fix(omo-codex): avoid context-heavy agent polling

packages/omo-codex/plugin/components/ultrawork/directive.md

@@ -185,6 +185,8 @@ Until every success-criteria scenario PASSES with BOTH evidence pieces:
 
 Parallel-batch independent reads / searches / subagents within a step,
 but NEVER parallelise RED and GREEN of the same criterion.
+Do not use `list_agents` as a polling or status tool in long or high-context runs; it can replay large agent status and latest-message payloads.
+Track spawned agent names locally, use `wait_agent` for completion, send targeted followups only when needed, and `close_agent` after integrating each result.
 
 # Verification gate (TRIGGERED, NOT OPTIONAL)
 

packages/omo-codex/plugin/components/ultrawork/test/codex-hook.test.ts

@@ -145,6 +145,28 @@ describe("codex ultrawork hook", () => {
 		expect(parsed.hookSpecificOutput.additionalContext).toMatch(/4\. Computer use/);
 		expect(parsed.hookSpecificOutput.additionalContext).toMatch(/CLEANUP \(PAIRED/);
 	});
+
+	it("#given directive #when inspected #then avoids context-expensive agent polling", () => {
+		// given
+		const payload = {
+			hook_event_name: "UserPromptSubmit",
+			prompt: "please ultrawork",
+		};
+
+		// when
+		const output = runUserPromptSubmitHook(payload);
+		const parsed = parseHookOutput(output);
+
+		// then
+		const directive = parsed.hookSpecificOutput.additionalContext;
+		expect(directive).toMatch(/list_agents/);
+		expect(directive).toMatch(/polling or status tool/);
+		expect(directive).toMatch(/replay large agent status and latest-message payloads/);
+		expect(directive).toMatch(/Track spawned agent names locally/);
+		expect(directive).toMatch(/wait_agent.*completion/);
+		expect(directive).toMatch(/targeted followups only when needed/);
+		expect(directive).toMatch(/close_agent.*after integrating each result/);
+	});
 });
 
 interface UserPromptSubmitHookOutput {

packages/omo-codex/plugin/components/ulw-loop/skills/ulw-loop/SKILL.md

@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ Size each worker to the task — never spend `xhigh` on a one-liner, never send
 | External library / docs research | `librarian` | role default | role default |
 | Final verification audit | `codex-ultrawork-reviewer` | role default | role default |
 
-Every worker message MUST carry: goal + exact files in scope; the baseline characterization test pinning current behavior when the task touches existing code, then the failing test / reproduction required before production code; constraints + project rules; the verification commands to run; the ONE Manual-QA channel and the exact evidence artifact to capture. Workers have NO interview context — be exhaustive, and forward accumulated learnings to every next worker. Track running workers; `wait_agent` for results, `close_agent` when done.
+Every worker message MUST carry: goal + exact files in scope; the baseline characterization test pinning current behavior when the task touches existing code, then the failing test / reproduction required before production code; constraints + project rules; the verification commands to run; the ONE Manual-QA channel and the exact evidence artifact to capture. Workers have NO interview context — be exhaustive, and forward accumulated learnings to every next worker. Do not use `list_agents` as a polling or status tool in long or high-context runs; it can replay large agent status and latest-message payloads. Track spawned agent names locally, use `wait_agent` for completion, send targeted followups only when needed, and `close_agent` after integrating each result.
 
 ## Artifacts
 - `.omo/ulw-loop/brief.md`: original brief and durable constraints.

packages/omo-codex/plugin/components/ulw-loop/test/package-smoke.test.ts

@@ -128,6 +128,20 @@ describe("skills/ulw-loop/SKILL.md", () => {
 		const text = await readText("skills/ulw-loop/SKILL.md");
 		expect(text).toContain(".omo/ulw-loop");
 	});
+
+	it("#given long Codex runs #when worker guidance is inspected #then avoids context-expensive agent polling", async () => {
+		const text = await readText("skills/ulw-loop/SKILL.md");
+
+		expect(text).toMatch(/list_agents/);
+		expect(text).toMatch(/polling or status tool/);
+		expect(text).toMatch(/replay large agent status and latest-message payloads/);
+		expect(text).toMatch(/Track spawned agent names locally/);
+		expect(text).toMatch(/wait_agent.*completion/);
+		expect(text).toMatch(/targeted followups only when needed/);
+		expect(text).toMatch(/close_agent.*after integrating each result/);
+		expect(text).toContain("Every worker message MUST carry");
+		expect(text).toContain("Each worker does strict TDD");
+	});
 });
 
 describe("source LOC budget", () => {