commit 536b30809649b917d3182a4836c9f4f6780ad2c6
Author: Shivering Ocelot <shiveringocelot@pm.me>
Date:   Fri Sep 4 19:38:02 2026 -0500

    initial idea

diff --git a/idea.txt b/idea.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4ece3f9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/idea.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
+Gral auto. It's gral but better, keke.
+
+gral is an existing chat, with advanced features for terminal based interactions and constrained context. I don't want to kill it, it's really good at what it does.
+gral-auto is a single-run utility that runs a preprogrammed script, spawning agents with configurable tools and resources for concrete runs with defined deliverables.
+it must provide an api to a '.gral/auto.js' script in the working directory and execute it. This api allows spawning AI agents on preprogrammed tasks.
+for now just a prompt. we'll add more utilities later. it would be good that the design were extensible.
+
+actually, we will begin with this feature set also:
+- each run has these cofigurable options:
+    - agent name, or agent id?
+    - write/read permission: file or directory list where writing and reading is enabled, as separate lists or in the data structures
+    - file context: list of initially open files
+    - verification callback: runs after the agent did the task, can either succeed, fail, or retry with modifications or feedback, and it's optional
+    - feedback callback?
+    - functions
+- agents only have basic file operations, restricted by the default permission system
+- functions can be defined in the auto script, which are exposed to the agent besides the default functions
+
+technical details: functions are implemented as remotes. a remote is created and connected for each task, and the agent is connected to the remote via the chat.
+also, agents are managed via chat interactions. A single temporary chat is created for the auto, and each run creates a thread in the chat to interact with the agent.
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/ref/Chat.vue b/ref/Chat.vue
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..50ac630
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ref/Chat.vue
@@ -0,0 +1,643 @@
+<script setup>
+  import {
+    ref, watch, computed,
+    onMounted, onUnmounted,
+  } from "vue";
+
+  import TitleBar from '../components/TitleBar.vue';
+  import Message from '../components/Message.vue';
+
+  import * as backend from '../backend';
+  import * as ui from '../ui';
+  import * as runs from '../runs';
+
+  const props = defineProps({
+    id: {
+      type: String,
+      required: true,
+    },
+  });
+
+  let chatId = null;
+  let agentNames = {};
+
+  // Chat State
+  const chat = ref({});
+  const messages = ref([]);
+  const unsentMessages = ref([]);
+  const currentThreadId = ref(null);
+  const chatEntries = computed(() => {
+    return computeChatEntries(messages.value.concat(unsentMessages.value));
+  });
+
+  // UI State
+  const isNewThread = ref(true); // "New Thread" UI state
+  const editingMessageId = ref(null);
+  const noteMode = ref(false);
+  const messageRunMap = ref({});
+
+  const editInfo = computed(() => {
+    const parts = [isNewThread.value ? 'New Thread' : `Thread ${currentThreadId.value}`]
+    if (editingMessageId.value != null) {
+      if (noteMode.value) {
+        parts.push(`Editing Note ${editingMessageId.value}`);
+      } else {
+        parts.push(`Editing ${editingMessageId.value}`);
+      }
+    } else if (noteMode.value) {
+      parts.push('Editing Note');
+    }
+
+    return parts.join(' - ');
+  });
+
+  let _isMounted = false;
+  let unsubscribeChat = null;
+  let unsubscribeRuns = null;
+  let runListener = null;
+
+  // TODO: user sent message is added without id.
+  // User should receive his own message notification, and find its message to assign it an id.
+  // Alternatively, return the message id in send-chat-message action. Think thats better.
+  let _messageNonce = 1;
+
+
+  // === Thread Helpers === //
+
+  const THREAD_STALE_MS = 10 * 60 * 1000;
+
+  function messageTime (message) {
+    // Accept the common backend timestamp field names and formats
+    const t = message.timestamp ?? message.time ?? message.createdAt;
+    if (t == null) return null;
+    const ms = typeof t == 'number' ? (t < 1e12 ? t * 1000 : t) : Date.parse(t);
+    return isNaN(ms) ? null : ms;
+  }
+
+  function isMessageStale (message) {
+    const time = messageTime(message);
+    // No timestamp available -> treat as stale; a new thread is the safer default
+    return time == null || (Date.now() - time) > THREAD_STALE_MS;
+  }
+
+
+  // === State Management === //
+
+  async function loadChatState (newId) {
+    // This line was converting newId into an integer.
+    // Some parts of the program may still rely on it.
+    chatId = newId;
+
+    // Create an agent name dictionary
+    const _agents = await backend.getAgents();
+    for (let agent of _agents) {
+      agentNames[agent.id] = agent.name;
+    }
+
+    backend.getChat(chatId).then(info => {
+      chat.value = Object.assign({}, info);
+    });
+
+    unsubscribeChat = backend.onChatMessages(chatId, it => {
+      if (it.update) {
+        // Find message in list. If not found, add it
+        for (let entry of messages.value) {
+          if (entry.id == it.id) {
+            entry.type = it.kind;
+            entry.subkind = it.subkind;
+            entry.format = it.format;
+            entry.content = it.content;
+            entry.threadId = it.threadId;
+            return;
+          }
+        }
+      }
+
+      if (it.sender == 'user') {
+        let unsent = unsentMessages.value.shift();
+        if (unsent) {
+          if (unsent.content == it.content) {
+            unsent.id = it.id;
+            unsent.threadId = it.threadId;
+            addMessage(unsent);
+            return;
+          } else {
+            // Remove from unsent list and add message as received
+            ui.alert("TODO: update unsent message");
+          }
+        }
+      }
+
+      addMessage({
+        id: it.id,
+        type: it.kind,
+        subkind: it.subkind,
+        format: it.format,
+        sender: it.sender,
+        content: it.content,
+        threadId: it.threadId,
+      });
+    });
+
+    unsubscribeRuns = runs.onChatMessage(chatId, onRunMessage);
+
+    let response = await backend.sendAction("get-chat-messages", {chatId});
+    // Always good to duplicate when assigning to a ref
+    messages.value = response.messages.map(it => ({
+      //id: it.id,
+      id: _messageNonce++,
+      type: it.kind,
+      subkind: it.subkind,
+      sender: it.sender,
+      content: it.content,
+      threadId: it.threadId,
+    }));
+
+    // Continue the last thread only if it is recent (under 10 minutes old);
+    // otherwise start in "New Thread" state
+    if (response.messages.length > 0) {
+      const lastMessage = response.messages[response.messages.length - 1];
+      if (lastMessage.threadId != null && !isMessageStale(lastMessage)) {
+        activateThread(lastMessage.threadId);
+      } else {
+        startNewThread();
+      }
+    } else {
+      startNewThread();
+    }
+
+    // This must happen on the same async-thread that sets `messages`
+    requestRescroll({forceBottom: true});
+
+    // Reset UI State
+    editingMessageId.value = null;
+    noteMode.value = false;
+    // thread state was set above; no need to reset
+  }
+
+  async function unloadChatState () {
+    if (unsubscribeChat) unsubscribeChat();
+    unsubscribeChat = null;
+    if (unsubscribeRuns) unsubscribeRuns();
+    unsubscribeRuns = null;
+  }
+
+  function onRunMessage (event) {
+    if (!runListener) {
+      runListener = runs.addRunListener(onRunUpdate);
+    }
+    runListener.addRunId(event.runId);
+    messageRunMap.value[event.messageId] = event.runId;
+  }
+  
+  function onRunUpdate (newRun) {
+    if (newRun.done) {
+      runListener.runIds.delete(newRun.id);
+      let map = messageRunMap.value;
+      for (let messageId in map) {
+        if (map[messageId] == newRun.id) {
+          delete map[messageId];
+        }
+      }
+    }
+  }
+
+  // This won't fire when called, the mounted callback will take care
+  watch(() => props.id, newId => {
+    if (_isMounted) {
+      unloadChatState();
+      loadChatState(newId);
+    }
+  })
+
+  onMounted(async () => {
+    _isMounted = true;
+    loadChatState(props.id);
+  });
+
+  onUnmounted(async () => {
+    _isMounted = false;
+    unloadChatState();
+  });
+
+
+  // === Chat Functionality === //
+
+  const inputFieldElem = ref(null);
+  const chatContainerElem = ref(null);
+
+  function addMessage (message, options={}) {
+    requestRescroll();
+    if (options.unsent) {
+      message.id = _messageNonce++;
+      unsentMessages.value.push(message);
+    } else {
+      messages.value.push(message);
+    }
+  }
+
+  async function sendMessage () {
+    let elem = inputFieldElem.value;
+
+    let content = elem.innerText;
+    elem.innerText = "";
+
+    if (!content.trim()) return; // Don't send empty messages
+
+    let messageId = editingMessageId.value;
+    let isNote = noteMode.value;
+
+    if (messageId == null) {
+      // "New Thread" is a UI state: the thread is only created upstream
+      // here, once there is a message to put into it
+      let threadId = await resolveSendThread();
+      if (threadId == null) {
+        elem.innerText = content; // let the user retry
+        return;
+      }
+
+      backend.sendAction("send-chat-message", {
+        chatId, content, threadId,
+        kind: isNote ? 'note' : null,
+      }).then((response) => {
+        if (response['error']) {
+          ui.alert("Error sending chat message: " + response['error']);
+        }
+      });
+
+      const newMessage = {
+        type: isNote ? 'note' : 'message',
+        sender: 'user',
+        content,
+        threadId,
+      };
+      addMessage(newMessage, {unsent: true});
+    } else {
+      const messageRef = messages.value.find((it) => it.id == messageId);
+
+      backend.sendAction("update-chat-message", {
+        messageId, content,
+        'kind': isNote ? 'note' : null,
+      }).then((response) => {
+        if (response['error']) {
+          ui.alert("Error updating message: " + response['error']);
+        }
+      });
+
+      messageRef.type = isNote ? 'note' : 'message';
+      messageRef.content = content;
+    }
+
+    if (isNote) noteMode.value = false;
+  }
+
+  async function resolveSendThread () {
+    // Returns the threadId to send into, creating the thread upstream
+    // if we're in "New Thread" state
+    if (!isNewThread.value) return currentThreadId.value;
+
+    const res = await backend.sendAction("create-chat-thread", {chatId});
+    if (res.threadId == null) {
+      ui.alert("Error creating thread" + (res.error ? `: ${res.error}` : ""));
+      return null;
+    }
+    currentThreadId.value = res.threadId;
+    isNewThread.value = false;
+    return res.threadId;
+  }
+
+  function computeChatEntries (messages) {
+    let entries = [];
+    let threadGroups = {}; // Map<int, message[]>
+
+    function senderName (sender) {
+      let isInt = !isNaN(parseInt(sender));
+      if (isInt) {
+        return agentNames[sender] || `<agent-${sender}>`;
+      } else {
+        return sender;
+      }
+    }
+
+    function addThreadHeader (threadId, group, options={}) {
+      let preview = null;
+      const last = group[group.length - 1];
+      if (last && !options.active) {
+        let content = String(last.content || '').split('\n')[0].trim();
+        if (content.length > 100) content = content.slice(0, 100) + '…';
+        preview = {sender: senderName(last.sender), content};
+      }
+      entries.push({
+        type: 'thread-header',
+        threadId,
+        active: !!options.active,
+        messageCount: group.length,
+        preview,
+      });
+    }
+
+    // First pass: Group messages by thread
+    for (let message of messages) {
+      if (message.threadId != null) {
+        let group = threadGroups[message.threadId] ||
+          (threadGroups[message.threadId] = []);
+        group.push(message);
+      }
+    }
+
+    // Only the active thread is ever open; every other thread collapses
+    // into a single preview header
+    const activeThreadId = isNewThread.value ? null : currentThreadId.value;
+    let activeHeaderAdded = false;
+
+    // Second pass: Build the display list with correct ordering
+    for (let _msg of messages) {
+      const message = Object.assign({}, _msg, {sender: senderName(_msg.sender)});
+
+      if (message.threadId == null) {
+        entries.push(message);
+        continue;
+      }
+
+      let threadId = message.threadId;
+      let group = threadGroups[threadId];
+
+      if (threadId === activeThreadId) {
+        if (!activeHeaderAdded) {
+          addThreadHeader(threadId, group, {active: true});
+          activeHeaderAdded = true;
+        }
+        entries.push(message);
+      } else if (message.id == group[group.length - 1].id) {
+        // Collapsed: one preview card in place of the thread's last message
+        addThreadHeader(threadId, group);
+      }
+    }
+
+    // "New Thread" UI state: placeholder where the new thread will start
+    if (isNewThread.value) {
+      addThreadHeader(null, []);
+    }
+
+    return entries;
+  }
+
+  function activateThread (threadId) {
+    if (threadId == null) return; // "New Thread" placeholder isn't clickable
+    // Continuing a thread: it becomes the one open thread
+    currentThreadId.value = threadId;
+    isNewThread.value = false;
+    requestRescroll();
+  }
+
+  function startNewThread () {
+    // Pure UI state — nothing is created upstream until a message is sent
+    isNewThread.value = true;
+    currentThreadId.value = null;
+    requestRescroll();
+  }
+
+  async function addRemoteResource () {
+    const res = await backend.sendAction('remote-list');
+    const remotes = res.remotes || [];
+    if (remotes.length == 0) {
+      ui.alert("No remotes connected");
+      return;
+    }
+
+    const selected = await ui.contextMenu(remotes.map(r => ({
+      value: r.name,
+      title: r.name + (r.description ? ` — ${r.description}` : ''),
+    })));
+    if (!selected) return;
+
+    const threadId = await resolveSendThread();
+    if (threadId == null) return;
+    backend.sendAction("send-chat-message", {
+      chatId, content: selected, threadId,
+      kind: 'resource', subkind: 'remote',
+    }).then((response) => {
+      if (response['error']) {
+        ui.alert("Error adding remote: " + response['error']);
+      }
+    });
+
+    // Optimistic entry, matched against the server broadcast by content
+    addMessage({
+      type: 'resource',
+      subkind: 'remote',
+      sender: 'user',
+      content: selected,
+      threadId,
+    }, {unsent: true});
+  }
+
+  function editMessage (message) {
+    let elem = inputFieldElem.value;
+    if (message) {
+      editingMessageId.value = message.id;
+      elem.innerText = message.content;
+    } else {
+      editingMessageId.value = null;
+      elem.innerText = "";
+    }
+  }
+
+  async function deleteChat (chat) {
+    if (!await ui.confirm(`Delete Chat ${chat.name} with id ${chat.id}`)) return;
+    const res = await backend.sendAction("delete-chat", {chatId: chat.id});
+    console.log("Chat Delete Output", res);
+  }
+
+  async function renameChat (chat) {
+    ui.alert("TODO: Rename Chats");
+  }
+
+
+  // === Special Chat Functions === //
+
+  async function sendPicture () {
+    // todo
+  }
+
+  async function uploadFile () {
+    // todo
+  }
+
+
+
+  // === UI Helper Functions === //
+
+  async function chatEntryContextMenu (message) {
+    let selected = await ui.contextMenu([
+      {value: 'pin', title: "Pin message"},
+      {value: 'edit', title: "Edit message"},
+      {value: 'start-thread', title: "Start thread from here"},
+      {value: 'delete', icon: 'fa-trash', title: "Delete message"},
+    ]);
+
+    switch (selected) {
+      case 'pin': {
+        alert("Pin Message (TODO)");
+        break;
+      }
+      case 'edit': {
+        editMessage(message);
+        break;
+      }
+      case 'start-thread': {
+        alert("Start Thread (TODO)");
+        break;
+      }
+      case 'delete': {
+        if (confirm("Are you sure you want to delete this message?")) {
+          alert("Delete Message (TODO)");
+        }
+        break;
+      }
+
+    }
+  }
+
+  function requestRescroll ({forceBottom=false, bottomRelative=false}={}) {
+    const elem = chatContainerElem.value;
+
+    const scroll = elem.scrollTop;
+    const max = elem.scrollTopMax;
+
+    // Rescroll in 2 frames
+    window.requestAnimationFrame(() => {
+      window.requestAnimationFrame(() => {
+        // Chat was fully scrolled down
+        if (forceBottom || scroll == max) {
+          elem.scrollTop = elem.scrollTopMax;
+        } else if (bottomRelative) {
+          // TODO: Keep scroll at the same distance from the bottom.
+          // This will be used when the user scrolls to the top and previous messages are loaded
+        } else {
+          // Do nothing, scroll remains in place
+        }
+      });
+    });
+  }
+
+  function inputKeyDown (event) {
+    if (event.key == "Enter" && event.ctrlKey) {
+      event.preventDefault();
+      sendMessage();
+    }
+  }
+
+</script>
+
+<template>
+  <main>
+    <TitleBar>
+      <h1>{{ chat.name || 'Chat #' + chat.id }}</h1>
+      <div>
+        <button @click="renameChat(chat)">Rename</button>
+        <button @click="deleteChat(chat)">Delete</button>
+      </div>
+    </TitleBar>
+
+    <div class="messages-container" ref="chatContainerElem">
+      <Message 
+        v-for="msg in chatEntries" 
+        :key="msg.id ?? ('thread-' + msg.threadId)" 
+        :message="msg" 
+        @open-menu="chatEntryContextMenu"
+        @open-thread="activateThread"
+
+        :cancellable="messageRunMap[msg.id]"
+        @cancel="runs.cancelRun(messageRunMap[msg.id])"
+      />
+    </div>
+
+    <div class="input-container">
+      <div v-if="editInfo" style="font-size: 75%; margin-bottom: 0.7em;">
+        {{editInfo}}
+      </div>
+
+      <div class="input-field" ref="inputFieldElem" @keydown="inputKeyDown($event)" contenteditable></div>
+
+      <div class="input-row">
+        <button @click="startNewThread()">
+          New Thread
+        </button>
+        <button @click="addRemoteResource()">
+          Add Remote
+        </button>
+        <button @click="noteMode=!noteMode">
+          {{noteMode ? 'Cancel Note' : 'Make Note'}}
+        </button>
+        <button v-if="editingMessageId != null" @click="editMessage(null)">
+          Cancel Edit
+        </button>
+        <button @click="sendPicture()">
+          Send Picture
+        </button>
+        <button @click="uploadFile()">
+          Upload File
+        </button>
+        <button id="send-button" @click="sendMessage()">
+          Send
+          <span style="font-size: 66%;">(Ctrl+Enter)</span>
+        </button>
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </main>
+</template>
+
+<style scoped>
+  main {
+    display: flex;
+    flex-direction: column;
+  }
+
+  .messages-container {
+    flex: 1;
+    overflow-y: scroll;
+    padding: 20px;
+
+    display: flex;
+    flex-direction: column;
+  }
+
+  .messages-container > div {
+    margin-bottom: 10px;
+  }
+
+  .input-container {
+    padding: 10px;
+    background-color: var(--color-background-soft);
+    border-top: 1px solid var(--color-border);
+  }
+
+  .input-field {
+    white-space: preserve;
+    outline: none;
+  }
+
+  .input-field:empty::before {
+    opacity: 50%;
+    content: "Type your message...";
+  }
+
+  .input-row {
+    width: 100%;
+  }
+
+  #send-button {
+    padding: 8px 16px;
+    border: none;
+    border-radius: 4px;
+    background-color: #4caf50;
+    color: #fff;
+    cursor: pointer;
+
+    height: min-content;
+
+    /* align-self: end; /* for flex rows */
+    float: right; /* for flow rows */
+  }
+</style>
diff --git a/ref/horde.mjs b/ref/horde.mjs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d413ab2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ref/horde.mjs
@@ -0,0 +1,163 @@
+// Horde hub WebSocket client for Node.js (>= 22, uses the global WebSocket).
+// Modeled on the browser client in reference/backend.js: nonce-tracked actions,
+// action listeners, orphan handlers for the auth response, auto-reconnect.
+
+export class Horde {
+  constructor({ host, token = null }) {
+    this.host = host;
+    this.token = token;
+    this.socket = null;
+    this.nextNonce = 0;
+    this.pending = new Map();          // nonce -> { resolve, reject }
+    this.actionListeners = new Map();  // action -> [callback(packet)]
+    this.orphanHandlers = [];          // callbacks for nonce-less messages (auth replies)
+    this.connectListeners = [];
+    this.reconnectTimeout = null;
+    this.stopped = false;
+  }
+
+  connect() {
+    if (this.stopped) return;
+    if (this.socket && (this.socket.readyState === WebSocket.CONNECTING || this.socket.readyState === WebSocket.OPEN)) return;
+
+    const socket = new WebSocket(this.host + "/ws");
+    this.socket = socket;
+
+    socket.onopen = async () => {
+      console.log(`Connected to ${this.host}`);
+      try {
+        if (this.token) {
+          socket.send(JSON.stringify({ token: this.token }));
+          const response = await this.waitOrphan();
+          if (response && response.error) {
+            console.error('Hub authentication failed:', response.error);
+            socket.close();
+            return;
+          }
+        } else {
+          console.warn('No auth token configured; the hub may reject this session');
+        }
+        for (const cb of this.connectListeners) {
+          try { cb(); } catch (err) { console.error('Connect listener failed:', err); }
+        }
+      } catch (err) {
+        console.error('Error during hub login:', err);
+        socket.close();
+      }
+    };
+
+    socket.onmessage = (event) => {
+      if (typeof event.data === 'string') this.handleMessage(event.data);
+    };
+
+    socket.onclose = () => {
+      this.socket = null;
+      this.clearPending();
+      if (!this.stopped) {
+        console.log('Disconnected from hub. Reconnecting in 1s...');
+        this.reconnectTimeout = setTimeout(() => this.connect(), 1000);
+      }
+    };
+
+    socket.onerror = (event) => {
+      console.error('WebSocket error:', event.message || event.error || event);
+    };
+  }
+
+  close() {
+    this.stopped = true;
+    if (this.reconnectTimeout) clearTimeout(this.reconnectTimeout);
+    if (this.socket) {
+      this.socket.onclose = null;
+      this.socket.close();
+      this.socket = null;
+    }
+    this.clearPending();
+  }
+
+  clearPending() {
+    for (const { reject } of this.pending.values()) {
+      reject(new Error('Connection lost'));
+    }
+    this.pending.clear();
+  }
+
+  onConnect(cb) {
+    this.connectListeners.push(cb);
+  }
+
+  onAction(action, cb) {
+    let list = this.actionListeners.get(action);
+    if (!list) {
+      list = [];
+      this.actionListeners.set(action, list);
+    }
+    list.push(cb);
+  }
+
+  waitOrphan() {
+    return new Promise((resolve) => this.orphanHandlers.push(resolve));
+  }
+
+  send(value) {
+    if (!this.socket || this.socket.readyState !== WebSocket.OPEN) {
+      throw new Error('WebSocket is not open');
+    }
+    this.socket.send(JSON.stringify(value));
+  }
+
+  sendAction(action, body = {}) {
+    if (!this.socket || this.socket.readyState !== WebSocket.OPEN) {
+      return Promise.reject(new Error('WebSocket is not open'));
+    }
+    const nonce = this.nextNonce++;
+    const promise = new Promise((resolve, reject) => {
+      this.pending.set(nonce, { resolve, reject });
+    });
+    promise.catch(() => {}); // avoid unhandled rejections when nobody awaits
+    this.send({ action, nonce, body });
+    return promise;
+  }
+
+  handleMessage(raw) {
+    let packet;
+    try {
+      packet = JSON.parse(raw);
+    } catch (err) {
+      console.error('Failed to parse hub message:', raw, err);
+      return;
+    }
+
+    if (packet.nonce != null) {
+      const pending = this.pending.get(packet.nonce);
+      if (!pending) {
+        console.warn(`Orphan response for nonce ${packet.nonce}`);
+        return;
+      }
+      this.pending.delete(packet.nonce);
+      if (packet.error) pending.reject(new Error(packet.error));
+      else pending.resolve(packet);
+      return;
+    }
+
+    if (packet.action) {
+      const listeners = this.actionListeners.get(packet.action);
+      if (listeners && listeners.length) {
+        for (const cb of listeners) {
+          try { cb(packet); } catch (err) {
+            console.error(`Listener for '${packet.action}' failed:`, err);
+          }
+        }
+        return;
+      }
+    }
+
+    if (this.orphanHandlers.length) {
+      this.orphanHandlers.shift()(packet);
+      return;
+    }
+
+    if (packet.error) console.error('Hub error:', packet.error);
+    else console.warn('Ignored hub message:', raw);
+  }
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/ref/remotes.md b/ref/remotes.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2b61760
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ref/remotes.md
@@ -0,0 +1,87 @@
+# Remotes
+
+## Overview
+
+A **remote** is a collection of functions exposed to an AI agent through the WebSocket session. Remotes are scoped to a user and live in memory during the server's lifetime.
+
+## Architecture & Function Lifecycle
+
+Remote functions are not standard Python methods attached to the agent. Instead, they are definitions (schemas) wrapped into adapters that fit the expert agent's tool loop.
+
+1.  **Definition (`backend/src/remote.py`)**:
+    *   A **`RemoteFunction`** represents a function exposed by a remote. It contains the function's name, description, and its OpenAI-compatible schema for input parameters.
+    *   A **`RemoteToolSpec`** wraps a `RemoteFunction` to make it compatible with the agent's tool system. It exposes the required interface: `.name`, `.description`, `.to_openai_dict()` (for the LLM), and `.execute_async(**args)` (for execution).
+    *   A **`RemoteConnection`** manages the connection state. It holds the function definitions and an internal queue of pending calls.
+
+2.  **Injection**:
+    *   When a run starts (see **Agent Integration** below), the expert agent requests tools for specific remotes. The server resolves these remote names into `RemoteToolSpec` objects and adds them to the run's input tools list.
+
+3.  **Execution**:
+    *   When the AI decides to use a remote tool, the expert agent's loop calls `execute_async` on the `RemoteToolSpec`.
+    *   This triggers `RemoteConnection.call()`, which sends a request over the WebSocket to the session that owns the remote.
+    *   The remote executes the function code (for local remotes) or accepts an RPC call (for external remotes).
+    *   Results are sent back through `remote-call-result` actions. Pending calls time out after 30 seconds if no response is received.
+
+4.  **Lifecycle**:
+    *   Remotes are established when a user connects them via the UI (`remote-connect`).
+    *   They persist for the session lifetime unless manually disconnected (`remote-disconnect`) or if the session serving them closes.
+    *   Collisions are handled by scoping connections to `(user_id, name)`.
+
+## API Reference
+
+All endpoints are actions sent to the backend via the WebSocket.
+
+### `remote-connect`
+Registers a new remote connection for the current user.
+
+**Payload**:
+*   `remotename` (string): The unique name for this remote collection.
+*   `functions` (array of objects): List of function specs. Each object must contain:
+    *   `name` (string): The function identifier.
+    *   `description` (string): Text visible to the AI.
+    *   `parameters` (object): OpenAI tool parameter schema (`type`, `properties`, `required`).
+
+### `remote-disconnect`
+Removes a connected remote.
+
+**Payload**:
+*   `remotename` (string): The name of the remote to remove.
+
+### `remote-list`
+Requests the list of remotes currently registered for the authenticated user.
+
+**Payload**: (Empty)
+
+### `remote-call`
+Invokes a specific function on a remote.
+
+**Payload**:
+*   `remotename` (string): The target remote.
+*   `function` (string): The function name.
+*   `args` (object): The arguments to pass to the function, matching the schema defined in `remote-connect`.
+
+### `remote-call-result`
+Sent by the server to the active session to deliver the outcome of a pending `remote-call`.
+
+**Payload**:
+*   `requestId` (string): A unique identifier for this specific request.
+*   `result` (any): The return value of the function.
+*   `error` (string): An error message if execution failed.
+
+## Agent Integration
+
+Remotes are integrated into the agent workflow in two stages: receiving context and executing tools.
+
+### Chat Integration (`Agent.received_message`)
+When a user sends a message to a chat thread, the frontend sends a special system resource to mark which remotes should be available for that conversation.
+
+*   In `backend/src/agent.py`, the `received_message` method scans the thread's resources.
+*   It looks for items with `subkind: 'remote'`.
+*   It extracts the content of these resources (the remote names) and passes them into the agent run context.
+
+### Execution Integration (`ExpertAgent.run`)
+In `backend/src/agents/expert.py`, the `run` method prepares for execution.
+
+*   It retrieves the list of remotes from the run input.
+*   It calls `app.getRemoteTools(user_id, remotes)` to resolve these names into active tool specifications.
+*   These tools are injected into the inference loop. When the AI selects a tool, the expert agent executes it. If a remote fails (timeout or error), the failure is returned as a string error, allowing the AI to retry or handle the failure naturally.
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/ref/runtime.mjs b/ref/runtime.mjs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..aef1731
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ref/runtime.mjs
@@ -0,0 +1,179 @@
+// Remote runtime: loads function modules from directories, watches them for
+// changes, and registers remotes on a horde connection.
+
+import fs from 'node:fs';
+import path from 'node:path';
+import { pathToFileURL } from 'node:url';
+
+const FUNCTION_EXTENSIONS = ['.mjs', '.js'];
+
+// A directory of function modules. Each module exports `spec`
+// ({ name, description, parameters }) and a default async function (args, ctx).
+export class Functions {
+  constructor(dir) {
+    this.dir = dir;
+    this.map = new Map(); // spec.name -> { spec, fn, file }
+  }
+
+  async scan() {
+    const map = new Map();
+    let entries = [];
+    try {
+      entries = fs.readdirSync(this.dir, { withFileTypes: true });
+    } catch {
+      this.map = map; // no directory yet: no functions
+      return map;
+    }
+
+    // Load .mjs first so it wins over a same-named .js module
+    entries.sort((a, b) =>
+      FUNCTION_EXTENSIONS.indexOf(path.extname(a.name)) -
+      FUNCTION_EXTENSIONS.indexOf(path.extname(b.name)));
+
+    for (const entry of entries) {
+      if (!entry.isFile()) continue;
+      if (!FUNCTION_EXTENSIONS.includes(path.extname(entry.name))) continue;
+      const file = path.join(this.dir, entry.name);
+      try {
+        // Cache-busting query: node caches modules by URL
+        const mod = await import(`${pathToFileURL(file).href}?t=${Date.now()}`);
+        const { spec } = mod;
+        if (!spec || typeof spec.name !== 'string') {
+          throw new Error('module must export a `spec` object with a `name` string');
+        }
+        if (typeof mod.default !== 'function') {
+          throw new Error('module must export a default function');
+        }
+        if (map.has(spec.name)) continue;
+        map.set(spec.name, { spec, fn: mod.default, file });
+      } catch (err) {
+        console.error(`Failed to load function module ${file}: ${err.message}`);
+      }
+    }
+
+    this.map = map;
+    return map;
+  }
+
+  specs() {
+    return [...this.map.values()].map((f) => f.spec);
+  }
+
+  has(name) {
+    return this.map.has(name);
+  }
+
+  async call(name, args, ctx) {
+    const fn = this.map.get(name);
+    if (!fn) throw new Error(`Unknown function: ${name}`);
+    return await fn.fn(args, ctx);
+  }
+}
+
+// Watches a directory using fs.watch, with a polling fallback every 5 seconds.
+export class Watcher {
+  constructor(dir, onChange, intervalMs = 5000) {
+    this.dir = dir;
+    this.onChange = onChange;
+    this.intervalMs = intervalMs;
+    this.fsWatcher = null;
+    this.timer = null;
+    this.signature = null;
+    this.debounce = null;
+  }
+
+  signatureOf() {
+    try {
+      return fs.readdirSync(this.dir, { withFileTypes: true })
+        .filter((e) => e.isFile())
+        .map((e) => {
+          const st = fs.statSync(path.join(this.dir, e.name));
+          return `${e.name}:${st.mtimeMs}`;
+        })
+        .sort()
+        .join('|');
+    } catch {
+      return null;
+    }
+  }
+
+  check() {
+    const signature = this.signatureOf();
+    if (signature !== this.signature) {
+      const changed = this.signature !== null;
+      this.signature = signature;
+      if (changed) this.onChange();
+    }
+  }
+
+  start() {
+    this.signature = this.signatureOf();
+    try {
+      this.fsWatcher = fs.watch(this.dir, () => {
+        if (this.debounce) clearTimeout(this.debounce);
+        this.debounce = setTimeout(() => this.check(), 100);
+      });
+    } catch (err) {
+      console.warn(`fs.watch unavailable for ${this.dir}, relying on polling: ${err.message}`);
+    }
+    this.timer = setInterval(() => this.check(), this.intervalMs);
+  }
+
+  stop() {
+    if (this.fsWatcher) this.fsWatcher.close();
+    if (this.timer) clearInterval(this.timer);
+    if (this.debounce) clearTimeout(this.debounce);
+  }
+}
+
+// A named collection of functions in a directory, registered on the hub.
+export class Remote {
+  constructor({ horde, name, functionsDir, ctx = null, fallback = null }) {
+    this.horde = horde;
+    this.name = name;
+    this.ctx = ctx;
+    this.fallback = fallback; // shared Functions instance (center functions)
+    this.functions = new Functions(functionsDir);
+    this.watcher = null;
+  }
+
+  // (Re)scans functions and (re)registers the remote. Returns success.
+  async register() {
+    await this.functions.scan();
+    try {
+      await this.horde.sendAction('remote-connect', {
+        remotename: this.name,
+        functions: this.functions.specs(),
+      });
+      console.log(`Registered remote '${this.name}' with ${this.functions.map.size} function(s)`);
+    } catch (err) {
+      console.error(`Failed to register remote '${this.name}': ${err.message}`);
+      return false;
+    }
+    if (!this.watcher) {
+      this.watcher = new Watcher(this.functions.dir, () => this.register());
+      this.watcher.start();
+    }
+    return true;
+  }
+
+  async disconnect() {
+    if (this.watcher) this.watcher.stop();
+    try {
+      await this.horde.sendAction('remote-disconnect', { remotename: this.name });
+    } catch {
+      // socket may already be gone
+    }
+  }
+
+  // Handles an incoming remote-call. Falls back to shared center functions.
+  async call(functionName, args) {
+    if (this.functions.has(functionName)) {
+      return await this.functions.call(functionName, args, this.ctx);
+    }
+    if (this.fallback) {
+      return await this.fallback.call(functionName, args, this.ctx);
+    }
+    throw new Error(`Unknown function '${functionName}' on remote '${this.name}'`);
+  }
+}
\ No newline at end of file