docs(plan): relay server implementation plan

Co-Authored-By: Claude Sonnet 4.6 <noreply@anthropic.com>
2026-05-02 16:44:06 -04:00
parent 0443f6a3b4
commit c0921b134d
1 changed files with 956 additions and 0 deletions
--- a/docs/superpowers/plans/2026-05-02-relay-server.md
+++ b/docs/superpowers/plans/2026-05-02-relay-server.md
@@ -0,0 +1,956 @@
+# Relay Server Implementation Plan
+
+> **For agentic workers:** REQUIRED SUB-SKILL: Use superpowers:subagent-driven-development (recommended) or superpowers:executing-plans to implement this plan task-by-task. Steps use checkbox (`- [ ]`) syntax for tracking.
+
+**Goal:** Build a local MCP SSE server that gives PM, Dev-A, and Dev-B Claude Code sessions native `post_message`/`read_messages`/`list_pending` tools, eliminating manual copy-paste during multi-agent development lifts.
+
+**Architecture:** A single Node.js process hosts an HTTP server with SSE transport for the MCP protocol. Three named in-memory FIFO queues (one per role) hold consume-once messages. A `start.sh` launcher prints copy-paste instructions (default) or spawns a tmux/kitty layout (flags). The multi-agent-kickoff skill templates get a `<<RELAY_PARAGRAPH>>` placeholder injected so every future lift prompt auto-includes relay instructions.
+
+**Tech Stack:** Node.js v25, `@modelcontextprotocol/sdk` (MCP + SSE transport), `tsx` (dev dep, runs TypeScript directly), Node built-in `node:test` runner. No Express, no Hono, no Zod as a direct dep.
+
+---
+
+## File map
+
+| Action | Path | Responsibility |
+|--------|------|----------------|
+| Create | `tools/relay/package.json` | npm metadata, scripts, single runtime dep + tsx devDep |
+| Create | `tools/relay/tsconfig.json` | TypeScript config for ESM Node target |
+| Create | `tools/relay/queue.ts` | `RelayQueue` class — in-memory FIFO, `post`/`read`/`pending`, `isRole` guard |
+| Create | `tools/relay/queue.test.ts` | Node `node:test` unit tests for queue (5 cases) |
+| Create | `tools/relay/server.ts` | MCP `Server` + `SSEServerTransport` HTTP server on port 7331 |
+| Create | `tools/relay/start.sh` | Launcher: `--manual` (default), `--tmux`, `--kitty` |
+| Modify | `.gitignore` | Add `tools/relay/node_modules/` |
+| Modify | `.claude/settings.json` | Add `mcpServers.relay` SSE entry |
+| Create | `docs/superpowers/MULTI-AGENT.md` | Paradigm reference README |
+| Modify | `~/.claude/skills/multi-agent-kickoff/templates/pm-prompt.md` | Add `<<RELAY_PARAGRAPH>>` section |
+| Modify | `~/.claude/skills/multi-agent-kickoff/templates/dev-prompt.md` | Add `<<RELAY_PARAGRAPH>>` section |
+| Modify | `~/.claude/skills/multi-agent-kickoff/SKILL.md` | Placeholder ref + step 8 update + `<<DEV_ROLE>>` placeholder |
+
+---
+
+## Task 1: Scaffold `tools/relay/`
+
+**Files:**
+- Create: `tools/relay/package.json`
+- Create: `tools/relay/tsconfig.json`
+- Modify: `.gitignore`
+
+- [ ] **Step 1: Create `tools/relay/package.json`**
+
+```json
+{
+  "name": "@relicario/relay",
+  "version": "0.1.0",
+  "private": true,
+  "type": "module",
+  "scripts": {
+    "start": "npx tsx server.ts",
+    "test": "node --import=tsx/esm --test queue.test.ts"
+  },
+  "dependencies": {
+    "@modelcontextprotocol/sdk": "^1.10.0"
+  },
+  "devDependencies": {
+    "tsx": "^4.19.0",
+    "@types/node": "^22.0.0"
+  }
+}
+```
+
+- [ ] **Step 2: Create `tools/relay/tsconfig.json`**
+
+```json
+{
+  "compilerOptions": {
+    "target": "ES2022",
+    "module": "NodeNext",
+    "moduleResolution": "NodeNext",
+    "strict": true,
+    "noEmit": true
+  },
+  "include": ["*.ts"]
+}
+```
+
+- [ ] **Step 3: Add to root `.gitignore`**
+
+Open `/home/alee/Sources/relicario/.gitignore` and append:
+
+```
+tools/relay/node_modules/
+```
+
+- [ ] **Step 4: Install dependencies and verify**
+
+```bash
+cd tools/relay && npm install
+```
+
+Expected: `node_modules/` created, no errors. Verify with:
+
+```bash
+ls node_modules/@modelcontextprotocol/sdk && ls node_modules/tsx
+```
+
+Expected: both directories exist.
+
+- [ ] **Step 5: Commit scaffold**
+
+```bash
+git add tools/relay/package.json tools/relay/tsconfig.json tools/relay/package-lock.json .gitignore
+git commit -m "chore(relay): scaffold tools/relay with MCP SDK dep"
+```
+
+---
+
+## Task 2: `queue.ts` — TDD
+
+**Files:**
+- Create: `tools/relay/queue.ts`
+- Create: `tools/relay/queue.test.ts`
+
+- [ ] **Step 1: Write the failing tests**
+
+Create `tools/relay/queue.test.ts`:
+
+```typescript
+import { describe, it, beforeEach } from "node:test";
+import assert from "node:assert/strict";
+import { RelayQueue, isRole } from "./queue.ts";
+
+describe("RelayQueue", () => {
+  let q: RelayQueue;
+
+  beforeEach(() => {
+    q = new RelayQueue();
+  });
+
+  it("post + read roundtrip returns the message with correct fields", () => {
+    q.post("dev-b", "pm", "status", "Task P4 DONE");
+    const msgs = q.read("pm");
+    assert.equal(msgs.length, 1);
+    assert.equal(msgs[0].from, "dev-b");
+    assert.equal(msgs[0].to, "pm");
+    assert.equal(msgs[0].kind, "status");
+    assert.equal(msgs[0].body, "Task P4 DONE");
+    assert.ok(typeof msgs[0].id === "string" && msgs[0].id.length > 0);
+    assert.ok(typeof msgs[0].ts === "string");
+  });
+
+  it("consume-once: second read returns empty", () => {
+    q.post("dev-a", "pm", "question", "Should I use approach A?");
+    q.read("pm");
+    const second = q.read("pm");
+    assert.deepEqual(second, []);
+  });
+
+  it("list_pending does not drain inbox", () => {
+    q.post("dev-b", "pm", "directive", "PROCEED");
+    const before = q.pending("pm");
+    assert.equal(before.count, 1);
+    const after = q.read("pm");
+    assert.equal(after.length, 1);
+  });
+
+  it("FIFO ordering across multiple senders", () => {
+    q.post("dev-a", "pm", "status", "first");
+    q.post("dev-b", "pm", "status", "second");
+    q.post("dev-a", "pm", "question", "third");
+    const msgs = q.read("pm");
+    assert.equal(msgs.length, 3);
+    assert.equal(msgs[0].body, "first");
+    assert.equal(msgs[1].body, "second");
+    assert.equal(msgs[2].body, "third");
+  });
+
+  it("isRole rejects unknown strings", () => {
+    assert.ok(isRole("pm"));
+    assert.ok(isRole("dev-a"));
+    assert.ok(isRole("dev-b"));
+    assert.ok(!isRole("dev-c"));
+    assert.ok(!isRole(""));
+    assert.ok(!isRole("PM"));
+  });
+});
+```
+
+- [ ] **Step 2: Run tests to confirm they fail**
+
+```bash
+cd tools/relay && node --import=tsx/esm --test queue.test.ts
+```
+
+Expected: fails with `Cannot find module './queue.ts'` or similar. If it fails with a different error, investigate before continuing.
+
+- [ ] **Step 3: Write `queue.ts`**
+
+Create `tools/relay/queue.ts`:
+
+```typescript
+import { randomUUID } from "node:crypto";
+
+export type Role = "pm" | "dev-a" | "dev-b";
+export type MessageKind = "status" | "question" | "directive" | "free";
+
+export interface RelayMessage {
+  id: string;
+  from: Role;
+  to: Role;
+  kind: MessageKind;
+  body: string;
+  ts: string;
+}
+
+const KNOWN_ROLES = new Set<string>(["pm", "dev-a", "dev-b"]);
+
+export function isRole(s: string): s is Role {
+  return KNOWN_ROLES.has(s);
+}
+
+export class RelayQueue {
+  private readonly queues = new Map<Role, RelayMessage[]>([
+    ["pm", []],
+    ["dev-a", []],
+    ["dev-b", []],
+  ]);
+
+  post(from: Role, to: Role, kind: MessageKind, body: string): RelayMessage {
+    const msg: RelayMessage = {
+      id: randomUUID(),
+      from,
+      to,
+      kind,
+      body,
+      ts: new Date().toISOString(),
+    };
+    this.queues.get(to)!.push(msg);
+    return msg;
+  }
+
+  read(forRole: Role): RelayMessage[] {
+    const inbox = this.queues.get(forRole)!;
+    const messages = [...inbox];
+    inbox.length = 0;
+    return messages;
+  }
+
+  pending(forRole: Role): { count: number; kinds: MessageKind[] } {
+    const inbox = this.queues.get(forRole)!;
+    return {
+      count: inbox.length,
+      kinds: inbox.map((m) => m.kind),
+    };
+  }
+}
+```
+
+- [ ] **Step 4: Run tests to confirm they pass**
+
+```bash
+cd tools/relay && node --import=tsx/esm --test queue.test.ts
+```
+
+Expected output (all 5 passing):
+```
+▶ RelayQueue
+  ✔ post + read roundtrip returns the message with correct fields
+  ✔ consume-once: second read returns empty
+  ✔ list_pending does not drain inbox
+  ✔ FIFO ordering across multiple senders
+  ✔ isRole rejects unknown strings
+▶ RelayQueue (Xms)
+ℹ tests 5
+ℹ pass 5
+ℹ fail 0
+```
+
+If any test fails, fix `queue.ts` before proceeding.
+
+- [ ] **Step 5: Commit**
+
+```bash
+git add tools/relay/queue.ts tools/relay/queue.test.ts
+git commit -m "feat(relay): in-memory queue with consume-once semantics"
+```
+
+---
+
+## Task 3: `server.ts`
+
+**Files:**
+- Create: `tools/relay/server.ts`
+
+- [ ] **Step 1: Write `server.ts`**
+
+Create `tools/relay/server.ts`:
+
+```typescript
+import { Server } from "@modelcontextprotocol/sdk/server/index.js";
+import { SSEServerTransport } from "@modelcontextprotocol/sdk/server/sse.js";
+import {
+  CallToolRequestSchema,
+  ListToolsRequestSchema,
+} from "@modelcontextprotocol/sdk/types.js";
+import http from "node:http";
+import { RelayQueue, isRole } from "./queue.ts";
+
+const PORT = 7331;
+const queue = new RelayQueue();
+
+const mcpServer = new Server(
+  { name: "relay", version: "0.1.0" },
+  { capabilities: { tools: {} } }
+);
+
+const TOOLS = [
+  {
+    name: "post_message",
+    description:
+      "Push a message to a recipient's inbox. Returns the assigned message id.",
+    inputSchema: {
+      type: "object" as const,
+      properties: {
+        from: {
+          type: "string",
+          enum: ["pm", "dev-a", "dev-b"],
+          description: "Your role name",
+        },
+        to: {
+          type: "string",
+          enum: ["pm", "dev-a", "dev-b"],
+          description: "Recipient role name",
+        },
+        kind: {
+          type: "string",
+          enum: ["status", "question", "directive", "free"],
+          description: "Message type matching the coordination protocol",
+        },
+        body: {
+          type: "string",
+          description: "Message body — freeform markdown, typically the full formatted block",
+        },
+      },
+      required: ["from", "to", "kind", "body"],
+    },
+  },
+  {
+    name: "read_messages",
+    description:
+      "Pop and return all pending messages for this recipient. Inbox is empty after this call (consume-once).",
+    inputSchema: {
+      type: "object" as const,
+      properties: {
+        for: {
+          type: "string",
+          enum: ["pm", "dev-a", "dev-b"],
+          description: "Your role name",
+        },
+      },
+      required: ["for"],
+    },
+  },
+  {
+    name: "list_pending",
+    description:
+      "Return count and kinds of pending messages without consuming them.",
+    inputSchema: {
+      type: "object" as const,
+      properties: {
+        for: {
+          type: "string",
+          enum: ["pm", "dev-a", "dev-b"],
+          description: "Your role name",
+        },
+      },
+      required: ["for"],
+    },
+  },
+];
+
+mcpServer.setRequestHandler(ListToolsRequestSchema, async () => ({ tools: TOOLS }));
+
+mcpServer.setRequestHandler(CallToolRequestSchema, async (request) => {
+  const { name, arguments: args } = request.params;
+  const a = args as Record<string, string>;
+
+  if (name === "post_message") {
+    if (!isRole(a.from)) {
+      return { content: [{ type: "text" as const, text: `Error: unknown role "${a.from}"` }], isError: true };
+    }
+    if (!isRole(a.to)) {
+      return { content: [{ type: "text" as const, text: `Error: unknown role "${a.to}"` }], isError: true };
+    }
+    const kind = a.kind as "status" | "question" | "directive" | "free";
+    const msg = queue.post(a.from, a.to, kind, a.body);
+    const ts = new Date(msg.ts).toTimeString().slice(0, 8);
+    const preview = a.body.slice(0, 60).replace(/\n/g, " ");
+    const ellipsis = a.body.length > 60 ? "..." : "";
+    process.stdout.write(`[${ts}] ${a.from} → ${a.to}  [${kind}]  "${preview}${ellipsis}"\n`);
+    return { content: [{ type: "text" as const, text: JSON.stringify({ id: msg.id }) }] };
+  }
+
+  if (name === "read_messages") {
+    if (!isRole(a.for)) {
+      return { content: [{ type: "text" as const, text: `Error: unknown role "${a.for}"` }], isError: true };
+    }
+    const messages = queue.read(a.for);
+    return { content: [{ type: "text" as const, text: JSON.stringify(messages) }] };
+  }
+
+  if (name === "list_pending") {
+    if (!isRole(a.for)) {
+      return { content: [{ type: "text" as const, text: `Error: unknown role "${a.for}"` }], isError: true };
+    }
+    const result = queue.pending(a.for);
+    return { content: [{ type: "text" as const, text: JSON.stringify(result) }] };
+  }
+
+  return {
+    content: [{ type: "text" as const, text: `Error: unknown tool "${name}"` }],
+    isError: true,
+  };
+});
+
+const transports = new Map<string, SSEServerTransport>();
+
+const httpServer = http.createServer(async (req, res) => {
+  try {
+    if (req.method === "GET" && req.url === "/sse") {
+      const transport = new SSEServerTransport("/message", res);
+      transports.set(transport.sessionId, transport);
+      transport.onclose = () => transports.delete(transport.sessionId);
+      await mcpServer.connect(transport);
+    } else if (req.method === "POST" && req.url?.startsWith("/message")) {
+      const url = new URL(req.url, `http://127.0.0.1:${PORT}`);
+      const sessionId = url.searchParams.get("sessionId") ?? "";
+      const transport = transports.get(sessionId);
+      if (transport) {
+        await transport.handlePostMessage(req, res);
+      } else {
+        res.writeHead(404, { "Content-Type": "application/json" });
+        res.end(JSON.stringify({ error: "session not found" }));
+      }
+    } else {
+      res.writeHead(404).end("not found");
+    }
+  } catch (err) {
+    console.error("[relay] error:", err);
+    if (!res.headersSent) res.writeHead(500).end(String(err));
+  }
+});
+
+httpServer.listen(PORT, "127.0.0.1", () => {
+  console.log(`[relay] server ready on :${PORT}`);
+  console.log(`[relay] tools: post_message, read_messages, list_pending`);
+  console.log(`[relay] waiting for connections — Ctrl-C to stop`);
+});
+```
+
+- [ ] **Step 2: Smoke-test server startup**
+
+In one terminal:
+```bash
+cd tools/relay && npx tsx server.ts
+```
+
+Expected output:
+```
+[relay] server ready on :7331
+[relay] tools: post_message, read_messages, list_pending
+[relay] waiting for connections — Ctrl-C to stop
+```
+
+In a second terminal, verify the port is listening:
+```bash
+curl -s --max-time 2 http://127.0.0.1:7331/sse | head -3
+```
+
+Expected: SSE `data:` stream begins (it won't complete — the connection stays open). Ctrl-C both.
+
+If the server errors on startup, check that `@modelcontextprotocol/sdk` is installed and review any TypeScript errors by running `npx tsc --noEmit` in `tools/relay/`.
+
+- [ ] **Step 3: Commit**
+
+```bash
+git add tools/relay/server.ts
+git commit -m "feat(relay): MCP SSE server with post_message/read_messages/list_pending"
+```
+
+---
+
+## Task 4: `start.sh`
+
+**Files:**
+- Create: `tools/relay/start.sh`
+
+- [ ] **Step 1: Write `start.sh`**
+
+Create `tools/relay/start.sh`:
+
+```bash
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+set -euo pipefail
+
+SCRIPT_DIR="$(cd "$(dirname "${BASH_SOURCE[0]}")" && pwd)"
+REPO_ROOT="$(git -C "$SCRIPT_DIR" rev-parse --show-toplevel)"
+PORT=7331
+MODE="manual"
+
+for arg in "$@"; do
+  case "$arg" in
+    --tmux)   MODE="tmux"   ;;
+    --kitty)  MODE="kitty"  ;;
+    --manual) MODE="manual" ;;
+    *) echo "Unknown option: $arg" >&2; echo "Usage: $0 [--manual|--tmux|--kitty]" >&2; exit 1 ;;
+  esac
+done
+
+# Port check
+if lsof -ti:"$PORT" &>/dev/null; then
+  echo "Error: port $PORT is already in use."
+  echo "Relay already running? Kill it with: kill \$(lsof -ti:$PORT)"
+  exit 1
+fi
+
+# Install deps (no-op if node_modules current)
+cd "$SCRIPT_DIR"
+npm install --silent
+
+# Discover latest coordination prompts for instructions
+COORD_DIR="$REPO_ROOT/docs/superpowers/coordination"
+PM_PROMPT="$(ls -t "$COORD_DIR"/*-pm-prompt.md 2>/dev/null | head -1 || echo "(none found — run multi-agent-kickoff skill first)")"
+DEV_A_PROMPT="$(ls -t "$COORD_DIR"/*-dev-a-prompt.md 2>/dev/null | head -1 || echo "(none found)")"
+DEV_B_PROMPT="$(ls -t "$COORD_DIR"/*-dev-b-prompt.md 2>/dev/null | head -1 || echo "(none found)")"
+
+print_manual_instructions() {
+  echo ""
+  echo "╔══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗"
+  echo "║          RELAY SERVER — MULTI-AGENT LIFT LAUNCHER            ║"
+  echo "╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝"
+  echo ""
+  echo "Open 3 new terminals. In each, start Claude Code and paste"
+  echo "the content BELOW the '---' line from the corresponding file."
+  echo ""
+  echo "  Terminal 1 (PM):    cat '$PM_PROMPT'"
+  echo "  Terminal 2 (Dev A): cat '$DEV_A_PROMPT'"
+  echo "  Terminal 3 (Dev B): cat '$DEV_B_PROMPT'"
+  echo ""
+  echo "This terminal becomes the relay log. Keep it open."
+  echo ""
+  echo "══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════"
+}
+
+launch_tmux() {
+  SESSION="relay-lift"
+  tmux new-session -d -s "$SESSION" -n "relay" \
+    "cd '$SCRIPT_DIR' && npx tsx server.ts"
+  tmux new-window -t "$SESSION:" -n "pm" "cd '$REPO_ROOT' && claude"
+  tmux new-window -t "$SESSION:" -n "dev-a" "cd '$REPO_ROOT' && claude"
+  tmux new-window -t "$SESSION:" -n "dev-b" "cd '$REPO_ROOT' && claude"
+  echo ""
+  echo "[relay] Opened tmux session '$SESSION' with 4 windows: relay, pm, dev-a, dev-b."
+  echo "[relay] Paste the kickoff prompt into each Claude window."
+  echo "        Prompts:"
+  echo "          PM:    $PM_PROMPT"
+  echo "          Dev A: $DEV_A_PROMPT"
+  echo "          Dev B: $DEV_B_PROMPT"
+  echo ""
+  tmux attach-session -t "$SESSION"
+}
+
+launch_kitty() {
+  kitty @ launch --new-tab --tab-title "relay" -- \
+    bash -c "cd '$SCRIPT_DIR' && npx tsx server.ts"
+  kitty @ launch --new-window --window-title "PM" -- \
+    bash -c "cd '$REPO_ROOT' && claude"
+  kitty @ launch --new-window --window-title "Dev-A" -- \
+    bash -c "cd '$REPO_ROOT' && claude"
+  kitty @ launch --new-window --window-title "Dev-B" -- \
+    bash -c "cd '$REPO_ROOT' && claude"
+  echo ""
+  echo "[relay] Opened kitty tab 'relay' + 3 windows (PM, Dev-A, Dev-B)."
+  echo "        Paste the kickoff prompts into each Claude window."
+  echo "          PM:    $PM_PROMPT"
+  echo "          Dev A: $DEV_A_PROMPT"
+  echo "          Dev B: $DEV_B_PROMPT"
+}
+
+case "$MODE" in
+  manual)
+    print_manual_instructions
+    exec npx tsx "$SCRIPT_DIR/server.ts"
+    ;;
+  tmux)
+    launch_tmux
+    ;;
+  kitty)
+    launch_kitty
+    ;;
+esac
+```
+
+- [ ] **Step 2: Make executable**
+
+```bash
+chmod +x tools/relay/start.sh
+```
+
+- [ ] **Step 3: Smoke-test `--manual` mode**
+
+```bash
+cd /home/alee/Sources/relicario && tools/relay/start.sh
+```
+
+Expected: prints the launch box with prompt paths, then server starts and shows `[relay] server ready on :7331`. Ctrl-C to stop.
+
+- [ ] **Step 4: Commit**
+
+```bash
+git add tools/relay/start.sh
+git commit -m "feat(relay): start.sh launcher with --manual/--tmux/--kitty modes"
+```
+
+---
+
+## Task 5: Claude Code MCP configuration
+
+**Files:**
+- Modify: `.claude/settings.json`
+
+- [ ] **Step 1: Read current `.claude/settings.json`**
+
+```bash
+cat .claude/settings.json
+```
+
+- [ ] **Step 2: Add the relay MCP server entry**
+
+The file currently has `{ "enabledPlugins": { ... } }`. Add `"mcpServers"` at the top level:
+
+```json
+{
+  "mcpServers": {
+    "relay": {
+      "type": "sse",
+      "url": "http://localhost:7331/sse"
+    }
+  },
+  "enabledPlugins": {
+    "superpowers@claude-plugins-official": true
+  }
+}
+```
+
+Preserve whatever is already in `enabledPlugins` — only add the `mcpServers` key.
+
+- [ ] **Step 3: Commit**
+
+```bash
+git add .claude/settings.json
+git commit -m "chore(relay): add relay MCP server to project Claude config"
+```
+
+---
+
+## Task 6: `docs/superpowers/MULTI-AGENT.md`
+
+**Files:**
+- Create: `docs/superpowers/MULTI-AGENT.md`
+
+- [ ] **Step 1: Write the paradigm README**
+
+Create `docs/superpowers/MULTI-AGENT.md`:
+
+```markdown
+# Multi-Agent Development Paradigm
+
+This repo uses a three-terminal workflow for large development lifts: one Claude Code session acts as **PM** and two act as **senior developers** (Dev-A, Dev-B), each working in their own git worktree on a parallel feature branch.
+
+A local relay MCP server eliminates manual message copying between terminals — agents call `post_message`/`read_messages` instead of asking the user to copy-paste.
+
+---
+
+## Overview
+
+| Role | Terminal | Branch | Responsibilities |
+|------|----------|--------|-----------------|
+| PM | 1 | `main` (read-only) | Drive doc-audit follow-ups, review PRs, write CHANGELOG, authorize merges and tagging |
+| Dev-A | 2 | `feature/<release>-plan-a-*` | Implement Plan A tasks in their own worktree |
+| Dev-B | 3 | `feature/<release>-plan-b-*` | Implement Plan B tasks in their own worktree |
+| Relay server | 4 | — | Message bus; Ctrl-C to stop at end of lift |
+
+**User's job:** authorize merges (the PM asks), resolve escalations the PM can't handle, and watch the streams. You are no longer the message bus.
+
+---
+
+## Starting a lift
+
+### Prerequisites
+
+- [ ] Kickoff prompts exist in `docs/superpowers/coordination/` (generate with the `multi-agent-kickoff` skill if not)
+- [ ] No uncommitted changes in main that would confuse the devs
+- [ ] `tools/relay/` is present (run `ls tools/relay/` to confirm)
+
+### Launch sequence
+
+```bash
+# 1. Start the relay server (this terminal becomes the relay log)
+tools/relay/start.sh           # prints copy-paste instructions, then starts server
+
+# Optional: use a multiplexer to auto-open all four terminals
+tools/relay/start.sh --tmux    # creates tmux session "relay-lift" with 4 windows
+tools/relay/start.sh --kitty   # creates kitty tab "relay" + 3 windows
+```
+
+`start.sh` prints the paths to the three kickoff prompt files. In each Claude Code terminal, run `cat <path>` and paste everything below the `---` line as the first message.
+
+---
+
+## Coordination protocol
+
+Agents communicate by posting structured blocks to each other's inboxes. Four message kinds:
+
+| Kind | Block header | When used |
+|------|-------------|-----------|
+| `status` | `## STATUS UPDATE — DEV-*` | After completing a task, getting blocked, or reaching a review-ready state |
+| `question` | `## QUESTION TO PM — DEV-*` | When a dev needs PM input mid-task |
+| `directive` | `## DIRECTIVE TO DEV-*` | When PM instructs a dev to proceed, hold, rescope, or approve a PR |
+| `free` | (none) | Ad-hoc messages not covered by the above |
+
+A well-formed `status` block:
+
+```
+## STATUS UPDATE — DEV-B
+Time: 2026-05-02T14:30:00-07:00
+Branch: feature/v0.5.0-plan-b-extension-ux
+Task: P4 / error-copy map
+Status: DONE
+Last commit: abc1234 feat(extension): centralize ERROR_COPY map
+Tests: green
+Notes: No issues. Ready for PM review of P4 before starting B1.
+```
+
+---
+
+## Using the relay tools
+
+All three Claude Code sessions have these tools available when the relay server is running:
+
+```
+post_message(from, to, kind, body)   → { id }
+read_messages(for)                   → RelayMessage[]   (drains inbox)
+list_pending(for)                    → { count, kinds } (non-destructive)
+```
+
+Typical dev flow per task:
+
+```
+1. read_messages(for="dev-b")           # check for directives before starting
+2. ... do the work ...
+3. post_message(from="dev-b", to="pm", kind="status", body="## STATUS UPDATE...")
+```
+
+Typical PM flow:
+
+```
+1. read_messages(for="pm")             # see what devs posted
+2. ... review ...
+3. post_message(from="pm", to="dev-b", kind="directive", body="## DIRECTIVE TO DEV-B...")
+```
+
+---
+
+## If the relay server isn't running
+
+Claude Code will show a yellow MCP connection warning for the `relay` server. The tools will be unavailable.
+
+Agents fall back to the manual protocol: they emit the structured blocks as text and ask the user to copy-paste them to the relevant terminal. This is slower but fully functional — the coordination protocol works either way.
+
+To restart a crashed server mid-lift:
+
+```bash
+tools/relay/start.sh
+```
+
+In-flight messages are lost on restart. Any agent with unread messages should re-post them.
+
+---
+
+## Generating kickoff prompts
+
+Use the `multi-agent-kickoff` skill (in the `superpowers` plugin). It auto-discovers the spec and plans for the release, substitutes all placeholders including the relay paragraph, and writes files to `docs/superpowers/coordination/`.
+
+The skill reminder: run `tools/relay/start.sh` **before** opening the three Claude Code sessions — the MCP tools need the server to be up when each session initializes.
+
+---
+
+## Ending a lift
+
+1. PM emits `REVIEW-COMPLETE` and `MERGE-APPROVED` for each dev's PR
+2. User merges each PR (the PM session does `gh pr merge` with user authorization)
+3. PM tags the release (only after explicit user `yes`)
+4. Ctrl-C the relay terminal — all in-memory messages are discarded
+
+---
+
+## Roles and boundaries (quick reference)
+
+**PM must not:** write feature code, merge without user authorization, tag without user approval, run `git push --force` / `git reset --hard` without asking.
+
+**Devs must not:** merge their branch to main, push `--force`, run `git reset --hard` without asking.
+
+**User must:** authorize all merges and the release tag. Everything else is delegated.
+```
+
+- [ ] **Step 2: Commit**
+
+```bash
+git add docs/superpowers/MULTI-AGENT.md
+git commit -m "docs: add multi-agent development paradigm README"
+```
+
+---
+
+## Task 7: Update `multi-agent-kickoff` skill
+
+**Files:**
+- Modify: `~/.claude/skills/multi-agent-kickoff/templates/pm-prompt.md`
+- Modify: `~/.claude/skills/multi-agent-kickoff/templates/dev-prompt.md`
+- Modify: `~/.claude/skills/multi-agent-kickoff/SKILL.md`
+
+- [ ] **Step 1: Read current templates**
+
+```bash
+cat ~/.claude/skills/multi-agent-kickoff/templates/pm-prompt.md
+cat ~/.claude/skills/multi-agent-kickoff/templates/dev-prompt.md
+```
+
+Note where the "Setup" section ends in each template. The relay paragraph goes right after it (before "Required reading").
+
+- [ ] **Step 2: Add `<<RELAY_PARAGRAPH>>` to `pm-prompt.md`**
+
+In `~/.claude/skills/multi-agent-kickoff/templates/pm-prompt.md`, find the "## Setup" section and add the placeholder block immediately after it (before the "## Required reading" heading):
+
+```markdown
+<<RELAY_PARAGRAPH>>
+```
+
+The generated output for this placeholder (substituted by the skill at generation time) is:
+
+```markdown
+## Relay server
+
+A message-bus MCP server is running on `localhost:7331`. You have three native tools:
+
+- `post_message(from, to, kind, body)` — push a message; `from` is always `"pm"` for you
+- `read_messages(for)` — drain your inbox; call with `for="pm"` before each action
+- `list_pending(for)` — check inbox count without consuming
+
+Recipients: `pm`, `dev-a`, `dev-b`. Use these instead of asking the user to copy-paste. After sending any directive, call `post_message(from="pm", to="dev-a", kind="directive", body="...")`.
+```
+
+- [ ] **Step 3: Add `<<RELAY_PARAGRAPH>>` to `dev-prompt.md`**
+
+In `~/.claude/skills/multi-agent-kickoff/templates/dev-prompt.md`, find the "## Setup" section and add immediately after it (before "## Required reading"):
+
+```markdown
+<<RELAY_PARAGRAPH>>
+```
+
+The generated output for this placeholder is role-specific (uses `<<DEV_ROLE>>`):
+
+```markdown
+## Relay server
+
+A message-bus MCP server is running on `localhost:7331`. You have three native tools:
+
+- `post_message(from, to, kind, body)` — push a message; your `from` is always `"<<DEV_ROLE>>"`
+- `read_messages(for)` — drain your inbox; call with `for="<<DEV_ROLE>>"` before each task
+- `list_pending(for)` — check inbox count without consuming
+
+Recipients: `pm`, `dev-a`, `dev-b`. Use these instead of asking the user to copy-paste. Before starting each task: `read_messages(for="<<DEV_ROLE>>")`. After emitting any status/question block: `post_message(from="<<DEV_ROLE>>", to="pm", kind="status"|"question", body="...")`.
+```
+
+- [ ] **Step 4: Update `SKILL.md` — add two entries to the placeholder reference table**
+
+In `~/.claude/skills/multi-agent-kickoff/SKILL.md`, find the "### Common to all prompts" section of the Placeholder reference and add:
+
+```markdown
+- `<<RELAY_PARAGRAPH>>` — the relay server instruction block (substituted from the template above). For the PM prompt, `from` is hardcoded to `"pm"`. For dev prompts, uses `<<DEV_ROLE>>`.
+```
+
+In the "### Per-dev" section, add:
+
+```markdown
+- `<<DEV_ROLE>>` — lowercase relay role name, e.g. `dev-a`, `dev-b`. Derived from `<<DEV_LETTER>>` by lowercasing and prepending `dev-`. Set when `<<DEV_LETTER>>` is set.
+```
+
+- [ ] **Step 5: Update `SKILL.md` — step 8 (kickoff instructions)**
+
+Find step 8 in the Process section ("Print kickoff instructions") and prepend a bullet:
+
+```markdown
+8. **Print kickoff instructions.** Tell the user exactly what to do:
+   - **Start the relay server first:** `tools/relay/start.sh` (or `--tmux`/`--kitty` for auto-layout). The server must be running before the sessions open so the MCP tools initialize correctly.
+   - Open three terminal windows (or panes — their choice of multiplexer)
+   ...rest of existing bullets unchanged...
+```
+
+Also update the "After generation" section — change bullet 4 ("From that point on, they're the message bus...") to:
+
+```markdown
+4. The relay server handles message routing — agents call `post_message`/`read_messages` directly. The user only needs to step in for escalations the PM can't resolve, or if the relay server is down (manual fallback: copy-paste the block to the relevant terminal as before)
+```
+
+- [ ] **Step 6: Commit skill changes**
+
+The skill files live outside the git repo, so no git commit needed. Verify the changes look right:
+
+```bash
+grep -n "RELAY_PARAGRAPH\|DEV_ROLE\|relay server" ~/.claude/skills/multi-agent-kickoff/SKILL.md | head -10
+grep -n "RELAY_PARAGRAPH" ~/.claude/skills/multi-agent-kickoff/templates/pm-prompt.md
+grep -n "RELAY_PARAGRAPH" ~/.claude/skills/multi-agent-kickoff/templates/dev-prompt.md
+```
+
+Expected: each grep returns at least one match.
+
+---
+
+## Final verification
+
+- [ ] **Run queue tests one more time from repo root**
+
+```bash
+cd tools/relay && node --import=tsx/esm --test queue.test.ts
+```
+
+Expected: 5 passing, 0 failing.
+
+- [ ] **Start server and verify it binds**
+
+```bash
+tools/relay/start.sh &
+sleep 1
+curl -s --max-time 1 http://127.0.0.1:7331/sse | head -1 || true
+kill %1
+```
+
+Expected: `data:` line appears (SSE stream started), then server killed cleanly.
+
+- [ ] **Verify MCP config is present**
+
+```bash
+python3 -c "import json; d=json.load(open('.claude/settings.json')); print(d['mcpServers']['relay'])"
+```
+
+Expected: `{'type': 'sse', 'url': 'http://localhost:7331/sse'}`
+
+- [ ] **Verify skill placeholders were added**
+
+```bash
+grep "RELAY_PARAGRAPH" ~/.claude/skills/multi-agent-kickoff/templates/pm-prompt.md \
+                       ~/.claude/skills/multi-agent-kickoff/templates/dev-prompt.md
+```
+
+Expected: one match per file.