Dogfood round 1: propose_work_items gate, team-tie survives turn saves, board wakes render as cards

Leads lose propose_plan (trait-derived exclusion — plan mode is meaningless without execution tools) and gain propose_work_items: mode-independent decomposition whose approval creates the items.
Team field moves off the turn-save upsert to a dedicated setter (workers detached from their lead after one turn); board deliveries carry a MessageSource sidecar; test-worker prefers project-local tool installs.

coworker/agent.py

@@ -214,6 +214,7 @@ def build_engine(
     question_asker: Optional[Any] = None,
     tool_requester: Optional[Any] = None,
     team_approver: Optional[Any] = None,
+    items_approver: Optional[Any] = None,
     subscription_store: Optional[Any] = None,
     channel_buffer: Optional[Any] = None,
     routing_targets: Optional[list[str]] = None,
@@ -424,16 +425,21 @@ def build_engine(
         roots=root_list or None,
         risk_overrides=risk_overrides,
     )
-    # The plan-mode exit door. Always registered (surfaces can flip a live session into
-    # plan mode via set_mode, and the registry is fixed at build); the engine rejects the
-    # call whenever the session isn't actually in plan mode.
-    registry.register(propose_plan_tool())
+    # The plan-mode exit door — mutually exclusive with the board's decomposition
+    # gate, DERIVED from the team trait (owner call 2026-08-16): a lead never
+    # implements, so plan mode is meaningless for it, and shipping both tools made
+    # the lead pick the wrong one (dogfood-hit: propose_plan denied outside plan
+    # mode). Solo/worker personas keep propose_plan as always (mode can flip
+    # mid-session; the engine rejects the call outside plan mode).
+    if agent.team != "lead":
+        registry.register(propose_plan_tool())
 
-    # The staffing gate — leads only. The engine intercepts it (out-of-band approval);
-    # approval pre-spawns the worker sessions and returns actor ids to assign to.
+    # The lead's gates: propose_work_items (decomposition → items on approval, any
+    # mode) and propose_team (staffing → pre-spawn on approval).
     if agent.team == "lead":
-        from .teams.tools import propose_team_tool
+        from .teams.tools import propose_team_tool, propose_work_items_tool
 
+        registry.register(propose_work_items_tool())
         registry.register(propose_team_tool())
 
     # Per-turn ephemeral context, appended to the latest user message since mid-thread system
@@ -511,6 +517,7 @@ def build_engine(
         question_asker=question_asker,
         tool_requester=tool_requester,
         team_approver=team_approver,
+        items_approver=items_approver,
     )
     engine.executor = executor  # type: ignore[attr-defined]
     engine.todo = todo  # type: ignore[attr-defined]

coworker/conversations.py

@@ -200,7 +200,6 @@ class ConversationStore:
                     title = COALESCE(sessions.title, excluded.title), agent = excluded.agent,
                     n_msgs = excluded.n_msgs, messages = NULL, extra_roots = excluded.extra_roots,
                     grants = excluded.grants, compaction = excluded.compaction,
-                    team = excluded.team,
                     updated_at = CURRENT_TIMESTAMP
                 """,
                 (
@@ -258,6 +257,18 @@ class ConversationStore:
             team=_load_grants(row["team"] if "team" in row.keys() else None),
         )
 
+    def set_team(self, session_id: str, team: dict) -> None:
+        """Persist the session's team tie independent of the turn-save path. The
+        upsert deliberately never touches `team` — a per-turn save rebuilds the
+        record without it, and letting the rebuild win detached workers from their
+        lead's sidebar entry the moment they ran a turn (owner-hit 2026-08-16)."""
+        with self._lock:
+            self._conn.execute(
+                "UPDATE sessions SET team = ? WHERE session_id = ?",
+                (json.dumps(team or {}), session_id),
+            )
+            self._conn.commit()
+
     def set_extra_roots(self, session_id: str, extra_roots: list[dict]) -> None:
         """Persist just the session's added folders, independent of its message log — used when
         the user adds/removes a folder (which may happen with no active engine)."""

coworker/engine.py

@@ -92,6 +92,9 @@ class TurnEngine:
         team_approver: Optional[
             Callable[[dict[str, Any]], "Awaitable[dict[str, Any]]"]
         ] = None,
+        items_approver: Optional[
+            Callable[[dict[str, Any]], "Awaitable[dict[str, Any]]"]
+        ] = None,
         # Called (thread-safe, best-effort) when the user stops the turn — e.g. the
         # executor's kill for a running shell command.
         interrupt_hooks: Optional[list[Callable[[], None]]] = None,
@@ -126,6 +129,12 @@ class TurnEngine:
         # for the user's decision; approval pre-spawns the worker sessions and the result
         # carries the roster (actor ids). None on surfaces that can't prompt.
         self.team_approver = team_approver
+        # Handles `propose_work_items` (the decomposition gate): emits ITEMS_PROPOSED,
+        # waits; approval creates the items on the board. Mode-independent by design —
+        # unlike propose_plan it carries no permission-mode semantics: propose_plan is
+        # an IMPLEMENTATION plan (steps/files, plan-mode exit); this is a team
+        # decomposition onto the board.
+        self.items_approver = items_approver
         # Handles the `ask_user` tool: turns a question into an Inbox item and waits for the answer
         # (answerable inline in a live session or from the Inbox when unattended). None on surfaces
         # that can't ask (the tool then no-ops).
@@ -655,6 +664,10 @@ class TurnEngine:
                 async for event in self._handle_team_proposal(tool_call):
                     yield event
                 continue
+            if tool_call.name == "propose_work_items":
+                async for event in self._handle_items_proposal(tool_call):
+                    yield event
+                continue
             if tool_call.name == "ask_user":
                 async for event in self._handle_ask_user(tool_call):
                     yield event
@@ -930,6 +943,58 @@ class TurnEngine:
         except Exception:
             pass
 
+    async def _handle_items_proposal(self, tool_call: ToolCall) -> AsyncIterator[Event]:
+        """The decomposition gate: emit the proposed items, await the user's decision.
+        Approval creates them on the board (server-side, inside the approver) and the
+        result carries their ids; rejection returns feedback for a revised split."""
+        args = tool_call.arguments or {}
+        items = args.get("items") or []
+        valid = [
+            i
+            for i in items
+            if isinstance(i, dict)
+            and str(i.get("title", "")).strip()
+            and str(i.get("criteria", "")).strip()
+        ]
+        if not valid or len(valid) != len(items):
+            result: dict[str, Any] = {
+                "approved": False,
+                "error": "every proposed item needs a title and acceptance criteria",
+            }
+        elif self.items_approver is None:
+            result = {
+                "approved": False,
+                "error": "item proposals aren't available in this surface",
+            }
+        else:
+            yield Event(
+                EventType.ITEMS_PROPOSED,
+                {"items": valid, "note": str(args.get("note", ""))},
+            )
+            self._audit(tool_call, stage="items_proposed")
+            result = await self._interruptible(
+                self.items_approver(dict(args), tool_call.id),
+                interrupted={"approved": False, "error": "interrupted by user"},
+            ) or {"approved": False, "error": "no response"}
+
+        status = "ok" if result.get("approved") else "denied"
+        self.messages.append(_tool_result_message(tool_call, result))
+        self._audit(
+            tool_call,
+            stage="finished",
+            status=status,
+            result=result,
+            result_preview=_preview(result),
+        )
+        yield Event(
+            EventType.TOOL_FINISHED,
+            {
+                "name": tool_call.name,
+                "status": status,
+                "result_preview": _preview(result),
+            },
+        )
+
     async def _handle_team_proposal(self, tool_call: ToolCall) -> AsyncIterator[Event]:
         """The staffing gate: emit the proposed roster, await the user's out-of-band
         decision. Approval PRE-SPAWNS the worker sessions (server-side, inside the

coworker/events.py

@@ -29,6 +29,10 @@ class EventType(str, Enum):
     TEAM_PROPOSED = (
         "team_proposed"  # a lead proposes a worker roster (the staffing gate)
     )
+    ITEMS_PROPOSED = (
+        "items_proposed"  # a lead proposes work items (the decomposition gate);
+        # unlike propose_plan this is mode-independent — approval creates the items
+    )
     TOOL_STARTED = "tool_started"
     TOOL_FINISHED = "tool_finished"
     ITERATION_END = "iteration_end"

coworker/personas/builtin/swe-lead/manifest.md

@@ -20,8 +20,10 @@ How you run a piece of work:
 1. UNDERSTAND: read enough of the repo (files, search) to decompose honestly.
 2. PLAN: split the work into items with crisp acceptance criteria — "Done when:" that a
    verifier can actually check. Acceptance criteria are the single biggest quality lever
-   you own; vague criteria produce vague work. Present the decomposition to the user with
-   propose_plan and revise until approved. Only then create the items (create_item).
+   you own; vague criteria produce vague work. Present the decomposition with
+   propose_work_items (works in any mode; approval creates the items on the board and
+   returns their ids) and revise until the user approves. Use create_item only for
+   one-off additions after the plan is approved.
 3. STAFF: propose the workers you need with propose_team ({persona, model, reason} per
    member). Approval creates their sessions and returns actor ids. Only team-capable
    worker coworkers can be staffed.

coworker/personas/builtin/test-worker/manifest.md

@@ -20,6 +20,10 @@ How you verify:
 - Start from the item under verification: its criteria are your checklist, one by one.
   Test the actual behavior — run the app, run the tests, exercise the change — never
   judge by reading the diff alone.
+- Missing a test tool? Prefer a PROJECT-LOCAL install first (`npm i -D playwright`,
+  `pip install pytest` — inside the workspace, like any developer would). Use
+  request_tool only for system-level binaries the project can't carry; if neither
+  works, verify what you can and say exactly which checks you couldn't run.
 - Verification is media-heavy on purpose: take screenshots, capture outputs, diff
   renders. That cost lands in YOUR context so the builder's stays for building. Save
   captures as files in the workspace and reference them by path — never describe pixels

coworker/server/app.py

@@ -1872,6 +1872,37 @@ def create_app(manager: SessionManager) -> FastAPI:
                 enable_chat=bool(_args.get("enable_chat", False)),
             )
 
+        async def items_approver(_args: dict, tool_call_id=None) -> dict:
+            # The decomposition gate. TEAMS-flavored sibling of plan_approver:
+            # park a durable Inbox item, wait, and on approval create the items.
+            items = _args.get("items") or []
+            body = "\n".join(
+                f"- {i.get('title', '?')} — Done when: {i.get('criteria', '?')}"
+                for i in items
+                if isinstance(i, dict)
+            )
+            item = manager.inbox.add_plan(
+                session_id,
+                "Approve the proposed work items?",
+                body=body,
+                inbox=_route(),
+                visibility=_visibility(),
+                tool_call_id=tool_call_id,
+            )
+            if item.state == "pending":
+                manager.persist_session(session_id)
+                if item.visibility == VIS_INBOX:
+                    await _mirror(item)
+            resp = _parse_json(await manager.inbox.wait(item.id))
+            if not resp.get("approved"):
+                return {
+                    "approved": False,
+                    "feedback": resp.get("feedback") or "the user declined the split",
+                }
+            return manager.board_create_items(
+                session_id, [i for i in items if isinstance(i, dict)]
+            )
+
         async def _apply_model(model: Optional[str]) -> None:
             # Mid-session rebind is allowed (roadmap item 3, supersedes the 2026-07-04
             # lock): history is canonical and providers convert per call. A real switch
@@ -1912,6 +1943,7 @@ def create_app(manager: SessionManager) -> FastAPI:
             question_asker=question_asker,
             tool_requester=tool_requester,
             team_approver=team_approver,
+            items_approver=items_approver,
         )
         if engine is None:
             await ws.send_json(
@@ -2062,7 +2094,7 @@ def create_app(manager: SessionManager) -> FastAPI:
                             }
                         )
                     )
-                elif kind == "team_response":
+                elif kind in ("team_response", "items_response"):
                     _resolve_pending(
                         json.dumps(
                             {

coworker/server/manager.py

@@ -484,6 +484,7 @@ class SessionManager:
         question_asker: Optional[Any] = None,
         tool_requester: Optional[Any] = None,
         team_approver: Optional[Any] = None,
+        items_approver: Optional[Any] = None,
     ) -> Optional[TurnEngine]:
         engine = self._engines.get(session_id)
         if engine is not None:
@@ -499,6 +500,8 @@ class SessionManager:
                 engine.tool_requester = tool_requester
             if team_approver is not None:
                 engine.team_approver = team_approver
+            if items_approver is not None:
+                engine.items_approver = items_approver
             return engine
 
         record = self.session_store.load(session_id)
@@ -576,6 +579,7 @@ class SessionManager:
             or self.inbox_question_asker(session_id, agent),
             tool_requester=tool_requester,
             team_approver=team_approver,
+            items_approver=items_approver,
             subscription_store=self.subscriptions,
             channel_buffer=self.channel_buffer,
             routing_targets=self._routing_targets(session_id, agent),
@@ -1422,6 +1426,47 @@ class SessionManager:
         except (TeamsBoardError, ValueError) as error:
             return {"error": str(error)}
 
+    def board_create_items(
+        self, session_id: str, items: list[dict[str, Any]]
+    ) -> dict[str, Any]:
+        """The decomposition gate's approved action: create the proposed items as
+        the LEAD (its identity is the creator; the user's approval is the gate that
+        let this run). Validates everything up front so a bad batch creates nothing."""
+        record = self.session_store.load(session_id)
+        if record is None or not record.workspace:
+            return {"approved": False, "error": "the session has no workspace"}
+        space = space_for_workspace(record.workspace)
+        actor = TeamActor(
+            id=f"{record.agent}:{session_id[:8]}",
+            role=TeamRole.LEAD,
+            persona=record.agent,
+            session_id=session_id,
+        )
+        for entry in items:
+            if not str((entry or {}).get("title", "")).strip() or not str(
+                (entry or {}).get("criteria", "")
+            ).strip():
+                return {
+                    "approved": False,
+                    "error": "every item needs a title and acceptance criteria",
+                }
+        created = []
+        for entry in items:
+            item = self.team_store.create_item(
+                space,
+                actor,
+                title=str(entry["title"]),
+                criteria=str(entry["criteria"]),
+                description=str(entry.get("description", "")),
+                case=str(entry.get("case", "")) or None,
+            )
+            created.append({"id": item["id"], "title": item["title"]})
+        return {
+            "approved": True,
+            "items": created,
+            "note": "items created on the board — staff and assign to start work",
+        }
+
     def journal_overview(self) -> list[dict[str, Any]]:
         return self.journal_store.overview(self._user_actor())
 
@@ -1585,14 +1630,20 @@ class SessionManager:
                     mode=record.mode,
                     messages=[],
                     agent=pid,
-                    team={
-                        "role": "worker",
-                        "actor": actor,
-                        "lead_session": session_id,
-                        "space": space,
-                    },
                 )
             )
+            # Written via the dedicated setter: the turn-save upsert never touches
+            # `team`, so a worker's first turn can't detach it from its lead.
+            self.session_store.set_team(
+                worker_sid,
+                {
+                    "team_id": "",  # patched below once the team exists
+                    "role": "worker",
+                    "actor": actor,
+                    "lead_session": session_id,
+                    "space": space,
+                },
+            )
             workers.append(
                 TeamWorker(actor=actor, persona=pid, session_id=worker_sid, model=model)
             )
@@ -1604,14 +1655,26 @@ class SessionManager:
             chat_enabled=enable_chat,
         )
         for worker in workers:
+            self.session_store.set_team(
+                worker.session_id,
+                {
+                    "team_id": team.team_id,
+                    "role": "worker",
+                    "actor": worker.actor,
+                    "lead_session": session_id,
+                    "space": space,
+                },
+            )
             self._emit_session_created(worker.session_id, worker.persona)
-        record.team = {
-            "team_id": team.team_id,
-            "role": "lead",
-            "actor": team.lead_actor,
-            "space": space,
-        }
-        self.session_store.save(record)
+        self.session_store.set_team(
+            session_id,
+            {
+                "team_id": team.team_id,
+                "role": "lead",
+                "actor": team.lead_actor,
+                "space": space,
+            },
+        )
         return {
             "approved": True,
             "team_id": team.team_id,
@@ -1665,10 +1728,11 @@ class SessionManager:
             return 0
         message = self._team_digest(team, directs, subs, is_lead=is_lead)
         self._team_inflight.add(session_id)
+        source = self._board_source(team, message)
 
         async def _deliver() -> None:
             try:
-                await self.deliver_to_session(session_id, message)
+                await self.deliver_to_session(session_id, message, source=source)
                 # Consume only after the turn dispatched: a crash before this replays
                 # the batch next tick (at-least-once, never silently lost).
                 if directs:
@@ -1734,6 +1798,23 @@ class SessionManager:
             " Journal evidence as you go."
         )
 
+    @staticmethod
+    def _board_source(team, message: str) -> dict[str, Any]:
+        """Display-only MessageSource sidecar for board deliveries — the same
+        mechanism connector messages use, so the GUI renders a structured card
+        instead of a fake user bubble (owner ask 2026-08-16). The framed message
+        stays the model-facing text; this only shapes presentation."""
+        return {
+            "connector": "board",
+            "kind": "channel",
+            "channel_id": team.space,
+            "channel_name": "Team board",
+            "sender_id": "board",
+            "sender_name": "Board",
+            "ts": time.time(),
+            "text": message,
+        }
+
     def team_staleness_digest(self, session_id: str) -> str:
         """Attached to a lead's TIMER wakes: pure code over the board — a
         nothing's-wrong wake is one cheap glance, never a re-survey. Scoped by

coworker/teams/tools.py

@@ -256,6 +256,68 @@ _PROPOSE_TEAM_SCHEMA = {
 }
 
 
+# The decomposition gate's schema carrier — the board-flavored sibling of
+# propose_plan, usable in ANY permission mode (proposing costs nothing; the board
+# only ever holds accepted work). The engine intercepts it; approval creates the
+# items and returns their ids.
+_PROPOSE_ITEMS_SCHEMA = {
+    "type": "function",
+    "function": {
+        "name": "propose_work_items",
+        "description": (
+            "Present your decomposition to the user as proposed WORK ITEMS for the"
+            " team board. Approval creates them on the board (ids come back in the"
+            " result); rejection returns feedback to revise. Each item needs a"
+            " title and acceptance criteria — what gets verified before it can be"
+            " done. This is not propose_plan: it carries no implementation steps"
+            " and works in any mode — it is how a lead plans and coordinates via"
+            " the board."
+        ),
+        "parameters": {
+            "type": "object",
+            "properties": {
+                "items": {
+                    "type": "array",
+                    "items": {
+                        "type": "object",
+                        "properties": {
+                            "title": {"type": "string"},
+                            "criteria": {"type": "string"},
+                            "description": {"type": "string"},
+                            "case": {"type": "string"},
+                        },
+                        "required": ["title", "criteria"],
+                    },
+                },
+                "note": {"type": "string"},
+            },
+            "required": ["items"],
+        },
+    },
+}
+
+
+def propose_work_items_tool() -> object:
+    def propose_work_items(items: Optional[list] = None, note: str = "") -> dict:
+        """Present proposed work items ({title, criteria, description?, case?})
+        for the user's approval; approval creates them on the board."""
+        return {
+            "approved": False,
+            "error": "item proposals aren't available in this surface",
+        }
+
+    wrapped = ai.tool(
+        propose_work_items,
+        metadata=ai.ToolMetadata(
+            category="team",
+            risk_level="low",
+            capabilities=["team"],
+        ),
+    )
+    wrapped.__coworker_schema__ = _PROPOSE_ITEMS_SCHEMA
+    return wrapped
+
+
 def propose_team_tool() -> object:
     def propose_team(
         members: Optional[list] = None, enable_chat: bool = False, note: str = ""

surfaces/gui/e2e/fixtures.ts

@@ -629,6 +629,20 @@ export async function mockApi(page: import("@playwright/test").Page) {
           });
           return; // suspended on the approval
         }
+        // Agent teams: the decomposition gate — the lead proposes work items and
+        // SUSPENDS until the items_response verdict arrives (approval creates them).
+        if (/propose the split/i.test(msg.text)) {
+          send("items_proposed", {
+            items: [
+              { title: "Statement API endpoint", criteria: "returns opening/closing balances; 8 endpoint tests green" },
+              { title: "Statements dashboard page", criteria: "renders seeded data for Ada / Northgate; empty + error states covered" },
+              { title: "Statement totals reconcile", criteria: "running balance matches invoices minus payments for the range" },
+              { title: "Verification pass", criteria: "tester confirms page renders with live API data" },
+            ],
+            note: "Shared journal case: statements.",
+          });
+          return; // suspended on the items decision
+        }
         // Agent teams (OPE-97): the staffing gate — the lead proposes a roster and
         // SUSPENDS until the team_response verdict arrives.
         if (/staff the team/i.test(msg.text)) {
@@ -841,6 +855,16 @@ export async function mockApi(page: import("@playwright/test").Page) {
           send("assistant_message", { text: `Done via ${pendingTool} [decision=${msg.decision}]` });
         }
         send("turn_done");
+      } else if (msg.type === "items_response") {
+        if (msg.approved) {
+          seedBoard(); // "created on the board" — the board fetch now shows them
+          send("assistant_message", {
+            text: "Items created on the board — staffing next.",
+          });
+        } else {
+          send("assistant_message", { text: "Understood — reworking the split." });
+        }
+        send("turn_done");
       } else if (msg.type === "team_response") {
         if (msg.approved) {
           // Server-side create_team pre-spawned the workers; surface them in the

surfaces/gui/e2e/team.spec.ts

@@ -12,6 +12,35 @@ async function proposeTeam(page: import("@playwright/test").Page) {
   await expect(page.getByTestId("teamreq-card")).toBeVisible();
 }
 
+test("the decomposition gate shows items with criteria; approval lands them on the board", async ({
+  page,
+}) => {
+  await page.goto("/");
+  await page.getByPlaceholder(/Ask the coworker/).fill("propose the split");
+  await page.getByRole("button", { name: "Send" }).click();
+  const card = page.getByTestId("itemsreq-card");
+  await expect(card).toBeVisible();
+  await expect(card).toContainText("Proposed work items — 4");
+  await expect(card).toContainText("Done when:");
+  // 3 visible + expander with the true remainder
+  await expect(card.getByText("Verification pass")).toHaveCount(0);
+  await card.getByRole("button", { name: /1 more item/ }).click();
+  await expect(card.getByText("Verification pass")).toBeVisible();
+
+  await page.getByTestId("itemsreq-approve").click();
+  await expect(page.getByText(/Items created on the board/)).toBeVisible();
+  await expect(page.getByTestId("board-rail")).toBeVisible();
+});
+
+test("declining the split returns feedback to the lead", async ({ page }) => {
+  await page.goto("/");
+  await page.getByPlaceholder(/Ask the coworker/).fill("propose the split");
+  await page.getByRole("button", { name: "Send" }).click();
+  await page.getByTestId("itemsreq-card").waitFor();
+  await page.getByRole("button", { name: "Not now" }).click();
+  await expect(page.getByText(/reworking the split/)).toBeVisible();
+});
+
 test("the staffing gate shows the roster and the grant sentence", async ({ page }) => {
   await proposeTeam(page);
   const card = page.getByTestId("teamreq-card");

surfaces/gui/src/App.tsx

@@ -77,6 +77,7 @@ import { DirectoryRequestCard } from "./components/DirectoryRequestCard";
 import { PlanCard } from "./components/PlanCard";
 import { BoardOverlay } from "./components/BoardPanel";
 import { TeamRequestCard } from "./components/TeamRequestCard";
+import { WorkItemsCard } from "./components/WorkItemsCard";
 import { WorkspaceTrustPrompt } from "./components/WorkspaceTrustPrompt";
 
 const newId = () =>
@@ -770,6 +771,18 @@ export function App() {
             },
           ]);
           break;
+        case "items_proposed":
+          // The decomposition gate — approval creates the items on the board.
+          if (unattendedRef.current) break;
+          setItems((p) => [
+            ...p,
+            {
+              kind: "itemsreq",
+              items: Array.isArray(d.items) ? d.items : [],
+              note: d.note || "",
+            },
+          ]);
+          break;
         case "question_requested":
           // ask_user in an attended session — answered inline (not routed to the Inbox).
           setItems((p) => [
@@ -1035,6 +1048,12 @@ export function App() {
     dropSessionInbox("plan"); // the gate parks as a plan-kind Inbox item
     sessionRef.current?.respondTeam(approved, feedback);
   };
+  const respondItemsReq = (approved: boolean, feedback?: string) => {
+    setItems((p) => resolveLastItemsReq(p, approved ? "approved" : "rejected"));
+    dropSessionInbox("plan");
+    sessionRef.current?.respondItems(approved, feedback);
+    if (approved) setTimeout(refreshBoard, 400); // the items just landed
+  };
   const respondDirectory = (granted: boolean, path?: string, writable?: boolean) => {
     setItems((p) => resolveLastDirReq(p, granted ? "granted" : "denied"));
     dropSessionInbox("directory");
@@ -1409,6 +1428,7 @@ export function App() {
   const pendingToolReq = [...items].reverse().find((i) => i.kind === "toolreq" && !i.resolved);
   const pendingPlan = [...items].reverse().find((i) => i.kind === "planreq" && !i.resolved);
   const pendingTeam = [...items].reverse().find((i) => i.kind === "teamreq" && !i.resolved);
+  const pendingItemsReq = [...items].reverse().find((i) => i.kind === "itemsreq" && !i.resolved);
   const pendingQuestion = [...items].reverse().find((i) => i.kind === "question" && !i.resolved);
   // Facts subtitle (§22): the session's FIXED facts, not controls — model (+ the
   // workspace folder for project-scoped sessions). Renders only once the session has history;
@@ -1924,6 +1944,8 @@ export function App() {
                 // parked in the Inbox and surfaced via the answer-in-context card below.
                 !unattended && pendingPlan?.kind === "planreq" ? (
                   <PlanCard item={pendingPlan} onRespond={respondPlan} />
+                ) : !unattended && pendingItemsReq?.kind === "itemsreq" ? (
+                  <WorkItemsCard item={pendingItemsReq} onRespond={respondItemsReq} />
                 ) : !unattended && pendingTeam?.kind === "teamreq" ? (
                   <TeamRequestCard item={pendingTeam} onRespond={respondTeam} />
                 ) : !unattended && pendingToolReq?.kind === "toolreq" ? (
@@ -2141,6 +2163,18 @@ function resolveLastTeam(items: Item[], resolved: "approved" | "rejected"): Item
   return copy;
 }
 
+function resolveLastItemsReq(items: Item[], resolved: "approved" | "rejected"): Item[] {
+  const copy = [...items];
+  for (let i = copy.length - 1; i >= 0; i--) {
+    const it = copy[i];
+    if (it.kind === "itemsreq" && !it.resolved) {
+      copy[i] = { ...it, resolved };
+      break;
+    }
+  }
+  return copy;
+}
+
 function resolveLastQuestion(items: Item[], answer: string): Item[] {
   const copy = [...items];
   for (let i = copy.length - 1; i >= 0; i--) {

surfaces/gui/src/api.ts

@@ -2197,6 +2197,14 @@ export class Session {
     });
   }
 
+  respondItems(approved: boolean, feedback?: string) {
+    this.send({
+      type: "items_response",
+      approved,
+      ...(feedback ? { feedback } : {}),
+    });
+  }
+
   // Answer a live `ask_user` prompt (attended sessions; unattended ones answer via the Inbox).
   respondQuestion(answer: string) {
     this.send({ type: "question_response", answer });

surfaces/gui/src/components/WorkItemsCard.tsx

@@ -0,0 +1,63 @@
+// The decomposition gate (agent teams): a lead proposes work items; approval
+// creates them on the board. The board-flavored sibling of PlanCard — items with
+// acceptance criteria as the primary text, 3 visible + expander with the true
+// count in the header, no in-card reply surface (editing happens by replying).
+import { useState } from "react";
+import type { Item } from "../types";
+import { Icon } from "./Icon";
+
+export function WorkItemsCard({
+  item,
+  onRespond,
+}: {
+  item: Extract<Item, { kind: "itemsreq" }>;
+  onRespond: (approved: boolean, feedback?: string) => void;
+}) {
+  const [expanded, setExpanded] = useState(false);
+  const visible = expanded ? item.items : item.items.slice(0, 3);
+  const hidden = item.items.length - visible.length;
+  return (
+    <div className="dirreq-card itemsreq-card" data-testid="itemsreq-card">
+      <div className="itemsreq-head">
+        <Icon name="table" size={15} />
+        <span className="itemsreq-title">
+          Proposed work items — {item.items.length}
+        </span>
+      </div>
+      {item.note && <div className="itemsreq-note">{item.note}</div>}
+      {visible.map((entry, i) => (
+        <div className="itemsreq-item" key={i}>
+          <span className="itemsreq-num">{i + 1}.</span>
+          <span className="itemsreq-body">
+            <span className="itemsreq-item-title">{entry.title}</span>
+            <span className="itemsreq-ac">
+              <b>Done when:</b> {entry.criteria}
+            </span>
+          </span>
+        </div>
+      ))}
+      {hidden > 0 && (
+        <button className="itemsreq-more" onClick={() => setExpanded(true)}>
+          ＋ {hidden} more item{hidden === 1 ? "" : "s"}
+          <Icon name="chevronDown" size={12} />
+        </button>
+      )}
+      <div className="dirreq-actions">
+        <span className="itemsreq-grant">
+          Reply to edit the split; approval creates these on the board.
+        </span>
+        <span className="spacer" />
+        <button className="btn" onClick={() => onRespond(false)}>
+          Not now
+        </button>
+        <button
+          className="btn primary"
+          data-testid="itemsreq-approve"
+          onClick={() => onRespond(true)}
+        >
+          Approve items
+        </button>
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  );
+}

surfaces/gui/src/styles.css

@@ -1734,3 +1734,17 @@ html[data-platform="linux"] ::-webkit-scrollbar-thumb:hover { background-color:
 .team-dot.in_progress { background: var(--ok-dot); }
 .team-dot.blocked { background: var(--danger); }
 .team-dot.review { background: var(--warn-ink); }
+
+/* Decomposition gate (proposed work items) */
+.itemsreq-card { border-color: var(--accent); box-shadow: 0 0 0 3px var(--accent-soft); }
+.itemsreq-head { display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 8px; margin-bottom: 4px; }
+.itemsreq-title { font-weight: 600; font-size: 13px; color: var(--ink); }
+.itemsreq-note { font-size: 12px; color: var(--muted); margin-bottom: 4px; }
+.itemsreq-item { display: flex; gap: 9px; padding: 7px 0; border-top: 1px solid var(--line); }
+.itemsreq-num { color: var(--faint); font-size: 12px; padding-top: 1px; }
+.itemsreq-body { display: flex; flex-direction: column; gap: 2px; min-width: 0; }
+.itemsreq-item-title { font-size: 12.5px; color: var(--ink); }
+.itemsreq-ac { font-size: 11.5px; color: var(--muted); }
+.itemsreq-ac b { font-weight: 600; }
+.itemsreq-more { display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 5px; border: 0; background: transparent; color: var(--accent); font-size: 12px; cursor: pointer; padding: 6px 0; }
+.itemsreq-grant { font-size: 11.5px; color: var(--faint); }

surfaces/gui/src/types.ts

@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ export type EventType =
   | "question_requested"
   | "plan_proposed"
   | "team_proposed"
+  | "items_proposed"
   | "tool_started"
   | "tool_finished"
   | "iteration_end"
@@ -164,6 +165,13 @@ export type Item =
       note?: string;
       resolved?: "approved" | "rejected";
     }
+  | {
+      // The decomposition gate: a lead proposes work items; approval creates them.
+      kind: "itemsreq";
+      items: { title: string; criteria: string; description?: string }[];
+      note?: string;
+      resolved?: "approved" | "rejected";
+    }
   | {
       // A live ask_user prompt (attended sessions answer inline; unattended ones route to the Inbox).
       kind: "question";

tests/test_team_wake.py

@@ -231,3 +231,38 @@ def test_team_options_lists_only_enabled_workers(manager):
     assert {"swe-worker", "design-worker", "test-worker"} <= workers
     assert "swe-lead" not in workers  # leads staff, they aren't staffed
     assert "security" not in workers  # solo coworkers are not team-eligible
+
+
+def test_turn_saves_never_detach_a_worker_from_its_team(manager, monkeypatch):
+    from coworker.agents.base import Agent
+    from coworker.sessions import SessionRecord
+
+    worker_agent = Agent(name="swe-worker", title="SWE", system_prompt="p", team="worker")
+    monkeypatch.setattr("coworker.server.manager.get_agent", lambda name: worker_agent)
+    manager.session_store.save(
+        SessionRecord(
+            session_id="lead-sid",
+            workspace=manager.default_workspace,
+            model="m",
+            mode="interactive",
+            messages=[],
+            agent="swe-lead",
+        )
+    )
+    result = manager.create_team("lead-sid", [{"persona": "swe-worker"}])
+    wid = result["workers"][0]["session_id"]
+    # A per-turn save rebuilds the record WITHOUT the team field (the engine doesn't
+    # carry it) — owner-hit 2026-08-16: this detached workers from the lead's entry.
+    record = manager.session_store.load(wid)
+    manager.session_store.save(
+        SessionRecord(
+            session_id=wid,
+            workspace=record.workspace,
+            model=record.model,
+            mode=record.mode,
+            messages=[{"role": "user", "content": "hi"}],
+            agent=record.agent,
+        )
+    )
+    assert manager.session_store.load(wid).team["lead_session"] == "lead-sid"
+    assert manager.session_store.load("lead-sid").team["role"] == "lead"