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Agentic Context Runner Implementation Plan

For agentic workers: Use subagent-driven-development to implement this plan task-by-task. Steps use checkbox (- [ ]) syntax for tracking.

Goal: Add a local, policy-gated Agentic Context Runner MVP that can create Scout Tasks, optionally start allowlisted local scout processes, validate Scout Reports, and produce an Action Packet for the next agent run.

Architecture: Add a new agentic_context vertical slice that consumes ambient context and policy services. Keep runner execution local, opt-in, allowlisted, output-limited, and metadata-only. The primary product output is an Action Packet; MCP remains read-only and runner starts are denied by default.

Tech Stack: Python 3.11+, Pydantic v2, FastAPI, pytest + pytest-asyncio

Task 1: Architectural Record And Design Gate

Files: - Create: docs/decisions/ADR-011-local-agentic-context-runner.md - Create: docs/superpowers/specs/2026-05-05-agentic-context-runner-design.md - Create: docs/superpowers/plans/2026-05-05-agentic-context-runner.md

  • [ ] Step 1: Write the proposed ADR

Record that DevCD may start local scout runners in the MVP only through configured command templates, with policy decisions for runner start and output storage. Keep the ADR status as proposed.

  • [ ] Step 2: Write the design spec

Document product flow, slice boundaries, public models, policy rules, settings, API, CLI, MCP non-goals, and testing strategy.

  • [ ] Step 3: Self-review the docs

Check for placeholder text, unclear ownership, contradictions with local-first defaults, or any claim that DevCD can run arbitrary commands.

  • [ ] Step 4: Verify docs build

Run:

bash python -m mkdocs build --strict

Expected: PASS. If site/ changes, leave generated site artifacts out of the source diff unless the task explicitly updates published static output.

Task 2: Agentic Context Models

Files: - Create: packages/devcd-core/src/devcd/slices/agentic_context/__init__.py - Create: packages/devcd-core/src/devcd/slices/agentic_context/models.py - Create: tests/test_agentic_context.py

  • [ ] Step 1: Write failing model tests

Add tests for bounded Scout Tasks, evidence-required Scout Reports, safe Runner Command Templates, and Action Packet defaults.


from __future__ import annotations

from datetime import UTC, datetime

import pytest

from devcd.slices.agentic_context.models import (
    ActionPacket,
    RunnerCommandTemplate,
    ScoutEvidence,
    ScoutReport,
    ScoutTask,
    ScoutTaskKind,
)


def test_scout_task_defaults_to_metadata_only_context() -> None:
    task = ScoutTask(
        kind=ScoutTaskKind.IDENTIFY_CURRENT_GOAL,
        prompt="Find the active goal from visible local metadata.",
        surface="coding-agent",
        context_pack="developer",
        expected_evidence=["devcd_continuity"],
        policy_decision_id="policy-1",
    )

    assert task.schema_version == "1.0"
    assert task.data_class == "metadata"
    assert task.expires_at > task.created_at


def test_scout_report_requires_evidence() -> None:
    with pytest.raises(ValueError):
        ScoutReport(
            task_id="task-1",
            summary="Current goal is unclear.",
            confidence=0.4,
            evidence=[],
        )


def test_runner_template_rejects_shell_metacharacters() -> None:
    with pytest.raises(ValueError):
        RunnerCommandTemplate(
            id="unsafe",
            command="powershell",
            args=["-c", "echo ok; Remove-Item important"],
        )


def test_action_packet_is_ready_when_goal_and_next_action_exist() -> None:
    packet = ActionPacket(
        current_goal="Ship the agentic context runner MVP",
        next_action="Write the failing model tests",
        recommended_agent_mode="implementation",
        evidence=[
            ScoutEvidence(
                source="devcd",
                summary="Continuity packet identified the implementation task.",
                timestamp=datetime(2026, 5, 5, 12, 0, tzinfo=UTC),
                policy_reason="metadata-only local context is allowed",
            )
        ],
    )

    assert packet.ready_for_agent is True
  • [ ] Step 2: Verify RED

Run:

bash python -m pytest tests/test_agentic_context.py::test_scout_task_defaults_to_metadata_only_context tests/test_agentic_context.py::test_scout_report_requires_evidence tests/test_agentic_context.py::test_runner_template_rejects_shell_metacharacters tests/test_agentic_context.py::test_action_packet_is_ready_when_goal_and_next_action_exist -q

Expected: FAIL because devcd.slices.agentic_context does not exist.

  • [ ] Step 3: Implement minimal models

Create Pydantic v2 models with enums, validators, bounded fields, evidence, and metadata-only defaults.

  • [ ] Step 4: Verify GREEN

Run the same pytest command and confirm the tests pass.

Task 3: Settings And Policy Gates

Files: - Modify: packages/devcd-core/src/devcd/kernel/settings.py - Modify: packages/devcd-core/src/devcd/slices/policy_layer/service.py - Modify: tests/test_policy_layer.py

  • [ ] Step 1: Write failing policy tests

Add tests for default denial, allowlisted runner approval, unknown runner denial, and output storage denial for non-metadata content.


from devcd.kernel.settings import DevCDSettings
from devcd.slices.policy_layer.service import PolicyEngine


def test_agentic_runner_start_is_denied_by_default() -> None:
    engine = PolicyEngine.default()

    decision = engine.decide_agentic_runner_start("local-scout", "identify_current_goal")

    assert decision.allowed is False
    assert decision.operation == "agentic_runner_start"


def test_agentic_runner_start_allows_configured_runner() -> None:
    settings = DevCDSettings(
        allow_agentic_context_runs=True,
        agentic_context_runners=[
            {"id": "local-scout", "command": "python", "args": ["scout.py"], "enabled": True}
        ],
    )
    engine = PolicyEngine.from_settings(settings)

    decision = engine.decide_agentic_runner_start("local-scout", "identify_current_goal")

    assert decision.allowed is True
    assert "local scout runner" in decision.reason
  • [ ] Step 2: Verify RED

Run:

bash python -m pytest tests/test_policy_layer.py::test_agentic_runner_start_is_denied_by_default tests/test_policy_layer.py::test_agentic_runner_start_allows_configured_runner -q

Expected: FAIL because the settings and policy methods do not exist.

  • [ ] Step 3: Implement settings and policy

Add conservative settings to DevCDSettings, expose them through to_config_dict(), pass runner configuration into PolicyEngine, and implement decide_agentic_runner_start() plus decide_agentic_runner_output_store().

  • [ ] Step 4: Verify GREEN

Run the same pytest command and confirm the tests pass.

Task 4: Service Without Process Launch

Files: - Create: packages/devcd-core/src/devcd/slices/agentic_context/service.py - Modify: tests/test_agentic_context.py

  • [ ] Step 1: Write failing service tests

Add a local service builder mirroring the ambient context tests. Verify Scout Tasks are derived from empty or populated continuity and Action Packets can be created without starting a process.


from devcd.slices.agentic_context.service import AgenticContextService


def test_service_creates_default_scout_tasks_for_empty_context(tmp_path) -> None:
    service = build_agentic_context_service(tmp_path)

    tasks = service.create_scout_tasks(surface="coding-agent", context_pack="developer")

    assert [task.kind for task in tasks]
    assert all(task.data_class == "metadata" for task in tasks)


def test_service_creates_action_packet_without_runner(tmp_path) -> None:
    service = build_agentic_context_service(tmp_path)

    packet = service.create_action_packet(surface="coding-agent", context_pack="developer")

    assert packet.schema_version == "1.0"
    assert packet.ready_for_agent in {True, False}
    assert packet.policy_summary is not None
  • [ ] Step 2: Verify RED

Run:

bash python -m pytest tests/test_agentic_context.py::test_service_creates_default_scout_tasks_for_empty_context tests/test_agentic_context.py::test_service_creates_action_packet_without_runner -q

Expected: FAIL because AgenticContextService is not implemented.

  • [ ] Step 3: Implement minimal service

Create AgenticContextService with dependency injection for ambient context, state engine, memory store, and policy engine. Implement deterministic Scout Task creation and continuity-derived Action Packet synthesis.

  • [ ] Step 4: Verify GREEN

Run the same pytest command and confirm the tests pass.

Task 5: Report Intake And Validation

Files: - Modify: packages/devcd-core/src/devcd/slices/agentic_context/service.py - Modify: tests/test_agentic_context.py

  • [ ] Step 1: Write failing report tests

Verify accepted reports update Action Packets, evidence-free reports are rejected, and sensitive report content is withheld.

  • [ ] Step 2: Verify RED

Run:

bash python -m pytest tests/test_agentic_context.py::test_accept_scout_report_updates_next_action tests/test_agentic_context.py::test_accept_scout_report_rejects_missing_evidence tests/test_agentic_context.py::test_accept_scout_report_withholds_sensitive_content -q

Expected: FAIL because report intake is missing.

  • [ ] Step 3: Implement report intake

Add accept_scout_report(report: ScoutReport) -> ScoutReport and keep an in-memory report list for the MVP. Store only safe summaries in memory with a policy reason.

  • [ ] Step 4: Verify GREEN

Run the same pytest command and confirm the tests pass.

Task 6: Local Subprocess Runner Adapter

Files: - Create: packages/devcd-core/src/devcd/slices/agentic_context/runner.py - Modify: tests/test_agentic_context.py

  • [ ] Step 1: Write failing runner tests

Use a controlled Python command that echoes a valid JSON Scout Report. Add tests for success, timeout, invalid JSON, output truncation, and unsafe template rejection.

  • [ ] Step 2: Verify RED

Run:

bash python -m pytest tests/test_agentic_context.py::test_subprocess_runner_accepts_json_report tests/test_agentic_context.py::test_subprocess_runner_times_out_safely tests/test_agentic_context.py::test_subprocess_runner_rejects_invalid_json -q

Expected: FAIL because the runner adapter is missing.

  • [ ] Step 3: Implement adapter

Implement SubprocessScoutRunner using subprocess.run(...) with explicit argv, timeout, cwd, stdin JSON, text mode, and output byte limits. Do not use shell execution.

  • [ ] Step 4: Verify GREEN

Run the same pytest command and confirm the tests pass.

Task 7: API Routes And Host Wiring

Files: - Create: packages/devcd-core/src/devcd/slices/agentic_context/api.py - Modify: packages/devcd-core/src/devcd/host.py - Modify: tests/test_api.py

  • [ ] Step 1: Write failing API tests

Cover authenticated GET /agentic-context/tasks, GET /agentic-context/action-packet, POST /agentic-context/reports, and default-denied POST /agentic-context/runs.

  • [ ] Step 2: Verify RED

Run:

bash python -m pytest tests/test_api.py::test_agentic_context_tasks_route_requires_auth_and_returns_tasks tests/test_api.py::test_agentic_context_action_packet_route_returns_packet tests/test_api.py::test_agentic_context_run_route_denies_by_default -q

Expected: FAIL because routes are not mounted.

  • [ ] Step 3: Implement API and host wiring

Add APIRouter(prefix="/agentic-context"), a service accessor using request.app.state.agentic_context_service, and mount it from create_app().

  • [ ] Step 4: Verify GREEN

Run the same pytest command and confirm the tests pass.

Task 8: CLI Commands

Files: - Modify: packages/devcd-core/src/devcd/cli.py - Modify: tests/test_cli.py

  • [ ] Step 1: Write failing CLI tests

Cover devcd agentic tasks --json, devcd agentic action-packet --json, devcd agentic run --runner missing, and report submission from a JSON file.

  • [ ] Step 2: Verify RED

Run:

bash python -m pytest tests/test_cli.py::test_agentic_tasks_json_returns_scout_tasks tests/test_cli.py::test_agentic_action_packet_json_returns_ready_field tests/test_cli.py::test_agentic_run_missing_runner_is_denied -q

Expected: FAIL because agentic commands do not exist.

  • [ ] Step 3: Implement CLI commands

Add agentic_app = typer.Typer(...), register it under app.add_typer, and render stable JSON/text output using local services loaded from DevCDSettings.

  • [ ] Step 4: Verify GREEN

Run the same pytest command and confirm the tests pass.

Task 9: Agent-Ready Auto-Priming

Files: - Modify: packages/devcd-core/src/devcd/cli.py - Modify: tests/test_cli.py

  • [ ] Step 1: Write failing agent-ready tests

Verify the managed block tells agents to read devcd agentic action-packet before asking for recap, use Scout Tasks if not ready, and avoid asking the user to perform DevCD bookkeeping.

  • [ ] Step 2: Verify RED

Run:

bash python -m pytest tests/test_cli.py::test_agent_ready_block_prefers_agentic_action_packet -q

Expected: FAIL because the managed block mentions only current continuity and capture routines.

  • [ ] Step 3: Update managed block

Extend _agent_instruction_block(...) with an Agentic Context Auto-Priming section. Keep existing capture routine and safety instructions.

  • [ ] Step 4: Verify GREEN

Run the same pytest command and confirm the test passes.

Task 10: Read-Only MCP Resource

Files: - Modify: packages/devcd-core/src/devcd/slices/mcp_server/service.py - Modify: tests/test_mcp_server.py

  • [ ] Step 1: Write failing MCP tests

Verify resources/list includes devcd://agentic-context/action-packet and that reading it returns JSON without starting a runner.

  • [ ] Step 2: Verify RED

Run:

bash python -m pytest tests/test_mcp_server.py::test_mcp_lists_agentic_action_packet_resource tests/test_mcp_server.py::test_mcp_reads_agentic_action_packet_without_runner_start -q

Expected: FAIL because the resource is absent.

  • [ ] Step 3: Implement read-only resource

Add the resource using local service composition. Do not add MCP tools and do not allow runner starts through MCP.

  • [ ] Step 4: Verify GREEN

Run the same pytest command and confirm the tests pass.

Task 11: Documentation And Example

Files: - Modify: README.md - Modify: docs/getting-started.md - Modify: docs/devcd/architecture.md - Modify: docs/superpowers/agent-resurrection.md - Create: examples/agentic-context/README.md - Create: examples/agentic-context/scout-report.json

  • [ ] Step 1: Write docs consistency tests if practical

Extend existing CLI/docs tests to assert new command names appear in Getting Started or README.

  • [ ] Step 2: Update docs

Document that local runners are opt-in, allowlisted, output-limited, and do not perform automatic code or Git mutations.

  • [ ] Step 3: Verify docs

Run:

bash python -m mkdocs build --strict

Expected: PASS. Keep accidental generated site/ output out of source changes.

Task 12: Full Verification

Files: - No new files unless verification exposes defects.

  • [ ] Step 1: Run focused test suites

Run:

bash python -m pytest tests/test_agentic_context.py -q python -m pytest tests/test_policy_layer.py -q python -m pytest tests/test_api.py -q python -m pytest tests/test_cli.py -q python -m pytest tests/test_mcp_server.py -q

Expected: PASS.

  • [ ] Step 2: Run full gate

Run:

bash make check

Expected: Ruff, mypy, and pytest pass.

  • [ ] Step 3: Inspect diff

Run:

bash git status --short git diff --check

Expected: Only intended source, tests, docs, and example files are changed; no whitespace errors.