avksp · avksp · Aug 9, 2026 · Aug 9, 2026
diff --git a/.agents/plugins/marketplace.json b/.agents/plugins/marketplace.json
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@
       "source": {
         "source": "url",
         "url": "https://github.com/avksp/agent-lifecycle-kit.git",
-        "ref": "v1.51.0"
+        "ref": "v1.52.0"
       },
       "policy": {
         "installation": "AVAILABLE",

diff --git a/.claude-plugin/marketplace.json b/.claude-plugin/marketplace.json
@@ -9,10 +9,10 @@
       "source": {
         "source": "github",
         "repo": "avksp/agent-lifecycle-kit",
-        "ref": "v1.51.0"
+        "ref": "v1.52.0"
       },
       "description": "Reviewed SDD planning, budgeted execution, adapter conformance, implementation audit, and final proof.",
-      "version": "1.51.0",
+      "version": "1.52.0",
       "author": {
         "name": "Agent Lifecycle Kit contributors"
       },

diff --git a/.claude-plugin/plugin.json b/.claude-plugin/plugin.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "agent-lifecycle-kit",
-  "version": "1.51.0",
+  "version": "1.52.0",
   "description": "Provider-neutral lifecycle kit for reviewed SDD planning, budgeted execution, adapter conformance, independent audits, and final proof.",
   "author": {
     "name": "Agent Lifecycle Kit contributors"

diff --git a/.codex-plugin/plugin.json b/.codex-plugin/plugin.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "agent-lifecycle-kit",
-  "version": "1.51.0",
+  "version": "1.52.0",
   "description": "Provider-neutral lifecycle kit for reviewed SDD planning, budgeted execution, adapter conformance, independent audits, and final proof.",
   "author": {
     "name": "Agent Lifecycle Kit contributors",

diff --git a/.cursor-plugin/marketplace.json b/.cursor-plugin/marketplace.json
@@ -5,14 +5,14 @@
   },
   "metadata": {
     "description": "Provider-neutral lifecycle kit for reviewed SDD planning, budgeted execution, adapter conformance, independent audits, and final proof.",
-    "version": "1.51.0"
+    "version": "1.52.0"
   },
   "plugins": [
     {
       "name": "agent-lifecycle-kit",
       "source": ".",
       "description": "Reviewed SDD planning, budgeted execution, adapter conformance, implementation audit, and final proof.",
-      "version": "1.51.0",
+      "version": "1.52.0",
       "author": {
         "name": "Agent Lifecycle Kit contributors"
       },

diff --git a/.cursor-plugin/plugin.json b/.cursor-plugin/plugin.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "agent-lifecycle-kit",
-  "version": "1.51.0",
+  "version": "1.52.0",
   "description": "Provider-neutral lifecycle kit for reviewed SDD planning, budgeted execution, adapter conformance, independent audits, and final proof.",
   "author": {
     "name": "Agent Lifecycle Kit contributors"

diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -4,6 +4,17 @@
 
 - No changes yet.
 
+## 1.52.0 - 2026-08-09
+
+- Added `agent-lifecycle start` as one beginner-facing command for task text,
+  Markdown, explicit frozen-run delegation and stored ALK session resume.
+- Added `auto`, `research`, `plan`, `review` and explicit `implement` modes with
+  fail-closed execution boundaries and verified adapter/session lineage.
+- Added `agent-lifecycle-start-receipt.v1`, path-safe delegate summaries,
+  focused non-execution tests and English/Russian operator guidance.
+- Updated package, plugin, marketplace and quickstart publication metadata to
+  `1.52.0`.
+
 ## 1.51.0 - 2026-08-09
 
 - Added Python 3.14 to package metadata and the tested CI, release, publication

diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
@@ -26,11 +26,11 @@ From a source checkout:
 python -m pip install -e .
 agent-lifecycle version
 agent-lifecycle diagnose --no-install-plans
-agent-lifecycle adapter validate --descriptor adapters/codex/adapter.descriptor.json
+agent-lifecycle start --adapter codex --text "Draft a reviewed implementation plan"
 ```
 
 The official [PyPI package](https://pypi.org/project/agent-lifecycle-kit/) supports Python 3.11-3.14.
-Install the exact release with `python -m pip install agent-lifecycle-kit==1.51.0`.
+Install the exact release with `python -m pip install agent-lifecycle-kit==1.52.0`.
 
 For a short walkthrough, use [Quickstart](docs/guides/quickstart.md) and the [Lifecycle cookbook](docs/guides/lifecycle-cookbook.md). For structure and positioning, see [System architecture](docs/architecture/system-architecture.md) and [Project comparison](docs/reference/project-comparison.md). Russian documentation starts at [Документация на русском](docs/ru/README.md).
 
@@ -46,9 +46,9 @@ For a short walkthrough, use [Quickstart](docs/guides/quickstart.md) and the [Li
 - Usage visibility: tokens, time, and resource counters are native; monetary
   cost is optional and only used when a metered host reports it.
 - Read-only progress and managed sessions: host UIs can show lifecycle state,
-  attested tokens and Git-style change counters; `adapter task start` accepts
-  task text, Markdown or frozen run requests while preserving review/freeze
-  boundaries.
+  attested tokens and Git-style change counters; `start` accepts task text,
+  Markdown, frozen run requests or stored ALK sessions while preserving
+  review/freeze boundaries.
 
 ## Feature areas
 

diff --git a/adapters/claude/.claude-plugin/plugin.json b/adapters/claude/.claude-plugin/plugin.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "agent-lifecycle-kit",
-  "version": "1.51.0",
+  "version": "1.52.0",
   "description": "Lifecycle skills and adapter metadata for reviewed planning, budgeted execution, adapter conformance, audit, and final proof.",
   "author": {
     "name": "Agent Lifecycle Kit contributors"

diff --git a/adapters/codex/.codex-plugin/plugin.json b/adapters/codex/.codex-plugin/plugin.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "agent-lifecycle-kit",
-  "version": "1.51.0",
+  "version": "1.52.0",
   "description": "Provider-neutral lifecycle kit and adapter metadata for reviewed planning, budgeted execution, adapter conformance, audit, and final proof.",
   "author": {
     "name": "Agent Lifecycle Kit contributors"

diff --git a/adapters/cursor/.cursor-plugin/plugin.json b/adapters/cursor/.cursor-plugin/plugin.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "agent-lifecycle-kit",
-  "version": "1.51.0",
+  "version": "1.52.0",
   "description": "Agent lifecycle planning, budgeted execution, adapter conformance, audit, and final proof for Cursor.",
   "author": {
     "name": "Agent Lifecycle Kit contributors"

diff --git a/docs/README.md b/docs/README.md
@@ -14,8 +14,9 @@ project.
 ## Quick start
 
 - Official PyPI package for Python 3.11-3.14:
-  `python -m pip install agent-lifecycle-kit==1.51.0` from
+  `python -m pip install agent-lifecycle-kit==1.52.0` from
   [agent-lifecycle-kit](https://pypi.org/project/agent-lifecycle-kit/).
+- One safe entrypoint: `agent-lifecycle start --adapter codex --file task.md`.
 - [Quickstart](guides/quickstart.md)
 - [Lifecycle cookbook](guides/lifecycle-cookbook.md)
 - [System architecture](architecture/system-architecture.md)

diff --git a/docs/architecture/system-architecture.md b/docs/architecture/system-architecture.md
@@ -247,10 +247,43 @@ sequenceDiagram
   Main-->>User: stable JSON stdout
 ```
 
-Pattern: command dispatcher plus functional core. `cli/dispatch.py` only selects
-one of five command-group handlers: adapters/readiness, contracts/evidence,
-lifecycle, observability or planning. CLI modules should stay thin; domain
-services own behavior and tests.
+Pattern: command dispatcher plus functional core. `cli/dispatch.py` selects the
+unified start facade or one of five command-group handlers:
+adapters/readiness, contracts/evidence, lifecycle, observability or planning.
+CLI modules stay thin; domain services own behavior and tests.
+
+### Unified lifecycle start
+
+```mermaid
+sequenceDiagram
+  participant User
+  participant StartCLI as cli/start.py
+  participant Start as adapter_sessions/unified_start.py
+  participant Intake as adapter_sessions/task_intake.py
+  participant Resume as adapter_sessions/workflow_bridge.py
+  participant Store as adapter_sessions/session_store.py
+
+  User->>StartCLI: start --adapter --file|--text|--resume
+  StartCLI->>Start: start_lifecycle()
+  alt raw task in auto/research/plan/review
+    Start->>Intake: start_adapter_task()
+    Intake-->>Start: reviewed draft receipt
+  else frozen input with explicit implement
+    Start->>Intake: existing frozen delegation
+    Intake-->>Start: managed-run receipt
+  else persisted ALK session
+    Start->>Store: load_session()
+    Start->>Resume: resume_adapter_session()
+    Resume-->>Start: lineage result
+  end
+  Start-->>User: agent-lifecycle-start-receipt.v1
+```
+
+The facade selects an existing primitive; it does not own workflow transitions.
+Raw task modes cannot call managed-run or host-launch code. Frozen delegation
+requires explicit `implement` and complete bindings. Resume accepts only a
+stored ALK session, validates adapter and state lineage, and does not interpret
+native host conversation identifiers.
 
 ### Raw task or Markdown intake
 

diff --git a/docs/guides/lifecycle-cookbook.md b/docs/guides/lifecycle-cookbook.md
@@ -36,13 +36,14 @@ Return:
 - validation commands that would be needed later.
 EOF
 
-agent-lifecycle adapter task start \
+agent-lifecycle start \
   --adapter codex \
+  --mode research \
   --file work/tasks/research.md \
-  --out work/tasks/research-intake.json
+  --out work/tasks/research-start.json
 
 agent-lifecycle review-mesh recommend \
-  --intake work/tasks/research-intake.json \
+  --file work/tasks/research.md \
   --out work/tasks/research-recommendation.json
 ```
 
@@ -54,13 +55,14 @@ into a normal ALK plan package and freeze it.
 Use this for a task, proposal or plan saved in one file:
 
 ```bash
-agent-lifecycle adapter task start \
+agent-lifecycle start \
   --adapter claude \
+  --mode review \
   --file tasks/proposal.md \
-  --out work/review/proposal-intake.json
+  --out work/review/proposal-start.json
 
 agent-lifecycle review-mesh recommend \
-  --intake work/review/proposal-intake.json \
+  --file tasks/proposal.md \
   --out work/review/proposal-recommendation.json
 ```
 
@@ -92,10 +94,11 @@ Check requirements, acceptance criteria, evidence routes, write ownership,
 security gates and release claims.
 EOF
 
-agent-lifecycle adapter task start \
+agent-lifecycle start \
   --adapter codex \
+  --mode review \
   --file work/review/plan-review-task.md \
-  --out work/review/plan-review-intake.json
+  --out work/review/plan-review-start.json
 ```
 
 ## Review code changes
@@ -109,10 +112,11 @@ git diff origin/main...HEAD > work/code-review/current/diff.patch
 ```
 
 ```bash
-agent-lifecycle adapter task start \
+agent-lifecycle start \
   --adapter codex \
+  --mode review \
   --file work/code-review/current/review-task.md \
-  --out work/code-review/current/intake.json
+  --out work/code-review/current/start.json
 ```
 
 When architecture is documented, list the architecture documents in the task
@@ -161,10 +165,11 @@ For defects, regressions, flaky failures, incidents and security bugs, start
 with task intake and let ALK add advisory-only Bug Forensics markers:
 
 ```bash
-agent-lifecycle adapter task start \
+agent-lifecycle start \
   --adapter codex \
+  --mode plan \
   --file work/bugs/checkout-regression.md \
-  --out work/bugs/checkout-intake.json
+  --out work/bugs/checkout-start.json
 ```
 
 The advisory does not activate the workflow gate. A reviewed frozen plan must
@@ -192,3 +197,7 @@ OpenCode; any configured model can be used by changing the host command.
 - Plugin installation alone is not proof that the ALK lifecycle ran.
 - Raw text, Markdown and imported plans never authorize implementation by
   themselves.
+
+Use `agent-lifecycle start` for the common path. Advanced scripts may use the
+atomic `adapter task start`, `adapter run` and `adapter session resume`
+commands when they need direct control over one lifecycle primitive.
diff --git a/docs/guides/quickstart.md b/docs/guides/quickstart.md
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ supports Python 3.11-3.14. When the package is available for the requested
 version, install the exact semantic version:
 
 ```bash
-python -m pip install agent-lifecycle-kit==1.51.0
+python -m pip install agent-lifecycle-kit==1.52.0
 agent-lifecycle version
 ```
 
@@ -103,18 +103,50 @@ The same command supports `--dialect bmad` and `--dialect spec-kitty`.
 Imported material remains a draft candidate. It cannot start implementation or
 replace a frozen ALK plan until it is reviewed and frozen.
 
-## Start adapter task intake
+## Start with one command
 
 For a task file or short text:
 
 ```bash
-agent-lifecycle adapter task start --adapter codex --file task.md
-agent-lifecycle adapter task start --adapter codex --text "Fix the failing test"
+agent-lifecycle start --adapter codex --file task.md
+agent-lifecycle start --adapter codex --text "Fix the failing test"
 ```
 
-This does not start implementation for raw input. It returns a review-gated
-draft receipt. Managed execution requires a frozen run request or a frozen plan
-with workflow binding.
+The default mode is `auto`. Raw input never starts implementation: it returns
+`agent-lifecycle-start-receipt.v1` with a review-gated draft result. Use an
+explicit non-executing mode when the requested outcome is narrower:
+
+```bash
+agent-lifecycle start --adapter codex --mode research --file research.md
+agent-lifecycle start --adapter codex --mode plan --file feature.md
+agent-lifecycle start --adapter codex --mode review --file proposed-plan.md
+```
+
+Only `--mode implement` can delegate to the existing managed-run path, and it
+requires a structured frozen run request with complete state, manifest, lock,
+task, operation and revision bindings:
+
+```bash
+agent-lifecycle start \
+  --adapter codex \
+  --mode implement \
+  --file work/run/adapter-run-request.json
+```
+
+To resume a session recorded by ALK:
+
+```bash
+agent-lifecycle start \
+  --adapter codex \
+  --resume <session-id> \
+  --session-root .alk/adapter-sessions
+```
+
+Resume verifies the stored adapter and workflow lineage. It does not interpret
+the value as a native Codex, Claude, OpenCode or other host conversation id.
+This release does not launch an external host CLI. Advanced automation can use
+the lower-level `adapter task start`, `adapter run` and `adapter session resume`
+commands documented in the [CLI reference](../reference/cli.md).
 
 ## Review code changes
 
@@ -129,13 +161,14 @@ git diff origin/main...HEAD > work/code-review/current/diff.patch
 Then pass the task to ALK without starting implementation:
 
 ```bash
-agent-lifecycle adapter task start \
+agent-lifecycle start \
   --adapter codex \
+  --mode review \
   --file work/code-review/current/review-task.md \
-  --out work/code-review/current/intake.json
+  --out work/code-review/current/start.json
 
 agent-lifecycle review-mesh recommend \
-  --intake work/code-review/current/intake.json \
+  --file work/code-review/current/review-task.md \
   --out work/code-review/current/recommendation.json
 ```
 
@@ -155,6 +188,11 @@ agent-lifecycle review-mesh recommend --file task.md
 To prepare local reviewer packets from a task intake receipt:
 
 ```bash
+agent-lifecycle adapter task start \
+  --adapter codex \
+  --file work/code-review/current/review-task.md \
+  --out work/code-review/current/intake.json
+
 agent-lifecycle review-mesh prepare \
   --intake work/code-review/current/intake.json \
   --template leader-draft-review \