Merge pull request 'Wait out LLM outages with backoff (L5)' (#116) from llm-retry into main

A 502, 503 or 504 from the LiteLLM proxy, or a dropped connection, is
retried after 5, 15 and 45 seconds before the call fails. Twice on
2026-10-07 a short burst of 502s stopped work outright: the integration
tier at 16:39 and an e2e conversation at 20:43, where the item waited on
the operator after one refused call.

Not retried: a 500 (it may be the request's fault), a timeout (it already
had its request_timeout_s), or a budget refusal. Rate limits keep their
single 20-second retry. The time spent waiting is reported with the rate
limit's (last_rate_limit_wait_s), so it isn't counted as the model's.

Tests: an outage waited out, one that outlasts the backoff, a dropped
connection, a 500 and a timeout not retried, a budget refusal not waited
on. The offline agent in test_agent_build skips the backoff (its proxy
doesn't exist).

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 5.5 (1M context) <noreply@anthropic.com>
Claude-Session: https://claude.ai/code/session_01PPQ14L3LikyefCMFBqEbKE

.dockerignore

@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+.git
+.env
+**/.venv
+**/__pycache__
+**/.pytest_cache
+**/.ruff_cache
+_apalache-out
+tmp
+bench

.gitea/workflows/ci.yml

@@ -58,16 +58,15 @@ jobs:
   e2e:
     # The end-to-end suite (scripts/e2e.sh): the whole agent against real
     # services, every role on a local model, so it spends nothing but keeps
-    # the RTX 4090 busy for ~25 minutes. On PRs only, as its own job so the
-    # checks above report first; a newer push to the same PR cancels the
-    # run it supersedes. Locally, run only what you're writing (-k) or
-    # diagnosing (--lf).
+    # the RTX 4090 busy for ~25 minutes. On PRs only, and only after the
+    # checks pass: a PR that's red already doesn't spend the GPU. There is
+    # one runner and Gitea doesn't honour cancel-in-progress, so a run a
+    # newer push supersedes holds the runner until it's cancelled by hand.
+    # Locally, run only what you're writing (-k) or diagnosing (--lf).
     if: github.event_name != 'push'
+    needs: checks
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     timeout-minutes: 90
-    concurrency:
-      group: e2e-${{ github.head_ref || github.ref }}
-      cancel-in-progress: true
     steps:
       - uses: actions/checkout@v4
 

.gitea/workflows/release.yml

@@ -0,0 +1,63 @@
+name: Release
+# A published release builds the agent's image and pushes it to Gitea's
+# registry (Development Plan M1.5, X4): gitea.dongar.net/dev/nisse-dev
+# tagged with the version (the release tag without its v) and latest. Cut a
+# release in Gitea (Releases → New release, tag vX.Y.Z); a tag pushed for any
+# other reason builds nothing.
+#
+# The registry needs a personal access token with write:package
+# (REGISTRY_TOKEN, an organization secret of `dev`, belonging to the
+# registry-push bot), never the built-in job token: Gitea's registry
+# resolves an Actions job token to an empty package scope (go-gitea/gitea
+# #23642 and others). Packages belong to the repository's owner, which is
+# why this repository is the `dev` organization's: the bot writes packages
+# through the org's registry-push team. Never on pull_request: registry
+# credentials stay off that trigger.
+on:
+  release:
+    types: [published]
+
+env:
+  REGISTRY: gitea.dongar.net
+  REGISTRY_USER: registry-push  # the token's account
+  IMAGE: gitea.dongar.net/dev/nisse-dev
+
+jobs:
+  build-and-push:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    permissions:
+      contents: read
+    steps:
+      - name: Checkout
+        uses: actions/checkout@v4
+
+      - name: Derive the image version from the release's tag
+        id: vars
+        env:
+          TAG: ${{ github.event.release.tag_name }}
+        run: echo "version=${TAG#v}" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
+
+      - name: Log in to Gitea's container registry
+        uses: docker/login-action@v3
+        with:
+          registry: ${{ env.REGISTRY }}
+          username: ${{ env.REGISTRY_USER }}
+          password: ${{ secrets.REGISTRY_TOKEN }}
+
+      - name: Set up Docker Buildx
+        uses: docker/setup-buildx-action@v3
+
+      - name: Build and push the agent
+        uses: docker/build-push-action@v5
+        with:
+          context: .
+          target: agent
+          push: true
+          build-args: |
+            VERSION=${{ steps.vars.outputs.version }}
+          labels: |
+            org.opencontainers.image.version=${{ steps.vars.outputs.version }}
+            org.opencontainers.image.revision=${{ github.sha }}
+          tags: |
+            ${{ env.IMAGE }}:${{ steps.vars.outputs.version }}
+            ${{ env.IMAGE }}:latest

Dockerfile

@@ -0,0 +1,68 @@
+# The nisse-dev agent as a container image (Development Plan M1.5, X4).
+#
+# Stateless: the state store and SSH known-hosts live in a volume
+# (/var/lib/nisse-dev); configuration is mounted read-only
+# (/etc/nisse-dev/nisse-dev.yaml); secrets come as environment variables
+# (docker --env-file); SSH and deploy keys are mounted read-only wherever the
+# configuration says. The agent runs no model-chosen command here (L13):
+# those go to build VMs over SSH.
+#
+#   docker build -t nisse-dev .                  the agent
+#   docker build --target test -t nisse-dev:test .   plus the tests, for
+#                                                   scripts/e2e.sh --image
+
+FROM python:3.12-slim AS build
+COPY --from=ghcr.io/astral-sh/uv:0.12.10 /uv /usr/local/bin/uv
+ENV UV_PROJECT_ENVIRONMENT=/opt/nisse UV_COMPILE_BYTECODE=1 UV_LINK_MODE=copy
+WORKDIR /src
+COPY pyproject.toml uv.lock ./
+COPY nisse-core nisse-core
+COPY nisse-dev nisse-dev
+COPY nisse-ops nisse-ops
+# The agent and what it needs, installed (not editable): the source tree
+# isn't part of the image.
+RUN uv sync --frozen --no-dev --package nisse-dev --no-editable
+
+FROM python:3.12-slim AS runtime
+ARG VERSION=dev
+LABEL org.opencontainers.image.title=nisse-dev org.opencontainers.image.version=$VERSION
+RUN apt-get update \
+    && apt-get install -y --no-install-recommends openssh-client \
+    && rm -rf /var/lib/apt/lists/* \
+    && useradd --create-home --uid 10001 nisse \
+    && mkdir -p /var/lib/nisse-dev /etc/nisse-dev \
+    && chown nisse /var/lib/nisse-dev
+COPY --from=build /opt/nisse /opt/nisse
+ENV PATH=/opt/nisse/bin:$PATH \
+    NISSE_CONFIG=/etc/nisse-dev/nisse-dev.yaml \
+    NISSE_ENV=/run/nisse-dev/.env
+VOLUME /var/lib/nisse-dev
+USER nisse
+ENTRYPOINT ["nisse-dev"]
+
+# The image's own package plus the tests, so the end-to-end suite runs
+# against what was built, not the source tree.
+FROM runtime AS test
+USER root
+RUN apt-get update \
+    && apt-get install -y --no-install-recommends git openssh-server \
+    && rm -rf /var/lib/apt/lists/* \
+    && mkdir -p /run/sshd
+COPY --from=build /usr/local/bin/uv /usr/local/bin/uv
+WORKDIR /src
+COPY pyproject.toml uv.lock ./
+COPY nisse-core nisse-core
+COPY nisse-dev nisse-dev
+COPY nisse-ops nisse-ops
+COPY tests tests
+COPY scripts scripts
+COPY conftest.py ./
+ENV UV_PROJECT_ENVIRONMENT=/opt/nisse
+# Test tools too, all installed (not editable), and `uv run` never re-syncs:
+# the tests import the package as built, not the source tree beside them.
+RUN uv sync --frozen --all-packages --no-editable --inexact
+ENV UV_NO_SYNC=1
+ENTRYPOINT []
+
+# The default target: the agent itself.
+FROM runtime AS agent

docs/Development-Plan.md

@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ Only `nisse-dev` has real code; `nisse-core` and `nisse-ops` are placeholders.
 | **L6** Context | partial | Context fitting, per-role views and orchestrator facts (M1.2); no scope or agent memory |
 | **L7** Canonical log | partial | Work item and actor on every event, `fact` (M1.1, M1.2); no `classifier_verdict`, `knowledge_retrieved` |
 | **L8** Durability | mostly done | WAL store, intents, boot reconciliation, PR adoption, comment redelivery; to move onto the new loop |
-| **L9** Models and roles | partial | LiteLLM, delegation, `ask_expert`, eval capture; roles are still planner/executor, no capability profiles |
+| **L9** Models and roles | mostly done | LiteLLM, eval capture; on the new loop: `driver`/`helper`/`expert`/`classifier` pinned per item, capability profiles in briefings, delegation and `ask_expert` with triggers (M2.6) |
 | **L10** Knowledge vault | none | |
 | **L11** Injection | partial | Operator allowlists on every channel; no classifier |
 | **L12** Secrets, logging | partial | Structured state-change log; secrets in `.env`; no per-operation handout or redaction |
@@ -76,8 +76,9 @@ Only `nisse-dev` has real code; `nisse-core` and `nisse-ops` are placeholders.
 - **The end-to-end test runs on every PR** (M1.6): the real agent, every role on a
   local model (so it costs nothing per call), a repository of the run's own and a
   real build host, driven by a scripted operator. CI runs it as its own job on pull
-  requests, cancelling a run a newer push supersedes. Locally only the tests being
-  written (`-k`) or diagnosed (`--lf`); `scripts/e2e.sh` reports what a run spent. Manual
+  requests, after the checks pass. There is one runner, and a run a newer push
+  supersedes has to be cancelled by hand. Locally only the tests being written
+  (`-k`) or diagnosed (`--lf`); `scripts/e2e.sh` reports what a run spent. Manual
   live runs are for the new loop's first runs and phase ends. Findings are filed as
   issues and either fixed before moving on or deliberately deferred.
 - **The Quint models move with the loop:** `orchestrator.qnt` while `control.py`
@@ -222,12 +223,37 @@ deletes afterwards.
     `ARCHITECTURE.md` and the build plan. A conversation waiting on provisioning
     doesn't close as idle.
 
-**M2.6 Roles and capability profiles.** *Pre-approved.* `driver`, `helper`,
-`expert`, `classifier` (L9); escalation triggers; delegation and `ask_expert` on the
-new loop.
+**M2.6 Roles and capability profiles.** *Pre-approved.* **Done** (this PR).
+`driver`, `helper`, `expert`, `classifier` (L9); escalation triggers; delegation and
+`ask_expert` on the new loop.
+- `roles.driver` (unset: the planner's model) and `roles.classifier` (unset: the
+  expert's), pinned per item; the driver and the go-ahead reader run on the item's.
+- `profiles:` in configuration (tools, strengths, weaknesses), used in briefings:
+  the driver is told what its helper and expert are good at, the helper who will
+  read its handback; never a model's name.
+- `delegate(task)` and `ask_expert(question)` for the driver. A helper works on a
+  branch off the milestone's; its work comes back as uncommitted changes on a
+  handback and is discarded otherwise, so harness branches never hold commits only
+  the clone has (the walk found a fix stranded that way when a PR merged mid-help).
+- Triggers: `failure_limit` failed commands in a row, or the turn cap, mid-
+  milestone, call a helper in once per milestone; if it fails too, the item waits
+  on the operator as before. A delegation cut off by a crash is discarded at boot.
+- Evaluation capture: delegations, `ask_expert` and the reader's verdicts.
+- Deferred: the context-won't-fit trigger (L6); the action classifier (M3.2).
 
-**M2.7 Conversation.** *Pre-approved.* Explanations, progress in prose, asking
-mid-work (L5, #42, #77).
+**M2.7 Conversation.** *Pre-approved.* **Done** (this PR). Explanations, progress
+in prose, asking mid-work (L5, #42, #77).
+- Questions never change state: a message ending in `?` to a waiting project item
+  is answered in a question run (`reply` and look-only tools), and the item goes
+  back to the very wait it was in, so a restatement up stays up and a go binds to
+  it.
+- A restatement gives its reasons and the main alternative; a revision says what
+  changed (`restate(changed)`, sent back without it).
+- Progress: the driver's and a helper's own words for a turn are posted, trimmed,
+  at most once a minute per item; `details` shows the last tool calls. A message
+  arriving mid-run is acknowledged at once.
+- Deferred: streaming (#42); the question property in `specs/loop.qnt` (the walk
+  checks it against the code).
 
 **M1.4 Projects** (D8). *Pre-approved.* **Done** (this PR).
 - The project entry in configuration: repository, default branch, build VM, label
@@ -245,11 +271,20 @@ mid-work (L5, #42, #77).
 - Deferred: config reload without a restart (with M2.5's entry step if wanted);
   the trust dial's configuration (M3.3).
 
-**M1.5 The agent as a container image.** *Pre-approved.*
+**M1.5 The agent as a container image.** *Pre-approved.* **Built** (this PR);
+accepted once a tag's image passes the e2e suite.
 - A Dockerfile for `nisse-dev`, stateless with a volume for state; a Gitea Actions
   workflow that builds it and pushes to Gitea's registry on each release tag (X4).
 - `bringup.sh` runs the image instead of a venv.
 - Acceptance: a tagged release produces an image; the end-to-end test runs from it.
+- The image runs as its own user; state in `/var/lib/nisse-dev`, configuration
+  mounted at `/etc/nisse-dev/nisse-dev.yaml`, secrets as environment variables,
+  keys mounted read-only. Its `test` stage carries the tests over the installed
+  package, for `scripts/e2e.sh --image REF`. Images are built only on release:
+  `release.yml` pushes `gitea.dongar.net/dev/nisse-dev:<version>` and `:latest`
+  on a published release (`REGISTRY_TOKEN`, the `dev` organization's).
+- The live bring-up's switch to the image waits for the next live test (it needs
+  its own test repository too); `bringup.sh plan` shows what it will run.
 
 **M2.8 Switch over.** *Pre-approved, after acceptance.* `nisse-dev` runs the new
 loop; `control.py`, its tests and `orchestrator.qnt` are removed.

nisse-dev.example.yaml

@@ -45,6 +45,27 @@ roles:                                # L9: role -> LiteLLM model alias
   planner: claude-opus-5-5      # high-end judgement: plans a weaker executor follows
   helper: claude-opus-5-5     # takes over what the executor got stuck on
   expert: claude-haiku-4-5  # one question at a time, no tools: cheap is enough
+  # The new loop's roles (loop: new): unset, driver is the planner's model and
+  # classifier the expert's. Each work item pins the mapping when it opens.
+  # driver: claude-opus-5-5     # drives the loop: talks, restates, works
+  # classifier: claude-haiku-4-5  # reads plain-language go-aheads (later: actions, L4)
+
+# Capability profiles (L9), from benchmarks: what one role is told about
+# another (never a model's name). Optional; a model without one is briefed as
+# "no profile recorded".
+profiles:
+  qwen3.8-27b:
+    tools: reliable (37/40 on the executor benchmark, PR #55)
+    strengths: careful multi-step edits that follow a clear brief
+    weaknesses: speed (minutes per hard task) and open-ended design
+  claude-haiku-4-5:
+    tools: reliable
+    strengths: quick, well-scoped changes and short answers
+    weaknesses: long multi-file work (15/20 on the harder benchmark tasks)
+  claude-opus-5-5:
+    tools: reliable
+    strengths: design, debugging, and work other models got stuck on
+    weaknesses: cost; use it for what needs it
 
 matrix:                               # L5
   homeserver: https://matrix.example

nisse-dev/src/nisse_dev/config.py

@@ -46,6 +46,8 @@ REQUIRED_KEYS = (
     "gitea.operators",
 )
 OPTIONAL_KEYS = (
+    "roles.driver",
+    "roles.classifier",
     "llm.max_output_tokens",
     "llm.request_timeout_s",
     "loop",
@@ -379,6 +381,48 @@ class BuildHost:
     port: int = 22
 
 
+@dataclass(frozen=True)
+class Profile:
+    """A model's capability profile (L9), from benchmarks: what one role is
+    told about another, never the model's name."""
+
+    tools: str = ""  # how reliably it keeps the tool-call contract
+    strengths: str = ""
+    weaknesses: str = ""
+
+    def describe(self) -> str:
+        parts = [
+            f"tool calls: {self.tools}" if self.tools else "",
+            f"strong at {self.strengths}" if self.strengths else "",
+            f"weak at {self.weaknesses}" if self.weaknesses else "",
+        ]
+        return "; ".join(p for p in parts if p) or "no profile recorded"
+
+
+def _parse_profiles(raw: Any, errors: list[str]) -> dict[str, "Profile"]:
+    """`profiles:`, model alias -> {tools, strengths, weaknesses}."""
+    if raw is None:
+        return {}
+    if not isinstance(raw, dict):
+        errors.append("profiles: must be a mapping of model alias to profile")
+        return {}
+    profiles: dict[str, Profile] = {}
+    for model, spec in raw.items():
+        where = f"profiles.{model}"
+        if not isinstance(spec, dict):
+            errors.append(f"{where}: must be a mapping")
+            continue
+        unknown = set(spec) - {"tools", "strengths", "weaknesses"}
+        if unknown:
+            errors.append(f"{where}.{min(unknown)}: unknown setting")
+            continue
+        if not all(isinstance(v, str) for v in spec.values()):
+            errors.append(f"{where}: values are text")
+            continue
+        profiles[str(model)] = Profile(**{k: v.strip() for k, v in spec.items()})
+    return profiles
+
+
 @dataclass(frozen=True)
 class Secret:
     value: str = field(repr=False)
@@ -426,6 +470,7 @@ class AgentConfig:
     gitea_token: str = field(repr=False)
     gitea_operators: frozenset[str]
     projects: tuple[Project, ...]
+    profiles: Mapping[str, Profile] = field(default_factory=dict)
     max_output_tokens: int = DEFAULT_MAX_OUTPUT_TOKENS
     request_timeout_s: float = DEFAULT_REQUEST_TIMEOUT_S
     tuning: Tuning = field(default_factory=Tuning)
@@ -520,7 +565,10 @@ class AgentConfig:
     ) -> "AgentConfig":
         tuning = _parse_tuning(tree.get("tuning"), errors)
         projects = _parse_projects(tree.get("projects"), env, errors)
-        flat = _flatten({k: v for k, v in tree.items() if k != "projects"})
+        profiles = _parse_profiles(tree.get("profiles"), errors)
+        flat = _flatten(
+            {k: v for k, v in tree.items() if k not in ("projects", "profiles")}
+        )
         flat.pop("tuning", None)
 
         known = set(REQUIRED_KEYS) | set(OPTIONAL_KEYS)
@@ -574,6 +622,8 @@ class AgentConfig:
                 planner=str(values["roles.planner"]),
                 helper=str(values["roles.helper"]),
                 expert=str(values["roles.expert"]),
+                driver=str(values.get("roles.driver") or ""),
+                classifier=str(values.get("roles.classifier") or ""),
             ),
             matrix=MatrixConfig(
                 homeserver=str(values["matrix.homeserver"]).rstrip("/"),
@@ -586,6 +636,7 @@ class AgentConfig:
             gitea_token=str(values["gitea.token"]),
             gitea_operators=_people(values["gitea.operators"]),
             projects=projects,
+            profiles=profiles,
             max_output_tokens=max_output,
             request_timeout_s=request_timeout,
             tuning=tuning,

nisse-dev/src/nisse_dev/delegation.py

@@ -54,8 +54,8 @@ Stay inside the sub-task you were given. It comes from a plan a human already
 approved; widening it is not yours to do. If the sub-task turns out to be
 wrong or impossible, say so in the handback rather than substituting your own.
 
-When you are done, call hand_back exactly once. Write it for a materially
-weaker model that cannot see your reasoning and will act on your note alone:
+When you are done, call hand_back exactly once. Write it for {reader},
+which cannot see your reasoning and will act on your note alone:
 
 - what changed
 - what is now true that was not before
@@ -172,10 +172,17 @@ class Delegation:
         caps: Caps | None = None,
         now: Callable[[], float] = time.monotonic,
         cancel: Cancel | None = None,
+        reader: str = "",
+        on_turn: Callable[[str], None] | None = None,
     ) -> None:
         self._client = client
         self._store = store
         self._workspace = workspace
+        # Who acts on the handback, from its capability profile (L9): never
+        # a model's name.
+        self._reader = reader or "a materially weaker model"
+        # The delegate's own text for each turn, for progress (#42).
+        self._on_turn = on_turn
         self._git = git_repo
         self._model = model
         self._backing_model = backing_model
@@ -323,7 +330,8 @@ class Delegation:
         self, transcript: Transcript, brief: str, branch: str, started_at: float
     ) -> DelegationResult:
         system = (
-            f"{SYSTEM_PROMPT}\n\n{self._workspace.describe()}"
+            f"{SYSTEM_PROMPT.format(reader=self._reader)}\n\n"
+            f"{self._workspace.describe()}"
             f"\n\nYour sub-task:\n{brief}"
         )
         touched: set[str] = set()
@@ -395,6 +403,11 @@ class Delegation:
                 transcript.append(event)
                 if isinstance(event, ToolCall):
                     calls.append(event)
+            said = " ".join(
+                e.text.strip() for e in produced if isinstance(e, AssistantText)
+            ).strip()
+            if said and self._on_turn is not None:
+                self._on_turn(said)
 
             if not calls:
                 # A delegate that stops without handing back has not reported,

nisse-dev/src/nisse_dev/llm.py

@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ config change cannot split a task across two planners.
 
 import json
 import time
-from dataclasses import asdict, dataclass
+from dataclasses import dataclass
 from typing import Any, ClassVar, Protocol
 
 import httpx
@@ -39,6 +39,13 @@ class LLMError(RuntimeError):
 RATE_LIMIT_STATUS = 429
 RATE_LIMIT_RETRY_S = 20.0
 
+# The proxy, or what's behind it, briefly gone: a 502/503/504 or a dropped
+# connection. Outages delay, never fail (L5): waited out with backoff before
+# the work is stopped. Not a 500 (it may be the request) and not a timeout
+# (a hung model has had its request_timeout_s already).
+OUTAGE_STATUSES = frozenset({502, 503, 504})
+OUTAGE_BACKOFF_S = (5.0, 15.0, 45.0)
+
 # Generous by default. Output is billed by what is produced, not by the
 # ceiling, and a ceiling too low does not fail loudly — it truncates a tool
 # call mid-argument and hands back something that parses. Measured: Opus
@@ -107,21 +114,40 @@ class LLMClient(Protocol):
 
 @dataclass(frozen=True)
 class RoleMap:
-    executor: str
-    planner: str
-    helper: str
-    expert: str
+    executor: str  # the old loop's (control.py), until M2.8
+    planner: str  # the old loop's, until M2.8
+    helper: str  # delegations (L9)
+    expert: str  # ask_expert (L9)
+    driver: str = ""  # drives the new loop; unset, the planner's model
+    classifier: str = ""  # reads go-aheads now, actions later (L4); unset, expert's
 
-    ROLES: ClassVar[tuple[str, ...]] = ("executor", "planner", "helper", "expert")
+    ROLES: ClassVar[tuple[str, ...]] = (
+        "executor",
+        "planner",
+        "helper",
+        "expert",
+        "driver",
+        "classifier",
+    )
+    _FALLBACK: ClassVar[dict[str, str]] = {"driver": "planner", "classifier": "expert"}
 
     def resolve(self, role: str) -> str:
         if role not in self.ROLES:
             raise LLMError(f"unknown role: {role!r}")
-        return str(getattr(self, role))
+        model = str(getattr(self, role))
+        if not model and role in self._FALLBACK:
+            return self.resolve(self._FALLBACK[role])
+        return model
 
     def pinned(self) -> dict[str, str]:
         """The full resolved mapping, to record at task start (L9)."""
-        return asdict(self)
+        return {role: self.resolve(role) for role in self.ROLES}
+
+    @classmethod
+    def from_pinned(cls, pinned: dict[str, str], default: "RoleMap") -> "RoleMap":
+        """A work item's pinned mapping; a role it predates comes from
+        ``default``."""
+        return cls(**{r: pinned.get(r) or default.resolve(r) for r in cls.ROLES})
 
 
 class LiteLLMClient:
@@ -362,20 +388,39 @@ class AnthropicPassthroughClient:
 def _post_with_rate_limit_retry(
     http: httpx.Client, path: str, body: dict[str, Any], sleep: Any
 ) -> tuple[httpx.Response, float]:
-    """The response, and how long was spent waiting out a rate limit."""
+    """The response, and how long was spent waiting: out a rate limit (once)
+    or an outage (with backoff), not on the model."""
     waited = 0.0
-    for attempt in (1, 2):
+    rate_limited = False
+    outages = iter(OUTAGE_BACKOFF_S)
+    while True:
         try:
             response = http.post(path, json=body)
+        except httpx.TimeoutException as exc:
+            raise UpstreamUnavailable(f"LLM request failed: {exc}") from exc
         except httpx.HTTPError as exc:
             # Could not reach the proxy at all: nothing about the request was
             # wrong, so callers holding work in progress should keep it.
+            pause = next(outages, None)
+            if pause is None:
                 raise UpstreamUnavailable(f"LLM request failed: {exc}") from exc
-        if response.status_code != RATE_LIMIT_STATUS or attempt == 2:
-            return response, waited
+            sleep(pause)
+            waited += pause
+            continue
+        if response.status_code == RATE_LIMIT_STATUS and not rate_limited:
+            rate_limited = True
             sleep(RATE_LIMIT_RETRY_S)
             waited += RATE_LIMIT_RETRY_S
-    raise AssertionError("unreachable")
+            continue
+        if response.status_code in OUTAGE_STATUSES and not _looks_like_budget_refusal(
+            response.text
+        ):
+            pause = next(outages, None)
+            if pause is not None:
+                sleep(pause)
+                waited += pause
+                continue
+        return response, waited
 
 
 # Model families we have a native renderer adapter for. L9: delegations take

nisse-dev/src/nisse_dev/loop/agent.py

@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ a message is recorded and changes its item's state, but never interrupts a
 run (L1).
 """
 
+import contextlib
 import re
 import threading
 import time
@@ -23,12 +24,24 @@ from collections.abc import Callable, Iterable, Sequence
 from dataclasses import dataclass, replace
 
 from nisse_dev.cancel import Cancel
-from nisse_dev.canonical import Fact, PlanSubmitted, UserMessage
+from nisse_dev.canonical import (
+    DelegationCompleted,
+    DelegationStarted,
+    Fact,
+    PlanSubmitted,
+    ToolCall,
+    ToolResult,
+    UserMessage,
+)
 from nisse_dev.config import GENERAL
+from nisse_dev.delegation import DELEGATION_INTENT, Delegation
+from nisse_dev.expert import BudgetExhausted, ExpertDesk
 from nisse_dev.gates import command_form
 from nisse_dev.git import GitError
 from nisse_dev.gitea import GiteaClient, GiteaError, Issue
+from nisse_dev.llm import LLMError, RoleMap
 from nisse_dev.loop.driver import Driver, RunOutcome
+from nisse_dev.loop.help import ASK_EXPERT, DELEGATE, Helpers
 from nisse_dev.loop.items import (
     ANSWER,
     BLOCKED,
@@ -76,6 +89,9 @@ _NAMED = re.compile(r"(go|approve|abandon|stop) (?:([a-z0-9][a-z0-9-]*))?#(\d+)"
 _NEEDS_ITEM = frozenset({"go", "approve", "abandon"})
 BUG_GRACE_S = 600.0
 GENERAL_IDLE_S = 86400.0
+PROGRESS_EVERY_S = 60.0  # progress in prose at a readable rate (L5, #42)
+PROGRESS_CHARS = 400
+DETAILS = 10  # tool calls shown by `details`
 FILE_ISSUE = "file_issue"  # the intent of opening a record issue (L8)
 # Carried by a record issue the agent opens for work started in conversation:
 # intake never takes it for new work, even before its item exists (D1).
@@ -91,9 +107,14 @@ The issue and the conversation about it are below.
 
 Before any work, find out what you need, then use restate to put your
 understanding to the operator: what you take the request to mean, how it fits
-the project, and your first step. Wait for their go-ahead. If the request is
-unclear, ask_human instead of guessing: a restatement asks no questions, so
-the operator can agree to it as it stands.
+the project, your first step, and why that way rather than the main
+alternative. A later restatement says what changed. Wait for their go-ahead.
+If the request is unclear, ask_human instead of guessing: a restatement asks
+no questions, so the operator can agree to it as it stands. At any point,
+asking is better than guessing.
+
+Before each group of tool calls, say in a sentence what you're doing and why:
+the operator sees it as your progress.
 
 The project's documents are in its repository: read ARCHITECTURE.md and any
 build plans under docs/plans/ before you restate.
@@ -108,7 +129,8 @@ the same milestone (don't start another), run the tests, and call
 finish_milestone again to push the fix. When a review needs no change from
 you, or you are only waiting for the operator to merge (you can't merge it
 yourself), call wait_for_review. The next milestone starts only after the
-previous PR has merged. When the last PR has merged, call close_item with
+previous PR has merged. A milestone's summary says what was done, what was
+verified, and what is left open. When the last PR has merged, call close_item with
 what was done, what was verified, and what is left open. If a PR is closed
 without merging, ask the operator what next.
 
@@ -118,10 +140,16 @@ edge cases, and the tests that are its acceptance criteria. Commit it with the
 first milestone, and mark each milestone done in it in that milestone's PR.
 Keep ARCHITECTURE.md current: a design change updates it in the same PR.
 
-{labels}Never label the issue yourself; you may suggest a label to the operator.
+{labels}{helpers}Never label the issue yourself; you may suggest a label to the operator.
 
 {workspace}"""
 
+QUESTION = """
+
+The operator has asked a question (the last message). Answer it with reply,
+from what you know and what you can look at; don't change anything. The item
+then goes back to waiting exactly as it was, so a restatement up stays up."""
+
 CONVERSATION = """You are nisse-dev, a software agent, in a conversation with
 the operator in a Matrix thread. It isn't about a project yet: it may be a
 question, thoughts on feasibility or hardware, or the start of some work.
@@ -212,6 +240,7 @@ class LoopAgent:
         # A new project's entry, once the operator has added it (D1, D8):
         # the projects configured now that this agent doesn't know yet.
         reload: Callable[[set[str]], Sequence[Project]] | None = None,
+        helpers: Helpers | None = None,
         clock: Callable[[], float] = time.time,
         intake_interval_s: float = INTAKE_INTERVAL_S,
     ) -> None:
@@ -233,6 +262,7 @@ class LoopAgent:
         self._grace = bug_grace_s
         self._idle = general_idle_s
         self._reload = reload
+        self._helpers = helpers
         self._clock = clock
         self._interval = intake_interval_s
         # thread root -> revision on screen there, read on the transport's
@@ -244,6 +274,9 @@ class LoopAgent:
         # The project whose workspace was last worked on: switching to
         # another parks it (L1). None after a boot: unknown, so all are.
         self._last_project: str | None = None
+        # Per item: when progress was last posted (L5: a readable rate).
+        self._progressed: dict[str, float] = {}
+        self._active_name = ""  # the running item, for "noted" on arrival
         self._running = False
         self._stop = threading.Event()
         self._intake_thread: threading.Thread | None = None
@@ -318,6 +351,7 @@ class LoopAgent:
         self._store.set_active(None, cause="boot")
         self._reconcile_publishing()
         self._reconcile_filing()
+        self._reconcile_delegations()
         for item in self._store.work_items("open"):
             loop = loop_of(item)
             self._threads[(item.scope or "", loop.issue)] = loop.thread
@@ -338,6 +372,30 @@ class LoopAgent:
                         thread=loop.thread,
                     )
 
+    def _reconcile_delegations(self) -> None:
+        """L8, L9: a delegation cut off by a crash is discarded, its branch
+        deleted and the milestone's left as it was. The item, cut off mid-
+        run, then waits on the operator like any other."""
+        for intent in self._store.pending_intents():
+            if intent.kind != DELEGATION_INTENT or not intent.work_item:
+                continue
+            item = self._store.work_item(intent.work_item)
+            branch = str(intent.payload.get("branch", ""))
+            base = str(intent.payload.get("base", ""))
+            project = self._projects.get(item.scope or "") if item else None
+            milestones = project.milestones if project else None
+            if milestones is not None and branch and base:
+                with contextlib.suppress(GitError):
+                    milestones.git.reset_to(base, base)
+                with contextlib.suppress(GitError):
+                    milestones.git._git("branch", "-q", "-D", branch)
+            self._store.abort_intent(intent.id, cause="cut off by a restart")
+            if item is not None:
+                self._fact(
+                    item,
+                    f"a helper's work on {branch} was cut off by a restart and discarded",
+                )
+
     def _reconcile_filing(self) -> None:
         """L8: a record issue cut off by a crash. An issue carrying the new
         item's ID was opened: its item is started now. Otherwise nothing was
@@ -705,6 +763,16 @@ class LoopAgent:
             # Straight to the flag: the run is what it has to reach (L2).
             self._cancel.set()
         about = self._shown.get(thread) if thread else None
+        if self._running and command not in ("stop", "status"):
+            # L5: say what happens to a message that can't be read yet.
+            here = thread and thread == self._active_thread
+            self._transport.post(
+                "Noted; I'll read it when this turn ends."
+                if here
+                else f"Noted; I'm in the middle of {self._active_name}, and I'll "
+                "read it when that turn ends.",
+                thread=thread or msg.event_id or None,
+            )
         self._worker.submit(
             self._settled("your message", lambda: self.handle(msg, about))
         )
@@ -776,6 +844,30 @@ class LoopAgent:
             self._close(item, loop, "abandoned", f"abandoned by {msg.sender}")
         elif command == "done" and loop.new_project:
             self._provisioned(item, loop)
+        elif command == "details":
+            self._transport.post(self._details(item), thread=loop.thread)
+        elif (
+            item.position == WAITING
+            and item.scope != GENERAL
+            and is_question(text)
+            and loop.wait in (GO_AHEAD, ANSWER, MERGE)
+        ):
+            # L5: questions never change state. Answered, then back to this
+            # very wait: a restatement up stays up, a go still binds to it.
+            save(
+                self._store,
+                item.id,
+                READY,
+                replace(
+                    loop,
+                    question=True,
+                    back_to=loop.wait,
+                    back_note=loop.note,
+                    wait="",
+                    note="",
+                ),
+                cause="the operator asked a question",
+            )
         elif command == "stop":
             # Stopping a run took effect on arrival; a stop is never an answer.
             if not loop.note.startswith("stopped ("):
@@ -1096,7 +1188,30 @@ class LoopAgent:
             for e in self._store.transcript(item.id, "driver").read()
             if isinstance(e.event, PlanSubmitted)
         ]
-        return bool(proposals) and self._reader.agrees(proposals[-1], text)
+        if not proposals:
+            return False
+        classifier = self._roles_of(item).resolve("classifier")
+        agreed = self._reader.agrees(proposals[-1], text, model=classifier)
+        # L9 evaluation capture: the reading, as an input/output pair.
+        log = self._store.transcript(item.id, "classifier")
+        log.append(
+            DelegationStarted(
+                brief=f"proposal:\n{proposals[-1]}\n\nreply:\n{text}",
+                role="classifier",
+                model=classifier,
+                caps={},
+            )
+        )
+        log.append(
+            DelegationCompleted(
+                handback="a go-ahead" if agreed else "not a go-ahead",
+                artifacts=[],
+                tokens=0,
+                duration_s=0.0,
+                exit_status="answered",
+            )
+        )
+        return agreed
 
     def _which(self, command: str) -> str:
         """L5: an unnamed command at top level is ambiguous: ask."""
@@ -1217,6 +1332,211 @@ class LoopAgent:
                 )
         self._last_project = here
 
+    # -- help (L9) -------------------------------------------------------------
+
+    def _roles_of(self, item: WorkItem) -> RoleMap:
+        """The roles pinned when the item opened, so a configuration change
+        never splits one item across models (L9)."""
+        default = (
+            self._helpers.roles
+            if self._helpers
+            else RoleMap(
+                executor="",
+                planner=self._roles.get("planner", ""),
+                helper="",
+                expert="",
+            )
+        )
+        pinned = item.data.get("roles") or self._roles
+        return RoleMap.from_pinned(dict(pinned), default)
+
+    def _delegate(
+        self, item_id: str, task: str, *, trigger: str = ""
+    ) -> tuple[str, bool]:
+        """A helper takes a sub-task on a branch off the milestone's: merged
+        back on a handback, discarded otherwise."""
+        item = self._store.work_item(item_id)
+        assert item is not None
+        loop = loop_of(item)
+        milestones = self._at(item).milestones
+        workspace = self._at(item).workspace
+        if self._helpers is None or milestones is None or workspace is None:
+            return "there's no helper here", False
+        if not loop.branch:
+            return "start a milestone first: a helper works on its branch", False
+        if not task:
+            return "say what the sub-task is", False
+        roles = self._roles_of(item)
+        number = loop.helps + 1
+        branch = f"{loop.branch}-help-{number}"
+        save(
+            self._store,
+            item.id,
+            item.position,
+            replace(loop, helps=number),
+            cause=f"helper {number} called in",
+        )
+        helper = roles.resolve("helper")
+        delegation = Delegation(
+            self._helpers.delegate_client(helper),
+            self._store,
+            workspace,
+            milestones.git,
+            model=helper,
+            caps=self._helpers.caps,
+            cancel=self._cancel,
+            reader=self._helpers.reader(roles),
+            on_turn=lambda said: self._progress(
+                f"{item.id}:helper", loop.thread, said, prefix="helper: "
+            ),
+        )
+        git = milestones.git
+        before = git.head_sha()  # where the milestone is, uncommitted work aside
+        brief = (
+            f'{task}\n\nThe work item: issue #{loop.issue}, "{item.title}", '
+            f"milestone {loop.milestone}." + (f" {trigger}" if trigger else "")
+        )
+        result = delegation.run(
+            self._store.transcript(item.id, "helper"), brief=brief, branch=branch
+        )
+        try:
+            # The milestone takes the helper's work (or, on failure, only
+            # its own back) as uncommitted changes: harness branches never
+            # hold commits only this clone has (publishing makes them), so
+            # parking, a later milestone and a follow-up PR all carry it.
+            git.reset_to(loop.branch, branch if result.usable else loop.branch)
+            git._git("reset", "-q", "--soft", before)
+            if branch in git.local_branches():
+                git._git("branch", "-q", "-D", branch)
+        except GitError as exc:
+            self._fact(item, f"after helper {number}: {exc}")
+        for intent in self._store.pending_intents():
+            # Cut off rather than finished: discarded all the same, never
+            # resumed blindly (L8, L9).
+            if (
+                intent.kind == DELEGATION_INTENT
+                and intent.payload.get("branch") == branch
+            ):
+                self._store.abort_intent(intent.id, cause=f"delegation {result.status}")
+        if result.usable and result.handback is not None:
+            self._fact(item, f"helper {number} finished: {result.handback.render()}")
+            return f"the helper finished:\n{result.handback.render()}", True
+        self._fact(
+            item, f"helper {number} didn't finish ({result.status}): {result.note}"
+        )
+        said = (
+            f"the helper didn't finish ({result.status}: {result.note}); its work "
+            "was discarded and the milestone is as it was"
+        )
+        return said, False
+
+    def _ask_expert(self, item_id: str, question: str) -> tuple[str, bool]:
+        item = self._store.work_item(item_id)
+        assert item is not None
+        if self._helpers is None:
+            return "there's no expert here", False
+        if not question:
+            return "ask a question", False
+        desk = ExpertDesk(
+            self._helpers.client,
+            self._roles_of(item),
+            budget=self._helpers.expert_budget,
+        )
+        try:
+            answer = desk.ask(self._store.transcript(item.id, "expert"), question)
+        except BudgetExhausted as exc:
+            return str(exc), False
+        except LLMError as exc:
+            return f"the expert couldn't answer: {exc}", False
+        return answer.render(), True
+
+    def _help_when_stuck(self, item: WorkItem, loop: Loop, outcome: RunOutcome) -> bool:
+        """L9's observable triggers: the driver stuck (commands failing in a
+        row) or out of turns mid-milestone. A helper is called in, once per
+        milestone; True when it finished and the driver goes on."""
+        if (
+            self._helpers is None
+            or outcome.kind not in ("stuck", "capped")
+            or not loop.branch
+            or loop.helped_at == loop.milestone
+        ):
+            return False
+        save(
+            self._store,
+            item.id,
+            RUNNING,
+            replace(loop, helped_at=loop.milestone),
+            cause="helper called in",
+        )
+        self._transport.post(
+            f"I got stuck ({outcome.note[:200]}), so a helper is taking over the "
+            f"rest of milestone {loop.milestone}.",
+            thread=loop.thread,
+        )
+        self._running = True
+        try:
+            _, ok = self._delegate(
+                item.id,
+                f"Finish milestone {loop.milestone}, so its tests pass.",
+                trigger=f"The driver got stuck: {outcome.note}",
+            )
+        finally:
+            self._running = False
+            self._cancel.clear()
+        if not ok:
+            return False
+        item = self._store.work_item(item.id) or item
+        save(self._store, item.id, READY, loop_of(item), cause="a helper finished")
+        return True
+
+    def _changed_problem(self, item_id: str, args: dict[str, object]) -> str | None:
+        """L5: a revision says what changed from the one before."""
+        item = self._store.work_item(item_id)
+        if item is None or loop_of(item).rev == 0:
+            return None
+        if str(args.get("changed", "")).strip():
+            return None
+        return (
+            f"not posted: this is a revision of rev-{loop_of(item).rev}, so say "
+            "in changed what's different and why"
+        )
+
+    def _progress(self, item_id: str, thread: str, said: str, prefix: str = "") -> None:
+        """A turn's own words, posted at a readable rate (L5, #42): at most
+        one a minute per item, the latest when the minute is up."""
+        now = self._clock()
+        if now - self._progressed.get(item_id, float("-inf")) < PROGRESS_EVERY_S:
+            return
+        self._progressed[item_id] = now
+        text = said if len(said) <= PROGRESS_CHARS else said[:PROGRESS_CHARS] + " …"
+        self._transport.post(f"{prefix}{text}", thread=thread)
+
+    def _details(self, item: WorkItem) -> str:
+        """L5: raw tool activity, on request: the item's last tool calls."""
+        events = self._store.transcript(item.id, "driver").read()
+        results = {
+            e.event.call_id: e.event for e in events if isinstance(e.event, ToolResult)
+        }
+        lines = []
+        for e in events:
+            if not isinstance(e.event, ToolCall):
+                continue
+            call, result = e.event, results.get(e.event.call_id)
+            target = call.arguments.get("path") or call.arguments.get("command") or ""
+            outcome = (
+                "no result yet"
+                if result is None
+                else ("ok" if result.success else "failed")
+                + (f": {result.result.strip()[:120]}" if result.result.strip() else "")
+            )
+            who = "" if e.actor == "driver" else f"{e.actor}: "
+            lines.append(f"- {who}{call.tool}({str(target)[:80]}) → {outcome}")
+        if not lines:
+            return f"No tool calls yet on {self._label(item)}."
+        return f"The last tool calls on {self._label(item)}:\n" + "\n".join(
+            lines[-DETAILS:]
+        )
+
     def _design_problem(self, item_id: str) -> str | None:
         """D1, D2: a `design` item agrees its design before any code. Until
         a PR of it has merged, a milestone holds documents only."""
@@ -1329,6 +1649,8 @@ class LoopAgent:
         save(self._store, item.id, RUNNING, loop, cause="driver run")
         # D1: a `discuss` item talks before it restates.
         hold = "discuss" in loop.labels and not loop.talked and not loop.started
+        if loop.question:
+            hold = True  # nothing but answering (below)
         tools = [
             *([] if hold else [RESTATE]),
             ASK_HUMAN,
@@ -1340,19 +1662,29 @@ class LoopAgent:
                     FINISH_MILESTONE,
                     CLOSE_ITEM,
                     *([WAIT_FOR_REVIEW] if loop.pr else []),
+                    *([DELEGATE, ASK_EXPERT] if self._helpers else []),
                     *EXECUTOR_TOOLS,
                 ]
             ),
         ]
+        if loop.question:
+            tools = [REPLY, *_LOOK]
+        roles = self._roles_of(item)
         workspace = project.workspace
         system = SYSTEM.format(
             repo=project.repo,
             issue=loop.issue,
             title=item.title,
             labels="".join(f"{LABELS[x]}\n\n" for x in loop.labels if x in LABELS),
+            helpers=(
+                f"{self._helpers.briefing(roles)}\n\n"
+                if self._helpers and loop.started
+                else ""
+            ),
             workspace=workspace.describe() if workspace else "",
-        )
+        ) + (QUESTION if loop.question else "")
         self._active_thread = loop.thread
+        self._active_name = self._label(item)
         self._running = True
         try:
             outcome = self._driver.run(
@@ -1360,11 +1692,24 @@ class LoopAgent:
                 system=system,
                 tools=tools,
                 workspace=workspace,
-                handlers={"start_milestone": lambda args: self._start(item.id, args)},
+                handlers={
+                    "start_milestone": lambda args: self._start(item.id, args),
+                    "delegate": lambda args: self._delegate(
+                        item.id, str(args.get("task", "")).strip()
+                    ),
+                    "ask_expert": lambda args: self._ask_expert(
+                        item.id, str(args.get("question", "")).strip()
+                    ),
+                },
                 checks={
-                    "restate": _restatement_problem,
+                    "restate": lambda args: (
+                        _restatement_problem(args)
+                        or self._changed_problem(item.id, args)
+                    ),
                     "finish_milestone": lambda args: self._design_problem(item.id),
                 },
+                model=roles.resolve("driver"),
+                on_turn=lambda said: self._progress(item.id, loop.thread, said),
             )
         finally:
             self._running = False
@@ -1376,6 +1721,31 @@ class LoopAgent:
         assert item is not None
         loop = loop_of(item)
         args = outcome.arguments or {}
+        if loop.question:
+            # Back to the wait the question interrupted, as it was (L5).
+            if outcome.kind == "wait" and outcome.tool == "reply":
+                self._transport.post(
+                    str(args.get("text", "")).strip(), thread=loop.thread
+                )
+            else:
+                self._transport.post(
+                    f"I couldn't answer that ({outcome.note or outcome.kind}).",
+                    thread=loop.thread,
+                )
+            self._wait(
+                item,
+                replace(
+                    loop,
+                    wait=loop.back_to,
+                    note=loop.back_note,
+                    question=False,
+                    back_to="",
+                    back_note="",
+                ),
+                None,
+            )
+            self._store.set_active(None, cause="question answered")
+            return
         if outcome.kind == "wait" and outcome.tool == "restate":
             text = str(args.get("text", "")).strip()
             rev = loop.rev + 1
@@ -1391,7 +1761,11 @@ class LoopAgent:
                     f"It's a bug, so I'll go ahead in {round(self._grace / 60)} min "
                     "unless you reply; say go to start now, or reply with changes."
                 )
-            self._transport.post(f"rev-{rev}: {text}\n\n{after}", thread=loop.thread)
+            changed = str(args.get("changed", "")).strip()
+            since = f"\n\nChanged from rev-{rev - 1}: {changed}" if rev > 1 else ""
+            self._transport.post(
+                f"rev-{rev}: {text}{since}\n\n{after}", thread=loop.thread
+            )
             self._wait(
                 item,
                 replace(loop, rev=rev, wait=GO_AHEAD, note="", grace_until=grace),
@@ -1505,6 +1879,8 @@ class LoopAgent:
         elif outcome.kind == "stopped":
             note = f"stopped ({outcome.note}). Why did you stop it? Reply to continue."
             self._wait(item, replace(loop, wait=ANSWER, note=note), note)
+        elif self._help_when_stuck(item, loop, outcome):
+            pass  # ready again: the driver goes on from the helper's handback
         else:
             note = f"I stopped short: {outcome.note}. Reply to continue."
             self._wait(item, replace(loop, wait=ANSWER, note=note), note)

nisse-dev/src/nisse_dev/loop/build.py

@@ -15,11 +15,14 @@ from nisse_dev.agent import (
     remote_url,
 )
 from nisse_dev.cancel import Cancel
+from nisse_dev.catalog import select_client
 from nisse_dev.config import AgentConfig, ConfigError
 from nisse_dev.config import Project as ProjectEntry
+from nisse_dev.delegation import Caps
 from nisse_dev.gitea import GiteaClient
 from nisse_dev.loop.agent import LoopAgent, Project
 from nisse_dev.loop.driver import Driver
+from nisse_dev.loop.help import Helpers
 from nisse_dev.loop.milestones import Milestones
 from nisse_dev.loop.reader import GoAheadReader
 from nisse_dev.matrix import MatrixTransport
@@ -124,14 +127,28 @@ def build_loop_agent(
         project_runtime(config, entry, store, gitea, account)
         for entry in config.projects
     ]
-    normalized, _passthrough = make_llm_clients(config, catalog)
+    normalized, passthrough = make_llm_clients(config, catalog)
     cancel = Cancel()
-    # The driver is the planner's model for now (M2.6 brings the driver role).
+    # The configured driver; each work item runs on the one it pinned (L9).
     driver = Driver(
         normalized,
-        config.roles.resolve("planner"),
+        config.roles.resolve("driver"),
         max_turns=config.tuning.executor.max_turns,
         cancel=cancel,
+        failure_limit=config.tuning.executor.failure_limit,
+    )
+    tuning = config.tuning
+    helpers = Helpers(
+        client=normalized,
+        roles=config.roles,
+        client_for=lambda model: select_client(model, normalized, passthrough, catalog),
+        caps=Caps(
+            turns=tuning.delegation.max_turns,
+            tokens=tuning.delegation.max_tokens,
+            wall_clock_s=tuning.delegation.wall_clock_s,
+        ),
+        expert_budget=tuning.expert.consult_budget,
+        profiles=config.profiles,
     )
     transport = MatrixTransport(config.matrix)
     loop = LoopAgent(
@@ -147,9 +164,9 @@ def build_loop_agent(
         cancel=cancel,
         oplog=oplog,
         roles=config.roles.pinned(),
-        # The driver's model reads plain-language go-aheads until the
-        # classifier role arrives (M2.6).
-        reader=GoAheadReader(normalized, config.roles.resolve("planner")),
+        # The classifier role reads plain-language go-aheads (L5, L9).
+        reader=GoAheadReader(normalized, config.roles.resolve("classifier")),
+        helpers=helpers,
         reload=lambda known: [
             project_runtime(config, entry, store, gitea, account)
             for entry in (load or _from_file(config))().projects

nisse-dev/src/nisse_dev/loop/driver.py

@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ from dataclasses import dataclass
 from typing import Any, Literal
 
 from nisse_dev.cancel import Cancel, skip_calls
-from nisse_dev.canonical import ToolCall, ToolResult
+from nisse_dev.canonical import AssistantText, ToolCall, ToolResult
 from nisse_dev.llm import LLMClient, LLMError
 from nisse_dev.loop.tools import WAITING, names
 from nisse_dev.state import Transcript
@@ -29,7 +29,8 @@ _PROSE_NUDGE = (
 
 @dataclass(frozen=True)
 class RunOutcome:
-    kind: Literal["wait", "capped", "stopped", "failed"]
+    # stuck: failed commands in a row hit the failure limit (L9's trigger)
+    kind: Literal["wait", "capped", "stuck", "stopped", "failed"]
     tool: str = ""  # the waiting tool called
     arguments: dict[str, Any] | None = None
     note: str = ""
@@ -43,10 +44,12 @@ class Driver:
         *,
         max_turns: int = DEFAULT_MAX_TURNS,
         cancel: Cancel | None = None,
+        failure_limit: int = 0,  # 0: no limit
     ) -> None:
         self._client = client
         self._model = model
         self._max_turns = max_turns
+        self._failure_limit = failure_limit
         self._cancel = cancel or Cancel()
 
     def run(
@@ -59,6 +62,8 @@ class Driver:
         handlers: Mapping[str, Callable[[dict[str, Any]], tuple[str, bool]]]
         | None = None,
         checks: Mapping[str, Callable[[dict[str, Any]], str | None]] | None = None,
+        model: str | None = None,
+        on_turn: Callable[[str], None] | None = None,
     ) -> RunOutcome:
         """``handlers`` answer control tools that don't end the run (e.g.
         start_milestone): each returns a result and whether it succeeded.
@@ -66,6 +71,8 @@ class Driver:
         failed result and the run goes on, so the model puts it right."""
         handlers = handlers or {}
         checks = checks or {}
+        model = model or self._model  # the work item's pinned driver (L9)
+        failures: list[str] = []  # the failed commands in a row, latest last
         offered = names(tools)
         nudged = False
         for turn in range(self._max_turns):
@@ -74,7 +81,7 @@ class Driver:
                 return RunOutcome("stopped", note=f"before turn {turn + 1}")
             try:
                 produced = self._client.complete(
-                    transcript.view(), tools=tools, model=self._model, system=system
+                    transcript.view(), tools=tools, model=model, system=system
                 )
             except LLMError as exc:
                 return RunOutcome("failed", note=f"the driver's call failed: {exc}")
@@ -83,6 +90,12 @@ class Driver:
                 transcript.append(event)
                 if isinstance(event, ToolCall):
                     calls.append(event)
+            # The model's own words for the turn: its progress, in prose (#42).
+            said = " ".join(
+                e.text.strip() for e in produced if isinstance(e, AssistantText)
+            ).strip()
+            if said and calls and on_turn is not None:
+                on_turn(said)
             if not calls:
                 if nudged:
                     return RunOutcome("failed", note="kept replying in prose")
@@ -132,4 +145,21 @@ class Driver:
                 transcript.append(
                     ToolResult(call_id=call.call_id, result=result, success=ok)
                 )
+                if call.tool == "run_command":
+                    failures = [] if ok else [*failures, _brief(call, result)]
+                    if self._failure_limit and len(failures) >= self._failure_limit:
+                        skip_calls(
+                            transcript, calls[index + 1 :], "not run: you're stuck"
+                        )
+                        return RunOutcome(
+                            "stuck",
+                            note=f"{len(failures)} commands failed in a row: "
+                            + "; ".join(failures),
+                        )
         return RunOutcome("capped", note=f"hit the {self._max_turns}-turn cap")
+
+
+def _brief(call: ToolCall, result: str) -> str:
+    """A failed command and the end of what it said, for a helper's brief."""
+    command = str(call.arguments.get("command", ""))[:120]
+    return f"`{command}`: {result.strip()[-300:]}"

nisse-dev/src/nisse_dev/loop/help.py

@@ -0,0 +1,73 @@
+"""Help for the driver (L9): a helper for a sub-task (delegation), an expert
+for one question, both by role, briefed from capability profiles.
+
+The driver asks when it chooses to (its instructions treat asking as
+normal), and the harness asks for it on observable triggers: commands failing
+in a row, or the turn cap. Delegation runs on a branch off the milestone's,
+merged back on a handback and discarded otherwise (L9: never build on a
+half-edited tree).
+"""
+
+from collections.abc import Callable, Mapping
+from dataclasses import dataclass, field
+
+from nisse_dev.config import Profile
+from nisse_dev.delegation import Caps
+from nisse_dev.expert import DEFAULT_BUDGET
+from nisse_dev.llm import LLMClient, RoleMap
+from nisse_dev.loop.tools import _tool
+
+DELEGATE = _tool(
+    "delegate",
+    "Hand a sub-task of the current milestone to a helper, who works on the "
+    "milestone's branch with the same tools and reports back what changed, "
+    "what is now true and what next. Use it when the sub-task is beyond what "
+    "you can do reliably, or you are going round in circles. Needs a "
+    "milestone started.",
+    task="The sub-task, self-contained: what to do, where, and how to know it's done.",
+)
+ASK_EXPERT = _tool(
+    "ask_expert",
+    "Ask an expert one self-contained question: a design trade-off, how a "
+    "library behaves. It can't see the repository. The budget per item is "
+    "small.",
+    question="The question, with whatever context it needs.",
+)
+
+
+@dataclass(frozen=True)
+class Helpers:
+    client: LLMClient  # for the expert
+    roles: RoleMap  # the configured mapping; each item pins its own (L9)
+    # The helper's client by model (vendor passthrough where it fits, L9);
+    # unset, ``client``.
+    client_for: Callable[[str], LLMClient] | None = None
+    caps: Caps = field(default_factory=Caps)
+    expert_budget: int = DEFAULT_BUDGET
+    profiles: Mapping[str, Profile] = field(default_factory=dict)
+
+    def delegate_client(self, model: str) -> LLMClient:
+        return self.client_for(model) if self.client_for else self.client
+
+    def profile(self, model: str) -> str:
+        """What one role is told about another: its capability profile,
+        never its name (L9)."""
+        found = self.profiles.get(model)
+        return found.describe() if found else "no profile recorded"
+
+    def briefing(self, roles: RoleMap) -> str:
+        """The driver's instructions on asking for help."""
+        return (
+            "Asking for help is normal, not a failure. delegate hands a "
+            "sub-task to a helper ("
+            + self.profile(roles.resolve("helper"))
+            + "); ask_expert asks one question of an expert ("
+            + self.profile(roles.resolve("expert"))
+            + "). If commands keep failing, a helper is called in for you."
+        )
+
+    def reader(self, roles: RoleMap) -> str:
+        """Who acts on a helper's handback: the driver, by its profile."""
+        return "the driver, a model with this profile: " + self.profile(
+            roles.resolve("driver")
+        )

nisse-dev/src/nisse_dev/loop/items.py

@@ -56,6 +56,13 @@ class Loop:
     proposal_kind: str = ""  # "work" on a project, or a new "project"
     new_project: str = ""  # a new project being provisioned (D1)
     design_merged: bool = False  # a `design` item's design PR has merged (D1, D2)
+    helps: int = 0  # delegations so far, for their branch names (L9)
+    helped_at: int = 0  # the milestone a helper was last called in for, unasked
+    # A question from the operator is answered without changing the item
+    # (L5): the wait it interrupted, to go back to.
+    question: bool = False
+    back_to: str = ""
+    back_note: str = ""
     # Where the operator last spoke (D5: answer where asked): "" for the
     # Matrix thread, or the PR it came from, with the inline location and a
     # little of what they said, for quoting.

nisse-dev/src/nisse_dev/loop/milestones.py

@@ -161,6 +161,11 @@ class Milestones:
         if git.remote_sha(self._remote, parked, credential=self._credential):
             git.delete_remote_branch(self._remote, parked, credential=self._credential)
 
+    @property
+    def git(self) -> GitRepo:
+        """The clone, for a delegation's branch (L9)."""
+        return self._git
+
     def changed(self) -> list[str]:
         """What the current milestone changes, from the default branch."""
         return self._git.changed_paths(f"origin/{self._base}")

nisse-dev/src/nisse_dev/loop/reader.py

@@ -50,7 +50,8 @@ class GoAheadReader:
         self._client = client
         self._model = model
 
-    def agrees(self, proposal: str, reply: str) -> bool:
+    def agrees(self, proposal: str, reply: str, model: str = "") -> bool:
+        """``model``: the work item's pinned classifier (L9)."""
         if is_question(reply):
             return False
         prompt = f"The proposal:\n\n{proposal}\n\nThe operator's reply:\n\n{reply}"
@@ -65,7 +66,7 @@ class GoAheadReader:
                     )
                 ],
                 tools=[VERDICT],
-                model=self._model,
+                model=model or self._model,
                 system=SYSTEM,
             )
         except LLMError:

nisse-dev/src/nisse_dev/loop/tools.py

@@ -25,9 +25,12 @@ def _tool(tool: str, description: str, /, **params: str) -> dict[str, Any]:
 RESTATE = _tool(
     "restate",
     "Put your understanding of the request to the operator, in their item's "
-    "thread: what you take it to mean, how it fits the project, and your "
-    "first step. Ends your turn; work starts when they agree.",
+    "thread: what you take it to mean, how it fits the project, your first "
+    "step, and why that way (and the main alternative you considered). Ends "
+    "your turn; work starts when they agree.",
     text="Your restatement, in plain language.",
+    changed="What changed from your previous restatement, and why; leave it "
+    "empty for the first.",
 )
 ASK_HUMAN = _tool(
     "ask_human",

nisse-dev/tests/test_agent_build.py

@@ -143,6 +143,9 @@ class FakeTransport:
 def build_offline(tmp_path: Path, origin: Path, monkeypatch: Any) -> Any:
     """Assemble the real graph with only the network boundaries faked."""
     config = config_for(tmp_path)
+    # The proxy here doesn't exist: a call to it fails at once rather than
+    # waiting out an outage's backoff (L5).
+    monkeypatch.setattr("nisse_dev.llm.OUTAGE_BACKOFF_S", ())
 
     monkeypatch.setattr(
         "nisse_dev.agent.GiteaClient.whoami", lambda self: "nisse-dev-testing"

nisse-dev/tests/test_config.py

@@ -478,3 +478,29 @@ def test_a_workspace_of_any_project_inside_is_refused(tmp_path: Path) -> None:
             state_db=str(work / "state.db"),
             projects__other={**SECOND, "workspace": str(work)},
         )
+
+
+# --- roles and profiles (L9) -------------------------------------------------
+
+
+def test_the_new_loops_roles_fall_back() -> None:
+    config = build()
+    assert config.roles.resolve("driver") == "claude-opus-5"  # the planner's
+    assert config.roles.resolve("classifier") == "claude-haiku-4-5"  # the expert's
+    named = build(roles__driver="qwen3.8-27b", roles__classifier="gemma-4-12b")
+    assert named.roles.resolve("driver") == "qwen3.8-27b"
+    assert named.roles.pinned()["classifier"] == "gemma-4-12b"
+
+
+def test_capability_profiles_are_read() -> None:
+    config = build(
+        profiles={"qwen3.8-27b": {"tools": "reliable", "weaknesses": "speed"}}
+    )
+    profile = config.profiles["qwen3.8-27b"]
+    assert profile.describe() == "tool calls: reliable; weak at speed"
+    assert build().profiles == {}
+
+
+def test_a_bad_profile_is_reported() -> None:
+    with pytest.raises(ConfigError, match="profiles.m.colour: unknown setting"):
+        build(profiles={"m": {"colour": "red"}})

nisse-dev/tests/test_llm.py

@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ from nisse_dev.canonical import (
 from nisse_dev.envfile import load_env_file
 from nisse_dev.llm import (
     DEFAULT_MAX_OUTPUT_TOKENS,
+    OUTAGE_BACKOFF_S,
     RATE_LIMIT_RETRY_S,
     AnthropicPassthroughClient,
     BudgetExhausted,
@@ -197,6 +198,10 @@ def test_role_map_resolves_and_pins() -> None:
         "planner": "anthropic/claude-opus-5",
         "helper": "anthropic/claude-opus-5",
         "expert": "anthropic/claude-opus-5",
+        # Unset, the new loop's roles fall back: driver to the planner's
+        # model, classifier to the expert's (L9).
+        "driver": "anthropic/claude-opus-5",
+        "classifier": "anthropic/claude-opus-5",
     }
 
 
@@ -428,3 +433,81 @@ def test_the_answering_model_is_recorded() -> None:
     )
     client.complete(EVENTS, tools=None, model="local-fast")
     assert client.last_model == "gpt-test-1"
+
+
+# --- outages delay, never fail (L5) --------------------------------------------
+
+
+def test_a_gateway_error_is_waited_out_with_backoff() -> None:
+    responses = [
+        httpx.Response(502, text="bad gateway"),
+        httpx.Response(503, text="unavailable"),
+        completion({"content": "back"}),
+    ]
+    waited: list[float] = []
+    client = make_client(lambda request: responses.pop(0), sleep=waited.append)
+    [event] = client.complete(EVENTS, tools=None, model="local/qwen")
+    assert isinstance(event, AssistantText) and event.text == "back"
+    assert waited == list(OUTAGE_BACKOFF_S[:2])
+    # Waiting isn't the model's time.
+    assert client.last_rate_limit_wait_s == sum(OUTAGE_BACKOFF_S[:2])
+
+
+def test_an_outage_that_outlasts_the_backoff_is_surfaced() -> None:
+    attempts: list[int] = []
+    waited: list[float] = []
+
+    def handler(request: httpx.Request) -> httpx.Response:
+        attempts.append(1)
+        return httpx.Response(502, text="bad gateway")
+
+    client = make_client(handler, sleep=waited.append)
+    with pytest.raises(UpstreamUnavailable, match="502"):
+        client.complete(EVENTS, tools=None, model="local/qwen")
+    assert len(attempts) == len(OUTAGE_BACKOFF_S) + 1
+    assert waited == list(OUTAGE_BACKOFF_S)
+
+
+def test_a_dropped_connection_is_retried() -> None:
+    calls: list[int] = []
+
+    def handler(request: httpx.Request) -> httpx.Response:
+        calls.append(1)
+        if len(calls) == 1:
+            raise httpx.ConnectError("refused")
+        return completion({"content": "ok"})
+
+    [event] = make_client(handler).complete(EVENTS, tools=None, model="local/qwen")
+    assert isinstance(event, AssistantText) and len(calls) == 2
+
+
+def test_a_500_or_a_timeout_is_not_retried() -> None:
+    # A 500 may be the request's fault; a timeout already had its full
+    # request_timeout_s.
+    for failure in (
+        lambda request: httpx.Response(500, text="boom"),
+        lambda request: (_ for _ in ()).throw(httpx.ReadTimeout("slow")),
+    ):
+        calls: list[int] = []
+
+        def handler(
+            request: httpx.Request, failure=failure, calls=calls
+        ) -> httpx.Response:
+            calls.append(1)
+            return failure(request)
+
+        with pytest.raises(LLMError):
+            make_client(handler).complete(EVENTS, tools=None, model="local/qwen")
+        assert len(calls) == 1
+
+
+def test_a_budget_refusal_is_not_waited_on() -> None:
+    calls: list[int] = []
+
+    def handler(request: httpx.Request) -> httpx.Response:
+        calls.append(1)
+        return httpx.Response(503, text="Budget has been exceeded! Current cost: 5.1")
+
+    with pytest.raises(BudgetExhausted):
+        make_client(handler).complete(EVENTS, tools=None, model="local/qwen")
+    assert len(calls) == 1

nisse-dev/tests/test_loop.py

@@ -214,7 +214,9 @@ def test_go_starts_the_work_and_close_item_closes_the_issue(h: Harness) -> None:
 
 
 def test_a_go_for_an_earlier_revision_is_not_applied(h: Harness) -> None:
-    h.model.turns.append([call("restate", text="revised: in a new module")])
+    h.model.turns.append(
+        [call("restate", text="revised: in a new module", changed="a new module")]
+    )
     h.agent.intake()
     h.say("put it in its own module")  # changes, so the driver restates rev-2
     assert loop_of(h.item()).rev == 2

nisse-dev/tests/test_loop_conversations.py

@@ -170,7 +170,7 @@ def test_a_plain_yes_files_the_work(world: dict[str, Any]) -> None:
     quiet(world)
 
     class Reader:
-        def agrees(self, proposal: str, reply: str) -> bool:
+        def agrees(self, proposal: str, reply: str, model: str = "") -> bool:
             return reply == "sounds right"
 
     model = ScriptedModel([PROPOSAL], [call("ask_human", question="anything else?")])

nisse-dev/tests/test_loop_help.py

@@ -0,0 +1,326 @@
+"""Help for the driver on the new loop (M2.6, L9): roles pinned per item,
+delegation on a branch off the milestone's (merged back on a handback,
+discarded otherwise), the stuck trigger, ask_expert and its budget, and
+briefings from capability profiles. Real git on the throwaway build host."""
+
+import json
+from typing import Any
+
+from test_loop_milestones import (
+    RESTATE,
+    Forge,
+    ScriptedModel,
+    call,
+    git,
+    item,
+    loop_agent,
+    say,
+)
+from test_loop_milestones import world as world  # noqa: PLC0414 -- the fixture
+
+from nisse_dev.canonical import AssistantText, Fact, ToolCall, ToolResult
+from nisse_dev.config import Profile
+from nisse_dev.delegation import DELEGATION_INTENT, Caps
+from nisse_dev.llm import RoleMap
+from nisse_dev.loop.help import Helpers
+from nisse_dev.loop.items import ANSWER, MERGE, loop_of
+
+ROLES = RoleMap(executor="", planner="drv", helper="hlp", expert="exp", driver="drv")
+
+
+class Spy:
+    """A scripted model that records what each call was told."""
+
+    def __init__(self, *turns: list[Any]) -> None:
+        self.turns = list(turns)
+        self.calls: list[tuple[str, str]] = []  # (model, system)
+
+    def complete(self, events, tools, model, system=None) -> list[Any]:
+        self.calls.append((model, system or ""))
+        assert self.turns, f"{model} was called more often than scripted"
+        return self.turns.pop(0)
+
+
+def hand_back(succeeded: bool = True) -> ToolCall:
+    return ToolCall(
+        call_id=f"hb-{succeeded}",
+        tool="hand_back",
+        arguments={
+            "changed": "wrote helped.py",
+            "now_true": "the helper's part is done",
+            "next": "finish the milestone",
+            "succeeded": succeeded,
+        },
+    )
+
+
+def helpers(helper: Spy, expert: Spy | None = None, **kw: Any) -> Helpers:
+    return Helpers(
+        client=expert or Spy(),  # type: ignore[arg-type]
+        roles=ROLES,
+        client_for=lambda model: helper,  # type: ignore[arg-type,return-value]
+        caps=Caps(turns=5),
+        profiles={
+            "hlp": Profile(tools="reliable", strengths="tricky tests"),
+            "drv": Profile(tools="fair", weaknesses="long refactors"),
+        },
+        **kw,
+    )
+
+
+def driver_results(world: dict[str, Any], tool: str) -> list[str]:
+    events = world["store"].transcript(item(world).id, "driver").read()
+    ids = {
+        e.event.call_id
+        for e in events
+        if isinstance(e.event, ToolCall) and e.event.tool == tool
+    }
+    return [
+        e.event.result
+        for e in events
+        if isinstance(e.event, ToolResult) and e.event.call_id in ids
+    ]
+
+
+def local_branches(world: dict[str, Any]) -> list[str]:
+    return world["repo"].local_branches()
+
+
+def test_a_helpers_work_lands_on_the_milestone(world: dict[str, Any]) -> None:
+    forge: Forge = world["forge"]
+    helper = Spy(
+        [call("write_file", path="helped.py", content="H = 1\n")],
+        [hand_back()],
+    )
+    model = ScriptedModel(
+        RESTATE,
+        [
+            call("start_milestone", name="words"),
+            call("delegate", task="write helped.py with H = 1"),
+            call("finish_milestone", summary="with help", final="yes"),
+        ],
+    )
+    agent, transport = loop_agent(world, model, helpers=helpers(helper))
+    agent.intake()
+    say(transport, world, "go")
+
+    [result] = driver_results(world, "delegate")
+    assert result.startswith("the helper finished:") and "helped.py" in result
+    assert helper.calls[0][0] == "hlp"  # the helper role's model
+    # Briefed about the driver by its profile, never by name.
+    assert "tool calls: fair; weak at long refactors" in helper.calls[0][1]
+    [pr] = forge.prs
+    assert forge.files(pr) == ["helped.py"]
+    assert not [b for b in local_branches(world) if "-help-" in b]
+    assert loop_of(item(world)).wait == MERGE
+
+
+def test_a_failed_helpers_work_is_discarded(world: dict[str, Any]) -> None:
+    helper = Spy(
+        [call("write_file", path="half.py", content="half\n")],
+        [hand_back(succeeded=False)],
+    )
+    model = ScriptedModel(
+        RESTATE,
+        [
+            call("start_milestone", name="words"),
+            call("write_file", path="mine.py", content="M = 1\n"),
+            call("delegate", task="write half.py"),
+            call("ask_human", question="the helper couldn't; what now?"),
+        ],
+    )
+    agent, transport = loop_agent(world, model, helpers=helpers(helper))
+    agent.intake()
+    say(transport, world, "go")
+
+    [result] = driver_results(world, "delegate")
+    assert "didn't finish" in result and "discarded" in result
+    root = world["repo"].root
+    assert not (root / "half.py").exists()
+    assert (root / "mine.py").exists()  # the driver's own work stays
+    assert world["repo"].current_branch() == loop_of(item(world)).branch
+    assert not [b for b in local_branches(world) if "-help-" in b]
+    assert not [
+        i for i in world["store"].pending_intents() if i.kind == DELEGATION_INTENT
+    ]
+
+
+def test_delegating_needs_a_milestone(world: dict[str, Any]) -> None:
+    model = ScriptedModel(
+        RESTATE,
+        [
+            call("delegate", task="anything"),
+            call("ask_human", question="ok?"),
+        ],
+    )
+    agent, transport = loop_agent(world, model, helpers=helpers(Spy()))
+    agent.intake()
+    say(transport, world, "go")
+    assert driver_results(world, "delegate") == [
+        "start a milestone first: a helper works on its branch"
+    ]
+
+
+def test_a_stuck_driver_gets_a_helper_once_per_milestone(
+    world: dict[str, Any],
+) -> None:
+    forge: Forge = world["forge"]
+    helper = Spy(
+        [call("write_file", path="fixed.py", content="F = 1\n")],
+        [hand_back()],
+    )
+    failing = [
+        call("run_command", command="false"),
+        call("run_command", command="false"),
+    ]
+    model = ScriptedModel(
+        RESTATE,
+        [call("start_milestone", name="words"), *failing],
+        [call("finish_milestone", summary="fixed with help", final="yes")],
+    )
+    agent, transport = loop_agent(world, model, helpers=helpers(helper))
+    agent._driver._failure_limit = 2
+    agent.intake()
+    say(transport, world, "go")
+
+    assert any("so a helper is taking over" in m.text for m in transport.outbound)
+    assert "The driver got stuck" in str(helper.calls)  # in the brief
+    [pr] = forge.prs
+    assert forge.files(pr) == ["fixed.py"]
+    assert loop_of(item(world)).helped_at == 1
+
+
+def test_stuck_again_in_the_same_milestone_asks_the_operator(
+    world: dict[str, Any],
+) -> None:
+    helper = Spy(
+        [call("write_file", path="tried.py", content="T = 1\n")],
+        [hand_back()],
+    )
+    failing = [
+        call("run_command", command="false"),
+        call("run_command", command="false"),
+    ]
+    model = ScriptedModel(
+        RESTATE,
+        [call("start_milestone", name="words"), *failing],
+        failing,  # after the helper: stuck again
+    )
+    agent, transport = loop_agent(world, model, helpers=helpers(helper))
+    agent._driver._failure_limit = 2
+    agent.intake()
+    say(transport, world, "go")
+    loop = loop_of(item(world))
+    assert loop.wait == ANSWER and "commands failed in a row" in loop.note
+    assert len(helper.calls) == 2  # one delegation: its two turns
+
+
+def test_ask_expert_answers_within_its_budget(world: dict[str, Any]) -> None:
+    answer = {"answer": "use a dict", "confidence": "high", "caveats": ""}
+    expert = Spy(
+        [AssistantText(text=json.dumps(answer), model="exp")],
+        [AssistantText(text=json.dumps(answer), model="exp")],
+    )
+    model = ScriptedModel(
+        RESTATE,
+        [
+            call("start_milestone", name="words"),
+            call("ask_expert", question="dict or list?"),
+            call("ask_expert", question="and again?"),
+            call("ask_expert", question="once more?"),
+            call("ask_human", question="ok?"),
+        ],
+    )
+    agent, transport = loop_agent(
+        world, model, helpers=helpers(Spy(), expert, expert_budget=2)
+    )
+    agent.intake()
+    say(transport, world, "go")
+    first, second, third = driver_results(world, "ask_expert")
+    assert first.startswith("use a dict") and second.startswith("use a dict")
+    assert "budget" in third
+    assert expert.calls[0][0] == "exp"
+
+
+def test_roles_are_pinned_when_the_item_opens(world: dict[str, Any]) -> None:
+    spy = Spy(RESTATE)
+    agent, _ = loop_agent(world, spy, helpers=helpers(Spy()))  # type: ignore[arg-type]
+    agent._roles = {**ROLES.pinned(), "driver": "pinned-driver"}
+    agent.intake()
+    assert spy.calls[0][0] == "pinned-driver"
+    pinned = item(world).data["roles"]
+    assert pinned["driver"] == "pinned-driver" and pinned["classifier"] == "exp"
+
+
+def test_the_driver_is_told_about_its_helpers_by_profile(
+    world: dict[str, Any],
+) -> None:
+    spy = Spy(RESTATE, [call("ask_human", question="ok?")])
+    agent, transport = loop_agent(world, spy, helpers=helpers(Spy()))  # type: ignore[arg-type]
+    agent.intake()
+    say(transport, world, "go")
+    after_go = spy.calls[1][1]
+    assert "Asking for help is normal" in after_go
+    assert "tool calls: reliable; strong at tricky tests" in after_go
+    assert "hlp" not in after_go  # never a model's name
+
+
+def test_a_delegation_cut_off_by_a_crash_is_discarded_at_boot(
+    world: dict[str, Any],
+) -> None:
+    model = ScriptedModel(
+        RESTATE,
+        [call("start_milestone", name="words"), call("ask_human", question="?")],
+    )
+    agent, transport = loop_agent(world, model, helpers=helpers(Spy()))
+    agent.intake()
+    say(transport, world, "go")
+    milestone = loop_of(item(world)).branch
+    repo = world["repo"]
+    repo.checkout_new_branch(f"{milestone}-help-1")
+    (repo.root / "partial.py").write_text("p\n")
+    repo.commit_all("partial")
+    world["store"].begin_intent(
+        DELEGATION_INTENT,
+        {"branch": f"{milestone}-help-1", "base": milestone},
+        cause="delegating",
+        work_item=item(world).id,
+    )
+    agent2, _ = loop_agent(world, ScriptedModel(), helpers=helpers(Spy()))
+    agent2.boot()
+    assert repo.current_branch() == milestone
+    assert not (repo.root / "partial.py").exists()
+    assert f"{milestone}-help-1" not in repo.local_branches()
+    assert not [
+        i for i in world["store"].pending_intents() if i.kind == DELEGATION_INTENT
+    ]
+    facts = [
+        e.event.text
+        for e in world["store"].transcript(item(world).id, "orchestrator").read()
+        if isinstance(e.event, Fact)
+    ]
+    assert any("cut off by a restart and discarded" in f for f in facts)
+    assert git
+
+
+def test_a_helpers_progress_is_posted(world: dict[str, Any]) -> None:
+    helper = Spy(
+        [
+            AssistantText(text="Writing helped.py with the constant.", model="hlp"),
+            call("write_file", path="helped.py", content="H = 1\n"),
+        ],
+        [hand_back()],
+    )
+    model = ScriptedModel(
+        RESTATE,
+        [
+            call("start_milestone", name="words"),
+            call("delegate", task="write helped.py"),
+            call("ask_human", question="done?"),
+        ],
+    )
+    agent, transport = loop_agent(world, model, helpers=helpers(helper))
+    agent.intake()
+    say(transport, world, "go")
+    said = [m.text for m in transport.outbound]
+    assert "helper: Writing helped.py with the constant." in said

nisse-dev/tests/test_loop_labels.py

@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ class Reader:
         self.yes = set(yes)
         self.asked: list[tuple[str, str]] = []
 
-    def agrees(self, proposal: str, reply: str) -> bool:
+    def agrees(self, proposal: str, reply: str, model: str = "") -> bool:
         self.asked.append((proposal, reply))
         return reply in self.yes
 
@@ -118,7 +118,7 @@ def test_a_plain_yes_is_a_go_ahead_said_so_first(tmp_path: Path) -> None:
 def test_anything_else_goes_to_the_driver(tmp_path: Path) -> None:
     h = Harness(
         tmp_path,
-        ScriptedModel(RESTATED, [call("restate", text="v2")]),
+        ScriptedModel(RESTATED, [call("restate", text="v2", changed="as you asked")]),
         FakeGitea(issue()),
         reader=Reader(),
     )
@@ -132,7 +132,7 @@ def test_a_question_never_reaches_the_reader(tmp_path: Path) -> None:
     reader = Reader("sounds good?")
     h = Harness(
         tmp_path,
-        ScriptedModel(RESTATED, [call("restate", text="v2")]),
+        ScriptedModel(RESTATED, [call("restate", text="v2", changed="as you asked")]),
         FakeGitea(issue()),
         reader=reader,
     )
@@ -145,7 +145,9 @@ def test_a_plain_yes_to_an_older_revision_is_not_a_go(tmp_path: Path) -> None:
     reader = Reader("yes")
     h = Harness(
         tmp_path,
-        ScriptedModel(RESTATED, [call("restate", text="v2")], STARTED),
+        ScriptedModel(
+            RESTATED, [call("restate", text="v2", changed="as you asked")], STARTED
+        ),
         FakeGitea(issue()),
         reader=reader,
     )
@@ -224,7 +226,12 @@ def test_a_reply_stops_the_bugs_countdown(tmp_path: Path) -> None:
 
 
 def test_a_new_revision_of_a_bug_gets_its_own_countdown(tmp_path: Path) -> None:
-    h, clock = bug(tmp_path, RESTATED, [call("restate", text="v2")], STARTED)
+    h, clock = bug(
+        tmp_path,
+        RESTATED,
+        [call("restate", text="v2", changed="as you asked")],
+        STARTED,
+    )
     h.agent.intake()
     clock.now += 300
     h.say("use the other file")

nisse-dev/tests/test_loop_milestones.py

@@ -252,11 +252,11 @@ def make_world(
 
 
 def loop_agent(
-    world: dict[str, Any], model: ScriptedModel
+    world: dict[str, Any], model: ScriptedModel, **agent: Any
 ) -> tuple[LoopAgent, InMemoryTransport]:
     transport = InMemoryTransport()
     cancel = Cancel()
-    agent = LoopAgent(
+    loop = LoopAgent(
         world["store"],
         transport,
         world["forge"],
@@ -271,9 +271,10 @@ def loop_agent(
         cancel=cancel,
         oplog=OpLog("nisse-dev", io.StringIO()),
         milestones=world["milestones"],
+        **agent,
     )
-    transport.on_message(agent.on_message)
-    return agent, transport
+    transport.on_message(loop.on_message)
+    return loop, transport
 
 
 def item(world: dict[str, Any]) -> Any:

nisse-dev/tests/test_loop_multi.py

@@ -95,7 +95,7 @@ def test_the_next_milestone_waits_for_the_merge(world: dict[str, Any]) -> None:
     agent, transport = loop_agent(world, model)
     agent.intake()
     say(transport, world, "go")
-    say(transport, world, "how's it going?")
+    say(transport, world, "carry on")
     assert "hasn't merged yet" in result_of(world, "start_milestone")
     assert (item(world).position, loop_of(item(world)).wait) == (WAITING, MERGE)
     assert len(forge.prs) == 1

nisse-dev/tests/test_loop_properties.py

@@ -23,10 +23,13 @@ from test_loop_projects import Router
 
 from nisse_dev.cancel import Cancel
 from nisse_dev.canonical import Fact, PlanSubmitted, ToolCall, UserMessage
+from nisse_dev.delegation import DELEGATION_INTENT, Caps
 from nisse_dev.execution import SSHHost
 from nisse_dev.gitea import Comment, Issue
+from nisse_dev.llm import RoleMap
 from nisse_dev.loop.agent import LoopAgent, Project
 from nisse_dev.loop.driver import Driver
+from nisse_dev.loop.help import Helpers
 from nisse_dev.loop.items import (
     ANSWER,
     BLOCKED,
@@ -73,6 +76,8 @@ class PolicyModel:
             return [call("ask_human", question=f"question {self.n}?")]
         if roll < 0.12:
             return [ToolCall(call_id=f"p{self.n}", tool="nonsense", arguments={})]
+        if "reply" in offered and "propose_work" not in offered:
+            return [call("reply", text=f"because {self.n}")]  # a question run
         if "reply" in offered:  # a conversation: talk, or propose work
             if self.rng.random() < 0.1:
                 return [
@@ -96,7 +101,9 @@ class PolicyModel:
         if "restate" not in offered and "finish_milestone" not in offered:
             return [call("ask_human", question=f"talk first {self.n}?")]  # discuss
         if "finish_milestone" not in offered:
-            return [call("restate", text=f"restatement {self.n}")]
+            return [call("restate", text=f"restatement {self.n}", changed=f"c{self.n}")]
+        if "delegate" in offered and self.rng.random() < 0.1:
+            return [call("delegate", task=f"help {self.n}")]
         if "wait_for_review" in offered and self.rng.random() < 0.2:
             return [call("wait_for_review", note=f"waiting {self.n}")]
         if self.rng.random() < 0.15:
@@ -120,6 +127,32 @@ class PolicyModel:
         ]
 
 
+class HelperModel:
+    """A scripted helper: does some work, then hands back, succeeding or
+    not as the seed says."""
+
+    def __init__(self, rng: random.Random) -> None:
+        self.rng = rng
+        self.n = 0
+
+    def complete(self, events, tools, model, system=None) -> list[Any]:
+        assert_renderable(events)
+        self.n += 1
+        return [
+            call("write_file", path=f"h{self.n}.py", content=f"h = {self.n}\n"),
+            ToolCall(
+                call_id=f"hb{self.n}",
+                tool="hand_back",
+                arguments={
+                    "changed": f"h{self.n}.py",
+                    "now_true": "helped",
+                    "next": "go on",
+                    "succeeded": self.rng.random() < 0.6,
+                },
+            ),
+        ]
+
+
 class Walk:
     """``worlds``: project name -> its world (forge, bare repo, clone,
     milestones), all over one store."""
@@ -174,13 +207,18 @@ class Walk:
             cancel=cancel,
             oplog=OpLog("nisse-dev", _Null()),
             reader=self,  # type: ignore[arg-type]
+            helpers=Helpers(
+                client=HelperModel(self.rng),  # type: ignore[arg-type]
+                roles=RoleMap(executor="", planner="m", helper="h", expert="x"),
+                caps=Caps(turns=4),
+            ),
             bug_grace_s=600,
             clock=lambda: self.now,
         )
         transport.on_message(agent.on_message)
         return agent, transport
 
-    def agrees(self, proposal: str, reply: str) -> bool:
+    def agrees(self, proposal: str, reply: str, model: str = "") -> bool:
         return self.reads_yes(proposal, reply)
 
     def items(self) -> list[Any]:
@@ -212,7 +250,7 @@ class Walk:
         forge: Forge = self.worlds[project]["forge"]
         if item and loop:
             weights.update({"go": 3, "answer": 2, "abandon": 1, "go-stale": 1})
-            weights.update({"plain-yes": 2, "wait": 2})
+            weights.update({"plain-yes": 2, "wait": 2, "question": 2})
             if loop.new_project:
                 weights.update({"done": 2})
             if item.scope != "general":  # conversations aren't named by number
@@ -228,6 +266,28 @@ class Walk:
         elif action == "done" and loop:
             # The operator says a new project is ready; no entry was added.
             self.transport.receive(DON, "done", thread=loop.thread)
+        elif action == "question" and loop:
+            # L5: a question never changes the item it's asked about.
+            before = (item.position, loop.wait, loop.rev, loop.pr, loop.branch)
+            self.transport.receive(DON, f"why {len(self.steps)}?", thread=loop.thread)
+            after_item = self.world["store"].work_item(item.id)
+            after = loop_of(after_item)
+            if (
+                item.scope != "general"
+                and item.position == WAITING
+                and loop.wait in (GO_AHEAD, ANSWER, MERGE)
+            ):
+                now = (
+                    after_item.position,
+                    after.wait,
+                    after.rev,
+                    after.pr,
+                    after.branch,
+                )
+                assert now == before, (
+                    f"questions_change_nothing: {before} -> {now}: "
+                    f"seed {self.seed}, steps {self.steps}"
+                )
         elif action == "chat":
             # A top-level message: a conversation of its own (L1, L5).
             self.transport.receive(DON, f"thinking aloud {len(self.steps)}")
@@ -404,7 +464,22 @@ class Walk:
                 assert not (loop.prepared or loop.milestone or loop.pr), (
                     f"conversations_do_no_work: {item.id}: {where}"
                 )
+        # L9: a delegation never outlives its step: merged back or discarded.
+        assert not [
+            i for i in store.pending_intents() if i.kind == DELEGATION_INTENT
+        ], f"delegations_settle (intent): {where}"
         for name, w in self.worlds.items():
+            helping = [
+                b
+                for b in [
+                    *w["repo"].local_branches(),
+                    *_git(
+                        w["bare"], "for-each-ref", "--format=%(refname:short)"
+                    ).split(),
+                ]
+                if "-help-" in b
+            ]
+            assert not helping, f"delegations_settle (branch {helping}): {where}"
             self._records_have_one_item(name, w, where)
             self._own_repository_only(name, w, where)
             self._parked_work_safe(w, name, where)
@@ -519,7 +594,10 @@ class Walk:
             written = {
                 str(e.event.arguments.get("path"))
                 for e in self.world["store"].transcript(item.id, "driver").read()
-                if isinstance(e.event, ToolCall) and e.event.tool == "write_file"
+                # The driver's own: a failed helper's are discarded on purpose.
+                if isinstance(e.event, ToolCall)
+                and e.event.tool == "write_file"
+                and e.actor == "driver"
             }
             here = current.startswith(f"{item.id}-")
             for path in written:

nisse-dev/tests/test_loop_talk.py

@@ -0,0 +1,163 @@
+"""Conversation on the new loop (M2.7, L5, #42, #77): questions answered
+without changing the item, revisions that say what changed, progress in
+prose at a readable rate, raw tool activity on request, and a note for a
+message that can't be read yet."""
+
+from pathlib import Path
+from typing import Any
+
+from test_loop import DON, RESTATED, FakeGitea, Harness, ScriptedModel, call, issue
+
+from nisse_dev.canonical import AssistantText
+from nisse_dev.loop.items import ANSWER, GO_AHEAD, WAITING, loop_of
+
+
+class Clock:
+    def __init__(self) -> None:
+        self.now = 1000.0
+
+    def __call__(self) -> float:
+        return self.now
+
+
+def harness(tmp_path: Path, *turns: list[Any], **kw: Any) -> Harness:
+    return Harness(tmp_path, ScriptedModel(*turns), FakeGitea(issue()), **kw)
+
+
+# --- questions never change state (#77) -------------------------------------
+
+
+def test_a_question_about_a_restatement_leaves_it_up(tmp_path: Path) -> None:
+    h = harness(
+        tmp_path,
+        RESTATED,
+        [call("reply", text="Because text.py already holds the string helpers.")],
+        [call("ask_human", question="started; anything else?")],
+    )
+    h.agent.intake()
+    h.say("Why text.py?")
+    loop = loop_of(h.item())
+    assert (h.item().position, loop.wait, loop.rev) == (WAITING, GO_AHEAD, 1)
+    assert not loop.question and not loop.started
+    assert h.posted()[-1] == "Because text.py already holds the string helpers."
+    h.say("go")  # still bound to rev-1
+    assert loop_of(h.item()).started
+
+
+def test_a_question_back_keeps_the_agents_own_question_open(tmp_path: Path) -> None:
+    h = harness(
+        tmp_path,
+        [call("ask_human", question="One function or two?")],
+        [call("reply", text="One handles words, two would split lines too.")],
+    )
+    h.agent.intake()
+    h.say("What would the second one do?")
+    loop = loop_of(h.item())
+    assert (loop.wait, loop.note) == (ANSWER, "One function or two?")
+
+
+def test_a_question_that_isnt_answered_still_goes_back(tmp_path: Path) -> None:
+    h = harness(
+        tmp_path,
+        RESTATED,
+        [call("restate", text="sneaky v2", changed="x")],  # not offered
+        [AssistantText(text="hmm", model="m")],
+        [AssistantText(text="hmm", model="m")],  # prose twice: the run fails
+    )
+    h.agent.intake()
+    h.say("why?")
+    loop = loop_of(h.item())
+    # restate isn't offered in a question run: no new revision.
+    assert (loop.wait, loop.rev) == (GO_AHEAD, 1)
+    assert h.posted()[-1].startswith("I couldn't answer that")
+
+
+# --- explanations ------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+def test_a_revision_says_what_changed(tmp_path: Path) -> None:
+    h = harness(
+        tmp_path,
+        RESTATED,
+        [call("restate", text="count_words in words.py", changed="")],
+        [
+            call(
+                "restate",
+                text="count_words in words.py",
+                changed="a module of its own, as you asked",
+            )
+        ],
+    )
+    h.agent.intake()
+    h.say("put it in its own module")
+    loop = loop_of(h.item())
+    assert loop.rev == 2
+    assert "Changed from rev-1: a module of its own, as you asked" in h.posted()[-1]
+
+
+# --- progress and details (#42) ----------------------------------------------
+
+
+def test_progress_is_posted_at_a_readable_rate(tmp_path: Path) -> None:
+    clock = Clock()
+
+    class Ticking(ScriptedModel):
+        def complete(self, events, tools, model, system=None):  # type: ignore[no-untyped-def]
+            clock.now += 30  # each turn takes a while
+            return super().complete(events, tools, model, system)
+
+    h = Harness(
+        tmp_path,
+        Ticking(
+            [
+                AssistantText(text="Looking at text.py first.", model="m"),
+                call("list_dir", path="."),
+            ],
+            [
+                AssistantText(text="Reading the tests too.", model="m"),
+                call("list_dir", path="tests"),
+            ],
+            [
+                AssistantText(text="x" * 1000, model="m"),
+                call("list_dir", path="."),
+            ],
+            [call("restate", text="I'll add count_words.", changed="")],
+        ),
+        FakeGitea(issue()),
+        clock=clock,
+    )
+    h.agent.intake()
+    said = h.posted()
+    assert "Looking at text.py first." in said
+    assert "Reading the tests too." not in said  # 30 s later: folded away
+    long = [p for p in said if p.startswith("xxx")]
+    assert long and len(long[0]) < 420 and long[0].endswith(" …")  # 60 s on
+
+
+def test_details_shows_the_last_tool_calls(tmp_path: Path) -> None:
+    h = harness(
+        tmp_path,
+        [
+            call("list_dir", path="src"),
+            call("read_file", path="text.py"),
+            call("restate", text="I'll add count_words.", changed=""),
+        ],
+    )
+    h.agent.intake()
+    h.say("details")
+    shown = h.posted()[-1]
+    assert shown.startswith("The last tool calls on #14:")
+    assert "list_dir(src)" in shown and "read_file(text.py)" in shown
+    assert loop_of(h.item()).wait == GO_AHEAD  # nothing changed
+
+
+def test_a_message_mid_run_is_acknowledged(tmp_path: Path) -> None:
+    h = harness(tmp_path, RESTATED)
+    h.agent.intake()
+    h.agent._running = True  # as if a driver run were under way
+    h.agent._active_thread = "elsewhere"
+    h.agent._active_name = "#15"
+    h.transport.receive(DON, "one more thing", thread=h.thread())
+    assert "Noted; I'm in the middle of #15" in h.posted()[-1]
+    h.transport.receive(DON, "and another", thread="elsewhere")
+    assert h.posted()[-1] == "Noted; I'll read it when this turn ends."

scripts/bringup.sh

@@ -1,13 +1,19 @@
 #!/usr/bin/env bash
 # Bring-up runs of nisse-dev on this development VM (Development Plan M0.2).
 #
-# The agent runs as root, as it will on its own VM in production (D7): it may
-# install what it needs. It touches only test resources (the sandbox repo, the
-# test Matrix room, a budget-capped LiteLLM key), from the run's config. It
-# runs as a transient systemd unit, so it outlives the shell that started it.
+# The agent runs as its container image (M1.5), built from the code under
+# test, as a transient systemd unit, so it outlives the shell that started
+# it. It touches only test resources (an operator-made test repository, the
+# test Matrix room, a budget-capped LiteLLM key), from the run's config.
 #
-#   scripts/bringup.sh start [REF]    set the last run aside, export REF (default
-#                                     HEAD) and start the agent
+# $E2E is mounted at the same path inside the container, so the config's
+# paths (state_db, keys) mean the same there; for that it runs as root here,
+# since the keys are root's. In production the image runs as its own user
+# with a state volume (Dockerfile).
+#
+#   scripts/bringup.sh start [REF]    set the last run aside, build REF (default
+#                                     HEAD) into an image and start the agent
+#   scripts/bringup.sh plan [REF]     print what start would build and run
 #   scripts/bringup.sh stop           stop it cleanly (SIGTERM)
 #   scripts/bringup.sh status         the unit, and the agent's state
 #   scripts/bringup.sh logs           follow the agent's log
@@ -16,7 +22,7 @@
 #
 # Layout, under $E2E (default /root/nisse-e2e):
 #   nisse-dev.yaml, .env    the run config and its secrets (made by hand once)
-#   code/                   the exported code under test, with its own .venv
+#   code/                   the exported code under test, built into the image
 #   state.db                the agent's state (its workspace is on the build VM)
 #   ssh/                    the agent's key for the build VM, and push keys
 #   run-info, collected/    what was run, and the output of `collect`
@@ -27,11 +33,28 @@ E2E=${NISSE_E2E:-/root/nisse-e2e}
 SRC=${NISSE_SRC:-/root/nisse}            # repository to export code from
 CODE=$E2E/code
 UNIT=nisse-bringup
-UV=${UV:-$(command -v uv || echo /snap/bin/uv)}
+IMAGE=nisse-dev:bringup
 
 die() { echo "bringup: $*" >&2; exit 1; }
 running() { systemctl is-active --quiet "$UNIT"; }
 
+# The container the unit runs: host networking (Matrix, Gitea, LiteLLM as
+# here), $E2E at its own path, the config and secrets from it.
+docker_run() {
+    echo docker run --rm --name "$UNIT" --network host --user 0 \
+        -v "$E2E:$E2E" \
+        -e NISSE_CONFIG="$E2E/nisse-dev.yaml" -e NISSE_ENV="$E2E/.env" \
+        "$IMAGE"
+}
+
+cmd_plan() {
+    local ref=${1:-HEAD} sha
+    sha=$(git -C "$SRC" rev-parse --verify "$ref^{commit}") || die "unknown ref $ref"
+    echo "git -C $SRC archive $sha | tar -x -C $CODE"
+    echo "docker build -t $IMAGE $CODE"
+    echo "systemd-run --unit=$UNIT ... $(docker_run)"
+}
+
 cmd_start() {
     local ref=${1:-HEAD} sha
     [ -f "$E2E/nisse-dev.yaml" ] && [ -f "$E2E/.env" ] || die "no config in $E2E"
@@ -58,16 +81,16 @@ cmd_start() {
     rm -rf "$CODE"
     mkdir -p "$CODE"
     git -C "$SRC" archive "$sha" | tar -x -C "$CODE"
-    (cd "$CODE" && "$UV" sync --quiet --all-packages)
+    docker build --quiet -t "$IMAGE" "$CODE" > /dev/null
     printf 'ref: %s\ncommit: %s\nstarted: %s\n' "$ref" "$sha" "$(date -Is)" > "$E2E/run-info"
 
     systemctl reset-failed "$UNIT" 2>/dev/null || true
+    # SIGTERM reaches the agent through docker run's signal proxy; it shuts
+    # down cleanly (main.py).
+    # shellcheck disable=SC2046
     systemd-run --quiet --unit="$UNIT" --collect \
-        --property=WorkingDirectory="$CODE" \
         --property=KillSignal=SIGTERM --property=TimeoutStopSec=120 \
-        --setenv=NISSE_CONFIG="$E2E/nisse-dev.yaml" \
-        --setenv=NISSE_ENV="$E2E/.env" \
-        "$CODE/.venv/bin/nisse-dev"
+        $(docker_run)
     echo "started $UNIT at ${sha:0:8} ($ref)"
 }
 
@@ -78,15 +101,17 @@ remote_aside() {
     where=$(python3 - "$E2E/nisse-dev.yaml" <<'PY'
 import sys, yaml
 c = yaml.safe_load(open(sys.argv[1]))
-b = c["build_host"]
-print(b.get("user", "root"), b["address"], b.get("port", 22), b["key"], c["workspace"])
+for p in c["projects"].values():  # each project's workspace, on its build VM (D8)
+    b = p["build_host"]
+    print(b.get("user", "root"), b["address"], b.get("port", 22), b["key"], p["workspace"])
 PY
-) || die "cannot read build_host and workspace from the config"
-    read -r user address port key workspace <<< "$where"
-    ssh -i "$key" -p "$port" -o BatchMode=yes -o StrictHostKeyChecking=accept-new \
+) || die "cannot read the projects' build VMs and workspaces from the config"
+    while read -r user address port key workspace; do
+        ssh -n -i "$key" -p "$port" -o BatchMode=yes -o StrictHostKeyChecking=accept-new \
             -o UserKnownHostsFile="$E2E/ssh/known_hosts" "$user@$address" \
             "if [ -e '$workspace' ]; then mv '$workspace' '$workspace.$stamp' && echo 'build VM: set aside $workspace.$stamp'; fi" \
             || die "cannot reach the build VM $address"
+    done <<< "$where"
 }
 
 cmd_stop() {
@@ -98,28 +123,35 @@ cmd_stop() {
 cmd_status() {
     if running; then echo "unit: running"; else echo "unit: not running"; fi
     [ -f "$E2E/run-info" ] && sed 's/^/  /' "$E2E/run-info"
-    if [ -f "$E2E/state.db" ] && [ -x "$CODE/.venv/bin/python" ]; then
-        "$CODE/.venv/bin/python" -m nisse_dev.dump "$E2E/state.db" | head -n 3
+    if [ -f "$E2E/state.db" ]; then
+        dump "$E2E/state.db" | head -n 3
     fi
 }
 
 cmd_logs() { journalctl -u "$UNIT" -f -o cat; }
 
+# The state store, read with the image's own code.
+dump() {
+    docker run --rm --user 0 -v "$E2E:$E2E" --entrypoint python "$IMAGE" \
+        -m nisse_dev.dump "$@"
+}
+
 cmd_collect() {
     [ -f "$E2E/run-info" ] || die "no run to collect"
     local out=$E2E/collected since
     since=$(sed -n 's/^started: //p' "$E2E/run-info")
     mkdir -p "$out"
     journalctl -u "$UNIT" --since "$since" -o cat > "$out/agent.log"
-    "$CODE/.venv/bin/python" -m nisse_dev.dump --full "$E2E/state.db" > "$out/transcript.txt"
+    dump --full "$E2E/state.db" > "$out/transcript.txt"
     echo "collected into $out"
 }
 
 case "${1:-}" in
     start) shift; cmd_start "$@" ;;
+    plan) shift; cmd_plan "$@" ;;
     stop) cmd_stop ;;
     status) cmd_status ;;
     logs) cmd_logs ;;
     collect) cmd_collect ;;
-    *) sed -n '2,25p' "$0" | sed 's/^# \{0,1\}//'; exit 2 ;;
+    *) sed -n '2,30p' "$0" | sed 's/^# \{0,1\}//'; exit 2 ;;
 esac

scripts/e2e.sh

@@ -6,6 +6,8 @@
 #
 #   scripts/e2e.sh            on the bring-up build VM (configured below)
 #   scripts/e2e.sh --local    on a throwaway local sshd instead
+#   scripts/e2e.sh --image REF   inside an image's `test` stage (Dockerfile),
+#                                on its own sshd: checks a release as built
 #
 # Uses tests/integration/nisse-test.yaml and its secrets (.env at the repo
 # root), like the integration tests. Every role runs on a local model
@@ -14,6 +16,18 @@
 set -euo pipefail
 cd "$(dirname "$0")/.."
 
+if [ "${1:-}" = "--image" ]; then
+    image=${2:?--image needs an image reference}
+    shift 2
+    runs=${NISSE_E2E_RUNS:-/root/nisse-e2e/test-runs}
+    mkdir -p "$runs"
+    secrets=()
+    [ -f .env ] && secrets=(--env-file .env)
+    # Host networking: the suite reaches Matrix, Gitea and LiteLLM as here.
+    exec docker run --rm --network host "${secrets[@]}" \
+        -e NISSE_E2E_RUNS=/runs -v "$runs:/runs" \
+        "$image" scripts/e2e.sh --local "$@"
+fi
 if [ "${1:-}" = "--local" ]; then
     shift
 else

tests/integration/test_end_to_end_loop.py

@@ -634,3 +634,35 @@ def test_a_conversation_becomes_a_new_project(
         ]
         assert "ARCHITECTURE.md" in files, files
         assert any(f.startswith("docs/plans/") for f in files), files
+
+
+def test_a_question_leaves_the_restatement_up(
+    running: tuple[RunningLoop, InMemoryTransport, str],
+) -> None:
+    """M2.7: a question while a restatement is up is answered, and changes
+    nothing: the same revision stays up, and a go binds to it."""
+    agent, transport, run = running
+    operator = Operator(agent, transport)
+    repo = agent.config.gitea_repo
+    as_operator = operator_gitea(agent.config.gitea_url)
+    issues: list[int] = []
+    try:
+        issues.append(as_operator.create_issue(repo, f"vowels_{run}", task(run)))
+        as_operator._request(
+            "PATCH",
+            f"/repos/{repo}/issues/{issues[0]}",
+            json={"assignees": [agent.account]},
+        )
+        operator.tick()
+        item = operator.drive_until(GO_AHEAD, issues[0])
+        rev = loop_of(item).rev
+        said = len(transport.outbound)
+        operator.say("Why put it in that module rather than a new one?", issues[0])
+        answer = [m.text for m in transport.outbound[said:]]
+        assert answer and not answer[-1].startswith("rev-"), answer
+        loop = loop_of(operator.item(issues[0]))
+        assert (loop.wait, loop.rev) == (GO_AHEAD, rev), loop
+        operator.say("go", issues[0])
+        assert loop_of(operator.item(issues[0])).started
+    finally:
+        operator.tidy(issues, [])