# Thursday, February 20, 2026

## Workflow Rules Established
- **Task Status Flow**: I work on tasks (open/todo/blocked/in-progress) → move to **review** when complete
- **User Controls Validation Gate**: Only user moves tasks: review → validate → done
- **Never mark tasks as "done" myself** — always stop at "review" for user approval
- Hourly cron job set up to check sprint board autonomously and work through backlog

## Gantt Board Authentication
- **Login credentials**: mbruce+max@topdoglabs.com / !7883Max
- **Avatar**: Already configured in the system
- **Task Link Format**: Use http://192.168.1.188:3000/?task={id} (IP updated from .128)

## File Attachment Protocol
- Attach files directly to Gantt Board tasks (base64 data URLs)
- Delete local workspace copies after attaching — everything stored in DB
- Include file metadata: name, type, size, dataUrl

## Subagent Authentication
- Subagents should use **my credentials** (mbruce+max@topdoglabs.com)
- They're parallel processes of me, not separate people
- Keeps audit trail consistent and simplifies permission model

## Today's Completed Work
- **Task 13**: TTS research → moved to review (superseded by new task)
- **Task 1771610978318**: "Audio Playback Daily Blog" created with Piper TTS implementation plan attached
  - Recommendation: Piper TTS (free, local, high quality)
  - Plan file attached to task, local copy deleted
  - Status: review
- Fixed task persistence issues in Gantt Board (API was expecting `task` singular but client sent `tasks` plural)
- Added comprehensive logging to trace data flow

## Active Cron Jobs
1. Web Monitor - every 5 min (with lock file to prevent concurrent runs)
2. Daily Data Backup - 11 PM CST
3. Daily Digest - 7 AM CST (5 min timeout)
4. Sprint Board Check - every hour (autonomous task processing)

## User Preferences
- Silent monitoring: Only contact on failures, not routine healthy checks
- Cost-conscious: Prefer local models, limit responses
- Proactive work: Check sprint board hourly, no need to ask permission
- Workflow enforcement: Strict status progression, no shortcuts to "done"