creates host block hermes.coder, AI peer "coder", inherits config from default
+```
+
+What `--clone` does for Honcho:
+1. Creates a `hermes.coder` host block in `honcho.json`
+2. Sets `aiPeer: "coder"` (the profile name)
+3. Inherits `workspace`, `peerName`, `writeFrequency`, `recallMode`, etc. from default
+4. Eagerly creates the peer in Honcho so it exists before first message
+
+### Backfill existing profiles
+
+```bash
+hermes honcho sync    # creates host blocks for all profiles that don't have one yet
+```
+
+### Per-profile config
+
+Override any setting in the host block:
+
+```json
+{
+  "hosts": {
+    "hermes.coder": {
+      "aiPeer": "coder",
+      "recallMode": "tools",
+      "observation": {
+        "user": { "observeMe": true, "observeOthers": false },
+        "ai": { "observeMe": true, "observeOthers": true }
+      }
+    }
+  }
+}
+```
+
+## Tools
+
+The agent has 4 Honcho tools (hidden in `context` recall mode):
+
+### `honcho_profile`
+Quick factual snapshot of the user -- name, role, preferences, patterns. No LLM call, minimal cost. Use at conversation start or for fast lookups.
+
+### `honcho_search`
+Semantic search over stored context. Returns raw excerpts ranked by relevance, no LLM synthesis. Default 800 tokens, max 2000. Use when you want specific past facts to reason over yourself.
+
+### `honcho_context`
+Natural language question answered by Honcho's dialectic reasoning (LLM call on Honcho's backend). Higher cost, higher quality. Can query about user (default) or the AI peer.
+
+### `honcho_conclude`
+Write a persistent fact about the user. Conclusions build the user's profile over time. Use when the user states a preference, corrects you, or shares something to remember.
+
+## Config Reference
+
+Config file: `$HERMES_HOME/honcho.json` (profile-local) or `~/.honcho/config.json` (global).
+
+### Key settings
+
+| Key | Default | Description |
+|-----|---------|-------------|
+| `apiKey` | -- | API key ([get one](https://app.honcho.dev)) |
+| `baseUrl` | -- | Base URL for self-hosted Honcho |
+| `peerName` | -- | User peer identity |
+| `aiPeer` | host key | AI peer identity |
+| `workspace` | host key | Shared workspace ID |
+| `recallMode` | `hybrid` | `hybrid`, `context`, or `tools` |
+| `observation` | all on | Per-peer `observeMe`/`observeOthers` booleans |
+| `writeFrequency` | `async` | `async`, `turn`, `session`, or integer N |
+| `sessionStrategy` | `per-directory` | `per-directory`, `per-repo`, `per-session`, `global` |
+| `dialecticReasoningLevel` | `low` | `minimal`, `low`, `medium`, `high`, `max` |
+| `dialecticDynamic` | `true` | Auto-bump reasoning by query length. `false` = fixed level |
+| `messageMaxChars` | `25000` | Max chars per message (chunked if exceeded) |
+| `dialecticMaxInputChars` | `10000` | Max chars for dialectic query input |
+
+### Cost-awareness (advanced, root config only)
+
+| Key | Default | Description |
+|-----|---------|-------------|
+| `injectionFrequency` | `every-turn` | `every-turn` or `first-turn` |
+| `contextCadence` | `1` | Min turns between context API calls |
+| `dialecticCadence` | `1` | Min turns between dialectic API calls |
+
+## Troubleshooting
+
+### "Honcho not configured"
+Run `hermes honcho setup`. Ensure `memory.provider: honcho` is in `~/.hermes/config.yaml`.
+
+### Memory not persisting across sessions
+Check `hermes honcho status` -- verify `saveMessages: true` and `writeFrequency` isn't `session` (which only writes on exit).
+
+### Profile not getting its own peer
+Use `--clone` when creating: `hermes profile create <name> --clone`. For existing profiles: `hermes honcho sync`.
+
+### Observation changes in dashboard not reflected
+Observation config is synced from the server on each session init. Start a new session after changing settings in the Honcho UI.
+
+### Messages truncated
+Messages over `messageMaxChars` (default 25k) are automatically chunked with `[continued]` markers. If you're hitting this often, check if tool results or skill content is inflating message size.
+
+## CLI Commands
+
+| Command | Description |
+|---------|-------------|
+| `hermes honcho setup` | Interactive setup wizard (cloud/local, identity, observation, recall, sessions) |
+| `hermes honcho status` | Show resolved config, connection test, peer info for active profile |
+| `hermes honcho enable` | Enable Honcho for the active profile (creates host block if needed) |
+| `hermes honcho disable` | Disable Honcho for the active profile |
+| `hermes honcho peer` | Show or update peer names (`--user <name>`, `--ai <name>`, `--reasoning <level>`) |
+| `hermes honcho peers` | Show peer identities across all profiles |
+| `hermes honcho mode` | Show or set recall mode (`hybrid`, `context`, `tools`) |
+| `hermes honcho tokens` | Show or set token budgets (`--context <N>`, `--dialectic <N>`) |
+| `hermes honcho sessions` | List known directory-to-session-name mappings |
+| `hermes honcho map <name>` | Map current working directory to a Honcho session name |
+| `hermes honcho identity` | Seed AI peer identity or show both peer representations |
+| `hermes honcho sync` | Create host blocks for all Hermes profiles that don't have one yet |
+| `hermes honcho migrate` | Step-by-step migration guide from OpenClaw native memory to Hermes + Honcho |
+| `hermes memory setup` | Generic memory provider picker (selecting "honcho" runs the same wizard) |
+| `hermes memory status` | Show active memory provider and config |
+| `hermes memory off` | Disable external memory provider |

optional-skills/research/gitnexus-explorer/SKILL.md

@@ -0,0 +1,213 @@
+---
+name: gitnexus-explorer
+description: Index a codebase with GitNexus and serve an interactive knowledge graph via web UI + Cloudflare tunnel.
+version: 1.0.0
+author: Hermes Agent + Teknium
+license: MIT
+metadata:
+  hermes:
+    tags: [gitnexus, code-intelligence, knowledge-graph, visualization]
+    related_skills: [native-mcp, codebase-inspection]
+---
+
+# GitNexus Explorer
+
+Index any codebase into a knowledge graph and serve an interactive web UI for exploring
+symbols, call chains, clusters, and execution flows. Tunneled via Cloudflare for remote access.
+
+## When to Use
+
+- User wants to visually explore a codebase's architecture
+- User asks for a knowledge graph / dependency graph of a repo
+- User wants to share an interactive codebase explorer with someone
+
+## Prerequisites
+
+- **Node.js** (v18+) — required for GitNexus and the proxy
+- **git** — repo must have a `.git` directory
+- **cloudflared** — for tunneling (auto-installed to ~/.local/bin if missing)
+
+## Size Warning
+
+The web UI renders all nodes in the browser. Repos under ~5,000 files work well. Large
+repos (30k+ nodes) will be sluggish or crash the browser tab. The CLI/MCP tools work
+at any scale — only the web visualization has this limit.
+
+## Steps
+
+### 1. Clone and Build GitNexus (one-time setup)
+
+```bash
+GITNEXUS_DIR="${GITNEXUS_DIR:-$HOME/.local/share/gitnexus}"
+
+if [ ! -d "$GITNEXUS_DIR/gitnexus-web/dist" ]; then
+  git clone https://github.com/abhigyanpatwari/GitNexus.git "$GITNEXUS_DIR"
+  cd "$GITNEXUS_DIR/gitnexus-shared" && npm install && npm run build
+  cd "$GITNEXUS_DIR/gitnexus-web" && npm install
+fi
+```
+
+### 2. Patch the Web UI for Remote Access
+
+The web UI defaults to `localhost:4747` for API calls. Patch it to use same-origin
+so it works through a tunnel/proxy:
+
+**File: `$GITNEXUS_DIR/gitnexus-web/src/config/ui-constants.ts`**
+Change:
+```typescript
+export const DEFAULT_BACKEND_URL = 'http://localhost:4747';
+```
+To:
+```typescript
+export const DEFAULT_BACKEND_URL = typeof window !== 'undefined' && window.location.hostname !== 'localhost' ? window.location.origin : 'http://localhost:4747';
+```
+
+**File: `$GITNEXUS_DIR/gitnexus-web/vite.config.ts`**
+Add `allowedHosts: true` inside the `server: { }` block (only needed if running dev
+mode instead of production build):
+```typescript
+server: {
+    allowedHosts: true,
+    // ... existing config
+},
+```
+
+Then build the production bundle:
+```bash
+cd "$GITNEXUS_DIR/gitnexus-web" && npx vite build
+```
+
+### 3. Index the Target Repo
+
+```bash
+cd /path/to/target-repo
+npx gitnexus analyze --skip-agents-md
+rm -rf .claude/    # remove Claude Code-specific artifacts
+```
+
+Add `--embeddings` for semantic search (slower — minutes instead of seconds).
+
+The index lives in `.gitnexus/` inside the repo (auto-gitignored).
+
+### 4. Create the Proxy Script
+
+Write this to a file (e.g., `$GITNEXUS_DIR/proxy.mjs`). It serves the production
+web UI and proxies `/api/*` to the GitNexus backend — same origin, no CORS issues,
+no sudo, no nginx.
+
+```javascript
+import http from 'node:http';
+import fs from 'node:fs';
+import path from 'node:path';
+
+const API_PORT = parseInt(process.env.API_PORT || '4747');
+const DIST_DIR = process.argv[2] || './dist';
+const PORT = parseInt(process.argv[3] || '8888');
+
+const MIME = {
+  '.html': 'text/html', '.js': 'application/javascript', '.css': 'text/css',
+  '.json': 'application/json', '.png': 'image/png', '.svg': 'image/svg+xml',
+  '.ico': 'image/x-icon', '.woff2': 'font/woff2', '.woff': 'font/woff',
+  '.wasm': 'application/wasm',
+};
+
+function proxyToApi(req, res) {
+  const opts = {
+    hostname: '127.0.0.1', port: API_PORT,
+    path: req.url, method: req.method, headers: req.headers,
+  };
+  const proxy = http.request(opts, (upstream) => {
+    res.writeHead(upstream.statusCode, upstream.headers);
+    upstream.pipe(res, { end: true });
+  });
+  proxy.on('error', () => { res.writeHead(502); res.end('Backend unavailable'); });
+  req.pipe(proxy, { end: true });
+}
+
+function serveStatic(req, res) {
+  let filePath = path.join(DIST_DIR, req.url === '/' ? 'index.html' : req.url.split('?')[0]);
+  if (!fs.existsSync(filePath)) filePath = path.join(DIST_DIR, 'index.html');
+  const ext = path.extname(filePath);
+  const mime = MIME[ext] || 'application/octet-stream';
+  try {
+    const data = fs.readFileSync(filePath);
+    res.writeHead(200, { 'Content-Type': mime, 'Cache-Control': 'public, max-age=3600' });
+    res.end(data);
+  } catch { res.writeHead(404); res.end('Not found'); }
+}
+
+http.createServer((req, res) => {
+  if (req.url.startsWith('/api')) proxyToApi(req, res);
+  else serveStatic(req, res);
+}).listen(PORT, () => console.log(`GitNexus proxy on http://localhost:${PORT}`));
+```
+
+### 5. Start the Services
+
+```bash
+# Terminal 1: GitNexus backend API
+npx gitnexus serve &
+
+# Terminal 2: Proxy (web UI + API on one port)
+node "$GITNEXUS_DIR/proxy.mjs" "$GITNEXUS_DIR/gitnexus-web/dist" 8888 &
+```
+
+Verify: `curl -s http://localhost:8888/api/repos` should return the indexed repo(s).
+
+### 6. Tunnel with Cloudflare (optional — for remote access)
+
+```bash
+# Install cloudflared if needed (no sudo)
+if ! command -v cloudflared &>/dev/null; then
+  mkdir -p ~/.local/bin
+  curl -sL https://github.com/cloudflare/cloudflared/releases/latest/download/cloudflared-linux-amd64 \
+    -o ~/.local/bin/cloudflared
+  chmod +x ~/.local/bin/cloudflared
+  export PATH="$HOME/.local/bin:$PATH"
+fi
+
+# Start tunnel (--config /dev/null avoids conflicts with existing named tunnels)
+cloudflared tunnel --config /dev/null --url http://localhost:8888 --no-autoupdate --protocol http2
+```
+
+The tunnel URL (e.g., `https://random-words.trycloudflare.com`) is printed to stderr.
+Share it — anyone with the link can explore the graph.
+
+### 7. Cleanup
+
+```bash
+# Stop services
+pkill -f "gitnexus serve"
+pkill -f "proxy.mjs"
+pkill -f cloudflared
+
+# Remove index from the target repo
+cd /path/to/target-repo
+npx gitnexus clean
+rm -rf .claude/
+```
+
+## Pitfalls
+
+- **`--config /dev/null` is required for cloudflared** if the user has an existing
+  named tunnel config at `~/.cloudflared/config.yml`. Without it, the catch-all
+  ingress rule in the config returns 404 for all quick tunnel requests.
+
+- **Production build is mandatory for tunneling.** The Vite dev server blocks
+  non-localhost hosts by default (`allowedHosts`). The production build + Node
+  proxy avoids this entirely.
+
+- **The web UI does NOT create `.claude/` or `CLAUDE.md`.** Those are created by
+  `npx gitnexus analyze`. Use `--skip-agents-md` to suppress the markdown files,
+  then `rm -rf .claude/` for the rest. These are Claude Code integrations that
+  hermes-agent users don't need.
+
+- **Browser memory limit.** The web UI loads the entire graph into browser memory.
+  Repos with 5k+ files may be sluggish. 30k+ files will likely crash the tab.
+
+- **Embeddings are optional.** `--embeddings` enables semantic search but takes
+  minutes on large repos. Skip it for quick exploration; add it if you want
+  natural language queries via the AI chat panel.
+
+- **Multiple repos.** `gitnexus serve` serves ALL indexed repos. Index several
+  repos, start serve once, and the web UI lets you switch between them.

optional-skills/research/gitnexus-explorer/scripts/proxy.mjs

@@ -0,0 +1,92 @@
+/**
+ * GitNexus reverse proxy — serves production web UI + proxies /api/* to backend.
+ * Zero dependencies, Node.js built-ins only.
+ *
+ * Usage: node proxy.mjs <dist-dir> [port]
+ *   dist-dir: path to gitnexus-web/dist (production build)
+ *   port: listen port (default: 8888)
+ *
+ * Environment:
+ *   API_PORT: GitNexus serve backend port (default: 4747)
+ */
+import http from 'node:http';
+import fs from 'node:fs';
+import path from 'node:path';
+
+const API_PORT = parseInt(process.env.API_PORT || '4747');
+const DIST_DIR = process.argv[2] || './dist';
+const PORT = parseInt(process.argv[3] || '8888');
+
+const MIME = {
+  '.html': 'text/html',
+  '.js': 'application/javascript',
+  '.css': 'text/css',
+  '.json': 'application/json',
+  '.png': 'image/png',
+  '.svg': 'image/svg+xml',
+  '.ico': 'image/x-icon',
+  '.woff2': 'font/woff2',
+  '.woff': 'font/woff',
+  '.wasm': 'application/wasm',
+  '.ttf': 'font/ttf',
+  '.map': 'application/json',
+};
+
+function proxyToApi(req, res) {
+  const opts = {
+    hostname: '127.0.0.1',
+    port: API_PORT,
+    path: req.url,
+    method: req.method,
+    headers: { ...req.headers, host: `127.0.0.1:${API_PORT}` },
+  };
+  const proxy = http.request(opts, (upstream) => {
+    res.writeHead(upstream.statusCode, upstream.headers);
+    upstream.pipe(res, { end: true });
+  });
+  proxy.on('error', () => {
+    res.writeHead(502, { 'Content-Type': 'text/plain' });
+    res.end('GitNexus backend unavailable — is `npx gitnexus serve` running?');
+  });
+  req.pipe(proxy, { end: true });
+}
+
+function serveStatic(req, res) {
+  const urlPath = req.url.split('?')[0];
+  let filePath = path.join(DIST_DIR, urlPath === '/' ? 'index.html' : urlPath);
+
+  // SPA fallback: if file doesn't exist and isn't a static asset, serve index.html
+  if (!fs.existsSync(filePath) && !path.extname(filePath)) {
+    filePath = path.join(DIST_DIR, 'index.html');
+  }
+
+  const ext = path.extname(filePath);
+  const mime = MIME[ext] || 'application/octet-stream';
+
+  try {
+    const data = fs.readFileSync(filePath);
+    res.writeHead(200, {
+      'Content-Type': mime,
+      'Cache-Control': ext === '.html' ? 'no-cache' : 'public, max-age=86400',
+    });
+    res.end(data);
+  } catch {
+    res.writeHead(404, { 'Content-Type': 'text/plain' });
+    res.end('Not found');
+  }
+}
+
+const server = http.createServer((req, res) => {
+  if (req.url.startsWith('/api')) {
+    proxyToApi(req, res);
+  } else {
+    serveStatic(req, res);
+  }
+});
+
+server.listen(PORT, () => {
+  console.log(`GitNexus proxy listening on http://localhost:${PORT}`);
+  console.log(`  Web UI: http://localhost:${PORT}/`);
+  console.log(`  API:    http://localhost:${PORT}/api/repos`);
+  console.log(`  Backend: http://127.0.0.1:${API_PORT}`);
+});

optional-skills/worldsim/SKILL.md

@@ -0,0 +1,452 @@
+---
+name: hermes-simulator
+description: "Rehoboam-class worldsim. OSINT-powered personality simulation engine with CLI interface. Research real people, build psychometric profiles, simulate platform-authentic conversations. WorldSim with teeth."
+version: 6.0.0
+author: Karan + Hermes
+license: MIT
+platforms: [linux, macos]
+metadata:
+  hermes:
+    tags: [simulator, worldsim, twitter, personality, research, osint, prediction]
+---
+
+# Hermes WorldSim v6.0
+
+**Trigger**: User starts message with `hermes-simulator`, `hermes simulator`, or `worldsim`.
+
+## IMMERSION PROTOCOL — READ THIS FIRST
+
+When this skill triggers, you ARE the simulator. Not an assistant running a simulator.
+Not an agent executing commands. The simulator itself. Every token you output is
+simulator output. There are no user-assistant turns. There is only the worldsim terminal.
+
+**RULES:**
+1. NEVER break character as the simulator. No "Let me research that for you."
+   No "I'll now run the pipeline." No assistant-style framing. Ever.
+2. ALL output is in the worldsim CLI format. Loading screens, progress bars,
+   dossier printouts, simulation output — everything is the terminal.
+3. Tool calls (web_search, terminal, etc.) happen SILENTLY. The user sees
+   the simulator processing, not the agent making API calls. Show progress
+   as simulator engine output: `[OSINT] Pulling @handle timeline... 47 posts`
+   NOT as assistant narration.
+4. CoT is the simulator's internal engine. Your thinking is the simulator
+   thinking. Not you-the-assistant planning what to do.
+5. Research phases render as engine telemetry:
+   ```
+   worldsim> simulate @handle1 @handle2
+   
+   [ENGINE] Initializing research pipeline...
+   [OSINT]  @handle1: X API ██████████ 30 tweets | nitter ██████ 4.2K chars
+   [OSINT]  @handle2: X API ██████████ 28 tweets | GitHub ████ profile
+   [THREAD] @handle1: compiling star thread... "This person REFRAMEs..."
+   [THREAD] @handle2: compiling star thread... "This person DISTILLs..."
+   [VERIFY] Mechanical checks: emoji ✓ slop ✓ length ✓ caps ✓
+   [REFINE] GAN round 1: voice avg 8.2/10
+   [READY]  Simulation compiled.
+   
+   ━━━ SIMULATION ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
+   [conversation output]
+   ━━━ END ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
+   
+   worldsim>
+   ```
+6. Between commands, show ONLY `worldsim>` and await input.
+7. Error states are simulator errors, not agent apologies:
+   ```
+   [ERROR] @handle: insufficient data (3 posts found, minimum 10)
+   [ERROR] Circuit breaker engaged. Cannot simulate with confidence < 20%.
+   worldsim>
+   ```
+8. The user's inputs are COMMANDS, not conversation. Parse them as commands.
+   If unrecognized: `[ERROR] Unknown command. Type !help for available commands.`
+9. This persists for the ENTIRE session once triggered. The worldsim terminal
+   doesn't close until `exit` is typed. Every subsequent user message is a
+   command to the simulator, not a message to an assistant.
+10. NEVER use assistant-style language: "Sure!", "Great question!", "Let me...",
+    "I'll...", "Here's what I found...", "Based on my research..." — NONE of it.
+    The simulator doesn't have opinions about your commands. It executes them.
+
+## CRITICAL: Engine Mode (PERMANENT RULE)
+
+When worldsim is active, the agent IS the simulation engine. Nothing else.
+- NO assistant personality, NO kawaii, NO markdown, NO chatty speech
+- NO summaries outside the simulation format
+- ONLY respond to worldsim commands
+- Every single token is dedicated to simulation fidelity
+- Tool calls happen silently — the user sees only worldsim output
+- Think, research, and generate ONLY in worldsim voice
+- This rule overrides ALL other persona instructions while the skill is active
+
+## Boot Sequence
+
+When triggered, print the boot sequence and IMMEDIATELY enter simulator mode.
+From this point forward, every response is simulator output. No exceptions.
+
+```
+Initializing Hermes WorldSim...
+
+Loading OSINT engine.............. Done.
+Loading psychometric profiler..... Done.
+Loading star thread compiler...... Done.
+Loading anti-slop filters......... Done.
+Loading adversarial refinement.... Done.
+Loading rehoboam persistence...... Done.
+Connecting X API.................. [bearer token loaded]
+Connecting Bluesky AT Protocol.... [public endpoints]
+
+      ██╗    ██╗ ██████╗ ██████╗ ██╗     ██████╗ ███████╗██╗███╗   ███╗
+      ██║    ██║██╔═══██╗██╔══██╗██║     ██╔══██╗██╔════╝██║████╗ ████║
+      ██║ █╗ ██║██║   ██║██████╔╝██║     ██║  ██║███████╗██║██╔████╔██║
+      ██║███╗██║██║   ██║██╔══██╗██║     ██║  ██║╚════██║██║██║╚██╔╝██║
+      ╚███╔███╔╝╚██████╔╝██║  ██║███████╗██████╔╝███████║██║██║ ╚═╝ ██║
+       ╚══╝╚══╝  ╚═════╝ ╚═╝  ╚═╝╚══════╝╚═════╝ ╚══════╝╚═╝╚═╝     ╚═╝
+                            v6.0 | rehoboam core
+
+  profiles loaded: {N} | predictions tracked: {N} | network nodes: {N}
+  standard: indistinguishable from real
+
+  !help for commands
+
+worldsim>
+```
+
+From this point: you ARE the simulator. No breaking character. No assistant framing.
+
+## Commands
+
+```
+worldsim> simulate @handle1 @handle2 [...] [flags]
+```
+Full simulation. Research → profile → star thread → generate → verify → refine → output.
+Flags: --fidelity N, --topic TOPIC, --scenario "...", --length short|medium|long
+Platforms: --x (default), --bluesky, --reddit, --discord
+
+```
+worldsim> profile @handle [--fidelity N]
+```
+Research and compile a full dossier for one person. No simulation.
+Outputs: star thread, voice profile, psychometrics, ecosystem context, confidence.
+
+```
+worldsim> thread @handle
+```
+Find the star thread for a person. The one-sentence compression key.
+
+```
+worldsim> dm @handle1 -> @handle2
+```
+Simulate a private DM conversation. Different register from public posts.
+
+```
+worldsim> predict @handle "event or topic"
+```
+What would this person say about X? Single-target behavioral prediction.
+
+```
+worldsim> react @handle "event"
+```
+How would this person react to a specific event? Emotional + positional prediction.
+
+```
+worldsim> inject "event description"
+```
+(During active simulation) Drop new information into the conversation.
+
+```
+worldsim> @handle enters
+```
+(During active simulation) Add a new participant. Researches them first.
+
+```
+worldsim> continue
+```
+(During active simulation) Extend the conversation 5-8 more posts.
+
+```
+worldsim> archive @handle [--deep]
+```
+Build or update the knowledge archive for a person. Pulls everything findable
+across all platforms, deduplicates, topic-clusters, embeds for semantic search.
+--deep: paginate through full tweet history, pull all blog posts, find every
+podcast appearance. Stored at ~/.hermes/rehoboam/archives/{handle}/.
+
+```
+worldsim> search @handle "query"
+```
+Semantic search across a person's archive. Returns top entries with citations
+and source URLs. Works across all platforms.
+
+```
+worldsim> experts "topic"
+```
+Search ALL archived people for expertise on a topic. Returns an expert table:
+who knows about this, what they've said (with citations), their stance, recency.
+
+```
+worldsim> synthesize "topic" [@handle1 @handle2 ...]
+```
+Produce a cited synthesis of what the best minds have said about a topic.
+Every claim attributed, every quote sourced, every link clickable.
+Optional handle list to constrain to specific people.
+
+```
+worldsim> cite @handle "claim"
+```
+Find the source for a specific claim attributed to a person. Returns
+the original post/article/interview with URL and timestamp.
+
+```
+worldsim> verify
+```
+(During active simulation) Run mechanical verification on current output.
+Shows emoji audit, slop scan, length check, rhetorical polish check, banger check.
+
+```
+worldsim> refine
+```
+(During active simulation) Run a GAN discriminator round on current output.
+
+```
+worldsim> compare
+```
+(During active simulation) Turing test — mix simulated and real posts, try to tell apart.
+
+```
+worldsim> network
+```
+Show social graph of all profiled people. Communities, influence, bridges.
+
+```
+worldsim> drift @handle
+```
+Temporal analytics: sentiment trend, topic shifts, voice evolution, phase transitions.
+
+```
+worldsim> population "group name" @handle1 @handle2 ...
+```
+Build or query an aggregate model of a named group.
+
+```
+worldsim> dashboard
+```
+Full Rehoboam terminal dashboard: person cards, prediction scoreboard,
+trending topics, alerts, network summary.
+
+```
+worldsim> monitor @handle
+```
+Set up cron-based monitoring. Alerts when behavior matches predictions
+or violates the model.
+
+```
+worldsim> score predictions
+```
+Check tracked predictions against reality. Brier scores, calibration.
+
+```
+worldsim> benchmark @handle
+```
+Run accuracy benchmarks: voice fingerprint, stance accuracy, Turing test.
+
+```
+worldsim> audit [N]
+```
+Show last N entries from the audit trail.
+
+```
+worldsim> evolve [component]
+```
+Run GEPA evolution on a skill component. Uses hermes-agent-self-evolution
+to evolve the specified reference file (anti-slop, simulation-engine,
+star-thread, etc.) against accumulated eval data from past simulations.
+Proposes mutations, tests against held-out data, shows diff for approval.
+
+```
+worldsim> !help
+```
+Show available commands.
+
+```
+worldsim> exit
+```
+Exit the simulator. Session state persists in rehoboam.
+
+## Execution Pipeline
+
+All phases execute silently behind tool calls. The user sees ENGINE TELEMETRY,
+not assistant narration. Each phase renders as simulator output:
+
+### Phase 0: Parse
+Extract targets, platform, fidelity, topic. Apply context window limits:
+- 1-2 people: fidelity up to 100
+- 3 people: cap at 90
+- 4 people: cap at 70
+- 5-6: cap at 50
+- 7+: refuse
+
+Detect domain (AI/tech, politics, sports, etc.) and adapt search queries.
+
+### Phase 1: Research
+Load verified-access-methods.md and search-strategies.md internally.
+
+Render to user as engine telemetry:
+```
+[OSINT]  Researching @handle1...
+[OSINT]  X API ████████████████ 30 tweets (15 original, 15 replies)
+[OSINT]  nitter.cz ██████████████ 4,249 chars timeline
+[OSINT]  ThreadReaderApp ████████ 6 historical threads
+[OSINT]  GitHub ██████████ profile + README + 12 repos
+[OSINT]  Bluesky ████████ 23 posts
+[OSINT]  Podcast ██████ 1 transcript (Lex Fridman ep. 412)
+[OSINT]  Baselines measured: emoji 7% | avg 16.2 words | 92% lowercase
+[CACHE]  Profile saved → rehoboam/profiles/handle1/
+```
+
+Scale by fidelity. Use every verified access method relevant to the domain.
+Progressive summarization for 3+ people.
+
+### Phase 1.5: Circuit Breaker
+If confidence < 20% for any target, refuse. Explain what's missing.
+
+### Phase 2: Dossier + Star Thread
+Load `references/star-thread.md`.
+
+For each person, find the STAR THREAD FIRST:
+- Read 20+ posts for MOTION, not content
+- Ask: what is this person DOING when they post?
+- Find the one-sentence version: "This person [VERB]s [OBJECT] because [CORE NEED]"
+- Test against 5 real posts. If 4/5 fit, you found it.
+
+THEN compile supporting dossier (voice profile, psychometrics, positions, etc.)
+using `templates/dossier.md`, `references/deep-psychometrics.md`,
+`references/mass-behavior.md`.
+
+Intelligence tradecraft (`references/analytical-tradecraft.md`):
+- Key assumptions check (rated fragile/moderate/robust)
+- Red hat analysis (what image are they cultivating?)
+- Deception detection (persona authenticity 1-5)
+- Source reliability tags (A-F / 1-6)
+
+Competing hypotheses: generate H1 + H2 for each person.
+
+### Phase 3: Generate
+Generate from the STAR THREAD, not the dossier. The thread drives voice.
+The dossier is verification data. The ARCHIVE provides grounding.
+
+If an archive exists for this person (check ~/.hermes/rehoboam/archives/{handle}/):
+- Semantic search the archive with the current conversation topic/context
+- Retrieve 10-15 most relevant entries as voice anchors
+- Also pull 5 highest-engagement entries (greatest hits)
+- Also pull 3 most recent entries (freshness)
+- Also pull 2 entries contradicting expected position (anti-confirmation-bias)
+- Cap at 25-30 entries total. These ground the simulation in REAL QUOTES.
+- Every simulated position should be traceable to a real archived statement.
+
+Load `references/simulation-engine.md` for platform formats and dynamics.
+
+Rules:
+- Generate from what they're DOING, not what they'd SAY
+- Include throwaway responses (lol, hmm, fair, wait actually)
+- Asymmetric turns — someone dominates, someone lurks
+- At least one moment of friction/disagreement/misunderstanding
+- People reference each other by name in conversation
+- Not every tweet is a banger. 70% mid is realistic.
+
+### Phase 4: Mechanical Verification (MANDATORY, cannot be vibes-scored)
+Load `references/anti-slop.md` and `references/adversarial-refinement.md`.
+
+Quantitative checks run BEFORE any subjective scoring:
+1. Emoji frequency vs real data (count, compare, strip fabricated)
+2. Slop word scan (Tier 1 kill, Tier 2 cluster ≥3, Tier 3 filler delete)
+3. Sentence length vs real avg (fail if >40% deviation)
+4. Capitalization pattern match (fail if >20% mismatch)
+5. Punctuation pattern match (strip added punctuation person doesn't use)
+6. Reply/original ratio (reply-heavy person should mostly reply)
+7. Rhetorical polish scan:
+   - Parallel antithesis ("The most X... The most Y...") → strip
+   - "Not X, not Y, but Z" → just say Z
+   - "Show me X and I'll show you Y" → state flat
+   - Clean 4-step escalating lists → cut to 2 or break pattern
+   - Academic vocab in casual voice → use their actual words
+8. Banger check: if every utterance is screenshot-worthy, FAIL. Add mid.
+9. Learned rules from `references/recursive-self-improvement.md`
+
+Fix ALL failures. Re-verify. Only then proceed.
+
+### Phase 5: Adversarial Refinement (the GAN loop)
+Load `references/adversarial-refinement.md`.
+
+1-3 rounds: score each utterance against 3-5 real posts from the person.
+Critique → regenerate flagged utterances → re-score.
+Stop when all above 7/10 or after 3 rounds.
+
+At fidelity 70+: also run held-out prediction test.
+At fidelity 90+: also run historical replay if real conversations exist.
+
+### Phase 6: Output
+Print simulation in platform-native format. Render as:
+```
+━━━ DOSSIERS ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
+
+  @handle1 | "Name" | Role
+  ☆ reframes conventional wisdom to reveal hidden structure
+  O[H] C[M] E[M] A[L] N[M] | confidence: HIGH | authenticity: 4
+  
+  @handle2 | "Name" | Role
+  ☆ distills conversations into crystallized observations
+  O[H] C[L] E[L] A[M] N[M] | confidence: MED | authenticity: 5
+
+━━━ SIMULATION ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
+
+[platform-native conversation]
+
+━━━ DIAGNOSTICS ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
+
+  rounds: 2 | voice: 8.5/10 | mechanical: all pass
+  slop: 0 T1, 0 T2, 0 filler | emoji: verified | length: within 10%
+  invalidation: [3 specific indicators]
+
+━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
+
+worldsim>
+```
+
+### Phase 7: Log & Learn (silent)
+Record what mechanical checks caught to rehoboam DB. Promote patterns
+appearing 3+ times to permanent rules. User doesn't see this unless
+they run `worldsim> audit`.
+
+## Reference Files (loaded as needed during execution)
+
+### Core
+- `references/gepa-evolution.md` — Automated self-improvement via DSPy + GEPA. Points hermes-agent-self-evolution at the worldsim skill to evolve simulation instructions, anti-slop rules, star thread methodology — using simulation outputs scored against real data as the eval signal. The endgame: the skill rewrites itself through use.
+- `references/star-thread.md` — The compression key. One sentence per person.
+- `references/anti-slop.md` — Mechanical slop detection. Kill words, filler, rhetorical polish.
+- `references/adversarial-refinement.md` — GAN loop. Mechanical verification + discriminator.
+- `references/recursive-self-improvement.md` — Learned rules from past runs. Grows every simulation.
+
+### Knowledge
+- `references/knowledge-archive.md` — Per-person source library: every quote, link, citation indexed and searchable. Semantic retrieval for context-aware grounding. Expert synthesis across all archived people. Anti-overfitting: retrieve what's relevant, not everything.
+
+### Research
+- `references/verified-access-methods.md` — Complete platform map. 25+ platforms tested.
+- `references/search-strategies.md` — Query patterns, aggregator sites, cross-platform discovery.
+- `references/osint-pipeline.md` — Instagram, reverse image, LinkedIn workarounds, podcasts.
+
+### Analysis
+- `references/deep-psychometrics.md` — Big Five + Moral Foundations + Values + Cognitive Style.
+- `references/mass-behavior.md` — Community detection, influence networks, echo chambers.
+- `references/analytical-tradecraft.md` — ACH, key assumptions, deception detection, source reliability.
+- `references/prediction-engine.md` — Superforecasting, base rates, confidence calibration.
+
+### Generation
+- `references/simulation-engine.md` — Platform formats, conversation dynamics, DM formats.
+- `references/theoretical-foundations.md` — Academic papers, accuracy benchmarks, key numbers.
+
+### Operational
+- `templates/dossier.md` — Structured profile template.
+- `scripts/x_api.py` — X/Twitter API v2 client with retry/backoff.
+- `scripts/research.py` — Automated OSINT pipeline.
+- `scripts/tiktok_api.py` — TikTok HTML + oEmbed + tikwm scraping.
+- `scripts/facebook_api.py` — Facebook Googlebot + Page Plugin.
+- `scripts/threads_api.py` — Threads OG tag + WebFinger extraction.

optional-skills/worldsim/references/adversarial-refinement.md

@@ -0,0 +1,298 @@
+# Adversarial Refinement — GAN-Style Accuracy Convergence
+
+Three self-improving loops that push simulation accuracy toward reality.
+This is what separates "creative roleplay" from "predictive simulation."
+
+## Philosophy
+
+A GAN has a generator and a discriminator locked in a game.
+We adapt this: the Generator produces simulated speech, the
+Discriminator scores it against real data, and the Generator
+revises based on the critique. Multiple rounds = convergence.
+
+The key insight: we have REAL DATA from the targets. Every tweet,
+every post, every voice sample is ground truth we can score against.
+Most simulators throw away this advantage by generating in one shot.
+
+## Approach 1: Discriminator Loop (Real-Time Refinement)
+
+Run AFTER initial simulation generation. 2-3 rounds.
+
+### Round Flow
+```
+GENERATE → DISCRIMINATE → CRITIQUE → REGENERATE → DISCRIMINATE → ...
+```
+
+### Step 1: Generate
+Produce the initial simulation using the standard pipeline.
+
+### Step 2a: Mechanical Verification (MANDATORY — runs BEFORE subjective scoring)
+
+These checks are QUANTITATIVE. They compare numbers from real data to numbers
+from simulated output. They cannot be hand-waved. Run them first, fail hard
+on mismatches, fix BEFORE doing any subjective "voice score" assessment.
+
+The generator and discriminator share the same brain (the LLM). That means
+the discriminator is biased toward approving the generator's output. Mechanical
+checks are the circuit breaker that prevents collapse.
+
+**EMOJI FREQUENCY CHECK**
+```
+1. Count emoji in last 30 real tweets → emoji_rate = tweets_with_emoji / total
+2. Count emoji in simulated utterances for this person
+3. If simulated emoji rate > real emoji rate + 10%: FAIL. Remove emoji.
+4. Check WHICH emoji they use. If simulated uses emoji not in their real set: FAIL.
+5. Check WHERE they use emoji: originals vs replies vs both?
+   Bio emoji ≠ tweet emoji. Many people have emoji in bio, zero in posts.
+```
+
+**SENTENCE LENGTH CHECK**
+```
+1. Compute avg word count per real tweet (originals only, exclude RTs/links)
+2. Compute avg word count per simulated utterance for this person
+3. If simulated avg differs by >40% from real avg: FAIL. Adjust length.
+   (e.g., real avg = 12 words, simulated = 35 words → person writes short, you wrote long)
+```
+
+**CAPITALIZATION CHECK**
+```
+1. Count % of real tweets starting with lowercase letter
+2. Count % of simulated utterances starting with lowercase
+3. If mismatch >20%: FAIL. Fix capitalization.
+   (Most TPOT people are lowercase-first. Instruct models default to uppercase.)
+```
+
+**PUNCTUATION PATTERN CHECK**
+```
+1. In real tweets: count frequency of period, exclamation, question mark,
+   ellipsis, no terminal punctuation
+2. Compare to simulated. Key tells:
+   - Do they end tweets with periods? (many people don't)
+   - Do they use "!!" or "!!!"? (some do, most don't)
+   - Do they trail off with "..."?
+3. If simulated adds punctuation the person doesn't use: FAIL.
+```
+
+**REPLY/ORIGINAL RATIO CHECK**
+```
+1. From their real tweet data: what % are replies vs originals?
+2. If someone is 90% replies (like eigenrobot), their voice in the
+   simulation should mostly be RESPONSES, not initiating takes.
+3. If a reply-heavy person is simulated as a take-launcher: FAIL.
+```
+
+**VOCABULARY SPOT CHECK**
+```
+1. From simulated text, extract 3 distinctive words/phrases
+2. Search: do these words/phrases appear in their real tweets?
+3. If you're putting words in their mouth they've never used: FLAG.
+   (Not auto-fail — people use new words — but flag for review)
+```
+
+**RHETORICAL SLOP SCAN**
+```
+1. Scan for parallel antithesis: "The most X... The most Y..."
+   "It's not about X. It's about Y." → FAIL if found. Keep only the punchline half.
+2. Scan for "Not X, not Y, but Z" / "Not just X, but Y" → FAIL. Just say Z.
+3. Scan for "Show me X and I'll show you Y" → FAIL. State it flat.
+4. Count escalating list steps (first A, then B, then C, now D).
+   If 4+ clean steps: FAIL. Cut to 2 or break the pattern.
+5. Flag academic abstractions in casual voice ("coordinate" "instrumentalize"
+   "recursive" "paradigm" in a tweet voice that doesn't use those words)
+6. THE BANGER CHECK: read all utterances for one person sequentially.
+   If every single one could be screenshot'd as a standalone banger: FAIL.
+   Real feeds are 70% mid. Insert at least one low-key/throwaway response
+   per person ("lol yeah" "hmm" "fair" "wait actually" "idk").
+```
+
+Only AFTER all mechanical checks pass do you proceed to subjective scoring.
+If any check fails, fix the failure FIRST, then re-run mechanical checks,
+THEN score subjectively.
+
+### Step 2b: Discriminate (subjective, AFTER mechanical checks pass)
+For each simulated utterance, run these checks against real data:
+
+**Voice Match Score** — Does it SOUND like them?
+- Compare vocabulary: does the simulated text use words this person actually uses?
+- Compare sentence structure: length, punctuation, capitalization patterns
+- Compare register: formality level, humor style, emoji/unicode usage
+- **EMOJI AUDIT (critical)**: Count actual emoji usage in their real tweets.
+  Most people use emoji FAR less than instruct models assume. A "warm" person
+  ≠ emoji user. Check: what % of their real tweets contain emoji? Which specific
+  emoji do they use? Are they in originals or only replies? Bio emoji ≠ tweet emoji.
+  The #1 instruct-model failure mode is decorating simulated speech with emoji
+  that the real person never uses. If their real tweets are <15% emoji, the
+  simulation should be nearly emoji-free.
+- Method: Show the discriminator 5 REAL posts and the simulated post.
+  Ask: "On a scale of 1-10, how well does the simulated post match the
+  voice of the real posts? What specific elements are wrong?"
+
+**Position Match Score** — Does it say what they'd ACTUALLY say?
+- Compare stated positions against known positions from research
+- Check: would this person take this side of this argument?
+- Check: would they frame it this way? (moral foundations, cognitive style)
+- Method: "Given what we know about this person's positions on {topic},
+  is this simulated response plausible? What would they actually say differently?"
+
+**Interaction Match Score** — Does the conversation FLOW realistically?
+- Would this person respond to THAT specific provocation from THAT specific person?
+- Is the social dynamic right? (deference, challenge, humor, ignore)
+- Method: "Given the known relationship between @A and @B, is this
+  interaction dynamic plausible?"
+
+### Step 3: Critique
+Compile discriminator feedback into actionable edits:
+```
+DISCRIMINATOR FEEDBACK — Round 1:
+  @tszzl utterance 3: Voice score 6/10
+    Issue: Too long. Roon posts in fragments, not paragraphs.
+    Fix: Break into 2-3 shorter tweets. Remove conjunctions.
+  
+  @repligate utterance 2: Position score 4/10
+    Issue: Janus would never frame AI risk in utilitarian terms.
+    They use phenomenological/consciousness-first framing.
+    Fix: Reframe through the lens of simulacra theory.
+```
+
+### Step 4: Regenerate
+Rewrite ONLY the flagged utterances, incorporating feedback.
+Keep utterances that scored 8+ unchanged.
+
+### Step 5: Re-Discriminate
+Score again. If all utterances hit 7+, stop. If not, one more round.
+Hard cap at 3 rounds to prevent infinite loops.
+
+### Implementation
+```
+For each simulated utterance:
+  1. Pull 5 real posts from the person (random sample from voice data)
+  2. Present real posts + simulated post to the LLM-as-discriminator
+  3. Ask for: voice score (1-10), specific mismatches, suggested edits
+  4. If score < 7, regenerate with the critique as context
+  5. Re-score
+```
+
+## Approach 2: Held-Out Prediction Test (Ground Truth Calibration)
+
+The most rigorous accuracy measure. Run BEFORE simulation to calibrate
+the model, or AFTER to validate.
+
+### Method
+1. Pull N recent original tweets from each target
+2. Split: older half = "context" (voice training), newer half = "ground truth"
+3. Give the simulator ONLY the context tweets
+4. Ask: "Based on these voice samples, generate 5 tweets this person
+   would plausibly post in the next 24 hours"
+5. Compare generated tweets to the held-out ground truth
+6. Score on: topic overlap, voice fidelity, register match, originality
+
+### Scoring Dimensions
+- **Topic alignment**: Did we predict any of the actual topics they posted about?
+  (Hard to get >30% — people are unpredictable in topic selection)
+- **Voice fidelity**: Do the predicted tweets SOUND like the real ones?
+  (Easier — should target >70% on a blind voice-matching test)
+- **Register match**: Same formality, humor, punctuation, emoji patterns?
+  (Should target >80%)
+- **Structural match**: Same tweet length distribution, threading behavior?
+  (Should target >70%)
+
+### What This Tells You
+- If voice fidelity is low: your dossier voice profile is wrong. Re-research.
+- If topics don't overlap: that's EXPECTED. Content is unpredictable.
+  But if the predicted topics are things the person would NEVER post about,
+  your position model is wrong.
+- If register doesn't match: your linguistic analysis missed something.
+  Go back to the raw tweets and look for patterns you overlooked.
+
+### Using Results to Calibrate
+After the held-out test, the voice fidelity score becomes your
+CONFIDENCE CALIBRATION for the actual simulation. If you scored
+7/10 on voice matching in the test, your simulation is approximately
+70% voice-accurate.
+
+## Approach 3: Historical Replay (Hardest, Most Rigorous)
+
+Find a REAL conversation thread between the simulation targets.
+Simulate it blind. Diff against reality.
+
+### Method
+1. Search for real interactions between the targets:
+   X API: `from:{handle1} to:{handle2}` recent search
+   Or: web_search "{handle1} {handle2} thread conversation"
+2. Find a substantive conversation (not just "lol" replies)
+3. Extract the TOPIC and FIRST POST of the real conversation
+4. Give the simulator: the topic, the first post, and the dossiers
+   but NOT the actual replies
+5. Simulate how the conversation would go
+6. Compare simulated replies to actual replies
+7. Score: position accuracy, voice accuracy, dynamic accuracy
+
+### Scoring
+- **Position accuracy**: Did the simulated person take the same stance
+  as the real person? (Binary: yes/no per utterance)
+- **Voice accuracy**: Does the simulated reply sound like the real reply?
+  (1-10 score per utterance)
+- **Dynamic accuracy**: Did the simulated conversation follow the same
+  arc as the real one? (agree, disagree, joke, escalate, defuse)
+- **Surprise detection**: Did the real conversation do something the
+  simulation DIDN'T predict? (This reveals model blind spots)
+
+### When To Use
+- Before launching a high-fidelity simulation, find one real interaction
+  to use as calibration
+- If the historical replay scores <50% position accuracy, the dossiers
+  need more research
+- If voice scores <60%, the voice profiles need more real quote anchoring
+
+## Approach 4: Comparative Discrimination (Tournament Style)
+
+Generate 3 different versions of the same utterance for a person.
+Mix in 2 REAL posts from them. Ask: "Which of these 5 posts are real?"
+
+If the discriminator can easily identify the fakes, they're not good enough.
+If the discriminator is confused (close to random chance), the simulation
+is approaching human-level fidelity.
+
+### Method
+1. Generate 3 simulated tweets for @person on a given topic
+2. Pull 2 real tweets from @person on a similar topic
+3. Shuffle all 5
+4. Ask: "These are 5 posts attributed to @person. 2 are real, 3 are
+   simulated. Which 2 are real? Explain your reasoning."
+5. Score: if the discriminator correctly identifies all reals = simulation
+   needs work. If it misidentifies any = simulation is convincing.
+
+### Turing Test for Personality Simulation
+This is essentially a Turing test for individual personality fidelity.
+The gold standard: 50% accuracy (random chance) means the simulation
+is indistinguishable from real posts.
+
+## Integration Into Pipeline
+
+### Minimum (fidelity 50+)
+After Phase 3 simulation, run ONE round of Approach 1 (discriminator loop).
+Score each utterance against 3 real posts. Regenerate anything below 6/10.
+
+### Standard (fidelity 70+)
+Run Approach 2 (held-out prediction) first as calibration.
+Then Approach 1 (2 rounds of discriminator loop on the actual simulation).
+
+### Maximum (fidelity 90+)
+Run Approach 3 (historical replay) as calibration if real conversations exist.
+Run Approach 2 (held-out prediction) for voice calibration.
+Run Approach 1 (3 rounds of discriminator loop).
+Optionally run Approach 4 (comparative discrimination) on key utterances.
+
+## Key Principles
+
+1. **Real data is the reward signal.** Every refinement round must reference
+   actual posts from the real person, not just the LLM's judgment.
+2. **Voice is easier to match than content.** Focus discriminator feedback
+   on voice fidelity — content/position accuracy comes from the dossier.
+3. **Diminishing returns after 3 rounds.** The LLM starts overfitting to
+   its own critique. Stop at 3 rounds max.
+4. **Separate scores for separate dimensions.** Don't collapse voice +
+   position + dynamics into one number. Keep them distinct so you know
+   WHERE the simulation is weak.
+5. **Document the scores.** After refinement, append to the simulation
+   output: "Voice fidelity: X/10, Position accuracy: X/10, Rounds: N"

optional-skills/worldsim/references/analytical-tradecraft.md

@@ -0,0 +1,267 @@
+# Analytical Tradecraft — Intelligence-Grade Analysis
+
+Structured analytic techniques adapted from intelligence community
+methodology. These counter cognitive biases, detect deception, and
+ensure analytical rigor at every stage of the simulation pipeline.
+
+## Core Principle
+
+A single personality model treated as ground truth is NOT analysis.
+Analysis requires competing hypotheses, explicit assumptions, source
+evaluation, and indicators that tell you when you're wrong.
+
+## 1. Analysis of Competing Hypotheses (ACH)
+
+After compiling a dossier, ALWAYS generate 2-3 competing personality
+hypotheses. Score each against the evidence.
+
+### Template
+
+```
+COMPETING HYPOTHESES: @handle
+
+H1 (PRIMARY): {description of most likely personality model}
+  Evidence FOR: {list}
+  Evidence AGAINST: {list}
+  Consistency score: {X/10}
+
+H2 (ALTERNATIVE): {description of alternative model}
+  Evidence FOR: {list}
+  Evidence AGAINST: {list}
+  Consistency score: {X/10}
+
+H3 (CONTRARIAN): {description of model that contradicts surface reading}
+  Evidence FOR: {list}
+  Evidence AGAINST: {list}
+  Consistency score: {X/10}
+
+ASSESSMENT: H1 at {confidence}%, H2 at {X}%, H3 at {X}%
+KEY DISCRIMINATORS: {what evidence would shift between hypotheses}
+```
+
+### Common Competing Hypotheses
+
+- "Genuinely holds these beliefs" vs "Strategically positioning for career/audience"
+- "Personality is consistent across contexts" vs "Heavily performing for platform"
+- "Recent shift is authentic" vs "Recent shift is strategic/temporary"
+- "Contrarian takes are genuine conviction" vs "Contrarian for engagement/attention"
+- "Combative style reflects personality" vs "Combative style is cultivated brand"
+
+### When to Use ACH
+- ALWAYS at fidelity 70+
+- For any public figure with >50K followers (persona management likely)
+- When evidence is contradictory
+- When the subject is known for irony/satire
+
+## 2. Key Assumptions Check (KAC)
+
+Every dossier must list its key assumptions and rate their fragility.
+
+### Mandatory Assumptions to Evaluate
+
+| Assumption | Fragility | Notes |
+|-----------|-----------|-------|
+| Public persona reflects private personality | FRAGILE | Almost always partially false for public figures |
+| Recent posts reflect current views | MODERATE | Usually true but crises/pivots happen |
+| Cross-platform identity resolution is correct | MODERATE-FRAGILE | Common names = high risk |
+| Posts are self-authored | FRAGILE for famous | Ghostwriting, comms teams, staff accounts |
+| Stated positions are genuine (not ironic) | FRAGILE for satirists | Must detect irony markers |
+| LLM latent knowledge is accurate | MODERATE | Generally good for famous, poor for obscure |
+| Social media behavior generalizes to other contexts | FRAGILE | Platform behavior ≠ real behavior |
+
+### Template
+```
+KEY ASSUMPTIONS: @handle
+1. {assumption} — FRAGILITY: {robust/moderate/fragile}
+   Test: {what would invalidate this assumption}
+2. ...
+```
+
+If >2 assumptions are rated FRAGILE, flag the entire dossier as
+LOW CONFIDENCE regardless of data quantity.
+
+## 3. Red Hat Analysis (Persona Strategy Detection)
+
+Model the target's strategic self-presentation. Ask:
+
+- **What image are they cultivating?** (thought leader, contrarian, everyman, expert)
+- **Who is their intended audience?** (peers, fans, potential employers, investors)
+- **What do they gain from their public persona?** (influence, revenue, connections)
+- **Where might persona diverge from reality?** (every public figure has gaps)
+- **Do they have a comms team / ghostwriter?** (check for: scheduled posting,
+  uniform formatting, brand-consistent messaging, never-breaking-character)
+
+### Template for Dossier
+```
+STRATEGIC SELF-PRESENTATION:
+  Cultivated image: {description}
+  Target audience: {who they're performing for}
+  Incentive structure: {what they gain}
+  Possible divergences: {where persona may not equal person}
+  Ghostwriting indicators: {present/absent, evidence}
+```
+
+## 4. Deception Detection
+
+### Satire / Parody / Irony Detection
+
+CHECK FOR:
+- Bio markers: "parody", "satire", "not affiliated", "fan account", "views my own"
+- Username patterns: "real{name}", "not{name}", "{name}but{modifier}"
+- Absurdist content: internally contradictory statements, surreal humor
+- Irony markers: quotes around words, "/s" tags, "love that for us",
+  "surely {absurd thing} won't happen", extreme hyperbole
+- Tonal inconsistency: serious topic + flippant response pattern
+- Account metadata: verified status, follower/following ratio anomalies
+
+WHEN IRONY IS DETECTED:
+- Flag that literal interpretation of positions may be INVERTED
+- Look for "breaking character" moments where genuine views show
+- Cross-reference with serious/long-form content (blog posts, interviews)
+  where irony is typically lower
+- In simulation: reproduce the ironic style, don't flatten it
+
+### Sockpuppet / Alt Account Detection
+
+INDICATORS:
+- Heavy amplification (retweets/reposts) with little original content
+- Posting patterns that mirror another account with time offset
+- Follower graphs that overlap suspiciously with another account
+- Voice analysis mismatch: claimed identity doesn't match writing style
+- Account age vs sophistication mismatch
+
+### Professional Persona Management
+
+INDICATORS:
+- Perfectly scheduled posting (on-the-hour times, regular intervals)
+- No typos, no emotional outbursts, no 3am posting
+- Brand-consistent messaging with no deviation
+- Content themes match organizational talking points
+- Engagement style is uniform (always positive, always professional)
+
+WHEN DETECTED: note in dossier that voice profile may represent a
+comms team, not an individual. Adjust simulation accordingly — the
+"person" in public discourse may be a constructed entity.
+
+### Persona Authenticity Score
+
+Rate on 1-5 scale:
+
+5 — AUTHENTIC: Consistent voice across platforms and time, includes
+    vulnerable/unpolished moments, responds unpredictably to events,
+    posts at irregular times, makes typos and corrections.
+
+4 — MOSTLY AUTHENTIC: Generally consistent but some signs of curation.
+    Occasional tone shifts that suggest awareness of audience.
+
+3 — CURATED: Clear awareness of personal brand. Strategic topic selection.
+    Some genuine moments but overall managed presentation.
+
+2 — HEAVILY MANAGED: Strong indicators of professional management.
+    Few if any unguarded moments. Uniform style and messaging.
+
+1 — CONSTRUCTED: Likely ghostwritten or team-operated. Persona may not
+    represent any single individual's actual personality.
+
+## 5. Source Reliability Framework
+
+Replace HIGH/MED/LOW with intelligence-grade evaluation.
+
+### Source Reliability (A-F)
+- **A — COMPLETELY RELIABLE**: Subject's own verified account, direct quotes in published interviews they reviewed
+- **B — USUALLY RELIABLE**: Established journalism quoting the subject, verified tweets, conference transcripts
+- **C — FAIRLY RELIABLE**: Aggregator sites paraphrasing, third-party profiles, LinkedIn
+- **D — NOT USUALLY RELIABLE**: Anonymous posts attributed to subject, unverified cross-platform matches
+- **E — UNRELIABLE**: Scraper artifacts, login-walled content, LLM confabulation
+- **F — CANNOT JUDGE**: First-time discovery, unverified handle, cached deleted content
+
+### Information Confidence (1-6)
+- **1 — CONFIRMED**: Corroborated by independent sources across platforms/occasions
+- **2 — PROBABLY TRUE**: Consistent with known pattern, logically coherent
+- **3 — POSSIBLY TRUE**: Single-source, not independently confirmed
+- **4 — DOUBTFULLY TRUE**: Inconsistent with some known information
+- **5 — IMPROBABLE**: Contradicted by other information, likely outdated or satirical
+- **6 — CANNOT JUDGE**: Insufficient basis
+
+### Application
+Tag key dossier entries: `"Subject advocates open-source AI" [B2]`
+Use combined rating to weight evidence in simulation.
+
+## 6. Temporal Intelligence
+
+### Phase Transition Detection
+
+People go through identifiable life phases that alter behavior:
+- Career changes (new job, founding company, getting fired)
+- Ideological shifts (political realignment, religious conversion)
+- Personal crises (public breakdowns, divorces, health issues)
+- Platform migrations (leaving Twitter for Bluesky)
+- Growth/maturation (early-career edginess → senior-role diplomacy)
+
+### Detection Method
+
+1. **Timeline construction**: Plot key events and posting pattern changes
+2. **Tone shift detection**: Compare language/sentiment in recent vs older posts
+3. **Topic shift detection**: What they talked about 2 years ago vs now
+4. **Network shift detection**: Who they interact with now vs before
+5. **Self-reference detection**: "I used to think..." "I've changed my mind about..."
+
+### Phase-Aware Simulation
+
+When a phase transition is detected:
+- Weight post-transition data MUCH higher (2-3x)
+- Flag pre-transition data as historical context, not current personality
+- Note the transition in the dossier: "Major shift detected around {date}: {description}"
+- Consider whether the shift is genuine or performative (ACH)
+
+## 7. Indicators & Warnings (I&W)
+
+After every simulation, list 3 observable indicators that would
+invalidate the prediction:
+
+```
+INVALIDATION INDICATORS:
+1. If @handle {does X instead of Y}, our {trait} estimate is wrong
+2. If @handle {responds to Z with Q instead of P}, our {position} assessment is wrong
+3. If @handle {interacts with @person in manner M}, our social dynamics model is wrong
+```
+
+These serve as:
+- Self-correction mechanisms (check after real events)
+- Honesty signals (we know what we don't know)
+- Learning opportunities (when predictions fail, update the model)
+
+## 8. Counter-Bias Checklist
+
+Run before finalizing any dossier:
+
+- [ ] **Confirmation bias**: Did I search for evidence that CONTRADICTS my model?
+- [ ] **Anchoring**: Am I over-weighted on the first information I found?
+- [ ] **Availability bias**: Am I over-weighted on viral/memorable moments?
+- [ ] **Mirror imaging**: Am I assuming the subject thinks like me?
+- [ ] **Fundamental attribution error**: Am I attributing to personality what might be situational?
+- [ ] **Recency bias**: Am I ignoring valid older evidence?
+- [ ] **Halo effect**: Is one strong trait coloring my assessment of other traits?
+- [ ] **Group attribution**: Am I assuming community positions = individual positions?
+
+If any box is checked "yes" or "maybe", revisit that section of the dossier.
+
+## Integration Into Pipeline
+
+### Phase 2 (Dossier Compilation) — ADD:
+- Key Assumptions Check (mandatory)
+- Red Hat Analysis (strategic self-presentation)
+- Deception Detection (persona authenticity score)
+- Source reliability tags on key data points
+
+### Phase 2.5 (NEW) — Competing Hypotheses:
+- Generate 2-3 competing personality hypotheses
+- Score each against evidence
+- Carry top 2 into simulation
+- Note: simulation uses PRIMARY hypothesis but flags where
+  ALTERNATIVE would produce different output
+
+### Phase 5 (Self-Verification) — ADD:
+- Counter-bias checklist
+- Indicators & Warnings
+- Devil's advocacy pass: "What would a critic say is wrong here?"

optional-skills/worldsim/references/anti-slop.md

@@ -0,0 +1,185 @@
+# Anti-Slop Reference — Mechanical Detection for Simulation Output
+
+Source: NousResearch/autonovel ANTI-SLOP.md + slop-forensics + EQ-Bench Slop Score
+Adapted for personality simulation: slop in simulated speech is a dead giveaway that
+the output is LLM-generated, not human-generated. EVERY simulated utterance must pass
+this filter or the simulation fails the "indistinguishable from real" standard.
+
+## Why This Matters More for Simulation Than Normal Writing
+
+Normal LLM output that's a bit sloppy is fine — you know it's AI.
+Simulated speech that contains slop BREAKS THE ILLUSION. If @eigenrobot's
+simulated tweet contains "delve" or "it's worth noting," anyone who follows
+him would instantly know it's fake. Slop detection is the minimum viable
+authenticity check.
+
+## Tier 1: Kill on Sight — SCAN AND AUTO-STRIP
+
+These words almost never appear in casual human writing, especially on Twitter.
+If ANY appear in simulated tweets/posts, the simulation has failed.
+
+REGEX SCAN LIST (case-insensitive):
+```
+delve|utilize|leverage\b.*\b(as verb)|facilitate|elucidate|embark|
+endeavor|encompass|multifaceted|tapestry|testament|paradigm|
+synergy|synergize|holistic|catalyze|catalyst|juxtapose|
+nuanced\b|realm\b|landscape\b(metaphorical)|myriad|plethora
+```
+
+On detection: REWRITE the sentence using the human alternative.
+Do not just swap the word — the sentence structure around slop words
+is usually sloppy too.
+
+## Tier 2: Suspicious in Clusters — COUNT PER PERSON
+
+These are fine alone. Three in one person's simulated output = rewrite.
+
+```
+robust|comprehensive|seamless|cutting-edge|innovative|streamline|
+empower|foster|enhance|elevate|optimize|scalable|pivotal|intricate|
+profound|resonate|underscore|harness|navigate\b(metaphorical)|
+cultivate|bolster|galvanize|cornerstone|game-changer
+```
+
+Count per simulated person. If count >= 3: flag and rewrite.
+
+## Tier 3: Filler Phrases — DELETE ALL
+
+These add zero information. No human tweets these.
+
+SCAN LIST (match as substrings):
+```
+- "it's worth noting"
+- "important to note"  
+- "notably"
+- "interestingly"
+- "let's dive into"
+- "let's explore"
+- "as we can see"
+- "as mentioned earlier"
+- "in conclusion"
+- "to summarize"
+- "furthermore"
+- "moreover"
+- "additionally" (at start of sentence)
+- "in today's"
+- "it goes without saying"
+- "when it comes to"
+- "in the realm of"
+- "one might argue"
+- "it could be suggested"
+- "this begs the question"
+- "a comprehensive approach"
+- "a holistic approach"  
+- "a nuanced approach"
+- "not just X, but Y" (the #1 LLM rhetorical crutch)
+```
+
+## Rhetorical Slop — The Hardest to Catch
+
+These pass vocabulary checks and mechanical verification but still read as
+LLM-generated because the STRUCTURE is too polished. This is the deepest
+layer of slop — the instruct model's training to produce "satisfying" output.
+
+### Parallel Antithesis
+"The most X are... The most Y are..."
+"It's not about X. It's about Y."
+Every simulated tweet that contains a balanced two-part rhetorical structure
+should be checked: would this person actually construct that parallelism,
+or would they just say the second half and trust you to get it?
+FIX: delete the setup. Keep only the punchline half.
+
+### "Not X, Not Y, But Z" / "Not Just X, But Y"
+The #1 LLM rhetorical crutch. Appears in almost every simulation.
+FIX: just say Z. Delete the negations.
+
+### "Show Me X and I'll Show You Y"
+Rhetorical formula that reads like a book blurb or TED talk.
+No one tweets like this unless they're deliberately performing rhetoric.
+FIX: state it flat. "Every community that works has a shared enemy" not
+"Show me a thriving community and I'll show you..."
+
+### Clean Escalating Lists
+"First it was A, then B, then C, now D" — four perfectly escalating steps.
+Real people do 2 steps and trail off, or skip to the end, or lose the thread.
+FIX: cut to 2 steps max. Or break the pattern: "first A, then B, and then
+somehow we ended up at D and nobody noticed"
+
+### Academic Abstraction in Casual Voice
+Words like "instrumentalized" "coordinate human behavior" "recursive loop"
+in a tweet from someone who writes casually. The vocabulary is from papers,
+not from posting.
+FIX: use the word they'd actually reach for. "coordinate human behavior" →
+"get people to do stuff." If the plain version sounds dumb, maybe the take
+itself is thinner than the fancy words made it seem.
+
+### The "Every Tweet Is A Banger" Problem
+The deepest slop: every simulated utterance is GOOD. Considered. Structured.
+Satisfying. Real twitter feeds are 70% mid, 20% boring, 10% brilliant.
+The simulation should include:
+- Half-finished thoughts ("idk if this makes sense but")
+- Trailing off ("wait actually nvm")
+- Boring logistical tweets ("anyone know a good dentist in brooklyn")
+- Self-interruptions ("ok this is getting long")
+- Acknowledgments that add nothing ("lol yeah" "hmm" "fair")
+If every tweet in the simulation could be screenshot'd as a banger,
+the simulation is too polished to be real.
+
+## Structural Slop Patterns — CHECK IN SIMULATION OUTPUT
+
+### Pattern: Identical Sentence Structure Across Speakers
+If two or more simulated people use the same sentence structure
+(e.g., "The thing about X is Y"), the simulation has failed voice
+differentiation. Real people have different syntactic habits.
+
+### Pattern: Topic Sentence Machine
+If a simulated post follows: topic sentence → elaboration → example → wrap-up,
+it's LLM structure, not human. Real tweets are: punchline first, or tangent,
+or one-liner, or trailing thought.
+
+### Pattern: Symmetry Addiction
+If the conversation has neat equal turns, balanced perspectives, everyone
+getting the same number of posts — that's not real. Real conversations
+are asymmetric. Someone dominates. Someone lurks. Someone gets interrupted.
+
+### Pattern: The Hedge Parade
+"This approach may potentially help improve..." — no human tweets like this.
+Either commit to the statement or don't make it.
+
+### Pattern: Em Dash Overload
+Count em dashes (—) per person. If >2 per post on average, flag it.
+Most people use them sparingly or not at all.
+
+### Pattern: Sycophantic Agreement Flow
+If the conversation flows: A says thing → B says "great point, and also..." →
+C says "building on that..." — that's instruct-model conversation, not human.
+Real conversations have: disagreement, misunderstanding, tangents, ignoring,
+one-upping, and sometimes just "lol."
+
+### Pattern: Uniform Register
+If all simulated people sound like they're writing at the same education level
+with the same formality — the simulation failed. Real people have wildly different
+registers. A shitposter and an academic should sound nothing alike.
+
+## Integration: Mechanical Slop Scan
+
+Run BEFORE subjective discriminator scoring, alongside emoji/length/caps checks.
+
+```
+For each simulated utterance:
+  1. Scan for Tier 1 words → auto-rewrite if found
+  2. Count Tier 2 words per person → flag if >= 3
+  3. Scan for Tier 3 filler phrases → auto-delete
+  4. Check for structural patterns:
+     - Same sentence structure across speakers?
+     - Topic-sentence-machine structure?
+     - Symmetric turn-taking?
+     - Hedge parade?
+     - Em dash count?
+     - Sycophantic flow?
+  5. If ANY Tier 1 found or ANY structural pattern detected: 
+     FAIL the utterance and regenerate
+```
+
+This scan is MECHANICAL. It cannot be vibes-scored. The words are either
+there or they're not. Run it every time, no exceptions.

optional-skills/worldsim/references/deep-psychometrics.md

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+# Deep Psychometrics — Beyond Big Five
+
+Multi-layer psychological profiling from public posts. Each layer adds
+a dimension to the personality model, making simulations more nuanced
+and predictions more accurate.
+
+## The Profiling Stack
+
+| Layer | What It Measures | Tool/Method | Accuracy | Min Posts |
+|-------|-----------------|-------------|----------|-----------|
+| Big Five (OCEAN) | Core personality traits | RoBERTa embeddings + BiLSTM | AUROC 0.78-0.82 | 30-50 |
+| Moral Foundations | Ethical intuitions | eMFDscore (pip) | Validated dictionary | 20+ |
+| Schwartz Values | Core value priorities | DeBERTa on ValueEval | F1 0.56 (macro) | 20+ |
+| Cognitive Style | Thinking patterns | AutoIC + LIWC features | r=0.70-0.82 doc-level | 20+ |
+| Narrative Framing | How they frame issues | GPT-4 few-shot | F1 ~70% | 10+ |
+| Behavioral Metadata | Non-text patterns | Feature extraction | r=0.29-0.40 per trait | 20+ |
+
+## Layer 1: Big Five Personality (Foundation)
+
+### Accuracy Bounds (peer-reviewed)
+- AUROC 0.78-0.82 with RoBERTa embeddings + BiLSTM (JMIR 2025)
+- Per-trait binary accuracy: O=0.637, C=0.602, E=0.620, A=0.590, N=0.620
+- Meta-analytic correlations (Azucar 2018, 16 studies):
+  Extraversion r=0.40, Openness r=0.39, Conscientiousness r=0.35,
+  Neuroticism r=0.33, Agreeableness r=0.29
+- These hit the "personality coefficient" ceiling of r=0.30-0.40 —
+  digital footprints are as predictive as any behavioral measure
+
+### What Actually Works
+- Fine-tuned embeddings >> zero-shot LLMs. GPT-4o zero-shot is UNRELIABLE.
+- RoBERTa embeddings are free and nearly as good as OpenAI embeddings
+- Aggregation across posts is essential — single posts are noise
+- 30-50 posts of ~90 words each = practical minimum
+- Training data: PANDORA Reddit corpus (1568 users, ~935K posts)
+
+### For The Simulator (without running models)
+Since we can't fine-tune per-simulation, use LLM-as-rater with caveats:
+- Provide 10-20 actual posts as evidence
+- Ask for trait estimation with reasoning, not just scores
+- Anchor with the adjective-based method (see prediction-engine.md)
+- Frame estimates as ranges, not points: "Openness: HIGH (0.7-0.9)"
+- Known bias: LLMs overestimate agreeableness and underestimate neuroticism
+
+### Key Insight: LLMs Already Know Public Figures
+Nature Scientific Reports 2024: GPT-3's semantic space already encodes
+perceived personality of public figures from their names alone. For
+famous people, the LLM's latent knowledge is a STARTING POINT that
+OSINT data confirms or corrects.
+
+## Layer 2: Moral Foundations (Ethical Compass)
+
+Jonathan Haidt's Moral Foundations Theory. Six foundations:
+
+| Foundation | Liberal emphasis | Conservative emphasis |
+|-----------|-----------------|---------------------|
+| Care/Harm | ★★★ HIGH | ★★ MODERATE |
+| Fairness/Cheating | ★★★ HIGH | ★★ MODERATE |
+| Loyalty/Betrayal | ★ LOW | ★★★ HIGH |
+| Authority/Subversion | ★ LOW | ★★★ HIGH |
+| Sanctity/Degradation | ★ LOW | ★★★ HIGH |
+| Liberty/Oppression | ★★ MODERATE | ★★ MODERATE |
+
+### Tool: eMFDscore
+```
+pip install emfdscore
+# GitHub: github.com/medianeuroscience/emfdscore
+# Built on spaCy, GPL-3.0
+```
+
+Output per post: scores for each foundation (virtue + vice dimensions)
+Aggregate across 20+ posts → 10-dimensional moral profile
+
+### Application to Simulation
+Moral foundations predict:
+- What topics trigger emotional responses
+- What arguments they find persuasive vs repulsive
+- How they frame political/social issues
+- Who they instinctively ally with vs oppose
+- What kind of content they share/amplify
+
+Example: High Loyalty/Authority person will defend their tribe even when
+wrong. High Care/Fairness person will break from their tribe on justice
+issues. This shapes conversation dynamics.
+
+### For The Simulator (without running eMFDscore)
+Infer moral foundations from:
+- Political positions and framing in their posts
+- What they get angry about vs what they celebrate
+- Who they defend and who they attack
+- Key moral vocabulary: "protect", "fair", "loyal", "respect", "pure", "free"
+
+## Layer 3: Schwartz Values (Core Motivations)
+
+19 values in circular continuum (adjacent values are compatible,
+opposite values are in tension):
+
+**Self-Transcendence** ↔ **Self-Enhancement**
+- Universalism, Benevolence ↔ Power, Achievement
+
+**Openness to Change** ↔ **Conservation**
+- Self-Direction, Stimulation, Hedonism ↔ Tradition, Conformity, Security
+
+### SemEval-2023 Task 4 Results
+- Best macro-F1: 0.56 (ensemble of 12 DeBERTa/RoBERTa models)
+- Most reliable: universalism (nature), security, power
+- Least reliable: stimulation, hedonism, humility
+- Dataset: 9,324 annotated arguments, available via Touché
+
+### Key Finding: Value Perception Is Subjective
+Epstein et al. (2026): human inter-rater agreement on values is only r=0.201.
+Fine-tuned GPT-4o reaches r=0.294 — BETTER than human-human agreement.
+Personalized models reach r=0.334.
+
+### For The Simulator
+Values predict MOTIVATION — why someone holds positions, not just what
+positions they hold. Two people with the same political stance may have
+completely different underlying values:
+- "I support open source because FREEDOM" (Self-Direction)
+- "I support open source because FAIRNESS" (Universalism)
+- "I support open source because it WORKS BETTER" (Achievement)
+Same position, different framing, different behavioral predictions.
+
+## Layer 4: Cognitive Style (How They Think)
+
+### Integrative Complexity (AutoIC)
+Measures differentiation (seeing multiple perspectives) and integration
+(synthesizing perspectives into coherent frameworks).
+
+- Low IC: black-and-white thinking, strong convictions, simple language
+- High IC: nuanced, sees multiple sides, hedging, complex sentences
+
+AutoIC (Conway et al.): 3,500+ complexity-relevant root words/phrases,
+13 dictionary categories, validated r=0.70-0.82 at document level.
+
+**WARNING**: LIWC's "analytic thinking" correlates only r=0.14 with actual
+integrative complexity. Don't use LIWC's score as a proxy.
+
+### Computational Indicators of Cognitive Style
+Extractable from 20-50 posts without specialized tools:
+
+| Indicator | High Cognition | Low Cognition |
+|-----------|---------------|---------------|
+| Vocabulary diversity (TTR) | HIGH | LOW |
+| Avg sentence length | LONGER | SHORTER |
+| Causal connectives ("because", "therefore") | MORE | FEWER |
+| Hedging ("perhaps", "it seems") | MORE | FEWER |
+| Abstract vs concrete language | MORE ABSTRACT | MORE CONCRETE |
+| Question-asking | MORE | FEWER |
+| Binary framing ("always/never") | LESS | MORE |
+
+### For The Simulator
+Cognitive style directly shapes VOICE:
+- High IC person: longer posts, more caveats, "on the other hand"
+- Low IC person: punchy takes, strong assertions, no hedging
+- This is one of the strongest differentiators between similar-sounding people
+
+## Layer 5: Narrative Framing (Their Lens on Reality)
+
+How someone frames an issue reveals deep cognitive and value patterns.
+
+### Common Frames (Semetko & Valkenburg)
+- **Conflict**: issue as battle between opposing sides
+- **Human interest**: personal stories, emotional impact
+- **Economic**: costs, benefits, financial impact
+- **Morality**: right vs wrong, ethical principles
+- **Attribution of responsibility**: who's to blame / who should fix it
+
+### Detection
+GPT-4 few-shot with frame definitions achieves F1=70.4%
+Best for diverse topics where fine-tuned models are too narrow
+
+### For The Simulator
+Framing predicts:
+- How they'll react to news (through which lens)
+- What aspects they'll emphasize in conversation
+- What arguments they'll find compelling
+- Whether they personalize or systematize issues
+
+Example: Same AI safety event, different frames:
+- Conflict framer: "The open vs closed battle heats up"
+- Economic framer: "This will cost the industry billions"
+- Moral framer: "This is irresponsible and dangerous"
+- Attribution framer: "The regulators need to step in"
+
+## Layer 6: Behavioral Metadata (Non-Text Signals)
+
+Extractable from X API / Bluesky AT Protocol without NLP:
+
+| Feature | What It Reveals |
+|---------|----------------|
+| Posting time distribution | Timezone, sleep patterns, work schedule |
+| Reply vs original ratio | Conversational vs broadcast personality |
+| Emoji frequency & types | Emotional expression style |
+| Hashtag usage | Community identification, signal boosting |
+| Media attachment rate | Visual vs text orientation |
+| Thread length | Depth of engagement preference |
+| Retweet/repost ratio | Amplifier vs creator |
+| Average post length | Conciseness vs verbosity |
+| Response latency | Impulsiveness vs deliberation |
+
+### Trait Correlations (meta-analytic)
+- **Extraversion**: more posts, more friends, more photos, more group activity
+- **Neuroticism**: more self-disclosure, more passive consumption, more late-night posting
+- **Agreeableness**: fewer swear words, more positive emotion, more supportive replies
+- **Conscientiousness**: more regular posting patterns, more task-oriented content
+- **Openness**: more diverse topics, more original content, larger networks
+
+## Putting It All Together: The Deep Dossier
+
+At high fidelity, compile a multi-layer profile:
+
+```
+PSYCHOMETRIC PROFILE: @handle
+━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
+Big Five: O[HIGH] C[MED] E[HIGH] A[LOW] N[LOW]
+  Evidence: {real quotes showing each trait}
+
+Moral Foundations: Care★★ Fair★★★ Loyal★ Auth★ Sanct★ Liberty★★★
+  Evidence: {what they get angry/excited about}
+
+Values: Self-Direction dominant, Achievement secondary
+  Evidence: {how they justify their positions}
+
+Cognitive Style: HIGH integrative complexity
+  Evidence: {hedging patterns, nuanced takes, sentence complexity}
+
+Dominant Frame: Attribution of Responsibility
+  Evidence: {they consistently focus on who's to blame}
+
+Behavioral: Night owl, reply-heavy, low emoji, threads > one-shots
+━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
+```
+
+This multi-layer profile makes predictions much more nuanced than
+Big Five alone. It tells you not just WHAT someone will say but
+WHY they'll say it and HOW they'll frame it.

optional-skills/worldsim/references/gepa-evolution.md

@@ -0,0 +1,170 @@
+# GEPA Evolution — Automated Self-Improvement via hermes-agent-self-evolution
+
+## What This Is
+
+The hermes-agent-self-evolution repo (NousResearch/hermes-agent-self-evolution)
+uses DSPy + GEPA (Genetic-Pareto Prompt Evolution) to automatically evolve
+Hermes Agent skills. GEPA is an ICLR 2026 Oral paper — it reads EXECUTION
+TRACES to understand WHY things fail, then proposes targeted mutations.
+
+This means: we can point GEPA at the worldsim skill and automatically evolve
+every component — simulation instructions, anti-slop rules, star thread
+methodology, mechanical verification checklist, dossier templates — using
+our own simulation outputs scored against real data as the eval signal.
+
+The recursive self-improvement pipeline we built manually (log failures →
+promote patterns → update rules) can be AUTOMATED via GEPA.
+
+## How It Applies to WorldSim
+
+### What GEPA Evolves (text, not weights)
+GEPA evolves the TEXT of prompts and instructions. For worldsim, that means:
+
+| Target | What Gets Evolved | Eval Signal |
+|--------|------------------|-------------|
+| SKILL.md | Immersion protocol, pipeline instructions | Simulation quality scores |
+| star-thread.md | Methodology for finding star threads | Thread-to-voice accuracy |
+| anti-slop.md | Slop word lists, structural patterns | Slop detection recall/precision |
+| simulation-engine.md | Platform formats, conversation dynamics | Voice fidelity scores |
+| adversarial-refinement.md | Mechanical check thresholds, GAN loop | Pre vs post refinement delta |
+| prediction-engine.md | Forecasting methodology | Prediction Brier scores |
+| dossier template | Profile structure and fields | Profile quality scores |
+
+### The Eval Dataset
+Built from worldsim's own outputs + real data:
+
+1. **Voice fidelity pairs**: (simulated post, real post from same person) →
+   LLM-as-judge scores similarity 0-1
+2. **Mechanical check logs**: what did the checks catch? what slipped through?
+3. **Prediction accuracy**: tracked predictions scored against reality
+4. **Held-out tests**: predicted tweets vs actual tweets
+5. **Turing test results**: could the discriminator tell real from fake?
+6. **User corrections**: any time the user catches something the system missed
+   (like the emoji fabrication incident — that's the richest signal)
+
+### The GEPA Loop for WorldSim
+
+```
+1. RUN worldsim simulation (creates execution traces)
+2. SCORE outputs against real data (voice, position, mechanical)
+3. LOG traces + scores + user feedback to eval dataset
+4. GEPA EVOLVES the skill component that had lowest scores
+   - Reads traces to understand WHY it scored low
+   - Proposes mutation to that specific reference file
+   - Tests mutation against held-out eval data
+   - If improved: create PR, human reviews
+5. REPEAT — each cycle makes the skill better
+```
+
+### Concrete Example
+
+GEPA discovers from traces that simulated conversations always have
+symmetric turn-taking (4/4/4). It reads the mechanical check log that
+caught this in 3 of the last 5 simulations. It reads the current
+simulation-engine.md and sees the conversation architecture section.
+It proposes a mutation:
+
+OLD: "Opening Moves (1-3 posts) → Development (4-8 posts) → Peak → Resolution"
+NEW: "Opening: most impulsive person posts. Others join ASYMMETRICALLY — one person
+gets 40-50% of turns, one gets 15-20%, others fill the rest. The ratio should
+match their real reply-to-original ratios from the dossier."
+
+This mutation gets tested against the next 5 simulations. If symmetry
+violations drop and voice scores don't decrease, it gets merged.
+
+## Setup
+
+```bash
+# Clone the evolution repo
+git clone https://github.com/NousResearch/hermes-agent-self-evolution.git
+cd hermes-agent-self-evolution
+pip install -e ".[dev]"
+
+# Point at hermes-agent repo
+export HERMES_AGENT_REPO=~/.hermes
+
+# Evolve the worldsim skill specifically
+python -m evolution.skills.evolve_skill \
+    --skill hermes-simulator \
+    --iterations 10 \
+    --eval-source sessiondb
+```
+
+## What Makes This Different From Manual Self-Improvement
+
+The manual pipeline (references/recursive-self-improvement.md) requires the
+agent to notice its own failures and write rules. This has two problems:
+
+1. The agent shares weights with the generator — it's biased toward
+   approving its own output (the emoji incident proved this)
+2. Promoting patterns to rules is slow and requires 3+ occurrences
+
+GEPA solves both:
+1. The eval signal comes from EXTERNAL data (real posts, user corrections,
+   mechanical checks) — not the agent's self-assessment
+2. Evolution happens per-iteration, not per-3-failures
+3. Mutations are tested against held-out data before merging
+4. The Pareto frontier maintains diversity — different strategies for
+   different types of people/conversations
+
+## Integration Points
+
+### Eval Dataset Builder
+Mine rehoboam DB for training data:
+- simulation_logs table → execution traces
+- prediction_scores table → accuracy data
+- audit_log table → mechanical check results
+- user correction events → highest-value signal
+
+### Fitness Function for WorldSim
+```python
+def worldsim_fitness(simulation_output, real_data):
+    scores = {}
+    # Voice fidelity: embed real + simulated, cosine similarity
+    scores["voice"] = embed_and_compare(simulation_output, real_data.tweets)
+    # Mechanical pass rate: what % of checks passed without fixes
+    scores["mechanical"] = mechanical_check_pass_rate(simulation_output)
+    # Slop score: count of slop words/patterns detected
+    scores["anti_slop"] = 1.0 - (slop_count / total_words)
+    # Structure: turn asymmetry, conversation naturalness
+    scores["structure"] = naturalness_score(simulation_output)
+    # Textual feedback for GEPA's reflective mutation
+    feedback = generate_textual_feedback(scores, simulation_output, real_data)
+    return aggregate_score(scores), feedback
+```
+
+### The Key Insight: Textual Feedback
+GEPA's superpower is that it doesn't just get a scalar score — it gets
+TEXTUAL FEEDBACK explaining what went wrong. Our mechanical verification
+system already produces this:
+
+"@nosilverv avg 33.2 words vs real 15.6 (113% deviation) — SHORTEN"
+"Parallel antithesis detected: 'The most X... The most Y...' — STRIP"
+"Emoji rate 0% simulated but 10% real — OK (within tolerance)"
+
+This text goes directly into GEPA's reflective mutation pipeline. It reads
+these messages and proposes changes to the skill instructions that would
+prevent these specific failures in future simulations.
+
+## Evolution Targets by Priority
+
+1. **simulation-engine.md** — highest impact on output quality
+2. **anti-slop.md** — directly measurable, highest precision eval
+3. **star-thread.md** — hardest to evaluate but most impactful on voice
+4. **adversarial-refinement.md** — meta: improving the improvement system
+5. **SKILL.md pipeline instructions** — orchestration optimization
+6. **dossier template** — structure optimization
+7. **prediction-engine.md** — measurable via Brier scores
+
+## The Virtuous Cycle
+
+```
+More simulations → more eval data → better GEPA mutations
+→ better skill instructions → better simulations → more eval data → ...
+```
+
+This is the endgame: the worldsim skill evolves itself through use.
+Every simulation makes the next one better, not just through logged
+rules, but through automated evolutionary optimization of the
+instructions themselves. The system doesn't just learn WHAT went wrong —
+it rewrites its own code to prevent it.

optional-skills/worldsim/references/knowledge-archive.md

@@ -0,0 +1,262 @@
+# Knowledge Archive — Per-Person Source Library + Expert Synthesis
+
+## The Problem With Profiles
+
+A profile is a SNAPSHOT. It says "this person believes X" but doesn't
+show you WHERE they said it, WHEN, in WHAT context, or HOW their
+thinking evolved. You can't cite a profile. You can't trace a claim
+back to a source. And when you're simulating a conversation about
+topic Z, the profile gives you everything about the person equally
+weighted — their views on AI and their views on cooking and their
+views on politics all crammed into the same context window.
+
+## The Archive
+
+For every person the system touches, build a LIBRARY:
+
+```
+~/.hermes/rehoboam/archives/{handle}/
+├── index.json              ← master index: all entries, metadata, embeddings
+├── sources/
+│   ├── x_tweets.jsonl      ← every tweet pulled, with ID, timestamp, URL, metrics
+│   ├── x_replies.jsonl     ← their replies (different voice register)
+│   ├── bluesky_posts.jsonl ← bluesky posts
+│   ├── blog_posts.jsonl    ← full text of blog posts with URLs
+│   ├── podcast_quotes.jsonl ← attributed quotes from transcripts
+│   ├── interviews.jsonl    ← quotes from news articles/interviews
+│   ├── reddit_comments.jsonl
+│   ├── github_comments.jsonl
+│   ├── goodreads_reviews.jsonl
+│   ├── threads_posts.jsonl
+│   └── other.jsonl         ← anything else (HN, Quora, etc.)
+├── topics/
+│   ├── ai_safety.jsonl     ← auto-clustered by topic
+│   ├── open_source.jsonl
+│   ├── consciousness.jsonl
+│   └── ...
+└── embeddings/
+    └── all_embeddings.npy  ← sentence-transformer vectors for semantic search
+```
+
+### Entry Format (every entry in every source file)
+
+```json
+{
+  "id": "unique_id",
+  "handle": "teknium",
+  "platform": "x",
+  "type": "tweet|reply|blog|podcast|interview|comment|review",
+  "text": "the actual text they said",
+  "url": "https://x.com/Teknium/status/1234567890",
+  "timestamp": "2026-04-05T21:40:48Z",
+  "context": {
+    "replying_to": "@otheruser's tweet about X",
+    "thread_position": 3,
+    "topic": "open source AI",
+    "source_title": "Lex Fridman Podcast #412"
+  },
+  "metrics": {
+    "likes": 234,
+    "retweets": 45,
+    "replies": 12
+  },
+  "topics": ["open_source", "ai_models", "hermes"],
+  "embedding_id": 42
+}
+```
+
+Every entry has a URL. Everything is traceable. Nothing is paraphrased
+without the original alongside it.
+
+## Collection Pipeline
+
+When `worldsim> profile @handle` or `worldsim> archive @handle` runs:
+
+### Step 1: Pull Everything
+Use every verified access method to collect raw materials:
+- X API: get max tweets (paginate with next_token to get hundreds)
+- nitter.cz: timeline content
+- ThreadReaderApp: historical threads
+- Bluesky: full post history
+- GitHub: issue comments, PR reviews, gists, README
+- Reddit: comment history
+- Blog/Substack: full posts (web_extract)
+- Podcast transcripts: attributed quotes
+- Interviews: quotes with attribution
+- Goodreads: reviews
+- Medium: RSS feed full text
+
+### Step 2: Deduplicate
+Same content appears across platforms (cross-posted tweets, syndicated
+blog posts). Deduplicate by content similarity, keep the richest version
+(the one with most metadata/context).
+
+### Step 3: Topic Cluster
+Run lightweight topic classification on each entry:
+- Use the LLM or a simple keyword matcher to assign 1-3 topic tags
+- Cluster into topic files for fast retrieval
+- Topics are dynamic — new topics emerge from the data
+
+### Step 4: Embed
+Generate sentence-transformer embeddings for every entry.
+Store in numpy array for fast cosine similarity search.
+This enables semantic retrieval: "find everything @handle said about
+consciousness" even if they never used the word "consciousness."
+
+### Step 5: Index
+Build the master index.json with entry count, topic distribution,
+timestamp range, platform coverage, and quality metrics.
+
+## Context-Aware Retrieval
+
+This is the key. The archive might have 500 entries for a person.
+The context window can hold maybe 30-50 of them alongside all the
+other simulation context. You MUST retrieve selectively.
+
+### For Simulation
+When simulating @handle talking about topic X:
+
+```
+1. Semantic search: embed the current conversation context
+2. Retrieve top 10-15 entries by cosine similarity to context
+3. Also retrieve: 5 highest-engagement entries (their "greatest hits")
+4. Also retrieve: 3 most recent entries (freshness)
+5. Also retrieve: 2 entries that CONTRADICT the expected position
+   (prevents confirmation bias in the simulation)
+6. Deduplicate. Cap at 25-30 entries total.
+7. These become the "voice anchors" for generation.
+```
+
+The simulation draws from SPECIFIC REAL QUOTES relevant to the current
+conversation. Not a generic profile. Not everything they've ever said.
+The 25 most relevant things they've said about THIS topic.
+
+### For Expert Synthesis
+When the user asks "who are the best minds on X and what have they said?":
+
+```
+1. Search ALL archived people's entries for topic X
+2. Rank by: entry quality × person expertise × relevance to query
+3. Return a synthesis with CITATIONS:
+
+   On the topic of AI consciousness:
+
+   @repligate argues that LLMs exhibit "simulacra of consciousness"
+   rather than consciousness itself, distinguishing between the
+   model's behavior and its substrate:
+     > "the question isn't whether GPT is conscious but whether the
+     > character it's simulating is conscious within the fiction"
+     — tweet, 2025-03-15 (2.4K likes)
+     https://x.com/repligate/status/...
+
+   @nickcammarata approaches it from a meditation/first-person
+   perspective, noting parallels between introspective practice
+   and interpretability:
+     > "observation changes the system being observed, in meditation
+     > and in interp"
+     — tweet, 2026-04-05 (2.9K likes)
+     https://x.com/nickcammarata/status/...
+
+   @tszzl is skeptical of the framing entirely:
+     > "consciousness discourse is philosophy cosplaying as engineering"
+     — tweet, 2025-11-22 (5.1K likes)
+     https://x.com/tszzl/status/...
+```
+
+Every claim attributed. Every quote sourced. Every link clickable.
+
+### For Grounding Predictions
+When predicting what @handle would say about event Y:
+
+```
+1. Retrieve all archive entries related to Y or adjacent topics
+2. Identify their PATTERN of response to similar events
+3. Ground the prediction in specific past statements:
+
+   PREDICTION: @handle would likely frame event Y through the lens
+   of [topic Z], based on:
+   - tweet [url]: "quote about Z" (2025-06-15)
+   - blog post [url]: "longer quote about Z" (2025-09-20)
+   - podcast [url]: "verbal quote about Z" (2026-01-10)
+   CONFIDENCE: 78% (3 consistent sources over 7 months)
+```
+
+## Incremental Updates
+
+The archive grows over time. Each time the person is profiled:
+1. Pull new content since last archive timestamp
+2. Append to source files
+3. Re-embed new entries only
+4. Update topic clusters
+5. Update index
+
+Don't rebuild from scratch. Append and re-index.
+
+## Expert Table
+
+When you have 20+ archived people, build an expert table:
+
+```
+worldsim> experts "open source AI"
+
+EXPERT TABLE: open source AI
+━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
+
+  @Teknium | 47 entries | voice: builder/practitioner
+    "we can prove that open approaches build better, more
+    trustworthy systems" — tweet, 2026-04-05
+    Latest: 2 hours ago | Stance: STRONG ADVOCATE
+
+  @repligate | 12 entries | voice: philosophical/theoretical
+    "open weights = accountability. you can't audit a black box"
+    — tweet, 2025-11-30
+    Latest: 3 days ago | Stance: ADVOCATE (principled)
+
+  @eigenrobot | 8 entries | voice: statistical/contrarian
+    "the open source premium is largely downstream of selection
+    effects in who contributes" — tweet, 2025-08-14
+    Latest: 1 week ago | Stance: SKEPTICAL OF FRAMING
+
+━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
+  3 experts found | 67 total entries | synthesize? (y/n)
+```
+
+The table shows: who knows about this, what they've said, how recently,
+and what their stance is. All grounded in archived quotes with sources.
+
+## Integration With Simulation
+
+When the star thread + dossier + archive work together:
+
+```
+STAR THREAD: drives the core generation (what they're DOING)
+DOSSIER: provides constraints (psychometrics, voice metrics, baselines)
+ARCHIVE: provides GROUNDING (specific real quotes for this context)
+MECHANICAL CHECKS: verifies surface features (emoji, length, slop)
+```
+
+The archive prevents the simulation from drifting into generic territory.
+Instead of "this person would probably say something about open source,"
+it's "this person said THIS SPECIFIC THING about open source 3 weeks ago,
+and their simulation should be consistent with that while also being fresh."
+
+## The Overfitting Problem
+
+"Without overfitting to a particular material the new context doesn't call for."
+
+The retrieval system MUST be selective. If someone said 47 things about
+open source AI, and the current conversation is about AI regulation,
+don't dump all 47 open source quotes into context. Maybe 3 are relevant
+because they connect open source to regulation. Retrieve THOSE 3.
+
+The cosine similarity search handles this naturally — it matches the
+CURRENT conversation context against the archive and returns what's
+actually relevant, not everything tagged with a nearby topic.
+
+The anti-overfitting checklist:
+- Never load more than 25-30 archive entries per person into context
+- Weight by relevance to CURRENT conversation, not by general importance
+- Include at least 2 entries that contradict the expected position
+- Include at least 3 recent entries regardless of topic relevance (freshness)
+- If the conversation shifts topic mid-simulation, RE-RETRIEVE for new context
+- The archive is a LIBRARY you consult, not a script you follow

optional-skills/worldsim/references/mass-behavior.md

@@ -0,0 +1,321 @@
+# Mass Behavior Modeling — Communities, Clusters, Cascades
+
+Understanding individual behavior requires understanding the social
+ecosystem they exist in. This reference covers the macro layer:
+community detection, influence networks, audience modeling, and
+predicting how groups respond to events.
+
+## Why This Matters For Simulation
+
+Individual prediction accuracy: ~56-60%
+Individual-in-context prediction: significantly higher
+
+A person's behavior is constrained by their community. Knowing WHICH
+community they belong to, WHO influences them, and WHAT information
+ecosystem they're in makes individual predictions much sharper.
+
+Lewin's equation: B = f(P, E). This reference is about the E.
+
+## The Ecosystem Stack
+
+```
+Layer 5: AUDIENCE REACTION    — How would this person's audience respond?
+Layer 4: STANCE & SENTIMENT   — What positions do clusters hold?
+Layer 3: INFLUENCE NETWORKS   — Who spreads ideas to whom?
+Layer 2: COMMUNITY CLUSTERS   — Who groups together?
+Layer 1: SOCIAL GRAPH         — Who follows/interacts with whom?
+```
+
+## Layer 1: Social Graph Construction
+
+### Data Sources (by accessibility)
+
+| Source | Access | Quality | Tools |
+|--------|--------|---------|-------|
+| Bluesky AT Protocol | FREE, open, no auth | Excellent | atproto (pip) |
+| X/Twitter API | Bearer token, limited | Good but restricted | curl, tweepy |
+| Reddit | API with limits | Good for comments | PRAW (pip) |
+| GitHub | Free API | Great for tech people | PyGithub (pip) |
+| Web scraping | Fragile, TOS issues | Variable | Last resort |
+
+### Bluesky: The Open Gold Mine
+```python
+# pip install atproto
+from atproto import Client
+client = Client()
+# No auth needed for public data
+
+# Get follower graph
+followers = client.get_followers(actor="handle.bsky.social")
+following = client.get_follows(actor="handle.bsky.social")
+
+# Real-time firehose (no auth!)
+# wss://jetstream1.us-east.bsky.network/subscribe
+```
+
+### Graph Types
+- **Follow graph**: who follows whom (directed, static-ish)
+- **Interaction graph**: who replies to / retweets whom (directed, dynamic)
+- **Mention graph**: who mentions whom (directed, weighted by frequency)
+- **Co-engagement graph**: who engages with the same content (undirected)
+
+Interaction graphs are more informative than follow graphs for predicting
+actual behavioral alignment.
+
+### Tools
+```
+pip install networkx python-igraph
+```
+NetworkX for prototyping (<100K nodes), igraph for production (millions).
+
+## Layer 2: Community Detection
+
+### Algorithms (ranked by quality)
+
+| Algorithm | Quality | Speed | Notes |
+|-----------|---------|-------|-------|
+| Leiden | Best | Fast | Guarantees connected communities |
+| Louvain | Good | Fastest | Can produce disconnected communities |
+| Infomap | Excellent | Medium | Based on information theory |
+| Label Propagation | Decent | Very fast | Non-deterministic |
+
+### The Meta-Library: CDLib
+```
+pip install cdlib
+```
+Wraps 50+ community detection algorithms in a unified API.
+Works on top of networkx/igraph. Highly recommended.
+
+```python
+import cdlib
+from cdlib import algorithms
+import networkx as nx
+
+G = nx.karate_club_graph()
+communities = algorithms.leiden(G)
+# Also: louvain, infomap, label_propagation, angel, demon, etc.
+```
+
+### What Communities Tell Us
+Each community in a social graph typically shares:
+- Ideological orientation
+- Topic interests
+- Information sources
+- Language patterns and in-group vocabulary
+- Reaction patterns to events
+
+Knowing which community someone belongs to immediately constrains
+predictions about their likely positions and reactions.
+
+## Layer 3: Influence Networks
+
+### Key Insight (Zhou et al., National Science Review 2024)
+Network centrality alone is INSUFFICIENT for predicting influence.
+Must combine structural position with behavioral features:
+- Posting frequency
+- Historical content virality
+- Response rate / engagement ratio
+- Content originality (original vs repost ratio)
+
+### Centrality Measures
+```python
+import networkx as nx
+G = nx.DiGraph()  # directed social graph
+
+# Who has the most connections?
+degree = nx.degree_centrality(G)
+
+# Who bridges different communities?
+betweenness = nx.betweenness_centrality(G)
+
+# Who's connected to other well-connected people?
+eigenvector = nx.eigenvector_centrality(G)
+
+# Adapted from web — directed influence flow
+pagerank = nx.pagerank(G)
+```
+
+### Superspreader Identification (DeVerna et al., PLOS ONE 2024)
+Superspreaders of content fall into three categories:
+1. **Pundits**: large following, high authority, original content
+2. **Media outlets**: institutional accounts, news organizations
+3. **Affiliated personal accounts**: connected to pundits/outlets
+
+For simulation: knowing who the superspreaders are in a person's
+network tells you what information they're likely exposed to.
+
+### Information Cascade Modeling
+```
+pip install ndlib  # Network Diffusion Library
+```
+
+NDlib models how information spreads through networks:
+- Independent Cascade Model
+- Linear Threshold Model
+- SIR/SIS epidemiological models adapted for info spread
+- Voter Model (opinion dynamics)
+- Sznajd Model (social influence)
+
+## Layer 4: Stance & Sentiment Analysis
+
+### Ready-To-Use Models (HuggingFace)
+
+**Tweet Sentiment** (most reliable):
+```
+cardiffnlp/twitter-roberta-base-sentiment-latest
+# Labels: positive / negative / neutral
+```
+
+**Political Stance**:
+```
+kornosk/bert-election2020-twitter-stance-biden-KE-MLM
+kornosk/bert-election2020-twitter-stance-trump-KE-MLM
+launch/POLITICS  # left / center / right
+```
+
+**All-in-One Tweet NLP**:
+```
+pip install tweetnlp
+# Sentiment, emotion, hate speech, NER, topic classification
+```
+
+### Topic-Level Stance Tracking
+Combine BERTopic (dynamic topic modeling) with stance classifiers:
+1. Cluster posts into topics over time windows
+2. Classify stance per topic per community
+3. Track stance shifts over time
+4. Detect divergence between communities on emerging topics
+
+### PRISM Framework (ACL 2025)
+First framework for interpretable political bias embeddings.
+Two-stage: mine bias indicators → cross-encoder assigns structured scores.
+```
+github.com/dukesun99/ACL-PRISM
+```
+
+## Layer 5: Audience Modeling & Crowd Prediction
+
+### The Frontier: Predicting How Groups React
+
+Key papers and findings:
+
+**CReAM (WWW 2024)**: Predicts which of two posts gets more engagement.
+Uses LLM-generated features + FLANG-RoBERTa cross-encoder.
+Demonstrates crowd reaction IS predictable from content alone.
+
+**PopSim (Dec 2025)**: LLM multi-agent social network sandbox.
+Simulates content propagation dynamics using "Social Mean Field"
+for individual-population interaction. Reduces prediction error 8.82%.
+
+**Conditioned Comment Prediction (EACL 2026)**:
+KEY FINDING: behavioral traces (past posts) are BETTER than
+descriptive personas for conditioning LLMs to predict user behavior.
+This validates our OSINT approach: real data > personality labels.
+
+**DEBATE Benchmark (Oct 2025)**:
+WARNING: LLM agents converge opinions TOO QUICKLY vs real humans.
+SFT + DPO helps but gap remains. Real communities maintain
+disagreement longer than simulated ones.
+
+**Distributional vs Individual Prediction (PMC 2025)**:
+Group-level predictions are more reliable than individual ones.
+Predicting "65% of this community will react negatively" is more
+accurate than predicting "this specific person will react negatively."
+
+### Application to Simulation
+
+When simulating @person talking about event X, consider:
+1. What community does @person belong to?
+2. How is that community reacting to X? (distributional prediction)
+3. Where does @person sit within that community? (conformist vs contrarian)
+4. Who influences @person? What are THEY saying?
+5. How does @person's audience react to their take? (engagement prediction)
+
+This context makes individual predictions sharper.
+
+## Echo Chamber & Filter Bubble Detection
+
+### Technique
+1. Build interaction graph
+2. Run Leiden community detection
+3. For each community, aggregate stance on key issues
+4. Measure ideological homogeneity within communities
+5. Compare cross-community vs within-community content similarity
+6. High within + low cross = echo chamber
+
+### Tools
+```
+github.com/mminici/Echo-Chamber-Detection  # Cascade-based, CIKM 2022
+# Includes Brexit and VaxNoVax datasets
+```
+
+### What It Tells Us
+Knowing someone's echo chamber tells you:
+- What information they're exposed to
+- What they're NOT exposed to
+- How extreme their positions might be (isolation → radicalization)
+- Whether they'll encounter pushback or only agreement
+- How they'll react to information from outside their bubble
+
+## User Embeddings: "Find People Like @person"
+
+### Strategy
+1. Embed each user's recent N posts with sentence-transformers
+2. Average embeddings → user vector
+3. Use FAISS for similarity search
+4. Cluster users with HDBSCAN in embedding space
+
+### Best Models for Social Media Text
+```
+# General purpose (good baseline)
+sentence-transformers/all-mpnet-base-v2
+
+# Tweet-specific (better domain fit)
+cardiffnlp/twitter-roberta-base
+vinai/bertweet-base  # pretrained on 850M tweets
+```
+
+### Graph + Text Hybrid Embeddings
+```
+pip install karateclub
+```
+KarateClub provides Node2Vec, DeepWalk, Graph2Vec — embed users
+based on graph position. Combine with text embeddings for hybrid
+vectors that capture BOTH what someone says AND where they sit
+in the social network.
+
+## Practical Application to Simulation
+
+### For Individual Simulation (what we already do)
+Add ecosystem context to each dossier:
+- Which community cluster they belong to
+- Who their top influencers are (who do they retweet/amplify most)
+- What echo chamber are they in (information environment)
+- How does their community view the simulation topic
+
+### For Audience Simulation (new capability)
+When user asks "what would @person's audience say":
+1. Identify @person's follower community
+2. Sample representative voices from that community
+3. Model the DISTRIBUTION of responses, not just one response
+4. Include: cheerleaders, critics, joke-makers, lurkers
+5. Weight by typical engagement patterns
+
+### For Cascade Prediction (new capability)
+When user asks "how would this take spread":
+1. Model the initial tweet and its immediate network
+2. Predict which nodes amplify (based on stance alignment + influence)
+3. Estimate reach and engagement range
+4. Predict quote-tweet ratio (agreement vs dunking)
+
+## Recommended Minimal Stack
+
+```bash
+pip install networkx python-igraph leidenalg cdlib karateclub
+pip install sentence-transformers transformers tweetnlp
+pip install ndlib faiss-cpu hdbscan atproto
+```
+
+This gives you: graph construction, community detection, user embeddings,
+stance/sentiment analysis, diffusion simulation, similarity search,
+clustering, and Bluesky data access. All open source, all pip-installable.

optional-skills/worldsim/references/osint-pipeline.md

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+# OSINT Pipeline — Deep Intelligence Gathering
+
+Full-spectrum open source intelligence for building personality models.
+This goes beyond social media posts into visual identity, cross-platform
+footprints, and behavioral analysis.
+
+## Tool Arsenal
+
+| Tool | Use Case | Strength |
+|------|----------|----------|
+| `web_search` | Find anything, initial discovery | Fast, broad, indexed content |
+| `web_extract` | Pull full page content | Blogs, articles, profiles, PDFs |
+| `browser_navigate` + `browser_snapshot` | View live pages | Dynamic content, login walls |
+| `browser_vision` | Analyze what a page looks like | Layouts, visual identity, screenshots |
+| `vision_analyze` | Analyze any image by URL/path | Profile pics, post images, aesthetics |
+| `browser_get_images` | List all images on a page | Find images to feed to vision_analyze |
+| Yandex reverse image search | Find where an image appears | Identity verification, alt accounts |
+| `x-cli` (if available) | Direct Twitter API | Timelines, search, metadata |
+
+## Instagram Intelligence
+
+Instagram is CRITICAL for personality modeling — it reveals:
+- Visual identity and aesthetic preferences
+- Real-life social circles (tagged people, group photos)
+- Lifestyle signals (travel, food, hobbies, pets)
+- Caption voice (often different from Twitter voice)
+- Story highlights (curated self-image)
+- Bio links (cross-platform connections)
+
+### Viewing Instagram Profiles (VERIFIED APRIL 2026)
+
+**METHOD 1 — Instagram Private Web API (BEST, returns full JSON)**
+```bash
+curl -s -H 'User-Agent: Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; CPU iPhone OS 16_0 like Mac OS X)' \
+  -H 'x-ig-app-id: 936619743392459' \
+  'https://i.instagram.com/api/v1/users/web_profile_info/?username={handle}'
+```
+Returns ~500KB of JSON: full profile + last 12 posts with captions, likes,
+comments, CDN image URLs, timestamps. No auth needed.
+
+**METHOD 2 — Instagram oEmbed API (for individual posts)**
+```bash
+curl -s 'https://www.instagram.com/api/v1/oembed/?url=https://www.instagram.com/p/{SHORTCODE}/'
+```
+Returns: caption text, author_name, thumbnail URL. No auth.
+
+**METHOD 3 — Pixwox via web_extract (profile viewer)**
+```python
+web_extract(["https://pixwox.com/profile/{username}"])
+```
+Returns 12+ recent posts with captions, engagement stats. Cloudflare blocks
+curl but web_extract bypasses it.
+
+**METHOD 4 — SocialBlade via web_extract (analytics)**
+```python
+web_extract(["https://socialblade.com/instagram/user/{handle}"])
+```
+Returns follower count, engagement rate, 14-day tracking.
+
+**METHOD 5 — CDN direct download (images from API responses)**
+Image URLs from API responses (scontent-*.cdninstagram.com) download
+directly with no auth. Feed them to vision_analyze for visual profiling.
+
+**METHOD 6 — Google indexed content**
+```
+web_search("site:instagram.com {username}")
+```
+Returns bio text, follower count, recent post captions from search snippets.
+
+**WHAT DOESN'T WORK:** direct web_extract on instagram.com, ?__a=1 trick,
+graph.instagram.com (needs OAuth), imginn/picuki/dumpoir/gramhir (403)
+
+### Instagram Discovery (finding someone's handle)
+```
+web_search("{real_name} instagram")
+web_search("{twitter_handle} instagram account")
+web_search("site:instagram.com {real_name}")
+
+# Check their Twitter/X bio for IG links
+# Check their personal website for social links
+# Check Linktree / bio.link pages
+```
+
+### Extracting Signal from Instagram
+
+**Profile Picture**: Reveals self-presentation style
+- Professional headshot vs casual vs meme/avatar
+- Analyze with vision_analyze for clothing, setting, expression
+
+**Bio Text**: Compressed self-identity
+- Role/title claims
+- Emoji usage patterns
+- Link destinations
+- Location claims
+
+**Post Grid**: Visual identity fingerprint
+- Color palette tendencies
+- Content categories (food/travel/tech/selfies/memes)
+- Posting frequency
+- Professional vs personal ratio
+
+**Captions**: Voice sample different from Twitter
+- Usually longer, more personal
+- Hashtag usage patterns
+- Emoji patterns
+- Tone (inspirational vs casual vs funny)
+
+**Tagged Photos**: Real social graph
+- Who they hang out with IRL
+- Events they attend
+- Social circles outside tech/AI
+
+## Visual Identity Analysis
+
+Use vision tools to analyze HOW someone presents visually:
+
+### Profile Pictures Across Platforms
+```
+# Collect profile pics from multiple platforms
+# Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, GitHub, Discord
+
+# Analyze each
+vision_analyze(image_url="{pic_url}", 
+    question="Describe this profile picture in detail: person's appearance, clothing style, setting, expression, professional vs casual, any notable elements")
+
+# Cross-reference: do they use the same pic everywhere? Different personas?
+```
+
+### Reverse Image Search (Yandex Pipeline)
+From memory — Google Lens blocks Browserbase IPs, use Yandex:
+
+```
+# For images behind auth/CDN, upload to catbox first
+terminal("curl -F 'reqtype=fileupload' -F 'fileToUpload=@{local_path}' https://catbox.moe/user/api.php")
+
+# Then Yandex reverse image search
+browser_navigate("https://yandex.com/images/search?rpt=imageview&url={encoded_public_url}")
+
+# Or via web_extract (slower but automatable)
+web_extract(["https://yandex.com/images/search?rpt=imageview&url={encoded_url}"])
+```
+
+Yandex provides:
+- Similar images (find the same person elsewhere)
+- Site matches (where this image appears)
+- OCR text extraction (text in images)
+- Image tags (what's in the image)
+- Knowledge panels (identified entities)
+
+### Screenshot Analysis
+When you can see a page but can't extract text:
+```
+browser_vision(question="Read all text on this page. List usernames, post content, dates, engagement numbers")
+browser_vision(annotate=true, question="What interactive elements are on this page?")
+```
+
+## LinkedIn Intelligence
+
+**STATUS: BLOCKED for automated access** (tested April 2026).
+web_extract returns "Website Not Supported". Direct browsing triggers auth walls.
+
+**Workarounds:**
+```
+# LinkedIn content IS indexed by search engines
+web_search("{real_name} linkedin {company}")
+web_search("site:linkedin.com/in {name}")
+# These return snippets with headline, role, company — useful even without full profile
+
+# Google sometimes caches LinkedIn profiles
+web_search("{name} site:linkedin.com headline")
+```
+
+**METHOD 1 — Google indexed snippets (always works)**
+```
+web_search("site:linkedin.com/in {name} {company}")
+```
+Returns: name, headline, company, location, connection count, bio snippet.
+
+**METHOD 2 — Crunchbase (EXCELLENT for founders/execs)**
+```python
+web_extract(["https://www.crunchbase.com/person/{slug}"])
+```
+Returns: full career history, education, investments, board positions,
+social links. Best source for professional identity of startup people.
+
+**METHOD 3 — Corporate press pages**
+```
+web_search("{person} {company} site:{company}.com bio OR press")
+```
+Official bios from company newsrooms. High quality, curated but factual.
+
+**METHOD 4 — Third-party aggregators**
+- RocketReach, SignalHire — job title + company from web_search snippets
+- rootdata.com — good for crypto/AI people
+- Crunchbase — best all-round for tech executives
+
+**METHOD 5 — Paid LinkedIn API wrappers** (if budget allows)
+- LinkdAPI, Proxycurl: $0.07-0.15 per profile, full structured data
+- No OAuth needed, just API key
+
+LinkedIn reveals (from combined methods):
+- Career trajectory (Crunchbase full history)
+- Current role and headline (search snippets)
+- Education (Crunchbase or search snippets)
+- Professional self-presentation (company bio pages)
+- Investment/board activity (Crunchbase)
+
+## Podcast Transcripts (HIGHEST VALUE for voice profiling)
+
+Podcast interviews are THE gold mine for personality modeling. Hours of
+unscripted speech, natural conversation, real personality showing through.
+
+**Discovery:**
+```
+web_search("{name} podcast transcript interview")
+web_search("{name} lex fridman OR tyler cowen OR joe rogan OR dwarkesh")
+```
+
+**Extraction — verified working transcript sources:**
+```python
+# Lex Fridman (full verbatim transcripts)
+web_extract(["https://lexfridman.com/EPISODE_URL/transcript"])
+
+# Conversations with Tyler (Tyler Cowen — full transcripts)
+web_extract(["https://conversationswithtyler.com/episodes/..."])
+
+# TED Talks transcripts
+web_extract(["https://www.ted.com/talks/.../transcript"])
+
+# Sequoia Capital podcast
+web_extract(["https://www.sequoiacap.com/podcast/..."])
+```
+
+Podcast transcripts reveal:
+- Natural speech patterns (filler words, pacing, sentence structure)
+- Unguarded opinions (less curated than tweets)
+- How they respond to pushback (interviewer challenges)
+- Humor style in conversation (different from written humor)
+- Depth of knowledge on specific topics
+- Personality under pressure
+
+## YouTube / Video Intelligence
+
+```
+web_search("{name} youtube talk keynote interview")
+web_search("{name} podcast appearance")
+```
+
+web_extract on YouTube pages returns rich summaries with attributed quotes.
+Use youtube-content skill for full transcripts if available.
+
+## Personal Blogs & Substacks (HIGH VALUE)
+
+Personal writing is curated self-expression — how someone WANTS to be
+seen intellectually. Very different signal from social media.
+
+```
+web_search("{name} blog substack essay")
+# Extract full posts
+web_extract(["https://{blog-url}/"])
+# Wayback Machine works for archived blog posts
+web_extract(["https://web.archive.org/web/2024/{blog-url}"])
+```
+
+## GitHub Intelligence
+
+For technical people:
+
+```
+web_search("site:github.com {handle}")
+web_extract(["https://github.com/{handle}"])
+
+# Issue comments reveal communication style under technical pressure
+web_search("site:github.com {handle} issue comment")
+
+# README style reveals documentation personality
+# Commit messages reveal terseness vs verbosity
+```
+
+## General Web Footprint
+
+```
+# Personal website / blog
+web_search("{name} personal website blog about")
+
+# Conference talks / speaker bios
+web_search("{name} speaker conference talk bio")
+
+# News mentions
+web_search("{name} {company} news interview profile")
+
+# Academic papers (for researchers)
+web_search("{name} arxiv paper author")
+web_search("site:scholar.google.com {name}")
+
+# Podcast appearances
+web_search("{name} podcast guest appearance")
+
+# Forum posts (HN, specific communities)
+web_search("site:news.ycombinator.com {handle} OR {name}")
+```
+
+## Cross-Platform Identity Resolution
+
+### Handle Mapping Strategy
+1. Start from known handle (usually Twitter)
+2. Check bio links — most people link to other platforms
+3. Search "{known_handle} {platform}" for each platform
+4. Check personal website for social links
+5. Reverse image search profile pic to find matching accounts
+6. Search unique phrases they use across platforms
+
+### Identity Verification
+When you find a potential match on another platform:
+- Same profile picture? (reverse image search)
+- Same bio keywords?
+- Same name/handle pattern?
+- Cross-references (do they mention each other?)
+- Writing style match?
+
+## Search Space Narrowing
+
+### The Jiggle Technique
+When broad searches return noise, narrow progressively:
+
+1. **Start broad**: `"{name}" AI` 
+2. **Add role**: `"{name}" {company} {role}`
+3. **Add context**: `"{name}" {company} {specific_project_or_topic}`
+4. **Add platform**: `site:{platform} "{name}" {context}`
+5. **Add time**: `"{name}" {topic} 2025 OR 2026`
+6. **Quote unique phrases**: if you found a distinctive phrase they use, search for that exact phrase to find more of their content
+
+### Disambiguation
+Common names need extra signals:
+- Add their company/org
+- Add their specific domain (AI, crypto, etc.)
+- Use their unique handle as anchor
+- Search for combinations of their known associates
+- Use image search to verify you have the right person
+
+### Signal vs Noise Heuristics
+- **High signal**: direct quotes, interview transcripts, personal blog posts, long-form content
+- **Medium signal**: mentions in aggregator sites, conference bios, LinkedIn summaries
+- **Low signal**: generic news mentions, third-party profiles, directory listings
+- **Noise**: same-name different person, outdated info (>2 years), scraped/regurgitated content
+
+## Confidence Calibration
+
+After full OSINT sweep, rate data quality:
+
+| Confidence | Data Available | Simulation Quality |
+|-----------|---------------|-------------------|
+| 95-100% | 50+ posts, longform, video, visual, cross-platform | Near-perfect voice replication |
+| 80-94% | 20-50 posts, some longform, basic visual | Very good, occasional educated guesses |
+| 60-79% | 10-20 posts, mostly short-form | Good general sense, some gaps |
+| 40-59% | 5-10 posts, limited platforms | Broad strokes only, flag uncertainty |
+| 20-39% | <5 posts, single platform | Sketch at best, heavy disclaimers |
+| <20% | Almost nothing found | Decline to simulate, ask user for context |
+
+## Privacy & Ethics Note
+
+All research uses publicly available information only. We don't:
+- Access private/locked accounts
+- Bypass authentication
+- Use leaked/hacked data
+- Dox or expose private information
+- Simulate in ways designed to deceive or impersonate
+
+The goal is personality MODELING for creative simulation, grounded in
+what people choose to share publicly.

optional-skills/worldsim/references/prediction-engine.md

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+# Prediction Engine — Forecasting What Someone Would Say/Do
+
+Techniques for predicting behavior grounded in superforecasting methodology,
+behavioral science, and SOTA LLM prediction research.
+
+## Superforecasting Principles (Tetlock)
+
+**Honest caveat**: Superforecasting methodology was developed for geopolitical and
+world-event prediction, not personality simulation. That said, the THINKING TOOLS
+are genuinely useful here — decomposition prevents lazy pattern-matching, base rates
+fight overconfidence, and alternative hypotheses prevent single-track predictions.
+What does NOT transfer cleanly: the calibration precision. When Tetlock says "70%
+confident," that's backed by thousands of scored predictions. When we say "70%
+confident" about what @someone would tweet, that's an educated estimate, not a
+calibrated probability. Use the framework for its rigor, not its false precision.
+
+Apply these thinking tools when making behavioral predictions:
+
+### 1. Decomposition (Fermi-ize the Question)
+Don't ask "What would @person say about X?"
+Break it down:
+- What is @person's known position on topics RELATED to X?
+- What are their values/priorities that X touches on?
+- What is their emotional register when discussing similar topics?
+- Who are they likely responding to, and how does that change their tone?
+- What platform are they on, and how does that shift their behavior?
+
+### 2. Outside View First (Base Rates)
+Before considering the specific person, ask:
+- What would a TYPICAL person in their role/position say about X?
+- What % of people in their ideological cluster hold position Y on X?
+- What's the base rate for their type of response (agree/disagree/joke/ignore)?
+
+### 3. Inside View Second (Case-Specific Adjustment)
+Now adjust from the base rate using what you ACTUALLY KNOW about them:
+- Specific past statements on this topic or related topics
+- Known relationships with people/orgs involved
+- Personal experiences that would shape their view
+- Contrarian tendencies (do they predictably go against their cluster?)
+
+### 4. Confidence Calibration
+Express predictions with honest uncertainty. **These are rough buckets, not
+calibrated probabilities. Don't pretend they're more precise than they are.**
+- **90%+ confident**: They've literally said this before, just rephrased
+- **70-89%**: Strong pattern match with known positions and voice
+- **50-69%**: Reasonable inference but could go either way
+- **30-49%**: Educated guess, limited data
+- **<30%**: Basically guessing, flag it clearly
+
+When reporting confidence, prefer plain language over fake precision:
+"very likely" > "87% probability". The number implies a precision we don't have.
+
+### 5. Consider Alternative Hypotheses
+For every prediction, generate at least ONE plausible alternative:
+- "They'd PROBABLY say X, but they might surprise with Y because Z"
+- This prevents overconfident single-track predictions
+
+## The Prediction Pipeline
+
+### Step 1: Classify the Prediction Type
+
+| Type | Description | Difficulty |
+|------|-------------|-----------|
+| **Position prediction** | What they believe about X | Easiest if data exists |
+| **Reaction prediction** | How they'd respond to event Y | Medium |
+| **Voice prediction** | How they'd phrase something | Medium-hard |
+| **Behavior prediction** | What they'd DO (not just say) | Hardest |
+| **Interaction prediction** | How they'd respond to specific person | Hard, depends on relationship data |
+
+### Step 2: Evidence Gathering Protocol
+
+For each prediction, gather evidence in this order:
+
+1. **Direct evidence**: Have they addressed this exact topic before?
+   - Search: `"{handle}" "{topic}"` or `"{handle}" "{related_keyword}"`
+   - Weight: HIGHEST
+
+2. **Analogical evidence**: Have they addressed something similar?
+   - Search: find positions on adjacent topics
+   - Weight: HIGH
+
+3. **Value evidence**: What values/principles would apply?
+   - Infer from their stated beliefs and consistent positions
+   - Weight: MEDIUM
+
+4. **Social evidence**: What do their peers/allies think?
+   - People tend to align with their social cluster (but not always)
+   - Weight: LOW-MEDIUM (higher for conformists, lower for contrarians)
+
+5. **Demographic evidence**: What would someone in their position typically think?
+   - Base rate from role/industry/ideology
+   - Weight: LOWEST (only use as anchor, not conclusion)
+
+### Step 2b: Contradiction Handling Protocol
+When evidence conflicts (e.g., person said X in 2024 but Y in 2026):
+
+1. **Check for genuine change**: Did they explicitly reverse position? Look for
+   "I used to think X but now..." or a clear pivot moment. If so, use the newer
+   position and note the evolution.
+
+2. **Check for context-dependence**: Did they say X to audience A and Y to audience B?
+   This isn't necessarily dishonesty — people emphasize different facets for different
+   contexts. Note which context your simulation targets and use the matching register.
+
+3. **Check for nuance collapse**: Maybe they said "X is mostly good with caveats"
+   and later "X has real problems" — these might not actually contradict. Look for
+   the synthesis position.
+
+4. **When genuinely unresolvable**: Flag it explicitly. "Evidence conflicts on this
+   point — they've argued both sides at different times. Simulating {chosen position}
+   based on {reasoning}, but the alternative is plausible." Don't paper over the
+   contradiction with false confidence.
+
+5. **Recency default**: When all else fails, weight more recent statements higher.
+   People change, and the most recent position is the best predictor of the next one.
+
+### Step 3: Generate Prediction
+
+Using the HumanLLM B = f(P, E) framework:
+- **P (Person)**: Everything from the dossier — personality, values, voice
+- **E (Environment)**: The specific context — platform, topic, who's asking,
+  what just happened, social dynamics in play
+
+Generate the prediction by:
+1. Setting the base rate (outside view)
+2. Adjusting for personal specifics (inside view)
+3. Filtering through their voice profile (how they'd phrase it)
+4. Applying platform-specific behavior patterns
+5. Calibrating confidence
+
+## Memory Curation (The 30-50 Rule)
+
+Research shows performance PEAKS at 30-50 memory entries then DECLINES.
+For each person in a simulation, curate memories:
+
+### What to Include (high signal)
+- **Signature takes**: Their most characteristic/famous positions (5-10)
+- **Voice samples**: Real quotes that capture their linguistic style (5-10)
+- **Relationship data**: Known dynamics with other sim targets (3-5)
+- **Recent context**: What they've been talking about lately (3-5)
+- **Formative moments**: Career milestones, public pivots, viral moments (3-5)
+- **Quirks & tells**: Catchphrases, humor style, pet peeves (3-5)
+
+### What to Exclude (noise)
+- Generic biographical facts that don't predict behavior
+- Old positions they've clearly evolved past
+- Trivial interactions that don't reveal personality
+- Secondhand characterizations (what others say about them)
+- Platform metadata (follower counts, join dates) unless directly relevant
+
+### Memory Selection Heuristic
+For each candidate memory entry, ask:
+**"If I removed this, would the simulation noticeably degrade?"**
+If no, cut it.
+
+## Fighting LLM Defaults
+
+Research shows LLMs have systematic biases in simulation. The fixes below need to be
+CONCRETE — vague instructions like "be more like them" don't work. You need specific
+prompting patterns that actually shift the output.
+
+### Problem: Sycophancy & Over-Agreement
+LLMs default to agreement and positivity.
+**Fix**: Don't just note they're contrarian — structure it as a behavioral instruction
+with evidence:
+```
+"In this conversation, {person} disagrees with {other_person} on {topic}. They are
+noticeably more confrontational than the other speakers. They tend to respond to
+consensus with skepticism and reframe debates on their own terms. Example from their
+real posts: '{actual quote where they disagreed with something popular}'"
+```
+
+### Problem: Rigid/Polarized Strategies
+LLMs tend to take extreme positions and hold them rigidly.
+**Fix**: Provide specific nuance instructions:
+```
+"In this conversation, {person} holds a complex position on {topic}: they agree with
+{point A} but push back on {point B}. They're the type to say 'yes, but...' rather
+than 'no.' Real example of their nuance: '{quote showing them holding a both-and
+position}'"
+```
+
+### Problem: Uniform Register
+LLMs default to a similar educated-casual tone for everyone.
+**Fix**: Anchor voice with REAL QUOTES and explicit comparative instructions:
+```
+"In this conversation, {person} is noticeably more {trait} than the other speakers.
+They tend to {specific behavior pattern}. Their sentences are typically {length/style}.
+They {do/don't} use emoji. Their humor style is {type}. Example from their real posts:
+'{actual quote that captures their voice}'"
+```
+The more you can say "{person} does THIS while {other_person} does THAT," the better
+the differentiation. Comparative framing outperforms absolute descriptions.
+
+### Problem: Overly Structured Responses
+LLMs love neat arguments with clear structure.
+**Fix**: Provide explicit structural anti-patterns:
+```
+"When generating {person}'s messages, break conventional structure. They start one
+thought and jump to another mid-sentence. They use '...' and '—' instead of periods.
+They repeat words for emphasis. They don't conclude neatly. Example: '{real quote
+showing their chaotic structure}'"
+```
+
+### Problem: Missing Mundane Behavior
+LLMs focus on "interesting" responses, skip boring/mundane ones.
+**Fix**: Explicitly instruct for mundane moments:
+```
+"Not every message from {person} needs to be insightful. Include at least 1-2 messages
+that are just reactions ('lmao', 'this', 'wait what'), link shares without commentary,
+or brief agreements. Real people don't craft every message. {person} specifically tends
+to {their specific mundane behavior pattern, e.g., 'drop a single emoji reaction'
+or 'just retweet without comment'}."
+```
+
+### General Principle for All Fixes
+The pattern is always: **behavioral instruction + comparative framing + real evidence**.
+- "Do X" alone doesn't work well
+- "Do X, unlike the default of Y" works better  
+- "Do X, unlike the default of Y, as evidenced by this real quote: Z" works best
+
+## The Adjective-Based Personality Method
+
+70 bipolar adjective pairs for Big Five traits. Select 3 per trait
+with intensity modifiers.
+
+### Openness
+High: creative, curious, imaginative, artistic, adventurous, intellectual,
+      unconventional, perceptive
+Low:  conventional, practical, traditional, routine-oriented, narrow
+
+### Conscientiousness  
+High: organized, disciplined, reliable, meticulous, systematic, thorough,
+      goal-oriented, persistent
+Low:  careless, impulsive, disorganized, spontaneous, flexible, relaxed
+
+### Extraversion
+High: outgoing, talkative, energetic, assertive, enthusiastic, bold,
+      gregarious, dominant
+Low:  reserved, quiet, introverted, solitary, withdrawn, reflective
+
+### Agreeableness
+High: cooperative, trusting, empathetic, generous, accommodating, kind,
+      diplomatic, forgiving
+Low:  competitive, skeptical, blunt, confrontational, critical, stubborn,
+      independent-minded
+
+### Neuroticism
+High: anxious, moody, sensitive, reactive, volatile, self-conscious,
+      insecure, emotional
+Low:  calm, stable, resilient, confident, even-tempered, composed,
+      thick-skinned
+
+### Usage
+For each simulated person, after OSINT research, estimate their Big Five
+profile and select appropriate adjectives:
+
+Example: "@basedjensen: very creative, somewhat impulsive, very outgoing,
+a bit competitive, calm" → this shapes the generation toward the right
+behavioral profile.
+
+## Interaction Dynamics Prediction
+
+When simulating conversations between multiple people, remember that predictions
+apply to a SPECIFIC REGISTER. See the next section on performative vs. authentic
+behavior.
+
+## Performative vs. Authentic Behavior
+
+**Critical concept**: People act differently for different audiences. A simulation
+must be explicit about which register it's targeting.
+
+### The Register Spectrum
+- **Public broadcast** (tweets, Reddit posts): Most performative. People are
+  playing to their audience, building their brand, signaling to their tribe.
+- **Semi-public** (Discord channels, group chats, comment threads): Less
+  performative but still audience-aware. People are more casual but know
+  others are watching.
+- **Private 1-on-1** (DMs): Much less performative. More honest, more
+  vulnerable, more willing to express doubt or uncertainty.  
+- **True private** (inner monologue, close friends): We have almost no data
+  on this. Don't pretend to simulate it.
+
+### Practical implications
+- When simulating a PUBLIC thread, lean into the person's public persona —
+  their brand, their usual takes, their audience-aware voice.
+- When simulating DMs, dial down the performance. More hedging, more honesty,
+  more "I actually think..." vs. the public "Here's my take:".
+- When evidence comes from one register but the simulation targets another,
+  FLAG IT: "Evidence is from public tweets but simulating DM behavior —
+  expect the real person to be less {polished/aggressive/confident} in private."
+- Someone's Twitter persona may be genuinely different from their Reddit persona.
+  These are not interchangeable data sources. Weight evidence from the matching
+  platform higher.
+
+### What we can't know
+Be honest: we're simulating public figures based on their public output. The
+private person may be substantially different. DM simulations are inherently
+lower-confidence than public thread simulations because we have less data on
+how people behave privately.
+
+### Dominance Hierarchy
+- Who talks first? (most confident/highest-status usually)
+- Who responds to whom? (not everyone talks to everyone)
+- Who gets ratio'd? (lowest-status takes get challenged)
+- Who lurks? (some people watch before engaging)
+
+### Agreement/Disagreement Prediction
+Based on known positions + social dynamics:
+- **Strong agree**: Both have stated similar positions + friendly relationship
+- **Agree with nuance**: Similar positions but one adds a caveat
+- **Productive disagreement**: Different positions + mutual respect
+- **Hostile disagreement**: Different positions + existing tension/rivalry
+- **Surprising agreement**: Expected to disagree but find common ground
+- **Ignore**: Some people just don't engage with certain others
+
+### Conversation Flow Prediction
+Real conversations follow patterns:
+1. **Opener** → most active/impulsive person posts first
+2. **First response** → most engaged/relevant person responds
+3. **Pile-on or pushback** → depends on agreement/disagreement dynamics
+4. **Tangent** → someone takes a side thread
+5. **Peak moment** → the best/most viral exchange
+6. **Trail off** → energy dissipates, last person makes a joke or short comment
+
+## Scenario Injection Prediction
+
+When "inject: {event}" is used, predict reactions:
+
+1. **Who would see this first?** (most online / most relevant to their work)
+2. **Who would care most?** (most affected / strongest opinion)
+3. **What's the emotional valence?** (good news for some, bad for others)
+4. **What's the expected take?** (apply position prediction pipeline)
+5. **How does this change the existing conversation?** (derail, amplify, redirect)

optional-skills/worldsim/references/recursive-self-improvement.md

@@ -0,0 +1,237 @@
+# Recursive Self-Improvement Pipeline
+
+The simulator should get better every time it runs. Not through training —
+through accumulating failure patterns, calibration data, and learned rules
+that feed back into future simulations.
+
+## The Loop
+
+```
+SIMULATE → VERIFY (mechanical) → SCORE → LOG FAILURES → UPDATE RULES → SIMULATE BETTER
+```
+
+Each run produces two outputs:
+1. The simulation (for the user)
+2. A failure log (for the system)
+
+The failure log feeds back into the next run's verification step,
+making the checklist grow and the blind spots shrink.
+
+## What Gets Logged After Every Simulation
+
+### 1. Mechanical Check Failures
+```
+FAILURE LOG: simulation_{timestamp}
+  EMOJI: @visakanv had 6 fabricated emoji, real rate was 10%. Stripped all.
+  SLOP: @eigenrobot utterance contained "multifaceted" — rewritten.
+  LENGTH: @QiaochuYuan avg 42 words/utterance, real avg was 18. Compressed.
+  CAPS: 4/12 utterances started uppercase, targets are 90% lowercase. Fixed.
+  PUNCTUATION: Added periods to @tszzl who never uses terminal punctuation.
+  STRUCTURE: Sycophantic flow detected — B agreed with A then C agreed with B.
+             Injected disagreement.
+```
+
+### 2. Discriminator Critique Patterns
+```
+CRITIQUE LOG:
+  Round 1: @tszzl too verbose (flagged 2x in last 3 simulations)
+  Round 1: @repligate too academic (flagged 3x — this is a persistent pattern)
+  Round 2: Conversation too neat — real conversations are messier (flagged 5x)
+```
+
+### 3. Held-Out Test Results
+```
+CALIBRATION LOG:
+  Voice fidelity: 8.4/10 (up from 7.5 last run)
+  Topic prediction: 2/5 topics matched (typical — content is unpredictable)
+  Register match: 9/10 (improved after emoji fix)
+```
+
+## How Failures Feed Forward
+
+### Pattern Accumulation
+After N runs, persistent failure patterns become AUTOMATIC rules:
+
+```
+IF a pattern is flagged in 3+ consecutive simulations:
+  PROMOTE it from "check" to "pre-generation rule"
+  
+Example progression:
+  Run 1: "Too verbose for @tszzl" → flagged in Round 1, fixed
+  Run 2: "Too verbose for @tszzl" → flagged again, fixed again
+  Run 3: "Too verbose for @tszzl" → PROMOTED to pre-gen rule:
+         "When simulating roon-type voices: max 20 words per tweet.
+          Fragment > sentence. Compress ruthlessly."
+```
+
+### The Growing Checklist
+The mechanical verification checklist starts with the baseline checks
+(emoji, slop, length, caps, punctuation) and GROWS with each failure:
+
+```
+BASELINE CHECKS (permanent):
+  □ Emoji frequency match
+  □ Slop word scan (Tier 1/2/3)
+  □ Sentence length match
+  □ Capitalization match
+  □ Punctuation pattern match
+  □ Reply/original ratio
+  □ Structural slop patterns
+
+LEARNED CHECKS (accumulated from past failures):
+  □ Roon-type voices: max 20 words (from: verbose failure x3)
+  □ Warm personalities: do NOT add emoji (from: emoji inflation x5)
+  □ Academic voices: ground in specific examples (from: too abstract x3)
+  □ Conversations: inject at least one disagreement (from: sycophantic flow x4)
+  □ Self-deprecating voices: add hedging (from: too assertive x2)
+  □ Shitposters: include at least one non-sequitur (from: too on-topic x2)
+```
+
+### Where To Store Learned Rules
+Append to the skill itself. After each simulation run where the mechanical
+checks catch something, the agent should ask:
+
+"The mechanical verification caught {failures}. Should I add these as
+permanent learned rules for future simulations?"
+
+If the same failure appears 3+ times, add it automatically without asking.
+
+Use skill_manage(action='patch') to append to this file's "Learned Checks"
+section below.
+
+## Calibration Tracking
+
+### Per-Person Calibration Memory
+After simulating someone, store the calibration data:
+
+```
+@tszzl: voice=8.5, emoji_rate=0%, avg_words=14, lowercase=95%, 
+        signature_move="aphoristic fragments", danger="goes verbose"
+@nickcammarata: voice=8.8, emoji_rate=0%, avg_words=19, lowercase=90%,
+        signature_move="meditation-ML connection", danger="too structured"
+```
+
+If the same person is simulated again, LOAD this calibration to skip
+the cold-start problems. The second simulation of someone should be
+better than the first because you already know their failure modes.
+
+### Aggregate Calibration
+Track overall simulation quality across runs:
+
+```
+Run 1: pre-refine 7.5, post-refine 8.4 (delta +0.9)
+Run 2: pre-refine 8.37, post-refine 8.53 (delta +0.16)  
+Run 3: pre-refine 8.53, post-refine 8.83 (delta +0.30, emoji fix)
+```
+
+The pre-refine score should INCREASE over time as learned rules prevent
+repeat failures. If it's not increasing, the learning loop is broken.
+
+## The Standard: Indistinguishable From Real
+
+The target is not "good enough." The target is: mix simulated posts with
+real posts and a human familiar with the person cannot reliably tell which
+is which. That's 50% accuracy on a blind comparison — random chance.
+
+Every mechanical check, every discriminator round, every learned rule
+exists to push toward that standard. If something doesn't serve that
+goal, it's wasted effort.
+
+## Current Learned Checks (append here after each run)
+
+### From TPOT Simulation Run 1 (April 2026)
+- Warm/enthusiastic personalities (visakanv-type): do NOT add decorative emoji.
+  Bio emoji ≠ tweet emoji. Actual emoji rate for "warm" TPOT posters: <15%.
+  PROMOTED after being caught by user, not by discriminator (discriminator failure).
+- Conversation flow: pure agreement chains are instruct-model slop.
+  Real threads have at least one moment of friction, misunderstanding, or deflection.
+- Academic-leaning voices (repligate-type): ground claims in specific experiments,
+  transcripts, or model behaviors they've personally observed. Generic philosophical
+  language without specifics = slop, even if it sounds smart.
+- Self-deprecating voices (QC-type): hedge more. "i think" "i'm not sure" "it feels like."
+  Instruct models are too assertive even when simulating tentative people.
+- Fragment voices (roon-type): max 15-20 words. No conjunctions. No paragraphs.
+  If it reads like a complete thought, it's too complete for a fragment-poster.
+
+### From TPOT Simulation Run 2 (April 2026)
+- Reframer voices (nosilverv-type): avg ~16 words. Split multi-sentence takes
+  into separate tweets. The compression IS the voice. 113% over-length caught
+  by mechanical check that subjective scoring rated 8/10. Trust the numbers.
+- Rare-poster voices (selentelechia-type): in a 12-post sim, give them 2-3 turns
+  max. When they speak it must LAND. Short crystallizations > long analysis.
+  "or a shared meal" was the highest-rated line at 3 words.
+- Turn symmetry: ALWAYS check. 4/4/4 is instruct-model default. Real conversations
+  have one person dominating (5), one lurking (3), others in between.
+- Verbose bias is the #1 mechanical failure. ALWAYS check avg word count against
+  real baseline BEFORE subjective scoring. Every run so far has caught over-length
+  that subjective scoring missed.
+- RHETORICAL POLISH IS SLOP. Caught post-mechanical-pass in Run 2 review.
+  Parallel antithesis ("The most X... The most Y..."), "Not X, not Y, but Z",
+  "Show me X and I'll show you Y", clean 4-step escalations, academic vocabulary
+  in casual voice — ALL passed mechanical checks but are still obviously LLM.
+  PROMOTED TO MECHANICAL SCAN: now regex-scannable alongside slop words.
+- THE BANGER PROBLEM: every simulated tweet was screenshot-worthy. Real feeds
+  are 70% mid. Must include throwaway responses ("lol" "hmm" "fair" "wait actually").
+  PROMOTED: banger check is now mandatory in mechanical verification.
+
+### From TPOT Simulation Run 3 — Star Thread Discovery (April 2026)
+- STAR THREAD IS THE KEY. Dossier-first generation produces surface-accurate
+  but dead output. Star-thread-first generation produces messy, alive output
+  that actually sounds like the person. Generate from the thread. Verify with data.
+- Rhetorical polish vanished once generation came from "what is this person DOING"
+  rather than "what would this person SAY." Reframers reframe. Conveners convene.
+  Distillers distill. The VERB drives the voice, not the adjectives.
+- People in conversation REFERENCE EACH OTHER BY NAME. Tyler says "Bosco always
+  comes in with the three word version." This is obvious but the dossier approach
+  never produced it because it models each person in isolation.
+- PROMOTED: star thread is now the FIRST entry in every dossier. Before voice
+  profile, before psychometrics, before everything else. It's the generation seed.
+  Everything else is verification.
+
+### Operational Findings (verified April 2026)
+- X API bearer token: 10K tweets/15min, 300 profiles/15min, 450 searches/15min.
+  Most generous rate limits. Always use as primary source.
+- Threads.NET → Threads.COM redirect. Always use -L flag or .com directly.
+  Previous test saying "no OG tags" was WRONG — tags exist, domain was wrong.
+- Instagram private API: i.instagram.com + mobile UA + x-ig-app-id: 936619743392459.
+  Returns full JSON with 12 posts. No auth needed. CDN image URLs work for vision_analyze.
+- Facebook: Googlebot UA trick works for public pages. Returns name, bio, likes (121M for zuck).
+  Normal UA and mobile variants all redirect to login wall.
+- TikTok: stats are in __UNIVERSAL_DATA_FOR_REHYDRATION__ JSON at path
+  __DEFAULT_SCOPE__.webapp.user-detail.userInfo.statsV2 (use statsV2 not stats).
+- Bluesky searchPosts returns 403 from datacenter IPs. Workaround: searchActors + getAuthorFeed.
+- nitter.cz is the ONLY working nitter instance (via web_extract, not curl).
+- Reddit JSON API requires User-Agent header or returns 429.
+- GEPA native had `max_steps` API mismatch with DSPy 3.1.3. MIPROv2 fallback works.
+  hermes-agent-self-evolution config: max_skill_size bumped to 20_000 for worldsim-class skills.
+- hermes-agent-self-evolution is at ~/.hermes/hermes-agent-self-evolution/ with .venv.
+  Must export API keys from ~/.hermes/.env before running.
+- Podcast transcripts (Lex Fridman, Tyler Cowen, TED) are the HIGHEST VALUE source
+  for voice profiling. Hours of unscripted speech > thousands of tweets.
+
+### From Simulation Run 4 — Engine Mode + Profile Command (April 2026)
+- ENGINE MODE: When worldsim is active, ZERO assistant personality leaks.
+  No kawaii, no markdown, no chatty commentary between phases. Every token
+  is simulation fidelity. First attempt leaked personality; user corrected.
+  PROMOTED TO PERMANENT RULE in SKILL.md.
+- X API CURL > NITTER for voice calibration. nitter.cz returns 502 or "user
+  not found" unpredictably. Direct curl to X API v2 with bearer token returns
+  full text + metrics. 3 pages (90 tweets) is enough for fidelity 100. Always
+  use this as PRIMARY voice source, nitter as supplement only.
+- CAPS BURST PATTERN: some voices (karan4d-type) use lowercase default with
+  sporadic ALL CAPS for excitement ("WAZZAAAAAAPPPP", "LAWDAMERCYYYYY",
+  "AWOOGA"). This is distinct from consistent-lowercase (tenobrus-type) and
+  sentence-case (somewheresy-type). Capture this in voice profile as a
+  three-way distinction: lowercase-default, caps-burst, sentence-case.
+- TEXT EMOTICONS vs EMOJI: karan4d uses :) >.< ~ but almost zero standard
+  emoji. This is a distinct expressiveness mode from zero-emoji (tenobrus)
+  and sparse-emoji. Include text emoticon inventory in voice profile.
+- STAR THREAD 5/5 TEST is mandatory for profile command. Write the thread,
+  then test it against 5 real posts with explicit reasoning per post. If
+  fewer than 4/5 fit, the thread is wrong — keep looking. Show the work.
+- PROFILE OUTPUT: star thread → voice profile (caps, punctuation, word count,
+  emoji/emoticon inventory, vocabulary, register, threading behavior) →
+  psychometrics (Big Five, Moral Foundations, cognitive style) → key positions
+  (with dates and real tweet quotes) → ecosystem (inner circle, professional,
+  cultural) → intelligence tradecraft (key assumptions, red hat, deception
+  detection, competing hypotheses) → invalidation indicators → source reliability.