---
id: CUST-WP-0009
type: workplan
title: Human Interventions Flag
domain: custodian
status: completed
owner: custodian
topic_slug: the-custodian
state_hub_workstream_id: "dd7db29a-fece-488a-a501-cadc860b2f50"
created: 2026-03-03
updated: 2026-03-03
---

# CUST-WP-0009 — Human Interventions Flag

## Purpose

Tasks in the state-hub can represent work for agents (custodian) or for humans (Bernd).
Currently there is no way to distinguish these at query time. Adding a `needs_human` flag
lets agents tag tasks they cannot complete themselves, surfaces them in a dedicated dashboard
page, and lets Bernd work through all his action items in one place.

## Scope

- `needs_human` boolean + `intervention_note` text on the `tasks` table
- API filter `GET /tasks/?needs_human=true`
- 3 MCP tools: `flag_for_human`, `clear_human_flag`, `list_human_interventions`
- Dashboard: new "Interventions" top-level page with amber-bordered cards and "Mark done" button

## Files Changed

| File | Change |
|------|--------|
| `state-hub/migrations/versions/b4c5d6e7f8a9_add_needs_human.py` | New migration |
| `state-hub/api/models/task.py` | Added `needs_human`, `intervention_note` fields |
| `state-hub/api/schemas/task.py` | Added fields + validators to Create/Update/Read |
| `state-hub/api/routers/tasks.py` | Added `needs_human` filter param |
| `state-hub/mcp_server/server.py` | Added 3 new tools |
| `state-hub/mcp_server/TOOLS.md` | Documented 3 new tools |
| `state-hub/dashboard/src/interventions.md` | New dashboard page |
| `state-hub/dashboard/observablehq.config.js` | Added nav entry |

## Tasks

### Step 1: Run migration
```task
id: CUST-WP-0009-T1
title: Run Alembic migration b4c5d6e7f8a9
status: done
priority: high
state_hub_task_id: "a2d5561f-9c1e-40c2-9259-c3d3cc9761b0"
```

### Step 2: Verify API
```task
id: CUST-WP-0009-T2
title: Verify API validator and filter work
status: done
priority: medium
state_hub_task_id: "6b739018-c3bc-4e7c-aa28-9ca1a64406f1"
```

### Step 3: Verify dashboard
```task
id: CUST-WP-0009-T3
title: Verify Interventions dashboard page loads
status: done
priority: medium
state_hub_task_id: "e474259d-c5ff-4c60-86c7-9585c0d0797f"
```

## Design Notes

- `intervention_note` required when `needs_human=True` (API validator raises 422)
- Mirrors the `blocking_reason` pattern for blocked tasks
- Dashboard "Mark done" button PATCHes `{status: "done", needs_human: false}`
- MCP `clear_human_flag` is the agent-side equivalent (used after human completes the action)