Update spawn instructions to reference SOUL.md files with task status rules

BRAIN.md

@@ -34,6 +34,127 @@
 
 ---
 
+## 🤖 Subagent Orchestration Rules (MANDATORY)
+
+**When spawning Bob, Alice, or Charlie, these rules are NON-NEGOTIABLE:**
+
+### 1. Progress Comment Requirement
+- Subagent MUST add task comment every **15 minutes** using format:
+  ```
+  [YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM] 🔄 In Progress
+  **What was just done:** [completed items]
+  **What is next:** [immediate step]
+  **What is left to do:** [remaining checklist]
+  ```
+- Use: `./scripts/task.sh update <id> --add-comment "..."`
+
+### 2. Timeout Behavior
+- If subagent times out, it MUST have either:
+  - Marked task complete, OR
+  - Added comment explaining blocker
+- **Never let subagents die silently**
+
+### 3. My Responsibility (Max)
+- Check subagent status every 20 minutes during active work
+- If no comment in 20 min → investigate immediately
+- If user asks "what's happening with X" → I failed, not the subagent
+
+### 4. Spawn Instructions Template
+Always include in task spawn:
+```
+**CRITICAL RULES:**
+1. Read your SOUL.md at /Users/mattbruce/.openclaw/workspace/agents/[your-name]/SOUL.md
+2. Add progress comment every 15 minutes
+3. DO NOT timeout without finishing OR explaining blocker
+4. DO NOT mark task as done - end with "Ready for Charlie" or "Needs fixes"
+5. You have [X] minutes
+```
+
+### 5. Task Status Rules (VIOLATION = REOPEN)
+**Bob (Implementer):**
+- ✅ CAN: Mark task "in-progress" when starting
+- ❌ CANNOT: Mark task "done" or "review" 
+- ✅ MUST: End with "Ready for Charlie" announcement
+- **SOUL.md:** `/Users/mattbruce/.openclaw/workspace/agents/bob-implementer/SOUL.md`
+
+**Charlie (Tester):**
+- ✅ CAN: Mark task "review" if issues found
+- ❌ CANNOT: Mark task "done"
+- ✅ MUST: End with "Ready for deploy" or "Needs fixes"
+- **SOUL.md:** `/Users/mattbruce/.openclaw/workspace/agents/charlie-tester/SOUL.md`
+
+**Alice (Researcher):**
+- ✅ CAN: Mark task "in-progress" when starting
+- ❌ CANNOT: Mark task "done"
+- ✅ MUST: End with "Ready for Bob" or report to user
+- **SOUL.md:** `/Users/mattbruce/.openclaw/workspace/agents/alice-researcher/SOUL.md`
+
+**Human (Matt) only:**
+- ✅ CAN: Mark task "done" after validation
+
+---
+
+## 🚧 Cap Gates - Task Admission Control (NEW)
+
+**From Alice's Multi-Agent Research (@aiedge_ patterns, 2026-02-24)**
+
+### Maker-Checker Loop Limits
+When Bob implements and Charlie reviews:
+- **Maximum 3 review cycles** before human escalation
+- Cycle 1: Bob → Charlie reject → Bob revises → Charlie re-reviews
+- Cycle 2: Repeat once more
+- Cycle 3: **HUMAN DECISION REQUIRED** (Cap reached)
+
+### Cap Gate Triggers
+When iteration cap reached:
+1. Add comment: "Cap reached at 3 review cycles"
+2. Summarize: "Unresolved issues: [list]"
+3. Task status → `review` (awaiting human)
+4. Human decides: approve / reject / extend cap
+
+### Task Admission Criteria (Before Spawning Subagents)
+Before spawning Alice/Bob/Charlie, verify:
+- [ ] Task has clear deliverable (not just "research X")
+- [ ] Task has defined success criteria
+- [ ] Estimated effort < 2 hours (else break down)
+- [ ] Required inputs are available
+
+**If any unchecked → Do not spawn, ask human for clarification**
+
+---
+
+## 🔗 URL Research Workflow (For Alice-Researcher)
+
+**Choose the right skill based on user intent:**
+
+### Quick Save (No Analysis)
+**When user says:** "Save this", "Add to documents", "Archive this", "Keep this for later"
+
+```bash
+sessions_spawn:
+  task: "Save URL to documents: [LINK]. Use save-url-to-documents skill. Extract via Tavily, save to Mission Control Documents (Research/[folder]/), report back with location and quick summary. No task creation, no analysis."
+  label: "Alice-Save-URL"
+  runTimeoutSeconds: 300
+```
+
+**Output:** Document only (~5 min)
+
+### Full Research (With Analysis)
+**When user says:** "Research this", "Should we use this?", "Analyze this"
+
+```bash
+sessions_spawn:
+  task: "Research URL: [LINK]. Use url-research-to-documents-and-tasks skill. Full workflow: 1) Extract via Tavily, 2) Save to Mission Control Documents, 3) Read BRAIN.md + TOOLS.md for context, 4) Analyze fit against current infrastructure, 5) Create Gantt task with verdict (ADOPT/EVALUATE LATER/PASS), 6) Attach implementation plan if applicable. Report back with verdict, rationale, and key insight."
+  label: "Alice-URL-Research"
+  runTimeoutSeconds: 1200
+```
+
+**Output:** Document + Task + Analysis + Plan (~15-20 min)
+
+**Key difference:** Save = just archive it. Research = should we use it?
+
+---
+
 ## 📋 Recurring Patterns
 
 *Code patterns, conventions, and templates used frequently.*