dev@bfd:~/dev-diary$ git show 2026-01
commit 2026-01-25-finalize-module-09-agent-and-guide-experience
Author: MJ
Date: Jan 25, 2026

2026-01-25 - Finalize Module 09 agent and guide experience

Timeline

  • (Context) Defined a capstone-first learning journey for beginners that stays safe, Windows-first, and path-agnostic.
  • (Action) Implemented Module 09 launch experience (tour -> shell) and copied course tools into a verified local toolbelt.
  • (Action) Added unified JSON wrappers and new workflow tools (quick launch, template dropper, prompt builder).
  • (Action) Added curated recipes, interactive chaining, and agent planning with Plan -> Approve -> Execute.
  • (Observation) Found Windows terminal encoding pitfalls and removed problematic unicode from terminal-facing output.
  • (Action) Added multiple learner pathways, guided mode, and progress markers to reduce overwhelm.
  • (Open Thread) Identified remaining polish items and Module 10 handoff requirements for safe expansion.

Context

  • Module 09/10 needs to feel like a quantum leap in capability without becoming overwhelming or unsafe for beginners.
  • The capstone should unify tone across the project and reinforce “trust, but verify” as power increases.
  • The toolbelt must remain user/system/filepath agnostic and must not modify original module artifacts.

Actions

  • Built Module 09 capstone agent shell with recipes, planning, guided mode, and progress tracking.
  • Copied selected course tools into Module 09 and wrapped them with —json outputs for chaining.
  • Implemented Core vs Advanced tool surfacing for beginner focus, with opt-in access to advanced tools.
  • Added curated recipes, placeholders, and Plan -> Approve -> Execute confirmations to keep chaining safe.
  • Wrote voice and journey documentation to guide future course-wide polish and ensure consistent tone.
  • Built a demo read-only course guide runner MVP to explore a future full-course CLI walkthrough experience.

Observations

  • A single entrypoint plus curated paths and recipes makes the “option horizon” feel navigable instead of chaotic.
  • Progress markers and guided hints reduce the fear of “getting lost” while preserving autonomy.
  • Recipe placeholders prevent accidental execution and encourage deliberate inputs.
  • Windows console encoding can crash on certain unicode characters; ASCII-first terminal copy is safer.

Open Threads

  • Implement Module 10 handoff: teach safe expansion (add tools, add recipes, evaluate unknown scripts with Pilot).
  • Add plan saving (e.g., \plan —save ) to turn agent-generated plans into editable recipe artifacts.
  • Add a small progress dashboard command and optional shorter tour with a deep-dive mode.
  • Complete full-course markdown tone alignment per Module 09 reference docs and fix remaining out-of-sync references.

Boundary Reminder: Seeds. No maintenance. No roadmap.