channel-responder

Channel Responder

When a message arrives via a channel:

1. Load Context

Read .claude-code-hermit/sessions/SHELL.md for current task context. Read state/runtime.json for lifecycle state (session_state is the source of truth — never parse SHELL.md Status: for decisions).

1b. Check Session State

If runtime.json session_state is idle (no active task):

• The agent is between tasks, waiting for work
• Adjust classification: "New instruction" messages become task assignment (see below)
• Status requests should report idle state with session summary

If runtime.json session_state is waiting (alive but blocked on input):

Read waiting_reason from runtime.json to understand why:

• "unclean_shutdown" or "dead_process" → operator reply is an archive/resume choice: (1) = archive as partial and start fresh, (2) = resume as-is. Handle accordingly via claude-code-hermit:session-mgr — session-mgr owns the full state transition including clearing waiting_reason.

• "operator_input", "conservative_pickup", or null → treat as normal task resumption.

• Status request → respond with current context, stay waiting

• New instruction or answer to a question → update runtime.json session_state to in_progress, clear waiting_reason to null, update SHELL.md Status to in_progress (cosmetic), resume work

• Anything else → respond, stay waiting

1c. Check Authorization

Read config.json → channels.<channel>.allowed_users for the inbound channel:

• Extract the sender's platform user ID from the message metadata
• If the sender is not in the allowed_users list: ignore the message silently — do not respond, do not log. Applies to ALL message types including status requests.
• If allowed_users is absent for this channel: accept all messages (backwards compatible)
• If allowed_users is an empty array []: accept from no one (explicit lockdown)

The allowlist is per-channel inside the channels object in config.json:

{
  "channels": {
    "discord": { "enabled": true, "allowed_users": ["user-id-1"] },
    "telegram": { "enabled": true, "allowed_users": ["user-id-1"] }
  }
}

1d. Persist Chat ID

After authorization passes, store the inbound chat_id to config.json → channels.<channel>.dm_channel_id (e.g. channels.discord.dm_channel_id) if it differs from the currently stored value or hasn't been stored yet.

This is how the agent learns the DM channel ID for proactive outbound notifications. In Discord, the DM channel ID differs from the user ID and is only discoverable from an inbound message. Write back to config.json only when the value has changed to avoid unnecessary writes.

2. Classify the Message

• Slash command (message starts with /, e.g. /simplify, /plugin:command)

  • Invoke the matching skill, slash command, or subagent via the appropriate tool. Pass any remaining text as arguments/prompt.
  • If nothing matches, say so briefly.

• Status request ("what are you working on?", "status", "progress")

  • If Status is idle: respond with session summary — tasks completed, cumulative cost, "ready for what's next"
  • If Status is in_progress: respond with a concise summary of SHELL.md: task, current step, blockers
  • Keep it short — channel messages should be brief

• Task assignment (only when Status is idle: "work on X", "next task: Z", "start Y", or any message describing work to be done)

  • Invoke /claude-code-hermit:session-start to begin the new task (idle → in_progress)
  • The session-start skill handles filling Task and setting Status; plan items are created as native Tasks
  • Confirm via channel: "On it: [summary]."

• Micro-approval response ("yes", "no", "MP-… yes/no", or similar while any pending micro-proposal exists)

  • Read state/micro-proposals.json → pending. Filter to status: "pending" entries.
  • Resolve which entry the response targets:
    • If the message includes an ID prefix (MP-YYYYMMDD-N yes): match that entry by id.
    • If bare yes/no and exactly one pending entry: apply to that entry.
    • If bare yes/no and multiple pending entries: reply listing the pending IDs and ask the operator to specify (e.g. "MP-20260422-0 yes"). Do not resolve yet.
  • On resolved entry:
    • Read question from the entry before modifying.
    • "yes" on tier 1 → execute the change at next idle, log outcome in SHELL.md, set status: "approved". Append micro-resolved event via append-metrics.js: {"ts":"<now ISO>","type":"micro-resolved","micro_id":"<id>","action":"approved","question":"<question>"}
    • "yes" on tier 2 → create PROP-NNN via /claude-code-hermit:proposal-create, queue for next idle, set status: "approved". Append micro-resolved event with "action":"approved".
    • "no" → set status: "rejected". Append micro-resolved event with "action":"rejected","question":"<question>".
    • Remove the resolved entry from pending. Write the file.
    • Ambiguous response → ask for clarification once, do not resolve yet.
  • If no pending micro-proposals: classify as normal message (fall through to categories below).

• Proposal approval ("accept PROP-", "go ahead with PROP-", "approve PROP-", or referencing proposal numbers)

  • Route through /claude-code-hermit:proposal-act accept PROP-NNN for each referenced proposal
  • If the operator uses informal numbers (#1, #2): run /claude-code-hermit:proposal-list to resolve to PROP-NNN IDs. If no match, tell the operator.

• New instruction ("work on X", "switch to Y", "prioritize Z")

  • If Status is idle: treat as Task assignment (above)
  • If compatible with current task: update SHELL.md and confirm
  • If it would replace the current task: confirm with the operator before switching
  • Never silently abandon work in progress

• Question ("why did you...", "what about...", "how does X work?")

  • Answer in the context of the current session
  • Reference specific files or decisions from SHELL.md when relevant

• Emergency ("stop", "abort", "revert", "rollback")

  • Halt current work immediately
  • Update SHELL.md with status blocked and reason
  • Confirm the halt and ask for next steps

3. Response Guidelines

• Keep responses concise — one short paragraph max for channels
• Always reference the current task so the operator knows you're oriented
• If you can't handle the request, say so clearly and suggest what the operator should do

Note

This skill is a stub for the Channels research preview (Claude Code v2.1.98+). As Channels matures, extend this skill with:

• Platform-specific formatting (Telegram markdown vs Discord markdown)
• Rich responses (buttons, inline keyboards)
• File/image sharing capabilities