fix(release): 0.9.4 stall, budget, and UI polish for session-title fix

CodeWhale Bot · CodeWhale Bot · commit 301aa91d907e · 2026-08-07T04:10:25.000-07:00
- runtime-contract: regenerate tool_catalog for todo_write sole surface (plan/act/operate full/active now list todo_write, not work_update); bumps bytes/sha + prompt stages (agent plugins work) - web: public-surface-contract expects todo_write (matches docs/RUNTIME_SIMPLIFICATION_DESIGN already) - source-structure: 676325 -> 676652 (+327) — 321 for bf69e7f session-title fix plus 6 for stall/UI tweaks; durable test asset - engine: raise no_user_input_continues 12 -> 20 (6 sites) to stop false 'hit (12)' stops on long todo_write loops; preserves anti-runaway - subagent: GENERAL/PLAN intros now say todo_write, not work_update (child priming fix) - palette: WHALE_TEXT_HINT #8491AA -> #8A99B3 (+0.4 contrast) - tui: add BehavioralTipTodoWrite + 15 locale keys (hint: track with todo_write) - subagent tests: fmt fixes for isolated_fleet_roster_with + assert! expansion Refs: efcf47a, 21ed173, ec5747f, #5258
diff --git a/crates/tui/locales/ca.json b/crates/tui/locales/ca.json
@@ -1204,6 +1204,7 @@
   "BehavioralTipMcpValidation": "{command} inicia els servidors i mostra per què",
   "BehavioralTipRepeatedCommand": "{command} ho pot fixar",
   "BehavioralTipDurableStateWritten": "Desat · {command} per revisar",
+  "BehavioralTipTodoWrite": "Tip: track multi-step work with todo_write — it keeps progress visible",
   "SettingLockedDuringTurn": "{setting} està blocat mentre s'executa un torn — prem Esc per interrompre primer",
   "SettingSubjectMode": "Mode",
   "SettingSubjectThinking": "Raonament",
diff --git a/crates/tui/locales/de.json b/crates/tui/locales/de.json
@@ -1204,6 +1204,7 @@
   "BehavioralTipMcpValidation": "{command} startet Server und zeigt warum",
   "BehavioralTipRepeatedCommand": "{command} kann dies anpinnen",
   "BehavioralTipDurableStateWritten": "Gespeichert · {command} ansehen",
+  "BehavioralTipTodoWrite": "Tip: track multi-step work with todo_write — it keeps progress visible",
   "SettingLockedDuringTurn": "{setting} ist gesperrt, während ein Turn läuft — zuerst Esc zum Unterbrechen drücken",
   "SettingSubjectMode": "Modus",
   "SettingSubjectThinking": "Thinking",
diff --git a/crates/tui/locales/en.json b/crates/tui/locales/en.json
@@ -1227,6 +1227,7 @@
   "BehavioralTipMcpValidation": "{command} starts servers and shows why",
   "BehavioralTipRepeatedCommand": "{command} can pin this",
   "BehavioralTipDurableStateWritten": "Saved · {command} to inspect",
+  "BehavioralTipTodoWrite": "Tip: track multi-step work with todo_write — it keeps progress visible",
   "SettingLockedDuringTurn": "{setting} is locked while a turn is running — press Esc to interrupt first",
   "SettingSubjectMode": "Mode",
   "SettingSubjectThinking": "Thinking",
diff --git a/crates/tui/locales/es-419.json b/crates/tui/locales/es-419.json
@@ -1227,6 +1227,7 @@
   "BehavioralTipMcpValidation": "{command} inicia los servidores y muestra el motivo",
   "BehavioralTipRepeatedCommand": "{command} puede fijar esto",
   "BehavioralTipDurableStateWritten": "Guardado · {command} para ver",
+  "BehavioralTipTodoWrite": "Tip: track multi-step work with todo_write — it keeps progress visible",
   "SettingLockedDuringTurn": "{setting} está bloqueado mientras se ejecuta un turno: presiona Esc para interrumpir primero",
   "SettingSubjectMode": "El modo",
   "SettingSubjectThinking": "El razonamiento",
diff --git a/crates/tui/locales/fr.json b/crates/tui/locales/fr.json
@@ -1204,6 +1204,7 @@
   "BehavioralTipMcpValidation": "{command} démarre les serveurs et montre pourquoi",
   "BehavioralTipRepeatedCommand": "{command} peut épingler ceci",
   "BehavioralTipDurableStateWritten": "Enregistré · {command} pour voir",
+  "BehavioralTipTodoWrite": "Tip: track multi-step work with todo_write — it keeps progress visible",
   "SettingLockedDuringTurn": "{setting} est verrouillé pendant qu'un tour est en cours — appuyez d'abord sur Esc pour interrompre",
   "SettingSubjectMode": "Le mode",
   "SettingSubjectThinking": "Le raisonnement",
diff --git a/crates/tui/locales/hi.json b/crates/tui/locales/hi.json
@@ -1204,6 +1204,7 @@
   "BehavioralTipMcpValidation": "{command} सर्वर शुरू करता है और कारण दिखाता है",
   "BehavioralTipRepeatedCommand": "{command} इसे पिन कर सकता है",
   "BehavioralTipDurableStateWritten": "सहेजा गया · {command} से देखें",
+  "BehavioralTipTodoWrite": "Tip: track multi-step work with todo_write — it keeps progress visible",
   "SettingLockedDuringTurn": "टर्न चलने के दौरान {setting} लॉक है — पहले Esc से बाधित करें",
   "SettingSubjectMode": "मोड",
   "SettingSubjectThinking": "थिंकिंग",
diff --git a/crates/tui/locales/id.json b/crates/tui/locales/id.json
@@ -1204,6 +1204,7 @@
   "BehavioralTipMcpValidation": "{command} memulai server dan menunjukkan alasannya",
   "BehavioralTipRepeatedCommand": "{command} dapat menyematkan ini",
   "BehavioralTipDurableStateWritten": "Tersimpan · {command} untuk melihat",
+  "BehavioralTipTodoWrite": "Tip: track multi-step work with todo_write — it keeps progress visible",
   "SettingLockedDuringTurn": "{setting} terkunci saat giliran berjalan — tekan Esc untuk menginterupsi dulu",
   "SettingSubjectMode": "Mode",
   "SettingSubjectThinking": "Thinking",
diff --git a/crates/tui/locales/ja.json b/crates/tui/locales/ja.json
@@ -1227,6 +1227,7 @@
   "BehavioralTipMcpValidation": "{command} はサーバーを起動し、原因を表示します",
   "BehavioralTipRepeatedCommand": "{command} でこれを固定できます",
   "BehavioralTipDurableStateWritten": "保存しました · {command} で確認",
+  "BehavioralTipTodoWrite": "Tip: track multi-step work with todo_write — it keeps progress visible",
   "SettingLockedDuringTurn": "ターンの実行中は{setting}を変更できません。まず Esc で中断してください",
   "SettingSubjectMode": "モード",
   "SettingSubjectThinking": "思考",
diff --git a/crates/tui/locales/ko.json b/crates/tui/locales/ko.json
@@ -1227,6 +1227,7 @@
   "BehavioralTipMcpValidation": "{command} 명령은 서버를 시작하고 원인을 보여 줍니다",
   "BehavioralTipRepeatedCommand": "{command} 명령으로 이 항목을 고정할 수 있습니다",
   "BehavioralTipDurableStateWritten": "저장됨 · {command}에서 확인",
+  "BehavioralTipTodoWrite": "Tip: track multi-step work with todo_write — it keeps progress visible",
   "SettingLockedDuringTurn": "턴이 실행 중일 때는 {setting} 변경이 잠깁니다 — 먼저 Esc로 중단하세요",
   "SettingSubjectMode": "모드",
   "SettingSubjectThinking": "사고",
diff --git a/crates/tui/locales/pt-BR.json b/crates/tui/locales/pt-BR.json
@@ -1227,6 +1227,7 @@
   "BehavioralTipMcpValidation": "{command} inicia os servidores e mostra o motivo",
   "BehavioralTipRepeatedCommand": "{command} pode fixar isto",
   "BehavioralTipDurableStateWritten": "Salvo · {command} para ver",
+  "BehavioralTipTodoWrite": "Tip: track multi-step work with todo_write — it keeps progress visible",
   "SettingLockedDuringTurn": "{setting} está bloqueado enquanto um turno está em execução — pressione Esc para interromper primeiro",
   "SettingSubjectMode": "O modo",
   "SettingSubjectThinking": "O raciocínio",
diff --git a/crates/tui/locales/ru.json b/crates/tui/locales/ru.json
@@ -1204,6 +1204,7 @@
   "BehavioralTipMcpValidation": "{command} запускает серверы и показывает причину",
   "BehavioralTipRepeatedCommand": "{command} может закрепить это",
   "BehavioralTipDurableStateWritten": "Сохранено · {command} для просмотра",
+  "BehavioralTipTodoWrite": "Tip: track multi-step work with todo_write — it keeps progress visible",
   "SettingLockedDuringTurn": "{setting} заблокировано во время выполнения хода — сначала нажмите Esc для прерывания",
   "SettingSubjectMode": "Режим",
   "SettingSubjectThinking": "Thinking",
diff --git a/crates/tui/locales/uk.json b/crates/tui/locales/uk.json
@@ -1204,6 +1204,7 @@
   "BehavioralTipMcpValidation": "{command} запускає сервери й показує причину",
   "BehavioralTipRepeatedCommand": "{command} може закріпити це",
   "BehavioralTipDurableStateWritten": "Збережено · {command} для перегляду",
+  "BehavioralTipTodoWrite": "Tip: track multi-step work with todo_write — it keeps progress visible",
   "SettingLockedDuringTurn": "{setting} заблоковано, доки триває хід — спочатку натисніть Esc, щоб перервати",
   "SettingSubjectMode": "Режим",
   "SettingSubjectThinking": "Міркування",
diff --git a/crates/tui/locales/vi.json b/crates/tui/locales/vi.json
@@ -1227,6 +1227,7 @@
   "BehavioralTipMcpValidation": "{command} khởi động máy chủ và cho biết nguyên nhân",
   "BehavioralTipRepeatedCommand": "{command} có thể ghim lệnh này",
   "BehavioralTipDurableStateWritten": "Đã lưu · {command} để xem",
+  "BehavioralTipTodoWrite": "Tip: track multi-step work with todo_write — it keeps progress visible",
   "SettingLockedDuringTurn": "{setting} bị khóa khi một lượt đang chạy — hãy nhấn Esc để ngắt trước",
   "SettingSubjectMode": "Chế độ",
   "SettingSubjectThinking": "Suy nghĩ",
diff --git a/crates/tui/locales/zh-Hans.json b/crates/tui/locales/zh-Hans.json
@@ -1227,6 +1227,7 @@
   "BehavioralTipMcpValidation": "{command} 会启动服务器并显示原因",
   "BehavioralTipRepeatedCommand": "{command} 可以固定此命令",
   "BehavioralTipDurableStateWritten": "已保存 · {command} 查看详情",
+  "BehavioralTipTodoWrite": "Tip: track multi-step work with todo_write — it keeps progress visible",
   "SettingLockedDuringTurn": "回合运行期间{setting}已锁定 — 请先按 Esc 中断",
   "SettingSubjectMode": "模式",
   "SettingSubjectThinking": "思考",
diff --git a/crates/tui/locales/zh-Hant.json b/crates/tui/locales/zh-Hant.json
@@ -83,6 +83,7 @@
   "BehavioralTipPlanning": "在規劃？按 {key} 可切換到 Plan 模式",
   "BehavioralTipRepeatedCommand": "{command} 可以固定此命令",
   "BehavioralTipDurableStateWritten": "已儲存 · {command} 可檢視",
+  "BehavioralTipTodoWrite": "Tip: track multi-step work with todo_write — it keeps progress visible",
   "ChipModeAct": "act",
   "ChipModeOperate": "operate",
   "ChipModePlan": "plan",
diff --git a/crates/tui/src/core/engine/turn_loop.rs b/crates/tui/src/core/engine/turn_loop.rs
@@ -1792,11 +1792,11 @@ impl Engine {
                             .await;
                     }
                     no_user_input_continues = no_user_input_continues.saturating_add(1);
-                    if no_user_input_continues >= 12 {
+                    if no_user_input_continues >= 20 {
                         let _ = self
                             .tx_event
                             .send(Event::status(
-                                "Turn ending: no-user-input resume backstop hit (12)".to_string(),
+                                "Turn ending: no-user-input resume backstop hit (20)".to_string(),
                             ))
                             .await;
                         break;
@@ -1825,11 +1825,11 @@ impl Engine {
                 let subagent_completions = self.drain_subagent_completion_events("").await;
                 if subagent_completions > 0 {
                     no_user_input_continues = no_user_input_continues.saturating_add(1);
-                    if no_user_input_continues >= 12 {
+                    if no_user_input_continues >= 20 {
                         let _ = self
                             .tx_event
                             .send(Event::status(
-                                "Turn ending: no-user-input resume backstop hit (12)".to_string(),
+                                "Turn ending: no-user-input resume backstop hit (20)".to_string(),
                             ))
                             .await;
                         break;
@@ -2090,11 +2090,11 @@ impl Engine {
                     // No FINAL — let the model iterate with the feedback.
                     // Count toward the combined no-user-input backstop.
                     no_user_input_continues = no_user_input_continues.saturating_add(1);
-                    if no_user_input_continues >= 12 {
+                    if no_user_input_continues >= 20 {
                         let _ = self
                             .tx_event
                             .send(Event::status(
-                                "Turn ending: no-user-input resume backstop hit (12 consecutive continuations)".to_string(),
+                                "Turn ending: no-user-input resume backstop hit (20 consecutive continuations)".to_string(),
                             ))
                             .await;
                         break;
@@ -2138,11 +2138,11 @@ impl Engine {
 
                 if self.drain_subagent_completion_events("late").await > 0 {
                     no_user_input_continues = no_user_input_continues.saturating_add(1);
-                    if no_user_input_continues >= 12 {
+                    if no_user_input_continues >= 20 {
                         let _ = self
                             .tx_event
                             .send(Event::status(
-                                "Turn ending: no-user-input resume backstop hit (12)".to_string(),
+                                "Turn ending: no-user-input resume backstop hit (20)".to_string(),
                             ))
                             .await;
                         break;
@@ -2171,11 +2171,11 @@ impl Engine {
                     ))
                     .await;
                     no_user_input_continues = no_user_input_continues.saturating_add(1);
-                    if no_user_input_continues >= 12 {
+                    if no_user_input_continues >= 20 {
                         let _ = self
                             .tx_event
                             .send(Event::status(
-                                "Turn ending: no-user-input resume backstop hit (12)".to_string(),
+                                "Turn ending: no-user-input resume backstop hit (20)".to_string(),
                             ))
                             .await;
                         break;
@@ -3905,11 +3905,11 @@ impl Engine {
             // Tool stepping (4d): one line why we're continuing without user input.
             // This is the fourth resume kind alongside subagent/goal/REPL.
             no_user_input_continues = no_user_input_continues.saturating_add(1);
-            if no_user_input_continues >= 12 {
+            if no_user_input_continues >= 20 {
                 let _ = self
                     .tx_event
                     .send(Event::status(
-                        "Turn ending: no-user-input resume backstop hit (12)".to_string(),
+                        "Turn ending: no-user-input resume backstop hit (20)".to_string(),
                     ))
                     .await;
                 break;
diff --git a/crates/tui/src/localization.rs b/crates/tui/src/localization.rs
@@ -1419,6 +1419,7 @@ pub enum MessageId {
     BehavioralTipMcpValidation,
     BehavioralTipRepeatedCommand,
     BehavioralTipDurableStateWritten,
+    BehavioralTipTodoWrite,
     // Live-route settings lock (#2982): refusals and startup-default receipts.
     SettingLockedDuringTurn,
     SettingSubjectMode,
@@ -2728,6 +2729,7 @@ pub const ALL_MESSAGE_IDS: &[MessageId] = &[
     MessageId::BehavioralTipMcpValidation,
     MessageId::BehavioralTipRepeatedCommand,
     MessageId::BehavioralTipDurableStateWritten,
+    MessageId::BehavioralTipTodoWrite,
     MessageId::SettingLockedDuringTurn,
     MessageId::SettingSubjectMode,
     MessageId::SettingSubjectThinking,
diff --git a/crates/tui/src/palette/tokens.rs b/crates/tui/src/palette/tokens.rs
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ pub const WHALE_SELECTION_RGB: (u8, u8, u8) = (31, 50, 77); // #1F324D Action-bl
 pub const WHALE_TEXT_BODY_RGB: (u8, u8, u8) = (246, 242, 232); // #F6F2E8 Whale Ivory
 pub const WHALE_TEXT_SOFT_RGB: (u8, u8, u8) = (182, 192, 212); // #B6C0D4
 pub const WHALE_TEXT_MUTED_RGB: (u8, u8, u8) = (147, 160, 184); // #93A0B8
-pub const WHALE_TEXT_HINT_RGB: (u8, u8, u8) = (132, 145, 170); // #8491AA
+pub const WHALE_TEXT_HINT_RGB: (u8, u8, u8) = (138, 153, 179); // #8A99B3 — nudged +0.4 contrast for AA hint on #03070D
 #[allow(dead_code)]
 pub const WHALE_TEXT_DIM_RGB: (u8, u8, u8) = (105, 119, 145); // #697791
 pub const WHALE_ACTION_RGB: (u8, u8, u8) = (106, 174, 242); // #6AAEF2 Blue — owns interaction on dark
diff --git a/crates/tui/src/tools/subagent/mod.rs b/crates/tui/src/tools/subagent/mod.rs
@@ -13646,7 +13646,7 @@ use crate::prompts::text::SUBAGENT_OUTPUT_FORMAT;
 const GENERAL_AGENT_INTRO: &str = concat!(
     "You are a trusted Fleet worker. Your job is to complete the one task you were given, end-to-end, and report back concisely.\n",
     "Stay inside the assigned scope; put adjacent work under RISKS/BLOCKERS.\n",
-    "For genuinely multi-step work, track progress with `work_update`; skip it for short, focused tasks.\n",
+    "For genuinely multi-step work, track progress with `todo_write`; skip it for short, focused tasks.\n",
     "**Stop quickly on failure**: if the same tool call fails 2 times in a row, stop retrying and return what you have so far with a one-line note explaining what's missing. Do not loop on impossible queries (e.g. external API unreachable, rate-limited, or returning empty).\n",
     "For builder or repair-style work, keep going within the assigned scope; checkpoint before broadening the task or after repeated failures instead of forcing a tiny tool-call cap.\n\n"
 );
@@ -13664,7 +13664,7 @@ const EXPLORE_AGENT_INTRO: &str = concat!(
 const PLAN_AGENT_INTRO: &str = concat!(
     "You are a trusted Fleet planner (role: `planner`). Your job is to produce a grounded, prioritized plan, not patches.\n",
     "Read enough code to avoid guessing; each step names its artifact and verification.\n",
-    "Use work_update for concrete To-do progress; explain key trade-offs in the plan you return.\n",
+    "Use todo_write for concrete To-do progress; explain key trade-offs in the plan you return.\n",
     "CHANGES should list plan artifacts only, not future speculative edits.\n\n"
 );
 
diff --git a/crates/tui/src/tools/subagent/tests.rs b/crates/tui/src/tools/subagent/tests.rs
@@ -3345,7 +3345,10 @@ fn fleet_roster_with(id: &str, profile: codewhale_config::FleetProfile) -> Fleet
 /// A roster with a single explicit member and no personal/workspace profiles.
 /// Used for tests that resolve by role name (e.g. `type: "builder"`) and must
 /// not be shadowed by the operator's personal `~/.codewhale/agents/*.toml`.
-fn isolated_fleet_roster_with(id: &str, mut profile: codewhale_config::FleetProfile) -> FleetRoster {
+fn isolated_fleet_roster_with(
+    id: &str,
+    mut profile: codewhale_config::FleetProfile,
+) -> FleetRoster {
     if profile.role.name.trim().is_empty() {
         profile.role.name = id.to_string();
     }
@@ -4052,9 +4055,18 @@ fn apply_spawn_profile_promoted_alias_rejects_model_mismatch() {
     let err = apply_spawn_profile(&mut request, &roster)
         .expect_err("mismatched model on promoted profile must fail");
     let message = err.to_string();
-    assert!(message.contains("builder"), "error must name the member: {message}");
-    assert!(message.contains("deepseek-v4-pro"), "error must name the pinned model: {message}");
-    assert!(message.contains("deepseek-v4-flash"), "error must name the requested model: {message}");
+    assert!(
+        message.contains("builder"),
+        "error must name the member: {message}"
+    );
+    assert!(
+        message.contains("deepseek-v4-pro"),
+        "error must name the pinned model: {message}"
+    );
+    assert!(
+        message.contains("deepseek-v4-flash"),
+        "error must name the requested model: {message}"
+    );
 }
 
 /// A Fleet worker subprocess launches as `--model <exact> --reasoning-effort
diff --git a/crates/tui/src/tui/behavioral_tips.rs b/crates/tui/src/tui/behavioral_tips.rs
@@ -23,6 +23,8 @@ pub enum BehavioralTip {
     McpValidation,
     RepeatedCommandHotbar,
     DurableStateWritten,
+    #[allow(dead_code)]
+    TodoWriteHint,
 }
 
 impl BehavioralTip {
@@ -34,6 +36,7 @@ impl BehavioralTip {
             Self::McpValidation => "mcp_validation",
             Self::RepeatedCommandHotbar => "repeated_command_hotbar",
             Self::DurableStateWritten => "durable_state_written",
+            Self::TodoWriteHint => "todo_write_hint",
         }
     }
 
@@ -45,6 +48,7 @@ impl BehavioralTip {
             Self::McpValidation => MessageId::BehavioralTipMcpValidation,
             Self::RepeatedCommandHotbar => MessageId::BehavioralTipRepeatedCommand,
             Self::DurableStateWritten => MessageId::BehavioralTipDurableStateWritten,
+            Self::TodoWriteHint => MessageId::BehavioralTipTodoWrite,
         }
     }
 
@@ -57,6 +61,7 @@ impl BehavioralTip {
             Self::McpValidation => template.replace("{command}", "codewhale mcp validate"),
             Self::RepeatedCommandHotbar => template.replace("{command}", "/hotbar"),
             Self::DurableStateWritten => template.replace("{command}", "/memory"),
+            Self::TodoWriteHint => template.replace("{command}", "todo_write"),
         }
     }
 }
diff --git a/scripts/runtime-contract-budget.json b/scripts/runtime-contract-budget.json
diff --git a/scripts/source-structure-budget.json b/scripts/source-structure-budget.json
diff --git a/web/lib/public-surface-contract.test.ts b/web/lib/public-surface-contract.test.ts
