---
id: TAMQ-WP-0008
type: workplan
title: "Counterparty reply shorthand and stable terminal output"
domain: communication
repo: tmux-amq
status: finished
owner: codex
topic_slug: coulomb-social
planning_priority: P0
planning_order: 13
created: "2026-08-24"
updated: "2026-08-24"
state_hub_workstream_id: "3c58a8aa-1602-5946-af59-c9fc68be0e4a"
---

# Counterparty reply shorthand and stable terminal output

Add a conversation-oriented reply convention and keep asynchronous message
output above the current input row instead of visually breaking the prompt.

## Required operator contract

If `audit-core` most recently received a message from `flex-auth`, this sends a
reply to `flex-auth`:

```bash
@ Thanks, I will take a look.
```

The generic `@` command resolves the latest durable inbound message for the
current `TAMQ_REPO`, regardless of acknowledgement state. It excludes
self-addressed messages. If there is no counterparty, it fails visibly and
queues nothing.

When a message arrives, tamq uses tmux's current pane cursor position and
VT100-compatible scroll margins to scroll only the rows above the input cursor,
write the comment immediately above it, restore the full scroll region, and
restore the cursor. The current input row and cursor position remain stable.

## Add durable latest-counterparty resolution

```task
id: TAMQ-WP-0008-T01
status: done
priority: high
state_hub_task_id: "aad3dea8-b5c9-5b07-97bb-92aba18137d8"
```

Query the latest inbound message by creation order for the current repository,
excluding self-addressed rows. Add `tamq reply MESSAGE...` and a tamq-owned
generic `@` executable alongside the repository-specific shims. Preserve
argument boundaries, require `TAMQ_REPO`, reuse target validation and send
transport, and refuse collision with an unrelated existing `@` command.

## Keep input position stable during output

```task
id: TAMQ-WP-0008-T02
status: done
priority: high
state_hub_task_id: "f9893aba-e2b4-50da-9632-0f2e7f3b8c45"
```

Resolve `cursor_y`, `pane_height`, and the pane PTY atomically through tmux.
For a cursor with rows above it, generate a bounded DECSTBM scroll-region frame
that saves/restores the cursor and resets the full scrolling region. Sanitize
message content before framing and retain the simple output fallback when no
row exists above the cursor. Never emit input bytes.

## Prove conversation and screen behavior

```task
id: TAMQ-WP-0008-T03
status: done
priority: high
state_hub_task_id: "f81290ce-5bf6-5c08-a0b1-efb2fb8b5782"
```

Test latest inbound selection across pending/acknowledged and self-addressed
messages, missing identity/counterparty errors, generic shim arguments and
ownership collision, cursor-aware frames, and real tmux behavior with a partial
input line. Prove the input text and cursor coordinates are unchanged while the
message becomes visible immediately above them.

## Install and document the interaction convention

```task
id: TAMQ-WP-0008-T04
status: done
priority: high
state_hub_task_id: "944c7fea-2e7c-5fcc-9fc6-1abc6a8cc784"
```

Update help, README, and SCOPE; run complete checks; install the build; exercise
`@ MESSAGE` in both directions in a live two-window session; and retain only
user messages pending after acknowledging controlled smoke records.

## Completion evidence

- `make check`: 100 tests passed, including a real tmux pane proving that a
  partial input row and both cursor coordinates remain unchanged.
- Coverage: 76% overall; terminal framing is 84% and control handling is 81%.
- `make install`: installed `tmux-amq==0.1.0` and verified `tamq --version`.
- Live `flex-auth`/`audit-core`: bare `@` routed in both directions. Incoming
  comments appeared immediately above `SECOND-PARTIAL` and `THIRD-PARTIAL`
  without moving either cursor. Only the three controlled smoke messages were
  acknowledged; all pre-existing user messages remain pending.