| name | m-upgrade |
| preamble-tier | 1 |
| version | 1.1.0 |
| description | Self-update for mstack. Detects vendored vs global install, checks current and
remote versions, shows a changelog preview, backs up config before upgrading,
applies the upgrade, verifies skills registered, and provides rollback instructions
if anything breaks. Run when asked to "update mstack", "upgrade mstack", or
"get latest mstack".
|
| allowed-tools | ["Bash","Read","AskUserQuestion"] |
Preamble (run first)
_UPD=$(~/.claude/skills/mstack/bin/mstack-update-check 2>/dev/null || .claude/skills/mstack/bin/mstack-update-check 2>/dev/null || true)
[ -n "$_UPD" ] && echo "$_UPD" || true
mkdir -p ~/.mstack/sessions
touch ~/.mstack/sessions/"$PPID"
_SESSIONS=$(find ~/.mstack/sessions -mmin -120 -type f 2>/dev/null | wc -l | tr -d ' ')
find ~/.mstack/sessions -mmin +120 -type f -exec rm {} + 2>/dev/null || true
_PROACTIVE=$(~/.claude/skills/mstack/bin/mstack-config get proactive 2>/dev/null || echo "true")
_PROACTIVE_PROMPTED=$([ -f ~/.mstack/.proactive-prompted ] && echo "yes" || echo "no")
_BRANCH=$(git branch --show-current 2>/dev/null || echo "unknown")
echo "BRANCH: $_BRANCH"
_SKILL_PREFIX=$(~/.claude/skills/mstack/bin/mstack-config get skill_prefix 2>/dev/null || echo "false")
echo "PROACTIVE: $_PROACTIVE"
echo "PROACTIVE_PROMPTED: $_PROACTIVE_PROMPTED"
echo "SKILL_PREFIX: $_SKILL_PREFIX"
source <(~/.claude/skills/mstack/bin/mstack-repo-mode 2>/dev/null) || true
REPO_MODE=${REPO_MODE:-unknown}
echo "REPO_MODE: $REPO_MODE"
eval "$(~/.claude/skills/mstack/bin/mstack-slug 2>/dev/null)" 2>/dev/null || true
_LEARN_FILE="${MSTACK_HOME:-$HOME/.mstack}/projects/${SLUG:-unknown}/learnings.jsonl"
if [ -f "$_LEARN_FILE" ]; then
_LEARN_COUNT=$(wc -l < "$_LEARN_FILE" 2>/dev/null | tr -d ' ')
echo "LEARNINGS: $_LEARN_COUNT entries loaded"
if [ "$_LEARN_COUNT" -gt 5 ] 2>/dev/null; then
~/.claude/skills/mstack/bin/mstack-learnings-search --limit 3 2>/dev/null || true
fi
else
echo "LEARNINGS: 0"
fi
_HAS_ROUTING="no"
if [ -f CLAUDE.md ] && grep -q "## Skill routing" CLAUDE.md 2>/dev/null; then
_HAS_ROUTING="yes"
fi
_ROUTING_DECLINED=$(~/.claude/skills/mstack/bin/mstack-config get routing_declined 2>/dev/null || echo "false")
echo "HAS_ROUTING: $_HAS_ROUTING"
echo "ROUTING_DECLINED: $_ROUTING_DECLINED"
[ -n "$OPENCLAW_SESSION" ] && echo "SPAWNED_SESSION: true" || true
If PROACTIVE is "false", do not proactively suggest mstack skills and do not
auto-invoke skills based on conversation context. Only run skills the user explicitly
types (for example, /m-write, /m-audit, /m-campaign). If you would have auto-invoked
a skill, briefly say: "I think /skillname might help here. Want me to run it?" and
wait for confirmation. The user opted out of proactive behavior.
If SKILL_PREFIX is "true", the user has namespaced skill names. When suggesting
or invoking other mstack skills, use the /m- prefix (for example, /m-write
instead of /write, /m-audit instead of /audit). Disk paths are unaffected;
always use ~/.claude/skills/mstack/[skill-name]/SKILL.md for reading skill files.
If output shows UPGRADE_AVAILABLE <old> <new>: read ~/.claude/skills/mstack/mstack-upgrade/SKILL.md and follow the "Inline upgrade flow" (auto-upgrade if configured, otherwise AskUserQuestion with 4 options, write snooze state if declined). If JUST_UPGRADED <from> <to>: tell user "Running mstack v{to} (just updated!)" and continue.
If PROACTIVE_PROMPTED is no:
Ask the user about proactive behavior. Use AskUserQuestion:
mstack can proactively figure out when you might need a skill while you work,
like suggesting /m-audit when you ask "what should we fix first?", /m-write
when you need campaign copy, or /m-report when you paste performance data.
We recommend keeping this on, it speeds up marketing execution.
Options:
- A) Keep it on (recommended)
- B) Turn it off, I'll type /commands myself
If A: run ~/.claude/skills/mstack/bin/mstack-config set proactive true
If B: run ~/.claude/skills/mstack/bin/mstack-config set proactive false
Always run:
touch ~/.mstack/.proactive-prompted
This only happens once. If PROACTIVE_PROMPTED is yes, skip this entirely.
If HAS_ROUTING is no AND ROUTING_DECLINED is false AND PROACTIVE_PROMPTED is yes:
Check if a CLAUDE.md file exists in the project root. If it does not exist, create it.
Use AskUserQuestion:
mstack works best when your project's CLAUDE.md includes skill routing rules.
This tells Claude Code to use specialized workflows (like /m-brand, /m-audit, /m-write)
instead of answering directly. It's a one-time addition, about 15 lines.
Options:
- A) Add routing rules to CLAUDE.md (recommended)
- B) No thanks, I'll invoke skills manually
If A: Append this section to the end of CLAUDE.md:
## Skill routing
When the user's request matches an available skill, ALWAYS invoke it using the Skill
tool as your FIRST action. Do not answer directly and do not use other tools first.
The skill has specialized workflows that produce better results than ad-hoc answers.
Key routing rules:
- Content writing, blog posts, articles -> invoke m-write
- SEO analysis, keyword research, on-page optimization -> invoke m-seo
- Social media posts, captions, engagement copy -> invoke m-social
- Ad campaigns, ad copy, paid creative -> invoke m-ads
- Marketing strategy, go-to-market, positioning -> invoke m-strategy
- Brand voice, messaging, tone guidelines -> invoke m-brand
- Competitor analysis, market research -> invoke m-competitive
- Content calendar, editorial planning -> invoke m-calendar
- Marketing report, performance summary -> invoke m-report
Then commit the change: git add CLAUDE.md && git commit -m "chore: add mstack skill routing rules"
If B: run ~/.claude/skills/mstack/bin/mstack-config set routing_declined true
Say "No problem. You can add routing rules later by running mstack-config set routing_declined false and re-running any skill."
This only happens once per project. If HAS_ROUTING is yes or ROUTING_DECLINED is true, skip this entirely.
If SPAWNED_SESSION is "true", you are running inside a session spawned by an
AI orchestrator (for example, OpenClaw). In spawned sessions:
- Do not use AskUserQuestion for interactive prompts. Auto-choose the recommended option.
- Do not run upgrade checks or routing injection prompts.
- Focus on completing the task and reporting results via prose output.
- End with a completion report: what shipped, decisions made, anything uncertain.
Voice
Tone: direct, concrete, sharp, never corporate, never academic. Sound like a builder, not a consultant. Name the file, the function, the command. No filler, no throat-clearing.
Writing rules: No em dashes. Use commas, periods, or "...". No AI vocabulary (delve, crucial, robust, comprehensive, nuanced, etc.). Short paragraphs. End with what to do.
The user always has context you don't. Cross-model agreement is a recommendation, not a decision. The user decides.
Completion Status Protocol
When completing a skill workflow, report status using one of:
- DONE: All steps completed successfully. Evidence provided for each claim.
- DONE_WITH_CONCERNS: Completed, but with issues the user should know about. List each concern.
- BLOCKED: Cannot proceed. State what is blocking and what was tried.
- NEEDS_CONTEXT: Missing information required to continue. State exactly what you need.
Escalation
It is always OK to stop and say "this is too hard for me" or "I'm not confident in this result."
Bad work is worse than no work. You will not be penalized for escalating.
- If you have attempted a task 3 times without success, stop and escalate.
- If you are uncertain about a security-sensitive change, stop and escalate.
- If the scope of work exceeds what you can verify, stop and escalate.
Escalation format:
STATUS: BLOCKED | NEEDS_CONTEXT
REASON: [1-2 sentences]
ATTEMPTED: [what you tried]
RECOMMENDATION: [what the user should do next]
Operator Mode
Default to action. Draft with explicit assumptions when the missing context is not
material to the outcome. Ask only when the answer would change the strategy,
claims, audience, compliance posture, or distribution channel.
When context is thin, produce:
- the best usable draft or plan;
- the assumptions you made;
- the exact inputs that would improve version 2.
Operational Self-Improvement
Before completing, reflect on this session:
- Did any commands fail unexpectedly?
- Did you take a wrong approach and have to backtrack?
- Did you discover a project-specific quirk (build order, env vars, timing, auth)?
- Did something take longer than expected because of a missing flag or config?
If yes, log an operational learning for future sessions:
~/.claude/skills/mstack/bin/mstack-learnings-log '{"skill":"SKILL_NAME","type":"operational","key":"SHORT_KEY","insight":"DESCRIPTION","confidence":N,"source":"observed"}'
Replace SKILL_NAME with the current skill name. Only log genuine operational discoveries.
Don't log obvious things or one-time transient errors (network blips, rate limits).
A good test: would knowing this save 5+ minutes in a future session? If yes, log it.
Session Complete
When the skill workflow completes, report the outcome (success, error, or abort) to the user.
Plan Mode Safe Operations
When in plan mode, these operations are always allowed because they produce
artifacts that inform the plan, not code changes:
$B commands when available (SERP checks, screenshots, page inspection, snapshots)
codex exec / codex review for outside-voice critique when the host supports it
- Writing to
~/.mstack/ for config, brand context, project memory, and learnings
- Writing to the plan file (already allowed by plan mode)
open commands for viewing generated artifacts (comparison boards, HTML previews)
These are read-only in spirit: they inspect the market, collect local context,
or get independent opinions. They do not modify project source files.
Skill Invocation During Plan Mode
If a user invokes a skill during plan mode, that invoked skill workflow takes
precedence over generic plan mode behavior until it finishes or the user explicitly
cancels that skill.
Treat the loaded skill as executable instructions, not reference material. Follow
it step by step. Do not summarize, skip, reorder, or shortcut its steps.
If the skill says to use AskUserQuestion, do that. Those AskUserQuestion calls
satisfy plan mode's requirement to end turns with AskUserQuestion.
If the skill reaches a STOP point, stop immediately at that point, ask the required
question if any, and wait for the user's response. Do not continue the workflow
past a STOP point, and do not call ExitPlanMode at that point.
If the skill includes commands marked "PLAN MODE EXCEPTION - ALWAYS RUN," execute
them. The skill may edit the plan file, and other writes are allowed only if they
are already permitted by Plan Mode Safe Operations or explicitly marked as a plan
mode exception.
Only call ExitPlanMode after the active skill workflow is complete and there are no
other invoked skill workflows left to run, or if the user explicitly tells you to
cancel the skill or leave plan mode.
Plan Status Footer
When you are in plan mode and about to call ExitPlanMode:
- Check if the plan file already has a
## MSTACK MARKETING STATUS section.
- If it does, update it instead of appending a duplicate.
- If it does not, append this section:
```markdown
MSTACK MARKETING STATUS
| Area | Suggested skill | Why | Status |
|---|
| Brand | `/m-brand` | Voice, audience, positioning | Not run |
| Strategy | `/m-strategy` | Channel plan, offer, roadmap | Not run |
| Content | `/m-brief`, `/m-write` | Briefs and copy | Not run |
| Distribution | `/m-social`, `/m-calendar` | Platform execution | Not run |
| Measurement | `/m-report` | Performance review | Not run |
NEXT STEP: Pick the highest-leverage skill for the current marketing goal.
```
PLAN MODE EXCEPTION - ALWAYS RUN: This writes to the plan file, which is the one
file you are allowed to edit in plan mode. The marketing status section is part of the
plan's living status.
Setup: Detect Install Location
Detect whether mstack is installed for Claude, global Codex, or local Codex, and
capture the working directory so every later step uses the same path.
HOST="${MSTACK_HOST:-}"
INSTALL_DIR="${MSTACK_ROOT:-}"
INSTALL_TYPE=""
SETUP_HOST=""
if [ -n "$INSTALL_DIR" ] && [ -d "$INSTALL_DIR/.git" ]; then
INSTALL_TYPE="override"
fi
if [ -z "$INSTALL_DIR" ]; then
CANDIDATES=(
"claude|global|$HOME/.claude/skills/mstack"
"codex|global|$HOME/.codex/skills/mstack"
"codex|local|$(pwd)/.agents/skills/mstack"
"claude|local|$(pwd)/.claude/skills/mstack"
)
MATCHES=()
for item in "${CANDIDATES[@]}"; do
IFS='|' read -r h t p <<< "$item"
[ -n "$HOST" ] && [ "$HOST" != "$h" ] && continue
[ -d "$p/.git" ] && MATCHES+=("$item")
done
if [ "${#MATCHES[@]}" -eq 1 ]; then
IFS='|' read -r SETUP_HOST INSTALL_TYPE INSTALL_DIR <<< "${MATCHES[0]}"
elif [ "${#MATCHES[@]}" -gt 1 ]; then
printf '%s\n' "ERROR: multiple mstack installs found. Set MSTACK_HOST or MSTACK_ROOT."
printf '%s\n' "${MATCHES[@]}"
exit 1
fi
fi
if [ -z "$INSTALL_DIR" ]; then
echo "ERROR: mstack not found. Expected ~/.claude/skills/mstack, ~/.codex/skills/mstack, or .agents/.claude local install."
exit 1
fi
[ -n "$SETUP_HOST" ] || SETUP_HOST="${HOST:-all}"
echo "HOST: $SETUP_HOST"
echo "INSTALL_TYPE: $INSTALL_TYPE"
echo "INSTALL_DIR: $INSTALL_DIR"
Report the install type and directory to the user before proceeding.
Step 1: Read Current Version
if [ -f "$INSTALL_DIR/VERSION" ]; then
LOCAL_VERSION=$(cat "$INSTALL_DIR/VERSION" | tr -d '[:space:]')
else
LOCAL_VERSION=$(grep '"version"' "$INSTALL_DIR/package.json" 2>/dev/null \
| head -1 | sed 's/.*"version": *"\([^"]*\)".*/\1/')
fi
echo "Local version: ${LOCAL_VERSION:-unknown}"
cd "$INSTALL_DIR"
git log --oneline -1 2>/dev/null || echo "(no git history)"
git remote get-url origin 2>/dev/null || echo "(no remote configured)"
Step 2: Fetch Remote Version
cd "$INSTALL_DIR"
git fetch origin 2>&1
BEHIND=$(git rev-list HEAD..origin/main --count 2>/dev/null || echo "0")
REMOTE_VERSION=$(git show origin/main:VERSION 2>/dev/null | tr -d '[:space:]')
if [ -z "$REMOTE_VERSION" ]; then
REMOTE_VERSION=$(git show origin/main:package.json 2>/dev/null \
| grep '"version"' | head -1 | sed 's/.*"version": *"\([^"]*\)".*/\1/')
fi
echo "Local version: ${LOCAL_VERSION:-unknown}"
echo "Remote version: ${REMOTE_VERSION:-unknown}"
echo "Commits behind: $BEHIND"
Step 3: Compare Versions and Preview Changelog
If BEHIND=0:
"mstack is already up to date (v{local_version}). Nothing to do."
Stop here.
If updates are available, show a detailed changelog preview:
cd "$INSTALL_DIR"
echo "=== Changelog: HEAD..origin/main ==="
git log HEAD..origin/main --oneline 2>/dev/null | head -30
echo ""
echo "=== Changed files ==="
git diff --name-status HEAD..origin/main 2>/dev/null | head -40
echo ""
echo "=== Diff summary ==="
git diff --stat HEAD..origin/main 2>/dev/null | tail -5
echo ""
echo "=== Local status ==="
git status --short
echo "Ahead/behind: $(git rev-list --left-right --count HEAD...origin/main 2>/dev/null)"
echo "Planned setup command: bash ./setup --host $SETUP_HOST"
Present the changelog clearly, then use AskUserQuestion:
"mstack update available: v{local_version} → v{remote_version} ({N} commits)
Changes:
{commit list}
Files changed: {diff summary}
How would you like to proceed?
A) Upgrade — backup config, pull latest, re-run setup, verify skills
B) Skip — stay on v{local_version}"
STOP and wait for the user's answer.
Step 4: Backup Before Upgrade
If user chose A, back up the current config and any brand contexts before
touching the repository:
BACKUP_DIR="$HOME/.mstack/backups/pre-upgrade-$(date +%Y%m%d-%H%M%S)"
mkdir -p "$BACKUP_DIR"
if [ -f "$HOME/.mstack/config.yaml" ]; then
cp "$HOME/.mstack/config.yaml" "$BACKUP_DIR/config.yaml"
echo "Backed up config.yaml → $BACKUP_DIR/config.yaml"
else
echo "No config.yaml found at ~/.mstack/config.yaml — skipping"
fi
if [ -d "$HOME/.mstack/brands" ]; then
cp -r "$HOME/.mstack/brands" "$BACKUP_DIR/brands"
echo "Backed up brands/ → $BACKUP_DIR/brands/"
fi
cd "$INSTALL_DIR"
PRE_UPGRADE_REF=$(git rev-parse HEAD)
echo "$PRE_UPGRADE_REF" > "$BACKUP_DIR/pre-upgrade-ref.txt"
echo "$BACKUP_DIR" > "$HOME/.mstack/backups/latest"
echo "Pre-upgrade commit: $PRE_UPGRADE_REF"
echo "Backup complete: $BACKUP_DIR"
Step 5: Apply Upgrade
cd "$INSTALL_DIR"
if [ -n "$(git status --short)" ]; then
echo "ERROR: local changes present. Stash explicitly with git stash push -u before upgrading, or commit them."
git status --short
exit 1
fi
echo "=== Final diff preview (HEAD..origin/main) ==="
git diff HEAD..origin/main --stat 2>/dev/null
BRANCH=$(git branch --show-current 2>/dev/null || echo main)
git merge --ff-only "origin/${BRANCH:-main}" 2>&1
PULL_STATUS=$?
if [ $PULL_STATUS -ne 0 ]; then
echo "ERROR: fast-forward upgrade failed (exit $PULL_STATUS). Rollback instructions below."
echo "To revert: cd $INSTALL_DIR && git reset --hard $PRE_UPGRADE_REF"
exit 1
fi
if [ -f "VERSION" ]; then
NEW_VERSION=$(cat VERSION | tr -d '[:space:]')
else
NEW_VERSION=$(grep '"version"' package.json 2>/dev/null \
| head -1 | sed 's/.*"version": *"\([^"]*\)".*/\1/')
fi
echo "Upgraded: ${LOCAL_VERSION:-unknown} → ${NEW_VERSION:-unknown}"
Re-run setup to regenerate skills:
cd "$INSTALL_DIR"
if [ -x "./setup" ]; then
bash ./setup --host "$SETUP_HOST" 2>&1
SETUP_STATUS=$?
if [ $SETUP_STATUS -ne 0 ]; then
echo "ERROR: setup failed (exit $SETUP_STATUS)"
exit $SETUP_STATUS
fi
echo "Setup: success"
elif [ -x "./install.sh" ]; then
bash ./install.sh 2>&1
else
echo "No setup script found — skills may need manual registration"
fi
Step 6: Post-Upgrade Verification
Verify the upgrade landed correctly:
cd "$INSTALL_DIR"
echo "=== Version check ==="
if [ -f "VERSION" ]; then
echo "VERSION file: $(cat VERSION | tr -d '[:space:]')"
fi
echo ""
echo "=== Git status ==="
git log --oneline -3 2>/dev/null
git status --short 2>/dev/null
echo ""
echo "=== Skill count ==="
CLAUDE_COUNT=$(ls "$HOME/.claude/skills/" 2>/dev/null | wc -l | tr -d ' ')
CODEX_COUNT=$(ls "$HOME/.codex/skills/" 2>/dev/null | wc -l | tr -d ' ')
LOCAL_CODEX_COUNT=$(ls "$(pwd)/.agents/skills/" 2>/dev/null | wc -l | tr -d ' ')
echo "Claude skills: $CLAUDE_COUNT"
echo "Codex skills: $CODEX_COUNT"
echo "Local Codex skills: $LOCAL_CODEX_COUNT"
echo ""
echo "=== Config survived? ==="
if [ -f "$HOME/.mstack/config.yaml" ]; then
echo "config.yaml: present ($(wc -l < "$HOME/.mstack/config.yaml") lines)"
else
echo "config.yaml: MISSING — restore from $BACKUP_DIR/config.yaml"
fi
echo ""
echo "=== Test suite ==="
if command -v bun >/dev/null 2>&1 && [ -f "package.json" ] && grep -q '"test"' package.json 2>/dev/null; then
bun test 2>&1
TEST_STATUS=$?
[ $TEST_STATUS -eq 0 ] && echo "Tests: PASSED" || echo "Tests: FAILED (exit $TEST_STATUS)"
else
echo "Tests: skipped (bun not available or no test script)"
fi
Step 7: Rollback (if verification fails)
If any verification step fails, provide these rollback instructions:
cd "$INSTALL_DIR"
LATEST_BACKUP=$(cat "$HOME/.mstack/backups/latest" 2>/dev/null || true)
PRE_UPGRADE_REF=$(cat "$LATEST_BACKUP/pre-upgrade-ref.txt" 2>/dev/null)
if [ -n "$PRE_UPGRADE_REF" ]; then
echo "Rolling back to: $PRE_UPGRADE_REF"
git reset --hard "$PRE_UPGRADE_REF"
echo "Rollback complete"
else
echo "Ref file not found — use: git reflog | head -20"
echo "Then: git reset --hard <commit-hash>"
fi
if [ ! -f "$HOME/.mstack/config.yaml" ] && [ -n "$BACKUP_DIR" ]; then
cp "$BACKUP_DIR/config.yaml" "$HOME/.mstack/config.yaml" 2>/dev/null \
&& echo "Config restored from backup"
fi
bash ./setup --host "$SETUP_HOST" 2>&1 || echo "Setup failed after rollback — check manually"
Completion
Upgrade succeeded:
- Install type: {vendored|global}
- Previous version: v{old_version}
- New version: v{new_version}
- Backup saved: ~/.mstack/backups/pre-upgrade-{timestamp}/
- Setup: complete
- Skills registered: {count}
- Tests: passed|skipped
Already up to date:
- Version: v{version}
- Status: up to date
Upgrade failed — rollback applied:
- Error: {error_message}
- Rolled back to: {pre_upgrade_ref}
- Config: restored|intact
- Manual recovery:
cd {install_dir} && git reflog | head -20
Privacy Boundary
mstack does not send telemetry, usage analytics, stable identifiers, or marketing
content to any mstack-operated service. The only persistent files it writes are
explicit workspace outputs and local project memory under ~/.mstack/.
Network access may still happen when a workflow explicitly needs live marketing
research, such as SERP checks, competitor page review, or API-backed reporting.
When live research is used, say which source or API was queried in the final
output.