feat(tasks): adopt canonical task statuses

AGENTS.md

@@ -63,8 +63,8 @@ Omit `workstream_id` / `task_id` when not applicable.
 ```bash
 curl -s -X PATCH "http://127.0.0.1:8000/tasks/<task_id>" \
   -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-  -d '{"status": "in_progress"}'
+  -d '{"status": "progress"}'
-# values: todo | in_progress | done | blocked
+# values: wait | todo | progress | done | cancel
 ```
 
 ### Flag a task for human review
@@ -83,7 +83,7 @@ curl -s -X PATCH "http://127.0.0.1:8000/tasks/<task_id>" \
 1. `cat .custodian-brief.md` — domain goal and open workstreams (offline-safe)
 2. Check inbox: `GET /messages/?to_agent=state-hub&unread_only=true`; mark read
 3. Scan workplans: `ls workplans/` — note `status: ready`, `active`, or `blocked` files and open tasks
-4. Check blocked tasks: `GET /tasks/?needs_human=true`
+4. Check human-needed tasks: `GET /tasks/?needs_human=true`
 
 **During work:**
 - Update task statuses in workplan files as tasks progress
@@ -146,7 +146,7 @@ derived health labels, not frontmatter statuses.
 
 ` ` `task
 id: STATE-WP-NNNN-T01
-status: todo | in_progress | done | blocked
+status: wait | todo | progress | done | cancel
 priority: high | medium | low
 state_hub_task_id: "<uuid>"         # written by fix-consistency — do not edit
 ` ` `
@@ -154,7 +154,7 @@ state_hub_task_id: "<uuid>"         # written by fix-consistency — do not edit
 Task description text.
 ```
 
-Status progression: `todo` → `in_progress` → `done` (or `blocked`)
+Status progression: `todo` → `progress` → `done`; use `wait` for waiting/blocked work and `cancel` for stopped work.
 
 To create a new workplan:
 1. Write the file following the format above

README.md

@@ -142,7 +142,7 @@ decisions (FK: topic_id, workstream_id — at least one required)
 |------|--------|
 | `topic_status` | `active` · `paused` · `archived` |
 | `workstream_status` | `proposed` · `ready` · `active` · `blocked` · `backlog` · `finished` · `archived` |
-| `task_status` | `todo` · `in_progress` · `blocked` · `done` · `cancelled` |
+| `task_status` | `wait` · `todo` · `progress` · `done` · `cancel` |
 | `task_priority` | `low` · `medium` · `high` · `critical` |
 | `decision_type` | `made` · `pending` |
 | `decision_status` | `open` · `resolved` · `escalated` · `superseded` |
@@ -150,7 +150,7 @@ decisions (FK: topic_id, workstream_id — at least one required)
 
 ### Governance constraints encoded in schema
 
-- No hard DELETE endpoints — only soft: `archived`, `cancelled`, `superseded`
+- No hard DELETE endpoints — only soft: `archived`, `cancel`, `superseded`
 - `progress_events` has no `updated_at` and no DELETE endpoint (append-only per constitution §5)
 - `decisions` with financial/legal keywords + `pending` type → auto-set `escalation_note` (§4)
 
@@ -170,12 +170,12 @@ Returns a full snapshot in one call — used by both the MCP server and dashboar
   "totals": {
     "topics":      { "active": 6, "paused": 0, "archived": 0, "total": 6 },
     "workstreams": { "ready": 1, "active": 1, "blocked": 0, "finished": 1, "total": 3 },
-    "tasks":       { "todo": 9, "in_progress": 0, "blocked": 0, "done": 11, "total": 20 },
+    "tasks":       { "wait": 0, "todo": 9, "progress": 0, "done": 11, "cancel": 0, "total": 20 },
     "decisions":   { "open": 1, "resolved": 0, "escalated": 0, "total": 1 }
   },
   "topics": [...],             // topics with nested workstream stubs
   "blocking_decisions": [...], // pending decisions only
-  "blocked_tasks": [...],
+  "waiting_tasks": [...],
   "recent_progress": [...],    // last 20 events
   "open_workstreams": [...]
 }
@@ -187,7 +187,7 @@ Returns a full snapshot in one call — used by both the MCP server and dashboar
 |--------|-----------|
 | `/topics` | CRUD (soft-delete: `archived`) |
 | `/workstreams` | CRUD (soft-delete: `archived`) |
-| `/tasks` | CRUD (soft-delete: `cancelled`); `PATCH` updates status |
+| `/tasks` | CRUD (soft-delete: `cancel`); `PATCH` updates status |
 | `/decisions` | CRUD (soft-delete: `superseded`); auto-escalation |
 | `/progress` | `GET` list + `POST` append — no DELETE |
 | `/state/summary` | Full snapshot |

api/models/task.py

@@ -10,11 +10,11 @@ from api.models.base import Base, TimestampMixin, new_uuid
 
 
 class TaskStatus(str, enum.Enum):
+    wait = "wait"
     todo = "todo"
-    in_progress = "in_progress"
+    progress = "progress"
-    blocked = "blocked"
     done = "done"
-    cancelled = "cancelled"
+    cancel = "cancel"
 
 
 class TaskPriority(str, enum.Enum):

api/routers/capability_requests.py

@@ -252,7 +252,7 @@ async def patch_request_status(
         # Auto-unblock the blocking task
         if req.blocking_task_id:
             task = await session.get(Task, req.blocking_task_id)
-            if task and task.status == "blocked":
+            if task and task.status == "wait":
                 task.status = "todo"
                 task.blocking_reason = None
 

api/routers/execution.py

@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ async def workplan_stack(
         ]
         blocked_tasks = [
             task_id for task_id in task_deps.get(ws.id, [])
-            if task_status.get(task_id) not in {"done", "cancelled"}
+            if task_status.get(task_id) not in {"done", "cancel"}
         ]
         eligible = lifecycle_status != "blocked" and not blocked_ws and not blocked_tasks
         if not include_blocked and not eligible:

api/routers/reconciliation.py

@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ from api.services.lifecycle import (
     transition_task_status,
     transition_workstream_status,
 )
+from api.task_status import TERMINAL_TASK_STATUSES
 from api.services.reconciliation import (
     ReconciliationClass,
     StateChangeClassification,
@@ -52,7 +53,7 @@ def _conflict(reason: str, follow_up: str) -> StateChangeClassification:
 async def _workstream_tasks_terminal(session: AsyncSession, workstream_id: uuid.UUID) -> bool:
     result = await session.execute(select(Task.status).where(Task.workstream_id == workstream_id))
     statuses = [status_value(row[0]) for row in result.all()]
-    return bool(statuses) and all(status in {"done", "cancelled"} for status in statuses)
+    return bool(statuses) and all(status in TERMINAL_TASK_STATUSES for status in statuses)
 
 
 def _deferred_message(

api/routers/repos.py

@@ -590,7 +590,7 @@ async def get_repo_dispatch(
     for ws in workstreams:
         task_result = await session.execute(
             select(Task)
-            .where(Task.workstream_id == ws.id, Task.status.in_(["todo", "in_progress"]))
+            .where(Task.workstream_id == ws.id, Task.status.in_(["todo", "progress"]))
             .order_by(Task.created_at)
         )
         tasks = list(task_result.scalars().all())

api/routers/state.py

@@ -38,6 +38,7 @@ from api.schemas.task import TaskRead
 from api.schemas.topic import TopicRead, TopicWithWorkstreams
 from api.schemas.workstream import WorkstreamRead, WorkstreamWithTaskCounts, WorkstreamWithDeps
 from api.schemas.workstream_dependency import WorkstreamDepStub
+from api.task_status import TERMINAL_TASK_STATUSES, status_value
 from api.workplan_status import (
     CLOSED_WORKSTREAM_STATUSES,
     OPEN_WORKSTREAM_STATUSES,
@@ -111,10 +112,10 @@ async def get_summary(
     )
     blocking = list(blocking_rows.scalars().all())
 
-    blocked_rows = await session.execute(
+    waiting_rows = await session.execute(
-        select(Task).options(noload("*")).where(Task.status == TaskStatus.blocked).order_by(Task.created_at)
+        select(Task).options(noload("*")).where(Task.status == TaskStatus.wait).order_by(Task.created_at)
     )
-    blocked = list(blocked_rows.scalars().all())
+    waiting = list(waiting_rows.scalars().all())
 
     recent_rows = await session.execute(
         select(ProgressEvent).options(noload("*")).order_by(ProgressEvent.created_at.desc()).limit(20)
@@ -136,7 +137,7 @@ async def get_summary(
         select(Task.workstream_id, Task.status, func.count()).group_by(Task.workstream_id, Task.status)
     ):
         task_per_ws.setdefault(ws_id, {})[tstat] = cnt
-        task_statuses_per_ws.setdefault(ws_id, []).extend([_value(tstat)] * cnt)
+        task_statuses_per_ws.setdefault(ws_id, []).extend([status_value(tstat)] * cnt)
 
     # Dependency graph for open workstreams
     open_ws_ids = [w.id for w in open_ws]
@@ -263,11 +264,11 @@ async def get_summary(
             total=sum(ws_counts.values()),
         ),
         tasks=TaskTotals(
+            wait=task_counts.get(TaskStatus.wait, 0),
             todo=task_counts.get(TaskStatus.todo, 0),
-            in_progress=task_counts.get(TaskStatus.in_progress, 0),
+            progress=task_counts.get(TaskStatus.progress, 0),
-            blocked=task_counts.get(TaskStatus.blocked, 0),
             done=task_counts.get(TaskStatus.done, 0),
-            cancelled=task_counts.get(TaskStatus.cancelled, 0),
+            cancel=task_counts.get(TaskStatus.cancel, 0),
             total=sum(task_counts.values()),
         ),
         decisions=DecisionTotals(
@@ -329,7 +330,8 @@ async def get_summary(
             for t in topics
         ],
         blocking_decisions=[DecisionRead.model_validate(d) for d in blocking],
-        blocked_tasks=[TaskRead.model_validate(t) for t in blocked],
+        waiting_tasks=[TaskRead.model_validate(t) for t in waiting],
+        blocked_tasks=[TaskRead.model_validate(t) for t in waiting],
         recent_progress=[ProgressEventRead.model_validate(e) for e in recent],
         next_steps=next_steps,
         domains=domain_summaries,
@@ -343,10 +345,11 @@ async def get_summary(
                     "status": effective_status.get(w.id, w.status),
                 },
                 tasks_total=sum(task_per_ws.get(w.id, {}).values()),
+                tasks_wait=task_per_ws.get(w.id, {}).get(TaskStatus.wait, 0),
                 tasks_todo=task_per_ws.get(w.id, {}).get(TaskStatus.todo, 0),
-                tasks_in_progress=task_per_ws.get(w.id, {}).get(TaskStatus.in_progress, 0),
+                tasks_progress=task_per_ws.get(w.id, {}).get(TaskStatus.progress, 0),
-                tasks_blocked=task_per_ws.get(w.id, {}).get(TaskStatus.blocked, 0),
                 tasks_done=task_per_ws.get(w.id, {}).get(TaskStatus.done, 0),
+                tasks_cancel=task_per_ws.get(w.id, {}).get(TaskStatus.cancel, 0),
                 depends_on=dep_index.get(w.id, {}).get("depends_on", []),
                 blocks=dep_index.get(w.id, {}).get("blocks", []),
                 blocked_reasons=blocked_reasons.get(w.id, []),
@@ -521,7 +524,7 @@ async def _derive_next_steps(session: AsyncSession) -> list[NextStep]:
             select(Task)
             .options(noload("*"))
             .where(Task.workstream_id == decision.workstream_id)
-            .where(Task.status.in_([TaskStatus.todo, TaskStatus.in_progress]))
+            .where(Task.status.in_([TaskStatus.todo, TaskStatus.progress, TaskStatus.wait]))
         )
         open_tasks = list(open_tasks_rows.scalars().all())
         if not open_tasks:
@@ -655,10 +658,6 @@ async def _get_domain_slug_for_topic(topic_id, session: AsyncSession) -> str | N
     return domain.slug if domain else None
 
 
-def _value(item):
-    return item.value if hasattr(item, "value") else item
-
-
 @router.get("/next_steps", response_model=list[NextStep])
 async def get_next_steps(session: AsyncSession = Depends(get_session)) -> list[NextStep]:
     """Derive contextual next-action suggestions from current hub state.

api/routers/tasks.py

@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ from api.models.token_event import TokenEvent
 from api.models.workstream import Workstream
 from api.schemas.task import TaskCreate, TaskRead, TaskUpdate
 from api.services.lifecycle import status_value, transition_task_status
+from api.task_status import normalize_task_status
 
 router = APIRouter(prefix="/tasks", tags=["tasks"])
 
@@ -18,7 +19,7 @@ router = APIRouter(prefix="/tasks", tags=["tasks"])
 @router.get("/", response_model=list[TaskRead])
 async def list_tasks(
     workstream_id: uuid.UUID | None = None,
-    status: TaskStatus | None = None,
+    status: str | None = None,
     assignee: str | None = None,
     needs_human: bool | None = Query(None),
     priority: str | None = None,
@@ -29,7 +30,7 @@ async def list_tasks(
     if workstream_id:
         q = q.where(Task.workstream_id == workstream_id)
     if status:
-        q = q.where(Task.status == status)
+        q = q.where(Task.status == TaskStatus(normalize_task_status(status)))
     if assignee:
         q = q.where(Task.assignee == assignee)
     if needs_human is not None:
@@ -50,7 +51,7 @@ async def create_task(
 ) -> Task:
     task = Task(**body.model_dump())
     session.add(task)
-    if status_value(task.status) == "in_progress":
+    if status_value(task.status) == "progress":
         ws = await session.get(Workstream, task.workstream_id)
         transition_task_status(
             task,
@@ -198,7 +199,7 @@ async def cancel_task(
     task = await session.get(Task, task_id)
     if task is None:
         raise HTTPException(status_code=404, detail="Task not found")
-    transition_task_status(task, TaskStatus.cancelled)
+    transition_task_status(task, TaskStatus.cancel)
     await session.commit()
     await session.refresh(task)
     return task

api/schemas/state.py

@@ -30,11 +30,11 @@ class WorkstreamTotals(BaseModel):
 
 
 class TaskTotals(BaseModel):
+    wait: int = 0
     todo: int = 0
-    in_progress: int = 0
+    progress: int = 0
-    blocked: int = 0
     done: int = 0
-    cancelled: int = 0
+    cancel: int = 0
     total: int = 0
 
 
@@ -75,7 +75,8 @@ class StateSummary(BaseModel):
     totals: Totals
     topics: list[TopicWithWorkstreams]
     blocking_decisions: list[DecisionRead]
-    blocked_tasks: list[TaskRead]
+    waiting_tasks: list[TaskRead]
+    blocked_tasks: list[TaskRead] = []
     recent_progress: list[ProgressEventRead]
     open_workstreams: list[WorkstreamWithDeps]
     next_steps: list[NextStep] = []

api/schemas/task.py

@@ -2,12 +2,22 @@ import uuid
 from datetime import date, datetime
 from typing import Self
 
-from pydantic import BaseModel, ConfigDict, model_validator
+from pydantic import BaseModel, ConfigDict, field_validator, model_validator
 
 from api.models.task import TaskPriority, TaskStatus
+from api.task_status import normalize_task_status
 
 
-class TaskCreate(BaseModel):
+class TaskStatusMixin(BaseModel):
+    @field_validator("status", mode="before", check_fields=False)
+    @classmethod
+    def _normalize_status(cls, value):
+        if value is None:
+            return value
+        return normalize_task_status(value)
+
+
+class TaskCreate(TaskStatusMixin):
     workstream_id: uuid.UUID
     title: str
     description: str | None = None
@@ -27,7 +37,7 @@ class TaskCreate(BaseModel):
         return self
 
 
-class TaskUpdate(BaseModel):
+class TaskUpdate(TaskStatusMixin):
     title: str | None = None
     description: str | None = None
     status: TaskStatus | None = None
@@ -55,9 +65,9 @@ class TaskUpdate(BaseModel):
     suppress_token_event: bool | None = None
 
     @model_validator(mode="after")
-    def blocking_reason_required_when_blocked(self) -> Self:
+    def blocking_reason_required_when_human_waiting(self) -> Self:
-        if self.status == TaskStatus.blocked and not self.blocking_reason:
+        if self.status == TaskStatus.wait and self.needs_human and not self.blocking_reason:
-            raise ValueError("blocking_reason is required when status is blocked")
+            raise ValueError("blocking_reason is required when a human-blocked task is waiting")
         return self
 
     @model_validator(mode="after")
@@ -67,7 +77,7 @@ class TaskUpdate(BaseModel):
         return self
 
 
-class TaskRead(BaseModel):
+class TaskRead(TaskStatusMixin):
     model_config = ConfigDict(from_attributes=True)
     id: uuid.UUID
     workstream_id: uuid.UUID

api/schemas/workstream.py

@@ -92,10 +92,11 @@ class WorkstreamRead(WorkstreamStatusMixin):
 
 class WorkstreamWithTaskCounts(WorkstreamRead):
     tasks_total: int = 0
+    tasks_wait: int = 0
     tasks_todo: int = 0
-    tasks_in_progress: int = 0
+    tasks_progress: int = 0
-    tasks_blocked: int = 0
     tasks_done: int = 0
+    tasks_cancel: int = 0
 
 
 class WorkstreamWithDeps(WorkstreamWithTaskCounts):

api/services/lifecycle.py

@@ -3,12 +3,13 @@ from __future__ import annotations
 from dataclasses import dataclass
 from typing import Any
 
+from api.task_status import ACTIVE_TASK_STATUSES, normalize_task_status, status_value
 from api.workplan_status import normalize_workstream_status
 
 
-TASK_STARTED_STATUS = "in_progress"
+TASK_STARTED_STATUS = "progress"
 TASK_NOT_STARTED_STATUS = "todo"
-TASK_ACTIVE_STATUSES = {"in_progress", "blocked"}
+TASK_ACTIVE_STATUSES = ACTIVE_TASK_STATUSES
 PARENT_ACTIVATION_STATUSES = {"proposed", "ready", "backlog"}
 
 
@@ -21,12 +22,6 @@ class LifecycleTransitionResult:
     parent_activated: bool = False
 
 
-def status_value(status: Any) -> str:
-    if hasattr(status, "value"):
-        status = status.value
-    return str(status or "").strip().lower()
-
-
 def should_activate_parent_for_task_start(
     *,
     previous_task_status: Any,
@@ -109,8 +104,8 @@ def transition_task_status(
         if previous_task_status is None
         else previous_task_status
     )
-    normalised_target = status_value(target_status)
+    normalised_target = normalize_task_status(target_status)
-    task.status = status_coercer(normalised_target) if status_coercer else target_status
+    task.status = status_coercer(normalised_target) if status_coercer else normalised_target
     parent_activated = activate_parent_for_task_start(
         previous_task_status=previous_status,
         new_task_status=normalised_target,

api/services/recently_on_scope.py

@@ -123,7 +123,7 @@ async def collect_domain_activity(
     ]
     attention_tasks = [
         task for task in tasks
-        if task.needs_human and _enum_value(task.status) not in {TaskStatus.done.value, TaskStatus.cancelled.value}
+        if task.needs_human and _enum_value(task.status) not in {TaskStatus.done.value, TaskStatus.cancel.value}
     ]
 
     data = {

api/services/reconciliation.py

@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ from enum import Enum
 from typing import Any
 
 from api.services.lifecycle import status_value
+from api.task_status import CANONICAL_TASK_STATUSES
 from api.workplan_status import CLOSED_WORKSTREAM_STATUSES, normalize_workstream_status
 
 
@@ -22,7 +23,7 @@ class StateChangeClassification:
 
 
 WRITE_THROUGH_WORKSTREAM_STATUSES = {"proposed", "ready", "active", "backlog"}
-TASK_STATUSES = {"todo", "in_progress", "blocked", "done", "cancelled"}
+TASK_STATUSES = set(CANONICAL_TASK_STATUSES)
 
 
 def classify_workstream_status_change(
@@ -129,11 +130,11 @@ def classify_task_status_change(
             "status is unchanged",
             "no file update required",
         )
-    if target == "blocked" and not (blocking_reason or "").strip():
+    if target == "wait" and not (blocking_reason or "").strip():
         return StateChangeClassification(
             ReconciliationClass.HUMAN_CONFIRMATION,
-            "blocked tasks require a blocking reason",
+            "waiting tasks should explain the wait condition",
-            "capture the blocker before writing status",
+            "capture the wait reason before writing status",
         )
     if target in TASK_STATUSES:
         return StateChangeClassification(

api/task_status.py

@@ -0,0 +1,84 @@
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+from typing import Any
+
+CANONICAL_TASK_STATUSES: tuple[str, ...] = (
+    "wait",
+    "todo",
+    "progress",
+    "done",
+    "cancel",
+)
+
+TASK_STATUS_CODES: dict[str, str] = {
+    "WAIT": "wait",
+    "TODO": "todo",
+    "PROG": "progress",
+    "DONE": "done",
+    "CNCL": "cancel",
+}
+
+LEGACY_TASK_STATUS_ALIASES: dict[str, str] = {
+    "blocked": "wait",
+    "waiting": "wait",
+    "in_progress": "progress",
+    "in-progress": "progress",
+    "prog": "progress",
+    "cancelled": "cancel",
+    "canceled": "cancel",
+    "cncl": "cancel",
+}
+
+OPEN_TASK_STATUSES: frozenset[str] = frozenset({"wait", "todo", "progress"})
+ACTIVE_TASK_STATUSES: frozenset[str] = frozenset({"wait", "progress"})
+TERMINAL_TASK_STATUSES: frozenset[str] = frozenset({"done", "cancel"})
+
+TASK_STATUS_ORDER: dict[str, int] = {
+    "todo": 0,
+    "wait": 1,
+    "progress": 1,
+    "done": 2,
+    "cancel": 2,
+}
+
+TASK_STATUS_LABELS: dict[str, str] = {
+    "wait": "wait",
+    "todo": "todo",
+    "progress": "progress",
+    "done": "done",
+    "cancel": "cancel",
+}
+
+
+def raw_status_value(status: Any) -> str:
+    if hasattr(status, "value"):
+        status = status.value
+    return str(status or "").strip()
+
+
+def normalize_task_status(status: Any, *, default: str | None = None) -> str:
+    """Normalize canon task statuses plus legacy aliases to stored values."""
+    value = raw_status_value(status).lower()
+    if not value:
+        if default is not None:
+            return default
+        raise ValueError("task status is required")
+    value = LEGACY_TASK_STATUS_ALIASES.get(value, value)
+    if value not in CANONICAL_TASK_STATUSES:
+        allowed = ", ".join(CANONICAL_TASK_STATUSES)
+        aliases = ", ".join(sorted(LEGACY_TASK_STATUS_ALIASES))
+        raise ValueError(f"task status must be one of {allowed}; legacy aliases: {aliases}")
+    return value
+
+
+def status_value(status: Any, *, default: str | None = None) -> str:
+    """Compatibility wrapper used by lifecycle and reconciliation code."""
+    return normalize_task_status(status, default=default)
+
+
+def is_open_task_status(status: Any) -> bool:
+    return normalize_task_status(status, default="todo") in OPEN_TASK_STATUSES
+
+
+def is_terminal_task_status(status: Any) -> bool:
+    return normalize_task_status(status, default="todo") in TERMINAL_TASK_STATUSES

dashboard/src/components/entity-modal.js

@@ -141,11 +141,14 @@ const _STATUS_STYLE = {
   archived:    "background:#e2e3e5;color:#383d41",
   open:        "background:#dbeafe;color:#1e40af",
   in_progress: "background:#fef3c7;color:#92400e",
+  wait:        "background:#fef3c7;color:#92400e",
+  progress:    "background:#ede9fe;color:#5b21b6",
   addressed:   "background:#dcfce7;color:#166534",
   deferred:    "background:#f1f5f9;color:#64748b",
   wont_fix:    "background:#f3f4f6;color:#9ca3af",
   todo:        "background:#f1f5f9;color:#475569",
   done:        "background:#dcfce7;color:#166534",
+  cancel:      "background:#f3f4f6;color:#9ca3af",
   cancelled:   "background:#f3f4f6;color:#9ca3af",
   resolved:    "background:#dcfce7;color:#166534",
   superseded:  "background:#e2e3e5;color:#383d41",
@@ -226,8 +229,8 @@ function _buildBody(entity, type) {
     if (entity.tasks_total !== undefined) {
       els.push(_divider(),
         tf("Tasks", `${entity.tasks_done ?? 0} done / ${entity.tasks_total} total` +
-          (entity.tasks_in_progress > 0 ? ` · ${entity.tasks_in_progress} in progress` : "") +
+          (entity.tasks_progress > 0 ? ` · ${entity.tasks_progress} progress` : "") +
-          (entity.tasks_blocked     > 0 ? ` · ${entity.tasks_blocked} blocked`          : ""))
+          (entity.tasks_wait     > 0 ? ` · ${entity.tasks_wait} wait`          : ""))
       );
     }
     if (entity.depends_on?.length) {

dashboard/src/components/field-help.js

@@ -153,7 +153,7 @@ export const FIELD_HELP = {
   },
   status: {
     label: "Status",
-    description: "Current lifecycle state: todo, in_progress, blocked, done, or cancelled.",
+    description: "Current lifecycle state. Tasks use wait, todo, progress, done, or cancel.",
     doc: "/docs/workstream-lifecycle",
   },
   topic_id: {
@@ -182,7 +182,7 @@ export const FIELD_HELP = {
   },
   needs_human: {
     label: "Needs Human",
-    description: "True if the task is blocked waiting for human input or approval.",
+    description: "True if the task is waiting for human input or approval.",
     doc: "/interventions",
   },
   intervention_note: {

dashboard/src/components/status-control.js

@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ import {WORKSTREAM_STATUSES} from "./workplan-status.js";
 
 const STYLE_ID = "status-control-styles";
 
-export const TASK_STATUSES = ["todo", "in_progress", "blocked", "done", "cancelled"];
+export const TASK_STATUSES = ["wait", "todo", "progress", "done", "cancel"];
 export {WORKSTREAM_STATUSES};
 
 function ensureStyles() {
@@ -138,9 +138,9 @@ export function statusControl({
     if (nextStatus === currentStatus) return;
 
     let blockingReason = null;
-    if (type === "task" && nextStatus === "blocked") {
+    if (type === "task" && nextStatus === "wait") {
       const existingReason = entity?.blocking_reason ?? "";
-      const reason = existingReason || window.prompt("Blocking reason required for blocked tasks:");
+      const reason = existingReason || window.prompt("Reason this task is waiting:");
       if (!reason) {
         select.value = currentStatus;
         setMessage("unchanged");

dashboard/src/components/workplan-status.js

@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ export function isOpenWorkstream(status) {
 
 export function isStalledWorkstream(w, staleDays = 7) {
   const staleAt = new Date(Date.now() - staleDays * 24 * 60 * 60 * 1000);
-  const openTasks = (w.todo ?? 0) + (w.in_progress ?? 0) + (w.blocked ?? 0);
+  const openTasks = (w.todo ?? 0) + (w.progress ?? 0) + (w.wait ?? 0);
   return ["active", "blocked"].includes(normalizeWorkstreamStatus(w.status))
     && new Date(w.updated_at) < staleAt
     && (w.done ?? 0) > 0

dashboard/src/data/summary.json.py

@@ -29,11 +29,12 @@ except urllib.error.URLError as e:
                 "archived": 0,
                 "total": 0,
             },
-            "tasks": {"todo": 0, "in_progress": 0, "blocked": 0, "done": 0, "cancelled": 0, "total": 0},
+            "tasks": {"wait": 0, "todo": 0, "progress": 0, "done": 0, "cancel": 0, "total": 0},
             "decisions": {"open": 0, "resolved": 0, "escalated": 0, "superseded": 0, "total": 0},
         },
         "topics": [],
         "blocking_decisions": [],
+        "waiting_tasks": [],
         "blocked_tasks": [],
         "recent_progress": [],
         "open_workstreams": [],

dashboard/src/docs/capabilities.md

@@ -145,8 +145,8 @@ Notifications appear in the [Inbox](/inbox) page and are queryable via
 
 A request can optionally link to a **blocking task** via `blocking_task_id`.
 When the request reaches `completed`, the system automatically patches that
-task from `blocked` → `todo` and clears its `blocking_reason`. This means
+task from `wait` → `todo` and clears its `blocking_reason`. This means
-blocked work resumes without manual intervention.
+waiting work resumes without manual intervention.
 
 ---
 

dashboard/src/docs/dashboard.md

@@ -241,7 +241,7 @@ TOC sidebar as a persistent KPI card.
 ### Multi-mode workstream chart
 
 The Overview page renders a horizontal stacked bar chart using `@observablehq/plot`
-showing task counts (done / in progress / blocked / todo) per workstream.
+showing task counts (done / progress / wait / todo) per workstream.
 A `<select>` dropdown switches between:
 
 - **Lifecycle modes**: proposed, ready, active, blocked, backlog, finished, archived

dashboard/src/docs/inter-repo-communication.md

@@ -129,8 +129,8 @@ The session orientation protocol (every repo's CLAUDE.md) surfaces todos from
 two sources:
 
 **Internal todos** (Step 2 of orientation) — workplan files in `workplans/`
-whose stored workstation/status label is `active`, with tasks in `todo` or
+whose stored workstation/status label is `active`, with tasks in `wait`,
-`in_progress`.
+`todo`, or `progress`.
 
 **Ecosystem todos targeting this repo** (Step 1 of orientation) —
 `get_state_summary()` returns all open tasks across all workstreams. The session

dashboard/src/docs/interventions.md

@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ The Interventions page lists every task that has been flagged `needs_human=true`
 
 ## What is a human intervention?
 
-A human intervention is a task that an agent has determined cannot proceed without direct human action — for example, approving a financial decision, confirming a legal commitment, or resolving a sensitive ambiguity. Flagging a task does not change its work status; the task continues to be `todo`, `in_progress`, or `blocked` while awaiting attention.
+A human intervention is a task that an agent has determined cannot proceed without direct human action — for example, approving a financial decision, confirming a legal commitment, or resolving a sensitive ambiguity. Flagging a task does not change its work status; the task continues to be `wait`, `todo`, or `progress` while awaiting attention.
 
 ---
 
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ A human intervention is a task that an agent has determined cannot proceed witho
 
 ## Open section
 
-Tasks are sorted by priority (critical → high → medium → low), then by status (blocked → in_progress → todo). Each card shows:
+Tasks are sorted by priority (critical → high → medium → low), then by status (wait → progress → todo). Each card shows:
 
 | Element | Meaning |
 |---|---|
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ Tasks are sorted by priority (critical → high → medium → low), then by sta
 
 Click **Mark done** on any open card. An inline form appears requiring a **resolution comment** — a short note describing what was done. The comment is mandatory; clicking **Confirm** without entering text highlights the field in red and does nothing.
 
-Once confirmed, the API call sets `status = done`, `needs_human = false`, and replaces the action note with your resolution comment. The card moves to the **Completed / Cancelled** section on the next poll.
+Once confirmed, the API call sets `status = done`, `needs_human = false`, and replaces the action note with your resolution comment. The card moves to the **Completed / Canceled** section on the next poll.
 
 Click **Cancel** to dismiss the form without making changes.
 

dashboard/src/docs/overview.md

@@ -20,8 +20,8 @@ by repository. Each bar is broken into four task-status segments:
 | Colour | Segment |
 |--------|---------|
 | green | done |
-| blue | in progress |
+| purple | progress |
-| orange-red | blocked |
+| orange | wait |
 | light grey | todo |
 
 The left axis shows the `domain / repository` label once per repository group.

dashboard/src/docs/progress-log.md

@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ These types are used by the State Hub's built-in write operations:
 | `workstream_status_changed` | Workstream moved between canonical lifecycle states |
 | `workstation_advanced` | Flow-aware movement via `advance_workstation()` succeeded |
 | `task_created` | A new task was added to a workstream |
-| `task_status_changed` | Task moved to todo / in_progress / blocked / done / cancelled |
+| `task_status_changed` | Task moved to wait / todo / progress / done / cancel |
 | `decision_recorded` | A decision (pending or made) was recorded |
 | `decision_resolved` | A pending decision was resolved |
 

dashboard/src/docs/ralph-workplan.md

@@ -127,7 +127,7 @@ priority: medium
 | Field | Values | Description |
 |-------|--------|-------------|
 | `id` | string | Unique task identifier |
-| `status` | `todo` \| `in_progress` \| `done` | Task state |
+| `status` | `wait` \| `todo` \| `progress` \| `done` \| `cancel` | Task state |
 | `priority` | `high` \| `medium` \| `low` | Execution order hint |
 
 ---
@@ -137,8 +137,8 @@ priority: medium
 As Claude completes tasks it edits the workplan file directly:
 
 ```
-status: todo  →  status: in_progress   (when starting)
+status: todo  →  status: progress   (when starting)
-status: in_progress  →  status: done   (when verified complete)
+status: progress  →  status: done   (when verified complete)
 ```
 
 When every task is `done`, Claude also updates the frontmatter:

dashboard/src/docs/tasks.md

@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ title: Tasks — Reference
 # Tasks — Reference
 
 The Tasks page shows all tasks across every workstream and domain, with live
-filtering, a workstation distribution chart, and a blocked-tasks highlight
+filtering, a workstation distribution chart, and a waiting-tasks highlight
 section.
 
 ---
@@ -17,11 +17,11 @@ compatibility.
 
 | Workstation | Meaning |
 |--------|---------|
+| **wait** | Waiting on another actor, event, decision, input, or condition |
 | **todo** | Not yet started |
-| **in_progress** | Actively being worked on |
+| **progress** | Actively being worked on |
-| **blocked** | Cannot proceed — has a blocking reason |
 | **done** | Completed |
-| **cancelled** | Dropped; not counted toward totals |
+| **cancel** | Stopped; not counted toward totals |
 
 ---
 
@@ -56,37 +56,37 @@ per stored workstation/status label, colour-coded:
 
 | Colour | Status |
 |--------|--------|
+| orange | wait |
 | grey-blue | todo |
-| blue | in_progress |
+| purple | progress |
-| red | blocked |
 | green | done |
-| light grey | cancelled |
+| light grey | cancel |
 
 ---
 
-## Blocked Tasks section
+## Waiting Tasks section
 
-Shows cards for every task currently in the `blocked` workstation within the
+Shows cards for every task currently in the `wait` workstation within the
 active filter. Each card displays:
 
 - Priority badge and status
 - Domain and workstream context
 - Task title
-- Blocking reason (amber background)
+- Wait reason (amber background)
 
 ---
 
 ## KPI sidebar card
 
-Shows four counts for the unfiltered dataset: open (todo + in_progress +
+Shows counts for the unfiltered dataset: open (`wait` + `todo` + `progress`),
-blocked), blocked, in progress, done, and a done-% of total.
+waiting, progress, done, and a done-% of total.
 
 ---
 
 ## Sorting
 
-Tasks are sorted by status (blocked first, then in_progress, todo, done,
+Tasks are sorted by status (wait first, then progress, todo, done, cancel) then
-cancelled) then by priority (critical → high → medium → low) within each
+by priority (critical → high → medium → low) within each
 status group.
 
 ---

dashboard/src/docs/todo.md

@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ boundary rule and routing workflows.
 
 ### Internal
 
-Open tasks (`todo`, `in_progress`, `blocked`) in **custodian domain workstreams**
+Open tasks (`wait`, `todo`, `progress`) in **custodian domain workstreams**
 whose title does not contain a `[repo:]` routing prefix.
 
 These are tasks this agent is directly responsible for and can address within

dashboard/src/index.md

@@ -57,12 +57,12 @@ const pageState = (async function*() {
       const counts = {};
       for (const t of taskList) {
         const wid = t.workstream_id;
-        if (!counts[wid]) counts[wid] = {done: 0, in_progress: 0, blocked: 0, todo: 0, total: 0};
+        if (!counts[wid]) counts[wid] = {done: 0, progress: 0, wait: 0, todo: 0, total: 0};
         counts[wid].total++;
-        if      (t.status === "done")        counts[wid].done++;
+        if      (t.status === "done")     counts[wid].done++;
-        else if (t.status === "in_progress") counts[wid].in_progress++;
+        else if (t.status === "progress") counts[wid].progress++;
-        else if (t.status === "blocked")     counts[wid].blocked++;
+        else if (t.status === "wait")     counts[wid].wait++;
-        else if (t.status === "todo")        counts[wid].todo++;
+        else if (t.status === "todo")     counts[wid].todo++;
       }
       wsAll = wsList.map(w => {
         const repo = repoMap[w.repo_id];
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ const pageState = (async function*() {
           workplan_archived: workplan.archived ?? false,
           health_labels: workplan.health_labels ?? [],
           href: `./workstreams/${w.id}`,
-          ...(counts[w.id] ?? {done: 0, in_progress: 0, blocked: 0, todo: 0, total: 0}),
+          ...(counts[w.id] ?? {done: 0, progress: 0, wait: 0, todo: 0, total: 0}),
         };
       });
     } catch (e) {
@@ -233,13 +233,13 @@ for (const w of chartWs) {
   _seen.add(group);
 }
 
-const statusOrder  = ["done", "in progress", "blocked", "todo"];
+const statusOrder  = ["done", "progress", "wait", "todo"];
-const statusColors = ["#4caf50", "steelblue", "#ff7043", "#e0e0e0"];
+const statusColors = ["#4caf50", "#8b5cf6", "#f59e0b", "#e0e0e0"];
 
 const _taskRows = chartWs.flatMap(w => [
   {id: w.id, title: w.title, status: "done",        count: w.done        ?? 0, domain: w.domain, repo: w.repo_label, workplan: w.workplan_filename, href: w.href},
-  {id: w.id, title: w.title, status: "in progress", count: w.in_progress ?? 0, domain: w.domain, repo: w.repo_label, workplan: w.workplan_filename, href: w.href},
+  {id: w.id, title: w.title, status: "progress",    count: w.progress    ?? 0, domain: w.domain, repo: w.repo_label, workplan: w.workplan_filename, href: w.href},
-  {id: w.id, title: w.title, status: "blocked",     count: w.blocked     ?? 0, domain: w.domain, repo: w.repo_label, workplan: w.workplan_filename, href: w.href},
+  {id: w.id, title: w.title, status: "wait",        count: w.wait        ?? 0, domain: w.domain, repo: w.repo_label, workplan: w.workplan_filename, href: w.href},
   {id: w.id, title: w.title, status: "todo",        count: w.todo        ?? 0, domain: w.domain, repo: w.repo_label, workplan: w.workplan_filename, href: w.href},
 ]).filter(d => d.count > 0);
 
@@ -370,7 +370,7 @@ display(html`<div class="grid grid-cols-3" style="gap:1rem;margin-bottom:1.5rem"
 ## Status
 
 ```js
-const blockedTasks = summary.blocked_tasks ?? [];
+const waitingTasks = summary.waiting_tasks ?? summary.blocked_tasks ?? [];
 const wsById = Object.fromEntries((summary.open_workstreams ?? []).map(w => [w.id, w]));
 const todayCount = (summary.recent_progress ?? []).filter(e =>
   e.created_at?.startsWith(new Date().toISOString().slice(0, 10))).length;
@@ -388,9 +388,9 @@ const statusEl = html`<div>
       <p class="big-num">${decCount}</p>
       <small>${decisions.escalated ?? 0} escalated</small>
     </a>
-    <div class="card card-link ${blockedTasks.length > 0 ? 'warn' : ''}" data-toggle="blocked-panel">
+    <div class="card card-link ${waitingTasks.length > 0 ? 'warn' : ''}" data-toggle="waiting-panel">
-      <h3>Blocked Tasks</h3>
+      <h3>Waiting Tasks</h3>
-      <p class="big-num">${blockedTasks.length}</p>
+      <p class="big-num">${waitingTasks.length}</p>
       <small>of ${tasks.total ?? 0} total · click to expand</small>
     </div>
     <a class="card card-link" href="#recent-activity">
@@ -400,10 +400,10 @@ const statusEl = html`<div>
     </a>
   </div>
 
-  <div id="blocked-panel" style="display:none;margin-bottom:1rem">
+  <div id="waiting-panel" style="display:none;margin-bottom:1rem">
-    ${blockedTasks.length === 0
+    ${waitingTasks.length === 0
-      ? html`<p class="dim" style="padding:0.5rem 0">No tasks currently blocked.</p>`
+      ? html`<p class="dim" style="padding:0.5rem 0">No tasks currently waiting.</p>`
-      : html`<div class="bt-list">${blockedTasks.map(t => {
+      : html`<div class="bt-list">${waitingTasks.map(t => {
           const wsName = wsById[t.workstream_id]?.title ?? t.workstream_id?.slice(0,8) ?? "—";
           return html`<div class="bt-row">
             <div class="bt-meta">${wsName}</div>
@@ -415,11 +415,11 @@ const statusEl = html`<div>
   </div>
 </div>`;
 
-statusEl.querySelector('[data-toggle="blocked-panel"]').addEventListener('click', () => {
+statusEl.querySelector('[data-toggle="waiting-panel"]').addEventListener('click', () => {
-  const panel = statusEl.querySelector('#blocked-panel');
+  const panel = statusEl.querySelector('#waiting-panel');
   const isOpen = panel.style.display !== 'none';
   panel.style.display = isOpen ? 'none' : 'block';
-  statusEl.querySelector('[data-toggle="blocked-panel"] small').textContent =
+  statusEl.querySelector('[data-toggle="waiting-panel"] small').textContent =
     isOpen ? `of ${tasks.total ?? 0} total · click to expand` : `of ${tasks.total ?? 0} total · click to collapse`;
 });
 

dashboard/src/interventions.md

@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ const _ts   = interventionState.ts;
 ```
 
 ```js
-const OPEN_STATUSES = new Set(["todo", "in_progress", "blocked"]);
+const OPEN_STATUSES = new Set(["wait", "todo", "progress"]);
 // open  = currently flagged for human action
 // closed = previously flagged (intervention_note records the resolution comment)
 const open   = tasks.filter(t => t.needs_human === true);
@@ -125,7 +125,7 @@ Tasks flagged `needs_human=true` — actions only a human can take.
 import {openActionConfirm} from "./components/action-confirm.js";
 
 const PRIORITY_ORDER = {critical: 0, high: 1, medium: 2, low: 3};
-const STATUS_ORDER   = {blocked: 0, in_progress: 1, todo: 2};
+const STATUS_ORDER   = {wait: 0, progress: 1, todo: 2};
 
 function sortTasks(arr) {
   return [...arr].sort((a, b) => {
@@ -217,11 +217,11 @@ if (closed.length === 0) {
 .task-priority-medium   { background: #dbeafe; color: #1e40af; }
 .task-priority-low      { background: #f1f5f9; color: #475569; }
 .task-status-chip { display: inline-block; padding: 0.1rem 0.45rem; border-radius: 10px; font-size: 0.7rem; font-weight: 500; }
-.status-chip-blocked     { background: #fee2e2; color: #991b1b; }
+.status-chip-wait        { background: #fef3c7; color: #92400e; }
-.status-chip-in_progress { background: #dbeafe; color: #1e40af; }
+.status-chip-progress    { background: #ede9fe; color: #5b21b6; }
 .status-chip-todo        { background: #f1f5f9; color: #475569; }
 .status-chip-done        { background: #dcfce7; color: #166534; }
-.status-chip-cancelled   { background: #f1f5f9; color: #64748b; }
+.status-chip-cancel      { background: #f1f5f9; color: #64748b; }
 .task-context  { color: var(--theme-foreground-muted, #666); }
 .task-ws-name  { font-style: italic; }
 .dim { color: gray; font-style: italic; }

dashboard/src/tasks.md

@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ const _ts  = taskState.ts;
 ```js
 import {MultiSelect} from "./components/multiselect.js";
 
-const STATUSES   = ["todo", "in_progress", "blocked", "done", "cancelled"];
+const STATUSES   = ["wait", "todo", "progress", "done", "cancel"];
 const PRIORITIES = ["critical", "high", "medium", "low"];
 const _domainsResp = await fetch(`${API}/domains/?status=active`).catch(() => null);
 const DOMAINS = _domainsResp?.ok
@@ -95,11 +95,11 @@ import {openEntityModal, buildEntityTable} from "./components/entity-modal.js";
 import {statusControl, TASK_STATUSES} from "./components/status-control.js";
 
 // ── KPI sidebar card ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
-const _open    = data.filter(t => ["todo", "in_progress", "blocked"].includes(t.status));
+const _open    = data.filter(t => ["wait", "todo", "progress"].includes(t.status));
-const _blocked = data.filter(t => t.status === "blocked");
+const _waiting = data.filter(t => t.status === "wait");
-const _inProg  = data.filter(t => t.status === "in_progress");
+const _inProg  = data.filter(t => t.status === "progress");
 const _done    = data.filter(t => t.status === "done");
-const _total   = data.filter(t => t.status !== "cancelled").length;
+const _total   = data.filter(t => t.status !== "cancel").length;
 const _donePct = _total > 0 ? Math.round(_done.length / _total * 100) : 0;
 
 const _kpiBox = html`<div class="kpi-infobox">
@@ -111,13 +111,13 @@ const _kpiBox = html`<div class="kpi-infobox">
     </div>
   </div>
   <div class="kpi-row">
-    <span class="kpi-row-label">blocked</span>
+    <span class="kpi-row-label">waiting</span>
     <div class="kpi-row-right">
-      <div class="kpi-row-value" style="color:${_blocked.length > 0 ? '#dc2626' : 'inherit'}">${_blocked.length}</div>
+      <div class="kpi-row-value" style="color:${_waiting.length > 0 ? '#d97706' : 'inherit'}">${_waiting.length}</div>
     </div>
   </div>
   <div class="kpi-row">
-    <span class="kpi-row-label">in progress</span>
+    <span class="kpi-row-label">progress</span>
     <div class="kpi-row-right">
       <div class="kpi-row-value">${_inProg.length}</div>
     </div>
@@ -154,11 +154,11 @@ injectTocTop("live-indicator", _liveEl);
 import * as Plot from "npm:@observablehq/plot";
 
 const STATUS_COLOR = {
+  wait:        "#f59e0b",
   todo:        "#94a3b8",
-  in_progress: "#3b82f6",
+  progress:    "#8b5cf6",
-  blocked:     "#ef4444",
   done:        "#22c55e",
-  cancelled:   "#cbd5e1",
+  cancel:      "#cbd5e1",
 };
 
 const byStatus = STATUSES
@@ -178,16 +178,16 @@ display(byStatus.length === 0
 );
 ```
 
-## Blocked Tasks
+## Waiting Tasks
 
 ```js
-const _blockedInFilter = filtered.filter(t => t.status === "blocked");
+const _waitingInFilter = filtered.filter(t => t.status === "wait");
 
-if (_blockedInFilter.length === 0) {
+if (_waitingInFilter.length === 0) {
-  display(html`<p class="dim">No blocked tasks in current filter. ✓</p>`);
+  display(html`<p class="dim">No waiting tasks in current filter. ✓</p>`);
 } else {
-  display(html`<div class="task-blocked-list">${_blockedInFilter.map(t => html`
+  display(html`<div class="task-waiting-list">${_waitingInFilter.map(t => html`
-    <div class="task-blocked-item entity-row" onclick=${() => openEntityModal(t, "task")}>
+    <div class="task-waiting-item entity-row" onclick=${() => openEntityModal(t, "task")}>
       <div class="task-item-header">
         <span class="task-badge task-priority-${t.priority}">${t.priority}</span>
         <span class="task-context">${t.domain}</span>
@@ -196,7 +196,7 @@ if (_blockedInFilter.length === 0) {
         ${t.assignee ? html`<span class="task-assignee">@${t.assignee}</span>` : ""}
       </div>
       <div class="task-title">${t.title}</div>
-      ${t.blocking_reason ? html`<div class="task-blocking-reason">⊘ ${t.blocking_reason}</div>` : ""}
+      ${t.blocking_reason ? html`<div class="task-wait-reason">⊘ ${t.blocking_reason}</div>` : ""}
     </div>
   `)}</div>`);
 }
@@ -209,7 +209,7 @@ display(_filtersForm);
 display(html`<p><strong>${filtered.length}</strong> tasks shown.</p>`);
 
 const PRIORITY_ORDER = {critical: 0, high: 1, medium: 2, low: 3};
-const STATUS_ORDER   = {blocked: 0, in_progress: 1, todo: 2, done: 3, cancelled: 4};
+const STATUS_ORDER   = {wait: 0, progress: 1, todo: 2, done: 3, cancel: 4};
 
 const sorted = [...filtered].sort((a, b) => {
   const sd = (STATUS_ORDER[a.status] ?? 9) - (STATUS_ORDER[b.status] ?? 9);
@@ -246,9 +246,9 @@ display(buildEntityTable(
 
 /* ── Filters ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── */
 
-/* ── Blocked task cards ───────────────────────────────────────────────────── */
+/* ── Waiting task cards ───────────────────────────────────────────────────── */
-.task-blocked-list { display: flex; flex-direction: column; gap: 0.5rem; }
+.task-waiting-list { display: flex; flex-direction: column; gap: 0.5rem; }
-.task-blocked-item { border-left: 3px solid #ef4444; border-radius: 0 6px 6px 0; background: var(--theme-background-alt); padding: 0.65rem 0.9rem; }
+.task-waiting-item { border-left: 3px solid #f59e0b; border-radius: 0 6px 6px 0; background: var(--theme-background-alt); padding: 0.65rem 0.9rem; }
 .task-item-header { display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; align-items: center; gap: 0.4rem; margin-bottom: 0.3rem; font-size: 0.75rem; }
 .task-badge { display: inline-block; padding: 0.1rem 0.45rem; border-radius: 10px; font-size: 0.7rem; font-weight: 600; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: 0.04em; }
 .task-priority-critical { background: #fee2e2; color: #991b1b; }
@@ -260,7 +260,7 @@ display(buildEntityTable(
 .task-due      { color: #dc2626; font-weight: 600; }
 .task-assignee { color: var(--theme-foreground-muted, #888); }
 .task-title    { font-weight: 600; font-size: 0.95rem; margin-bottom: 0.15rem; }
-.task-blocking-reason { font-size: 0.8rem; color: #b45309; background: #fef3c7; border-radius: 4px; padding: 0.2rem 0.5rem; margin-top: 0.25rem; }
+.task-wait-reason { font-size: 0.8rem; color: #b45309; background: #fef3c7; border-radius: 4px; padding: 0.2rem 0.5rem; margin-top: 0.25rem; }
 
 /* ── Utility ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── */
 .dim { color: gray; font-style: italic; }

dashboard/src/todo.md

@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ const _ts          = todoState.ts;
 
 ```js
 // ── Classify tasks ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
-const OPEN_STATUSES = new Set(["todo", "in_progress", "blocked"]);
+const OPEN_STATUSES = new Set(["wait", "todo", "progress"]);
 
 // Internal: custodian domain, open, no [repo:] routing prefix
 const internal = tasks.filter(t =>
@@ -141,7 +141,7 @@ without a cross-repo routing prefix.
 
 ```js
 const PRIORITY_ORDER = {critical: 0, high: 1, medium: 2, low: 3};
-const STATUS_ORDER   = {blocked: 0, in_progress: 1, todo: 2};
+const STATUS_ORDER   = {wait: 0, progress: 1, todo: 2};
 
 function sortTasks(arr) {
   return [...arr].sort((a, b) => {
@@ -249,8 +249,8 @@ if (improvements.length === 0) {
 /* ── Task list ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── */
 .task-list { display: flex; flex-direction: column; gap: 0.5rem; }
 .task-item { border-left: 3px solid var(--theme-foreground-faint, #ccc); border-radius: 0 6px 6px 0; background: var(--theme-background-alt); padding: 0.65rem 0.9rem; }
-.task-item.status-blocked     { border-left-color: #ef4444; }
+.task-item.status-wait        { border-left-color: #f59e0b; }
-.task-item.status-in_progress { border-left-color: #3b82f6; }
+.task-item.status-progress    { border-left-color: #8b5cf6; }
 .task-item.status-todo        { border-left-color: #94a3b8; }
 .task-item-header { display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; align-items: center; gap: 0.4rem; margin-bottom: 0.3rem; font-size: 0.75rem; }
 .task-badge { display: inline-block; padding: 0.1rem 0.45rem; border-radius: 10px; font-size: 0.7rem; font-weight: 600; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: 0.04em; }
@@ -259,8 +259,8 @@ if (improvements.length === 0) {
 .task-priority-medium   { background: #dbeafe; color: #1e40af; }
 .task-priority-low      { background: #f1f5f9; color: #475569; }
 .task-status-chip { display: inline-block; padding: 0.1rem 0.45rem; border-radius: 10px; font-size: 0.7rem; font-weight: 500; }
-.status-chip-blocked     { background: #fee2e2; color: #991b1b; }
+.status-chip-wait        { background: #fef3c7; color: #92400e; }
-.status-chip-in_progress { background: #dbeafe; color: #1e40af; }
+.status-chip-progress    { background: #ede9fe; color: #5b21b6; }
 .status-chip-todo        { background: #f1f5f9; color: #475569; }
 .task-context  { color: var(--theme-foreground-muted, #666); }
 .task-ws-name  { font-style: italic; }

dashboard/src/workstreams/[id].md

@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ if (raw.error) {
     <div><span>Tasks</span><strong>${taskRows.length}</strong></div>
   </div>`);
 
-  const statusOrder = {blocked: 0, in_progress: 1, todo: 2, done: 3, cancelled: 4};
+  const statusOrder = {wait: 0, progress: 1, todo: 2, done: 3, cancel: 4};
   const sortedTasks = [...taskRows].sort((a, b) => {
     const statusCompare = (statusOrder[a.status] ?? 9) - (statusOrder[b.status] ?? 9);
     if (statusCompare !== 0) return statusCompare;
@@ -131,8 +131,8 @@ if (raw.error) {
   white-space: nowrap;
 }
 .task-status-done { background: #e8f5e9; color: #1b5e20; }
-.task-status-in_progress { background: #e3f2fd; color: #0d47a1; }
+.task-status-progress { background: #ede9fe; color: #5b21b6; }
-.task-status-blocked { background: #fff3e0; color: #bf360c; }
+.task-status-wait { background: #fff3e0; color: #bf360c; }
 .task-status-todo { background: #f1f5f9; color: #334155; }
-.task-status-cancelled { background: #f3f4f6; color: #6b7280; }
+.task-status-cancel { background: #f3f4f6; color: #6b7280; }
 </style>

dashboard/test/status-control.test.mjs

@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ function okResponse(overrides = {}) {
     target_id: "00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000001",
     actor: "dashboard",
     current_status: "todo",
-    target_status: "in_progress",
+    target_status: "progress",
     file_backed: true,
     archived_file: false,
     task_linked: true,
@@ -102,23 +102,23 @@ test("status control posts dashboard changes through reconciliation", async () =
   const root = statusControl({
     entity,
     type: "task",
-    statuses: ["todo", "in_progress"],
+    statuses: ["todo", "progress"],
     onSaved: (updated, result) => {
       saved = {updated, result};
     },
   });
   const [select, message] = root.children;
 
-  select.value = "in_progress";
+  select.value = "progress";
   await select.listeners.change();
 
   assert.equal(requests.length, 1);
   assert.equal(requests[0].url, "http://127.0.0.1:8000/reconciliation/state-change");
   assert.equal(requests[0].body.target_type, "task");
-  assert.equal(requests[0].body.target_status, "in_progress");
+  assert.equal(requests[0].body.target_status, "progress");
   assert.equal(requests[0].body.expected_current_status, "todo");
   assert.equal(requests[0].body.apply, true);
-  assert.equal(entity.status, "in_progress");
+  assert.equal(entity.status, "progress");
   assert.equal(message.textContent, "synced");
   assert.equal(saved.result.write_through_result, "applied");
 });
@@ -131,7 +131,7 @@ test("status control keeps local state on reconciliation conflicts", async () =>
       ok: true,
       json: async () => okResponse({
         current_status: "done",
-        target_status: "in_progress",
+        target_status: "progress",
         reconciliation_class: "deferred",
         reason: "cached task status changed from expected 'todo' to 'done'",
         follow_up: "refresh the dashboard and retry the state change if it is still intended",
@@ -147,14 +147,14 @@ test("status control keeps local state on reconciliation conflicts", async () =>
   const root = statusControl({
     entity,
     type: "task",
-    statuses: ["todo", "in_progress"],
+    statuses: ["todo", "progress"],
     onSaved: () => {
       saved = true;
     },
   });
   const [select, message] = root.children;
 
-  select.value = "in_progress";
+  select.value = "progress";
   await select.listeners.change();
 
   assert.equal(requests.length, 1);

docs/activity-core-delegation.md

@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ state hub publishes:
 | `org.statehub.workstream.completed`  | `api/routers/workstreams.py:update_workstream` (on transition)  |
 | `org.statehub.decision.resolved`     | `api/routers/decisions.py:resolve_decision_action`              |
 | `org.statehub.domain.goal.activated` | `api/routers/domain_goals.py:activate_domain_goal`              |
-| `org.statehub.task.stale`            | `scripts/cleanup_stale_tasks.py` (per cancelled task)           |
+| `org.statehub.task.stale`            | `scripts/cleanup_stale_tasks.py` (per canceled task)            |
 
 All events use the shared `EventEnvelope` schema (`api/events/envelope.py`)
 and are published via `publish_event(subject, envelope)`. Publishing is

docs/cron-migration.md

@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ Notes:
 # activity-definitions/state-hub-stale-task-cleanup.yaml
 id: the-custodian.state-hub-stale-task-cleanup
 description: |
-  Daily sweep that cancels tasks still 'todo|in_progress|blocked' inside
+  Daily sweep that cancels tasks still `wait|todo|progress` inside
   finished or archived workstreams. Each cancellation also emits
   org.statehub.task.stale on NATS for downstream reaction.
 trigger:

docs/task-flow-engine-spec.md

@@ -46,8 +46,8 @@ exit_assertions:
   - id: tasks.all_done
     target: tasks.*.status
     op: all_eq
-    value: [done, cancelled]
+    value: [done, cancel]
-    description: All child tasks are done or cancelled.
+    description: All child tasks are done or canceled.
 ```
 
 Schema:
@@ -127,7 +127,7 @@ exit_blocked: true
 blocking_assertions:
   - id: tasks.all_done
     passed: false
-    reason: "Expected all values at tasks.*.status to be in ['done', 'cancelled']; got ['done', 'todo']."
+    reason: "Expected all values at tasks.*.status to be in ['done', 'cancel']; got ['done', 'todo']."
 reachable:
   - ready
   - active
@@ -136,7 +136,7 @@ unreachable:
     blocking:
       id: tasks.all_done
       passed: false
-      reason: "Expected all values at tasks.*.status to be in ['done', 'cancelled']; got ['done', 'todo']."
+      reason: "Expected all values at tasks.*.status to be in ['done', 'cancel']; got ['done', 'todo']."
 ```
 
 Schema:
@@ -152,13 +152,13 @@ Schema:
 ### Workstreams
 
 Workstreams can express readiness for closure by asserting that child tasks
-are `done` or `cancelled`. They can express dependency blocking by checking that
+are `done` or `cancel`. They can express dependency blocking by checking that
 all dependency workstreams have reached `finished` or `archived`.
 
 ### Tasks
 
 Tasks can express human intervention with the existing `needs_human` flag.
-Returning from `blocked` to `in_progress` is an entry assertion over that same
+Returning from `wait` to `progress` is an entry assertion over that same
 flag. Lightweight completion remains unconstrained because curator intent is
 the deciding signal.
 

docs/task-state-attached-repo-impact.md

@@ -0,0 +1,93 @@
+# Task State Attached Repo Impact
+
+Date: 2026-05-25
+Interface change: `649102a2-4373-4621-9848-cc257e67c262`
+Status: published
+
+## Notice Channel
+
+State Hub published a breaking schema interface change from `state-hub` to all
+active attached repos except `state-hub` itself.
+
+The notice points target repos to `docs/task-state-canon-migration.md` and asks
+their local agents to update any State Hub task-status references:
+
+```text
+blocked -> wait
+in_progress -> progress
+cancelled/canceled -> cancel
+todo -> todo
+done -> done
+```
+
+Workstream/workplan lifecycle status is unchanged and still includes
+`blocked`.
+
+## Classification
+
+Classification was based on `GET /repos/` plus a read-only local scan of active
+repo paths. `legacy-literals` means a repo contains old words such as
+`blocked`, `in_progress`, `cancelled`, `blocked_tasks`, or `TaskStatus`; the
+hit can be task state, workstream state, capability/debt status, or prose, so
+the owning repo agent must review context before editing.
+
+| Repo | Local path | Classification |
+|------|------------|----------------|
+| activity-core | yes | file-backed; legacy-literals |
+| artifact-store | yes | file-backed; legacy-literals |
+| can-you-assist | yes | file-backed; legacy-literals |
+| citation-engine | yes | general notice only |
+| citation-evidence | yes | file-backed |
+| citation-work | yes | general notice only |
+| domain-tree | yes | file-backed; legacy-literals |
+| evidence-anchor | yes | general notice only |
+| evidence-binder | yes | general notice only |
+| evidence-source | yes | general notice only |
+| flex-auth | yes | file-backed; legacy-literals |
+| guide-board | yes | file-backed; legacy-literals |
+| helix-forge | yes | file-backed; legacy-literals |
+| ihp-railiance-probe | yes | file-backed; legacy-literals |
+| info-tech-canon | yes | canon source; file-backed |
+| infospace-bench | yes | file-backed; legacy-literals |
+| inter-hub | yes | file-backed; legacy-literals |
+| issue-core | yes | file-backed; likely State Hub/task lifecycle client; legacy-literals |
+| kaizen-agentic | no | general notice only |
+| key-cape | yes | file-backed; legacy-literals |
+| kontextual-engine | yes | file-backed; legacy-literals |
+| llm-connect | yes | file-backed; legacy-literals |
+| marki-docx | no | general notice only |
+| markitect-filter | yes | file-backed; legacy-literals |
+| markitect-project | yes | file-backed; legacy-literals |
+| markitect-quarkdown | yes | file-backed; legacy-literals |
+| markitect-tool | yes | file-backed; legacy-literals |
+| net-kingdom | yes | file-backed; legacy-literals |
+| open-cmis-tck | yes | file-backed; legacy-literals |
+| open-reuse | yes | file-backed; legacy-literals |
+| ops-bridge | yes | file-backed; legacy-literals |
+| ops-warden | yes | file-backed; legacy-literals |
+| phase-memory | yes | file-backed; legacy-literals |
+| railiance-apps | yes | file-backed; legacy-literals |
+| railiance-cluster | yes | file-backed; legacy-literals |
+| railiance-enablement | yes | file-backed; legacy-literals |
+| railiance-fabric | yes | file-backed; legacy-literals |
+| railiance-hosts | yes | file-backed; legacy-literals |
+| railiance-infra | yes | file-backed; legacy-literals |
+| railiance-platform | yes | file-backed; legacy-literals |
+| repo-scoping | yes | file-backed; legacy-literals |
+| the-custodian | yes | file-backed; likely State Hub/task lifecycle client; legacy-literals |
+| user-engine | yes | file-backed |
+| vergabe-teilnahme | yes | file-backed; legacy-literals |
+| vergabe_teilnahme | yes | file-backed; legacy-literals |
+
+## Requested Repo-Agent Action
+
+Each repo agent should:
+
+1. Read its State Hub inbox notice for interface change
+   `649102a2-4373-4621-9848-cc257e67c262`.
+2. Search local agent instructions, workplans, scripts, docs, tests,
+   dashboards, and API clients for State Hub task-status values.
+3. Replace task-state usage with canonical values and leave unrelated
+   workstream/capability/debt statuses unchanged.
+4. Report completion by replying in State Hub or resolving the interface change
+   for that repo once local adaptation is complete.

docs/task-state-canon-migration.md

@@ -0,0 +1,90 @@
+# Task State Canon Migration
+
+Date: 2026-05-25
+Status: implementation source
+
+## Canon Source
+
+State Hub follows the task lifecycle defined by InfoTechCanon:
+
+- `info-tech-canon/infospace/models/task/InfoTechCanonTaskModel.md`
+- `info-tech-canon/seeds/InfoTechCanonTaskModel_RC1_seed.md`
+
+The canon defines symbolic codes and lowercase stored values:
+
+| Code | Stored value | Meaning |
+|------|--------------|---------|
+| `WAIT` | `wait` | Blocked, paused, or waiting on another actor, event, decision, input, or condition. |
+| `TODO` | `todo` | Ready or planned work that is not actively being worked. |
+| `PROG` | `progress` | Active work in focus. |
+| `DONE` | `done` | Completed successfully. |
+| `CNCL` | `cancel` | Stopped because the work is no longer relevant, wanted, or valid. |
+
+State Hub stores lowercase values, not uppercase codes.
+
+## State Hub Profile
+
+State Hub task status is separate from workstream/workplan lifecycle status.
+Workstream frontmatter continues to use:
+
+```text
+proposed, ready, active, blocked, backlog, finished, archived
+```
+
+Task status now uses:
+
+```text
+wait, todo, progress, done, cancel
+```
+
+Compatibility aliases accepted during the migration window:
+
+| Legacy value | Canon value |
+|--------------|-------------|
+| `blocked` | `wait` |
+| `waiting` | `wait` |
+| `in_progress` | `progress` |
+| `cancelled` | `cancel` |
+| `canceled` | `cancel` |
+
+`done` and `cancel` are terminal for normal planning and completion checks.
+`cancel` is final. `done` can be reopened only by an explicit workflow/profile
+rule and should not be treated as normal progress churn.
+
+## Wait Versus Human Intervention
+
+`wait` is broader than the old `blocked` task status. It can mean blocked,
+paused, waiting on another actor, waiting on an event, waiting on input, or
+waiting on a decision.
+
+State Hub keeps these fields separate:
+
+- `status=wait`: the task is not actively progressing;
+- `blocking_reason`: explanatory text about the wait condition;
+- `needs_human=true`: the wait requires direct human action;
+- `intervention_note`: human-facing instruction or resolution note.
+
+A task can be `wait` without `needs_human=true`. A human intervention is
+represented by `needs_human=true`, not by status alone.
+
+## Attached Repo Adaptation Brief
+
+Repos attached to State Hub should update local agent instructions, workplan
+examples, scripts, docs, dashboards, and tests if they mention State Hub task
+statuses.
+
+Migration map:
+
+```text
+blocked    -> wait
+in_progress -> progress
+cancelled  -> cancel
+canceled   -> cancel
+todo       -> todo
+done       -> done
+```
+
+During the compatibility window, State Hub accepts legacy aliases in API and
+workplan-file inputs, but writebacks prefer canonical values. Attached repos
+should report completion by replying to their State Hub inbox message or by
+closing the targeted `[repo:<slug>]` ecosystem task created for the adaptation.

docs/workplan-state-model-proposal.md

@@ -16,8 +16,8 @@ This makes file-backed workplans harder to reason about. A workplan can be a
 good proposal but not ready to execute; a ready workplan can become stale after
 the repo changes; parked backlog work should not clutter the current work view.
 
-Task status should remain separate. Tasks can keep using
+Task status should remain separate. Tasks use the InfoTechCanon-aligned
-`todo`, `in_progress`, `blocked`, `done`, and `cancelled`.
+`wait`, `todo`, `progress`, `done`, and `cancel` lifecycle.
 
 ## Proposed Canonical Workplan States
 

flows/task.yaml

@@ -1,11 +1,15 @@
 id: custodian.task.v1
 entity_type: task
 workstations:
+  - name: wait
+    description: Task is waiting on another actor, event, decision, input, or condition.
+    entry_assertions: []
+    exit_assertions: []
   - name: todo
     description: Task is known but not currently underway.
     entry_assertions: []
     exit_assertions: []
-  - name: in_progress
+  - name: progress
     description: Task is being actively worked.
     entry_assertions:
       - id: task.needs_human_false
@@ -19,25 +23,11 @@ workstations:
         op: all_eq
         value: false
         description: Human intervention is not currently required.
-  - name: blocked
-    description: Task is blocked by a human decision or unavailable input.
-    entry_assertions:
-      - id: task.needs_human_true
-        target: needs_human
-        op: all_eq
-        value: true
-        description: The task requires human intervention.
-    exit_assertions:
-      - id: task.needs_human_false
-        target: needs_human
-        op: all_eq
-        value: false
-        description: Human intervention has been cleared.
   - name: done
     description: Task is complete.
     entry_assertions: []
     exit_assertions: []
-  - name: cancelled
+  - name: cancel
     description: Task is intentionally not being completed.
     entry_assertions: []
     exit_assertions: []

flows/workstream.yaml

@@ -50,8 +50,8 @@ workstations:
         op: all_eq
         value:
           - done
-          - cancelled
+          - cancel
-        description: All child tasks are done or cancelled.
+        description: All child tasks are done or canceled.
     exit_assertions: []
   - name: archived
     description: Closed work has been moved out of the active set.

mcp_server/TOOLS.md

@@ -25,10 +25,10 @@ Do not use them as a substitute for formal work definition inside the domain rep
 | Tool | Key Args | When to use |
 |------|----------|-------------|
 | `get_domain_summary(domain_slug)` | `domain_slug`: e.g. `"railiance"` | **Domain session start.** Scoped snapshot: active workstreams, blocking decisions, last 5 events, repo SBOM status, compact capabilities list — ~10% of get_state_summary() token cost. |
-| `get_state_summary()` | — | **Cross-domain work / custodian sessions.** Full snapshot: totals, all blocking decisions, all blocked tasks, all open workstreams, last 20 events. Large (~10k tokens). |
+| `get_state_summary()` | — | **Cross-domain work / custodian sessions.** Full snapshot: totals, all blocking decisions, waiting tasks, all open workstreams, last 20 events. Large (~10k tokens). |
 | `get_topic(slug)` | `slug`: e.g. `"markitect"` | Deep-dive on one topic + its workstreams + recent events. |
-| `list_tasks(workstream_id, status?)` | `workstream_id`: UUID (required); `status?`: todo/in_progress/blocked/done/cancelled | List all tasks in a workstream. Use this to look up task UUIDs before calling `update_task_status`, or to verify which workplan tasks are already synced to the DB. |
+| `list_tasks(workstream_id, status?)` | `workstream_id`: UUID (required); `status?`: wait/todo/progress/done/cancel | List all tasks in a workstream. Use this to look up task UUIDs before calling `update_task_status`, or to verify which workplan tasks are already synced to the DB. |
-| `list_blocked_tasks(workstream_id?)` | optional filter | Surface all impediments, optionally scoped to one workstream. |
+| `list_blocked_tasks(workstream_id?)` | optional filter | Legacy name: surfaces `wait` tasks, optionally scoped to one workstream. |
 | `list_pending_decisions(topic_id?)` | optional filter | Decisions holding up work, sorted by deadline. |
 | `get_recent_progress(limit, since?)` | `limit` default 20; `since` ISO datetime | Reconstruct recent session history. |
 | `get_capability_profile(domain_slug?)` | `domain_slug`: optional domain slug | **Capability deep-dive.** Returns repos → capabilities tree for one domain or all active domains. Includes descriptions and keywords. For cross-domain architectural discussion or when a worker needs to understand what a domain provides without checking out its repos. |
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ Do not use them as a substitute for formal work definition inside the domain rep
 |------|----------|-------|
 | `create_workstream(topic_id, title, ...)` | `slug?`; `owner?`; `description?`; `due_date?` | Creates workstream under a topic. Use `get_state_summary()` to find topic IDs. |
 | `create_task(workstream_id, title, ...)` | `priority`: low/medium/high/critical; `assignee?`; `due_date?` | Creates task under a workstream. |
-| `update_task_status(task_id, status, ...)` | `status`: todo/in_progress/blocked/done/cancelled; `blocking_reason` required when blocked | |
+| `update_task_status(task_id, status, ...)` | `status`: wait/todo/progress/done/cancel; `blocking_reason?` describes wait conditions | Legacy aliases `blocked`, `in_progress`, `cancelled`, and `canceled` are accepted during migration. |
 | `update_workstream_status(workstream_id, status)` | `status`: proposed/ready/active/blocked/backlog/finished/archived | Thin shortcut — use `update_workstream` for full field control. |
 | `update_workstream(workstream_id, ...)` | `title?`; `description?`; `owner?`; `due_date?`; `repo_goal_id?`; `status?` | Patch any subset of workstream fields. Pass empty string for `repo_goal_id` to clear the link. |
 
@@ -115,7 +115,7 @@ Agents should call `record_token_event` (or pass `tokens_in`/`tokens_out` via
 | `state://topics` | Active topics list |
 | `state://workstreams/{topic_slug}` | Workstreams for a topic (by slug) |
 | `state://decisions/blocking` | All pending decisions |
-| `state://tasks/blocked` | All blocked tasks |
+| `state://tasks/blocked` | Legacy resource name; returns all `wait` tasks |
 
 ---
 

mcp_server/server.py

@@ -129,8 +129,8 @@ def resource_blocking_decisions() -> str:
 
 @mcp.resource("state://tasks/blocked")
 def resource_blocked_tasks() -> str:
-    """All tasks with status=blocked."""
+    """All tasks with status=wait. Legacy resource name kept for compatibility."""
-    return json.dumps(_get("/tasks", {"status": "blocked"}), indent=2)
+    return json.dumps(_get("/tasks", {"status": "wait"}), indent=2)
 
 
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -142,7 +142,7 @@ def get_state_summary() -> str:
     """Primary orientation tool. Call at the start of every session.
 
     Returns a full snapshot: topic/workstream/task/decision totals, blocking
-    decisions, blocked tasks, open workstreams, and the 20 most recent events.
+    decisions, waiting tasks, open workstreams, and the 20 most recent events.
 
     NOTE: This response is large (~10k tokens). When working inside a single
     registered domain repo, use get_domain_summary(domain_slug) instead —
@@ -315,7 +315,7 @@ def list_tasks(workstream_id: str, status: str | None = None) -> str:
 
     Args:
         workstream_id: UUID of the workstream (required).
-        status: Optional filter — todo | in_progress | blocked | done | cancelled.
+        status: Optional filter — wait | todo | progress | done | cancel.
 
     Returns [{id, title, status, priority, assignee, due_date, needs_human}] for every
     matching task. Use this to look up task UUIDs before calling update_task_status,
@@ -326,8 +326,8 @@ def list_tasks(workstream_id: str, status: str | None = None) -> str:
 
 @mcp.tool()
 def list_blocked_tasks(workstream_id: str | None = None) -> str:
-    """List all tasks with status=blocked, optionally filtered by workstream_id."""
+    """List all waiting tasks, optionally filtered by workstream_id."""
-    return json.dumps(_get("/tasks", {"status": "blocked", "workstream_id": workstream_id}), indent=2)
+    return json.dumps(_get("/tasks", {"status": "wait", "workstream_id": workstream_id}), indent=2)
 
 
 @mcp.tool()
@@ -512,7 +512,7 @@ def update_task_status(
     agent: Optional[str] = None,
     session_id: Optional[str] = None,
 ) -> str:
-    """Update a task's status. blocking_reason is required when status='blocked'.
+    """Update a task's status. Canonical status values are wait/todo/progress/done/cancel.
 
     When status='done', always records a token event using the best available data:
       Tier 1 (best):   pass tokens_in + tokens_out — exact counts from the session
@@ -526,8 +526,8 @@ def update_task_status(
 
     Args:
         task_id: UUID of the task
-        status: todo | in_progress | blocked | done | cancelled
+        status: wait | todo | progress | done | cancel
-        blocking_reason: required when status=blocked
+        blocking_reason: optional wait-condition detail
         tokens_in: exact input token count for this task (Tier 1)
         tokens_out: exact output token count for this task (Tier 1)
         workplan_tokens_in: total input tokens for the whole workplan (Tier 2)

migrations/versions/0001_initial_schema.py

@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ def upgrade() -> None:
         "active", "blocked", "completed", "archived", name="workstreamstatus", create_type=True
     )
     task_status = postgresql.ENUM(
-        "todo", "in_progress", "blocked", "done", "cancelled", name="taskstatus", create_type=True
+        "wait", "todo", "progress", "done", "cancel", name="taskstatus", create_type=True
     )
     task_priority = postgresql.ENUM(
         "low", "medium", "high", "critical", name="taskpriority", create_type=True

migrations/versions/a4v5w6x7y8z9_task_status_canon.py

@@ -0,0 +1,57 @@
+"""adapt task status enum to InfoTechCanon task lifecycle
+
+Revision ID: a4v5w6x7y8z9
+Revises: z3u4v5w6x7y8
+Create Date: 2026-05-25
+
+"""
+from alembic import op
+
+revision = "a4v5w6x7y8z9"
+down_revision = "z3u4v5w6x7y8"
+branch_labels = None
+depends_on = None
+
+
+def upgrade() -> None:
+    op.execute("ALTER TABLE tasks ALTER COLUMN status DROP DEFAULT")
+    op.execute("ALTER TYPE taskstatus RENAME TO taskstatus_old")
+    op.execute("CREATE TYPE taskstatus AS ENUM ('wait', 'todo', 'progress', 'done', 'cancel')")
+    op.execute(
+        """
+        ALTER TABLE tasks
+        ALTER COLUMN status TYPE taskstatus
+        USING (
+            CASE status::text
+                WHEN 'blocked' THEN 'wait'
+                WHEN 'in_progress' THEN 'progress'
+                WHEN 'cancelled' THEN 'cancel'
+                ELSE status::text
+            END
+        )::taskstatus
+        """
+    )
+    op.execute("ALTER TABLE tasks ALTER COLUMN status SET DEFAULT 'todo'")
+    op.execute("DROP TYPE taskstatus_old")
+
+
+def downgrade() -> None:
+    op.execute("ALTER TABLE tasks ALTER COLUMN status DROP DEFAULT")
+    op.execute("ALTER TYPE taskstatus RENAME TO taskstatus_new")
+    op.execute("CREATE TYPE taskstatus AS ENUM ('todo', 'in_progress', 'blocked', 'done', 'cancelled')")
+    op.execute(
+        """
+        ALTER TABLE tasks
+        ALTER COLUMN status TYPE taskstatus
+        USING (
+            CASE status::text
+                WHEN 'wait' THEN 'blocked'
+                WHEN 'progress' THEN 'in_progress'
+                WHEN 'cancel' THEN 'cancelled'
+                ELSE status::text
+            END
+        )::taskstatus
+        """
+    )
+    op.execute("ALTER TABLE tasks ALTER COLUMN status SET DEFAULT 'todo'")
+    op.execute("DROP TYPE taskstatus_new")

scripts/cleanup_stale_tasks.py

@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ Run via make:   make cleanup-stale
 Cron example:   0 3 * * * cd ~/state-hub && .venv/bin/python scripts/cleanup_stale_tasks.py
 
 Exit codes:
-  0  — ran successfully (zero or more tasks cancelled)
+  0  — ran successfully (zero or more tasks canceled)
   1  — API unreachable or unexpected error
 """
 
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ from datetime import datetime, timezone
 sys.path.insert(0, os.path.dirname(os.path.dirname(os.path.abspath(__file__))))
 
 from api.workplan_status import CLOSED_WORKSTREAM_STATUSES, normalize_workstream_status
+from api.task_status import OPEN_TASK_STATUSES, normalize_task_status
 
 try:
     from api.events import EventEnvelope, publish_event, shutdown_publisher
@@ -32,7 +33,7 @@ except Exception:  # pragma: no cover — event publishing is optional
     shutdown_publisher = None  # type: ignore[assignment]
 
 API = "http://127.0.0.1:8000"
-STALE_STATUSES   = {"todo", "in_progress", "blocked"}
+STALE_STATUSES   = set(OPEN_TASK_STATUSES)
 CLOSED_WS_STATUS = set(CLOSED_WORKSTREAM_STATUSES)
 
 
@@ -91,7 +92,7 @@ def main() -> int:
 
     stale = [
         t for t in tasks
-        if t["status"] in STALE_STATUSES
+        if normalize_task_status(t["status"]) in STALE_STATUSES
         and t["workstream_id"] in closed_ws
     ]
 
@@ -115,10 +116,10 @@ def main() -> int:
         try:
             patch(
                 f"/tasks/{t['id']}/",
-                {"status": "cancelled", "blocking_reason": reason},
+                {"status": "cancel", "blocking_reason": reason},
             )
             cancelled.append(t)
-            print(f"  cancelled  [{t['priority']:8}] {t['title'][:70]}")
+            print(f"  canceled   [{t['priority']:8}] {t['title'][:70]}")
             if EventEnvelope is not None:
                 subject = "org.statehub.task.stale"
                 nats_events.append((
@@ -155,11 +156,11 @@ def main() -> int:
             by_ws.setdefault(closed_ws[t["workstream_id"]]["title"], []).append(t["title"])
 
         summary = (
-            f"Stale-task cleanup: cancelled {len(cancelled)} task(s) "
+            f"Stale-task cleanup: canceled {len(cancelled)} task(s) "
             f"across {len(by_ws)} finished workstream(s)"
         )
         detail = {
-            "cancelled_count": len(cancelled),
+            "canceled_count": len(cancelled),
             "by_workstream": {ws: titles for ws, titles in by_ws.items()},
             "error_count": len(errors),
         }
@@ -173,7 +174,7 @@ def main() -> int:
         print(f"[cleanup-stale] Completed with {len(errors)} error(s).")
         return 1
 
-    print(f"[cleanup-stale] Done. {len(cancelled)} task(s) cancelled.")
+    print(f"[cleanup-stale] Done. {len(cancelled)} task(s) canceled.")
     return 0
 
 

scripts/consistency_check.py

@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ Checks:
   C-19  workstream-planning-drift WARN Yes  planning_priority/planning_order differs between file and DB
   C-20  workstream-dependency-missing WARN Yes Workplan dependency frontmatter missing from DB graph
   C-22  task-description-drift  WARN  Yes  Task description/content differs between file and DB
-  C-23  workstream-active-task-planning-status WARN Yes Workstream/workplan is planning while a task is in progress or blocked
+  C-23  workstream-active-task-planning-status WARN Yes Workstream/workplan is planning while a task is progress or wait
 
 Usage:
     python scripts/consistency_check.py --repo SLUG [--fix] [--no-writeback] [--json] [--api-base URL]
@@ -67,6 +67,13 @@ from api.workplan_status import (  # noqa: E402
     ready_review_status,
 )
 from api.services.lifecycle import should_activate_parent_for_active_tasks  # noqa: E402
+from api.task_status import (  # noqa: E402
+    CANONICAL_TASK_STATUSES,
+    OPEN_TASK_STATUSES,
+    TASK_STATUS_ORDER,
+    TERMINAL_TASK_STATUSES,
+    normalize_task_status,
+)
 
 try:
     import yaml as _yaml
@@ -90,7 +97,7 @@ _HEADING_RE = re.compile(r"^(#{1,4})\s+(.+?)$", re.MULTILINE)
 _ARCHIVED_WP_RE = re.compile(r"^\d{6}-(.+\.md)$")
 VALID_WP_STATUSES = set(CANONICAL_WORKSTREAM_STATUSES)
 SUPPORTED_WP_STATUSES = set(SUPPORTED_WORKSTREAM_STATUSES)
-VALID_TASK_STATUSES = {"todo", "in_progress", "blocked", "done", "cancelled"}
+VALID_TASK_STATUSES = set(CANONICAL_TASK_STATUSES)
 VALID_TASK_PRIORITIES = {"low", "medium", "high", "critical"}
 VALID_DEP_RELATIONSHIPS = {"blocks", "starts_after", "informs", "soft_dependency"}
 DEFAULT_REMOTE_ALL_MAX_SECONDS = int(os.environ.get("CONSISTENCY_REMOTE_ALL_MAX_SECONDS", "300"))
@@ -99,14 +106,7 @@ DEFAULT_REMOTE_ALL_MAX_SECONDS = int(os.environ.get("CONSISTENCY_REMOTE_ALL_MAX_
 FILE_TO_DB_WORKSTREAM_STATUS: dict[str, str] = dict(LEGACY_WORKSTREAM_STATUS_ALIASES)
 
 # Ordinal ranking for task statuses used by the no-regress rule (T01/C-15).
-# blocked and in_progress share rank 1 — both are "in flight".
+STATUS_ORDER: dict[str, int] = dict(TASK_STATUS_ORDER)
-STATUS_ORDER: dict[str, int] = {
-    "todo": 0,
-    "in_progress": 1,
-    "blocked": 1,
-    "done": 2,
-    "cancelled": 2,
-}
 
 
 def normalise_workstream_status(status: str, *, has_started: bool | None = None) -> str:
@@ -114,6 +114,13 @@ def normalise_workstream_status(status: str, *, has_started: bool | None = None)
     return _normalize_workstream_status(status, has_started=has_started)
 
 
+def normalise_task_status(status: Any, *, default: str = "todo") -> str:
+    try:
+        return normalize_task_status(status, default=default)
+    except ValueError:
+        return default
+
+
 def canonical_workplan_filename(path: Path) -> str:
     """Return the workplan filename without an archive completion-date prefix."""
     return _ARCHIVED_WP_RE.sub(r"\1", path.name)
@@ -193,7 +200,7 @@ RENORMALIZATION_RULES: tuple[RenormalizationRule, ...] = (
         invariant="Planning-state workplans cannot contain active task work.",
         detection=(
             "Workplan status is proposed, ready, or backlog while a linked "
-            "task is in_progress or blocked."
+            "task is progress or wait."
         ),
         repair="Patch the DB workstream and workplan frontmatter to status=active.",
         test_anchor="tests/test_consistency_check.py::TestLifecycleRenormalization",
@@ -997,7 +1004,7 @@ def check_repo(api_base: str, repo_slug: str, repo_path_override: str | None = N
             t_sh_id = "" if _raw_sh is None else str(_raw_sh).strip().strip('"')
             if t_sh_id in ("~", "null", "None", "none"):
                 t_sh_id = ""
-            t_status = str(task.get("status", "")).strip()
+            t_status = normalise_task_status(task.get("status", "todo"))
 
             if t_sh_id:
                 file_task_sh_ids.add(t_sh_id)
@@ -1012,7 +1019,7 @@ def check_repo(api_base: str, repo_slug: str, repo_path_override: str | None = N
                     )
                     continue
                 # C-10 / C-15: task status drift
-                db_t_status = db_task.get("status", "")
+                db_t_status = normalise_task_status(db_task.get("status", "todo"))
                 if t_status and db_t_status and t_status != db_t_status:
                     db_rank = STATUS_ORDER.get(db_t_status, 0)
                     file_rank = STATUS_ORDER.get(t_status, 0)
@@ -1099,7 +1106,7 @@ def check_repo(api_base: str, repo_slug: str, repo_path_override: str | None = N
             for db_t in db_tasks:
                 if db_t["id"] not in file_task_sh_ids:
                     db_t_status = db_t.get("status", "")
-                    open_task = db_t_status not in ("done", "cancelled")
+                    open_task = db_t_status not in TERMINAL_TASK_STATUSES
                     # Auto-cancel fixable when workstream is finished and task is open
                     fixable = ws_finished and open_task
                     report.add(
@@ -1122,14 +1129,14 @@ def check_repo(api_base: str, repo_slug: str, repo_path_override: str | None = N
         if normalise_workstream_status(db_status) == "active" and isinstance(db_tasks, list) and db_tasks:
             non_terminal = [
                 t for t in db_tasks
-                if t.get("status") not in ("done", "cancelled")
+                if normalise_task_status(t.get("status", "todo")) not in TERMINAL_TASK_STATUSES
             ]
             if not non_terminal:
                 report.add(
                     severity="WARN", check_id="C-13",
                     message=(
                         f"All {len(db_tasks)} DB tasks for '{ws.get('slug')}' are "
-                        f"done/cancelled but workstream status is still 'active' — "
+                        f"done/cancel but workstream status is still 'active' — "
                         f"worker likely forgot update_workstream_status()"
                     ),
                     file_path=fname,
@@ -1358,8 +1365,8 @@ def _git_commit_writeback(
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 _BRIEF_HEADER = "<!-- custodian-brief: generated by fix-consistency — do not edit manually -->"
-_TASK_STATUS_ICON = {"done": "✓", "cancelled": "✗", "in_progress": "►", "blocked": "!", "todo": "·"}
+_TASK_STATUS_ICON = {"done": "✓", "cancel": "✗", "progress": "►", "wait": "!", "todo": "·"}
-_OPEN_STATUSES = {"todo", "in_progress", "blocked"}
+_OPEN_STATUSES = set(OPEN_TASK_STATUSES)
 
 
 def _write_custodian_brief(api_base: str, repo_slug: str, repo_path: str) -> bool:
@@ -1429,14 +1436,24 @@ def _write_custodian_brief(api_base: str, repo_slug: str, repo_path: str) -> boo
             if not isinstance(tasks, list):
                 tasks = []
 
-            done = sum(1 for t in tasks if t.get("status") in ("done", "cancelled"))
+            done = sum(
+                1 for t in tasks
+                if normalise_task_status(t.get("status", "todo")) in TERMINAL_TASK_STATUSES
+            )
             total = len(tasks)
             pct = f"{done}/{total}" if total else "no tasks"
 
-            open_tasks = [t for t in tasks if t.get("status") in _OPEN_STATUSES]
+            open_tasks = [
-            # Show blocked first, then in_progress, then todo (cap at 5)
+                t for t in tasks
-            priority_order = {"blocked": 0, "in_progress": 1, "todo": 2}
+                if normalise_task_status(t.get("status", "todo")) in _OPEN_STATUSES
-            open_tasks.sort(key=lambda t: priority_order.get(t.get("status", "todo"), 9))
+            ]
+            # Show wait first, then progress, then todo (cap at 5).
+            priority_order = {"wait": 0, "progress": 1, "todo": 2}
+            open_tasks.sort(
+                key=lambda t: priority_order.get(
+                    normalise_task_status(t.get("status", "todo")), 9
+                )
+            )
 
             lines += [
                 "",
@@ -1448,14 +1465,14 @@ def _write_custodian_brief(api_base: str, repo_slug: str, repo_path: str) -> boo
                 lines.append("")
                 lines.append("**Open tasks:**")
                 for t in open_tasks[:7]:
-                    icon = _TASK_STATUS_ICON.get(t.get("status", "todo"), "·")
+                    status = normalise_task_status(t.get("status", "todo"))
+                    icon = _TASK_STATUS_ICON.get(status, "·")
                     title = t.get("title", t["id"])
                     tid = t["id"]
-                    status = t.get("status", "")
                     blocker = t.get("blocking_reason", "")
                     task_line = f"- {icon} {title}  `{tid[:8]}`"
-                    if status == "blocked" and blocker:
+                    if status == "wait" and blocker:
-                        task_line += f"\n  *(blocked: {blocker})*"
+                        task_line += f"\n  *(wait: {blocker})*"
                     lines.append(task_line)
                 if len(open_tasks) > 7:
                     lines.append(f"- … and {len(open_tasks) - 7} more open tasks")
@@ -1685,9 +1702,7 @@ def fix_repo(
                     t_id = str(task.get("id", "")).strip()
                     if not t_id:
                         continue
-                    t_status = str(task.get("status", "todo")).strip()
+                    t_status = normalise_task_status(task.get("status", "todo"))
-                    if t_status not in VALID_TASK_STATUSES:
-                        t_status = "todo"
                     t_priority = str(task.get("priority", "medium")).strip()
                     if t_priority not in VALID_TASK_PRIORITIES:
                         t_priority = "medium"
@@ -1767,9 +1782,7 @@ def fix_repo(
                         f"C-11 skipped: task '{t_id}' in {ws_status} workstream — not created"
                     )
                 else:
-                    t_status = str(task.get("status", "todo")).strip()
+                    t_status = normalise_task_status(task.get("status", "todo"))
-                    if t_status not in VALID_TASK_STATUSES:
-                        t_status = "todo"
                     t_priority = str(task.get("priority", "medium")).strip()
                     if t_priority not in VALID_TASK_PRIORITIES:
                         t_priority = "medium"
@@ -1795,10 +1808,10 @@ def fix_repo(
             elif issue.check_id == "C-12":
                 task_id = ctx["task_id"]
                 if ctx.get("ws_finished"):
-                    result = _api_patch(api_base, f"/tasks/{task_id}", {"status": "cancelled"})
+                    result = _api_patch(api_base, f"/tasks/{task_id}", {"status": "cancel"})
                     if result is not None:
                         report.fixes_applied.append(
-                            f"C-12 fixed: orphan task {task_id[:8]}… cancelled (workstream finished)"
+                            f"C-12 fixed: orphan task {task_id[:8]}… canceled (workstream finished)"
                         )
 
             elif issue.check_id == "C-22":
@@ -2013,7 +2026,7 @@ def archive_closed_workplans(
         tasks = get_tasks_from_workplan(meta, body)
         open_tasks = [
             t for t in tasks
-            if str(t.get("status", "")).strip() not in ("done", "cancelled")
+            if normalise_task_status(t.get("status", "todo")) not in TERMINAL_TASK_STATUSES
         ]
         if open_tasks:
             continue

scripts/project_rules/agents-codex.template

@@ -63,8 +63,8 @@ Omit `workstream_id` / `task_id` when not applicable.
 ```bash
 curl -s -X PATCH "http://127.0.0.1:8000/tasks/<task_id>" \
   -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-  -d '{"status": "in_progress"}'
+  -d '{"status": "progress"}'
-# values: todo | in_progress | done | blocked
+# values: wait | todo | progress | done | cancel
 ```
 
 ### Flag a task for human review
@@ -83,7 +83,7 @@ curl -s -X PATCH "http://127.0.0.1:8000/tasks/<task_id>" \
 1. `cat .custodian-brief.md` — domain goal and open workstreams (offline-safe)
 2. Check inbox: `GET /messages/?to_agent={REPO_SLUG}&unread_only=true`; mark read
 3. Scan workplans: `ls workplans/` — note `status: ready`, `active`, or `blocked` files and open tasks
-4. Check blocked tasks: `GET /tasks/?needs_human=true`
+4. Check human-needed tasks: `GET /tasks/?needs_human=true`
 
 **During work:**
 - Update task statuses in workplan files as tasks progress
@@ -146,7 +146,7 @@ derived health labels, not frontmatter statuses.
 
 ` ` `task
 id: {WP_PREFIX}-NNNN-T01
-status: todo | in_progress | done | blocked
+status: wait | todo | progress | done | cancel
 priority: high | medium | low
 state_hub_task_id: "<uuid>"         # written by fix-consistency — do not edit
 ` ` `
@@ -154,7 +154,7 @@ state_hub_task_id: "<uuid>"         # written by fix-consistency — do not edit
 Task description text.
 ```
 
-Status progression: `todo` → `in_progress` → `done` (or `blocked`)
+Status progression: `todo` → `progress` → `done`; use `wait` for waiting/blocked work and `cancel` for stopped work.
 
 To create a new workplan:
 1. Write the file following the format above

scripts/project_rules/session-protocol.template

@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ curl -s -X PATCH "http://127.0.0.1:8000/messages/<id>/read" \
 ls workplans/
 ```
 For each file with `status: ready`, `active`, or `blocked`, note pending
-`todo`/`in_progress` tasks.
+`wait`/`todo`/`progress` tasks.
 
 **Step 4 — Present brief**
 

scripts/validate_repo_adr.py

@@ -49,6 +49,7 @@ from api.workplan_status import (  # noqa: E402
     SUPPORTED_WORKSTREAM_STATUSES,
     normalize_workstream_status,
 )
+from api.task_status import CANONICAL_TASK_STATUSES, normalize_task_status  # noqa: E402
 
 try:
     import yaml as _yaml
@@ -70,7 +71,7 @@ except ImportError:
 REQUIRED_FRONTMATTER = {"id", "type", "title", "domain", "status", "owner", "created"}
 VALID_WP_STATUSES = set(CANONICAL_WORKSTREAM_STATUSES)
 SUPPORTED_WP_STATUSES = set(SUPPORTED_WORKSTREAM_STATUSES)
-VALID_TASK_STATUSES = {"todo", "in_progress", "blocked", "done", "cancelled"}
+VALID_TASK_STATUSES = set(CANONICAL_TASK_STATUSES)
 VALID_TASK_PRIORITIES = {"low", "medium", "high", "critical"}
 
 _WP_ID_RE = re.compile(r"^(?:[A-Z]+-WP-\d+|ADHOC-\d{4}-\d{2}-\d{2})$")
@@ -264,10 +265,12 @@ def _check_workplan_file(wp_file: Path, report: Report) -> dict | None:
         t_status = str(task.get("status", ""))
         if not t_status:
             report.add(Level.FAIL, "task-status", "Missing 'status' field", tref)
-        elif t_status not in VALID_TASK_STATUSES:
+        else:
-            report.add(Level.FAIL, "task-status-value",
+            try:
-                       f"status {t_status!r} not in {sorted(VALID_TASK_STATUSES)}", tref)
+                normalize_task_status(t_status)
-
+            except ValueError:
+                report.add(Level.FAIL, "task-status-value",
+                           f"status {t_status!r} not in {sorted(VALID_TASK_STATUSES)}", tref)
         t_prio = str(task.get("priority", ""))
         if not t_prio:
             report.add(Level.WARN, "task-priority", "Missing 'priority' field", tref)

tests/test_capability_requests.py

@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ async def _create_workstream(client, topic_id):
     return r.json()
 
 
-async def _create_task(client, workstream_id, title="Test task", status="blocked"):
+async def _create_task(client, workstream_id, title="Test task", status="wait"):
     r = await client.post("/tasks/", json={
         "workstream_id": workstream_id, "title": title,
     })
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ async def _create_task(client, workstream_id, title="Test task", status="blocked
     task = r.json()
     if status != "todo":
         patch = {"status": status}
-        if status == "blocked":
+        if status == "wait":
             patch["blocking_reason"] = "Waiting for capability request"
         r2 = await client.patch(f"/tasks/{task['id']}", json=patch)
         assert r2.status_code == 200, r2.text
@@ -229,7 +229,7 @@ class TestCapabilityRequestLifecycle:
         await _setup_two_domains(client)
         topic = await _create_topic(client, "custodian")
         ws = await _create_workstream(client, topic["id"])
-        task = await _create_task(client, ws["id"], status="blocked")
+        task = await _create_task(client, ws["id"], status="wait")
 
         req = await _create_request(client, blocking_task_id=task["id"])
 

tests/test_consistency_check.py

@@ -558,11 +558,11 @@ class TestStatusOrder:
     def test_todo_is_lowest(self):
         assert STATUS_ORDER["todo"] == 0
 
-    def test_done_and_cancelled_are_highest(self):
+    def test_done_and_cancel_are_highest(self):
-        assert STATUS_ORDER["done"] == STATUS_ORDER["cancelled"] == 2
+        assert STATUS_ORDER["done"] == STATUS_ORDER["cancel"] == 2
 
-    def test_in_progress_and_blocked_are_mid(self):
+    def test_progress_and_wait_are_mid(self):
-        assert STATUS_ORDER["in_progress"] == STATUS_ORDER["blocked"] == 1
+        assert STATUS_ORDER["progress"] == STATUS_ORDER["wait"] == 1
 
     def test_db_ahead_detected(self):
         """done (DB) vs todo (file) — DB is ahead."""
@@ -573,8 +573,8 @@ class TestStatusOrder:
         assert STATUS_ORDER["todo"] < STATUS_ORDER["done"]
 
     def test_same_rank_treated_as_db_ahead(self):
-        """in_progress (DB) vs blocked (file) — same rank, no regression."""
+        """progress (DB) vs wait (file) — same rank, no regression."""
-        assert STATUS_ORDER["in_progress"] >= STATUS_ORDER["blocked"]
+        assert STATUS_ORDER["progress"] >= STATUS_ORDER["wait"]
 
     def test_todo_to_done_is_regression(self):
         """Applying file=todo to DB=done would be a regression."""
@@ -718,7 +718,7 @@ class TestPatchTaskStatusInFile:
         content = (
             "---\nid: WP-001\n---\n"
             "```task\nid: T01\nstatus: todo\n```\n"
-            "```task\nid: T02\nstatus: in_progress\n```\n"
+            "```task\nid: T02\nstatus: progress\n```\n"
         )
         f = self._make_workplan(tmp_path, content)
         _patch_task_status_in_file(f, "T02", "done")
@@ -783,7 +783,7 @@ class TestLifecycleRenormalization:
             "## Implement Demo\n\n"
             "```task\n"
             "id: STATE-WP-0001-T01\n"
-            "status: in_progress\n"
+            "status: progress\n"
             "priority: high\n"
             "state_hub_task_id: \"task-1\"\n"
             "```\n",
@@ -805,7 +805,7 @@ class TestLifecycleRenormalization:
         task = {
             "id": "task-1",
             "title": "Implement Demo",
-            "status": "in_progress",
+            "status": "progress",
             "description": None,
         }
 

tests/test_lifecycle.py

@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ from api.services.lifecycle import (
 def test_task_start_activates_planning_parent(parent_status):
     assert should_activate_parent_for_task_start(
         previous_task_status="todo",
-        new_task_status="in_progress",
+        new_task_status="progress",
         parent_workstream_status=parent_status,
     )
 
@@ -25,15 +25,15 @@ def test_task_start_activates_planning_parent(parent_status):
 def test_task_start_does_not_rewrite_non_planning_parent(parent_status):
     assert not should_activate_parent_for_task_start(
         previous_task_status="todo",
-        new_task_status="in_progress",
+        new_task_status="progress",
         parent_workstream_status=parent_status,
     )
 
 
-def test_task_start_requires_todo_to_in_progress_transition():
+def test_task_start_requires_todo_to_progress_transition():
     assert not should_activate_parent_for_task_start(
-        previous_task_status="in_progress",
+        previous_task_status="progress",
-        new_task_status="in_progress",
+        new_task_status="progress",
         parent_workstream_status="ready",
     )
     assert not should_activate_parent_for_task_start(
@@ -44,22 +44,22 @@ def test_task_start_requires_todo_to_in_progress_transition():
 
 
 def test_has_active_task_status_ignores_terminal_and_todo_statuses():
-    assert has_active_task_status(["todo", "done", "cancelled"]) is False
+    assert has_active_task_status(["todo", "done", "cancel"]) is False
-    assert has_active_task_status(["todo", "blocked"]) is True
+    assert has_active_task_status(["todo", "wait"]) is True
-    assert has_active_task_status(["in_progress"]) is True
+    assert has_active_task_status(["progress"]) is True
 
 
 def test_active_task_state_activates_planning_parent_for_renormalization():
     assert should_activate_parent_for_active_tasks(
         parent_workstream_status="proposed",
-        task_statuses=["todo", "in_progress"],
+        task_statuses=["todo", "progress"],
     )
 
 
 def test_active_task_state_does_not_unblock_blocked_parent():
     assert not should_activate_parent_for_active_tasks(
         parent_workstream_status="blocked",
-        task_statuses=["in_progress"],
+        task_statuses=["progress"],
     )
 
 
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ def test_status_value_unwraps_enum_like_values():
     class Status:
         value = "In_Progress"
 
-    assert status_value(Status()) == "in_progress"
+    assert status_value(Status()) == "progress"
 
 
 def test_transition_workstream_status_normalizes_aliases():
@@ -92,10 +92,10 @@ def test_transition_task_status_activates_parent_once():
 
     task = Task()
     ws = Workstream()
-    result = transition_task_status(task, "in_progress", parent_workstream=ws)
+    result = transition_task_status(task, "progress", parent_workstream=ws)
 
-    assert task.status == "in_progress"
+    assert task.status == "progress"
     assert ws.status == "active"
     assert result.parent_activated is True
     assert result.previous_status == "todo"
-    assert result.target_status == "in_progress"
+    assert result.target_status == "progress"

tests/test_reconciliation.py

@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ def test_archived_workstream_file_requires_confirmation():
 def test_task_status_update_writes_through_to_task_block():
     result = classify_task_status_change(
         current_status="todo",
-        target_status="in_progress",
+        target_status="progress",
         file_backed=True,
         task_linked=True,
     )
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ def test_task_status_update_writes_through_to_task_block():
 def test_task_without_file_is_deferred():
     result = classify_task_status_change(
         current_status="todo",
-        target_status="in_progress",
+        target_status="progress",
         file_backed=False,
         task_linked=True,
     )
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ def test_task_without_file_is_deferred():
 def test_unlinked_task_is_deferred_until_link_repaired():
     result = classify_task_status_change(
         current_status="todo",
-        target_status="in_progress",
+        target_status="progress",
         file_backed=True,
         task_linked=False,
     )
@@ -101,22 +101,22 @@ def test_unlinked_task_is_deferred_until_link_repaired():
     assert "not linked" in result.reason
 
 
-def test_blocked_task_requires_blocking_reason():
+def test_wait_task_requires_blocking_reason():
     result = classify_task_status_change(
         current_status="todo",
-        target_status="blocked",
+        target_status="wait",
         file_backed=True,
         task_linked=True,
     )
 
     assert result.reconciliation_class == ReconciliationClass.HUMAN_CONFIRMATION
-    assert "blocking reason" in result.reason
+    assert "wait condition" in result.reason
 
 
-def test_blocked_task_with_reason_writes_through():
+def test_wait_task_with_reason_writes_through():
     result = classify_task_status_change(
         current_status="todo",
-        target_status="blocked",
+        target_status="wait",
         file_backed=True,
         task_linked=True,
         blocking_reason="Waiting on dependency",

tests/test_routers_core.py

@@ -207,7 +207,7 @@ class TestTasks:
 
         r = await client.delete(f"/tasks/{task['id']}")
         assert r.status_code == 200
-        assert r.json()["status"] == "cancelled"
+        assert r.json()["status"] == "cancel"
 
     async def test_filter_by_priority(self, client):
         await _create_domain(client)
@@ -238,7 +238,7 @@ class TestTasks:
         )
         task = await _create_task(client, ws["id"])
 
-        r = await client.patch(f"/tasks/{task['id']}", json={"status": "in_progress"})
+        r = await client.patch(f"/tasks/{task['id']}", json={"status": "progress"})
         assert r.status_code == 200
 
         r = await client.get(f"/workstreams/{ws['id']}")
@@ -251,7 +251,7 @@ class TestTasks:
         ws = await _create_workstream(client, topic["id"], slug="blocked-ws", status="blocked")
         task = await _create_task(client, ws["id"])
 
-        r = await client.patch(f"/tasks/{task['id']}", json={"status": "in_progress"})
+        r = await client.patch(f"/tasks/{task['id']}", json={"status": "progress"})
         assert r.status_code == 200
 
         r = await client.get(f"/workstreams/{ws['id']}")
@@ -326,13 +326,13 @@ class TestStateSummary:
         topic = await _create_topic(client)
         ws = await _create_workstream(client, topic["id"])
         task = await _create_task(client, ws["id"])
-        # Mark as blocked so it shows in blocked_tasks
+        # Mark as wait so it shows in waiting_tasks
         await client.patch(f"/tasks/{task['id']}",
-                           json={"status": "blocked", "blocking_reason": "waiting on dep"})
+                           json={"status": "wait", "blocking_reason": "waiting on dep"})
 
         r = await client.get("/state/summary")
         body = r.json()
-        assert len(body["blocked_tasks"]) >= 1
+        assert len(body["waiting_tasks"]) >= 1
 
     async def test_summary_derives_blocked_workstream_from_flow_engine(self, client):
         await _create_domain(client)
@@ -449,7 +449,7 @@ class TestReconciliationEndpoints:
         assert body["reconciliation_class"] == "human_confirmation"
         assert "open work" in body["reason"]
 
-    async def test_classify_task_blocked_without_reason_needs_confirmation(self, client):
+    async def test_classify_task_wait_without_reason_needs_confirmation(self, client):
         await _create_domain(client)
         topic = await _create_topic(client)
         ws = await _create_workstream(client, topic["id"])
@@ -458,7 +458,7 @@ class TestReconciliationEndpoints:
         r = await client.post("/reconciliation/state-change", json={
             "target_type": "task",
             "target_id": task["id"],
-            "target_status": "blocked",
+            "target_status": "wait",
             "file_backed": True,
             "task_linked": True,
         })
@@ -467,7 +467,7 @@ class TestReconciliationEndpoints:
         body = r.json()
         assert body["current_status"] == "todo"
         assert body["reconciliation_class"] == "human_confirmation"
-        assert "blocking reason" in body["reason"]
+        assert "wait condition" in body["reason"]
 
     async def test_classify_unknown_workstream_returns_404(self, client):
         r = await client.post("/reconciliation/state-change", json={
@@ -582,7 +582,7 @@ class TestReconciliationEndpoints:
         r = await client.post("/reconciliation/state-change", json={
             "target_type": "task",
             "target_id": task["id"],
-            "target_status": "in_progress",
+            "target_status": "progress",
             "actor": "dashboard",
             "apply": True,
         })
@@ -592,10 +592,10 @@ class TestReconciliationEndpoints:
         assert body["reconciliation_class"] == "write_through"
         assert body["write_through_result"] == "applied"
         assert body["workplan_path"] == "workplans/STATE-WP-9999-demo.md"
-        assert "status: in_progress" in wp.read_text(encoding="utf-8")
+        assert "status: progress" in wp.read_text(encoding="utf-8")
 
         r = await client.get(f"/tasks/{task['id']}")
-        assert r.json()["status"] == "in_progress"
+        assert r.json()["status"] == "progress"
 
     async def test_apply_task_start_write_through_activates_parent_file_and_db(self, client, tmp_path):
         await _create_domain(client)
@@ -630,7 +630,7 @@ class TestReconciliationEndpoints:
         r = await client.post("/reconciliation/state-change", json={
             "target_type": "task",
             "target_id": task["id"],
-            "target_status": "in_progress",
+            "target_status": "progress",
             "actor": "dashboard",
             "expected_current_status": "todo",
             "apply": True,
@@ -641,13 +641,13 @@ class TestReconciliationEndpoints:
         assert body["write_through_result"] == "applied"
         text = wp.read_text(encoding="utf-8")
         assert "status: active" in text
-        assert "status: in_progress" in text
+        assert "status: progress" in text
 
         r = await client.get(f"/workstreams/{ws['id']}")
         assert r.json()["status"] == "active"
 
         r = await client.get(f"/tasks/{task['id']}")
-        assert r.json()["status"] == "in_progress"
+        assert r.json()["status"] == "progress"
 
     async def test_apply_task_confirmation_case_creates_reconciliation_message(self, client, tmp_path):
         await _create_domain(client)
@@ -682,7 +682,7 @@ class TestReconciliationEndpoints:
         r = await client.post("/reconciliation/state-change", json={
             "target_type": "task",
             "target_id": task["id"],
-            "target_status": "blocked",
+            "target_status": "wait",
             "apply": True,
         })
 
@@ -698,7 +698,7 @@ class TestReconciliationEndpoints:
         r = await client.get("/messages/?to_agent=state-hub&unread_only=true")
         messages = r.json()
         assert len(messages) == 1
-        assert "blocking reason" in messages[0]["body"]
+        assert "wait reason" in messages[0]["body"] or "wait condition" in messages[0]["body"]
 
     async def test_apply_workstream_stale_expected_status_creates_conflict_message(self, client, tmp_path):
         await _create_domain(client)
@@ -792,7 +792,7 @@ class TestReconciliationEndpoints:
         r = await client.post("/reconciliation/state-change", json={
             "target_type": "task",
             "target_id": task["id"],
-            "target_status": "in_progress",
+            "target_status": "progress",
             "expected_current_status": "todo",
             "apply": True,
         })

tests/test_task_flow_engine.py

@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ def test_all_assertions_satisfied_reports_reachable_workstations():
                         id="tasks.all_done",
                         target="tasks.*.status",
                         op="all_eq",
-                        value=["done", "cancelled"],
+                        value=["done", "cancel"],
                     )
                 ],
             ),
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ def test_all_assertions_satisfied_reports_reachable_workstations():
     )
 
     result = FlowEngine().evaluate(
-        {"status": "active", "tasks": [{"status": "done"}, {"status": "cancelled"}]},
+        {"status": "active", "tasks": [{"status": "done"}, {"status": "cancel"}]},
         flow,
     )
 
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ def test_failing_exit_assertion_identifies_blocking_assertion():
                         id="tasks.all_done",
                         target="tasks.*.status",
                         op="all_eq",
-                        value=["done", "cancelled"],
+                        value=["done", "cancel"],
                     )
                 ],
             )
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ def test_can_reach_checks_current_exit_assertions_before_target_entry():
                         id="tasks.all_done",
                         target="tasks.*.status",
                         op="all_eq",
-                        value=["done", "cancelled"],
+                        value=["done", "cancel"],
                     )
                 ],
             ),
@@ -144,7 +144,7 @@ def test_empty_assertions_make_all_workstations_reachable():
         entity_type="task",
         workstations=[
             WorkstationDef(name="todo"),
-            WorkstationDef(name="in_progress"),
+            WorkstationDef(name="progress"),
             WorkstationDef(name="done"),
         ],
     )
@@ -152,7 +152,7 @@ def test_empty_assertions_make_all_workstations_reachable():
     result = FlowEngine().evaluate({"status": "todo"}, flow)
 
     assert result.exit_blocked is False
-    assert result.reachable == ["todo", "in_progress", "done"]
+    assert result.reachable == ["todo", "progress", "done"]
 
 
 def test_circular_reference_in_target_path_does_not_loop_forever():
@@ -194,10 +194,10 @@ def test_yaml_flow_definitions_load_and_evaluate_representative_entities():
     assert "blocked" in [item.workstation for item in workstream_result.unreachable]
 
     task_result = FlowEngine().evaluate(
-        {"status": "blocked", "needs_human": False},
+        {"status": "wait", "needs_human": False},
         flows["task"],
     )
-    assert "in_progress" in task_result.reachable
+    assert "progress" in task_result.reachable
 
     contribution_result = FlowEngine().evaluate(
         {"status": "acknowledged", "previous_workstation": "acknowledged"},

tests/test_token_passthrough.py

@@ -173,7 +173,7 @@ class TestTokenPassthrough:
         ws = await _create_workstream(client, topic["id"])
         task = await _create_task(client, ws["id"])
 
-        r = await client.patch(f"/tasks/{task['id']}", json={"status": "in_progress"})
+        r = await client.patch(f"/tasks/{task['id']}", json={"status": "progress"})
         assert r.status_code == 200
 
         events = (await client.get("/token-events/", params={"task_id": task["id"]})).json()

workplans/STATE-WP-0052-task-state-canon-adaptation.md

@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ type: workplan
 title: "Task State Canon Adaptation"
 domain: custodian
 repo: state-hub
-status: proposed
+status: active
 owner: codex
 topic_slug: custodian
 created: "2026-05-25"
@@ -78,9 +78,10 @@ changing code:
 Attached repos are the active repos registered in State Hub via `GET /repos/`.
 They should not be edited directly from the State Hub repo session. Instead:
 
-1. Publish a State Hub interface-change record with `repo_slug=info-tech-canon`,
+1. Publish a State Hub interface-change record with `repo_slug=state-hub`,
    `interface_type=schema`, `change_type=breaking`, and the active registered
-   repo slugs in `affected_repo_slugs`.
+   repo slugs in `affected_repo_slugs`. The change cites `info-tech-canon` as
+   the canon source and State Hub as the schema/API publisher.
 2. Let the interface-change publisher send inbox messages to affected repo
    agents.
 3. For repos that need local file or code changes, create ecosystem tasks with
@@ -97,7 +98,7 @@ This uses the existing repo boundary rule and avoids cross-repo writes.
 
 ```task
 id: STATE-WP-0052-T01
-status: todo
+status: done
 priority: high
 state_hub_task_id: "09c4d7ef-d193-48ed-b127-611e26b70ba0"
 ```
@@ -120,7 +121,7 @@ Done when the design note can be used as the implementation source of truth.
 
 ```task
 id: STATE-WP-0052-T02
-status: todo
+status: done
 priority: high
 state_hub_task_id: "c79ce637-7140-4a16-8d20-b89edee4b98f"
 ```
@@ -146,7 +147,7 @@ required changes, and risk notes.
 
 ```task
 id: STATE-WP-0052-T03
-status: todo
+status: done
 priority: high
 state_hub_task_id: "206511ae-76a8-4c47-a1b2-114b115f8c1c"
 ```
@@ -170,7 +171,7 @@ task-status literal sets except in tests that intentionally assert them.
 
 ```task
 id: STATE-WP-0052-T04
-status: todo
+status: done
 priority: high
 state_hub_task_id: "bf4c6891-64a5-49e6-9bf6-d70577d494e7"
 ```
@@ -196,7 +197,7 @@ task values.
 
 ```task
 id: STATE-WP-0052-T05
-status: todo
+status: done
 priority: high
 state_hub_task_id: "c9e6a649-8e1c-4d3c-b51a-1814687a99be"
 ```
@@ -219,7 +220,7 @@ still sync through a deliberate migration window.
 
 ```task
 id: STATE-WP-0052-T06
-status: todo
+status: done
 priority: high
 state_hub_task_id: "0aaea886-9686-4fa7-94e5-e5a6649489e8"
 ```
@@ -242,7 +243,7 @@ Done when dashboard, MCP, and docs no longer present the old values as canonical
 
 ```task
 id: STATE-WP-0052-T07
-status: todo
+status: done
 priority: high
 state_hub_task_id: "c884eea6-1b69-4636-86f2-475d5ec4ea9b"
 ```
@@ -266,7 +267,7 @@ reintroduction of old canonical literals.
 
 ```task
 id: STATE-WP-0052-T08
-status: todo
+status: done
 priority: high
 state_hub_task_id: "b659724d-bda1-4dec-9af1-4d5e08f4db94"
 ```
@@ -292,7 +293,7 @@ Done when the brief is ready to embed in interface-change messages and
 
 ```task
 id: STATE-WP-0052-T09
-status: todo
+status: done
 priority: high
 state_hub_task_id: "6479748b-c922-41e3-ad12-15015b2f56a9"
 ```
@@ -306,7 +307,7 @@ Requirements:
   State Hub clients, repos with workplans/agent instructions, repos with task
   status code, and no-direct-impact repos;
 - create and publish one `schema` / `breaking` interface-change record from
-  `info-tech-canon`;
+  State Hub, citing `info-tech-canon` as the canon source;
 - include all active registered repos that should receive the canon notice in
   `affected_repo_slugs`;
 - create `[repo:<slug>]` ecosystem tasks for repos that need local adaptation;
@@ -320,7 +321,7 @@ task, or a recorded no-impact classification.
 
 ```task
 id: STATE-WP-0052-T10
-status: todo
+status: wait
 priority: medium
 state_hub_task_id: "1cde226a-6287-4db4-9d2f-7fa9ed0b6c4d"
 ```
@@ -341,6 +342,11 @@ Requirements:
 Done when State Hub is canon-conformant, attached repos have been notified, and
 the remaining compatibility window is explicit.
 
+Current wait condition: attached repos have been notified through interface
+change `649102a2-4373-4621-9848-cc257e67c262`; closing the compatibility window
+depends on repo-agent responses and a later decision on when aliases become
+warnings or errors.
+
 ## Acceptance Criteria
 
 - State Hub persists canonical task states as `wait`, `todo`, `progress`,