Skip to main content
Glama

code-quorum

Independent reviews have become an important part of how I use agentic tools. Inspired by similar work, I built Code Quorum for my own use and am sharing it in case others find it useful.

Code Quorum is a macOS multi-agent council for Claude Code and Codex. The active host writes its own review, assessment, or plan while external seats work in parallel. A structural anti-bias gate keeps every perspective independent until the final synthesis.

It can use existing Claude Code, ChatGPT/Codex, and Gemini/Antigravity subscriptions. The OpenCode seat uses OpenRouter, with DeepSeek V4 Flash as its default model. Both CLI hosts are supported, along with Codex in the ChatGPT desktop app and the Code surface in the Claude desktop app.

Host

Default external council

Claude Code

Codex + Gemini + OpenCode

Codex

Claude subscription + Gemini + OpenCode

The host is never also a subprocess seat. The start/await split requires the host to form its own answer before q_await exposes peer output, and every council skill calls the blocking completion notification in the same turn as its start.

External seats are read-only, but read-only does not mean data-local. Review Security and data boundaries before using Code Quorum on private material.

Every repository-reading MCP council start requires an explicit absolute project cwd. The MCP tools reject an omitted or blank value rather than falling back to the server's plugin-cache or runtime directory. The host skills supply this value during normal /q-* and $code-quorum:q-* use. Plan and scope files must also resolve inside that directory; absolute paths, .. traversal, and symlink escapes are rejected before their contents are read.

Workflows

The host can select a workflow from a matching plain-language request. Use the forms below to select one explicitly:

Workflow

Claude Code

Codex

Shell

Plan

/q-plan <task>

$code-quorum:q-plan <task>

uv run quorum q-plan <task>

Brainstorm

/q-brainstorm <topic>

$code-quorum:q-brainstorm <topic>

uv run quorum q-brainstorm <topic>

Skystorm

/q-skystorm <topic>

$code-quorum:q-skystorm <topic>

host-only skill

Validate

/q-validate <plan-path>

$code-quorum:q-validate <plan-path>

uv run quorum q-validate <plan-path>

Review

/q-review [target]

$code-quorum:q-review [target]

uv run quorum q-review [target]

Research

/q-research <topic>

$code-quorum:q-research <topic>

uv run quorum research <topic>

Help

/q-help

$code-quorum:q-help

host-only skill

uv run quorum --help lists the exact shell surface. The main modifiers are:

Option

Effect

--extended

Two-pass host brainstorm (visionary/pioneer/architect, then analyst/maintainer/skeptic), or validation/review in 4 rounds with stance rotation.

--mode critique

Makes later validation/review rounds attack peer positions instead of revising toward agreement.

--scope <doc>

Declares in-bounds, out-of-bounds, and accepted-risk areas for a whole-codebase review.

--exploratory

Makes host research hunt for cross-domain analogies instead of direct prior art.

--no-research

Runs brainstorming or skystorm from model priors alone.

Research sources and credentials

q-research queries all seven sources by default. Repeat --source <name> to restrict a run. It accepts up to three --query-lane formulations and reports a Source/lane status table so a strong source cannot hide a collision elsewhere. Use --purpose methods (default) for balanced all-time and recent OpenAlex strata, or --purpose currency for the recent five-year stratum only. Literature sources search every lane; artifact sources (Context7, GitHub, and Hugging Face) search only the primary lane to avoid redundant results and API traffic. The per-source result limit stays fixed across lanes, so additional lanes broaden coverage without growing the digest without bound.

Source

Target

Credential policy

arXiv (arxiv)

Scholarly papers and preprints from arXiv search.

None.

OpenAlex (openalex)

Methods searches balance all-time relevance/canonical candidates with recent five-year candidates and retain the stratum labels; currency searches use only the recent stratum. Exploratory mode also produces a subfield map.

OPENALEX_API_KEY or QUORUM_OPENALEX_API_KEY is required for normal OpenAlex use. QUORUM_OPENALEX_EMAIL identifies the client but does not replace the key.

Europe PMC published (europepmc-published)

Published life-sciences literature, including PubMed/MEDLINE records, reviews, MeSH metadata, and full-text availability. Exact matches have priority; MeSH synonym expansion only backfills a thin exact result set.

None.

Europe PMC preprints (europepmc-preprints)

Life-sciences preprints from bioRxiv, medRxiv, Research Square, and similar sources; arXiv records are excluded.

None.

Context7 (context7)

High-trust library matches and documentation snippets.

CONTEXT7_API_KEY is recommended because anonymous requests can be rate-limited.

GitHub (github)

Public repositories matched by name, description, and topics, then ranked by stars.

GH_TOKEN or GITHUB_TOKEN is recommended for higher limits. Private repositories are excluded.

Hugging Face (huggingface)

Public model IDs and metadata, ranked by downloads. Term-fallback results carry [broadened].

HF_TOKEN or QUORUM_HF_TOKEN is recommended for account-level Hub limits. Private models are filtered out.

Code Quorum reads credentials from the process environment and sends tokens only in authorization headers. The generated Codex adapter forwards the named variables but does not store their values in the plugin artifact. OpenAlex is the only source that requires a key for normal use; the others improve reliability or rate limits.

Verify Hugging Face search from a checkout with:

uv run quorum research "sentence embedding" --source huggingface --limit 5
uv run pytest tests/test_research_live.py -m live -k huggingface -q

The CLI check must return model links and a nonzero HuggingFace source count. The live tests cover direct search, configured-token authentication, distinctive-term union, and the full research_topic path. Without a token, the authentication test skips while anonymous checks still run.

Related MCP server: Moderator MCP Server

Requirements

Code Quorum currently supports macOS and requires Python 3.13+, the uv package manager, and the binaries for the seats you intend to use. Each seat relies on its own login or key; Code Quorum does not write credential values into plugin artifacts. Seat CLIs retain their own authentication and runtime state as described in SECURITY.md.

Seat

Binary

Auth

Cost

codex

codex

the CLI's own login (codex login; --with-api-key for metered use)

ChatGPT subscription or metered API key

gemini

agy

Google OAuth via agy

Google AI subscription; metered GEMINI_API_KEY is an explicit SDK opt-in

opencode

opencode

OPENROUTER_API_KEY in the environment

metered through OpenRouter

claude (Codex host only)

claude

the CLI's own claude.ai login

Claude subscription only; API-key routing is stripped

The Gemini seat depends on the macOS Seatbelt sandbox; Claude uses a read-tool allowlist instead. A Codex host also needs a narrowly scoped LaunchAgent helper for its Claude and Gemini seats. Codex and OpenCode have no Seatbelt dependency but are untested on other platforms.

Install

Clone the stable checkout and configure the seats:

git clone https://github.com/sdewell/code-quorum.git
cd code-quorum
uv sync
agy  # complete Google OAuth login, then exit
uv run quorum setup-agy                    # one-time Gemini seat config
uv run quorum setup-models --host claude   # use --host codex for Codex
uv run quorum doctor --host claude         # or codex / both
uv run quorum auth-check --seat gemini --host claude

doctor checks binaries, configuration shape, and sandbox readiness. It does not test live credentials. auth-check runs agy models inside the same sandbox used by the seat and requires at least one valid model row without sending a model prompt. A missing or revoked login directs the user back to interactive agy; Code Quorum never silently changes to a metered API route.

On a Codex host, install and verify the helper from a real terminal before the Codex authentication check:

uv run quorum install-seat-helper-launchagent   # --allowed-root <dir> to widen
uv run quorum seat-helper-status
uv run quorum auth-check --seat gemini --host codex

Every MCP workflow permits cwd under ~/Code/~/src/~/.codex/agent-worktrees (a common agent-worktree location); the Codex helper applies the same roots before accepting Claude or Gemini requests. Set CODE_QUORUM_HELPER_ALLOWED_ROOTS or install the helper with repeated --allowed-root options to use other project roots. Reinstall it from the updated stable checkout after every Code Quorum upgrade. Incompatible helper protocols fail closed, and installation from Codex's replaceable plugin cache is rejected.

Read-only boundaries

Every external seat is read-only and refuses to run if its boundary cannot be applied. Enforcement differs by seat: Codex uses its native read-only sandbox, Claude exposes only read tools, Gemini uses macOS Seatbelt, and OpenCode uses an isolated HOME with restricted permissions.

Gemini's Seatbelt profile denies other home-directory reads, with explicit exceptions for agy authentication and runtime state. It does not deny readable paths outside $HOME. Code Quorum provides no universal path fence for Claude, Codex, or OpenCode. Council material can leave the machine under the user's configured provider accounts. The full boundary table, data-egress map, strict-isolation guidance, and credential handling are in SECURITY.md.

Data and approvals on Codex

Codex treats tool approval, filesystem containment, and authorization to send material off-machine as separate decisions. A target such as main...HEAD bounds the prepared review diff; it does not restrict an external seat's read-only access to the working directory.

When approvals_reviewer = "auto_review" is enabled, a council start may need explicit authorization naming the payload and recipients. Users who want unattended access can opt in per tool, but Code Quorum never writes those approval entries itself.

SECURITY.md contains the one-off authorization example, all six Codex approval blocks (including the shared q_await tool), project AGENTS.md guidance, path-confinement limits, and the approval-preserving update procedure. Review it before enabling unattended workflows.

Configuration

Each seat resolves its model through one ladder, first hit wins: per-run flag -> environment variable -> the choice recorded by quorum setup-models -> the shipped pin. Recorded choices never change silently; a seat that cannot honor one fails loudly while the rest of the council continues.

uv run quorum setup-models --host claude
uv run quorum setup-models --seat codex --model gpt-5.6-terra --effort medium

Variable

Effect

CODE_QUORUM_HOST

default host profile (claude or codex)

CODE_QUORUM_GEMINI_MODEL

Gemini seat model (an id from agy models)

CODE_QUORUM_GEMINI_BACKEND

cli (subscription) or sdk (metered GEMINI_API_KEY)

CODE_QUORUM_OPENCODE_MODEL

OpenCode seat model

CODE_QUORUM_OPENCODE_DEBUG

0 disables failed-run diagnostic capture

CODE_QUORUM_CLAUDE_MODEL / _EFFORT

Claude seat model and effort

CODE_QUORUM_CODEX_MODEL / _EFFORT

Codex seat model and reasoning effort

OpenCode configuration

The OpenCode seat requires OPENROUTER_API_KEY and does not load your personal OpenCode configuration. It uses an isolated HOME and rebuilds this generated configuration before every run. The shipped model is openrouter/deepseek/deepseek-v4-flash; its OpenRouter chunkTimeout is 90000 milliseconds.

Code Quorum sets OPENCODE_DISABLE_PROJECT_CONFIG=1 and OPENCODE_PURE=1. The generated council agent permits only Read, glob, and list, denies shell and mutation tools, blocks .env and .env.*, and permits .env.example. Failed or empty runs write raw stdout/stderr captures to ~/.cache/code-quorum/opencode-debug unless CODE_QUORUM_OPENCODE_DEBUG=0 is set. The directory is 0700, capture files are 0600, prompt text is omitted from command metadata, and only the newest 20 captures are retained. Raw streams can still contain reviewed material. See ARCHITECTURE.md and SECURITY.md for the full boundary design.

Disabling a seat

If a live probe fails because a seat is absent or logged out, quorum setup-models can mark it disabled in models.toml. Disabled seats are skipped by the default roster and reported by doctor, but an explicit --agent <seat> request still runs them.

Install as a plugin

Claude Code:

/plugin marketplace add sdewell/code-quorum
/plugin install code-quorum@code-quorum

For the Claude Code CLI, load OPENROUTER_API_KEY and optional research keys before starting the host. For example:

source ~/.zshrc.local
claude

For the Claude desktop app, make the keys available to the current macOS login session before opening it:

source ~/.zshrc.local
launchctl setenv OPENROUTER_API_KEY "$OPENROUTER_API_KEY"

The launchctl value is inherited by every subsequently launched application until it is unset, logout occurs, or the machine reboots. Start Claude Code, then remove the login-session copy; the already-running app retains its copy for plugin subprocesses:

launchctl unsetenv OPENROUTER_API_KEY

After installing or upgrading the plugin, or after changing a key, quit Claude Code completely and start a new Claude Code session. A plugin reload can pick up code changes but cannot change the environment inherited by the running host.

The Claude plugin starts its MCP server with uv run --directory ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT} quorum-mcp, so uv and Python 3.13+ must be on PATH.

Codex:

Register the public marketplace and install the plugin:

codex plugin marketplace add sdewell/code-quorum --ref main
codex plugin add code-quorum@code-quorum
codex plugin list

For the ChatGPT desktop app, fully quit and reopen the app after registering the marketplace. Open Plugins, choose Personal, select Code Quorum, and click Install.

After either Codex surface installs the plugin, prepare the stable checkout from a real terminal:

uv sync
uv run quorum install-seat-helper-launchagent
uv run quorum seat-helper-status

The Codex launcher starts that checkout's prepared .venv directly. MCP startup therefore does not depend on a writable uv cache, network downloads, or an environment inside the replaceable plugin directory. For later upgrades, one command refreshes the checkout, plugin, environment, approvals, and helper:

uv run quorum update-codex

Fully restart Codex and start a new thread afterward. If an older checkout does not yet have update-codex, use the one-time legacy sequence in SECURITY.md.

In Codex CLI, open /hooks to review and trust each code-quorum command hook. Codex skips plugin hooks until each current definition hash is trusted. A changed definition requires re-review and trust for that changed definition.

The generated launcher recovers standard user and Homebrew binary directories (~/.local/bin, ~/.opencode/bin, /opt/homebrew/bin, and /usr/local/bin) for a desktop app with a minimal PATH.

For Codex CLI, source the key environment before launching Codex. For the ChatGPT desktop app, set keys in the current macOS login session:

source ~/.zshrc.local
launchctl setenv OPENROUTER_API_KEY "$OPENROUTER_API_KEY"

The value is visible to every subsequently launched application until it is removed. Start Codex, then remove the login-session copy; the running app keeps the value it already inherited:

launchctl unsetenv OPENROUTER_API_KEY

After a plugin upgrade or key change, fully quit and reopen Codex and start a brand-new Codex thread. Do not resume a thread created before the restart; its tool registry may still refer to the prior plugin process.

For approval-preserving updates, never use codex plugin remove as the normal path. Follow the verified sequence in SECURITY.md.

Design

ARCHITECTURE.md describes the shared CLI/MCP spine, seat adapters, round model, anti-bias mechanisms, packaging, and failure boundaries. The short version: round 1 contains no peer output, later rounds anonymize peers by stance, and the host does not receive the council matrix until q_await.

Attribution

These projects inspired the workflow shape; no code, prompts, or documentation were copied:

License

MIT.

Available Tools

6 tools
q_awaitA

Block until the background council run identified by job_id completes, then return its rounds markdown. One-shot — a job_id can only be awaited once.

This is the blocking completion notification for every council start. The orchestrating host must not end its turn with a live job outstanding; it calls q_await after its independent work and remains blocked until this tool returns a result or error.

Errors:

  • job_id not found (expired, already retrieved, or invalid) → ValueError with the reason.

  • job cancelled by TTL or server shutdown → ValueError.

  • underlying council error → propagated.

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
job_idYes

Output Schema

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescription
resultYes

TDQS

A4.9/5.0
Behavior5/5

Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?

With no annotations to rely on, the description carries the full burden and does so thoroughly. It discloses that the tool blocks until completion or error, that it is one-shot (a job_id can only be awaited once), and enumerates all error scenarios (job not found, TTL cancellation, server shutdown, underlying council errors). It also conveys the operational expectation that the host must not end its turn with an outstanding job. This goes far beyond a minimal disclosure.

Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.

Conciseness5/5

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

The description is highly structured: the first sentence delivers the core purpose, the second paragraph provides usage context, and a bulleted list covers errors. Every sentence earns its place; there is no fluff. The information is front-loaded with the most critical fact (blocking behavior) stated immediately.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness5/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

The description fully covers what an agent needs to know to call this tool correctly: it explains the blocking nature, the one-shot constraint, the exact error outcomes, and the return value (rounds markdown). An output schema exists, so detailed return formatting is not required. There is no missing information that would prevent correct invocation or interpretation.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters4/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

The single parameter `job_id` has zero schema description, so the description must compensate. It does by explaining that the job_id identifies the background run, and the error section clarifies what happens if the id is invalid (expired, already retrieved, or invalid). It stops short of specifying a format (e.g., UUID), but since a valid id comes from a sibling start tool, this is sufficient for the agent to understand its role.

Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.

Purpose5/5

Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?

The description opens with a specific verb ('Block'), a clear resource ('background council run identified by job_id'), and an outcome ('return its rounds markdown'). It distinguishes itself from the sibling start tools (q_plan_start, q_brainstorm_start, etc.) as the blocking completion counterpart, so an agent can immediately tell what this tool does and how it differs from its siblings.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines5/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

The description explicitly states that this is 'the blocking completion notification for every council start' and gives a clear directive: 'The orchestrating host must not end its turn with a live job outstanding; it calls q_await after its independent work.' It also warns that it is one-shot, leaving no ambiguity about when and how to use it. No alternative tools are mentioned, but the context of siblings being all start tools makes the usage obvious.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

q_brainstorm_startA

Start a q-brainstorm run in the background. Returns {"job_id": str} immediately. Each agent contributes 3-5 distinct ideas with rationale, trade-offs, and the cheapest test that would give signal; no synthesis. Retrieve results by calling q_await with the returned job_id.

Between the start and the await, the caller is expected to list its own ideas — this is the structural anti-bias gate.

research, when supplied, seeds round 1 with a q_research digest as EVIDENCE: agents are told to ground their ideas in it, recombine it, or extend past it. Pass the raw digest markdown (verbatim from q_research) -- never your own summary of it, and never your own ideas; those stay behind the anti-bias gate. Distinct from prior_ideas, whose do-not-repeat framing marks content to diverge AWAY from.

prior_ideas, when supplied, seeds a divergence round: the agents are told the listed ideas are already on the table and must not be repeated -- used by the --extended flow to push past round 1. Composes with research (evidence stays evidence; ideas stay do-not-repeat).

grounding, with prior_ideas, runs a validation-guide pass over the listed ideas instead of diverging past them -- used by q-skystorm Stage 2.

Optionally assign a cognitive stance per agent via roles, a list of 'stance:agent' strings (stances: skeptic, architect, security, maintainer, analyst, neutral, visionary, pioneer). Unassigned agents use their default stance.

gemini_model, when supplied, runs the gemini seat on that agy model for this invocation only (an id exactly as printed by agy models, e.g. 'claude-opus-4-6-thinking').

Expected wall-clock to completion: 30s-4min depending on the agents and topic complexity.

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
cwdYes
hostNo
rolesNo
topicYes
agentsNo
skip_ghNo
verboseNo
researchNo
groundingNo
no_contextNo
prior_ideasNo
gemini_modelNo

Output Schema

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescription

No output parameters

TDQS

A4.5/5.0
Behavior5/5

Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?

With no annotations, the description carries the full burden, and it delivers comprehensively. It discloses the async nature (runs in background, returns job_id immediately), the output format, the expected timing (30s-4min), and the behavioral constraints (agents contribute 3-5 ideas, no synthesis, anti-bias gate). It also explains the semantic difference between research and prior_ideas. No behavioral aspect is left opaque.

Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.

Conciseness4/5

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

The description is long but well-organized into focused paragraphs. It front-loads the core behavior and return type, then explains each optional parameter and composition. Each paragraph earns its place, but the length is near the upper bound of acceptable. It is structured rather than rambling, so it scores a 4.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness4/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

Given the complexity (12 params, no schema coverage, no annotations, and an output schema), the description covers the essential workflow and the most impactful parameters. It explains the anti-bias gate, the difference between research and prior_ideas, and the grounding pass. Missing: descriptions of verbose, skip_gh, no_context, host, and a few error-handling details, but those are minor. It is nearly complete for a working understanding.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters3/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

Schema coverage is 0%, so the description must explain parameters. It does explain the significant ones: research, prior_ideas, grounding, roles, gemini_model. However, it omits explanations for agents, skip_gh, verbose, no_context, host, and even cwd/topic are only implicit. For a tool with 12 parameters, the description adds value but leaves several parameters undocumented, forcing the agent to infer from names alone.

Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.

Purpose5/5

Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?

The description uses a specific verb and resource ('Start a q-brainstorm run'), states the async behavior, and names the sibling tools it complements (q_await, q_research). It clearly distinguishes this from q_plan_start, q_validate_start, etc., and explains the composition with q_research and q_await. An agent can immediately understand what this tool does and how it fits.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines5/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

The description provides explicit when-to-use guidance: 'Between the start and the await, the caller is expected to list its own ideas — this is the structural anti-bias gate.' It also names alternatives and conditions: 'Distinct from prior_ideas, whose do-not-repeat framing...' and mentions specific flows like '--extended' and 'q-skystorm Stage 2' that select the grounding mode. This is unambiguous.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

q_plan_startA

Start a q-plan run in the background. Returns {"job_id": str} immediately. The current host's external seats run in parallel from a structurally bias-free starting point. Retrieve results by calling q_await with the returned job_id.

Between the start and the await, the caller is expected to form its own plan — this is the structural anti-bias gate.

Optionally assign a cognitive stance per agent via roles, a list of 'stance:agent' strings (stances: skeptic, architect, security, maintainer, analyst, neutral, visionary, pioneer). Unassigned agents use their default stance.

gemini_model, when supplied, runs the gemini seat on that agy model for this invocation only -- an id exactly as printed by agy models, e.g. 'claude-opus-4-6-thinking' to get a Claude answer from the same AI Pro plan when Gemini quota is tight or a different perspective is wanted.

Expected wall-clock to completion: 30s-4min depending on the agents and codebase size.

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
cwdYes
hostNo
taskYes
rolesNo
agentsNo
skip_ghNo
verboseNo
no_contextNo
gemini_modelNo

Output Schema

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescription

No output parameters

TDQS

A3.8/5.0
Behavior4/5

Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?

With no annotations, the description carries full burden. It discloses background execution, immediate return, parallel seats, bias-free starting point, the anti-bias gate, optional role assignment, gemini_model substitution, and expected wall-clock time. It does not explicitly state side effects or permissions, but the behavior is largely transparent.

Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.

Conciseness4/5

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

The description is a coherent paragraph with clear sections: execution model, the anti-bias gate, roles, gemini_model, and timing. It is somewhat verbose (e.g., 'structurally bias-free') but every sentence adds useful information and is appropriately front-loaded with the core behavior.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness2/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

For a tool with 9 parameters, no annotations, and an output schema, the description covers the high-level workflow and two parameters but omits critical invocation details like the meaning of 'cwd', 'task', 'host', 'agents', 'skip_gh', and 'no_context'. An agent would struggle to invoke it correctly without further documentation.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters2/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

The description explains 'roles' (format and defaults) and 'gemini_model' (format and purpose), but ignores the other 7 parameters including required ones like 'task' and 'cwd'. With 0% schema description coverage, the description must compensate, but it covers only about 22% of parameters, leaving most ambiguous.

Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.

Purpose5/5

Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?

The description clearly states the tool starts a q-plan run in the background, returns a job_id immediately, and explains the anti-bias gate. It is distinct from siblings like q_brainstorm_start or q_validate_start by its explicit focus on structural anti-bias and the background execution model.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines4/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

It gives concrete workflow guidance: start the run, then call q_await with the job_id, and it emphasizes the anti-bias gate as a reason to use this tool. However, it does not explicitly say when not to use it or contrast with alternative start tools like q_brainstorm_start.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

q_researchA

Fetch prior art for a topic from arXiv + OpenAlex + Europe PMC (papers), Context7 (library docs), GitHub (repos), and HuggingFace (models), and return a markdown digest.

Europe PMC covers the life-sciences preprint tier arXiv does not carry -- bioRxiv, medRxiv, Research Square -- so it is the source that earns its slot on biology/medicine topics and returns 0 on pure-software ones. Its hits are labelled by preprint server ("bioRxiv") and are NOT peer-reviewed; weigh them accordingly.

Not subject to the council's anti-bias gate -- this is external prior art, not peer output. Call it during the own-work window of a q_brainstorm or q-skystorm run to ground the synthesis. sources defaults to all six; pass a subset like ["arxiv", "openalex"] to restrict it.

Query shaping matters: pass a query that is SHORT and distinctive -- short is not the same as generic. Anchor it in 2+ domain-specific terms (the field PLUS the specific method/concept), never a bare common word ('data', 'model', 'network') or a token that doubles as an author surname -- those keyword-match unrelated work (author names, generic surveys, stray docs) and return non-zero but OFF-TOPIC noise -- sanity-check that returned titles belong to your domain, and if they are off-topic the query was too generic: re-anchor with more domain context and call q_research again rather than leaning on them. (This same-domain check assumes you want grounding in your own field -- if you are deliberately hunting cross-domain structural analogies instead, judge a hit by structural kinship to the problem, not literal subject-matter overlap; an off-domain hit is then the find, not noise.) Not a full paragraph either. Per source: arXiv parses topic as a boolean field -- a long/diffuse query loose-matches to famous-but-irrelevant papers, and boolean punctuation (parens, AND/OR, quotes) triggers a 400; OpenAlex tolerates prose but length dilutes relevance to generic surveys; Context7 wants a library/topic name and will keyword-match off-topic repos; GitHub/HuggingFace are popularity-ranked artifact searches that whiff on non-software/non-ML topics. The digest's per-source count footer shows which sources whiffed -- rework and retry those, unless the 0 is domain-legitimate (GitHub/HuggingFace on a non-software topic, Europe PMC on a non-biology one, Context7 on a topic with no matching library), which is a real answer, not a gap to close.

Treat every other digest result as provisional until it earns trust: a 0 that is NOT one of the domain-legitimate cases above is not automatically "no prior art" either (it may just be a bad query), and non-zero hits that read scattered or off-topic are not evidence -- both are a signal to reframe (sharper domain anchor, fewer/different terms) and retry, not something to build a conclusion on.

Failed sources are reported inline under 'Sources unavailable' rather than failing the call -- each with a retry hint, and the right move differs by error. An errored source is almost never a dead backend: an arXiv error (400) means YOUR query is too long or has boolean punctuation, so shorten it to a few keywords, strip operators, and call q_research again; a 401/403 or an OpenAlex 503 is a CONFIG case, not a flake -- the key was rejected, or OpenAlex is load-shedding anonymous search, so a bare retry just loops (set the source's key -- OPENALEX_API_KEY is free -- or lean on the other sources and say so); only a plain timeout/flake is transient and worth retrying as-is. Do NOT report a source unavailable, and do NOT fall back on your own knowledge, until a reworked retry has ALSO failed -- treating the first error as terminal is the failure to avoid. Bounded by per-request timeouts (~10-15s each); the GitHub and HuggingFace backends fan out one request per distinctive query term (up to 4), run sequentially, so those two sources' wall-clock can reach a few times that.

The digest OPENS with a deterministic Research status: line -- OK, RETRY-RECOMMENDED (USUALLY with a server-suggested shorter query to resubmit verbatim, shown as · try: "..."; when it is ABSENT the detail text says what to do, and the two absent cases differ -- a backend/infrastructure failure says RETRY THE SAME query, while an un-shortenable query says RE-ANCHOR with different domain terms), CONFIG (a key/anonymous-access problem no retry fixes), or (in exploratory mode) LOW-OVERLAP. Act on it before anything else: on RETRY-RECOMMENDED, resubmit the suggested query if one is given, else follow the detail (retry the same query on an infrastructure failure, or re-anchor with different domain-specific terms if it cannot be shortened) -- before concluding "no prior art". Mechanically-fixable failures (arXiv 400, a transient flake) are already retried inside the tool -- a repaired source shows a note, so a first-attempt error you never see was handled, not hidden.

mode is 'grounded' (default; brainstorm -- home-domain grounding, where a low-overlap result is a defect the verdict flags RETRY-RECOMMENDED) or 'exploratory' (skystorm -- a deliberate cross-domain method pivot, where low overlap is expected and reported as LOW-OVERLAP without forcing a retry). Exploratory mode also adds a ### Field map section (the OpenAlex subfield distribution for the query) showing which fields the method actually spans -- the skystorm topology readout. Query discipline is identical in both modes; only the low-overlap interpretation differs.

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
modeNogrounded
limitNo
topicYes
sourcesNo

Output Schema

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescription
resultYes

TDQS

A4.8/5.0
Behavior5/5

Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?

With no annotations provided, the description carries the full burden, and it excels. It discloses internal retries ('Mechanically-fixable failures ... are already retried inside the tool'), error handling ('Failed sources are reported inline under 'Sources unavailable' rather than failing the call'), response format (markdown digest with a 'Research status:' line), per-source behaviors, and the distinction between domain-legitimate zero results and gaps. This level of transparency exceeds typical tool descriptions.

Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.

Conciseness4/5

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

The description is very long but well-organized, front-loading the core purpose and then progressing into usage, error handling, and modes. Each paragraph serves a distinct function, yet some sections (e.g., the extended discussion of same-domain vs cross-domain checks) are arguably more detailed than necessary for an agent to invoke the tool. It is concise relative to its complexity but could be tightened without losing value.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness5/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

The description covers every aspect an agent needs: what it returns (markdown digest, status line), how to interpret results (RETRY-RECOMMENDED, CONFIG, LOW-OVERLAP), error handling with specific retry guidance, per-source whiffing logic, mode differences, and query-shaping best practices. Even with an output schema (not shown), this description is entirely self-sufficient given the tool's complexity.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters4/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

Despite 0% schema coverage, the description explains the `topic` (query shaping), `sources` (defaults, subset pass), and `mode` (grounded vs exploratory) parameters in depth. However, the `limit` parameter is never mentioned – its purpose and effect on output are not explained. Since the schema provides no help, this is a noticeable gap, though the description compensates well for the other three parameters.

Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.

Purpose5/5

Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?

The description opens with a precise verb and resource: 'Fetch prior art for a topic from arXiv + OpenAlex + Europe PMC (papers), Context7 (library docs), GitHub (repos), and HuggingFace (models), and return a markdown digest.' This clearly distinguishes the tool from its siblings (planning, brainstorming, validation, review, await) by focusing on external prior-art retrieval. No ambiguity about what the tool does.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines5/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

The description gives explicit when-to-use instructions: 'Call it during the own-work window of a `q_brainstorm` or `q-skystorm` run to ground the synthesis.' It also provides query-shaping rules, mode interpretation ('grounded' vs 'exploratory'), error-handling strategies, and when not to trust results. Since there are no sibling research tools, it doesn't contrast with alternatives, but it provides rich contextual guidance on exactly when and how to use the tool.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

q_review_startA

Start a q-review run in the background. Returns {"job_id": str} immediately. Each agent independently reviews real code changes, then converges across rounds. Round 1 is structurally bias-free; later rounds embed each agent's own prior plus peers' priors so sustained agreement becomes visible. Retrieve results by calling q_await with the returned job_id.

Between the start and the await, the caller is expected to form its own code review of the diff — this is the structural anti-bias gate.

target selects what to review (default: branch vs main, committed + uncommitted). 'working' = uncommitted tracked changes only; 'pr:N' or a github PR URL = an open PR (title/body orient the review); 'A..B'/'A...B' = an explicit range; 'all' = the whole codebase (agents read cwd — pair with scope_path). An empty diff (other than 'all') short-circuits: the job returns a 'nothing to review' message without running the council.

scope_path, when supplied, points at a scope doc declaring what is in/out-of-scope and which risks are accepted; it is embedded verbatim so the council does not converge on out-of-bounds findings.

extended runs 4 rounds with a stance rotation at round 3 (agents swap stances and re-examine all priors); the default is 2 rounds with no rotation. mode is 'revise' (agents soften/strengthen in light of peers) or 'critique' (agents attack peer points).

verbose defaults to false: the council writes terse output (no padding, path:line over pasted code, and later rounds collapse each still-held finding to one HELD line while preserving the agreement count). Set true only when you want the full unabridged deliberation — a much larger matrix.

Optionally assign stances per agent via roles, a list of 'stance:agent' strings (stances: skeptic, architect, security, maintainer, analyst, neutral, visionary, pioneer).

gemini_model, when supplied, runs the gemini seat on that agy model for this invocation only (an id exactly as printed by agy models, e.g. 'claude-opus-4-6-thinking').

Expected wall-clock to completion: 1-8min default; 4-15min when extended=true. Pick extended deliberately.

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
cwdYes
hostNo
modeNorevise
rolesNo
agentsNo
targetNo
skip_ghNo
verboseNo
extendedNo
no_contextNo
scope_pathNo
gemini_modelNo

Output Schema

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescription

No output parameters

TDQS

A4.5/5.0
Behavior5/5

Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?

No annotations are provided, so the description carries the full burden and it delivers richly. It discloses that the call returns immediately instead of blocking (async job), gives expected wall-clock timing (1-8min default, 4-15min extended), spells out the empty-diff short-circuit that returns a 'nothing to review' message without running the council, details verbose output behavior (HELD lines, agreement counts), and explains the stance rotation at round 3 for extended mode. This far exceeds baseline behavioral disclosure.

Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.

Conciseness4/5

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

The description is long, but every paragraph earns its place for a 12-parameter async background tool. It is front-loaded with purpose and the return contract, then flows logically through the anti-bias gate, target values, scope, execution modes, output verbosity, and timing. The final timing note is a genuine value-add. It could be tightened slightly, but the length is justified by complexity rather than padding.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness4/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

For a tool of this complexity — 12 params, async behavior, background execution, no annotations, 0% schema coverage — the description is remarkably complete, covering the workflow, the caller's required participation (anti-bias gate), short-circuit behavior, per-parameter semantics, and timing expectations. The output schema exists so return values need no further explanation, and job_id is already surfaced. The only completeness gap is the five undocumented parameters (agents, skip_gh, no_context, host, cwd) that the description leaves to the schema, which is empty.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters4/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

Schema description coverage is 0%, so the description must compensate — and it does for the majority. target gets a detailed breakdown of every value ('working', 'pr:N'/URL, 'A..B'/'A...B', 'all', default branch-vs-main), and scope_path, extended, mode, verbose, roles, and gemini_model are each explained. However, five of the twelve parameters (cwd, host, agents, skip_gh, no_context) are not touched in the description and, with zero schema descriptions, remain entirely undocumented — a real gap for a tool where agents and skip_gh likely matter.

Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.

Purpose5/5

Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?

The opening line states a specific verb and resource — "Start a q-review run in the background. Returns {"job_id": str} immediately" — and explains the mechanism (independent agent review then convergence across rounds). This clearly distinguishes a review tool from its siblings q_plan_start, q_brainstorm_start, and q_validate_start, which by naming convention cover different activities. No ambiguity about what this tool does.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines4/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

The description gives strong usage context: it is for reviewing real code changes, and it explicitly routes retrieval to a sibling — "Retrieve results by calling `q_await` with the returned job_id" — which orients the agent within the family of q_* tools. It also defines the structural anti-bias gate the caller must pass between start and await. However, it never explicitly states when NOT to use this tool versus q_validate_start or the other review siblings; exclusions are implied rather than stated.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

q_validate_startA

Start a q-validate run in the background. Returns {"job_id": str} immediately. Each agent independently reviews the plan file, then deliberates across rounds. Round 1 is structurally bias-free; later rounds embed each agent's own prior plus peers' priors. Retrieve results by calling q_await with the returned job_id.

Between the start and the await, the caller is expected to form its own review — this is the structural anti-bias gate.

extended runs 4 rounds with a stance rotation at round 3 (agents swap stances and re-examine all priors); the default is 2 rounds with no rotation. mode is 'revise' (agents soften/strengthen in light of peers) or 'critique' (agents attack peer points).

verbose defaults to false: the council writes terse output (no padding, path:line over pasted code, later rounds omit restating unchanged points). Set true only for the full unabridged deliberation — a much larger matrix.

Optionally assign stances per agent via roles, a list of 'stance:agent' strings (stances: skeptic, architect, security, maintainer, analyst, neutral, visionary, pioneer).

gemini_model, when supplied, runs the gemini seat on that agy model for this invocation only (an id exactly as printed by agy models, e.g. 'claude-opus-4-6-thinking').

Expected wall-clock to completion: 1-8min default; 4-15min when extended=true. Pick extended deliberately.

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
cwdYes
hostNo
modeNorevise
rolesNo
agentsNo
skip_ghNo
verboseNo
extendedNo
plan_pathYes
no_contextNo
gemini_modelNo

Output Schema

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescription

No output parameters

TDQS

A4.1/5.0
Behavior5/5

Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?

With no annotations provided, the description carries the full burden of behavioral disclosure. It comprehensively explains the background execution, immediate return of job_id, the bias-free first round and later rounds embedding priors, the extended mode's 4 rounds and stance rotation, the verbose output toggle, and the gemini_model override for this invocation. It also discloses expected wall-clock times and the anti-bias gate expectation, making the tool's behavior highly transparent.

Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.

Conciseness4/5

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

The description is detailed but well-structured, front-loading the core behavior and return value before diving into options. It uses clear paragraphs and imperative sentences that earn their place. While somewhat long, the length is justified by the tool's complexity, and it could be slightly more concise without losing essential information.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness3/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

Given the tool's complexity (11 parameters, no schema descriptions), the description covers the main workflow and several key parameters, and provides expected wall-clock times. However, it omits explanations for critical parameters like plan_path and cwd, and does not clarify the exact output format beyond job_id (though q_await likely handles results). The description is strong on purpose and behavior but incomplete in parameter coverage, so it is not fully complete for an agent to confidently invoke the tool correctly.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters2/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

Schema description coverage is 0%, so the description must compensate for parameter documentation. It explains extended, mode, verbose, roles, and gemini_model in detail, but leaves essential parameters like plan_path, cwd, host, agents, skip_gh, and no_context unexplained. The required plan_path is only referred to generically as 'plan file', which is insufficient for an agent to know exactly what to provide. The description only partially covers the 11 parameters, making parameter semantics incomplete.

Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.

Purpose5/5

Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?

The description clearly states it starts a q-validate run in the background and returns a job_id immediately. It describes the process of agents reviewing the plan file and deliberating, which distinguishes it from sibling tools like q_plan_start, q_brainstorm_start, and q_review_start. The tool's purpose is unambiguous and specific.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines4/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

The description provides explicit guidance on retrieving results via q_await with the returned job_id and explains the structural anti-bias gate that the caller should form its own review between start and await. It also advises when to use extended mode ('Pick extended deliberately') and explains the default vs extended rounds. However, it does not explicitly contrast this tool with sibling start tools, relying on tool names for differentiation.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

Tool Schema Changelog

Recent tool additions, removals, and schema changes observed during successful MCP inspections. Dates show when Glama detected each change.

  1. 6 tool updatesv0.0.63
    • First observedq_await
    • First observedq_brainstorm_start
    • First observedq_plan_start
    • First observedq_research
    • First observedq_review_start
    • First observedq_validate_start

TDQS

A4.4/5.0
Disambiguation5/5

Each tool has a clearly distinct function: planning, brainstorming, validation, code review, research, and result retrieval. There is no overlap in purpose; descriptions reinforce the boundaries.

Naming Consistency5/5

All tools follow a uniform 'q_' prefix with an action verb (plan_start, brainstorm_start, validate_start, review_start, research, await). The two non-start tools still share the prefix and verb style, making the pattern predictable.

Tool Count5/5

Six tools is well-scoped for a code-quality council suite: four distinct run types plus research and a blocking retrieval. Each tool earns its place without redundancy or bloat.

Completeness4/5

The core lifecycle (start runs, retrieve results) is fully covered, and research supports the workflow. Minor gaps exist—no job-listing or cancellation tool—but agents can work around them by awaiting each job, so the surface remains practical.

Maintenance

ActivityMaintained
ResponsivenessNo issues

Resources

Unclaimed servers have limited discoverability.

Looking for Admin?

If you are the server author, to access and configure the admin panel.

Related MCP Connectors

Related MCP Servers

  • A
    license
    Not graded
    quality
    B
    maintenance
    Enables AI coding agents to read each other's conversation history read-only and sanitized, so you can continue work across different tools without re-explaining context.
    MIT
  • F
    license
    Not graded
    quality
    B
    maintenance
    Allows users to manage multiple remote AI coding agents from a single Claude Code session, with a controlled execution model where operations require moderator approval.
    -
  • A
    license
    Not graded
    quality
    A
    maintenance
    Enables multi-model LLM council reviews and parallel sidecar conversations within Claude, allowing Claude to orchestrate structured reviews from various AI models and fold their responses back into the session.
    1,721
    2
    MIT
  • A
    license
    Not graded
    quality
    A
    maintenance
    Enables coding agents to perform workspace-confined file operations, read-only Git inspection, and structured shell commands, while requiring out-of-band human approval for mutations and external executions and maintaining an audit trail.
    3
    MIT

Latest Blog Posts

MCP directory API

We provide all the information about MCP servers via our MCP API.

curl -X GET 'https://glama.ai/api/mcp/v1/servers/sdewell/code-quorum'

If you have feedback or need assistance with the MCP directory API, please join our Discord server