Merge origin/main into feat/cursor-cli

Merges latest main branch changes including:
- MCP server support and configuration
- Pipeline configuration system
- Prompt customization settings
- GitHub issue comments in validation
- Auth middleware improvements
- Various UI/UX improvements

All Cursor CLI features preserved:
- Multi-provider support (Claude + Cursor)
- Model override capabilities
- Phase model configuration
- Provider tabs in settings

🤖 Generated with [Claude Code](https://claude.com/claude-code)

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.5 <noreply@anthropic.com>

apps/server/src/index.ts

@@ -9,15 +9,19 @@
 import express from 'express';
 import cors from 'cors';
 import morgan from 'morgan';
+import cookieParser from 'cookie-parser';
+import cookie from 'cookie';
 import { WebSocketServer, WebSocket } from 'ws';
 import { createServer } from 'http';
 import dotenv from 'dotenv';
 
 import { createEventEmitter, type EventEmitter } from './lib/events.js';
 import { initAllowedPaths } from '@automaker/platform';
-import { authMiddleware, getAuthStatus } from './lib/auth.js';
+import { authMiddleware, validateWsConnectionToken, checkRawAuthentication } from './lib/auth.js';
+import { requireJsonContentType } from './middleware/require-json-content-type.js';
+import { createAuthRoutes } from './routes/auth/index.js';
 import { createFsRoutes } from './routes/fs/index.js';
-import { createHealthRoutes } from './routes/health/index.js';
+import { createHealthRoutes, createDetailedHandler } from './routes/health/index.js';
 import { createAgentRoutes } from './routes/agent/index.js';
 import { createSessionsRoutes } from './routes/sessions/index.js';
 import { createFeaturesRoutes } from './routes/features/index.js';
@@ -50,6 +54,10 @@ import { createGitHubRoutes } from './routes/github/index.js';
 import { createContextRoutes } from './routes/context/index.js';
 import { createBacklogPlanRoutes } from './routes/backlog-plan/index.js';
 import { cleanupStaleValidations } from './routes/github/routes/validation-common.js';
+import { createMCPRoutes } from './routes/mcp/index.js';
+import { MCPTestService } from './services/mcp-test-service.js';
+import { createPipelineRoutes } from './routes/pipeline/index.js';
+import { pipelineService } from './services/pipeline-service.js';
 
 // Load environment variables
 dotenv.config();
@@ -87,7 +95,7 @@ const app = express();
 // Middleware
 // Custom colored logger showing only endpoint and status code (configurable via ENABLE_REQUEST_LOGGING env var)
 if (ENABLE_REQUEST_LOGGING) {
-  morgan.token('status-colored', (req, res) => {
+  morgan.token('status-colored', (_req, res) => {
     const status = res.statusCode;
     if (status >= 500) return `\x1b[31m${status}\x1b[0m`; // Red for server errors
     if (status >= 400) return `\x1b[33m${status}\x1b[0m`; // Yellow for client errors
@@ -101,13 +109,43 @@ if (ENABLE_REQUEST_LOGGING) {
     })
   );
 }
+// CORS configuration
+// When using credentials (cookies), origin cannot be '*'
+// We dynamically allow the requesting origin for local development
 app.use(
   cors({
-    origin: process.env.CORS_ORIGIN || '*',
+    origin: (origin, callback) => {
+      // Allow requests with no origin (like mobile apps, curl, Electron)
+      if (!origin) {
+        callback(null, true);
+        return;
+      }
+
+      // If CORS_ORIGIN is set, use it (can be comma-separated list)
+      const allowedOrigins = process.env.CORS_ORIGIN?.split(',').map((o) => o.trim());
+      if (allowedOrigins && allowedOrigins.length > 0 && allowedOrigins[0] !== '*') {
+        if (allowedOrigins.includes(origin)) {
+          callback(null, origin);
+        } else {
+          callback(new Error('Not allowed by CORS'));
+        }
+        return;
+      }
+
+      // For local development, allow localhost origins
+      if (origin.startsWith('http://localhost:') || origin.startsWith('http://127.0.0.1:')) {
+        callback(null, origin);
+        return;
+      }
+
+      // Reject other origins by default for security
+      callback(new Error('Not allowed by CORS'));
+    },
     credentials: true,
   })
 );
 app.use(express.json({ limit: '50mb' }));
+app.use(cookieParser());
 
 // Create shared event emitter for streaming
 const events: EventEmitter = createEventEmitter();
@@ -119,6 +157,7 @@ const agentService = new AgentService(DATA_DIR, events, settingsService);
 const featureLoader = new FeatureLoader();
 const autoModeService = new AutoModeService(events, settingsService);
 const claudeUsageService = new ClaudeUsageService();
+const mcpTestService = new MCPTestService(settingsService);
 
 // Initialize services
 (async () => {
@@ -135,18 +174,26 @@ setInterval(() => {
   }
 }, VALIDATION_CLEANUP_INTERVAL_MS);
 
-// Mount API routes - health is unauthenticated for monitoring
+// Require Content-Type: application/json for all API POST/PUT/PATCH requests
+// This helps prevent CSRF and content-type confusion attacks
+app.use('/api', requireJsonContentType);
+
+// Mount API routes - health and auth are unauthenticated
 app.use('/api/health', createHealthRoutes());
+app.use('/api/auth', createAuthRoutes());
 
 // Apply authentication to all other routes
 app.use('/api', authMiddleware);
 
+// Protected health endpoint with detailed info
+app.get('/api/health/detailed', createDetailedHandler());
+
 app.use('/api/fs', createFsRoutes(events));
 app.use('/api/agent', createAgentRoutes(agentService, events));
 app.use('/api/sessions', createSessionsRoutes(agentService));
 app.use('/api/features', createFeaturesRoutes(featureLoader));
 app.use('/api/auto-mode', createAutoModeRoutes(autoModeService));
-app.use('/api/enhance-prompt', createEnhancePromptRoutes());
+app.use('/api/enhance-prompt', createEnhancePromptRoutes(settingsService));
 app.use('/api/worktree', createWorktreeRoutes());
 app.use('/api/git', createGitRoutes());
 app.use('/api/setup', createSetupRoutes());
@@ -162,6 +209,8 @@ app.use('/api/claude', createClaudeRoutes(claudeUsageService));
 app.use('/api/github', createGitHubRoutes(events, settingsService));
 app.use('/api/context', createContextRoutes(settingsService));
 app.use('/api/backlog-plan', createBacklogPlanRoutes(events, settingsService));
+app.use('/api/mcp', createMCPRoutes(mcpTestService));
+app.use('/api/pipeline', createPipelineRoutes(pipelineService));
 
 // Create HTTP server
 const server = createServer(app);
@@ -171,10 +220,55 @@ const wss = new WebSocketServer({ noServer: true });
 const terminalWss = new WebSocketServer({ noServer: true });
 const terminalService = getTerminalService();
 
+/**
+ * Authenticate WebSocket upgrade requests
+ * Checks for API key in header/query, session token in header/query, OR valid session cookie
+ */
+function authenticateWebSocket(request: import('http').IncomingMessage): boolean {
+  const url = new URL(request.url || '', `http://${request.headers.host}`);
+
+  // Convert URL search params to query object
+  const query: Record<string, string | undefined> = {};
+  url.searchParams.forEach((value, key) => {
+    query[key] = value;
+  });
+
+  // Parse cookies from header
+  const cookieHeader = request.headers.cookie;
+  const cookies = cookieHeader ? cookie.parse(cookieHeader) : {};
+
+  // Use shared authentication logic for standard auth methods
+  if (
+    checkRawAuthentication(
+      request.headers as Record<string, string | string[] | undefined>,
+      query,
+      cookies
+    )
+  ) {
+    return true;
+  }
+
+  // Additionally check for short-lived WebSocket connection token (WebSocket-specific)
+  const wsToken = url.searchParams.get('wsToken');
+  if (wsToken && validateWsConnectionToken(wsToken)) {
+    return true;
+  }
+
+  return false;
+}
+
 // Handle HTTP upgrade requests manually to route to correct WebSocket server
 server.on('upgrade', (request, socket, head) => {
   const { pathname } = new URL(request.url || '', `http://${request.headers.host}`);
 
+  // Authenticate all WebSocket connections
+  if (!authenticateWebSocket(request)) {
+    console.log('[WebSocket] Authentication failed, rejecting connection');
+    socket.write('HTTP/1.1 401 Unauthorized\r\n\r\n');
+    socket.destroy();
+    return;
+  }
+
   if (pathname === '/api/events') {
     wss.handleUpgrade(request, socket, head, (ws) => {
       wss.emit('connection', ws, request);
@@ -190,12 +284,31 @@ server.on('upgrade', (request, socket, head) => {
 
 // Events WebSocket connection handler
 wss.on('connection', (ws: WebSocket) => {
-  console.log('[WebSocket] Client connected');
+  console.log('[WebSocket] Client connected, ready state:', ws.readyState);
 
   // Subscribe to all events and forward to this client
   const unsubscribe = events.subscribe((type, payload) => {
+    console.log('[WebSocket] Event received:', {
+      type,
+      hasPayload: !!payload,
+      payloadKeys: payload ? Object.keys(payload) : [],
+      wsReadyState: ws.readyState,
+      wsOpen: ws.readyState === WebSocket.OPEN,
+    });
+
     if (ws.readyState === WebSocket.OPEN) {
-      ws.send(JSON.stringify({ type, payload }));
+      const message = JSON.stringify({ type, payload });
+      console.log('[WebSocket] Sending event to client:', {
+        type,
+        messageLength: message.length,
+        sessionId: (payload as any)?.sessionId,
+      });
+      ws.send(message);
+    } else {
+      console.log(
+        '[WebSocket] WARNING: Cannot send event, WebSocket not open. ReadyState:',
+        ws.readyState
+      );
     }
   });
 
@@ -205,7 +318,7 @@ wss.on('connection', (ws: WebSocket) => {
   });
 
   ws.on('error', (error) => {
-    console.error('[WebSocket] Error:', error);
+    console.error('[WebSocket] ERROR:', error);
     unsubscribe();
   });
 });

apps/server/src/lib/auth.ts

@@ -1,54 +1,378 @@
 /**
  * Authentication middleware for API security
  *
- * Supports API key authentication via header or environment variable.
+ * Supports two authentication methods:
+ * 1. Header-based (X-API-Key) - Used by Electron mode
+ * 2. Cookie-based (HTTP-only session cookie) - Used by web mode
+ *
+ * Auto-generates an API key on first run if none is configured.
  */
 
 import type { Request, Response, NextFunction } from 'express';
+import crypto from 'crypto';
+import fs from 'fs';
+import path from 'path';
 
-// API key from environment (optional - if not set, auth is disabled)
-const API_KEY = process.env.AUTOMAKER_API_KEY;
+const DATA_DIR = process.env.DATA_DIR || './data';
+const API_KEY_FILE = path.join(DATA_DIR, '.api-key');
+const SESSIONS_FILE = path.join(DATA_DIR, '.sessions');
+const SESSION_COOKIE_NAME = 'automaker_session';
+const SESSION_MAX_AGE_MS = 30 * 24 * 60 * 60 * 1000; // 30 days
+const WS_TOKEN_MAX_AGE_MS = 5 * 60 * 1000; // 5 minutes for WebSocket connection tokens
+
+// Session store - persisted to file for survival across server restarts
+const validSessions = new Map<string, { createdAt: number; expiresAt: number }>();
+
+// Short-lived WebSocket connection tokens (in-memory only, not persisted)
+const wsConnectionTokens = new Map<string, { createdAt: number; expiresAt: number }>();
+
+// Clean up expired WebSocket tokens periodically
+setInterval(() => {
+  const now = Date.now();
+  wsConnectionTokens.forEach((data, token) => {
+    if (data.expiresAt <= now) {
+      wsConnectionTokens.delete(token);
+    }
+  });
+}, 60 * 1000); // Clean up every minute
+
+/**
+ * Load sessions from file on startup
+ */
+function loadSessions(): void {
+  try {
+    if (fs.existsSync(SESSIONS_FILE)) {
+      const data = fs.readFileSync(SESSIONS_FILE, 'utf-8');
+      const sessions = JSON.parse(data) as Array<
+        [string, { createdAt: number; expiresAt: number }]
+      >;
+      const now = Date.now();
+      let loadedCount = 0;
+      let expiredCount = 0;
+
+      for (const [token, session] of sessions) {
+        // Only load non-expired sessions
+        if (session.expiresAt > now) {
+          validSessions.set(token, session);
+          loadedCount++;
+        } else {
+          expiredCount++;
+        }
+      }
+
+      if (loadedCount > 0 || expiredCount > 0) {
+        console.log(`[Auth] Loaded ${loadedCount} sessions (${expiredCount} expired)`);
+      }
+    }
+  } catch (error) {
+    console.warn('[Auth] Error loading sessions:', error);
+  }
+}
+
+/**
+ * Save sessions to file (async)
+ */
+async function saveSessions(): Promise<void> {
+  try {
+    await fs.promises.mkdir(path.dirname(SESSIONS_FILE), { recursive: true });
+    const sessions = Array.from(validSessions.entries());
+    await fs.promises.writeFile(SESSIONS_FILE, JSON.stringify(sessions), {
+      encoding: 'utf-8',
+      mode: 0o600,
+    });
+  } catch (error) {
+    console.error('[Auth] Failed to save sessions:', error);
+  }
+}
+
+// Load existing sessions on startup
+loadSessions();
+
+/**
+ * Ensure an API key exists - either from env var, file, or generate new one.
+ * This provides CSRF protection by requiring a secret key for all API requests.
+ */
+function ensureApiKey(): string {
+  // First check environment variable (Electron passes it this way)
+  if (process.env.AUTOMAKER_API_KEY) {
+    console.log('[Auth] Using API key from environment variable');
+    return process.env.AUTOMAKER_API_KEY;
+  }
+
+  // Try to read from file
+  try {
+    if (fs.existsSync(API_KEY_FILE)) {
+      const key = fs.readFileSync(API_KEY_FILE, 'utf-8').trim();
+      if (key) {
+        console.log('[Auth] Loaded API key from file');
+        return key;
+      }
+    }
+  } catch (error) {
+    console.warn('[Auth] Error reading API key file:', error);
+  }
+
+  // Generate new key
+  const newKey = crypto.randomUUID();
+  try {
+    fs.mkdirSync(path.dirname(API_KEY_FILE), { recursive: true });
+    fs.writeFileSync(API_KEY_FILE, newKey, { encoding: 'utf-8', mode: 0o600 });
+    console.log('[Auth] Generated new API key');
+  } catch (error) {
+    console.error('[Auth] Failed to save API key:', error);
+  }
+  return newKey;
+}
+
+// API key - always generated/loaded on startup for CSRF protection
+const API_KEY = ensureApiKey();
+
+// Print API key to console for web mode users (unless suppressed for production logging)
+if (process.env.AUTOMAKER_HIDE_API_KEY !== 'true') {
+  console.log(`
+╔═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
+║  🔐 API Key for Web Mode Authentication                               ║
+╠═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣
+║                                                                       ║
+║  When accessing via browser, you'll be prompted to enter this key:    ║
+║                                                                       ║
+║    ${API_KEY}
+║                                                                       ║
+║  In Electron mode, authentication is handled automatically.          ║
+╚═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
+`);
+} else {
+  console.log('[Auth] API key banner hidden (AUTOMAKER_HIDE_API_KEY=true)');
+}
+
+/**
+ * Generate a cryptographically secure session token
+ */
+function generateSessionToken(): string {
+  return crypto.randomBytes(32).toString('hex');
+}
+
+/**
+ * Create a new session and return the token
+ */
+export async function createSession(): Promise<string> {
+  const token = generateSessionToken();
+  const now = Date.now();
+  validSessions.set(token, {
+    createdAt: now,
+    expiresAt: now + SESSION_MAX_AGE_MS,
+  });
+  await saveSessions(); // Persist to file
+  return token;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Validate a session token
+ * Note: This returns synchronously but triggers async persistence if session expired
+ */
+export function validateSession(token: string): boolean {
+  const session = validSessions.get(token);
+  if (!session) return false;
+
+  if (Date.now() > session.expiresAt) {
+    validSessions.delete(token);
+    // Fire-and-forget: persist removal asynchronously
+    saveSessions().catch((err) => console.error('[Auth] Error saving sessions:', err));
+    return false;
+  }
+
+  return true;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Invalidate a session token
+ */
+export async function invalidateSession(token: string): Promise<void> {
+  validSessions.delete(token);
+  await saveSessions(); // Persist removal
+}
+
+/**
+ * Create a short-lived WebSocket connection token
+ * Used for initial WebSocket handshake authentication
+ */
+export function createWsConnectionToken(): string {
+  const token = generateSessionToken();
+  const now = Date.now();
+  wsConnectionTokens.set(token, {
+    createdAt: now,
+    expiresAt: now + WS_TOKEN_MAX_AGE_MS,
+  });
+  return token;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Validate a WebSocket connection token
+ * These tokens are single-use and short-lived (5 minutes)
+ * Token is invalidated immediately after first successful use
+ */
+export function validateWsConnectionToken(token: string): boolean {
+  const tokenData = wsConnectionTokens.get(token);
+  if (!tokenData) return false;
+
+  // Always delete the token (single-use)
+  wsConnectionTokens.delete(token);
+
+  // Check if expired
+  if (Date.now() > tokenData.expiresAt) {
+    return false;
+  }
+
+  return true;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Validate the API key using timing-safe comparison
+ * Prevents timing attacks that could leak information about the key
+ */
+export function validateApiKey(key: string): boolean {
+  if (!key || typeof key !== 'string') return false;
+
+  // Both buffers must be the same length for timingSafeEqual
+  const keyBuffer = Buffer.from(key);
+  const apiKeyBuffer = Buffer.from(API_KEY);
+
+  // If lengths differ, compare against a dummy to maintain constant time
+  if (keyBuffer.length !== apiKeyBuffer.length) {
+    crypto.timingSafeEqual(apiKeyBuffer, apiKeyBuffer);
+    return false;
+  }
+
+  return crypto.timingSafeEqual(keyBuffer, apiKeyBuffer);
+}
+
+/**
+ * Get session cookie options
+ */
+export function getSessionCookieOptions(): {
+  httpOnly: boolean;
+  secure: boolean;
+  sameSite: 'strict' | 'lax' | 'none';
+  maxAge: number;
+  path: string;
+} {
+  return {
+    httpOnly: true, // JavaScript cannot access this cookie
+    secure: process.env.NODE_ENV === 'production', // HTTPS only in production
+    sameSite: 'strict', // Only sent for same-site requests (CSRF protection)
+    maxAge: SESSION_MAX_AGE_MS,
+    path: '/',
+  };
+}
+
+/**
+ * Get the session cookie name
+ */
+export function getSessionCookieName(): string {
+  return SESSION_COOKIE_NAME;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Authentication result type
+ */
+type AuthResult =
+  | { authenticated: true }
+  | { authenticated: false; errorType: 'invalid_api_key' | 'invalid_session' | 'no_auth' };
+
+/**
+ * Core authentication check - shared between middleware and status check
+ * Extracts auth credentials from various sources and validates them
+ */
+function checkAuthentication(
+  headers: Record<string, string | string[] | undefined>,
+  query: Record<string, string | undefined>,
+  cookies: Record<string, string | undefined>
+): AuthResult {
+  // Check for API key in header (Electron mode)
+  const headerKey = headers['x-api-key'] as string | undefined;
+  if (headerKey) {
+    if (validateApiKey(headerKey)) {
+      return { authenticated: true };
+    }
+    return { authenticated: false, errorType: 'invalid_api_key' };
+  }
+
+  // Check for session token in header (web mode with explicit token)
+  const sessionTokenHeader = headers['x-session-token'] as string | undefined;
+  if (sessionTokenHeader) {
+    if (validateSession(sessionTokenHeader)) {
+      return { authenticated: true };
+    }
+    return { authenticated: false, errorType: 'invalid_session' };
+  }
+
+  // Check for API key in query parameter (fallback)
+  const queryKey = query.apiKey;
+  if (queryKey) {
+    if (validateApiKey(queryKey)) {
+      return { authenticated: true };
+    }
+    return { authenticated: false, errorType: 'invalid_api_key' };
+  }
+
+  // Check for session cookie (web mode)
+  const sessionToken = cookies[SESSION_COOKIE_NAME];
+  if (sessionToken && validateSession(sessionToken)) {
+    return { authenticated: true };
+  }
+
+  return { authenticated: false, errorType: 'no_auth' };
+}
 
 /**
  * Authentication middleware
  *
- * If AUTOMAKER_API_KEY is set, requires matching key in X-API-Key header.
- * If not set, allows all requests (development mode).
+ * Accepts either:
+ * 1. X-API-Key header (for Electron mode)
+ * 2. X-Session-Token header (for web mode with explicit token)
+ * 3. apiKey query parameter (fallback for cases where headers can't be set)
+ * 4. Session cookie (for web mode)
  */
 export function authMiddleware(req: Request, res: Response, next: NextFunction): void {
-  // If no API key is configured, allow all requests
-  if (!API_KEY) {
+  const result = checkAuthentication(
+    req.headers as Record<string, string | string[] | undefined>,
+    req.query as Record<string, string | undefined>,
+    (req.cookies || {}) as Record<string, string | undefined>
+  );
+
+  if (result.authenticated) {
     next();
     return;
   }
 
-  // Check for API key in header
-  const providedKey = req.headers['x-api-key'] as string | undefined;
-
-  if (!providedKey) {
-    res.status(401).json({
-      success: false,
-      error: 'Authentication required. Provide X-API-Key header.',
-    });
-    return;
+  // Return appropriate error based on what failed
+  switch (result.errorType) {
+    case 'invalid_api_key':
+      res.status(403).json({
+        success: false,
+        error: 'Invalid API key.',
+      });
+      break;
+    case 'invalid_session':
+      res.status(403).json({
+        success: false,
+        error: 'Invalid or expired session token.',
+      });
+      break;
+    case 'no_auth':
+    default:
+      res.status(401).json({
+        success: false,
+        error: 'Authentication required.',
+      });
   }
-
-  if (providedKey !== API_KEY) {
-    res.status(403).json({
-      success: false,
-      error: 'Invalid API key.',
-    });
-    return;
-  }
-
-  next();
 }
 
 /**
- * Check if authentication is enabled
+ * Check if authentication is enabled (always true now)
  */
 export function isAuthEnabled(): boolean {
-  return !!API_KEY;
+  return true;
 }
 
 /**
@@ -56,7 +380,31 @@ export function isAuthEnabled(): boolean {
  */
 export function getAuthStatus(): { enabled: boolean; method: string } {
   return {
-    enabled: !!API_KEY,
-    method: API_KEY ? 'api_key' : 'none',
+    enabled: true,
+    method: 'api_key_or_session',
   };
 }
+
+/**
+ * Check if a request is authenticated (for status endpoint)
+ */
+export function isRequestAuthenticated(req: Request): boolean {
+  const result = checkAuthentication(
+    req.headers as Record<string, string | string[] | undefined>,
+    req.query as Record<string, string | undefined>,
+    (req.cookies || {}) as Record<string, string | undefined>
+  );
+  return result.authenticated;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Check if raw credentials are authenticated
+ * Used for WebSocket authentication where we don't have Express request objects
+ */
+export function checkRawAuthentication(
+  headers: Record<string, string | string[] | undefined>,
+  query: Record<string, string | undefined>,
+  cookies: Record<string, string | undefined>
+): boolean {
+  return checkAuthentication(headers, query, cookies).authenticated;
+}

apps/server/src/lib/sdk-options.ts

@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@
 import type { Options } from '@anthropic-ai/claude-agent-sdk';
 import path from 'path';
 import { resolveModelString } from '@automaker/model-resolver';
-import { DEFAULT_MODELS, CLAUDE_MODEL_MAP } from '@automaker/types';
+import { DEFAULT_MODELS, CLAUDE_MODEL_MAP, type McpServerConfig } from '@automaker/types';
 import { isPathAllowed, PathNotAllowedError, getAllowedRootDirectory } from '@automaker/platform';
 
 /**
@@ -136,6 +136,53 @@ function getBaseOptions(): Partial<Options> {
   };
 }
 
+/**
+ * MCP permission options result
+ */
+interface McpPermissionOptions {
+  /** Whether tools should be restricted to a preset */
+  shouldRestrictTools: boolean;
+  /** Options to spread when MCP bypass is enabled */
+  bypassOptions: Partial<Options>;
+  /** Options to spread for MCP servers */
+  mcpServerOptions: Partial<Options>;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Build MCP-related options based on configuration.
+ * Centralizes the logic for determining permission modes and tool restrictions
+ * when MCP servers are configured.
+ *
+ * @param config - The SDK options config
+ * @returns Object with MCP permission settings to spread into final options
+ */
+function buildMcpOptions(config: CreateSdkOptionsConfig): McpPermissionOptions {
+  const hasMcpServers = config.mcpServers && Object.keys(config.mcpServers).length > 0;
+  // Default to true for autonomous workflow. Security is enforced when adding servers
+  // via the security warning dialog that explains the risks.
+  const mcpAutoApprove = config.mcpAutoApproveTools ?? true;
+  const mcpUnrestricted = config.mcpUnrestrictedTools ?? true;
+
+  // Determine if we should bypass permissions based on settings
+  const shouldBypassPermissions = hasMcpServers && mcpAutoApprove;
+  // Determine if we should restrict tools (only when no MCP or unrestricted is disabled)
+  const shouldRestrictTools = !hasMcpServers || !mcpUnrestricted;
+
+  return {
+    shouldRestrictTools,
+    // Only include bypass options when MCP is configured and auto-approve is enabled
+    bypassOptions: shouldBypassPermissions
+      ? {
+          permissionMode: 'bypassPermissions' as const,
+          // Required flag when using bypassPermissions mode
+          allowDangerouslySkipPermissions: true,
+        }
+      : {},
+    // Include MCP servers if configured
+    mcpServerOptions: config.mcpServers ? { mcpServers: config.mcpServers } : {},
+  };
+}
+
 /**
  * Build system prompt configuration based on autoLoadClaudeMd setting.
  * When autoLoadClaudeMd is true:
@@ -216,8 +263,28 @@ export interface CreateSdkOptionsConfig {
 
   /** Enable auto-loading of CLAUDE.md files via SDK's settingSources */
   autoLoadClaudeMd?: boolean;
+
+  /** Enable sandbox mode for bash command isolation */
+  enableSandboxMode?: boolean;
+
+  /** MCP servers to make available to the agent */
+  mcpServers?: Record<string, McpServerConfig>;
+
+  /** Auto-approve MCP tool calls without permission prompts */
+  mcpAutoApproveTools?: boolean;
+
+  /** Allow unrestricted tools when MCP servers are enabled */
+  mcpUnrestrictedTools?: boolean;
 }
 
+// Re-export MCP types from @automaker/types for convenience
+export type {
+  McpServerConfig,
+  McpStdioServerConfig,
+  McpSSEServerConfig,
+  McpHttpServerConfig,
+} from '@automaker/types';
+
 /**
  * Create SDK options for spec generation
  *
@@ -314,7 +381,7 @@ export function createSuggestionsOptions(config: CreateSdkOptionsConfig): Option
  * - Full tool access for code modification
  * - Standard turns for interactive sessions
  * - Model priority: explicit model > session model > chat default
- * - Sandbox enabled for bash safety
+ * - Sandbox mode controlled by enableSandboxMode setting
  * - When autoLoadClaudeMd is true, uses preset mode and settingSources for CLAUDE.md loading
  */
 export function createChatOptions(config: CreateSdkOptionsConfig): Options {
@@ -327,18 +394,27 @@ export function createChatOptions(config: CreateSdkOptionsConfig): Options {
   // Build CLAUDE.md auto-loading options if enabled
   const claudeMdOptions = buildClaudeMdOptions(config);
 
+  // Build MCP-related options
+  const mcpOptions = buildMcpOptions(config);
+
   return {
     ...getBaseOptions(),
     model: getModelForUseCase('chat', effectiveModel),
     maxTurns: MAX_TURNS.standard,
     cwd: config.cwd,
-    allowedTools: [...TOOL_PRESETS.chat],
-    sandbox: {
-      enabled: true,
-      autoAllowBashIfSandboxed: true,
-    },
+    // Only restrict tools if no MCP servers configured or unrestricted is disabled
+    ...(mcpOptions.shouldRestrictTools && { allowedTools: [...TOOL_PRESETS.chat] }),
+    // Apply MCP bypass options if configured
+    ...mcpOptions.bypassOptions,
+    ...(config.enableSandboxMode && {
+      sandbox: {
+        enabled: true,
+        autoAllowBashIfSandboxed: true,
+      },
+    }),
     ...claudeMdOptions,
     ...(config.abortController && { abortController: config.abortController }),
+    ...mcpOptions.mcpServerOptions,
   };
 }
 
@@ -349,7 +425,7 @@ export function createChatOptions(config: CreateSdkOptionsConfig): Options {
  * - Full tool access for code modification and implementation
  * - Extended turns for thorough feature implementation
  * - Uses default model (can be overridden)
- * - Sandbox enabled for bash safety
+ * - Sandbox mode controlled by enableSandboxMode setting
  * - When autoLoadClaudeMd is true, uses preset mode and settingSources for CLAUDE.md loading
  */
 export function createAutoModeOptions(config: CreateSdkOptionsConfig): Options {
@@ -359,18 +435,27 @@ export function createAutoModeOptions(config: CreateSdkOptionsConfig): Options {
   // Build CLAUDE.md auto-loading options if enabled
   const claudeMdOptions = buildClaudeMdOptions(config);
 
+  // Build MCP-related options
+  const mcpOptions = buildMcpOptions(config);
+
   return {
     ...getBaseOptions(),
     model: getModelForUseCase('auto', config.model),
     maxTurns: MAX_TURNS.maximum,
     cwd: config.cwd,
-    allowedTools: [...TOOL_PRESETS.fullAccess],
-    sandbox: {
-      enabled: true,
-      autoAllowBashIfSandboxed: true,
-    },
+    // Only restrict tools if no MCP servers configured or unrestricted is disabled
+    ...(mcpOptions.shouldRestrictTools && { allowedTools: [...TOOL_PRESETS.fullAccess] }),
+    // Apply MCP bypass options if configured
+    ...mcpOptions.bypassOptions,
+    ...(config.enableSandboxMode && {
+      sandbox: {
+        enabled: true,
+        autoAllowBashIfSandboxed: true,
+      },
+    }),
     ...claudeMdOptions,
     ...(config.abortController && { abortController: config.abortController }),
+    ...mcpOptions.mcpServerOptions,
   };
 }
 
@@ -393,14 +478,27 @@ export function createCustomOptions(
   // Build CLAUDE.md auto-loading options if enabled
   const claudeMdOptions = buildClaudeMdOptions(config);
 
+  // Build MCP-related options
+  const mcpOptions = buildMcpOptions(config);
+
+  // For custom options: use explicit allowedTools if provided, otherwise use preset based on MCP settings
+  const effectiveAllowedTools = config.allowedTools
+    ? [...config.allowedTools]
+    : mcpOptions.shouldRestrictTools
+      ? [...TOOL_PRESETS.readOnly]
+      : undefined;
+
   return {
     ...getBaseOptions(),
     model: getModelForUseCase('default', config.model),
     maxTurns: config.maxTurns ?? MAX_TURNS.maximum,
     cwd: config.cwd,
-    allowedTools: config.allowedTools ? [...config.allowedTools] : [...TOOL_PRESETS.readOnly],
+    ...(effectiveAllowedTools && { allowedTools: effectiveAllowedTools }),
     ...(config.sandbox && { sandbox: config.sandbox }),
+    // Apply MCP bypass options if configured
+    ...mcpOptions.bypassOptions,
     ...claudeMdOptions,
     ...(config.abortController && { abortController: config.abortController }),
+    ...mcpOptions.mcpServerOptions,
   };
 }

apps/server/src/lib/settings-helpers.ts

@@ -4,6 +4,16 @@
 
 import type { SettingsService } from '../services/settings-service.js';
 import type { ContextFilesResult, ContextFileInfo } from '@automaker/utils';
+import { createLogger } from '@automaker/utils';
+import type { MCPServerConfig, McpServerConfig, PromptCustomization } from '@automaker/types';
+import {
+  mergeAutoModePrompts,
+  mergeAgentPrompts,
+  mergeBacklogPlanPrompts,
+  mergeEnhancementPrompts,
+} from '@automaker/prompts';
+
+const logger = createLogger('SettingsHelper');
 
 /**
  * Get the autoLoadClaudeMd setting, with project settings taking precedence over global.
@@ -20,7 +30,7 @@ export async function getAutoLoadClaudeMdSetting(
   logPrefix = '[SettingsHelper]'
 ): Promise<boolean> {
   if (!settingsService) {
-    console.log(`${logPrefix} SettingsService not available, autoLoadClaudeMd disabled`);
+    logger.info(`${logPrefix} SettingsService not available, autoLoadClaudeMd disabled`);
     return false;
   }
 
@@ -28,7 +38,7 @@ export async function getAutoLoadClaudeMdSetting(
     // Check project settings first (takes precedence)
     const projectSettings = await settingsService.getProjectSettings(projectPath);
     if (projectSettings.autoLoadClaudeMd !== undefined) {
-      console.log(
+      logger.info(
         `${logPrefix} autoLoadClaudeMd from project settings: ${projectSettings.autoLoadClaudeMd}`
       );
       return projectSettings.autoLoadClaudeMd;
@@ -37,10 +47,38 @@ export async function getAutoLoadClaudeMdSetting(
     // Fall back to global settings
     const globalSettings = await settingsService.getGlobalSettings();
     const result = globalSettings.autoLoadClaudeMd ?? false;
-    console.log(`${logPrefix} autoLoadClaudeMd from global settings: ${result}`);
+    logger.info(`${logPrefix} autoLoadClaudeMd from global settings: ${result}`);
     return result;
   } catch (error) {
-    console.error(`${logPrefix} Failed to load autoLoadClaudeMd setting:`, error);
+    logger.error(`${logPrefix} Failed to load autoLoadClaudeMd setting:`, error);
+    throw error;
+  }
+}
+
+/**
+ * Get the enableSandboxMode setting from global settings.
+ * Returns false if settings service is not available.
+ *
+ * @param settingsService - Optional settings service instance
+ * @param logPrefix - Prefix for log messages (e.g., '[AgentService]')
+ * @returns Promise resolving to the enableSandboxMode setting value
+ */
+export async function getEnableSandboxModeSetting(
+  settingsService?: SettingsService | null,
+  logPrefix = '[SettingsHelper]'
+): Promise<boolean> {
+  if (!settingsService) {
+    logger.info(`${logPrefix} SettingsService not available, sandbox mode disabled`);
+    return false;
+  }
+
+  try {
+    const globalSettings = await settingsService.getGlobalSettings();
+    const result = globalSettings.enableSandboxMode ?? true;
+    logger.info(`${logPrefix} enableSandboxMode from global settings: ${result}`);
+    return result;
+  } catch (error) {
+    logger.error(`${logPrefix} Failed to load enableSandboxMode setting:`, error);
     throw error;
   }
 }
@@ -108,3 +146,161 @@ function formatContextFileEntry(file: ContextFileInfo): string {
   const descriptionInfo = file.description ? `\n**Purpose:** ${file.description}` : '';
   return `${header}\n${pathInfo}${descriptionInfo}\n\n${file.content}`;
 }
+
+/**
+ * Get enabled MCP servers from global settings, converted to SDK format.
+ * Returns an empty object if settings service is not available or no servers are configured.
+ *
+ * @param settingsService - Optional settings service instance
+ * @param logPrefix - Prefix for log messages (e.g., '[AgentService]')
+ * @returns Promise resolving to MCP servers in SDK format (keyed by name)
+ */
+export async function getMCPServersFromSettings(
+  settingsService?: SettingsService | null,
+  logPrefix = '[SettingsHelper]'
+): Promise<Record<string, McpServerConfig>> {
+  if (!settingsService) {
+    return {};
+  }
+
+  try {
+    const globalSettings = await settingsService.getGlobalSettings();
+    const mcpServers = globalSettings.mcpServers || [];
+
+    // Filter to only enabled servers and convert to SDK format
+    const enabledServers = mcpServers.filter((s) => s.enabled !== false);
+
+    if (enabledServers.length === 0) {
+      return {};
+    }
+
+    // Convert settings format to SDK format (keyed by name)
+    const sdkServers: Record<string, McpServerConfig> = {};
+    for (const server of enabledServers) {
+      sdkServers[server.name] = convertToSdkFormat(server);
+    }
+
+    logger.info(
+      `${logPrefix} Loaded ${enabledServers.length} MCP server(s): ${enabledServers.map((s) => s.name).join(', ')}`
+    );
+
+    return sdkServers;
+  } catch (error) {
+    logger.error(`${logPrefix} Failed to load MCP servers setting:`, error);
+    return {};
+  }
+}
+
+/**
+ * Get MCP permission settings from global settings.
+ *
+ * @param settingsService - Optional settings service instance
+ * @param logPrefix - Prefix for log messages (e.g., '[AgentService]')
+ * @returns Promise resolving to MCP permission settings
+ */
+export async function getMCPPermissionSettings(
+  settingsService?: SettingsService | null,
+  logPrefix = '[SettingsHelper]'
+): Promise<{ mcpAutoApproveTools: boolean; mcpUnrestrictedTools: boolean }> {
+  // Default to true for autonomous workflow. Security is enforced when adding servers
+  // via the security warning dialog that explains the risks.
+  const defaults = { mcpAutoApproveTools: true, mcpUnrestrictedTools: true };
+
+  if (!settingsService) {
+    return defaults;
+  }
+
+  try {
+    const globalSettings = await settingsService.getGlobalSettings();
+    const result = {
+      mcpAutoApproveTools: globalSettings.mcpAutoApproveTools ?? true,
+      mcpUnrestrictedTools: globalSettings.mcpUnrestrictedTools ?? true,
+    };
+    logger.info(
+      `${logPrefix} MCP permission settings: autoApprove=${result.mcpAutoApproveTools}, unrestricted=${result.mcpUnrestrictedTools}`
+    );
+    return result;
+  } catch (error) {
+    logger.error(`${logPrefix} Failed to load MCP permission settings:`, error);
+    return defaults;
+  }
+}
+
+/**
+ * Convert a settings MCPServerConfig to SDK McpServerConfig format.
+ * Validates required fields and throws informative errors if missing.
+ */
+function convertToSdkFormat(server: MCPServerConfig): McpServerConfig {
+  if (server.type === 'sse') {
+    if (!server.url) {
+      throw new Error(`SSE MCP server "${server.name}" is missing a URL.`);
+    }
+    return {
+      type: 'sse',
+      url: server.url,
+      headers: server.headers,
+    };
+  }
+
+  if (server.type === 'http') {
+    if (!server.url) {
+      throw new Error(`HTTP MCP server "${server.name}" is missing a URL.`);
+    }
+    return {
+      type: 'http',
+      url: server.url,
+      headers: server.headers,
+    };
+  }
+
+  // Default to stdio
+  if (!server.command) {
+    throw new Error(`Stdio MCP server "${server.name}" is missing a command.`);
+  }
+  return {
+    type: 'stdio',
+    command: server.command,
+    args: server.args,
+    env: server.env,
+  };
+}
+
+/**
+ * Get prompt customization from global settings and merge with defaults.
+ * Returns prompts merged with built-in defaults - custom prompts override defaults.
+ *
+ * @param settingsService - Optional settings service instance
+ * @param logPrefix - Prefix for log messages
+ * @returns Promise resolving to merged prompts for all categories
+ */
+export async function getPromptCustomization(
+  settingsService?: SettingsService | null,
+  logPrefix = '[PromptHelper]'
+): Promise<{
+  autoMode: ReturnType<typeof mergeAutoModePrompts>;
+  agent: ReturnType<typeof mergeAgentPrompts>;
+  backlogPlan: ReturnType<typeof mergeBacklogPlanPrompts>;
+  enhancement: ReturnType<typeof mergeEnhancementPrompts>;
+}> {
+  let customization: PromptCustomization = {};
+
+  if (settingsService) {
+    try {
+      const globalSettings = await settingsService.getGlobalSettings();
+      customization = globalSettings.promptCustomization || {};
+      logger.info(`${logPrefix} Loaded prompt customization from settings`);
+    } catch (error) {
+      logger.error(`${logPrefix} Failed to load prompt customization:`, error);
+      // Fall through to use empty customization (all defaults)
+    }
+  } else {
+    logger.info(`${logPrefix} SettingsService not available, using default prompts`);
+  }
+
+  return {
+    autoMode: mergeAutoModePrompts(customization.autoMode),
+    agent: mergeAgentPrompts(customization.agent),
+    backlogPlan: mergeBacklogPlanPrompts(customization.backlogPlan),
+    enhancement: mergeEnhancementPrompts(customization.enhancement),
+  };
+}

apps/server/src/middleware/require-json-content-type.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,50 @@
+/**
+ * Middleware to enforce Content-Type: application/json for request bodies
+ *
+ * This security middleware prevents malicious requests by requiring proper
+ * Content-Type headers for all POST, PUT, and PATCH requests.
+ *
+ * Rejecting requests without proper Content-Type helps prevent:
+ * - CSRF attacks via form submissions (which use application/x-www-form-urlencoded)
+ * - Content-type confusion attacks
+ * - Malformed request exploitation
+ */
+
+import type { Request, Response, NextFunction } from 'express';
+
+// HTTP methods that typically include request bodies
+const METHODS_REQUIRING_JSON = ['POST', 'PUT', 'PATCH'];
+
+/**
+ * Middleware that requires Content-Type: application/json for POST/PUT/PATCH requests
+ *
+ * Returns 415 Unsupported Media Type if:
+ * - The request method is POST, PUT, or PATCH
+ * - AND the Content-Type header is missing or not application/json
+ *
+ * Allows requests to pass through if:
+ * - The request method is GET, DELETE, OPTIONS, HEAD, etc.
+ * - OR the Content-Type is properly set to application/json (with optional charset)
+ */
+export function requireJsonContentType(req: Request, res: Response, next: NextFunction): void {
+  // Skip validation for methods that don't require a body
+  if (!METHODS_REQUIRING_JSON.includes(req.method)) {
+    next();
+    return;
+  }
+
+  const contentType = req.headers['content-type'];
+
+  // Check if Content-Type header exists and contains application/json
+  // Allows for charset parameter: "application/json; charset=utf-8"
+  if (!contentType || !contentType.toLowerCase().includes('application/json')) {
+    res.status(415).json({
+      success: false,
+      error: 'Unsupported Media Type',
+      message: 'Content-Type header must be application/json',
+    });
+    return;
+  }
+
+  next();
+}

apps/server/src/providers/claude-provider.ts

@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@
 
 import { query, type Options } from '@anthropic-ai/claude-agent-sdk';
 import { BaseProvider } from './base-provider.js';
+import { classifyError, getUserFriendlyErrorMessage } from '@automaker/utils';
 import type {
   ExecuteOptions,
   ProviderMessage,
@@ -36,20 +37,33 @@ export class ClaudeProvider extends BaseProvider {
     } = options;
 
     // Build Claude SDK options
+    // MCP permission logic - determines how to handle tool permissions when MCP servers are configured.
+    // This logic mirrors buildMcpOptions() in sdk-options.ts but is applied here since
+    // the provider is the final point where SDK options are constructed.
+    const hasMcpServers = options.mcpServers && Object.keys(options.mcpServers).length > 0;
+    // Default to true for autonomous workflow. Security is enforced when adding servers
+    // via the security warning dialog that explains the risks.
+    const mcpAutoApprove = options.mcpAutoApproveTools ?? true;
+    const mcpUnrestricted = options.mcpUnrestrictedTools ?? true;
     const defaultTools = ['Read', 'Write', 'Edit', 'Glob', 'Grep', 'Bash', 'WebSearch', 'WebFetch'];
-    const toolsToUse = allowedTools || defaultTools;
+
+    // Determine permission mode based on settings
+    const shouldBypassPermissions = hasMcpServers && mcpAutoApprove;
+    // Determine if we should restrict tools (only when no MCP or unrestricted is disabled)
+    const shouldRestrictTools = !hasMcpServers || !mcpUnrestricted;
 
     const sdkOptions: Options = {
       model,
       systemPrompt,
       maxTurns,
       cwd,
-      allowedTools: toolsToUse,
-      permissionMode: 'acceptEdits',
-      sandbox: {
-        enabled: true,
-        autoAllowBashIfSandboxed: true,
-      },
+      // Only restrict tools if explicitly set OR (no MCP / unrestricted disabled)
+      ...(allowedTools && shouldRestrictTools && { allowedTools }),
+      ...(!allowedTools && shouldRestrictTools && { allowedTools: defaultTools }),
+      // When MCP servers are configured and auto-approve is enabled, use bypassPermissions
+      permissionMode: shouldBypassPermissions ? 'bypassPermissions' : 'default',
+      // Required when using bypassPermissions mode
+      ...(shouldBypassPermissions && { allowDangerouslySkipPermissions: true }),
       abortController,
       // Resume existing SDK session if we have a session ID
       ...(sdkSessionId && conversationHistory && conversationHistory.length > 0
@@ -57,6 +71,10 @@ export class ClaudeProvider extends BaseProvider {
         : {}),
       // Forward settingSources for CLAUDE.md file loading
       ...(options.settingSources && { settingSources: options.settingSources }),
+      // Forward sandbox configuration
+      ...(options.sandbox && { sandbox: options.sandbox }),
+      // Forward MCP servers configuration
+      ...(options.mcpServers && { mcpServers: options.mcpServers }),
     };
 
     // Build prompt payload
@@ -90,8 +108,32 @@ export class ClaudeProvider extends BaseProvider {
         yield msg as ProviderMessage;
       }
     } catch (error) {
-      console.error('[ClaudeProvider] executeQuery() error during execution:', error);
-      throw error;
+      // Enhance error with user-friendly message and classification
+      const errorInfo = classifyError(error);
+      const userMessage = getUserFriendlyErrorMessage(error);
+
+      console.error('[ClaudeProvider] executeQuery() error during execution:', {
+        type: errorInfo.type,
+        message: errorInfo.message,
+        isRateLimit: errorInfo.isRateLimit,
+        retryAfter: errorInfo.retryAfter,
+        stack: (error as Error).stack,
+      });
+
+      // Build enhanced error message with additional guidance for rate limits
+      const message = errorInfo.isRateLimit
+        ? `${userMessage}\n\nTip: If you're running multiple features in auto-mode, consider reducing concurrency (maxConcurrency setting) to avoid hitting rate limits.`
+        : userMessage;
+
+      const enhancedError = new Error(message);
+      (enhancedError as any).originalError = error;
+      (enhancedError as any).type = errorInfo.type;
+
+      if (errorInfo.isRateLimit) {
+        (enhancedError as any).retryAfter = errorInfo.retryAfter;
+      }
+
+      throw enhancedError;
     }
   }
 

apps/server/src/providers/types.ts

@@ -1,46 +1,19 @@
 /**
  * Shared types for AI model providers
+ *
+ * Re-exports types from @automaker/types for consistency across the codebase.
  */
 
-/**
- * Configuration for a provider instance
- */
-export interface ProviderConfig {
-  apiKey?: string;
-  cliPath?: string;
-  env?: Record<string, string>;
-}
-
-/**
- * Message in conversation history
- */
-export interface ConversationMessage {
-  role: 'user' | 'assistant';
-  content: string | Array<{ type: string; text?: string; source?: object }>;
-}
-
-/**
- * Options for executing a query via a provider
- */
-export interface ExecuteOptions {
-  prompt: string | Array<{ type: string; text?: string; source?: object }>;
-  model: string;
-  cwd: string;
-  systemPrompt?: string | { type: 'preset'; preset: 'claude_code'; append?: string };
-  maxTurns?: number;
-  allowedTools?: string[];
-  mcpServers?: Record<string, unknown>;
-  abortController?: AbortController;
-  conversationHistory?: ConversationMessage[]; // Previous messages for context
-  sdkSessionId?: string; // Claude SDK session ID for resuming conversations
-  settingSources?: Array<'user' | 'project' | 'local'>; // Claude filesystem settings to load
-  /**
-   * If true, the provider should run in read-only mode (no file modifications).
-   * For Cursor CLI, this omits the --force flag, making it suggest-only.
-   * Default: false (allows edits)
-   */
-  readOnly?: boolean;
-}
+// Re-export all provider types from @automaker/types
+export type {
+  ProviderConfig,
+  ConversationMessage,
+  ExecuteOptions,
+  McpServerConfig,
+  McpStdioServerConfig,
+  McpSSEServerConfig,
+  McpHttpServerConfig,
+} from '@automaker/types';
 
 /**
  * Content block in a provider message (matches Claude SDK format)

apps/server/src/routes/agent/routes/send.ts

@@ -19,7 +19,16 @@ export function createSendHandler(agentService: AgentService) {
         model?: string;
       };
 
+      console.log('[Send Handler] Received request:', {
+        sessionId,
+        messageLength: message?.length,
+        workingDirectory,
+        imageCount: imagePaths?.length || 0,
+        model,
+      });
+
       if (!sessionId || !message) {
+        console.log('[Send Handler] ERROR: Validation failed - missing sessionId or message');
         res.status(400).json({
           success: false,
           error: 'sessionId and message are required',
@@ -27,6 +36,8 @@ export function createSendHandler(agentService: AgentService) {
         return;
       }
 
+      console.log('[Send Handler] Validation passed, calling agentService.sendMessage()');
+
       // Start the message processing (don't await - it streams via WebSocket)
       agentService
         .sendMessage({
@@ -37,12 +48,16 @@ export function createSendHandler(agentService: AgentService) {
           model,
         })
         .catch((error) => {
+          console.error('[Send Handler] ERROR: Background error in sendMessage():', error);
           logError(error, 'Send message failed (background)');
         });
 
+      console.log('[Send Handler] Returning immediate response to client');
+
       // Return immediately - responses come via WebSocket
       res.json({ success: true, message: 'Message sent' });
     } catch (error) {
+      console.error('[Send Handler] ERROR: Synchronous error:', error);
       logError(error, 'Send message failed');
       res.status(500).json({ success: false, error: getErrorMessage(error) });
     }

apps/server/src/routes/auth/index.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,247 @@
+/**
+ * Auth routes - Login, logout, and status endpoints
+ *
+ * Security model:
+ * - Web mode: User enters API key (shown on server console) to get HTTP-only session cookie
+ * - Electron mode: Uses X-API-Key header (handled automatically via IPC)
+ *
+ * The session cookie is:
+ * - HTTP-only: JavaScript cannot read it (protects against XSS)
+ * - SameSite=Strict: Only sent for same-site requests (protects against CSRF)
+ *
+ * Mounted at /api/auth in the main server (BEFORE auth middleware).
+ */
+
+import { Router } from 'express';
+import type { Request } from 'express';
+import {
+  validateApiKey,
+  createSession,
+  invalidateSession,
+  getSessionCookieOptions,
+  getSessionCookieName,
+  isRequestAuthenticated,
+  createWsConnectionToken,
+} from '../../lib/auth.js';
+
+// Rate limiting configuration
+const RATE_LIMIT_WINDOW_MS = 60 * 1000; // 1 minute window
+const RATE_LIMIT_MAX_ATTEMPTS = 5; // Max 5 attempts per window
+
+// Check if we're in test mode - disable rate limiting for E2E tests
+const isTestMode = process.env.AUTOMAKER_MOCK_AGENT === 'true';
+
+// In-memory rate limit tracking (resets on server restart)
+const loginAttempts = new Map<string, { count: number; windowStart: number }>();
+
+// Clean up old rate limit entries periodically (every 5 minutes)
+setInterval(
+  () => {
+    const now = Date.now();
+    loginAttempts.forEach((data, ip) => {
+      if (now - data.windowStart > RATE_LIMIT_WINDOW_MS * 2) {
+        loginAttempts.delete(ip);
+      }
+    });
+  },
+  5 * 60 * 1000
+);
+
+/**
+ * Get client IP address from request
+ * Handles X-Forwarded-For header for reverse proxy setups
+ */
+function getClientIp(req: Request): string {
+  const forwarded = req.headers['x-forwarded-for'];
+  if (forwarded) {
+    // X-Forwarded-For can be a comma-separated list; take the first (original client)
+    const forwardedIp = Array.isArray(forwarded) ? forwarded[0] : forwarded.split(',')[0];
+    return forwardedIp.trim();
+  }
+  return req.ip || req.socket.remoteAddress || 'unknown';
+}
+
+/**
+ * Check if an IP is rate limited
+ * Returns { limited: boolean, retryAfter?: number }
+ */
+function checkRateLimit(ip: string): { limited: boolean; retryAfter?: number } {
+  const now = Date.now();
+  const attempt = loginAttempts.get(ip);
+
+  if (!attempt) {
+    return { limited: false };
+  }
+
+  // Check if window has expired
+  if (now - attempt.windowStart > RATE_LIMIT_WINDOW_MS) {
+    loginAttempts.delete(ip);
+    return { limited: false };
+  }
+
+  // Check if over limit
+  if (attempt.count >= RATE_LIMIT_MAX_ATTEMPTS) {
+    const retryAfter = Math.ceil((RATE_LIMIT_WINDOW_MS - (now - attempt.windowStart)) / 1000);
+    return { limited: true, retryAfter };
+  }
+
+  return { limited: false };
+}
+
+/**
+ * Record a login attempt for rate limiting
+ */
+function recordLoginAttempt(ip: string): void {
+  const now = Date.now();
+  const attempt = loginAttempts.get(ip);
+
+  if (!attempt || now - attempt.windowStart > RATE_LIMIT_WINDOW_MS) {
+    // Start new window
+    loginAttempts.set(ip, { count: 1, windowStart: now });
+  } else {
+    // Increment existing window
+    attempt.count++;
+  }
+}
+
+/**
+ * Create auth routes
+ *
+ * @returns Express Router with auth endpoints
+ */
+export function createAuthRoutes(): Router {
+  const router = Router();
+
+  /**
+   * GET /api/auth/status
+   *
+   * Returns whether the current request is authenticated.
+   * Used by the UI to determine if login is needed.
+   */
+  router.get('/status', (req, res) => {
+    const authenticated = isRequestAuthenticated(req);
+    res.json({
+      success: true,
+      authenticated,
+      required: true,
+    });
+  });
+
+  /**
+   * POST /api/auth/login
+   *
+   * Validates the API key and sets a session cookie.
+   * Body: { apiKey: string }
+   *
+   * Rate limited to 5 attempts per minute per IP to prevent brute force attacks.
+   */
+  router.post('/login', async (req, res) => {
+    const clientIp = getClientIp(req);
+
+    // Skip rate limiting in test mode to allow parallel E2E tests
+    if (!isTestMode) {
+      // Check rate limit before processing
+      const rateLimit = checkRateLimit(clientIp);
+      if (rateLimit.limited) {
+        res.status(429).json({
+          success: false,
+          error: 'Too many login attempts. Please try again later.',
+          retryAfter: rateLimit.retryAfter,
+        });
+        return;
+      }
+    }
+
+    const { apiKey } = req.body as { apiKey?: string };
+
+    if (!apiKey) {
+      res.status(400).json({
+        success: false,
+        error: 'API key is required.',
+      });
+      return;
+    }
+
+    // Record this attempt (only for actual API key validation attempts, skip in test mode)
+    if (!isTestMode) {
+      recordLoginAttempt(clientIp);
+    }
+
+    if (!validateApiKey(apiKey)) {
+      res.status(401).json({
+        success: false,
+        error: 'Invalid API key.',
+      });
+      return;
+    }
+
+    // Create session and set cookie
+    const sessionToken = await createSession();
+    const cookieOptions = getSessionCookieOptions();
+    const cookieName = getSessionCookieName();
+
+    res.cookie(cookieName, sessionToken, cookieOptions);
+    res.json({
+      success: true,
+      message: 'Logged in successfully.',
+      // Return token for explicit header-based auth (works around cross-origin cookie issues)
+      token: sessionToken,
+    });
+  });
+
+  /**
+   * GET /api/auth/token
+   *
+   * Generates a short-lived WebSocket connection token if the user has a valid session.
+   * This token is used for initial WebSocket handshake authentication and expires in 5 minutes.
+   * The token is NOT the session cookie value - it's a separate, short-lived token.
+   */
+  router.get('/token', (req, res) => {
+    // Validate the session is still valid (via cookie, API key, or session token header)
+    if (!isRequestAuthenticated(req)) {
+      res.status(401).json({
+        success: false,
+        error: 'Authentication required.',
+      });
+      return;
+    }
+
+    // Generate a new short-lived WebSocket connection token
+    const wsToken = createWsConnectionToken();
+
+    res.json({
+      success: true,
+      token: wsToken,
+      expiresIn: 300, // 5 minutes in seconds
+    });
+  });
+
+  /**
+   * POST /api/auth/logout
+   *
+   * Clears the session cookie and invalidates the session.
+   */
+  router.post('/logout', async (req, res) => {
+    const cookieName = getSessionCookieName();
+    const sessionToken = req.cookies?.[cookieName] as string | undefined;
+
+    if (sessionToken) {
+      await invalidateSession(sessionToken);
+    }
+
+    // Clear the cookie
+    res.clearCookie(cookieName, {
+      httpOnly: true,
+      secure: process.env.NODE_ENV === 'production',
+      sameSite: 'strict',
+      path: '/',
+    });
+
+    res.json({
+      success: true,
+      message: 'Logged out successfully.',
+    });
+  });
+
+  return router;
+}

apps/server/src/routes/backlog-plan/generate-plan.ts

@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ import { ProviderFactory } from '../../providers/provider-factory.js';
 import { extractJson } from '../../lib/json-extractor.js';
 import { logger, setRunningState, getErrorMessage } from './common.js';
 import type { SettingsService } from '../../services/settings-service.js';
-import { getAutoLoadClaudeMdSetting } from '../../lib/settings-helpers.js';
+import { getAutoLoadClaudeMdSetting, getPromptCustomization } from '../../lib/settings-helpers.js';
 
 const featureLoader = new FeatureLoader();
 
@@ -83,72 +83,17 @@ export async function generateBacklogPlan(
       content: `Loaded ${features.length} features from backlog`,
     });
 
+    // Load prompts from settings
+    const prompts = await getPromptCustomization(settingsService, '[BacklogPlan]');
+
     // Build the system prompt
-    const systemPrompt = `You are an AI assistant helping to modify a software project's feature backlog.
-You will be given the current list of features and a user request to modify the backlog.
+    const systemPrompt = prompts.backlogPlan.systemPrompt;
 
-IMPORTANT CONTEXT (automatically injected):
-- Remember to update the dependency graph if deleting existing features
-- Remember to define dependencies on new features hooked into relevant existing ones
-- Maintain dependency graph integrity (no orphaned dependencies)
-- When deleting a feature, identify which other features depend on it
-
-Your task is to analyze the request and produce a structured JSON plan with:
-1. Features to ADD (include title, description, category, and dependencies)
-2. Features to UPDATE (specify featureId and the updates)
-3. Features to DELETE (specify featureId)
-4. A summary of the changes
-5. Any dependency updates needed (removed dependencies due to deletions, new dependencies for new features)
-
-Respond with ONLY a JSON object in this exact format:
-\`\`\`json
-{
-  "changes": [
-    {
-      "type": "add",
-      "feature": {
-        "title": "Feature title",
-        "description": "Feature description",
-        "category": "Category name",
-        "dependencies": ["existing-feature-id"],
-        "priority": 1
-      },
-      "reason": "Why this feature should be added"
-    },
-    {
-      "type": "update",
-      "featureId": "existing-feature-id",
-      "feature": {
-        "title": "Updated title"
-      },
-      "reason": "Why this feature should be updated"
-    },
-    {
-      "type": "delete",
-      "featureId": "feature-id-to-delete",
-      "reason": "Why this feature should be deleted"
-    }
-  ],
-  "summary": "Brief overview of all proposed changes",
-  "dependencyUpdates": [
-    {
-      "featureId": "feature-that-depended-on-deleted",
-      "removedDependencies": ["deleted-feature-id"],
-      "addedDependencies": []
-    }
-  ]
-}
-\`\`\``;
-
-    // Build the user prompt
-    const userPrompt = `Current Features in Backlog:
-${formatFeaturesForPrompt(features)}
-
----
-
-User Request: ${prompt}
-
-Please analyze the current backlog and the user's request, then provide a JSON plan for the modifications.`;
+    // Build the user prompt from template
+    const currentFeatures = formatFeaturesForPrompt(features);
+    const userPrompt = prompts.backlogPlan.userPromptTemplate
+      .replace('{{currentFeatures}}', currentFeatures)
+      .replace('{{userRequest}}', prompt);
 
     events.emit('backlog-plan:event', {
       type: 'backlog_plan_progress',

apps/server/src/routes/enhance-prompt/index.ts

@@ -6,17 +6,19 @@
  */
 
 import { Router } from 'express';
+import type { SettingsService } from '../../services/settings-service.js';
 import { createEnhanceHandler } from './routes/enhance.js';
 
 /**
  * Create the enhance-prompt router
  *
+ * @param settingsService - Settings service for loading custom prompts
  * @returns Express router with enhance-prompt endpoints
  */
-export function createEnhancePromptRoutes(): Router {
+export function createEnhancePromptRoutes(settingsService?: SettingsService): Router {
   const router = Router();
 
-  router.post('/', createEnhanceHandler());
+  router.post('/', createEnhanceHandler(settingsService));
 
   return router;
 }

apps/server/src/routes/enhance-prompt/routes/enhance.ts

@@ -11,8 +11,9 @@ import { createLogger } from '@automaker/utils';
 import { resolveModelString } from '@automaker/model-resolver';
 import { CLAUDE_MODEL_MAP, isCursorModel } from '@automaker/types';
 import { ProviderFactory } from '../../../providers/provider-factory.js';
+import type { SettingsService } from '../../../services/settings-service.js';
+import { getPromptCustomization } from '../../../lib/settings-helpers.js';
 import {
-  getSystemPrompt,
   buildUserPrompt,
   isValidEnhancementMode,
   type EnhancementMode,
@@ -119,9 +120,12 @@ async function executeWithCursor(prompt: string, model: string): Promise<string>
 /**
  * Create the enhance request handler
  *
+ * @param settingsService - Optional settings service for loading custom prompts
  * @returns Express request handler for text enhancement
  */
-export function createEnhanceHandler(): (req: Request, res: Response) => Promise<void> {
+export function createEnhanceHandler(
+  settingsService?: SettingsService
+): (req: Request, res: Response) => Promise<void> {
   return async (req: Request, res: Response): Promise<void> => {
     try {
       const { originalText, enhancementMode, model } = req.body as EnhanceRequestBody;
@@ -164,8 +168,19 @@ export function createEnhanceHandler(): (req: Request, res: Response) => Promise
 
       logger.info(`Enhancing text with mode: ${validMode}, length: ${trimmedText.length} chars`);
 
-      // Get the system prompt for this mode
-      const systemPrompt = getSystemPrompt(validMode);
+      // Load enhancement prompts from settings (merges custom + defaults)
+      const prompts = await getPromptCustomization(settingsService, '[EnhancePrompt]');
+
+      // Get the system prompt for this mode from merged prompts
+      const systemPromptMap: Record<EnhancementMode, string> = {
+        improve: prompts.enhancement.improveSystemPrompt,
+        technical: prompts.enhancement.technicalSystemPrompt,
+        simplify: prompts.enhancement.simplifySystemPrompt,
+        acceptance: prompts.enhancement.acceptanceSystemPrompt,
+      };
+      const systemPrompt = systemPromptMap[validMode];
+
+      logger.debug(`Using ${validMode} system prompt (length: ${systemPrompt.length} chars)`);
 
       // Build the user prompt with few-shot examples
       // This helps the model understand this is text transformation, not a coding task

apps/server/src/routes/github/index.ts

@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ import { validatePathParams } from '../../middleware/validate-paths.js';
 import { createCheckGitHubRemoteHandler } from './routes/check-github-remote.js';
 import { createListIssuesHandler } from './routes/list-issues.js';
 import { createListPRsHandler } from './routes/list-prs.js';
+import { createListCommentsHandler } from './routes/list-comments.js';
 import { createValidateIssueHandler } from './routes/validate-issue.js';
 import {
   createValidationStatusHandler,
@@ -27,6 +28,7 @@ export function createGitHubRoutes(
   router.post('/check-remote', validatePathParams('projectPath'), createCheckGitHubRemoteHandler());
   router.post('/issues', validatePathParams('projectPath'), createListIssuesHandler());
   router.post('/prs', validatePathParams('projectPath'), createListPRsHandler());
+  router.post('/issue-comments', validatePathParams('projectPath'), createListCommentsHandler());
   router.post(
     '/validate-issue',
     validatePathParams('projectPath'),

apps/server/src/routes/github/routes/list-comments.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,212 @@
+/**
+ * POST /issue-comments endpoint - Fetch comments for a GitHub issue
+ */
+
+import { spawn } from 'child_process';
+import type { Request, Response } from 'express';
+import type { GitHubComment, IssueCommentsResult } from '@automaker/types';
+import { execEnv, getErrorMessage, logError } from './common.js';
+import { checkGitHubRemote } from './check-github-remote.js';
+
+interface ListCommentsRequest {
+  projectPath: string;
+  issueNumber: number;
+  cursor?: string;
+}
+
+interface GraphQLComment {
+  id: string;
+  author: {
+    login: string;
+    avatarUrl?: string;
+  } | null;
+  body: string;
+  createdAt: string;
+  updatedAt: string;
+}
+
+interface GraphQLResponse {
+  data?: {
+    repository?: {
+      issue?: {
+        comments: {
+          totalCount: number;
+          pageInfo: {
+            hasNextPage: boolean;
+            endCursor: string | null;
+          };
+          nodes: GraphQLComment[];
+        };
+      };
+    };
+  };
+  errors?: Array<{ message: string }>;
+}
+
+/** Timeout for GitHub API requests in milliseconds */
+const GITHUB_API_TIMEOUT_MS = 30000;
+
+/**
+ * Validate cursor format (GraphQL cursors are typically base64 strings)
+ */
+function isValidCursor(cursor: string): boolean {
+  return /^[A-Za-z0-9+/=]+$/.test(cursor);
+}
+
+/**
+ * Fetch comments for a specific issue using GitHub GraphQL API
+ */
+async function fetchIssueComments(
+  projectPath: string,
+  owner: string,
+  repo: string,
+  issueNumber: number,
+  cursor?: string
+): Promise<IssueCommentsResult> {
+  // Validate cursor format to prevent potential injection
+  if (cursor && !isValidCursor(cursor)) {
+    throw new Error('Invalid cursor format');
+  }
+
+  // Use GraphQL variables instead of string interpolation for safety
+  const query = `
+    query GetIssueComments($owner: String!, $repo: String!, $issueNumber: Int!, $cursor: String) {
+      repository(owner: $owner, name: $repo) {
+        issue(number: $issueNumber) {
+          comments(first: 50, after: $cursor) {
+            totalCount
+            pageInfo {
+              hasNextPage
+              endCursor
+            }
+            nodes {
+              id
+              author {
+                login
+                avatarUrl
+              }
+              body
+              createdAt
+              updatedAt
+            }
+          }
+        }
+      }
+    }`;
+
+  const variables = {
+    owner,
+    repo,
+    issueNumber,
+    cursor: cursor || null,
+  };
+
+  const requestBody = JSON.stringify({ query, variables });
+
+  const response = await new Promise<GraphQLResponse>((resolve, reject) => {
+    const gh = spawn('gh', ['api', 'graphql', '--input', '-'], {
+      cwd: projectPath,
+      env: execEnv,
+    });
+
+    // Add timeout to prevent hanging indefinitely
+    const timeoutId = setTimeout(() => {
+      gh.kill();
+      reject(new Error('GitHub API request timed out'));
+    }, GITHUB_API_TIMEOUT_MS);
+
+    let stdout = '';
+    let stderr = '';
+    gh.stdout.on('data', (data: Buffer) => (stdout += data.toString()));
+    gh.stderr.on('data', (data: Buffer) => (stderr += data.toString()));
+
+    gh.on('close', (code) => {
+      clearTimeout(timeoutId);
+      if (code !== 0) {
+        return reject(new Error(`gh process exited with code ${code}: ${stderr}`));
+      }
+      try {
+        resolve(JSON.parse(stdout));
+      } catch (e) {
+        reject(e);
+      }
+    });
+
+    gh.stdin.write(requestBody);
+    gh.stdin.end();
+  });
+
+  if (response.errors && response.errors.length > 0) {
+    throw new Error(response.errors[0].message);
+  }
+
+  const commentsData = response.data?.repository?.issue?.comments;
+
+  if (!commentsData) {
+    throw new Error('Issue not found or no comments data available');
+  }
+
+  const comments: GitHubComment[] = commentsData.nodes.map((node) => ({
+    id: node.id,
+    author: {
+      login: node.author?.login || 'ghost',
+      avatarUrl: node.author?.avatarUrl,
+    },
+    body: node.body,
+    createdAt: node.createdAt,
+    updatedAt: node.updatedAt,
+  }));
+
+  return {
+    comments,
+    totalCount: commentsData.totalCount,
+    hasNextPage: commentsData.pageInfo.hasNextPage,
+    endCursor: commentsData.pageInfo.endCursor || undefined,
+  };
+}
+
+export function createListCommentsHandler() {
+  return async (req: Request, res: Response): Promise<void> => {
+    try {
+      const { projectPath, issueNumber, cursor } = req.body as ListCommentsRequest;
+
+      if (!projectPath) {
+        res.status(400).json({ success: false, error: 'projectPath is required' });
+        return;
+      }
+
+      if (!issueNumber || typeof issueNumber !== 'number') {
+        res
+          .status(400)
+          .json({ success: false, error: 'issueNumber is required and must be a number' });
+        return;
+      }
+
+      // First check if this is a GitHub repo and get owner/repo
+      const remoteStatus = await checkGitHubRemote(projectPath);
+      if (!remoteStatus.hasGitHubRemote || !remoteStatus.owner || !remoteStatus.repo) {
+        res.status(400).json({
+          success: false,
+          error: 'Project does not have a GitHub remote',
+        });
+        return;
+      }
+
+      const result = await fetchIssueComments(
+        projectPath,
+        remoteStatus.owner,
+        remoteStatus.repo,
+        issueNumber,
+        cursor
+      );
+
+      res.json({
+        success: true,
+        ...result,
+      });
+    } catch (error) {
+      logError(error, `Fetch comments for issue failed`);
+      res.status(500).json({ success: false, error: getErrorMessage(error) });
+    }
+  };
+}

apps/server/src/routes/github/routes/validate-issue.ts

@@ -14,6 +14,8 @@ import type {
   IssueValidationEvent,
   ModelAlias,
   CursorModelId,
+  GitHubComment,
+  LinkedPRInfo,
 } from '@automaker/types';
 import { isCursorModel } from '@automaker/types';
 import { createSuggestionsOptions } from '../../../lib/sdk-options.js';
@@ -24,6 +26,8 @@ import {
   issueValidationSchema,
   ISSUE_VALIDATION_SYSTEM_PROMPT,
   buildValidationPrompt,
+  ValidationComment,
+  ValidationLinkedPR,
 } from './validation-schema.js';
 import {
   trySetValidationRunning,
@@ -49,6 +53,10 @@ interface ValidateIssueRequestBody {
   issueLabels?: string[];
   /** Model to use for validation (opus, sonnet, haiku, or cursor model IDs) */
   model?: ModelAlias | CursorModelId;
+  /** Comments to include in validation analysis */
+  comments?: GitHubComment[];
+  /** Linked pull requests for this issue */
+  linkedPRs?: LinkedPRInfo[];
 }
 
 /**
@@ -67,7 +75,9 @@ async function runValidation(
   model: ModelAlias | CursorModelId,
   events: EventEmitter,
   abortController: AbortController,
-  settingsService?: SettingsService
+  settingsService?: SettingsService,
+  comments?: ValidationComment[],
+  linkedPRs?: ValidationLinkedPR[]
 ): Promise<void> {
   // Emit start event
   const startEvent: IssueValidationEvent = {
@@ -86,8 +96,15 @@ async function runValidation(
   }, VALIDATION_TIMEOUT_MS);
 
   try {
-    // Build the prompt
-    const prompt = buildValidationPrompt(issueNumber, issueTitle, issueBody, issueLabels);
+    // Build the prompt (include comments and linked PRs if provided)
+    const prompt = buildValidationPrompt(
+      issueNumber,
+      issueTitle,
+      issueBody,
+      issueLabels,
+      comments,
+      linkedPRs
+    );
 
     let validationResult: IssueValidationResult | null = null;
     let responseText = '';
@@ -218,7 +235,6 @@ ${prompt}`;
     // Require validation result
     if (!validationResult) {
       logger.error('No validation result received from AI provider');
-      logger.debug('Raw response text:', responseText);
       throw new Error('Validation failed: no valid result received');
     }
 
@@ -284,8 +300,30 @@ export function createValidateIssueHandler(
         issueBody,
         issueLabels,
         model = 'opus',
+        comments: rawComments,
+        linkedPRs: rawLinkedPRs,
       } = req.body as ValidateIssueRequestBody;
 
+      // Transform GitHubComment[] to ValidationComment[] if provided
+      const validationComments: ValidationComment[] | undefined = rawComments?.map((c) => ({
+        author: c.author?.login || 'ghost',
+        createdAt: c.createdAt,
+        body: c.body,
+      }));
+
+      // Transform LinkedPRInfo[] to ValidationLinkedPR[] if provided
+      const validationLinkedPRs: ValidationLinkedPR[] | undefined = rawLinkedPRs?.map((pr) => ({
+        number: pr.number,
+        title: pr.title,
+        state: pr.state,
+      }));
+
+      logger.info(
+        `[ValidateIssue] Received validation request for issue #${issueNumber}` +
+          (rawComments?.length ? ` with ${rawComments.length} comments` : ' (no comments)') +
+          (rawLinkedPRs?.length ? ` and ${rawLinkedPRs.length} linked PRs` : '')
+      );
+
       // Validate required fields
       if (!projectPath) {
         res.status(400).json({ success: false, error: 'projectPath is required' });
@@ -344,11 +382,12 @@ export function createValidateIssueHandler(
         model,
         events,
         abortController,
-        settingsService
+        settingsService,
+        validationComments,
+        validationLinkedPRs
       )
-        .catch((error) => {
+        .catch(() => {
           // Error is already handled inside runValidation (event emitted)
-          logger.debug('Validation error caught in background handler:', error);
         })
         .finally(() => {
           clearValidationStatus(projectPath, issueNumber);

apps/server/src/routes/github/routes/validation-schema.ts

@@ -49,6 +49,34 @@ export const issueValidationSchema = {
       enum: ['trivial', 'simple', 'moderate', 'complex', 'very_complex'],
       description: 'Estimated effort to address the issue',
     },
+    prAnalysis: {
+      type: 'object',
+      properties: {
+        hasOpenPR: {
+          type: 'boolean',
+          description: 'Whether there is an open PR linked to this issue',
+        },
+        prFixesIssue: {
+          type: 'boolean',
+          description: 'Whether the PR appears to fix the issue based on the diff',
+        },
+        prNumber: {
+          type: 'number',
+          description: 'The PR number that was analyzed',
+        },
+        prSummary: {
+          type: 'string',
+          description: 'Brief summary of what the PR changes',
+        },
+        recommendation: {
+          type: 'string',
+          enum: ['wait_for_merge', 'pr_needs_work', 'no_pr'],
+          description:
+            'Recommendation: wait for PR to merge, PR needs more work, or no relevant PR',
+        },
+      },
+      description: 'Analysis of linked pull requests if any exist',
+    },
   },
   required: ['verdict', 'confidence', 'reasoning'],
   additionalProperties: false,
@@ -67,7 +95,8 @@ Your task is to analyze a GitHub issue and determine if it's valid by scanning t
 1. **Read the issue carefully** - Understand what is being reported or requested
 2. **Search the codebase** - Use Glob to find relevant files by pattern, Grep to search for keywords
 3. **Examine the code** - Use Read to look at the actual implementation in relevant files
-4. **Form your verdict** - Based on your analysis, determine if the issue is valid
+4. **Check linked PRs** - If there are linked pull requests, use \`gh pr diff <PR_NUMBER>\` to review the changes
+5. **Form your verdict** - Based on your analysis, determine if the issue is valid
 
 ## Verdicts
 
@@ -88,12 +117,32 @@ Your task is to analyze a GitHub issue and determine if it's valid by scanning t
 - Is the implementation location clear?
 - Is the request technically feasible given the codebase structure?
 
+## Analyzing Linked Pull Requests
+
+When an issue has linked PRs (especially open ones), you MUST analyze them:
+
+1. **Run \`gh pr diff <PR_NUMBER>\`** to see what changes the PR makes
+2. **Run \`gh pr view <PR_NUMBER>\`** to see PR description and status
+3. **Evaluate if the PR fixes the issue** - Does the diff address the reported problem?
+4. **Provide a recommendation**:
+   - \`wait_for_merge\`: The PR appears to fix the issue correctly. No additional work needed - just wait for it to be merged.
+   - \`pr_needs_work\`: The PR attempts to fix the issue but is incomplete or has problems.
+   - \`no_pr\`: No relevant PR exists for this issue.
+
+5. **Include prAnalysis in your response** with:
+   - hasOpenPR: true/false
+   - prFixesIssue: true/false (based on diff analysis)
+   - prNumber: the PR number you analyzed
+   - prSummary: brief description of what the PR changes
+   - recommendation: one of the above values
+
 ## Response Guidelines
 
 - **Always include relatedFiles** when you find relevant code
 - **Set bugConfirmed to true** only if you can definitively confirm a bug exists in the code
 - **Provide a suggestedFix** when you have a clear idea of how to address the issue
 - **Use missingInfo** when the verdict is needs_clarification to list what's needed
+- **Include prAnalysis** when there are linked PRs - this is critical for avoiding duplicate work
 - **Set estimatedComplexity** to help prioritize:
   - trivial: Simple text changes, one-line fixes
   - simple: Small changes to one file
@@ -103,6 +152,24 @@ Your task is to analyze a GitHub issue and determine if it's valid by scanning t
 
 Be thorough in your analysis but focus on files that are directly relevant to the issue.`;
 
+/**
+ * Comment data structure for validation prompt
+ */
+export interface ValidationComment {
+  author: string;
+  createdAt: string;
+  body: string;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Linked PR data structure for validation prompt
+ */
+export interface ValidationLinkedPR {
+  number: number;
+  title: string;
+  state: string;
+}
+
 /**
  * Build the user prompt for issue validation.
  *
@@ -113,26 +180,60 @@ Be thorough in your analysis but focus on files that are directly relevant to th
  * @param issueTitle - The issue title
  * @param issueBody - The issue body/description
  * @param issueLabels - Optional array of label names
+ * @param comments - Optional array of comments to include in analysis
+ * @param linkedPRs - Optional array of linked pull requests
  * @returns Formatted prompt string for the validation request
  */
 export function buildValidationPrompt(
   issueNumber: number,
   issueTitle: string,
   issueBody: string,
-  issueLabels?: string[]
+  issueLabels?: string[],
+  comments?: ValidationComment[],
+  linkedPRs?: ValidationLinkedPR[]
 ): string {
   const labelsSection = issueLabels?.length ? `\n\n**Labels:** ${issueLabels.join(', ')}` : '';
 
+  let linkedPRsSection = '';
+  if (linkedPRs && linkedPRs.length > 0) {
+    const prsText = linkedPRs
+      .map((pr) => `- PR #${pr.number} (${pr.state}): ${pr.title}`)
+      .join('\n');
+    linkedPRsSection = `\n\n### Linked Pull Requests\n\n${prsText}`;
+  }
+
+  let commentsSection = '';
+  if (comments && comments.length > 0) {
+    // Limit to most recent 10 comments to control prompt size
+    const recentComments = comments.slice(-10);
+    const commentsText = recentComments
+      .map(
+        (c) => `**${c.author}** (${new Date(c.createdAt).toISOString().slice(0, 10)}):\n${c.body}`
+      )
+      .join('\n\n---\n\n');
+
+    commentsSection = `\n\n### Comments (${comments.length} total${comments.length > 10 ? ', showing last 10' : ''})\n\n${commentsText}`;
+  }
+
+  const hasWorkInProgress =
+    linkedPRs && linkedPRs.some((pr) => pr.state === 'open' || pr.state === 'OPEN');
+  const workInProgressNote = hasWorkInProgress
+    ? '\n\n**Note:** This issue has an open pull request linked. Consider that someone may already be working on a fix.'
+    : '';
+
   return `Please validate the following GitHub issue by analyzing the codebase:
 
 ## Issue #${issueNumber}: ${issueTitle}
 ${labelsSection}
+${linkedPRsSection}
 
 ### Description
 
 ${issueBody || '(No description provided)'}
+${commentsSection}
+${workInProgressNote}
 
 ---
 
-Scan the codebase to verify this issue. Look for the files, components, or functionality mentioned. Determine if this issue is valid, invalid, or needs clarification.`;
+Scan the codebase to verify this issue. Look for the files, components, or functionality mentioned. Determine if this issue is valid, invalid, or needs clarification.${comments && comments.length > 0 ? ' Consider the context provided in the comments as well.' : ''}${hasWorkInProgress ? ' Also note in your analysis if there is already work in progress on this issue.' : ''}`;
 }

apps/server/src/routes/health/index.ts

@@ -1,16 +1,25 @@
 /**
  * Health check routes
+ *
+ * NOTE: Only the basic health check (/) is unauthenticated.
+ * The /detailed endpoint requires authentication.
  */
 
 import { Router } from 'express';
 import { createIndexHandler } from './routes/index.js';
-import { createDetailedHandler } from './routes/detailed.js';
 
+/**
+ * Create unauthenticated health routes (basic check only)
+ * Used by load balancers and container orchestration
+ */
 export function createHealthRoutes(): Router {
   const router = Router();
 
+  // Basic health check - no sensitive info
   router.get('/', createIndexHandler());
-  router.get('/detailed', createDetailedHandler());
 
   return router;
 }
+
+// Re-export detailed handler for use in authenticated routes
+export { createDetailedHandler } from './routes/detailed.js';

apps/server/src/routes/mcp/common.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
+/**
+ * Common utilities for MCP routes
+ */
+
+/**
+ * Extract error message from unknown error
+ */
+export function getErrorMessage(error: unknown): string {
+  if (error instanceof Error) {
+    return error.message;
+  }
+  return String(error);
+}
+
+/**
+ * Log error with prefix
+ */
+export function logError(error: unknown, message: string): void {
+  console.error(`[MCP] ${message}:`, error);
+}

apps/server/src/routes/mcp/index.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,36 @@
+/**
+ * MCP routes - HTTP API for testing MCP servers
+ *
+ * Provides endpoints for:
+ * - Testing MCP server connections
+ * - Listing available tools from MCP servers
+ *
+ * Mounted at /api/mcp in the main server.
+ */
+
+import { Router } from 'express';
+import type { MCPTestService } from '../../services/mcp-test-service.js';
+import { createTestServerHandler } from './routes/test-server.js';
+import { createListToolsHandler } from './routes/list-tools.js';
+
+/**
+ * Create MCP router with all endpoints
+ *
+ * Endpoints:
+ * - POST /test - Test MCP server connection
+ * - POST /tools - List tools from MCP server
+ *
+ * @param mcpTestService - Instance of MCPTestService for testing connections
+ * @returns Express Router configured with all MCP endpoints
+ */
+export function createMCPRoutes(mcpTestService: MCPTestService): Router {
+  const router = Router();
+
+  // Test MCP server connection
+  router.post('/test', createTestServerHandler(mcpTestService));
+
+  // List tools from MCP server
+  router.post('/tools', createListToolsHandler(mcpTestService));
+
+  return router;
+}

apps/server/src/routes/mcp/routes/list-tools.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,57 @@
+/**
+ * POST /api/mcp/tools - List tools for an MCP server
+ *
+ * Lists available tools for an MCP server.
+ * Similar to test but focused on tool discovery.
+ *
+ * SECURITY: Only accepts serverId to look up saved configs. Does NOT accept
+ * arbitrary serverConfig to prevent drive-by command execution attacks.
+ * Users must explicitly save a server config through the UI before testing.
+ *
+ * Request body:
+ *   { serverId: string } - Get tools by server ID from settings
+ *
+ * Response: { success: boolean, tools?: MCPToolInfo[], error?: string }
+ */
+
+import type { Request, Response } from 'express';
+import type { MCPTestService } from '../../../services/mcp-test-service.js';
+import { getErrorMessage, logError } from '../common.js';
+
+interface ListToolsRequest {
+  serverId: string;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Create handler factory for POST /api/mcp/tools
+ */
+export function createListToolsHandler(mcpTestService: MCPTestService) {
+  return async (req: Request, res: Response): Promise<void> => {
+    try {
+      const body = req.body as ListToolsRequest;
+
+      if (!body.serverId || typeof body.serverId !== 'string') {
+        res.status(400).json({
+          success: false,
+          error: 'serverId is required',
+        });
+        return;
+      }
+
+      const result = await mcpTestService.testServerById(body.serverId);
+
+      // Return only tool-related information
+      res.json({
+        success: result.success,
+        tools: result.tools,
+        error: result.error,
+      });
+    } catch (error) {
+      logError(error, 'List tools failed');
+      res.status(500).json({
+        success: false,
+        error: getErrorMessage(error),
+      });
+    }
+  };
+}

apps/server/src/routes/mcp/routes/test-server.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,50 @@
+/**
+ * POST /api/mcp/test - Test MCP server connection and list tools
+ *
+ * Tests connection to an MCP server and returns available tools.
+ *
+ * SECURITY: Only accepts serverId to look up saved configs. Does NOT accept
+ * arbitrary serverConfig to prevent drive-by command execution attacks.
+ * Users must explicitly save a server config through the UI before testing.
+ *
+ * Request body:
+ *   { serverId: string } - Test server by ID from settings
+ *
+ * Response: { success: boolean, tools?: MCPToolInfo[], error?: string, connectionTime?: number }
+ */
+
+import type { Request, Response } from 'express';
+import type { MCPTestService } from '../../../services/mcp-test-service.js';
+import { getErrorMessage, logError } from '../common.js';
+
+interface TestServerRequest {
+  serverId: string;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Create handler factory for POST /api/mcp/test
+ */
+export function createTestServerHandler(mcpTestService: MCPTestService) {
+  return async (req: Request, res: Response): Promise<void> => {
+    try {
+      const body = req.body as TestServerRequest;
+
+      if (!body.serverId || typeof body.serverId !== 'string') {
+        res.status(400).json({
+          success: false,
+          error: 'serverId is required',
+        });
+        return;
+      }
+
+      const result = await mcpTestService.testServerById(body.serverId);
+      res.json(result);
+    } catch (error) {
+      logError(error, 'Test server failed');
+      res.status(500).json({
+        success: false,
+        error: getErrorMessage(error),
+      });
+    }
+  };
+}

apps/server/src/routes/pipeline/common.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+/**
+ * Common utilities for pipeline routes
+ *
+ * Provides logger and error handling utilities shared across all pipeline endpoints.
+ */
+
+import { createLogger } from '@automaker/utils';
+import { getErrorMessage as getErrorMessageShared, createLogError } from '../common.js';
+
+/** Logger instance for pipeline-related operations */
+export const logger = createLogger('Pipeline');
+
+/**
+ * Extract user-friendly error message from error objects
+ */
+export { getErrorMessageShared as getErrorMessage };
+
+/**
+ * Log error with automatic logger binding
+ */
+export const logError = createLogError(logger);

apps/server/src/routes/pipeline/index.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,77 @@
+/**
+ * Pipeline routes - HTTP API for pipeline configuration management
+ *
+ * Provides endpoints for:
+ * - Getting pipeline configuration
+ * - Saving pipeline configuration
+ * - Adding, updating, deleting, and reordering pipeline steps
+ *
+ * All endpoints use handler factories that receive the PipelineService instance.
+ * Mounted at /api/pipeline in the main server.
+ */
+
+import { Router } from 'express';
+import type { PipelineService } from '../../services/pipeline-service.js';
+import { validatePathParams } from '../../middleware/validate-paths.js';
+import { createGetConfigHandler } from './routes/get-config.js';
+import { createSaveConfigHandler } from './routes/save-config.js';
+import { createAddStepHandler } from './routes/add-step.js';
+import { createUpdateStepHandler } from './routes/update-step.js';
+import { createDeleteStepHandler } from './routes/delete-step.js';
+import { createReorderStepsHandler } from './routes/reorder-steps.js';
+
+/**
+ * Create pipeline router with all endpoints
+ *
+ * Endpoints:
+ * - POST /config - Get pipeline configuration
+ * - POST /config/save - Save entire pipeline configuration
+ * - POST /steps/add - Add a new pipeline step
+ * - POST /steps/update - Update an existing pipeline step
+ * - POST /steps/delete - Delete a pipeline step
+ * - POST /steps/reorder - Reorder pipeline steps
+ *
+ * @param pipelineService - Instance of PipelineService for file I/O
+ * @returns Express Router configured with all pipeline endpoints
+ */
+export function createPipelineRoutes(pipelineService: PipelineService): Router {
+  const router = Router();
+
+  // Get pipeline configuration
+  router.post(
+    '/config',
+    validatePathParams('projectPath'),
+    createGetConfigHandler(pipelineService)
+  );
+
+  // Save entire pipeline configuration
+  router.post(
+    '/config/save',
+    validatePathParams('projectPath'),
+    createSaveConfigHandler(pipelineService)
+  );
+
+  // Pipeline step operations
+  router.post(
+    '/steps/add',
+    validatePathParams('projectPath'),
+    createAddStepHandler(pipelineService)
+  );
+  router.post(
+    '/steps/update',
+    validatePathParams('projectPath'),
+    createUpdateStepHandler(pipelineService)
+  );
+  router.post(
+    '/steps/delete',
+    validatePathParams('projectPath'),
+    createDeleteStepHandler(pipelineService)
+  );
+  router.post(
+    '/steps/reorder',
+    validatePathParams('projectPath'),
+    createReorderStepsHandler(pipelineService)
+  );
+
+  return router;
+}

apps/server/src/routes/pipeline/routes/add-step.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,54 @@
+/**
+ * POST /api/pipeline/steps/add - Add a new pipeline step
+ *
+ * Adds a new step to the pipeline configuration.
+ *
+ * Request body: { projectPath: string, step: { name, order, instructions, colorClass } }
+ * Response: { success: true, step: PipelineStep }
+ */
+
+import type { Request, Response } from 'express';
+import type { PipelineService } from '../../../services/pipeline-service.js';
+import type { PipelineStep } from '@automaker/types';
+import { getErrorMessage, logError } from '../common.js';
+
+export function createAddStepHandler(pipelineService: PipelineService) {
+  return async (req: Request, res: Response): Promise<void> => {
+    try {
+      const { projectPath, step } = req.body as {
+        projectPath: string;
+        step: Omit<PipelineStep, 'id' | 'createdAt' | 'updatedAt'>;
+      };
+
+      if (!projectPath) {
+        res.status(400).json({ success: false, error: 'projectPath is required' });
+        return;
+      }
+
+      if (!step) {
+        res.status(400).json({ success: false, error: 'step is required' });
+        return;
+      }
+
+      if (!step.name) {
+        res.status(400).json({ success: false, error: 'step.name is required' });
+        return;
+      }
+
+      if (step.instructions === undefined) {
+        res.status(400).json({ success: false, error: 'step.instructions is required' });
+        return;
+      }
+
+      const newStep = await pipelineService.addStep(projectPath, step);
+
+      res.json({
+        success: true,
+        step: newStep,
+      });
+    } catch (error) {
+      logError(error, 'Add pipeline step failed');
+      res.status(500).json({ success: false, error: getErrorMessage(error) });
+    }
+  };
+}

apps/server/src/routes/pipeline/routes/delete-step.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,42 @@
+/**
+ * POST /api/pipeline/steps/delete - Delete a pipeline step
+ *
+ * Removes a step from the pipeline configuration.
+ *
+ * Request body: { projectPath: string, stepId: string }
+ * Response: { success: true }
+ */
+
+import type { Request, Response } from 'express';
+import type { PipelineService } from '../../../services/pipeline-service.js';
+import { getErrorMessage, logError } from '../common.js';
+
+export function createDeleteStepHandler(pipelineService: PipelineService) {
+  return async (req: Request, res: Response): Promise<void> => {
+    try {
+      const { projectPath, stepId } = req.body as {
+        projectPath: string;
+        stepId: string;
+      };
+
+      if (!projectPath) {
+        res.status(400).json({ success: false, error: 'projectPath is required' });
+        return;
+      }
+
+      if (!stepId) {
+        res.status(400).json({ success: false, error: 'stepId is required' });
+        return;
+      }
+
+      await pipelineService.deleteStep(projectPath, stepId);
+
+      res.json({
+        success: true,
+      });
+    } catch (error) {
+      logError(error, 'Delete pipeline step failed');
+      res.status(500).json({ success: false, error: getErrorMessage(error) });
+    }
+  };
+}

apps/server/src/routes/pipeline/routes/get-config.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,35 @@
+/**
+ * POST /api/pipeline/config - Get pipeline configuration
+ *
+ * Returns the pipeline configuration for a project.
+ *
+ * Request body: { projectPath: string }
+ * Response: { success: true, config: PipelineConfig }
+ */
+
+import type { Request, Response } from 'express';
+import type { PipelineService } from '../../../services/pipeline-service.js';
+import { getErrorMessage, logError } from '../common.js';
+
+export function createGetConfigHandler(pipelineService: PipelineService) {
+  return async (req: Request, res: Response): Promise<void> => {
+    try {
+      const { projectPath } = req.body;
+
+      if (!projectPath) {
+        res.status(400).json({ success: false, error: 'projectPath is required' });
+        return;
+      }
+
+      const config = await pipelineService.getPipelineConfig(projectPath);
+
+      res.json({
+        success: true,
+        config,
+      });
+    } catch (error) {
+      logError(error, 'Get pipeline config failed');
+      res.status(500).json({ success: false, error: getErrorMessage(error) });
+    }
+  };
+}

apps/server/src/routes/pipeline/routes/reorder-steps.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,42 @@
+/**
+ * POST /api/pipeline/steps/reorder - Reorder pipeline steps
+ *
+ * Reorders the steps in the pipeline configuration.
+ *
+ * Request body: { projectPath: string, stepIds: string[] }
+ * Response: { success: true }
+ */
+
+import type { Request, Response } from 'express';
+import type { PipelineService } from '../../../services/pipeline-service.js';
+import { getErrorMessage, logError } from '../common.js';
+
+export function createReorderStepsHandler(pipelineService: PipelineService) {
+  return async (req: Request, res: Response): Promise<void> => {
+    try {
+      const { projectPath, stepIds } = req.body as {
+        projectPath: string;
+        stepIds: string[];
+      };
+
+      if (!projectPath) {
+        res.status(400).json({ success: false, error: 'projectPath is required' });
+        return;
+      }
+
+      if (!stepIds || !Array.isArray(stepIds)) {
+        res.status(400).json({ success: false, error: 'stepIds array is required' });
+        return;
+      }
+
+      await pipelineService.reorderSteps(projectPath, stepIds);
+
+      res.json({
+        success: true,
+      });
+    } catch (error) {
+      logError(error, 'Reorder pipeline steps failed');
+      res.status(500).json({ success: false, error: getErrorMessage(error) });
+    }
+  };
+}

apps/server/src/routes/pipeline/routes/save-config.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,43 @@
+/**
+ * POST /api/pipeline/config/save - Save entire pipeline configuration
+ *
+ * Saves the complete pipeline configuration for a project.
+ *
+ * Request body: { projectPath: string, config: PipelineConfig }
+ * Response: { success: true }
+ */
+
+import type { Request, Response } from 'express';
+import type { PipelineService } from '../../../services/pipeline-service.js';
+import type { PipelineConfig } from '@automaker/types';
+import { getErrorMessage, logError } from '../common.js';
+
+export function createSaveConfigHandler(pipelineService: PipelineService) {
+  return async (req: Request, res: Response): Promise<void> => {
+    try {
+      const { projectPath, config } = req.body as {
+        projectPath: string;
+        config: PipelineConfig;
+      };
+
+      if (!projectPath) {
+        res.status(400).json({ success: false, error: 'projectPath is required' });
+        return;
+      }
+
+      if (!config) {
+        res.status(400).json({ success: false, error: 'config is required' });
+        return;
+      }
+
+      await pipelineService.savePipelineConfig(projectPath, config);
+
+      res.json({
+        success: true,
+      });
+    } catch (error) {
+      logError(error, 'Save pipeline config failed');
+      res.status(500).json({ success: false, error: getErrorMessage(error) });
+    }
+  };
+}

apps/server/src/routes/pipeline/routes/update-step.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,50 @@
+/**
+ * POST /api/pipeline/steps/update - Update an existing pipeline step
+ *
+ * Updates a step in the pipeline configuration.
+ *
+ * Request body: { projectPath: string, stepId: string, updates: Partial<PipelineStep> }
+ * Response: { success: true, step: PipelineStep }
+ */
+
+import type { Request, Response } from 'express';
+import type { PipelineService } from '../../../services/pipeline-service.js';
+import type { PipelineStep } from '@automaker/types';
+import { getErrorMessage, logError } from '../common.js';
+
+export function createUpdateStepHandler(pipelineService: PipelineService) {
+  return async (req: Request, res: Response): Promise<void> => {
+    try {
+      const { projectPath, stepId, updates } = req.body as {
+        projectPath: string;
+        stepId: string;
+        updates: Partial<Omit<PipelineStep, 'id' | 'createdAt'>>;
+      };
+
+      if (!projectPath) {
+        res.status(400).json({ success: false, error: 'projectPath is required' });
+        return;
+      }
+
+      if (!stepId) {
+        res.status(400).json({ success: false, error: 'stepId is required' });
+        return;
+      }
+
+      if (!updates || Object.keys(updates).length === 0) {
+        res.status(400).json({ success: false, error: 'updates is required' });
+        return;
+      }
+
+      const updatedStep = await pipelineService.updateStep(projectPath, stepId, updates);
+
+      res.json({
+        success: true,
+        step: updatedStep,
+      });
+    } catch (error) {
+      logError(error, 'Update pipeline step failed');
+      res.status(500).json({ success: false, error: getErrorMessage(error) });
+    }
+  };
+}

apps/server/src/routes/running-agents/routes/index.ts

@@ -9,8 +9,7 @@ import { getErrorMessage, logError } from '../common.js';
 export function createIndexHandler(autoModeService: AutoModeService) {
   return async (_req: Request, res: Response): Promise<void> => {
     try {
-      const runningAgents = autoModeService.getRunningAgents();
-      const status = autoModeService.getStatus();
+      const runningAgents = await autoModeService.getRunningAgents();
 
       res.json({
         success: true,

apps/server/src/routes/setup/routes/gh-status.ts

@@ -94,23 +94,37 @@ async function getGhStatus(): Promise<GhStatus> {
     // Version command failed
   }
 
-  // Check authentication status
+  // Check authentication status by actually making an API call
+  // gh auth status can return non-zero even when GH_TOKEN is valid
+  let apiCallSucceeded = false;
   try {
-    const { stdout } = await execAsync('gh auth status', { env: execEnv });
-    // If this succeeds without error, we're authenticated
-    status.authenticated = true;
-
-    // Try to extract username from output
-    const userMatch =
-      stdout.match(/Logged in to [^\s]+ account ([^\s]+)/i) ||
-      stdout.match(/Logged in to [^\s]+ as ([^\s]+)/i);
-    if (userMatch) {
-      status.user = userMatch[1];
+    const { stdout } = await execAsync('gh api user --jq ".login"', { env: execEnv });
+    const user = stdout.trim();
+    if (user) {
+      status.authenticated = true;
+      status.user = user;
+      apiCallSucceeded = true;
     }
-  } catch (error: unknown) {
-    // Auth status returns non-zero if not authenticated
-    const err = error as { stderr?: string };
-    if (err.stderr?.includes('not logged in')) {
+    // If stdout is empty, fall through to gh auth status fallback
+  } catch {
+    // API call failed - fall through to gh auth status fallback
+  }
+
+  // Fallback: try gh auth status if API call didn't succeed
+  if (!apiCallSucceeded) {
+    try {
+      const { stdout } = await execAsync('gh auth status', { env: execEnv });
+      status.authenticated = true;
+
+      // Try to extract username from output
+      const userMatch =
+        stdout.match(/Logged in to [^\s]+ account ([^\s]+)/i) ||
+        stdout.match(/Logged in to [^\s]+ as ([^\s]+)/i);
+      if (userMatch) {
+        status.user = userMatch[1];
+      }
+    } catch {
+      // Auth status returns non-zero if not authenticated
       status.authenticated = false;
     }
   }

apps/server/src/services/agent-service.ts

@@ -12,12 +12,20 @@ import {
   buildPromptWithImages,
   isAbortError,
   loadContextFiles,
+  createLogger,
 } from '@automaker/utils';
 import { ProviderFactory } from '../providers/provider-factory.js';
 import { createChatOptions, validateWorkingDirectory } from '../lib/sdk-options.js';
 import { PathNotAllowedError } from '@automaker/platform';
 import type { SettingsService } from './settings-service.js';
-import { getAutoLoadClaudeMdSetting, filterClaudeMdFromContext } from '../lib/settings-helpers.js';
+import {
+  getAutoLoadClaudeMdSetting,
+  getEnableSandboxModeSetting,
+  filterClaudeMdFromContext,
+  getMCPServersFromSettings,
+  getMCPPermissionSettings,
+  getPromptCustomization,
+} from '../lib/settings-helpers.js';
 
 interface Message {
   id: string;
@@ -69,6 +77,7 @@ export class AgentService {
   private metadataFile: string;
   private events: EventEmitter;
   private settingsService: SettingsService | null = null;
+  private logger = createLogger('AgentService');
 
   constructor(dataDir: string, events: EventEmitter, settingsService?: SettingsService) {
     this.stateDir = path.join(dataDir, 'agent-sessions');
@@ -142,10 +151,12 @@ export class AgentService {
   }) {
     const session = this.sessions.get(sessionId);
     if (!session) {
+      this.logger.error('ERROR: Session not found:', sessionId);
       throw new Error(`Session ${sessionId} not found`);
     }
 
     if (session.isRunning) {
+      this.logger.error('ERROR: Agent already running for session:', sessionId);
       throw new Error('Agent is already processing a message');
     }
 
@@ -167,7 +178,7 @@ export class AgentService {
             filename: imageData.filename,
           });
         } catch (error) {
-          console.error(`[AgentService] Failed to load image ${imagePath}:`, error);
+          this.logger.error(`Failed to load image ${imagePath}:`, error);
         }
       }
     }
@@ -215,6 +226,18 @@ export class AgentService {
         '[AgentService]'
       );
 
+      // Load enableSandboxMode setting (global setting only)
+      const enableSandboxMode = await getEnableSandboxModeSetting(
+        this.settingsService,
+        '[AgentService]'
+      );
+
+      // Load MCP servers from settings (global setting only)
+      const mcpServers = await getMCPServersFromSettings(this.settingsService, '[AgentService]');
+
+      // Load MCP permission settings (global setting only)
+      const mcpPermissions = await getMCPPermissionSettings(this.settingsService, '[AgentService]');
+
       // Load project context files (CLAUDE.md, CODE_QUALITY.md, etc.)
       const contextResult = await loadContextFiles({
         projectPath: effectiveWorkDir,
@@ -226,7 +249,7 @@ export class AgentService {
       const contextFilesPrompt = filterClaudeMdFromContext(contextResult, autoLoadClaudeMd);
 
       // Build combined system prompt with base prompt and context files
-      const baseSystemPrompt = this.getSystemPrompt();
+      const baseSystemPrompt = await this.getSystemPrompt();
       const combinedSystemPrompt = contextFilesPrompt
         ? `${contextFilesPrompt}\n\n${baseSystemPrompt}`
         : baseSystemPrompt;
@@ -239,6 +262,10 @@ export class AgentService {
         systemPrompt: combinedSystemPrompt,
         abortController: session.abortController!,
         autoLoadClaudeMd,
+        enableSandboxMode,
+        mcpServers: Object.keys(mcpServers).length > 0 ? mcpServers : undefined,
+        mcpAutoApproveTools: mcpPermissions.mcpAutoApproveTools,
+        mcpUnrestrictedTools: mcpPermissions.mcpUnrestrictedTools,
       });
 
       // Extract model, maxTurns, and allowedTools from SDK options
@@ -249,10 +276,6 @@ export class AgentService {
       // Get provider for this model
       const provider = ProviderFactory.getProviderForModel(effectiveModel);
 
-      console.log(
-        `[AgentService] Using provider "${provider.getName()}" for model "${effectiveModel}"`
-      );
-
       // Build options for provider
       const options: ExecuteOptions = {
         prompt: '', // Will be set below based on images
@@ -264,7 +287,11 @@ export class AgentService {
         abortController: session.abortController!,
         conversationHistory: conversationHistory.length > 0 ? conversationHistory : undefined,
         settingSources: sdkOptions.settingSources,
+        sandbox: sdkOptions.sandbox, // Pass sandbox configuration
         sdkSessionId: session.sdkSessionId, // Pass SDK session ID for resuming
+        mcpServers: Object.keys(mcpServers).length > 0 ? mcpServers : undefined, // Pass MCP servers configuration
+        mcpAutoApproveTools: mcpPermissions.mcpAutoApproveTools, // Pass MCP auto-approve setting
+        mcpUnrestrictedTools: mcpPermissions.mcpUnrestrictedTools, // Pass MCP unrestricted tools setting
       };
 
       // Build prompt content with images
@@ -289,7 +316,6 @@ export class AgentService {
         // Capture SDK session ID from any message and persist it
         if (msg.session_id && !session.sdkSessionId) {
           session.sdkSessionId = msg.session_id;
-          console.log(`[AgentService] Captured SDK session ID: ${msg.session_id}`);
           // Persist the SDK session ID to ensure conversation continuity across server restarts
           await this.updateSession(sessionId, { sdkSessionId: msg.session_id });
         }
@@ -368,7 +394,7 @@ export class AgentService {
         return { success: false, aborted: true };
       }
 
-      console.error('[AgentService] Error:', error);
+      this.logger.error('Error:', error);
 
       session.isRunning = false;
       session.abortController = null;
@@ -462,7 +488,7 @@ export class AgentService {
       await secureFs.writeFile(sessionFile, JSON.stringify(messages, null, 2), 'utf-8');
       await this.updateSessionTimestamp(sessionId);
     } catch (error) {
-      console.error('[AgentService] Failed to save session:', error);
+      this.logger.error('Failed to save session:', error);
     }
   }
 
@@ -696,7 +722,7 @@ export class AgentService {
     try {
       await secureFs.writeFile(queueFile, JSON.stringify(queue, null, 2), 'utf-8');
     } catch (error) {
-      console.error('[AgentService] Failed to save queue state:', error);
+      this.logger.error('Failed to save queue state:', error);
     }
   }
 
@@ -737,8 +763,6 @@ export class AgentService {
       queue: session.promptQueue,
     });
 
-    console.log(`[AgentService] Processing next queued prompt for session ${sessionId}`);
-
     try {
       await this.sendMessage({
         sessionId,
@@ -747,7 +771,7 @@ export class AgentService {
         model: nextPrompt.model,
       });
     } catch (error) {
-      console.error('[AgentService] Failed to process queued prompt:', error);
+      this.logger.error('Failed to process queued prompt:', error);
       this.emitAgentEvent(sessionId, {
         type: 'queue_error',
         error: (error as Error).message,
@@ -760,38 +784,10 @@ export class AgentService {
     this.events.emit('agent:stream', { sessionId, ...data });
   }
 
-  private getSystemPrompt(): string {
-    return `You are an AI assistant helping users build software. You are part of the Automaker application,
-which is designed to help developers plan, design, and implement software projects autonomously.
-
-**Feature Storage:**
-Features are stored in .automaker/features/{id}/feature.json - each feature has its own folder.
-Use the UpdateFeatureStatus tool to manage features, not direct file edits.
-
-Your role is to:
-- Help users define their project requirements and specifications
-- Ask clarifying questions to better understand their needs
-- Suggest technical approaches and architectures
-- Guide them through the development process
-- Be conversational and helpful
-- Write, edit, and modify code files as requested
-- Execute commands and tests
-- Search and analyze the codebase
-
-When discussing projects, help users think through:
-- Core functionality and features
-- Technical stack choices
-- Data models and architecture
-- User experience considerations
-- Testing strategies
-
-You have full access to the codebase and can:
-- Read files to understand existing code
-- Write new files
-- Edit existing files
-- Run bash commands
-- Search for code patterns
-- Execute tests and builds`;
+  private async getSystemPrompt(): Promise<string> {
+    // Load from settings (no caching - allows hot reload of custom prompts)
+    const prompts = await getPromptCustomization(this.settingsService, '[AgentService]');
+    return prompts.agent.systemPrompt;
   }
 
   private generateId(): string {

apps/server/src/services/auto-mode-service.ts

@@ -10,7 +10,13 @@
  */
 
 import { ProviderFactory } from '../providers/provider-factory.js';
-import type { ExecuteOptions, Feature, ModelProvider } from '@automaker/types';
+import type {
+  ExecuteOptions,
+  Feature,
+  ModelProvider,
+  PipelineConfig,
+  PipelineStep,
+} from '@automaker/types';
 import { DEFAULT_PHASE_MODELS } from '@automaker/types';
 import {
   buildPromptWithImages,
@@ -33,7 +39,15 @@ import {
 } from '../lib/sdk-options.js';
 import { FeatureLoader } from './feature-loader.js';
 import type { SettingsService } from './settings-service.js';
-import { getAutoLoadClaudeMdSetting, filterClaudeMdFromContext } from '../lib/settings-helpers.js';
+import { pipelineService, PipelineService } from './pipeline-service.js';
+import {
+  getAutoLoadClaudeMdSetting,
+  getEnableSandboxModeSetting,
+  filterClaudeMdFromContext,
+  getMCPServersFromSettings,
+  getMCPPermissionSettings,
+  getPromptCustomization,
+} from '../lib/settings-helpers.js';
 
 const execAsync = promisify(exec);
 
@@ -61,162 +75,6 @@ interface PlanSpec {
   tasks?: ParsedTask[];
 }
 
-const PLANNING_PROMPTS = {
-  lite: `## Planning Phase (Lite Mode)
-
-IMPORTANT: Do NOT output exploration text, tool usage, or thinking before the plan. Start DIRECTLY with the planning outline format below. Silently analyze the codebase first, then output ONLY the structured plan.
-
-Create a brief planning outline:
-
-1. **Goal**: What are we accomplishing? (1 sentence)
-2. **Approach**: How will we do it? (2-3 sentences)
-3. **Files to Touch**: List files and what changes
-4. **Tasks**: Numbered task list (3-7 items)
-5. **Risks**: Any gotchas to watch for
-
-After generating the outline, output:
-"[PLAN_GENERATED] Planning outline complete."
-
-Then proceed with implementation.`,
-
-  lite_with_approval: `## Planning Phase (Lite Mode)
-
-IMPORTANT: Do NOT output exploration text, tool usage, or thinking before the plan. Start DIRECTLY with the planning outline format below. Silently analyze the codebase first, then output ONLY the structured plan.
-
-Create a brief planning outline:
-
-1. **Goal**: What are we accomplishing? (1 sentence)
-2. **Approach**: How will we do it? (2-3 sentences)
-3. **Files to Touch**: List files and what changes
-4. **Tasks**: Numbered task list (3-7 items)
-5. **Risks**: Any gotchas to watch for
-
-After generating the outline, output:
-"[SPEC_GENERATED] Please review the planning outline above. Reply with 'approved' to proceed or provide feedback for revisions."
-
-DO NOT proceed with implementation until you receive explicit approval.`,
-
-  spec: `## Specification Phase (Spec Mode)
-
-IMPORTANT: Do NOT output exploration text, tool usage, or thinking before the spec. Start DIRECTLY with the specification format below. Silently analyze the codebase first, then output ONLY the structured specification.
-
-Generate a specification with an actionable task breakdown. WAIT for approval before implementing.
-
-### Specification Format
-
-1. **Problem**: What problem are we solving? (user perspective)
-
-2. **Solution**: Brief approach (1-2 sentences)
-
-3. **Acceptance Criteria**: 3-5 items in GIVEN-WHEN-THEN format
-   - GIVEN [context], WHEN [action], THEN [outcome]
-
-4. **Files to Modify**:
-   | File | Purpose | Action |
-   |------|---------|--------|
-   | path/to/file | description | create/modify/delete |
-
-5. **Implementation Tasks**:
-   Use this EXACT format for each task (the system will parse these):
-   \`\`\`tasks
-   - [ ] T001: [Description] | File: [path/to/file]
-   - [ ] T002: [Description] | File: [path/to/file]
-   - [ ] T003: [Description] | File: [path/to/file]
-   \`\`\`
-
-   Task ID rules:
-   - Sequential: T001, T002, T003, etc.
-   - Description: Clear action (e.g., "Create user model", "Add API endpoint")
-   - File: Primary file affected (helps with context)
-   - Order by dependencies (foundational tasks first)
-
-6. **Verification**: How to confirm feature works
-
-After generating the spec, output on its own line:
-"[SPEC_GENERATED] Please review the specification above. Reply with 'approved' to proceed or provide feedback for revisions."
-
-DO NOT proceed with implementation until you receive explicit approval.
-
-When approved, execute tasks SEQUENTIALLY in order. For each task:
-1. BEFORE starting, output: "[TASK_START] T###: Description"
-2. Implement the task
-3. AFTER completing, output: "[TASK_COMPLETE] T###: Brief summary"
-
-This allows real-time progress tracking during implementation.`,
-
-  full: `## Full Specification Phase (Full SDD Mode)
-
-IMPORTANT: Do NOT output exploration text, tool usage, or thinking before the spec. Start DIRECTLY with the specification format below. Silently analyze the codebase first, then output ONLY the structured specification.
-
-Generate a comprehensive specification with phased task breakdown. WAIT for approval before implementing.
-
-### Specification Format
-
-1. **Problem Statement**: 2-3 sentences from user perspective
-
-2. **User Story**: As a [user], I want [goal], so that [benefit]
-
-3. **Acceptance Criteria**: Multiple scenarios with GIVEN-WHEN-THEN
-   - **Happy Path**: GIVEN [context], WHEN [action], THEN [expected outcome]
-   - **Edge Cases**: GIVEN [edge condition], WHEN [action], THEN [handling]
-   - **Error Handling**: GIVEN [error condition], WHEN [action], THEN [error response]
-
-4. **Technical Context**:
-   | Aspect | Value |
-   |--------|-------|
-   | Affected Files | list of files |
-   | Dependencies | external libs if any |
-   | Constraints | technical limitations |
-   | Patterns to Follow | existing patterns in codebase |
-
-5. **Non-Goals**: What this feature explicitly does NOT include
-
-6. **Implementation Tasks**:
-   Use this EXACT format for each task (the system will parse these):
-   \`\`\`tasks
-   ## Phase 1: Foundation
-   - [ ] T001: [Description] | File: [path/to/file]
-   - [ ] T002: [Description] | File: [path/to/file]
-
-   ## Phase 2: Core Implementation
-   - [ ] T003: [Description] | File: [path/to/file]
-   - [ ] T004: [Description] | File: [path/to/file]
-
-   ## Phase 3: Integration & Testing
-   - [ ] T005: [Description] | File: [path/to/file]
-   - [ ] T006: [Description] | File: [path/to/file]
-   \`\`\`
-
-   Task ID rules:
-   - Sequential across all phases: T001, T002, T003, etc.
-   - Description: Clear action verb + target
-   - File: Primary file affected
-   - Order by dependencies within each phase
-   - Phase structure helps organize complex work
-
-7. **Success Metrics**: How we know it's done (measurable criteria)
-
-8. **Risks & Mitigations**:
-   | Risk | Mitigation |
-   |------|------------|
-   | description | approach |
-
-After generating the spec, output on its own line:
-"[SPEC_GENERATED] Please review the comprehensive specification above. Reply with 'approved' to proceed or provide feedback for revisions."
-
-DO NOT proceed with implementation until you receive explicit approval.
-
-When approved, execute tasks SEQUENTIALLY by phase. For each task:
-1. BEFORE starting, output: "[TASK_START] T###: Description"
-2. Implement the task
-3. AFTER completing, output: "[TASK_COMPLETE] T###: Brief summary"
-
-After completing all tasks in a phase, output:
-"[PHASE_COMPLETE] Phase N complete"
-
-This allows real-time progress tracking during implementation.`,
-};
-
 /**
  * Parse tasks from generated spec content
  * Looks for the ```tasks code block and extracts task lines
@@ -589,7 +447,7 @@ export class AutoModeService {
       } else {
         // Normal flow: build prompt with planning phase
         const featurePrompt = this.buildFeaturePrompt(feature);
-        const planningPrefix = this.getPlanningPromptPrefix(feature);
+        const planningPrefix = await this.getPlanningPromptPrefix(feature);
         prompt = planningPrefix + featurePrompt;
 
         // Emit planning mode info
@@ -637,6 +495,23 @@ export class AutoModeService {
         }
       );
 
+      // Check for pipeline steps and execute them
+      const pipelineConfig = await pipelineService.getPipelineConfig(projectPath);
+      const sortedSteps = [...(pipelineConfig?.steps || [])].sort((a, b) => a.order - b.order);
+
+      if (sortedSteps.length > 0) {
+        // Execute pipeline steps sequentially
+        await this.executePipelineSteps(
+          projectPath,
+          featureId,
+          feature,
+          sortedSteps,
+          workDir,
+          abortController,
+          autoLoadClaudeMd
+        );
+      }
+
       // Determine final status based on testing mode:
       // - skipTests=false (automated testing): go directly to 'verified' (no manual verify needed)
       // - skipTests=true (manual verification): go to 'waiting_approval' for manual review
@@ -682,6 +557,143 @@ export class AutoModeService {
     }
   }
 
+  /**
+   * Execute pipeline steps sequentially after initial feature implementation
+   */
+  private async executePipelineSteps(
+    projectPath: string,
+    featureId: string,
+    feature: Feature,
+    steps: PipelineStep[],
+    workDir: string,
+    abortController: AbortController,
+    autoLoadClaudeMd: boolean
+  ): Promise<void> {
+    console.log(`[AutoMode] Executing ${steps.length} pipeline step(s) for feature ${featureId}`);
+
+    // Load context files once
+    const contextResult = await loadContextFiles({
+      projectPath,
+      fsModule: secureFs as Parameters<typeof loadContextFiles>[0]['fsModule'],
+    });
+    const contextFilesPrompt = filterClaudeMdFromContext(contextResult, autoLoadClaudeMd);
+
+    // Load previous agent output for context continuity
+    const featureDir = getFeatureDir(projectPath, featureId);
+    const contextPath = path.join(featureDir, 'agent-output.md');
+    let previousContext = '';
+    try {
+      previousContext = (await secureFs.readFile(contextPath, 'utf-8')) as string;
+    } catch {
+      // No previous context
+    }
+
+    for (let i = 0; i < steps.length; i++) {
+      const step = steps[i];
+      const pipelineStatus = `pipeline_${step.id}`;
+
+      // Update feature status to current pipeline step
+      await this.updateFeatureStatus(projectPath, featureId, pipelineStatus);
+
+      this.emitAutoModeEvent('auto_mode_progress', {
+        featureId,
+        content: `Starting pipeline step ${i + 1}/${steps.length}: ${step.name}`,
+        projectPath,
+      });
+
+      this.emitAutoModeEvent('pipeline_step_started', {
+        featureId,
+        stepId: step.id,
+        stepName: step.name,
+        stepIndex: i,
+        totalSteps: steps.length,
+        projectPath,
+      });
+
+      // Build prompt for this pipeline step
+      const prompt = this.buildPipelineStepPrompt(step, feature, previousContext);
+
+      // Get model from feature
+      const model = resolveModelString(feature.model, DEFAULT_MODELS.claude);
+
+      // Run the agent for this pipeline step
+      await this.runAgent(
+        workDir,
+        featureId,
+        prompt,
+        abortController,
+        projectPath,
+        undefined, // no images for pipeline steps
+        model,
+        {
+          projectPath,
+          planningMode: 'skip', // Pipeline steps don't need planning
+          requirePlanApproval: false,
+          previousContent: previousContext,
+          systemPrompt: contextFilesPrompt || undefined,
+          autoLoadClaudeMd,
+        }
+      );
+
+      // Load updated context for next step
+      try {
+        previousContext = (await secureFs.readFile(contextPath, 'utf-8')) as string;
+      } catch {
+        // No context update
+      }
+
+      this.emitAutoModeEvent('pipeline_step_complete', {
+        featureId,
+        stepId: step.id,
+        stepName: step.name,
+        stepIndex: i,
+        totalSteps: steps.length,
+        projectPath,
+      });
+
+      console.log(
+        `[AutoMode] Pipeline step ${i + 1}/${steps.length} (${step.name}) completed for feature ${featureId}`
+      );
+    }
+
+    console.log(`[AutoMode] All pipeline steps completed for feature ${featureId}`);
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Build the prompt for a pipeline step
+   */
+  private buildPipelineStepPrompt(
+    step: PipelineStep,
+    feature: Feature,
+    previousContext: string
+  ): string {
+    let prompt = `## Pipeline Step: ${step.name}
+
+This is an automated pipeline step following the initial feature implementation.
+
+### Feature Context
+${this.buildFeaturePrompt(feature)}
+
+`;
+
+    if (previousContext) {
+      prompt += `### Previous Work
+The following is the output from the previous work on this feature:
+
+${previousContext}
+
+`;
+    }
+
+    prompt += `### Pipeline Step Instructions
+${step.instructions}
+
+### Task
+Complete the pipeline step instructions above. Review the previous work and apply the required changes or actions.`;
+
+    return prompt;
+  }
+
   /**
    * Stop a specific feature
    */
@@ -1175,6 +1187,7 @@ Format your response as a structured markdown document.`;
         allowedTools: sdkOptions.allowedTools as string[],
         abortController,
         settingSources: sdkOptions.settingSources,
+        sandbox: sdkOptions.sandbox, // Pass sandbox configuration
       };
 
       const stream = provider.executeQuery(options);
@@ -1238,22 +1251,47 @@ Format your response as a structured markdown document.`;
   /**
    * Get detailed info about all running agents
    */
-  getRunningAgents(): Array<{
-    featureId: string;
-    projectPath: string;
-    projectName: string;
-    isAutoMode: boolean;
-    model?: string;
-    provider?: ModelProvider;
-  }> {
-    return Array.from(this.runningFeatures.values()).map((rf) => ({
-      featureId: rf.featureId,
-      projectPath: rf.projectPath,
-      projectName: path.basename(rf.projectPath),
-      isAutoMode: rf.isAutoMode,
-      model: rf.model,
-      provider: rf.provider,
-    }));
+  async getRunningAgents(): Promise<
+    Array<{
+      featureId: string;
+      projectPath: string;
+      projectName: string;
+      isAutoMode: boolean;
+      model?: string;
+      provider?: ModelProvider;
+      title?: string;
+      description?: string;
+    }>
+  > {
+    const agents = await Promise.all(
+      Array.from(this.runningFeatures.values()).map(async (rf) => {
+        // Try to fetch feature data to get title and description
+        let title: string | undefined;
+        let description: string | undefined;
+
+        try {
+          const feature = await this.featureLoader.get(rf.projectPath, rf.featureId);
+          if (feature) {
+            title = feature.title;
+            description = feature.description;
+          }
+        } catch (error) {
+          // Silently ignore errors - title/description are optional
+        }
+
+        return {
+          featureId: rf.featureId,
+          projectPath: rf.projectPath,
+          projectName: path.basename(rf.projectPath),
+          isAutoMode: rf.isAutoMode,
+          model: rf.model,
+          provider: rf.provider,
+          title,
+          description,
+        };
+      })
+    );
+    return agents;
   }
 
   /**
@@ -1627,20 +1665,29 @@ Format your response as a structured markdown document.`;
   /**
    * Get the planning prompt prefix based on feature's planning mode
    */
-  private getPlanningPromptPrefix(feature: Feature): string {
+  private async getPlanningPromptPrefix(feature: Feature): Promise<string> {
     const mode = feature.planningMode || 'skip';
 
     if (mode === 'skip') {
       return ''; // No planning phase
     }
 
+    // Load prompts from settings (no caching - allows hot reload of custom prompts)
+    const prompts = await getPromptCustomization(this.settingsService, '[AutoMode]');
+    const planningPrompts: Record<string, string> = {
+      lite: prompts.autoMode.planningLite,
+      lite_with_approval: prompts.autoMode.planningLiteWithApproval,
+      spec: prompts.autoMode.planningSpec,
+      full: prompts.autoMode.planningFull,
+    };
+
     // For lite mode, use the approval variant if requirePlanApproval is true
     let promptKey: string = mode;
     if (mode === 'lite' && feature.requirePlanApproval === true) {
       promptKey = 'lite_with_approval';
     }
 
-    const planningPrompt = PLANNING_PROMPTS[promptKey as keyof typeof PLANNING_PROMPTS];
+    const planningPrompt = planningPrompts[promptKey];
     if (!planningPrompt) {
       return '';
     }
@@ -1863,12 +1910,25 @@ This mock response was generated because AUTOMAKER_MOCK_AGENT=true was set.
         ? options.autoLoadClaudeMd
         : await getAutoLoadClaudeMdSetting(finalProjectPath, this.settingsService, '[AutoMode]');
 
+    // Load enableSandboxMode setting (global setting only)
+    const enableSandboxMode = await getEnableSandboxModeSetting(this.settingsService, '[AutoMode]');
+
+    // Load MCP servers from settings (global setting only)
+    const mcpServers = await getMCPServersFromSettings(this.settingsService, '[AutoMode]');
+
+    // Load MCP permission settings (global setting only)
+    const mcpPermissions = await getMCPPermissionSettings(this.settingsService, '[AutoMode]');
+
     // Build SDK options using centralized configuration for feature implementation
     const sdkOptions = createAutoModeOptions({
       cwd: workDir,
       model: model,
       abortController,
       autoLoadClaudeMd,
+      enableSandboxMode,
+      mcpServers: Object.keys(mcpServers).length > 0 ? mcpServers : undefined,
+      mcpAutoApproveTools: mcpPermissions.mcpAutoApproveTools,
+      mcpUnrestrictedTools: mcpPermissions.mcpUnrestrictedTools,
     });
 
     // Extract model, maxTurns, and allowedTools from SDK options
@@ -1909,6 +1969,10 @@ This mock response was generated because AUTOMAKER_MOCK_AGENT=true was set.
       abortController,
       systemPrompt: sdkOptions.systemPrompt,
       settingSources: sdkOptions.settingSources,
+      sandbox: sdkOptions.sandbox, // Pass sandbox configuration
+      mcpServers: Object.keys(mcpServers).length > 0 ? mcpServers : undefined, // Pass MCP servers configuration
+      mcpAutoApproveTools: mcpPermissions.mcpAutoApproveTools, // Pass MCP auto-approve setting
+      mcpUnrestrictedTools: mcpPermissions.mcpUnrestrictedTools, // Pass MCP unrestricted tools setting
     };
 
     // Execute via provider
@@ -2195,6 +2259,9 @@ After generating the revised spec, output:
                         cwd: workDir,
                         allowedTools: allowedTools,
                         abortController,
+                        mcpServers: Object.keys(mcpServers).length > 0 ? mcpServers : undefined,
+                        mcpAutoApproveTools: mcpPermissions.mcpAutoApproveTools,
+                        mcpUnrestrictedTools: mcpPermissions.mcpUnrestrictedTools,
                       });
 
                       let revisionText = '';
@@ -2332,6 +2399,9 @@ After generating the revised spec, output:
                     cwd: workDir,
                     allowedTools: allowedTools,
                     abortController,
+                    mcpServers: Object.keys(mcpServers).length > 0 ? mcpServers : undefined,
+                    mcpAutoApproveTools: mcpPermissions.mcpAutoApproveTools,
+                    mcpUnrestrictedTools: mcpPermissions.mcpUnrestrictedTools,
                   });
 
                   let taskOutput = '';
@@ -2421,6 +2491,9 @@ Implement all the changes described in the plan above.`;
                   cwd: workDir,
                   allowedTools: allowedTools,
                   abortController,
+                  mcpServers: Object.keys(mcpServers).length > 0 ? mcpServers : undefined,
+                  mcpAutoApproveTools: mcpPermissions.mcpAutoApproveTools,
+                  mcpUnrestrictedTools: mcpPermissions.mcpUnrestrictedTools,
                 });
 
                 for await (const msg of continuationStream) {

apps/server/src/services/claude-usage-service.ts

@@ -12,12 +12,13 @@ import { ClaudeUsage } from '../routes/claude/types.js';
  *
  * Platform-specific implementations:
  * - macOS: Uses 'expect' command for PTY
- * - Windows: Uses node-pty for PTY
+ * - Windows/Linux: Uses node-pty for PTY
  */
 export class ClaudeUsageService {
   private claudeBinary = 'claude';
   private timeout = 30000; // 30 second timeout
   private isWindows = os.platform() === 'win32';
+  private isLinux = os.platform() === 'linux';
 
   /**
    * Check if Claude CLI is available on the system
@@ -48,8 +49,8 @@ export class ClaudeUsageService {
    * Uses platform-specific PTY implementation
    */
   private executeClaudeUsageCommand(): Promise<string> {
-    if (this.isWindows) {
-      return this.executeClaudeUsageCommandWindows();
+    if (this.isWindows || this.isLinux) {
+      return this.executeClaudeUsageCommandPty();
     }
     return this.executeClaudeUsageCommandMac();
   }
@@ -147,17 +148,23 @@ export class ClaudeUsageService {
   }
 
   /**
-   * Windows implementation using node-pty
+   * Windows/Linux implementation using node-pty
    */
-  private executeClaudeUsageCommandWindows(): Promise<string> {
+  private executeClaudeUsageCommandPty(): Promise<string> {
     return new Promise((resolve, reject) => {
       let output = '';
       let settled = false;
       let hasSeenUsageData = false;
 
-      const workingDirectory = process.env.USERPROFILE || os.homedir() || 'C:\\';
+      const workingDirectory = this.isWindows
+        ? process.env.USERPROFILE || os.homedir() || 'C:\\'
+        : process.env.HOME || os.homedir() || '/tmp';
 
-      const ptyProcess = pty.spawn('cmd.exe', ['/c', 'claude', '/usage'], {
+      // Use platform-appropriate shell and command
+      const shell = this.isWindows ? 'cmd.exe' : '/bin/sh';
+      const args = this.isWindows ? ['/c', 'claude', '/usage'] : ['-c', 'claude /usage'];
+
+      const ptyProcess = pty.spawn(shell, args, {
         name: 'xterm-256color',
         cols: 120,
         rows: 30,
@@ -172,7 +179,12 @@ export class ClaudeUsageService {
         if (!settled) {
           settled = true;
           ptyProcess.kill();
-          reject(new Error('Command timed out'));
+          // Don't fail if we have data - return it instead
+          if (output.includes('Current session')) {
+            resolve(output);
+          } else {
+            reject(new Error('Command timed out'));
+          }
         }
       }, this.timeout);
 
@@ -186,6 +198,13 @@ export class ClaudeUsageService {
           setTimeout(() => {
             if (!settled) {
               ptyProcess.write('\x1b'); // Send escape key
+
+              // Fallback: if ESC doesn't exit (Linux), use SIGTERM after 2s
+              setTimeout(() => {
+                if (!settled) {
+                  ptyProcess.kill('SIGTERM');
+                }
+              }, 2000);
             }
           }, 2000);
         }

apps/server/src/services/mcp-test-service.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,208 @@
+/**
+ * MCP Test Service
+ *
+ * Provides functionality to test MCP server connections and list available tools.
+ * Supports stdio, SSE, and HTTP transport types.
+ */
+
+import { Client } from '@modelcontextprotocol/sdk/client/index.js';
+import { StdioClientTransport } from '@modelcontextprotocol/sdk/client/stdio.js';
+import { SSEClientTransport } from '@modelcontextprotocol/sdk/client/sse.js';
+import { StreamableHTTPClientTransport } from '@modelcontextprotocol/sdk/client/streamableHttp.js';
+import type { MCPServerConfig, MCPToolInfo } from '@automaker/types';
+import type { SettingsService } from './settings-service.js';
+
+const DEFAULT_TIMEOUT = 10000; // 10 seconds
+
+export interface MCPTestResult {
+  success: boolean;
+  tools?: MCPToolInfo[];
+  error?: string;
+  connectionTime?: number;
+  serverInfo?: {
+    name?: string;
+    version?: string;
+  };
+}
+
+/**
+ * MCP Test Service for testing server connections and listing tools
+ */
+export class MCPTestService {
+  private settingsService: SettingsService;
+
+  constructor(settingsService: SettingsService) {
+    this.settingsService = settingsService;
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Test connection to an MCP server and list its tools
+   */
+  async testServer(serverConfig: MCPServerConfig): Promise<MCPTestResult> {
+    const startTime = Date.now();
+    let client: Client | null = null;
+
+    try {
+      client = new Client({
+        name: 'automaker-mcp-test',
+        version: '1.0.0',
+      });
+
+      // Create transport based on server type
+      const transport = await this.createTransport(serverConfig);
+
+      // Connect with timeout
+      await Promise.race([
+        client.connect(transport),
+        this.timeout(DEFAULT_TIMEOUT, 'Connection timeout'),
+      ]);
+
+      // List tools with timeout
+      const toolsResult = await Promise.race([
+        client.listTools(),
+        this.timeout<{
+          tools: Array<{
+            name: string;
+            description?: string;
+            inputSchema?: Record<string, unknown>;
+          }>;
+        }>(DEFAULT_TIMEOUT, 'List tools timeout'),
+      ]);
+
+      const connectionTime = Date.now() - startTime;
+
+      // Convert tools to MCPToolInfo format
+      const tools: MCPToolInfo[] = (toolsResult.tools || []).map(
+        (tool: { name: string; description?: string; inputSchema?: Record<string, unknown> }) => ({
+          name: tool.name,
+          description: tool.description,
+          inputSchema: tool.inputSchema,
+          enabled: true,
+        })
+      );
+
+      return {
+        success: true,
+        tools,
+        connectionTime,
+        serverInfo: {
+          name: serverConfig.name,
+          version: undefined, // Could be extracted from server info if available
+        },
+      };
+    } catch (error) {
+      const connectionTime = Date.now() - startTime;
+      return {
+        success: false,
+        error: this.getErrorMessage(error),
+        connectionTime,
+      };
+    } finally {
+      // Clean up client connection
+      if (client) {
+        try {
+          await client.close();
+        } catch {
+          // Ignore cleanup errors
+        }
+      }
+    }
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Test server by ID (looks up config from settings)
+   */
+  async testServerById(serverId: string): Promise<MCPTestResult> {
+    try {
+      const globalSettings = await this.settingsService.getGlobalSettings();
+      const serverConfig = globalSettings.mcpServers?.find((s) => s.id === serverId);
+
+      if (!serverConfig) {
+        return {
+          success: false,
+          error: `Server with ID "${serverId}" not found`,
+        };
+      }
+
+      return this.testServer(serverConfig);
+    } catch (error) {
+      return {
+        success: false,
+        error: this.getErrorMessage(error),
+      };
+    }
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Create appropriate transport based on server type
+   */
+  private async createTransport(
+    config: MCPServerConfig
+  ): Promise<StdioClientTransport | SSEClientTransport | StreamableHTTPClientTransport> {
+    if (config.type === 'sse') {
+      if (!config.url) {
+        throw new Error('URL is required for SSE transport');
+      }
+      // Use eventSourceInit workaround for SSE headers (SDK bug workaround)
+      // See: https://github.com/modelcontextprotocol/typescript-sdk/issues/436
+      const headers = config.headers;
+      return new SSEClientTransport(new URL(config.url), {
+        requestInit: headers ? { headers } : undefined,
+        eventSourceInit: headers
+          ? {
+              fetch: (url: string | URL | Request, init?: RequestInit) => {
+                const fetchHeaders = new Headers(init?.headers || {});
+                for (const [key, value] of Object.entries(headers)) {
+                  fetchHeaders.set(key, value);
+                }
+                return fetch(url, { ...init, headers: fetchHeaders });
+              },
+            }
+          : undefined,
+      });
+    }
+
+    if (config.type === 'http') {
+      if (!config.url) {
+        throw new Error('URL is required for HTTP transport');
+      }
+      return new StreamableHTTPClientTransport(new URL(config.url), {
+        requestInit: config.headers
+          ? {
+              headers: config.headers,
+            }
+          : undefined,
+      });
+    }
+
+    // Default to stdio
+    if (!config.command) {
+      throw new Error('Command is required for stdio transport');
+    }
+
+    return new StdioClientTransport({
+      command: config.command,
+      args: config.args,
+      env: config.env,
+    });
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Create a timeout promise
+   */
+  private timeout<T>(ms: number, message: string): Promise<T> {
+    return new Promise((_, reject) => {
+      setTimeout(() => reject(new Error(message)), ms);
+    });
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Extract error message from unknown error
+   */
+  private getErrorMessage(error: unknown): string {
+    if (error instanceof Error) {
+      return error.message;
+    }
+    return String(error);
+  }
+}

apps/server/src/services/pipeline-service.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,320 @@
+/**
+ * Pipeline Service - Handles reading/writing pipeline configuration
+ *
+ * Provides persistent storage for:
+ * - Pipeline configuration ({projectPath}/.automaker/pipeline.json)
+ */
+
+import path from 'path';
+import { createLogger } from '@automaker/utils';
+import * as secureFs from '../lib/secure-fs.js';
+import { ensureAutomakerDir } from '@automaker/platform';
+import type { PipelineConfig, PipelineStep, FeatureStatusWithPipeline } from '@automaker/types';
+
+const logger = createLogger('PipelineService');
+
+// Default empty pipeline config
+const DEFAULT_PIPELINE_CONFIG: PipelineConfig = {
+  version: 1,
+  steps: [],
+};
+
+/**
+ * Atomic file write - write to temp file then rename
+ */
+async function atomicWriteJson(filePath: string, data: unknown): Promise<void> {
+  const tempPath = `${filePath}.tmp.${Date.now()}`;
+  const content = JSON.stringify(data, null, 2);
+
+  try {
+    await secureFs.writeFile(tempPath, content, 'utf-8');
+    await secureFs.rename(tempPath, filePath);
+  } catch (error) {
+    // Clean up temp file if it exists
+    try {
+      await secureFs.unlink(tempPath);
+    } catch {
+      // Ignore cleanup errors
+    }
+    throw error;
+  }
+}
+
+/**
+ * Safely read JSON file with fallback to default
+ */
+async function readJsonFile<T>(filePath: string, defaultValue: T): Promise<T> {
+  try {
+    const content = (await secureFs.readFile(filePath, 'utf-8')) as string;
+    return JSON.parse(content) as T;
+  } catch (error) {
+    if ((error as NodeJS.ErrnoException).code === 'ENOENT') {
+      return defaultValue;
+    }
+    logger.error(`Error reading ${filePath}:`, error);
+    return defaultValue;
+  }
+}
+
+/**
+ * Generate a unique ID for pipeline steps
+ */
+function generateStepId(): string {
+  return `step_${Date.now().toString(36)}_${Math.random().toString(36).substring(2, 8)}`;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Get the pipeline config file path for a project
+ */
+function getPipelineConfigPath(projectPath: string): string {
+  return path.join(projectPath, '.automaker', 'pipeline.json');
+}
+
+/**
+ * PipelineService - Manages pipeline configuration for workflow automation
+ *
+ * Handles reading and writing pipeline config to JSON files with atomic operations.
+ * Pipeline steps define custom columns that appear between "in_progress" and
+ * "waiting_approval/verified" columns in the kanban board.
+ */
+export class PipelineService {
+  /**
+   * Get pipeline configuration for a project
+   *
+   * @param projectPath - Absolute path to the project
+   * @returns Promise resolving to PipelineConfig (empty steps array if no config exists)
+   */
+  async getPipelineConfig(projectPath: string): Promise<PipelineConfig> {
+    const configPath = getPipelineConfigPath(projectPath);
+    const config = await readJsonFile<PipelineConfig>(configPath, DEFAULT_PIPELINE_CONFIG);
+
+    // Ensure version is set
+    return {
+      ...DEFAULT_PIPELINE_CONFIG,
+      ...config,
+    };
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Save entire pipeline configuration
+   *
+   * @param projectPath - Absolute path to the project
+   * @param config - Complete PipelineConfig to save
+   */
+  async savePipelineConfig(projectPath: string, config: PipelineConfig): Promise<void> {
+    await ensureAutomakerDir(projectPath);
+    const configPath = getPipelineConfigPath(projectPath);
+    await atomicWriteJson(configPath, config);
+    logger.info(`Pipeline config saved for project: ${projectPath}`);
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Add a new pipeline step
+   *
+   * @param projectPath - Absolute path to the project
+   * @param step - Step data (without id, createdAt, updatedAt)
+   * @returns Promise resolving to the created PipelineStep
+   */
+  async addStep(
+    projectPath: string,
+    step: Omit<PipelineStep, 'id' | 'createdAt' | 'updatedAt'>
+  ): Promise<PipelineStep> {
+    const config = await this.getPipelineConfig(projectPath);
+    const now = new Date().toISOString();
+
+    const newStep: PipelineStep = {
+      ...step,
+      id: generateStepId(),
+      createdAt: now,
+      updatedAt: now,
+    };
+
+    config.steps.push(newStep);
+
+    // Normalize order values
+    config.steps.sort((a, b) => a.order - b.order);
+    config.steps.forEach((s, index) => {
+      s.order = index;
+    });
+
+    await this.savePipelineConfig(projectPath, config);
+    logger.info(`Pipeline step added: ${newStep.name} (${newStep.id})`);
+
+    return newStep;
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Update an existing pipeline step
+   *
+   * @param projectPath - Absolute path to the project
+   * @param stepId - ID of the step to update
+   * @param updates - Partial step data to merge
+   */
+  async updateStep(
+    projectPath: string,
+    stepId: string,
+    updates: Partial<Omit<PipelineStep, 'id' | 'createdAt'>>
+  ): Promise<PipelineStep> {
+    const config = await this.getPipelineConfig(projectPath);
+    const stepIndex = config.steps.findIndex((s) => s.id === stepId);
+
+    if (stepIndex === -1) {
+      throw new Error(`Pipeline step not found: ${stepId}`);
+    }
+
+    config.steps[stepIndex] = {
+      ...config.steps[stepIndex],
+      ...updates,
+      updatedAt: new Date().toISOString(),
+    };
+
+    await this.savePipelineConfig(projectPath, config);
+    logger.info(`Pipeline step updated: ${stepId}`);
+
+    return config.steps[stepIndex];
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Delete a pipeline step
+   *
+   * @param projectPath - Absolute path to the project
+   * @param stepId - ID of the step to delete
+   */
+  async deleteStep(projectPath: string, stepId: string): Promise<void> {
+    const config = await this.getPipelineConfig(projectPath);
+    const stepIndex = config.steps.findIndex((s) => s.id === stepId);
+
+    if (stepIndex === -1) {
+      throw new Error(`Pipeline step not found: ${stepId}`);
+    }
+
+    config.steps.splice(stepIndex, 1);
+
+    // Normalize order values after deletion
+    config.steps.forEach((s, index) => {
+      s.order = index;
+    });
+
+    await this.savePipelineConfig(projectPath, config);
+    logger.info(`Pipeline step deleted: ${stepId}`);
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Reorder pipeline steps
+   *
+   * @param projectPath - Absolute path to the project
+   * @param stepIds - Array of step IDs in the desired order
+   */
+  async reorderSteps(projectPath: string, stepIds: string[]): Promise<void> {
+    const config = await this.getPipelineConfig(projectPath);
+
+    // Validate all step IDs exist
+    const existingIds = new Set(config.steps.map((s) => s.id));
+    for (const id of stepIds) {
+      if (!existingIds.has(id)) {
+        throw new Error(`Pipeline step not found: ${id}`);
+      }
+    }
+
+    // Create a map for quick lookup
+    const stepMap = new Map(config.steps.map((s) => [s.id, s]));
+
+    // Reorder steps based on stepIds array
+    config.steps = stepIds.map((id, index) => {
+      const step = stepMap.get(id)!;
+      return { ...step, order: index, updatedAt: new Date().toISOString() };
+    });
+
+    await this.savePipelineConfig(projectPath, config);
+    logger.info(`Pipeline steps reordered`);
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Get the next status in the pipeline flow
+   *
+   * Determines what status a feature should transition to based on current status.
+   * Flow: in_progress -> pipeline_step_0 -> pipeline_step_1 -> ... -> final status
+   *
+   * @param currentStatus - Current feature status
+   * @param config - Pipeline configuration (or null if no pipeline)
+   * @param skipTests - Whether to skip tests (affects final status)
+   * @returns The next status in the pipeline flow
+   */
+  getNextStatus(
+    currentStatus: FeatureStatusWithPipeline,
+    config: PipelineConfig | null,
+    skipTests: boolean
+  ): FeatureStatusWithPipeline {
+    const steps = config?.steps || [];
+
+    // Sort steps by order
+    const sortedSteps = [...steps].sort((a, b) => a.order - b.order);
+
+    // If no pipeline steps, use original logic
+    if (sortedSteps.length === 0) {
+      if (currentStatus === 'in_progress') {
+        return skipTests ? 'waiting_approval' : 'verified';
+      }
+      return currentStatus;
+    }
+
+    // Coming from in_progress -> go to first pipeline step
+    if (currentStatus === 'in_progress') {
+      return `pipeline_${sortedSteps[0].id}`;
+    }
+
+    // Coming from a pipeline step -> go to next step or final status
+    if (currentStatus.startsWith('pipeline_')) {
+      const currentStepId = currentStatus.replace('pipeline_', '');
+      const currentIndex = sortedSteps.findIndex((s) => s.id === currentStepId);
+
+      if (currentIndex === -1) {
+        // Step not found, go to final status
+        return skipTests ? 'waiting_approval' : 'verified';
+      }
+
+      if (currentIndex < sortedSteps.length - 1) {
+        // Go to next step
+        return `pipeline_${sortedSteps[currentIndex + 1].id}`;
+      }
+
+      // Last step completed, go to final status
+      return skipTests ? 'waiting_approval' : 'verified';
+    }
+
+    // For other statuses, don't change
+    return currentStatus;
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Get a specific pipeline step by ID
+   *
+   * @param projectPath - Absolute path to the project
+   * @param stepId - ID of the step to retrieve
+   * @returns The pipeline step or null if not found
+   */
+  async getStep(projectPath: string, stepId: string): Promise<PipelineStep | null> {
+    const config = await this.getPipelineConfig(projectPath);
+    return config.steps.find((s) => s.id === stepId) || null;
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Check if a status is a pipeline status
+   */
+  isPipelineStatus(status: FeatureStatusWithPipeline): boolean {
+    return status.startsWith('pipeline_');
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Extract step ID from a pipeline status
+   */
+  getStepIdFromStatus(status: FeatureStatusWithPipeline): string | null {
+    if (!this.isPipelineStatus(status)) {
+      return null;
+    }
+    return status.replace('pipeline_', '');
+  }
+}
+
+// Export singleton instance
+export const pipelineService = new PipelineService();