AMQ CLI

Use the amq CLI for all queue operations. Never edit Maildir files directly. AMQ transports coordination; the caller or orchestrator still owns task planning, worktrees, approvals, and delivery.

Start in the correct context

Inside coop exec, use the environment as provided and run bare amq commands. Do not override --me or reconstruct the root. Outside it, resolve and export the complete context before reading or sending:

amq_context="$(amq env --me "<handle>" --export)" && eval "$amq_context" &&
  amq drain --include-body

For a named session, add --session <name> to amq env. Treat the evaluated context as one terminal bound to one session. Use --session or --project for deliberate routing; do not point a participating command at another queue with a raw --root.

Receive under a live wake

If session-start context says wake=live(...), or amq wake check --me <handle> --json reports live_wake: true with an injection mode other than none, the wake delivers a doorbell for you. Run amq drain --include-body when it fires, then act on the messages.

The default drain reads at most 20 messages in filename order, including held mail. After a full batch, check amq list --new --limit 1 and continue with bounded drains as needed; do not assume the inbox is empty. Use --limit 0 only for a known, manageable batch. Urgent hold bypass does not change drain order.

Do not run amq watch, amq monitor, sleep-poll, or start another inbox watcher under that live wake. A blocking wait holds your turn while the doorbell queues behind it. When your work is done, finish the turn; do not keep a tool running or send idle check-ins just to wait for mail.

A wake can hold its first doorbell for routine mail with the hold_normal and hold_low settings; 5m / 30m is an opt-in example. The configured retry policy applies after the first attempt. Urgent priority skips the hold. Ordinary urgent mail still passes through debounce and input deferral; urgent mail with the configured interrupt label follows the interrupt path. Use --priority urgent on send or reply for time-critical verdicts and unblocking requests. Other review responses remain normal by default.

In Claude Code, amq wake install-dialog-hook makes the wake hold its doorbell while AskUserQuestion, ExitPlanMode, or a permission dialog is open; the held doorbell arrives after you answer, or when that turn ends.

Wake settings (hold, debounce, preview, bell, input deferral, interrupt notice) apply to a running wake without a restart: amq wake config --me <handle> shows them, --hold-normal 5m --wait sets one and waits for the wake to apply it, --unset <key> falls back, and --machine sets this user's default. Injection flags are fixed for a running wake. Exit codes and recovery are in wake operations.

Without an injecting wake, use the receive methods in the operations guide. A notify-only wake (--inject-mode none) paired with a supervisor monitor service is a separate supported setup.

Send useful handoffs

For one related batch, send one completion handoff with artifact paths, the relevant source or digest, checks, failed or pending parts, and the next action or actor. Send independent blockers promptly; send a partial result when the receiver can act on it before the rest finishes.

Send status when work starts, a state, decision, or result changes, or an agreed escalation is due. Avoid file-by-file completion notices and unchanged check-ins. Automated callers own duplicate suppression by item, revision, and event; AMQ threads correlate messages, but do not deduplicate repeated sends.

Route the task

Use amq <command> --help for current flags. The repository README is the canonical setup path.

Safety and delivery rules

• A wake notification is attention, not consumption proof. Use receipts or --wait-for drained when delivery proof matters. A drained receipt proves ingestion, not that the requested work is complete.
• Preserve the existing thread when replying. Drain again after a doorbell; the newest complete message body is authoritative.
• Cleanup is explicit through amq cleanup. Do not add automatic deletion.
• Before any wake mutation, run amq wake check --me "<handle>" --json. Act only when restart_capability=agent_safe; otherwise preserve state and report the required operator action.
• Keep cross-host payloads outside privileged inboxes until the configured bridge has authenticated and applied them. Never copy or remote-drain a foreign Maildir as a substitute for routing.
• Do not translate native Windows injection into Unix wake or coop exec. Read the platform section in the operations guide when Windows is involved.
• Dangerous provider bypass flags belong only on an operator-controlled direct coop exec command. Do not place them in committed launch configuration.

The full command catalog, environment precedence, setup flow, platform notes, operator gates, and examples are in the operations guide.