This file provides guidance to Claude Code (claude.ai/code) when working with code in this repository.
| Task | Command |
|---|---|
| Dev server | npm run dev (or npx tsx src/index.ts web) |
| Type check | tsc --noEmit |
| Lint | npm run lint (fix: npm run lint:fix) |
| Format | npm run format (check: npm run format:check) |
| Single test | npx vitest run test/<file>.test.ts |
| Production | npm run build && systemctl --user restart codeman-web |
You may be running inside a Codeman-managed tmux session. Before killing ANY tmux or Claude process:
- Check:
echo $CODEMAN_MUX- if1, you're in a managed session - NEVER run
tmux kill-session,pkill tmux, orpkill claudewithout confirming - Use the web UI or
./scripts/tmux-manager.shinstead of direct kill commands
NEVER COM without verifying your changes actually work. For every fix:
- Backend changes: Hit the API endpoint with
curland verify the response - Frontend changes: Use Playwright to load the page and assert the UI renders correctly. Use
waitUntil: 'domcontentloaded'(notnetworkidle— SSE keeps the connection open). Wait 3-4s for polling/async data to populate, then check element visibility, text content, and CSS values - Only after verification passes, proceed with COM
The production server caches static files for 1 year (maxAge: '1y' in server.ts). After deploying frontend changes, users may need a hard refresh (Ctrl+Shift+R) to see updates.
Uses Semantic Versioning (MAJOR.MINOR.PATCH) via @changesets/cli.
When user says "COM":
- Determine bump type:
COM= patch (default),COM minor= minor,COM major= major - Create a changeset file (no interactive prompts). Write a
.mdfile in.changeset/with a random filename:Replacecat > .changeset/$(openssl rand -hex 4).md << 'CHANGESET' --- "aicodeman": patch --- Detailed description of ALL changes since last release (not just the most recent commit — review full git log since last version tag) CHANGESET
patchwithminorormajoras needed. Include"xterm-zerolag-input": patchon a separate line if that package changed too. - Consume the changeset:
npm run version-packages(bumps versions inpackage.jsonfiles and updatesCHANGELOG.md) - Sync CLAUDE.md version: Update the
**Version**line below to match the new version frompackage.json - Commit and deploy:
git add -A && git commit -m "chore: version packages" && git push && npm run build && systemctl --user restart codeman-web
Version: 0.5.12 (must match package.json)
Codeman is a Claude Code session manager with web interface and autonomous Ralph Loop. Spawns Claude CLI via PTY, streams via SSE, supports respawn cycling for 24+ hour autonomous runs.
Tech Stack: TypeScript (ES2022/NodeNext, strict mode), Node.js, Fastify, node-pty, xterm.js. Supports both Claude Code and OpenCode AI CLIs via pluggable CLI resolvers.
TypeScript Strictness (see tsconfig.json): noUnusedLocals, noUnusedParameters, noImplicitReturns, noImplicitOverride, noFallthroughCasesInSwitch, allowUnreachableCode: false, allowUnusedLabels: false.
Requirements: Node.js 18+, Claude CLI, tmux
Git: Main branch is master. SSH session chooser: sc (interactive), sc 2 (quick attach), sc -l (list).
npm run dev = dev server. Default port: 3000. Commands not in Quick Reference:
| Task | Command |
|---|---|
| Dev with TLS | npx tsx src/index.ts web --https |
| Continuous typecheck | tsc --noEmit --watch |
| Test coverage | npm run test:coverage |
| Production start | npm run start |
| Production logs | journalctl --user -u codeman-web -f |
CI: .github/workflows/ci.yml runs typecheck, lint, format:check on push to master/main and on PRs (Node 22). Tests excluded (they spawn tmux).
Code style: Prettier (singleQuote: true, printWidth: 120, trailingComma: "es5"). ESLint flat config (config/eslint.config.js) allows no-console, warns on @typescript-eslint/no-explicit-any. Ignores: app.js, scripts/**/*.mjs, src/web/public/vendor/**, scripts/remotion/**.
- Single-line prompts only —
writeViaMux()sends text+Enter separately; multi-line breaks Ink - ESM only — Never
require(), useawait import().tsxmasks CJS/ESM issues in dev but production breaks - Package ≠ product name — npm:
aicodeman, product: Codeman. Release renames tags accordingly - Global regex
lastIndex— UsecreateAnsiPatternFull/Simple()factories, not sharedg-flag patterns in loops
Import conventions: Utils from ./utils, types from ./types (barrel), config from specific ./config/* files.
| Domain | Key files | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Entry | src/index.ts, src/cli.ts |
|
| Session | src/session.ts ★, src/session-manager.ts, src/session-auto-ops.ts, src/session-cli-builder.ts, src/session-lifecycle-log.ts, src/session-task-cache.ts |
|
| Mux | src/mux-interface.ts, src/mux-factory.ts, src/tmux-manager.ts |
|
| Respawn | src/respawn-controller.ts ★ + 4 helpers (-adaptive-timing, -health, -metrics, -patterns) |
Read docs/respawn-state-machine.md first |
| Ralph | src/ralph-tracker.ts ★, src/ralph-loop.ts + 5 helpers (-config, -fix-plan-watcher, -plan-tracker, -stall-detector, -status-parser) |
Read docs/ralph-wiggum-guide.md first |
| Orchestrator | src/orchestrator-loop.ts, src/orchestrator-planner.ts, src/orchestrator-verifier.ts |
Read docs/orchestrator-loop-architecture.md first |
| Agents | src/subagent-watcher.ts ★, src/team-watcher.ts, src/bash-tool-parser.ts, src/transcript-watcher.ts |
|
| AI | src/ai-checker-base.ts, src/ai-idle-checker.ts, src/ai-plan-checker.ts |
|
| Tasks | src/task.ts, src/task-queue.ts, src/task-tracker.ts |
|
| State | src/state-store.ts, src/run-summary.ts, src/session-lifecycle-log.ts |
|
| Infra | src/hooks-config.ts, src/push-store.ts, src/tunnel-manager.ts, src/image-watcher.ts, src/file-stream-manager.ts |
|
| Plan | src/plan-orchestrator.ts, src/prompts/*.ts, src/templates/claude-md.ts |
|
| Web | src/web/server.ts, src/web/sse-events.ts, src/web/routes/*.ts (14 route modules + barrel), src/web/route-helpers.ts, src/web/ports/*.ts, src/web/middleware/auth.ts, src/web/schemas.ts |
|
| Frontend | src/web/public/app.js (~2.8K lines, core) + 5 infra modules (constants.js, mobile-handlers.js, voice-input.js, notification-manager.js, keyboard-accessory.js) + 7 domain modules (terminal-ui.js, respawn-ui.js, ralph-panel.js, orchestrator-panel.js, settings-ui.js, panels-ui.js, session-ui.js) + 4 feature modules (ralph-wizard.js, api-client.js, subagent-windows.js, input-cjk.js) + sw.js |
|
| Types | src/types/index.ts → 14 domain files |
See @fileoverview in index.ts |
★ = Large file (>50KB). All files have @fileoverview JSDoc — read that before diving in.
Local package: packages/xterm-zerolag-input/ — local echo overlay for xterm.js; copy embedded in app.js.
Config: src/config/ — 9 files. Import from specific files, not barrel.
Utilities: src/utils/ — re-exported via index. Key: CleanupManager, LRUMap, StaleExpirationMap, BufferAccumulator, stripAnsi, Debouncer, KeyedDebouncer. Also: claude-cli-resolver/opencode-cli-resolver (CLI path resolution), string-similarity (fuzzy matching), regex-patterns (ANSI/token/spinner patterns), assertNever (exhaustive checks), token-validation (auth tokens), nice-wrapper (process priority).
- Session spawns
claude --dangerously-skip-permissionsvia node-pty - PTY output buffered, ANSI stripped, parsed for JSON messages
- WebServer broadcasts to SSE clients at
/api/events - State persists to
~/.codeman/state.jsonvia StateStore
Input: session.writeViaMux() for programmatic input — tmux send-keys -l (literal) + send-keys Enter. Single-line only.
Idle detection: Multi-layer (completion message → AI check → output silence → token stability). See docs/respawn-state-machine.md.
Hook events: Claude Code hooks trigger via /api/hook-event. Key events: permission_prompt, elicitation_dialog, idle_prompt, stop, teammate_idle, task_completed. See src/hooks-config.ts.
Agent Teams: TeamWatcher polls ~/.claude/teams/, matches to sessions via leadSessionId. Teammates are in-process threads appearing as subagents. Enable: CLAUDE_CODE_EXPERIMENTAL_AGENT_TEAMS=1. See docs/agent-teams/.
Circuit breaker: Prevents respawn thrashing. States: CLOSED → HALF_OPEN → OPEN. Reset: /api/sessions/:id/ralph-circuit-breaker/reset.
Port interfaces: Routes declare dependencies via port interfaces (src/web/ports/). Routes use intersection types (e.g., SessionPort & EventPort).
Frontend JS modules have @fileoverview with @dependency/@loadorder tags. Load order: constants.js(1) → mobile-handlers.js(2) → voice-input.js(3) → notification-manager.js(4) → keyboard-accessory.js(5) → input-cjk.js(5.5) → app.js(6) → terminal-ui.js(7) → respawn-ui.js(8) → ralph-panel.js(9) → orchestrator-panel.js(9.5) → settings-ui.js(10) → panels-ui.js(11) → session-ui.js(12) → ralph-wizard.js(13) → api-client.js(14) → subagent-windows.js(15). input-cjk.js handles CJK IME composition via an always-visible textarea below the terminal (window.cjkActive blocks xterm's onData).
Z-index layers: subagent windows (1000), plan agents (1100), log viewers (2000), image popups (3000), local echo overlay (7).
Respawn presets: solo-work (3s/60min), subagent-workflow (45s/240min), team-lead (90s/480min), ralph-todo (8s/480min), overnight-autonomous (10s/480min).
Keyboard shortcuts: Escape (close), Ctrl+? (help), Ctrl+W (kill), Ctrl+Tab (next), Alt+1-9 (switch tab), Shift+Enter (newline), Ctrl+L (clear), Ctrl+Shift+R (restore size), Ctrl/Cmd +/- (font).
| Layer | Details |
|---|---|
| Auth | Optional HTTP Basic via CODEMAN_USERNAME/CODEMAN_PASSWORD env vars |
| QR Auth | Single-use 6-char tokens (60s TTL) for tunnel login. See docs/qr-auth-plan.md |
| Sessions | 24h cookie (codeman_session), auto-extend, device context audit |
| Rate limit | 10 failed auth/IP → 429 (15min decay). QR has separate limiter |
| Hook bypass | /api/hook-event exempt from auth (localhost-only, schema-validated) |
| Env vars | CODEMAN_MUX (managed session), CODEMAN_API_URL (auto-set for hooks) |
| Validation | Zod schemas, path allowlist regex, CLAUDE_CODE_* env prefix allowlist |
| Headers | CORS localhost-only, CSP, X-Frame-Options, HSTS if HTTPS |
~117 event types in src/web/sse-events.ts (backend) and SSE_EVENTS in constants.js (frontend). Both must be kept in sync.
~124 handlers across 14 route files in src/web/routes/: system (36), sessions (25), orchestrator (10), ralph (9), plan (8), respawn (7), cases (7), files (5), mux (5), scheduled (4), push (4), teams (2), hooks (1), ws (1 WebSocket). Each file has @fileoverview with endpoint details.
- API endpoint: Types in
src/types/domain file, route insrc/web/routes/*-routes.ts, usecreateErrorResponse(). Validate with Zod schemas inschemas.ts. - SSE event: Add to
src/web/sse-events.ts+SSE_EVENTSinconstants.js, emit viabroadcast(), handle inapp.js(addListener() - Session setting: Add to
SessionState, include insession.toState(), callpersistSessionState() - Hook event: Add to
HookEventType, add hook inhooks-config.ts:generateHooksConfig(), updateHookEventSchema - Mobile feature: Add to relevant singleton, guard with
MobileDetection.isMobile() - New test: Pick unique port (search
const PORT =). Route tests useapp.inject()(no port needed) — seetest/routes/_route-test-utils.ts.
Validation: Zod v4 (different API from v3). Define schemas in schemas.ts, use .parse()/.safeParse().
All in ~/.codeman/: state.json (sessions, settings, respawn), mux-sessions.json (tmux recovery), settings.json (user prefs), push-keys.json (VAPID), push-subscriptions.json, session-lifecycle.jsonl (audit log).
CRITICAL: You are running inside a Codeman-managed tmux session. Never run npx vitest run (full suite) — it spawns/kills tmux sessions and will crash your own session. Only run individual files:
npx vitest run test/<specific-file>.test.ts # Single file (SAFE)
npx vitest run -t "pattern" # By name (SAFE)
# npx vitest run # DANGEROUS — DON'T DO THISConfig: Vitest with globals: true, fileParallelism: false. Timeout 30s, teardown 60s.
Safety: test/setup.ts snapshots pre-existing tmux sessions and never kills them. Only registerTestTmuxSession() sessions get cleaned up.
Ports: Pick unique ports manually. Search const PORT = before adding new tests.
Respawn tests: Use MockSession from test/respawn-test-utils.ts. Route tests: app.inject() in test/routes/. Mobile tests: Playwright suite in test/mobile/ (135 device profiles).
Mobile screenshots in ~/.codeman/screenshots/. API: GET /api/screenshots, POST /api/screenshots.
tmux list-sessions # List tmux sessions
curl localhost:3000/api/sessions | jq # Check sessions
curl localhost:3000/api/status | jq # Full app state
curl localhost:3000/api/subagents | jq # Background agents
cat ~/.codeman/state.json | jq # Persisted stateTarget: 20 sessions, 50 agent windows at 60fps. Limits in src/config/: terminal 2MB, text 1MB, messages 1000, max agents 500, max sessions 50, max SSE clients 100. Use LRUMap for bounded caches, StaleExpirationMap for TTL cleanup. Anti-flicker pipeline: docs/terminal-anti-flicker.md.
Deep-dive docs in docs/: respawn-state-machine.md, ralph-wiggum-guide.md, claude-code-hooks-reference.md, terminal-anti-flicker.md, opencode-integration.md, qr-auth-plan.md, orchestrator-loop-architecture.md, browser-testing-guide.md. Agent Teams: docs/agent-teams/README.md. SSE events: src/web/sse-events.ts + constants.js.
Key: scripts/tmux-manager.sh (safe tmux mgmt), scripts/tunnel.sh (tunnel start/stop/url). Production: scripts/codeman-web.service, scripts/codeman-tunnel.service.
24+ hour sessions: use CleanupManager, clear Maps in stop(), guard async with if (this.cleanup.isStopped) return. Frontend: store handler refs, clean in close*(). Verify: npx vitest run test/memory-leak-prevention.test.ts.
Bug investigation: Dev server → reproduce in browser → check terminal + ~/.codeman/state.json.
Respawn changes: Read docs/respawn-state-machine.md first. Use MockSession from test/respawn-test-utils.ts.
./scripts/tunnel.sh start|stop|url. Always set CODEMAN_PASSWORD before exposing via tunnel.