diff --git a/plugins/ultraplan-local/commands/ultra-cc-architect-local.md b/plugins/ultraplan-local/commands/ultra-cc-architect-local.md
index c67630c..ce54323 100644
--- a/plugins/ultraplan-local/commands/ultra-cc-architect-local.md
+++ b/plugins/ultraplan-local/commands/ultra-cc-architect-local.md
@@ -48,8 +48,9 @@ Parse `$ARGUMENTS` for flags. Ordered precedence:
Sett **architecture_dir = {dir}/architecture/** — opprettes i
Phase 2 hvis den mangler.
-2. **`--fg`** — foreground. Alle faser inline. Default er background
- via `architect-orchestrator`. Sett **execution = foreground**.
+2. **`--fg`** — no-op alias beholdt for bakoverkompatibilitet. Alle faser
+ kjører alltid inline i main-kontekst som av v2.4.0. Sett
+ **execution = foreground** (eneste modus).
3. **`--quick`** — hopp over Phase 6 (adversarial review). Sett
**mode = quick**.
@@ -66,8 +67,8 @@ Usage: /ultra-cc-architect-local --project
[--fg] [--quick] [--no-gaps]
A project directory is required. Run /ultrabrief-local first to create one.
Modes:
- default Background via architect-orchestrator → overview.md + gaps.md
- --fg All phases in foreground (blocks session)
+ default Foreground pipeline → overview.md + gaps.md
+ --fg No-op alias (foreground is the only mode as of v2.4.0)
--quick Skip adversarial review (no architecture-critic pass)
--no-gaps Do not write gaps.md (gap-section stays inside overview.md)
@@ -101,61 +102,41 @@ Glob `{project_dir}/research/*.md`. Lagre liste som
### Rapporter detektert modus
```
-Mode: {default | foreground}{, quick}{, no-gaps}
+Mode: foreground{, quick}{, no-gaps}
Project: {project_dir}
Brief: {brief_path} ({brief_quality})
Research: {N} files detected
```
-## Phase 2 — Background transition
-
-**Hvis execution = foreground:** hopp over denne fasen. Fortsett inline
-fra Phase 3.
-
-**Hvis execution = default (background):**
+## Phase 2 — Forbered output-mappe (foreground)
Opprett `{architecture_dir}` hvis den ikke eksisterer (`mkdir -p`).
-Launch the **architect-orchestrator** agent with this prompt:
+Rapporter til brukeren:
```
-Brief file: {brief_path}
-Project dir: {project_dir}
-Architecture dir: {architecture_dir}
-Research briefs: {comma-separated research_paths, or "none"}
-Skill catalog root: ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/cc-architect-catalog
-Plugin root: ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}
-Mode: {default | quick}{, no-gaps if set}
-
-Read the brief and every research brief. Execute your full workflow.
-Write overview.md to the architecture dir. Write gaps.md unless mode
-includes no-gaps.
-```
-
-Launch via Agent-tool med `run_in_background: true`, `subagent_type:
-architect-orchestrator`.
-
-Deretter output til bruker og **stopp ditt svar**:
-
-```
-Background architecture run started via architect-orchestrator.
+Architecture pipeline running in foreground.
Project: {project_dir}
Brief: {brief_path}
Research: {N} briefs
Output: {architecture_dir}/overview.md (+ gaps.md)
-
-You will be notified when the architecture note is ready.
-You can continue working on other tasks in the meantime.
```
-Ikke vent på orchestratoren. Ikke fortsett til Phase 3.
-architect-orchestrator håndterer Phase 3–7 autonomt.
+Fortsett deretter inline til neste fase.
+
+> **Hvorfor foreground?** Som av v2.4.0 spawnes `architect-orchestrator`
+> ikke lenger som en background-agent. Claude Code-harnessen eksponerer
+> ikke Agent-tool til sub-agenter, så en orchestrator startet med
+> `run_in_background: true` kan ikke spawne `feature-matcher` /
+> `gap-identifier` / `architecture-critic`-swarm og degraderer stille til
+> enkelt-kontekst-resonnering. Å kjøre fasene inline i main-kontekst holder
+> swarm-en intakt. Bruk `claude -p` i et separat terminal-vindu for
+> langvarige headless-kjøringer.
---
-**Alt under denne linjen kjører enten i foreground-modus eller inne i
-background-agenten. Instruksjonene er identiske uavhengig av kontekst.**
+**Alle resterende faser kjører inline i hovedkommandoens kontekst.**
---
diff --git a/plugins/ultraplan-local/commands/ultrabrief-local.md b/plugins/ultraplan-local/commands/ultrabrief-local.md
index c950bc1..89c29ac 100644
--- a/plugins/ultraplan-local/commands/ultrabrief-local.md
+++ b/plugins/ultraplan-local/commands/ultrabrief-local.md
@@ -479,7 +479,7 @@ Ask the user via `AskUserQuestion`:
| Option | Description |
|--------|-------------|
| **Manual (default)** | Print the commands. You run `/ultraresearch-local` and `/ultraplan-local` yourself, choosing depth per topic. |
-| **Auto (managed by Claude Code)** | I run all {N} research topics in parallel, then automatically trigger `/ultraplan-local` when research completes. Foreground — this session blocks until the plan is ready. |
+| **Auto (managed by Claude Code)** | I run all {N} research topics sequentially in foreground, then automatically trigger `/ultraplan-local` when research completes. This session blocks until the plan is ready. |
### Manual path (default)
@@ -516,62 +516,50 @@ Proceed to Phase 6.
**Runs only when user opted into auto mode.**
-### Step 6a — Billing safety check
+### Step 6a — Confirm proceed
-Run via Bash:
-```bash
-echo "${ANTHROPIC_API_KEY:+SET}"
-```
+Tell the user auto mode will run in foreground and block the session, then
+confirm via `AskUserQuestion`:
-If `SET`, warn via `AskUserQuestion`:
-
-**Question:** "`ANTHROPIC_API_KEY` is set. Running {N} parallel research
-jobs in background will bill your API account (not your Claude
-subscription). Continue?"
+**Question:** "Auto mode runs {N} research topic(s) sequentially and then
+the plan — all in foreground. This session blocks until the plan is ready.
+Continue?"
| Option | Action |
|--------|--------|
-| **Continue — API billing** | Proceed. |
-| **Switch to sequential** | Run topics one at a time in foreground instead of parallel background. Stays on subscription for this session. |
+| **Continue — auto** | Proceed. |
| **Cancel — do manual** | Revert to manual path (print commands, stop). |
If cancelled → fall back to manual path output and stop.
-If sequential → note and proceed (Step 6b runs foreground, one at a time).
-If continue → proceed with parallel background.
-### Step 6b — Launch research jobs
+### Step 6b — Run research topics sequentially (inline)
Set `research_status: in_progress` in the brief's frontmatter.
-For each research topic (index i = 1 .. N):
-
-Launch the **research-orchestrator** agent with this prompt:
+For each research topic (index i = 1 .. N), invoke `/ultraresearch-local`
+inline in this main-context session:
```
-Research question: {topic i question}
-Dimensions: {infer 3-5 dimensions from topic confidence + cost hints}
-Mode: {default if cost=standard or deep; quick if cost=quick}
-Scope: {topic i scope hint: local | external | both}
-Brief destination: {PROJECT_DIR}/research/{NN}-{topic-slug}.md
-Plugin root: ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}
+/ultraresearch-local --project {PROJECT_DIR} {--external | --local | (none)} "{topic i question}"
```
-Where `{NN}` is zero-padded index (`01`, `02`, ...) and `{topic-slug}` is
-the topic title slugified.
+Pass the scope flag that matches the topic's scope hint. Wait for each
+invocation to finish writing the research brief at
+`{PROJECT_DIR}/research/{NN}-{topic-slug}.md` before moving to the next
+topic.
-**Parallel (default auto path):** launch all N research-orchestrator agents
-in parallel via a single message with multiple Agent tool calls, all
-`run_in_background: true`. **Do not wait** in the same message — return
-control. You will be notified when each completes.
+> **Why sequential inline instead of parallel background?** Background
+> orchestrator-agents cannot spawn the research swarm — the Claude Code
+> harness does not expose the Agent tool to sub-agents, so a background
+> run silently degrades to single-context reasoning without WebSearch /
+> Tavily / WebFetch / Gemini (see v2.4.0 release notes). Running each
+> research pass inline in main context keeps the swarm intact. For true
+> parallel execution, use `claude -p` invocations in separate terminal
+> windows.
-**Sequential (if user chose sequential):** launch one research-orchestrator
-at a time, foreground (no `run_in_background`), wait for completion, then
-launch the next.
+### Step 6c — Verify all briefs landed
-### Step 6c — Wait for all research to complete
-
-Wait for all research agent notifications. When all {N} have completed,
-verify each research brief file exists:
+After the last topic completes, verify each research brief file exists:
```bash
ls -1 {PROJECT_DIR}/research/*.md | wc -l
@@ -582,24 +570,17 @@ proceed (retry, skip missing topic, cancel).
Update brief frontmatter: `research_status: complete`.
-### Step 6d — Auto-trigger planning
+### Step 6d — Auto-trigger planning (inline foreground)
-Launch the **planning-orchestrator** agent with this prompt:
+Invoke the planning command inline in this session:
```
-Brief file: {PROJECT_DIR}/brief.md
-Project dir: {PROJECT_DIR}
-Task: {task description from brief}
-Mode: default
-Plan destination: {PROJECT_DIR}/plan.md
-Plugin root: ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}
-Research briefs: {list of {PROJECT_DIR}/research/*.md files}
-
-Read the brief file and every research brief. Execute your full planning
-workflow. Write the plan to the destination path.
+/ultraplan-local --project {PROJECT_DIR}
```
-Launch foreground (wait for completion — user asked for full auto).
+The planning pipeline runs all phases (exploration, synthesis, review) in
+main context. Wait for the plan to be written to `{PROJECT_DIR}/plan.md`
+before continuing.
### Step 6e — Report completion
@@ -618,7 +599,7 @@ When the planning-orchestrator finishes, present:
| Step | Status |
|------|--------|
| Brief | Complete ({interview_turns} interview turns) |
-| Research | Complete ({N} topics, {P} parallel / {S} sequential) |
+| Research | Complete ({N} topics, sequential foreground) |
| Plan | Complete ({steps} steps, critic: {verdict}) |
Next:
diff --git a/plugins/ultraplan-local/commands/ultraplan-local.md b/plugins/ultraplan-local/commands/ultraplan-local.md
index 2d74787..c7ed18a 100644
--- a/plugins/ultraplan-local/commands/ultraplan-local.md
+++ b/plugins/ultraplan-local/commands/ultraplan-local.md
@@ -85,8 +85,8 @@ Parse `$ARGUMENTS` for mode flags. Order of precedence:
When combined with `--project`, the explicit `--research` briefs are
appended to the auto-discovered ones (deduplicated by path).
-6. **`--fg`** — set **mode = foreground**. All phases run in this session
- (no background handoff).
+6. **`--fg`** — accepted as a no-op alias for backwards compatibility. All
+ phases always run in the main session as of v2.4.0.
7. **`--quick`** — set **mode = quick**. Skip agent swarm; use lightweight
Glob/Grep scan and go directly to planning + adversarial review.
@@ -106,10 +106,10 @@ Usage: /ultraplan-local --brief
A brief is required. Produce one with /ultrabrief-local first.
Modes:
- --brief Plan from a brief file (background unless --fg)
+ --brief Plan from a brief file (foreground, v2.4.0+)
--project Plan from a project directory (brief.md + research/ auto-resolved)
--research Add up to 3 extra research briefs as planning context
- --fg All phases in foreground (blocks session)
+ --fg No-op alias (foreground is the only mode as of v2.4.0)
--quick Skip exploration agent swarm; plan directly
--export Generate shareable output from an existing plan (no new planning)
--decompose Split an existing plan into self-contained headless sessions
@@ -146,7 +146,7 @@ If `research_status == pending` and `research_topics > 0`:
Report the detected mode:
```
-Mode: {background | foreground | quick | export | decompose}
+Mode: {foreground | quick | export | decompose}
Brief: {brief_path}
Project: {project_dir or "-"}
Research: {N local briefs, M extra via --research}
@@ -301,11 +301,7 @@ The interview phase has moved to `/ultrabrief-local`. This command no
longer asks the user any requirements questions — the brief is the
authoritative input.
-## Phase 3 — Background transition
-
-**If mode = foreground or quick:** Skip this phase. Continue to Phase 4 inline.
-
-**If mode = default (background):**
+## Phase 3 — Destination and context recap (foreground)
Determine the plan destination path:
- If `project_dir` is set (from `--project` or the brief's `project_dir`
@@ -317,48 +313,32 @@ Determine the plan destination path:
Collect all research briefs (from `--research` flag and auto-discovered
`{project_dir}/research/*.md`).
-Launch the **planning-orchestrator** agent with this prompt:
+Report to the user:
```
-Brief file: {brief_path}
-Project dir: {project_dir or "-"}
-Task: {task from brief frontmatter}
-Mode: {default | quick}
-Plan destination: {plan destination}
-Plugin root: ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}
-Research briefs: {comma-separated list, or "none"}
-Architecture note: {architecture_note_path or "none"}
-
-Read the brief file and every research brief. If an architecture note is
-provided, read it before launching exploration agents and treat its feature
-proposals as priors (not mandates) — exploration may override with evidence.
-Execute your full planning workflow. Write the plan to the destination path.
-```
-
-Launch the planning-orchestrator via the Agent tool with `run_in_background: true`.
-The agent runs autonomously while you continue working — you will be notified
-when the plan is ready.
-
-Then output to the user and **stop your response**:
-
-```
-Background planning started via planning-orchestrator.
+Planning pipeline running in foreground.
Brief: {brief_path}
Project: {project_dir or "-"}
Plan: {plan destination}
-
-You will be notified when the plan is ready.
-You can continue working on other tasks in the meantime.
+ Research briefs: {N}
+ Architecture note: {present | none}
```
-Do not wait for the orchestrator. Do not continue to Phase 4.
-The planning-orchestrator handles Phases 4 through 10 autonomously.
+Then continue to the next phase inline.
+
+> **Why foreground?** As of v2.4.0 the planning-orchestrator is no longer
+> spawned as a background agent. The Claude Code harness does not expose the
+> Agent tool to sub-agents, so an orchestrator launched with
+> `run_in_background: true` cannot spawn the documented exploration swarm
+> (`architecture-mapper`, `task-finder`, `plan-critic`, etc.) and silently
+> degrades to single-context reasoning. Running the phases inline in main
+> context keeps the swarm intact. Use `claude -p` in a separate terminal
+> window for long-running headless work.
---
-**Everything below this line runs either in foreground mode or inside the
-background agent. The instructions are identical regardless of context.**
+**All remaining phases run inline in the main command context.**
---
@@ -390,8 +370,9 @@ consistency, testability, scope clarity, and research-plan validity."
Handle the verdict:
- **PROCEED** — continue to Phase 5.
- **PROCEED_WITH_RISKS** — continue, carry flagged risks as `[ASSUMPTION]` in the plan.
-- **REVISE** — in foreground mode, present findings and ask the user for clarification.
- In background mode, carry all findings as `[ASSUMPTION]` entries.
+- **REVISE** — present findings and ask the user for clarification
+ (foreground is the only mode). If the user force-stops, carry outstanding
+ findings as `[ASSUMPTION]` entries.
## Phase 5 — Parallel exploration (specialized agents + research)
@@ -606,7 +587,7 @@ Present a summary to the user:
## Ultraplan Complete
**Task:** {task description}
-**Mode:** {background | foreground | quick}
+**Mode:** {foreground | quick}
**Brief:** {brief_path}
**Project:** {project_dir or "-"}
**Plan:** {plan_path}
diff --git a/plugins/ultraplan-local/commands/ultraresearch-local.md b/plugins/ultraplan-local/commands/ultraresearch-local.md
index dfe8e4e..73e82b8 100644
--- a/plugins/ultraplan-local/commands/ultraresearch-local.md
+++ b/plugins/ultraplan-local/commands/ultraresearch-local.md
@@ -39,8 +39,9 @@ Supported flags:
3. `--external` — only external research. Skip codebase analysis agents.
Set **scope = external**.
-4. `--fg` — foreground mode. Run all phases inline (blocking) instead of
- launching the research-orchestrator in background. Set **execution = foreground**.
+4. `--fg` — accepted as a no-op alias for backwards compatibility. Execution
+ is always foreground as of v2.4.0. Set **execution = foreground** (the
+ only mode).
5. `--project ` — attach this research to an ultrabrief project folder.
The brief will be written to `{dir}/research/{NN}-{slug}.md` (auto-incremented
@@ -54,12 +55,13 @@ Supported flags:
Create `{dir}/research/` if it does not already exist.
Flags can be combined:
-- `--local --fg` — local-only research, foreground
+- `--local` — local-only research
- `--external --quick` — external-only, lightweight
- `--project --external` — attach external research to a project
- `--quick` alone implies both local and external (lightweight)
-Defaults: **scope = both**, **execution = background**, **project_dir = none**.
+Defaults: **scope = both**, **execution = foreground** (only mode as of
+v2.4.0), **project_dir = none**.
After stripping flags, the remaining text is the **research question**.
@@ -74,14 +76,14 @@ Usage: /ultraresearch-local
/ultraresearch-local --project [--external|--local|--quick|--fg]
Modes:
- default Interview → background research (local + external) → brief
+ default Interview → foreground research (local + external) → brief
--quick Interview (short) → inline research (no agent swarm)
--local Only codebase analysis agents (skip external + Gemini)
--external Only external research agents (skip codebase analysis)
- --fg All phases in foreground (blocks session)
+ --fg No-op alias (foreground is the only mode as of v2.4.0)
--project Write brief into an ultrabrief project folder (auto-indexed)
-Flags can be combined: --local --fg, --external --quick, --project --external
+Flags can be combined: --local, --external --quick, --project --external
Examples:
/ultraresearch-local Should we migrate from Express to Fastify?
@@ -96,7 +98,7 @@ Do not continue past this step if no question was provided.
Report the detected mode:
```
-Mode: {default | quick}, Scope: {both | local | external}, Execution: {background | foreground}
+Mode: {default | quick}, Scope: {both | local | external}, Execution: foreground
Project: {project_dir or "-"}
Question: {research question}
```
@@ -168,50 +170,37 @@ Research dimensions identified:
...
```
-## Phase 3 — Background transition
+## Phase 3 — Slug and destination (foreground)
-**If execution = foreground or mode = quick:** Skip this phase. Continue inline.
+Generate a slug from the research question (first 3-4 meaningful words,
+lowercase, hyphens). Confirm the `brief_destination` computed in Phase 1.
-**If execution = background (default):**
-
-Generate a slug from the research question (first 3-4 meaningful words, lowercase,
-hyphens). Use the `brief_destination` computed in Phase 1.
-
-Launch the **research-orchestrator** agent with this prompt:
+Report to the user:
```
-Research question: {question}
-Dimensions: {list of dimensions from interview}
-Mode: {default | quick}
-Scope: {both | local | external}
-Project dir: {project_dir or "-"}
-Brief destination: {brief_destination}
-Plugin root: ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}
-```
-
-Launch via Agent tool with `run_in_background: true`.
-
-Then output to the user and **stop your response**:
-```
-Background research started via research-orchestrator.
+Research pipeline running in foreground.
Question: {research question}
Dimensions: {N} identified
Scope: {both | local | external}
Project: {project_dir or "-"}
- Brief: {brief_destination}
-
-You will be notified when the research brief is ready.
-You can continue working on other tasks in the meantime.
+ Brief: {brief_destination}
```
-Do not wait for the orchestrator. Do not continue to Phase 4.
-The research-orchestrator handles Phases 4 through 8 autonomously.
+Then continue to the next phase inline.
+
+> **Why foreground?** As of v2.4.0 the research-orchestrator is no longer
+> spawned as a background agent. The Claude Code harness does not expose the
+> Agent tool to sub-agents, so an orchestrator launched with
+> `run_in_background: true` cannot spawn the documented research swarm
+> (`docs-researcher`, `community-researcher`, etc.) and silently degrades to
+> single-context reasoning without WebSearch / Tavily / WebFetch / Gemini.
+> Running the phases inline in main context keeps the swarm intact. Use
+> `claude -p` in a separate terminal window for long-running headless work.
---
-**Everything below this line runs either in foreground mode, quick mode, or
-inside the background agent. The instructions are identical regardless of context.**
+**All remaining phases run inline in the main command context.**
---