fix(#150): add EvalSymlinks to validateDocmapPath — close dir-symlink bypass

The previous implementation called os.Lstat(absPath) which only avoids
following the *final* path component. A PR committing .review-bot/ as a
directory symlink pointing outside the repo would pass the filepath.Rel
confinement check because the textual path was inside the root while
the resolved destination was not.

Fix: call filepath.EvalSymlinks after filepath.Abs to resolve ALL symlink
components before the confinement check. If EvalSymlinks fails (dangling
symlink, nonexistent target) the path is rejected. The filepath.Rel check
then operates on the fully-resolved path.

Semantic change: file-level in-repo symlinks (target also within root) are
now allowed — the invariant is about where the content lives, not whether
the entry is a symlink. The test TestValidateDocmapPath_Symlink is updated
to test an out-of-repo symlink target, which must still be rejected.

Tests:
- TestValidateDocmapPath_DirSymlinkBypass: reproduces the attack vector
  (dir symlink bypassing textual confinement check) and verifies it is
  now rejected
- TestValidateDocmapPath_Symlink: updated to test out-of-repo symlink

Coverage: 54.0%

CHANGELOG.md

@@ -2,6 +2,14 @@
 
 ## Unreleased
 
+### Security
+
+- **`validateDocmapPath`: add `EvalSymlinks` to close directory-symlink bypass** ([#150](https://gitea.weiker.me/rodin/review-bot/issues/150)): The previous implementation used `os.Lstat` which only avoids following the *final* path component. An intermediate directory symlink (e.g. `.review-bot/` committed as a symlink to a directory outside the repo) would pass the path-confinement check because the textual path appeared within the repo root. `filepath.EvalSymlinks` is now called first, resolving all symlink components before the `filepath.Rel` confinement check. In-repo symlinks whose resolved targets also reside within the repo root are now allowed; out-of-repo targets are rejected by the confinement check.
+
+### Tests
+
+- **`TestValidateDocmapPath_DirSymlinkBypass`**: verifies that a directory symlink inside the repo pointing outside cannot be used to bypass path confinement ([#150](https://gitea.weiker.me/rodin/review-bot/issues/150)).
+
 ### Added
 
 - **`doc-map` input** (`--doc-map` flag / `DOC_MAP_FILE` env var): Path to a YAML file mapping source path globs to governing design docs. review-bot intersects the map with changed PR paths and injects matching docs into the system prompt under a `## Design Documents` heading. ([#137](https://gitea.weiker.me/rodin/review-bot/issues/137))

SKILL.md

@@ -0,0 +1,129 @@
+# Dev-Loop Skill: review-bot
+
+This file documents the dev-loop architecture for the `review-bot` project.
+It lives in the repo so changes are version-controlled alongside the code.
+
+## Architecture
+
+Dispatch is a **pure shell script** — no model reasoning.
+
+```
+Cron (agentTurn, toolsAllow: [exec, sessions_spawn, read])
+  → runs dispatch script
+  → reads output for SPAWN or HANDOFF lines
+  → spawns worker if instructed
+
+Dispatch script  (~/.openclaw/workspace/scripts/dev-loop-dispatch.sh)
+  → pure bash, all decisions are curl API calls + branches
+  → exits after emitting one SPAWN line (at most one worker per run)
+  → emits HANDOFF for each qualifying PR (does not exit after HANDOFF)
+
+Workers (Opus, spawned by cron model)
+  → receive precise task description
+  → do one job: self-review, fix CI, address feedback, or implement
+  → remove wip label when done, reply NO_REPLY
+```
+
+The cron model's **only** job: run script, read output, spawn worker if told to.
+The model **never** assesses project state or makes dispatch decisions.
+
+## Safety Invariants
+
+1. **NEVER MERGE** — no merge API call exists anywhere in the script or worker templates
+2. **REQUEST_CHANGES always blocks** — checked first, before CI, before self-review, before handoff
+3. **WIP mutex** — one active worker per repo; WIP label gates new issue pickup
+4. **One SPAWN per run** — script emits at most one SPAWN line per execution
+5. **set -euo pipefail** — any curl failure aborts immediately, no partial actions
+6. **Workers reply NO_REPLY** — no dispatch-level side effects (workers may push changes and manage labels as part of their task)
+
+## Dispatch Rules (in order)
+
+| Rule | Condition | Action |
+|------|-----------|--------|
+| 0 | WIP label > 1hr old | Remove stale WIP, continue |
+| 0b | WIP label ≤ 1hr old | Mark ACTIVE_WIP=1, continue (only gates Rule 10) |
+| _(1)_ | _(reserved — intentionally unused)_ | — |
+| 2 | Any reviewer has REQUEST_CHANGES | SPAWN:findings |
+| 3 | PR not mergeable | SPAWN:rebase |
+| 4 | CI failure, no fix plan | SPAWN:ci-fix |
+| 4b | CI failure, fix plan exists | Skip (worker in progress) |
+| 5 | Bot review missing | Wait |
+| 6 | CI pending/unknown | Wait |
+| 7 | No clean self-review, no fix plan | SPAWN:self-review |
+| 7b | Self-review needs attention, no fix plan | SPAWN:sr-fix |
+| 8 | Unacknowledged bot review findings | SPAWN:address-feedback |
+| 9 | Unresolved inline diff comments | SPAWN:address-feedback |
+| 10 | All checks pass | HANDOFF |
+| 11 | No open PRs + no ACTIVE_WIP | SPAWN:impl (next issue) |
+
+## Files
+
+| File | Description |
+|------|-------------|
+| `~/.openclaw/workspace/scripts/dev-loop-dispatch.sh` | Dispatch script — pure bash |
+| `~/.openclaw/workspace/scripts/worker-tasks/self-review.md` | Self-review worker template |
+| `~/.openclaw/workspace/scripts/worker-tasks/sr-fix.md` | Fix findings from self-review |
+| `~/.openclaw/workspace/scripts/worker-tasks/ci-fix.md` | CI fix worker template |
+| `~/.openclaw/workspace/scripts/worker-tasks/address-feedback.md` | Address feedback worker template |
+| `~/.openclaw/workspace/scripts/worker-tasks/findings.md` | Address REQUEST_CHANGES findings |
+| `~/.openclaw/workspace/scripts/worker-tasks/rebase.md` | Rebase worker template |
+| `~/.openclaw/workspace/scripts/worker-tasks/impl.md` | Issue implementation worker template |
+| `~/.openclaw/workspace/scripts/test/dispatch.bats` | Unit tests (bats) |
+| `~/.openclaw/workspace/scripts/test/check-invariants.sh` | Static invariant checks |
+| `~/.openclaw/workspace/memory/projects/review-bot.yaml` | Project config |
+
+## Project Config
+
+Config is at `~/.openclaw/workspace/memory/projects/review-bot.yaml`.
+
+Key fields:
+- `repo`: `rodin/review-bot`
+- `api_base`: `https://gitea.weiker.me/api/v1`
+- `user`: `rodin` (bot Gitea username)
+- `labels.wip`: WIP label ID
+- `labels.ready`: ready label ID
+- `review_bots`: list of bot sentinel names
+
+## Cron Config
+
+```yaml
+- label: review-bot-dev-loop
+  schedule: "*/15 * * * *"
+  prompt: |
+    Run: bash ~/.openclaw/workspace/scripts/dev-loop-dispatch.sh review-bot
+
+    Read the output. If it contains a SPAWN line, load the matching template from
+    ~/.openclaw/workspace/scripts/worker-tasks/<type>.md, substitute {{PROJECT}},
+    {{PR_NUM}}, and {{HEAD_SHA}}, then spawn with sessions_spawn(mode: "run",
+    model: "hai-anthropic/anthropic--claude-4.6-opus", thinking: "high").
+
+    If no SPAWN line in output, reply NO_REPLY.
+
+    See ~/.openclaw/workspace/skills/dev-loop/SKILL.md for full instructions.
+    (This repo's SKILL.md is deployed to that workspace path.)
+  model: hai-anthropic/anthropic--claude-4.5-haiku
+  toolsAllow: [exec, sessions_spawn, read]
+```
+
+## Tests
+
+```bash
+# Unit tests (no real API calls):
+bats ~/.openclaw/workspace/scripts/test/dispatch.bats
+
+# Invariant checks (static analysis):
+bash ~/.openclaw/workspace/scripts/test/check-invariants.sh
+
+# Dry-run against real API:
+DRY_RUN=1 bash ~/.openclaw/workspace/scripts/dev-loop-dispatch.sh review-bot
+```
+
+## Related Issues
+
+- **#144** — autonomous merge: eliminated by removing all merge API calls from dispatch
+- **#145** — merged despite REQUEST_CHANGES: eliminated by checking REQUEST_CHANGES first, unconditionally
+- **#148** — this redesign
+
+## Spec
+
+Full design spec: `docs/dev-loop-spec.md`

cmd/review-bot/main_test.go

@@ -1506,3 +1506,4 @@ func TestMainSubprocess_DeprecatedGiteaURLEnv(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Errorf("expected deprecation warning for GITEA_URL, got: %s", out)
 	}
 }
+

cmd/review-bot/validatedocmap.go

@@ -37,22 +37,33 @@ func validateDocmapPath(localPath, resolvedRoot string) error {
 		return fmt.Errorf("cannot resolve path: %w", err)
 	}
 
-	// Lstat: do NOT follow symlinks. We want to inspect the entry itself.
+	// Resolve ALL symlink components, not just the final one.
-	fi, err := os.Lstat(absPath)
+	// os.Lstat only avoids following the *final* path component; intermediate
+	// directory symlinks are still followed. EvalSymlinks resolves every
+	// component, closing the directory-symlink bypass: a PR that commits
+	// .review-bot/ as a directory symlink pointing outside the repo would
+	// otherwise pass the filepath.Rel confinement check because the textual
+	// path is inside the root while the actual destination is not.
+	resolvedPath, err := filepath.EvalSymlinks(absPath)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("cannot resolve path (symlink): %w", err)
+	}
+
+	// Lstat the resolved path — at this point resolvedPath is symlink-free, so
+	// ModeSymlink will never be set. We keep the check as defense-in-depth.
+	fi, err := os.Lstat(resolvedPath)
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("cannot stat file: %w", err)
 	}
 
-	// Reject symlinks outright — a symlink can point to /dev/zero or arbitrary
+	// Defense-in-depth: reject any remaining symlink indicator.
-	// host paths, bypassing both the confinement check and the size check.
 	if fi.Mode()&os.ModeSymlink != 0 {
 		return fmt.Errorf("symlinks are not allowed")
 	}
 
-	// Confine to resolvedRoot: the cleaned absolute path must be a descendant
+	// Confine to resolvedRoot: use the fully-resolved path so that a directory
-	// of the repo root. This catches paths that escaped via "..", absolute
+	// symlink inside the repo cannot carry the path outside the root.
-	// paths that happen to be outside the root, etc.
+	rel, err := filepath.Rel(resolvedRoot, resolvedPath)
-	rel, err := filepath.Rel(resolvedRoot, absPath)
 	if err != nil || rel == ".." || strings.HasPrefix(rel, ".."+string(os.PathSeparator)) {
 		return fmt.Errorf("path must be within --repo-root")
 	}

cmd/review-bot/validatedocmap_test.go

@@ -465,23 +465,34 @@ mappings:
 }
 
 // TestValidateDocmapPath_Symlink verifies that --docmap pointing at a symlink
-// is rejected before the file is read (prevents /dev/zero DOS or arbitrary
+// whose resolved target is outside --repo-root is rejected (prevents reading
-// host-file reads via PR-controlled symlinks).
+// arbitrary host files via PR-controlled symlinks).
+//
+// Note: after the EvalSymlinks fix (issue #150), in-repo symlinks whose
+// targets also reside within the repo root are now allowed — the confinement
+// check is applied to the resolved path, not the symlink entry itself. The
+// security invariant is: the resolved destination must be within the root.
 func TestValidateDocmapPath_Symlink(t *testing.T) {
 	dir := t.TempDir()
+	outside := t.TempDir()
 
-	// Create a real docmap file to serve as the symlink target.
+	// Create a docmap file OUTSIDE the repo root to serve as the symlink
-	realDocmap := makeDocmapInDir(t, dir, `
+	// target. EvalSymlinks will resolve to this path, which the Rel check
-mappings:
+	// must then reject.
-  - paths:
+	if err := os.MkdirAll(filepath.Join(outside, ".review-bot"), 0o755); err != nil {
-      - "lib/**"
+		t.Fatalf("MkdirAll: %v", err)
-    docs:
+	}
-      - docs/foo.md
+	outsideDocmap := filepath.Join(outside, ".review-bot", "doc-map.yml")
-`)
+	if err := os.WriteFile(outsideDocmap, []byte("mappings: []\n"), 0o644); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("WriteFile: %v", err)
+	}
 
-	// Create a symlink inside dir pointing to the real docmap.
+	// Create a symlink inside dir pointing to the file outside the repo.
+	if err := os.MkdirAll(filepath.Join(dir, ".review-bot"), 0o755); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("MkdirAll: %v", err)
+	}
 	symlinkPath := filepath.Join(dir, ".review-bot", "doc-map-link.yml")
-	if err := os.Symlink(realDocmap, symlinkPath); err != nil {
+	if err := os.Symlink(outsideDocmap, symlinkPath); err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("Symlink: %v", err)
 	}
 
@@ -490,10 +501,10 @@ mappings:
 		[]string{"--docmap", symlinkPath, "--repo-root", dir},
 	)
 	if code != 2 {
-		t.Errorf("expected exit 2 for symlink docmap, got %d; stderr: %q", code, stderr)
+		t.Errorf("expected exit 2 for out-of-repo symlink docmap, got %d; stderr: %q", code, stderr)
 	}
-	if !strings.Contains(stderr, "symlink") && !strings.Contains(stderr, "invalid") {
+	if !strings.Contains(stderr, "invalid") && !strings.Contains(stderr, "repo-root") {
-		t.Errorf("expected symlink rejection in stderr, got %q", stderr)
+		t.Errorf("expected confinement rejection in stderr, got %q", stderr)
 	}
 }
 
@@ -550,3 +561,41 @@ func TestValidateDocmapPath_SizeLimit(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Errorf("expected size limit error in stderr, got %q", stderr)
 	}
 }
+
+// TestValidateDocmapPath_DirSymlinkBypass verifies that a directory-symlink
+// inside the repo pointing outside cannot be used to read arbitrary host files.
+//
+// Attack vector: a PR commits .review-bot/ as a directory symlink targeting a
+// directory outside the repo. The textual path of the docmap file is inside
+// the repo root, so the old Rel-only check passed — but the actual file is
+// outside. This is closed by calling EvalSymlinks on the full path before the
+// confinement check.
+func TestValidateDocmapPath_DirSymlinkBypass(t *testing.T) {
+	repoDir := t.TempDir()
+	outsideDir := t.TempDir()
+
+	// Secret file outside the repo.
+	secretPath := filepath.Join(outsideDir, "secret.yml")
+	if err := os.WriteFile(secretPath, []byte("mappings: []\n"), 0o644); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("WriteFile: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	// Create .review-bot/ as a directory symlink pointing outside the repo.
+	reviewBotDir := filepath.Join(repoDir, ".review-bot")
+	if err := os.Symlink(outsideDir, reviewBotDir); err != nil {
+		t.Skipf("cannot create dir symlink (platform may not support it): %v", err)
+	}
+
+	// Textually inside repo — .review-bot/secret.yml — but resolves outside.
+	attackPath := filepath.Join(repoDir, ".review-bot", "secret.yml")
+
+	// Resolve repoDir to a symlink-free path, as runValidateDocmap does.
+	resolvedRoot, err := filepath.EvalSymlinks(repoDir)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("EvalSymlinks(repoDir): %v", err)
+	}
+
+	if err := validateDocmapPath(attackPath, resolvedRoot); err == nil {
+		t.Error("expected rejection of dir-symlink bypass, got nil error")
+	}
+}

docs/dev-loop-spec.md

@@ -0,0 +1,278 @@
+# Dev-Loop Dispatch Spec
+
+**Version:** 1.0
+**Status:** Implemented
+**Implements:** Issue #148
+
+This document is the authoritative spec for the review-bot dev-loop dispatch architecture.
+The dispatch script (`~/.openclaw/workspace/scripts/dev-loop-dispatch.sh`) and its tests
+are validated against the rules and invariants in this document.
+
+---
+
+## 1. Overview
+
+The dev-loop is a 15-minute cron that advances the state of open pull requests and picks up
+new issues when there is nothing in review. It is designed for **zero human intervention**
+in the normal flow and **hard stops at key safety boundaries**.
+
+### Architecture
+
+```
+Cron (15-min cadence)
+  → exec: bash dev-loop-dispatch.sh <project>
+  → read stdout for SPAWN/HANDOFF lines
+  → if SPAWN: load worker template, spawn subagent
+  → if HANDOFF: log, do nothing else
+  → if neither: NO_REPLY
+```
+
+The cron model has **no ambient knowledge** of the project state. All state is derived
+from the dispatch script's output, which in turn comes from live API calls.
+
+---
+
+## 2. Inputs
+
+### Project Config
+
+```yaml
+# memory/projects/<project>.yaml
+repo: rodin/review-bot         # <owner>/<repo>
+api_base: https://gitea.../v1  # API base URL
+token_path: ~/.openclaw/...    # path to bearer token
+user: rodin                    # bot Gitea username
+labels:
+  wip: <id>
+  ready: <id>
+review_bots:                   # sentinel names in review bodies
+  - sonnet
+  - gpt
+  - security
+```
+
+### Script Arguments
+
+```bash
+bash dev-loop-dispatch.sh <project>   # normal run
+DRY_RUN=1 bash dev-loop-dispatch.sh <project>   # dry-run (no mutations)
+```
+
+---
+
+## 3. State
+
+The dispatch script is **stateless per run**. All state lives in the Gitea API:
+
+| State | API location |
+|-------|-------------|
+| Open PRs | `GET /repos/:repo/pulls?state=open` |
+| PR labels | `GET /repos/:repo/issues/:n/labels` |
+| PR reviews | `GET /repos/:repo/pulls/:n/reviews` |
+| CI status | `GET /repos/:repo/commits/:sha/status` |
+| Issue comments | `GET /repos/:repo/issues/:n/comments` |
+| Inline diff comments | `GET /repos/:repo/pulls/:n/comments` |
+| Issue timeline | `GET /repos/:repo/issues/:n/timeline` |
+
+No file-based state. No cron-to-cron carry-over.
+
+---
+
+## 4. Output Protocol
+
+The script emits structured lines to stdout. Stderr is diagnostic logging.
+
+### `SPAWN:<type>:<number>:<sha>`
+
+A worker is needed. The cron model reads this and spawns a subagent using the
+template at `worker-tasks/<type>.md`.
+
+| Field | Description |
+|-------|-------------|
+| `type` | Worker type: `self-review`, `ci-fix`, `address-feedback`, `findings`, `rebase`, `impl` |
+| `number` | PR number (or issue number for `impl`) |
+| `sha` | HEAD SHA of the PR (empty for `impl`) |
+
+At most **one SPAWN** is emitted per script run.
+
+### `HANDOFF:<pr_num>`
+
+All checks passed for `pr_num`. The script applied the `ready` label and assigned
+to the human reviewer. The cron model logs this and takes no further action.
+
+Multiple HANDOFFs may be emitted in one run (one per qualifying PR).
+
+---
+
+## 5. Dispatch Rules
+
+Rules are evaluated **in order** for each open PR. The first matching condition wins.
+Only one SPAWN is emitted per full pass.
+
+### Rule 0: WIP Cleanup
+
+For each open PR with a `wip` label:
+
+1. Find the timestamp when the label was most recently applied (via timeline events)
+2. If age > 1hr: **remove the label** (stale lock — worker likely crashed)
+3. If age ≤ 1hr: **set ACTIVE_WIP=1** (do not exit, only gates Rule 10)
+
+### Rule 2: REQUEST_CHANGES Blocks
+
+**ALWAYS evaluated before any other per-PR rule.**
+
+For each reviewer, take their **latest** review state. If any reviewer's latest
+state is `REQUEST_CHANGES`:
+
+→ Acquire WIP label on this PR
+→ Emit `SPAWN:findings:<pr_num>:<head_sha>`
+→ Continue to next PR (but only one SPAWN total)
+
+This rule cannot be bypassed by any condition. There is no waiver mechanism.
+
+### Rule 3: Merge Conflicts
+
+If `mergeable == false`:
+
+→ Acquire WIP
+→ Emit `SPAWN:rebase:<pr_num>:<head_sha>`
+
+### Rule 4: CI Failure
+
+If CI state is `failure` or `error`:
+
+- If a fix plan comment exists for this HEAD SHA: **skip** (worker in progress)
+- Otherwise:
+
+→ Acquire WIP
+→ Emit `SPAWN:ci-fix:<pr_num>:<head_sha>`
+
+### Rule 5: Bot Reviews Missing
+
+For each configured `review_bot`, check whether a review body contains the
+sentinel `<!-- review-bot:<name> -->`.
+
+If any sentinel is missing: **wait** (continue to next PR, no SPAWN).
+
+### Rule 6: CI Pending/Unknown
+
+If CI state is `pending` or `unknown`: **wait**.
+
+### Rule 7: Self-Review
+
+Check for a self-review comment from the bot user against the current HEAD SHA:
+- Comment contains `Self-review against <head_sha>`
+
+Sub-cases:
+- **Missing**: No self-review comment →
+  → Acquire WIP, emit `SPAWN:self-review:<pr_num>:<head_sha>`
+- **Needs attention** (`Assessment: ⚠️`): Found, but has findings:
+  - Fix plan exists for HEAD SHA: skip
+  - No fix plan: → Acquire WIP, emit `SPAWN:sr-fix:<pr_num>:<head_sha>`
+- **Clean** (`Assessment: ✅ Clean`): Continue to Rule 8
+
+### Rule 8: Unacknowledged Bot Review Findings
+
+For each **current** (contains `Evaluated against <head_short>`) APPROVED bot review
+that has a findings table:
+
+A finding is **unacknowledged** if it does not appear as `Finding #N` in a fix plan
+comment from the bot user for this HEAD SHA.
+
+If any unacknowledged findings exist:
+- Fix plan exists: skip
+- No fix plan: → Acquire WIP, emit `SPAWN:address-feedback:<pr_num>:<head_sha>`
+
+### Rule 9: Unresolved Inline Diff Comments
+
+An inline diff comment is **unresolved** if:
+1. `in_reply_to_id` is null (top-level comment)
+2. `resolver` is null (not formally resolved)
+3. No other comment has `in_reply_to_id` pointing to this comment (no reply)
+
+If unresolved comments exist:
+- Fix plan exists: skip
+- No fix plan: → Acquire WIP, emit `SPAWN:address-feedback:<pr_num>:<head_sha>`
+
+### Rule 10: Handoff
+
+All rules above passed. Verify all bot reviews are current (contain `Evaluated against <head_short>`).
+
+If all current:
+- Apply `ready` label
+- Assign to `aweiker`
+- Emit `HANDOFF:<pr_num>`
+- Continue evaluating remaining PRs (do NOT exit)
+
+If already assigned to `aweiker`: skip (assume handoff was already performed; continue to next PR without emitting another HANDOFF).
+
+### Rule 11: New Issue Pickup
+
+Only runs if: no open PRs exist AND `ACTIVE_WIP == 0`.
+
+Fetch open, unassigned issues. Priority: bugs first, then by number ascending.
+
+Claim the issue (assign to bot user to prevent double-pick), then:
+→ Emit `SPAWN:impl:<issue_num>:`
+
+---
+
+## 6. Safety Invariants
+
+These are statically checked by `~/.openclaw/workspace/scripts/test/check-invariants.sh` and enforced in all changes:
+
+| ID | Invariant |
+|----|-----------|
+| S1 | Zero merge API calls in dispatch script (`/merge` does not appear) |
+| S2 | REQUEST_CHANGES check (Rule 2) appears before CI check (Rule 4) |
+| S3 | REQUEST_CHANGES check (Rule 2) appears before ready label application (Rule 10) |
+| S4 | No model/AI API references in dispatch script |
+| S5 | `set -euo pipefail` present |
+| S6 | Active WIP does not cause early exit (only sets ACTIVE_WIP flag) |
+| S7 | SPAWN:impl guarded by `ACTIVE_WIP == 0` check |
+| S8 | No merge calls in any worker template |
+
+---
+
+## 7. Error Handling
+
+| Error | Behavior |
+|-------|----------|
+| `curl` returns error | `set -euo pipefail` aborts script — no partial actions |
+| `jq` parse error | Script aborts |
+| Worker crashes | WIP label left on PR; stale WIP cleanup (Rule 0) removes it after 1hr |
+| Race: two crons fire | WIP mutex prevents double-dispatch for same PR |
+| `sessions_spawn` fails | Worker not spawned; WIP label orphaned → cleaned in 1hr |
+| Config file missing | Exit code 2 with error message |
+
+---
+
+## 8. Worker Templates
+
+Each worker receives a precise task description with substituted values:
+
+| Template | Trigger | Key job |
+|----------|---------|---------|
+| `self-review.md` | No clean self-review | Post self-review comment, remove WIP |
+| `sr-fix.md` | Self-review needs attention | Address self-review findings, push, remove WIP |
+| `ci-fix.md` | CI failing | Diagnose, fix, push, remove WIP |
+| `address-feedback.md` | Unacknowledged findings or inline comments | Address feedback, push, remove WIP |
+| `findings.md` | REQUEST_CHANGES present | Address REQUEST_CHANGES, push, remove WIP |
+| `rebase.md` | Merge conflicts | Rebase on main, push, remove WIP |
+| `impl.md` | New issue | Implement feature/fix, open PR |
+
+Workers **always** remove the WIP label on completion and reply `NO_REPLY`.
+
+---
+
+## 9. Fixes for Issues #144 and #145
+
+**Issue #144** (autonomous merge):
+The dispatch script contains no merge API calls anywhere. The `~/.openclaw/workspace/scripts/test/check-invariants.sh`
+invariant `S1` verifies this. Workers do not receive merge instructions.
+
+**Issue #145** (merged despite REQUEST_CHANGES):
+Rule 2 is the **first** rule evaluated per PR. It cannot be skipped, reasoned past,
+or bypassed. It is checked before CI, before self-review, before handoff. The check
+uses latest-per-reviewer state, so a reviewer who re-approved after REQUEST_CHANGES
+is correctly handled.