Simplify session lifecycle and MCP cleanup

CHANGELOG.md

@@ -34,6 +34,16 @@ loosely follows [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/spec/v2.0.0.html).
   available macros.
 
 ### Changed
+- Focus, lifecycle, and repaint paths now capture terminal layout before
+  taking UI state locks, reducing resize-time deadlock risk without
+  changing visible behavior.
+- Focused PTY output no longer rebuilds the scratchpad sidebar on every
+  chunk. The sidebar still repaints on focus/lifecycle/resize changes
+  and when child output scrolls over the chrome, but normal output avoids
+  repeated scratchpad disk reads.
+- Harness scenario tests now reuse one built patterm binary per test run
+  and write failure artifacts under a repo-rooted, collision-proof
+  directory.
 - Palette ordering: open agents/processes (`Switch to …`) now appear
   above the option to spawn new ones, with kill entries pushed down
   toward the end of the list.
@@ -45,6 +55,21 @@ loosely follows [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/spec/v2.0.0.html).
   extra row of viewport.
 
 ### Fixed
+- Agent MCP injection no longer writes unused config files for inline
+  injection modes (`cli_override` / `config_env`). File-backed injection
+  modes track their generated paths and clean them up when the child is
+  closed, exits, or patterm shuts down.
+- MCP `tools/list` descriptions now match the runtime argument values
+  for process output and pattern waiting, and typed invalid-argument
+  errors map to JSON-RPC invalid params instead of generic internal
+  errors.
+- Scratchpad writes and appends are serialized inside a patterm process
+  so `expected_revision` checks cannot race another local scratchpad
+  mutation.
+- The sidebar scratchpad list now refreshes after MCP
+  `scratchpad_write` and `scratchpad_append` calls.
+- UI chrome now reads renamed child display names through the
+  `DisplayName` accessor, avoiding races with `rename_process`.
 - Child processes spawned by an orchestrator are now killed when the
   orchestrator dies, recursively through the tree. Applies whether the
   parent was closed via MCP, Ctrl-C'd by the user, or exited on its

internal/app/app.go

@@ -105,6 +105,7 @@ func Run(ctx context.Context, opts Options) error {
 	host.attention = st
 	host.focus = st
 	host.prompter = st
+	host.scratch = st
 	st.lastExit.Store(-1)
 	sess.Subscribe(st)
 
@@ -241,10 +242,10 @@ type uiState struct {
 	// usually doesn't change between calls — caching the rendered
 	// output and skipping a write when it matches eliminates the
 	// flicker (especially in the sidebar's session tree).
-	chromeCacheMu      sync.Mutex
+	chromeCacheMu   sync.Mutex
-	tabBarCache        string
+	tabBarCache     string
-	sidebarCache       string
+	sidebarCache    string
-	statusLineCache    string
+	statusLineCache string
 
 	lastExit atomic.Int32
 }
@@ -278,10 +279,11 @@ func (st *uiState) focusProcess(processID string) {
 	if c == nil {
 		return
 	}
+	layout := st.layoutSnapshot()
 	st.mu.Lock()
 	st.focusedID = c.ID
 	st.focusedName = c.DisplayName()
-	st.renderer = newViewportRenderer(st.layoutSnapshot())
+	st.renderer = newViewportRenderer(layout)
 	st.mu.Unlock()
 	st.repaintFocused()
 	st.drawTabBar()
@@ -297,7 +299,7 @@ func (st *uiState) notifyAttention(childID, reason string) {
 	c := st.sess.FindChild(childID)
 	name := childID
 	if c != nil {
-		name = c.Name
+		name = c.DisplayName()
 	}
 	st.mu.Lock()
 	st.attentionText = fmt.Sprintf("attention: %s — %s", name, reason)
@@ -306,12 +308,20 @@ func (st *uiState) notifyAttention(childID, reason string) {
 	st.drawStatusLine()
 }
 
+func (st *uiState) scratchpadsChanged() {
+	st.chromeCacheMu.Lock()
+	st.sidebarCache = ""
+	st.chromeCacheMu.Unlock()
+	st.drawSidebar()
+}
+
 // OnChildSpawned auto-focuses the new child.
 func (st *uiState) OnChildSpawned(c *Child) {
+	layout := st.layoutSnapshot()
 	st.mu.Lock()
 	st.focusedID = c.ID
-	st.focusedName = c.Name
+	st.focusedName = c.DisplayName()
-	renderer := newViewportRenderer(st.layoutSnapshot())
+	renderer := newViewportRenderer(layout)
 	st.renderer = renderer
 	palOpen := st.palette != nil
 	if palOpen {
@@ -343,17 +353,19 @@ func (st *uiState) OnChildSpawned(c *Child) {
 // focused child.
 func (st *uiState) OnChildExited(c *Child) {
 	st.lastExit.Store(int32(c.ExitCode()))
+	layout := st.layoutSnapshot()
+	renderEmpty := false
 	st.mu.Lock()
 	if c.ID == st.focusedID {
 		next := firstRunningTopLevel(st.sess.Children())
 		if next == nil {
 			st.focusedID = ""
 			st.focusedName = ""
-			st.renderEmptyStateLocked()
+			renderEmpty = true
 		} else {
 			st.focusedID = next.ID
-			st.focusedName = next.Name
+			st.focusedName = next.DisplayName()
-			st.renderer = newViewportRenderer(st.layoutSnapshot())
+			st.renderer = newViewportRenderer(layout)
 		}
 	}
 	if st.palette != nil {
@@ -362,8 +374,12 @@ func (st *uiState) OnChildExited(c *Child) {
 		st.palette.rebuild()
 		st.renderPaletteLocked()
 	}
+	repaint := st.focusedID != ""
 	st.mu.Unlock()
-	if st.focusedID != "" {
+	if renderEmpty {
+		st.renderEmptyState()
+	}
+	if repaint {
 		st.repaintFocused()
 	}
 	st.drawTabBar()
@@ -417,13 +433,16 @@ func (st *uiState) OnPTYOut(childID string, chunk []byte) {
 	// contained one of those escapes; when set, drop the sidebar cache
 	// so the next drawSidebar repaints over the clobber instead of
 	// hitting the cache and leaving the gap visible.
-	if renderer.TookScrollAction() {
+	scrolled := renderer.TookScrollAction()
+	if scrolled {
 		st.chromeCacheMu.Lock()
 		st.sidebarCache = ""
 		st.chromeCacheMu.Unlock()
 	}
 	st.drawTabBar()
-	st.drawSidebar()
+	if scrolled {
+		st.drawSidebar()
+	}
 	st.drawStatusLine()
 }
 
@@ -559,15 +578,9 @@ func (st *uiState) drawStatusLine() {
 // renderEmptyState is the SPEC §4 blank-canvas hint. Drawn whenever no
 // child is focused.
 func (st *uiState) renderEmptyState() {
-	st.mu.Lock()
+	layout := st.layoutSnapshot()
-	defer st.mu.Unlock()
-	st.renderEmptyStateLocked()
-}
-
-func (st *uiState) renderEmptyStateLocked() {
 	st.outMu.Lock()
 	defer st.outMu.Unlock()
-	layout := st.layoutSnapshot()
 	line := "Press Ctrl-K to spawn an agent or process"
 	row := int(layout.mainTop) + (int(layout.childRows()) / 2)
 	col := int(layout.mainLeft) + ((int(layout.childCols()) - len(line)) / 2)
@@ -897,10 +910,11 @@ func (st *uiState) closePalette(action paletteAction) {
 			st.repaintFocused()
 			return
 		}
+		layout := st.layoutSnapshot()
 		st.mu.Lock()
 		st.focusedID = action.childID
-		st.focusedName = c.Name
+		st.focusedName = c.DisplayName()
-		st.renderer = newViewportRenderer(st.layoutSnapshot())
+		st.renderer = newViewportRenderer(layout)
 		st.mu.Unlock()
 		st.repaintFocused()
 		st.drawTabBar()
@@ -953,10 +967,10 @@ func (st *uiState) flashTransient(msg string) {
 // emulator grid; the padded snapshot is the source of truth for visible
 // cells.
 func (st *uiState) repaintFocused() {
+	layout := st.layoutSnapshot()
 	st.mu.Lock()
 	id := st.focusedID
 	renderer := st.renderer
-	layout := st.layoutLocked()
 	st.mu.Unlock()
 	if id == "" {
 		st.renderEmptyState()

internal/app/child.go

@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ import (
 	"encoding/hex"
 	"errors"
 	"fmt"
+	"os"
 	"os/exec"
 	"regexp"
 	"strconv"
@@ -88,6 +89,7 @@ type Child struct {
 	ptyMu sync.RWMutex
 	pty   *pkgpty.PTY
 	em    *vt.GhosttyEmulator
+	runID uint64
 
 	status   atomic.Pointer[ChildStatus]
 	exitCode atomic.Int32
@@ -115,6 +117,10 @@ type Child struct {
 	// portsMu guards ports. Best-effort port detection: regex on stream.
 	portsMu sync.Mutex
 	ports   []PortSighting
+
+	cleanupMu    sync.Mutex
+	cleanupPaths []string
+	restarting   atomic.Bool
 }
 
 // PortSighting is one entry returned by get_process_ports.
@@ -126,10 +132,7 @@ type PortSighting struct {
 
 const ringCap = 1 << 20 // 1 MiB per SPEC §5
 
-// newChildEntry builds the in-memory Child record but does NOT start a
+// newChildEntry builds the in-memory Child record but does NOT start a PTY.
-// PTY. Used so command entries can exist in the `stopped` state from the
-// moment they're created. Agents and terminals call newChild() which
-// chains newChildEntry + startPTY for the initial run.
 func newChildEntry(id, name string, kind ChildKind, argv, env []string, parentID, workDir, presetRef string) *Child {
 	c := &Child{
 		ID:        id,
@@ -156,25 +159,14 @@ func newChildEntry(id, name string, kind ChildKind, argv, env []string, parentID
 	return c
 }
 
-func newChild(id, name string, kind ChildKind, argv, env []string, cols, rows uint16, parentID, workDir, presetRef string) (*Child, error) {
-	if len(argv) == 0 {
-		return nil, errors.New("child: empty argv")
-	}
-	c := newChildEntry(id, name, kind, argv, env, parentID, workDir, presetRef)
-	if err := c.startPTY(cols, rows); err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
-	return c, nil
-}
-
 // startPTY (re)builds the emulator + PTY for this entry. Called by
 // newChild on initial spawn and by Restart on subsequent runs. The
 // status transitions stopped/exited → starting → running. On error the
 // entry returns to errored.
-func (c *Child) startPTY(cols, rows uint16) error {
+func (c *Child) startPTY(cols, rows uint16) (uint64, error) {
 	em, err := vt.NewGhosttyEmulator(cols, rows)
 	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("child %s emulator: %w", c.ID, err)
+		return 0, fmt.Errorf("child %s emulator: %w", c.ID, err)
 	}
 	starting := StatusStarting
 	c.status.Store(&starting)
@@ -183,12 +175,14 @@ func (c *Child) startPTY(cols, rows uint16) error {
 		em.Close()
 		errored := StatusErrored
 		c.status.Store(&errored)
-		return fmt.Errorf("child %s pty: %w", c.ID, err)
+		return 0, fmt.Errorf("child %s pty: %w", c.ID, err)
 	}
 	em.OnWritePTY(func(b []byte) {
 		_, _ = p.Write(b)
 	})
 	c.ptyMu.Lock()
+	c.runID++
+	runID := c.runID
 	c.pty = p
 	c.em = em
 	c.ptyMu.Unlock()
@@ -196,7 +190,7 @@ func (c *Child) startPTY(cols, rows uint16) error {
 	c.status.Store(&running)
 	c.exitCode.Store(-1)
 	c.lastWriteNS.Store(0)
-	return nil
+	return runID, nil
 }
 
 // IsLive reports whether the PTY is currently attached and running.
@@ -222,6 +216,21 @@ func (c *Child) Emulator() *vt.GhosttyEmulator {
 	return c.em
 }
 
+func (c *Child) ptyForRun(runID uint64) *pkgpty.PTY {
+	c.ptyMu.RLock()
+	defer c.ptyMu.RUnlock()
+	if c.runID != runID {
+		return nil
+	}
+	return c.pty
+}
+
+func (c *Child) isCurrentRun(runID uint64) bool {
+	c.ptyMu.RLock()
+	defer c.ptyMu.RUnlock()
+	return c.runID == runID
+}
+
 // DisplayName is the rename_process-aware accessor for Name. Callers
 // that read Name directly skip the lock; the field is still safe to
 // read because Go strings are immutable, but DisplayName signals intent.
@@ -425,6 +434,25 @@ func (c *Child) teardownPTY() {
 	}
 }
 
+func (c *Child) AddCleanupPath(path string) {
+	if path == "" {
+		return
+	}
+	c.cleanupMu.Lock()
+	c.cleanupPaths = append(c.cleanupPaths, path)
+	c.cleanupMu.Unlock()
+}
+
+func (c *Child) cleanupOwnedPaths() {
+	c.cleanupMu.Lock()
+	paths := c.cleanupPaths
+	c.cleanupPaths = nil
+	c.cleanupMu.Unlock()
+	for _, p := range paths {
+		_ = os.RemoveAll(p)
+	}
+}
+
 // InjectAsUser is the path the human takes when typing in the focused
 // pane. SPEC §6: the user's first keystroke flips ownership.
 func (c *Child) InjectAsUser(b []byte) error {

internal/app/host.go

@@ -36,6 +36,10 @@ type trustPrompter interface {
 	promptTrust(processID, presetName, reason string)
 }
 
+type scratchpadSink interface {
+	scratchpadsChanged()
+}
+
 // toolHost adapts the running session + scratchpad store + trust store
 // to the MCP ToolHost interface. SPEC §7 tools route through here.
 type toolHost struct {
@@ -55,6 +59,7 @@ type toolHost struct {
 	attention attentionSink
 	focus     focusSink
 	prompter  trustPrompter
+	scratch   scratchpadSink
 
 	timersMu  sync.Mutex
 	nextTimer int
@@ -129,7 +134,7 @@ func (h *toolHost) SpawnAgent(callerID string, args mcp.SpawnAgentArgs) (mcp.Pro
 		}
 	}
 	if p == nil {
-		return mcp.ProcessInfo{}, mcp.Errorf("unknown_agent", "unknown agent preset %q", args.Agent)
+		return mcp.ProcessInfo{}, mcp.Errorf(mcp.ErrorKindUnknownAgent, "unknown agent preset %q", args.Agent)
 	}
 	display := args.Name
 	if display == "" {
@@ -148,7 +153,7 @@ func (h *toolHost) SpawnProcess(callerID string, args mcp.SpawnProcessArgs) (mcp
 		args.Kind = "command"
 	}
 	if args.Kind != "command" && args.Kind != "terminal" {
-		return mcp.ProcessInfo{}, mcp.Errorf("invalid_kind", "spawn_process: kind must be 'command' or 'terminal'")
+		return mcp.ProcessInfo{}, mcp.Errorf(mcp.ErrorKindInvalidKind, "spawn_process: kind must be 'command' or 'terminal'")
 	}
 	env := h.mergeEnv(args.Env)
 	if args.Kind == "terminal" {
@@ -163,11 +168,11 @@ func (h *toolHost) SpawnProcess(callerID string, args mcp.SpawnProcessArgs) (mcp
 	if args.Preset != "" {
 		if !h.trust.IsTrusted(args.Preset) {
 			h.askForTrust(callerID, args.Preset, "spawn_process")
-			return mcp.ProcessInfo{}, mcp.Errorf("needs_trust", "command preset %q is not trusted in this project — patterm has surfaced a confirmation; retry after the user accepts", args.Preset)
+			return mcp.ProcessInfo{}, mcp.Errorf(mcp.ErrorKindNeedsTrust, "command preset %q is not trusted in this project — patterm has surfaced a confirmation; retry after the user accepts", args.Preset)
 		}
 		ps := h.commandPresetByName(args.Preset)
 		if ps == nil {
-			return mcp.ProcessInfo{}, mcp.Errorf("not_found", "command preset %q not found", args.Preset)
+			return mcp.ProcessInfo{}, mcp.Errorf(mcp.ErrorKindNotFound, "command preset %q not found", args.Preset)
 		}
 		display := args.Name
 		if display == "" {
@@ -181,7 +186,7 @@ func (h *toolHost) SpawnProcess(callerID string, args mcp.SpawnProcessArgs) (mcp
 		return h.processInfoOf(c), nil
 	}
 	if len(args.Argv) == 0 {
-		return mcp.ProcessInfo{}, mcp.Errorf("invalid_args", "spawn_process: either preset or argv required")
+		return mcp.ProcessInfo{}, mcp.Errorf(mcp.ErrorKindInvalidArgs, "spawn_process: either preset or argv required")
 	}
 	display := args.Name
 	if display == "" {
@@ -198,17 +203,17 @@ func (h *toolHost) SpawnProcess(callerID string, args mcp.SpawnProcessArgs) (mcp
 func (h *toolHost) StartProcess(callerID, processID string) (mcp.ProcessInfo, error) {
 	c := h.sess.FindChild(processID)
 	if c == nil {
-		return mcp.ProcessInfo{}, mcp.Errorf("not_found", "no such process %q", processID)
+		return mcp.ProcessInfo{}, mcp.Errorf(mcp.ErrorKindNotFound, "no such process %q", processID)
 	}
 	if c.Kind != KindCommand {
-		return mcp.ProcessInfo{}, mcp.Errorf("wrong_kind", "start_process: only command entries can be started post-creation (this is %s)", c.Kind)
+		return mcp.ProcessInfo{}, mcp.Errorf(mcp.ErrorKindWrongKind, "start_process: only command entries can be started post-creation (this is %s)", c.Kind)
 	}
 	if c.IsLive() {
 		return h.processInfoOf(c), nil
 	}
 	if c.PresetRef != "" && !h.trust.IsTrusted(c.PresetRef) {
 		h.askForTrust(callerID, c.PresetRef, "start_process")
-		return mcp.ProcessInfo{}, mcp.Errorf("needs_trust", "command preset %q is not trusted in this project", c.PresetRef)
+		return mcp.ProcessInfo{}, mcp.Errorf(mcp.ErrorKindNeedsTrust, "command preset %q is not trusted in this project", c.PresetRef)
 	}
 	cols, rows := h.size()
 	if err := h.sess.Start(processID, cols, rows); err != nil {
@@ -221,14 +226,14 @@ func (h *toolHost) StartProcess(callerID, processID string) (mcp.ProcessInfo, er
 func (h *toolHost) RestartProcess(callerID, processID string, sig syscall.Signal) (mcp.ProcessInfo, error) {
 	c := h.sess.FindChild(processID)
 	if c == nil {
-		return mcp.ProcessInfo{}, mcp.Errorf("not_found", "no such process %q", processID)
+		return mcp.ProcessInfo{}, mcp.Errorf(mcp.ErrorKindNotFound, "no such process %q", processID)
 	}
 	if c.Kind != KindCommand && !c.IsLive() {
-		return mcp.ProcessInfo{}, mcp.Errorf("wrong_kind", "restart_process: %s entries can only be restarted while live", c.Kind)
+		return mcp.ProcessInfo{}, mcp.Errorf(mcp.ErrorKindWrongKind, "restart_process: %s entries can only be restarted while live", c.Kind)
 	}
 	if c.Kind == KindCommand && c.PresetRef != "" && !h.trust.IsTrusted(c.PresetRef) {
 		h.askForTrust(callerID, c.PresetRef, "restart_process")
-		return mcp.ProcessInfo{}, mcp.Errorf("needs_trust", "command preset %q is not trusted in this project", c.PresetRef)
+		return mcp.ProcessInfo{}, mcp.Errorf(mcp.ErrorKindNeedsTrust, "command preset %q is not trusted in this project", c.PresetRef)
 	}
 	cols, rows := h.size()
 	if err := h.sess.Restart(processID, sig, cols, rows); err != nil {
@@ -241,7 +246,7 @@ func (h *toolHost) RestartProcess(callerID, processID string, sig syscall.Signal
 func (h *toolHost) StopProcess(callerID, processID string, sig syscall.Signal) (mcp.ProcessInfo, error) {
 	c := h.sess.FindChild(processID)
 	if c == nil {
-		return mcp.ProcessInfo{}, mcp.Errorf("not_found", "no such process %q", processID)
+		return mcp.ProcessInfo{}, mcp.Errorf(mcp.ErrorKindNotFound, "no such process %q", processID)
 	}
 	if err := h.sess.Kill(processID, sig); err != nil {
 		return mcp.ProcessInfo{}, err
@@ -252,7 +257,7 @@ func (h *toolHost) StopProcess(callerID, processID string, sig syscall.Signal) (
 func (h *toolHost) CloseProcess(callerID, processID string) error {
 	c := h.sess.FindChild(processID)
 	if c == nil {
-		return mcp.Errorf("not_found", "no such process %q", processID)
+		return mcp.Errorf(mcp.ErrorKindNotFound, "no such process %q", processID)
 	}
 	_ = c // close removes by id; the lookup just validates existence.
 	return h.sess.Close(processID, syscall.SIGTERM)
@@ -261,10 +266,10 @@ func (h *toolHost) CloseProcess(callerID, processID string) error {
 func (h *toolHost) RenameProcess(callerID, processID, name string) error {
 	c := h.sess.FindChild(processID)
 	if c == nil {
-		return mcp.Errorf("not_found", "no such process %q", processID)
+		return mcp.Errorf(mcp.ErrorKindNotFound, "no such process %q", processID)
 	}
 	if name == "" {
-		return mcp.Errorf("invalid_args", "rename_process: name required")
+		return mcp.Errorf(mcp.ErrorKindInvalidArgs, "rename_process: name required")
 	}
 	c.SetName(name)
 	return nil
@@ -272,7 +277,7 @@ func (h *toolHost) RenameProcess(callerID, processID, name string) error {
 
 func (h *toolHost) SelectProcess(callerID, processID string) error {
 	if h.sess.FindChild(processID) == nil {
-		return mcp.Errorf("not_found", "no such process %q", processID)
+		return mcp.Errorf(mcp.ErrorKindNotFound, "no such process %q", processID)
 	}
 	if h.focus != nil {
 		h.focus.focusProcess(processID)
@@ -299,7 +304,7 @@ func (h *toolHost) ListProcesses(callerID, kindFilter string) []mcp.ProcessInfo
 func (h *toolHost) GetProcessStatus(callerID, processID string) (mcp.ProcessStatus, error) {
 	c := h.sess.FindChild(processID)
 	if c == nil {
-		return mcp.ProcessStatus{}, mcp.Errorf("not_found", "no such process %q", processID)
+		return mcp.ProcessStatus{}, mcp.Errorf(mcp.ErrorKindNotFound, "no such process %q", processID)
 	}
 	info := h.processInfoOf(c)
 	st := mcp.ProcessStatus{ProcessInfo: info}
@@ -337,7 +342,7 @@ func (h *toolHost) GetProjectStatus(callerID string) (mcp.ProjectStatus, error)
 func (h *toolHost) GetProcessOutput(callerID, processID, mode string, sinceOffset int64) (mcp.ProcessOutput, error) {
 	c := h.sess.FindChild(processID)
 	if c == nil {
-		return mcp.ProcessOutput{}, mcp.Errorf("not_found", "no such process %q", processID)
+		return mcp.ProcessOutput{}, mcp.Errorf(mcp.ErrorKindNotFound, "no such process %q", processID)
 	}
 	out := mcp.ProcessOutput{
 		Mode:          mode,
@@ -376,14 +381,14 @@ func (h *toolHost) GetProcessOutput(callerID, processID, mode string, sinceOffse
 		out.NewOffset = end
 		return out, nil
 	default:
-		return mcp.ProcessOutput{}, mcp.Errorf("invalid_args", "unknown mode %q (want grid|stream)", mode)
+		return mcp.ProcessOutput{}, mcp.Errorf(mcp.ErrorKindInvalidArgs, "unknown mode %q (want grid|stream)", mode)
 	}
 }
 
 func (h *toolHost) GetProcessRawOutput(callerID, processID string, sinceOffset int64) (mcp.RawOutput, error) {
 	c := h.sess.FindChild(processID)
 	if c == nil {
-		return mcp.RawOutput{}, mcp.Errorf("not_found", "no such process %q", processID)
+		return mcp.RawOutput{}, mcp.Errorf(mcp.ErrorKindNotFound, "no such process %q", processID)
 	}
 	b, end := c.StreamRead(sinceOffset)
 	return mcp.RawOutput{
@@ -396,11 +401,11 @@ func (h *toolHost) GetProcessRawOutput(callerID, processID string, sinceOffset i
 func (h *toolHost) SearchOutput(callerID, processID, pattern, kind string, limit int) (mcp.SearchResult, error) {
 	c := h.sess.FindChild(processID)
 	if c == nil {
-		return mcp.SearchResult{}, mcp.Errorf("not_found", "no such process %q", processID)
+		return mcp.SearchResult{}, mcp.Errorf(mcp.ErrorKindNotFound, "no such process %q", processID)
 	}
 	re, err := regexp.Compile(pattern)
 	if err != nil {
-		return mcp.SearchResult{}, mcp.Errorf("invalid_args", "regex: %v", err)
+		return mcp.SearchResult{}, mcp.Errorf(mcp.ErrorKindInvalidArgs, "regex: %v", err)
 	}
 	b, _ := c.StreamRead(0)
 	text := string(b)
@@ -425,11 +430,11 @@ func (h *toolHost) SearchOutput(callerID, processID, pattern, kind string, limit
 func (h *toolHost) WaitForPattern(callerID, processID, pattern string, timeoutSeconds float64, scope string) (bool, string, error) {
 	c := h.sess.FindChild(processID)
 	if c == nil {
-		return false, "", mcp.Errorf("not_found", "no such process %q", processID)
+		return false, "", mcp.Errorf(mcp.ErrorKindNotFound, "no such process %q", processID)
 	}
 	re, err := regexp.Compile(pattern)
 	if err != nil {
-		return false, "", mcp.Errorf("invalid_args", "regex: %v", err)
+		return false, "", mcp.Errorf(mcp.ErrorKindInvalidArgs, "regex: %v", err)
 	}
 	if scope == "" {
 		scope = "grid"
@@ -450,7 +455,7 @@ func (h *toolHost) WaitForPattern(callerID, processID, pattern string, timeoutSe
 			b, _ := c.StreamRead(0)
 			text = stripANSI(string(b))
 		default:
-			return false, "", mcp.Errorf("invalid_args", "unknown scope %q (want grid|scrollback)", scope)
+			return false, "", mcp.Errorf(mcp.ErrorKindInvalidArgs, "unknown scope %q (want grid|scrollback)", scope)
 		}
 		if m := re.FindString(text); m != "" {
 			return true, m, nil
@@ -468,7 +473,7 @@ func (h *toolHost) WaitForPattern(callerID, processID, pattern string, timeoutSe
 func (h *toolHost) GetProcessPorts(callerID, processID string) ([]mcp.PortSighting, error) {
 	c := h.sess.FindChild(processID)
 	if c == nil {
-		return nil, mcp.Errorf("not_found", "no such process %q", processID)
+		return nil, mcp.Errorf(mcp.ErrorKindNotFound, "no such process %q", processID)
 	}
 	src := c.Ports()
 	out := make([]mcp.PortSighting, 0, len(src))
@@ -485,7 +490,7 @@ func (h *toolHost) GetProcessPorts(callerID, processID string) ([]mcp.PortSighti
 func (h *toolHost) SendInput(callerID string, args mcp.SendInputArgs) (mcp.SendInputResult, error) {
 	c := h.sess.FindChild(args.ProcessID)
 	if c == nil {
-		return mcp.SendInputResult{}, mcp.Errorf("not_found", "no such process %q", args.ProcessID)
+		return mcp.SendInputResult{}, mcp.Errorf(mcp.ErrorKindNotFound, "no such process %q", args.ProcessID)
 	}
 	if !c.IsLive() {
 		return mcp.SendInputResult{}, fmt.Errorf("process %q is %s", args.ProcessID, c.Status())
@@ -539,7 +544,7 @@ func encodeInput(args mcp.SendInputArgs) ([]byte, error) {
 	case "key":
 		return encodeKey(args.Key)
 	}
-	return nil, mcp.Errorf("invalid_args", "send_input: unknown kind %q", args.Kind)
+	return nil, mcp.Errorf(mcp.ErrorKindInvalidArgs, "send_input: unknown kind %q", args.Kind)
 }
 
 // encodeKey maps a SPEC §7 named key to bytes. We use legacy xterm
@@ -601,7 +606,7 @@ func encodeKey(key string) ([]byte, error) {
 	case "f12":
 		return []byte("\x1b[24~"), nil
 	}
-	return nil, mcp.Errorf("invalid_args", "unknown key %q", key)
+	return nil, mcp.Errorf(mcp.ErrorKindInvalidArgs, "unknown key %q", key)
 }
 
 // ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
@@ -616,7 +621,7 @@ func encodeKey(key string) ([]byte, error) {
 func (h *toolHost) SendMessage(callerID, targetID, message string) error {
 	target := h.sess.FindChild(targetID)
 	if target == nil {
-		return mcp.Errorf("not_found", "no such process %q", targetID)
+		return mcp.Errorf(mcp.ErrorKindNotFound, "no such process %q", targetID)
 	}
 	caller := h.sess.FindChild(callerID)
 	line, err := classifySendMessage(caller, target, callerID, message)
@@ -637,7 +642,7 @@ func (h *toolHost) SendMessage(callerID, targetID, message string) error {
 // top-level process.
 func classifySendMessage(caller, target *Child, callerID, message string) (string, error) {
 	if target.ID == callerID {
-		return "", mcp.Errorf("not_related", "send_message: cannot send to self")
+		return "", mcp.Errorf(mcp.ErrorKindNotRelated, "send_message: cannot send to self")
 	}
 	if caller != nil && target.ParentID == caller.ID {
 		return "[orchestrator] " + message + "\r", nil
@@ -648,7 +653,7 @@ func classifySendMessage(caller, target *Child, callerID, message string) (strin
 	if caller == nil && target.ParentID == "" {
 		return "[orchestrator] " + message + "\r", nil
 	}
-	return "", mcp.Errorf("not_related", "send_message: %q is neither parent nor child of caller (siblings must route through the parent in v1)", target.ID)
+	return "", mcp.Errorf(mcp.ErrorKindNotRelated, "send_message: %q is neither parent nor child of caller (siblings must route through the parent in v1)", target.ID)
 }
 
 func (h *toolHost) RequestHumanAttention(callerID, processID, reason string) error {
@@ -661,7 +666,7 @@ func (h *toolHost) RequestHumanAttention(callerID, processID, reason string) err
 func (h *toolHost) TimerWait(callerID string, seconds float64, label string) (string, error) {
 	caller := h.sess.FindChild(callerID)
 	if caller == nil {
-		return "", mcp.Errorf("not_found", "caller %q not known to patterm", callerID)
+		return "", mcp.Errorf(mcp.ErrorKindNotFound, "caller %q not known to patterm", callerID)
 	}
 	h.timersMu.Lock()
 	h.nextTimer++
@@ -685,7 +690,27 @@ func (h *toolHost) TimerWait(callerID string, seconds float64, label string) (st
 // Scratchpads / Meta
 // ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
-func (h *toolHost) Scratchpads() *scratchpad.Store { return h.pads }
+func (h *toolHost) ScratchpadList() ([]scratchpad.Entry, error) { return h.pads.List() }
+
+func (h *toolHost) ScratchpadRead(name string) (string, string, error) {
+	return h.pads.Read(name)
+}
+
+func (h *toolHost) ScratchpadWrite(name, content, expectedRevision string) (string, error) {
+	rev, err := h.pads.Write(name, content, expectedRevision)
+	if err == nil && h.scratch != nil {
+		h.scratch.scratchpadsChanged()
+	}
+	return rev, err
+}
+
+func (h *toolHost) ScratchpadAppend(name, content string) error {
+	err := h.pads.Append(name, content)
+	if err == nil && h.scratch != nil {
+		h.scratch.scratchpadsChanged()
+	}
+	return err
+}
 
 func (h *toolHost) WhoAmI(callerID string) mcp.WhoAmI {
 	w := mcp.WhoAmI{

internal/app/launch.go

@@ -56,14 +56,12 @@ func (l *Launcher) LaunchAgent(p *preset.Preset, displayName, initialPrompt, par
 		env = append(env, k+"="+v)
 	}
 
-	// Mint a per-spawn MCP config file pointing at the mcp-stdio proxy
+	identity := mintIdentity()
-	// with the new child's identity. We don't know the identity until
+	var cleanupPaths []string
-	// we've created the child, but the child needs the env/argv at
+	cleanup := func() {
-	// creation time — so we reserve the identity by pre-creating the
+		for _, path := range cleanupPaths {
-	// MCP config with a placeholder, then patching it post-spawn.
+			_ = os.RemoveAll(path)
-	identity, mcpConfigPath, err := l.writeMCPConfig()
+		}
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
 	}
 
 	if p.MCPInjection != nil {
@@ -72,24 +70,33 @@ func (l *Launcher) LaunchAgent(p *preset.Preset, displayName, initialPrompt, par
 			if p.MCPInjection.Flag == "" {
 				return nil, fmt.Errorf("preset %s: mcp_injection.flag required for kind=flag", p.Name)
 			}
+			mcpConfigPath, err := l.writeMCPConfig(identity)
+			if err != nil {
+				return nil, err
+			}
+			cleanupPaths = append(cleanupPaths, mcpConfigPath)
 			argv = append(argv, p.MCPInjection.Flag, mcpConfigPath)
 		case "env_var":
 			if p.MCPInjection.Var == "" {
 				return nil, fmt.Errorf("preset %s: mcp_injection.var required for kind=env_var", p.Name)
 			}
+			mcpConfigPath, err := l.writeMCPConfig(identity)
+			if err != nil {
+				return nil, err
+			}
+			cleanupPaths = append(cleanupPaths, mcpConfigPath)
 			env = append(env, p.MCPInjection.Var+"="+mcpConfigPath)
 		case "config_file":
 			// Merge patterm's MCP entry into a vendored copy of the
 			// user's existing config file, then point the child at the
 			// vendored copy via the preset's home_var. The real config
 			// file is never modified.
-			envAssign, _, mErr := mcpConfigMerge(p, p.MCPInjection, identity, l.bin, l.mcpSocket)
+			envAssign, homeDir, mErr := mcpConfigMerge(p, p.MCPInjection, identity, l.bin, l.mcpSocket)
 			if mErr != nil {
-				_ = os.Remove(mcpConfigPath)
 				return nil, mErr
 			}
+			cleanupPaths = append(cleanupPaths, homeDir)
 			env = append(env, envAssign)
-			env = append(env, "PATTERM_MCP_CONFIG="+mcpConfigPath)
 		case "cli_override":
 			// Inline -c key=value overrides for agents that accept
 			// them (codex's `-c mcp_servers.patterm.command=...`). No
@@ -97,7 +104,6 @@ func (l *Launcher) LaunchAgent(p *preset.Preset, displayName, initialPrompt, par
 			// are untouched.
 			extra, err := mcpCLIOverrideArgs(p, p.MCPInjection, identity, l.bin, l.mcpSocket)
 			if err != nil {
-				_ = os.Remove(mcpConfigPath)
 				return nil, err
 			}
 			argv = append(argv, extra...)
@@ -108,11 +114,11 @@ func (l *Launcher) LaunchAgent(p *preset.Preset, displayName, initialPrompt, par
 			// XDG_CONFIG_HOME stays as the user set it.
 			assignment, err := mcpConfigEnv(p, p.MCPInjection, identity, l.bin, l.mcpSocket)
 			if err != nil {
-				_ = os.Remove(mcpConfigPath)
 				return nil, err
 			}
 			env = append(env, assignment)
 		default:
+			cleanup()
 			return nil, fmt.Errorf("preset %s: unknown mcp_injection.kind %q", p.Name, p.MCPInjection.Kind)
 		}
 	}
@@ -120,16 +126,17 @@ func (l *Launcher) LaunchAgent(p *preset.Preset, displayName, initialPrompt, par
 	// Spawn with the chosen identity.
 	cols, rows := l.size()
 	c, err := l.sess.Spawn(SpawnSpec{
-		Kind:      KindAgent,
+		Kind:         KindAgent,
-		Argv:      argv,
+		Argv:         argv,
-		Env:       env,
+		Env:          env,
-		Name:      displayName,
+		Name:         displayName,
-		ParentID:  parentID,
+		ParentID:     parentID,
-		PresetRef: p.Name,
+		PresetRef:    p.Name,
-		Identity:  identity,
+		Identity:     identity,
+		CleanupPaths: cleanupPaths,
 	}, cols, rows)
 	if err != nil {
-		_ = os.Remove(mcpConfigPath)
+		cleanup()
 		return nil, err
 	}
 
@@ -219,17 +226,16 @@ func (l *Launcher) LaunchTerminal(argv []string, displayName, parentID, workDir
 	}, cols, rows)
 }
 
-func (l *Launcher) writeMCPConfig() (identity, path string, err error) {
+func (l *Launcher) writeMCPConfig(identity string) (string, error) {
-	identity = mintIdentity()
 	dir, err := preset.ConfigDir()
 	if err != nil {
-		return "", "", err
+		return "", err
 	}
 	dir = filepath.Join(dir, "mcp")
 	if err := os.MkdirAll(dir, 0o700); err != nil {
-		return "", "", err
+		return "", err
 	}
-	path = filepath.Join(dir, identity+".json")
+	path := filepath.Join(dir, identity+".json")
 	cfg := map[string]any{
 		"mcpServers": map[string]any{
 			"patterm": map[string]any{
@@ -240,13 +246,13 @@ func (l *Launcher) writeMCPConfig() (identity, path string, err error) {
 	}
 	body, err := json.MarshalIndent(cfg, "", "  ")
 	if err != nil {
-		return "", "", err
+		return "", err
 	}
 	body = append(body, '\n')
 	if err := os.WriteFile(path, body, 0o600); err != nil {
-		return "", "", err
+		return "", err
 	}
-	return identity, path, nil
+	return path, nil
 }
 
 // waitForIdle polls the child's IdleMS until it exceeds idle, or until

internal/app/palette.go

@@ -115,7 +115,7 @@ func (p *paletteState) allItems() []paletteItem {
 		if c.Kind == KindAgent && c.Status() != StatusRunning {
 			continue
 		}
-		label := "Switch to " + c.Name
+		label := "Switch to " + c.DisplayName()
 		hint := strings.Join(c.Argv, " ")
 		if c.ID == p.focused {
 			label = "• " + label + " (current)"
@@ -153,7 +153,7 @@ func (p *paletteState) allItems() []paletteItem {
 			continue
 		}
 		out = append(out, paletteItem{
-			label:  "Kill " + c.Name,
+			label:  "Kill " + c.DisplayName(),
 			hint:   "SIGTERM " + strings.Join(c.Argv, " "),
 			action: paletteAction{kind: "kill", childID: c.ID},
 		})

internal/app/session.go

@@ -18,6 +18,8 @@ import (
 	"github.com/hjbdev/patterm/internal/vt"
 )
 
+const childStopTimeout = 2 * time.Second
+
 // Session is the in-memory state for the running patterm process.
 // In SPEC §4 terms each top-level tab is a session; v1 ships with a
 // single implicit session and reserves room to grow.
@@ -117,6 +119,10 @@ type SpawnSpec struct {
 	ParentID  string
 	PresetRef string
 	Identity  string // pre-minted; otherwise the constructor mints one for agents
+	// CleanupPaths are owned runtime files/dirs removed when the child exits
+	// or is closed. They must be attached before the PTY starts so a
+	// fast-exiting child cannot outrun cleanup registration.
+	CleanupPaths []string
 }
 
 // Spawn creates a new entry and starts its PTY. For Kind = command the
@@ -144,7 +150,12 @@ func (s *Session) Spawn(spec SpawnSpec, cols, rows uint16) (*Child, error) {
 	if spec.Identity != "" {
 		c.Identity = spec.Identity
 	}
-	if err := c.startPTY(cols, rows); err != nil {
+	for _, path := range spec.CleanupPaths {
+		c.AddCleanupPath(path)
+	}
+	runID, err := c.startPTY(cols, rows)
+	if err != nil {
+		c.cleanupOwnedPaths()
 		return nil, err
 	}
 
@@ -154,33 +165,11 @@ func (s *Session) Spawn(spec SpawnSpec, cols, rows uint16) (*Child, error) {
 	s.mu.Unlock()
 
 	s.emitSpawn(c)
-	go s.pumpChild(c)
+	go s.pumpChild(c, runID)
-	go s.reapChild(c)
+	go s.reapChild(c, runID)
 	return c, nil
 }
 
-// AddCommandEntry registers a command entry without starting it. Used
-// by spawn_process(kind: command) when SPEC §7 needs the entry to exist
-// in `stopped` state first (we always start it after; the indirection
-// is here so future versions can support deferred starts).
-func (s *Session) AddCommandEntry(spec SpawnSpec) *Child {
-	s.mu.Lock()
-	id := s.mintUniqueIDLocked()
-	s.nameSeq[spec.Kind]++
-	if spec.Name == "" {
-		spec.Name = fmt.Sprintf("%s-%d", spec.Kind, s.nameSeq[spec.Kind])
-	}
-	if spec.Env == nil {
-		spec.Env = s.ChildEnv()
-	}
-	c := newChildEntry(id, spec.Name, spec.Kind, spec.Argv, spec.Env, spec.ParentID, spec.WorkDir, spec.PresetRef)
-	s.children[id] = c
-	s.order = append(s.order, id)
-	s.mu.Unlock()
-	s.emitSpawn(c)
-	return c
-}
-
 // Start (re)attaches a PTY to an entry that is currently stopped or
 // exited. Errors if the entry is already live.
 func (s *Session) Start(id string, cols, rows uint16) error {
@@ -191,11 +180,12 @@ func (s *Session) Start(id string, cols, rows uint16) error {
 	if c.IsLive() {
 		return nil // SPEC §7 start_process is a no-op on a running entry
 	}
-	if err := c.startPTY(cols, rows); err != nil {
+	runID, err := c.startPTY(cols, rows)
+	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
-	go s.pumpChild(c)
+	go s.pumpChild(c, runID)
-	go s.reapChild(c)
+	go s.reapChild(c, runID)
 	return nil
 }
 
@@ -210,32 +200,20 @@ func (s *Session) Restart(id string, sig syscall.Signal, cols, rows uint16) erro
 	if c.Kind != KindCommand && !c.IsLive() {
 		return fmt.Errorf("restart: %s entries can only be restarted while live", c.Kind)
 	}
+	// Only live entries can own runtime MCP config paths today. Keep the
+	// reaper from cleaning those paths while restart swaps the PTY.
+	c.restarting.Store(true)
+	defer c.restarting.Store(false)
 	if c.IsLive() {
-		if sig == 0 {
+		terminateAndWait(c, sig, childStopTimeout)
-			sig = syscall.SIGTERM
-		}
-		_ = c.signal(sig)
-		// Wait briefly for the reaper to mark exited. We don't need
-		// strict synchronization — the reaper will run regardless; we
-		// just want startPTY to land after teardown.
-		deadline := time.Now().Add(2 * time.Second)
-		for c.IsLive() && time.Now().Before(deadline) {
-			time.Sleep(20 * time.Millisecond)
-		}
-		if c.IsLive() {
-			// Force.
-			_ = c.signal(syscall.SIGKILL)
-			for c.IsLive() {
-				time.Sleep(20 * time.Millisecond)
-			}
-		}
 	}
 	c.teardownPTY()
-	if err := c.startPTY(cols, rows); err != nil {
+	runID, err := c.startPTY(cols, rows)
+	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
-	go s.pumpChild(c)
+	go s.pumpChild(c, runID)
-	go s.reapChild(c)
+	go s.reapChild(c, runID)
 	return nil
 }
 
@@ -247,22 +225,10 @@ func (s *Session) Close(id string, sig syscall.Signal) error {
 		return fmt.Errorf("no such process %q", id)
 	}
 	if c.IsLive() {
-		if sig == 0 {
+		terminateAndWait(c, sig, childStopTimeout)
-			sig = syscall.SIGTERM
-		}
-		_ = c.signal(sig)
-		deadline := time.Now().Add(2 * time.Second)
-		for c.IsLive() && time.Now().Before(deadline) {
-			time.Sleep(20 * time.Millisecond)
-		}
-		if c.IsLive() {
-			_ = c.signal(syscall.SIGKILL)
-			for c.IsLive() {
-				time.Sleep(20 * time.Millisecond)
-			}
-		}
 	}
 	c.teardownPTY()
+	c.cleanupOwnedPaths()
 	s.mu.Lock()
 	delete(s.children, id)
 	for i, oid := range s.order {
@@ -286,15 +252,18 @@ func (s *Session) mintUniqueIDLocked() string {
 	}
 }
 
-func (s *Session) pumpChild(c *Child) {
+func (s *Session) pumpChild(c *Child, runID uint64) {
+	pty := c.ptyForRun(runID)
+	if pty == nil {
+		return
+	}
 	buf := make([]byte, 64*1024)
 	for {
-		pty := c.PTY()
-		if pty == nil {
-			return
-		}
 		n, err := pty.Read(buf)
 		if n > 0 {
+			if !c.isCurrentRun(runID) {
+				return
+			}
 			chunk := make([]byte, n)
 			copy(chunk, buf[:n])
 			if em := c.Emulator(); em != nil {
@@ -314,16 +283,22 @@ func (s *Session) pumpChild(c *Child) {
 	}
 }
 
-func (s *Session) reapChild(c *Child) {
+func (s *Session) reapChild(c *Child, runID uint64) {
-	pty := c.PTY()
+	pty := c.ptyForRun(runID)
 	if pty == nil {
 		return
 	}
 	err := pty.Wait()
+	if !c.isCurrentRun(runID) || c.restarting.Load() {
+		return
+	}
 	c.markExited(err)
 	logf("child %s exited (err=%v)", c.ID, err)
 	s.emitExit(c)
 	s.killDescendantsOf(c.ID)
+	if !c.restarting.Load() {
+		c.cleanupOwnedPaths()
+	}
 }
 
 // killDescendantsOf terminates every still-live direct child of
@@ -352,24 +327,49 @@ func (s *Session) killDescendantsOf(parentID string) {
 	for _, c := range live {
 		_ = c.signal(syscall.SIGTERM)
 	}
-	deadline := time.Now().Add(2 * time.Second)
+	waitForAllStopped(live, childStopTimeout)
+	for _, c := range live {
+		if c.IsLive() {
+			_ = c.signal(syscall.SIGKILL)
+		}
+	}
+	waitForAllStopped(live, childStopTimeout)
+}
+
+func waitForAllStopped(children []*Child, timeout time.Duration) bool {
+	deadline := time.Now().Add(timeout)
 	for time.Now().Before(deadline) {
 		anyLive := false
-		for _, c := range live {
+		for _, c := range children {
 			if c.IsLive() {
 				anyLive = true
 				break
 			}
 		}
 		if !anyLive {
-			return
+			return true
 		}
 		time.Sleep(20 * time.Millisecond)
 	}
-	for _, c := range live {
+	return false
-		if c.IsLive() {
+}
-			_ = c.signal(syscall.SIGKILL)
+
-		}
+func terminateAndWait(c *Child, sig syscall.Signal, timeout time.Duration) {
+	if sig == 0 {
+		sig = syscall.SIGTERM
+	}
+	_ = c.signal(sig)
+	deadline := time.Now().Add(timeout)
+	for c.IsLive() && time.Now().Before(deadline) {
+		time.Sleep(20 * time.Millisecond)
+	}
+	if !c.IsLive() {
+		return
+	}
+	_ = c.signal(syscall.SIGKILL)
+	deadline = time.Now().Add(timeout)
+	for c.IsLive() && time.Now().Before(deadline) {
+		time.Sleep(20 * time.Millisecond)
 	}
 }
 
@@ -524,6 +524,7 @@ func (s *Session) Shutdown() {
 	// emitExit as Wait() returns.
 	for _, c := range cs {
 		c.teardownPTY()
+		c.cleanupOwnedPaths()
 	}
 }
 

internal/app/sidebar.go

@@ -88,9 +88,9 @@ func (st *uiState) drawSidebar() {
 		var line string
 		if focused {
 			line = " " + styleAccent + "▎" + styleReset + " " + indent + glyph + " " +
-				styleBold + c.Name + styleReset
+				styleBold + c.DisplayName() + styleReset
 		} else {
-			line = "   " + indent + glyph + " " + styleHint + c.Name + styleReset
+			line = "   " + indent + glyph + " " + styleHint + c.DisplayName() + styleReset
 		}
 		write(line)
 	}

internal/app/tabbar.go

@@ -99,7 +99,7 @@ func (st *uiState) drawTabBar() {
 			if i < extra {
 				w++
 			}
-			label := c.Name
+			label := c.DisplayName()
 			labelW := utf8.RuneCountInString(label)
 			maxLabelW := w - 2 // one pad on each side
 			if maxLabelW < 1 {

internal/harness/env.go

@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ import (
 	"path/filepath"
 	"runtime"
 	"strings"
+	"sync"
 
 	"github.com/hjbdev/patterm/internal/projectkey"
 	"github.com/hjbdev/patterm/internal/trust"
@@ -179,9 +180,18 @@ func defaultPattermBin() (string, error) {
 	if p := os.Getenv("PATTERM_BIN"); p != "" {
 		return p, nil
 	}
-	return buildPattermBinary()
+	defaultBinOnce.Do(func() {
+		defaultBinPath, defaultBinErr = buildPattermBinary()
+	})
+	return defaultBinPath, defaultBinErr
 }
 
+var (
+	defaultBinOnce sync.Once
+	defaultBinPath string
+	defaultBinErr  error
+)
+
 func buildPattermBinary() (string, error) {
 	root, err := repoRoot()
 	if err != nil {

internal/harness/recorder.go

@@ -21,9 +21,16 @@ func (s *Session) DumpArtifacts(sc *Scenario, failingStep int, cause error) (*Ar
 	if name == "" {
 		name = "scenario"
 	}
-	dir := filepath.Join("internal", "harness", ".artifacts", fmt.Sprintf("%s-%d", name, time.Now().Unix()))
+	root, err := repoRoot()
-	abs, _ := filepath.Abs(dir)
+	if err != nil {
-	if err := os.MkdirAll(abs, 0o700); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	base := filepath.Join(root, "internal", "harness", ".artifacts")
+	if err := os.MkdirAll(base, 0o700); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	abs, err := os.MkdirTemp(base, fmt.Sprintf("%s-%d-*", name, time.Now().UnixNano()))
+	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
 	screen, _ := s.em.ScreenText()

internal/harness/session.go

@@ -210,19 +210,19 @@ func (s *Session) WaitForStable(timeout time.Duration) error {
 }
 
 func (s *Session) WaitForText(text string, timeout time.Duration) error {
-	deadline := time.Now().Add(timeout)
+	return pollUntil(timeout, 25*time.Millisecond, func() (bool, error) {
-	for time.Now().Before(deadline) {
 		screen, err := s.Screen()
 		if err != nil {
-			return err
+			return false, err
 		}
 		if strings.Contains(screen, text) {
-			return nil
+			return true, nil
 		}
-		time.Sleep(25 * time.Millisecond)
+		return false, nil
-	}
+	}, func() error {
-	screen, _ := s.Screen()
+		screen, _ := s.Screen()
-	return fmt.Errorf("text %q not found before timeout; screen:\n%s", text, screen)
+		return fmt.Errorf("text %q not found before timeout; screen:\n%s", text, screen)
+	})
 }
 
 func (s *Session) WaitForRegex(pattern string, timeout time.Duration) error {
@@ -230,19 +230,31 @@ func (s *Session) WaitForRegex(pattern string, timeout time.Duration) error {
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
-	deadline := time.Now().Add(timeout)
+	return pollUntil(timeout, 25*time.Millisecond, func() (bool, error) {
-	for time.Now().Before(deadline) {
 		screen, err := s.Screen()
 		if err != nil {
-			return err
+			return false, err
 		}
 		if re.MatchString(screen) {
-			return nil
+			return true, nil
 		}
-		time.Sleep(25 * time.Millisecond)
+		return false, nil
+	}, func() error {
+		screen, _ := s.Screen()
+		return fmt.Errorf("regex %q not found before timeout; screen:\n%s", pattern, screen)
+	})
+}
+
+func pollUntil(timeout, interval time.Duration, check func() (bool, error), timeoutErr func() error) error {
+	deadline := time.Now().Add(timeout)
+	for time.Now().Before(deadline) {
+		ok, err := check()
+		if err != nil || ok {
+			return err
+		}
+		time.Sleep(interval)
 	}
-	screen, _ := s.Screen()
+	return timeoutErr()
-	return fmt.Errorf("regex %q not found before timeout; screen:\n%s", pattern, screen)
 }
 
 func (s *Session) MCPCall(method string, params json.RawMessage) (json.RawMessage, error) {

internal/mcp/protocol.go

@@ -166,10 +166,10 @@ func toolCatalog() []toolDescriptor {
 		},
 		{
 			Name:        "get_process_output",
-			Description: "Read rendered grid (\"grid\") or scrollback (\"scrollback\") output, with screen-version watermark.",
+			Description: "Read rendered grid (\"grid\") or ANSI-stripped stream (\"stream\") output, with screen-version watermark.",
 			InputSchema: objectSchema(map[string]any{
 				"process_id":   stringProp("Target process id."),
-				"mode":         stringProp("\"grid\" (default) or \"scrollback\"."),
+				"mode":         stringProp("\"grid\" (default) or \"stream\"."),
 				"since_offset": integerProp("Watermark offset from a previous call."),
 			}, []string{"process_id"}),
 		},
@@ -198,7 +198,7 @@ func toolCatalog() []toolDescriptor {
 				"process_id":      stringProp("Target process id."),
 				"pattern":         stringProp("Regex pattern."),
 				"timeout_seconds": numberProp("Max time to wait (seconds)."),
-				"scope":           stringProp("\"new\" (default) or \"all\"."),
+				"scope":           stringProp("\"grid\" (default) or \"scrollback\"."),
 			}, []string{"process_id", "pattern"}),
 		},
 		{
@@ -215,7 +215,7 @@ func toolCatalog() []toolDescriptor {
 				"process_id": stringProp("Target process id."),
 				"kind":       stringProp("\"text\", \"paste\", or \"key\"."),
 				"text":       stringProp("Text payload for kind=text/paste."),
-				"key":        stringProp("Named key for kind=key (e.g. \"enter\", \"esc\")."),
+				"key":        stringProp("Named key for kind=key (e.g. \"enter\", \"escape\")."),
 				"submit":     booleanProp("Whether to append a submit keystroke."),
 				"wait_ms":    integerProp("After sending, wait this many ms before tailing."),
 				"tail_mode":  stringProp("\"none\" (default), \"stream\", or \"grid\"."),

internal/mcp/protocol_test.go

@@ -126,3 +126,19 @@ func TestPingReturnsEmptyObject(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatal("ping result missing")
 	}
 }
+
+func TestTypedInvalidArgsMapToInvalidParams(t *testing.T) {
+	for _, errKind := range []string{ErrorKindInvalidArgs, ErrorKindInvalidKind} {
+		_, code, msg, data := mapToolError(Errorf(errKind, "bad args"))
+		if code != codeInvalidParams {
+			t.Fatalf("%s code = %d, want %d", errKind, code, codeInvalidParams)
+		}
+		if msg != "bad args" {
+			t.Fatalf("%s message = %q", errKind, msg)
+		}
+		kind, ok := data.(map[string]string)
+		if !ok || kind["kind"] != errKind {
+			t.Fatalf("%s data = %#v", errKind, data)
+		}
+	}
+}

internal/mcp/tools.go

@@ -14,6 +14,15 @@ import (
 // names live in the -32000 range with a structured `data.kind` so the
 // caller can branch on the error type rather than parsing strings.
 const (
+	ErrorKindInvalidArgs   = "invalid_args"
+	ErrorKindInvalidKind   = "invalid_kind"
+	ErrorKindNeedsTrust    = "needs_trust"
+	ErrorKindRoleForbidden = "role_forbidden"
+	ErrorKindNotRelated    = "not_related"
+	ErrorKindNotFound      = "not_found"
+	ErrorKindWrongKind     = "wrong_kind"
+	ErrorKindUnknownAgent  = "unknown_agent"
+
 	codeParseError     = -32700
 	codeInvalidRequest = -32600
 	codeMethodNotFound = -32601
@@ -81,7 +90,10 @@ type ToolHost interface {
 	TimerWait(callerID string, seconds float64, label string) (string, error)
 
 	// Scratchpads.
-	Scratchpads() *scratchpad.Store
+	ScratchpadList() ([]scratchpad.Entry, error)
+	ScratchpadRead(name string) (content string, revision string, err error)
+	ScratchpadWrite(name, content, expectedRevision string) (revision string, err error)
+	ScratchpadAppend(name, content string) error
 
 	// Meta.
 	WhoAmI(callerID string) WhoAmI
@@ -105,14 +117,14 @@ type ProcessInfo struct {
 // ProcessInfo: includes pane geometry, cursor, and active screen.
 type ProcessStatus struct {
 	ProcessInfo
-	WorkingDir    string  `json:"working_dir,omitempty"`
+	WorkingDir    string   `json:"working_dir,omitempty"`
 	Argv          []string `json:"argv,omitempty"`
-	StartedAt     string  `json:"started_at,omitempty"`
+	StartedAt     string   `json:"started_at,omitempty"`
-	ActiveScreen  string  `json:"active_screen,omitempty"`
+	ActiveScreen  string   `json:"active_screen,omitempty"`
-	Rows          int     `json:"rows,omitempty"`
+	Rows          int      `json:"rows,omitempty"`
-	Cols          int     `json:"cols,omitempty"`
+	Cols          int      `json:"cols,omitempty"`
-	Cursor        Cursor  `json:"cursor"`
+	Cursor        Cursor   `json:"cursor"`
-	ScreenVersion int64   `json:"screen_version,omitempty"`
+	ScreenVersion int64    `json:"screen_version,omitempty"`
 }
 
 // Cursor matches SPEC §7's `{x, y}` payload.
@@ -124,10 +136,10 @@ type Cursor struct {
 // ProjectStatus is what get_project_status returns — everything an
 // agent needs to orient itself in one call.
 type ProjectStatus struct {
-	Project    ProjectMeta            `json:"project"`
+	Project     ProjectMeta        `json:"project"`
-	Caller     WhoAmI                 `json:"caller"`
+	Caller      WhoAmI             `json:"caller"`
-	Processes  []ProcessInfo          `json:"processes"`
+	Processes   []ProcessInfo      `json:"processes"`
-	Scratchpads []scratchpad.Entry    `json:"scratchpads"`
+	Scratchpads []scratchpad.Entry `json:"scratchpads"`
 }
 
 // ProjectMeta is the project root info echoed in many payloads.
@@ -178,20 +190,20 @@ type PortSighting struct {
 
 // SpawnAgentArgs is the input shape for spawn_agent.
 type SpawnAgentArgs struct {
-	Agent              string `json:"agent"`
+	Agent             string `json:"agent"`
-	AgentInstructions  string `json:"agent_instructions"`
+	AgentInstructions string `json:"agent_instructions"`
-	Name               string `json:"name"`
+	Name              string `json:"name"`
 }
 
 // SpawnProcessArgs is the input shape for spawn_process.
 type SpawnProcessArgs struct {
-	Kind       string   `json:"kind"` // "terminal" | "command"
+	Kind       string            `json:"kind"` // "terminal" | "command"
-	Preset     string   `json:"preset"`
+	Preset     string            `json:"preset"`
-	Argv       []string `json:"argv"`
+	Argv       []string          `json:"argv"`
-	Name       string   `json:"name"`
+	Name       string            `json:"name"`
-	WorkingDir string   `json:"working_dir"`
+	WorkingDir string            `json:"working_dir"`
 	Env        map[string]string `json:"env"`
-	Shell      bool     `json:"shell"`
+	Shell      bool              `json:"shell"`
 }
 
 // SendInputArgs is the input shape for send_input — covers text /
@@ -214,12 +226,12 @@ type SendInputResult struct {
 
 // WhoAmI is the whoami return shape.
 type WhoAmI struct {
-	ProcessID       string     `json:"process_id"`
+	ProcessID       string      `json:"process_id"`
-	Name            string     `json:"name"`
+	Name            string      `json:"name"`
-	Role            CallerRole `json:"role"`
+	Role            CallerRole  `json:"role"`
-	ParentProcessID string     `json:"parent_process_id,omitempty"`
+	ParentProcessID string      `json:"parent_process_id,omitempty"`
 	Project         ProjectMeta `json:"project"`
-	AvailableTools  []string   `json:"available_tools"`
+	AvailableTools  []string    `json:"available_tools"`
 }
 
 // HelpResponse is the help return shape.
@@ -332,7 +344,9 @@ func callTool(h ToolHost, callerID, method string, params json.RawMessage) (any,
 		return mapToolResult(info, err)
 
 	case "start_process":
-		var p struct{ ProcessID string `json:"process_id"` }
+		var p struct {
+			ProcessID string `json:"process_id"`
+		}
 		if err := unmarshalParams(params, &p); err != nil {
 			return nil, codeInvalidParams, err.Error(), nil
 		}
@@ -364,7 +378,9 @@ func callTool(h ToolHost, callerID, method string, params json.RawMessage) (any,
 		return mapToolResult(info, err)
 
 	case "close_process":
-		var p struct{ ProcessID string `json:"process_id"` }
+		var p struct {
+			ProcessID string `json:"process_id"`
+		}
 		if err := unmarshalParams(params, &p); err != nil {
 			return nil, codeInvalidParams, err.Error(), nil
 		}
@@ -387,7 +403,9 @@ func callTool(h ToolHost, callerID, method string, params json.RawMessage) (any,
 		return "ok", 0, "", nil
 
 	case "select_process":
-		var p struct{ ProcessID string `json:"process_id"` }
+		var p struct {
+			ProcessID string `json:"process_id"`
+		}
 		if err := unmarshalParams(params, &p); err != nil {
 			return nil, codeInvalidParams, err.Error(), nil
 		}
@@ -397,12 +415,16 @@ func callTool(h ToolHost, callerID, method string, params json.RawMessage) (any,
 		return "ok", 0, "", nil
 
 	case "list_processes":
-		var p struct{ Kind string `json:"kind"` }
+		var p struct {
+			Kind string `json:"kind"`
+		}
 		_ = unmarshalParamsOptional(params, &p)
 		return h.ListProcesses(callerID, p.Kind), 0, "", nil
 
 	case "get_process_status":
-		var p struct{ ProcessID string `json:"process_id"` }
+		var p struct {
+			ProcessID string `json:"process_id"`
+		}
 		if err := unmarshalParams(params, &p); err != nil {
 			return nil, codeInvalidParams, err.Error(), nil
 		}
@@ -490,7 +512,9 @@ func callTool(h ToolHost, callerID, method string, params json.RawMessage) (any,
 		return map[string]any{"matched": matched, "snippet": snippet}, 0, "", nil
 
 	case "get_process_ports":
-		var p struct{ ProcessID string `json:"process_id"` }
+		var p struct {
+			ProcessID string `json:"process_id"`
+		}
 		if err := unmarshalParams(params, &p); err != nil {
 			return nil, codeInvalidParams, err.Error(), nil
 		}
@@ -552,18 +576,20 @@ func callTool(h ToolHost, callerID, method string, params json.RawMessage) (any,
 		return map[string]string{"timer_id": id}, 0, "", nil
 
 	case "scratchpad_list":
-		entries, err := h.Scratchpads().List()
+		entries, err := h.ScratchpadList()
 		if err != nil {
 			return nil, codeInternal, err.Error(), nil
 		}
 		return entries, 0, "", nil
 
 	case "scratchpad_read":
-		var p struct{ Name string `json:"name"` }
+		var p struct {
+			Name string `json:"name"`
+		}
 		if err := unmarshalParams(params, &p); err != nil {
 			return nil, codeInvalidParams, err.Error(), nil
 		}
-		content, rev, err := h.Scratchpads().Read(p.Name)
+		content, rev, err := h.ScratchpadRead(p.Name)
 		if err != nil {
 			return nil, codeInternal, err.Error(), nil
 		}
@@ -578,7 +604,7 @@ func callTool(h ToolHost, callerID, method string, params json.RawMessage) (any,
 		if err := unmarshalParams(params, &p); err != nil {
 			return nil, codeInvalidParams, err.Error(), nil
 		}
-		rev, err := h.Scratchpads().Write(p.Name, p.Content, p.ExpectedRevision)
+		rev, err := h.ScratchpadWrite(p.Name, p.Content, p.ExpectedRevision)
 		if err != nil {
 			// Optimistic-concurrency miss returns ok:false + current_revision
 			// rather than a JSON-RPC error so callers can re-read + merge.
@@ -598,7 +624,7 @@ func callTool(h ToolHost, callerID, method string, params json.RawMessage) (any,
 		if err := unmarshalParams(params, &p); err != nil {
 			return nil, codeInvalidParams, err.Error(), nil
 		}
-		if err := h.Scratchpads().Append(p.Name, p.Content); err != nil {
+		if err := h.ScratchpadAppend(p.Name, p.Content); err != nil {
 			return nil, codeInternal, err.Error(), nil
 		}
 		return map[string]any{"ok": true}, 0, "", nil
@@ -607,7 +633,9 @@ func callTool(h ToolHost, callerID, method string, params json.RawMessage) (any,
 		return h.WhoAmI(callerID), 0, "", nil
 
 	case "help":
-		var p struct{ Topic string `json:"topic"` }
+		var p struct {
+			Topic string `json:"topic"`
+		}
 		_ = unmarshalParamsOptional(params, &p)
 		return h.Help(callerID, p.Topic), 0, "", nil
 	}
@@ -632,17 +660,19 @@ func mapToolError(err error) (any, int, string, any) {
 	if errors.As(err, &te) {
 		code := codeInternal
 		switch te.Kind {
-		case "needs_trust":
+		case ErrorKindInvalidArgs, ErrorKindInvalidKind:
+			code = codeInvalidParams
+		case ErrorKindNeedsTrust:
 			code = codeNeedsTrust
-		case "role_forbidden":
+		case ErrorKindRoleForbidden:
 			code = codeRoleForbidden
-		case "not_related":
+		case ErrorKindNotRelated:
 			code = codeNotRelated
-		case "not_found":
+		case ErrorKindNotFound:
 			code = codeNotFound
-		case "wrong_kind":
+		case ErrorKindWrongKind:
 			code = codeWrongKind
-		case "unknown_agent":
+		case ErrorKindUnknownAgent:
 			code = codeUnknownAgent
 		}
 		return nil, code, te.Message, structuredKind(te.Kind)

internal/scratchpad/scratchpad.go

@@ -13,10 +13,12 @@ import (
 	"path/filepath"
 	"sort"
 	"strings"
+	"sync"
 )
 
 // Store is the per-project scratchpad directory.
 type Store struct {
+	mu  sync.Mutex
 	dir string
 }
 
@@ -55,6 +57,8 @@ type Entry struct {
 func (s *Store) Dir() string { return s.dir }
 
 func (s *Store) List() ([]Entry, error) {
+	s.mu.Lock()
+	defer s.mu.Unlock()
 	entries, err := os.ReadDir(s.dir)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
@@ -79,6 +83,8 @@ func (s *Store) List() ([]Entry, error) {
 }
 
 func (s *Store) Read(name string) (content string, revision string, err error) {
+	s.mu.Lock()
+	defer s.mu.Unlock()
 	p, err := s.safePath(name)
 	if err != nil {
 		return "", "", err
@@ -106,6 +112,8 @@ func (e *RevisionMismatchError) Error() string {
 // must match the current revision or the write is rejected with a
 // *RevisionMismatchError (SPEC §14 last-write-wins-with-token).
 func (s *Store) Write(name, content, expectedRevision string) (string, error) {
+	s.mu.Lock()
+	defer s.mu.Unlock()
 	p, err := s.safePath(name)
 	if err != nil {
 		return "", err
@@ -125,6 +133,8 @@ func (s *Store) Write(name, content, expectedRevision string) (string, error) {
 }
 
 func (s *Store) Append(name, content string) error {
+	s.mu.Lock()
+	defer s.mu.Unlock()
 	p, err := s.safePath(name)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err