REPL when skill_create needs user input

AGENTS.md

@@ -19,14 +19,20 @@ supplied options; an LLM is used only for generation and self-assessment.
 ```
 cli.py          argparse: run (REPL / --script), dream, skills, status, relabel,
                 dashboard
-scheduler.py    gate -> choice(tau) -> score -> queue; preempt + requeue
+scheduler.py    gate -> choice(tau) -> score -> queue; preempt + requeue;
+                a skill run paused for input (needs_input) keeps `current`
+                busy; `answer` routes straight to the pending run, bypassing
+                gate/score/navigation
 queue.py        urgency max-heap (desc weight, FIFO seq), age pulls toward 1.0
 skills.py    tree + registry (email.compose, response.reject, tracking.check),
                 navigation = SemIf choices per level (logged), create_category
                 and create_skill author + register stubs via the decision model
                 in generation mode; SkillBodyStore + materialize_skill persist
-                and hot-load runnable skill bodies from data/skills/
-skill.py        loop: observe -> predict -> act -> observe -> assess (LLM)
+                and hot-load runnable skill bodies from data/skills/;
+                ActionResult.needs_input pauses a run for human input
+skill.py        loop: observe -> predict -> act -> observe -> assess (LLM);
+                a run paused for input is resumed by re-invoking act with the
+                answer on request.user_input (predict is never re-run)
 engine.py       SemIfEngine -> semif_phase1.llamacpp_backend (lazy import)
 codegen.py      CodegenClient (OpenAI-compatible) writes runnable skill bodies
                 against SKILL.md; parse/validate (compile + predict/act)

SKILL.md

@@ -55,10 +55,12 @@ def act(ctx, request, prediction) -> ActionResult:
   `ctx.config` (the agent config dict).
 - `request` is the `Request` being handled.
 - `Prediction(text: str, decisions: list)` and
-  `ActionResult(action_log: str, new_state: str)` are imported from
+  `ActionResult(action_log: str, new_state: str, needs_input: str | None = None)`
+  are imported from
   `semif_agent.skills`; return those exact types. `decisions` carries any
   `(DecisionRequest, DecisionResult)` pairs made during predict so they are
-  logged as training rows.
+  logged as training rows. `needs_input` carries a question for the human; see
+  the rules below.
 
 ### Rules (hard requirements)
 
@@ -70,6 +72,13 @@ def act(ctx, request, prediction) -> ActionResult:
 - **Never swallow the request.** If the skill cannot act, return an
   `ActionResult` with a short `action_log` explaining why and set `new_state`
   back to `request.text`.
+- **Request input when data is missing.** If a required piece of data is not
+  in the request or in local files, do not fail silently: return an
+  `ActionResult(action_log="...", new_state=request.text, needs_input="<question>")`.
+  The run pauses and the human is asked. The answer arrives on
+  `request.user_input` and `act` is called again with the *same* prediction —
+  check `request.user_input` on the resume pass to finish the run (or ask again
+  if it is still insufficient).
 - **Write files under configured data dirs only** (e.g. `ctx.config["drafts"]`),
   never anywhere else on disk.
 - **Fail fast on budget.** Keep the work small; do not loop or retry in code.

semif_agent/cli.py

@@ -121,6 +121,10 @@ def repl(scheduler: Scheduler, config: dict) -> None:
             continue
         status, detail = scheduler.submit(line)
         print(f"[{status}] {detail}")
+        while scheduler.pending is not None:
+            answer = input(f"{scheduler.pending.question} ")
+            status, detail = scheduler.answer(answer)
+            print(f"[{status}] {detail}")
 
 
 def scripted(scheduler: Scheduler, path: str) -> None:

semif_agent/dashboard.py

@@ -3,8 +3,8 @@
 A pure-stdlib HTTP server on localhost serving a Redux-DevTools-style
 inspector over the agent's decision flow. Reads the decision log
 (`decisions.jsonl`) plus the run lifecycle trace (`runs.jsonl`), exposes the
-static skill tree, the dream cost report, and two write endpoints: submit a
-request and relabel a decision (human override).
+static skill tree, the dream cost report, and three write endpoints: submit a
+request, answer a run paused for input, and relabel a decision (human override).
 
 The scheduler's engine and LLM are built lazily, so the dashboard runs on the
 thin dev box in replay mode (reads logs; submit degrades to a JSON error) and
@@ -98,12 +98,18 @@ def build_status(scheduler: Scheduler) -> dict:
         if scheduler.current
         else None
     )
+    pending = (
+        {"skill": scheduler.pending.skill.name, "question": scheduler.pending.question}
+        if scheduler.pending
+        else None
+    )
     queue = [
         {"id": request.id, "weight": weight, "text": request.text[:80]}
         for weight, request in scheduler.queue.items()
     ]
     return {
         "current": current,
+        "pending": pending,
         "queue": queue,
         "tau": scheduler.tau,
         "queue_max": scheduler.queue.max_size,
@@ -217,6 +223,16 @@ class DashboardHandler(BaseHTTPRequestHandler):
                     return
             self._send(200, {"ok": ok})
             return
+        if path == "/api/answer":
+            with self.lock:
+                try:
+                    body = self._read_json()
+                    status, detail = self.scheduler.answer(str(body.get("text", "")))
+                except Exception as exc:
+                    self._send_error(500, str(exc))
+                    return
+            self._send(200, {"status": status, "detail": detail})
+            return
         self._send_error(404, "no such endpoint")
 
     def log_message(self, format, *args):

semif_agent/decisions.py

@@ -71,6 +71,7 @@ class Request:
     priority: float = 0.5
     reentries: int = 0
     resume: dict[str, Any] = field(default_factory=dict)
+    user_input: str | None = None
 
     def copy_for_requeue(self) -> "Request":
         return Request(

semif_agent/scheduler.py

@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ from .skills import (
     CategoryRegistry,
     CreateCategory,
     CreateSkill,
+    Prediction,
     Skill,
     SkillBodyStore,
     build_skills,
@@ -53,13 +54,29 @@ class Process:
     weight: float
 
 
+@dataclass
+class PendingRun:
+    """A skill run paused awaiting human input.
+
+    `prediction` is kept so resume re-invokes only `act` (predict is not
+    re-run, avoiding duplicate SemIf sub-decisions); `question` is what the
+    run asked the human.
+    """
+
+    request: Request
+    skill: Skill
+    prediction: Prediction
+    question: str
+
+
 @dataclass
 class DispatchResult:
-    kind: str  # ran | create_category | create_skill | error
+    kind: str  # ran | create_category | create_skill | needs_input | error
     summary: str
     skill: str | None = None
     decisions_logged: int = 0
     body_written: bool = False
+    needs_input: str | None = None
 
 
 class Scheduler:
@@ -95,6 +112,7 @@ class Scheduler:
         self.ctx = ActionContext(engine=self.engine, config=config)
         self.runner = SkillRunner(self.ctx, self.llm, self.log)
         self.current: Process | None = None
+        self.pending: PendingRun | None = None
 
     # ---- decision templates (all real SemIf, all logged) ----
 
@@ -164,18 +182,26 @@ class Scheduler:
             try:
                 outcome = self._dispatch(request)
             finally:
-                self.current = None
+                if self.pending is None:
+                    self.current = None
+            if outcome.kind == "needs_input":
+                return "needs_input", outcome.summary
             self.trace.append("ran", request.id, skill=outcome.skill, summary=outcome.summary)
             return "running", f"[{label}] {outcome.summary}"
 
         interrupt = self._choice(request, self.current)
         if interrupt:
+            if self.pending is not None:
+                self.trace.append("pending_abandoned", self.pending.request.id)
+                self.pending = None
             previous = self.current
             previous.request.resume["from_skill"] = previous.skill
             self.queue.push(previous.request, previous.weight)
             self.current = Process(request=request, skill="(scheduling)", weight=1.0)
             self.trace.append("preempted", request.id, preempted=previous.skill)
             outcome = self._dispatch(request)
+            if outcome.kind == "needs_input":
+                return "preempted", f"interrupted {previous.skill}; {outcome.summary}"
             self.current = None
             self.trace.append("ran", request.id, skill=outcome.skill, summary=outcome.summary)
             return "preempted", f"interrupted {previous.skill}; {outcome.summary}"
@@ -190,9 +216,15 @@ class Scheduler:
 
     def busy(self, text: str, skill: str = "(driving)") -> None:
         """Set a fake in-progress process so the choice/score path is exercised."""
+        if self.pending is not None:
+            self.trace.append("pending_abandoned", self.pending.request.id)
+            self.pending = None
         self.current = Process(request=Request(text, source="busy"), skill=skill, weight=1.0)
 
     def idle(self) -> None:
+        if self.pending is not None:
+            self.trace.append("pending_abandoned", self.pending.request.id)
+            self.pending = None
         self.current = None
 
     def run_queue(self) -> list[tuple[str, str]]:
@@ -212,7 +244,11 @@ class Scheduler:
                 self.trace.append("error", request.id, phase="dispatch", message=str(exc))
                 outcome = DispatchResult(kind="error", summary=f"dispatch failed: {exc}")
             finally:
-                self.current = None
+                if self.pending is None:
+                    self.current = None
+            if outcome.kind == "needs_input":
+                results.append(("needs_input", f"[{request.id}] {outcome.summary}"))
+                continue
             self.trace.append("ran", request.id, skill=outcome.skill, summary=outcome.summary)
             results.append(("ran", f"[{request.id}] {outcome.summary}"))
         return results
@@ -249,11 +285,51 @@ class Scheduler:
 
     def _run_skill(self, skill: Skill, request: Request) -> DispatchResult:
         outcome = self.runner.run(skill, request)
+        return self._finish_run(skill, request, outcome)
+
+    def answer(self, text: str) -> tuple[str, str]:
+        """Feed the human's answer to a run paused for input.
+
+        Routed directly to the pending run — no gate, score, or navigation —
+        and the run resumes by re-invoking only `act` with the same prediction.
+        """
+        if self.pending is None:
+            return "error", "no run is waiting for input"
+        pending = self.pending
+        self.pending = None
+        pending.request.user_input = text
+        self.trace.append("answered", pending.request.id, text=text)
+        outcome = self.runner.resume(pending.skill, pending.request, pending.prediction)
+        result = self._finish_run(pending.skill, pending.request, outcome)
+        if result.kind == "needs_input":
+            return "needs_input", result.summary
+        self.current = None
+        self.trace.append("ran", pending.request.id, skill=result.skill, summary=result.summary)
+        return "ran", f"[resumed] {result.summary}"
+
+    def _finish_run(self, skill: Skill, request: Request, outcome) -> DispatchResult:
         if outcome.error:
             self.trace.append(
                 "error", request.id, skill=skill.name, message=outcome.error
             )
             return DispatchResult(kind="error", summary=f"skill error: {outcome.error}")
+        if outcome.needs_input:
+            self.pending = PendingRun(
+                request=request,
+                skill=skill,
+                prediction=outcome.prediction,
+                question=outcome.needs_input,
+            )
+            self.current = Process(request=request, skill=skill.name, weight=0.5)
+            self.trace.append(
+                "needs_input", request.id, skill=skill.name, question=outcome.needs_input
+            )
+            return DispatchResult(
+                kind="needs_input",
+                summary=outcome.needs_input,
+                skill=skill.name,
+                needs_input=outcome.needs_input,
+            )
         self.trace.append(
             "assessed",
             request.id,
@@ -413,6 +489,8 @@ class Scheduler:
         lines = []
         current = f"{self.current.skill} ({self.current.request.id})" if self.current else "idle"
         lines.append(f"current: {current}")
+        if self.pending is not None:
+            lines.append(f"awaiting input: {self.pending.question}")
         lines.append(f"queue: {len(self.queue)} pending")
         for weight, request in self.queue.items():
             lines.append(f"  {request.id}  w={weight:.2f}  {request.text[:60]}")

semif_agent/skill.py

@@ -24,6 +24,8 @@ class RunResult:
     updated_request: str | None = None
     decisions_logged: int = 0
     error: str | None = None
+    needs_input: str | None = None
+    prediction: Prediction | None = None
 
 
 class SkillRunner:
@@ -37,8 +39,6 @@ class SkillRunner:
         try:
             prediction = skill.predict(self.ctx, request) if skill.predict else Prediction(text="")
             action = skill.act(self.ctx, request, prediction)
-            observed = action.new_state
-            assessment: Assessment = self.llm.assess(skill.name, baseline, action.action_log)
         except Exception as exc:
             return RunResult(
                 skill=skill.name,
@@ -48,6 +48,64 @@ class SkillRunner:
                 new_state=baseline,
                 error=str(exc),
             )
+        if action.needs_input:
+            return RunResult(
+                skill=skill.name,
+                success=False,
+                summary="",
+                action_log=action.action_log,
+                new_state=baseline,
+                needs_input=action.needs_input,
+                prediction=prediction,
+            )
+        return self._finish(skill, request, prediction, action)
+
+    def resume(self, skill: Skill, request: Request, prediction: Prediction) -> RunResult:
+        """Re-invoke act with the human's answer (on request.user_input) and finish.
+
+        predict is not re-run: its SemIf sub-decisions were already made and are
+        logged here, at completion, so their run_ok label reflects the outcome.
+        """
+        baseline = request.text
+        try:
+            action = skill.act(self.ctx, request, prediction)
+        except Exception as exc:
+            return RunResult(
+                skill=skill.name,
+                success=False,
+                summary="",
+                action_log="",
+                new_state=baseline,
+                error=str(exc),
+            )
+        if action.needs_input:
+            return RunResult(
+                skill=skill.name,
+                success=False,
+                summary="",
+                action_log=action.action_log,
+                new_state=baseline,
+                needs_input=action.needs_input,
+                prediction=prediction,
+            )
+        return self._finish(skill, request, prediction, action)
+
+    def _finish(
+        self, skill: Skill, request: Request, prediction: Prediction, action
+    ) -> RunResult:
+        baseline = request.text
+        observed = action.new_state
+        try:
+            assessment: Assessment = self.llm.assess(skill.name, baseline, action.action_log)
+        except Exception as exc:
+            return RunResult(
+                skill=skill.name,
+                success=False,
+                summary="",
+                action_log="",
+                new_state=observed,
+                error=str(exc),
+            )
 
         run_ok = assessment.success
         decisions = getattr(prediction, "decisions", [])
@@ -71,4 +129,5 @@ class SkillRunner:
             new_state=observed,
             updated_request=assessment.updated_request,
             decisions_logged=len(decisions),
+            prediction=prediction,
         )

semif_agent/skills.py

@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@ from .trace import TraceLog
 class ActionResult:
     action_log: str
     new_state: str
+    needs_input: str | None = None
 
 
 @dataclass

semif_agent/static/app.js

@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ const $ = (sel) => document.querySelector(sel);
 const state = {
   runs: [],
   tree: { categories: {} },
-  status: { current: null, queue: [], tau: 0.6 },
+  status: { current: null, pending: null, queue: [], tau: 0.6 },
   dream: {},
   selectedRunId: null,
   selectedDecisionId: null,
@@ -126,6 +126,13 @@ function eventRow(evt) {
   } else if (evt.kind === "skill_created") {
     div.textContent = `created ${evt.skill}${evt.written ? " (body written)" : " (stub)"}`;
     div.title = evt.body || evt.description || "";
+  } else if (evt.kind === "needs_input") {
+    div.textContent = "needs input";
+    div.title = evt.question || "";
+  } else if (evt.kind === "answered") {
+    div.textContent = `answered: ${evt.text || ""}`;
+  } else if (evt.kind === "pending_abandoned") {
+    div.textContent = "pending input abandoned";
   }
   return div;
 }
@@ -362,6 +369,13 @@ function eventNode(evt) {
       node.appendChild(p);
     }
     node.classList.add(evt.written ? "ok" : "stub");
+  } else if (evt.kind === "needs_input") {
+    node.classList.add("needs-input");
+    body.textContent = `awaiting input: ${evt.question || ""}`;
+  } else if (evt.kind === "answered") {
+    body.textContent = `answered: ${evt.text || ""}`;
+  } else if (evt.kind === "pending_abandoned") {
+    body.textContent = "pending input abandoned";
   } else {
     body.textContent = evt.summary || evt.text || "";
   }
@@ -470,6 +484,12 @@ function renderStatus() {
     .map((item) => `${item.id} w=${item.weight.toFixed(2)} ${item.text}`)
     .join("\n") || "queue empty";
   el.appendChild(q);
+
+  const pending = state.status.pending;
+  $("#answer-form").classList.toggle("hidden", !pending);
+  if (pending) {
+    $("#answer-input").placeholder = `${pending.skill}: ${pending.question}`;
+  }
 }
 
 function stat(k, v) {
@@ -544,6 +564,24 @@ $("#submit-form").addEventListener("submit", async (e) => {
   await refreshAll();
 });
 
+$("#answer-form").addEventListener("submit", async (e) => {
+  e.preventDefault();
+  const text = $("#answer-input").value.trim();
+  if (!text) return;
+  try {
+    const res = await getJSON("/api/answer", {
+      method: "POST",
+      headers: { "Content-Type": "application/json" },
+      body: JSON.stringify({ text }),
+    });
+    flash(`[${res.status}] ${res.detail}`);
+  } catch (err) {
+    flash(`answer failed: ${err.message}`);
+  }
+  $("#answer-input").value = "";
+  await refreshAll();
+});
+
 $("#refresh-btn").addEventListener("click", async () => {
   try {
     await refreshAll();

semif_agent/static/index.html

@@ -18,6 +18,11 @@
              placeholder="type a request, e.g. 'send my girlfriend an email that I'm running late'">
       <button type="submit">submit</button>
     </form>
+    <form id="answer-form" class="hidden">
+      <input id="answer-input" type="text" autocomplete="off" spellcheck="false"
+             placeholder="answer the pending question">
+      <button type="submit">answer</button>
+    </form>
     <button id="refresh-btn" type="button" title="reload trace">refresh</button>
   </section>
 

tests/integration/test_pipeline.py

@@ -17,7 +17,10 @@ from semif_agent.decisions import Request
 from semif_agent.dream import dream
 from semif_agent.engine import EngineUnavailable
 from semif_agent.skills import (
+    ActionResult,
     CategoryDraft,
+    Prediction,
+    Skill,
     SkillBodyStore,
     SkillDraft,
     build_skills,
@@ -237,4 +240,61 @@ def test_create_category_chain_runs_new_skill(tmp_path):
     created = next(e for e in rows if e["kind"] == "skill_created")
     assert created["written"] is True, "codegen must produce a runnable body"
     assessed = next(e for e in rows if e["kind"] == "assessed")
-    assert assessed["skill"] == created["skill"], "the created skill must run"
+    assert assessed["skill"] == created["skill"], "the created skill must run"
+
+
+def test_skill_pauses_for_input_and_resumes(tmp_path):
+    """A run paused for input keeps `current` busy, then `answer` resumes it.
+
+    Uses the real scheduler (real engine + real LLM assessment on the resumed
+    run). The skill itself is injected, not authored, so the flow is
+    deterministic: pause -> answer -> resume -> assessed.
+    """
+    config = load_config()
+    require_real(config)
+    config["log"] = str(tmp_path / "decisions.jsonl")
+    config["trace"] = str(tmp_path / "runs.jsonl")
+    scheduler, config = build_scheduler(config)
+
+    seen = []
+
+    def predict(ctx, request):
+        return Prediction(text="", decisions=[])
+
+    def act(ctx, request, prediction):
+        if request.user_input:
+            seen.append(request.user_input)
+            return ActionResult(
+                action_log=f"resumed with {request.user_input}",
+                new_state=f"done {request.user_input}",
+            )
+        return ActionResult(
+            action_log="need a tracking number",
+            new_state=request.text,
+            needs_input="What's the tracking number?",
+        )
+
+    skill = Skill(
+        name="track.manual",
+        category="tracking",
+        description="Resolve a tracking number with the human.",
+        predict=predict,
+        act=act,
+    )
+
+    result = scheduler._run_skill(skill, Request("track my package manually"))
+    print(f"[{result.kind}] {result.summary}")
+    assert result.kind == "needs_input"
+    assert scheduler.pending is not None
+    assert scheduler.current is not None
+
+    status, detail = scheduler.answer("AB123")
+    print(f"[{status}] {detail}")
+    assert status == "ran"
+    assert seen == ["AB123"]
+    assert scheduler.pending is None
+    assert scheduler.current is None
+
+    rows = scheduler.trace.read()
+    kinds = [e["kind"] for e in rows]
+    assert "needs_input" in kinds and "answered" in kinds and "assessed" in kinds

tests/test_contract.py

@@ -39,4 +39,8 @@ def test_request_requeue_preserves_state():
     assert updated.id == original.id
     assert updated.priority == original.priority
     assert updated.resume["from_skill"] == "email.compose"
-    assert updated.reentries == original.reentries + 1
+    assert updated.reentries == original.reentries + 1
+
+
+def test_request_user_input_defaults_none():
+    assert Request(text="t").user_input is None

tests/test_dashboard_api.py

@@ -12,11 +12,12 @@ import urllib.request
 from http.server import ThreadingHTTPServer
 
 from semif_agent.dashboard import DashboardHandler
-from semif_agent.decisions import DecisionRequest, DecisionResult, Option
+from semif_agent.decisions import DecisionRequest, DecisionResult, Option, Request
 from semif_agent.engine import EngineConfig, SemIfEngine
 from semif_agent.llm import LLMClient
 from semif_agent.log import DecisionLog
 from semif_agent.scheduler import Scheduler
+from semif_agent.skills import ActionResult, Prediction, Skill
 from semif_agent.trace import TraceLog
 
 
@@ -182,5 +183,70 @@ def test_skill_writing_and_created_events_in_payload(tmp_path):
         created = next(e for e in run["events"] if e["kind"] == "skill_created")
         assert created["written"] is True
         assert created["body"] == "data/skills/tracking/track_live.py"
+    finally:
+        server.close()
+
+
+def need_input_skill(seen):
+    def predict(ctx, request):
+        return Prediction(text="", decisions=[])
+
+    def act(ctx, request, prediction):
+        if request.user_input:
+            seen.append(request.user_input)
+            return ActionResult(action_log="ok", new_state=f"done {request.user_input}")
+        return ActionResult(
+            action_log="ask",
+            new_state=request.text,
+            needs_input="What's the tracking number?",
+        )
+
+    return Skill(
+        name="track.manual",
+        category="tracking",
+        description="Resolve a tracking number with the human.",
+        predict=predict,
+        act=act,
+    )
+
+
+def test_answer_without_pending_returns_error_json(tmp_path):
+    scheduler = build_scheduler(tmp_path)
+    server = Server(scheduler)
+    try:
+        status, payload = server.post("/api/answer", {"text": "hello"})
+        assert status == 200
+        assert payload["status"] == "error"
+        assert "waiting for input" in payload["detail"]
+    finally:
+        server.close()
+
+
+def test_status_includes_pending(tmp_path):
+    scheduler = build_scheduler(tmp_path)
+    scheduler._run_skill(need_input_skill([]), Request("track my package"))
+    server = Server(scheduler)
+    try:
+        status, payload = server.get("/api/status")
+        assert status == 200
+        assert payload["pending"]["skill"] == "track.manual"
+        assert payload["pending"]["question"] == "What's the tracking number?"
+    finally:
+        server.close()
+
+
+def test_answer_roundtrip_via_api(tmp_path):
+    scheduler = build_scheduler(tmp_path)
+    seen = []
+    scheduler._run_skill(need_input_skill(seen), Request("track my package"))
+    server = Server(scheduler)
+    try:
+        status, payload = server.post("/api/answer", {"text": "AB123"})
+        assert status == 200
+        assert payload["status"] == "ran"
+        assert seen == ["AB123"]
+
+        status, payload = server.get("/api/status")
+        assert payload["pending"] is None
     finally:
         server.close()

tests/test_input_channel.py

@@ -0,0 +1,177 @@
+"""Pure-stdlib tests for the runtime user-input channel.
+
+A skill can pause its run by returning ActionResult(..., needs_input="<q>");
+the scheduler keeps the run pending, and `answer` resumes it by re-invoking
+only `act` with the human's answer on request.user_input. No mocking: the
+scheduler uses the lazy engine (never loaded) and a real-but-unreachable LLM
+endpoint, so assessments degrade to failure — which is fine for these tests.
+"""
+
+from semif_agent.decisions import DecisionRequest, DecisionResult, Option, Request
+from semif_agent.engine import EngineConfig, SemIfEngine
+from semif_agent.llm import LLMClient
+from semif_agent.log import DecisionLog
+from semif_agent.scheduler import Scheduler
+from semif_agent.skills import ActionResult, Prediction, Skill
+from semif_agent.trace import TraceLog
+
+
+def build_scheduler(tmp_path):
+    log = DecisionLog(str(tmp_path / "decisions.jsonl"))
+    trace = TraceLog(str(tmp_path / "runs.jsonl"))
+    engine = SemIfEngine(EngineConfig())
+    llm = LLMClient(base_url="http://localhost:1/v1", model="test")
+    return Scheduler(
+        engine=engine,
+        llm=llm,
+        log=log,
+        config={"skills": {}},
+        trace=trace,
+    )
+
+
+def need_input_skill(seen):
+    def predict(ctx, request):
+        return Prediction(text="", decisions=[])
+
+    def act(ctx, request, prediction):
+        if request.user_input:
+            seen.append(request.user_input)
+            return ActionResult(
+                action_log=f"got {request.user_input}", new_state=f"done {request.user_input}"
+            )
+        return ActionResult(
+            action_log="need a tracking number",
+            new_state=request.text,
+            needs_input="What's the tracking number?",
+        )
+
+    return Skill(
+        name="track.manual",
+        category="tracking",
+        description="Resolve a tracking number with the human.",
+        predict=predict,
+        act=act,
+    )
+
+
+def test_skill_pause_and_answer(tmp_path):
+    scheduler = build_scheduler(tmp_path)
+    seen = []
+    request = Request("track my package manually")
+
+    result = scheduler._run_skill(need_input_skill(seen), request)
+
+    assert result.kind == "needs_input"
+    assert result.needs_input == "What's the tracking number?"
+    assert scheduler.pending is not None
+    assert scheduler.pending.question == "What's the tracking number?"
+    assert scheduler.current is not None
+    assert scheduler.current.skill == "track.manual"
+    assert scheduler.log.read() == [], "predict decisions must be deferred until completion"
+
+    status, detail = scheduler.answer("AB123")
+    assert status == "ran"
+    assert seen == ["AB123"]
+    assert scheduler.pending is None
+    assert scheduler.current is None
+
+    kinds = [e["kind"] for e in scheduler.trace.read()]
+    assert "needs_input" in kinds
+    assert "answered" in kinds
+    assert "assessed" in kinds
+    assert "ran" in kinds
+
+
+def test_answer_without_pending_is_error(tmp_path):
+    scheduler = build_scheduler(tmp_path)
+    status, detail = scheduler.answer("hello")
+    assert status == "error"
+    assert "waiting for input" in detail
+
+
+def test_predict_decisions_logged_on_completion(tmp_path):
+    decision = DecisionRequest(
+        state="s", question="which?", options=[Option("a", "A."), Option("b", "B.")]
+    )
+    result = DecisionResult(
+        request=decision, option_ids=["a", "b"], probabilities=[0.3, 0.7]
+    )
+
+    def predict(ctx, request):
+        return Prediction(text="", decisions=[(decision, result)])
+
+    def act(ctx, request, prediction):
+        if request.user_input:
+            return ActionResult(action_log="ok", new_state="done")
+        return ActionResult(
+            action_log="ask", new_state=request.text, needs_input="confirm?"
+        )
+
+    skill = Skill(name="t.x", category="t", description="", predict=predict, act=act)
+    scheduler = build_scheduler(tmp_path)
+
+    scheduler._run_skill(skill, Request("x"))
+    assert scheduler.log.read() == []
+
+    scheduler.answer("yes")
+    rows = scheduler.log.read()
+    assert len(rows) == 1
+    assert rows[0]["extra"]["phase"] == "predict"
+    assert rows[0]["extra"]["run_ok"] is False
+
+
+def test_busy_abandons_pending(tmp_path):
+    scheduler = build_scheduler(tmp_path)
+    request = Request("track")
+    scheduler._run_skill(need_input_skill([]), request)
+    assert scheduler.pending is not None
+
+    scheduler.busy("driving on the freeway", skill="driving")
+    assert scheduler.pending is None
+    assert any(e["kind"] == "pending_abandoned" for e in scheduler.trace.read())
+
+
+def test_idle_abandons_pending(tmp_path):
+    scheduler = build_scheduler(tmp_path)
+    scheduler._run_skill(need_input_skill([]), Request("track"))
+    assert scheduler.pending is not None
+
+    scheduler.idle()
+    assert scheduler.pending is None
+    assert scheduler.current is None
+
+
+def test_resume_can_ask_again(tmp_path):
+    seen = []
+
+    def predict(ctx, request):
+        return Prediction(text="", decisions=[])
+
+    def act(ctx, request, prediction):
+        if request.user_input == "AB123":
+            return ActionResult(action_log="done", new_state="resolved")
+        if request.user_input:
+            seen.append(request.user_input)
+            return ActionResult(
+                action_log="wrong format",
+                new_state=request.text,
+                needs_input="That wasn't a valid tracking number. Try again?",
+            )
+        return ActionResult(
+            action_log="ask", new_state=request.text, needs_input="Tracking number?"
+        )
+
+    skill = Skill(name="t.x", category="t", description="", predict=predict, act=act)
+    scheduler = build_scheduler(tmp_path)
+
+    scheduler._run_skill(skill, Request("track"))
+    status, detail = scheduler.answer("XYZ")
+    assert status == "needs_input"
+    assert seen == ["XYZ"]
+    assert scheduler.pending is not None
+
+    status, detail = scheduler.answer("AB123")
+    assert status == "ran"
+    assert scheduler.pending is None
+    assert scheduler.current is None

tests/test_skills.py

@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ from semif_agent.llm import LLMClient
 from semif_agent.log import DecisionLog
 from semif_agent.scheduler import Scheduler
 from semif_agent.skills import (
+    ActionResult,
     CategoryDraft,
     CategoryRegistry,
     CreateCategory,
@@ -31,6 +32,10 @@ from semif_agent.skills import (
 from semif_agent.trace import TraceLog
 
 
+def test_action_result_needs_input_defaults_none():
+    assert ActionResult("log", "state").needs_input is None
+
+
 def test_build_category_prompt_contains_request_and_tree():
     tree = build_tree(build_skills({"skills": {}}))
     messages = build_category_prompt(Request("tracking for my drone delivery"), tree)