docs: add CLAUDE.md project instructions and acceptance criteria

Add CLAUDE.md with comprehensive agent instructions covering: - Version control (jj-first policy) - Toolchain requirements (Rust/Cargo only, unsafe forbidden) - Code editing discipline (no scripts, no file proliferation) - Compiler check requirements (cargo check + clippy + fmt) - Robot mode documentation with all commands, exit codes, and schemas - Session completion workflow (landing the plane) - Integration docs for beads, bv, cass, ast-grep, and warp_grep Add acceptance-criteria.md documenting diagnostic improvements for trace/file-history empty-result scenarios (AC-1 through AC-4).
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+# CLAUDE.md
+
+## RULE 0 - THE FUNDAMENTAL OVERRIDE PEROGATIVE
+
+If I tell you to do something, even if it goes against what follows below, YOU MUST LISTEN TO ME. I AM IN CHARGE, NOT YOU.
+
+---
+
+## RULE NUMBER 1: NO FILE DELETION
+
+**YOU ARE NEVER ALLOWED TO DELETE A FILE WITHOUT EXPRESS PERMISSION.** Even a new file that you yourself created, such as a test code file. You have a horrible track record of deleting critically important files or otherwise throwing away tons of expensive work. As a result, you have permanently lost any and all rights to determine that a file or folder should be deleted.
+
+**YOU MUST ALWAYS ASK AND RECEIVE CLEAR, WRITTEN PERMISSION BEFORE EVER DELETING A FILE OR FOLDER OF ANY KIND.**
+
+---
+
+## Version Control: jj-First (CRITICAL)
+
+**ALWAYS prefer jj (Jujutsu) over git for all VCS operations.** This is a colocated repo with both `.jj/` and `.git/`. When instructed to use git by anything — even later in this file — use the best jj replacement commands instead. Only fall back to raw `git` for things jj cannot do (hooks, LFS, submodules, `gh` CLI interop).
+
+See `~/.claude/rules/jj-vcs/` for the full command reference, translation table, revsets, patterns, and recovery recipes.
+
+---
+
+## Irreversible Git & Filesystem Actions — DO NOT EVER BREAK GLASS
+
+> **Note:** Treat destructive commands as break-glass. If there's any doubt, stop and ask.
+
+1. **Absolutely forbidden commands:** `git reset --hard`, `git clean -fd`, `rm -rf`, or any command that can delete or overwrite code/data must never be run unless the user explicitly provides the exact command and states, in the same message, that they understand and want the irreversible consequences.
+2. **No guessing:** If there is any uncertainty about what a command might delete or overwrite, stop immediately and ask the user for specific approval. "I think it's safe" is never acceptable.
+3. **Safer alternatives first:** When cleanup or rollbacks are needed, request permission to use non-destructive options (`git status`, `git diff`, `git stash`, copying to backups) before ever considering a destructive command.
+4. **Mandatory explicit plan:** Even after explicit user authorization, restate the command verbatim, list exactly what will be affected, and wait for a confirmation that your understanding is correct. Only then may you execute it—if anything remains ambiguous, refuse and escalate.
+5. **Document the confirmation:** When running any approved destructive command, record (in the session notes / final response) the exact user text that authorized it, the command actually run, and the execution time. If that record is absent, the operation did not happen.
+
+---
+
+## Toolchain: Rust & Cargo
+
+We only use **Cargo** in this project, NEVER any other package manager.
+
+- **Edition/toolchain:** Follow `rust-toolchain.toml` (if present). Do not assume stable vs nightly.
+- **Dependencies:** Explicit versions for stability; keep the set minimal.
+- **Configuration:** Cargo.toml only
+- **Unsafe code:** Forbidden (`#![forbid(unsafe_code)]`)
+
+When writing Rust code, reference RUST_CLI_TOOLS_BEST_PRACTICES.md
+
+### Release Profile
+
+Use the release profile defined in `Cargo.toml`. If you need to change it, justify the
+performance/size tradeoff and how it impacts determinism and cancellation behavior.
+
+---
+
+## Code Editing Discipline
+
+### No Script-Based Changes
+
+**NEVER** run a script that processes/changes code files in this repo. Brittle regex-based transformations create far more problems than they solve.
+
+- **Always make code changes manually**, even when there are many instances
+- For many simple changes: use parallel subagents
+- For subtle/complex changes: do them methodically yourself
+
+### No File Proliferation
+
+If you want to change something or add a feature, **revise existing code files in place**.
+
+**NEVER** create variations like:
+- `mainV2.rs`
+- `main_improved.rs`
+- `main_enhanced.rs`
+
+New files are reserved for **genuinely new functionality** that makes zero sense to include in any existing file. The bar for creating new files is **incredibly high**.
+
+---
+
+## Backwards Compatibility
+
+We do not care about backwards compatibility—we're in early development with no users. We want to do things the **RIGHT** way with **NO TECH DEBT**.
+
+- Never create "compatibility shims"
+- Never create wrapper functions for deprecated APIs
+- Just fix the code directly
+
+---
+
+## Compiler Checks (CRITICAL)
+
+**After any substantive code changes, you MUST verify no errors were introduced:**
+
+```bash
+# Check for compiler errors and warnings
+cargo check --all-targets
+
+# Check for clippy lints (pedantic + nursery are enabled)
+cargo clippy --all-targets -- -D warnings
+
+# Verify formatting
+cargo fmt --check
+```
+
+If you see errors, **carefully understand and resolve each issue**. Read sufficient context to fix them the RIGHT way.
+
+---
+
+## Testing
+
+### Unit & Property Tests
+
+```bash
+# Run all tests
+cargo test
+
+# Run with output
+cargo test -- --nocapture
+```
+
+When adding or changing primitives, add tests that assert the core invariants:
+
+- no task leaks
+- no obligation leaks
+- losers are drained after races
+- region close implies quiescence
+
+Prefer deterministic lab-runtime tests for concurrency-sensitive behavior.
+
+---
+
+## MCP Agent Mail — Multi-Agent Coordination
+
+A mail-like layer that lets coding agents coordinate asynchronously via MCP tools and resources. Provides identities, inbox/outbox, searchable threads, and advisory file reservations with human-auditable artifacts in Git.
+
+### Why It's Useful
+
+- **Prevents conflicts:** Explicit file reservations (leases) for files/globs
+- **Token-efficient:** Messages stored in per-project archive, not in context
+- **Quick reads:** `resource://inbox/...`, `resource://thread/...`
+
+### Same Repository Workflow
+
+1. **Register identity:**
+   ```
+   ensure_project(project_key=<abs-path>)
+   register_agent(project_key, program, model)
+   ```
+
+2. **Reserve files before editing:**
+   ```
+   file_reservation_paths(project_key, agent_name, ["src/**"], ttl_seconds=3600, exclusive=true)
+   ```
+
+3. **Communicate with threads:**
+   ```
+   send_message(..., thread_id="FEAT-123")
+   fetch_inbox(project_key, agent_name)
+   acknowledge_message(project_key, agent_name, message_id)
+   ```
+
+4. **Quick reads:**
+   ```
+   resource://inbox/{Agent}?project=<abs-path>&limit=20
+   resource://thread/{id}?project=<abs-path>&include_bodies=true
+   ```
+
+### Macros vs Granular Tools
+
+- **Prefer macros for speed:** `macro_start_session`, `macro_prepare_thread`, `macro_file_reservation_cycle`, `macro_contact_handshake`
+- **Use granular tools for control:** `register_agent`, `file_reservation_paths`, `send_message`, `fetch_inbox`, `acknowledge_message`
+
+### Common Pitfalls
+
+- `"from_agent not registered"`: Always `register_agent` in the correct `project_key` first
+- `"FILE_RESERVATION_CONFLICT"`: Adjust patterns, wait for expiry, or use non-exclusive reservation
+- **Auth errors:** If JWT+JWKS enabled, include bearer token with matching `kid`
+
+---
+
+## Beads (br) — Dependency-Aware Issue Tracking
+
+Beads provides a lightweight, dependency-aware issue database and CLI (`br` / beads_rust) for selecting "ready work," setting priorities, and tracking status. It complements MCP Agent Mail's messaging and file reservations.
+
+**Note:** `br` is non-invasive—it never executes git commands directly. You must run git commands manually after `br sync --flush-only`.
+
+### Conventions
+
+- **Single source of truth:** Beads for task status/priority/dependencies; Agent Mail for conversation and audit
+- **Shared identifiers:** Use Beads issue ID (e.g., `br-123`) as Mail `thread_id` and prefix subjects with `[br-123]`
+- **Reservations:** When starting a task, call `file_reservation_paths()` with the issue ID in `reason`
+
+### Typical Agent Flow
+
+1. **Pick ready work (Beads):**
+   ```bash
+   br ready --json  # Choose highest priority, no blockers
+   ```
+
+2. **Reserve edit surface (Mail):**
+   ```
+   file_reservation_paths(project_key, agent_name, ["src/**"], ttl_seconds=3600, exclusive=true, reason="br-123")
+   ```
+
+3. **Announce start (Mail):**
+   ```
+   send_message(..., thread_id="br-123", subject="[br-123] Start: <title>", ack_required=true)
+   ```
+
+4. **Work and update:** Reply in-thread with progress
+
+5. **Complete and release:**
+   ```bash
+   br close br-123 --reason "Completed"
+   ```
+   ```
+   release_file_reservations(project_key, agent_name, paths=["src/**"])
+   ```
+   Final Mail reply: `[br-123] Completed` with summary
+
+### Mapping Cheat Sheet
+
+| Concept | Value |
+|---------|-------|
+| Mail `thread_id` | `br-###` |
+| Mail subject | `[br-###] ...` |
+| File reservation `reason` | `br-###` |
+| Commit messages | Include `br-###` for traceability |
+
+---
+
+## bv — Graph-Aware Triage Engine
+
+bv is a graph-aware triage engine for Beads projects (`.beads/beads.jsonl`). It computes PageRank, betweenness, critical path, cycles, HITS, eigenvector, and k-core metrics deterministically.
+
+**Scope boundary:** bv handles *what to work on* (triage, priority, planning). For agent-to-agent coordination (messaging, work claiming, file reservations), use MCP Agent Mail.
+
+**CRITICAL: Use ONLY `--robot-*` flags. Bare `bv` launches an interactive TUI that blocks your session.**
+
+### The Workflow: Start With Triage
+
+**`bv --robot-triage` is your single entry point.** It returns:
+- `quick_ref`: at-a-glance counts + top 3 picks
+- `recommendations`: ranked actionable items with scores, reasons, unblock info
+- `quick_wins`: low-effort high-impact items
+- `blockers_to_clear`: items that unblock the most downstream work
+- `project_health`: status/type/priority distributions, graph metrics
+- `commands`: copy-paste shell commands for next steps
+
+```bash
+bv --robot-triage        # THE MEGA-COMMAND: start here
+bv --robot-next          # Minimal: just the single top pick + claim command
+```
+
+### Command Reference
+
+**Planning:**
+| Command | Returns |
+|---------|---------|
+| `--robot-plan` | Parallel execution tracks with `unblocks` lists |
+| `--robot-priority` | Priority misalignment detection with confidence |
+
+**Graph Analysis:**
+| Command | Returns |
+|---------|---------|
+| `--robot-insights` | Full metrics: PageRank, betweenness, HITS, eigenvector, critical path, cycles, k-core, articulation points, slack |
+| `--robot-label-health` | Per-label health: `health_level`, `velocity_score`, `staleness`, `blocked_count` |
+| `--robot-label-flow` | Cross-label dependency: `flow_matrix`, `dependencies`, `bottleneck_labels` |
+| `--robot-label-attention [--attention-limit=N]` | Attention-ranked labels |
+
+**History & Change Tracking:**
+| Command | Returns |
+|---------|---------|
+| `--robot-history` | Bead-to-commit correlations |
+| `--robot-diff --diff-since <ref>` | Changes since ref: new/closed/modified issues, cycles |
+
+**Other:**
+| Command | Returns |
+|---------|---------|
+| `--robot-burndown <sprint>` | Sprint burndown, scope changes, at-risk items |
+| `--robot-forecast <id\|all>` | ETA predictions with dependency-aware scheduling |
+| `--robot-alerts` | Stale issues, blocking cascades, priority mismatches |
+| `--robot-suggest` | Hygiene: duplicates, missing deps, label suggestions |
+| `--robot-graph [--graph-format=json\|dot\|mermaid]` | Dependency graph export |
+| `--export-graph <file.html>` | Interactive HTML visualization |
+
+### Scoping & Filtering
+
+```bash
+bv --robot-plan --label backend              # Scope to label's subgraph
+bv --robot-insights --as-of HEAD~30          # Historical point-in-time
+bv --recipe actionable --robot-plan          # Pre-filter: ready to work
+bv --recipe high-impact --robot-triage       # Pre-filter: top PageRank
+bv --robot-triage --robot-triage-by-track    # Group by parallel work streams
+bv --robot-triage --robot-triage-by-label    # Group by domain
+```
+
+### Understanding Robot Output
+
+**All robot JSON includes:**
+- `data_hash` — Fingerprint of source beads.jsonl
+- `status` — Per-metric state: `computed|approx|timeout|skipped` + elapsed ms
+- `as_of` / `as_of_commit` — Present when using `--as-of`
+
+**Two-phase analysis:**
+- **Phase 1 (instant):** degree, topo sort, density
+- **Phase 2 (async, 500ms timeout):** PageRank, betweenness, HITS, eigenvector, cycles
+
+### jq Quick Reference
+
+```bash
+bv --robot-triage | jq '.quick_ref'                        # At-a-glance summary
+bv --robot-triage | jq '.recommendations[0]'               # Top recommendation
+bv --robot-plan | jq '.plan.summary.highest_impact'        # Best unblock target
+bv --robot-insights | jq '.status'                         # Check metric readiness
+bv --robot-insights | jq '.Cycles'                         # Circular deps (must fix!)
+```
+
+---
+
+## UBS — Ultimate Bug Scanner
+
+**Golden Rule:** `ubs <changed-files>` before every commit. Exit 0 = safe. Exit >0 = fix & re-run.
+
+### Commands
+
+```bash
+ubs file.rs file2.rs                    # Specific files (< 1s) — USE THIS
+ubs $(jj diff --name-only)              # Changed files — before commit
+ubs --only=rust,toml src/               # Language filter (3-5x faster)
+ubs --ci --fail-on-warning .            # CI mode — before PR
+ubs .                                   # Whole project (ignores target/, Cargo.lock)
+```
+
+### Output Format
+
+```
+⚠️  Category (N errors)
+    file.rs:42:5 – Issue description
+    💡 Suggested fix
+Exit code: 1
+```
+
+Parse: `file:line:col` → location | 💡 → how to fix | Exit 0/1 → pass/fail
+
+### Fix Workflow
+
+1. Read finding → category + fix suggestion
+2. Navigate `file:line:col` → view context
+3. Verify real issue (not false positive)
+4. Fix root cause (not symptom)
+5. Re-run `ubs <file>` → exit 0
+6. Commit
+
+### Bug Severity
+
+- **Critical (always fix):** Memory safety, use-after-free, data races, SQL injection
+- **Important (production):** Unwrap panics, resource leaks, overflow checks
+- **Contextual (judgment):** TODO/FIXME, println! debugging
+
+---
+
+## ast-grep vs ripgrep
+
+**Use `ast-grep` when structure matters.** It parses code and matches AST nodes, ignoring comments/strings, and can **safely rewrite** code.
+
+- Refactors/codemods: rename APIs, change import forms
+- Policy checks: enforce patterns across a repo
+- Editor/automation: LSP mode, `--json` output
+
+**Use `ripgrep` when text is enough.** Fastest way to grep literals/regex.
+
+- Recon: find strings, TODOs, log lines, config values
+- Pre-filter: narrow candidate files before ast-grep
+
+### Rule of Thumb
+
+- Need correctness or **applying changes** → `ast-grep`
+- Need raw speed or **hunting text** → `rg`
+- Often combine: `rg` to shortlist files, then `ast-grep` to match/modify
+
+### Rust Examples
+
+```bash
+# Find structured code (ignores comments)
+ast-grep run -l Rust -p 'fn $NAME($$$ARGS) -> $RET { $$$BODY }'
+
+# Find all unwrap() calls
+ast-grep run -l Rust -p '$EXPR.unwrap()'
+
+# Quick textual hunt
+rg -n 'println!' -t rust
+
+# Combine speed + precision
+rg -l -t rust 'unwrap\(' | xargs ast-grep run -l Rust -p '$X.unwrap()' --json
+```
+
+---
+
+## Morph Warp Grep — AI-Powered Code Search
+
+**Use `mcp__morph-mcp__warp_grep` for exploratory "how does X work?" questions.** An AI agent expands your query, greps the codebase, reads relevant files, and returns precise line ranges with full context.
+
+**Use `ripgrep` for targeted searches.** When you know exactly what you're looking for.
+
+**Use `ast-grep` for structural patterns.** When you need AST precision for matching/rewriting.
+
+### When to Use What
+
+| Scenario | Tool | Why |
+|----------|------|-----|
+| "How is pattern matching implemented?" | `warp_grep` | Exploratory; don't know where to start |
+| "Where is the quick reject filter?" | `warp_grep` | Need to understand architecture |
+| "Find all uses of `Regex::new`" | `ripgrep` | Targeted literal search |
+| "Find files with `println!`" | `ripgrep` | Simple pattern |
+| "Replace all `unwrap()` with `expect()`" | `ast-grep` | Structural refactor |
+
+### warp_grep Usage
+
+```
+mcp__morph-mcp__warp_grep(
+  repoPath: "/path/to/dcg",
+  query: "How does the safe pattern whitelist work?"
+)
+```
+
+Returns structured results with file paths, line ranges, and extracted code snippets.
+
+### Anti-Patterns
+
+- **Don't** use `warp_grep` to find a specific function name → use `ripgrep`
+- **Don't** use `ripgrep` to understand "how does X work" → wastes time with manual reads
+- **Don't** use `ripgrep` for codemods → risks collateral edits
+
+<!-- bv-agent-instructions-v1 -->
+
+---
+
+## Beads Workflow Integration
+
+This project uses [beads_viewer](https://github.com/Dicklesworthstone/beads_viewer) for issue tracking. Issues are stored in `.beads/` and tracked in version control.
+
+**Note:** `br` is non-invasive—it never executes VCS commands directly. You must commit manually after `br sync --flush-only`.
+
+### Essential Commands
+
+```bash
+# View issues (launches TUI - avoid in automated sessions)
+bv
+
+# CLI commands for agents (use these instead)
+br ready              # Show issues ready to work (no blockers)
+br list --status=open # All open issues
+br show <id>          # Full issue details with dependencies
+br create --title="..." --type=task --priority=2
+br update <id> --status=in_progress
+br close <id> --reason="Completed"
+br close <id1> <id2>  # Close multiple issues at once
+br sync --flush-only  # Export to JSONL (then: jj commit -m "Update beads")
+```
+
+### Workflow Pattern
+
+1. **Start**: Run `br ready` to find actionable work
+2. **Claim**: Use `br update <id> --status=in_progress`
+3. **Work**: Implement the task
+4. **Complete**: Use `br close <id>`
+5. **Sync**: Run `br sync --flush-only`, then `git add .beads/ && git commit -m "Update beads"`
+
+### Key Concepts
+
+- **Dependencies**: Issues can block other issues. `br ready` shows only unblocked work.
+- **Priority**: P0=critical, P1=high, P2=medium, P3=low, P4=backlog (use numbers, not words)
+- **Types**: task, bug, feature, epic, question, docs
+- **Blocking**: `br dep add <issue> <depends-on>` to add dependencies
+
+### Session Protocol
+
+**Before ending any session, run this checklist (solo/lead only — workers skip VCS):**
+
+```bash
+jj status                        # Check what changed
+br sync --flush-only             # Export beads to JSONL
+jj commit -m "..."               # Commit code and beads (jj auto-tracks all changes)
+jj bookmark set <name> -r @-     # Point bookmark at committed work
+jj git push -b <name>            # Push to remote
+```
+
+### Best Practices
+
+- Check `br ready` at session start to find available work
+- Update status as you work (in_progress → closed)
+- Create new issues with `br create` when you discover tasks
+- Use descriptive titles and set appropriate priority/type
+- Always run `br sync --flush-only` then commit before ending session (jj auto-tracks .beads/)
+
+<!-- end-bv-agent-instructions -->
+
+## Landing the Plane (Session Completion)
+
+**When ending a work session**, you MUST complete ALL steps below. Work is NOT complete until push succeeds.
+
+**WHO RUNS THIS:** Solo agents run it themselves. In multi-agent sessions, ONLY the team lead runs this. Workers skip VCS entirely.
+
+**MANDATORY WORKFLOW:**
+
+1. **File issues for remaining work** - Create issues for anything that needs follow-up
+2. **Run quality gates** (if code changed) - Tests, linters, builds
+3. **Update issue status** - Close finished work, update in-progress items
+4. **PUSH TO REMOTE** - This is MANDATORY:
+   ```bash
+   jj git fetch                       # Get latest remote state
+   jj rebase -d trunk()               # Rebase onto latest trunk if needed
+   br sync --flush-only               # Export beads to JSONL
+   jj commit -m "Update beads"        # Commit (jj auto-tracks .beads/ changes)
+   jj bookmark set <name> -r @-       # Point bookmark at committed work
+   jj git push -b <name>              # Push to remote
+   jj log -r '<name>'                 # Verify bookmark position
+   ```
+5. **Clean up** - Abandon empty orphan changes if any (`jj abandon <rev>`)
+6. **Verify** - All changes committed AND pushed
+7. **Hand off** - Provide context for next session
+
+**CRITICAL RULES:**
+- Work is NOT complete until `jj git push` succeeds
+- NEVER stop before pushing - that leaves work stranded locally
+- NEVER say "ready to push when you are" - YOU must push
+- If push fails, resolve and retry until it succeeds
+
+---
+
+## cass — Cross-Agent Session Search
+
+`cass` indexes prior agent conversations (Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, Gemini, ChatGPT, etc.) so we can reuse solved problems.
+
+**Rules:** Never run bare `cass` (TUI). Always use `--robot` or `--json`.
+
+### Examples
+
+```bash
+cass health
+cass search "async runtime" --robot --limit 5
+cass view /path/to/session.jsonl -n 42 --json
+cass expand /path/to/session.jsonl -n 42 -C 3 --json
+cass capabilities --json
+cass robot-docs guide
+```
+
+### Tips
+
+- Use `--fields minimal` for lean output
+- Filter by agent with `--agent`
+- Use `--days N` to limit to recent history
+
+stdout is data-only, stderr is diagnostics; exit code 0 means success.
+
+Treat cass as a way to avoid re-solving problems other agents already handled.
+
+---
+
+## Note for Codex/GPT-5.2
+
+You constantly bother me and stop working with concerned questions that look similar to this:
+
+```
+Unexpected changes (need guidance)
+
+- Working tree still shows edits I did not make in Cargo.toml, Cargo.lock, src/runtime.rs, src/scope.rs. Please advise whether to keep/commit/revert these before any further work. I did not touch them.
+
+Next steps (pick one)
+
+1. Decide how to handle the unrelated modified files above so we can resume cleanly.
+```
+
+NEVER EVER DO THAT AGAIN. The answer is literally ALWAYS the same: those are changes created by the potentially dozen of other agents working on the project at the same time. This is not only a common occurence, it happens multiple times PER MINUTE. The way to deal with it is simple: you NEVER, under ANY CIRCUMSTANCE, stash, revert, overwrite, or otherwise disturb in ANY way the work of other agents. Just treat those changes identically to changes that you yourself made. Just fool yourself into thinking YOU made the changes and simply don't recall it for some reason.
+
+---
+
+## Note on Built-in TODO Functionality
+
+Also, if I ask you to explicitly use your built-in TODO functionality, don't complain about this and say you need to use beads. You can use built-in TODOs if I tell you specifically to do so. Always comply with such orders.
+
+## TDD Requirements
+
+Test-first development is mandatory:
+1. **RED** - Write failing test first
+2. **GREEN** - Minimal implementation to pass
+3. **REFACTOR** - Clean up while green
+
+## Key Patterns
+
+Find the simplest solution that meets all acceptance criteria.
+Use third party libraries whenever there's a well-maintained, active, and widely adopted solution (for example, date-fns for TS date math)
+Build extensible pieces of logic that can easily be integrated with other pieces.
+DRY principles should be loosely held.
+Architecture MUST be clear and well thought-out. Ask the user for clarification whenever ambiguity is discovered around architecture, or you think a better approach than planned exists.
+
+---
+
+## Third-Party Library Usage
+
+If you aren't 100% sure how to use a third-party library, **SEARCH ONLINE** to find the latest documentation and mid-2025 best practices.
+
+---
+
+## Gitlore Robot Mode
+
+The `lore` CLI has a robot mode optimized for AI agent consumption with compact JSON output, structured errors with machine-actionable recovery steps, meaningful exit codes, response timing metadata, field selection for token efficiency, and TTY auto-detection.
+
+### Activation
+
+```bash
+# Explicit flag
+lore --robot issues -n 10
+
+# JSON shorthand (-J)
+lore -J issues -n 10
+
+# Auto-detection (when stdout is not a TTY)
+lore issues | jq .
+
+# Environment variable
+LORE_ROBOT=1 lore issues
+```
+
+### Robot Mode Commands
+
+```bash
+# List issues/MRs with JSON output
+lore --robot issues -n 10
+lore --robot mrs -s opened
+
+# Filter issues by work item status (case-insensitive)
+lore --robot issues --status "In progress"
+
+# List with field selection (reduces token usage ~60%)
+lore --robot issues --fields minimal
+lore --robot mrs --fields iid,title,state,draft
+
+# Show detailed entity info
+lore --robot issues 123
+lore --robot mrs 456 -p group/repo
+
+# Count entities
+lore --robot count issues
+lore --robot count discussions --for mr
+
+# Search indexed documents
+lore --robot search "authentication bug"
+
+# Check sync status
+lore --robot status
+
+# Run full sync pipeline
+lore --robot sync
+
+# Run sync without resource events
+lore --robot sync --no-events
+
+# Surgical sync: specific entities by IID
+lore --robot sync --issue 42 -p group/repo
+lore --robot sync --mr 99 --mr 100 -p group/repo
+
+# Run ingestion only
+lore --robot ingest issues
+
+# Trace why code was introduced
+lore --robot trace src/main.rs -p group/repo
+
+# File-level MR history
+lore --robot file-history src/auth/ -p group/repo
+
+# Manage cron-based auto-sync (Unix)
+lore --robot cron status
+lore --robot cron install --interval 15
+
+# Token management
+lore --robot token show
+
+# Check environment health
+lore --robot doctor
+
+# Document and index statistics
+lore --robot stats
+
+# Quick health pre-flight check (exit 0 = healthy, 19 = unhealthy)
+lore --robot health
+
+# Generate searchable documents from ingested data
+lore --robot generate-docs
+
+# Generate vector embeddings via Ollama
+lore --robot embed
+
+# Agent self-discovery manifest (all commands, flags, exit codes, response schemas)
+lore robot-docs
+
+# Version information
+lore --robot version
+```
+
+### Response Format
+
+All commands return compact JSON with a uniform envelope and timing metadata:
+
+```json
+{"ok":true,"data":{...},"meta":{"elapsed_ms":42}}
+```
+
+Errors return structured JSON to stderr with machine-actionable recovery steps:
+
+```json
+{"error":{"code":"CONFIG_NOT_FOUND","message":"...","suggestion":"Run 'lore init'","actions":["lore init"]}}
+```
+
+The `actions` array contains executable shell commands for automated recovery. It is omitted when empty.
+
+### Field Selection
+
+The `--fields` flag on `issues` and `mrs` list commands controls which fields appear in the JSON response:
+
+```bash
+lore -J issues --fields minimal                    # Preset: iid, title, state, updated_at_iso
+lore -J mrs --fields iid,title,state,draft,labels  # Custom field list
+```
+
+### Exit Codes
+
+| Code | Meaning |
+|------|---------|
+| 0 | Success |
+| 1 | Internal error / not implemented |
+| 2 | Usage error (invalid flags or arguments) |
+| 3 | Config invalid |
+| 4 | Token not set |
+| 5 | GitLab auth failed |
+| 6 | Resource not found |
+| 7 | Rate limited |
+| 8 | Network error |
+| 9 | Database locked |
+| 10 | Database error |
+| 11 | Migration failed |
+| 12 | I/O error |
+| 13 | Transform error |
+| 14 | Ollama unavailable |
+| 15 | Ollama model not found |
+| 16 | Embedding failed |
+| 17 | Not found (entity does not exist) |
+| 18 | Ambiguous match (use `-p` to specify project) |
+| 19 | Health check failed |
+| 20 | Config not found |
+
+### Configuration Precedence
+
+1. CLI flags (highest priority)
+2. Environment variables (`LORE_ROBOT`, `GITLAB_TOKEN`, `LORE_CONFIG_PATH`)
+3. Config file (`~/.config/lore/config.json`)
+4. Built-in defaults (lowest priority)
+
+### Best Practices
+
+- Use `lore --robot` or `lore -J` for all agent interactions
+- Check exit codes for error handling
+- Parse JSON errors from stderr; use `actions` array for automated recovery
+- Use `--fields minimal` to reduce token usage (~60% fewer tokens)
+- Use `-n` / `--limit` to control response size
+- Use `-q` / `--quiet` to suppress progress bars and non-essential output
+- Use `--color never` in non-TTY automation for ANSI-free output
+- Use `-v` / `-vv` / `-vvv` for increasing verbosity (debug/trace logging)
+- Use `--log-format json` for machine-readable log output to stderr
+- TTY detection handles piped commands automatically
+- Use `lore --robot health` as a fast pre-flight check before queries
+- Use `lore robot-docs` for response schema discovery
+- The `-p` flag supports fuzzy project matching (suffix and substring)
+
+---
+
+## Read/Write Split: lore vs glab
+
+| Operation | Tool | Why |
+|-----------|------|-----|
+| List issues/MRs | lore | Richer: includes status, discussions, closing MRs |
+| View issue/MR detail | lore | Pre-joined discussions, work-item status |
+| Search across entities | lore | FTS5 + vector hybrid search |
+| Expert/workload analysis | lore | who command — no glab equivalent |
+| Timeline reconstruction | lore | Chronological narrative — no glab equivalent |
+| Create/update/close | glab | Write operations |
+| Approve/merge MR | glab | Write operations |
+| CI/CD pipelines | glab | Not in lore scope |
+
+````markdown
+## UBS Quick Reference for AI Agents
+
+UBS stands for "Ultimate Bug Scanner": **The AI Coding Agent's Secret Weapon: Flagging Likely Bugs for Fixing Early On**
+
+**Install:** `curl -sSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Dicklesworthstone/ultimate_bug_scanner/master/install.sh | bash`
+
+**Golden Rule:** `ubs <changed-files>` before every commit. Exit 0 = safe. Exit >0 = fix & re-run.
+
+**Commands:**
+```bash
+ubs file.ts file2.py                    # Specific files (< 1s) — USE THIS
+ubs $(git diff --name-only --cached)    # Staged files — before commit
+ubs --only=js,python src/               # Language filter (3-5x faster)
+ubs --ci --fail-on-warning .            # CI mode — before PR
+ubs --help                              # Full command reference
+ubs sessions --entries 1                # Tail the latest install session log
+ubs .                                   # Whole project (ignores things like .venv and node_modules automatically)
+```
+
+**Output Format:**
+```
+⚠️  Category (N errors)
+    file.ts:42:5 – Issue description
+    💡 Suggested fix
+Exit code: 1
+```
+Parse: `file:line:col` → location | 💡 → how to fix | Exit 0/1 → pass/fail
+
+**Fix Workflow:**
+1. Read finding → category + fix suggestion
+2. Navigate `file:line:col` → view context
+3. Verify real issue (not false positive)
+4. Fix root cause (not symptom)
+5. Re-run `ubs <file>` → exit 0
+6. Commit
+
+**Speed Critical:** Scope to changed files. `ubs src/file.ts` (< 1s) vs `ubs .` (30s). Never full scan for small edits.
+
+**Bug Severity:**
+- **Critical** (always fix): Null safety, XSS/injection, async/await, memory leaks
+- **Important** (production): Type narrowing, division-by-zero, resource leaks
+- **Contextual** (judgment): TODO/FIXME, console logs
+
+**Anti-Patterns:**
+- ❌ Ignore findings → ✅ Investigate each
+- ❌ Full scan per edit → ✅ Scope to file
+- ❌ Fix symptom (`if (x) { x.y }`) → ✅ Root cause (`x?.y`)
+````
--- a/acceptance-criteria.md
+++ b/acceptance-criteria.md
@@ -0,0 +1,64 @@
+# Trace/File-History Empty-Result Diagnostics
+
+## AC-1: Human mode shows searched paths on empty results
+
+When `lore trace <path>` returns 0 chains in human mode, the output includes the resolved path(s) that were searched. If renames were followed, show the full rename chain.
+
+## AC-2: Human mode shows actionable reason on empty results
+
+When 0 chains are found, the hint message distinguishes between:
+- "No MR file changes synced yet" (mr_file_changes table is empty for this project) -> suggest `lore sync`
+- "File paths not found in MR file changes" (sync has run but this file has no matches) -> suggest checking the path or that the file may predate the sync window
+
+## AC-3: Robot mode includes diagnostics object on empty results
+
+When `total_chains == 0` in robot JSON output, add a `"diagnostics"` key to `"meta"` containing:
+- `paths_searched: [...]` (already present as `resolved_paths` in data -- no duplication needed)
+- `hints: [string]` -- same actionable reasons as AC-2 but machine-readable
+
+## AC-4: Info-level logging at each pipeline stage
+
+Add `tracing::info!` calls visible with `-v`:
+- After rename resolution: number of paths found
+- After MR query: number of MRs found
+- After issue/discussion enrichment: counts per MR
+
+## AC-5: Apply same pattern to `lore file-history`
+
+All of the above (AC-1 through AC-4) also apply to `lore file-history` empty results.
+
+---
+
+# Secure Token Resolution for Cron
+
+## AC-6: Stored token in config
+
+The configuration file supports an optional `token` field in the `gitlab` section, allowing users to persist their GitLab personal access token alongside other settings. Existing configuration files that omit this field continue to load and function normally.
+
+## AC-7: Token resolution precedence
+
+Lore resolves the GitLab token by checking the environment variable first, then falling back to the stored config token. This means environment variables always take priority, preserving CI/CD workflows and one-off overrides, while the stored token provides a reliable default for non-interactive contexts like cron jobs. If neither source provides a non-empty value, the user receives a clear `TOKEN_NOT_SET` error with guidance on how to fix it.
+
+## AC-8: `lore token set` command
+
+The `lore token set` command provides a secure, guided workflow for storing a GitLab token. It accepts the token via a `--token` flag, standard input (for piped automation), or an interactive masked prompt. Before storing, it validates the token against the GitLab API to catch typos and expired credentials early. After writing the token to the configuration file, it restricts file permissions to owner-only read/write (mode 0600) to prevent other users on the system from reading the token. The command supports both human and robot output modes.
+
+## AC-9: `lore token show` command
+
+The `lore token show` command displays the currently active token along with its source ("config file" or "environment variable"). By default the token value is masked for safety; the `--unmask` flag reveals the full value when needed. The command supports both human and robot output modes.
+
+## AC-10: Consistent token resolution across all commands
+
+Every command that requires a GitLab token uses the same two-step resolution logic described in AC-7. This ensures that storing a token once via `lore token set` is sufficient to make all commands work, including background cron syncs that have no access to shell environment variables.
+
+## AC-11: Cron install warns about missing stored token
+
+When `lore cron install` completes, it checks whether a token is available in the configuration file. If not, it displays a prominent warning explaining that cron jobs cannot access shell environment variables and directs the user to run `lore token set` to ensure unattended syncs will authenticate successfully.
+
+## AC-12: `TOKEN_NOT_SET` error recommends `lore token set`
+
+The `TOKEN_NOT_SET` error message recommends `lore token set` as the primary fix for missing credentials, with the environment variable export shown as an alternative for users who prefer that approach. In robot mode, the `actions` array lists both options so that automated recovery workflows can act on them.
+
+## AC-13: Doctor reports token source
+
+The `lore doctor` command includes the token's source in its GitLab connectivity check, reporting whether the token was found in the configuration file or an environment variable. This makes it straightforward to verify that cron jobs will have access to the token without relying on the user's interactive shell environment.