Let an agent session ask the operator on Telegram and read the answer (issue 589, hq ADR 0332)

A session that needs a decision could only ask in a terminal the operator may
not watch. claude_code_ask raises the question under this module's name at the
level approve, so only a channel that proves who answered carries it;
claude_code_answer reads the chosen option back by its key from the router's own
record, held to the question kept in the new questions state.

modules/claude-code/README.md

@@ -68,6 +68,7 @@ must see, a node that joins later included — kept, so it carries no secret eit
 | what this node should hold | the licence manager's `bindings` state, this node's key; on a newer generation this module asks `anthropic-licence-manager.current` for its token, sealed to the key it sends, and writes it access-token-only — so the agent here never refreshes. A node that was off reads its key when it is back |
 | an MCP server registered through this module before registering was refused (hq issue 340) | a key in the module's `servers` state — `all.<server>` for every node, `<node>.<server>` for one; every node watches it and renders what applies to it, a node's own entry over the one for every node. A node that joins later, or was off, reads the whole current set at start; unregistering is a delete. Nothing adds a key any more: a new tool server is the operator's, in the `mcp_servers` setting at the controller's terminal |
 | a proposed instruction section (hq ADR 0274) | a key in the module's `proposals` state per proposal, the ask published on `operator-channel` under this module's name, and the router's record of it read under that name alone; what a node approved is its own file, never the bus |
+| a session's question to the operator (hq ADR 0332) | a key `q-…` in the module's `questions` state per question, the ask published on `operator-channel` under this module's name, and the router's record of it read under that name alone; the router's word that it ended without a choice is kept on the question |
 | the agent's configuration (hq ADR 0216) | a key in the module's `config` state per registration — `mesh.<kind>.<name>` for every node, `node.<node>.<kind>.<name>` for one, `home.<node>.<kind>.<name>` for one account's own directory — the item and its files in one value, at most 256 KiB. Every node watches it and renders what applies to it, a node item over a mesh item of the same kind and name. A hook, settings, or an item that would run something by itself is never taken, whenever it was put there (hq issue 340) |
 
 ## The mesh's tools first (hq ADR 0245)
@@ -160,6 +161,21 @@ a secret, more than 16 KiB, a name the terminal sets, and — at once, naming th
 that proves its sender is there. The controller's hand-act log records each warrant once (`warranted`), read from the
 router's record. The text is never logged.
 
+**A session asks the operator a question on Telegram** (hq ADR 0332, issue 589). An agent that needs a decision while
+the operator may be away from the terminal calls `claude_code_ask` with a headline, the context in plain words, two to
+four options (a label and what choosing it means, exactly one recommended, with why), what it does if nobody
+answers, its name as who@node, and an expiry of 5 to 1430 minutes (60 when absent). The ask is published under this
+module's name on `operator-channel`; every option is at the level approve and binds the digest of the question and of
+itself, so only a channel that proves who answered (Telegram) carries it, never the desk. The tool waits a few seconds
+for the router's word and answers with the question's key, or the router's refusal (the content rule: no path,
+address, host name, commit id or secret's shape; `messenger_check` tests words first). `claude_code_answer` with the
+key says waiting, chosen (the option, who answered, on which channel, when), ended without a choice (expired,
+refused, cancelled, replaced), or not proven: the answer is read from the router's own record and held to the
+question as `questions` keeps it, so a question rewritten after it was asked, a warrant for another ask or a choice
+after expiry is never read as a choice. One call waits at most 60 s; a session reads a question at most once a
+minute. At most two questions wait at once, mesh-wide, so they never take the module's last open ask from a
+proposal. An answer is the operator's word to the session and authorises nothing; a question never defaults.
+
 The home scope is registered through the tools **only where the home belongs to an agent account of its own**
 (hq ADR 0266, issue 340), and only for the node whose module serves the call. Where the agent runs as the operator,
 the home is the operator's own `~/.claude`, whose rules and skills load in every session the operator starts, and

modules/claude-code/cmd/claude-code/proposal_tools.go

@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import (
 	"encoding/json"
 	"errors"
 	"strings"
+	"sync"
 	"time"
 
 	stdio "git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go"
@@ -20,6 +21,19 @@ type Proposing struct {
 	Record Recorder
 	Now    func() time.Time
 	Write  WriteManaged
+	// Questions is the `questions` state (novox/hq ADR 0332); nil is the bus's, made on first use.
+	Questions   ProposalStore
+	questionsMu sync.Mutex
+}
+
+// questions is the `questions` state.
+func (d *Proposing) questions() ProposalStore {
+	d.questionsMu.Lock()
+	defer d.questionsMu.Unlock()
+	if d.Questions == nil {
+		d.Questions = stateOf{stdio.State(QuestionsState)}
+	}
+	return d.Questions
 }
 
 var proposing *Proposing
@@ -60,6 +74,10 @@ func (d *Proposing) watch(p Paths) {
 		return stdio.Subscribe(asks.Seat+".decided."+Module, func(e stdio.Envelope) error {
 			var w asks.Warrant
 			if json.Unmarshal(e.Body, &w) == nil {
+				if strings.HasPrefix(w.Ask, QuestionPrefix) {
+					HeardQuestionEnd(d.questions(), w)
+					return nil
+				}
 				if line, err := HeardEnd(p, d.Store, w, d.Now()); err != nil {
 					say("taking the router's word on %s: %v", w.Ask, err)
 				} else if line != "" {
@@ -86,7 +104,7 @@ func (d *Proposing) watch(p Paths) {
 
 func proposalTools(p Paths) []stdio.Tool {
 	notLaunched := errors.New("this module was not launched with the bus; nothing can be proposed")
-	return []stdio.Tool{
+	return append([]stdio.Tool{
 		{Name: "claude_code_instructions_propose",
 			Description: "Propose an instruction section for every Claude session on the mesh (scope mesh) or on some nodes " +
 				"(scope node): a rule, a hand-over, the context a later session needs — or, with remove, the removal of one " +
@@ -127,5 +145,81 @@ func proposalTools(p Paths) []stdio.Tool {
 				proposing.decideNow(p)
 				return ListProposals(p, proposing.Store, proposing.Bus, strArg(a, "id"), proposing.Now())
 			}},
+	}, questionTools(p, notLaunched)...)
+}
+
+// questionTools are a session's question to the operator and its answer (novox/hq ADR 0332).
+func questionTools(p Paths, notLaunched error) []stdio.Tool {
+	return []stdio.Tool{
+		{Name: "claude_code_ask",
+			Description: "Ask the operator a question on Telegram when you need a decision and the operator may not be at the " +
+				"terminal (novox/hq ADR 0332): a headline, the context in plain words, two to four options with exactly one " +
+				"marked recommended and why, what you do if nobody answers, and when it expires (5 to 1430 minutes, 60 when " +
+				"absent). Answers at once with the question's key; read the answer with claude_code_answer and keep working " +
+				"meanwhile. Only a channel that proves who answered carries it, never the desk. The words leave the mesh, so the " +
+				"router refuses a path, an address, a host name, a commit id or anything shaped like a secret: say it in " +
+				"words (messenger_check tests words first). At most two questions wait at once, mesh-wide. The answer is the " +
+				"operator's word to you; it authorises no call that needs the operator's approval.",
+			Input: map[string]any{
+				"headline": str("what is decided, in a few plain words, at most 60 characters, e.g. 'Merge the resolver fix tonight?'"),
+				"context":  str("what the operator decides and why it matters, in plain words, at most 1500 bytes"),
+				"options": map[string]any{"type": "array", "description": "two to four answers; exactly one recommended",
+					"items": map[string]any{"type": "object", "properties": map[string]any{
+						"label":       str("the button's words, at most 24 characters"),
+						"means":       str("what you do when it is chosen, in plain words"),
+						"recommended": map[string]any{"type": "boolean", "description": "true on the one you recommend"},
+					}, "required": []string{"label", "means"}}},
+				"why":       str("why the recommended option is the one you recommend"),
+				"on_expiry": str("what you do if nobody answers before it expires, e.g. 'I leave the pull request open'"),
+				"by":        str("your session's name, as who@node or who, e.g. fix-589@g14"),
+				"expires_minutes": map[string]any{"type": "integer",
+					"description": "minutes until it expires, 5 to 1430; 60 when absent"},
+			},
+			Run: func(a map[string]any) (any, error) {
+				if proposing == nil {
+					return nil, notLaunched
+				}
+				in := QuestionInput{Headline: strArg(a, "headline"), Context: strArg(a, "context"), Why: strArg(a, "why"),
+					OnExpiry: strArg(a, "on_expiry"), By: strArg(a, "by"), Options: questionOptionsOf(a["options"])}
+				if m, ok := a["expires_minutes"].(float64); ok {
+					in.Expires = time.Duration(m * float64(time.Minute))
+				}
+				return AskQuestion(p, in, proposing.questions(), proposing.Bus, proposing.Now())
+			}},
+		{Name: "claude_code_answer",
+			Description: "Where a question asked with claude_code_ask stands, by its key (novox/hq ADR 0332): waiting; chosen, " +
+				"with the option, who answered, on which channel and when; ended without a choice (expired, refused, " +
+				"cancelled, replaced) with the router's words; or not proven, when the router's record does not hold to the " +
+				"question asked. Read from the router's own record. wait_seconds (at most 60) waits for an answer within the " +
+				"call: read at most once a minute.",
+			Input: map[string]any{
+				"key":          str("the key claude_code_ask gave, e.g. q-0123456789abcdef"),
+				"wait_seconds": map[string]any{"type": "integer", "description": "wait up to this many seconds (at most 60) while it is waiting"},
+			},
+			Run: func(a map[string]any) (any, error) {
+				if proposing == nil {
+					return nil, notLaunched
+				}
+				wait := time.Duration(0)
+				if s, ok := a["wait_seconds"].(float64); ok && s > 0 {
+					wait = time.Duration(s * float64(time.Second))
+				}
+				return WaitForAnswer(proposing.questions(), proposing.Bus, strArg(a, "key"), wait, proposing.Now)
+			}},
 	}
 }
+
+// questionOptionsOf reads the `options` argument: a list of objects with label, means and recommended.
+func questionOptionsOf(v any) []QuestionOption {
+	list, _ := v.([]any)
+	var out []QuestionOption
+	for _, item := range list {
+		m, _ := item.(map[string]any)
+		if m == nil {
+			out = append(out, QuestionOption{})
+			continue
+		}
+		out = append(out, QuestionOption{Label: strArg(m, "label"), Means: strArg(m, "means"), Recommended: boolArg(m, "recommended")})
+	}
+	return out
+}

modules/claude-code/cmd/claude-code/questions.go

@@ -0,0 +1,487 @@
+package main
+
+// A question an agent session asks the operator, answered on a channel that proves who answered (novox/hq ADR 0332,
+// issue 589).
+//
+// A session that needs a yes, a no or a choice asks it with claude_code_ask instead of waiting at a terminal the
+// operator may not be watching. The ask is published under this module's name on the operator channel (ADR 0259):
+// the bus grants that subject to this module alone, so the asker is proven by the bus, and the router stays the judge
+// of answers, never an asker for others. Every option is at the level approve, so only a channel that proves who
+// answered (Telegram, today) carries it, and each option binds the digest of the question and of itself.
+//
+// The session reads the answer by the question's key with claude_code_answer: from the router's own record of the
+// ask, which only the router writes and only this module reads, held to the question as the `questions` state keeps
+// it (asks.Warrant.For and asks.Option.Performs). A record that does not hold is said as not proven, never as a
+// choice. An answer informs the session; it authorises nothing (ADR 0286 stays the way to an approved call).
+
+import (
+	"crypto/rand"
+	"encoding/hex"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"errors"
+	"fmt"
+	"regexp"
+	"sort"
+	"strconv"
+	"strings"
+	"sync"
+	"time"
+
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/asks"
+)
+
+// QuestionsState is the module's state the questions are kept in.
+const QuestionsState = "questions"
+
+// QuestionPrefix starts every question's key, so the router's word on one is never taken for a proposal's.
+const QuestionPrefix = "q-"
+
+// MostQuestions is how many questions may wait at once, mesh-wide: the router allows an asker three open asks
+// (asks.MostOpen), and one is kept for a proposed instruction section (ADR 0274), so a proposal always finds room.
+const MostQuestions = asks.MostOpen - 1
+
+// The bounds of a question's life (ADR 0332 §2): at least five minutes, at most a day less ten minutes (the
+// router's bound for an approval, with the margin a proposal keeps), an hour when none is given.
+const (
+	QuestionShortest = 5 * time.Minute
+	QuestionLongest  = ProposalLasts
+	QuestionDefault  = time.Hour
+)
+
+// The bounds of what a question says.
+const (
+	FewestQuestionOptions = 2
+	MostContextBytes      = 1500
+	MostMeansBytes        = 200
+	MostWhyBytes          = 300
+	MostOnExpiryBytes     = 200
+)
+
+// How long one claude_code_answer call may wait for the answer, and how often it looks meanwhile.
+var (
+	AnswerWaitsAtMost = 60 * time.Second
+	AnswerLooksEvery  = 2 * time.Second
+)
+
+// QuestionOption is one answer a session offers.
+type QuestionOption struct {
+	ID          string `json:"id"`
+	Label       string `json:"label"`
+	Means       string `json:"means"`
+	Recommended bool   `json:"recommended,omitempty"`
+}
+
+// Question is one question, as the `questions` state keeps it. Every field the ask is composed from is here, so the
+// answer is held to exactly the question asked.
+type Question struct {
+	ID       string           `json:"id"`
+	Headline string           `json:"headline"`
+	Context  string           `json:"context"`
+	Options  []QuestionOption `json:"options"`
+	Why      string           `json:"why"`
+	OnExpiry string           `json:"on-expiry"`
+	By       string           `json:"by"`
+	From     string           `json:"from"`
+	At       time.Time        `json:"at"`
+	Expires  time.Time        `json:"expires"`
+	// Asked is empty once the ask was published, or says why it was not; nothing composes from it.
+	Asked string `json:"asked,omitempty"`
+	// Ended is the router's word that the ask ended without a choice, as heard on the decided subject: a refused ask
+	// leaves no record of the router's to read it from. It never makes a choice.
+	Ended string `json:"ended,omitempty"`
+}
+
+// recommended is the option marked as recommended.
+func (q Question) recommended() (QuestionOption, bool) {
+	for _, o := range q.Options {
+		if o.Recommended {
+			return o, true
+		}
+	}
+	return QuestionOption{}, false
+}
+
+// Act is what an answer binds: this question, whole, and the option chosen.
+func (q Question) Act(option string) asks.Act {
+	act := asks.Act{"verb": Module + ".question", "option": option, "question": q.ID, "headline": q.Headline,
+		"context": q.Context, "why": q.Why, "on-expiry": q.OnExpiry, "by": q.By, "from": q.From,
+		"at": q.At.UTC().Format(time.RFC3339Nano), "expires": q.Expires.UTC().Format(time.RFC3339Nano),
+		"options": strconv.Itoa(len(q.Options))}
+	for i, o := range q.Options {
+		act[fmt.Sprintf("option.%d", i)] = o.ID + "\n" + o.Label + "\n" + o.Means + "\n" + strconv.FormatBool(o.Recommended)
+	}
+	return act
+}
+
+// Ask is the ask for a question, composed from it alone.
+func (q Question) Ask() asks.Ask {
+	var b strings.Builder
+	b.WriteString(strings.TrimSpace(q.Context))
+	if rec, ok := q.recommended(); ok {
+		fmt.Fprintf(&b, "\n\nRecommended: %s, because %s", rec.Label, strings.TrimRight(strings.TrimSpace(q.Why), "."))
+		b.WriteString(".")
+	}
+	fmt.Fprintf(&b, "\n\nAsked by the agent session %s on %s through the claude-code module, at %s UTC. "+
+		"Your answer is told to that session; it performs nothing by itself.", q.By, q.From, q.At.UTC().Format("15:04 on 2 Jan"))
+	a := asks.Ask{ID: q.ID, Headline: q.Headline, Explanation: b.String(), Who: asks.Operator, Expires: q.Expires,
+		OnExpiry: q.OnExpiry}
+	for _, o := range q.Options {
+		does := o.Means
+		if o.Recommended {
+			does = "Recommended. " + does
+		}
+		binds, _ := asks.ActDigest(q.Act(o.ID))
+		a.Options = append(a.Options, asks.Option{ID: o.ID, Label: o.Label, Does: does, Level: asks.Approve, Binds: binds})
+	}
+	return a
+}
+
+var sessionName = regexp.MustCompile(`^[A-Za-z0-9][A-Za-z0-9_-]{0,47}$`)
+
+// QuestionProblem says why a question cannot be asked, or "": every bound of ADR 0332 §2 that this module holds
+// itself. The words are held to the content rule by the router, which says its refusal back.
+func QuestionProblem(q Question) string {
+	var problems []string
+	add := func(format string, args ...any) { problems = append(problems, fmt.Sprintf(format, args...)) }
+	switch {
+	case strings.TrimSpace(q.Headline) == "":
+		add("it has no headline")
+	case len([]rune(q.Headline)) > asks.HeadlineLength:
+		add("its headline is %d characters, more than %d", len([]rune(q.Headline)), asks.HeadlineLength)
+	}
+	switch {
+	case strings.TrimSpace(q.Context) == "":
+		add("it gives no context: say in plain words what the operator decides and why it matters")
+	case len(q.Context) > MostContextBytes:
+		add("its context is %d bytes, more than the %d a phone shows in one glance", len(q.Context), MostContextBytes)
+	}
+	if n := len(q.Options); n < FewestQuestionOptions || n > asks.MostOptions {
+		add("it offers %d options; a question offers %d to %d", n, FewestQuestionOptions, asks.MostOptions)
+	}
+	recommended, labels := 0, map[string]bool{}
+	for i, o := range q.Options {
+		switch {
+		case strings.TrimSpace(o.Label) == "":
+			add("option %d has no label", i+1)
+		case len([]rune(o.Label)) > asks.LabelLength:
+			add("option %d's label is longer than %d characters", i+1, asks.LabelLength)
+		case labels[strings.ToLower(o.Label)]:
+			add("two options are labelled %q", o.Label)
+		}
+		labels[strings.ToLower(o.Label)] = true
+		if strings.TrimSpace(o.Means) == "" {
+			add("option %d does not say what choosing it means", i+1)
+		} else if len(o.Means) > MostMeansBytes {
+			add("what option %d means is longer than %d bytes", i+1, MostMeansBytes)
+		}
+		if !asks.UsableID(o.ID) {
+			add("option %d's id is not one", i+1)
+		}
+		if o.Recommended {
+			recommended++
+		}
+	}
+	if recommended != 1 {
+		add("%d options are marked recommended; exactly one is", recommended)
+	}
+	switch {
+	case strings.TrimSpace(q.Why) == "":
+		add("it does not say why the recommended option is recommended")
+	case len(q.Why) > MostWhyBytes:
+		add("why the option is recommended is longer than %d bytes", MostWhyBytes)
+	}
+	switch {
+	case strings.TrimSpace(q.OnExpiry) == "":
+		add("it does not say what the session does if nobody answers")
+	case len(q.OnExpiry) > MostOnExpiryBytes:
+		add("what happens if nobody answers is longer than %d bytes", MostOnExpiryBytes)
+	}
+	if !sessionName.MatchString(q.By) {
+		add("who asks is not a session's name: letters, digits, - and _, such as fix-589")
+	}
+	if !nodeName.MatchString(q.From) {
+		add("where it comes from is not a node's name")
+	}
+	if life := q.Expires.Sub(q.At); life < QuestionShortest || life > QuestionLongest {
+		add("it lasts %s; a question lasts %s to %s", life.Round(time.Minute), QuestionShortest, QuestionLongest)
+	}
+	for _, text := range []string{q.Headline, q.Context, q.Why, q.OnExpiry} {
+		if what := invisible(text); what != "" {
+			add("its words hold %s, which a phone does not show", what)
+			break
+		}
+	}
+	if len(problems) == 0 {
+		return ""
+	}
+	return strings.Join(problems, "; ")
+}
+
+func newQuestionID() string {
+	var b [8]byte
+	_, _ = rand.Read(b[:])
+	return QuestionPrefix + hex.EncodeToString(b[:])
+}
+
+// QuestionInput is what a session asks.
+type QuestionInput struct {
+	Headline string
+	Context  string
+	Options  []QuestionOption
+	Why      string
+	OnExpiry string
+	By       string
+	Expires  time.Duration
+}
+
+// AskQuestion keeps a question and asks the operator. It answers at once with the question's key; the answer is read
+// with ReadAnswer.
+func AskQuestion(p Paths, in QuestionInput, store ProposalStore, bus AskBus, now time.Time) (map[string]any, error) {
+	refuse := func(why string) (map[string]any, error) { return nil, errors.New(why + ". Nothing was asked") }
+	by := strings.TrimSpace(in.By)
+	if who, node, found := strings.Cut(by, "@"); found {
+		if node != p.Node {
+			return refuse(fmt.Sprintf("who asks names the node %q, and this is %s: ask on the node the session runs on", node, p.Node))
+		}
+		by = who
+	}
+	if by == "" {
+		by = "unnamed"
+	}
+	life := in.Expires
+	if life == 0 {
+		life = QuestionDefault
+	}
+	q := Question{ID: newQuestionID(), Headline: strings.TrimSpace(in.Headline), Context: strings.TrimSpace(in.Context),
+		Why: strings.TrimSpace(in.Why), OnExpiry: strings.TrimSpace(in.OnExpiry), By: by, From: p.Node, At: now.UTC(),
+		Expires: now.UTC().Add(life)}
+	for i, o := range in.Options {
+		q.Options = append(q.Options, QuestionOption{ID: fmt.Sprintf("o%d", i+1), Label: strings.TrimSpace(o.Label),
+			Means: strings.TrimSpace(o.Means), Recommended: o.Recommended})
+	}
+	if problem := QuestionProblem(q); problem != "" {
+		return refuse(problem)
+	}
+	if open := openQuestions(store, bus, now); len(open) >= MostQuestions {
+		return refuse(fmt.Sprintf("%d questions already wait for the operator's answer (%s), and sessions hold at most %d at "+
+			"once so a proposed instruction section always finds room; read them with claude_code_answer, or wait for "+
+			"one to end", len(open), strings.Join(open, ", "), MostQuestions))
+	}
+	ask := q.Ask()
+	if err := ask.Check(now); err != nil {
+		return refuse(err.Error())
+	}
+	if err := store.Create(q.ID, q); err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("the question could not be kept, so the operator was not asked: %w", err)
+	}
+	if err := bus.Publish(asks.AskSubject(Module), ask, ask.ID); err != nil {
+		q.Asked = "not asked: " + err.Error()
+		_ = store.Put(q.ID, q)
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("the operator could not be asked: %v", err)
+	}
+	say("question %s from the session %s asked of the operator", q.ID, q.By)
+	taken := "the router has not said yet whether it took the question; claude_code_answer says"
+	defer forgetQuestionEnd(q.ID)
+	for deadline := time.Now().Add(RouterAnswersWithin); time.Now().Before(deadline); {
+		if w, ended := questionEnd(q.ID); ended {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("the router did not ask the operator: the question %s (%s)", w.Outcome, w.Words)
+		}
+		if entry, err := bus.Record(q.ID); err == nil && entry != nil {
+			taken = "the router took the question and shows it where who answers is proven (Telegram)"
+			break
+		}
+		time.Sleep(RouterAnswersEvery)
+	}
+	return map[string]any{
+		"key":     q.ID,
+		"router":  taken,
+		"asked":   "\"" + q.Headline + "\", with the answers " + labelsOf(q),
+		"expires": q.Expires.Format(time.RFC3339),
+		"next": "read the answer with claude_code_answer {\"key\": \"" + q.ID + "\"} (it may wait up to a minute); " +
+			"keep working meanwhile, and if it expires do what you said: " + q.OnExpiry,
+	}, nil
+}
+
+func labelsOf(q Question) string {
+	var out []string
+	for _, o := range q.Options {
+		out = append(out, o.Label)
+	}
+	return strings.Join(out, ", ")
+}
+
+// openQuestions are the keys of the questions still waiting: asked, not ended, not expired.
+func openQuestions(store ProposalStore, bus AskBus, now time.Time) []string {
+	keys, err := store.Keys()
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	var open []string
+	for _, k := range keys {
+		q, ok := readQuestion(store, k)
+		if !ok || q.Asked != "" || q.Ended != "" || !now.Before(q.Expires) {
+			continue
+		}
+		if entry, err := bus.Record(q.ID); err == nil && entry != nil {
+			var rec routerRecord
+			if json.Unmarshal(entry.Value, &rec) == nil && rec.State != "" && rec.State != "open" {
+				continue
+			}
+		}
+		open = append(open, q.ID)
+	}
+	sort.Strings(open)
+	return open
+}
+
+func readQuestion(store ProposalStore, key string) (Question, bool) {
+	if !strings.HasPrefix(key, QuestionPrefix) {
+		return Question{}, false
+	}
+	raw, found, err := store.Get(key)
+	if err != nil || !found {
+		return Question{}, false
+	}
+	var q Question
+	if json.Unmarshal(raw, &q) != nil || q.ID != key {
+		return Question{}, false
+	}
+	return q, true
+}
+
+// The router's word that a question ended without a choice, as heard on the decided subject.
+var (
+	questionEndsMu sync.Mutex
+	questionEnds   = map[string]asks.Warrant{}
+)
+
+func questionEnd(id string) (asks.Warrant, bool) {
+	questionEndsMu.Lock()
+	defer questionEndsMu.Unlock()
+	w, ok := questionEnds[id]
+	return w, ok
+}
+
+func forgetQuestionEnd(id string) {
+	questionEndsMu.Lock()
+	delete(questionEnds, id)
+	questionEndsMu.Unlock()
+}
+
+// HeardQuestionEnd takes the router's word that a question ended without a choice — refused, expired, cancelled or
+// replaced — and keeps it on the question, because a refused ask leaves no record of the router's. A choice is
+// never taken from this word: only from the router's record, held to the question (ReadAnswer).
+func HeardQuestionEnd(store ProposalStore, w asks.Warrant) {
+	if w.Asker != Module || w.Outcome == asks.OutcomeChosen || !strings.HasPrefix(w.Ask, QuestionPrefix) {
+		return
+	}
+	q, known := readQuestion(store, w.Ask)
+	if !known {
+		return
+	}
+	if q.Ended == "" {
+		q.Ended = string(w.Outcome)
+		if w.Words != "" {
+			q.Ended += ": " + w.Words
+		}
+		_ = store.Put(q.ID, q)
+	}
+	// Kept on the question first, then said to a session waiting on it: what it reads next is already there.
+	questionEndsMu.Lock()
+	questionEnds[w.Ask] = w
+	questionEndsMu.Unlock()
+}
+
+// The answer's states, as claude_code_answer says them.
+const (
+	AnswerWaiting   = "waiting"
+	AnswerChosen    = "chosen"
+	AnswerEnded     = "ended"
+	AnswerNotProven = "not proven"
+)
+
+// ReadAnswer is where a question stands: waiting, chosen (and what), ended without a choice, or not proven.
+func ReadAnswer(store ProposalStore, bus AskBus, key string, now time.Time) (map[string]any, error) {
+	q, ok := readQuestion(store, strings.TrimSpace(key))
+	if !ok {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("no question %q is kept: the key is the one claude_code_ask gave", key)
+	}
+	out := map[string]any{"key": q.ID, "headline": q.Headline, "asked": q.At.Format(time.RFC3339),
+		"expires": q.Expires.Format(time.RFC3339)}
+	if q.Asked != "" {
+		out["state"], out["words"] = AnswerEnded, q.Asked
+		return out, nil
+	}
+	entry, err := bus.Record(q.ID)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("the router's record of the question could not be read now (%v); ask again", err)
+	}
+	var rec routerRecord
+	if entry != nil {
+		if err := json.Unmarshal(entry.Value, &rec); err != nil {
+			out["state"], out["words"] = AnswerNotProven, "the router's record of it cannot be read: "+err.Error()
+			return out, nil
+		}
+	}
+	switch {
+	case entry == nil && q.Ended != "":
+		out["state"], out["words"] = AnswerEnded, q.Ended
+	case entry == nil && now.After(q.Expires.Add(time.Hour)):
+		out["state"], out["words"] = AnswerEnded, "the router keeps no record of it: refused before it was taken, or forgotten"
+	case entry == nil, rec.State == "open", rec.Warrant == nil:
+		out["state"] = AnswerWaiting
+		if q.Ended != "" {
+			out["words"] = "the router said it ended (" + q.Ended + "), and its record says it is open; read again"
+		}
+	default:
+		w := *rec.Warrant
+		if w.Outcome != asks.OutcomeChosen {
+			out["state"], out["words"] = AnswerEnded, string(w.Outcome)
+			if w.Words != "" {
+				out["words"] = string(w.Outcome) + ": " + w.Words
+			}
+			if w.Outcome == asks.OutcomeExpired {
+				out["now"] = "do what you said: " + q.OnExpiry
+			}
+			return out, nil
+		}
+		if problem := QuestionProblem(q); problem != "" {
+			out["state"], out["words"] = AnswerNotProven, "the question kept is not one this module asks: "+problem
+			return out, nil
+		}
+		option, err := w.For(Module, q.Ask())
+		if err == nil {
+			err = option.Performs(q.Act(option.ID))
+		}
+		if err != nil {
+			say("REFUSED the answer to question %s: %v", q.ID, err)
+			out["state"], out["words"] = AnswerNotProven, "the router's record does not hold to the question asked: "+err.Error()
+			return out, nil
+		}
+		chosen := map[string]any{"id": option.ID, "label": option.Label}
+		for _, o := range q.Options {
+			if o.ID == option.ID {
+				chosen["means"], chosen["recommended"] = o.Means, o.Recommended
+			}
+		}
+		out["state"], out["chosen"], out["by"], out["channel"], out["at"] = AnswerChosen, chosen, w.Says(), w.Channel,
+			w.At.Format(time.RFC3339)
+		out["note"] = "the operator's word to this session; it authorises no call that needs the operator's approval"
+	}
+	return out, nil
+}
+
+// WaitForAnswer reads the answer, and while it is waiting reads it again until wait has passed.
+func WaitForAnswer(store ProposalStore, bus AskBus, key string, wait time.Duration, now func() time.Time) (map[string]any, error) {
+	if wait > AnswerWaitsAtMost {
+		wait = AnswerWaitsAtMost
+	}
+	deadline := time.Now().Add(wait)
+	for {
+		out, err := ReadAnswer(store, bus, key, now())
+		if err != nil || out["state"] != AnswerWaiting || !time.Now().Before(deadline) {
+			return out, err
+		}
+		time.Sleep(AnswerLooksEvery)
+	}
+}

modules/claude-code/cmd/claude-code/questions_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,287 @@
+package main
+
+// A session's question to the operator (novox/hq ADR 0332, issue 589): asked under this module's name at the level
+// approve, refused outside its bounds, at most two waiting, and its answer read back by its key only when the
+// router's record holds to the question asked.
+
+import (
+	"encoding/json"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/asks"
+)
+
+func mergeTonight() QuestionInput {
+	return QuestionInput{
+		Headline: "Merge the resolver fix tonight?",
+		Context:  "The fix for the resolver on the laptop is reviewed and both checks are green. Merging now rolls it to every node within the hour.",
+		Options: []QuestionOption{
+			{Label: "Merge now", Means: "I merge it and follow the rollout", Recommended: true},
+			{Label: "Wait", Means: "I leave the pull request open until you say"},
+		},
+		Why:      "it is reviewed and the checks are green",
+		OnExpiry: "I leave the pull request open",
+		By:       "fix-589@g14",
+	}
+}
+
+func askMergeTonight(t *testing.T, p Paths, store *memProposals, r *router, at time.Time) string {
+	t.Helper()
+	out, err := AskQuestion(p, mergeTonight(), store, r, at)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	return out["key"].(string)
+}
+
+func TestAQuestionIsAskedUnderTheModulesNameAtTheLevelApprove(t *testing.T) {
+	p, _ := node(t, "g14")
+	store, r := &memProposals{m: map[string]json.RawMessage{}}, newRouter()
+	out, err := AskQuestion(p, mergeTonight(), store, r, t0)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	key := out["key"].(string)
+	if !strings.HasPrefix(key, QuestionPrefix) || !strings.Contains(out["router"].(string), "took the question") {
+		t.Fatalf("answered %v", out)
+	}
+	if len(r.subjects) != 1 || r.subjects[0] != asks.AskSubject(Module) {
+		t.Fatalf("published on %v", r.subjects)
+	}
+	a := r.published[key]
+	if a.Who != asks.Operator || a.OnExpiry != "I leave the pull request open" || !a.Expires.Equal(t0.Add(QuestionDefault)) {
+		t.Errorf("ask %+v", a)
+	}
+	if len(a.Options) != 2 {
+		t.Fatalf("options %+v", a.Options)
+	}
+	for _, o := range a.Options {
+		if o.Level != asks.Approve || o.Binds == "" {
+			t.Errorf("option %s is %s binding %q: every option is an approval bound to the question", o.ID, o.Level, o.Binds)
+		}
+	}
+	if !strings.HasPrefix(a.Options[0].Does, "Recommended. ") || strings.HasPrefix(a.Options[1].Does, "Recommended") {
+		t.Errorf("the recommendation is not on the recommended option alone: %+v", a.Options)
+	}
+	for _, want := range []string{"Recommended: Merge now, because it is reviewed and the checks are green.",
+		"the agent session fix-589 on g14", "performs nothing by itself"} {
+		if !strings.Contains(a.Explanation, want) {
+			t.Errorf("the explanation does not say %q:\n%s", want, a.Explanation)
+		}
+	}
+	if err := a.Check(t0); err != nil {
+		t.Errorf("the ask does not pass the asks contract: %v", err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestTheChosenAnswerIsReadBackByItsKey(t *testing.T) {
+	p, _ := node(t, "g14")
+	store, r := &memProposals{m: map[string]json.RawMessage{}}, newRouter()
+	key := askMergeTonight(t, p, store, r, t0)
+	out, err := ReadAnswer(store, r, key, t0.Add(time.Minute))
+	if err != nil || out["state"] != AnswerWaiting {
+		t.Fatalf("before an answer: %v %v", out, err)
+	}
+	r.close(r.chose(key, "o2", t0.Add(10*time.Minute)))
+	out, err = ReadAnswer(store, r, key, t0.Add(11*time.Minute))
+	if err != nil || out["state"] != AnswerChosen {
+		t.Fatalf("after the choice: %v %v", out, err)
+	}
+	chosen := out["chosen"].(map[string]any)
+	if chosen["id"] != "o2" || chosen["label"] != "Wait" || chosen["means"] != "I leave the pull request open until you say" {
+		t.Errorf("chosen %v", chosen)
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(out["by"].(string), "the operator, via telegram") || out["channel"] != "telegram" {
+		t.Errorf("by %v on %v", out["by"], out["channel"])
+	}
+}
+
+func TestAnAnswerThatDoesNotHoldToTheQuestionIsNotProven(t *testing.T) {
+	p, _ := node(t, "g14")
+	store, r := &memProposals{m: map[string]json.RawMessage{}}, newRouter()
+	key := askMergeTonight(t, p, store, r, t0)
+	w := r.chose(key, "o1", t0.Add(time.Minute))
+
+	// The question rewritten on the bus after it was asked: the operator was shown other words.
+	var q Question
+	_ = json.Unmarshal(store.m[key], &q)
+	q.Context = "Merging now deletes nothing and rolls it to every node."
+	_ = store.Put(key, q)
+	r.close(w)
+	if out, _ := ReadAnswer(store, r, key, t0.Add(2*time.Minute)); out["state"] != AnswerNotProven {
+		t.Errorf("a question changed after it was asked read as %v", out)
+	}
+
+	// A warrant for another ask's digest.
+	store2, r2 := &memProposals{m: map[string]json.RawMessage{}}, newRouter()
+	key2 := askMergeTonight(t, p, store2, r2, t0)
+	w2 := r2.chose(key2, "o1", t0.Add(time.Minute))
+	w2.AskDigest = "sha256:0000"
+	r2.close(w2)
+	if out, _ := ReadAnswer(store2, r2, key2, t0.Add(2*time.Minute)); out["state"] != AnswerNotProven {
+		t.Errorf("a warrant for another ask read as %v", out)
+	}
+
+	// A choice made after the question expired.
+	store3, r3 := &memProposals{m: map[string]json.RawMessage{}}, newRouter()
+	key3 := askMergeTonight(t, p, store3, r3, t0)
+	r3.close(r3.chose(key3, "o1", t0.Add(QuestionDefault+time.Minute)))
+	if out, _ := ReadAnswer(store3, r3, key3, t0.Add(2*QuestionDefault)); out["state"] != AnswerNotProven {
+		t.Errorf("a choice after expiry read as %v", out)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestAQuestionIsRefusedOutsideItsBounds(t *testing.T) {
+	p, _ := node(t, "g14")
+	for name, change := range map[string]func(*QuestionInput){
+		"one option":        func(in *QuestionInput) { in.Options = in.Options[:1] },
+		"five options":      func(in *QuestionInput) { in.Options = append(in.Options, in.Options[1], in.Options[1], in.Options[1]) },
+		"none recommended":  func(in *QuestionInput) { in.Options[0].Recommended = false },
+		"two recommended":   func(in *QuestionInput) { in.Options[1].Recommended = true },
+		"no why":            func(in *QuestionInput) { in.Why = "" },
+		"no context":        func(in *QuestionInput) { in.Context = "" },
+		"no on-expiry":      func(in *QuestionInput) { in.OnExpiry = "" },
+		"a long headline":   func(in *QuestionInput) { in.Headline = strings.Repeat("Merge ", 11) },
+		"a long label":      func(in *QuestionInput) { in.Options[0].Label = "Merge it now and follow the rollout" },
+		"an option unsaid":  func(in *QuestionInput) { in.Options[1].Means = "" },
+		"too short":         func(in *QuestionInput) { in.Expires = time.Minute },
+		"too long":          func(in *QuestionInput) { in.Expires = 2 * 24 * time.Hour },
+		"another node":      func(in *QuestionInput) { in.By = "fix-589@shanks" },
+		"an invisible char": func(in *QuestionInput) { in.Context += "\u200b" },
+	} {
+		store, r := &memProposals{m: map[string]json.RawMessage{}}, newRouter()
+		in := mergeTonight()
+		in.Options = append([]QuestionOption(nil), in.Options...)
+		change(&in)
+		if _, err := AskQuestion(p, in, store, r, t0); err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "Nothing was asked") {
+			t.Errorf("%s: %v", name, err)
+		}
+		if len(r.subjects) != 0 || len(store.m) != 0 {
+			t.Errorf("%s: asked or kept anyway", name)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func TestAtMostTwoQuestionsWaitSoAProposalFindsRoom(t *testing.T) {
+	p, _ := node(t, "g14")
+	store, r := &memProposals{m: map[string]json.RawMessage{}}, newRouter()
+	first := askMergeTonight(t, p, store, r, t0)
+	askMergeTonight(t, p, store, r, t0)
+	if _, err := AskQuestion(p, mergeTonight(), store, r, t0); err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "2 questions already wait") {
+		t.Fatalf("a third question: %v", err)
+	}
+	r.close(r.chose(first, "o1", t0.Add(time.Minute)))
+	if _, err := AskQuestion(p, mergeTonight(), store, r, t0.Add(2*time.Minute)); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("a question once one was answered: %v", err)
+	}
+	// A proposal is still asked beside two waiting questions.
+	pstore := &memProposals{m: map[string]json.RawMessage{}}
+	if _, err := Propose(p, ProposeInput{Scope: ScopeMesh, Name: "x", Text: "Text.\n"}, pstore, r, t0); err != nil {
+		t.Errorf("a proposal beside two questions: %v", err)
+	}
+}
+
+// questionRefusingRouter refuses every ask as the router does for words that may not leave the mesh: on the decided
+// subject, with no record.
+type questionRefusingRouter struct {
+	*router
+	store ProposalStore
+	id    string
+}
+
+func (r *questionRefusingRouter) Publish(subject string, body any, id string) error {
+	r.id = id
+	go func() {
+		time.Sleep(50 * time.Millisecond)
+		HeardQuestionEnd(r.store, asks.Warrant{Ask: id, Asker: Module, Outcome: asks.OutcomeRefused,
+			Words: "its words carry path (a file path), which may not leave the mesh", At: t0})
+	}()
+	return nil
+}
+
+func TestTheRoutersRefusalIsSaidAndKept(t *testing.T) {
+	p, _ := node(t, "g14")
+	store := &memProposals{m: map[string]json.RawMessage{}}
+	refusing := &questionRefusingRouter{router: newRouter(), store: store}
+	within, every := RouterAnswersWithin, RouterAnswersEvery
+	RouterAnswersWithin, RouterAnswersEvery = time.Second, 10*time.Millisecond
+	t.Cleanup(func() { RouterAnswersWithin, RouterAnswersEvery = within, every })
+	_, err := AskQuestion(p, mergeTonight(), store, refusing, t0)
+	if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "may not leave the mesh") {
+		t.Fatalf("refusal: %v", err)
+	}
+	out, err := ReadAnswer(store, refusing, refusing.id, t0.Add(time.Minute))
+	if err != nil || out["state"] != AnswerEnded || !strings.Contains(out["words"].(string), "refused") {
+		t.Errorf("read after the refusal: %v %v", out, err)
+	}
+	if open := openQuestions(store, refusing, t0.Add(time.Minute)); len(open) != 0 {
+		t.Errorf("a refused question still counts as waiting: %v", open)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestAnExpiredQuestionSaysWhatTheSessionDoes(t *testing.T) {
+	p, _ := node(t, "g14")
+	store, r := &memProposals{m: map[string]json.RawMessage{}}, newRouter()
+	key := askMergeTonight(t, p, store, r, t0)
+	r.close(asks.Warrant{Ask: key, Outcome: asks.OutcomeExpired, At: t0.Add(QuestionDefault)})
+	out, err := ReadAnswer(store, r, key, t0.Add(QuestionDefault+time.Minute))
+	if err != nil || out["state"] != AnswerEnded || out["now"] != "do what you said: I leave the pull request open" {
+		t.Errorf("expired: %v %v", out, err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestTheQuestionToolsAreServed(t *testing.T) {
+	p, _ := node(t, "g14")
+	r := newRouter()
+	questions := &memProposals{m: map[string]json.RawMessage{}}
+	proposing = &Proposing{Store: &memProposals{m: map[string]json.RawMessage{}}, Bus: r, Now: func() time.Time { return t0 },
+		Write: writer(map[string]string{}), Questions: questions}
+	t.Cleanup(func() { proposing = nil })
+	s := serve(t, p, &bus{kept: map[string]map[string]any{}}, memConfig{})
+	text, isErr := s.call(t, "claude_code_ask", map[string]any{
+		"headline": "Merge the resolver fix tonight?", "context": "Reviewed and green.",
+		"options": []any{
+			map[string]any{"label": "Merge now", "means": "I merge it", "recommended": true},
+			map[string]any{"label": "Wait", "means": "I leave it open"},
+		},
+		"why": "it is reviewed", "on_expiry": "I leave it open", "by": "fix-589@g14", "expires_minutes": 30,
+	})
+	if isErr || !strings.Contains(text, `"key"`) {
+		t.Fatalf("%v %s", isErr, text)
+	}
+	var asked map[string]any
+	_ = json.Unmarshal([]byte(text), &asked)
+	key, _ := asked["key"].(string)
+	if a := r.published[key]; !a.Expires.Equal(t0.Add(30 * time.Minute)) {
+		t.Errorf("expires %v", a.Expires)
+	}
+	r.close(r.chose(key, "o1", t0.Add(time.Minute)))
+	text, isErr = s.call(t, "claude_code_answer", map[string]any{"key": key})
+	if isErr || !strings.Contains(text, `"chosen"`) || !strings.Contains(text, "Merge now") {
+		t.Fatalf("%v %s", isErr, text)
+	}
+}
+
+// One read waits at most AnswerWaitsAtMost (60 s), whatever the session asks for, and says waiting when nobody
+// answered meanwhile.
+func TestAReadWaitsNoLongerThanItsBound(t *testing.T) {
+	if AnswerWaitsAtMost != 60*time.Second {
+		t.Fatalf("a read may wait %s; ADR 0332 says 60 s", AnswerWaitsAtMost)
+	}
+	p, _ := node(t, "g14")
+	store, r := &memProposals{m: map[string]json.RawMessage{}}, newRouter()
+	key := askMergeTonight(t, p, store, r, t0)
+	most, every := AnswerWaitsAtMost, AnswerLooksEvery
+	AnswerWaitsAtMost, AnswerLooksEvery = 100*time.Millisecond, 10*time.Millisecond
+	t.Cleanup(func() { AnswerWaitsAtMost, AnswerLooksEvery = most, every })
+	start := time.Now()
+	out, err := WaitForAnswer(store, r, key, time.Hour, func() time.Time { return t0.Add(time.Minute) })
+	if err != nil || out["state"] != AnswerWaiting {
+		t.Fatalf("%v %v", out, err)
+	}
+	if took := time.Since(start); took > 2*time.Second {
+		t.Errorf("a read asked to wait an hour took %s", took)
+	}
+}

modules/claude-code/module.json

@@ -18,7 +18,8 @@
     "servers",
     "holdings",
     "config",
-    "proposals"
+    "proposals",
+    "questions"
   ],
   "reads": [
     "claude-licence-manager.bindings"
@@ -54,6 +55,8 @@
     "claude_code_instructions_unregister",
     "claude_code_instructions_propose",
     "claude_code_proposals",
+    "claude_code_ask",
+    "claude_code_answer",
     "claude_code_settings_get",
     "claude_code_settings_set",
     "claude_code_settings_clear",