+A permanent child agent lives in ``agent/children/NAME/`` with the same
+files as the root. Create its directory and ``config.json`` by hand
+before startup. Use the root config fields with a separate random ID,
+set ``name`` to ``NAME``, and add ``parent`` with the root name and
+``responsibility`` with the child's area. The daemon opens all children
+at startup. A missing or invalid child config stops startup. Only one
+level of children is supported.
+
+Each child has its own memory, model client, usage file, subagents,
+schedules, and turn loop. Its prompt limits work to its area, asks for
+only reports that need the parent or the user, and permits an empty
+reply. Children have no WhatsApp tools and draft replies instead of
+sending them. Clients and WhatsApp still address only the root. A
+child's saved schedules and subagents can resume at startup. The ready
+log line lists the child names.
+
+A message from a parent to its own child enters the child's log as
+``user`` and wakes it. A child's final reply reaches the parent as
+``work`` with the prefix ``[NAME] `` and wakes it. An empty reply sends
+nothing. A busy recipient takes the message between tool calls or in its
+next turn. ``agent/messages.json``, with mode 0600, keeps messages until
+their recipient finishes its turn. A daemon stop preserves queued
+messages and reports for the next start without a second log entry. An
+interrupted turn can repeat its model calls and tools after restart.
+Backups lock this queue with the agent files. No tools send messages
+between parent and child agents yet.
+
projects / onechat / blobdiff