# Pi-Orchestrator: GOTCHA Fabrication Removal (MC #10549)

# Pi-Orchestrator: GOTCHA Fabrication Removal (MC #10549)

## Context

**Problem:** Pi-orchestrator was auto-generating GOTCHA docs at two sites, bypassing ZAKON #25 quality gate (H/BLOCKER → /prompt-forge → /mehanik). Pi-orch is NOT the authority for /prompt-forge work.

## The Two Sites Removed

### Site 1: Pre-Spawn Auto-Gen (Step 4.55)

- Fabricated GOTCHA before spawn so spawn-gate would permit task dispatch
- Violated /prompt-forge exclusivity for H/BLOCKER tasks
- **REMOVED**

### Site 2: Post-Spawn Synthesis

- Fabricated GOTCHA after agent ran, based on proof-of-work artifacts
- Papered over agent omissions (agent's failure → pi-orch's rescue)
- **Rationale for removal:** Agent omission IS agent failure; pi-orch should not mask it
- **REMOVED**

## Replacement Behavior

### GOTCHA Missing Pre-Spawn

- mc.js blocks task with reason: `"awaiting_forge: GOTCHA doc missing — run /prompt-forge {id} first, then unblock"`
- Task stays `blocked` until human review unblocks

### GOTCHA Missing Post-Spawn

- mc.js blocks task with reason: `"agent omitted GOTCHA file — needs /prompt-forge and human review"`
- Task stays `blocked` until human review unblocks

### Status Note

mc.js does NOT have `awaiting_forge` as first-class status — used `blocked` with reason-prefixed text. Future enhancement: add `awaiting_forge` status (track in separate MC if scope warrants).

## Current State

- Daemon **STOPPED**
- Code lands **cold**
- No production behavior change yet

## Test Plan

- 7 tests at `~/system/tests/pi-orch-await-forge.test.js`
- 23 regression tests at `~/system/tests/spawn-gate.test.js`
- Run: `node --test ~/system/tests/pi-orch-await-forge.test.js`

## Change Genesis

- Pi-orch hardening **Talas 3** (parent thread #10043 reform)
- Depends on [α #10548 (Spawn Gate Node-Side Parity)](https://docs.alai.no/books/runbooks/page/spawn-gate-node-side-parity-mc-10548)

## Cross-Reference

- [MC #10548: Spawn Gate Node-Side Parity](https://docs.alai.no/books/runbooks/page/spawn-gate-node-side-parity-mc-10548)
- Parent: [Pi-orchestrator auto-pause root cause + #10063 reconcile](https://docs.alai.no/books/runbooks/page/pi-orchestrator-john-h-task-auto-pause-root-cause-10063-reconcile)

*Last updated: 2026-05-04 | Part of pi-orch hardening Talas 3*