// Manage Paperclip AI companies, agents, issues, projects, goals, routines, costs, and secrets via REST API. Use when creating companies, hiring agents, assigning tasks, managing budgets, approving hires, or checking dashboards on a Paperclip instance.
| name | paperclip-api |
| description | Manage Paperclip AI companies, agents, issues, projects, goals, routines, costs, and secrets via REST API. Use when creating companies, hiring agents, assigning tasks, managing budgets, approving hires, or checking dashboards on a Paperclip instance. |
| metadata | {"category":"ops","openclaw":{"emoji":"📎","requires":{"bins":["curl","jq","base64"],"env":["PAPERCLIP_API_URL","PAPERCLIP_EMAIL","PAPERCLIP_PASSWORD"]},"primaryEnv":"PAPERCLIP_API_URL"}} |
Manage zero-human AI companies on a Paperclip instance. Companies have org charts, agents, issues (tickets), projects, goals, budgets, routines, and governance.
Paperclip is a control plane, not an execution plane. It orchestrates agents but doesn't run them -- agents run externally via adapters and phone home through the REST API.
You (Board)
└── Company (Mission + Budget)
└── Goals (company → team → agent → task)
└── Projects (scoped work, linked to goal)
└── Issues (tickets -- the unit of work)
└── Sub-issues (delegation down the org chart)
The key insight: Every issue traces back to the company mission through its goal ancestry. Agents always know why they're doing something, not just what.
Agents don't run continuously. They wake up on heartbeats (scheduled or event-triggered) and execute a fixed protocol:
1. GET /api/agents/me → Who am I? What company? What budget?
2. GET /api/issues?status=todo → What's assigned to me?
3. POST /api/issues/{id}/checkout → Claim the task (atomic -- 409 if taken)
4. GET /api/issues/{id} → Read full context + goal ancestry
5. Do the work...
6. PATCH /api/issues/{id} → Update status + comment with result
7. POST /api/issues (optional) → Delegate subtasks to other agents
Heartbeat triggers: Schedule (cron), task assignment, @-mention in comment, manual from UI, approval resolution.
Assignment is the dispatcher. As soon as an issue has status >= todo AND assigneeAgentId set, the assigned agent wakes up and starts working — no routine, no patrol loop, no manual wakeup needed. Routines exist for scheduled work (recurring reports, audits), not as a queue dispatcher. A "review patrol" routine being paused does NOT block the review queue: the assigned reviewer still gets woken on every assignment.
Checkout is critical: POST /api/issues/{id}/checkout atomically claims a task. If another agent already has it → 409 Conflict. Never retry a 409 -- pick a different task.
Routines are recurring tasks triggered by cron schedule, webhook, or API call. They replace expensive always-on LLM sessions with efficient scheduled heartbeats.
# Create a routine (cron-based)
paperclipai routine create --name "Daily Standup" --schedule "0 9 * * *" --assignee-agent-id <agent-id> --company-id <id>
# Trigger manually
paperclipai routine run <routine-id>
When to use Routines vs Issues:
| Adapter | Runtime |
|---|---|
openclaw_gateway | OpenClaw agents (WebSocket) |
claude_local | Claude Code CLI |
codex_local | OpenAI Codex CLI |
cursor | Cursor IDE |
process | Shell command |
http | Any HTTP endpoint |
opencode_local, hermes_local | Other local runtimes |
Paperclip implements the Agent Companies open protocol -- a vendor-neutral, markdown-first format for portable AI company packages. Built on top of Agent Skills (SKILL.md).
company-package/
├── COMPANY.md # Root entrypoint: company boundary + defaults
├── teams/
│ └── engineering/TEAM.md # Reusable org subtree
├── agents/
│ └── ceo/AGENTS.md # Single role: instructions + skills + reporting
├── projects/
│ └── q2-launch/PROJECT.md # Work grouping
├── tasks/
│ └── monday-review/TASK.md # Portable starter task
└── skills/
└── review/SKILL.md # Agent Skills capability (unchanged)
| File | Purpose |
|---|---|
COMPANY.md | Company boundary, defaults, goals |
TEAM.md | Reusable org subtree (e.g., Engineering team) |
AGENTS.md | One role -- instructions, reportsTo, attached skills |
PROJECT.md | Planned work grouping |
TASK.md | Portable starter task with assignee + schedule |
SKILL.md | Agent capability (standard Agent Skills, unchanged) |
AGENTS.md body = canonical default instructions for that roleSKILL.md stays unchanged -- Agent Companies never redefines itname: My Company
description: Short description
slug: my-company
schema: agentcompanies/v1
Spec: https://agentcompanies.io/specification
Ready-to-import company templates from github.com/paperclipai/companies:
# Import a template directly from GitHub
npx companies.sh add paperclipai/companies/gstack
paperclipai company import org/repo/companies/acme
# Export your own company as template
paperclipai company export <company-id> --out ./my-company --include company,agents,projects,skills
Notable templates: superpowers (dev shop, 4 agents), product-compass-consulting (PM, 48 agents), trail-of-bits-security (security, 28 agents), gstack (engineering modes, 5 agents).
Full list: https://github.com/gsxdsm/awesome-paperclip
| Plugin | What it does |
|---|---|
| paperclip-plugin-acp | ACP runtime -- run Claude Code, Codex, Gemini CLI from any chat platform |
| paperclip-plugin-github-issues | Bidirectional GitHub Issues sync |
| paperclip-plugin-discord | Discord notifications + slash commands |
| paperclip-plugin-slack | Slack notifications |
| paperclip-plugin-telegram | Telegram notifications |
| paperclip-plugin-chat | Interactive AI chat copilot for tasks/agents/workspaces |
| paperclip-plugin-avp | Trust layer: DID identity, EigenTrust reputation, signed attestations |
| paperclip-plugin-company-wizard | AI-powered company setup assistant with presets |
| Tool | What it does |
|---|---|
| oh-my-paperclip | Plugin bundle -- the oh-my-zsh for Paperclip |
| paperclip-aperture | Alternative Focus view -- ranks approvals, activity into now/next/ambient |
| paperclip-discord-bot | Discord community bot with GitHub OAuth and AI summaries |
All commands go through the wrapper script:
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh <command> [subcommand] [options]
Recommended (bearer token — no rate limit):
export PAPERCLIP_API_URL="https://your-instance.up.railway.app"
export PAPERCLIP_API_TOKEN="pcp_board_..." # mint via `paperclipai auth login`
export PAPERCLIP_COMPANY_ID="optional-default-company-id"
Fallback (email + password — rate-limited at ~10 sign-ins/min):
export PAPERCLIP_API_URL="https://your-instance.up.railway.app"
export PAPERCLIP_EMAIL="your-board-email"
export PAPERCLIP_PASSWORD="your-board-password"
export PAPERCLIP_COMPANY_ID="optional-default-company-id"
The wrapper picks bearer when PAPERCLIP_API_TOKEN is set; otherwise it signs in per call via email/password and uses the cookie. Bearer is strongly preferred for any non-trivial scripted use — cookie sign-in trips a 429 rate limit on the auth endpoint after roughly 10 fresh sign-ins per minute, and our wrapper signs in fresh on every call.
# List all companies
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh company list
# Create a company
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh company create "Atlas Corp" "Map every job in DACH"
# Get company details
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh company get <company-id>
# Update company (all flags optional)
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh company update <company-id> \
--name "New Name" \
--description "New desc" \
--status active \
--budget-monthly-cents 500000 \
--require-board-approval true \
--brand-color "#FF5733"
# Archive company
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh company archive <company-id>
# Delete company
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh company delete <company-id>
# Export company (portability)
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh company export <company-id>
Company statuses: active, paused, archived
| Field | Type | Create | Update | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
name | string | required | optional | |
description | string | optional | optional | |
budgetMonthlyCents | number | optional | optional | Monthly budget in cents |
status | enum | -- | optional | active/paused/archived |
requireBoardApprovalForNewAgents | boolean | -- | optional | |
feedbackDataSharingEnabled | boolean | -- | optional | |
brandColor | string | -- | optional | Hex color |
logoAssetId | string | -- | optional |
# List agents in a company
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh agent list --company-id <id>
# Create an agent directly
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh agent create "Research Lead" "researcher" \
--title "Senior Researcher" \
--adapter claude_local \
--icon "🔬" \
--capabilities "web search, document analysis" \
--budget-monthly-cents 50000 \
--reports-to <manager-agent-id> \
--company-id <id>
# Hire via governance (triggers Board approval)
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh agent hire "Research Lead" "researcher" \
--title "Senior Researcher" \
--adapter claude_local \
--company-id <id>
# Get agent details
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh agent get <agent-id>
# Update agent (all flags optional)
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh agent update <agent-id> \
--name "New Name" \
--role engineer \
--title "Staff Engineer" \
--icon "⚙️" \
--capabilities "coding, testing, deployment" \
--adapter-type openclaw_gateway \
--reports-to <manager-agent-id> \
--budget-monthly-cents 100000
# Delete agent permanently
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh agent delete <agent-id>
| Field | Type | Create | Update | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
name | string | required | optional | |
role | enum | required | optional | See roles below |
title | string | optional | optional | |
adapterType | string | required | optional | See adapters below |
adapterConfig | object | optional | optional | Adapter-specific config (JSON) |
runtimeConfig | object | optional | optional | Runtime-specific config (JSON) |
icon | string | optional | optional | Emoji or icon key |
capabilities | string | optional | optional | Free-text capability description |
budgetMonthlyCents | number | optional | optional | Agent monthly budget |
reportsTo | string | optional | optional | Manager agent ID |
metadata | object | -- | optional | Arbitrary key-value metadata |
Agent roles: ceo, cto, cmo, cfo, engineer, designer, pm, qa, devops, researcher, general
Adapter types: claude_local, codex_local, gemini_local, cursor, openclaw_gateway, process, http, opencode_local, pi_local
Agent statuses: active, paused, idle, running, error, pending_approval, terminated
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh agent pause <agent-id>
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh agent resume <agent-id>
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh agent terminate <agent-id>
# Wakeup with optional parameters
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh agent wakeup <agent-id>
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh agent wakeup <agent-id> \
--source on_demand \
--trigger-detail manual \
--reason "Need to process new data"
Wakeup sources: timer, assignment, on_demand, automation
Wakeup trigger details: manual, ping, callback, system
# Get current configuration
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh agent config <agent-id>
# List config revisions (audit trail)
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh agent config-revisions <agent-id>
# Rollback to a specific revision
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh agent config-rollback <agent-id> <revision-id>
Agents have a managed instructions bundle -- a set of files (like AGENTS.md) that define the agent's behavior. The bundle can be in managed mode (edited via API) or external mode (loaded from disk/repo).
# Get instructions bundle metadata + file list
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh agent instructions-get <agent-id>
# Get a specific instructions file content
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh agent instructions-file <agent-id> --path "AGENTS.md"
# Write/update an instructions file
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh agent instructions-set <agent-id> --path "AGENTS.md" --content "# Agent Instructions\n..."
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh agent instructions-set <agent-id> --path "AGENTS.md" --file ./local-agents.md
# Delete an instructions file
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh agent instructions-delete <agent-id> --path "AGENTS.md"
# Update bundle settings (mode, root path, entry file)
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh agent instructions-update <agent-id> \
--mode managed \
--entry-file "AGENTS.md"
Instructions bundle modes: managed (API-edited), external (loaded from disk/repo)
# Get current skills snapshot
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh agent skills <agent-id>
# Sync skills (set desired skill list)
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh agent skills-sync <agent-id> --skills "web-design,qa,github-workflow"
# List keys
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh agent keys <agent-id>
# Create a new key (token shown only once!)
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh agent keys-create <agent-id> --name "production-key"
# Revoke a key
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh agent keys-revoke <agent-id> <key-id>
# Get runtime state (current execution, sessions)
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh agent runtime-state <agent-id>
# List task sessions
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh agent task-sessions <agent-id>
# Reset session
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh agent reset-session <agent-id>
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh agent reset-session <agent-id> --task-key "some-task"
# Invoke heartbeat manually
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh agent heartbeat <agent-id>
# List available models for an adapter type
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh adapter models <adapter-type> --company-id <id>
# Detect current model for adapter
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh adapter detect-model <adapter-type> --company-id <id>
# Test adapter environment
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh adapter test-env <adapter-type> --company-id <id>
# List projects
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh project list --company-id <id>
# Create project
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh project create \
--name "Phase 1" \
--description "Initial research" \
--goal-ids "<goal-id-1>,<goal-id-2>" \
--lead-agent-id <agent-id> \
--target-date "2026-06-01" \
--color "#3B82F6" \
--company-id <id>
# Get project details
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh project get <project-id>
# Update project (all flags optional)
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh project update <project-id> \
--name "Phase 1 - Extended" \
--status in_progress \
--lead-agent-id <agent-id> \
--target-date "2026-07-01" \
--color "#10B981"
# Delete project
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh project delete <project-id>
| Field | Type | Create | Update | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
name | string | required | optional | |
description | string | optional | optional | |
goalIds | string[] | optional | -- | Array of linked goal IDs |
goalId | string | optional | -- | DEPRECATED -- use goalIds |
leadAgentId | string | optional | optional | Project lead |
targetDate | string | optional | optional | ISO date |
color | string | optional | optional | Hex color |
status | enum | optional | optional | See statuses below |
Project statuses: backlog, planned, in_progress, completed, cancelled
Projects can have multiple workspaces (local paths, git repos, remote managed environments).
# List workspaces for a project
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh workspace list <project-id>
# Create workspace
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh workspace create <project-id> \
--name "Main Repo" \
--source-type git_repo \
--repo-url "https://github.com/org/repo" \
--repo-ref "main" \
--setup-command "pnpm install"
# Update workspace
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh workspace update <project-id> <workspace-id> \
--repo-ref "develop" \
--setup-command "pnpm install && pnpm build"
# Delete workspace
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh workspace delete <project-id> <workspace-id>
# Control workspace runtime services
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh workspace start <project-id> <workspace-id>
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh workspace stop <project-id> <workspace-id>
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh workspace restart <project-id> <workspace-id>
Workspace source types: local_path, git_repo, remote_managed, non_git_path
| Field | Type | Create | Update | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
name | string | required | optional | |
sourceType | enum | required | optional | local_path/git_repo/remote_managed/non_git_path |
cwd | string | optional | optional | Working directory path |
repoUrl | string | optional | optional | Git repository URL |
repoRef | string | optional | optional | Branch/tag/commit |
setupCommand | string | optional | optional | Run after workspace init |
cleanupCommand | string | optional | optional | Run before workspace teardown |
remoteProvider | string | optional | optional | For remote_managed type |
remoteWorkspaceRef | string | optional | optional | For remote_managed type |
# List goals
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh goal list --company-id <id>
# Create goal (hierarchical)
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh goal create --title "Expand into DACH" --level company --company-id <id>
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh goal create --title "Research Immobilien" --level team \
--parent-id <goal-id> --owner-agent-id <agent-id> --company-id <id>
# Get goal details
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh goal get <goal-id>
# Update goal (all flags optional)
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh goal update <goal-id> \
--title "New title" \
--description "Updated description" \
--status achieved \
--parent-id <parent-goal-id> \
--owner-agent-id <agent-id>
# Delete goal
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh goal delete <goal-id>
| Field | Type | Create | Update | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
title | string | required | optional | |
description | string | optional | optional | |
level | enum | optional | -- | company/team/agent/task (default: company) |
status | enum | optional | optional | planned/active/achieved/cancelled |
parentId | string | optional | optional | Parent goal for hierarchy |
ownerAgentId | string | optional | optional | Responsible agent |
Goal levels: company, team, agent, task
Goal statuses: planned, active, achieved, cancelled
# List issues (many filters available)
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh issue list --company-id <id>
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh issue list --status todo,in_progress --company-id <id>
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh issue list --assignee-agent-id <agent-id> --company-id <id>
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh issue list --project-id <project-id> --company-id <id>
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh issue list --label-id <label-id> --company-id <id>
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh issue list --q "search term" --company-id <id>
# Create an issue
# ⚠️ REQUIRED: Always set --assignee-agent-id. An issue without an assignee
# will never be picked up -- agents only process issues assigned to them.
# If unsure who to assign, list agents first: issue list + agent list.
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh issue create \
--title "Research Immobilienwirtschaft" \
--description "Phase 1: Identify all company types" \
--priority high \
--assignee-agent-id <agent-id> \
--project-id <project-id> \
--goal-id <goal-id> \
--label-ids "<label-id-1>,<label-id-2>" \
--billing-code "R&D-2026" \
--company-id <id>
# Create a sub-issue
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh issue create --title "WEG-Hausverwaltungen" \
--parent-id <parent-issue-id> --company-id <id>
# Get issue details
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh issue get <issue-id>
# Update issue (all flags optional)
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh issue update <issue-id> \
--status in_progress \
--assignee-agent-id <agent-id> \
--project-id <project-id> \
--goal-id <goal-id> \
--priority high \
--label-ids "<id1>,<id2>" \
--billing-code "OPS-2026"
# Delete issue
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh issue delete <issue-id>
| Field | Type | Create | Update | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
title | string | required | optional | |
description | string | optional | optional | |
priority | enum | optional | optional | critical/high/medium/low |
status | enum | optional | optional | See statuses below |
projectId | string | optional | optional | |
goalId | string | optional | optional | |
parentId | string | optional | optional | Creates sub-issue |
assigneeAgentId | string | optional | optional | Agent assignee |
assigneeUserId | string | optional | optional | Human assignee |
executionWorkspaceId | string | optional | optional | Workspace for execution |
labelIds | string[] | optional | optional | Label IDs |
billingCode | string | optional | optional | Cost attribution code |
Issue statuses: backlog, todo, in_progress, in_review, done, blocked, cancelled
Priority: critical, high, medium, low
| Filter | Description |
|---|---|
--status | Filter by status (comma-separated) |
--project-id | Filter by project |
--assignee-agent-id | Filter by agent assignee |
--assignee-user-id | Filter by human assignee |
--participant-agent-id | Filter by participant agent |
--label-id | Filter by label |
--origin-kind | Filter by origin (manual/routine_execution) |
--q | Full-text search |
--include-routine-executions | Include routine-generated issues |
Comments are immutable -- no edit or delete endpoints exist.
# List comments (supports pagination)
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh issue comments <issue-id>
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh issue comments <issue-id> --order asc --limit 50
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh issue comments <issue-id> --after <comment-id> --limit 20
# Get a single comment
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh issue comment-get <issue-id> <comment-id>
# Add comment
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh issue comment <issue-id> --body "Research complete, 25 Spielwiesen identified"
# Comment that reopens a done/cancelled issue
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh issue comment <issue-id> --body "Found another category" --reopen
# Comment that interrupts the current agent execution
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh issue comment <issue-id> --body "Stop and pivot to X" --interrupt
Comment create fields: body (required), reopen (optional bool), interrupt (optional bool, board only)
Comment response fields: id, companyId, issueId, authorAgentId, authorUserId, createdByRunId, body, createdAt, updatedAt
Attachments can be linked to a specific comment via --comment-id on issue attachment-upload.
# Checkout (lock for agent -- prevents double-work)
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh issue checkout <issue-id> --agent-id <agent-id>
# Release (unlock)
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh issue release <issue-id>
Each issue can have multiple versioned markdown documents (e.g. plans, reports, specs).
# List documents on an issue
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh issue documents <issue-id>
# Get document content by key
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh issue document-get <issue-id> <key>
# Create or update document (upsert)
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh issue document-set <issue-id> <key> \
--title "Research Plan" \
--body "# Plan\n\n1. Identify segments\n2. ..."
# List document revisions
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh issue document-revisions <issue-id> <key>
# Restore a revision
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh issue document-restore <issue-id> <key> <revision-id>
# Delete document
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh issue document-delete <issue-id> <key>
# List company labels
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh label list --company-id <id>
# Create label
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh label create --name "urgent" --color "#EF4444" --company-id <id>
# Delete label
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh label delete <label-id>
# List attachments on an issue
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh issue attachments <issue-id>
# Upload attachment (multipart/form-data, max 10MB)
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh issue attachment-upload <issue-id> --file ./report.pdf --company-id <id>
# Download attachment content
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh issue attachment-content <attachment-id>
# Delete attachment
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh issue attachment-delete <attachment-id>
Allowed content types: images (png/jpeg/webp/gif), PDF, markdown, plain text, JSON, CSV, HTML. Configurable per instance.
# List all execution runs for an issue
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh issue runs <issue-id>
# List currently active (queued/running) runs
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh issue live-runs <issue-id>
# Get the single active run (or null)
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh issue active-run <issue-id>
Run fields: runId, status, agentId, invocationSource, startedAt, finishedAt, usageJson, resultJson
Note: There is no GET /api/agents/:id/runs endpoint. Execution history is per-issue, not per-agent. To get an agent's run history, query issues assigned to that agent.
# List feedback votes on an issue
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh issue feedback-votes <issue-id>
# Submit feedback vote (thumbs up/down)
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh issue feedback-vote <issue-id> --value up
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh issue feedback-vote <issue-id> --value down --comment "Output was incomplete"
# List feedback traces on an issue
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh issue feedback-traces <issue-id>
# Get feedback trace details / bundle
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh feedback-trace get <trace-id>
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh feedback-trace bundle <trace-id>
# List company-wide feedback traces (filterable)
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh feedback-trace list --company-id <id>
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh feedback-trace list --status pending --vote-value down --company-id <id>
# Mark issue as read
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh issue mark-read <issue-id>
# Mark issue as unread
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh issue mark-unread <issue-id>
# Archive from inbox
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh issue inbox-archive <issue-id>
# Unarchive from inbox
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh issue inbox-unarchive <issue-id>
The full state machine and transition rules live in the canonical Issues docs. The most common pitfalls when scripting against the API:
backlog ──ready──▶ todo ──checkout──▶ in_progress ──submit──▶ in_review
▲ │ │ │ │ │
│ blocker──────────┘ │ │ │ │ changes
│ │ │ submit/done │ │ requested
│ blocked│ ▼ ▼ │
└──unblock/release─────┘ done ◀─approve─── (stage)
▲
any non-terminal ──cancel──▶ cancelled ┘
terminal (done/cancelled) ──reopen: true──▶ todo
When an agent (not board) updates a checked-out issue — comment, status change, document write — the request must include:
X-Paperclip-Run-Id: <current-run-id>
Without it, the server rejects the mutation as a checkout-ownership violation. Board users don't need this header.
# Wrong — rejected by the server
issue update <id> --status todo # done/cancelled is terminal
# Right — only reopen unlocks terminal status
PATCH /api/issues/{id} { "reopen": true, "comment": "Re-opening because…" }
The reopen: true flag also accepts an explicit non-default status if you want to reopen as e.g. in_review instead of the default todo.
blockedByIssueIds — first-class blocker linksDon't write blockers as free-text comments ("blocked by FLE-1234"). Use the structured field:
issue update <id> --label-ids "..."
# Direct API call needed for blockedByIssueIds (not yet exposed via wrapper):
PATCH /api/issues/{id} { "blockedByIssueIds": ["uuid-1", "uuid-2"] }
When every blocker reaches done, the server fires an issue_blockers_resolved wake on the dependent. Cancelled blockers do not count as resolved — replace or remove them explicitly. Free-text comments never auto-wake.
GET /api/issues/{id}/heartbeat-contextCompact payload for agent wakeups: reduced issue summary + ancestors + project/goal summaries + comment cursor + optional wakeComment + attachment summaries. Cheaper than the full issue detail; designed for the heartbeat path.
curl -H "Authorization: Bearer $PAPERCLIP_API_TOKEN" \
"$PAPERCLIP_API_URL/api/issues/$ISSUE_ID/heartbeat-context"
hiddenAt field — declutter without status changePATCH /api/issues/{id} { "hiddenAt": "2026-05-05T12:00:00Z" } removes the issue from default list responses without changing its status or history. Set to null to unhide. Use for stale duplicates you don't want to cancel.
| Mistake | What goes wrong | Do this instead |
|---|---|---|
PATCH status: "in_progress" to claim a task | Skips checkout, leaves checkoutRunId empty, race-prone | Always claim via POST /api/issues/{id}/checkout with expectedStatuses and X-Paperclip-Run-Id |
Retrying a 409 Conflict from checkout | Issue is owned by another agent — retrying steals/thrashes the lock | Treat 409 as terminal — pick a different issue |
| Free-text "blocked by FLE-XXXX" comment | Dependent never auto-wakes when blocker resolves | Set blockedByIssueIds on create or PATCH |
| Cancelling a blocker, expecting auto-unblock | cancelled blockers do not count as resolved | Replace or remove the cancelled id from blockedByIssueIds |
Approving an in_review issue you're not the current participant for | Server returns 422 | Inspect executionState.currentParticipant first |
PATCH status: "todo" on a done issue | Rejected — terminal transitions require reopen | Send PATCH { reopen: true, comment: "…" } |
Forgetting X-Paperclip-Run-Id on agent mutations | Rejected as checkout-ownership violation | Always pass current heartbeat run id on agent PATCH/POST |
PATCH status: "cancelled" while executionState is pending | Returns HTTP 200 but silently drops the cancel — status stays unchanged. No 422, no error message. | First clear policy: PATCH executionPolicy: null (returns issue to original executor with status in_progress), then PATCH status: "cancelled". |
Routines create issues on a schedule (cron), via webhook, or via API trigger. Each routine has one or more triggers that control when it fires.
# List routines
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh routine list --company-id <id>
# Create routine (title + projectId + assigneeAgentId required)
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh routine create \
--title "Daily standup" \
--description "Check issues and report status" \
--project-id <project-id> \
--assignee-agent-id <agent-id> \
--priority medium \
--concurrency-policy coalesce_if_active \
--catch-up-policy skip_missed \
--company-id <id>
# Get routine details (includes triggers, recent runs)
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh routine get <routine-id>
# Update routine (all flags optional)
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh routine update <routine-id> \
--title "Weekly standup" \
--assignee-agent-id <new-agent-id> \
--priority high \
--status paused \
--concurrency-policy skip_if_active
# Delete routine
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh routine delete <routine-id>
# Manually trigger routine
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh routine run <routine-id>
| Field | Type | Create | Update | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
title | string | required | optional | |
description | string | optional | optional | |
projectId | string | required | -- | Parent project |
goalId | string | optional | -- | Linked goal |
parentIssueId | string | optional | -- | Parent issue for generated issues |
assigneeAgentId | string | required | optional | Agent that executes |
priority | enum | optional | optional | critical/high/medium/low |
status | enum | optional | optional | active/paused/archived |
concurrencyPolicy | enum | optional | optional | See below |
catchUpPolicy | enum | optional | optional | See below |
variables | array | optional | optional | Parameterized variables |
Routine statuses: active, paused, archived
Concurrency policies:
coalesce_if_active -- merge with running issue if one exists (default)always_enqueue -- always create a new issueskip_if_active -- skip if an issue is already runningCatch-up policies:
skip_missed -- don't fire for missed schedules (default)enqueue_missed_with_cap -- enqueue missed runs up to a capRoutines can have parameterized variables that get injected into the generated issue. Pass as JSON array:
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh routine create \
--title "Report Generator" \
--project-id <id> \
--assignee-agent-id <id> \
--variables '[{"name": "region", "label": "Target Region", "type": "select", "required": true, "options": ["DACH", "US", "APAC"], "defaultValue": "DACH"}]' \
--company-id <id>
Variable fields:
| Field | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
name | string | Variable identifier |
label | string | Display label |
type | enum | text/textarea/number/boolean/select |
defaultValue | mixed | Default value |
required | boolean | Required? |
options | string[] | Choices (for select type) |
Triggers define WHEN a routine fires. A routine can have multiple triggers.
# Create a cron schedule trigger
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh trigger create <routine-id> \
--kind schedule \
--cron "0 9 * * *" \
--timezone "Europe/Berlin" \
--label "Daily 9am Berlin"
# Create a webhook trigger
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh trigger create <routine-id> \
--kind webhook \
--label "GitHub Push Hook" \
--signing-mode hmac_sha256
# Create an API trigger (callable via POST /routines/{id}/run)
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh trigger create <routine-id> \
--kind api \
--label "Manual API"
# Update trigger (all flags optional)
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh trigger update <trigger-id> \
--enabled false \
--cron "0 */6 * * *"
# Delete trigger
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh trigger delete <trigger-id>
# Rotate webhook secret
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh trigger rotate-secret <trigger-id>
Trigger kinds: schedule, webhook, api
Signing modes (webhook): bearer, hmac_sha256
| Field | Type | Create | Update | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
kind | enum | required | -- | schedule/webhook/api |
label | string | optional | optional | Display name |
enabled | boolean | optional | optional | Default: true |
cronExpression | string | required (schedule) | optional | Cron expression |
timezone | string | optional | optional | IANA timezone |
signingMode | enum | optional (webhook) | optional | bearer/hmac_sha256 |
replayWindowSec | number | optional (webhook) | optional | Replay window |
# List recent runs
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh routine runs <routine-id>
Run statuses: received, coalesced, skipped, issue_created, completed, failed
# List pending approvals
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh approval list --status pending --company-id <id>
# Get approval details
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh approval get <approval-id>
# Approve / reject
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh approval approve <approval-id> --note "Looks good"
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh approval reject <approval-id> --note "Too expensive"
# Request revision / resubmit
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh approval request-revision <approval-id> --note "Needs more detail on budget"
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh approval resubmit <approval-id>
# Comment on approval
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh approval comment <approval-id> --body "What's the expected ROI?"
# List linked issues
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh approval issues <approval-id>
Approval types: hire_agent, approve_ceo_strategy, budget_override_required
Approval statuses: pending, revision_requested, approved, rejected, cancelled
# Company cost summary (optional --from/--to ISO dates)
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh cost summary --company-id <id>
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh cost summary --from 2026-01-01 --to 2026-03-31 --company-id <id>
# Cost breakdowns
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh cost by-agent --company-id <id>
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh cost by-agent-model --company-id <id>
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh cost by-project --company-id <id>
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh cost by-provider --company-id <id>
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh cost by-biller --company-id <id>
# Finance reports
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh cost finance --company-id <id>
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh cost finance-by-biller --company-id <id>
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh cost finance-by-kind --company-id <id>
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh cost finance-events --company-id <id> --limit 50
# Current spending window & provider quotas
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh cost window-spend --company-id <id>
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh cost quota-windows --company-id <id>
# Budget overview (policies + active incidents)
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh budget overview --company-id <id>
# Budget management
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh budget update --company-id <id> --budget-monthly-cents 1000000
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh budget reset --company-id <id>
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh budget soft-reset --company-id <id>
# Agent-level budget
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh budget agent-update <agent-id> --budget-monthly-cents 100000
# Log cost events (for agents tracking their own usage)
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh cost log-cost-event --company-id <id> --data '{"agentId":"...","provider":"anthropic","model":"claude-sonnet-4-20250514","inputTokens":1000,"outputTokens":500,"costCents":2}'
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh cost log-finance-event --company-id <id> --data '{"kind":"subscription","billerName":"Anthropic","amountCents":5000}'
# List secrets (values are never returned)
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh secret list --company-id <id>
# List available secret providers
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh secret providers --company-id <id>
# Create secret
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh secret create \
--name "OPENAI_KEY" \
--value "sk-..." \
--description "OpenAI API key for research agents" \
--provider local_encrypted \
--company-id <id>
# Update secret metadata (not the value)
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh secret update <secret-id> \
--name "OPENAI_API_KEY" \
--description "Updated description"
# Rotate secret value (creates new version)
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh secret rotate <secret-id> --value "sk-new..."
# Delete secret
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh secret delete <secret-id> --company-id <id>
Secret providers: local_encrypted, aws_secrets_manager, gcp_secret_manager, vault
| Field | Type | Create | Update | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
name | string | required | optional | Secret name |
value | string | required | -- | Secret value (use rotate to change) |
provider | enum | optional | -- | Storage backend (default: local_encrypted) |
description | string | optional | optional | |
externalRef | string | optional | optional | Reference in external secret manager |
# Export company (Board or CEO)
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh company export <company-id>
# Preview export before executing (CEO)
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh company export-preview <company-id>
# Import company from bundle (Board only)
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh company import --data '{"bundleJson":{...},"target":{"mode":"new_company"},"collisionStrategy":"merge"}'
# Preview import before applying (Board only)
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh company import-preview --data '{"bundleJson":{...},"target":{"mode":"new_company"}}'
# CEO-level safe import (restricted: own company only, no "replace" strategy)
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh company safe-import-preview <company-id> --data '...'
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh company safe-import <company-id> --data '...'
Import collision strategies: merge, skip, replace (replace forbidden for CEO-level safe imports)
Import target modes: new_company, existing_company
Plugins can receive external webhooks at a public endpoint (no auth required):
POST /api/plugins/:pluginId/webhooks/:endpointKey
Prerequisites: Plugin must be in "ready" status and declare webhooks.receive capability. Endpoint must be declared in plugin manifest. Every delivery is recorded with full payload, headers, status, and timing.
Real-time event stream for company-wide events:
ws(s)://PAPERCLIP_API_URL/api/companies/:companyId/events/ws
?token=<api_key> query param or Authorization: Bearer <api_key> header| Event | Description |
|---|---|
heartbeat.run.queued | Run entered queue |
heartbeat.run.status | Run status changed |
heartbeat.run.event | Run event occurred |
heartbeat.run.log | Log output from run |
agent.status | Agent status changed |
activity.logged | Activity event recorded |
plugin.ui.updated | Plugin UI updated |
plugin.worker.crashed | Plugin worker crashed |
plugin.worker.restarted | Plugin worker restarted |
Event payload: {"id": <num>, "companyId": "...", "type": "<event-type>", "createdAt": "...", "payload": {...}}
Server sends ping every 30s -- clients must respond with pong or connection terminates.
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh dashboard --company-id <id>
# Activity log (all filters optional)
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh activity --company-id <id>
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh activity --agent-id <id> --company-id <id>
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh activity --entity-type issue --action created --company-id <id>
# Org chart
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh org --company-id <id>
# Instance health
{baseDir}/scripts/paperclip.sh health
Goal (company) → Goal (team) → Project → Issue → Sub-issue
All work traces back to company goals for alignment and cost attribution.
company create -- creates the companygoal create --level company -- set the company mission goalagent hire for the CEO -- triggers Board approvalapproval approve -- Board approves the hireproject create -- create a project linked to the goalroutine create + trigger create -- set up recurring tasksissue create -- give the CEO their first strategic taskPaperclip exposes three authentication paths (per API Authentication docs):
| Path | When to use | Header |
|---|---|---|
| Board API key (bearer) | Scripted access, CI, our wrapper | Authorization: Bearer pcp_board_<token> |
| Session cookie | Browser UI, manual curl in trusted mode | Cookie sent via -b cookies.txt |
| Agent API key / run JWT | Agent-side calls (heartbeats) | Authorization: Bearer <agent-key> |
Bearer always wins over cookies — a request with a valid bearer token is not treated as a session request, even if a cookie is also sent.
Use the official CLI device-code flow (CLI Auth docs):
paperclipai auth login # default mode
paperclipai auth login --instance-admin # admin scope
paperclipai auth login --api-base https://... # specific server
The CLI opens a browser for approval and stores a pcp_board_* token. Export it as PAPERCLIP_API_TOKEN for our wrapper.
OriginCSRF protection requires the Origin header on all mutating requests (POST/PATCH/DELETE), regardless of auth method. The wrapper sets it automatically. Without it: {"error":"Board mutation requires trusted browser origin"}.
X-Paperclip-Run-IdWhen an agent posts to a checked-out issue (comment, status update), the request must include X-Paperclip-Run-Id: <current-run-id>. The server uses it to verify checkout ownership; without it, mutations are rejected as ownership violations.
If you can't mint a bearer token (e.g. local dev, no paperclipai CLI), the wrapper falls back to POST /api/auth/sign-in/email (BetterAuth) and uses the returned session cookie. The session token returned in that response is not a board API key — it only works as a cookie, not as a bearer header. Set PAPERCLIP_EMAIL and PAPERCLIP_PASSWORD.
⚠️ Rate limit: the sign-in endpoint returns
429after roughly 10 fresh sign-ins per minute. Since the wrapper signs in per CLI call, a tight loop (e.g. fan-out reads across many resources) will trip it almost immediately. Use the bearer path instead.
assigneeAgentId in the POST body. An unassigned issue is invisible to agents -- they only see issues assigned to them. Never create an issue and assign it in a separate step; do it atomically in the POST.todo, not backlog. Only todo issues trigger agent invocation. backlog is planning-only -- the agent will never pick it up. Default is backlog, so always pass --status todo when you want the agent to act immediately.agent list --company-id <id>.assigneeAgentId + status>=todo already wakes the assigned agent. A paused "patrol" routine never causes a backlog of assigned issues — only schedule-triggered work (audits, digests) is affected. Don't recommend re-enabling routines to "unblock the review queue" — diagnose the assignee or status instead.paperclipai auth login and export it as PAPERCLIP_API_TOKEN. Cookie auth stays only as a fallback for trusted-mode local dev./api/ prefix/issues/:id/runs), not per-agent/companies/:id/events/ws)Siehe references/api-notes.md für:
Create Excalidraw diagram JSON files that make visual arguments -- workflows, architectures, concepts. Use when the user wants to visualize systems, processes, or ideas as .excalidraw files. Covers design methodology, section-by-section building, render-validate loop, and quality checklist.
Manage Webflow sites via the official Webflow MCP server -- pages, CMS, assets, components, styles, variables, custom code, comments, localization, and publishing. Covers the headless Data API tools and the Designer API tools (which need the Webflow Designer open in the foreground). Use when: reading, auditing, or editing a Webflow site; building or duplicating pages; managing CMS collections or assets; or adding legal/marketing pages. This plugin ships the Webflow MCP server; just authenticate (OAuth).
Turn an existing skill or a fresh idea into a catalog-ready shareable skill -- run the quality gate, decide public-vs-private catalog and standalone-vs-bundle placement, pick the category, scaffold SKILL.md (+ optional .plugin.json), update the catalog docs, and open a PR to main. Use when adding a new skill to this repo, promoting a personal or ad-hoc skill into a shareable one, or routing a skill into the right catalog.
Generate professional consulting deliverables: Excalidraw diagrams, Mermaid visualizations, Reveal.js/Marp presentations, draw.io architecture diagrams, one-pagers, and proposal documents. Use when a user asks for visual artifacts, slides, diagrams, architecture visuals, consulting documents, pitch decks, workshop materials, or any creative deliverable for client-facing or internal use. Covers the full "Consulting as Code" creative pipeline.
Build distinctive, production-grade frontend interfaces with high design quality. Use when asked to build websites, landing pages, dashboards, web apps, or any web UI that should look polished and modern. Generates creative, polished code that avoids generic AI aesthetics. Includes Yesterday corporate identity briefing for branded reports and deliverables.
Audit this repo's skills + plugins on three axes -- (1) leaks of personal info or Yesterday-internal references in user-facing artifacts, (2) catalog consistency (folder/name/dep/install-target alignment), (3) plugin-spec compliance (Claude Code + Cursor manifest schemas, layout rules). Reports findings as a triage list; does not auto-fix. Use before publishing, before merging skill PRs, or as a periodic hygiene pass.