fix(cli): prefer curses over simple_term_menu in setup.py

* fix(agent): skip reasoning extra_body for models that don't support it

Sending reasoning config to models like MiniMax or Nvidia via OpenRouter
causes a 400 BadRequestError. Previously, reasoning extra_body was sent
to all OpenRouter and Nous models unconditionally.

Fix: only send reasoning extra_body when the model slug starts with a
known reasoning-capable prefix (deepseek/, anthropic/, openai/, x-ai/,
google/gemini-2, qwen/qwen3) or when using Nous Portal directly.

Applies to both the main API call path (_build_api_kwargs) and the
conversation summary path.

Fixes #1083

* test(agent): cover reasoning extra_body gating

---------

Co-authored-by: ygd58 <buraysandro9@gmail.com>

AGENTS.md

@@ -235,6 +235,7 @@ hermes_cli/skin_engine.py    # SkinConfig dataclass, built-in skins, YAML loader
 | Spinner verbs | `spinner.thinking_verbs` | `display.py` |
 | Spinner wings (optional) | `spinner.wings` | `display.py` |
 | Tool output prefix | `tool_prefix` | `display.py` |
+| Per-tool emojis | `tool_emojis` | `display.py` → `get_tool_emoji()` |
 | Agent name | `branding.agent_name` | `banner.py`, `cli.py` |
 | Welcome message | `branding.welcome` | `cli.py` |
 | Response box label | `branding.response_label` | `cli.py` |

acp_adapter/entry.py

@@ -42,19 +42,16 @@ def _setup_logging() -> None:
 
 def _load_env() -> None:
     """Load .env from HERMES_HOME (default ``~/.hermes``)."""
-    from dotenv import load_dotenv
+    from hermes_cli.env_loader import load_hermes_dotenv
 
     hermes_home = Path(os.getenv("HERMES_HOME", Path.home() / ".hermes"))
-    env_file = hermes_home / ".env"
-    if env_file.exists():
-        try:
-            load_dotenv(dotenv_path=env_file, encoding="utf-8")
-        except UnicodeDecodeError:
-            load_dotenv(dotenv_path=env_file, encoding="latin-1")
-        logging.getLogger(__name__).info("Loaded env from %s", env_file)
+    loaded = load_hermes_dotenv(hermes_home=hermes_home)
+    if loaded:
+        for env_file in loaded:
+            logging.getLogger(__name__).info("Loaded env from %s", env_file)
     else:
         logging.getLogger(__name__).info(
-            "No .env found at %s, using system env", env_file
+            "No .env found at %s, using system env", hermes_home / ".env"
         )
 
 

agent/anthropic_adapter.py

@@ -497,6 +497,66 @@ def convert_tools_to_anthropic(tools: List[Dict]) -> List[Dict]:
     return result
 
 
+def _image_source_from_openai_url(url: str) -> Dict[str, str]:
+    """Convert an OpenAI-style image URL/data URL into Anthropic image source."""
+    url = str(url or "").strip()
+    if not url:
+        return {"type": "url", "url": ""}
+
+    if url.startswith("data:"):
+        header, _, data = url.partition(",")
+        media_type = "image/jpeg"
+        if header.startswith("data:"):
+            mime_part = header[len("data:"):].split(";", 1)[0].strip()
+            if mime_part.startswith("image/"):
+                media_type = mime_part
+        return {
+            "type": "base64",
+            "media_type": media_type,
+            "data": data,
+        }
+
+    return {"type": "url", "url": url}
+
+
+def _convert_content_part_to_anthropic(part: Any) -> Optional[Dict[str, Any]]:
+    """Convert a single OpenAI-style content part to Anthropic format."""
+    if part is None:
+        return None
+    if isinstance(part, str):
+        return {"type": "text", "text": part}
+    if not isinstance(part, dict):
+        return {"type": "text", "text": str(part)}
+
+    ptype = part.get("type")
+
+    if ptype == "input_text":
+        block: Dict[str, Any] = {"type": "text", "text": part.get("text", "")}
+    elif ptype in {"image_url", "input_image"}:
+        image_value = part.get("image_url", {})
+        url = image_value.get("url", "") if isinstance(image_value, dict) else str(image_value or "")
+        block = {"type": "image", "source": _image_source_from_openai_url(url)}
+    else:
+        block = dict(part)
+
+    if isinstance(part.get("cache_control"), dict) and "cache_control" not in block:
+        block["cache_control"] = dict(part["cache_control"])
+    return block
+
+
+def _convert_content_to_anthropic(content: Any) -> Any:
+    """Convert OpenAI-style multimodal content arrays to Anthropic blocks."""
+    if not isinstance(content, list):
+        return content
+
+    converted = []
+    for part in content:
+        block = _convert_content_part_to_anthropic(part)
+        if block is not None:
+            converted.append(block)
+    return converted
+
+
 def convert_messages_to_anthropic(
     messages: List[Dict],
 ) -> Tuple[Optional[Any], List[Dict]]:
@@ -533,11 +593,9 @@ def convert_messages_to_anthropic(
             blocks = []
             if content:
                 if isinstance(content, list):
-                    for part in content:
-                        if isinstance(part, dict):
-                            blocks.append(dict(part))
-                        elif part is not None:
-                            blocks.append({"type": "text", "text": str(part)})
+                    converted_content = _convert_content_to_anthropic(content)
+                    if isinstance(converted_content, list):
+                        blocks.extend(converted_content)
                 else:
                     blocks.append({"type": "text", "text": str(content)})
             for tc in m.get("tool_calls", []):
@@ -587,12 +645,11 @@ def convert_messages_to_anthropic(
 
         # Regular user message
         if isinstance(content, list):
-            converted_blocks = []
-            for part in content:
-                converted = _convert_user_content_part_to_anthropic(part)
-                if converted is not None:
-                    converted_blocks.append(converted)
-            result.append({"role": "user", "content": converted_blocks or [{"type": "text", "text": ""}]})
+            converted_blocks = _convert_content_to_anthropic(content)
+            result.append({
+                "role": "user",
+                "content": converted_blocks or [{"type": "text", "text": ""}],
+            })
         else:
             result.append({"role": "user", "content": content})
 

agent/auxiliary_client.py

@@ -83,7 +83,10 @@ _AUTH_JSON_PATH = get_hermes_home() / "auth.json"
 
 # Codex fallback: uses the Responses API (the only endpoint the Codex
 # OAuth token can access) with a fast model for auxiliary tasks.
-_CODEX_AUX_MODEL = "gpt-5.3-codex"
+# ChatGPT-backed Codex accounts currently reject gpt-5.3-codex for these
+# auxiliary flows, while gpt-5.2-codex remains broadly available and supports
+# vision via Responses.
+_CODEX_AUX_MODEL = "gpt-5.2-codex"
 _CODEX_AUX_BASE_URL = "https://chatgpt.com/backend-api/codex"
 
 

agent/display.py

@@ -59,6 +59,32 @@ def get_skin_tool_prefix() -> str:
     return "┊"
 
 
+def get_tool_emoji(tool_name: str, default: str = "⚡") -> str:
+    """Get the display emoji for a tool.
+
+    Resolution order:
+    1. Active skin's ``tool_emojis`` overrides (if a skin is loaded)
+    2. Tool registry's per-tool ``emoji`` field
+    3. *default* fallback
+    """
+    # 1. Skin override
+    skin = _get_skin()
+    if skin and skin.tool_emojis:
+        override = skin.tool_emojis.get(tool_name)
+        if override:
+            return override
+    # 2. Registry default
+    try:
+        from tools.registry import registry
+        emoji = registry.get_emoji(tool_name, default="")
+        if emoji:
+            return emoji
+    except Exception:
+        pass
+    # 3. Hardcoded fallback
+    return default
+
+
 # =========================================================================
 # Tool preview (one-line summary of a tool call's primary argument)
 # =========================================================================

cli.py

@@ -61,23 +61,14 @@ import queue
 _COMMAND_SPINNER_FRAMES = ("⠋", "⠙", "⠹", "⠸", "⠼", "⠴", "⠦", "⠧", "⠇", "⠏")
 
 
-# Load .env from ~/.hermes/.env first, then project root as dev fallback
-from dotenv import load_dotenv
+# 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 OPENROUTER_BASE_URL
+from hermes_cli.env_loader import load_hermes_dotenv
 
 _hermes_home = Path(os.getenv("HERMES_HOME", Path.home() / ".hermes"))
-_user_env = _hermes_home / ".env"
 _project_env = Path(__file__).parent / '.env'
-if _user_env.exists():
-    try:
-        load_dotenv(dotenv_path=_user_env, encoding="utf-8")
-    except UnicodeDecodeError:
-        load_dotenv(dotenv_path=_user_env, encoding="latin-1")
-elif _project_env.exists():
-    try:
-        load_dotenv(dotenv_path=_project_env, encoding="utf-8")
-    except UnicodeDecodeError:
-        load_dotenv(dotenv_path=_project_env, encoding="latin-1")
+load_hermes_dotenv(hermes_home=_hermes_home, project_env=_project_env)
 
 # Point mini-swe-agent at ~/.hermes/ so it shares our config
 os.environ.setdefault("MSWEA_GLOBAL_CONFIG_DIR", str(_hermes_home))
@@ -1423,7 +1414,7 @@ class HermesCLI:
                 max_iterations=self.max_turns,
                 enabled_toolsets=self.enabled_toolsets,
                 verbose_logging=self.verbose,
-                quiet_mode=True,
+                quiet_mode=not self.verbose,
                 ephemeral_system_prompt=self.system_prompt if self.system_prompt else None,
                 prefill_messages=self.prefill_messages or None,
                 reasoning_config=self.reasoning_config,
@@ -1437,7 +1428,7 @@ class HermesCLI:
                 platform="cli",
                 session_db=self._session_db,
                 clarify_callback=self._clarify_callback,
-                reasoning_callback=self._on_reasoning if self.show_reasoning else None,
+                reasoning_callback=self._on_reasoning if (self.show_reasoning or self.verbose) else None,
                 honcho_session_key=None,  # resolved by run_agent via config sessions map / title
                 fallback_model=self._fallback_model,
                 thinking_callback=self._on_thinking,
@@ -3294,12 +3285,17 @@ class HermesCLI:
         if self.agent:
             self.agent.verbose_logging = self.verbose
             self.agent.quiet_mode = not self.verbose
+            # Auto-enable reasoning display in verbose mode
+            if self.verbose:
+                self.agent.reasoning_callback = self._on_reasoning
+            elif not self.show_reasoning:
+                self.agent.reasoning_callback = None
 
         labels = {
             "off": "[dim]Tool progress: OFF[/] — silent mode, just the final response.",
             "new": "[yellow]Tool progress: NEW[/] — show each new tool (skip repeats).",
             "all": "[green]Tool progress: ALL[/] — show every tool call.",
-            "verbose": "[bold green]Tool progress: VERBOSE[/] — full args, results, and debug logs.",
+            "verbose": "[bold green]Tool progress: VERBOSE[/] — full args, results, think blocks, and debug logs.",
         }
         self.console.print(labels.get(self.tool_progress_mode, ""))
 
@@ -3366,13 +3362,17 @@ class HermesCLI:
 
     def _on_reasoning(self, reasoning_text: str):
         """Callback for intermediate reasoning display during tool-call loops."""
-        lines = reasoning_text.strip().splitlines()
-        if len(lines) > 5:
-            preview = "\n".join(lines[:5])
-            preview += f"\n  ... ({len(lines) - 5} more lines)"
+        if self.verbose:
+            # Verbose mode: show full reasoning text
+            _cprint(f"  {_DIM}[thinking] {reasoning_text.strip()}{_RST}")
         else:
-            preview = reasoning_text.strip()
-        _cprint(f"  {_DIM}[thinking] {preview}{_RST}")
+            lines = reasoning_text.strip().splitlines()
+            if len(lines) > 5:
+                preview = "\n".join(lines[:5])
+                preview += f"\n  ... ({len(lines) - 5} more lines)"
+            else:
+                preview = reasoning_text.strip()
+            _cprint(f"  {_DIM}[thinking] {preview}{_RST}")
 
     def _manual_compress(self):
         """Manually trigger context compression on the current conversation."""
@@ -3493,6 +3493,56 @@ class HermesCLI:
         except Exception as e:
             print(f"  Error generating insights: {e}")
 
+    def _check_config_mcp_changes(self) -> None:
+        """Detect mcp_servers changes in config.yaml and auto-reload MCP connections.
+
+        Called from process_loop every CONFIG_WATCH_INTERVAL seconds.
+        Compares config.yaml mtime + mcp_servers section against the last
+        known state.  When a change is detected, triggers _reload_mcp() and
+        informs the user so they know the tool list has been refreshed.
+        """
+        import time
+        import yaml as _yaml
+
+        CONFIG_WATCH_INTERVAL = 5.0  # seconds between config.yaml stat() calls
+
+        now = time.monotonic()
+        if now - self._last_config_check < CONFIG_WATCH_INTERVAL:
+            return
+        self._last_config_check = now
+
+        from hermes_cli.config import get_config_path as _get_config_path
+        cfg_path = _get_config_path()
+        if not cfg_path.exists():
+            return
+
+        try:
+            mtime = cfg_path.stat().st_mtime
+        except OSError:
+            return
+
+        if mtime == self._config_mtime:
+            return  # File unchanged — fast path
+
+        # File changed — check whether mcp_servers section changed
+        self._config_mtime = mtime
+        try:
+            with open(cfg_path, encoding="utf-8") as f:
+                new_cfg = _yaml.safe_load(f) or {}
+        except Exception:
+            return
+
+        new_mcp = new_cfg.get("mcp_servers") or {}
+        if new_mcp == self._config_mcp_servers:
+            return  # mcp_servers unchanged (some other section was edited)
+
+        self._config_mcp_servers = new_mcp
+        # Notify user and reload
+        print()
+        print("🔄 MCP server config changed — reloading connections...")
+        with self._busy_command(self._slow_command_status("/reload-mcp")):
+            self._reload_mcp()
+
     def _reload_mcp(self):
         """Reload MCP servers: disconnect all, re-read config.yaml, reconnect.
 
@@ -4758,6 +4808,12 @@ class HermesCLI:
         self._interrupt_queue = queue.Queue()   # For messages typed while agent is running
         self._should_exit = False
         self._last_ctrl_c_time = 0  # Track double Ctrl+C for force exit
+        # Config file watcher — detect mcp_servers changes and auto-reload
+        from hermes_cli.config import get_config_path as _get_config_path
+        _cfg_path = _get_config_path()
+        self._config_mtime: float = _cfg_path.stat().st_mtime if _cfg_path.exists() else 0.0
+        self._config_mcp_servers: dict = self.config.get("mcp_servers") or {}
+        self._last_config_check: float = 0.0  # monotonic time of last check
 
         # Clarify tool state: interactive question/answer with the user.
         # When the agent calls the clarify tool, _clarify_state is set and
@@ -4806,7 +4862,7 @@ class HermesCLI:
         # Ensure tirith security scanner is available (downloads if needed)
         try:
             from tools.tirith_security import ensure_installed
-            ensure_installed()
+            ensure_installed(log_failures=False)
         except Exception:
             pass  # Non-fatal — fail-open at scan time if unavailable
         
@@ -5691,6 +5747,9 @@ class HermesCLI:
                     try:
                         user_input = self._pending_input.get(timeout=0.1)
                     except queue.Empty:
+                        # Periodic config watcher — auto-reload MCP on mcp_servers change
+                        if not self._agent_running:
+                            self._check_config_mcp_changes()
                         continue
                     
                     if not user_input:

gateway/platforms/base.py

@@ -288,6 +288,7 @@ class MessageEvent:
     message_id: Optional[str] = None
     
     # Media attachments
+    # media_urls: local file paths (for vision tool access)
     media_urls: List[str] = field(default_factory=list)
     media_types: List[str] = field(default_factory=list)
     
@@ -355,6 +356,10 @@ class BasePlatformAdapter(ABC):
         # Key: session_key (e.g., chat_id), Value: (event, asyncio.Event for interrupt)
         self._active_sessions: Dict[str, asyncio.Event] = {}
         self._pending_messages: Dict[str, MessageEvent] = {}
+        # Background message-processing tasks spawned by handle_message().
+        # Gateway shutdown cancels these so an old gateway instance doesn't keep
+        # working on a task after --replace or manual restarts.
+        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()
 
@@ -751,7 +756,25 @@ class BasePlatformAdapter(ABC):
         
         # Check if there's already an active handler for this session
         if session_key in self._active_sessions:
-            # Store this as a pending message - it will interrupt the running agent
+            # 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.
+            if event.message_type == MessageType.PHOTO:
+                print(f"[{self.name}] 🖼️ Queuing photo follow-up for session {session_key} without interrupt")
+                existing = self._pending_messages.get(session_key)
+                if existing and existing.message_type == MessageType.PHOTO:
+                    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()
+                else:
+                    self._pending_messages[session_key] = event
+                return  # Don't interrupt now - will run after current task completes
+
+            # Default behavior for non-photo follow-ups: interrupt the running agent
             print(f"[{self.name}] ⚡ New message while session {session_key} is active - triggering interrupt")
             self._pending_messages[session_key] = event
             # Signal the interrupt (the processing task checks this)
@@ -759,7 +782,15 @@ class BasePlatformAdapter(ABC):
             return  # Don't process now - will be handled after current task finishes
         
         # Spawn background task to process this message
-        asyncio.create_task(self._process_message_background(event, session_key))
+        task = asyncio.create_task(self._process_message_background(event, session_key))
+        try:
+            self._background_tasks.add(task)
+        except TypeError:
+            # Some tests stub create_task() with lightweight sentinels that are not
+            # hashable and do not support lifecycle callbacks.
+            return
+        if hasattr(task, "add_done_callback"):
+            task.add_done_callback(self._background_tasks.discard)
     
     @staticmethod
     def _get_human_delay() -> float:
@@ -969,6 +1000,21 @@ class BasePlatformAdapter(ABC):
             if session_key in self._active_sessions:
                 del self._active_sessions[session_key]
     
+    async def cancel_background_tasks(self) -> None:
+        """Cancel any in-flight background message-processing tasks.
+
+        Used during gateway shutdown/replacement so active sessions from the old
+        process do not keep running after adapters are being torn down.
+        """
+        tasks = [task for task in self._background_tasks if not task.done()]
+        for task in tasks:
+            task.cancel()
+        if tasks:
+            await asyncio.gather(*tasks, return_exceptions=True)
+        self._background_tasks.clear()
+        self._pending_messages.clear()
+        self._active_sessions.clear()
+
     def has_pending_interrupt(self, session_key: str) -> bool:
         """Check if there's a pending interrupt for a session."""
         return session_key in self._active_sessions and self._active_sessions[session_key].is_set()

gateway/platforms/discord.py

@@ -87,8 +87,9 @@ class VoiceReceiver:
     SAMPLE_RATE = 48000        # Discord native rate
     CHANNELS = 2               # Discord sends stereo
 
-    def __init__(self, voice_client):
+    def __init__(self, voice_client, allowed_user_ids: set = None):
         self._vc = voice_client
+        self._allowed_user_ids = allowed_user_ids or set()
         self._running = False
 
         # Decryption
@@ -274,19 +275,21 @@ class VoiceReceiver:
         if self._dave_session:
             with self._lock:
                 user_id = self._ssrc_to_user.get(ssrc, 0)
-            if user_id == 0:
-                if self._packet_debug_count <= 10:
-                    logger.warning("DAVE skip: unknown user for ssrc=%d", ssrc)
-                return  # unknown user, can't DAVE-decrypt
-            try:
-                import davey
-                decrypted = self._dave_session.decrypt(
-                    user_id, davey.MediaType.audio, decrypted
-                )
-            except Exception as e:
-                if self._packet_debug_count <= 10:
-                    logger.warning("DAVE decrypt failed for ssrc=%d: %s", ssrc, e)
-                return
+            if user_id:
+                try:
+                    import davey
+                    decrypted = self._dave_session.decrypt(
+                        user_id, davey.MediaType.audio, decrypted
+                    )
+                except Exception as e:
+                    # Unencrypted passthrough — use NaCl-decrypted data as-is
+                    if "Unencrypted" not in str(e):
+                        if self._packet_debug_count <= 10:
+                            logger.warning("DAVE decrypt failed for ssrc=%d: %s", ssrc, e)
+                        return
+            # If SSRC unknown (no SPEAKING event yet), skip DAVE and try
+            # Opus decode directly — audio may be in passthrough mode.
+            # Buffer will get a user_id when SPEAKING event arrives later.
 
         # --- Opus decode -> PCM ---
         try:
@@ -304,6 +307,32 @@ class VoiceReceiver:
     # Silence detection
     # ------------------------------------------------------------------
 
+    def _infer_user_for_ssrc(self, ssrc: int) -> int:
+        """Try to infer user_id for an unmapped SSRC.
+
+        When the bot rejoins a voice channel, Discord may not resend
+        SPEAKING events for users already speaking.  If exactly one
+        allowed user is in the channel, map the SSRC to them.
+        """
+        try:
+            channel = self._vc.channel
+            if not channel:
+                return 0
+            bot_id = self._vc.user.id if self._vc.user else 0
+            allowed = self._allowed_user_ids
+            candidates = [
+                m.id for m in channel.members
+                if m.id != bot_id and (not allowed or str(m.id) in allowed)
+            ]
+            if len(candidates) == 1:
+                uid = candidates[0]
+                self._ssrc_to_user[ssrc] = uid
+                logger.info("Auto-mapped ssrc=%d -> user=%d (sole allowed member)", ssrc, uid)
+                return uid
+        except Exception:
+            pass
+        return 0
+
     def check_silence(self) -> list:
         """Return list of (user_id, pcm_bytes) for completed utterances."""
         now = time.monotonic()
@@ -322,6 +351,10 @@ class VoiceReceiver:
 
                 if silence_duration >= self.SILENCE_THRESHOLD and buf_duration >= self.MIN_SPEECH_DURATION:
                     user_id = ssrc_user_map.get(ssrc, 0)
+                    if not user_id:
+                        # SSRC not mapped (SPEAKING event missing after bot rejoin).
+                        # Infer from allowed users in the voice channel.
+                        user_id = self._infer_user_for_ssrc(ssrc)
                     if user_id:
                         completed.append((user_id, bytes(buf)))
                     self._buffers[ssrc] = bytearray()
@@ -400,6 +433,9 @@ class DiscordAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
         self._voice_listen_tasks: Dict[int, asyncio.Task] = {}  # guild_id -> listen loop
         self._voice_input_callback: Optional[Callable] = None  # set by run.py
         self._on_voice_disconnect: Optional[Callable] = None  # set by run.py
+        # Track threads where the bot has participated so follow-up messages
+        # in those threads don't require @mention.
+        self._bot_participated_threads: set = set()
     
     async def connect(self) -> bool:
         """Connect to Discord and start receiving events."""
@@ -580,7 +616,7 @@ class DiscordAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
         """Send a message to a Discord channel."""
         if not self._client:
             return SendResult(success=False, error="Not connected")
-        
+
         try:
             # Get the channel
             channel = self._client.get_channel(int(chat_id))
@@ -695,13 +731,14 @@ class DiscordAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
     ) -> SendResult:
         """Play auto-TTS audio.
 
-        When the bot is in a voice channel for this chat's guild, skip the
-        file attachment — the gateway runner plays audio in the VC instead.
+        When the bot is in a voice channel for this chat's guild, play
+        directly in the VC instead of sending as a file attachment.
         """
         for gid, text_ch_id in self._voice_text_channels.items():
             if str(text_ch_id) == str(chat_id) and self.is_in_voice_channel(gid):
-                logger.debug("[%s] Skipping play_tts for %s — VC playback handled by runner", self.name, chat_id)
-                return SendResult(success=True)
+                logger.info("[%s] Playing TTS in voice channel (guild=%d)", self.name, gid)
+                success = await self.play_in_voice_channel(gid, audio_path)
+                return SendResult(success=success)
         return await self.send_voice(chat_id=chat_id, audio_path=audio_path, **kwargs)
 
     async def send_voice(
@@ -805,7 +842,7 @@ class DiscordAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
 
         # Start voice receiver (Phase 2: listen to users)
         try:
-            receiver = VoiceReceiver(vc)
+            receiver = VoiceReceiver(vc, allowed_user_ids=self._allowed_user_ids)
             receiver.start()
             self._voice_receivers[guild_id] = receiver
             self._voice_listen_tasks[guild_id] = asyncio.ensure_future(
@@ -1001,14 +1038,32 @@ class DiscordAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
     # Voice listening (Phase 2)
     # ------------------------------------------------------------------
 
+    # UDP keepalive interval in seconds — prevents Discord from dropping
+    # the UDP route after ~60s of silence.
+    _KEEPALIVE_INTERVAL = 15
+
     async def _voice_listen_loop(self, guild_id: int):
         """Periodically check for completed utterances and process them."""
         receiver = self._voice_receivers.get(guild_id)
         if not receiver:
             return
+        last_keepalive = time.monotonic()
         try:
             while receiver._running:
                 await asyncio.sleep(0.2)
+
+                # Send periodic UDP keepalive to prevent Discord from
+                # dropping the UDP session after ~60s of silence.
+                now = time.monotonic()
+                if now - last_keepalive >= self._KEEPALIVE_INTERVAL:
+                    last_keepalive = now
+                    try:
+                        vc = self._voice_clients.get(guild_id)
+                        if vc and vc.is_connected():
+                            vc._connection.send_packet(b'\xf8\xff\xfe')
+                    except Exception:
+                        pass
+
                 completed = receiver.check_silence()
                 for user_id, pcm_data in completed:
                     if not self._is_allowed_user(str(user_id)):
@@ -1746,14 +1801,13 @@ class DiscordAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
     async def _handle_message(self, message: DiscordMessage) -> None:
         """Handle incoming Discord messages."""
         # In server channels (not DMs), require the bot to be @mentioned
-        # UNLESS the channel is in the free-response list.
+        # UNLESS the channel is in the free-response list or the message is
+        # in a thread where the bot has already participated.
         #
-        # Config:
-        #   DISCORD_FREE_RESPONSE_CHANNELS: Comma-separated channel IDs where the
-        #       bot responds to every message without needing a mention.
-        #   DISCORD_REQUIRE_MENTION: Set to "false" to disable mention requirement
-        #       globally (all channels become free-response). Default: "true".
-        #       Can also be set via discord.require_mention in config.yaml.
+        # Config (all settable via discord.* in config.yaml):
+        #   discord.require_mention: Require @mention in server channels (default: true)
+        #   discord.free_response_channels: Channel IDs where bot responds without mention
+        #   discord.auto_thread: Auto-create thread on @mention in channels (default: true)
 
         thread_id = None
         parent_channel_id = None
@@ -1772,7 +1826,11 @@ class DiscordAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
             require_mention = os.getenv("DISCORD_REQUIRE_MENTION", "true").lower() not in ("false", "0", "no")
             is_free_channel = bool(channel_ids & free_channels)
 
-            if require_mention and not is_free_channel:
+            # Skip the mention check if the message is in a thread where
+            # the bot has previously participated (auto-created or replied in).
+            in_bot_thread = is_thread and thread_id in self._bot_participated_threads
+
+            if require_mention and not is_free_channel and not in_bot_thread:
                 if self._client.user not in message.mentions:
                     return
 
@@ -1781,17 +1839,18 @@ class DiscordAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
                 message.content = message.content.replace(f"<@!{self._client.user.id}>", "").strip()
 
         # Auto-thread: when enabled, automatically create a thread for every
-        # new message in a text channel so each conversation is isolated.
+        # @mention in a text channel so each conversation is isolated (like Slack).
         # Messages already inside threads or DMs are unaffected.
         auto_threaded_channel = None
         if not is_thread and not isinstance(message.channel, discord.DMChannel):
-            auto_thread = os.getenv("DISCORD_AUTO_THREAD", "").lower() in ("true", "1", "yes")
+            auto_thread = os.getenv("DISCORD_AUTO_THREAD", "true").lower() in ("true", "1", "yes")
             if auto_thread:
                 thread = await self._auto_create_thread(message)
                 if thread:
                     is_thread = True
                     thread_id = str(thread.id)
                     auto_threaded_channel = thread
+                    self._bot_participated_threads.add(thread_id)
 
         # Determine message type
         msg_type = MessageType.TEXT
@@ -1891,7 +1950,12 @@ class DiscordAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
             reply_to_message_id=str(message.reference.message_id) if message.reference else None,
             timestamp=message.created_at,
         )
-        
+
+        # Track thread participation so the bot won't require @mention for
+        # follow-up messages in threads it has already engaged in.
+        if thread_id:
+            self._bot_participated_threads.add(thread_id)
+
         await self.handle_message(event)
 
 

gateway/platforms/telegram.py

@@ -111,6 +111,11 @@ class TelegramAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
         super().__init__(config, Platform.TELEGRAM)
         self._app: Optional[Application] = None
         self._bot: Optional[Bot] = None
+        # Buffer rapid/album photo updates so Telegram image bursts are handled
+        # as a single MessageEvent instead of self-interrupting multiple turns.
+        self._media_batch_delay_seconds = float(os.getenv("HERMES_TELEGRAM_MEDIA_BATCH_DELAY_SECONDS", "0.8"))
+        self._pending_photo_batches: Dict[str, MessageEvent] = {}
+        self._pending_photo_batch_tasks: Dict[str, asyncio.Task] = {}
         self._media_group_events: Dict[str, MessageEvent] = {}
         self._media_group_tasks: Dict[str, asyncio.Task] = {}
         self._token_lock_identity: Optional[str] = None
@@ -289,13 +294,19 @@ class TelegramAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
                 release_scoped_lock("telegram-bot-token", self._token_lock_identity)
             except Exception as e:
                 logger.warning("[%s] Error releasing Telegram token lock: %s", self.name, e, exc_info=True)
-        
+
+        for task in self._pending_photo_batch_tasks.values():
+            if task and not task.done():
+                task.cancel()
+        self._pending_photo_batch_tasks.clear()
+        self._pending_photo_batches.clear()
+
         self._mark_disconnected()
         self._app = None
         self._bot = None
         self._token_lock_identity = None
         logger.info("[%s] Disconnected from Telegram", self.name)
-    
+
     async def send(
         self,
         chat_id: str,
@@ -311,6 +322,14 @@ class TelegramAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
             # Format and split message if needed
             formatted = self.format_message(content)
             chunks = self.truncate_message(formatted, self.MAX_MESSAGE_LENGTH)
+            if len(chunks) > 1:
+                # truncate_message appends a raw " (1/2)" suffix. Escape the
+                # MarkdownV2-special parentheses so Telegram doesn't reject the
+                # chunk and fall back to plain text.
+                chunks = [
+                    re.sub(r" \((\d+)/(\d+)\)$", r" \\(\1/\2\\)", chunk)
+                    for chunk in chunks
+                ]
             
             message_ids = []
             thread_id = metadata.get("thread_id") if metadata else None
@@ -807,6 +826,49 @@ class TelegramAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
         event.text = "\n".join(parts)
         await self.handle_message(event)
 
+    def _photo_batch_key(self, event: MessageEvent, msg: Message) -> str:
+        """Return a batching key for Telegram photos/albums."""
+        from gateway.session import build_session_key
+        session_key = build_session_key(event.source)
+        media_group_id = getattr(msg, "media_group_id", None)
+        if media_group_id:
+            return f"{session_key}:album:{media_group_id}"
+        return f"{session_key}:photo-burst"
+
+    async def _flush_photo_batch(self, batch_key: str) -> None:
+        """Send a buffered photo burst/album as a single MessageEvent."""
+        current_task = asyncio.current_task()
+        try:
+            await asyncio.sleep(self._media_batch_delay_seconds)
+            event = self._pending_photo_batches.pop(batch_key, None)
+            if not event:
+                return
+            logger.info("[Telegram] Flushing photo batch %s with %d image(s)", batch_key, len(event.media_urls))
+            await self.handle_message(event)
+        finally:
+            if self._pending_photo_batch_tasks.get(batch_key) is current_task:
+                self._pending_photo_batch_tasks.pop(batch_key, None)
+
+    def _enqueue_photo_event(self, batch_key: str, event: MessageEvent) -> None:
+        """Merge photo events into a pending batch and schedule flush."""
+        existing = self._pending_photo_batches.get(batch_key)
+        if existing is None:
+            self._pending_photo_batches[batch_key] = event
+        else:
+            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()
+
+        prior_task = self._pending_photo_batch_tasks.get(batch_key)
+        if prior_task and not prior_task.done():
+            prior_task.cancel()
+
+        self._pending_photo_batch_tasks[batch_key] = asyncio.create_task(self._flush_photo_batch(batch_key))
+
     async def _handle_media_message(self, update: Update, context: ContextTypes.DEFAULT_TYPE) -> None:
         """Handle incoming media messages, downloading images to local cache."""
         if not update.message:
@@ -858,14 +920,22 @@ class TelegramAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
                         if file_obj.file_path.lower().endswith(candidate):
                             ext = candidate
                             break
-                # Save to cache and populate media_urls with the local path
+                # Save to local cache (for vision tool access)
                 cached_path = cache_image_from_bytes(bytes(image_bytes), ext=ext)
                 event.media_urls = [cached_path]
-                event.media_types = [f"image/{ext.lstrip('.')}"]
+                event.media_types = [f"image/{ext.lstrip('.')}" ]
                 logger.info("[Telegram] Cached user photo at %s", cached_path)
+                media_group_id = getattr(msg, "media_group_id", None)
+                if media_group_id:
+                    await self._queue_media_group_event(str(media_group_id), event)
+                else:
+                    batch_key = self._photo_batch_key(event, msg)
+                    self._enqueue_photo_event(batch_key, event)
+                return
+
             except Exception as e:
                 logger.warning("[Telegram] Failed to cache photo: %s", e, exc_info=True)
-        
+
         # Download voice/audio messages to cache for STT transcription
         if msg.voice:
             try:

gateway/run.py

@@ -35,16 +35,12 @@ sys.path.insert(0, str(Path(__file__).parent.parent))
 # Resolve Hermes home directory (respects HERMES_HOME override)
 _hermes_home = Path(os.getenv("HERMES_HOME", Path.home() / ".hermes"))
 
-# Load environment variables from ~/.hermes/.env first
-from dotenv import load_dotenv
+# Load environment variables from ~/.hermes/.env first.
+# User-managed env files should override stale shell exports on restart.
+from dotenv import load_dotenv  # backward-compat for tests that monkeypatch this symbol
+from hermes_cli.env_loader import load_hermes_dotenv
 _env_path = _hermes_home / '.env'
-if _env_path.exists():
-    try:
-        load_dotenv(_env_path, encoding="utf-8")
-    except UnicodeDecodeError:
-        load_dotenv(_env_path, encoding="latin-1")
-# Also try project .env as fallback
-load_dotenv()
+load_hermes_dotenv(hermes_home=_hermes_home, project_env=Path(__file__).resolve().parents[1] / '.env')
 
 # Bridge config.yaml values into the environment so os.getenv() picks them up.
 # config.yaml is authoritative for terminal settings — overrides .env.
@@ -309,7 +305,7 @@ class GatewayRunner:
         # Ensure tirith security scanner is available (downloads if needed)
         try:
             from tools.tirith_security import ensure_installed
-            ensure_installed()
+            ensure_installed(log_failures=False)
         except Exception:
             pass  # Non-fatal — fail-open at scan time if unavailable
         
@@ -900,8 +896,19 @@ class GatewayRunner:
         """Stop the gateway and disconnect all adapters."""
         logger.info("Stopping gateway...")
         self._running = False
-        
+
+        for session_key, agent in list(self._running_agents.items()):
+            try:
+                agent.interrupt("Gateway shutting down")
+                logger.debug("Interrupted running agent for session %s during shutdown", session_key[:20])
+            except Exception as e:
+                logger.debug("Failed interrupting agent during shutdown: %s", e)
+
         for platform, adapter in list(self.adapters.items()):
+            try:
+                await adapter.cancel_background_tasks()
+            except Exception as e:
+                logger.debug("✗ %s background-task cancel error: %s", platform.value, e)
             try:
                 await adapter.disconnect()
                 logger.info("✓ %s disconnected", platform.value)
@@ -909,6 +916,9 @@ class GatewayRunner:
                 logger.error("✗ %s disconnect error: %s", platform.value, e)
 
         self.adapters.clear()
+        self._running_agents.clear()
+        self._pending_messages.clear()
+        self._pending_approvals.clear()
         self._shutdown_all_gateway_honcho()
         self._shutdown_event.set()
         
@@ -1095,11 +1105,39 @@ class GatewayRunner:
                         )
             return None
         
-        # PRIORITY: If an agent is already running for this session, interrupt it
-        # immediately. This is before command parsing to minimize latency -- the
-        # user's "stop" message reaches the agent as fast as possible.
+        # PRIORITY handling when an agent is already running for this session.
+        # Default behavior is to interrupt immediately so user text/stop messages
+        # are handled with minimal latency.
+        #
+        # Special case: Telegram/photo bursts often arrive as multiple near-
+        # simultaneous updates. Do NOT interrupt for photo-only follow-ups here;
+        # let the adapter-level batching/queueing logic absorb them.
         _quick_key = build_session_key(source)
         if _quick_key in self._running_agents:
+            if event.get_command() == "status":
+                return await self._handle_status_command(event)
+
+            if event.message_type == MessageType.PHOTO:
+                logger.debug("PRIORITY photo follow-up for session %s — queueing without interrupt", _quick_key[:20])
+                adapter = self.adapters.get(source.platform)
+                if adapter:
+                    # Reuse adapter queue semantics so photo bursts merge cleanly.
+                    if _quick_key in adapter._pending_messages:
+                        existing = adapter._pending_messages[_quick_key]
+                        if getattr(existing, "message_type", None) == MessageType.PHOTO:
+                            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()
+                        else:
+                            adapter._pending_messages[_quick_key] = event
+                    else:
+                        adapter._pending_messages[_quick_key] = event
+                return None
+
             running_agent = self._running_agents[_quick_key]
             logger.debug("PRIORITY interrupt for session %s", _quick_key[:20])
             running_agent.interrupt(event.text)
@@ -1787,6 +1825,8 @@ class GatewayRunner:
             # Update session with actual prompt token count and model from the agent
             self.session_store.update_session(
                 session_entry.session_key,
+                input_tokens=agent_result.get("input_tokens", 0),
+                output_tokens=agent_result.get("output_tokens", 0),
                 last_prompt_tokens=agent_result.get("last_prompt_tokens", 0),
                 model=agent_result.get("model"),
             )
@@ -2396,6 +2436,13 @@ class GatewayRunner:
         except Exception as e:
             logger.warning("Failed to join voice channel: %s", e)
             adapter._voice_input_callback = None
+            err_lower = str(e).lower()
+            if "pynacl" in err_lower or "nacl" in err_lower or "davey" in err_lower:
+                return (
+                    "Voice dependencies are missing (PyNaCl / davey). "
+                    "Install or reinstall Hermes with the messaging extra, e.g. "
+                    "`pip install hermes-agent[messaging]`."
+                )
             return f"Failed to join voice channel: {e}"
 
         if success:
@@ -2536,18 +2583,9 @@ class GatewayRunner:
         if has_agent_tts:
             return False
 
-        # Dedup: base adapter auto-TTS already handles voice input.
-        # Exception: Discord voice channel — play_tts override is a no-op,
-        # so the runner must handle VC playback.
-        skip_double = is_voice_input
-        if skip_double:
-            adapter = self.adapters.get(event.source.platform)
-            guild_id = self._get_guild_id(event)
-            if (guild_id and adapter
-                    and hasattr(adapter, "is_in_voice_channel")
-                    and adapter.is_in_voice_channel(guild_id)):
-                skip_double = False
-        if skip_double:
+        # Dedup: base adapter auto-TTS already handles voice input
+        # (play_tts plays in VC when connected, so runner can skip).
+        if is_voice_input:
             return False
 
         return True
@@ -3469,10 +3507,12 @@ class GatewayRunner:
         os.environ["HERMES_SESSION_CHAT_ID"] = context.source.chat_id
         if context.source.chat_name:
             os.environ["HERMES_SESSION_CHAT_NAME"] = context.source.chat_name
+        if context.source.thread_id:
+            os.environ["HERMES_SESSION_THREAD_ID"] = str(context.source.thread_id)
     
     def _clear_session_env(self) -> None:
         """Clear session environment variables."""
-        for var in ["HERMES_SESSION_PLATFORM", "HERMES_SESSION_CHAT_ID", "HERMES_SESSION_CHAT_NAME"]:
+        for var in ["HERMES_SESSION_PLATFORM", "HERMES_SESSION_CHAT_ID", "HERMES_SESSION_CHAT_NAME", "HERMES_SESSION_THREAD_ID"]:
             if var in os.environ:
                 del os.environ[var]
     
@@ -3490,9 +3530,13 @@ class GatewayRunner:
           1. Immediately understand what the user sent (no extra tool call).
           2. Re-examine the image with vision_analyze if it needs more detail.
 
+        Athabasca persistence should happen through Athabasca's own POST
+        /api/uploads flow, using the returned asset.publicUrl rather than local
+        cache paths.
+
         Args:
-            user_text:   The user's original caption / message text.
-            image_paths: List of local file paths to cached images.
+            user_text:      The user's original caption / message text.
+            image_paths:    List of local file paths to cached images.
 
         Returns:
             The enriched message string with vision descriptions prepended.
@@ -3517,10 +3561,16 @@ class GatewayRunner:
                 result = _json.loads(result_json)
                 if result.get("success"):
                     description = result.get("analysis", "")
+                    athabasca_note = (
+                        "\n[If this image needs to persist in Athabasca state, upload the cached file "
+                        "through Athabasca POST /api/uploads and use the returned asset.publicUrl. "
+                        "Do not store the local cache path as the canonical imageUrl.]"
+                    )
                     enriched_parts.append(
                         f"[The user sent an image~ Here's what I can see:\n{description}]\n"
                         f"[If you need a closer look, use vision_analyze with "
                         f"image_url: {path} ~]"
+                        f"{athabasca_note}"
                     )
                 else:
                     enriched_parts.append(
@@ -3806,45 +3856,8 @@ class GatewayRunner:
             last_tool[0] = tool_name
             
             # Build progress message with primary argument preview
-            tool_emojis = {
-                "terminal": "💻",
-                "process": "⚙️",
-                "web_search": "🔍",
-                "web_extract": "📄",
-                "read_file": "📖",
-                "write_file": "✍️",
-                "patch": "🔧",
-                "search": "🔎",
-                "search_files": "🔎",
-                "list_directory": "📂",
-                "image_generate": "🎨",
-                "text_to_speech": "🔊",
-                "browser_navigate": "🌐",
-                "browser_click": "👆",
-                "browser_type": "⌨️",
-                "browser_snapshot": "📸",
-                "browser_scroll": "📜",
-                "browser_back": "◀️",
-                "browser_press": "⌨️",
-                "browser_close": "🚪",
-                "browser_get_images": "🖼️",
-                "browser_vision": "👁️",
-                "moa_query": "🧠",
-                "mixture_of_agents": "🧠",
-                "vision_analyze": "👁️",
-                "skill_view": "📚",
-                "skills_list": "📋",
-                "todo": "📋",
-                "memory": "🧠",
-                "session_search": "🔍",
-                "send_message": "📨",
-                "cronjob": "⏰",
-                "execute_code": "🐍",
-                "delegate_task": "🔀",
-                "clarify": "❓",
-                "skill_manage": "📝",
-            }
-            emoji = tool_emojis.get(tool_name, "⚙️")
+            from agent.display import get_tool_emoji
+            emoji = get_tool_emoji(tool_name, default="⚙️")
             
             # Verbose mode: show detailed arguments
             if progress_mode == "verbose" and args:
@@ -4126,11 +4139,15 @@ class GatewayRunner:
             # Return final response, or a message if something went wrong
             final_response = result.get("final_response")
 
-            # Extract last actual prompt token count from the agent's compressor
+            # Extract actual token counts from the agent instance used for this run
             _last_prompt_toks = 0
+            _input_toks = 0
+            _output_toks = 0
             _agent = agent_holder[0]
             if _agent and hasattr(_agent, "context_compressor"):
                 _last_prompt_toks = getattr(_agent.context_compressor, "last_prompt_tokens", 0)
+                _input_toks = getattr(_agent, "session_prompt_tokens", 0)
+                _output_toks = getattr(_agent, "session_completion_tokens", 0)
             _resolved_model = getattr(_agent, "model", None) if _agent else None
 
             if not final_response:
@@ -4142,6 +4159,8 @@ class GatewayRunner:
                     "tools": tools_holder[0] or [],
                     "history_offset": len(agent_history),
                     "last_prompt_tokens": _last_prompt_toks,
+                    "input_tokens": _input_toks,
+                    "output_tokens": _output_toks,
                     "model": _resolved_model,
                 }
             
@@ -4205,6 +4224,8 @@ class GatewayRunner:
                 "tools": tools_holder[0] or [],
                 "history_offset": len(agent_history),
                 "last_prompt_tokens": _last_prompt_toks,
+                "input_tokens": _input_toks,
+                "output_tokens": _output_toks,
                 "model": _resolved_model,
                 "session_id": effective_session_id,
             }

gateway/session.py

@@ -321,25 +321,32 @@ def build_session_key(source: SessionSource) -> str:
     This is the single source of truth for session key construction.
 
     DM rules:
-      - WhatsApp DMs include chat_id (multi-user support).
-      - Other DMs include thread_id when present (e.g. Slack threaded DMs),
-        so each DM thread gets its own session while top-level DMs share one.
-      - Without thread_id or chat_id, all DMs share a single session.
+      - DMs include chat_id when present, so each private conversation is isolated.
+      - thread_id further differentiates threaded DMs within the same DM chat.
+      - Without chat_id, thread_id is used as a best-effort fallback.
+      - Without thread_id or chat_id, DMs share a single session.
 
     Group/channel rules:
-      - thread_id differentiates threads within a channel.
-      - Without thread_id, all messages in a channel share one session.
+      - chat_id identifies the parent group/channel.
+      - thread_id differentiates threads within that parent chat.
+      - Without identifiers, messages fall back to one session per platform/chat_type.
     """
     platform = source.platform.value
     if source.chat_type == "dm":
+        if source.chat_id:
+            if source.thread_id:
+                return f"agent:main:{platform}:dm:{source.chat_id}:{source.thread_id}"
+            return f"agent:main:{platform}:dm:{source.chat_id}"
         if source.thread_id:
             return f"agent:main:{platform}:dm:{source.thread_id}"
-        if platform == "whatsapp" and source.chat_id:
-            return f"agent:main:{platform}:dm:{source.chat_id}"
         return f"agent:main:{platform}:dm"
+    if source.chat_id:
+        if source.thread_id:
+            return f"agent:main:{platform}:{source.chat_type}:{source.chat_id}:{source.thread_id}"
+        return f"agent:main:{platform}:{source.chat_type}:{source.chat_id}"
     if source.thread_id:
-        return f"agent:main:{platform}:{source.chat_type}:{source.chat_id}:{source.thread_id}"
-    return f"agent:main:{platform}:{source.chat_type}:{source.chat_id}"
+        return f"agent:main:{platform}:{source.chat_type}:{source.thread_id}"
+    return f"agent:main:{platform}:{source.chat_type}"
 
 
 class SessionStore:

hermes_cli/config.py

@@ -280,6 +280,7 @@ DEFAULT_CONFIG = {
     "discord": {
         "require_mention": True,       # Require @mention to respond in server channels
         "free_response_channels": "",  # Comma-separated channel IDs where bot responds without mention
+        "auto_thread": True,           # Auto-create threads on @mention in channels (like Slack)
     },
 
     # Permanently allowed dangerous command patterns (added via "always" approval)

hermes_cli/env_loader.py

@@ -0,0 +1,46 @@
+"""Helpers for loading Hermes .env files consistently across entrypoints."""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import os
+from pathlib import Path
+from typing import Iterable
+
+from dotenv import load_dotenv
+
+
+def _load_dotenv_with_fallback(path: Path, *, override: bool) -> None:
+    try:
+        load_dotenv(dotenv_path=path, override=override, encoding="utf-8")
+    except UnicodeDecodeError:
+        load_dotenv(dotenv_path=path, override=override, encoding="latin-1")
+
+
+def load_hermes_dotenv(
+    *,
+    hermes_home: str | os.PathLike | None = None,
+    project_env: str | os.PathLike | None = None,
+) -> list[Path]:
+    """Load Hermes environment files with user config taking precedence.
+
+    Behavior:
+    - `~/.hermes/.env` overrides stale shell-exported values when present.
+    - project `.env` acts as a dev fallback and only fills missing values when
+      the user env exists.
+    - if no user env exists, the project `.env` also overrides stale shell vars.
+    """
+    loaded: list[Path] = []
+
+    home_path = Path(hermes_home or os.getenv("HERMES_HOME", Path.home() / ".hermes"))
+    user_env = home_path / ".env"
+    project_env_path = Path(project_env) if project_env else None
+
+    if user_env.exists():
+        _load_dotenv_with_fallback(user_env, override=True)
+        loaded.append(user_env)
+
+    if project_env_path and project_env_path.exists():
+        _load_dotenv_with_fallback(project_env_path, override=not loaded)
+        loaded.append(project_env_path)
+
+    return loaded

hermes_cli/main.py

@@ -54,16 +54,11 @@ from typing import Optional
 PROJECT_ROOT = Path(__file__).parent.parent.resolve()
 sys.path.insert(0, str(PROJECT_ROOT))
 
-# Load .env from ~/.hermes/.env first, then project root as dev fallback
-from dotenv import load_dotenv
-from hermes_cli.config import get_env_path, get_hermes_home
-_user_env = get_env_path()
-if _user_env.exists():
-    try:
-        load_dotenv(dotenv_path=_user_env, encoding="utf-8")
-    except UnicodeDecodeError:
-        load_dotenv(dotenv_path=_user_env, encoding="latin-1")
-load_dotenv(dotenv_path=PROJECT_ROOT / '.env', override=False)
+# 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_cli.config import get_hermes_home
+from hermes_cli.env_loader import load_hermes_dotenv
+load_hermes_dotenv(project_env=PROJECT_ROOT / '.env')
 
 # Point mini-swe-agent at ~/.hermes/ so it shares our config
 os.environ.setdefault("MSWEA_GLOBAL_CONFIG_DIR", str(get_hermes_home()))
@@ -1117,8 +1112,32 @@ def _model_flow_custom(config):
 
     effective_key = api_key or current_key
 
+    from hermes_cli.models import probe_api_models
+
+    probe = probe_api_models(effective_key, effective_url)
+    if probe.get("used_fallback") and probe.get("resolved_base_url"):
+        print(
+            f"Warning: endpoint verification worked at {probe['resolved_base_url']}/models, "
+            f"not the exact URL you entered. Saving the working base URL instead."
+        )
+        effective_url = probe["resolved_base_url"]
+        if base_url:
+            base_url = effective_url
+    elif probe.get("models") is not None:
+        print(
+            f"Verified endpoint via {probe.get('probed_url')} "
+            f"({len(probe.get('models') or [])} model(s) visible)"
+        )
+    else:
+        print(
+            f"Warning: could not verify this endpoint via {probe.get('probed_url')}. "
+            f"Hermes will still save it."
+        )
+        if probe.get("suggested_base_url"):
+            print(f"  If this server expects /v1, try base URL: {probe['suggested_base_url']}")
+
     if base_url:
-        save_env_value("OPENAI_BASE_URL", base_url)
+        save_env_value("OPENAI_BASE_URL", effective_url)
     if api_key:
         save_env_value("OPENAI_API_KEY", api_key)
 
@@ -3103,7 +3122,11 @@ For more help on a command:
 
         elif action == "export":
             if args.session_id:
-                data = db.export_session(args.session_id)
+                resolved_session_id = db.resolve_session_id(args.session_id)
+                if not resolved_session_id:
+                    print(f"Session '{args.session_id}' not found.")
+                    return
+                data = db.export_session(resolved_session_id)
                 if not data:
                     print(f"Session '{args.session_id}' not found.")
                     return
@@ -3118,13 +3141,17 @@ For more help on a command:
                 print(f"Exported {len(sessions)} sessions to {args.output}")
 
         elif action == "delete":
+            resolved_session_id = db.resolve_session_id(args.session_id)
+            if not resolved_session_id:
+                print(f"Session '{args.session_id}' not found.")
+                return
             if not args.yes:
-                confirm = input(f"Delete session '{args.session_id}' and all its messages? [y/N] ")
+                confirm = input(f"Delete session '{resolved_session_id}' and all its messages? [y/N] ")
                 if confirm.lower() not in ("y", "yes"):
                     print("Cancelled.")
                     return
-            if db.delete_session(args.session_id):
-                print(f"Deleted session '{args.session_id}'.")
+            if db.delete_session(resolved_session_id):
+                print(f"Deleted session '{resolved_session_id}'.")
             else:
                 print(f"Session '{args.session_id}' not found.")
 
@@ -3140,10 +3167,14 @@ For more help on a command:
             print(f"Pruned {count} session(s).")
 
         elif action == "rename":
+            resolved_session_id = db.resolve_session_id(args.session_id)
+            if not resolved_session_id:
+                print(f"Session '{args.session_id}' not found.")
+                return
             title = " ".join(args.title)
             try:
-                if db.set_session_title(args.session_id, title):
-                    print(f"Session '{args.session_id}' renamed to: {title}")
+                if db.set_session_title(resolved_session_id, title):
+                    print(f"Session '{resolved_session_id}' renamed to: {title}")
                 else:
                     print(f"Session '{args.session_id}' not found.")
             except ValueError as e:

hermes_cli/models.py

@@ -308,6 +308,62 @@ def _fetch_anthropic_models(timeout: float = 5.0) -> Optional[list[str]]:
         return None
 
 
+def probe_api_models(
+    api_key: Optional[str],
+    base_url: Optional[str],
+    timeout: float = 5.0,
+) -> dict[str, Any]:
+    """Probe an OpenAI-compatible ``/models`` endpoint with light URL heuristics."""
+    normalized = (base_url or "").strip().rstrip("/")
+    if not normalized:
+        return {
+            "models": None,
+            "probed_url": None,
+            "resolved_base_url": "",
+            "suggested_base_url": None,
+            "used_fallback": False,
+        }
+
+    if normalized.endswith("/v1"):
+        alternate_base = normalized[:-3].rstrip("/")
+    else:
+        alternate_base = normalized + "/v1"
+
+    candidates: list[tuple[str, bool]] = [(normalized, False)]
+    if alternate_base and alternate_base != normalized:
+        candidates.append((alternate_base, True))
+
+    tried: list[str] = []
+    headers: dict[str, str] = {}
+    if api_key:
+        headers["Authorization"] = f"Bearer {api_key}"
+
+    for candidate_base, is_fallback in candidates:
+        url = candidate_base.rstrip("/") + "/models"
+        tried.append(url)
+        req = urllib.request.Request(url, headers=headers)
+        try:
+            with urllib.request.urlopen(req, timeout=timeout) as resp:
+                data = json.loads(resp.read().decode())
+                return {
+                    "models": [m.get("id", "") for m in data.get("data", [])],
+                    "probed_url": url,
+                    "resolved_base_url": candidate_base.rstrip("/"),
+                    "suggested_base_url": alternate_base if alternate_base != candidate_base else normalized,
+                    "used_fallback": is_fallback,
+                }
+        except Exception:
+            continue
+
+    return {
+        "models": None,
+        "probed_url": tried[-1] if tried else normalized.rstrip("/") + "/models",
+        "resolved_base_url": normalized,
+        "suggested_base_url": alternate_base if alternate_base != normalized else None,
+        "used_fallback": False,
+    }
+
+
 def fetch_api_models(
     api_key: Optional[str],
     base_url: Optional[str],
@@ -318,22 +374,7 @@ def fetch_api_models(
     Returns a list of model ID strings, or ``None`` if the endpoint could not
     be reached (network error, timeout, auth failure, etc.).
     """
-    if not base_url:
-        return None
-
-    url = base_url.rstrip("/") + "/models"
-    headers: dict[str, str] = {}
-    if api_key:
-        headers["Authorization"] = f"Bearer {api_key}"
-
-    req = urllib.request.Request(url, headers=headers)
-    try:
-        with urllib.request.urlopen(req, timeout=timeout) as resp:
-            data = json.loads(resp.read().decode())
-            # Standard OpenAI format: {"data": [{"id": "model-name", ...}, ...]}
-            return [m.get("id", "") for m in data.get("data", [])]
-    except Exception:
-        return None
+    return probe_api_models(api_key, base_url, timeout=timeout).get("models")
 
 
 def validate_requested_model(
@@ -376,13 +417,53 @@ def validate_requested_model(
             "message": "Model names cannot contain spaces.",
         }
 
-    # Custom endpoints can serve any model — skip validation
     if normalized == "custom":
+        probe = probe_api_models(api_key, base_url)
+        api_models = probe.get("models")
+        if api_models is not None:
+            if requested in set(api_models):
+                return {
+                    "accepted": True,
+                    "persist": True,
+                    "recognized": True,
+                    "message": None,
+                }
+
+            suggestions = get_close_matches(requested, api_models, n=3, cutoff=0.5)
+            suggestion_text = ""
+            if suggestions:
+                suggestion_text = "\n  Similar models: " + ", ".join(f"`{s}`" for s in suggestions)
+
+            message = (
+                f"Note: `{requested}` was not found in this custom endpoint's model listing "
+                f"({probe.get('probed_url')}). It may still work if the server supports hidden or aliased models."
+                f"{suggestion_text}"
+            )
+            if probe.get("used_fallback"):
+                message += (
+                    f"\n  Endpoint verification succeeded after trying `{probe.get('resolved_base_url')}`. "
+                    f"Consider saving that as your base URL."
+                )
+
+            return {
+                "accepted": True,
+                "persist": True,
+                "recognized": False,
+                "message": message,
+            }
+
+        message = (
+            f"Note: could not reach this custom endpoint's model listing at `{probe.get('probed_url')}`. "
+            f"Hermes will still save `{requested}`, but the endpoint should expose `/models` for verification."
+        )
+        if probe.get("suggested_base_url"):
+            message += f"\n  If this server expects `/v1`, try base URL: `{probe.get('suggested_base_url')}`"
+
         return {
             "accepted": True,
             "persist": True,
             "recognized": False,
-            "message": None,
+            "message": message,
         }
 
     # Probe the live API to check if the model actually exists

hermes_cli/setup.py

@@ -227,54 +227,86 @@ def prompt(question: str, default: str = None, password: bool = False) -> str:
         sys.exit(1)
 
 
+def _curses_prompt_choice(question: str, choices: list, default: int = 0) -> int:
+    """Single-select menu using curses to avoid simple_term_menu rendering bugs."""
+    try:
+        import curses
+        result_holder = [default]
+
+        def _curses_menu(stdscr):
+            curses.curs_set(0)
+            if curses.has_colors():
+                curses.start_color()
+                curses.use_default_colors()
+                curses.init_pair(1, curses.COLOR_GREEN, -1)
+                curses.init_pair(2, curses.COLOR_YELLOW, -1)
+            cursor = default
+
+            while True:
+                stdscr.clear()
+                max_y, max_x = stdscr.getmaxyx()
+                try:
+                    stdscr.addnstr(
+                        0,
+                        0,
+                        question,
+                        max_x - 1,
+                        curses.A_BOLD | (curses.color_pair(2) if curses.has_colors() else 0),
+                    )
+                except curses.error:
+                    pass
+
+                for i, choice in enumerate(choices):
+                    y = i + 2
+                    if y >= max_y - 1:
+                        break
+                    arrow = "→" if i == cursor else " "
+                    line = f" {arrow}  {choice}"
+                    attr = curses.A_NORMAL
+                    if i == cursor:
+                        attr = curses.A_BOLD
+                        if curses.has_colors():
+                            attr |= curses.color_pair(1)
+                    try:
+                        stdscr.addnstr(y, 0, line, max_x - 1, attr)
+                    except curses.error:
+                        pass
+
+                stdscr.refresh()
+                key = stdscr.getch()
+                if key in (curses.KEY_UP, ord("k")):
+                    cursor = (cursor - 1) % len(choices)
+                elif key in (curses.KEY_DOWN, ord("j")):
+                    cursor = (cursor + 1) % len(choices)
+                elif key in (curses.KEY_ENTER, 10, 13):
+                    result_holder[0] = cursor
+                    return
+                elif key in (27, ord("q")):
+                    return
+
+        curses.wrapper(_curses_menu)
+        return result_holder[0]
+    except Exception:
+        return -1
+
+
+
 def prompt_choice(question: str, choices: list, default: int = 0) -> int:
     """Prompt for a choice from a list with arrow key navigation.
 
     Escape keeps the current default (skips the question).
     Ctrl+C exits the wizard.
     """
-    print(color(question, Colors.YELLOW))
-
-    # Try to use interactive menu if available
-    try:
-        from simple_term_menu import TerminalMenu
-        import re
-
-        # Strip emoji characters — simple_term_menu miscalculates visual
-        # width of emojis, causing duplicated/garbled lines on redraw.
-        _emoji_re = re.compile(
-            "[\U0001f300-\U0001f9ff\U00002600-\U000027bf\U0000fe00-\U0000fe0f"
-            "\U0001fa00-\U0001fa6f\U0001fa70-\U0001faff\u200d]+",
-            flags=re.UNICODE,
-        )
-        menu_choices = [f"  {_emoji_re.sub('', choice).strip()}" for choice in choices]
-
-        print_info("  ↑/↓ Navigate  Enter Select  Esc Skip  Ctrl+C Exit")
-
-        terminal_menu = TerminalMenu(
-            menu_choices,
-            cursor_index=default,
-            menu_cursor="→ ",
-            menu_cursor_style=("fg_green", "bold"),
-            menu_highlight_style=("fg_green",),
-            cycle_cursor=True,
-            clear_screen=False,
-        )
-
-        idx = terminal_menu.show()
-        if idx is None:  # User pressed Escape — keep current value
-            print_info(f"  Skipped (keeping current)")
+    idx = _curses_prompt_choice(question, choices, default)
+    if idx >= 0:
+        if idx == default:
+            print_info("  Skipped (keeping current)")
             print()
             return default
-        print()  # Add newline after selection
+        print()
         return idx
 
-    except (ImportError, NotImplementedError):
-        pass
-    except Exception as e:
-        print(f"  (Interactive menu unavailable: {e})")
-
-    # Fallback to number-based selection (simple_term_menu doesn't support Windows)
+    print(color(question, Colors.YELLOW))
     for i, choice in enumerate(choices):
         marker = "●" if i == default else "○"
         if i == default:
@@ -344,84 +376,15 @@ def prompt_checklist(title: str, items: list, pre_selected: list = None) -> list
     if pre_selected is None:
         pre_selected = []
 
-    print(color(title, Colors.YELLOW))
-    print_info("  SPACE Toggle  ENTER Confirm  ESC Skip  Ctrl+C Exit")
-    print()
+    from hermes_cli.curses_ui import curses_checklist
 
-    try:
-        from simple_term_menu import TerminalMenu
-        import re
-
-        # Strip emoji characters from menu labels — simple_term_menu miscalculates
-        # visual width of emojis on macOS, causing duplicated/garbled lines.
-        _emoji_re = re.compile(
-            "[\U0001f300-\U0001f9ff\U00002600-\U000027bf\U0000fe00-\U0000fe0f"
-            "\U0001fa00-\U0001fa6f\U0001fa70-\U0001faff\u200d]+",
-            flags=re.UNICODE,
-        )
-        menu_items = [f"  {_emoji_re.sub('', item).strip()}" for item in items]
-
-        # Map pre-selected indices to the actual menu entry strings
-        preselected = [menu_items[i] for i in pre_selected if i < len(menu_items)]
-
-        terminal_menu = TerminalMenu(
-            menu_items,
-            multi_select=True,
-            show_multi_select_hint=False,
-            multi_select_cursor="[✓] ",
-            multi_select_select_on_accept=False,
-            multi_select_empty_ok=True,
-            preselected_entries=preselected if preselected else None,
-            menu_cursor="→ ",
-            menu_cursor_style=("fg_green", "bold"),
-            menu_highlight_style=("fg_green",),
-            cycle_cursor=True,
-            clear_screen=False,
-        )
-
-        terminal_menu.show()
-
-        if terminal_menu.chosen_menu_entries is None:
-            print_info("  Skipped (keeping current)")
-            return list(pre_selected)
-
-        selected = list(terminal_menu.chosen_menu_indices or [])
-        return selected
-
-    except (ImportError, NotImplementedError):
-        # Fallback: numbered toggle interface (simple_term_menu doesn't support Windows)
-        selected = set(pre_selected)
-
-        while True:
-            for i, item in enumerate(items):
-                marker = color("[✓]", Colors.GREEN) if i in selected else "[ ]"
-                print(f"  {marker} {i + 1}. {item}")
-            print()
-
-            try:
-                value = input(
-                    color("  Toggle # (or Enter to confirm): ", Colors.DIM)
-                ).strip()
-                if not value:
-                    break
-                idx = int(value) - 1
-                if 0 <= idx < len(items):
-                    if idx in selected:
-                        selected.discard(idx)
-                    else:
-                        selected.add(idx)
-                else:
-                    print_error(f"Enter a number between 1 and {len(items)}")
-            except ValueError:
-                print_error("Enter a number")
-            except (KeyboardInterrupt, EOFError):
-                print()
-                return []
-
-            # Clear and redraw (simple approach)
-            print()
-
-        return sorted(selected)
+    chosen = curses_checklist(
+        title,
+        items,
+        set(pre_selected),
+        cancel_returns=set(pre_selected),
+    )
+    return sorted(chosen)
 
 
 def _prompt_api_key(var: dict):
@@ -933,11 +896,35 @@ def setup_model_provider(config: dict):
 
         base_url = prompt(
             "  API base URL (e.g., https://api.example.com/v1)", current_url
-        )
+        ).strip()
         api_key = prompt("  API key", password=True)
         model_name = prompt("  Model name (e.g., gpt-4, claude-3-opus)", current_model)
 
         if base_url:
+            from hermes_cli.models import probe_api_models
+
+            probe = probe_api_models(api_key, base_url)
+            if probe.get("used_fallback") and probe.get("resolved_base_url"):
+                print_warning(
+                    f"Endpoint verification worked at {probe['resolved_base_url']}/models, "
+                    f"not the exact URL you entered. Saving the working base URL instead."
+                )
+                base_url = probe["resolved_base_url"]
+            elif probe.get("models") is not None:
+                print_success(
+                    f"Verified endpoint via {probe.get('probed_url')} "
+                    f"({len(probe.get('models') or [])} model(s) visible)"
+                )
+            else:
+                print_warning(
+                    f"Could not verify this endpoint via {probe.get('probed_url')}. "
+                    f"Hermes will still save it."
+                )
+                if probe.get("suggested_base_url"):
+                    print_info(
+                        f"  If this server expects /v1, try base URL: {probe['suggested_base_url']}"
+                    )
+
             save_env_value("OPENAI_BASE_URL", base_url)
         if api_key:
             save_env_value("OPENAI_API_KEY", api_key)

hermes_cli/skin_engine.py

@@ -60,6 +60,12 @@ All fields are optional. Missing values inherit from the ``default`` skin.
     # Tool prefix: character for tool output lines (default: ┊)
     tool_prefix: "┊"
 
+    # Tool emojis: override the default emoji for any tool (used in spinners & progress)
+    tool_emojis:
+      terminal: "⚔"           # Override terminal tool emoji
+      web_search: "🔮"        # Override web_search tool emoji
+      # Any tool not listed here uses its registry default
+
 USAGE
 =====
 
@@ -111,6 +117,7 @@ class SkinConfig:
     spinner: Dict[str, Any] = field(default_factory=dict)
     branding: Dict[str, str] = field(default_factory=dict)
     tool_prefix: str = "┊"
+    tool_emojis: Dict[str, str] = field(default_factory=dict)  # per-tool emoji overrides
     banner_logo: str = ""    # Rich-markup ASCII art logo (replaces HERMES_AGENT_LOGO)
     banner_hero: str = ""    # Rich-markup hero art (replaces HERMES_CADUCEUS)
 
@@ -541,6 +548,7 @@ def _build_skin_config(data: Dict[str, Any]) -> SkinConfig:
         spinner=spinner,
         branding=branding,
         tool_prefix=data.get("tool_prefix", default.get("tool_prefix", "┊")),
+        tool_emojis=data.get("tool_emojis", {}),
         banner_logo=data.get("banner_logo", ""),
         banner_hero=data.get("banner_hero", ""),
     )

hermes_cli/tools_config.py

@@ -354,9 +354,29 @@ def _get_platform_tools(config: dict, platform: str) -> Set[str]:
 
 
 def _save_platform_tools(config: dict, platform: str, enabled_toolset_keys: Set[str]):
-    """Save the selected toolset keys for a platform to config."""
+    """Save the selected toolset keys for a platform to config.
+
+    Preserves any non-configurable toolset entries (like MCP server names)
+    that were already in the config for this platform.
+    """
     config.setdefault("platform_toolsets", {})
-    config["platform_toolsets"][platform] = sorted(enabled_toolset_keys)
+
+    # Get the set of all configurable toolset keys
+    configurable_keys = {ts_key for ts_key, _, _ in CONFIGURABLE_TOOLSETS}
+
+    # Get existing toolsets for this platform
+    existing_toolsets = config.get("platform_toolsets", {}).get(platform, [])
+    if not isinstance(existing_toolsets, list):
+        existing_toolsets = []
+
+    # Preserve any entries that are NOT configurable toolsets (i.e. MCP server names)
+    preserved_entries = {
+        entry for entry in existing_toolsets
+        if entry not in configurable_keys
+    }
+
+    # Merge preserved entries with new enabled toolsets
+    config["platform_toolsets"][platform] = sorted(enabled_toolset_keys | preserved_entries)
     save_config(config)
 
 

hermes_state.py

@@ -249,6 +249,32 @@ class SessionDB:
         row = cursor.fetchone()
         return dict(row) if row else None
 
+    def resolve_session_id(self, session_id_or_prefix: str) -> Optional[str]:
+        """Resolve an exact or uniquely prefixed session ID to the full ID.
+
+        Returns the exact ID when it exists. Otherwise treats the input as a
+        prefix and returns the single matching session ID if the prefix is
+        unambiguous. Returns None for no matches or ambiguous prefixes.
+        """
+        exact = self.get_session(session_id_or_prefix)
+        if exact:
+            return exact["id"]
+
+        escaped = (
+            session_id_or_prefix
+            .replace("\\", "\\\\")
+            .replace("%", "\\%")
+            .replace("_", "\\_")
+        )
+        cursor = self._conn.execute(
+            "SELECT id FROM sessions WHERE id LIKE ? ESCAPE '\\' ORDER BY started_at DESC LIMIT 2",
+            (f"{escaped}%",),
+        )
+        matches = [row["id"] for row in cursor.fetchall()]
+        if len(matches) == 1:
+            return matches[0]
+        return None
+
     # Maximum length for session titles
     MAX_TITLE_LENGTH = 100
 

honcho_integration/session.py

@@ -927,6 +927,11 @@ class HonchoSessionManager:
             return False
 
         assistant_peer = self._get_or_create_peer(session.assistant_peer_id)
+        honcho_session = self._sessions_cache.get(session.honcho_session_id)
+        if not honcho_session:
+            logger.warning("No Honcho session cached for '%s', skipping AI seed", session_key)
+            return False
+
         try:
             wrapped = (
                 f"<ai_identity_seed>\n"
@@ -935,7 +940,7 @@ class HonchoSessionManager:
                 f"{content.strip()}\n"
                 f"</ai_identity_seed>"
             )
-            assistant_peer.add_message("assistant", wrapped)
+            honcho_session.add_messages([assistant_peer.message(wrapped)])
             logger.info("Seeded AI identity from '%s' into %s", source, session_key)
             return True
         except Exception as e:

rl_cli.py

@@ -27,25 +27,16 @@ from pathlib import Path
 import fire
 import yaml
 
-# Load .env from ~/.hermes/.env first, then project root as dev fallback
-from dotenv import load_dotenv
-
+# Load .env from ~/.hermes/.env first, then project root as dev fallback.
+# User-managed env files should override stale shell exports on restart.
 _hermes_home = Path(os.getenv("HERMES_HOME", Path.home() / ".hermes"))
-_user_env = _hermes_home / ".env"
 _project_env = Path(__file__).parent / '.env'
 
-if _user_env.exists():
-    try:
-        load_dotenv(dotenv_path=_user_env, encoding="utf-8")
-    except UnicodeDecodeError:
-        load_dotenv(dotenv_path=_user_env, encoding="latin-1")
-    print(f"✅ Loaded environment variables from {_user_env}")
-elif _project_env.exists():
-    try:
-        load_dotenv(dotenv_path=_project_env, encoding="utf-8")
-    except UnicodeDecodeError:
-        load_dotenv(dotenv_path=_project_env, encoding="latin-1")
-    print(f"✅ Loaded environment variables from {_project_env}")
+from hermes_cli.env_loader import load_hermes_dotenv
+
+_loaded_env_paths = load_hermes_dotenv(hermes_home=_hermes_home, project_env=_project_env)
+for _env_path in _loaded_env_paths:
+    print(f"✅ Loaded environment variables from {_env_path}")
 
 # Set terminal working directory to tinker-atropos submodule
 # This ensures terminal commands run in the right context for RL work

run_agent.py

@@ -21,6 +21,8 @@ Usage:
 """
 
 import atexit
+import asyncio
+import base64
 import concurrent.futures
 import copy
 import hashlib
@@ -31,6 +33,7 @@ import os
 import random
 import re
 import sys
+import tempfile
 import time
 import threading
 import weakref
@@ -42,24 +45,16 @@ import fire
 from datetime import datetime
 from pathlib import Path
 
-# Load .env from ~/.hermes/.env first, then project root as dev fallback
-from dotenv import load_dotenv
+# 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_cli.env_loader import load_hermes_dotenv
 
 _hermes_home = Path(os.getenv("HERMES_HOME", Path.home() / ".hermes"))
-_user_env = _hermes_home / ".env"
 _project_env = Path(__file__).parent / '.env'
-if _user_env.exists():
-    try:
-        load_dotenv(dotenv_path=_user_env, encoding="utf-8")
-    except UnicodeDecodeError:
-        load_dotenv(dotenv_path=_user_env, encoding="latin-1")
-    logger.info("Loaded environment variables from %s", _user_env)
-elif _project_env.exists():
-    try:
-        load_dotenv(dotenv_path=_project_env, encoding="utf-8")
-    except UnicodeDecodeError:
-        load_dotenv(dotenv_path=_project_env, encoding="latin-1")
-    logger.info("Loaded environment variables from %s", _project_env)
+_loaded_env_paths = load_hermes_dotenv(hermes_home=_hermes_home, project_env=_project_env)
+if _loaded_env_paths:
+    for _env_path in _loaded_env_paths:
+        logger.info("Loaded environment variables from %s", _env_path)
 else:
     logger.info("No .env file found. Using system environment variables.")
 
@@ -95,6 +90,7 @@ from agent.display import (
     KawaiiSpinner, build_tool_preview as _build_tool_preview,
     get_cute_tool_message as _get_cute_tool_message_impl,
     _detect_tool_failure,
+    get_tool_emoji as _get_tool_emoji,
 )
 from agent.trajectory import (
     convert_scratchpad_to_think, has_incomplete_scratchpad,
@@ -504,6 +500,11 @@ class AIAgent:
         self._persist_user_message_idx = None
         self._persist_user_message_override = None
 
+        # Cache anthropic image-to-text fallbacks per image payload/URL so a
+        # single tool loop does not repeatedly re-run auxiliary vision on the
+        # same image history.
+        self._anthropic_image_fallback_cache: Dict[str, str] = {}
+
         # Initialize LLM client via centralized provider router.
         # The router handles auth resolution, base URL, headers, and
         # Codex/Anthropic wrapping for all known providers.
@@ -3034,13 +3035,156 @@ class AIAgent:
 
     # ── End provider fallback ──────────────────────────────────────────────
 
+    @staticmethod
+    def _content_has_image_parts(content: Any) -> bool:
+        if not isinstance(content, list):
+            return False
+        for part in content:
+            if isinstance(part, dict) and part.get("type") in {"image_url", "input_image"}:
+                return True
+        return False
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def _materialize_data_url_for_vision(image_url: str) -> tuple[str, Optional[Path]]:
+        header, _, data = str(image_url or "").partition(",")
+        mime = "image/jpeg"
+        if header.startswith("data:"):
+            mime_part = header[len("data:"):].split(";", 1)[0].strip()
+            if mime_part.startswith("image/"):
+                mime = mime_part
+        suffix = {
+            "image/png": ".png",
+            "image/gif": ".gif",
+            "image/webp": ".webp",
+            "image/jpeg": ".jpg",
+            "image/jpg": ".jpg",
+        }.get(mime, ".jpg")
+        tmp = tempfile.NamedTemporaryFile(prefix="anthropic_image_", suffix=suffix, delete=False)
+        with tmp:
+            tmp.write(base64.b64decode(data))
+        path = Path(tmp.name)
+        return str(path), path
+
+    def _describe_image_for_anthropic_fallback(self, image_url: str, role: str) -> str:
+        cache_key = hashlib.sha256(str(image_url or "").encode("utf-8")).hexdigest()
+        cached = self._anthropic_image_fallback_cache.get(cache_key)
+        if cached:
+            return cached
+
+        role_label = {
+            "assistant": "assistant",
+            "tool": "tool result",
+        }.get(role, "user")
+        analysis_prompt = (
+            "Describe everything visible in this image in thorough detail. "
+            "Include any text, code, UI, data, objects, people, layout, colors, "
+            "and any other notable visual information."
+        )
+
+        vision_source = str(image_url or "")
+        cleanup_path: Optional[Path] = None
+        if vision_source.startswith("data:"):
+            vision_source, cleanup_path = self._materialize_data_url_for_vision(vision_source)
+
+        description = ""
+        try:
+            from tools.vision_tools import vision_analyze_tool
+
+            result_json = asyncio.run(
+                vision_analyze_tool(image_url=vision_source, user_prompt=analysis_prompt)
+            )
+            result = json.loads(result_json) if isinstance(result_json, str) else {}
+            description = (result.get("analysis") or "").strip()
+        except Exception as e:
+            description = f"Image analysis failed: {e}"
+        finally:
+            if cleanup_path and cleanup_path.exists():
+                try:
+                    cleanup_path.unlink()
+                except OSError:
+                    pass
+
+        if not description:
+            description = "Image analysis failed."
+
+        note = f"[The {role_label} attached an image. Here's what it contains:\n{description}]"
+        if vision_source and not str(image_url or "").startswith("data:"):
+            note += (
+                f"\n[If you need a closer look, use vision_analyze with image_url: {vision_source}]"
+            )
+
+        self._anthropic_image_fallback_cache[cache_key] = note
+        return note
+
+    def _preprocess_anthropic_content(self, content: Any, role: str) -> Any:
+        if not self._content_has_image_parts(content):
+            return content
+
+        text_parts: List[str] = []
+        image_notes: List[str] = []
+        for part in content:
+            if isinstance(part, str):
+                if part.strip():
+                    text_parts.append(part.strip())
+                continue
+            if not isinstance(part, dict):
+                continue
+
+            ptype = part.get("type")
+            if ptype in {"text", "input_text"}:
+                text = str(part.get("text", "") or "").strip()
+                if text:
+                    text_parts.append(text)
+                continue
+
+            if ptype in {"image_url", "input_image"}:
+                image_data = part.get("image_url", {})
+                image_url = image_data.get("url", "") if isinstance(image_data, dict) else str(image_data or "")
+                if image_url:
+                    image_notes.append(self._describe_image_for_anthropic_fallback(image_url, role))
+                else:
+                    image_notes.append("[An image was attached but no image source was available.]")
+                continue
+
+            text = str(part.get("text", "") or "").strip()
+            if text:
+                text_parts.append(text)
+
+        prefix = "\n\n".join(note for note in image_notes if note).strip()
+        suffix = "\n".join(text for text in text_parts if text).strip()
+        if prefix and suffix:
+            return f"{prefix}\n\n{suffix}"
+        if prefix:
+            return prefix
+        if suffix:
+            return suffix
+        return "[A multimodal message was converted to text for Anthropic compatibility.]"
+
+    def _prepare_anthropic_messages_for_api(self, api_messages: list) -> list:
+        if not any(
+            isinstance(msg, dict) and self._content_has_image_parts(msg.get("content"))
+            for msg in api_messages
+        ):
+            return api_messages
+
+        transformed = copy.deepcopy(api_messages)
+        for msg in transformed:
+            if not isinstance(msg, dict):
+                continue
+            msg["content"] = self._preprocess_anthropic_content(
+                msg.get("content"),
+                str(msg.get("role", "user") or "user"),
+            )
+        return transformed
+
     def _build_api_kwargs(self, api_messages: list) -> dict:
         """Build the keyword arguments dict for the active API mode."""
         if self.api_mode == "anthropic_messages":
             from agent.anthropic_adapter import build_anthropic_kwargs
+            anthropic_messages = self._prepare_anthropic_messages_for_api(api_messages)
             return build_anthropic_kwargs(
                 model=self.model,
-                messages=api_messages,
+                messages=anthropic_messages,
                 tools=self.tools,
                 max_tokens=self.max_tokens,
                 reasoning_config=self.reasoning_config,
@@ -3158,8 +3302,7 @@ class AIAgent:
             extra_body["provider"] = provider_preferences
         _is_nous = "nousresearch" in self.base_url.lower()
 
-        _is_mistral = "api.mistral.ai" in self.base_url.lower()
-        if (_is_openrouter or _is_nous) and not _is_mistral:
+        if self._supports_reasoning_extra_body():
             if self.reasoning_config is not None:
                 rc = dict(self.reasoning_config)
                 # Nous Portal requires reasoning enabled — don't send
@@ -3183,6 +3326,32 @@ class AIAgent:
 
         return api_kwargs
 
+    def _supports_reasoning_extra_body(self) -> bool:
+        """Return True when reasoning extra_body is safe to send for this route/model.
+
+        OpenRouter forwards unknown extra_body fields to upstream providers.
+        Some providers/routes reject `reasoning` with 400s, so gate it to
+        known reasoning-capable model families and direct Nous Portal.
+        """
+        base_url = (self.base_url or "").lower()
+        if "nousresearch" in base_url:
+            return True
+        if "openrouter" not in base_url:
+            return False
+        if "api.mistral.ai" in base_url:
+            return False
+
+        model = (self.model or "").lower()
+        reasoning_model_prefixes = (
+            "deepseek/",
+            "anthropic/",
+            "openai/",
+            "x-ai/",
+            "google/gemini-2",
+            "qwen/qwen3",
+        )
+        return any(model.startswith(prefix) for prefix in reasoning_model_prefixes)
+
     def _build_assistant_message(self, assistant_message, finish_reason: str) -> dict:
         """Build a normalized assistant message dict from an API response message.
 
@@ -3202,8 +3371,7 @@ class AIAgent:
                 reasoning_text = combined or None
 
         if reasoning_text and self.verbose_logging:
-            preview = reasoning_text[:100] + "..." if len(reasoning_text) > 100 else reasoning_text
-            logging.debug(f"Captured reasoning ({len(reasoning_text)} chars): {preview}")
+            logging.debug(f"Captured reasoning ({len(reasoning_text)} chars): {reasoning_text}")
 
         if reasoning_text and self.reasoning_callback:
             try:
@@ -3680,8 +3848,12 @@ class AIAgent:
             print(f"  ⚡ Concurrent: {num_tools} tool calls — {tool_names_str}")
             for i, (tc, name, args) in enumerate(parsed_calls, 1):
                 args_str = json.dumps(args, ensure_ascii=False)
-                args_preview = args_str[:self.log_prefix_chars] + "..." if len(args_str) > self.log_prefix_chars else args_str
-                print(f"  📞 Tool {i}: {name}({list(args.keys())}) - {args_preview}")
+                if self.verbose_logging:
+                    print(f"  📞 Tool {i}: {name}({list(args.keys())})")
+                    print(f"     Args: {args_str}")
+                else:
+                    args_preview = args_str[:self.log_prefix_chars] + "..." if len(args_str) > self.log_prefix_chars else args_str
+                    print(f"  📞 Tool {i}: {name}({list(args.keys())}) - {args_preview}")
 
         for _, name, args in parsed_calls:
             if self.tool_progress_callback:
@@ -3746,17 +3918,20 @@ class AIAgent:
                     logger.warning("Tool %s returned error (%.2fs): %s", function_name, tool_duration, result_preview)
 
                 if self.verbose_logging:
-                    result_preview = function_result[:200] if len(function_result) > 200 else function_result
                     logging.debug(f"Tool {function_name} completed in {tool_duration:.2f}s")
-                    logging.debug(f"Tool result preview: {result_preview}...")
+                    logging.debug(f"Tool result ({len(function_result)} chars): {function_result}")
 
             # Print cute message per tool
             if self.quiet_mode:
                 cute_msg = _get_cute_tool_message_impl(name, args, tool_duration, result=function_result)
                 print(f"  {cute_msg}")
             elif not self.quiet_mode:
-                response_preview = function_result[:self.log_prefix_chars] + "..." if len(function_result) > self.log_prefix_chars else function_result
-                print(f"  ✅ Tool {i+1} completed in {tool_duration:.2f}s - {response_preview}")
+                if self.verbose_logging:
+                    print(f"  ✅ Tool {i+1} completed in {tool_duration:.2f}s")
+                    print(f"     Result: {function_result}")
+                else:
+                    response_preview = function_result[:self.log_prefix_chars] + "..." if len(function_result) > self.log_prefix_chars else function_result
+                    print(f"  ✅ Tool {i+1} completed in {tool_duration:.2f}s - {response_preview}")
 
             # Truncate oversized results
             MAX_TOOL_RESULT_CHARS = 100_000
@@ -3832,8 +4007,12 @@ class AIAgent:
 
             if not self.quiet_mode:
                 args_str = json.dumps(function_args, ensure_ascii=False)
-                args_preview = args_str[:self.log_prefix_chars] + "..." if len(args_str) > self.log_prefix_chars else args_str
-                print(f"  📞 Tool {i}: {function_name}({list(function_args.keys())}) - {args_preview}")
+                if self.verbose_logging:
+                    print(f"  📞 Tool {i}: {function_name}({list(function_args.keys())})")
+                    print(f"     Args: {args_str}")
+                else:
+                    args_preview = args_str[:self.log_prefix_chars] + "..." if len(args_str) > self.log_prefix_chars else args_str
+                    print(f"  📞 Tool {i}: {function_name}({list(function_args.keys())}) - {args_preview}")
 
             if self.tool_progress_callback:
                 try:
@@ -3942,23 +4121,7 @@ class AIAgent:
                         self._vprint(f"  {cute_msg}")
             elif self.quiet_mode and self._stream_callback is None:
                 face = random.choice(KawaiiSpinner.KAWAII_WAITING)
-                tool_emoji_map = {
-                    'web_search': '🔍', 'web_extract': '📄', 'web_crawl': '🕸️',
-                    'terminal': '💻', 'process': '⚙️',
-                    'read_file': '📖', 'write_file': '✍️', 'patch': '🔧', 'search_files': '🔎',
-                    'browser_navigate': '🌐', 'browser_snapshot': '📸',
-                    'browser_click': '👆', 'browser_type': '⌨️',
-                    'browser_scroll': '📜', 'browser_back': '◀️',
-                    'browser_press': '⌨️', 'browser_close': '🚪',
-                    'browser_get_images': '🖼️', 'browser_vision': '👁️',
-                    'image_generate': '🎨', 'text_to_speech': '🔊',
-                    'vision_analyze': '👁️', 'mixture_of_agents': '🧠',
-                    'skills_list': '📚', 'skill_view': '📚',
-                    'cronjob': '⏰',
-                    'send_message': '📨', 'todo': '📋', 'memory': '🧠', 'session_search': '🔍',
-                    'clarify': '❓', 'execute_code': '🐍', 'delegate_task': '🔀',
-                }
-                emoji = tool_emoji_map.get(function_name, '⚡')
+                emoji = _get_tool_emoji(function_name)
                 preview = _build_tool_preview(function_name, function_args) or function_name
                 if len(preview) > 30:
                     preview = preview[:27] + "..."
@@ -3989,7 +4152,9 @@ class AIAgent:
                     logger.error("handle_function_call raised for %s: %s", function_name, tool_error, exc_info=True)
                 tool_duration = time.time() - tool_start_time
 
-            result_preview = function_result[:200] if len(function_result) > 200 else function_result
+            result_preview = function_result if self.verbose_logging else (
+                function_result[:200] if len(function_result) > 200 else function_result
+            )
 
             # Log tool errors to the persistent error log so [error] tags
             # in the UI always have a corresponding detailed entry on disk.
@@ -3999,7 +4164,7 @@ class AIAgent:
 
             if self.verbose_logging:
                 logging.debug(f"Tool {function_name} completed in {tool_duration:.2f}s")
-                logging.debug(f"Tool result preview: {result_preview}...")
+                logging.debug(f"Tool result ({len(function_result)} chars): {function_result}")
 
             # Guard against tools returning absurdly large content that would
             # blow up the context window. 100K chars ≈ 25K tokens — generous
@@ -4022,8 +4187,12 @@ class AIAgent:
             messages.append(tool_msg)
 
             if not self.quiet_mode:
-                response_preview = function_result[:self.log_prefix_chars] + "..." if len(function_result) > self.log_prefix_chars else function_result
-                print(f"  ✅ Tool {i} completed in {tool_duration:.2f}s - {response_preview}")
+                if self.verbose_logging:
+                    print(f"  ✅ Tool {i} completed in {tool_duration:.2f}s")
+                    print(f"     Result: {function_result}")
+                else:
+                    response_preview = function_result[:self.log_prefix_chars] + "..." if len(function_result) > self.log_prefix_chars else function_result
+                    print(f"  ✅ Tool {i} completed in {tool_duration:.2f}s - {response_preview}")
 
             if self._interrupt_requested and i < len(assistant_message.tool_calls):
                 remaining = len(assistant_message.tool_calls) - i
@@ -4121,9 +4290,8 @@ class AIAgent:
                     api_messages.insert(sys_offset + idx, pfm.copy())
 
             summary_extra_body = {}
-            _is_openrouter = "openrouter" in self.base_url.lower()
             _is_nous = "nousresearch" in self.base_url.lower()
-            if _is_openrouter or _is_nous:
+            if self._supports_reasoning_extra_body():
                 if self.reasoning_config is not None:
                     summary_extra_body["reasoning"] = self.reasoning_config
                 else:
@@ -5275,7 +5443,10 @@ class AIAgent:
 
                 # Handle assistant response
                 if assistant_message.content and not self.quiet_mode:
-                    self._vprint(f"{self.log_prefix}🤖 Assistant: {assistant_message.content[:100]}{'...' if len(assistant_message.content) > 100 else ''}")
+                    if self.verbose_logging:
+                        self._vprint(f"{self.log_prefix}🤖 Assistant: {assistant_message.content}")
+                    else:
+                        self._vprint(f"{self.log_prefix}🤖 Assistant: {assistant_message.content[:100]}{'...' if len(assistant_message.content) > 100 else ''}")
 
                 # Notify progress callback of model's thinking (used by subagent
                 # delegation to relay the child's reasoning to the parent display).
@@ -5439,6 +5610,12 @@ class AIAgent:
                     invalid_json_args = []
                     for tc in assistant_message.tool_calls:
                         args = tc.function.arguments
+                        if isinstance(args, (dict, list)):
+                            tc.function.arguments = json.dumps(args)
+                            continue
+                        if args is not None and not isinstance(args, str):
+                            tc.function.arguments = str(args)
+                            args = tc.function.arguments
                         # Treat empty/whitespace strings as empty object
                         if not args or not args.strip():
                             tc.function.arguments = "{}"

scripts/discord-voice-doctor.py

@@ -0,0 +1,389 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python3
+"""Discord Voice Doctor — diagnostic tool for voice channel support.
+
+Checks all dependencies, configuration, and bot permissions needed
+for Discord voice mode to work correctly.
+
+Usage:
+    python scripts/discord-voice-doctor.py
+    .venv/bin/python scripts/discord-voice-doctor.py
+"""
+
+import os
+import sys
+import shutil
+from pathlib import Path
+
+# Resolve project root
+SCRIPT_DIR = Path(__file__).resolve().parent
+PROJECT_ROOT = SCRIPT_DIR.parent
+sys.path.insert(0, str(PROJECT_ROOT))
+
+HERMES_HOME = Path(os.getenv("HERMES_HOME", Path.home() / ".hermes"))
+ENV_FILE = HERMES_HOME / ".env"
+
+OK = "\033[92m\u2713\033[0m"
+FAIL = "\033[91m\u2717\033[0m"
+WARN = "\033[93m!\033[0m"
+
+# Track whether discord.py is available for later sections
+_discord_available = False
+
+
+def mask(value):
+    """Mask sensitive value: show only first 4 chars."""
+    if not value or len(value) < 8:
+        return "****"
+    return f"{value[:4]}{'*' * (len(value) - 4)}"
+
+
+def check(label, ok, detail=""):
+    symbol = OK if ok else FAIL
+    msg = f"  {symbol} {label}"
+    if detail:
+        msg += f"  ({detail})"
+    print(msg)
+    return ok
+
+
+def warn(label, detail=""):
+    msg = f"  {WARN} {label}"
+    if detail:
+        msg += f"  ({detail})"
+    print(msg)
+
+
+def section(title):
+    print(f"\n\033[1m{title}\033[0m")
+
+
+def check_packages():
+    """Check Python package dependencies. Returns True if all critical deps OK."""
+    global _discord_available
+    section("Python Packages")
+    ok = True
+
+    # discord.py
+    try:
+        import discord
+        _discord_available = True
+        check("discord.py", True, f"v{discord.__version__}")
+    except ImportError:
+        check("discord.py", False, "pip install discord.py[voice]")
+        ok = False
+
+    # PyNaCl
+    try:
+        import nacl
+        ver = getattr(nacl, "__version__", "unknown")
+        try:
+            import nacl.secret
+            nacl.secret.Aead(bytes(32))
+            check("PyNaCl", True, f"v{ver}")
+        except (AttributeError, Exception):
+            check("PyNaCl (Aead)", False, f"v{ver} — need >=1.5.0")
+            ok = False
+    except ImportError:
+        check("PyNaCl", False, "pip install PyNaCl>=1.5.0")
+        ok = False
+
+    # davey (DAVE E2EE)
+    try:
+        import davey
+        check("davey (DAVE E2EE)", True, f"v{getattr(davey, '__version__', '?')}")
+    except ImportError:
+        check("davey (DAVE E2EE)", False, "pip install davey")
+        ok = False
+
+    # Optional: local STT
+    try:
+        import faster_whisper
+        check("faster-whisper (local STT)", True)
+    except ImportError:
+        warn("faster-whisper (local STT)", "not installed — local STT unavailable")
+
+    # Optional: TTS providers
+    try:
+        import edge_tts
+        check("edge-tts", True)
+    except ImportError:
+        warn("edge-tts", "not installed — edge TTS unavailable")
+
+    try:
+        import elevenlabs
+        check("elevenlabs SDK", True)
+    except ImportError:
+        warn("elevenlabs SDK", "not installed — premium TTS unavailable")
+
+    return ok
+
+
+def check_system_tools():
+    """Check system-level tools (opus, ffmpeg). Returns True if all OK."""
+    section("System Tools")
+    ok = True
+
+    # Opus codec
+    if _discord_available:
+        try:
+            import discord
+            opus_loaded = discord.opus.is_loaded()
+            if not opus_loaded:
+                import ctypes.util
+                opus_path = ctypes.util.find_library("opus")
+                if not opus_path:
+                    # Platform-specific fallback paths
+                    candidates = [
+                        "/opt/homebrew/lib/libopus.dylib",   # macOS Apple Silicon
+                        "/usr/local/lib/libopus.dylib",      # macOS Intel
+                        "/usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/libopus.so.0",  # Debian/Ubuntu x86
+                        "/usr/lib/aarch64-linux-gnu/libopus.so.0", # Debian/Ubuntu ARM
+                        "/usr/lib/libopus.so",               # Arch Linux
+                        "/usr/lib64/libopus.so",             # RHEL/Fedora
+                    ]
+                    for p in candidates:
+                        if os.path.isfile(p):
+                            opus_path = p
+                            break
+                if opus_path:
+                    discord.opus.load_opus(opus_path)
+                    opus_loaded = discord.opus.is_loaded()
+            if opus_loaded:
+                check("Opus codec", True)
+            else:
+                check("Opus codec", False, "brew install opus / apt install libopus0")
+                ok = False
+        except Exception as e:
+            check("Opus codec", False, str(e))
+            ok = False
+    else:
+        warn("Opus codec", "skipped — discord.py not installed")
+
+    # ffmpeg
+    ffmpeg_path = shutil.which("ffmpeg")
+    if ffmpeg_path:
+        check("ffmpeg", True, ffmpeg_path)
+    else:
+        check("ffmpeg", False, "brew install ffmpeg / apt install ffmpeg")
+        ok = False
+
+    return ok
+
+
+def check_env_vars():
+    """Check environment variables. Returns (ok, token, groq_key, eleven_key)."""
+    section("Environment Variables")
+
+    # Load .env
+    try:
+        from dotenv import load_dotenv
+        if ENV_FILE.exists():
+            load_dotenv(ENV_FILE)
+    except ImportError:
+        pass
+
+    ok = True
+
+    token = os.getenv("DISCORD_BOT_TOKEN", "")
+    if token:
+        check("DISCORD_BOT_TOKEN", True, mask(token))
+    else:
+        check("DISCORD_BOT_TOKEN", False, "not set")
+        ok = False
+
+    # Allowed users — resolve usernames if possible
+    allowed = os.getenv("DISCORD_ALLOWED_USERS", "")
+    if allowed:
+        users = [u.strip() for u in allowed.split(",") if u.strip()]
+        user_labels = []
+        for uid in users:
+            label = mask(uid)
+            if token and uid.isdigit():
+                try:
+                    import requests
+                    r = requests.get(
+                        f"https://discord.com/api/v10/users/{uid}",
+                        headers={"Authorization": f"Bot {token}"},
+                        timeout=3,
+                    )
+                    if r.status_code == 200:
+                        label = f"{r.json().get('username', '?')} ({mask(uid)})"
+                except Exception:
+                    pass
+            user_labels.append(label)
+        check("DISCORD_ALLOWED_USERS", True, f"{len(users)} user(s): {', '.join(user_labels)}")
+    else:
+        warn("DISCORD_ALLOWED_USERS", "not set — all users can use voice")
+
+    groq_key = os.getenv("GROQ_API_KEY", "")
+    eleven_key = os.getenv("ELEVENLABS_API_KEY", "")
+
+    if groq_key:
+        check("GROQ_API_KEY (STT)", True, mask(groq_key))
+    else:
+        warn("GROQ_API_KEY", "not set — Groq STT unavailable")
+
+    if eleven_key:
+        check("ELEVENLABS_API_KEY (TTS)", True, mask(eleven_key))
+    else:
+        warn("ELEVENLABS_API_KEY", "not set — ElevenLabs TTS unavailable")
+
+    return ok, token, groq_key, eleven_key
+
+
+def check_config(groq_key, eleven_key):
+    """Check hermes config.yaml."""
+    section("Configuration")
+
+    config_path = HERMES_HOME / "config.yaml"
+    if config_path.exists():
+        try:
+            import yaml
+            with open(config_path) as f:
+                cfg = yaml.safe_load(f) or {}
+
+            stt_provider = cfg.get("stt", {}).get("provider", "local")
+            tts_provider = cfg.get("tts", {}).get("provider", "edge")
+            check("STT provider", True, stt_provider)
+            check("TTS provider", True, tts_provider)
+
+            if stt_provider == "groq" and not groq_key:
+                warn("STT config says groq but GROQ_API_KEY is missing")
+            if tts_provider == "elevenlabs" and not eleven_key:
+                warn("TTS config says elevenlabs but ELEVENLABS_API_KEY is missing")
+        except Exception as e:
+            warn("config.yaml", f"parse error: {e}")
+    else:
+        warn("config.yaml", "not found — using defaults")
+
+    # Voice mode state
+    voice_mode_path = HERMES_HOME / "gateway_voice_mode.json"
+    if voice_mode_path.exists():
+        try:
+            import json
+            modes = json.loads(voice_mode_path.read_text())
+            off_count = sum(1 for v in modes.values() if v == "off")
+            all_count = sum(1 for v in modes.values() if v == "all")
+            check("Voice mode state", True, f"{all_count} on, {off_count} off, {len(modes)} total")
+        except Exception:
+            warn("Voice mode state", "parse error")
+    else:
+        check("Voice mode state", True, "no saved state (fresh)")
+
+
+def check_bot_permissions(token):
+    """Check bot permissions via Discord API. Returns True if all OK."""
+    section("Bot Permissions")
+
+    if not token:
+        warn("Bot permissions", "no token — skipping")
+        return True
+
+    try:
+        import requests
+    except ImportError:
+        warn("Bot permissions", "requests not installed — skipping")
+        return True
+
+    VOICE_PERMS = {
+        "Priority Speaker":      8,
+        "Stream":                9,
+        "View Channel":         10,
+        "Send Messages":        11,
+        "Embed Links":          14,
+        "Attach Files":         15,
+        "Read Message History": 16,
+        "Connect":              20,
+        "Speak":                21,
+        "Mute Members":         22,
+        "Deafen Members":       23,
+        "Move Members":         24,
+        "Use VAD":              25,
+        "Send Voice Messages":  46,
+    }
+    REQUIRED_PERMS = {"Connect", "Speak", "View Channel", "Send Messages"}
+    ok = True
+
+    try:
+        headers = {"Authorization": f"Bot {token}"}
+        r = requests.get("https://discord.com/api/v10/users/@me", headers=headers, timeout=5)
+
+        if r.status_code == 401:
+            check("Bot login", False, "invalid token (401)")
+            return False
+        if r.status_code != 200:
+            check("Bot login", False, f"HTTP {r.status_code}")
+            return False
+
+        bot = r.json()
+        bot_name = bot.get("username", "?")
+        check("Bot login", True, f"{bot_name[:3]}{'*' * (len(bot_name) - 3)}")
+
+        # Check guilds
+        r2 = requests.get("https://discord.com/api/v10/users/@me/guilds", headers=headers, timeout=5)
+        if r2.status_code != 200:
+            warn("Guilds", f"HTTP {r2.status_code}")
+            return ok
+
+        guilds = r2.json()
+        check("Guilds", True, f"{len(guilds)} guild(s)")
+
+        for g in guilds[:5]:
+            perms = int(g.get("permissions", 0))
+            is_admin = bool(perms & (1 << 3))
+
+            if is_admin:
+                print(f"    {OK} {g['name']}: Administrator (all permissions)")
+                continue
+
+            has = []
+            missing = []
+            for name, bit in sorted(VOICE_PERMS.items(), key=lambda x: x[1]):
+                if perms & (1 << bit):
+                    has.append(name)
+                elif name in REQUIRED_PERMS:
+                    missing.append(name)
+
+            if missing:
+                print(f"    {FAIL} {g['name']}: missing {', '.join(missing)}")
+                ok = False
+            else:
+                print(f"    {OK} {g['name']}: {', '.join(has)}")
+
+    except requests.exceptions.Timeout:
+        warn("Bot permissions", "Discord API timeout")
+    except requests.exceptions.ConnectionError:
+        warn("Bot permissions", "cannot reach Discord API")
+    except Exception as e:
+        warn("Bot permissions", f"check failed: {e}")
+
+    return ok
+
+
+def main():
+    print()
+    print("\033[1m" + "=" * 50 + "\033[0m")
+    print("\033[1m  Discord Voice Doctor\033[0m")
+    print("\033[1m" + "=" * 50 + "\033[0m")
+
+    all_ok = True
+
+    all_ok &= check_packages()
+    all_ok &= check_system_tools()
+    env_ok, token, groq_key, eleven_key = check_env_vars()
+    all_ok &= env_ok
+    check_config(groq_key, eleven_key)
+    all_ok &= check_bot_permissions(token)
+
+    # Summary
+    print()
+    print("\033[1m" + "-" * 50 + "\033[0m")
+    if all_ok:
+        print(f"  {OK} \033[92mAll checks passed — voice mode ready!\033[0m")
+    else:
+        print(f"  {FAIL} \033[91mSome checks failed — fix issues above.\033[0m")
+    print()
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    main()

tests/agent/test_auxiliary_client.py

@@ -195,7 +195,7 @@ class TestGetTextAuxiliaryClient:
         with patch("agent.auxiliary_client._read_nous_auth", return_value=None), \
              patch("agent.auxiliary_client.OpenAI") as mock_openai:
             client, model = get_text_auxiliary_client()
-        assert model == "gpt-5.3-codex"
+        assert model == "gpt-5.2-codex"
         # Returns a CodexAuxiliaryClient wrapper, not a raw OpenAI client
         from agent.auxiliary_client import CodexAuxiliaryClient
         assert isinstance(client, CodexAuxiliaryClient)
@@ -288,7 +288,7 @@ class TestVisionClientFallback:
             client, model = get_vision_auxiliary_client()
         from agent.auxiliary_client import CodexAuxiliaryClient
         assert isinstance(client, CodexAuxiliaryClient)
-        assert model == "gpt-5.3-codex"
+        assert model == "gpt-5.2-codex"
 
     def test_vision_auto_falls_back_to_custom_endpoint(self, monkeypatch):
         """Custom endpoint is used as fallback in vision auto mode.
@@ -371,7 +371,7 @@ class TestVisionClientFallback:
             client, model = get_vision_auxiliary_client()
         from agent.auxiliary_client import CodexAuxiliaryClient
         assert isinstance(client, CodexAuxiliaryClient)
-        assert model == "gpt-5.3-codex"
+        assert model == "gpt-5.2-codex"
 
 
 class TestGetAuxiliaryProvider:
@@ -489,7 +489,7 @@ class TestResolveForcedProvider:
             client, model = _resolve_forced_provider("main")
         from agent.auxiliary_client import CodexAuxiliaryClient
         assert isinstance(client, CodexAuxiliaryClient)
-        assert model == "gpt-5.3-codex"
+        assert model == "gpt-5.2-codex"
 
     def test_forced_codex(self, codex_auth_dir, monkeypatch):
         with patch("agent.auxiliary_client._read_nous_auth", return_value=None), \
@@ -497,7 +497,7 @@ class TestResolveForcedProvider:
             client, model = _resolve_forced_provider("codex")
         from agent.auxiliary_client import CodexAuxiliaryClient
         assert isinstance(client, CodexAuxiliaryClient)
-        assert model == "gpt-5.3-codex"
+        assert model == "gpt-5.2-codex"
 
     def test_forced_codex_no_token(self, monkeypatch):
         with patch("agent.auxiliary_client._read_codex_access_token", return_value=None):

tests/agent/test_display_emoji.py

@@ -0,0 +1,123 @@
+"""Tests for get_tool_emoji in agent/display.py — skin + registry integration."""
+
+from unittest.mock import patch as mock_patch, MagicMock
+
+from agent.display import get_tool_emoji
+
+
+class TestGetToolEmoji:
+    """Verify the skin → registry → fallback resolution chain."""
+
+    def test_returns_registry_emoji_when_no_skin(self):
+        """Registry-registered emoji is used when no skin is active."""
+        mock_registry = MagicMock()
+        mock_registry.get_emoji.return_value = "🎨"
+        with mock_patch("agent.display._get_skin", return_value=None), \
+             mock_patch("agent.display.registry", mock_registry, create=True):
+            # Need to patch the import inside get_tool_emoji
+            pass
+        # Direct test: patch the lazy import path
+        with mock_patch("agent.display._get_skin", return_value=None):
+            # get_tool_emoji will try to import registry — mock that
+            mock_reg = MagicMock()
+            mock_reg.get_emoji.return_value = "📖"
+            with mock_patch.dict("sys.modules", {}):
+                import sys
+                # Patch tools.registry module
+                mock_module = MagicMock()
+                mock_module.registry = mock_reg
+                with mock_patch.dict(sys.modules, {"tools.registry": mock_module}):
+                    result = get_tool_emoji("read_file")
+                    assert result == "📖"
+
+    def test_skin_override_takes_precedence(self):
+        """Skin tool_emojis override registry defaults."""
+        skin = MagicMock()
+        skin.tool_emojis = {"terminal": "⚔"}
+        with mock_patch("agent.display._get_skin", return_value=skin):
+            result = get_tool_emoji("terminal")
+            assert result == "⚔"
+
+    def test_skin_empty_dict_falls_through(self):
+        """Empty skin tool_emojis falls through to registry."""
+        skin = MagicMock()
+        skin.tool_emojis = {}
+        mock_reg = MagicMock()
+        mock_reg.get_emoji.return_value = "💻"
+        import sys
+        mock_module = MagicMock()
+        mock_module.registry = mock_reg
+        with mock_patch("agent.display._get_skin", return_value=skin), \
+             mock_patch.dict(sys.modules, {"tools.registry": mock_module}):
+            result = get_tool_emoji("terminal")
+            assert result == "💻"
+
+    def test_fallback_default(self):
+        """When neither skin nor registry has an emoji, use the default."""
+        skin = MagicMock()
+        skin.tool_emojis = {}
+        mock_reg = MagicMock()
+        mock_reg.get_emoji.return_value = ""
+        import sys
+        mock_module = MagicMock()
+        mock_module.registry = mock_reg
+        with mock_patch("agent.display._get_skin", return_value=skin), \
+             mock_patch.dict(sys.modules, {"tools.registry": mock_module}):
+            result = get_tool_emoji("unknown_tool")
+            assert result == "⚡"
+
+    def test_custom_default(self):
+        """Custom default is returned when nothing matches."""
+        with mock_patch("agent.display._get_skin", return_value=None):
+            mock_reg = MagicMock()
+            mock_reg.get_emoji.return_value = ""
+            import sys
+            mock_module = MagicMock()
+            mock_module.registry = mock_reg
+            with mock_patch.dict(sys.modules, {"tools.registry": mock_module}):
+                result = get_tool_emoji("x", default="⚙️")
+                assert result == "⚙️"
+
+    def test_skin_override_only_for_matching_tool(self):
+        """Skin override for one tool doesn't affect others."""
+        skin = MagicMock()
+        skin.tool_emojis = {"terminal": "⚔"}
+        mock_reg = MagicMock()
+        mock_reg.get_emoji.return_value = "🔍"
+        import sys
+        mock_module = MagicMock()
+        mock_module.registry = mock_reg
+        with mock_patch("agent.display._get_skin", return_value=skin), \
+             mock_patch.dict(sys.modules, {"tools.registry": mock_module}):
+            assert get_tool_emoji("terminal") == "⚔"  # skin override
+            assert get_tool_emoji("web_search") == "🔍"  # registry fallback
+
+
+class TestSkinConfigToolEmojis:
+    """Verify SkinConfig handles tool_emojis field correctly."""
+
+    def test_skin_config_has_tool_emojis_field(self):
+        from hermes_cli.skin_engine import SkinConfig
+        skin = SkinConfig(name="test")
+        assert skin.tool_emojis == {}
+
+    def test_skin_config_accepts_tool_emojis(self):
+        from hermes_cli.skin_engine import SkinConfig
+        emojis = {"terminal": "⚔", "web_search": "🔮"}
+        skin = SkinConfig(name="test", tool_emojis=emojis)
+        assert skin.tool_emojis == emojis
+
+    def test_build_skin_config_includes_tool_emojis(self):
+        from hermes_cli.skin_engine import _build_skin_config
+        data = {
+            "name": "custom",
+            "tool_emojis": {"terminal": "🗡️", "patch": "⚒️"},
+        }
+        skin = _build_skin_config(data)
+        assert skin.tool_emojis == {"terminal": "🗡️", "patch": "⚒️"}
+
+    def test_build_skin_config_empty_tool_emojis_default(self):
+        from hermes_cli.skin_engine import _build_skin_config
+        data = {"name": "minimal"}
+        skin = _build_skin_config(data)
+        assert skin.tool_emojis == {}

tests/gateway/test_discord_free_response.py

@@ -252,3 +252,109 @@ async def test_discord_dms_ignore_mention_requirement(adapter, monkeypatch):
     event = adapter.handle_message.await_args.args[0]
     assert event.text == "dm without mention"
     assert event.source.chat_type == "dm"
+
+
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_discord_auto_thread_enabled_by_default(adapter, monkeypatch):
+    """Auto-threading should be enabled by default (DISCORD_AUTO_THREAD defaults to 'true')."""
+    monkeypatch.delenv("DISCORD_AUTO_THREAD", raising=False)
+    monkeypatch.setenv("DISCORD_REQUIRE_MENTION", "false")
+
+    # Patch _auto_create_thread to return a fake thread
+    fake_thread = FakeThread(channel_id=999, name="auto-thread")
+    adapter._auto_create_thread = AsyncMock(return_value=fake_thread)
+
+    message = make_message(channel=FakeTextChannel(channel_id=123), content="hello")
+
+    await adapter._handle_message(message)
+
+    adapter._auto_create_thread.assert_awaited_once()
+    adapter.handle_message.assert_awaited_once()
+    event = adapter.handle_message.await_args.args[0]
+    assert event.source.chat_type == "thread"
+    assert event.source.thread_id == "999"
+
+
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_discord_auto_thread_can_be_disabled(adapter, monkeypatch):
+    """Setting auto_thread to false skips thread creation."""
+    monkeypatch.setenv("DISCORD_AUTO_THREAD", "false")
+    monkeypatch.setenv("DISCORD_REQUIRE_MENTION", "false")
+
+    adapter._auto_create_thread = AsyncMock()
+
+    message = make_message(channel=FakeTextChannel(channel_id=123), content="hello")
+
+    await adapter._handle_message(message)
+
+    adapter._auto_create_thread.assert_not_awaited()
+    adapter.handle_message.assert_awaited_once()
+    event = adapter.handle_message.await_args.args[0]
+    assert event.source.chat_type == "group"
+
+
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_discord_bot_thread_skips_mention_requirement(adapter, monkeypatch):
+    """Messages in a thread the bot has participated in should not require @mention."""
+    monkeypatch.setenv("DISCORD_REQUIRE_MENTION", "true")
+    monkeypatch.delenv("DISCORD_FREE_RESPONSE_CHANNELS", raising=False)
+    monkeypatch.setenv("DISCORD_AUTO_THREAD", "false")
+
+    # Simulate bot having previously participated in thread 456
+    adapter._bot_participated_threads.add("456")
+
+    thread = FakeThread(channel_id=456, name="existing thread")
+    message = make_message(channel=thread, content="follow-up without mention")
+
+    await adapter._handle_message(message)
+
+    adapter.handle_message.assert_awaited_once()
+    event = adapter.handle_message.await_args.args[0]
+    assert event.text == "follow-up without mention"
+    assert event.source.chat_type == "thread"
+
+
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_discord_unknown_thread_still_requires_mention(adapter, monkeypatch):
+    """Messages in a thread the bot hasn't participated in should still require @mention."""
+    monkeypatch.setenv("DISCORD_REQUIRE_MENTION", "true")
+    monkeypatch.delenv("DISCORD_FREE_RESPONSE_CHANNELS", raising=False)
+    monkeypatch.setenv("DISCORD_AUTO_THREAD", "false")
+
+    # Bot has NOT participated in thread 789
+    thread = FakeThread(channel_id=789, name="some thread")
+    message = make_message(channel=thread, content="hello from unknown thread")
+
+    await adapter._handle_message(message)
+
+    adapter.handle_message.assert_not_awaited()
+
+
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_discord_auto_thread_tracks_participation(adapter, monkeypatch):
+    """Auto-created threads should be tracked for future mention-free replies."""
+    monkeypatch.delenv("DISCORD_AUTO_THREAD", raising=False)
+    monkeypatch.setenv("DISCORD_REQUIRE_MENTION", "false")
+
+    fake_thread = FakeThread(channel_id=555, name="auto-thread")
+    adapter._auto_create_thread = AsyncMock(return_value=fake_thread)
+
+    message = make_message(channel=FakeTextChannel(channel_id=123), content="start a thread")
+
+    await adapter._handle_message(message)
+
+    assert "555" in adapter._bot_participated_threads
+
+
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_discord_thread_participation_tracked_on_dispatch(adapter, monkeypatch):
+    """When the bot processes a message in a thread, it tracks participation."""
+    monkeypatch.setenv("DISCORD_REQUIRE_MENTION", "false")
+    monkeypatch.setenv("DISCORD_AUTO_THREAD", "false")
+
+    thread = FakeThread(channel_id=777, name="manually created thread")
+    message = make_message(channel=thread, content="hello in thread")
+
+    await adapter._handle_message(message)
+
+    assert "777" in adapter._bot_participated_threads

tests/gateway/test_discord_slash_commands.py

@@ -363,11 +363,37 @@ async def test_auto_thread_creates_thread_and_redirects(adapter, monkeypatch):
 
 
 @pytest.mark.asyncio
-async def test_auto_thread_disabled_by_default(adapter, monkeypatch):
-    """Without DISCORD_AUTO_THREAD, messages stay in the channel."""
+async def test_auto_thread_enabled_by_default_slash_commands(adapter, monkeypatch):
+    """Without DISCORD_AUTO_THREAD env var, auto-threading is enabled (default: true)."""
     monkeypatch.delenv("DISCORD_AUTO_THREAD", raising=False)
     monkeypatch.setenv("DISCORD_REQUIRE_MENTION", "false")
 
+    fake_thread = _FakeThreadChannel(channel_id=999, name="auto-thread")
+    adapter._auto_create_thread = AsyncMock(return_value=fake_thread)
+
+    captured_events = []
+
+    async def capture_handle(event):
+        captured_events.append(event)
+
+    adapter.handle_message = capture_handle
+
+    msg = _fake_message(_FakeTextChannel())
+
+    await adapter._handle_message(msg)
+
+    adapter._auto_create_thread.assert_awaited_once()
+    assert len(captured_events) == 1
+    assert captured_events[0].source.chat_id == "999"  # redirected to thread
+    assert captured_events[0].source.chat_type == "thread"
+
+
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_auto_thread_can_be_disabled(adapter, monkeypatch):
+    """Setting DISCORD_AUTO_THREAD=false keeps messages in the channel."""
+    monkeypatch.setenv("DISCORD_AUTO_THREAD", "false")
+    monkeypatch.setenv("DISCORD_REQUIRE_MENTION", "false")
+
     adapter._auto_create_thread = AsyncMock()
 
     captured_events = []

tests/gateway/test_gateway_shutdown.py

@@ -0,0 +1,106 @@
+import asyncio
+from unittest.mock import AsyncMock, MagicMock, patch
+
+import pytest
+
+from gateway.config import GatewayConfig, Platform, PlatformConfig
+from gateway.platforms.base import BasePlatformAdapter, MessageEvent, SendResult
+from gateway.run import GatewayRunner
+from gateway.session import SessionSource, build_session_key
+
+
+class StubAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
+    def __init__(self):
+        super().__init__(PlatformConfig(enabled=True, token="***"), Platform.TELEGRAM)
+
+    async def connect(self):
+        return True
+
+    async def disconnect(self):
+        return None
+
+    async def send(self, chat_id, content, reply_to=None, metadata=None):
+        return SendResult(success=True, message_id="1")
+
+    async def send_typing(self, chat_id, metadata=None):
+        return None
+
+    async def get_chat_info(self, chat_id):
+        return {"id": chat_id}
+
+
+def _source(chat_id="123456", chat_type="dm"):
+    return SessionSource(
+        platform=Platform.TELEGRAM,
+        chat_id=chat_id,
+        chat_type=chat_type,
+    )
+
+
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_cancel_background_tasks_cancels_inflight_message_processing():
+    adapter = StubAdapter()
+    release = asyncio.Event()
+
+    async def block_forever(_event):
+        await release.wait()
+        return None
+
+    adapter.set_message_handler(block_forever)
+    event = MessageEvent(text="work", source=_source(), message_id="1")
+
+    await adapter.handle_message(event)
+    await asyncio.sleep(0)
+
+    session_key = build_session_key(event.source)
+    assert session_key in adapter._active_sessions
+    assert adapter._background_tasks
+
+    await adapter.cancel_background_tasks()
+
+    assert adapter._background_tasks == set()
+    assert adapter._active_sessions == {}
+    assert adapter._pending_messages == {}
+
+
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_gateway_stop_interrupts_running_agents_and_cancels_adapter_tasks():
+    runner = object.__new__(GatewayRunner)
+    runner.config = GatewayConfig(platforms={Platform.TELEGRAM: PlatformConfig(enabled=True, token="***")})
+    runner._running = True
+    runner._shutdown_event = asyncio.Event()
+    runner._exit_reason = None
+    runner._pending_messages = {"session": "pending text"}
+    runner._pending_approvals = {"session": {"command": "rm -rf /tmp/x"}}
+    runner._shutdown_all_gateway_honcho = lambda: None
+
+    adapter = StubAdapter()
+    release = asyncio.Event()
+
+    async def block_forever(_event):
+        await release.wait()
+        return None
+
+    adapter.set_message_handler(block_forever)
+    event = MessageEvent(text="work", source=_source(), message_id="1")
+    await adapter.handle_message(event)
+    await asyncio.sleep(0)
+
+    disconnect_mock = AsyncMock()
+    adapter.disconnect = disconnect_mock
+
+    session_key = build_session_key(event.source)
+    running_agent = MagicMock()
+    runner._running_agents = {session_key: running_agent}
+    runner.adapters = {Platform.TELEGRAM: adapter}
+
+    with patch("gateway.status.remove_pid_file"), patch("gateway.status.write_runtime_status"):
+        await runner.stop()
+
+    running_agent.interrupt.assert_called_once_with("Gateway shutting down")
+    disconnect_mock.assert_awaited_once()
+    assert runner.adapters == {}
+    assert runner._running_agents == {}
+    assert runner._pending_messages == {}
+    assert runner._pending_approvals == {}
+    assert runner._shutdown_event.is_set() is True

tests/gateway/test_image_enrichment.py

@@ -0,0 +1,25 @@
+from unittest.mock import patch
+
+import pytest
+
+
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_image_enrichment_uses_athabasca_upload_guidance_without_stale_r2_warning():
+    from gateway.run import GatewayRunner
+
+    runner = object.__new__(GatewayRunner)
+
+    with patch(
+        "tools.vision_tools.vision_analyze_tool",
+        return_value='{"success": true, "analysis": "A painted serpent warrior."}',
+    ):
+        enriched = await runner._enrich_message_with_vision(
+            "caption",
+            ["/tmp/test.jpg"],
+        )
+
+    assert "R2 not configured" not in enriched
+    assert "Gateway media URL available for reference" not in enriched
+    assert "POST /api/uploads" in enriched
+    assert "Do not store the local cache path" in enriched
+    assert "caption" in enriched

tests/gateway/test_interrupt_key_match.py

@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ import asyncio
 import pytest
 
 from gateway.config import Platform, PlatformConfig
-from gateway.platforms.base import BasePlatformAdapter, MessageEvent, SendResult
+from gateway.platforms.base import BasePlatformAdapter, MessageEvent, MessageType, SendResult
 from gateway.session import SessionSource, build_session_key
 
 
@@ -50,11 +50,11 @@ class TestInterruptKeyConsistency:
     """Ensure adapter interrupt methods are queried with session_key, not chat_id."""
 
     def test_session_key_differs_from_chat_id_for_dm(self):
-        """Session key for a DM is NOT the same as chat_id."""
+        """Session key for a DM is namespaced and includes the DM chat_id."""
         source = _source("123456", "dm")
         session_key = build_session_key(source)
         assert session_key != source.chat_id
-        assert session_key == "agent:main:telegram:dm"
+        assert session_key == "agent:main:telegram:dm:123456"
 
     def test_session_key_differs_from_chat_id_for_group(self):
         """Session key for a group chat includes prefix, unlike raw chat_id."""
@@ -122,3 +122,29 @@ class TestInterruptKeyConsistency:
 
         # Interrupt event was set
         assert adapter._active_sessions[session_key].is_set()
+
+    @pytest.mark.asyncio
+    async def test_photo_followup_is_queued_without_interrupt(self):
+        """Photo follow-ups should queue behind the active run instead of interrupting it."""
+        adapter = StubAdapter()
+        adapter.set_message_handler(lambda event: asyncio.sleep(0, result=None))
+
+        source = _source("-1001234", "group")
+        session_key = build_session_key(source)
+        interrupt_event = asyncio.Event()
+        adapter._active_sessions[session_key] = interrupt_event
+
+        event = MessageEvent(
+            text="caption",
+            source=source,
+            message_type=MessageType.PHOTO,
+            message_id="2",
+            media_urls=["/tmp/photo-a.jpg"],
+            media_types=["image/jpeg"],
+        )
+        await adapter.handle_message(event)
+
+        queued = adapter._pending_messages[session_key]
+        assert queued is event
+        assert queued.media_urls == ["/tmp/photo-a.jpg"]
+        assert interrupt_event.is_set() is False

tests/gateway/test_session.py

@@ -338,7 +338,7 @@ class TestSessionStoreRewriteTranscript:
 
 class TestWhatsAppDMSessionKeyConsistency:
     """Regression: all session-key construction must go through build_session_key
-    so WhatsApp DMs include chat_id while other DMs do not."""
+    so DMs are isolated by chat_id across platforms."""
 
     @pytest.fixture()
     def store(self, tmp_path):
@@ -369,15 +369,24 @@ class TestWhatsAppDMSessionKeyConsistency:
         )
         assert store._generate_session_key(source) == build_session_key(source)
 
-    def test_telegram_dm_omits_chat_id(self):
-        """Non-WhatsApp DMs should still omit chat_id (single owner DM)."""
+    def test_telegram_dm_includes_chat_id(self):
+        """Non-WhatsApp DMs should also include chat_id to separate users."""
         source = SessionSource(
             platform=Platform.TELEGRAM,
             chat_id="99",
             chat_type="dm",
         )
         key = build_session_key(source)
-        assert key == "agent:main:telegram:dm"
+        assert key == "agent:main:telegram:dm:99"
+
+    def test_distinct_dm_chat_ids_get_distinct_session_keys(self):
+        """Different DM chats must not collapse into one shared session."""
+        first = SessionSource(platform=Platform.TELEGRAM, chat_id="99", chat_type="dm")
+        second = SessionSource(platform=Platform.TELEGRAM, chat_id="100", chat_type="dm")
+
+        assert build_session_key(first) == "agent:main:telegram:dm:99"
+        assert build_session_key(second) == "agent:main:telegram:dm:100"
+        assert build_session_key(first) != build_session_key(second)
 
     def test_discord_group_includes_chat_id(self):
         """Group/channel keys include chat_type and chat_id."""

tests/gateway/test_session_env.py

@@ -0,0 +1,45 @@
+import os
+
+from gateway.config import Platform
+from gateway.run import GatewayRunner
+from gateway.session import SessionContext, SessionSource
+
+
+def test_set_session_env_includes_thread_id(monkeypatch):
+    runner = object.__new__(GatewayRunner)
+    source = SessionSource(
+        platform=Platform.TELEGRAM,
+        chat_id="-1001",
+        chat_name="Group",
+        chat_type="group",
+        thread_id="17585",
+    )
+    context = SessionContext(source=source, connected_platforms=[], home_channels={})
+
+    monkeypatch.delenv("HERMES_SESSION_PLATFORM", raising=False)
+    monkeypatch.delenv("HERMES_SESSION_CHAT_ID", raising=False)
+    monkeypatch.delenv("HERMES_SESSION_CHAT_NAME", raising=False)
+    monkeypatch.delenv("HERMES_SESSION_THREAD_ID", raising=False)
+
+    runner._set_session_env(context)
+
+    assert os.getenv("HERMES_SESSION_PLATFORM") == "telegram"
+    assert os.getenv("HERMES_SESSION_CHAT_ID") == "-1001"
+    assert os.getenv("HERMES_SESSION_CHAT_NAME") == "Group"
+    assert os.getenv("HERMES_SESSION_THREAD_ID") == "17585"
+
+
+def test_clear_session_env_removes_thread_id(monkeypatch):
+    runner = object.__new__(GatewayRunner)
+
+    monkeypatch.setenv("HERMES_SESSION_PLATFORM", "telegram")
+    monkeypatch.setenv("HERMES_SESSION_CHAT_ID", "-1001")
+    monkeypatch.setenv("HERMES_SESSION_CHAT_NAME", "Group")
+    monkeypatch.setenv("HERMES_SESSION_THREAD_ID", "17585")
+
+    runner._clear_session_env()
+
+    assert os.getenv("HERMES_SESSION_PLATFORM") is None
+    assert os.getenv("HERMES_SESSION_CHAT_ID") is None
+    assert os.getenv("HERMES_SESSION_CHAT_NAME") is None
+    assert os.getenv("HERMES_SESSION_THREAD_ID") is None

tests/gateway/test_status_command.py

@@ -0,0 +1,133 @@
+"""Tests for gateway /status behavior and token persistence."""
+
+from datetime import datetime
+from types import SimpleNamespace
+from unittest.mock import AsyncMock, MagicMock
+
+import pytest
+
+from gateway.config import GatewayConfig, Platform, PlatformConfig
+from gateway.platforms.base import MessageEvent
+from gateway.session import SessionEntry, SessionSource, build_session_key
+
+
+def _make_source() -> SessionSource:
+    return SessionSource(
+        platform=Platform.TELEGRAM,
+        user_id="u1",
+        chat_id="c1",
+        user_name="tester",
+        chat_type="dm",
+    )
+
+
+def _make_event(text: str) -> MessageEvent:
+    return MessageEvent(
+        text=text,
+        source=_make_source(),
+        message_id="m1",
+    )
+
+
+def _make_runner(session_entry: SessionEntry):
+    from gateway.run import GatewayRunner
+
+    runner = object.__new__(GatewayRunner)
+    runner.config = GatewayConfig(
+        platforms={Platform.TELEGRAM: PlatformConfig(enabled=True, token="***")}
+    )
+    adapter = MagicMock()
+    adapter.send = AsyncMock()
+    runner.adapters = {Platform.TELEGRAM: adapter}
+    runner._voice_mode = {}
+    runner.hooks = SimpleNamespace(emit=AsyncMock(), loaded_hooks=False)
+    runner.session_store = MagicMock()
+    runner.session_store.get_or_create_session.return_value = session_entry
+    runner.session_store.load_transcript.return_value = []
+    runner.session_store.has_any_sessions.return_value = True
+    runner.session_store.append_to_transcript = MagicMock()
+    runner.session_store.rewrite_transcript = MagicMock()
+    runner.session_store.update_session = MagicMock()
+    runner._running_agents = {}
+    runner._pending_messages = {}
+    runner._pending_approvals = {}
+    runner._session_db = None
+    runner._reasoning_config = None
+    runner._provider_routing = {}
+    runner._fallback_model = None
+    runner._show_reasoning = False
+    runner._is_user_authorized = lambda _source: True
+    runner._set_session_env = lambda _context: None
+    runner._should_send_voice_reply = lambda *_args, **_kwargs: False
+    runner._send_voice_reply = AsyncMock()
+    runner._capture_gateway_honcho_if_configured = lambda *args, **kwargs: None
+    runner._emit_gateway_run_progress = AsyncMock()
+    return runner
+
+
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_status_command_reports_running_agent_without_interrupt(monkeypatch):
+    session_entry = SessionEntry(
+        session_key=build_session_key(_make_source()),
+        session_id="sess-1",
+        created_at=datetime.now(),
+        updated_at=datetime.now(),
+        platform=Platform.TELEGRAM,
+        chat_type="dm",
+        total_tokens=321,
+    )
+    runner = _make_runner(session_entry)
+    running_agent = MagicMock()
+    runner._running_agents[build_session_key(_make_source())] = running_agent
+
+    result = await runner._handle_message(_make_event("/status"))
+
+    assert "**Tokens:** 321" in result
+    assert "**Agent Running:** Yes ⚡" in result
+    running_agent.interrupt.assert_not_called()
+    assert runner._pending_messages == {}
+
+
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_handle_message_persists_agent_token_counts(monkeypatch):
+    import gateway.run as gateway_run
+
+    session_entry = SessionEntry(
+        session_key=build_session_key(_make_source()),
+        session_id="sess-1",
+        created_at=datetime.now(),
+        updated_at=datetime.now(),
+        platform=Platform.TELEGRAM,
+        chat_type="dm",
+    )
+    runner = _make_runner(session_entry)
+    runner.session_store.load_transcript.return_value = [{"role": "user", "content": "earlier"}]
+    runner._run_agent = AsyncMock(
+        return_value={
+            "final_response": "ok",
+            "messages": [],
+            "tools": [],
+            "history_offset": 0,
+            "last_prompt_tokens": 80,
+            "input_tokens": 120,
+            "output_tokens": 45,
+            "model": "openai/test-model",
+        }
+    )
+
+    monkeypatch.setattr(gateway_run, "_resolve_runtime_agent_kwargs", lambda: {"api_key": "***"})
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        "agent.model_metadata.get_model_context_length",
+        lambda *_args, **_kwargs: 100000,
+    )
+
+    result = await runner._handle_message(_make_event("hello"))
+
+    assert result == "ok"
+    runner.session_store.update_session.assert_called_once_with(
+        session_entry.session_key,
+        input_tokens=120,
+        output_tokens=45,
+        last_prompt_tokens=80,
+        model="openai/test-model",
+    )

tests/gateway/test_telegram_documents.py

@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ import asyncio
 import importlib
 import os
 import sys
+from types import SimpleNamespace
 from unittest.mock import AsyncMock, MagicMock, patch
 
 import pytest
@@ -351,6 +352,26 @@ class TestDocumentDownloadBlock:
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 class TestMediaGroups:
+    @pytest.mark.asyncio
+    async def test_non_album_photo_burst_is_buffered_and_combined(self, adapter):
+        first_photo = _make_photo(_make_file_obj(b"first"))
+        second_photo = _make_photo(_make_file_obj(b"second"))
+
+        msg1 = _make_message(caption="two images", photo=[first_photo])
+        msg2 = _make_message(photo=[second_photo])
+
+        with patch("gateway.platforms.telegram.cache_image_from_bytes", side_effect=["/tmp/burst-one.jpg", "/tmp/burst-two.jpg"]):
+            await adapter._handle_media_message(_make_update(msg1), MagicMock())
+            await adapter._handle_media_message(_make_update(msg2), MagicMock())
+            assert adapter.handle_message.await_count == 0
+            await asyncio.sleep(adapter.MEDIA_GROUP_WAIT_SECONDS + 0.05)
+
+        adapter.handle_message.assert_awaited_once()
+        event = adapter.handle_message.await_args.args[0]
+        assert event.text == "two images"
+        assert event.media_urls == ["/tmp/burst-one.jpg", "/tmp/burst-two.jpg"]
+        assert len(event.media_types) == 2
+
     @pytest.mark.asyncio
     async def test_photo_album_is_buffered_and_combined(self, adapter):
         first_photo = _make_photo(_make_file_obj(b"first"))
@@ -537,6 +558,51 @@ class TestSendDocument:
         assert call_kwargs["reply_to_message_id"] == 50
 
 
+class TestTelegramPhotoBatching:
+    @pytest.mark.asyncio
+    async def test_flush_photo_batch_does_not_drop_newer_scheduled_task(self, adapter):
+        old_task = MagicMock()
+        new_task = MagicMock()
+        batch_key = "session:photo-burst"
+        adapter._pending_photo_batch_tasks[batch_key] = new_task
+        adapter._pending_photo_batches[batch_key] = MessageEvent(
+            text="",
+            message_type=MessageType.PHOTO,
+            source=SimpleNamespace(channel_id="chat-1"),
+            media_urls=["/tmp/a.jpg"],
+            media_types=["image/jpeg"],
+        )
+
+        with (
+            patch("gateway.platforms.telegram.asyncio.current_task", return_value=old_task),
+            patch("gateway.platforms.telegram.asyncio.sleep", new=AsyncMock()),
+        ):
+            await adapter._flush_photo_batch(batch_key)
+
+        assert adapter._pending_photo_batch_tasks[batch_key] is new_task
+
+    @pytest.mark.asyncio
+    async def test_disconnect_cancels_pending_photo_batch_tasks(self, adapter):
+        task = MagicMock()
+        task.done.return_value = False
+        adapter._pending_photo_batch_tasks["session:photo-burst"] = task
+        adapter._pending_photo_batches["session:photo-burst"] = MessageEvent(
+            text="",
+            message_type=MessageType.PHOTO,
+            source=SimpleNamespace(channel_id="chat-1"),
+        )
+        adapter._app = MagicMock()
+        adapter._app.updater.stop = AsyncMock()
+        adapter._app.stop = AsyncMock()
+        adapter._app.shutdown = AsyncMock()
+
+        await adapter.disconnect()
+
+        task.cancel.assert_called_once()
+        assert adapter._pending_photo_batch_tasks == {}
+        assert adapter._pending_photo_batches == {}
+
+
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # TestSendVideo — outbound video delivery
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

tests/gateway/test_telegram_format.py

@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ or corrupt user-visible content.
 
 import re
 import sys
-from unittest.mock import MagicMock
+from unittest.mock import AsyncMock, MagicMock
 
 import pytest
 
@@ -392,3 +392,27 @@ class TestStripMdv2:
 
     def test_empty_string(self):
         assert _strip_mdv2("") == ""
+
+
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_send_escapes_chunk_indicator_for_markdownv2(adapter):
+    adapter.MAX_MESSAGE_LENGTH = 80
+    adapter._bot = MagicMock()
+
+    sent_texts = []
+
+    async def _fake_send_message(**kwargs):
+        sent_texts.append(kwargs["text"])
+        msg = MagicMock()
+        msg.message_id = len(sent_texts)
+        return msg
+
+    adapter._bot.send_message = AsyncMock(side_effect=_fake_send_message)
+
+    content = ("**bold** chunk content " * 12).strip()
+    result = await adapter.send("123", content)
+
+    assert result.success is True
+    assert len(sent_texts) > 1
+    assert re.search(r" \\\([0-9]+/[0-9]+\\\)$", sent_texts[0])
+    assert re.search(r" \\\([0-9]+/[0-9]+\\\)$", sent_texts[-1])

tests/gateway/test_telegram_photo_interrupts.py

@@ -0,0 +1,49 @@
+import asyncio
+from unittest.mock import MagicMock
+
+import pytest
+
+from gateway.config import GatewayConfig, Platform, PlatformConfig
+from gateway.platforms.base import MessageEvent, MessageType
+from gateway.session import SessionSource, build_session_key
+from gateway.run import GatewayRunner
+
+
+class _PendingAdapter:
+    def __init__(self):
+        self._pending_messages = {}
+
+
+def _make_runner():
+    runner = object.__new__(GatewayRunner)
+    runner.config = GatewayConfig(platforms={Platform.TELEGRAM: PlatformConfig(enabled=True, token="***")})
+    runner.adapters = {Platform.TELEGRAM: _PendingAdapter()}
+    runner._running_agents = {}
+    runner._pending_messages = {}
+    runner._pending_approvals = {}
+    runner._voice_mode = {}
+    runner._is_user_authorized = lambda _source: True
+    return runner
+
+
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_handle_message_does_not_priority_interrupt_photo_followup():
+    runner = _make_runner()
+    source = SessionSource(platform=Platform.TELEGRAM, chat_id="12345", chat_type="dm")
+    session_key = build_session_key(source)
+    running_agent = MagicMock()
+    runner._running_agents[session_key] = running_agent
+
+    event = MessageEvent(
+        text="caption",
+        message_type=MessageType.PHOTO,
+        source=source,
+        media_urls=["/tmp/photo-a.jpg"],
+        media_types=["image/jpeg"],
+    )
+
+    result = await runner._handle_message(event)
+
+    assert result is None
+    running_agent.interrupt.assert_not_called()
+    assert runner.adapters[Platform.TELEGRAM]._pending_messages[session_key] is event

tests/gateway/test_voice_command.py

@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 """Tests for the /voice command and auto voice reply in the gateway."""
 
+import importlib.util
 import json
 import os
 import queue
@@ -206,9 +207,11 @@ class TestAutoVoiceReply:
       2. gateway _send_voice_reply: fires based on voice_mode setting
 
     To prevent double audio, _send_voice_reply is skipped when voice input
-    already triggered base adapter auto-TTS (skip_double = is_voice_input).
-    Exception: Discord voice channel — both auto-TTS and Discord play_tts
-    override skip, so the runner must handle it via play_in_voice_channel.
+    already triggered base adapter auto-TTS.
+
+    For Discord voice channels, the base adapter now routes play_tts directly
+    into VC playback, so the runner should still skip voice-input follow-ups to
+    avoid double playback.
     """
 
     @pytest.fixture
@@ -292,14 +295,14 @@ class TestAutoVoiceReply:
 
     # -- Discord VC exception: runner must handle --------------------------
 
-    def test_discord_vc_voice_input_runner_fires(self, runner):
-        """Discord VC + voice input: base play_tts skips (VC override),
-        so runner must handle via play_in_voice_channel."""
-        assert self._call(runner, "all", MessageType.VOICE, in_voice_channel=True) is True
+    def test_discord_vc_voice_input_base_handles(self, runner):
+        """Discord VC + voice input: base adapter play_tts plays in VC,
+        so runner skips to avoid double playback."""
+        assert self._call(runner, "all", MessageType.VOICE, in_voice_channel=True) is False
 
-    def test_discord_vc_voice_only_runner_fires(self, runner):
-        """Discord VC + voice_only + voice: runner must handle."""
-        assert self._call(runner, "voice_only", MessageType.VOICE, in_voice_channel=True) is True
+    def test_discord_vc_voice_only_base_handles(self, runner):
+        """Discord VC + voice_only + voice: base adapter handles."""
+        assert self._call(runner, "voice_only", MessageType.VOICE, in_voice_channel=True) is False
 
     # -- Edge cases --------------------------------------------------------
 
@@ -422,17 +425,23 @@ class TestDiscordPlayTtsSkip:
         return adapter
 
     @pytest.mark.asyncio
-    async def test_play_tts_skipped_when_in_vc(self):
+    async def test_play_tts_plays_in_vc_when_connected(self):
         adapter = self._make_discord_adapter()
         # Simulate bot in voice channel for guild 111, text channel 123
         mock_vc = MagicMock()
         mock_vc.is_connected.return_value = True
+        mock_vc.is_playing.return_value = False
         adapter._voice_clients[111] = mock_vc
         adapter._voice_text_channels[111] = 123
 
+        # Mock play_in_voice_channel to avoid actual ffmpeg call
+        async def fake_play(gid, path):
+            return True
+        adapter.play_in_voice_channel = fake_play
+
         result = await adapter.play_tts(chat_id="123", audio_path="/tmp/test.ogg")
+        # play_tts now plays in VC instead of being a no-op
         assert result.success is True
-        # send_voice should NOT have been called (no client, would fail)
 
     @pytest.mark.asyncio
     async def test_play_tts_not_skipped_when_not_in_vc(self):
@@ -728,6 +737,24 @@ class TestVoiceChannelCommands:
         result = await runner._handle_voice_channel_join(event)
         assert "failed" in result.lower()
 
+    @pytest.mark.asyncio
+    async def test_join_missing_voice_dependencies(self, runner):
+        """Missing PyNaCl/davey should return a user-actionable install hint."""
+        mock_channel = MagicMock()
+        mock_channel.name = "General"
+        mock_adapter = AsyncMock()
+        mock_adapter.join_voice_channel = AsyncMock(
+            side_effect=RuntimeError("PyNaCl library needed in order to use voice")
+        )
+        mock_adapter.get_user_voice_channel = AsyncMock(return_value=mock_channel)
+        event = self._make_discord_event()
+        runner.adapters[event.source.platform] = mock_adapter
+
+        result = await runner._handle_voice_channel_join(event)
+
+        assert "voice dependencies are missing" in result.lower()
+        assert "hermes-agent[messaging]" in result
+
     # -- _handle_voice_channel_leave --
 
     @pytest.mark.asyncio
@@ -2031,3 +2058,534 @@ class TestDisconnectVoiceCleanup:
         assert len(adapter._voice_receivers) == 0
         assert len(adapter._voice_listen_tasks) == 0
         assert len(adapter._voice_timeout_tasks) == 0
+
+
+# =====================================================================
+# Discord Voice Channel Flow Tests
+# =====================================================================
+
+
+@pytest.mark.skipif(
+    importlib.util.find_spec("nacl") is None,
+    reason="PyNaCl not installed",
+)
+class TestVoiceReception:
+    """Audio reception: SSRC mapping, DAVE passthrough, buffer lifecycle."""
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def _make_receiver(allowed_ids=None, members=None, dave=False, bot_id=9999):
+        from gateway.platforms.discord import VoiceReceiver
+        vc = MagicMock()
+        vc._connection.secret_key = [0] * 32
+        vc._connection.dave_session = MagicMock() if dave else None
+        vc._connection.ssrc = bot_id
+        vc._connection.add_socket_listener = MagicMock()
+        vc._connection.remove_socket_listener = MagicMock()
+        vc._connection.hook = None
+        vc.user = SimpleNamespace(id=bot_id)
+        vc.channel = MagicMock()
+        vc.channel.members = members or []
+        receiver = VoiceReceiver(vc, allowed_user_ids=allowed_ids)
+        return receiver
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def _fill_buffer(receiver, ssrc, duration_s=1.0, age_s=3.0):
+        """Add PCM data to buffer. 48kHz stereo 16-bit = 192000 bytes/sec."""
+        size = int(192000 * duration_s)
+        receiver._buffers[ssrc] = bytearray(b"\x00" * size)
+        receiver._last_packet_time[ssrc] = time.monotonic() - age_s
+
+    # -- Known SSRC (normal flow) --
+
+    def test_known_ssrc_returns_completed(self):
+        receiver = self._make_receiver()
+        receiver.start()
+        receiver.map_ssrc(100, 42)
+        self._fill_buffer(receiver, 100)
+        completed = receiver.check_silence()
+        assert len(completed) == 1
+        assert completed[0][0] == 42
+        assert len(receiver._buffers[100]) == 0  # cleared
+
+    def test_known_ssrc_short_buffer_ignored(self):
+        receiver = self._make_receiver()
+        receiver.start()
+        receiver.map_ssrc(100, 42)
+        self._fill_buffer(receiver, 100, duration_s=0.1)  # too short
+        completed = receiver.check_silence()
+        assert len(completed) == 0
+
+    def test_known_ssrc_recent_audio_waits(self):
+        receiver = self._make_receiver()
+        receiver.start()
+        receiver.map_ssrc(100, 42)
+        self._fill_buffer(receiver, 100, age_s=0.0)  # just arrived
+        completed = receiver.check_silence()
+        assert len(completed) == 0
+
+    # -- Unknown SSRC + DAVE passthrough --
+
+    def test_unknown_ssrc_no_automap_no_completed(self):
+        """Unknown SSRC, no members to infer — buffer cleared, not returned."""
+        receiver = self._make_receiver(dave=True, members=[])
+        receiver.start()
+        self._fill_buffer(receiver, 100)
+        completed = receiver.check_silence()
+        assert len(completed) == 0
+        assert len(receiver._buffers[100]) == 0
+
+    def test_unknown_ssrc_late_speaking_event(self):
+        """Audio buffered before SPEAKING → SPEAKING maps → next check returns it."""
+        receiver = self._make_receiver(dave=True)
+        receiver.start()
+        self._fill_buffer(receiver, 100, age_s=0.0)  # still receiving
+        # No user yet
+        assert receiver.check_silence() == []
+        # SPEAKING event arrives
+        receiver.map_ssrc(100, 42)
+        # Silence kicks in
+        receiver._last_packet_time[100] = time.monotonic() - 3.0
+        completed = receiver.check_silence()
+        assert len(completed) == 1
+        assert completed[0][0] == 42
+
+    # -- SSRC auto-mapping --
+
+    def test_automap_single_allowed_user(self):
+        members = [
+            SimpleNamespace(id=9999, name="Bot"),
+            SimpleNamespace(id=42, name="Alice"),
+        ]
+        receiver = self._make_receiver(allowed_ids={"42"}, members=members)
+        receiver.start()
+        self._fill_buffer(receiver, 100)
+        completed = receiver.check_silence()
+        assert len(completed) == 1
+        assert completed[0][0] == 42
+        assert receiver._ssrc_to_user[100] == 42
+
+    def test_automap_multiple_allowed_users_no_map(self):
+        members = [
+            SimpleNamespace(id=9999, name="Bot"),
+            SimpleNamespace(id=42, name="Alice"),
+            SimpleNamespace(id=43, name="Bob"),
+        ]
+        receiver = self._make_receiver(allowed_ids={"42", "43"}, members=members)
+        receiver.start()
+        self._fill_buffer(receiver, 100)
+        completed = receiver.check_silence()
+        assert len(completed) == 0
+
+    def test_automap_no_allowlist_single_member(self):
+        """No allowed_user_ids → sole non-bot member inferred."""
+        members = [
+            SimpleNamespace(id=9999, name="Bot"),
+            SimpleNamespace(id=42, name="Alice"),
+        ]
+        receiver = self._make_receiver(allowed_ids=None, members=members)
+        receiver.start()
+        self._fill_buffer(receiver, 100)
+        completed = receiver.check_silence()
+        assert len(completed) == 1
+        assert completed[0][0] == 42
+
+    def test_automap_unallowed_user_rejected(self):
+        """User in channel but not in allowed list — not mapped."""
+        members = [
+            SimpleNamespace(id=9999, name="Bot"),
+            SimpleNamespace(id=42, name="Alice"),
+        ]
+        receiver = self._make_receiver(allowed_ids={"99"}, members=members)
+        receiver.start()
+        self._fill_buffer(receiver, 100)
+        completed = receiver.check_silence()
+        assert len(completed) == 0
+
+    def test_automap_only_bot_in_channel(self):
+        """Only bot in channel — no one to map to."""
+        members = [SimpleNamespace(id=9999, name="Bot")]
+        receiver = self._make_receiver(allowed_ids=None, members=members)
+        receiver.start()
+        self._fill_buffer(receiver, 100)
+        completed = receiver.check_silence()
+        assert len(completed) == 0
+
+    def test_automap_persists_across_calls(self):
+        """Auto-mapped SSRC stays mapped for subsequent checks."""
+        members = [
+            SimpleNamespace(id=9999, name="Bot"),
+            SimpleNamespace(id=42, name="Alice"),
+        ]
+        receiver = self._make_receiver(allowed_ids={"42"}, members=members)
+        receiver.start()
+        self._fill_buffer(receiver, 100)
+        receiver.check_silence()
+        assert receiver._ssrc_to_user[100] == 42
+        # Second utterance — should use cached mapping
+        self._fill_buffer(receiver, 100)
+        completed = receiver.check_silence()
+        assert len(completed) == 1
+        assert completed[0][0] == 42
+
+    # -- Stale buffer cleanup --
+
+    def test_stale_unknown_buffer_discarded(self):
+        """Buffer with no user and very old timestamp is discarded."""
+        receiver = self._make_receiver()
+        receiver.start()
+        receiver._buffers[200] = bytearray(b"\x00" * 100)
+        receiver._last_packet_time[200] = time.monotonic() - 10.0
+        receiver.check_silence()
+        assert 200 not in receiver._buffers
+
+    # -- Pause / resume (echo prevention) --
+
+    def test_paused_receiver_ignores_packets(self):
+        receiver = self._make_receiver()
+        receiver.start()
+        receiver.pause()
+        receiver._on_packet(b"\x00" * 100)
+        assert len(receiver._buffers) == 0
+
+    def test_resumed_receiver_accepts_packets(self):
+        receiver = self._make_receiver()
+        receiver.start()
+        receiver.pause()
+        receiver.resume()
+        assert receiver._paused is False
+
+    # -- _on_packet DAVE passthrough behavior --
+
+    def _make_receiver_with_nacl(self, dave_session=None, mapped_ssrcs=None):
+        """Create a receiver that can process _on_packet with mocked NaCl + Opus."""
+        from gateway.platforms.discord import VoiceReceiver
+        vc = MagicMock()
+        vc._connection.secret_key = [0] * 32
+        vc._connection.dave_session = dave_session
+        vc._connection.ssrc = 9999
+        vc._connection.add_socket_listener = MagicMock()
+        vc._connection.remove_socket_listener = MagicMock()
+        vc._connection.hook = None
+        vc.user = SimpleNamespace(id=9999)
+        vc.channel = MagicMock()
+        vc.channel.members = []
+        receiver = VoiceReceiver(vc)
+        receiver.start()
+        # Pre-map SSRCs if provided
+        if mapped_ssrcs:
+            for ssrc, uid in mapped_ssrcs.items():
+                receiver.map_ssrc(ssrc, uid)
+        return receiver
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def _build_rtp_packet(ssrc=100, seq=1, timestamp=960):
+        """Build a minimal valid RTP packet for _on_packet.
+
+        We need: RTP header (12 bytes) + encrypted payload + 4-byte nonce.
+        NaCl decrypt is mocked so payload content doesn't matter.
+        """
+        import struct
+        # RTP header: version=2, payload_type=0x78, no extension, no CSRC
+        header = struct.pack(">BBHII", 0x80, 0x78, seq, timestamp, ssrc)
+        # Fake encrypted payload (NaCl will be mocked) + 4 byte nonce
+        payload = b"\x00" * 20 + b"\x00\x00\x00\x01"
+        return header + payload
+
+    def _inject_mock_decoder(self, receiver, ssrc):
+        """Pre-inject a mock Opus decoder for the given SSRC."""
+        mock_decoder = MagicMock()
+        mock_decoder.decode.return_value = b"\x00" * 3840
+        receiver._decoders[ssrc] = mock_decoder
+        return mock_decoder
+
+    def test_on_packet_dave_known_user_decrypt_ok(self):
+        """Known SSRC + DAVE decrypt success → audio buffered."""
+        dave = MagicMock()
+        dave.decrypt.return_value = b"\xf8\xff\xfe"
+        receiver = self._make_receiver_with_nacl(
+            dave_session=dave, mapped_ssrcs={100: 42}
+        )
+        self._inject_mock_decoder(receiver, 100)
+
+        with patch("nacl.secret.Aead") as mock_aead:
+            mock_aead.return_value.decrypt.return_value = b"\xf8\xff\xfe"
+            receiver._on_packet(self._build_rtp_packet(ssrc=100))
+
+        assert 100 in receiver._buffers
+        assert len(receiver._buffers[100]) > 0
+        dave.decrypt.assert_called_once()
+
+    def test_on_packet_dave_unknown_ssrc_passthrough(self):
+        """Unknown SSRC + DAVE → skip DAVE, attempt Opus decode (passthrough)."""
+        dave = MagicMock()
+        receiver = self._make_receiver_with_nacl(dave_session=dave)
+        self._inject_mock_decoder(receiver, 100)
+
+        with patch("nacl.secret.Aead") as mock_aead:
+            mock_aead.return_value.decrypt.return_value = b"\xf8\xff\xfe"
+            receiver._on_packet(self._build_rtp_packet(ssrc=100))
+
+        dave.decrypt.assert_not_called()
+        assert 100 in receiver._buffers
+        assert len(receiver._buffers[100]) > 0
+
+    def test_on_packet_dave_unencrypted_error_passthrough(self):
+        """DAVE decrypt 'Unencrypted' error → use data as-is, don't drop."""
+        dave = MagicMock()
+        dave.decrypt.side_effect = Exception(
+            "Failed to decrypt: DecryptionFailed(UnencryptedWhenPassthroughDisabled)"
+        )
+        receiver = self._make_receiver_with_nacl(
+            dave_session=dave, mapped_ssrcs={100: 42}
+        )
+        self._inject_mock_decoder(receiver, 100)
+
+        with patch("nacl.secret.Aead") as mock_aead:
+            mock_aead.return_value.decrypt.return_value = b"\xf8\xff\xfe"
+            receiver._on_packet(self._build_rtp_packet(ssrc=100))
+
+        assert 100 in receiver._buffers
+        assert len(receiver._buffers[100]) > 0
+
+    def test_on_packet_dave_other_error_drops(self):
+        """DAVE decrypt non-Unencrypted error → packet dropped."""
+        dave = MagicMock()
+        dave.decrypt.side_effect = Exception("KeyRotationFailed")
+        receiver = self._make_receiver_with_nacl(
+            dave_session=dave, mapped_ssrcs={100: 42}
+        )
+
+        with patch("nacl.secret.Aead") as mock_aead:
+            mock_aead.return_value.decrypt.return_value = b"\xf8\xff\xfe"
+            receiver._on_packet(self._build_rtp_packet(ssrc=100))
+
+        assert len(receiver._buffers.get(100, b"")) == 0
+
+    def test_on_packet_no_dave_direct_decode(self):
+        """No DAVE session → decode directly."""
+        receiver = self._make_receiver_with_nacl(dave_session=None)
+        self._inject_mock_decoder(receiver, 100)
+
+        with patch("nacl.secret.Aead") as mock_aead:
+            mock_aead.return_value.decrypt.return_value = b"\xf8\xff\xfe"
+            receiver._on_packet(self._build_rtp_packet(ssrc=100))
+
+        assert 100 in receiver._buffers
+        assert len(receiver._buffers[100]) > 0
+
+    def test_on_packet_bot_own_ssrc_ignored(self):
+        """Bot's own SSRC → dropped (echo prevention)."""
+        receiver = self._make_receiver_with_nacl()
+        with patch("nacl.secret.Aead"):
+            receiver._on_packet(self._build_rtp_packet(ssrc=9999))
+        assert len(receiver._buffers) == 0
+
+    def test_on_packet_multiple_ssrcs_separate_buffers(self):
+        """Different SSRCs → separate buffers."""
+        receiver = self._make_receiver_with_nacl(dave_session=None)
+        self._inject_mock_decoder(receiver, 100)
+        self._inject_mock_decoder(receiver, 200)
+
+        with patch("nacl.secret.Aead") as mock_aead:
+            mock_aead.return_value.decrypt.return_value = b"\xf8\xff\xfe"
+            receiver._on_packet(self._build_rtp_packet(ssrc=100))
+            receiver._on_packet(self._build_rtp_packet(ssrc=200))
+
+        assert 100 in receiver._buffers
+        assert 200 in receiver._buffers
+
+
+class TestVoiceTTSPlayback:
+    """TTS playback: play_tts in VC, dedup, fallback."""
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def _make_discord_adapter():
+        from gateway.platforms.discord import DiscordAdapter
+        from gateway.config import PlatformConfig, Platform
+        config = PlatformConfig(enabled=True, extra={})
+        config.token = "fake-token"
+        adapter = object.__new__(DiscordAdapter)
+        adapter.platform = Platform.DISCORD
+        adapter.config = config
+        adapter._voice_clients = {}
+        adapter._voice_text_channels = {}
+        adapter._voice_receivers = {}
+        return adapter
+
+    # -- play_tts behavior --
+
+    @pytest.mark.asyncio
+    async def test_play_tts_plays_in_vc(self):
+        """play_tts calls play_in_voice_channel when bot is in VC."""
+        adapter = self._make_discord_adapter()
+        mock_vc = MagicMock()
+        mock_vc.is_connected.return_value = True
+        adapter._voice_clients[111] = mock_vc
+        adapter._voice_text_channels[111] = 123
+
+        played = []
+        async def fake_play(gid, path):
+            played.append((gid, path))
+            return True
+        adapter.play_in_voice_channel = fake_play
+
+        result = await adapter.play_tts(chat_id="123", audio_path="/tmp/tts.ogg")
+        assert result.success is True
+        assert played == [(111, "/tmp/tts.ogg")]
+
+    @pytest.mark.asyncio
+    async def test_play_tts_fallback_when_not_in_vc(self):
+        """play_tts sends as file attachment when bot is not in VC."""
+        adapter = self._make_discord_adapter()
+        from gateway.platforms.base import SendResult
+        adapter.send_voice = AsyncMock(return_value=SendResult(success=False, error="no client"))
+        result = await adapter.play_tts(chat_id="123", audio_path="/tmp/tts.ogg")
+        assert result.success is False
+        adapter.send_voice.assert_called_once()
+
+    @pytest.mark.asyncio
+    async def test_play_tts_wrong_channel_no_match(self):
+        """play_tts doesn't match if chat_id is for a different channel."""
+        adapter = self._make_discord_adapter()
+        mock_vc = MagicMock()
+        mock_vc.is_connected.return_value = True
+        adapter._voice_clients[111] = mock_vc
+        adapter._voice_text_channels[111] = 123
+
+        from gateway.platforms.base import SendResult
+        adapter.send_voice = AsyncMock(return_value=SendResult(success=True))
+        # Different chat_id — shouldn't match VC
+        result = await adapter.play_tts(chat_id="999", audio_path="/tmp/tts.ogg")
+        adapter.send_voice.assert_called_once()
+
+    # -- Runner dedup --
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def _make_runner():
+        from gateway.run import GatewayRunner
+        runner = object.__new__(GatewayRunner)
+        runner._voice_mode = {}
+        runner.adapters = {}
+        return runner
+
+    def _call_should_reply(self, runner, voice_mode, msg_type, response="Hello", agent_msgs=None):
+        from gateway.platforms.base import MessageType, MessageEvent, SessionSource
+        from gateway.config import Platform
+        runner._voice_mode["ch1"] = voice_mode
+        source = SessionSource(
+            platform=Platform.DISCORD, chat_id="ch1",
+            user_id="1", user_name="test", chat_type="channel",
+        )
+        event = MessageEvent(source=source, text="test", message_type=msg_type)
+        return runner._should_send_voice_reply(event, response, agent_msgs or [])
+
+    def test_voice_input_runner_skips(self):
+        """Voice input: runner skips — base adapter handles via play_tts."""
+        from gateway.platforms.base import MessageType
+        runner = self._make_runner()
+        assert self._call_should_reply(runner, "all", MessageType.VOICE) is False
+
+    def test_text_input_voice_all_runner_fires(self):
+        """Text input + voice_mode=all: runner generates TTS."""
+        from gateway.platforms.base import MessageType
+        runner = self._make_runner()
+        assert self._call_should_reply(runner, "all", MessageType.TEXT) is True
+
+    def test_text_input_voice_off_no_tts(self):
+        """Text input + voice_mode=off: no TTS."""
+        from gateway.platforms.base import MessageType
+        runner = self._make_runner()
+        assert self._call_should_reply(runner, "off", MessageType.TEXT) is False
+
+    def test_text_input_voice_only_no_tts(self):
+        """Text input + voice_mode=voice_only: no TTS for text."""
+        from gateway.platforms.base import MessageType
+        runner = self._make_runner()
+        assert self._call_should_reply(runner, "voice_only", MessageType.TEXT) is False
+
+    def test_error_response_no_tts(self):
+        """Error response: no TTS regardless of voice_mode."""
+        from gateway.platforms.base import MessageType
+        runner = self._make_runner()
+        assert self._call_should_reply(runner, "all", MessageType.TEXT, response="Error: boom") is False
+
+    def test_empty_response_no_tts(self):
+        """Empty response: no TTS."""
+        from gateway.platforms.base import MessageType
+        runner = self._make_runner()
+        assert self._call_should_reply(runner, "all", MessageType.TEXT, response="") is False
+
+    def test_agent_tts_tool_dedup(self):
+        """Agent already called text_to_speech tool: runner skips."""
+        from gateway.platforms.base import MessageType
+        runner = self._make_runner()
+        agent_msgs = [{"role": "assistant", "tool_calls": [
+            {"id": "1", "type": "function", "function": {"name": "text_to_speech", "arguments": "{}"}}
+        ]}]
+        assert self._call_should_reply(runner, "all", MessageType.TEXT, agent_msgs=agent_msgs) is False
+
+
+class TestUDPKeepalive:
+    """UDP keepalive prevents Discord from dropping the voice session."""
+
+    def test_keepalive_interval_is_reasonable(self):
+        from gateway.platforms.discord import DiscordAdapter
+        interval = DiscordAdapter._KEEPALIVE_INTERVAL
+        assert 5 <= interval <= 30, f"Keepalive interval {interval}s should be between 5-30s"
+
+    @pytest.mark.asyncio
+    async def test_keepalive_sends_silence_frame(self):
+        """Listen loop sends silence frame via send_packet after interval."""
+        from gateway.platforms.discord import DiscordAdapter
+        from gateway.config import PlatformConfig, Platform
+
+        config = PlatformConfig(enabled=True, extra={})
+        config.token = "fake"
+        adapter = object.__new__(DiscordAdapter)
+        adapter.platform = Platform.DISCORD
+        adapter.config = config
+        adapter._voice_clients = {}
+        adapter._voice_text_channels = {}
+        adapter._voice_receivers = {}
+        adapter._voice_listen_tasks = {}
+
+        # Mock VC and receiver
+        mock_vc = MagicMock()
+        mock_vc.is_connected.return_value = True
+        mock_conn = MagicMock()
+        adapter._voice_clients[111] = mock_vc
+        mock_vc._connection = mock_conn
+
+        from gateway.platforms.discord import VoiceReceiver
+        mock_receiver_vc = MagicMock()
+        mock_receiver_vc._connection.secret_key = [0] * 32
+        mock_receiver_vc._connection.dave_session = None
+        mock_receiver_vc._connection.ssrc = 9999
+        mock_receiver_vc._connection.add_socket_listener = MagicMock()
+        mock_receiver_vc._connection.remove_socket_listener = MagicMock()
+        mock_receiver_vc._connection.hook = None
+        receiver = VoiceReceiver(mock_receiver_vc)
+        receiver.start()
+        adapter._voice_receivers[111] = receiver
+
+        # Set keepalive interval very short for test
+        original_interval = DiscordAdapter._KEEPALIVE_INTERVAL
+        DiscordAdapter._KEEPALIVE_INTERVAL = 0.1
+
+        try:
+            # Run listen loop briefly
+            import asyncio
+            loop_task = asyncio.create_task(adapter._voice_listen_loop(111))
+            await asyncio.sleep(0.3)
+            receiver._running = False  # stop loop
+            await asyncio.sleep(0.1)
+            loop_task.cancel()
+            try:
+                await loop_task
+            except asyncio.CancelledError:
+                pass
+
+            # send_packet should have been called with silence frame
+            mock_conn.send_packet.assert_called_with(b'\xf8\xff\xfe')
+        finally:
+            DiscordAdapter._KEEPALIVE_INTERVAL = original_interval

tests/hermes_cli/test_env_loader.py

@@ -0,0 +1,70 @@
+import importlib
+import os
+import sys
+from pathlib import Path
+
+from hermes_cli.env_loader import load_hermes_dotenv
+
+
+def test_user_env_overrides_stale_shell_values(tmp_path, monkeypatch):
+    home = tmp_path / "hermes"
+    home.mkdir()
+    env_file = home / ".env"
+    env_file.write_text("OPENAI_BASE_URL=https://new.example/v1\n", encoding="utf-8")
+
+    monkeypatch.setenv("OPENAI_BASE_URL", "https://old.example/v1")
+
+    loaded = load_hermes_dotenv(hermes_home=home)
+
+    assert loaded == [env_file]
+    assert os.getenv("OPENAI_BASE_URL") == "https://new.example/v1"
+
+
+def test_project_env_overrides_stale_shell_values_when_user_env_missing(tmp_path, monkeypatch):
+    home = tmp_path / "hermes"
+    project_env = tmp_path / ".env"
+    project_env.write_text("OPENAI_BASE_URL=https://project.example/v1\n", encoding="utf-8")
+
+    monkeypatch.setenv("OPENAI_BASE_URL", "https://old.example/v1")
+
+    loaded = load_hermes_dotenv(hermes_home=home, project_env=project_env)
+
+    assert loaded == [project_env]
+    assert os.getenv("OPENAI_BASE_URL") == "https://project.example/v1"
+
+
+def test_user_env_takes_precedence_over_project_env(tmp_path, monkeypatch):
+    home = tmp_path / "hermes"
+    home.mkdir()
+    user_env = home / ".env"
+    project_env = tmp_path / ".env"
+    user_env.write_text("OPENAI_BASE_URL=https://user.example/v1\n", encoding="utf-8")
+    project_env.write_text("OPENAI_BASE_URL=https://project.example/v1\nOPENAI_API_KEY=project-key\n", encoding="utf-8")
+
+    monkeypatch.setenv("OPENAI_BASE_URL", "https://old.example/v1")
+    monkeypatch.delenv("OPENAI_API_KEY", raising=False)
+
+    loaded = load_hermes_dotenv(hermes_home=home, project_env=project_env)
+
+    assert loaded == [user_env, project_env]
+    assert os.getenv("OPENAI_BASE_URL") == "https://user.example/v1"
+    assert os.getenv("OPENAI_API_KEY") == "project-key"
+
+
+def test_main_import_applies_user_env_over_shell_values(tmp_path, monkeypatch):
+    home = tmp_path / "hermes"
+    home.mkdir()
+    (home / ".env").write_text(
+        "OPENAI_BASE_URL=https://new.example/v1\nHERMES_INFERENCE_PROVIDER=custom\n",
+        encoding="utf-8",
+    )
+
+    monkeypatch.setenv("HERMES_HOME", str(home))
+    monkeypatch.setenv("OPENAI_BASE_URL", "https://old.example/v1")
+    monkeypatch.setenv("HERMES_INFERENCE_PROVIDER", "openrouter")
+
+    sys.modules.pop("hermes_cli.main", None)
+    importlib.import_module("hermes_cli.main")
+
+    assert os.getenv("OPENAI_BASE_URL") == "https://new.example/v1"
+    assert os.getenv("HERMES_INFERENCE_PROVIDER") == "custom"

tests/hermes_cli/test_model_validation.py

@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ from hermes_cli.models import (
     fetch_api_models,
     normalize_provider,
     parse_model_input,
+    probe_api_models,
     provider_label,
     provider_model_ids,
     validate_requested_model,
@@ -26,7 +27,15 @@ FAKE_API_MODELS = [
 
 def _validate(model, provider="openrouter", api_models=FAKE_API_MODELS, **kw):
     """Shortcut: call validate_requested_model with mocked API."""
-    with patch("hermes_cli.models.fetch_api_models", return_value=api_models):
+    probe_payload = {
+        "models": api_models,
+        "probed_url": "http://localhost:11434/v1/models",
+        "resolved_base_url": kw.get("base_url", "") or "http://localhost:11434/v1",
+        "suggested_base_url": None,
+        "used_fallback": False,
+    }
+    with patch("hermes_cli.models.fetch_api_models", return_value=api_models), \
+         patch("hermes_cli.models.probe_api_models", return_value=probe_payload):
         return validate_requested_model(model, provider, **kw)
 
 
@@ -147,6 +156,33 @@ class TestFetchApiModels:
         with patch("hermes_cli.models.urllib.request.urlopen", side_effect=Exception("timeout")):
             assert fetch_api_models("key", "https://example.com/v1") is None
 
+    def test_probe_api_models_tries_v1_fallback(self):
+        class _Resp:
+            def __enter__(self):
+                return self
+
+            def __exit__(self, exc_type, exc, tb):
+                return False
+
+            def read(self):
+                return b'{"data": [{"id": "local-model"}]}'
+
+        calls = []
+
+        def _fake_urlopen(req, timeout=5.0):
+            calls.append(req.full_url)
+            if req.full_url.endswith("/v1/models"):
+                return _Resp()
+            raise Exception("404")
+
+        with patch("hermes_cli.models.urllib.request.urlopen", side_effect=_fake_urlopen):
+            probe = probe_api_models("key", "http://localhost:8000")
+
+        assert calls == ["http://localhost:8000/models", "http://localhost:8000/v1/models"]
+        assert probe["models"] == ["local-model"]
+        assert probe["resolved_base_url"] == "http://localhost:8000/v1"
+        assert probe["used_fallback"] is True
+
 
 # -- validate — format checks -----------------------------------------------
 
@@ -191,6 +227,7 @@ class TestValidateApiFound:
         )
         assert result["accepted"] is True
         assert result["persist"] is True
+        assert result["recognized"] is True
 
 
 # -- validate — API not found ------------------------------------------------
@@ -232,3 +269,26 @@ class TestValidateApiFallback:
         result = _validate("some-model", provider="totally-unknown", api_models=None)
         assert result["accepted"] is True
         assert result["persist"] is True
+
+    def test_custom_endpoint_warns_with_probed_url_and_v1_hint(self):
+        with patch(
+            "hermes_cli.models.probe_api_models",
+            return_value={
+                "models": None,
+                "probed_url": "http://localhost:8000/v1/models",
+                "resolved_base_url": "http://localhost:8000",
+                "suggested_base_url": "http://localhost:8000/v1",
+                "used_fallback": False,
+            },
+        ):
+            result = validate_requested_model(
+                "qwen3",
+                "custom",
+                api_key="local-key",
+                base_url="http://localhost:8000",
+            )
+
+        assert result["accepted"] is True
+        assert result["persist"] is True
+        assert "http://localhost:8000/v1/models" in result["message"]
+        assert "http://localhost:8000/v1" in result["message"]

tests/hermes_cli/test_sessions_delete.py

@@ -0,0 +1,64 @@
+import sys
+
+
+def test_sessions_delete_accepts_unique_id_prefix(monkeypatch, capsys):
+    import hermes_cli.main as main_mod
+    import hermes_state
+
+    captured = {}
+
+    class FakeDB:
+        def resolve_session_id(self, session_id):
+            captured["resolved_from"] = session_id
+            return "20260315_092437_c9a6ff"
+
+        def delete_session(self, session_id):
+            captured["deleted"] = session_id
+            return True
+
+        def close(self):
+            captured["closed"] = True
+
+    monkeypatch.setattr(hermes_state, "SessionDB", lambda: FakeDB())
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        sys,
+        "argv",
+        ["hermes", "sessions", "delete", "20260315_092437_c9a6", "--yes"],
+    )
+
+    main_mod.main()
+
+    output = capsys.readouterr().out
+    assert captured == {
+        "resolved_from": "20260315_092437_c9a6",
+        "deleted": "20260315_092437_c9a6ff",
+        "closed": True,
+    }
+    assert "Deleted session '20260315_092437_c9a6ff'." in output
+
+
+def test_sessions_delete_reports_not_found_when_prefix_is_unknown(monkeypatch, capsys):
+    import hermes_cli.main as main_mod
+    import hermes_state
+
+    class FakeDB:
+        def resolve_session_id(self, session_id):
+            return None
+
+        def delete_session(self, session_id):
+            raise AssertionError("delete_session should not be called when resolution fails")
+
+        def close(self):
+            pass
+
+    monkeypatch.setattr(hermes_state, "SessionDB", lambda: FakeDB())
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        sys,
+        "argv",
+        ["hermes", "sessions", "delete", "missing-prefix", "--yes"],
+    )
+
+    main_mod.main()
+
+    output = capsys.readouterr().out
+    assert "Session 'missing-prefix' not found." in output

tests/hermes_cli/test_setup_model_provider.py

@@ -75,6 +75,58 @@ def test_setup_keep_current_custom_from_config_does_not_fall_through(tmp_path, m
     assert calls["count"] == 1
 
 
+def test_setup_custom_endpoint_saves_working_v1_base_url(tmp_path, monkeypatch):
+    monkeypatch.setenv("HERMES_HOME", str(tmp_path))
+    _clear_provider_env(monkeypatch)
+
+    config = load_config()
+
+    def fake_prompt_choice(question, choices, default=0):
+        if question == "Select your inference provider:":
+            return 3  # Custom endpoint
+        if question == "Configure vision:":
+            return len(choices) - 1  # Skip
+        raise AssertionError(f"Unexpected prompt_choice call: {question}")
+
+    def fake_prompt(message, current=None, **kwargs):
+        if "API base URL" in message:
+            return "http://localhost:8000"
+        if "API key" in message:
+            return "local-key"
+        if "Model name" in message:
+            return "llm"
+        return ""
+
+    monkeypatch.setattr("hermes_cli.setup.prompt_choice", fake_prompt_choice)
+    monkeypatch.setattr("hermes_cli.setup.prompt", fake_prompt)
+    monkeypatch.setattr("hermes_cli.setup.prompt_yes_no", lambda *args, **kwargs: False)
+    monkeypatch.setattr("hermes_cli.auth.get_active_provider", lambda: None)
+    monkeypatch.setattr("hermes_cli.auth.detect_external_credentials", lambda: [])
+    monkeypatch.setattr("agent.auxiliary_client.get_available_vision_backends", lambda: [])
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        "hermes_cli.models.probe_api_models",
+        lambda api_key, base_url: {
+            "models": ["llm"],
+            "probed_url": "http://localhost:8000/v1/models",
+            "resolved_base_url": "http://localhost:8000/v1",
+            "suggested_base_url": "http://localhost:8000/v1",
+            "used_fallback": True,
+        },
+    )
+
+    setup_model_provider(config)
+    save_config(config)
+
+    env = _read_env(tmp_path)
+    reloaded = load_config()
+
+    assert env.get("OPENAI_BASE_URL") == "http://localhost:8000/v1"
+    assert env.get("OPENAI_API_KEY") == "local-key"
+    assert reloaded["model"]["provider"] == "custom"
+    assert reloaded["model"]["base_url"] == "http://localhost:8000/v1"
+    assert reloaded["model"]["default"] == "llm"
+
+
 def test_setup_keep_current_config_provider_uses_provider_specific_model_menu(tmp_path, monkeypatch):
     """Keep-current should respect config-backed providers, not fall back to OpenRouter."""
     monkeypatch.setenv("HERMES_HOME", str(tmp_path))

tests/hermes_cli/test_setup_prompt_menus.py

@@ -0,0 +1,29 @@
+from hermes_cli import setup as setup_mod
+
+
+def test_prompt_choice_uses_curses_helper(monkeypatch):
+    monkeypatch.setattr(setup_mod, "_curses_prompt_choice", lambda question, choices, default=0: 1)
+
+    idx = setup_mod.prompt_choice("Pick one", ["a", "b", "c"], default=0)
+
+    assert idx == 1
+
+
+def test_prompt_choice_falls_back_to_numbered_input(monkeypatch):
+    monkeypatch.setattr(setup_mod, "_curses_prompt_choice", lambda question, choices, default=0: -1)
+    monkeypatch.setattr("builtins.input", lambda _prompt="": "2")
+
+    idx = setup_mod.prompt_choice("Pick one", ["a", "b", "c"], default=0)
+
+    assert idx == 1
+
+
+def test_prompt_checklist_uses_shared_curses_checklist(monkeypatch):
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        "hermes_cli.curses_ui.curses_checklist",
+        lambda title, items, selected, cancel_returns=None: {0, 2},
+    )
+
+    selected = setup_mod.prompt_checklist("Pick tools", ["one", "two", "three"], pre_selected=[1])
+
+    assert selected == [0, 2]

tests/hermes_cli/test_tools_config.py

@@ -1,6 +1,13 @@
 """Tests for hermes_cli.tools_config platform tool persistence."""
 
-from hermes_cli.tools_config import _get_platform_tools, _platform_toolset_summary, _toolset_has_keys
+from unittest.mock import patch
+
+from hermes_cli.tools_config import (
+    _get_platform_tools,
+    _platform_toolset_summary,
+    _save_platform_tools,
+    _toolset_has_keys,
+)
 
 
 def test_get_platform_tools_uses_default_when_platform_not_configured():
@@ -31,7 +38,7 @@ def test_platform_toolset_summary_uses_explicit_platform_list():
 def test_toolset_has_keys_for_vision_accepts_codex_auth(tmp_path, monkeypatch):
     monkeypatch.setenv("HERMES_HOME", str(tmp_path))
     (tmp_path / "auth.json").write_text(
-        '{"active_provider":"openai-codex","providers":{"openai-codex":{"tokens":{"access_token":"codex-access-token","refresh_token":"codex-refresh-token"}}}}'
+        '{"active_provider":"openai-codex","providers":{"openai-codex":{"tokens":{"access_token": "codex-...oken","refresh_token": "codex-...oken"}}}}'
     )
     monkeypatch.delenv("OPENROUTER_API_KEY", raising=False)
     monkeypatch.delenv("OPENAI_BASE_URL", raising=False)
@@ -40,3 +47,56 @@ def test_toolset_has_keys_for_vision_accepts_codex_auth(tmp_path, monkeypatch):
     monkeypatch.delenv("CONTEXT_VISION_PROVIDER", raising=False)
 
     assert _toolset_has_keys("vision") is True
+
+
+def test_save_platform_tools_preserves_mcp_server_names():
+    """Ensure MCP server names are preserved when saving platform tools.
+
+    Regression test for https://github.com/NousResearch/hermes-agent/issues/1247
+    """
+    config = {
+        "platform_toolsets": {
+            "cli": ["web", "terminal", "time", "github", "custom-mcp-server"]
+        }
+    }
+
+    new_selection = {"web", "browser"}
+
+    with patch("hermes_cli.tools_config.save_config"):
+        _save_platform_tools(config, "cli", new_selection)
+
+    saved_toolsets = config["platform_toolsets"]["cli"]
+
+    assert "time" in saved_toolsets
+    assert "github" in saved_toolsets
+    assert "custom-mcp-server" in saved_toolsets
+    assert "web" in saved_toolsets
+    assert "browser" in saved_toolsets
+    assert "terminal" not in saved_toolsets
+
+
+def test_save_platform_tools_handles_empty_existing_config():
+    """Saving platform tools works when no existing config exists."""
+    config = {}
+
+    with patch("hermes_cli.tools_config.save_config"):
+        _save_platform_tools(config, "telegram", {"web", "terminal"})
+
+    saved_toolsets = config["platform_toolsets"]["telegram"]
+    assert "web" in saved_toolsets
+    assert "terminal" in saved_toolsets
+
+
+def test_save_platform_tools_handles_invalid_existing_config():
+    """Saving platform tools works when existing config is not a list."""
+    config = {
+        "platform_toolsets": {
+            "cli": "invalid-string-value"
+        }
+    }
+
+    with patch("hermes_cli.tools_config.save_config"):
+        _save_platform_tools(config, "cli", {"web"})
+
+    saved_toolsets = config["platform_toolsets"]["cli"]
+    assert "web" in saved_toolsets

tests/integration/test_voice_channel_flow.py

@@ -0,0 +1,611 @@
+"""Integration tests for Discord voice channel audio flow.
+
+Uses real NaCl encryption and Opus codec (no mocks for crypto/codec).
+Does NOT require a Discord connection — tests the VoiceReceiver
+packet processing pipeline end-to-end.
+
+Requires: PyNaCl>=1.5.0, discord.py[voice] (opus codec)
+"""
+
+import struct
+import time
+import pytest
+
+pytestmark = pytest.mark.integration
+
+# Skip entire module if voice deps are missing
+pytest.importorskip("nacl.secret", reason="PyNaCl required for voice integration tests")
+discord = pytest.importorskip("discord", reason="discord.py required for voice integration tests")
+
+import nacl.secret
+
+try:
+    if not discord.opus.is_loaded():
+        import ctypes.util
+        opus_path = ctypes.util.find_library("opus")
+        if not opus_path:
+            import sys
+            for p in ("/opt/homebrew/lib/libopus.dylib", "/usr/local/lib/libopus.dylib"):
+                import os
+                if os.path.isfile(p):
+                    opus_path = p
+                    break
+        if opus_path:
+            discord.opus.load_opus(opus_path)
+    OPUS_AVAILABLE = discord.opus.is_loaded()
+except Exception:
+    OPUS_AVAILABLE = False
+
+from types import SimpleNamespace
+from unittest.mock import MagicMock
+from gateway.platforms.discord import VoiceReceiver
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Helpers
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+def _make_secret_key():
+    """Generate a random 32-byte key."""
+    import os
+    return os.urandom(32)
+
+
+def _build_encrypted_rtp_packet(secret_key, opus_payload, ssrc=100, seq=1, timestamp=960):
+    """Build a real NaCl-encrypted RTP packet matching Discord's format.
+
+    Format: RTP header (12 bytes) + encrypted(opus) + 4-byte nonce
+    Encryption: aead_xchacha20_poly1305 with RTP header as AAD.
+    """
+    # RTP header: version=2, payload_type=0x78, no extension, no CSRC
+    header = struct.pack(">BBHII", 0x80, 0x78, seq, timestamp, ssrc)
+
+    # Encrypt with NaCl AEAD
+    box = nacl.secret.Aead(secret_key)
+    nonce_counter = struct.pack(">I", seq)  # 4-byte counter as nonce seed
+    # Full 24-byte nonce: counter in first 4 bytes, rest zeros
+    full_nonce = nonce_counter + b'\x00' * 20
+
+    enc_msg = box.encrypt(opus_payload, header, full_nonce)
+    ciphertext = enc_msg.ciphertext  # without nonce prefix
+
+    # Discord format: header + ciphertext + 4-byte nonce
+    return header + ciphertext + nonce_counter
+
+
+def _make_voice_receiver(secret_key, dave_session=None, bot_ssrc=9999,
+                         allowed_user_ids=None, members=None):
+    """Create a VoiceReceiver with real secret key."""
+    vc = MagicMock()
+    vc._connection.secret_key = list(secret_key)
+    vc._connection.dave_session = dave_session
+    vc._connection.ssrc = bot_ssrc
+    vc._connection.add_socket_listener = MagicMock()
+    vc._connection.remove_socket_listener = MagicMock()
+    vc._connection.hook = None
+    vc.user = SimpleNamespace(id=bot_ssrc)
+    vc.channel = MagicMock()
+    vc.channel.members = members or []
+    receiver = VoiceReceiver(vc, allowed_user_ids=allowed_user_ids)
+    receiver.start()
+    return receiver
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Tests
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+class TestRealNaClDecrypt:
+    """End-to-end: real NaCl encrypt → _on_packet decrypt → buffer."""
+
+    def test_valid_encrypted_packet_buffered(self):
+        """Real NaCl encrypted packet → decrypted → buffered."""
+        key = _make_secret_key()
+        opus_silence = b'\xf8\xff\xfe'
+        receiver = _make_voice_receiver(key)
+
+        packet = _build_encrypted_rtp_packet(key, opus_silence, ssrc=100)
+        receiver._on_packet(packet)
+
+        assert 100 in receiver._buffers
+        assert len(receiver._buffers[100]) > 0
+
+    def test_wrong_key_packet_dropped(self):
+        """Packet encrypted with wrong key → NaCl fails → not buffered."""
+        real_key = _make_secret_key()
+        wrong_key = _make_secret_key()
+        opus_silence = b'\xf8\xff\xfe'
+        receiver = _make_voice_receiver(real_key)
+
+        packet = _build_encrypted_rtp_packet(wrong_key, opus_silence, ssrc=100)
+        receiver._on_packet(packet)
+
+        assert len(receiver._buffers.get(100, b"")) == 0
+
+    def test_bot_ssrc_ignored(self):
+        """Packet from bot's own SSRC → ignored."""
+        key = _make_secret_key()
+        receiver = _make_voice_receiver(key, bot_ssrc=9999)
+
+        packet = _build_encrypted_rtp_packet(key, b'\xf8\xff\xfe', ssrc=9999)
+        receiver._on_packet(packet)
+
+        assert len(receiver._buffers) == 0
+
+    def test_multiple_packets_accumulate(self):
+        """Multiple valid packets → buffer grows."""
+        key = _make_secret_key()
+        receiver = _make_voice_receiver(key)
+
+        for seq in range(1, 6):
+            packet = _build_encrypted_rtp_packet(
+                key, b'\xf8\xff\xfe', ssrc=100, seq=seq, timestamp=960 * seq
+            )
+            receiver._on_packet(packet)
+
+        assert 100 in receiver._buffers
+        buf_size = len(receiver._buffers[100])
+        assert buf_size > 0, "Multiple packets should accumulate in buffer"
+
+    def test_different_ssrcs_separate_buffers(self):
+        """Packets from different SSRCs → separate buffers."""
+        key = _make_secret_key()
+        receiver = _make_voice_receiver(key)
+
+        for ssrc in [100, 200, 300]:
+            packet = _build_encrypted_rtp_packet(key, b'\xf8\xff\xfe', ssrc=ssrc)
+            receiver._on_packet(packet)
+
+        assert len(receiver._buffers) == 3
+        for ssrc in [100, 200, 300]:
+            assert ssrc in receiver._buffers
+
+
+class TestRealNaClWithDAVE:
+    """NaCl decrypt + DAVE passthrough scenarios with real crypto."""
+
+    def test_dave_unknown_ssrc_passthrough(self):
+        """DAVE enabled but SSRC unknown → skip DAVE, buffer audio."""
+        key = _make_secret_key()
+        dave = MagicMock()  # DAVE session present but SSRC not mapped
+        receiver = _make_voice_receiver(key, dave_session=dave)
+
+        packet = _build_encrypted_rtp_packet(key, b'\xf8\xff\xfe', ssrc=100)
+        receiver._on_packet(packet)
+
+        # DAVE decrypt not called (SSRC unknown)
+        dave.decrypt.assert_not_called()
+        # Audio still buffered via passthrough
+        assert 100 in receiver._buffers
+        assert len(receiver._buffers[100]) > 0
+
+    def test_dave_unencrypted_error_passthrough(self):
+        """DAVE raises 'Unencrypted' → use NaCl-decrypted data as-is."""
+        key = _make_secret_key()
+        dave = MagicMock()
+        dave.decrypt.side_effect = Exception(
+            "DecryptionFailed(UnencryptedWhenPassthroughDisabled)"
+        )
+        receiver = _make_voice_receiver(key, dave_session=dave)
+        receiver.map_ssrc(100, 42)
+
+        packet = _build_encrypted_rtp_packet(key, b'\xf8\xff\xfe', ssrc=100)
+        receiver._on_packet(packet)
+
+        # DAVE was called but failed → passthrough
+        dave.decrypt.assert_called_once()
+        assert 100 in receiver._buffers
+        assert len(receiver._buffers[100]) > 0
+
+    def test_dave_real_error_drops(self):
+        """DAVE raises non-Unencrypted error → packet dropped."""
+        key = _make_secret_key()
+        dave = MagicMock()
+        dave.decrypt.side_effect = Exception("KeyRotationFailed")
+        receiver = _make_voice_receiver(key, dave_session=dave)
+        receiver.map_ssrc(100, 42)
+
+        packet = _build_encrypted_rtp_packet(key, b'\xf8\xff\xfe', ssrc=100)
+        receiver._on_packet(packet)
+
+        assert len(receiver._buffers.get(100, b"")) == 0
+
+
+class TestFullVoiceFlow:
+    """End-to-end: encrypt → receive → buffer → silence detect → complete."""
+
+    def test_single_utterance_flow(self):
+        """Encrypt packets → buffer → silence → check_silence returns utterance."""
+        key = _make_secret_key()
+        receiver = _make_voice_receiver(key)
+        receiver.map_ssrc(100, 42)
+
+        # Send enough packets to exceed MIN_SPEECH_DURATION (0.5s)
+        # At 48kHz stereo 16-bit, each Opus silence frame decodes to ~3840 bytes
+        # Need 96000 bytes = ~25 frames
+        for seq in range(1, 30):
+            packet = _build_encrypted_rtp_packet(
+                key, b'\xf8\xff\xfe', ssrc=100, seq=seq, timestamp=960 * seq
+            )
+            receiver._on_packet(packet)
+
+        # Simulate silence by setting last_packet_time in the past
+        receiver._last_packet_time[100] = time.monotonic() - 3.0
+
+        completed = receiver.check_silence()
+        assert len(completed) == 1
+        user_id, pcm_data = completed[0]
+        assert user_id == 42
+        assert len(pcm_data) > 0
+
+    def test_utterance_with_ssrc_automap(self):
+        """No SPEAKING event → auto-map sole allowed user → utterance processed."""
+        key = _make_secret_key()
+        members = [
+            SimpleNamespace(id=9999, name="Bot"),
+            SimpleNamespace(id=42, name="Alice"),
+        ]
+        receiver = _make_voice_receiver(
+            key, allowed_user_ids={"42"}, members=members
+        )
+        # No map_ssrc call — simulating missing SPEAKING event
+
+        for seq in range(1, 30):
+            packet = _build_encrypted_rtp_packet(
+                key, b'\xf8\xff\xfe', ssrc=100, seq=seq, timestamp=960 * seq
+            )
+            receiver._on_packet(packet)
+
+        receiver._last_packet_time[100] = time.monotonic() - 3.0
+
+        completed = receiver.check_silence()
+        assert len(completed) == 1
+        assert completed[0][0] == 42  # auto-mapped to sole allowed user
+
+    def test_pause_blocks_during_playback(self):
+        """Pause receiver → packets ignored → resume → packets accepted."""
+        key = _make_secret_key()
+        receiver = _make_voice_receiver(key)
+
+        # Pause (echo prevention during TTS playback)
+        receiver.pause()
+        packet = _build_encrypted_rtp_packet(key, b'\xf8\xff\xfe', ssrc=100)
+        receiver._on_packet(packet)
+        assert len(receiver._buffers.get(100, b"")) == 0
+
+        # Resume
+        receiver.resume()
+        receiver._on_packet(packet)
+        assert 100 in receiver._buffers
+        assert len(receiver._buffers[100]) > 0
+
+    def test_corrupted_packet_ignored(self):
+        """Corrupted/truncated packet → silently ignored."""
+        key = _make_secret_key()
+        receiver = _make_voice_receiver(key)
+
+        # Too short
+        receiver._on_packet(b"\x00" * 5)
+        assert len(receiver._buffers) == 0
+
+        # Wrong RTP version
+        bad_header = struct.pack(">BBHII", 0x00, 0x78, 1, 960, 100)
+        receiver._on_packet(bad_header + b"\x00" * 20)
+        assert len(receiver._buffers) == 0
+
+        # Wrong payload type
+        bad_pt = struct.pack(">BBHII", 0x80, 0x00, 1, 960, 100)
+        receiver._on_packet(bad_pt + b"\x00" * 20)
+        assert len(receiver._buffers) == 0
+
+    def test_stop_cleans_everything(self):
+        """stop() clears all state cleanly."""
+        key = _make_secret_key()
+        receiver = _make_voice_receiver(key)
+        receiver.map_ssrc(100, 42)
+
+        for seq in range(1, 10):
+            packet = _build_encrypted_rtp_packet(
+                key, b'\xf8\xff\xfe', ssrc=100, seq=seq, timestamp=960 * seq
+            )
+            receiver._on_packet(packet)
+
+        assert len(receiver._buffers[100]) > 0
+
+        receiver.stop()
+        assert receiver._running is False
+        assert len(receiver._buffers) == 0
+        assert len(receiver._ssrc_to_user) == 0
+        assert len(receiver._decoders) == 0
+
+
+class TestSPEAKINGHook:
+    """SPEAKING event hook correctly maps SSRC to user_id."""
+
+    def test_speaking_hook_installed(self):
+        """start() installs speaking hook on connection."""
+        key = _make_secret_key()
+        receiver = _make_voice_receiver(key)
+        conn = receiver._vc._connection
+        # hook should be set (wrapped)
+        assert conn.hook is not None
+
+    def test_map_ssrc_via_speaking(self):
+        """SPEAKING op 5 event maps SSRC to user_id."""
+        key = _make_secret_key()
+        receiver = _make_voice_receiver(key)
+        receiver.map_ssrc(500, 12345)
+        assert receiver._ssrc_to_user[500] == 12345
+
+    def test_map_ssrc_overwrites(self):
+        """New SPEAKING event for same SSRC overwrites old mapping."""
+        key = _make_secret_key()
+        receiver = _make_voice_receiver(key)
+        receiver.map_ssrc(500, 111)
+        receiver.map_ssrc(500, 222)
+        assert receiver._ssrc_to_user[500] == 222
+
+    def test_speaking_mapped_audio_processed(self):
+        """After SSRC is mapped, audio from that SSRC gets correct user_id."""
+        key = _make_secret_key()
+        receiver = _make_voice_receiver(key)
+        receiver.map_ssrc(100, 42)
+
+        for seq in range(1, 30):
+            packet = _build_encrypted_rtp_packet(
+                key, b'\xf8\xff\xfe', ssrc=100, seq=seq, timestamp=960 * seq
+            )
+            receiver._on_packet(packet)
+
+        receiver._last_packet_time[100] = time.monotonic() - 3.0
+        completed = receiver.check_silence()
+        assert len(completed) == 1
+        assert completed[0][0] == 42
+
+
+class TestAuthFiltering:
+    """Only allowed users' audio should be processed."""
+
+    def test_allowed_user_audio_processed(self):
+        """Allowed user's utterance is returned by check_silence."""
+        key = _make_secret_key()
+        members = [
+            SimpleNamespace(id=9999, name="Bot"),
+            SimpleNamespace(id=42, name="Alice"),
+        ]
+        receiver = _make_voice_receiver(
+            key, allowed_user_ids={"42"}, members=members,
+        )
+        receiver.map_ssrc(100, 42)
+
+        for seq in range(1, 30):
+            packet = _build_encrypted_rtp_packet(
+                key, b'\xf8\xff\xfe', ssrc=100, seq=seq, timestamp=960 * seq
+            )
+            receiver._on_packet(packet)
+
+        receiver._last_packet_time[100] = time.monotonic() - 3.0
+        completed = receiver.check_silence()
+        assert len(completed) == 1
+        assert completed[0][0] == 42
+
+    def test_automap_rejects_unallowed_user(self):
+        """Auto-map refuses to map SSRC to user not in allowed list."""
+        key = _make_secret_key()
+        members = [
+            SimpleNamespace(id=9999, name="Bot"),
+            SimpleNamespace(id=42, name="Alice"),
+        ]
+        receiver = _make_voice_receiver(
+            key, allowed_user_ids={"99"},  # Alice not allowed
+            members=members,
+        )
+        # No map_ssrc — SSRC unknown, auto-map should reject
+
+        for seq in range(1, 30):
+            packet = _build_encrypted_rtp_packet(
+                key, b'\xf8\xff\xfe', ssrc=100, seq=seq, timestamp=960 * seq
+            )
+            receiver._on_packet(packet)
+
+        receiver._last_packet_time[100] = time.monotonic() - 3.0
+        completed = receiver.check_silence()
+        assert len(completed) == 0
+
+    def test_empty_allowlist_allows_all(self):
+        """Empty allowed_user_ids means no restriction."""
+        key = _make_secret_key()
+        members = [
+            SimpleNamespace(id=9999, name="Bot"),
+            SimpleNamespace(id=42, name="Alice"),
+        ]
+        receiver = _make_voice_receiver(
+            key, allowed_user_ids=None, members=members,
+        )
+
+        for seq in range(1, 30):
+            packet = _build_encrypted_rtp_packet(
+                key, b'\xf8\xff\xfe', ssrc=100, seq=seq, timestamp=960 * seq
+            )
+            receiver._on_packet(packet)
+
+        receiver._last_packet_time[100] = time.monotonic() - 3.0
+        completed = receiver.check_silence()
+        # Auto-mapped to sole non-bot member
+        assert len(completed) == 1
+        assert completed[0][0] == 42
+
+
+class TestRejoinFlow:
+    """Leave and rejoin: state cleanup and fresh receiver."""
+
+    def test_stop_then_new_receiver_clean_state(self):
+        """After stop(), a new receiver starts with empty state."""
+        key = _make_secret_key()
+        receiver1 = _make_voice_receiver(key)
+        receiver1.map_ssrc(100, 42)
+
+        for seq in range(1, 10):
+            packet = _build_encrypted_rtp_packet(
+                key, b'\xf8\xff\xfe', ssrc=100, seq=seq, timestamp=960 * seq
+            )
+            receiver1._on_packet(packet)
+
+        assert len(receiver1._buffers[100]) > 0
+        receiver1.stop()
+
+        # New receiver (simulates rejoin)
+        receiver2 = _make_voice_receiver(key)
+        assert len(receiver2._buffers) == 0
+        assert len(receiver2._ssrc_to_user) == 0
+        assert len(receiver2._decoders) == 0
+
+    def test_rejoin_new_ssrc_works(self):
+        """After rejoin, user may get new SSRC — still works."""
+        key = _make_secret_key()
+        receiver1 = _make_voice_receiver(key)
+        receiver1.map_ssrc(100, 42)  # old SSRC
+        receiver1.stop()
+
+        receiver2 = _make_voice_receiver(key)
+        receiver2.map_ssrc(200, 42)  # new SSRC after rejoin
+
+        for seq in range(1, 30):
+            packet = _build_encrypted_rtp_packet(
+                key, b'\xf8\xff\xfe', ssrc=200, seq=seq, timestamp=960 * seq
+            )
+            receiver2._on_packet(packet)
+
+        receiver2._last_packet_time[200] = time.monotonic() - 3.0
+        completed = receiver2.check_silence()
+        assert len(completed) == 1
+        assert completed[0][0] == 42
+
+    def test_rejoin_without_speaking_event_automap(self):
+        """Rejoin without SPEAKING event — auto-map sole allowed user."""
+        key = _make_secret_key()
+        members = [
+            SimpleNamespace(id=9999, name="Bot"),
+            SimpleNamespace(id=42, name="Alice"),
+        ]
+
+        # First session
+        receiver1 = _make_voice_receiver(
+            key, allowed_user_ids={"42"}, members=members,
+        )
+        receiver1.stop()
+
+        # Rejoin — new key (Discord may assign new secret_key)
+        new_key = _make_secret_key()
+        receiver2 = _make_voice_receiver(
+            new_key, allowed_user_ids={"42"}, members=members,
+        )
+        # No map_ssrc — simulating missing SPEAKING event
+
+        for seq in range(1, 30):
+            packet = _build_encrypted_rtp_packet(
+                new_key, b'\xf8\xff\xfe', ssrc=300, seq=seq, timestamp=960 * seq
+            )
+            receiver2._on_packet(packet)
+
+        receiver2._last_packet_time[300] = time.monotonic() - 3.0
+        completed = receiver2.check_silence()
+        assert len(completed) == 1
+        assert completed[0][0] == 42
+
+
+class TestMultiGuildIsolation:
+    """Each guild has independent voice state."""
+
+    def test_separate_receivers_independent(self):
+        """Two receivers (different guilds) don't interfere."""
+        key1 = _make_secret_key()
+        key2 = _make_secret_key()
+
+        receiver1 = _make_voice_receiver(key1, bot_ssrc=1111)
+        receiver2 = _make_voice_receiver(key2, bot_ssrc=2222)
+
+        receiver1.map_ssrc(100, 42)
+        receiver2.map_ssrc(200, 99)
+
+        # Send to receiver1
+        for seq in range(1, 10):
+            packet = _build_encrypted_rtp_packet(
+                key1, b'\xf8\xff\xfe', ssrc=100, seq=seq, timestamp=960 * seq
+            )
+            receiver1._on_packet(packet)
+
+        # receiver2 should be empty
+        assert len(receiver2._buffers) == 0
+        assert 100 in receiver1._buffers
+
+    def test_stop_one_doesnt_affect_other(self):
+        """Stopping one receiver doesn't affect another."""
+        key1 = _make_secret_key()
+        key2 = _make_secret_key()
+
+        receiver1 = _make_voice_receiver(key1)
+        receiver2 = _make_voice_receiver(key2)
+
+        receiver1.map_ssrc(100, 42)
+        receiver2.map_ssrc(200, 99)
+
+        for seq in range(1, 10):
+            packet = _build_encrypted_rtp_packet(
+                key2, b'\xf8\xff\xfe', ssrc=200, seq=seq, timestamp=960 * seq
+            )
+            receiver2._on_packet(packet)
+
+        receiver1.stop()
+
+        # receiver2 still has data
+        assert receiver2._running is True
+        assert len(receiver2._buffers[200]) > 0
+
+
+class TestEchoPreventionFlow:
+    """Receiver pause/resume during TTS playback prevents echo."""
+
+    def test_audio_during_pause_ignored(self):
+        """Audio arriving while paused is completely ignored."""
+        key = _make_secret_key()
+        receiver = _make_voice_receiver(key)
+        receiver.map_ssrc(100, 42)
+        receiver.pause()
+
+        for seq in range(1, 30):
+            packet = _build_encrypted_rtp_packet(
+                key, b'\xf8\xff\xfe', ssrc=100, seq=seq, timestamp=960 * seq
+            )
+            receiver._on_packet(packet)
+
+        assert len(receiver._buffers.get(100, b"")) == 0
+
+    def test_audio_after_resume_processed(self):
+        """Audio arriving after resume is processed normally."""
+        key = _make_secret_key()
+        receiver = _make_voice_receiver(key)
+        receiver.map_ssrc(100, 42)
+
+        # Pause → send packets → resume → send more packets
+        receiver.pause()
+        for seq in range(1, 5):
+            packet = _build_encrypted_rtp_packet(
+                key, b'\xf8\xff\xfe', ssrc=100, seq=seq, timestamp=960 * seq
+            )
+            receiver._on_packet(packet)
+        assert len(receiver._buffers.get(100, b"")) == 0
+
+        receiver.resume()
+        for seq in range(5, 35):
+            packet = _build_encrypted_rtp_packet(
+                key, b'\xf8\xff\xfe', ssrc=100, seq=seq, timestamp=960 * seq
+            )
+            receiver._on_packet(packet)
+
+        assert len(receiver._buffers[100]) > 0
+        receiver._last_packet_time[100] = time.monotonic() - 3.0
+        completed = receiver.check_silence()
+        assert len(completed) == 1
+        assert completed[0][0] == 42

tests/test_anthropic_adapter.py

@@ -495,6 +495,59 @@ class TestConvertMessages:
         assert len(result) == 1
         assert result[0]["role"] == "user"
 
+    def test_converts_user_image_url_blocks_to_anthropic_image_blocks(self):
+        messages = [
+            {
+                "role": "user",
+                "content": [
+                    {"type": "text", "text": "Can you see this?"},
+                    {"type": "image_url", "image_url": {"url": "https://example.com/cat.png"}},
+                ],
+            }
+        ]
+
+        _, result = convert_messages_to_anthropic(messages)
+
+        assert result == [
+            {
+                "role": "user",
+                "content": [
+                    {"type": "text", "text": "Can you see this?"},
+                    {"type": "image", "source": {"type": "url", "url": "https://example.com/cat.png"}},
+                ],
+            }
+        ]
+
+    def test_converts_data_url_image_blocks_to_base64_anthropic_image_blocks(self):
+        messages = [
+            {
+                "role": "user",
+                "content": [
+                    {"type": "input_text", "text": "What is in this screenshot?"},
+                    {"type": "input_image", "image_url": "data:image/png;base64,AAAA"},
+                ],
+            }
+        ]
+
+        _, result = convert_messages_to_anthropic(messages)
+
+        assert result == [
+            {
+                "role": "user",
+                "content": [
+                    {"type": "text", "text": "What is in this screenshot?"},
+                    {
+                        "type": "image",
+                        "source": {
+                            "type": "base64",
+                            "media_type": "image/png",
+                            "data": "AAAA",
+                        },
+                    },
+                ],
+            }
+        ]
+
     def test_converts_tool_calls(self):
         messages = [
             {

tests/test_atomic_json_write.py

@@ -68,6 +68,22 @@ class TestAtomicJsonWrite:
         tmp_files = [f for f in tmp_path.iterdir() if ".tmp" in f.name]
         assert len(tmp_files) == 0
 
+    def test_cleans_up_temp_file_on_baseexception(self, tmp_path):
+        class SimulatedAbort(BaseException):
+            pass
+
+        target = tmp_path / "data.json"
+        original = {"preserved": True}
+        target.write_text(json.dumps(original), encoding="utf-8")
+
+        with patch("utils.json.dump", side_effect=SimulatedAbort):
+            with pytest.raises(SimulatedAbort):
+                atomic_json_write(target, {"new": True})
+
+        tmp_files = [f for f in tmp_path.iterdir() if ".tmp" in f.name]
+        assert len(tmp_files) == 0
+        assert json.loads(target.read_text(encoding="utf-8")) == original
+
     def test_accepts_string_path(self, tmp_path):
         target = str(tmp_path / "string_path.json")
         atomic_json_write(target, {"string": True})

tests/test_atomic_yaml_write.py

@@ -0,0 +1,44 @@
+"""Tests for utils.atomic_yaml_write — crash-safe YAML file writes."""
+
+from pathlib import Path
+from unittest.mock import patch
+
+import pytest
+import yaml
+
+from utils import atomic_yaml_write
+
+
+class TestAtomicYamlWrite:
+    def test_writes_valid_yaml(self, tmp_path):
+        target = tmp_path / "data.yaml"
+        data = {"key": "value", "nested": {"a": 1}}
+
+        atomic_yaml_write(target, data)
+
+        assert yaml.safe_load(target.read_text(encoding="utf-8")) == data
+
+    def test_cleans_up_temp_file_on_baseexception(self, tmp_path):
+        class SimulatedAbort(BaseException):
+            pass
+
+        target = tmp_path / "data.yaml"
+        original = {"preserved": True}
+        target.write_text(yaml.safe_dump(original), encoding="utf-8")
+
+        with patch("utils.yaml.dump", side_effect=SimulatedAbort):
+            with pytest.raises(SimulatedAbort):
+                atomic_yaml_write(target, {"new": True})
+
+        tmp_files = [f for f in tmp_path.iterdir() if ".tmp" in f.name]
+        assert len(tmp_files) == 0
+        assert yaml.safe_load(target.read_text(encoding="utf-8")) == original
+
+    def test_appends_extra_content(self, tmp_path):
+        target = tmp_path / "data.yaml"
+
+        atomic_yaml_write(target, {"key": "value"}, extra_content="\n# comment\n")
+
+        text = target.read_text(encoding="utf-8")
+        assert "key: value" in text
+        assert "# comment" in text

tests/test_cli_mcp_config_watch.py

@@ -0,0 +1,103 @@
+"""Tests for automatic MCP reload when config.yaml mcp_servers section changes."""
+import time
+from pathlib import Path
+from unittest.mock import MagicMock, patch
+
+
+def _make_cli(tmp_path, mcp_servers=None):
+    """Create a minimal HermesCLI instance with mocked config."""
+    import cli as cli_mod
+    obj = object.__new__(cli_mod.HermesCLI)
+    obj.config = {"mcp_servers": mcp_servers or {}}
+    obj._agent_running = False
+    obj._last_config_check = 0.0
+    obj._config_mcp_servers = mcp_servers or {}
+
+    cfg_file = tmp_path / "config.yaml"
+    cfg_file.write_text("mcp_servers: {}\n")
+    obj._config_mtime = cfg_file.stat().st_mtime
+
+    obj._reload_mcp = MagicMock()
+    obj._busy_command = MagicMock()
+    obj._busy_command.return_value.__enter__ = MagicMock(return_value=None)
+    obj._busy_command.return_value.__exit__ = MagicMock(return_value=False)
+    obj._slow_command_status = MagicMock(return_value="reloading...")
+
+    return obj, cfg_file
+
+
+class TestMCPConfigWatch:
+
+    def test_no_change_does_not_reload(self, tmp_path):
+        """If mtime and mcp_servers unchanged, _reload_mcp is NOT called."""
+        obj, cfg_file = _make_cli(tmp_path)
+
+        with patch("hermes_cli.config.get_config_path", return_value=cfg_file):
+            obj._check_config_mcp_changes()
+
+        obj._reload_mcp.assert_not_called()
+
+    def test_mtime_change_with_same_mcp_servers_does_not_reload(self, tmp_path):
+        """If file mtime changes but mcp_servers is identical, no reload."""
+        import yaml
+        obj, cfg_file = _make_cli(tmp_path, mcp_servers={"fs": {"command": "npx"}})
+
+        # Write same mcp_servers but touch the file
+        cfg_file.write_text(yaml.dump({"mcp_servers": {"fs": {"command": "npx"}}}))
+        # Force mtime to appear changed
+        obj._config_mtime = 0.0
+
+        with patch("hermes_cli.config.get_config_path", return_value=cfg_file):
+            obj._check_config_mcp_changes()
+
+        obj._reload_mcp.assert_not_called()
+
+    def test_new_mcp_server_triggers_reload(self, tmp_path):
+        """Adding a new MCP server to config triggers auto-reload."""
+        import yaml
+        obj, cfg_file = _make_cli(tmp_path, mcp_servers={})
+
+        # Simulate user adding a new MCP server to config.yaml
+        cfg_file.write_text(yaml.dump({"mcp_servers": {"github": {"url": "https://mcp.github.com"}}}))
+        obj._config_mtime = 0.0  # force stale mtime
+
+        with patch("hermes_cli.config.get_config_path", return_value=cfg_file):
+            obj._check_config_mcp_changes()
+
+        obj._reload_mcp.assert_called_once()
+
+    def test_removed_mcp_server_triggers_reload(self, tmp_path):
+        """Removing an MCP server from config triggers auto-reload."""
+        import yaml
+        obj, cfg_file = _make_cli(tmp_path, mcp_servers={"github": {"url": "https://mcp.github.com"}})
+
+        # Simulate user removing the server
+        cfg_file.write_text(yaml.dump({"mcp_servers": {}}))
+        obj._config_mtime = 0.0
+
+        with patch("hermes_cli.config.get_config_path", return_value=cfg_file):
+            obj._check_config_mcp_changes()
+
+        obj._reload_mcp.assert_called_once()
+
+    def test_interval_throttle_skips_check(self, tmp_path):
+        """If called within CONFIG_WATCH_INTERVAL, stat() is skipped."""
+        obj, cfg_file = _make_cli(tmp_path)
+        obj._last_config_check = time.monotonic()  # just checked
+
+        with patch("hermes_cli.config.get_config_path", return_value=cfg_file), \
+             patch.object(Path, "stat") as mock_stat:
+            obj._check_config_mcp_changes()
+            mock_stat.assert_not_called()
+
+        obj._reload_mcp.assert_not_called()
+
+    def test_missing_config_file_does_not_crash(self, tmp_path):
+        """If config.yaml doesn't exist, _check_config_mcp_changes is a no-op."""
+        obj, cfg_file = _make_cli(tmp_path)
+        missing = tmp_path / "nonexistent.yaml"
+
+        with patch("hermes_cli.config.get_config_path", return_value=missing):
+            obj._check_config_mcp_changes()  # should not raise
+
+        obj._reload_mcp.assert_not_called()

tests/test_cli_provider_resolution.py

@@ -336,4 +336,42 @@ def test_cmd_model_falls_back_to_auto_on_invalid_provider(monkeypatch, capsys):
 
     assert "Warning:" in output
     assert "falling back to auto provider detection" in output.lower()
-    assert "No change." in output
+    assert "No change." in output
+
+
+def test_model_flow_custom_saves_verified_v1_base_url(monkeypatch, capsys):
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        "hermes_cli.config.get_env_value",
+        lambda key: "" if key in {"OPENAI_BASE_URL", "OPENAI_API_KEY"} else "",
+    )
+    saved_env = {}
+    monkeypatch.setattr("hermes_cli.config.save_env_value", lambda key, value: saved_env.__setitem__(key, value))
+    monkeypatch.setattr("hermes_cli.auth._save_model_choice", lambda model: saved_env.__setitem__("MODEL", model))
+    monkeypatch.setattr("hermes_cli.auth.deactivate_provider", lambda: None)
+    monkeypatch.setattr("hermes_cli.main._save_custom_provider", lambda *args, **kwargs: None)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        "hermes_cli.models.probe_api_models",
+        lambda api_key, base_url: {
+            "models": ["llm"],
+            "probed_url": "http://localhost:8000/v1/models",
+            "resolved_base_url": "http://localhost:8000/v1",
+            "suggested_base_url": "http://localhost:8000/v1",
+            "used_fallback": True,
+        },
+    )
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        "hermes_cli.config.load_config",
+        lambda: {"model": {"default": "", "provider": "custom", "base_url": ""}},
+    )
+    monkeypatch.setattr("hermes_cli.config.save_config", lambda cfg: None)
+
+    answers = iter(["http://localhost:8000", "local-key", "llm"])
+    monkeypatch.setattr("builtins.input", lambda _prompt="": next(answers))
+
+    hermes_main._model_flow_custom({})
+    output = capsys.readouterr().out
+
+    assert "Saving the working base URL instead" in output
+    assert saved_env["OPENAI_BASE_URL"] == "http://localhost:8000/v1"
+    assert saved_env["OPENAI_API_KEY"] == "local-key"
+    assert saved_env["MODEL"] == "llm"

tests/test_dict_tool_call_args.py

@@ -0,0 +1,72 @@
+import json
+from types import SimpleNamespace
+
+
+def _tool_call(name: str, arguments):
+    return SimpleNamespace(
+        id="call_1",
+        type="function",
+        function=SimpleNamespace(name=name, arguments=arguments),
+    )
+
+
+def _response_with_tool_call(arguments):
+    assistant = SimpleNamespace(
+        content=None,
+        reasoning=None,
+        tool_calls=[_tool_call("read_file", arguments)],
+    )
+    choice = SimpleNamespace(message=assistant, finish_reason="tool_calls")
+    return SimpleNamespace(choices=[choice], usage=None)
+
+
+class _FakeChatCompletions:
+    def __init__(self):
+        self.calls = 0
+
+    def create(self, **kwargs):
+        self.calls += 1
+        if self.calls == 1:
+            return _response_with_tool_call({"path": "README.md"})
+        return SimpleNamespace(
+            choices=[
+                SimpleNamespace(
+                    message=SimpleNamespace(content="done", reasoning=None, tool_calls=[]),
+                    finish_reason="stop",
+                )
+            ],
+            usage=None,
+        )
+
+
+class _FakeClient:
+    def __init__(self):
+        self.chat = SimpleNamespace(completions=_FakeChatCompletions())
+
+
+def test_tool_call_validation_accepts_dict_arguments(monkeypatch):
+    from run_agent import AIAgent
+
+    monkeypatch.setattr("run_agent.OpenAI", lambda **kwargs: _FakeClient())
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        "run_agent.get_tool_definitions",
+        lambda *args, **kwargs: [{"function": {"name": "read_file"}}],
+    )
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        "run_agent.handle_function_call",
+        lambda name, args, task_id=None, **kwargs: json.dumps({"ok": True, "args": args}),
+    )
+
+    agent = AIAgent(
+        model="test-model",
+        api_key="test-key",
+        base_url="http://localhost:8080/v1",
+        platform="cli",
+        max_iterations=3,
+        quiet_mode=True,
+        skip_memory=True,
+    )
+
+    result = agent.run_conversation("read the file")
+
+    assert result["final_response"] == "done"

tests/test_hermes_state.py

@@ -361,6 +361,24 @@ class TestDeleteAndExport:
     def test_delete_nonexistent(self, db):
         assert db.delete_session("nope") is False
 
+    def test_resolve_session_id_exact(self, db):
+        db.create_session(session_id="20260315_092437_c9a6ff", source="cli")
+        assert db.resolve_session_id("20260315_092437_c9a6ff") == "20260315_092437_c9a6ff"
+
+    def test_resolve_session_id_unique_prefix(self, db):
+        db.create_session(session_id="20260315_092437_c9a6ff", source="cli")
+        assert db.resolve_session_id("20260315_092437_c9a6") == "20260315_092437_c9a6ff"
+
+    def test_resolve_session_id_ambiguous_prefix_returns_none(self, db):
+        db.create_session(session_id="20260315_092437_c9a6aa", source="cli")
+        db.create_session(session_id="20260315_092437_c9a6bb", source="cli")
+        assert db.resolve_session_id("20260315_092437_c9a6") is None
+
+    def test_resolve_session_id_escapes_like_wildcards(self, db):
+        db.create_session(session_id="20260315_092437_c9a6ff", source="cli")
+        db.create_session(session_id="20260315X092437_c9a6ff", source="cli")
+        assert db.resolve_session_id("20260315_092437") == "20260315_092437_c9a6ff"
+
     def test_export_session(self, db):
         db.create_session(session_id="s1", source="cli", model="test")
         db.append_message("s1", role="user", content="Hello")

tests/test_provider_parity.py

@@ -543,7 +543,7 @@ class TestAuxiliaryClientProviderPriority:
              patch("agent.auxiliary_client._read_codex_access_token", return_value="codex-tok"), \
              patch("agent.auxiliary_client.OpenAI"):
             client, model = get_text_auxiliary_client()
-        assert model == "gpt-5.3-codex"
+        assert model == "gpt-5.2-codex"
         assert isinstance(client, CodexAuxiliaryClient)
 
 

tests/test_run_agent.py

@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ import uuid
 from logging.handlers import RotatingFileHandler
 from pathlib import Path
 from types import SimpleNamespace
-from unittest.mock import MagicMock, patch
+from unittest.mock import AsyncMock, MagicMock, patch
 
 import pytest
 
@@ -612,6 +612,25 @@ class TestBuildApiKwargs:
         kwargs = agent._build_api_kwargs(messages)
         assert kwargs["extra_body"]["reasoning"] == {"enabled": False}
 
+    def test_reasoning_not_sent_for_unsupported_openrouter_model(self, agent):
+        agent.model = "minimax/minimax-m2.5"
+        messages = [{"role": "user", "content": "hi"}]
+        kwargs = agent._build_api_kwargs(messages)
+        assert "reasoning" not in kwargs.get("extra_body", {})
+
+    def test_reasoning_sent_for_supported_openrouter_model(self, agent):
+        agent.model = "qwen/qwen3.5-plus-02-15"
+        messages = [{"role": "user", "content": "hi"}]
+        kwargs = agent._build_api_kwargs(messages)
+        assert kwargs["extra_body"]["reasoning"]["effort"] == "medium"
+
+    def test_reasoning_sent_for_nous_route(self, agent):
+        agent.base_url = "https://inference-api.nousresearch.com/v1"
+        agent.model = "minimax/minimax-m2.5"
+        messages = [{"role": "user", "content": "hi"}]
+        kwargs = agent._build_api_kwargs(messages)
+        assert kwargs["extra_body"]["reasoning"]["effort"] == "medium"
+
     def test_max_tokens_injected(self, agent):
         agent.max_tokens = 4096
         messages = [{"role": "user", "content": "hi"}]
@@ -942,6 +961,19 @@ class TestHandleMaxIterations:
         assert "error" in result.lower()
         assert "API down" in result
 
+    def test_summary_skips_reasoning_for_unsupported_openrouter_model(self, agent):
+        agent.model = "minimax/minimax-m2.5"
+        resp = _mock_response(content="Summary")
+        agent.client.chat.completions.create.return_value = resp
+        agent._cached_system_prompt = "You are helpful."
+        messages = [{"role": "user", "content": "do stuff"}]
+
+        result = agent._handle_max_iterations(messages, 60)
+
+        assert result == "Summary"
+        kwargs = agent.client.chat.completions.create.call_args.kwargs
+        assert "reasoning" not in kwargs.get("extra_body", {})
+
 
 class TestRunConversation:
     """Tests for the main run_conversation method.
@@ -1986,6 +2018,69 @@ class TestBuildApiKwargsAnthropicMaxTokens:
                 assert call_args[0][3] is None
 
 
+class TestAnthropicImageFallback:
+    def test_build_api_kwargs_converts_multimodal_user_image_to_text(self, agent):
+        agent.api_mode = "anthropic_messages"
+        agent.reasoning_config = None
+
+        api_messages = [{
+            "role": "user",
+            "content": [
+                {"type": "text", "text": "Can you see this now?"},
+                {"type": "image_url", "image_url": {"url": "https://example.com/cat.png"}},
+            ],
+        }]
+
+        with (
+            patch("tools.vision_tools.vision_analyze_tool", new=AsyncMock(return_value=json.dumps({"success": True, "analysis": "A cat sitting on a chair."}))),
+            patch("agent.anthropic_adapter.build_anthropic_kwargs") as mock_build,
+        ):
+            mock_build.return_value = {"model": "claude-sonnet-4-20250514", "messages": [], "max_tokens": 4096}
+            agent._build_api_kwargs(api_messages)
+
+        kwargs = mock_build.call_args.kwargs or dict(zip(
+            ["model", "messages", "tools", "max_tokens", "reasoning_config"],
+            mock_build.call_args.args,
+        ))
+        transformed = kwargs["messages"]
+        assert isinstance(transformed[0]["content"], str)
+        assert "A cat sitting on a chair." in transformed[0]["content"]
+        assert "Can you see this now?" in transformed[0]["content"]
+        assert "vision_analyze with image_url: https://example.com/cat.png" in transformed[0]["content"]
+
+    def test_build_api_kwargs_reuses_cached_image_analysis_for_duplicate_images(self, agent):
+        agent.api_mode = "anthropic_messages"
+        agent.reasoning_config = None
+        data_url = "data:image/png;base64,QUFBQQ=="
+
+        api_messages = [
+            {
+                "role": "user",
+                "content": [
+                    {"type": "text", "text": "first"},
+                    {"type": "input_image", "image_url": data_url},
+                ],
+            },
+            {
+                "role": "user",
+                "content": [
+                    {"type": "text", "text": "second"},
+                    {"type": "input_image", "image_url": data_url},
+                ],
+            },
+        ]
+
+        mock_vision = AsyncMock(return_value=json.dumps({"success": True, "analysis": "A small test image."}))
+        with (
+            patch("tools.vision_tools.vision_analyze_tool", new=mock_vision),
+            patch("agent.anthropic_adapter.build_anthropic_kwargs") as mock_build,
+        ):
+            mock_build.return_value = {"model": "claude-sonnet-4-20250514", "messages": [], "max_tokens": 4096}
+            agent._build_api_kwargs(api_messages)
+
+        assert mock_vision.await_count == 1
+
+
 class TestFallbackAnthropicProvider:
     """Bug fix: _try_activate_fallback had no case for anthropic provider."""
 

tests/tools/test_checkpoint_manager.py

@@ -1,8 +1,10 @@
 """Tests for tools/checkpoint_manager.py — CheckpointManager."""
 
+import logging
 import os
 import json
 import shutil
+import subprocess
 import pytest
 from pathlib import Path
 from unittest.mock import patch
@@ -143,6 +145,12 @@ class TestTakeCheckpoint:
         result = mgr.ensure_checkpoint(str(work_dir), "initial")
         assert result is True
 
+    def test_successful_checkpoint_does_not_log_expected_diff_exit(self, mgr, work_dir, caplog):
+        with caplog.at_level(logging.ERROR, logger="tools.checkpoint_manager"):
+            result = mgr.ensure_checkpoint(str(work_dir), "initial")
+        assert result is True
+        assert not any("diff --cached --quiet" in r.getMessage() for r in caplog.records)
+
     def test_dedup_same_turn(self, mgr, work_dir):
         r1 = mgr.ensure_checkpoint(str(work_dir), "first")
         r2 = mgr.ensure_checkpoint(str(work_dir), "second")
@@ -375,6 +383,26 @@ class TestErrorResilience:
         result = mgr.ensure_checkpoint(str(work_dir), "test")
         assert result is False
 
+    def test_run_git_allows_expected_nonzero_without_error_log(self, tmp_path, caplog):
+        completed = subprocess.CompletedProcess(
+            args=["git", "diff", "--cached", "--quiet"],
+            returncode=1,
+            stdout="",
+            stderr="",
+        )
+        with patch("tools.checkpoint_manager.subprocess.run", return_value=completed):
+            with caplog.at_level(logging.ERROR, logger="tools.checkpoint_manager"):
+                ok, stdout, stderr = _run_git(
+                    ["diff", "--cached", "--quiet"],
+                    tmp_path / "shadow",
+                    str(tmp_path / "work"),
+                    allowed_returncodes={1},
+                )
+        assert ok is False
+        assert stdout == ""
+        assert stderr == ""
+        assert not caplog.records
+
     def test_checkpoint_failure_does_not_raise(self, mgr, work_dir, monkeypatch):
         """Checkpoint failures should never raise — they're silently logged."""
         def broken_run_git(*args, **kwargs):

tests/tools/test_cronjob_tools.py

@@ -153,6 +153,36 @@ class TestScheduleCronjob:
         assert job["provider"] == "custom"
         assert job["base_url"] == "http://127.0.0.1:4000/v1"
 
+    def test_thread_id_captured_in_origin(self, monkeypatch):
+        monkeypatch.setenv("HERMES_SESSION_PLATFORM", "telegram")
+        monkeypatch.setenv("HERMES_SESSION_CHAT_ID", "123456")
+        monkeypatch.setenv("HERMES_SESSION_THREAD_ID", "42")
+        import cron.jobs as _jobs
+        created = json.loads(schedule_cronjob(
+            prompt="Thread test",
+            schedule="every 1h",
+            deliver="origin",
+        ))
+        assert created["success"] is True
+        job_id = created["job_id"]
+        job = _jobs.get_job(job_id)
+        assert job["origin"]["thread_id"] == "42"
+
+    def test_thread_id_absent_when_not_set(self, monkeypatch):
+        monkeypatch.setenv("HERMES_SESSION_PLATFORM", "telegram")
+        monkeypatch.setenv("HERMES_SESSION_CHAT_ID", "123456")
+        monkeypatch.delenv("HERMES_SESSION_THREAD_ID", raising=False)
+        import cron.jobs as _jobs
+        created = json.loads(schedule_cronjob(
+            prompt="No thread test",
+            schedule="every 1h",
+            deliver="origin",
+        ))
+        assert created["success"] is True
+        job_id = created["job_id"]
+        job = _jobs.get_job(job_id)
+        assert job["origin"].get("thread_id") is None
+
 
 # =========================================================================
 # list_cronjobs

tests/tools/test_file_tools.py

@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ handling without requiring a running terminal environment.
 """
 
 import json
+import logging
 from unittest.mock import MagicMock, patch
 
 from tools.file_tools import (
@@ -87,13 +88,26 @@ class TestWriteFileHandler:
         mock_ops.write_file.assert_called_once_with("/tmp/out.txt", "hello world!\n")
 
     @patch("tools.file_tools._get_file_ops")
-    def test_exception_returns_error_json(self, mock_get):
+    def test_permission_error_returns_error_json_without_error_log(self, mock_get, caplog):
         mock_get.side_effect = PermissionError("read-only filesystem")
 
         from tools.file_tools import write_file_tool
-        result = json.loads(write_file_tool("/tmp/out.txt", "data"))
+        with caplog.at_level(logging.DEBUG, logger="tools.file_tools"):
+            result = json.loads(write_file_tool("/tmp/out.txt", "data"))
         assert "error" in result
         assert "read-only" in result["error"]
+        assert any("write_file expected denial" in r.getMessage() for r in caplog.records)
+        assert not any(r.levelno >= logging.ERROR for r in caplog.records)
+
+    @patch("tools.file_tools._get_file_ops")
+    def test_unexpected_exception_still_logs_error(self, mock_get, caplog):
+        mock_get.side_effect = RuntimeError("boom")
+
+        from tools.file_tools import write_file_tool
+        with caplog.at_level(logging.ERROR, logger="tools.file_tools"):
+            result = json.loads(write_file_tool("/tmp/out.txt", "data"))
+        assert result["error"] == "boom"
+        assert any("write_file error" in r.getMessage() for r in caplog.records)
 
 
 class TestPatchHandler:

tests/tools/test_local_env_blocklist.py

@@ -1,10 +1,11 @@
-"""Tests for provider env var blocklist in LocalEnvironment.
+"""Tests for subprocess env sanitization in LocalEnvironment.
 
-Verifies that Hermes-internal provider env vars (OPENAI_BASE_URL, etc.)
-are stripped from subprocess environments so external CLIs are not
-silently misrouted.
+Verifies that Hermes-managed provider, tool, and gateway env vars are
+stripped from subprocess environments so external CLIs are not silently
+misrouted or handed Hermes secrets.
 
 See: https://github.com/NousResearch/hermes-agent/issues/1002
+See: https://github.com/NousResearch/hermes-agent/issues/1264
 """
 
 import os
@@ -110,6 +111,30 @@ class TestProviderEnvBlocklist:
         for var in extra_provider_vars:
             assert var not in result_env, f"{var} leaked into subprocess env"
 
+    def test_tool_and_gateway_vars_are_stripped(self):
+        """Tool and gateway secrets/config must not leak into subprocess env."""
+        leaked_vars = {
+            "TELEGRAM_BOT_TOKEN": "bot-token",
+            "TELEGRAM_HOME_CHANNEL": "12345",
+            "DISCORD_HOME_CHANNEL": "67890",
+            "SLACK_APP_TOKEN": "xapp-secret",
+            "WHATSAPP_ALLOWED_USERS": "+15555550123",
+            "SIGNAL_ACCOUNT": "+15555550124",
+            "HASS_TOKEN": "ha-secret",
+            "EMAIL_PASSWORD": "email-secret",
+            "FIRECRAWL_API_KEY": "fc-secret",
+            "BROWSERBASE_PROJECT_ID": "bb-project",
+            "ELEVENLABS_API_KEY": "el-secret",
+            "GITHUB_TOKEN": "ghp_secret",
+            "GH_TOKEN": "gh_alias_secret",
+            "GATEWAY_ALLOW_ALL_USERS": "true",
+            "GATEWAY_ALLOWED_USERS": "alice,bob",
+        }
+        result_env = _run_with_env(extra_os_env=leaked_vars)
+
+        for var in leaked_vars:
+            assert var not in result_env, f"{var} leaked into subprocess env"
+
     def test_safe_vars_are_preserved(self):
         """Standard env vars (PATH, HOME, USER) must still be passed through."""
         result_env = _run_with_env()
@@ -205,3 +230,56 @@ class TestBlocklistCoverage:
             "HELICONE_API_KEY",
         }
         assert extras.issubset(_HERMES_PROVIDER_ENV_BLOCKLIST)
+
+    def test_optional_tool_and_messaging_vars_are_in_blocklist(self):
+        """Tool/messaging vars from OPTIONAL_ENV_VARS should stay covered."""
+        from hermes_cli.config import OPTIONAL_ENV_VARS
+
+        for name, metadata in OPTIONAL_ENV_VARS.items():
+            category = metadata.get("category")
+            if category in {"tool", "messaging"}:
+                assert name in _HERMES_PROVIDER_ENV_BLOCKLIST, (
+                    f"Optional env var {name} (category={category}) missing from blocklist"
+                )
+            elif category == "setting" and metadata.get("password"):
+                assert name in _HERMES_PROVIDER_ENV_BLOCKLIST, (
+                    f"Secret setting env var {name} missing from blocklist"
+                )
+
+    def test_gateway_runtime_vars_are_in_blocklist(self):
+        extras = {
+            "TELEGRAM_HOME_CHANNEL",
+            "TELEGRAM_HOME_CHANNEL_NAME",
+            "DISCORD_HOME_CHANNEL",
+            "DISCORD_HOME_CHANNEL_NAME",
+            "DISCORD_REQUIRE_MENTION",
+            "DISCORD_FREE_RESPONSE_CHANNELS",
+            "DISCORD_AUTO_THREAD",
+            "SLACK_HOME_CHANNEL",
+            "SLACK_HOME_CHANNEL_NAME",
+            "SLACK_ALLOWED_USERS",
+            "WHATSAPP_ENABLED",
+            "WHATSAPP_MODE",
+            "WHATSAPP_ALLOWED_USERS",
+            "SIGNAL_HTTP_URL",
+            "SIGNAL_ACCOUNT",
+            "SIGNAL_ALLOWED_USERS",
+            "SIGNAL_GROUP_ALLOWED_USERS",
+            "SIGNAL_HOME_CHANNEL",
+            "SIGNAL_HOME_CHANNEL_NAME",
+            "SIGNAL_IGNORE_STORIES",
+            "HASS_TOKEN",
+            "HASS_URL",
+            "EMAIL_ADDRESS",
+            "EMAIL_PASSWORD",
+            "EMAIL_IMAP_HOST",
+            "EMAIL_SMTP_HOST",
+            "EMAIL_HOME_ADDRESS",
+            "EMAIL_HOME_ADDRESS_NAME",
+            "GATEWAY_ALLOWED_USERS",
+            "GH_TOKEN",
+            "GITHUB_APP_ID",
+            "GITHUB_APP_PRIVATE_KEY_PATH",
+            "GITHUB_APP_INSTALLATION_ID",
+        }
+        assert extras.issubset(_HERMES_PROVIDER_ENV_BLOCKLIST)

tests/tools/test_process_registry.py

@@ -1,11 +1,13 @@
 """Tests for tools/process_registry.py — ProcessRegistry query methods, pruning, checkpoint."""
 
 import json
+import os
 import time
 import pytest
 from pathlib import Path
 from unittest.mock import MagicMock, patch
 
+from tools.environments.local import _HERMES_PROVIDER_ENV_FORCE_PREFIX
 from tools.process_registry import (
     ProcessRegistry,
     ProcessSession,
@@ -213,6 +215,54 @@ class TestPruning:
         assert total <= MAX_PROCESSES
 
 
+# =========================================================================
+# Spawn env sanitization
+# =========================================================================
+
+class TestSpawnEnvSanitization:
+    def test_spawn_local_strips_blocked_vars_from_background_env(self, registry):
+        captured = {}
+
+        def fake_popen(cmd, **kwargs):
+            captured["env"] = kwargs["env"]
+            proc = MagicMock()
+            proc.pid = 4321
+            proc.stdout = iter([])
+            proc.stdin = MagicMock()
+            proc.poll.return_value = None
+            return proc
+
+        fake_thread = MagicMock()
+
+        with patch.dict(os.environ, {
+            "PATH": "/usr/bin:/bin",
+            "HOME": "/home/user",
+            "USER": "tester",
+            "TELEGRAM_BOT_TOKEN": "bot-secret",
+            "FIRECRAWL_API_KEY": "fc-secret",
+        }, clear=True), \
+            patch("tools.process_registry._find_shell", return_value="/bin/bash"), \
+            patch("subprocess.Popen", side_effect=fake_popen), \
+            patch("threading.Thread", return_value=fake_thread), \
+            patch.object(registry, "_write_checkpoint"):
+            registry.spawn_local(
+                "echo hello",
+                cwd="/tmp",
+                env_vars={
+                    "MY_CUSTOM_VAR": "keep-me",
+                    "TELEGRAM_BOT_TOKEN": "drop-me",
+                    f"{_HERMES_PROVIDER_ENV_FORCE_PREFIX}TELEGRAM_BOT_TOKEN": "forced-bot-token",
+                },
+            )
+
+        env = captured["env"]
+        assert env["MY_CUSTOM_VAR"] == "keep-me"
+        assert env["TELEGRAM_BOT_TOKEN"] == "forced-bot-token"
+        assert "FIRECRAWL_API_KEY" not in env
+        assert f"{_HERMES_PROVIDER_ENV_FORCE_PREFIX}TELEGRAM_BOT_TOKEN" not in env
+        assert env["PYTHONUNBUFFERED"] == "1"
+
+
 # =========================================================================
 # Checkpoint
 # =========================================================================

tests/tools/test_registry.py

@@ -232,6 +232,48 @@ class TestCheckFnExceptionHandling:
         assert any(u["name"] == "crashes" for u in unavailable)
 
 
+class TestEmojiMetadata:
+    """Verify per-tool emoji registration and lookup."""
+
+    def test_emoji_stored_on_entry(self):
+        reg = ToolRegistry()
+        reg.register(
+            name="t", toolset="s", schema=_make_schema(),
+            handler=_dummy_handler, emoji="🔥",
+        )
+        assert reg._tools["t"].emoji == "🔥"
+
+    def test_get_emoji_returns_registered(self):
+        reg = ToolRegistry()
+        reg.register(
+            name="t", toolset="s", schema=_make_schema(),
+            handler=_dummy_handler, emoji="🎯",
+        )
+        assert reg.get_emoji("t") == "🎯"
+
+    def test_get_emoji_returns_default_when_unset(self):
+        reg = ToolRegistry()
+        reg.register(
+            name="t", toolset="s", schema=_make_schema(),
+            handler=_dummy_handler,
+        )
+        assert reg.get_emoji("t") == "⚡"
+        assert reg.get_emoji("t", default="🔧") == "🔧"
+
+    def test_get_emoji_returns_default_for_unknown_tool(self):
+        reg = ToolRegistry()
+        assert reg.get_emoji("nonexistent") == "⚡"
+        assert reg.get_emoji("nonexistent", default="❓") == "❓"
+
+    def test_emoji_empty_string_treated_as_unset(self):
+        reg = ToolRegistry()
+        reg.register(
+            name="t", toolset="s", schema=_make_schema(),
+            handler=_dummy_handler, emoji="",
+        )
+        assert reg.get_emoji("t") == "⚡"
+
+
 class TestSecretCaptureResultContract:
     def test_secret_request_result_does_not_include_secret_value(self):
         result = {

tests/tools/test_skills_hub_clawhub.py

@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 import unittest
 from unittest.mock import patch
 
-from tools.skills_hub import ClawHubSource
+from tools.skills_hub import ClawHubSource, SkillMeta
 
 
 class _MockResponse:
@@ -22,21 +22,31 @@ class TestClawHubSource(unittest.TestCase):
 
     @patch("tools.skills_hub._write_index_cache")
     @patch("tools.skills_hub._read_index_cache", return_value=None)
+    @patch.object(ClawHubSource, "_load_catalog_index", return_value=[])
     @patch("tools.skills_hub.httpx.get")
-    def test_search_uses_new_endpoint_and_parses_items(self, mock_get, _mock_read_cache, _mock_write_cache):
-        mock_get.return_value = _MockResponse(
-            status_code=200,
-            json_data={
-                "items": [
-                    {
-                        "slug": "caldav-calendar",
-                        "displayName": "CalDAV Calendar",
-                        "summary": "Calendar integration",
-                        "tags": ["calendar", "productivity"],
-                    }
-                ]
-            },
-        )
+    def test_search_uses_listing_endpoint_as_fallback(
+        self, mock_get, _mock_load_catalog, _mock_read_cache, _mock_write_cache
+    ):
+        def side_effect(url, *args, **kwargs):
+            if url.endswith("/skills"):
+                return _MockResponse(
+                    status_code=200,
+                    json_data={
+                        "items": [
+                            {
+                                "slug": "caldav-calendar",
+                                "displayName": "CalDAV Calendar",
+                                "summary": "Calendar integration",
+                                "tags": ["calendar", "productivity"],
+                            }
+                        ]
+                    },
+                )
+            if url.endswith("/skills/caldav"):
+                return _MockResponse(status_code=404, json_data={})
+            return _MockResponse(status_code=404, json_data={})
+
+        mock_get.side_effect = side_effect
 
         results = self.src.search("caldav", limit=5)
 
@@ -45,11 +55,112 @@ class TestClawHubSource(unittest.TestCase):
         self.assertEqual(results[0].name, "CalDAV Calendar")
         self.assertEqual(results[0].description, "Calendar integration")
 
-        mock_get.assert_called_once()
-        args, kwargs = mock_get.call_args
+        self.assertGreaterEqual(mock_get.call_count, 2)
+        args, kwargs = mock_get.call_args_list[0]
         self.assertTrue(args[0].endswith("/skills"))
         self.assertEqual(kwargs["params"], {"search": "caldav", "limit": 5})
 
+    @patch("tools.skills_hub._write_index_cache")
+    @patch("tools.skills_hub._read_index_cache", return_value=None)
+    @patch.object(
+        ClawHubSource,
+        "_load_catalog_index",
+        return_value=[],
+    )
+    @patch("tools.skills_hub.httpx.get")
+    def test_search_falls_back_to_exact_slug_when_search_results_are_irrelevant(
+        self, mock_get, _mock_load_catalog, _mock_read_cache, _mock_write_cache
+    ):
+        def side_effect(url, *args, **kwargs):
+            if url.endswith("/skills"):
+                return _MockResponse(
+                    status_code=200,
+                    json_data={
+                        "items": [
+                            {
+                                "slug": "apple-music-dj",
+                                "displayName": "Apple Music DJ",
+                                "summary": "Unrelated result",
+                            }
+                        ]
+                    },
+                )
+            if url.endswith("/skills/self-improving-agent"):
+                return _MockResponse(
+                    status_code=200,
+                    json_data={
+                        "skill": {
+                            "slug": "self-improving-agent",
+                            "displayName": "self-improving-agent",
+                            "summary": "Captures learnings and errors for continuous improvement.",
+                            "tags": {"latest": "3.0.2", "automation": "3.0.2"},
+                        },
+                        "latestVersion": {"version": "3.0.2"},
+                    },
+                )
+            return _MockResponse(status_code=404, json_data={})
+
+        mock_get.side_effect = side_effect
+
+        results = self.src.search("self-improving-agent", limit=5)
+
+        self.assertEqual(len(results), 1)
+        self.assertEqual(results[0].identifier, "self-improving-agent")
+        self.assertEqual(results[0].name, "self-improving-agent")
+        self.assertIn("continuous improvement", results[0].description)
+
+    @patch("tools.skills_hub.httpx.get")
+    def test_search_repairs_poisoned_cache_with_exact_slug_lookup(self, mock_get):
+        mock_get.return_value = _MockResponse(
+            status_code=200,
+            json_data={
+                "skill": {
+                    "slug": "self-improving-agent",
+                    "displayName": "self-improving-agent",
+                    "summary": "Captures learnings and errors for continuous improvement.",
+                    "tags": {"latest": "3.0.2", "automation": "3.0.2"},
+                },
+                "latestVersion": {"version": "3.0.2"},
+            },
+        )
+
+        poisoned = [
+            SkillMeta(
+                name="Apple Music DJ",
+                description="Unrelated cached result",
+                source="clawhub",
+                identifier="apple-music-dj",
+                trust_level="community",
+                tags=[],
+            )
+        ]
+        results = self.src._finalize_search_results("self-improving-agent", poisoned, 5)
+
+        self.assertEqual(len(results), 1)
+        self.assertEqual(results[0].identifier, "self-improving-agent")
+        mock_get.assert_called_once()
+        self.assertTrue(mock_get.call_args.args[0].endswith("/skills/self-improving-agent"))
+
+    @patch.object(
+        ClawHubSource,
+        "_exact_slug_meta",
+        return_value=SkillMeta(
+            name="self-improving-agent",
+            description="Captures learnings and errors for continuous improvement.",
+            source="clawhub",
+            identifier="self-improving-agent",
+            trust_level="community",
+            tags=["automation"],
+        ),
+    )
+    def test_search_matches_space_separated_query_to_hyphenated_slug(
+        self, _mock_exact_slug
+    ):
+        results = self.src.search("self improving", limit=5)
+
+        self.assertEqual(len(results), 1)
+        self.assertEqual(results[0].identifier, "self-improving-agent")
+
     @patch("tools.skills_hub.httpx.get")
     def test_inspect_maps_display_name_and_summary(self, mock_get):
         mock_get.return_value = _MockResponse(
@@ -69,6 +180,29 @@ class TestClawHubSource(unittest.TestCase):
         self.assertEqual(meta.description, "Calendar integration")
         self.assertEqual(meta.identifier, "caldav-calendar")
 
+    @patch("tools.skills_hub.httpx.get")
+    def test_inspect_handles_nested_skill_payload(self, mock_get):
+        mock_get.return_value = _MockResponse(
+            status_code=200,
+            json_data={
+                "skill": {
+                    "slug": "self-improving-agent",
+                    "displayName": "self-improving-agent",
+                    "summary": "Captures learnings and errors for continuous improvement.",
+                    "tags": {"latest": "3.0.2", "automation": "3.0.2"},
+                },
+                "latestVersion": {"version": "3.0.2"},
+            },
+        )
+
+        meta = self.src.inspect("self-improving-agent")
+
+        self.assertIsNotNone(meta)
+        self.assertEqual(meta.name, "self-improving-agent")
+        self.assertIn("continuous improvement", meta.description)
+        self.assertEqual(meta.identifier, "self-improving-agent")
+        self.assertEqual(meta.tags, ["automation"])
+
     @patch("tools.skills_hub.httpx.get")
     def test_fetch_resolves_latest_version_and_downloads_raw_files(self, mock_get):
         def side_effect(url, *args, **kwargs):

tests/tools/test_ssh_environment.py

@@ -0,0 +1,39 @@
+import pytest
+
+from tools.environments import ssh as ssh_env
+
+
+def test_ensure_ssh_available_raises_clear_error_when_missing(monkeypatch):
+    monkeypatch.setattr(ssh_env.shutil, "which", lambda _name: None)
+
+    with pytest.raises(RuntimeError, match="SSH is not installed or not in PATH"):
+        ssh_env._ensure_ssh_available()
+
+
+def test_ssh_environment_checks_availability_before_connect(monkeypatch):
+    monkeypatch.setattr(ssh_env.shutil, "which", lambda _name: None)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        ssh_env.SSHEnvironment,
+        "_establish_connection",
+        lambda self: pytest.fail("_establish_connection should not run when ssh is missing"),
+    )
+
+    with pytest.raises(RuntimeError, match="openssh-client"):
+        ssh_env.SSHEnvironment(host="example.com", user="alice")
+
+
+def test_ssh_environment_connects_when_ssh_exists(monkeypatch):
+    called = {"count": 0}
+
+    monkeypatch.setattr(ssh_env.shutil, "which", lambda _name: "/usr/bin/ssh")
+
+    def _fake_establish(self):
+        called["count"] += 1
+
+    monkeypatch.setattr(ssh_env.SSHEnvironment, "_establish_connection", _fake_establish)
+
+    env = ssh_env.SSHEnvironment(host="example.com", user="alice")
+
+    assert called["count"] == 1
+    assert env.host == "example.com"
+    assert env.user == "alice"

tests/tools/test_tirith_security.py

@@ -315,6 +315,23 @@ class TestEnsureInstalled:
             mock_thread.start.assert_called_once()
         _tirith_mod._resolved_path = None
 
+    @patch("tools.tirith_security._load_security_config")
+    def test_startup_prefetch_can_suppress_install_failure_logs(self, mock_cfg):
+        mock_cfg.return_value = {"tirith_enabled": True, "tirith_path": "tirith",
+                                 "tirith_timeout": 5, "tirith_fail_open": True}
+        _tirith_mod._resolved_path = None
+        with patch("tools.tirith_security.shutil.which", return_value=None), \
+             patch("tools.tirith_security._hermes_bin_dir", return_value="/nonexistent"), \
+             patch("tools.tirith_security._is_install_failed_on_disk", return_value=False), \
+             patch("tools.tirith_security.threading.Thread") as MockThread:
+            mock_thread = MagicMock()
+            MockThread.return_value = mock_thread
+            result = ensure_installed(log_failures=False)
+            assert result is None
+            assert MockThread.call_args.kwargs["kwargs"] == {"log_failures": False}
+            mock_thread.start.assert_called_once()
+        _tirith_mod._resolved_path = None
+
 
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Failed download caches the miss (Finding #1)
@@ -516,6 +533,22 @@ class TestCosignVerification:
         assert path is None
         assert reason == "cosign_missing"
 
+    @patch("tools.tirith_security.logger.debug")
+    @patch("tools.tirith_security.logger.warning")
+    @patch("tools.tirith_security.shutil.which", return_value=None)
+    @patch("tools.tirith_security._download_file")
+    @patch("tools.tirith_security._detect_target", return_value="aarch64-apple-darwin")
+    def test_install_quiet_mode_downgrades_cosign_missing_log(self, mock_target, mock_dl,
+                                                              mock_which, mock_warning,
+                                                              mock_debug):
+        """Startup prefetch should not surface cosign-missing as a warning."""
+        from tools.tirith_security import _install_tirith
+        path, reason = _install_tirith(log_failures=False)
+        assert path is None
+        assert reason == "cosign_missing"
+        mock_warning.assert_not_called()
+        mock_debug.assert_called()
+
     @patch("tools.tirith_security._verify_cosign", return_value=None)
     @patch("tools.tirith_security.shutil.which", return_value="/usr/local/bin/cosign")
     @patch("tools.tirith_security._download_file")

tools/browser_tool.py

@@ -1833,6 +1833,7 @@ registry.register(
     schema=_BROWSER_SCHEMA_MAP["browser_navigate"],
     handler=lambda args, **kw: browser_navigate(url=args.get("url", ""), task_id=kw.get("task_id")),
     check_fn=check_browser_requirements,
+    emoji="🌐",
 )
 registry.register(
     name="browser_snapshot",
@@ -1841,6 +1842,7 @@ registry.register(
     handler=lambda args, **kw: browser_snapshot(
         full=args.get("full", False), task_id=kw.get("task_id"), user_task=kw.get("user_task")),
     check_fn=check_browser_requirements,
+    emoji="📸",
 )
 registry.register(
     name="browser_click",
@@ -1848,6 +1850,7 @@ registry.register(
     schema=_BROWSER_SCHEMA_MAP["browser_click"],
     handler=lambda args, **kw: browser_click(**args, task_id=kw.get("task_id")),
     check_fn=check_browser_requirements,
+    emoji="👆",
 )
 registry.register(
     name="browser_type",
@@ -1855,6 +1858,7 @@ registry.register(
     schema=_BROWSER_SCHEMA_MAP["browser_type"],
     handler=lambda args, **kw: browser_type(**args, task_id=kw.get("task_id")),
     check_fn=check_browser_requirements,
+    emoji="⌨️",
 )
 registry.register(
     name="browser_scroll",
@@ -1862,6 +1866,7 @@ registry.register(
     schema=_BROWSER_SCHEMA_MAP["browser_scroll"],
     handler=lambda args, **kw: browser_scroll(**args, task_id=kw.get("task_id")),
     check_fn=check_browser_requirements,
+    emoji="📜",
 )
 registry.register(
     name="browser_back",
@@ -1869,6 +1874,7 @@ registry.register(
     schema=_BROWSER_SCHEMA_MAP["browser_back"],
     handler=lambda args, **kw: browser_back(task_id=kw.get("task_id")),
     check_fn=check_browser_requirements,
+    emoji="◀️",
 )
 registry.register(
     name="browser_press",
@@ -1876,6 +1882,7 @@ registry.register(
     schema=_BROWSER_SCHEMA_MAP["browser_press"],
     handler=lambda args, **kw: browser_press(key=args.get("key", ""), task_id=kw.get("task_id")),
     check_fn=check_browser_requirements,
+    emoji="⌨️",
 )
 registry.register(
     name="browser_close",
@@ -1883,6 +1890,7 @@ registry.register(
     schema=_BROWSER_SCHEMA_MAP["browser_close"],
     handler=lambda args, **kw: browser_close(task_id=kw.get("task_id")),
     check_fn=check_browser_requirements,
+    emoji="🚪",
 )
 registry.register(
     name="browser_get_images",
@@ -1890,6 +1898,7 @@ registry.register(
     schema=_BROWSER_SCHEMA_MAP["browser_get_images"],
     handler=lambda args, **kw: browser_get_images(task_id=kw.get("task_id")),
     check_fn=check_browser_requirements,
+    emoji="🖼️",
 )
 registry.register(
     name="browser_vision",
@@ -1897,6 +1906,7 @@ registry.register(
     schema=_BROWSER_SCHEMA_MAP["browser_vision"],
     handler=lambda args, **kw: browser_vision(question=args.get("question", ""), annotate=args.get("annotate", False), task_id=kw.get("task_id")),
     check_fn=check_browser_requirements,
+    emoji="👁️",
 )
 registry.register(
     name="browser_console",
@@ -1904,4 +1914,5 @@ registry.register(
     schema=_BROWSER_SCHEMA_MAP["browser_console"],
     handler=lambda args, **kw: browser_console(clear=args.get("clear", False), task_id=kw.get("task_id")),
     check_fn=check_browser_requirements,
+    emoji="🖥️",
 )

tools/checkpoint_manager.py

@@ -92,10 +92,17 @@ def _run_git(
     shadow_repo: Path,
     working_dir: str,
     timeout: int = _GIT_TIMEOUT,
+    allowed_returncodes: Optional[Set[int]] = None,
 ) -> tuple:
-    """Run a git command against the shadow repo.  Returns (ok, stdout, stderr)."""
+    """Run a git command against the shadow repo.  Returns (ok, stdout, stderr).
+
+    ``allowed_returncodes`` suppresses error logging for known/expected non-zero
+    exits while preserving the normal ``ok = (returncode == 0)`` contract.
+    Example: ``git diff --cached --quiet`` returns 1 when changes exist.
+    """
     env = _git_env(shadow_repo, working_dir)
     cmd = ["git"] + list(args)
+    allowed_returncodes = allowed_returncodes or set()
     try:
         result = subprocess.run(
             cmd,
@@ -108,7 +115,7 @@ def _run_git(
         ok = result.returncode == 0
         stdout = result.stdout.strip()
         stderr = result.stderr.strip()
-        if not ok:
+        if not ok and result.returncode not in allowed_returncodes:
             logger.error(
                 "Git command failed: %s (rc=%d) stderr=%s",
                 " ".join(cmd), result.returncode, stderr,
@@ -381,7 +388,10 @@ class CheckpointManager:
 
         # Check if there's anything to commit
         ok_diff, diff_out, _ = _run_git(
-            ["diff", "--cached", "--quiet"], shadow, working_dir,
+            ["diff", "--cached", "--quiet"],
+            shadow,
+            working_dir,
+            allowed_returncodes={1},
         )
         if ok_diff:
             # No changes to commit

tools/clarify_tool.py

@@ -137,4 +137,5 @@ registry.register(
         choices=args.get("choices"),
         callback=kw.get("callback")),
     check_fn=check_clarify_requirements,
+    emoji="❓",
 )

tools/code_execution_tool.py

@@ -776,4 +776,5 @@ registry.register(
         task_id=kw.get("task_id"),
         enabled_tools=kw.get("enabled_tools")),
     check_fn=check_sandbox_requirements,
+    emoji="🐍",
 )

tools/cronjob_tools.py

@@ -72,6 +72,7 @@ def _origin_from_env() -> Optional[Dict[str, str]]:
             "platform": origin_platform,
             "chat_id": origin_chat_id,
             "chat_name": os.getenv("HERMES_SESSION_CHAT_NAME"),
+            "thread_id": os.getenv("HERMES_SESSION_THREAD_ID"),
         }
     return None
 
@@ -457,4 +458,5 @@ registry.register(
         task_id=kw.get("task_id"),
     ),
     check_fn=check_cronjob_requirements,
+    emoji="⏰",
 )

tools/delegate_tool.py

@@ -116,15 +116,8 @@ def _build_child_progress_callback(task_index: int, parent_agent, task_count: in
         # Regular tool call event
         if spinner:
             short = (preview[:35] + "...") if preview and len(preview) > 35 else (preview or "")
-            tool_emojis = {
-                "terminal": "💻", "web_search": "🔍", "web_extract": "📄",
-                "read_file": "📖", "write_file": "✍️", "patch": "🔧",
-                "search_files": "🔎", "list_directory": "📂",
-                "browser_navigate": "🌐", "browser_click": "👆",
-                "text_to_speech": "🔊", "image_generate": "🎨",
-                "vision_analyze": "👁️", "process": "⚙️",
-            }
-            emoji = tool_emojis.get(tool_name, "⚡")
+            from agent.display import get_tool_emoji
+            emoji = get_tool_emoji(tool_name)
             line = f" {prefix}├─ {emoji} {tool_name}"
             if short:
                 line += f"  \"{short}\""
@@ -758,4 +751,5 @@ registry.register(
         max_iterations=args.get("max_iterations"),
         parent_agent=kw.get("parent_agent")),
     check_fn=check_delegate_requirements,
+    emoji="🔀",
 )

tools/environments/local.py

@@ -27,11 +27,12 @@ _HERMES_PROVIDER_ENV_FORCE_PREFIX = "_HERMES_FORCE_"
 
 
 def _build_provider_env_blocklist() -> frozenset:
-    """Derive the blocklist from the provider registry + known extras.
+    """Derive the blocklist from provider, tool, and gateway config.
 
     Automatically picks up api_key_env_vars and base_url_env_var from
-    every registered provider, so adding a new provider to auth.py is
-    enough — no manual list to keep in sync.
+    every registered provider, plus tool/messaging env vars from the
+    optional config registry, so new Hermes-managed secrets are blocked
+    in subprocesses without having to maintain multiple static lists.
     """
     blocked: set[str] = set()
 
@@ -44,7 +45,18 @@ def _build_provider_env_blocklist() -> frozenset:
     except ImportError:
         pass
 
-    # Vars not in the registry but still Hermes-internal / conflict-prone
+    try:
+        from hermes_cli.config import OPTIONAL_ENV_VARS
+        for name, metadata in OPTIONAL_ENV_VARS.items():
+            category = metadata.get("category")
+            if category in {"tool", "messaging"}:
+                blocked.add(name)
+            elif category == "setting" and metadata.get("password"):
+                blocked.add(name)
+    except ImportError:
+        pass
+
+    # Vars not covered above but still Hermes-internal / conflict-prone.
     blocked.update({
         "OPENAI_BASE_URL",
         "OPENAI_API_KEY",
@@ -67,6 +79,41 @@ def _build_provider_env_blocklist() -> frozenset:
         "FIREWORKS_API_KEY",       # Fireworks AI
         "XAI_API_KEY",             # xAI (Grok)
         "HELICONE_API_KEY",        # LLM Observability proxy
+        # Gateway/runtime config not represented in OPTIONAL_ENV_VARS.
+        "TELEGRAM_HOME_CHANNEL",
+        "TELEGRAM_HOME_CHANNEL_NAME",
+        "DISCORD_HOME_CHANNEL",
+        "DISCORD_HOME_CHANNEL_NAME",
+        "DISCORD_REQUIRE_MENTION",
+        "DISCORD_FREE_RESPONSE_CHANNELS",
+        "DISCORD_AUTO_THREAD",
+        "SLACK_HOME_CHANNEL",
+        "SLACK_HOME_CHANNEL_NAME",
+        "SLACK_ALLOWED_USERS",
+        "WHATSAPP_ENABLED",
+        "WHATSAPP_MODE",
+        "WHATSAPP_ALLOWED_USERS",
+        "SIGNAL_HTTP_URL",
+        "SIGNAL_ACCOUNT",
+        "SIGNAL_ALLOWED_USERS",
+        "SIGNAL_GROUP_ALLOWED_USERS",
+        "SIGNAL_HOME_CHANNEL",
+        "SIGNAL_HOME_CHANNEL_NAME",
+        "SIGNAL_IGNORE_STORIES",
+        "HASS_TOKEN",
+        "HASS_URL",
+        "EMAIL_ADDRESS",
+        "EMAIL_PASSWORD",
+        "EMAIL_IMAP_HOST",
+        "EMAIL_SMTP_HOST",
+        "EMAIL_HOME_ADDRESS",
+        "EMAIL_HOME_ADDRESS_NAME",
+        "GATEWAY_ALLOWED_USERS",
+        # Skills Hub / GitHub app auth paths and aliases.
+        "GH_TOKEN",
+        "GITHUB_APP_ID",
+        "GITHUB_APP_PRIVATE_KEY_PATH",
+        "GITHUB_APP_INSTALLATION_ID",
     })
     return frozenset(blocked)
 
@@ -74,6 +121,30 @@ def _build_provider_env_blocklist() -> frozenset:
 _HERMES_PROVIDER_ENV_BLOCKLIST = _build_provider_env_blocklist()
 
 
+def _sanitize_subprocess_env(base_env: dict | None, extra_env: dict | None = None) -> dict:
+    """Filter Hermes-managed secrets from a subprocess environment.
+
+    `_HERMES_FORCE_<VAR>` entries in ``extra_env`` opt a blocked variable back in
+    intentionally for callers that truly need it.
+    """
+    sanitized: dict[str, str] = {}
+
+    for key, value in (base_env or {}).items():
+        if key.startswith(_HERMES_PROVIDER_ENV_FORCE_PREFIX):
+            continue
+        if key not in _HERMES_PROVIDER_ENV_BLOCKLIST:
+            sanitized[key] = value
+
+    for key, value in (extra_env or {}).items():
+        if key.startswith(_HERMES_PROVIDER_ENV_FORCE_PREFIX):
+            real_key = key[len(_HERMES_PROVIDER_ENV_FORCE_PREFIX):]
+            sanitized[real_key] = value
+        elif key not in _HERMES_PROVIDER_ENV_BLOCKLIST:
+            sanitized[key] = value
+
+    return sanitized
+
+
 def _find_bash() -> str:
     """Find bash for command execution.
 
@@ -249,18 +320,11 @@ class LocalEnvironment(BaseEnvironment):
             # Ensure PATH always includes standard dirs — systemd services
             # and some terminal multiplexers inherit a minimal PATH.
             _SANE_PATH = "/usr/local/sbin:/usr/local/bin:/usr/sbin:/usr/bin:/sbin:/bin"
-            # Strip Hermes-internal provider vars so external CLIs
-            # (e.g. codex) are not silently misrouted.  Callers that
-            # truly need a blocked var can opt in by prefixing the key
-            # with _HERMES_FORCE_ in self.env (e.g. _HERMES_FORCE_OPENAI_API_KEY).
-            merged = dict(os.environ | self.env)
-            run_env = {}
-            for k, v in merged.items():
-                if k.startswith(_HERMES_PROVIDER_ENV_FORCE_PREFIX):
-                    real_key = k[len(_HERMES_PROVIDER_ENV_FORCE_PREFIX):]
-                    run_env[real_key] = v
-                elif k not in _HERMES_PROVIDER_ENV_BLOCKLIST:
-                    run_env[k] = v
+            # Strip Hermes-managed provider/tool/gateway vars so external CLIs
+            # are not silently misrouted or handed Hermes secrets. Callers that
+            # truly need a blocked var can opt in by prefixing the key with
+            # _HERMES_FORCE_ in self.env (e.g. _HERMES_FORCE_OPENAI_API_KEY).
+            run_env = _sanitize_subprocess_env(os.environ, self.env)
             existing_path = run_env.get("PATH", "")
             if "/usr/bin" not in existing_path.split(":"):
                 run_env["PATH"] = f"{existing_path}:{_SANE_PATH}" if existing_path else _SANE_PATH

tools/environments/ssh.py

@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 """SSH remote execution environment with ControlMaster connection persistence."""
 
 import logging
+import shutil
 import subprocess
 import tempfile
 import threading
@@ -13,6 +14,14 @@ from tools.interrupt import is_interrupted
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
 
+def _ensure_ssh_available() -> None:
+    """Fail fast with a clear error when the SSH client is unavailable."""
+    if not shutil.which("ssh"):
+        raise RuntimeError(
+            "SSH is not installed or not in PATH. Install OpenSSH client: apt install openssh-client"
+        )
+
+
 class SSHEnvironment(BaseEnvironment):
     """Run commands on a remote machine over SSH.
 
@@ -35,6 +44,7 @@ class SSHEnvironment(BaseEnvironment):
         self.control_dir = Path(tempfile.gettempdir()) / "hermes-ssh"
         self.control_dir.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
         self.control_socket = self.control_dir / f"{user}@{host}:{port}.sock"
+        _ensure_ssh_available()
         self._establish_connection()
 
     def _build_ssh_command(self, extra_args: list = None) -> list:

tools/file_tools.py

@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 #!/usr/bin/env python3
 """File Tools Module - LLM agent file manipulation tools."""
 
+import errno
 import json
 import logging
 import os
@@ -11,6 +12,18 @@ from agent.redact import redact_sensitive_text
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
+_EXPECTED_WRITE_ERRNOS = {errno.EACCES, errno.EPERM, errno.EROFS}
+
+
+def _is_expected_write_exception(exc: Exception) -> bool:
+    """Return True for expected write denials that should not hit error logs."""
+    if isinstance(exc, PermissionError):
+        return True
+    if isinstance(exc, OSError) and exc.errno in _EXPECTED_WRITE_ERRNOS:
+        return True
+    return False
+
+
 _file_ops_lock = threading.Lock()
 _file_ops_cache: dict = {}
 
@@ -238,7 +251,10 @@ def write_file_tool(path: str, content: str, task_id: str = "default") -> str:
         result = file_ops.write_file(path, content)
         return json.dumps(result.to_dict(), ensure_ascii=False)
     except Exception as e:
-        logger.error("write_file error: %s: %s", type(e).__name__, e)
+        if _is_expected_write_exception(e):
+            logger.debug("write_file expected denial: %s: %s", type(e).__name__, e)
+        else:
+            logger.error("write_file error: %s: %s", type(e).__name__, e, exc_info=True)
         return json.dumps({"error": str(e)}, ensure_ascii=False)
 
 
@@ -448,7 +464,7 @@ def _handle_search_files(args, **kw):
         output_mode=args.get("output_mode", "content"), context=args.get("context", 0), task_id=tid)
 
 
-registry.register(name="read_file", toolset="file", schema=READ_FILE_SCHEMA, handler=_handle_read_file, check_fn=_check_file_reqs)
-registry.register(name="write_file", toolset="file", schema=WRITE_FILE_SCHEMA, handler=_handle_write_file, check_fn=_check_file_reqs)
-registry.register(name="patch", toolset="file", schema=PATCH_SCHEMA, handler=_handle_patch, check_fn=_check_file_reqs)
-registry.register(name="search_files", toolset="file", schema=SEARCH_FILES_SCHEMA, handler=_handle_search_files, check_fn=_check_file_reqs)
+registry.register(name="read_file", toolset="file", schema=READ_FILE_SCHEMA, handler=_handle_read_file, check_fn=_check_file_reqs, emoji="📖")
+registry.register(name="write_file", toolset="file", schema=WRITE_FILE_SCHEMA, handler=_handle_write_file, check_fn=_check_file_reqs, emoji="✍️")
+registry.register(name="patch", toolset="file", schema=PATCH_SCHEMA, handler=_handle_patch, check_fn=_check_file_reqs, emoji="🔧")
+registry.register(name="search_files", toolset="file", schema=SEARCH_FILES_SCHEMA, handler=_handle_search_files, check_fn=_check_file_reqs, emoji="🔎")

tools/homeassistant_tool.py

@@ -459,6 +459,7 @@ registry.register(
     schema=HA_LIST_ENTITIES_SCHEMA,
     handler=_handle_list_entities,
     check_fn=_check_ha_available,
+    emoji="🏠",
 )
 
 registry.register(
@@ -467,6 +468,7 @@ registry.register(
     schema=HA_GET_STATE_SCHEMA,
     handler=_handle_get_state,
     check_fn=_check_ha_available,
+    emoji="🏠",
 )
 
 registry.register(
@@ -475,6 +477,7 @@ registry.register(
     schema=HA_LIST_SERVICES_SCHEMA,
     handler=_handle_list_services,
     check_fn=_check_ha_available,
+    emoji="🏠",
 )
 
 registry.register(
@@ -483,4 +486,5 @@ registry.register(
     schema=HA_CALL_SERVICE_SCHEMA,
     handler=_handle_call_service,
     check_fn=_check_ha_available,
+    emoji="🏠",
 )

tools/honcho_tools.py

@@ -222,6 +222,7 @@ registry.register(
     schema=_PROFILE_SCHEMA,
     handler=_handle_honcho_profile,
     check_fn=_check_honcho_available,
+    emoji="🔮",
 )
 
 registry.register(
@@ -230,6 +231,7 @@ registry.register(
     schema=_SEARCH_SCHEMA,
     handler=_handle_honcho_search,
     check_fn=_check_honcho_available,
+    emoji="🔮",
 )
 
 registry.register(
@@ -238,6 +240,7 @@ registry.register(
     schema=_QUERY_SCHEMA,
     handler=_handle_honcho_context,
     check_fn=_check_honcho_available,
+    emoji="🔮",
 )
 
 registry.register(
@@ -246,4 +249,5 @@ registry.register(
     schema=_CONCLUDE_SCHEMA,
     handler=_handle_honcho_conclude,
     check_fn=_check_honcho_available,
+    emoji="🔮",
 )

tools/image_generation_tool.py

@@ -558,4 +558,5 @@ registry.register(
     check_fn=check_image_generation_requirements,
     requires_env=["FAL_KEY"],
     is_async=False,  # Switched to sync fal_client API to fix "Event loop is closed" in gateway
+    emoji="🎨",
 )

tools/memory_tool.py

@@ -496,6 +496,7 @@ registry.register(
         old_text=args.get("old_text"),
         store=kw.get("store")),
     check_fn=check_memory_requirements,
+    emoji="🧠",
 )
 
 

tools/mixture_of_agents_tool.py

@@ -544,4 +544,5 @@ registry.register(
     check_fn=check_moa_requirements,
     requires_env=["OPENROUTER_API_KEY"],
     is_async=True,
+    emoji="🧠",
 )

tools/process_registry.py

@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ import time
 import uuid
 
 _IS_WINDOWS = platform.system() == "Windows"
-from tools.environments.local import _find_shell, _HERMES_PROVIDER_ENV_BLOCKLIST
+from tools.environments.local import _find_shell, _sanitize_subprocess_env
 from dataclasses import dataclass, field
 from pathlib import Path
 from typing import Any, Dict, List, Optional
@@ -155,9 +155,7 @@ class ProcessRegistry:
                 else:
                     from ptyprocess import PtyProcess as _PtyProcessCls
                 user_shell = _find_shell()
-                pty_env = {k: v for k, v in os.environ.items()
-                           if k not in _HERMES_PROVIDER_ENV_BLOCKLIST}
-                pty_env.update(env_vars or {})
+                pty_env = _sanitize_subprocess_env(os.environ, env_vars)
                 pty_env["PYTHONUNBUFFERED"] = "1"
                 pty_proc = _PtyProcessCls.spawn(
                     [user_shell, "-lic", command],
@@ -198,9 +196,7 @@ class ProcessRegistry:
         # Force unbuffered output for Python scripts so progress is visible
         # during background execution (libraries like tqdm/datasets buffer when
         # stdout is a pipe, hiding output from process(action="poll")).
-        bg_env = {k: v for k, v in os.environ.items()
-                  if k not in _HERMES_PROVIDER_ENV_BLOCKLIST}
-        bg_env.update(env_vars or {})
+        bg_env = _sanitize_subprocess_env(os.environ, env_vars)
         bg_env["PYTHONUNBUFFERED"] = "1"
         proc = subprocess.Popen(
             [user_shell, "-lic", command],
@@ -862,4 +858,5 @@ registry.register(
     toolset="terminal",
     schema=PROCESS_SCHEMA,
     handler=_handle_process,
+    emoji="⚙️",
 )

tools/registry.py

@@ -26,11 +26,11 @@ class ToolEntry:
 
     __slots__ = (
         "name", "toolset", "schema", "handler", "check_fn",
-        "requires_env", "is_async", "description",
+        "requires_env", "is_async", "description", "emoji",
     )
 
     def __init__(self, name, toolset, schema, handler, check_fn,
-                 requires_env, is_async, description):
+                 requires_env, is_async, description, emoji):
         self.name = name
         self.toolset = toolset
         self.schema = schema
@@ -39,6 +39,7 @@ class ToolEntry:
         self.requires_env = requires_env
         self.is_async = is_async
         self.description = description
+        self.emoji = emoji
 
 
 class ToolRegistry:
@@ -62,6 +63,7 @@ class ToolRegistry:
         requires_env: list = None,
         is_async: bool = False,
         description: str = "",
+        emoji: str = "",
     ):
         """Register a tool.  Called at module-import time by each tool file."""
         self._tools[name] = ToolEntry(
@@ -73,6 +75,7 @@ class ToolRegistry:
             requires_env=requires_env or [],
             is_async=is_async,
             description=description or schema.get("description", ""),
+            emoji=emoji,
         )
         if check_fn and toolset not in self._toolset_checks:
             self._toolset_checks[toolset] = check_fn
@@ -141,6 +144,11 @@ class ToolRegistry:
         entry = self._tools.get(name)
         return entry.toolset if entry else None
 
+    def get_emoji(self, name: str, default: str = "⚡") -> str:
+        """Return the emoji for a tool, or *default* if unset."""
+        entry = self._tools.get(name)
+        return (entry.emoji if entry and entry.emoji else default)
+
     def get_tool_to_toolset_map(self) -> Dict[str, str]:
         """Return ``{tool_name: toolset_name}`` for every registered tool."""
         return {name: e.toolset for name, e in self._tools.items()}

tools/rl_training_tool.py

@@ -1374,24 +1374,24 @@ RL_TEST_INFERENCE_SCHEMA = {"name": "rl_test_inference", "description": "Quick i
 
 _rl_env = ["TINKER_API_KEY", "WANDB_API_KEY"]
 
-registry.register(name="rl_list_environments", toolset="rl", schema=RL_LIST_ENVIRONMENTS_SCHEMA,
+registry.register(name="rl_list_environments", emoji="🧪", toolset="rl", schema=RL_LIST_ENVIRONMENTS_SCHEMA,
     handler=lambda args, **kw: rl_list_environments(), check_fn=check_rl_api_keys, requires_env=_rl_env, is_async=True)
-registry.register(name="rl_select_environment", toolset="rl", schema=RL_SELECT_ENVIRONMENT_SCHEMA,
+registry.register(name="rl_select_environment", emoji="🧪", toolset="rl", schema=RL_SELECT_ENVIRONMENT_SCHEMA,
     handler=lambda args, **kw: rl_select_environment(name=args.get("name", "")), check_fn=check_rl_api_keys, requires_env=_rl_env, is_async=True)
-registry.register(name="rl_get_current_config", toolset="rl", schema=RL_GET_CURRENT_CONFIG_SCHEMA,
+registry.register(name="rl_get_current_config", emoji="🧪", toolset="rl", schema=RL_GET_CURRENT_CONFIG_SCHEMA,
     handler=lambda args, **kw: rl_get_current_config(), check_fn=check_rl_api_keys, requires_env=_rl_env, is_async=True)
-registry.register(name="rl_edit_config", toolset="rl", schema=RL_EDIT_CONFIG_SCHEMA,
+registry.register(name="rl_edit_config", emoji="🧪", toolset="rl", schema=RL_EDIT_CONFIG_SCHEMA,
     handler=lambda args, **kw: rl_edit_config(field=args.get("field", ""), value=args.get("value")), check_fn=check_rl_api_keys, requires_env=_rl_env, is_async=True)
-registry.register(name="rl_start_training", toolset="rl", schema=RL_START_TRAINING_SCHEMA,
+registry.register(name="rl_start_training", emoji="🧪", toolset="rl", schema=RL_START_TRAINING_SCHEMA,
     handler=lambda args, **kw: rl_start_training(), check_fn=check_rl_api_keys, requires_env=_rl_env, is_async=True)
-registry.register(name="rl_check_status", toolset="rl", schema=RL_CHECK_STATUS_SCHEMA,
+registry.register(name="rl_check_status", emoji="🧪", toolset="rl", schema=RL_CHECK_STATUS_SCHEMA,
     handler=lambda args, **kw: rl_check_status(run_id=args.get("run_id", "")), check_fn=check_rl_api_keys, requires_env=_rl_env, is_async=True)
-registry.register(name="rl_stop_training", toolset="rl", schema=RL_STOP_TRAINING_SCHEMA,
+registry.register(name="rl_stop_training", emoji="🧪", toolset="rl", schema=RL_STOP_TRAINING_SCHEMA,
     handler=lambda args, **kw: rl_stop_training(run_id=args.get("run_id", "")), check_fn=check_rl_api_keys, requires_env=_rl_env, is_async=True)
-registry.register(name="rl_get_results", toolset="rl", schema=RL_GET_RESULTS_SCHEMA,
+registry.register(name="rl_get_results", emoji="🧪", toolset="rl", schema=RL_GET_RESULTS_SCHEMA,
     handler=lambda args, **kw: rl_get_results(run_id=args.get("run_id", "")), check_fn=check_rl_api_keys, requires_env=_rl_env, is_async=True)
-registry.register(name="rl_list_runs", toolset="rl", schema=RL_LIST_RUNS_SCHEMA,
+registry.register(name="rl_list_runs", emoji="🧪", toolset="rl", schema=RL_LIST_RUNS_SCHEMA,
     handler=lambda args, **kw: rl_list_runs(), check_fn=check_rl_api_keys, requires_env=_rl_env, is_async=True)
-registry.register(name="rl_test_inference", toolset="rl", schema=RL_TEST_INFERENCE_SCHEMA,
+registry.register(name="rl_test_inference", emoji="🧪", toolset="rl", schema=RL_TEST_INFERENCE_SCHEMA,
     handler=lambda args, **kw: rl_test_inference(num_steps=args.get("num_steps", 3), group_size=args.get("group_size", 16), models=args.get("models")),
     check_fn=check_rl_api_keys, requires_env=_rl_env, is_async=True)

tools/send_message_tool.py

@@ -512,4 +512,5 @@ registry.register(
     schema=SEND_MESSAGE_SCHEMA,
     handler=send_message_tool,
     check_fn=_check_send_message,
+    emoji="📨",
 )

tools/session_search_tool.py

@@ -385,4 +385,5 @@ registry.register(
         db=kw.get("db"),
         current_session_id=kw.get("current_session_id")),
     check_fn=check_session_search_requirements,
+    emoji="🔍",
 )

tools/skill_manager_tool.py

@@ -653,4 +653,5 @@ registry.register(
         old_string=args.get("old_string"),
         new_string=args.get("new_string"),
         replace_all=args.get("replace_all", False)),
+    emoji="📝",
 )

tools/skills_hub.py

@@ -1156,11 +1156,176 @@ class ClawHubSource(SkillSource):
     def trust_level_for(self, identifier: str) -> str:
         return "community"
 
+    @staticmethod
+    def _normalize_tags(tags: Any) -> List[str]:
+        if isinstance(tags, list):
+            return [str(t) for t in tags]
+        if isinstance(tags, dict):
+            return [str(k) for k in tags.keys() if str(k) != "latest"]
+        return []
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def _coerce_skill_payload(data: Any) -> Optional[Dict[str, Any]]:
+        if not isinstance(data, dict):
+            return None
+        nested = data.get("skill")
+        if isinstance(nested, dict):
+            merged = dict(nested)
+            latest_version = data.get("latestVersion")
+            if latest_version is not None and "latestVersion" not in merged:
+                merged["latestVersion"] = latest_version
+            return merged
+        return data
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def _query_terms(query: str) -> List[str]:
+        return [term for term in re.split(r"[^a-z0-9]+", query.lower()) if term]
+
+    @classmethod
+    def _search_score(cls, query: str, meta: SkillMeta) -> int:
+        query_norm = query.strip().lower()
+        if not query_norm:
+            return 1
+
+        identifier = (meta.identifier or "").lower()
+        name = (meta.name or "").lower()
+        description = (meta.description or "").lower()
+        normalized_identifier = " ".join(cls._query_terms(identifier))
+        normalized_name = " ".join(cls._query_terms(name))
+        query_terms = cls._query_terms(query_norm)
+        identifier_terms = cls._query_terms(identifier)
+        name_terms = cls._query_terms(name)
+        score = 0
+
+        if query_norm == identifier:
+            score += 140
+        if query_norm == name:
+            score += 130
+        if normalized_identifier == query_norm:
+            score += 125
+        if normalized_name == query_norm:
+            score += 120
+        if normalized_identifier.startswith(query_norm):
+            score += 95
+        if normalized_name.startswith(query_norm):
+            score += 90
+        if query_terms and identifier_terms[: len(query_terms)] == query_terms:
+            score += 70
+        if query_terms and name_terms[: len(query_terms)] == query_terms:
+            score += 65
+        if query_norm in identifier:
+            score += 40
+        if query_norm in name:
+            score += 35
+        if query_norm in description:
+            score += 10
+
+        for term in query_terms:
+            if term in identifier_terms:
+                score += 15
+            if term in name_terms:
+                score += 12
+            if term in description:
+                score += 3
+
+        return score
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def _dedupe_results(results: List[SkillMeta]) -> List[SkillMeta]:
+        seen: set[str] = set()
+        deduped: List[SkillMeta] = []
+        for result in results:
+            key = (result.identifier or result.name).lower()
+            if key in seen:
+                continue
+            seen.add(key)
+            deduped.append(result)
+        return deduped
+
+    def _exact_slug_meta(self, query: str) -> Optional[SkillMeta]:
+        slug = query.strip().split("/")[-1]
+        query_terms = self._query_terms(query)
+        candidates: List[str] = []
+
+        if slug and re.fullmatch(r"[A-Za-z0-9][A-Za-z0-9._-]*", slug):
+            candidates.append(slug)
+
+        if query_terms:
+            base_slug = "-".join(query_terms)
+            if len(query_terms) >= 2:
+                candidates.extend([
+                    f"{base_slug}-agent",
+                    f"{base_slug}-skill",
+                    f"{base_slug}-tool",
+                    f"{base_slug}-assistant",
+                    f"{base_slug}-playbook",
+                    base_slug,
+                ])
+            else:
+                candidates.append(base_slug)
+
+        seen: set[str] = set()
+        for candidate in candidates:
+            if candidate in seen:
+                continue
+            seen.add(candidate)
+            meta = self.inspect(candidate)
+            if meta:
+                return meta
+
+        return None
+
+    def _finalize_search_results(self, query: str, results: List[SkillMeta], limit: int) -> List[SkillMeta]:
+        query_norm = query.strip()
+        if not query_norm:
+            return self._dedupe_results(results)[:limit]
+
+        filtered = [meta for meta in results if self._search_score(query_norm, meta) > 0]
+        filtered.sort(
+            key=lambda meta: (
+                -self._search_score(query_norm, meta),
+                meta.name.lower(),
+                meta.identifier.lower(),
+            )
+        )
+        filtered = self._dedupe_results(filtered)
+
+        exact = self._exact_slug_meta(query_norm)
+        if exact:
+            filtered = [meta for meta in filtered if self._search_score(query_norm, meta) >= 20]
+            filtered = self._dedupe_results([exact] + filtered)
+
+        if filtered:
+            return filtered[:limit]
+
+        if re.fullmatch(r"[A-Za-z0-9][A-Za-z0-9._/-]*", query_norm):
+            return []
+
+        return self._dedupe_results(results)[:limit]
+
     def search(self, query: str, limit: int = 10) -> List[SkillMeta]:
-        cache_key = f"clawhub_search_{hashlib.md5(query.encode()).hexdigest()}"
+        query = query.strip()
+
+        if query:
+            query_terms = self._query_terms(query)
+            if len(query_terms) >= 2:
+                direct = self._exact_slug_meta(query)
+                if direct:
+                    return [direct]
+
+            results = self._search_catalog(query, limit=limit)
+            if results:
+                return results
+
+        # Empty query or catalog fallback failure: use the lightweight listing API.
+        cache_key = f"clawhub_search_listing_v1_{hashlib.md5(query.encode()).hexdigest()}_{limit}"
         cached = _read_index_cache(cache_key)
         if cached is not None:
-            return [SkillMeta(**s) for s in cached][:limit]
+            return self._finalize_search_results(
+                query,
+                [SkillMeta(**s) for s in cached],
+                limit,
+            )
 
         try:
             resp = httpx.get(
@@ -1185,20 +1350,19 @@ class ClawHubSource(SkillSource):
                 continue
             display_name = item.get("displayName") or item.get("name") or slug
             summary = item.get("summary") or item.get("description") or ""
-            tags = item.get("tags", [])
-            if not isinstance(tags, list):
-                tags = []
+            tags = self._normalize_tags(item.get("tags", []))
             results.append(SkillMeta(
                 name=display_name,
                 description=summary,
                 source="clawhub",
                 identifier=slug,
                 trust_level="community",
-                tags=[str(t) for t in tags],
+                tags=tags,
             ))
 
-        _write_index_cache(cache_key, [_skill_meta_to_dict(s) for s in results])
-        return results
+        final_results = self._finalize_search_results(query, results, limit)
+        _write_index_cache(cache_key, [_skill_meta_to_dict(s) for s in final_results])
+        return final_results
 
     def fetch(self, identifier: str) -> Optional[SkillBundle]:
         slug = identifier.split("/")[-1]
@@ -1244,13 +1408,11 @@ class ClawHubSource(SkillSource):
 
     def inspect(self, identifier: str) -> Optional[SkillMeta]:
         slug = identifier.split("/")[-1]
-        data = self._get_json(f"{self.BASE_URL}/skills/{slug}")
+        data = self._coerce_skill_payload(self._get_json(f"{self.BASE_URL}/skills/{slug}"))
         if not isinstance(data, dict):
             return None
 
-        tags = data.get("tags", [])
-        if not isinstance(tags, list):
-            tags = []
+        tags = self._normalize_tags(data.get("tags", []))
 
         return SkillMeta(
             name=data.get("displayName") or data.get("name") or data.get("slug") or slug,
@@ -1258,9 +1420,75 @@ class ClawHubSource(SkillSource):
             source="clawhub",
             identifier=data.get("slug") or slug,
             trust_level="community",
-            tags=[str(t) for t in tags],
+            tags=tags,
         )
 
+    def _search_catalog(self, query: str, limit: int = 10) -> List[SkillMeta]:
+        cache_key = f"clawhub_search_catalog_v1_{hashlib.md5(f'{query}|{limit}'.encode()).hexdigest()}"
+        cached = _read_index_cache(cache_key)
+        if cached is not None:
+            return [SkillMeta(**s) for s in cached][:limit]
+
+        catalog = self._load_catalog_index()
+        if not catalog:
+            return []
+
+        results = self._finalize_search_results(query, catalog, limit)
+        _write_index_cache(cache_key, [_skill_meta_to_dict(s) for s in results])
+        return results
+
+    def _load_catalog_index(self) -> List[SkillMeta]:
+        cache_key = "clawhub_catalog_v1"
+        cached = _read_index_cache(cache_key)
+        if cached is not None:
+            return [SkillMeta(**s) for s in cached]
+
+        cursor: Optional[str] = None
+        results: List[SkillMeta] = []
+        seen: set[str] = set()
+        max_pages = 50
+
+        for _ in range(max_pages):
+            params: Dict[str, Any] = {"limit": 200}
+            if cursor:
+                params["cursor"] = cursor
+
+            try:
+                resp = httpx.get(f"{self.BASE_URL}/skills", params=params, timeout=30)
+                if resp.status_code != 200:
+                    break
+                data = resp.json()
+            except (httpx.HTTPError, json.JSONDecodeError):
+                break
+
+            items = data.get("items", []) if isinstance(data, dict) else []
+            if not isinstance(items, list) or not items:
+                break
+
+            for item in items:
+                slug = item.get("slug")
+                if not isinstance(slug, str) or not slug or slug in seen:
+                    continue
+                seen.add(slug)
+                display_name = item.get("displayName") or item.get("name") or slug
+                summary = item.get("summary") or item.get("description") or ""
+                tags = self._normalize_tags(item.get("tags", []))
+                results.append(SkillMeta(
+                    name=display_name,
+                    description=summary,
+                    source="clawhub",
+                    identifier=slug,
+                    trust_level="community",
+                    tags=tags,
+                ))
+
+            cursor = data.get("nextCursor") if isinstance(data, dict) else None
+            if not isinstance(cursor, str) or not cursor:
+                break
+
+        _write_index_cache(cache_key, [_skill_meta_to_dict(s) for s in results])
+        return results
+
     def _get_json(self, url: str, timeout: int = 20) -> Optional[Any]:
         try:
             resp = httpx.get(url, timeout=timeout)

tools/skills_tool.py

@@ -1261,6 +1261,7 @@ registry.register(
         category=args.get("category"), task_id=kw.get("task_id")
     ),
     check_fn=check_skills_requirements,
+    emoji="📚",
 )
 registry.register(
     name="skill_view",
@@ -1270,4 +1271,5 @@ registry.register(
         args.get("name", ""), file_path=args.get("file_path"), task_id=kw.get("task_id")
     ),
     check_fn=check_skills_requirements,
+    emoji="📚",
 )

tools/terminal_tool.py

@@ -1317,4 +1317,5 @@ registry.register(
     schema=TERMINAL_SCHEMA,
     handler=_handle_terminal,
     check_fn=check_terminal_requirements,
+    emoji="💻",
 )

tools/tirith_security.py

@@ -279,7 +279,7 @@ def _verify_checksum(archive_path: str, checksums_path: str, archive_name: str)
     return True
 
 
-def _install_tirith() -> tuple[str | None, str]:
+def _install_tirith(*, log_failures: bool = True) -> tuple[str | None, str]:
     """Download and install tirith to $HERMES_HOME/bin/tirith.
 
     Verifies provenance via cosign and SHA-256 checksum.
@@ -287,6 +287,8 @@ def _install_tirith() -> tuple[str | None, str]:
     failure_reason is a short tag used by the disk marker to decide if the
     failure is retryable (e.g. "cosign_missing" clears when cosign appears).
     """
+    log = logger.warning if log_failures else logger.debug
+
     target = _detect_target()
     if not target:
         logger.info("tirith auto-install: unsupported platform %s/%s",
@@ -309,7 +311,7 @@ def _install_tirith() -> tuple[str | None, str]:
             _download_file(f"{base_url}/{archive_name}", archive_path)
             _download_file(f"{base_url}/checksums.txt", checksums_path)
         except Exception as exc:
-            logger.warning("tirith download failed: %s", exc)
+            log("tirith download failed: %s", exc)
             return None, "download_failed"
 
         # Cosign provenance verification is mandatory for auto-install.
@@ -320,25 +322,25 @@ def _install_tirith() -> tuple[str | None, str]:
             _download_file(f"{base_url}/checksums.txt.sig", sig_path)
             _download_file(f"{base_url}/checksums.txt.pem", cert_path)
         except Exception as exc:
-            logger.warning("tirith install skipped: cosign artifacts unavailable (%s). "
-                          "Install tirith manually or install cosign for auto-install.", exc)
+            log("tirith install skipped: cosign artifacts unavailable (%s). "
+                "Install tirith manually or install cosign for auto-install.", exc)
             return None, "cosign_artifacts_unavailable"
 
         # Check cosign availability before attempting verification so we can
         # distinguish "not installed" (retryable) from "installed but broken."
         if not shutil.which("cosign"):
-            logger.warning("tirith install skipped: cosign not found on PATH. "
-                          "Install cosign for auto-install, or install tirith manually.")
+            log("tirith install skipped: cosign not found on PATH. "
+                "Install cosign for auto-install, or install tirith manually.")
             return None, "cosign_missing"
 
         cosign_result = _verify_cosign(checksums_path, sig_path, cert_path)
         if cosign_result is not True:
             # False = verification rejected, None = execution failure (timeout/OSError)
             if cosign_result is None:
-                logger.warning("tirith install aborted: cosign execution failed")
+                log("tirith install aborted: cosign execution failed")
                 return None, "cosign_exec_failed"
             else:
-                logger.warning("tirith install aborted: cosign provenance verification failed")
+                log("tirith install aborted: cosign provenance verification failed")
                 return None, "cosign_verification_failed"
 
         if not _verify_checksum(archive_path, checksums_path, archive_name):
@@ -354,7 +356,7 @@ def _install_tirith() -> tuple[str | None, str]:
                     tar.extract(member, tmpdir)
                     break
             else:
-                logger.warning("tirith binary not found in archive")
+                log("tirith binary not found in archive")
                 return None, "binary_not_in_archive"
 
         src = os.path.join(tmpdir, "tirith")
@@ -473,7 +475,7 @@ def _resolve_tirith_path(configured_path: str) -> str:
     return expanded
 
 
-def _background_install():
+def _background_install(*, log_failures: bool = True):
     """Background thread target: download and install tirith."""
     global _resolved_path, _install_failure_reason
     with _install_lock:
@@ -494,7 +496,7 @@ def _background_install():
             _install_failure_reason = ""
             return
 
-        installed, reason = _install_tirith()
+        installed, reason = _install_tirith(log_failures=log_failures)
         if installed:
             _resolved_path = installed
             _install_failure_reason = ""
@@ -505,7 +507,7 @@ def _background_install():
             _mark_install_failed(reason)
 
 
-def ensure_installed():
+def ensure_installed(*, log_failures: bool = True):
     """Ensure tirith is available, downloading in background if needed.
 
     Quick PATH/local checks are synchronous; network download runs in a
@@ -578,7 +580,10 @@ def ensure_installed():
     # Need to download — launch background thread so startup doesn't block
     if _install_thread is None or not _install_thread.is_alive():
         _install_thread = threading.Thread(
-            target=_background_install, daemon=True)
+            target=_background_install,
+            kwargs={"log_failures": log_failures},
+            daemon=True,
+        )
         _install_thread.start()
 
     return None  # Not available yet; commands will fail-open until ready

tools/todo_tool.py

@@ -264,4 +264,5 @@ registry.register(
     handler=lambda args, **kw: todo_tool(
         todos=args.get("todos"), merge=args.get("merge", False), store=kw.get("store")),
     check_fn=check_todo_requirements,
+    emoji="📋",
 )

tools/tts_tool.py

@@ -743,4 +743,5 @@ registry.register(
         text=args.get("text", ""),
         output_path=args.get("output_path")),
     check_fn=check_tts_requirements,
+    emoji="🔊",
 )

tools/vision_tools.py

@@ -493,4 +493,5 @@ registry.register(
     handler=_handle_vision_analyze,
     check_fn=check_vision_requirements,
     is_async=True,
+    emoji="👁️",
 )

tools/web_tools.py

@@ -1258,6 +1258,7 @@ registry.register(
     handler=lambda args, **kw: web_search_tool(args.get("query", ""), limit=5),
     check_fn=check_firecrawl_api_key,
     requires_env=["FIRECRAWL_API_KEY"],
+    emoji="🔍",
 )
 registry.register(
     name="web_extract",
@@ -1268,4 +1269,5 @@ registry.register(
     check_fn=check_firecrawl_api_key,
     requires_env=["FIRECRAWL_API_KEY"],
     is_async=True,
+    emoji="📄",
 )

utils.py

@@ -50,6 +50,8 @@ def atomic_json_write(
             os.fsync(f.fileno())
         os.replace(tmp_path, path)
     except BaseException:
+        # Intentionally catch BaseException so temp-file cleanup still runs for
+        # KeyboardInterrupt/SystemExit before re-raising the original signal.
         try:
             os.unlink(tmp_path)
         except OSError:
@@ -96,6 +98,8 @@ def atomic_yaml_write(
             os.fsync(f.fileno())
         os.replace(tmp_path, path)
     except BaseException:
+        # Match atomic_json_write: cleanup must also happen for process-level
+        # interruptions before we re-raise them.
         try:
             os.unlink(tmp_path)
         except OSError:

website/docs/developer-guide/provider-runtime.md

@@ -130,7 +130,41 @@ When an auxiliary task is configured with provider `main`, Hermes resolves that
 
 ## Fallback models
 
-Hermes also supports a configured fallback model/provider, allowing runtime failover in supported error paths.
+Hermes supports a configured fallback model/provider pair, allowing runtime failover when the primary model encounters errors.
+
+### How it works internally
+
+1. **Storage**: `AIAgent.__init__` stores the `fallback_model` dict and sets `_fallback_activated = False`.
+
+2. **Trigger points**: `_try_activate_fallback()` is called from three places in the main retry loop in `run_agent.py`:
+   - After max retries on invalid API responses (None choices, missing content)
+   - On non-retryable client errors (HTTP 401, 403, 404)
+   - After max retries on transient errors (HTTP 429, 500, 502, 503)
+
+3. **Activation flow** (`_try_activate_fallback`):
+   - Returns `False` immediately if already activated or not configured
+   - Calls `resolve_provider_client()` from `auxiliary_client.py` to build a new client with proper auth
+   - Determines `api_mode`: `codex_responses` for openai-codex, `anthropic_messages` for anthropic, `chat_completions` for everything else
+   - Swaps in-place: `self.model`, `self.provider`, `self.base_url`, `self.api_mode`, `self.client`, `self._client_kwargs`
+   - For anthropic fallback: builds a native Anthropic client instead of OpenAI-compatible
+   - Re-evaluates prompt caching (enabled for Claude models on OpenRouter)
+   - Sets `_fallback_activated = True` — prevents firing again
+   - Resets retry count to 0 and continues the loop
+
+4. **Config flow**:
+   - CLI: `cli.py` reads `CLI_CONFIG["fallback_model"]` → passes to `AIAgent(fallback_model=...)`
+   - Gateway: `gateway/run.py._load_fallback_model()` reads `config.yaml` → passes to `AIAgent`
+   - Validation: both `provider` and `model` keys must be non-empty, or fallback is disabled
+
+### What does NOT support fallback
+
+- **Subagent delegation** (`tools/delegate_tool.py`): subagents inherit the parent's provider but not the fallback config
+- **Cron jobs** (`cron/`): run with a fixed provider, no fallback mechanism
+- **Auxiliary tasks**: use their own independent provider auto-detection chain (see Auxiliary model routing above)
+
+### Test coverage
+
+See `tests/test_fallback_model.py` for comprehensive tests covering all supported providers, one-shot semantics, and edge cases.
 
 ## Related docs
 

website/docs/reference/environment-variables.md

@@ -164,6 +164,7 @@ For native Anthropic auth, Hermes prefers Claude Code's own credential files whe
 | `HERMES_QUIET` | Suppress non-essential output (`true`/`false`) |
 | `HERMES_API_TIMEOUT` | LLM API call timeout in seconds (default: `900`) |
 | `HERMES_EXEC_ASK` | Enable execution approval prompts in gateway mode (`true`/`false`) |
+| `HERMES_BACKGROUND_NOTIFICATIONS` | Background process notification mode in gateway: `all` (default), `result`, `error`, `off` |
 
 ## Session Settings
 
@@ -197,6 +198,18 @@ For native Anthropic auth, Hermes prefers Claude Code's own credential files whe
 
 For task-specific direct endpoints, Hermes uses the task's configured API key or `OPENAI_API_KEY`. It does not reuse `OPENROUTER_API_KEY` for those custom endpoints.
 
+## Fallback Model (config.yaml only)
+
+The primary model fallback is configured exclusively through `config.yaml` — there are no environment variables for it. Add a `fallback_model` section with `provider` and `model` keys to enable automatic failover when your main model encounters errors.
+
+```yaml
+fallback_model:
+  provider: openrouter
+  model: anthropic/claude-sonnet-4
+```
+
+See [Fallback Providers](/docs/user-guide/features/fallback-providers) for full details.
+
 ## Provider Routing (config.yaml only)
 
 These go in `~/.hermes/config.yaml` under the `provider_routing` section:

website/docs/reference/slash-commands.md

@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ Type `/` in the CLI to open the autocomplete menu. Built-in commands are case-in
 | `/title` | Set a title for the current session (usage: /title My Session Name) |
 | `/compress` | Manually compress conversation context (flush memories + summarize) |
 | `/rollback` | List or restore filesystem checkpoints (usage: /rollback [number]) |
-| `/background` | Run a prompt in the background (usage: /background <prompt>) |
+| `/background <prompt>` | Run a prompt in a separate background session. The agent processes your prompt independently — your current session stays free for other work. Results appear as a panel when the task finishes. See [CLI Background Sessions](/docs/user-guide/cli#background-sessions). |
 | `/plan [request]` | Load the bundled `plan` skill to write a markdown plan instead of executing the work. Plans are saved under `.hermes/plans/` relative to the active workspace/backend working directory. |
 
 ### Configuration
@@ -109,7 +109,7 @@ The messaging gateway supports the following built-in commands inside Telegram,
 | `/reasoning [level\|show\|hide]` | Change reasoning effort or toggle reasoning display. |
 | `/voice [on\|off\|tts\|join\|channel\|leave\|status]` | Control spoken replies in chat. `join`/`channel`/`leave` manage Discord voice-channel mode. |
 | `/rollback [number]` | List or restore filesystem checkpoints. |
-| `/background &lt;prompt&gt;` | Run a prompt in a separate background session. |
+| `/background <prompt>` | Run a prompt in a separate background session. Results are delivered back to the same chat when the task finishes. See [Messaging Background Sessions](/docs/user-guide/messaging/#background-sessions). |
 | `/plan [request]` | Load the bundled `plan` skill to write a markdown plan instead of executing the work. Plans are saved under `.hermes/plans/` relative to the active workspace/backend working directory. |
 | `/reload-mcp` | Reload MCP servers from config. |
 | `/update` | Update Hermes Agent to the latest version. |
@@ -119,6 +119,6 @@ The messaging gateway supports the following built-in commands inside Telegram,
 ## Notes
 
 - `/skin`, `/tools`, `/toolsets`, `/config`, `/prompt`, `/cron`, `/skills`, `/platforms`, `/paste`, and `/verbose` are **CLI-only** commands.
-- `/status`, `/stop`, `/sethome`, `/resume`, `/background`, and `/update` are **messaging-only** commands.
-- `/voice`, `/reload-mcp`, and `/rollback` work in **both** the CLI and the messaging gateway.
+- `/status`, `/stop`, `/sethome`, `/resume`, and `/update` are **messaging-only** commands.
+- `/background`, `/voice`, `/reload-mcp`, and `/rollback` work in **both** the CLI and the messaging gateway.
 - `/voice join`, `/voice channel`, and `/voice leave` are only meaningful on Discord.

website/docs/user-guide/cli.md

@@ -259,6 +259,55 @@ compression:
 
 When compression triggers, middle turns are summarized while the first 3 and last 4 turns are always preserved.
 
+## Background Sessions
+
+Run a prompt in a separate background session while continuing to use the CLI for other work:
+
+```
+/background Analyze the logs in /var/log and summarize any errors from today
+```
+
+Hermes immediately confirms the task and gives you back the prompt:
+
+```
+🔄 Background task #1 started: "Analyze the logs in /var/log and summarize..."
+   Task ID: bg_143022_a1b2c3
+```
+
+### How It Works
+
+Each `/background` prompt spawns a **completely separate agent session** in a daemon thread:
+
+- **Isolated conversation** — the background agent has no knowledge of your current session's history. It receives only the prompt you provide.
+- **Same configuration** — the background agent inherits your model, provider, toolsets, reasoning settings, and fallback model from the current session.
+- **Non-blocking** — your foreground session stays fully interactive. You can chat, run commands, or even start more background tasks.
+- **Multiple tasks** — you can run several background tasks simultaneously. Each gets a numbered ID.
+
+### Results
+
+When a background task finishes, the result appears as a panel in your terminal:
+
+```
+╭─ ⚕ Hermes (background #1) ──────────────────────────────────╮
+│ Found 3 errors in syslog from today:                         │
+│ 1. OOM killer invoked at 03:22 — killed process nginx        │
+│ 2. Disk I/O error on /dev/sda1 at 07:15                      │
+│ 3. Failed SSH login attempts from 192.168.1.50 at 14:30      │
+╰──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────╯
+```
+
+If the task fails, you'll see an error notification instead. If `display.bell_on_complete` is enabled in your config, the terminal bell rings when the task finishes.
+
+### Use Cases
+
+- **Long-running research** — "/background research the latest developments in quantum error correction" while you work on code
+- **File processing** — "/background analyze all Python files in this repo and list any security issues" while you continue a conversation
+- **Parallel investigations** — start multiple background tasks to explore different angles simultaneously
+
+:::info
+Background sessions do not appear in your main conversation history. They are standalone sessions with their own task ID (e.g., `bg_143022_a1b2c3`).
+:::
+
 ## Quiet Mode
 
 By default, the CLI runs in quiet mode which:

website/docs/user-guide/configuration.md

@@ -421,6 +421,26 @@ provider_routing:
 
 **Shortcuts:** Append `:nitro` to any model name for throughput sorting (e.g., `anthropic/claude-sonnet-4:nitro`), or `:floor` for price sorting.
 
+## Fallback Model
+
+Configure a backup provider:model that Hermes switches to automatically when your primary model fails (rate limits, server errors, auth failures):
+
+```yaml
+fallback_model:
+  provider: openrouter                    # required
+  model: anthropic/claude-sonnet-4        # required
+  # base_url: http://localhost:8000/v1    # optional, for custom endpoints
+  # api_key_env: MY_CUSTOM_KEY           # optional, env var name for custom endpoint API key
+```
+
+When activated, the fallback swaps the model and provider mid-session without losing your conversation. It fires **at most once** per session.
+
+Supported providers: `openrouter`, `nous`, `openai-codex`, `anthropic`, `zai`, `kimi-coding`, `minimax`, `minimax-cn`, `custom`.
+
+:::tip
+Fallback is configured exclusively through `config.yaml` — there are no environment variables for it. For full details on when it triggers, supported providers, and how it interacts with auxiliary tasks and delegation, see [Fallback Providers](/docs/user-guide/features/fallback-providers).
+:::
+
 ## Terminal Backend Configuration
 
 Configure which environment the agent uses for terminal commands:
@@ -733,6 +753,7 @@ display:
   resume_display: full    # full (show previous messages on resume) | minimal (one-liner only)
   bell_on_complete: false # Play terminal bell when agent finishes (great for long tasks)
   show_reasoning: false   # Show model reasoning/thinking above each response (toggle with /reasoning show|hide)
+  background_process_notifications: all  # all | result | error | off (gateway only)
 ```
 
 | Mode | What you see |

website/docs/user-guide/features/fallback-providers.md

@@ -0,0 +1,311 @@
+---
+title: Fallback Providers
+description: Configure automatic failover to backup LLM providers when your primary model is unavailable.
+sidebar_label: Fallback Providers
+sidebar_position: 8
+---
+
+# Fallback Providers
+
+Hermes Agent has two separate fallback systems that keep your sessions running when providers hit issues:
+
+1. **Primary model fallback** — automatically switches to a backup provider:model when your main model fails
+2. **Auxiliary task fallback** — independent provider resolution for side tasks like vision, compression, and web extraction
+
+Both are optional and work independently.
+
+## Primary Model Fallback
+
+When your main LLM provider encounters errors — rate limits, server overload, auth failures, connection drops — Hermes can automatically switch to a backup provider:model pair mid-session without losing your conversation.
+
+### Configuration
+
+Add a `fallback_model` section to `~/.hermes/config.yaml`:
+
+```yaml
+fallback_model:
+  provider: openrouter
+  model: anthropic/claude-sonnet-4
+```
+
+Both `provider` and `model` are **required**. If either is missing, the fallback is disabled.
+
+### Supported Providers
+
+| Provider | Value | Requirements |
+|----------|-------|-------------|
+| OpenRouter | `openrouter` | `OPENROUTER_API_KEY` |
+| Nous Portal | `nous` | `hermes login` (OAuth) |
+| OpenAI Codex | `openai-codex` | `hermes model` (ChatGPT OAuth) |
+| Anthropic | `anthropic` | `ANTHROPIC_API_KEY` or Claude Code credentials |
+| z.ai / GLM | `zai` | `GLM_API_KEY` |
+| Kimi / Moonshot | `kimi-coding` | `KIMI_API_KEY` |
+| MiniMax | `minimax` | `MINIMAX_API_KEY` |
+| MiniMax (China) | `minimax-cn` | `MINIMAX_CN_API_KEY` |
+| Custom endpoint | `custom` | `base_url` + `api_key_env` (see below) |
+
+### Custom Endpoint Fallback
+
+For a custom OpenAI-compatible endpoint, add `base_url` and optionally `api_key_env`:
+
+```yaml
+fallback_model:
+  provider: custom
+  model: my-local-model
+  base_url: http://localhost:8000/v1
+  api_key_env: MY_LOCAL_KEY          # env var name containing the API key
+```
+
+### When Fallback Triggers
+
+The fallback activates automatically when the primary model fails with:
+
+- **Rate limits** (HTTP 429) — after exhausting retry attempts
+- **Server errors** (HTTP 500, 502, 503) — after exhausting retry attempts
+- **Auth failures** (HTTP 401, 403) — immediately (no point retrying)
+- **Not found** (HTTP 404) — immediately
+- **Invalid responses** — when the API returns malformed or empty responses repeatedly
+
+When triggered, Hermes:
+
+1. Resolves credentials for the fallback provider
+2. Builds a new API client
+3. Swaps the model, provider, and client in-place
+4. Resets the retry counter and continues the conversation
+
+The switch is seamless — your conversation history, tool calls, and context are preserved. The agent continues from exactly where it left off, just using a different model.
+
+:::info One-Shot
+Fallback activates **at most once** per session. If the fallback provider also fails, normal error handling takes over (retries, then error message). This prevents cascading failover loops.
+:::
+
+### Examples
+
+**OpenRouter as fallback for Anthropic native:**
+```yaml
+model:
+  provider: anthropic
+  default: claude-sonnet-4-6
+
+fallback_model:
+  provider: openrouter
+  model: anthropic/claude-sonnet-4
+```
+
+**Nous Portal as fallback for OpenRouter:**
+```yaml
+model:
+  provider: openrouter
+  default: anthropic/claude-opus-4
+
+fallback_model:
+  provider: nous
+  model: nous-hermes-3
+```
+
+**Local model as fallback for cloud:**
+```yaml
+fallback_model:
+  provider: custom
+  model: llama-3.1-70b
+  base_url: http://localhost:8000/v1
+  api_key_env: LOCAL_API_KEY
+```
+
+**Codex OAuth as fallback:**
+```yaml
+fallback_model:
+  provider: openai-codex
+  model: gpt-5.3-codex
+```
+
+### Where Fallback Works
+
+| Context | Fallback Supported |
+|---------|-------------------|
+| CLI sessions | ✔ |
+| Messaging gateway (Telegram, Discord, etc.) | ✔ |
+| Subagent delegation | ✘ (subagents do not inherit fallback config) |
+| Cron jobs | ✘ (run with a fixed provider) |
+| Auxiliary tasks (vision, compression) | ✘ (use their own provider chain — see below) |
+
+:::tip
+There are no environment variables for `fallback_model` — it is configured exclusively through `config.yaml`. This is intentional: fallback configuration is a deliberate choice, not something a stale shell export should override.
+:::
+
+---
+
+## Auxiliary Task Fallback
+
+Hermes uses separate lightweight models for side tasks. Each task has its own provider resolution chain that acts as a built-in fallback system.
+
+### Tasks with Independent Provider Resolution
+
+| Task | What It Does | Config Key |
+|------|-------------|-----------|
+| Vision | Image analysis, browser screenshots | `auxiliary.vision` |
+| Web Extract | Web page summarization | `auxiliary.web_extract` |
+| Compression | Context compression summaries | `auxiliary.compression` or `compression.summary_provider` |
+| Session Search | Past session summarization | `auxiliary.session_search` |
+| Skills Hub | Skill search and discovery | `auxiliary.skills_hub` |
+| MCP | MCP helper operations | `auxiliary.mcp` |
+| Memory Flush | Memory consolidation | `auxiliary.flush_memories` |
+
+### Auto-Detection Chain
+
+When a task's provider is set to `"auto"` (the default), Hermes tries providers in order until one works:
+
+**For text tasks (compression, web extract, etc.):**
+
+```text
+OpenRouter → Nous Portal → Custom endpoint → Codex OAuth →
+API-key providers (z.ai, Kimi, MiniMax, Anthropic) → give up
+```
+
+**For vision tasks:**
+
+```text
+Main provider (if vision-capable) → OpenRouter → Nous Portal →
+Codex OAuth → Anthropic → Custom endpoint → give up
+```
+
+If the resolved provider fails at call time, Hermes also has an internal retry: if the provider is not OpenRouter and no explicit `base_url` is set, it tries OpenRouter as a last-resort fallback.
+
+### Configuring Auxiliary Providers
+
+Each task can be configured independently in `config.yaml`:
+
+```yaml
+auxiliary:
+  vision:
+    provider: "auto"              # auto | openrouter | nous | codex | main | anthropic
+    model: ""                     # e.g. "openai/gpt-4o"
+    base_url: ""                  # direct endpoint (takes precedence over provider)
+    api_key: ""                   # API key for base_url
+
+  web_extract:
+    provider: "auto"
+    model: ""
+
+  compression:
+    provider: "auto"
+    model: ""
+
+  session_search:
+    provider: "auto"
+    model: ""
+
+  skills_hub:
+    provider: "auto"
+    model: ""
+
+  mcp:
+    provider: "auto"
+    model: ""
+
+  flush_memories:
+    provider: "auto"
+    model: ""
+```
+
+Or via environment variables:
+
+```bash
+AUXILIARY_VISION_PROVIDER=openrouter
+AUXILIARY_VISION_MODEL=openai/gpt-4o
+AUXILIARY_WEB_EXTRACT_PROVIDER=nous
+CONTEXT_COMPRESSION_PROVIDER=main
+CONTEXT_COMPRESSION_MODEL=google/gemini-3-flash-preview
+```
+
+### Provider Options for Auxiliary Tasks
+
+| Provider | Description | Requirements |
+|----------|-------------|-------------|
+| `"auto"` | Try providers in order until one works (default) | At least one provider configured |
+| `"openrouter"` | Force OpenRouter | `OPENROUTER_API_KEY` |
+| `"nous"` | Force Nous Portal | `hermes login` |
+| `"codex"` | Force Codex OAuth | `hermes model` → Codex |
+| `"main"` | Use whatever provider the main agent uses | Active main provider configured |
+| `"anthropic"` | Force Anthropic native | `ANTHROPIC_API_KEY` or Claude Code credentials |
+
+### Direct Endpoint Override
+
+For any auxiliary task, setting `base_url` bypasses provider resolution entirely and sends requests directly to that endpoint:
+
+```yaml
+auxiliary:
+  vision:
+    base_url: "http://localhost:1234/v1"
+    api_key: "local-key"
+    model: "qwen2.5-vl"
+```
+
+`base_url` takes precedence over `provider`. Hermes uses the configured `api_key` for authentication, falling back to `OPENAI_API_KEY` if not set. It does **not** reuse `OPENROUTER_API_KEY` for custom endpoints.
+
+---
+
+## Context Compression Fallback
+
+Context compression has a legacy configuration path in addition to the auxiliary system:
+
+```yaml
+compression:
+  summary_provider: "auto"                    # auto | openrouter | nous | main
+  summary_model: "google/gemini-3-flash-preview"
+```
+
+This is equivalent to configuring `auxiliary.compression.provider` and `auxiliary.compression.model`. If both are set, the `auxiliary.compression` values take precedence.
+
+If no provider is available for compression, Hermes drops middle conversation turns without generating a summary rather than failing the session.
+
+---
+
+## Delegation Provider Override
+
+Subagents spawned by `delegate_task` do **not** use the primary fallback model. However, they can be routed to a different provider:model pair for cost optimization:
+
+```yaml
+delegation:
+  provider: "openrouter"                      # override provider for all subagents
+  model: "google/gemini-3-flash-preview"      # override model
+  # base_url: "http://localhost:1234/v1"      # or use a direct endpoint
+  # api_key: "local-key"
+```
+
+See [Subagent Delegation](/docs/user-guide/features/delegation) for full configuration details.
+
+---
+
+## Cron Job Providers
+
+Cron jobs run with whatever provider is configured at execution time. They do not support a fallback model. To use a different provider for cron jobs, configure `provider` and `model` overrides on the cron job itself:
+
+```python
+cronjob(
+    action="create",
+    schedule="every 2h",
+    prompt="Check server status",
+    provider="openrouter",
+    model="google/gemini-3-flash-preview"
+)
+```
+
+See [Scheduled Tasks (Cron)](/docs/user-guide/features/cron) for full configuration details.
+
+---
+
+## Summary
+
+| Feature | Fallback Mechanism | Config Location |
+|---------|-------------------|----------------|
+| Main agent model | `fallback_model` in config.yaml — one-shot failover on errors | `fallback_model:` (top-level) |
+| Vision | Auto-detection chain + internal OpenRouter retry | `auxiliary.vision` |
+| Web extraction | Auto-detection chain + internal OpenRouter retry | `auxiliary.web_extract` |
+| Context compression | Auto-detection chain, degrades to no-summary if unavailable | `auxiliary.compression` or `compression.summary_provider` |
+| Session search | Auto-detection chain | `auxiliary.session_search` |
+| Skills hub | Auto-detection chain | `auxiliary.skills_hub` |
+| MCP helpers | Auto-detection chain | `auxiliary.mcp` |
+| Memory flush | Auto-detection chain | `auxiliary.flush_memories` |
+| Delegation | Provider override only (no automatic fallback) | `delegation.provider` / `delegation.model` |
+| Cron jobs | Per-job provider override only (no automatic fallback) | Per-job `provider` / `model` |

website/docs/user-guide/features/provider-routing.md

@@ -194,3 +194,7 @@ provider_routing:
 ## Default Behavior
 
 When no `provider_routing` section is configured (the default), OpenRouter uses its own default routing logic, which generally balances cost and availability automatically.
+
+:::tip Provider Routing vs. Fallback Models
+Provider routing controls which **sub-providers within OpenRouter** handle your requests. For automatic failover to an entirely different provider when your primary model fails, see [Fallback Providers](/docs/user-guide/features/fallback-providers).
+:::

website/docs/user-guide/messaging/discord.md

@@ -8,6 +8,21 @@ description: "Set up Hermes Agent as a Discord bot"
 
 Hermes Agent integrates with Discord as a bot, letting you chat with your AI assistant through direct messages or server channels. The bot receives your messages, processes them through the Hermes Agent pipeline (including tool use, memory, and reasoning), and responds in real time. It supports text, voice messages, file attachments, and slash commands.
 
+Before setup, here's the part most people want to know: how Hermes behaves once it's in your server.
+
+## How Hermes Behaves
+
+| Context | Behavior |
+|---------|----------|
+| **DMs** | Hermes responds to every message. No `@mention` needed. |
+| **Server channels** | By default, Hermes only responds when you `@mention` it. If you post in a channel without mentioning it, Hermes ignores the message. |
+| **Free-response channels** | You can make specific channels mention-free with `DISCORD_FREE_RESPONSE_CHANNELS`, or disable mentions globally with `DISCORD_REQUIRE_MENTION=false`. |
+| **Threads** | Hermes replies in the same thread. Mention rules still apply unless that thread or its parent channel is configured as free-response. |
+
+:::tip
+If you want a normal shared bot channel where people can talk to Hermes without tagging it every time, add that channel to `DISCORD_FREE_RESPONSE_CHANNELS`.
+:::
+
 This guide walks you through the full setup process — from creating your bot on Discord's Developer Portal to sending your first message.
 
 ## Step 1: Create a Discord Application
@@ -200,12 +215,6 @@ DISCORD_HOME_CHANNEL_NAME="#bot-updates"
 
 Replace the ID with the actual channel ID (right-click → Copy Channel ID with Developer Mode on).
 
-## Bot Behavior
-
-- **Server channels**: By default the bot requires an `@mention` before it responds in server channels. You can disable that globally with `DISCORD_REQUIRE_MENTION=false` or allow specific channels to be mention-free via `DISCORD_FREE_RESPONSE_CHANNELS`.
-- **Direct messages**: DMs always work, even without the Message Content Intent enabled (Discord exempts DMs from this requirement). However, you should still enable the intent for server channel support.
-- **Conversations**: Each channel or DM maintains its own conversation context.
-
 ## Voice Messages
 
 Hermes Agent supports Discord voice messages:

website/docs/user-guide/messaging/index.md

@@ -181,6 +181,63 @@ When enabled, the bot sends status messages as it works:
 🐍 execute_code...
 ```
 
+## Background Sessions
+
+Run a prompt in a separate background session so the agent works on it independently while your main chat stays responsive:
+
+```
+/background Check all servers in the cluster and report any that are down
+```
+
+Hermes confirms immediately:
+
+```
+🔄 Background task started: "Check all servers in the cluster..."
+   Task ID: bg_143022_a1b2c3
+```
+
+### How It Works
+
+Each `/background` prompt spawns a **separate agent instance** that runs asynchronously:
+
+- **Isolated session** — the background agent has its own session with its own conversation history. It has no knowledge of your current chat context and receives only the prompt you provide.
+- **Same configuration** — inherits your model, provider, toolsets, reasoning settings, and provider routing from the current gateway setup.
+- **Non-blocking** — your main chat stays fully interactive. Send messages, run other commands, or start more background tasks while it works.
+- **Result delivery** — when the task finishes, the result is sent back to the **same chat or channel** where you issued the command, prefixed with "✅ Background task complete". If it fails, you'll see "❌ Background task failed" with the error.
+
+### Background Process Notifications
+
+When the agent running a background session uses `terminal(background=true)` to start long-running processes (servers, builds, etc.), the gateway can push status updates to your chat. Control this with `display.background_process_notifications` in `~/.hermes/config.yaml`:
+
+```yaml
+display:
+  background_process_notifications: all    # all | result | error | off
+```
+
+| Mode | What you receive |
+|------|-----------------|
+| `all` | Running-output updates **and** the final completion message (default) |
+| `result` | Only the final completion message (regardless of exit code) |
+| `error` | Only the final message when the exit code is non-zero |
+| `off` | No process watcher messages at all |
+
+You can also set this via environment variable:
+
+```bash
+HERMES_BACKGROUND_NOTIFICATIONS=result
+```
+
+### Use Cases
+
+- **Server monitoring** — "/background Check the health of all services and alert me if anything is down"
+- **Long builds** — "/background Build and deploy the staging environment" while you continue chatting
+- **Research tasks** — "/background Research competitor pricing and summarize in a table"
+- **File operations** — "/background Organize the photos in ~/Downloads by date into folders"
+
+:::tip
+Background tasks on messaging platforms are fire-and-forget — you don't need to wait or check on them. Results arrive in the same chat automatically when the task finishes.
+:::
+
 ## Service Management
 
 ### Linux (systemd)