## Thinking Path > - Paperclip is the open source app people use to manage AI agents for work. > - A task has one assignee. An agent often finishes its work by handing its own task to a person for review. > - The task update route stops the outgoing run before it saves a reassignment. > - Since #16082, a legacy run that hands its own task to a person is exempt, so it finishes its turn. Native runs were not exempt. > - On staging, a native run (ACPX Claude, 11.5 minutes of work) sent `PATCH /api/issues/{id}` to hand its task to a person. The route cancelled that run with `issue_reassigned`. The agent saw `api_transport_failure`. The task moved to the person, but it kept a stale execution blocker ("Saved work recovered. Send a message to continue."). > - The native runtime assumes a running run still owns its task. So widening the exemption alone is not enough: the run then fails after its result is accepted, and its finalizer can act on the person's task. > - This pull request applies the exemption to native runs and makes the native terminal fence, restart recovery and finalizer handle a run that gave its task away. > - The benefit is that an agent can hand its task to a person and finish normally, with no blocker on the person's task. ## Linked Issues or Issue Description Refs #16082 (legacy exemption). Related: #20541 (agent-to-agent self handoff) and #18293 (agent key handoff). Those PRs cover other actors and targets. This PR covers native runs that hand their task to a person. **What happened?** A native agent run handed its own task to a person (`assigneeAgentId: null`, `assigneeUserId`, status `in_review`) through its signed run token. The route cancelled the run that sent the request (`issue_reassigned`, "Cancelled before issue reassignment"). The cancelled native run then went through workspace recovery. The person's task kept an execution blocker with `restore_failed`. **Expected behavior** The run that hands its own task to a person keeps running and finishes its turn. The task rests `in_review` with the person. No execution blocker or recovery action stays on the task. The outgoing run cannot change the task after the hand-off. **Steps to reproduce** 1. Run a native agent on its assigned task. 2. From that run, send `PATCH /api/issues/{id}` with `assigneeAgentId: null`, a person's `assigneeUserId`, and status `in_review`. 3. Before this fix, the route cancels the run with `issue_reassigned`. **Why the exemption was legacy-only** #16082 limited the exemption to the run shape of its incident and kept a verified stop for every other case. The new H2 chaos workload showed why native needed more than the route change. With only the route widened: 1. The run's terminal fence `assertCurrentWakeCommentsRead` requires the run to still own the task. It threw `native_current_wake_comments_binding_changed` after the result was accepted. The run then failed with `native_session_lease_lost`, and its finalizer recorded `workspace_finalization_failed` as an agent-owned recovery on the person's task. 2. A restart after the hand-off left the run `running`, because restart recovery refused it with `issue_execution_lock_changed`. 3. The native finalizer only superseded a `done` decision. A `needs_review` report moved the person's task back to `in_progress` and queued a continuation for the outgoing agent. 4. The REST guard against the outgoing run's later mutations (`issue_handed_off`) applied to legacy runs only. ## What Changed - `server/src/routes/issues.ts`: the signed current-run human self-handoff exemption now applies to native runs. All other checks stay: exact run, agent, company and task, `agent_jwt` source, human recipient. For a native run the route first records the hand-off on the run (`resultJson.humanSelfHandoff`, new `native-human-self-handoff.ts`). Board reassignment, agent keys, and handoffs to an agent or to nobody still stop the outgoing run. - `current-wake-comments.ts`: the terminal fence accepts a run whose recorded hand-off matches the person who now owns the task. Without the record (for example a board reassignment), or after a later reassignment, it still refuses. - `native-restart-recovery.ts`: after a restart, a handed-off run is not resumed. It passes the execution-lock check and is then settled by the existing ownership gate (`task_ownership_or_status_changed`) without changing the person's task, instead of staying `running`. - `status-arbiter.ts` and `native-run-finalizer.ts`: `supersedeHandedOffDecision` keeps the person's task status and strips retries, continuations, owner wakes, recoveries, blockers and reviewer bindings, also from decisions that already preserve the status. Two effects stay: a governed request's interaction, and the workspace-finalization repair, so saved work is not lost. Review runs are not affected. - `server/src/run-task-ownership.ts` (renamed from `legacy-run-task-ownership.ts`): `assertHandedOffRunTaskOwnership` rejects later task mutations from the outgoing legacy or native run, in the route and under the update transaction's locks. - `tests/restart-chaos/`: new opt-in workload `H2`. The agent saves a brief, then hands the task to its creator in review as its last step. The oracle requires the task to rest `in_review` with the creator, every run to settle without `issue_reassigned`, readable non-empty run history, and no execution blocker or active recovery action. - Docs: `doc/execution-semantics.md`, task feature map and agent access map, chaos README. ## Verification - Red on `origin/master` (same tests, master source): the route cancels the native run (500, and 409 `runner_goal_reassignment_stop_unconfirmed`); the finalizer moves the person's task to `in_progress` with a continuation for the outgoing agent; a late `done` from the outgoing native run closes the person's task. - Red chaos wave on master's server (`--server-from` a master checkout, `--adapters claude --workloads H2 --faults K1 --matrix`): 0/2 pass. Both runs ended `cancelled` / `issue_reassigned` (`T:handoff_did_not_cancel_run`). - Green focused tests on this branch: - `native-human-self-handoff.test.ts` (embedded Postgres): hand-off through the real issue service; the run stays `running`; `done`, `needs_review` and failed-turn reports leave the task `in_review` with the person, with `getExecutionBlocker` null and no recovery action; the terminal fence accepts only the recorded hand-off; a late change from the outgoing run fails with `issue_handed_off`; pure policy cases. - `issue-agent-mutation-ownership-routes.test.ts`: native and legacy self-handoffs persist without `cancelRun`, and native records the hand-off before the update. Board, agent key, other run, task, agent and company still stop the run. - Native runtime suite (restart recovery, wake comments, arbiter, stale-owner completion), `issues-service`, `low-trust-red-team-routes`: pass. Server and restart-chaos typecheck pass. `node scripts/check-maps.mjs` passes. - Green chaos waves on this branch (local, `--adapters claude --workloads H2`): - `--matrix --faults K1 --seed 4459`: 2/2 pass (K0 baseline and a K1 crossing). - `--tasks 3 --faults K1 --fault-after-seconds 60` and `--fault-after-seconds 100`: 3/3 pass each. In the first, all three restarts landed after the hand-off while the runs were live; the runs settled and the tasks stayed with the person. - The final waves ran on the pre-rebase head `8a2a3b6a74`. The rebase onto master only merged the chaos workload lists (`types.ts`, `config.ts`, `journeys.ts`). No Daytona wave was run. ## Risks - The outgoing native turn keeps running after the person owns the task. Its native task tools already require the run to own the task, so they refuse (`paperclip_runner_tool_binding_not_authorized`). Its REST mutations are rejected with `issue_handed_off`. - A restart after the hand-off settles the run as failed (`native_restart_recovery_blocked`) instead of resuming it. The person's task is not changed and needs no Retry. - The finalizer rule covers any native run whose task belongs to a person at finalization, not only a self-handoff. Before this change such a run could still move the person's task and queue its own continuation. - Saved state: `resultJson.humanSelfHandoff` is a new optional run key. An older server ignores it, so a run handed off on the new server and finished on an old one fails its fence as today. No schema change. - No API shape change. > For core feature work, check [`ROADMAP.md`](ROADMAP.md) first and discuss it in `#dev` before opening the PR. Feature PRs that overlap with planned core work may need to be redirected — check the roadmap first. See `CONTRIBUTING.md`. ## Model Used - Claude (Anthropic), model ID `claude-opus-5-5`, through Claude Code with tool use and code execution. The session does not expose the context window or reasoning mode. ## Checklist - [x] I have included a thinking path that traces from project context to this change - [x] I have specified the model used (with version and capability details) - [x] I have checked ROADMAP.md and confirmed this PR does not duplicate planned core work - [x] I have searched GitHub for duplicate or related PRs and linked them above - [x] I have either (a) linked existing issues with `Fixes: #` / `Closes #` / `Refs #` OR (b) described the issue in-PR following the relevant issue template - [x] I have not referenced internal/instance-local Paperclip issues or links (only public GitHub `#NNN` / `github.com/paperclipai/paperclip` URLs) - [x] My branch name describes the change (e.g. `docs/...`, `fix/...`) and contains no internal Paperclip ticket id or instance-derived details - [x] I have run tests locally and they pass - [x] I have added or updated tests where applicable - [x] I have updated relevant documentation to reflect my changes - [x] I have considered and documented any risks above - [ ] All Paperclip CI gates are green - [ ] Greptile is 5/5 with no open P2s, recommendations, or follow-ups - [x] I will address all Greptile and reviewer comments before requesting merge 🤖 Generated with [Claude Code](https://claude.com/claude-code) --------- Co-authored-by: Claude Fable 5.2 <noreply@anthropic.com>
Paperclip maps
The maps describe the same capabilities from two perspectives:
- Feature map: what a person can do, where to reach it, and how to verify the user journey. Preserve its Poteto format.
- Agent access map: the APIs and agent entry points for those capabilities, their permission boundaries, and access verification.
The chat scenario catalog adds natural-language requests, starting context and expected conversational outcomes for the same capability IDs. It lives with Product E2E as planning data; a scenario reference is neither a registered execution nor evidence that a journey passed.
These are sibling directories under maps/. Each feature file has a same-named
agent access companion. Reuse the product map's sub-feature IDs, so tasks/create
identifies the same capability in both maps. Product behavior remains governed by
the code and its tests; a map cannot grant authority or redefine a permission
denial as success.
Capability identifiers
The feature ID is the recipe filename without .md, such as onboarding.
The full capability ID joins that feature ID and a Sub-features key with /:
the company key in feature-map/onboarding.md is onboarding/company.
Its agent-access-map/onboarding.md companion uses the same local company key.
The feature-map index lists the existing
feature and full capability IDs.
Each child page states Feature ID: `onboarding`. after its introduction or
product-map link. In feature recipes, show the full ID beside the parsed local
key: - `company`: `onboarding/company` — create a company. In access
companions and Storybook verification guidance, keep the existing local heading
and put Capability ID: `onboarding/company`. beneath it. These labels make
the existing identifiers visible without changing keys, anchors, or ID generation.
Use full capability IDs in cross-feature references, Storybook annotations, tests, issues, PRs, and verification evidence. Both segments use lowercase letters, digits, and hyphens. Keep filenames and keys stable when display titles or navigation labels change; renaming either changes the capability ID.
Entry-point IDs describe a surface, such as web-wizard, and are scoped to their
recipe. Reference them with a recipe link, such as
onboarding.md#web-wizard, and record the
capability exercised separately. Navigation section labels are not capability IDs.
See IDs and references for examples.
Access contract
Every business operation needs both an API and a usable agent entry point for an
actor authorized to perform it. A dedicated tool is optional when REST, the CLI,
an assigned MCP client, or native search_api / call_api already provides the
operation. Record which agent surfaces actually have that path; an installed CLI
or optional MCP package cannot be assumed available to every native/remote run.
Track these independently:
| Dimension | Values and meaning |
|---|---|
| API | present, missing, not-applicable, or unreviewed. Use exact methods/paths; distinguish protocols from REST. |
| Agent access | available, partial, missing, restricted, operator-only, not-applicable, or unreviewed. Name the supported surface and actual entry point. |
| Policy | Actor, action/grant, company/resource/ownership scope, responsible-user intersection, run requirements, work modes, and gates relevant to the operation. |
| Evidence | source-only, verified, failed, blocked, or not-run. Source presence and successful board calls are not agent verification. |
| Review depth | baseline records representative operations and known gaps; operation-reviewed enumerates the capability's meaningful operations and their individual access contracts. |
Broad capabilities such as task properties must be split into operations before they count as operation-reviewed: renaming, metadata edits, assignment, dependencies, and lifecycle changes can use different tools and permission rules. An available read path cannot certify a write path. List/get/create/update/delete, execution/control, credential handling, and resolution are separate where their authority or transport differs. Do not duplicate request schemas from OpenAPI.
Exceptions and restrictions
Presentation-only state, static developer fixtures, and pre-start/local operator
work may use not-applicable for a domain API, with a concrete reason and the
existing local path. When a capability combines shared data with presentation,
split the operations: browser recents do not exempt resource lookup from API
coverage. Promoting local state to a shared feature requires revisiting the entry.
A board-only endpoint is restricted for agent identity, not an automatic
exception or a missing API. Cite the enforced policy and record whether the
agent can request the authorized human's action and observe its result. An
unresolved delegation question remains in Gaps. Company access, a job title,
a personal assistant's OAuth grant, or an accepted interaction does not grant
board identity. Keep budget, approval, secret and execution authority intact.
Check actual route/service authorization and production tool admission. OpenAPI actor labels and scenario/evaluation tool declarations are supporting metadata; record disagreements rather than using them as proof of access. Native API fallback restrictions, tool field/scope limits, and rollout settings are part of the agent path, even when a legacy agent can call the REST endpoint directly.
Companion file format
Each agent-access-map/<area>.md has an H1, a relative link to its product file,
and its feature ID, followed by one H2 backticked local key per product
sub-feature. Each capability starts with its full capability ID and contains
these fields:
- Review:
baselineoroperation-reviewed. - API: presence state and exact operation IDs, or a reasoned exception.
- Agent access: availability state and concrete entry points by surface.
- Policy: relevant permission and runtime boundaries, with source references.
- Evidence: evidence state, reviewed commit and sources or executed proof.
- Verification: allowed/denied assertions and observable result; record what has actually run separately from the proposed recipe.
- Gaps: missing APIs/paths, discovery drift, unreviewed operations or policy
decisions; use
noneonly for the enumerated scope that was reviewed.
For an operation-reviewed capability, use H3 backticked operation IDs and repeat
API, Agent access, Policy, Evidence, Verification and Gaps for each operation.
Use small operation names such as create, update, read, or run-now.
The enclosing capability has Review: operation-reviewed only after its
meaningful operations have been enumerated. The following excerpt shows one
operation; include the others before using that review label:
## `definition`
Review: `operation-reviewed`.
### `create`
API: `present` — POST /api/companies/{companyId}/routines.
Agent access: `available` — agent REST, CLI routine create and native call_api
under the enabled rollout and active-run/mode gates.
Policy: same company; assigneeAgentId must be the calling agent; cite the
routine authorization and native API policy sources.
Evidence: `source-only` — reviewed commit and source links; no live proof.
Verification: `not-run` — create an owned routine; reject assignment to another
agent; inspect saved configuration, attribution and retry behavior.
Gaps: verify ownership and responsible-user resolution with a permitted agent
context; source presence alone does not qualify this operation.
Keeping the maps synchronized
Add entries only for substantial new features under the feature-map scope rule. Routine fixes, polish, refactors, performance work, and test changes do not require map updates. Correct or remove existing text only when behavior or access changes make it materially inaccurate; keep the correction local to the affected recipe or companion. Preserve IDs across renames where the capability is unchanged; update the affected cross-links together. Indexes discover recipes automatically. An API-only change may update the companion without rewriting unchanged user instructions. Update the corresponding chat scenarios when their request, assumptions or expected outcome changes; use multiple cases for meaningfully different starting conditions rather than treating an API path as conversational coverage.
maintain-verification-skill owns reconciliation of both maps. It follows changed source and authorization, checks real agent reachability, and records product gaps without implementing them during a maintenance pass. The creation skill uses this structure. verify-paperclip consumes the relevant recipes and reports evidence/drift; map editing belongs to maintenance.
Run the structural check after map changes:
node scripts/check-maps.mjs
It checks paired areas/IDs, navigation metadata, required fields, and local references. It does not certify endpoint authorization, production bindings, operation completeness, or live behavior. Source audits must check those against the existing API and tool contracts; avoid a second schema catalog or runtime.
For live access proof, use Paperclip's existing API/runner/MCP fixtures or an owned
isolated instance. Use the actual agent identity, target and work mode. Assert the
allowed result and relevant denial (another company/private resource, wrong
owner, missing grant, invalid run, restricted mode or resolver). Mutations also
need persisted state/attribution and retry behavior. Capture evidence using the
existing artifact workflow; keep executed run results
separate from generated maps/generated/coverage.json, which lists page references.
Local authorship and generated indexes
Change only the recipes, access contracts and stories whose behavior or intent
changed. Feature recipes own navigation metadata; stories own small
parameters.paperclip annotations. Keep the feature-map README's readable ID
index aligned with those sources; it does not register entries for generation.
Do not refresh counts in shared READMEs, inventories, fingerprints or review
journals.
node scripts/storybook-catalog.mjs validates and generates aggregate navigation,
Storybook data, verification routes and the page inventory. All outputs live in
ignored maps/generated/, ui/storybook/generated/, and the ignored Storybook
preview.tsx wrapper. Start/build and UI typechecking generate their own inputs.
A clean merged checkout therefore assembles both branches' changes automatically.
Git provides history and diffs. PRs, issues and CI artifacts retain review/run evidence for the named revision. Capability associations do not create whole-file review dependencies. Keep durable scenario limits in the affected recipe or story.