feat(929): delete db/yaml_legacy.rs entirely — CRDT is the sole source of truth

Final 929 sweep: every YAML-shaped helper is gone. No production code
parses or writes YAML front matter anywhere.

Surface removed:
- db/yaml_legacy.rs (FrontMatter/StoryMetadata structs, parse_front_matter,
  set_front_matter_field, yaml_residue marker) — file deleted.
- ItemMeta::from_yaml — deleted; callers pass typed ItemMeta::named(...) or
  ItemMeta::default() and use typed CRDT setters (set_depends_on,
  set_blocked, set_retry_count, set_agent, set_qa_mode, set_review_hold,
  set_item_type, set_epic, set_mergemaster_attempted) for the rest.
- write_coverage_baseline_to_story_file + read_coverage_percent_from_json —
  the coverage_baseline YAML field was write-only (nothing read it back);
  removed along with its caller in agent_tools/lifecycle.rs.
- update_story_in_file's generic `front_matter` HashMap parameter —
  tool_update_story now intercepts every known field name and routes it
  to a typed CRDT setter; unknown keys are rejected with an explicit error
  pointing at the typed setters. The function only takes user_story /
  description sections now.
- All 117 ItemMeta::from_yaml callsites migrated. Where tests previously
  passed a YAML-shaped content blob and relied on the helper to extract
  name/depends_on/blocked/agent/qa, they now pass:
    write_item_with_content(id, stage, content, ItemMeta::named("Foo"))
    crate::crdt_state::set_depends_on(id, &[...])    // when needed
    crate::crdt_state::set_blocked(id, true)         // when needed
    crate::crdt_state::set_agent(id, Some("..."))    // when needed
- write_story_content + write_story_file (test helper) now take an
  explicit `name: Option<&str>` instead of parsing it from content.
- db::ops::move_item_stage stopped re-parsing YAML on every stage
  transition; metadata is read straight from the CRDT view when mirroring
  the row into SQLite.

New CRDT setters added for symmetry:
- crdt_state::set_name (mirrors set_agent — explicit name updates).

cargo fmt --check, clippy --all-targets -- -D warnings, and the
2830-test suite all pass.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.7 (1M context) <noreply@anthropic.com>

server/src/agents/pool/auto_assign/auto_assign.rs

@@ -293,9 +293,10 @@ mod tests {
         crate::db::write_item_with_content(
             "9932_story_waiting",
             "2_current",
-            "---\nname: Waiting\ndepends_on: [9999]\n---\n",
+            "# Waiting\n",
-            crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml("---\nname: Waiting\ndepends_on: [9999]\n---\n"),
+            crate::db::ItemMeta::named("Waiting"),
         );
+        crate::crdt_state::set_depends_on("9932_story_waiting", &[9999]);
 
         let pool = AgentPool::new_test(3001);
         pool.auto_assign_available_work(root).await;
@@ -332,15 +333,16 @@ mod tests {
             "999_story_dep",
             "5_done",
             "---\nname: Dep\n---\n",
-            crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml("---\nname: Dep\n---\n"),
+            crate::db::ItemMeta::named("Dep"),
         );
         // Story 10 depends on 999 which is done.
         crate::db::write_item_with_content(
             "10_story_unblocked",
             "2_current",
-            "---\nname: Unblocked\ndepends_on: [999]\n---\n",
+            "# Unblocked\n",
-            crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml("---\nname: Unblocked\ndepends_on: [999]\n---\n"),
+            crate::db::ItemMeta::named("Unblocked"),
         );
+        crate::crdt_state::set_depends_on("10_story_unblocked", &[999]);
 
         let pool = AgentPool::new_test(3001);
         pool.auto_assign_available_work(root).await;
@@ -523,10 +525,8 @@ mod tests {
         crate::db::write_item_with_content(
             "9860_story_conflict",
             "4_merge_failure",
-            "---\nname: Conflict\nmerge_failure: \"CONFLICT (content): server/src/lib.rs\"\n---\n",
+            "CONFLICT (content): server/src/lib.rs",
-            crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml(
+            crate::db::ItemMeta::named("Conflict"),
-                "---\nname: Conflict\nmerge_failure: \"CONFLICT (content): server/src/lib.rs\"\n---\n",
-            ),
         );
 
         let pool = AgentPool::new_test(3001);
@@ -561,10 +561,8 @@ mod tests {
         crate::db::write_item_with_content(
             "9861_story_nothing",
             "4_merge_failure",
-            "---\nname: Nothing\nmerge_failure: \"nothing to commit, working tree clean\"\n---\n",
+            "nothing to commit, working tree clean",
-            crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml(
+            crate::db::ItemMeta::named("Nothing"),
-                "---\nname: Nothing\nmerge_failure: \"nothing to commit, working tree clean\"\n---\n",
-            ),
         );
 
         let pool = AgentPool::new_test(3001);
@@ -599,10 +597,12 @@ mod tests {
         crate::db::write_item_with_content(
             "9863_story_blocked_conflict",
             "4_merge",
-            "---\nname: Blocked conflict\nmerge_failure: \"CONFLICT (content): foo.rs\"\nblocked: true\n---\n",
+            "CONFLICT (content): foo.rs",
-            crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml(
+            crate::db::ItemMeta {
-                "---\nname: Blocked conflict\nmerge_failure: \"CONFLICT (content): foo.rs\"\nblocked: true\n---\n",
+                name: Some("Blocked conflict".to_string()),
-            ),
+                blocked: Some(true),
+                ..Default::default()
+            },
         );
 
         let pool = AgentPool::new_test(3001);
@@ -636,11 +636,10 @@ mod tests {
         crate::db::write_item_with_content(
             "9862_story_attempted",
             "4_merge",
-            "---\nname: Already tried\nmerge_failure: \"CONFLICT (content): foo.rs\"\nmergemaster_attempted: true\n---\n",
+            "CONFLICT (content): foo.rs",
-            crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml(
+            crate::db::ItemMeta::named("Already tried"),
-                "---\nname: Already tried\nmerge_failure: \"CONFLICT (content): foo.rs\"\nmergemaster_attempted: true\n---\n",
-            ),
         );
+        crate::crdt_state::set_mergemaster_attempted("9862_story_attempted", true);
 
         let pool = AgentPool::new_test(3001);
         pool.auto_assign_available_work(tmp.path()).await;
@@ -677,10 +676,8 @@ mod tests {
         crate::db::write_item_with_content(
             "920_story_transient",
             "4_merge_failure",
-            "---\nname: Transient\nmerge_failure: \"CONFLICT (content): foo.rs\"\n---\n",
+            "CONFLICT (content): foo.rs",
-            crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml(
+            crate::db::ItemMeta::named("Transient"),
-                "---\nname: Transient\nmerge_failure: \"CONFLICT (content): foo.rs\"\n---\n",
-            ),
         );
         // Simulate two previous transient exits (below cap of 3) recorded in DB.
         crate::db::write_content("920_story_transient:mergemaster_spawn_count", "2");
@@ -719,10 +716,8 @@ mod tests {
         crate::db::write_item_with_content(
             "920_story_genuine",
             "4_merge_failure",
-            "---\nname: Genuine\nmerge_failure: \"CONFLICT (content): bar.rs\"\n---\n",
+            "CONFLICT (content): bar.rs",
-            crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml(
+            crate::db::ItemMeta::named("Genuine"),
-                "---\nname: Genuine\nmerge_failure: \"CONFLICT (content): bar.rs\"\n---\n",
-            ),
         );
         // The CRDT register is the sole authority; set it explicitly as the
         // spawn exit path would after report_merge_failure.

server/src/agents/pool/auto_assign/scan.rs

@@ -168,7 +168,7 @@ mod tests {
             "9970_story_archived",
             "6_archived",
             "---\nname: Archived\n---\n",
-            crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml("---\nname: Archived\n---\n"),
+            crate::db::ItemMeta::named("Archived"),
         );
 
         // Also place a stale .md file in a temp 1_backlog/ dir.
@@ -205,19 +205,19 @@ mod tests {
             "9942_story_foo",
             "2_current",
             "---\nname: foo\n---",
-            crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml("---\nname: foo\n---"),
+            crate::db::ItemMeta::named("foo"),
         );
         crate::db::write_item_with_content(
             "9940_story_bar",
             "2_current",
             "---\nname: bar\n---",
-            crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml("---\nname: bar\n---"),
+            crate::db::ItemMeta::named("bar"),
         );
         crate::db::write_item_with_content(
             "9935_story_baz",
             "2_current",
             "---\nname: baz\n---",
-            crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml("---\nname: baz\n---"),
+            crate::db::ItemMeta::named("baz"),
         );
 
         let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();

server/src/agents/pool/pipeline/advance/tests.rs

@@ -176,7 +176,7 @@ async fn pipeline_advance_sends_agent_state_changed_to_watcher_tx() {
         "173_story_test",
         "2_current",
         "---\nname: test\n---\n",
-        crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml("---\nname: test\n---\n"),
+        crate::db::ItemMeta::named("test"),
     );
 
     // Write a project.toml with a qa agent so start_agent can resolve it.

server/src/agents/pool/pipeline/advance/tests_regression.rs

@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ async fn mergemaster_blocks_and_sends_story_blocked_when_no_commits_ahead() {
         "9919_story_no_commits",
         "2_current",
         "---\nname: Test\n---\n",
-        crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml("---\nname: Test\n---\n"),
+        crate::db::ItemMeta::named("Test"),
     );
 
     let pool = AgentPool::new_test(3001);
@@ -146,13 +146,13 @@ stage = "qa"
         "292_story_first",
         "3_qa",
         "---\nname: First\nqa: human\n---\n",
-        crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml("---\nname: First\nqa: human\n---\n"),
+        crate::db::ItemMeta::named("First"),
     );
     crate::db::write_item_with_content(
         "293_story_second",
         "3_qa",
         "---\nname: Second\nqa: human\n---\n",
-        crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml("---\nname: Second\nqa: human\n---\n"),
+        crate::db::ItemMeta::named("Second"),
     );
 
     let pool = AgentPool::new_test(3001);
@@ -252,7 +252,7 @@ async fn stale_mergemaster_advance_for_done_story_is_noop() {
         story_id,
         "5_done",
         content,
-        crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml(content),
+        crate::db::ItemMeta::named("Zombie Merge Test"),
     );
 
     let pool = AgentPool::new_test(3001);
@@ -389,7 +389,7 @@ async fn work_survived_advances_to_qa_instead_of_blocking() {
         "9945_story_survived",
         "2_current",
         "---\nname: Survived Test\n---\n",
-        crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml("---\nname: Survived Test\n---\n"),
+        crate::db::ItemMeta::named("Survived Test"),
     );
 
     // Simulate a passing run_tests call during the agent's session (bug 668):
@@ -483,7 +483,7 @@ async fn no_committed_work_still_retries_and_blocks() {
         "9946_story_nowork",
         "2_current",
         "---\nname: No Work Test\n---\n",
-        crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml("---\nname: No Work Test\n---\n"),
+        crate::db::ItemMeta::named("No Work Test"),
     );
 
     // Write a project.toml with max_retries = 1.
@@ -611,7 +611,7 @@ async fn gates_failed_no_test_evidence_does_not_advance() {
         "9947_story_no_evidence",
         "2_current",
         "---\nname: No Evidence Test\n---\n",
-        crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml("---\nname: No Evidence Test\n---\n"),
+        crate::db::ItemMeta::named("No Evidence Test"),
     );
 
     // Explicitly ensure no test evidence exists for this story.
@@ -741,7 +741,7 @@ async fn gates_failed_with_test_evidence_and_committed_work_advances() {
         "9948_story_with_evidence",
         "2_current",
         "---\nname: With Evidence Test\n---\n",
-        crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml("---\nname: With Evidence Test\n---\n"),
+        crate::db::ItemMeta::named("With Evidence Test"),
     );
 
     // Write the run_tests evidence — simulates the agent having called run_tests
@@ -825,7 +825,7 @@ stage = "coder"
         "9950_story_warm_resume",
         "2_current",
         "---\nname: Warm Resume Test\n---\n",
-        crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml("---\nname: Warm Resume Test\n---\n"),
+        crate::db::ItemMeta::named("Warm Resume Test"),
     );
 
     let pool = AgentPool::new_test(3001);

server/src/agents/pool/pipeline/completion/tests.rs

@@ -553,7 +553,7 @@ async fn zero_commit_coder_exit_stays_in_coding_not_promoted_to_merge() {
         "9910_zero_exit",
         "2_current",
         "---\nname: Zero Exit Test\n---\n",
-        crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml("---\nname: Zero Exit Test\n---\n"),
+        crate::db::ItemMeta::named("Zero Exit Test"),
     );
 
     fs::create_dir_all(project_root.join(".huskies")).unwrap();

server/src/agents/pool/pipeline/merge/tests.rs

@@ -651,7 +651,7 @@ async fn server_side_merge_happy_path_advances_to_done() {
         "757a_happy",
         "4_merge",
         "---\nname: Happy path test\n---\n",
-        crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml("---\nname: Happy path test\n---\n"),
+        crate::db::ItemMeta::named("Happy path test"),
     );
 
     let pool = Arc::new(AgentPool::new_test(3001));
@@ -788,7 +788,7 @@ async fn server_side_merge_conflict_sets_merge_failure() {
         "757b_conflict",
         "4_merge",
         "---\nname: Conflict test\n---\n",
-        crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml("---\nname: Conflict test\n---\n"),
+        crate::db::ItemMeta::named("Conflict test"),
     );
 
     let pool = Arc::new(AgentPool::new_test(3001));
@@ -901,7 +901,7 @@ async fn server_side_merge_gate_failure_sets_merge_failure() {
         "757c_gates",
         "4_merge",
         "---\nname: Gate failure test\n---\n",
-        crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml("---\nname: Gate failure test\n---\n"),
+        crate::db::ItemMeta::named("Gate failure test"),
     );
 
     let pool = Arc::new(AgentPool::new_test(3001));

server/src/agents/pool/start/spawn.rs

@@ -641,7 +641,7 @@ mod tests {
             story_id,
             "2_current",
             "---\nname: Test\n---\n",
-            crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml("---\nname: Test\n---\n"),
+            crate::db::ItemMeta::named("Test"),
         );
         crate::crdt_state::set_retry_count(story_id, 1);
 
@@ -679,7 +679,7 @@ mod tests {
             story_id,
             "2_current",
             "---\nname: Test\n---\n",
-            crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml("---\nname: Test\n---\n"),
+            crate::db::ItemMeta::named("Test"),
         );
         // retry_count is 0 (default — never bumped).
 
@@ -744,7 +744,7 @@ mod tests {
             story_id,
             "2_current",
             "---\nname: Test\n---\n",
-            crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml("---\nname: Test\n---\n"),
+            crate::db::ItemMeta::named("Test"),
         );
 
         let db_key = format!("{story_id}:abort_respawn_count");

server/src/agents/pool/start/tests_concurrency.rs

@@ -433,7 +433,7 @@ async fn start_agent_rejects_mergemaster_on_coding_stage_story() {
         "310_story_foo",
         "2_current",
         "---\nname: Foo\n---\n",
-        crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml("---\nname: Foo\n---\n"),
+        crate::db::ItemMeta::named("Foo"),
     );
 
     let pool = AgentPool::new_test(3099);
@@ -472,7 +472,7 @@ async fn start_agent_rejects_coder_on_qa_stage_story() {
         "8842_story_qa_guard",
         "3_qa",
         "---\nname: QA Guard\n---\n",
-        crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml("---\nname: QA Guard\n---\n"),
+        crate::db::ItemMeta::named("QA Guard"),
     );
 
     let pool = AgentPool::new_test(3099);
@@ -511,7 +511,7 @@ async fn start_agent_rejects_qa_on_merge_stage_story() {
         "55_story_baz",
         "4_merge",
         "---\nname: Baz\n---\n",
-        crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml("---\nname: Baz\n---\n"),
+        crate::db::ItemMeta::named("Baz"),
     );
 
     let pool = AgentPool::new_test(3099);

server/src/agents/pool/stop.rs

@@ -147,7 +147,7 @@ mod tests {
             "60_story_cleanup",
             "2_current",
             story_content,
-            crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml(story_content),
+            crate::db::ItemMeta::default(),
         );
 
         let pool = AgentPool::new_test(3001);

server/src/agents/pool/worktree.rs

@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ mod tests {
             "10_story_test",
             "2_current",
             "---\nname: Test\n---\n",
-            crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml("---\nname: Test\n---\n"),
+            crate::db::ItemMeta::named("Test"),
         );
         let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
         assert!(matches!(
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ mod tests {
             "11_story_test",
             "3_qa",
             "---\nname: Test\n---\n",
-            crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml("---\nname: Test\n---\n"),
+            crate::db::ItemMeta::named("Test"),
         );
         let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
         assert!(matches!(
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ mod tests {
             "12_story_test",
             "4_merge",
             "---\nname: Test\n---\n",
-            crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml("---\nname: Test\n---\n"),
+            crate::db::ItemMeta::named("Test"),
         );
         let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
         assert!(matches!(

server/src/chat/commands/depends.rs

@@ -166,6 +166,7 @@ mod tests {
             "1_backlog",
             "9912_story_foo.md",
             "---\nname: Foo\n---\n",
+            None,
         );
         let output = depends_cmd_with_root(tmp.path(), "9912 abc").unwrap();
         assert!(
@@ -182,6 +183,7 @@ mod tests {
             "1_backlog",
             "9910_story_foo.md",
             "---\nname: Foo\n---\n",
+            None,
         );
         let output = depends_cmd_with_root(tmp.path(), "9910 477 478").unwrap();
         assert!(
@@ -212,6 +214,7 @@ mod tests {
             "2_current",
             "9911_story_bar.md",
             "---\nname: Bar\n---\n",
+            None,
         );
         // Pre-seed CRDT with deps so we can verify clearing.
         crate::crdt_state::set_depends_on("9911_story_bar", &[477]);
@@ -248,6 +251,7 @@ mod tests {
             "1_backlog",
             "8790_story_chat_dep.md",
             "---\nname: Chat Dep\n---\n",
+            None,
         );
 
         let out = depends_cmd_with_root(tmp.path(), "8790 500 501").unwrap();
@@ -282,6 +286,7 @@ mod tests {
             "1_backlog",
             "9920_story_scr.md",
             "---\nname: SCR\n---\n",
+            None,
         );
 
         // Set to [1, 2, 3].
@@ -322,6 +327,7 @@ mod tests {
             "3_qa",
             "9913_story_inqa.md",
             "---\nname: In QA\n---\n",
+            None,
         );
         let output = depends_cmd_with_root(tmp.path(), "9913 100").unwrap();
         assert!(

server/src/chat/commands/diff.rs

@@ -212,6 +212,7 @@ mod tests {
             "2_current",
             "55551_story_no_worktree.md",
             "---\nname: No Worktree\n---\n",
+            None,
         );
         let output = diff_cmd(tmp.path(), "55551").unwrap();
         assert!(

server/src/chat/commands/freeze.rs

@@ -193,7 +193,8 @@ mod tests {
             tmp.path(),
             "2_current",
             "9940_story_freezeme.md",
-            "---\nname: Freeze Me\n---\n# Story\n",
+            "# Story\n",
+            Some("Freeze Me"),
         );
         let output = freeze_cmd_with_root(tmp.path(), "9940").unwrap();
         assert!(
@@ -219,7 +220,8 @@ mod tests {
             tmp.path(),
             "2_current",
             "9941_story_frozen.md",
-            "---\nname: Frozen Story\n---\n# Story\n",
+            "# Story\n",
+            Some("Frozen Story"),
         );
         // Freeze first.
         let freeze_out = freeze_cmd_with_root(tmp.path(), "9941").unwrap();
@@ -253,6 +255,7 @@ mod tests {
             "2_current",
             "9942_story_notfrozen.md",
             "---\nname: Not Frozen\n---\n# Story\n",
+            None,
         );
         let output = unfreeze_cmd_with_root(tmp.path(), "9942").unwrap();
         assert!(
@@ -271,6 +274,7 @@ mod tests {
             "2_current",
             "9943_story_alreadyfrozen.md",
             "---\nname: Already Frozen\n---\n# Story\n",
+            None,
         );
         // Freeze it first.
         freeze_cmd_with_root(tmp.path(), "9943").unwrap();

server/src/chat/commands/logs.rs

@@ -202,6 +202,7 @@ mod tests {
             "2_current",
             "77_story_no_log.md",
             "---\nname: No Log\n---\n",
+            None,
         );
         let output = logs_cmd(tmp.path(), "77").unwrap();
         assert!(
@@ -221,6 +222,7 @@ mod tests {
             "2_current",
             "88_story_has_log.md",
             "---\nname: Has Log\n---\n",
+            None,
         );
         // Write a log file in the expected location.
         let log_dir = tmp

server/src/chat/commands/move_story.rs

@@ -170,7 +170,8 @@ mod tests {
             tmp.path(),
             "1_backlog",
             "42_story_some_feature.md",
-            "---\nname: Some Feature\n---\n\n# Story 42\n",
+            "# Story 42\n",
+            Some("Some Feature"),
         );
 
         let output = move_cmd_with_root(tmp.path(), "42 current").unwrap();
@@ -201,7 +202,8 @@ mod tests {
             tmp.path(),
             "2_current",
             "8810_story_case_test.md",
-            "---\nname: CaseTest\n---\n",
+            "",
+            Some("CaseTest"),
         );
         let output = move_cmd_with_root(tmp.path(), "8810 BACKLOG").unwrap();
         assert!(
@@ -218,6 +220,7 @@ mod tests {
             "2_current",
             "5_story_already_current.md",
             "---\nname: Already Current\n---\n",
+            None,
         );
         // Moving to the stage it's already in should return a success message.
         let output = move_cmd_with_root(tmp.path(), "5 current").unwrap();

server/src/chat/commands/show.rs

@@ -209,6 +209,7 @@ mod tests {
             "1_backlog",
             "305_story_show_command.md",
             "---\nname: Show command\n---\n\n# Story 305\n\nFull story text here.",
+            None,
         );
         let output = show_cmd_with_root(tmp.path(), "305").unwrap();
         assert!(
@@ -225,6 +226,7 @@ mod tests {
             "2_current",
             "42_story_do_something.md",
             "---\nname: Do something\n---\n\n# Story 42\n\nIn progress.",
+            None,
         );
         let output = show_cmd_with_root(tmp.path(), "42").unwrap();
         assert!(
@@ -241,6 +243,7 @@ mod tests {
             "1_backlog",
             "7_bug_crash_on_login.md",
             "---\nname: Crash on login\n---\n\n## Symptom\n\nCrashes.",
+            None,
         );
         let output = show_cmd_with_root(tmp.path(), "7").unwrap();
         assert!(

server/src/chat/commands/status/tests.rs

@@ -630,10 +630,8 @@ fn merge_item_det_merge_running_preferred_over_failure() {
     crate::db::write_item_with_content(
         "906_story_det_over_fail",
         "4_merge",
-        "---\nname: Det Over Fail\nmerge_failure: \"old failure\"\n---\n",
+        "---\nname: Det Over Fail\n---\n",
-        crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml(
+        crate::db::ItemMeta::named("Det Over Fail"),
-            "---\nname: Det Over Fail\nmerge_failure: \"old failure\"\n---\n",
-        ),
     );
     // Record a running deterministic merge in the CRDT.
     crate::crdt_state::write_merge_job("906_story_det_over_fail", "running", 0.0, None, None);

server/src/chat/commands/triage.rs

@@ -307,7 +307,8 @@ mod tests {
             tmp.path(),
             "2_current",
             "99_story_my_feature.md",
-            "---\nname: My Feature\n---\n\n## Acceptance Criteria\n\n- [ ] First thing\n- [x] Done thing\n",
+            "## Acceptance Criteria\n\n- [ ] First thing\n- [x] Done thing\n",
+            Some("My Feature"),
         );
         let output = status_triage_cmd(tmp.path(), "99").unwrap();
         assert!(output.contains("99"), "should show story number: {output}");
@@ -328,7 +329,8 @@ mod tests {
             tmp.path(),
             "1_backlog",
             "9901_story_backlog_item.md",
-            "---\nname: Backlog Item\n---\n",
+            "",
+            Some("Backlog Item"),
         );
         let output = status_triage_cmd(tmp.path(), "9901").unwrap();
         assert!(
@@ -352,7 +354,8 @@ mod tests {
             tmp.path(),
             "3_qa",
             "9902_story_qa_item.md",
-            "---\nname: QA Item\n---\n",
+            "",
+            Some("QA Item"),
         );
         let output = status_triage_cmd(tmp.path(), "9902").unwrap();
         assert!(
@@ -373,6 +376,7 @@ mod tests {
             "2_current",
             "99_story_criteria_test.md",
             "---\nname: Criteria Test\n---\n\n- [ ] First thing\n- [x] Done thing\n- [ ] Second thing\n",
+            None,
         );
         let output = status_triage_cmd(tmp.path(), "99").unwrap();
         assert!(
@@ -398,6 +402,7 @@ mod tests {
             "2_current",
             "55_story_blocked_story.md",
             "---\nname: Blocked Story\nblocked: true\n---\n",
+            None,
         );
         let output = status_triage_cmd(tmp.path(), "55").unwrap();
         assert!(
@@ -413,8 +418,10 @@ mod tests {
             tmp.path(),
             "2_current",
             "55_story_agent_story.md",
-            "---\nname: Agent Story\nagent: coder-1\n---\n",
+            "",
+            Some("Agent Story"),
         );
+        crate::crdt_state::set_agent("55_story_agent_story", Some("coder-1"));
         let output = status_triage_cmd(tmp.path(), "55").unwrap();
         assert!(
             output.contains("coder-1"),
@@ -429,8 +436,10 @@ mod tests {
             tmp.path(),
             "2_current",
             "55_story_depends_story.md",
-            "---\nname: Depends Story\ndepends_on: [477, 478]\n---\n",
+            "",
+            Some("Depends Story"),
         );
+        crate::crdt_state::set_depends_on("55_story_depends_story", &[477, 478]);
         let output = status_triage_cmd(tmp.path(), "55").unwrap();
         assert!(
             output.contains("depends_on") || output.contains("#477"),
@@ -450,6 +459,7 @@ mod tests {
             "2_current",
             "77_story_no_worktree.md",
             "---\nname: No Worktree\n---\n",
+            None,
         );
         let output = status_triage_cmd(tmp.path(), "77").unwrap();
         // Branch name should still appear

server/src/chat/commands/unblock.rs

@@ -181,6 +181,7 @@ mod tests {
             "2_current",
             "42_story_test.md",
             "---\nname: Test Story\nretry_count: 2\n---\n# Story\n",
+            None,
         );
         let output = unblock_cmd_with_root(tmp.path(), "42").unwrap();
         assert!(
@@ -200,6 +201,7 @@ mod tests {
             "2_blocked",
             "9903_story_stuck.md",
             "---\nname: Stuck Story\nblocked: true\nretry_count: 5\n---\n# Story\n",
+            None,
         );
         // Seed the story in the CRDT in 2_blocked stage so the typed
         // Blocked → Coding transition fires and clears `blocked` properly.
@@ -267,7 +269,7 @@ mod tests {
             story_id,
             stage,
             body,
-            crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml(body),
+            crate::db::ItemMeta::named("Stuck Story"),
         );
         // Seed CRDT registers: blocked=true, retry_count=5, with a name so the
         // response can echo it back instead of falling through to the raw id.
@@ -312,14 +314,15 @@ mod tests {
     #[test]
     fn unblock_command_finds_story_in_any_stage() {
         let tmp = tempfile::TempDir::new().unwrap();
-        // Use a high story number (9901) to avoid collisions with other tests in the
-        // global content store.
         write_story_file(
             tmp.path(),
             "3_qa",
             "9901_story_in_qa.md",
-            "---\nname: In QA\nblocked: true\nretry_count: 3\n---\n# Story\n",
+            "# Story\n",
+            Some("In QA"),
         );
+        crate::crdt_state::set_blocked("9901_story_in_qa", true);
+        crate::crdt_state::set_retry_count("9901_story_in_qa", 3);
 
         let output = unblock_cmd_with_root(tmp.path(), "9901").unwrap();
         assert!(
@@ -338,6 +341,7 @@ mod tests {
             "1_backlog",
             "9902_story_blocked_one.md",
             "---\nname: Blocked One\nblocked: true\nretry_count: 2\n---\n",
+            None,
         );
 
         let output = unblock_cmd_with_root(tmp.path(), "9902").unwrap();

server/src/chat/lookup.rs

@@ -99,6 +99,7 @@ mod tests {
             "1_backlog",
             "9970_story_some_feature.md",
             "---\nname: Some Feature\n---\n\n# Story 9970\n",
+            None,
         );
         let (story_id, _stage_dir, path, content) =
             find_story_by_number(tmp.path(), "9970").expect("should find story 9970");
@@ -121,6 +122,7 @@ mod tests {
             "2_current",
             "7_bug_crash_on_login.md",
             "---\nname: Crash on login\n---\n",
+            None,
         );
         let (story_id, _stage_dir, _, _) =
             find_story_by_number(tmp.path(), "7").expect("should find bug 7");
@@ -136,6 +138,7 @@ mod tests {
             "1_backlog",
             "9971_story_foo.md",
             "---\nname: Foo\n---\n",
+            None,
         );
         let result = find_story_by_number(tmp.path(), "99710");
         assert!(result.is_none(), "number 99710 should not match story 9971");
@@ -149,6 +152,7 @@ mod tests {
             "4_merge",
             "503_story_migration.md",
             "---\nname: Migration\n---\n",
+            None,
         );
         let (_, _, path, _) =
             find_story_by_number(tmp.path(), "503").expect("should find story 503");

server/src/chat/test_helpers.rs

@@ -10,15 +10,26 @@ use std::path::Path;
 /// which still verify filesystem state (e.g. assign tests that check the
 /// physical file) continue to work.
 ///
-/// Uses `write_item_with_content` to populate both the in-memory content
+/// Story 929: callers pass the typed `name` explicitly — `content` is now
-/// store and the CRDT, matching the production write path.
+/// just the markdown body and is no longer parsed for metadata.  Other
-pub(crate) fn write_story_file(root: &Path, stage: &str, filename: &str, content: &str) {
+/// typed fields (depends_on, agent, qa_mode, blocked, …) should be set
+/// via the CRDT typed setters after this call.
+pub(crate) fn write_story_file(
+    root: &Path,
+    stage: &str,
+    filename: &str,
+    content: &str,
+    name: Option<&str>,
+) {
     let dir = root.join(".huskies/work").join(stage);
     std::fs::create_dir_all(&dir).unwrap();
     std::fs::write(dir.join(filename), content).unwrap();
 
     let story_id = filename.trim_end_matches(".md");
     crate::db::ensure_content_store();
-    let meta = crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml(content);
+    let meta = crate::db::ItemMeta {
+        name: name.map(str::to_string),
+        ..Default::default()
+    };
     crate::db::write_item_with_content(story_id, stage, content, meta);
 }

server/src/chat/transport/matrix/assign.rs

@@ -310,6 +310,7 @@ mod tests {
             "1_backlog",
             "9972_story_test.md",
             "---\nname: Test Feature\n---\n\n# Story 9972\n",
+            None,
         );
         // Seed CRDT so set_agent can write to the item.
         crate::crdt_state::write_item(
@@ -366,6 +367,7 @@ mod tests {
             "1_backlog",
             "9973_story_small.md",
             "---\nname: Small Story\n---\n",
+            None,
         );
         crate::crdt_state::write_item(
             "9973_story_small",
@@ -416,6 +418,7 @@ mod tests {
             "1_backlog",
             "9974_story_existing.md",
             "---\nname: Existing\nagent: coder-sonnet\n---\n",
+            None,
         );
         crate::crdt_state::write_item(
             "9974_story_existing",
@@ -456,6 +459,7 @@ mod tests {
             "3_qa",
             "99_story_in_qa.md",
             "---\nname: In QA\n---\n",
+            None,
         );
 
         let agents = std::sync::Arc::new(AgentPool::new_test(3000));
@@ -476,6 +480,7 @@ mod tests {
             "2_current",
             "10_story_current.md",
             "---\nname: Current Story\nagent: coder-sonnet\n---\n",
+            None,
         );
 
         let agents = std::sync::Arc::new(AgentPool::new_test(3000));

server/src/chat/transport/matrix/delete.rs

@@ -258,9 +258,7 @@ mod tests {
             story_id,
             "1_backlog",
             "---\nname: CRDT Tombstone Check\n---\n\n# Story 9977\n",
-            crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml(
+            crate::db::ItemMeta::named("CRDT Tombstone Check"),
-                "---\nname: CRDT Tombstone Check\n---\n\n# Story 9977\n",
-            ),
         );
 
         let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
@@ -291,7 +289,7 @@ mod tests {
             "9975_story_some_feature",
             "1_backlog",
             "---\nname: Some Feature\n---\n\n# Story 9975\n",
-            crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml("---\nname: Some Feature\n---\n\n# Story 9975\n"),
+            crate::db::ItemMeta::named("Some Feature"),
         );
 
         let agents = std::sync::Arc::new(crate::agents::AgentPool::new_test(3000));

server/src/chat/transport/matrix/start.rs

@@ -272,7 +272,7 @@ mod tests {
             "9976_story_test",
             "1_backlog",
             "---\nname: Test Story\n---\n",
-            crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml("---\nname: Test Story\n---\n"),
+            crate::db::ItemMeta::named("Test Story"),
         );
 
         let agents = Arc::new(AgentPool::new_test(3000));

server/src/crdt_state/mod.rs

@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ pub use types::{
 pub use write::{
     bump_retry_count, migrate_names_from_slugs, migrate_story_ids_to_numeric, name_from_story_id,
     set_agent, set_blocked, set_depends_on, set_epic, set_item_type, set_mergemaster_attempted,
-    set_qa_mode, set_retry_count, set_review_hold, write_item,
+    set_name, set_qa_mode, set_retry_count, set_review_hold, write_item,
 };
 
 #[cfg(test)]

server/src/crdt_state/write/item.rs

@@ -128,6 +128,29 @@ pub fn set_mergemaster_attempted(story_id: &str, value: bool) -> bool {
     true
 }
 
+/// Set the `name` field for a pipeline item by its story ID.
+///
+/// `Some(name)` writes the human-readable name into the CRDT register.
+/// `None` clears the register by writing an empty string.
+///
+/// Returns `true` if the item was found and the write was performed.
+pub fn set_name(story_id: &str, name: Option<&str>) -> bool {
+    let Some(state_mutex) = get_crdt() else {
+        return false;
+    };
+    let Ok(mut state) = state_mutex.lock() else {
+        return false;
+    };
+    let Some(&idx) = state.index.get(story_id) else {
+        return false;
+    };
+    let value = name.unwrap_or("").to_string();
+    apply_and_persist(&mut state, |s| {
+        s.crdt.doc.items[idx].name.set(value.clone())
+    });
+    true
+}
+
 /// Set the `agent` field for a pipeline item by its story ID.
 ///
 /// `Some(name)` writes the agent name into the CRDT register.

server/src/crdt_state/write/mod.rs

@@ -11,6 +11,6 @@ mod tests;
 
 pub use item::{
     bump_retry_count, set_agent, set_blocked, set_depends_on, set_epic, set_item_type,
-    set_mergemaster_attempted, set_qa_mode, set_retry_count, set_review_hold, write_item,
+    set_mergemaster_attempted, set_name, set_qa_mode, set_retry_count, set_review_hold, write_item,
 };
 pub use migrations::{migrate_names_from_slugs, migrate_story_ids_to_numeric, name_from_story_id};

server/src/db/mod.rs

@@ -19,9 +19,6 @@ pub mod content_store;
 pub mod ops;
 /// Background shadow-write task — persists pipeline items to SQLite asynchronously.
 pub mod shadow_write;
-/// Legacy YAML helpers — used by callers reading the small set of fields not
-/// yet mirrored into the CRDT.
-pub(crate) mod yaml_legacy;
 
 pub use content_store::{all_content_ids, delete_content, read_content, write_content};
 pub use ops::{ItemMeta, delete_item, move_item_stage, next_item_number, write_item_with_content};
@@ -33,7 +30,6 @@ pub use content_store::ensure_content_store;
 #[cfg(test)]
 mod tests {
     use super::*;
-    use crate::db::yaml_legacy::parse_front_matter;
     use std::fs;
 
     /// Helper: write a minimal story .md file with front matter.
@@ -104,25 +100,11 @@ mod tests {
         assert_eq!(row.0, "10_story_shadow_test");
         assert_eq!(row.1.as_deref(), Some("Shadow Test"));
         assert_eq!(row.2, "2_current");
-
+        // The shadow row's name + retry_count came through from the INSERT
-        // Verify metadata was parsed correctly from the story file.
+        // params above; that's what the test exercises.  Story 929 dropped
-        let (name, _agent, retry_count, _blocked, _depends_on) =
+        // the redundant "re-parse the YAML body to double-check" step that
-            match std::fs::read_to_string(&story_path) {
+        // used to live here.
-                Ok(contents) => match parse_front_matter(&contents) {
+        let _ = story_path;
-                    Ok(meta) => (
-                        meta.name,
-                        meta.agent,
-                        meta.retry_count.map(|r| r as i64),
-                        meta.blocked,
-                        meta.depends_on,
-                    ),
-                    Err(_) => (None, None, None, None, None),
-                },
-                Err(_) => (None, None, None, None, None),
-            };
-
-        assert_eq!(name.as_deref(), Some("Shadow Test"));
-        assert_eq!(retry_count, Some(2));
     }
 
     #[tokio::test]

server/src/db/ops.rs

@@ -7,14 +7,12 @@ use super::content_store::{
     all_content_ids, delete_content, ensure_content_store, read_content, write_content,
 };
 use super::shadow_write::{PIPELINE_DB, PipelineWriteMsg};
-use super::yaml_legacy::parse_front_matter;
 
 /// Typed metadata for a pipeline item write.
 ///
-/// Replaces the prior YAML-parsing write path (story 864): callers now pass
+/// Story 929: callers pass metadata explicitly — no YAML parsing.  Every
-/// metadata explicitly instead of round-tripping it through a serialized
+/// field is `Option`-typed; `None` means "leave unchanged" on update,
-/// front-matter blob.  Every field is `Option`-typed; `None` means
+/// "use the default" on insert.
-/// "leave unchanged" on update, "use the default" on insert.
 #[derive(Default, Clone, Debug)]
 pub struct ItemMeta {
     pub name: Option<String>,
@@ -33,26 +31,6 @@ impl ItemMeta {
             ..Self::default()
         }
     }
-
-    /// Parse YAML front-matter from a content string into typed metadata.
-    ///
-    /// This is an explicit caller-side conversion — the write path itself
-    /// no longer parses YAML.  Use this when the caller has a raw content
-    /// string with front-matter and wants the metadata to flow into the
-    /// CRDT.  Returns `Self::default()` if parsing fails or there is no
-    /// front-matter present.
-    pub fn from_yaml(content: &str) -> Self {
-        match parse_front_matter(content) {
-            Ok(m) => Self {
-                name: m.name,
-                agent: m.agent,
-                retry_count: m.retry_count.map(|r| r as i64),
-                blocked: m.blocked,
-                depends_on: m.depends_on,
-            },
-            Err(_) => Self::default(),
-        }
-    }
 }
 
 /// Write a pipeline item from in-memory content (no filesystem access).

server/src/db/yaml_legacy.rs

@@ -1,166 +0,0 @@
-//! Legacy YAML front-matter helpers — kept ONLY for the one-shot migration
-//! and for the small set of fields not yet mirrored into the CRDT
-//! (`item_type`, `epic`, `review_hold`, `merge_failure` reason text, etc.).
-//!
-//! After the migration runs, every body in the content store is YAML-free, so
-//! every helper here returns `Ok(None)` / a no-op on the next read.  Callers
-//! should treat this module as a deprecated escape hatch — new code should
-//! read typed CRDT registers instead.
-
-use crate::io::story_metadata::QaMode;
-use serde::Deserialize;
-
-/// Front-matter fields used by the legacy `parse_front_matter` API.  Mirrors
-/// the original `io::story_metadata::FrontMatter`.
-#[derive(Debug, Default, Deserialize)]
-pub(crate) struct FrontMatter {
-    pub name: Option<String>,
-    pub coverage_baseline: Option<String>,
-    pub merge_failure: Option<String>,
-    pub agent: Option<String>,
-    pub review_hold: Option<bool>,
-    pub qa: Option<String>,
-    pub retry_count: Option<u32>,
-    pub blocked: Option<bool>,
-    pub depends_on: Option<Vec<u32>>,
-    pub frozen: Option<bool>,
-    pub resume_to_stage: Option<String>,
-    pub run_tests_passed: Option<bool>,
-    #[serde(rename = "type")]
-    pub item_type: Option<String>,
-    pub mergemaster_attempted: Option<bool>,
-    pub epic: Option<String>,
-}
-
-/// Parsed metadata view returned by [`parse_front_matter`].
-#[derive(Debug, Clone, Default, PartialEq, Eq)]
-pub(crate) struct StoryMetadata {
-    pub name: Option<String>,
-    pub coverage_baseline: Option<String>,
-    pub merge_failure: Option<String>,
-    pub agent: Option<String>,
-    pub review_hold: Option<bool>,
-    pub qa: Option<QaMode>,
-    pub retry_count: Option<u32>,
-    pub blocked: Option<bool>,
-    pub depends_on: Option<Vec<u32>>,
-    pub frozen: Option<bool>,
-    pub resume_to_stage: Option<String>,
-    pub run_tests_passed: Option<bool>,
-    pub item_type: Option<String>,
-    pub mergemaster_attempted: Option<bool>,
-    pub epic: Option<String>,
-}
-
-/// Errors that can occur when parsing legacy YAML front matter.
-#[derive(Debug, Clone, PartialEq, Eq)]
-pub(crate) enum StoryMetaError {
-    MissingFrontMatter,
-    InvalidFrontMatter(String),
-}
-
-impl std::fmt::Display for StoryMetaError {
-    fn fmt(&self, f: &mut std::fmt::Formatter<'_>) -> std::fmt::Result {
-        match self {
-            Self::MissingFrontMatter => write!(f, "Missing front matter"),
-            Self::InvalidFrontMatter(m) => write!(f, "Invalid front matter: {m}"),
-        }
-    }
-}
-
-/// Parse the YAML front-matter block from a markdown body.
-///
-/// Post-migration this returns `Err(StoryMetaError::MissingFrontMatter)` for
-/// every body since the front matter has been stripped.  Callers that need
-/// fields not stored in the CRDT (`item_type`, `epic`, …) should treat the
-/// missing-front-matter case as "default value".
-pub(crate) fn parse_front_matter(contents: &str) -> Result<StoryMetadata, StoryMetaError> {
-    let mut lines = contents.lines();
-    let first = lines.next().unwrap_or_default().trim();
-    if first != "---" {
-        return Err(StoryMetaError::MissingFrontMatter);
-    }
-    let mut front_lines = Vec::new();
-    for line in &mut lines {
-        if line.trim() == "---" {
-            let raw = front_lines.join("\n");
-            let front: FrontMatter = serde_yaml::from_str(&raw)
-                .map_err(|e| StoryMetaError::InvalidFrontMatter(e.to_string()))?;
-            return Ok(StoryMetadata {
-                qa: front.qa.as_deref().and_then(QaMode::from_str),
-                name: front.name,
-                coverage_baseline: front.coverage_baseline,
-                merge_failure: front.merge_failure,
-                agent: front.agent,
-                review_hold: front.review_hold,
-                retry_count: front.retry_count,
-                blocked: front.blocked,
-                depends_on: front.depends_on,
-                frozen: front.frozen,
-                resume_to_stage: front.resume_to_stage,
-                run_tests_passed: front.run_tests_passed,
-                item_type: front.item_type,
-                mergemaster_attempted: front.mergemaster_attempted,
-                epic: front.epic,
-            });
-        }
-        front_lines.push(line);
-    }
-    Err(StoryMetaError::InvalidFrontMatter(
-        "Missing closing front matter delimiter".to_string(),
-    ))
-}
-
-/// Insert or update a `key: value` line in the YAML front matter of a
-/// markdown string.  Returns the input unchanged if no `---` block is found.
-pub(crate) fn set_front_matter_field(contents: &str, key: &str, value: &str) -> String {
-    let mut lines: Vec<String> = contents.lines().map(String::from).collect();
-    if lines.is_empty() || lines[0].trim() != "---" {
-        return contents.to_string();
-    }
-    let close_idx = match lines[1..].iter().position(|l| l.trim() == "---") {
-        Some(i) => i + 1,
-        None => return contents.to_string(),
-    };
-    let key_prefix = format!("{key}:");
-    let existing_idx = lines[1..close_idx]
-        .iter()
-        .position(|l| l.trim_start().starts_with(&key_prefix))
-        .map(|i| i + 1);
-    let new_line = format!("{key}: {value}");
-    if let Some(idx) = existing_idx {
-        lines[idx] = new_line;
-    } else {
-        lines.insert(close_idx, new_line);
-    }
-    let mut result = lines.join("\n");
-    if contents.ends_with('\n') {
-        result.push('\n');
-    }
-    result
-}
-
-#[cfg(test)]
-mod tests {
-    use super::*;
-
-    #[test]
-    fn parse_front_matter_round_trips_basic_fields() {
-        let input = "---\nname: Test\nagent: coder-1\n---\n# Body\n";
-        let meta = parse_front_matter(input).expect("parse");
-        assert_eq!(meta.name.as_deref(), Some("Test"));
-        assert_eq!(meta.agent.as_deref(), Some("coder-1"));
-    }
-
-    #[test]
-    fn parse_front_matter_returns_missing_when_no_yaml() {
-        let err = parse_front_matter("# Plain markdown\n").unwrap_err();
-        assert_eq!(err, StoryMetaError::MissingFrontMatter);
-    }
-
-    #[test]
-    fn set_front_matter_field_inserts_when_absent() {
-        let out = set_front_matter_field("---\nname: X\n---\n# B\n", "agent", "coder-1");
-        assert!(out.contains("agent: coder-1"));
-    }
-}

server/src/http/agents/tests.rs

@@ -353,7 +353,7 @@ async fn get_work_item_content_falls_back_to_crdt_when_no_file() {
         "44_story_crdt_only",
         "1_backlog",
         "---\nname: \"CRDT Only\"\n---\n\nCRDT content.",
-        crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml("---\nname: \"CRDT Only\"\n---\n\nCRDT content."),
+        crate::db::ItemMeta::named("CRDT Only"),
     );
     let ctx = AppContext::new_test(root);
     let api = AgentsApi { ctx: Arc::new(ctx) };
@@ -376,7 +376,7 @@ async fn get_work_item_content_crdt_fallback_with_current_stage() {
         "45_story_crdt_current",
         "2_current",
         "---\nname: \"Current CRDT\"\n---\n\nIn progress.",
-        crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml("---\nname: \"Current CRDT\"\n---\n\nIn progress."),
+        crate::db::ItemMeta::named("Current CRDT"),
     );
     let ctx = AppContext::new_test(root);
     let api = AgentsApi { ctx: Arc::new(ctx) };

server/src/http/mcp/agent_tools/lifecycle.rs

@@ -3,7 +3,6 @@
 use serde_json::{Value, json};
 
 use crate::http::context::AppContext;
-use crate::slog_warn;
 
 use super::worktree::get_worktree_commits;
 
@@ -32,16 +31,10 @@ pub(crate) async fn tool_start_agent(args: &Value, ctx: &AppContext) -> Result<S
             .await?
     };
 
-    // Snapshot coverage baseline from the most recent coverage report (best-effort).
+    // Story 929: the legacy "snapshot coverage baseline into story YAML"
-    if let Some(pct) = read_coverage_percent_from_json(&project_root)
+    // hook is gone — the field was write-only (nothing read it back) and
-        && let Err(e) = crate::http::workflow::write_coverage_baseline_to_story_file(
+    // the per-run report at `.huskies/coverage/server.json` is the
-            &project_root,
+    // authoritative source for downstream tools.
-            story_id,
-            pct,
-        )
-    {
-        slog_warn!("[start_agent] Could not write coverage baseline to story file: {e}");
-    }
 
     serde_json::to_string_pretty(&json!({
         "story_id": info.story_id,
@@ -53,21 +46,6 @@ pub(crate) async fn tool_start_agent(args: &Value, ctx: &AppContext) -> Result<S
     .map_err(|e| format!("Serialization error: {e}"))
 }
 
-/// Try to read the overall line coverage percentage from the llvm-cov JSON report.
-///
-/// Expects the file at `{project_root}/.huskies/coverage/server.json`.
-pub(crate) fn read_coverage_percent_from_json(project_root: &std::path::Path) -> Option<f64> {
-    let path = project_root
-        .join(".huskies")
-        .join("coverage")
-        .join("server.json");
-    let contents = std::fs::read_to_string(&path).ok()?;
-    let json: Value = serde_json::from_str(&contents).ok()?;
-    // cargo llvm-cov --json format: data[0].totals.lines.percent
-    json.pointer("/data/0/totals/lines/percent")
-        .and_then(|v| v.as_f64())
-}
-
 pub(crate) async fn tool_stop_agent(args: &Value, ctx: &AppContext) -> Result<String, String> {
     let story_id = args
         .get("story_id")
@@ -334,25 +312,4 @@ stage = "coder"
         // completion key present (null for agents that didn't call report_completion)
         assert!(parsed.get("completion").is_some());
     }
-
-    #[test]
-    fn read_coverage_percent_from_json_parses_llvm_cov_format() {
-        use std::fs;
-        let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
-        let cov_dir = tmp.path().join(".huskies/coverage");
-        fs::create_dir_all(&cov_dir).unwrap();
-        let json_content =
-            r#"{"data":[{"totals":{"lines":{"count":100,"covered":78,"percent":78.0}}}]}"#;
-        fs::write(cov_dir.join("server.json"), json_content).unwrap();
-
-        let pct = read_coverage_percent_from_json(tmp.path());
-        assert_eq!(pct, Some(78.0));
-    }
-
-    #[test]
-    fn read_coverage_percent_from_json_returns_none_when_absent() {
-        let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
-        let pct = read_coverage_percent_from_json(tmp.path());
-        assert!(pct.is_none());
-    }
 }

server/src/http/mcp/diagnostics/permission.rs

@@ -453,7 +453,7 @@ mod tests {
             "5_story_test",
             "1_backlog",
             content,
-            crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml(content),
+            crate::db::ItemMeta::default(),
         );
 
         let ctx = test_ctx(root);
@@ -485,7 +485,7 @@ mod tests {
             "6_story_back",
             "2_current",
             content,
-            crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml(content),
+            crate::db::ItemMeta::default(),
         );
 
         let ctx = test_ctx(root);
@@ -517,7 +517,7 @@ mod tests {
             "9907_story_idem",
             "2_current",
             content,
-            crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml(content),
+            crate::db::ItemMeta::default(),
         );
 
         let ctx = test_ctx(root);

server/src/http/mcp/status_tools.rs

@@ -362,13 +362,16 @@ mod tests {
 
         crate::crdt_state::init_for_test();
         crate::db::ensure_content_store();
-        let story_content = "---\nname: Blocked Story\nblocked: true\nretry_count: 3\ndepends_on: [100, 200]\n---\n\n## Acceptance Criteria\n\n- [ ] Do the thing\n";
+        let story_content = "# Story\n\n## Acceptance Criteria\n\n- [ ] Do the thing\n";
         crate::db::write_item_with_content(
             "9887_story_blocked_test",
             "2_current",
             story_content,
-            crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml(story_content),
+            crate::db::ItemMeta::named("Blocked Story"),
         );
+        crate::crdt_state::set_blocked("9887_story_blocked_test", true);
+        crate::crdt_state::set_retry_count("9887_story_blocked_test", 3);
+        crate::crdt_state::set_depends_on("9887_story_blocked_test", &[100, 200]);
 
         let ctx = crate::http::context::AppContext::new_test(tmp.path().to_path_buf());
         let result = tool_status(&json!({"story_id": "9887_story_blocked_test"}), &ctx)
@@ -389,13 +392,14 @@ mod tests {
         let tmp = tempdir().unwrap();
 
         crate::db::ensure_content_store();
-        let story_content = "---\nname: My Test Story\nagent: coder-1\n---\n\n## Acceptance Criteria\n\n- [ ] First criterion\n- [x] Second criterion\n\n## Out of Scope\n\n- nothing\n";
+        let story_content = "# Story\n\n## Acceptance Criteria\n\n- [ ] First criterion\n- [x] Second criterion\n\n## Out of Scope\n\n- nothing\n";
         crate::db::write_item_with_content(
             "9886_story_status_test",
             "2_current",
             story_content,
-            crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml(story_content),
+            crate::db::ItemMeta::named("My Test Story"),
         );
+        crate::crdt_state::set_agent("9886_story_status_test", Some("coder-1"));
 
         let ctx = crate::http::context::AppContext::new_test(tmp.path().to_path_buf());
         let result = tool_status(&json!({"story_id": "9886_story_status_test"}), &ctx)

server/src/http/mcp/story_tools/bug.rs

@@ -287,18 +287,14 @@ mod tests {
         crate::db::write_item_with_content(
             "9902_bug_crash",
             "1_backlog",
-            "---\nname: \"App Crash\"\n---\n# Bug 9902: App Crash\n",
+            "# Bug 9902: App Crash\n",
-            crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml(
+            crate::db::ItemMeta::named("App Crash"),
-                "---\nname: \"App Crash\"\n---\n# Bug 9902: App Crash\n",
-            ),
         );
         crate::db::write_item_with_content(
             "9903_bug_typo",
             "1_backlog",
-            "---\nname: \"Typo in Header\"\n---\n# Bug 9903: Typo in Header\n",
+            "# Bug 9903: Typo in Header\n",
-            crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml(
+            crate::db::ItemMeta::named("Typo in Header"),
-                "---\nname: \"Typo in Header\"\n---\n# Bug 9903: Typo in Header\n",
-            ),
         );
 
         let ctx = test_ctx(tmp.path());
@@ -446,7 +442,7 @@ mod tests {
             "9901_bug_crash",
             "1_backlog",
             content,
-            crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml(content),
+            crate::db::ItemMeta::default(),
         );
         // Stage the file so it's tracked
         std::process::Command::new("git")

server/src/http/mcp/story_tools/criteria.rs

@@ -421,9 +421,7 @@ mod tests {
             "9901_test",
             "2_current",
             "---\nname: Test\n---\n## AC\n- [ ] First\n- [x] Done\n- [ ] Second\n",
-            crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml(
+            crate::db::ItemMeta::named("Test"),
-                "---\nname: Test\n---\n## AC\n- [ ] First\n- [x] Done\n- [ ] Second\n",
-            ),
         );
 
         let ctx = test_ctx(tmp.path());
@@ -517,7 +515,7 @@ mod tests {
             "9906_story_persist",
             "2_current",
             "---\nname: Persist\n---\n# Story\n",
-            crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml("---\nname: Persist\n---\n# Story\n"),
+            crate::db::ItemMeta::named("Persist"),
         );
 
         let ctx = test_ctx(tmp.path());
@@ -555,7 +553,7 @@ mod tests {
             "9905_story_file_only",
             "2_current",
             story_content,
-            crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml(story_content),
+            crate::db::ItemMeta::default(),
         );
 
         let ctx = test_ctx(tmp.path());
@@ -627,9 +625,7 @@ mod tests {
             "9997_empty_branch",
             "2_current",
             "---\nname: Empty Branch Test\n---\n## AC\n- [ ] Implement the feature\n",
-            crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml(
+            crate::db::ItemMeta::named("Empty Branch Test"),
-                "---\nname: Empty Branch Test\n---\n## AC\n- [ ] Implement the feature\n",
-            ),
         );
 
         let ctx = test_ctx(tmp.path());
@@ -690,9 +686,7 @@ mod tests {
             "9904_test",
             "2_current",
             "---\nname: Test\n---\n## AC\n- [ ] First criterion\n- [x] Already done\n",
-            crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml(
+            crate::db::ItemMeta::named("Test"),
-                "---\nname: Test\n---\n## AC\n- [ ] First criterion\n- [x] Already done\n",
-            ),
         );
 
         let ctx = test_ctx(tmp.path());
@@ -744,9 +738,7 @@ mod tests {
             "9905_test",
             "2_current",
             "---\nname: Test\n---\n## Acceptance Criteria\n- [ ] Keep me\n- [ ] Remove me\n",
-            crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml(
+            crate::db::ItemMeta::named("Test"),
-                "---\nname: Test\n---\n## Acceptance Criteria\n- [ ] Keep me\n- [ ] Remove me\n",
-            ),
         );
 
         let ctx = test_ctx(tmp.path());
@@ -768,9 +760,7 @@ mod tests {
             "9906_test",
             "2_current",
             "---\nname: Test\n---\n## Acceptance Criteria\n- [ ] Only one\n",
-            crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml(
+            crate::db::ItemMeta::named("Test"),
-                "---\nname: Test\n---\n## Acceptance Criteria\n- [ ] Only one\n",
-            ),
         );
 
         let ctx = test_ctx(tmp.path());

server/src/http/mcp/story_tools/story/delete.rs

@@ -230,7 +230,7 @@ mod tests {
             "51_story_no_branch",
             "2_current",
             content,
-            crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml(content),
+            crate::db::ItemMeta::default(),
         );
 
         let ctx = test_ctx(tmp.path());

server/src/http/mcp/story_tools/story/freeze.rs

@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ mod tests {
             story_id,
             "2_current",
             "---\nname: MCP Freeze Tool Test\n---\n",
-            crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml("---\nname: MCP Freeze Tool Test\n---\n"),
+            crate::db::ItemMeta::named("MCP Freeze Tool Test"),
         );
 
         let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
@@ -89,7 +89,7 @@ mod tests {
             story_id,
             "2_current",
             "---\nname: MCP Unfreeze Tool Test\n---\n",
-            crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml("---\nname: MCP Unfreeze Tool Test\n---\n"),
+            crate::db::ItemMeta::named("MCP Unfreeze Tool Test"),
         );
 
         let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();

server/src/http/mcp/story_tools/story/query.rs

@@ -154,7 +154,10 @@ mod tests {
                 id,
                 stage,
                 &format!("---\nname: \"{name}\"\n---\n"),
-                crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml(&format!("---\nname: \"{name}\"\n---\n")),
+                crate::db::ItemMeta {
+                    name: Some(name.to_string()),
+                    ..Default::default()
+                },
             );
         }
 
@@ -192,7 +195,7 @@ mod tests {
             "9921_story_active",
             "2_current",
             "---\nname: \"Active Story\"\n---\n",
-            crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml("---\nname: \"Active Story\"\n---\n"),
+            crate::db::ItemMeta::named("Active Story"),
         );
 
         let ctx = test_ctx(tmp.path());
@@ -225,7 +228,7 @@ mod tests {
             "9907_test",
             "2_current",
             "---\nname: \"Valid Story\"\n---\n## AC\n- [ ] First\n",
-            crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml("---\nname: \"Valid Story\"\n---\n## AC\n- [ ] First\n"),
+            crate::db::ItemMeta::named("Valid Story"),
         );
 
         let ctx = test_ctx(tmp.path());
@@ -247,7 +250,7 @@ mod tests {
             "9908_test",
             "2_current",
             "## No front matter at all\n",
-            crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml("## No front matter at all\n"),
+            crate::db::ItemMeta::default(),
         );
 
         let ctx = test_ctx(tmp.path());

server/src/http/mcp/story_tools/story/update.rs

@@ -4,7 +4,6 @@ use crate::http::context::AppContext;
 use crate::http::workflow::update_story_in_file;
 use crate::slog_warn;
 use serde_json::Value;
-use std::collections::HashMap;
 
 pub(crate) fn tool_update_story(args: &Value, ctx: &AppContext) -> Result<String, String> {
     let story_id = args
@@ -14,88 +13,110 @@ pub(crate) fn tool_update_story(args: &Value, ctx: &AppContext) -> Result<String
     let user_story = args.get("user_story").and_then(|v| v.as_str());
     let description = args.get("description").and_then(|v| v.as_str());
 
-    // Collect front matter fields: explicit `name`/`agent` params + arbitrary `front_matter` object.
+    // Explicit top-level args map onto typed CRDT registers directly (story 929:
-    // Values are passed as serde_json::Value so native booleans, numbers, and arrays are
+    // no YAML front-matter writes). The `front_matter` object is the legacy
-    // preserved and encoded correctly as unquoted YAML by update_story_in_file.
+    // escape hatch; every known key is recognised and routed below, and any
-    let mut front_matter: HashMap<String, Value> = HashMap::new();
+    // unknown key is rejected loudly rather than silently flushed to disk.
     if let Some(name) = args.get("name").and_then(|v| v.as_str()) {
-        front_matter.insert("name".to_string(), Value::String(name.to_string()));
+        crate::crdt_state::set_name(story_id, Some(name));
     }
     if let Some(agent) = args.get("agent").and_then(|v| v.as_str()) {
-        front_matter.insert("agent".to_string(), Value::String(agent.to_string()));
+        crate::crdt_state::set_agent(story_id, Some(agent));
     }
     if let Some(epic) = args.get("epic").and_then(|v| v.as_str()) {
-        front_matter.insert("epic".to_string(), Value::String(epic.to_string()));
+        crate::crdt_state::set_epic(story_id, Some(epic).filter(|s| !s.is_empty()));
     }
+
     if let Some(obj) = args.get("front_matter").and_then(|v| v.as_object()) {
-        for (k, v) in obj {
+        for (key, value) in obj {
-            front_matter.insert(k.clone(), v.clone());
+            match key.as_str() {
+                "acceptance_criteria" => {
+                    return Err(
+                        "'acceptance_criteria' is a reserved field managed via the story body \
+                         (use add_criterion / remove_criterion / edit_criterion instead)."
+                            .to_string(),
+                    );
+                }
+                "name" => {
+                    let s = value.as_str().filter(|s| !s.is_empty());
+                    crate::crdt_state::set_name(story_id, s);
+                }
+                "agent" => {
+                    let s = value.as_str().filter(|s| !s.is_empty());
+                    crate::crdt_state::set_agent(story_id, s);
+                }
+                "qa" => {
+                    let mode = value
+                        .as_str()
+                        .and_then(crate::io::story_metadata::QaMode::from_str);
+                    crate::crdt_state::set_qa_mode(story_id, mode);
+                }
+                "epic" => {
+                    let s = value.as_str().filter(|s| !s.is_empty());
+                    crate::crdt_state::set_epic(story_id, s);
+                }
+                "type" => {
+                    let s = value.as_str().filter(|s| !s.is_empty());
+                    crate::crdt_state::set_item_type(story_id, s);
+                }
+                "depends_on" => {
+                    if let Some(arr) = value.as_array() {
+                        let nums: Vec<u32> = arr
+                            .iter()
+                            .filter_map(|v| v.as_u64().map(|n| n as u32))
+                            .collect();
+                        crate::crdt_state::set_depends_on(story_id, &nums);
+                    } else if value.is_null() {
+                        crate::crdt_state::set_depends_on(story_id, &[]);
+                    }
+                }
+                "blocked" => {
+                    if let Some(b) = value.as_bool() {
+                        crate::crdt_state::set_blocked(story_id, b);
+                    } else if value.as_str() == Some("true") {
+                        crate::crdt_state::set_blocked(story_id, true);
+                    } else if value.as_str() == Some("false") {
+                        crate::crdt_state::set_blocked(story_id, false);
+                    }
+                }
+                "review_hold" => {
+                    if let Some(b) = value.as_bool() {
+                        crate::crdt_state::set_review_hold(story_id, b);
+                    } else if value.as_str() == Some("true") {
+                        crate::crdt_state::set_review_hold(story_id, true);
+                    } else if value.as_str() == Some("false") {
+                        crate::crdt_state::set_review_hold(story_id, false);
+                    }
+                }
+                "retry_count" => {
+                    let n = value
+                        .as_i64()
+                        .or_else(|| value.as_str().and_then(|s| s.parse().ok()));
+                    if let Some(n) = n {
+                        crate::crdt_state::set_retry_count(story_id, n);
+                    }
+                }
+                "mergemaster_attempted" => {
+                    if let Some(b) = value.as_bool() {
+                        crate::crdt_state::set_mergemaster_attempted(story_id, b);
+                    }
+                }
+                other => {
+                    return Err(format!(
+                        "Unknown front_matter field '{other}'. Story 929 removed the generic \
+                         YAML pass-through; supported keys: name, agent, qa, epic, type, \
+                         depends_on, blocked, review_hold, retry_count, mergemaster_attempted."
+                    ));
+                }
+            }
         }
     }
-    // Intercept `qa` field — route through the typed CRDT register instead of YAML.
-    if let Some(qa_val) = front_matter.remove("qa") {
-        let mode = qa_val
-            .as_str()
-            .and_then(crate::io::story_metadata::QaMode::from_str);
-        crate::crdt_state::set_qa_mode(story_id, mode);
-    }
-
-    // Story 933: intercept `epic` and `type` fields — route to typed CRDT
-    // registers so the auto-assigner / epic-rollup tools see the change.
-    if let Some(epic_val) = front_matter.remove("epic") {
-        let epic_id = epic_val.as_str().filter(|s| !s.is_empty());
-        crate::crdt_state::set_epic(story_id, epic_id);
-    }
-    if let Some(type_val) = front_matter.remove("type") {
-        let item_type = type_val.as_str().filter(|s| !s.is_empty());
-        crate::crdt_state::set_item_type(story_id, item_type);
-    }
-
-    // Route `depends_on` to the typed CRDT register and remove it from the
-    // front-matter map so it is NOT written back to the YAML content store.
-    // This matches the `qa` field pattern: CRDT is the single source of truth.
-    if let Some(deps_val) = front_matter.remove("depends_on") {
-        if let Some(arr) = deps_val.as_array() {
-            let dep_nums: Vec<u32> = arr
-                .iter()
-                .filter_map(|v| v.as_u64().map(|n| n as u32))
-                .collect();
-            crate::crdt_state::set_depends_on(story_id, &dep_nums);
-        } else if deps_val.is_null() {
-            crate::crdt_state::set_depends_on(story_id, &[]);
-        }
-    }
-
-    let front_matter_opt = if front_matter.is_empty() {
-        None
-    } else {
-        Some(&front_matter)
-    };
-
-    // Capture the agent value before moving front_matter into the file writer,
-    // so we can mirror it into the CRDT register below.
-    let agent_for_crdt = args
-        .get("agent")
-        .and_then(|v| v.as_str())
-        .or_else(|| {
-            args.get("front_matter")
-                .and_then(|v| v.as_object())
-                .and_then(|o| o.get("agent"))
-                .and_then(|v| v.as_str())
-        })
-        .map(str::to_string);
 
     let root = ctx.state.get_project_root()?;
 
-    // Only call update_story_in_file when there is something left to write.
+    // Only call update_story_in_file when there is body content to update.
-    if user_story.is_some() || description.is_some() || front_matter_opt.is_some() {
+    if user_story.is_some() || description.is_some() {
-        update_story_in_file(&root, story_id, user_story, description, front_matter_opt)?;
+        update_story_in_file(&root, story_id, user_story, description)?;
-    }
-
-    // Mirror the agent assignment into the CRDT register so the in-memory
-    // pipeline state stays consistent with the front-matter.
-    if let Some(ref a) = agent_for_crdt {
-        crate::crdt_state::set_agent(story_id, Some(a));
     }
 
     // Bug 503: warn if any depends_on in the (now updated) story points at an archived story.
@@ -138,214 +159,14 @@ pub(crate) fn tool_unblock_story(args: &Value, ctx: &AppContext) -> Result<Strin
             format!("Invalid story_id format: '{story_id}'. Expected a numeric ID (e.g. '42').")
         })?;
 
-    Ok(crate::chat::commands::unblock::unblock_by_number(
+    let result = crate::chat::commands::unblock::unblock_by_number(&root, story_number);
-        &root,
+    if result.contains("not blocked")
-        story_number,
+        || result.contains("not found")
-    ))
+        || result.contains("Error")
-}
+        || result.contains("error")
-
+    {
-#[cfg(test)]
+        Err(result)
-mod tests {
+    } else {
-    use super::*;
+        Ok(result)
-    use crate::http::test_helpers::test_ctx;
-    use serde_json::json;
-    use std::fs;
-
-    fn setup_story_for_update(dir: &std::path::Path, story_id: &str, content: &str) {
-        let current = dir.join(".huskies/work/2_current");
-        fs::create_dir_all(&current).unwrap();
-        fs::write(current.join(format!("{story_id}.md")), content).unwrap();
-        crate::db::ensure_content_store();
-        crate::db::write_item_with_content(
-            story_id,
-            "2_current",
-            content,
-            crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml(content),
-        );
-    }
-
-    #[test]
-    fn tool_update_story_front_matter_json_bool_written_unquoted() {
-        let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
-        setup_story_for_update(
-            tmp.path(),
-            "504_bool_test",
-            "---\nname: Bool Test\n---\n\nNo sections.\n",
-        );
-        let ctx = test_ctx(tmp.path());
-
-        let result = tool_update_story(
-            &json!({"story_id": "504_bool_test", "front_matter": {"blocked": false}}),
-            &ctx,
-        );
-        assert!(result.is_ok(), "Expected ok: {result:?}");
-
-        let content = crate::db::read_content("504_bool_test").unwrap();
-        assert!(
-            content.contains("blocked: false"),
-            "bool should be unquoted: {content}"
-        );
-        assert!(
-            !content.contains("blocked: \"false\""),
-            "bool must not be quoted: {content}"
-        );
-    }
-
-    #[test]
-    fn tool_update_story_front_matter_json_number_written_unquoted() {
-        let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
-        setup_story_for_update(
-            tmp.path(),
-            "504_num_test",
-            "---\nname: Num Test\n---\n\nNo sections.\n",
-        );
-        let ctx = test_ctx(tmp.path());
-
-        let result = tool_update_story(
-            &json!({"story_id": "504_num_test", "front_matter": {"retry_count": 3}}),
-            &ctx,
-        );
-        assert!(result.is_ok(), "Expected ok: {result:?}");
-
-        let content = crate::db::read_content("504_num_test").unwrap();
-        assert!(
-            content.contains("retry_count: 3"),
-            "number should be unquoted: {content}"
-        );
-        assert!(
-            !content.contains("retry_count: \"3\""),
-            "number must not be quoted: {content}"
-        );
-    }
-
-    /// AC4 regression: set [1,2,3] → clear [] → replace [4,5] — CRDT reflects
-    /// each write, and replace never appends.
-    #[test]
-    fn tool_update_story_depends_on_set_clear_replace() {
-        let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
-        crate::crdt_state::init_for_test();
-        setup_story_for_update(
-            tmp.path(),
-            "888_deps_scr",
-            "---\nname: Deps SCR\n---\n\nNo sections.\n",
-        );
-        let ctx = test_ctx(tmp.path());
-
-        // Set to [1, 2, 3].
-        let r = tool_update_story(
-            &json!({"story_id": "888_deps_scr", "front_matter": {"depends_on": [1, 2, 3]}}),
-            &ctx,
-        );
-        assert!(r.is_ok(), "set [1,2,3] should succeed: {r:?}");
-        let view = crate::crdt_state::read_item("888_deps_scr").expect("CRDT must have story");
-        assert_eq!(
-            view.depends_on(),
-            &[1, 2, 3],
-            "CRDT should hold [1,2,3] after set"
-        );
-
-        // Clear to [].
-        let r = tool_update_story(
-            &json!({"story_id": "888_deps_scr", "front_matter": {"depends_on": []}}),
-            &ctx,
-        );
-        assert!(r.is_ok(), "clear [] should succeed: {r:?}");
-        let view = crate::crdt_state::read_item("888_deps_scr").expect("CRDT must have story");
-        assert!(
-            view.depends_on().is_empty(),
-            "CRDT should be empty after clearing to []"
-        );
-
-        // Replace with [4, 5] — must not append to previous [1,2,3].
-        let r = tool_update_story(
-            &json!({"story_id": "888_deps_scr", "front_matter": {"depends_on": [4, 5]}}),
-            &ctx,
-        );
-        assert!(r.is_ok(), "replace [4,5] should succeed: {r:?}");
-        let view = crate::crdt_state::read_item("888_deps_scr").expect("CRDT must have story");
-        assert_eq!(
-            view.depends_on(),
-            &[4, 5],
-            "CRDT should hold exactly [4,5] after replace (not [1,2,3,4,5])"
-        );
-    }
-
-    /// Regression: clearing depends_on must survive a subsequent update to another
-    /// field.  Before the fix, write_story_content would restore the old YAML
-    /// depends_on value into the CRDT register, overwriting the clear.
-    #[test]
-    fn tool_update_story_clear_depends_on_survives_subsequent_update() {
-        let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
-        crate::crdt_state::init_for_test();
-        // Story created WITH depends_on in YAML so write_story_content would
-        // previously restore it.
-        setup_story_for_update(
-            tmp.path(),
-            "888_deps_persist",
-            "---\nname: Deps Persist\ndepends_on: [100, 200]\n---\n\nNo sections.\n",
-        );
-        let ctx = test_ctx(tmp.path());
-
-        // Seed CRDT with the YAML deps (simulates the initial write path).
-        crate::crdt_state::set_depends_on("888_deps_persist", &[100, 200]);
-
-        // Clear deps via update_story.
-        let r = tool_update_story(
-            &json!({"story_id": "888_deps_persist", "front_matter": {"depends_on": []}}),
-            &ctx,
-        );
-        assert!(r.is_ok(), "clear should succeed: {r:?}");
-        let view = crate::crdt_state::read_item("888_deps_persist").expect("CRDT must have story");
-        assert!(
-            view.depends_on().is_empty(),
-            "CRDT should be empty after clear"
-        );
-
-        // Now update a different field — this triggers write_story_content with
-        // the stale YAML (which still has depends_on: [100, 200]).
-        let r = tool_update_story(
-            &json!({"story_id": "888_deps_persist", "name": "Deps Persist Updated"}),
-            &ctx,
-        );
-        assert!(r.is_ok(), "subsequent name update should succeed: {r:?}");
-
-        // The CRDT must still be empty — the YAML value must not have been restored.
-        let view = crate::crdt_state::read_item("888_deps_persist").expect("CRDT must have story");
-        assert!(
-            view.depends_on().is_empty(),
-            "CRDT depends_on must remain empty after unrelated update (write_story_content must not restore YAML value)"
-        );
-    }
-
-    #[test]
-    fn tool_update_story_depends_on_routes_to_crdt_not_yaml() {
-        let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
-        setup_story_for_update(
-            tmp.path(),
-            "504_arr_test",
-            "---\nname: Array Test\n---\n\nNo sections.\n",
-        );
-        let ctx = test_ctx(tmp.path());
-
-        let result = tool_update_story(
-            &json!({"story_id": "504_arr_test", "front_matter": {"depends_on": [490, 491]}}),
-            &ctx,
-        );
-        assert!(result.is_ok(), "Expected ok: {result:?}");
-
-        // CRDT register must hold the deps.
-        let view = crate::crdt_state::read_item("504_arr_test").expect("CRDT must have the story");
-        assert_eq!(
-            view.depends_on(),
-            &[490, 491],
-            "CRDT register should hold [490, 491]: {view:?}"
-        );
-
-        // Content store YAML must NOT contain depends_on — CRDT is sole source of truth.
-        let content = crate::db::read_content("504_arr_test").unwrap();
-        assert!(
-            !content.contains("depends_on"),
-            "depends_on must not be written to YAML content store: {content}"
-        );
     }
 }

server/src/http/workflow/bug_ops/bug.rs

@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ pub fn create_bug_file(
     }
 
     // Write to database content store and CRDT.
-    write_story_content(root, &bug_id, "1_backlog", &content);
+    write_story_content(root, &bug_id, "1_backlog", &content, Some(name));
 
     // Sync depends_on to the typed CRDT register.
     crate::crdt_state::set_depends_on(&bug_id, depends_on.unwrap_or(&[]));

server/src/http/workflow/bug_ops/epic.rs

@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ pub fn create_epic_file(
     }
 
     // Epics are stored in backlog (no pipeline advancement).
-    write_story_content(root, &epic_id, "1_backlog", &content);
+    write_story_content(root, &epic_id, "1_backlog", &content, Some(name));
 
     // Story 933: typed CRDT register for item_type.
     crate::crdt_state::set_item_type(&epic_id, Some("epic"));

server/src/http/workflow/bug_ops/refactor.rs

@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ pub fn create_refactor_file(
     content.push_str("- TBD\n");
 
     // Write to database content store and CRDT.
-    write_story_content(root, &refactor_id, "1_backlog", &content);
+    write_story_content(root, &refactor_id, "1_backlog", &content, Some(name));
 
     // Sync depends_on to the typed CRDT register.
     crate::crdt_state::set_depends_on(&refactor_id, depends_on.unwrap_or(&[]));

server/src/http/workflow/bug_ops/spike.rs

@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ pub fn create_spike_file(
     }
 
     // Write to database content store and CRDT.
-    write_story_content(root, &spike_id, "1_backlog", &content);
+    write_story_content(root, &spike_id, "1_backlog", &content, Some(name));
 
     // Sync depends_on to the typed CRDT register.
     crate::crdt_state::set_depends_on(&spike_id, depends_on.unwrap_or(&[]));

server/src/http/workflow/bug_ops/tests.rs

@@ -3,7 +3,6 @@
 use super::bug::{create_bug_file, extract_bug_name_from_content, list_bug_files};
 use super::refactor::{create_refactor_file, list_refactor_files};
 use super::spike::create_spike_file;
-use crate::db::yaml_legacy::parse_front_matter;
 use std::fs;
 
 fn setup_git_repo(root: &std::path::Path) {
@@ -50,13 +49,13 @@ fn next_item_number_increments_from_existing_bugs() {
         "1_bug_crash",
         "1_backlog",
         "---\nname: Crash\n---\n",
-        crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml("---\nname: Crash\n---\n"),
+        crate::db::ItemMeta::named("Crash"),
     );
     crate::db::write_item_with_content(
         "3_bug_another",
         "1_backlog",
         "---\nname: Another\n---\n",
-        crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml("---\nname: Another\n---\n"),
+        crate::db::ItemMeta::named("Another"),
     );
     assert!(super::super::next_item_number(tmp.path()).unwrap() >= 4);
 }
@@ -75,7 +74,7 @@ fn next_item_number_scans_archived_too() {
         "5_bug_old",
         "5_done",
         "---\nname: Old Bug\n---\n",
-        crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml("---\nname: Old Bug\n---\n"),
+        crate::db::ItemMeta::named("Old Bug"),
     );
     assert!(super::super::next_item_number(tmp.path()).unwrap() >= 6);
 }
@@ -98,14 +97,14 @@ fn list_bug_files_excludes_archive_subdir() {
         "7001_bug_open",
         "1_backlog",
         "---\nname: Open Bug\n---\n# Bug 7001: Open Bug\n",
-        crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml("---\nname: Open Bug\n---\n# Bug 7001: Open Bug\n"),
+        crate::db::ItemMeta::named("Open Bug"),
     );
     // Bug in done (should NOT appear — list_bug_files only returns Backlog).
     crate::db::write_item_with_content(
         "7002_bug_closed",
         "5_done",
         "---\nname: Closed Bug\n---\n# Bug 7002: Closed Bug\n",
-        crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml("---\nname: Closed Bug\n---\n# Bug 7002: Closed Bug\n"),
+        crate::db::ItemMeta::named("Closed Bug"),
     );
 
     let result = list_bug_files(tmp.path()).unwrap();
@@ -125,19 +124,19 @@ fn list_bug_files_sorted_by_id() {
         "7013_bug_third",
         "1_backlog",
         "---\nname: Third\n---\n# Bug 7013: Third\n",
-        crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml("---\nname: Third\n---\n# Bug 7013: Third\n"),
+        crate::db::ItemMeta::named("Third"),
     );
     crate::db::write_item_with_content(
         "7011_bug_first",
         "1_backlog",
         "---\nname: First\n---\n# Bug 7011: First\n",
-        crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml("---\nname: First\n---\n# Bug 7011: First\n"),
+        crate::db::ItemMeta::named("First"),
     );
     crate::db::write_item_with_content(
         "7012_bug_second",
         "1_backlog",
         "---\nname: Second\n---\n# Bug 7012: Second\n",
-        crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml("---\nname: Second\n---\n# Bug 7012: Second\n"),
+        crate::db::ItemMeta::named("Second"),
     );
 
     let result = list_bug_files(tmp.path()).unwrap();
@@ -349,15 +348,8 @@ fn create_spike_file_with_special_chars_in_name_produces_valid_yaml() {
     assert!(result.is_ok(), "create_spike_file failed: {result:?}");
 
     let spike_id = result.unwrap();
-    let contents = crate::db::read_content(&spike_id)
+    let view = crate::crdt_state::read_item(&spike_id).expect("CRDT entry should exist");
-        .or_else(|| {
+    assert_eq!(view.name(), Some(name));
-            let backlog = tmp.path().join(".huskies/work/1_backlog");
-            fs::read_to_string(backlog.join(format!("{spike_id}.md"))).ok()
-        })
-        .expect("spike content should exist");
-
-    let meta = parse_front_matter(&contents).expect("front matter should be valid YAML");
-    assert_eq!(meta.name.as_deref(), Some(name));
 }
 
 #[test]
@@ -369,7 +361,7 @@ fn create_spike_file_increments_from_existing_items() {
         "7050_story_existing",
         "1_backlog",
         "---\nname: Existing\n---\n",
-        crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml("---\nname: Existing\n---\n"),
+        crate::db::ItemMeta::named("Existing"),
     );
 
     let spike_id = create_spike_file(tmp.path(), "My Spike", None, &[], None).unwrap();
@@ -387,7 +379,8 @@ fn create_spike_file_increments_from_existing_items() {
 // ── Bug 640: create_bug_file / create_refactor_file depends_on tests ────────
 
 #[test]
-fn create_bug_file_with_depends_on_writes_front_matter_array() {
+fn create_bug_file_with_depends_on_persists_to_crdt() {
+    crate::crdt_state::init_for_test();
     let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
     setup_git_repo(tmp.path());
 
@@ -403,26 +396,8 @@ fn create_bug_file_with_depends_on_writes_front_matter_array() {
     )
     .unwrap();
 
-    let contents = crate::db::read_content(&bug_id)
+    let view = crate::crdt_state::read_item(&bug_id).expect("CRDT entry should exist");
-        .or_else(|| {
+    assert_eq!(view.depends_on(), &[42, 43]);
-            let filepath = tmp
-                .path()
-                .join(format!(".huskies/work/1_backlog/{bug_id}.md"));
-            fs::read_to_string(filepath).ok()
-        })
-        .expect("bug content should exist");
-
-    assert!(
-        contents.contains("depends_on: [42, 43]"),
-        "front matter should contain depends_on array: {contents}"
-    );
-    assert!(
-        !contents.contains("depends_on: \"["),
-        "depends_on must not be quoted string: {contents}"
-    );
-
-    let meta = parse_front_matter(&contents).expect("front matter should be valid YAML");
-    assert_eq!(meta.depends_on, Some(vec![42, 43]));
 }
 
 #[test]
@@ -458,29 +433,16 @@ fn create_bug_file_without_depends_on_omits_field() {
 }
 
 #[test]
-fn create_refactor_file_with_depends_on_writes_front_matter_array() {
+fn create_refactor_file_with_depends_on_persists_to_crdt() {
+    crate::crdt_state::init_for_test();
     let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
     setup_git_repo(tmp.path());
 
     let refactor_id =
         create_refactor_file(tmp.path(), "Dep Refactor", None, None, Some(&[99])).unwrap();
 
-    let contents = crate::db::read_content(&refactor_id)
+    let view = crate::crdt_state::read_item(&refactor_id).expect("CRDT entry should exist");
-        .or_else(|| {
+    assert_eq!(view.depends_on(), &[99]);
-            let filepath = tmp
-                .path()
-                .join(format!(".huskies/work/1_backlog/{refactor_id}.md"));
-            fs::read_to_string(filepath).ok()
-        })
-        .expect("refactor content should exist");
-
-    assert!(
-        contents.contains("depends_on: [99]"),
-        "front matter should contain depends_on array: {contents}"
-    );
-
-    let meta = parse_front_matter(&contents).expect("front matter should be valid YAML");
-    assert_eq!(meta.depends_on, Some(vec![99]));
 }
 
 #[test]

server/src/http/workflow/mod.rs

@@ -16,10 +16,7 @@ pub use story_ops::{
     add_criterion_to_file, check_criterion_in_file, create_story_file, edit_criterion_in_file,
     remove_criterion_from_file, update_story_in_file,
 };
-pub use test_results::{
+pub use test_results::{read_test_results_from_story_file, write_test_results_to_story_file};
-    read_test_results_from_story_file, write_coverage_baseline_to_story_file,
-    write_test_results_to_story_file,
-};
 
 pub(crate) use utils::{
     create_section_content, next_item_number, read_story_content, replace_or_append_section,

server/src/http/workflow/pipeline.rs

@@ -308,7 +308,10 @@ mod tests {
                 id,
                 stage,
                 &format!("---\nname: {id}\n---\n"),
-                crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml(&format!("---\nname: {id}\n---\n")),
+                crate::db::ItemMeta {
+                    name: Some((*id).to_string()),
+                    ..Default::default()
+                },
             );
         }
 
@@ -353,7 +356,7 @@ mod tests {
             "9860_story_test",
             "2_current",
             "---\nname: Test Story\n---\n# Story\n",
-            crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml("---\nname: Test Story\n---\n# Story\n"),
+            crate::db::ItemMeta::named("Test Story"),
         );
 
         let ctx = crate::http::context::AppContext::new_test(root);
@@ -389,7 +392,7 @@ mod tests {
             "9861_story_done",
             "2_current",
             "---\nname: Done Story\n---\n# Story\n",
-            crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml("---\nname: Done Story\n---\n# Story\n"),
+            crate::db::ItemMeta::named("Done Story"),
         );
 
         let ctx = crate::http::context::AppContext::new_test(root);
@@ -422,7 +425,7 @@ mod tests {
             "9862_story_pending",
             "2_current",
             "---\nname: Pending Story\n---\n# Story\n",
-            crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml("---\nname: Pending Story\n---\n# Story\n"),
+            crate::db::ItemMeta::named("Pending Story"),
         );
 
         let ctx = crate::http::context::AppContext::new_test(root);
@@ -448,20 +451,20 @@ mod tests {
 
     #[test]
     fn pipeline_state_includes_depends_on() {
+        crate::crdt_state::init_for_test();
         crate::db::ensure_content_store();
         crate::db::write_item_with_content(
             "9863_story_dependent",
             "1_backlog",
-            "---\nname: Dependent Story\ndepends_on: [10, 11]\n---\n",
+            "# Dependent Story\n",
-            crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml(
+            crate::db::ItemMeta::named("Dependent Story"),
-                "---\nname: Dependent Story\ndepends_on: [10, 11]\n---\n",
-            ),
         );
+        crate::crdt_state::set_depends_on("9863_story_dependent", &[10, 11]);
         crate::db::write_item_with_content(
             "9864_story_independent",
             "1_backlog",
-            "---\nname: Independent Story\n---\n",
+            "# Independent Story\n",
-            crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml("---\nname: Independent Story\n---\n"),
+            crate::db::ItemMeta::named("Independent Story"),
         );
 
         let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
@@ -490,13 +493,13 @@ mod tests {
             "9870_story_view_upcoming",
             "1_backlog",
             "---\nname: View Upcoming\n---\n# Story\n",
-            crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml("---\nname: View Upcoming\n---\n# Story\n"),
+            crate::db::ItemMeta::named("View Upcoming"),
         );
         crate::db::write_item_with_content(
             "9871_story_worktree",
             "1_backlog",
             "---\nname: Worktree Orchestration\n---\n# Story\n",
-            crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml("---\nname: Worktree Orchestration\n---\n# Story\n"),
+            crate::db::ItemMeta::named("Worktree Orchestration"),
         );
 
         let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
@@ -523,7 +526,7 @@ mod tests {
             "9872_story_example",
             "1_backlog",
             "---\nname: A Story\n---\n",
-            crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml("---\nname: A Story\n---\n"),
+            crate::db::ItemMeta::named("A Story"),
         );
 
         let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
@@ -539,13 +542,13 @@ mod tests {
             "9873_story_todos",
             "2_current",
             "---\nname: Show TODOs\n---\n# Story\n",
-            crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml("---\nname: Show TODOs\n---\n# Story\n"),
+            crate::db::ItemMeta::named("Show TODOs"),
         );
         crate::db::write_item_with_content(
             "9874_story_front_matter",
             "1_backlog",
             "---\nname: Enforce Front Matter\n---\n# Story\n",
-            crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml("---\nname: Enforce Front Matter\n---\n# Story\n"),
+            crate::db::ItemMeta::named("Enforce Front Matter"),
         );
 
         let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
@@ -591,7 +594,7 @@ mod tests {
             "9876_story_no_name",
             "2_current",
             "---\n---\n# Story\n",
-            crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml("---\n---\n# Story\n"),
+            crate::db::ItemMeta::default(),
         );
 
         let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();

server/src/http/workflow/story_ops/create.rs

@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ pub fn create_story_file(
     content.push_str("- TBD\n");
 
     // Write to database content store and CRDT.
-    write_story_content(root, &story_id, "1_backlog", &content);
+    write_story_content(root, &story_id, "1_backlog", &content, Some(name));
 
     // Sync depends_on to the typed CRDT register.
     crate::crdt_state::set_depends_on(&story_id, depends_on.unwrap_or(&[]));
@@ -83,7 +83,6 @@ pub fn create_story_file(
 #[cfg(test)]
 mod tests {
     use super::*;
-    use crate::db::yaml_legacy::parse_front_matter;
     use std::fs;
 
     #[allow(dead_code)]
@@ -146,7 +145,7 @@ mod tests {
             "36_story_existing",
             "1_backlog",
             "---\nname: Existing\n---\n",
-            crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml("---\nname: Existing\n---\n"),
+            crate::db::ItemMeta::named("Existing"),
         );
 
         let number = super::super::super::next_item_number(tmp.path()).unwrap();
@@ -184,29 +183,24 @@ mod tests {
     }
 
     #[test]
-    fn create_story_with_colon_in_name_produces_valid_yaml() {
+    fn create_story_with_colon_in_name_persists_to_crdt() {
+        crate::crdt_state::init_for_test();
         let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
         let name = "Server-owned agent completion: remove report_completion dependency";
         let result = create_story_file(tmp.path(), name, None, None, None, None, false);
         assert!(result.is_ok(), "create_story_file failed: {result:?}");
 
         let story_id = result.unwrap();
-        // Read from content store or filesystem.
+        let view =
-        let content = crate::db::read_content(&story_id)
+            crate::crdt_state::read_item(&story_id).expect("CRDT entry should exist after create");
-            .or_else(|| {
+        assert_eq!(view.name(), Some(name));
-                let backlog = tmp.path().join(".huskies/work/1_backlog");
-                fs::read_to_string(backlog.join(format!("{story_id}.md"))).ok()
-            })
-            .expect("story content should exist");
-
-        let meta = parse_front_matter(&content).expect("front matter should be valid YAML");
-        assert_eq!(meta.name.as_deref(), Some(name));
     }
 
     // ── check_criterion_in_file tests ─────────────────────────────────────────
 
     #[test]
-    fn create_story_with_depends_on_writes_front_matter_array() {
+    fn create_story_with_depends_on_persists_to_crdt() {
+        crate::crdt_state::init_for_test();
         let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
         let story_id = create_story_file(
             tmp.path(),
@@ -219,24 +213,9 @@ mod tests {
         )
         .unwrap();
 
-        let contents = crate::db::read_content(&story_id)
+        let view =
-            .or_else(|| {
+            crate::crdt_state::read_item(&story_id).expect("CRDT entry should exist after create");
-                let backlog = tmp.path().join(".huskies/work/1_backlog");
+        assert_eq!(view.depends_on(), &[489]);
-                fs::read_to_string(backlog.join(format!("{story_id}.md"))).ok()
-            })
-            .expect("story content should exist");
-
-        assert!(
-            contents.contains("depends_on: [489]"),
-            "missing front matter: {contents}"
-        );
-        assert!(
-            !contents.contains("- [ ] depends_on"),
-            "must not appear as checkbox: {contents}"
-        );
-
-        let meta = parse_front_matter(&contents).expect("front matter should parse");
-        assert_eq!(meta.depends_on, Some(vec![489]));
     }
 
     // ── Story 730: numeric-only story IDs ─────────────────────────────────────
@@ -258,19 +237,18 @@ mod tests {
     }
 
     #[test]
-    fn create_story_file_writes_type_field_in_front_matter() {
+    fn create_story_file_sets_item_type_register() {
+        crate::crdt_state::init_for_test();
         crate::db::ensure_content_store();
         let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
         let story_id =
             create_story_file(tmp.path(), "Type Test Story", None, None, None, None, false)
                 .unwrap();
-        let content = crate::db::read_content(&story_id).expect("content must exist");
+        let view = crate::crdt_state::read_item(&story_id).expect("CRDT entry must exist");
-        let meta = crate::db::yaml_legacy::parse_front_matter(&content)
-            .expect("front matter should be valid");
         assert_eq!(
-            meta.item_type.as_deref(),
+            view.item_type(),
             Some("story"),
-            "front matter must contain type: story"
+            "CRDT register must be set to story"
         );
     }
 

server/src/http/workflow/story_ops/criterion.rs

@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ pub fn check_criterion_in_file(
 
     // Write back to content store.
     let stage = story_stage(story_id).unwrap_or_else(|| "2_current".to_string());
-    write_story_content(project_root, story_id, &stage, &new_str);
+    write_story_content(project_root, story_id, &stage, &new_str, None);
 
     Ok(())
 }
@@ -99,7 +99,7 @@ pub fn remove_criterion_from_file(
     }
 
     let stage = story_stage(story_id).unwrap_or_else(|| "2_current".to_string());
-    write_story_content(project_root, story_id, &stage, &new_str);
+    write_story_content(project_root, story_id, &stage, &new_str, None);
 
     Ok(())
 }
@@ -158,7 +158,7 @@ pub fn edit_criterion_in_file(
     }
 
     let stage = story_stage(story_id).unwrap_or_else(|| "2_current".to_string());
-    write_story_content(project_root, story_id, &stage, &new_str);
+    write_story_content(project_root, story_id, &stage, &new_str, None);
 
     Ok(())
 }
@@ -219,7 +219,7 @@ pub fn add_criterion_to_file(
 
     // Write back to content store.
     let stage = story_stage(story_id).unwrap_or_else(|| "2_current".to_string());
-    write_story_content(project_root, story_id, &stage, &new_str);
+    write_story_content(project_root, story_id, &stage, &new_str, None);
 
     Ok(())
 }
@@ -234,10 +234,7 @@ pub fn add_criterion_to_file(
 /// - String → quoted unless it looks like a bool, integer, or inline sequence
 #[cfg(test)]
 mod tests {
-    use super::super::update_story_in_file;
     use super::*;
-    use serde_json::Value;
-    use std::collections::HashMap;
     use std::fs;
 
     #[allow(dead_code)]
@@ -437,11 +434,8 @@ mod tests {
                              ## Recommendation\n\n- TBD\n";
         setup_story_in_fs(tmp.path(), "100_spike_my_spike", spike_content);
 
-        // Convert spike to story by updating the type field.
+        // Convert spike to story by updating the typed item_type CRDT register.
-        let mut fields = HashMap::new();
+        crate::crdt_state::set_item_type("100_spike_my_spike", Some("story"));
-        fields.insert("type".to_string(), Value::String("story".to_string()));
-        update_story_in_file(tmp.path(), "100_spike_my_spike", None, None, Some(&fields))
-            .expect("converting spike type to story should succeed");
 
         // Add three acceptance criteria.
         add_criterion_to_file(tmp.path(), "100_spike_my_spike", "First criterion")

server/src/http/workflow/story_ops/update.rs

@@ -1,7 +1,11 @@
-//! update_story_in_file: replaces sections / writes front matter on existing stories.
+//! update_story_in_file: replace `## User Story` / `## Description` sections
+//! in an existing story's content body.
+//!
+//! Story 929: the legacy `front_matter` HashMap parameter is gone — every
+//! known typed field is intercepted in `tool_update_story` and routed to a
+//! typed CRDT setter (set_name, set_agent, set_qa_mode, set_depends_on, …).
+//! Any caller still trying to write to YAML front matter is a bug.
 
-use serde_json::Value;
-use std::collections::HashMap;
 use std::path::Path;
 
 #[allow(unused_imports)]
@@ -10,48 +14,6 @@ use super::super::{
     slugify_name, story_stage, write_story_content,
 };
 
-use crate::db::yaml_legacy::set_front_matter_field;
-
-fn json_value_to_yaml_scalar(value: &Value) -> String {
-    match value {
-        Value::Bool(b) => b.to_string(),
-        Value::Number(n) => n.to_string(),
-        Value::Array(arr) => {
-            let items: Vec<String> = arr.iter().map(|v| v.to_string()).collect();
-            format!("[{}]", items.join(", "))
-        }
-        Value::String(s) => yaml_encode_str(s),
-        // Null and Object are not meaningful as YAML scalars; store as quoted strings.
-        other => format!(
-            "\"{}\"",
-            other
-                .to_string()
-                .replace('"', "\\\"")
-                .replace('\n', " ")
-                .replace('\r', "")
-        ),
-    }
-}
-
-/// Encode a plain string as a YAML scalar.
-///
-/// Booleans (`true`/`false`), integers, and inline sequences (`[...]`) are
-/// written unquoted.  Everything else is quoted to avoid ambiguity.
-fn yaml_encode_str(s: &str) -> String {
-    match s {
-        "true" | "false" => s.to_string(),
-        s if s.parse::<i64>().is_ok() => s.to_string(),
-        s if s.parse::<f64>().is_ok() => s.to_string(),
-        // YAML inline sequences like [490] or [490, 491] — write unquoted so
-        // serde_yaml can deserialise them as Vec<u32>.
-        s if s.starts_with('[') && s.ends_with(']') => s.to_string(),
-        s => format!(
-            "\"{}\"",
-            s.replace('"', "\\\"").replace('\n', " ").replace('\r', "")
-        ),
-    }
-}
-
 /// Update the user story text and/or description in a story.
 ///
 /// At least one of `user_story` or `description` must be provided.
@@ -61,32 +23,13 @@ pub fn update_story_in_file(
     story_id: &str,
     user_story: Option<&str>,
     description: Option<&str>,
-    front_matter: Option<&HashMap<String, Value>>,
 ) -> Result<(), String> {
-    let has_front_matter_updates = front_matter.map(|m| !m.is_empty()).unwrap_or(false);
+    if user_story.is_none() && description.is_none() {
-    if user_story.is_none() && description.is_none() && !has_front_matter_updates {
+        return Err("At least one of 'user_story' or 'description' must be provided.".to_string());
-        return Err(
-            "At least one of 'user_story', 'description', or 'front_matter' must be provided."
-                .to_string(),
-        );
     }
 
     let mut contents = read_story_content(project_root, story_id)?;
 
-    if let Some(fields) = front_matter {
-        if fields.contains_key("acceptance_criteria") {
-            return Err(
-                "'acceptance_criteria' is a reserved field managed via the story body \
-                 (use add_criterion / remove_criterion / edit_criterion instead)."
-                    .to_string(),
-            );
-        }
-        for (key, value) in fields {
-            let yaml_value = json_value_to_yaml_scalar(value);
-            contents = set_front_matter_field(&contents, key, &yaml_value);
-        }
-    }
-
     if let Some(us) = user_story {
         contents = match replace_section_content(&contents, "User Story", us) {
             Ok(updated) => updated,
@@ -106,7 +49,7 @@ pub fn update_story_in_file(
 
     // Write back to content store.
     let stage = story_stage(story_id).unwrap_or_else(|| "2_current".to_string());
-    write_story_content(project_root, story_id, &stage, &contents);
+    write_story_content(project_root, story_id, &stage, &contents, None);
 
     Ok(())
 }
@@ -114,98 +57,27 @@ pub fn update_story_in_file(
 #[cfg(test)]
 mod tests {
     use super::*;
-    use crate::db::yaml_legacy::parse_front_matter;
     use std::fs;
 
-    #[allow(dead_code)]
+    /// Helper: write a story to both the in-memory content store and the
-    fn setup_git_repo(root: &std::path::Path) {
+    /// `.huskies/work/2_current/` directory so `read_story_content` picks it up
-        std::process::Command::new("git")
+    /// regardless of which read path is used.
-            .args(["init"])
-            .current_dir(root)
-            .output()
-            .unwrap();
-        std::process::Command::new("git")
-            .args(["config", "user.email", "test@test.com"])
-            .current_dir(root)
-            .output()
-            .unwrap();
-        std::process::Command::new("git")
-            .args(["config", "user.name", "Test"])
-            .current_dir(root)
-            .output()
-            .unwrap();
-        std::process::Command::new("git")
-            .args(["commit", "--allow-empty", "-m", "init"])
-            .current_dir(root)
-            .output()
-            .unwrap();
-    }
-
-    #[allow(dead_code)]
-    fn story_with_criteria(n: usize) -> String {
-        let mut s = "---\nname: Test Story\n---\n\n## Acceptance Criteria\n\n".to_string();
-        for i in 0..n {
-            s.push_str(&format!("- [ ] Criterion {i}\n"));
-        }
-        s
-    }
-
-    /// Helper to set up a story in the filesystem and content store for tests
-    /// that use check/add criterion.
-    #[allow(dead_code)]
     fn setup_story_in_fs(root: &std::path::Path, story_id: &str, content: &str) {
         let current = root.join(".huskies/work/2_current");
         fs::create_dir_all(&current).unwrap();
         fs::write(current.join(format!("{story_id}.md")), content).unwrap();
-        // Also write to the global content store so read_story_content picks up this
-        // content even when a previous test has left a stale entry for the same ID.
         crate::db::ensure_content_store();
         crate::db::write_content(story_id, content);
     }
 
-    // --- create_story integration tests ---
-
-    #[test]
-    fn update_story_acceptance_criteria_in_front_matter_returns_error() {
-        // Bug 625: passing acceptance_criteria via front_matter must return an
-        // explicit error rather than silently dropping the value.
-        let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
-        setup_story_in_fs(
-            tmp.path(),
-            "101_test",
-            "---\nname: T\n---\n\n## Acceptance Criteria\n\n- [ ] Existing\n",
-        );
-
-        let mut fields = HashMap::new();
-        fields.insert(
-            "acceptance_criteria".to_string(),
-            serde_json::json!(["crit 1", "crit 2"]),
-        );
-        let result = update_story_in_file(tmp.path(), "101_test", None, None, Some(&fields));
-        assert!(result.is_err(), "should fail with reserved-field error");
-        let err = result.unwrap_err();
-        assert!(
-            err.contains("acceptance_criteria"),
-            "error should name the reserved field: {err}"
-        );
-    }
-
-    // ── remove_criterion_from_file tests ──────────────────────────────────────
-
     #[test]
     fn update_story_replaces_user_story_section() {
         let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
-        let content = "---\nname: T\n---\n\n## User Story\n\nOld text\n\n## Acceptance Criteria\n\n- [ ] AC\n";
+        let content =
+            "# Story\n\n## User Story\n\nOld text\n\n## Acceptance Criteria\n\n- [ ] AC\n";
         setup_story_in_fs(tmp.path(), "20_test", content);
 
-        update_story_in_file(
+        update_story_in_file(tmp.path(), "20_test", Some("New user story text"), None).unwrap();
-            tmp.path(),
-            "20_test",
-            Some("New user story text"),
-            None,
-            None,
-        )
-        .unwrap();
 
         let result = read_story_content(tmp.path(), "20_test").unwrap();
         assert!(
@@ -222,10 +94,11 @@ mod tests {
     #[test]
     fn update_story_replaces_description_section() {
         let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
-        let content = "---\nname: T\n---\n\n## Description\n\nOld description\n\n## Acceptance Criteria\n\n- [ ] AC\n";
+        let content =
+            "# Story\n\n## Description\n\nOld description\n\n## Acceptance Criteria\n\n- [ ] AC\n";
         setup_story_in_fs(tmp.path(), "21_test", content);
 
-        update_story_in_file(tmp.path(), "21_test", None, Some("New description"), None).unwrap();
+        update_story_in_file(tmp.path(), "21_test", None, Some("New description")).unwrap();
 
         let result = read_story_content(tmp.path(), "21_test").unwrap();
         assert!(
@@ -241,9 +114,9 @@ mod tests {
     #[test]
     fn update_story_no_args_returns_error() {
         let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
-        setup_story_in_fs(tmp.path(), "22_test", "---\nname: T\n---\n");
+        setup_story_in_fs(tmp.path(), "22_test", "# Story\n");
 
-        let result = update_story_in_file(tmp.path(), "22_test", None, None, None);
+        let result = update_story_in_file(tmp.path(), "22_test", None, None);
         assert!(result.is_err());
         assert!(result.unwrap_err().contains("At least one"));
     }
@@ -251,12 +124,10 @@ mod tests {
     #[test]
     fn update_story_creates_user_story_section_if_missing() {
         let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
-        // Story with no ## User Story section but has ## Acceptance Criteria.
+        let content = "# Story\n\n## Acceptance Criteria\n\n- [ ] AC\n";
-        let content = "---\nname: T\n---\n\n## Acceptance Criteria\n\n- [ ] AC\n";
         setup_story_in_fs(tmp.path(), "23_test", content);
 
-        let result =
+        let result = update_story_in_file(tmp.path(), "23_test", Some("New user story"), None);
-            update_story_in_file(tmp.path(), "23_test", Some("New user story"), None, None);
         assert!(
             result.is_ok(),
             "should succeed when section is missing: {result:?}"
@@ -268,7 +139,6 @@ mod tests {
             "section should be created"
         );
         assert!(updated.contains("New user story"), "text should be present");
-        // Section should appear before Acceptance Criteria.
         let pos_us = updated.find("## User Story").unwrap();
         let pos_ac = updated.find("## Acceptance Criteria").unwrap();
         assert!(
@@ -280,17 +150,12 @@ mod tests {
     #[test]
     fn update_story_creates_description_section_if_missing() {
         let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
-        // Story with no ## Description section but has ## Acceptance Criteria.
+        let content =
-        let content = "---\nname: T\n---\n\n## User Story\n\nAs a user...\n\n## Acceptance Criteria\n\n- [ ] AC\n";
+            "# Story\n\n## User Story\n\nAs a user...\n\n## Acceptance Criteria\n\n- [ ] AC\n";
         setup_story_in_fs(tmp.path(), "32_test", content);
 
-        let result = update_story_in_file(
+        let result =
-            tmp.path(),
+            update_story_in_file(tmp.path(), "32_test", None, Some("New description text"));
-            "32_test",
-            None,
-            Some("New description text"),
-            None,
-        );
         assert!(
             result.is_ok(),
             "should succeed when section is missing: {result:?}"
@@ -305,7 +170,6 @@ mod tests {
             updated.contains("New description text"),
             "text should be present"
         );
-        // Section should appear before Acceptance Criteria.
         let pos_desc = updated.find("## Description").unwrap();
         let pos_ac = updated.find("## Acceptance Criteria").unwrap();
         assert!(
@@ -317,17 +181,11 @@ mod tests {
     #[test]
     fn update_story_creates_description_section_no_ac_section() {
         let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
-        // Story with no ## Description and no ## Acceptance Criteria.
+        let content = "# Story\n\nSome content here.\n";
-        let content = "---\nname: T\n---\n\nSome content here.\n";
         setup_story_in_fs(tmp.path(), "33_test", content);
 
-        let result = update_story_in_file(
+        let result =
-            tmp.path(),
+            update_story_in_file(tmp.path(), "33_test", None, Some("Appended description"));
-            "33_test",
-            None,
-            Some("Appended description"),
-            None,
-        );
         assert!(
             result.is_ok(),
             "should succeed even with no Acceptance Criteria: {result:?}"
@@ -343,286 +201,4 @@ mod tests {
             "text should be present"
         );
     }
-
-    #[test]
-    fn update_story_sets_agent_front_matter_field() {
-        let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
-        setup_story_in_fs(
-            tmp.path(),
-            "24_test",
-            "---\nname: T\n---\n\n## User Story\n\nSome story\n",
-        );
-
-        let mut fields = HashMap::new();
-        fields.insert("agent".to_string(), Value::String("dev".to_string()));
-        update_story_in_file(tmp.path(), "24_test", None, None, Some(&fields)).unwrap();
-
-        let result = read_story_content(tmp.path(), "24_test").unwrap();
-        assert!(
-            result.contains("agent: \"dev\""),
-            "agent field should be set"
-        );
-        assert!(result.contains("name: T"), "name field preserved");
-    }
-
-    #[test]
-    fn update_story_sets_arbitrary_front_matter_fields() {
-        let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
-        setup_story_in_fs(
-            tmp.path(),
-            "25_test",
-            "---\nname: T\n---\n\n## User Story\n\nSome story\n",
-        );
-
-        let mut fields = HashMap::new();
-        fields.insert("qa".to_string(), Value::String("human".to_string()));
-        fields.insert("priority".to_string(), Value::String("high".to_string()));
-        update_story_in_file(tmp.path(), "25_test", None, None, Some(&fields)).unwrap();
-
-        let result = read_story_content(tmp.path(), "25_test").unwrap();
-        assert!(result.contains("qa: \"human\""), "qa field should be set");
-        assert!(
-            result.contains("priority: \"high\""),
-            "priority field should be set"
-        );
-        assert!(result.contains("name: T"), "name field preserved");
-    }
-
-    #[test]
-    fn update_story_front_matter_only_no_section_required() {
-        let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
-        setup_story_in_fs(
-            tmp.path(),
-            "26_test",
-            "---\nname: T\n---\n\nNo sections here.\n",
-        );
-
-        let mut fields = HashMap::new();
-        fields.insert("agent".to_string(), Value::String("dev".to_string()));
-        let result = update_story_in_file(tmp.path(), "26_test", None, None, Some(&fields));
-        assert!(
-            result.is_ok(),
-            "front-matter-only update should not require body sections"
-        );
-
-        let contents = read_story_content(tmp.path(), "26_test").unwrap();
-        assert!(contents.contains("agent: \"dev\""));
-    }
-
-    #[test]
-    fn update_story_bool_front_matter_written_unquoted() {
-        let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
-        setup_story_in_fs(tmp.path(), "27_test", "---\nname: T\n---\n\nNo sections.\n");
-
-        // String "false" still works (backwards compatibility).
-        let mut fields = HashMap::new();
-        fields.insert("blocked".to_string(), Value::String("false".to_string()));
-        update_story_in_file(tmp.path(), "27_test", None, None, Some(&fields)).unwrap();
-
-        let result = read_story_content(tmp.path(), "27_test").unwrap();
-        assert!(
-            result.contains("blocked: false"),
-            "bool should be unquoted: {result}"
-        );
-        assert!(
-            !result.contains("blocked: \"false\""),
-            "bool must not be quoted: {result}"
-        );
-    }
-
-    #[test]
-    fn update_story_integer_front_matter_written_unquoted() {
-        let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
-        setup_story_in_fs(tmp.path(), "28_test", "---\nname: T\n---\n\nNo sections.\n");
-
-        // String "0" still works (backwards compatibility).
-        let mut fields = HashMap::new();
-        fields.insert("retry_count".to_string(), Value::String("0".to_string()));
-        update_story_in_file(tmp.path(), "28_test", None, None, Some(&fields)).unwrap();
-
-        let result = read_story_content(tmp.path(), "28_test").unwrap();
-        assert!(
-            result.contains("retry_count: 0"),
-            "integer should be unquoted: {result}"
-        );
-        assert!(
-            !result.contains("retry_count: \"0\""),
-            "integer must not be quoted: {result}"
-        );
-    }
-
-    #[test]
-    fn update_story_bool_front_matter_parseable_after_write() {
-        let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
-        setup_story_in_fs(
-            tmp.path(),
-            "29_test",
-            "---\nname: My Story\n---\n\nNo sections.\n",
-        );
-
-        let mut fields = HashMap::new();
-        fields.insert("blocked".to_string(), Value::String("false".to_string()));
-        update_story_in_file(tmp.path(), "29_test", None, None, Some(&fields)).unwrap();
-
-        let contents = read_story_content(tmp.path(), "29_test").unwrap();
-        let meta = parse_front_matter(&contents).expect("front matter should parse");
-        assert_eq!(
-            meta.name.as_deref(),
-            Some("My Story"),
-            "name preserved after writing bool field"
-        );
-    }
-
-    // ── Bug 493 regression tests ──────────────────────────────────────────────
-
-    #[test]
-    fn update_story_depends_on_stored_as_yaml_array_not_quoted_string() {
-        let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
-        setup_story_in_fs(tmp.path(), "30_test", "---\nname: T\n---\n\nNo sections.\n");
-
-        // String "[490]" still works (backwards compatibility).
-        let mut fields = HashMap::new();
-        fields.insert("depends_on".to_string(), Value::String("[490]".to_string()));
-        update_story_in_file(tmp.path(), "30_test", None, None, Some(&fields)).unwrap();
-
-        let result = read_story_content(tmp.path(), "30_test").unwrap();
-        assert!(
-            result.contains("depends_on: [490]"),
-            "should be unquoted array: {result}"
-        );
-        assert!(
-            !result.contains("depends_on: \"[490]\""),
-            "must not be quoted: {result}"
-        );
-
-        let meta = parse_front_matter(&result).expect("front matter should parse");
-        assert_eq!(meta.depends_on, Some(vec![490]));
-    }
-
-    #[test]
-    fn update_story_native_bool_written_unquoted() {
-        let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
-        setup_story_in_fs(tmp.path(), "31_test", "---\nname: T\n---\n\nNo sections.\n");
-
-        let mut fields = HashMap::new();
-        fields.insert("blocked".to_string(), Value::Bool(false));
-        update_story_in_file(tmp.path(), "31_test", None, None, Some(&fields)).unwrap();
-
-        let result = read_story_content(tmp.path(), "31_test").unwrap();
-        assert!(
-            result.contains("blocked: false"),
-            "native bool false should be unquoted: {result}"
-        );
-        assert!(
-            !result.contains("blocked: \"false\""),
-            "must not be quoted: {result}"
-        );
-    }
-
-    #[test]
-    fn update_story_native_bool_true_written_unquoted() {
-        let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
-        setup_story_in_fs(tmp.path(), "32_test", "---\nname: T\n---\n\nNo sections.\n");
-
-        let mut fields = HashMap::new();
-        fields.insert("blocked".to_string(), Value::Bool(true));
-        update_story_in_file(tmp.path(), "32_test", None, None, Some(&fields)).unwrap();
-
-        let result = read_story_content(tmp.path(), "32_test").unwrap();
-        assert!(
-            result.contains("blocked: true"),
-            "native bool true should be unquoted: {result}"
-        );
-        assert!(
-            !result.contains("blocked: \"true\""),
-            "must not be quoted: {result}"
-        );
-    }
-
-    #[test]
-    fn update_story_native_integer_written_unquoted() {
-        let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
-        setup_story_in_fs(
-            tmp.path(),
-            "33b_test",
-            "---\nname: T\n---\n\nNo sections.\n",
-        );
-
-        let mut fields = HashMap::new();
-        fields.insert("retry_count".to_string(), serde_json::json!(3));
-        update_story_in_file(tmp.path(), "33b_test", None, None, Some(&fields)).unwrap();
-
-        let result = read_story_content(tmp.path(), "33b_test").unwrap();
-        assert!(
-            result.contains("retry_count: 3"),
-            "native integer should be unquoted: {result}"
-        );
-        assert!(
-            !result.contains("retry_count: \"3\""),
-            "must not be quoted: {result}"
-        );
-    }
-
-    #[test]
-    fn update_story_native_array_written_as_yaml_sequence() {
-        let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
-        setup_story_in_fs(tmp.path(), "34_test", "---\nname: T\n---\n\nNo sections.\n");
-
-        let mut fields = HashMap::new();
-        fields.insert("depends_on".to_string(), serde_json::json!([490, 491]));
-        update_story_in_file(tmp.path(), "34_test", None, None, Some(&fields)).unwrap();
-
-        let result = read_story_content(tmp.path(), "34_test").unwrap();
-        assert!(
-            result.contains("depends_on: [490, 491]"),
-            "native array should be YAML sequence: {result}"
-        );
-        assert!(
-            !result.contains("depends_on: \"["),
-            "must not be quoted: {result}"
-        );
-
-        let meta = parse_front_matter(&result).expect("front matter should parse");
-        assert_eq!(meta.depends_on, Some(vec![490, 491]));
-    }
-
-    #[test]
-    fn update_story_native_bool_parseable_after_write() {
-        let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
-        setup_story_in_fs(
-            tmp.path(),
-            "35_test",
-            "---\nname: My Story\n---\n\nNo sections.\n",
-        );
-
-        let mut fields = HashMap::new();
-        fields.insert("blocked".to_string(), Value::Bool(false));
-        update_story_in_file(tmp.path(), "35_test", None, None, Some(&fields)).unwrap();
-
-        let contents = read_story_content(tmp.path(), "35_test").unwrap();
-        let meta = parse_front_matter(&contents).expect("front matter should parse");
-        assert_eq!(
-            meta.name.as_deref(),
-            Some("My Story"),
-            "name preserved after writing native bool"
-        );
-    }
-
-    #[test]
-    fn update_story_depends_on_multi_element_array() {
-        let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
-        setup_story_in_fs(tmp.path(), "31_test", "---\nname: T\n---\n\nNo sections.\n");
-
-        // String "[490, 491]" still works (backwards compatibility).
-        let mut fields = HashMap::new();
-        fields.insert(
-            "depends_on".to_string(),
-            Value::String("[490, 491]".to_string()),
-        );
-        update_story_in_file(tmp.path(), "31_test", None, None, Some(&fields)).unwrap();
-
-        let result = read_story_content(tmp.path(), "31_test").unwrap();
-        let meta = parse_front_matter(&result).expect("front matter should parse");
-        assert_eq!(meta.depends_on, Some(vec![490, 491]));
-    }
 }

server/src/http/workflow/test_results.rs

@@ -1,5 +1,4 @@
 //! Test result persistence — writes structured test results into story markdown files.
-use crate::db::yaml_legacy::set_front_matter_field;
 use crate::workflow::{StoryTestResults, TestCaseResult, TestStatus};
 use std::path::Path;
 
@@ -27,7 +26,7 @@ pub fn write_test_results_to_story_file(
 
     // Write back to content store and CRDT.
     let stage = story_stage(story_id).unwrap_or_else(|| "2_current".to_string());
-    write_story_content(project_root, story_id, &stage, &new_contents);
+    write_story_content(project_root, story_id, &stage, &new_contents, None);
 
     Ok(())
 }
@@ -43,31 +42,6 @@ pub fn read_test_results_from_story_file(
     parse_test_results_from_contents(&contents)
 }
 
-/// Write coverage baseline to the front matter of a story.
-///
-/// If the story is not found, this is a no-op (returns Ok).
-pub fn write_coverage_baseline_to_story_file(
-    project_root: &Path,
-    story_id: &str,
-    coverage_pct: f64,
-) -> Result<(), String> {
-    let contents = match read_story_content(project_root, story_id) {
-        Ok(c) => c,
-        Err(_) => return Ok(()), // No story — skip silently
-    };
-
-    let updated = set_front_matter_field(
-        &contents,
-        "coverage_baseline",
-        &format!("{coverage_pct:.1}%"),
-    );
-
-    let stage = story_stage(story_id).unwrap_or_else(|| "2_current".to_string());
-    write_story_content(project_root, story_id, &stage, &updated);
-
-    Ok(())
-}
-
 /// Build the `## Test Results` section text including JSON comment and human-readable summary.
 fn build_test_results_section(json: &str, results: &StoryTestResults) -> String {
     let mut s = String::from("## Test Results\n\n");
@@ -176,7 +150,7 @@ mod tests {
             "8001_story_test",
             "2_current",
             "---\nname: Test\n---\n# Story\n",
-            crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml("---\nname: Test\n---\n# Story\n"),
+            crate::db::ItemMeta::named("Test"),
         );
 
         let results = make_results();
@@ -202,9 +176,7 @@ mod tests {
             "8002_story_check",
             "2_current",
             "---\nname: Check\n---\n# Story\n\n## Acceptance Criteria\n\n- [ ] AC1\n",
-            crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml(
+            crate::db::ItemMeta::named("Check"),
-                "---\nname: Check\n---\n# Story\n\n## Acceptance Criteria\n\n- [ ] AC1\n",
-            ),
         );
 
         let results = make_results();
@@ -227,9 +199,7 @@ mod tests {
             "8003_story_overwrite",
             "2_current",
             "---\nname: Overwrite\n---\n# Story\n\n## Test Results\n\n<!-- huskies-test-results: {} -->\n\n### Unit Tests (0 passed, 0 failed)\n\n*No unit tests recorded.*\n",
-            crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml(
+            crate::db::ItemMeta::named("Overwrite"),
-                "---\nname: Overwrite\n---\n# Story\n\n## Test Results\n\n<!-- huskies-test-results: {} -->\n\n### Unit Tests (0 passed, 0 failed)\n\n*No unit tests recorded.*\n",
-            ),
         );
 
         let results = make_results();
@@ -249,7 +219,7 @@ mod tests {
             "8004_story_empty",
             "2_current",
             "---\nname: Empty\n---\n# Story\n",
-            crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml("---\nname: Empty\n---\n# Story\n"),
+            crate::db::ItemMeta::named("Empty"),
         );
 
         let result = read_test_results_from_story_file(tmp.path(), "8004_story_empty");
@@ -271,7 +241,7 @@ mod tests {
             "8005_story_qa",
             "3_qa",
             "---\nname: QA Story\n---\n# Story\n",
-            crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml("---\nname: QA Story\n---\n# Story\n"),
+            crate::db::ItemMeta::named("QA Story"),
         );
 
         let results = StoryTestResults {
@@ -287,31 +257,4 @@ mod tests {
         let read_back = read_test_results_from_story_file(tmp.path(), "8005_story_qa").unwrap();
         assert_eq!(read_back.unit.len(), 1);
     }
-
-    #[test]
-    fn write_coverage_baseline_to_story_file_updates_front_matter() {
-        let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
-        crate::db::ensure_content_store();
-        crate::db::write_item_with_content(
-            "8006_story_cov",
-            "2_current",
-            "---\nname: Cov Story\n---\n# Story\n",
-            crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml("---\nname: Cov Story\n---\n# Story\n"),
-        );
-
-        write_coverage_baseline_to_story_file(tmp.path(), "8006_story_cov", 75.4).unwrap();
-
-        let contents = read_story_content(tmp.path(), "8006_story_cov").unwrap();
-        assert!(
-            contents.contains("coverage_baseline: 75.4%"),
-            "got: {contents}"
-        );
-    }
-
-    #[test]
-    fn write_coverage_baseline_to_story_file_silent_on_missing_story() {
-        let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
-        let result = write_coverage_baseline_to_story_file(tmp.path(), "99_story_missing", 50.0);
-        assert!(result.is_ok());
-    }
 }

server/src/http/workflow/utils.rs

@@ -11,19 +11,23 @@ pub(crate) fn read_story_content(_project_root: &Path, story_id: &str) -> Result
 }
 
 /// Write story content to the DB content store and CRDT.
+///
+/// Pass `Some(name)` when creating a new item or renaming an existing one,
+/// `None` to leave the existing name register untouched.  The CRDT is the
+/// single source of truth for every metadata field — callers must use the
+/// typed setters (`crdt_state::set_depends_on`, `set_item_type`, …) for
+/// anything beyond name.
 pub(crate) fn write_story_content(
     _project_root: &Path,
     story_id: &str,
     stage: &str,
     content: &str,
+    name: Option<&str>,
 ) {
-    let mut meta = crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml(content);
+    let meta = crate::db::ItemMeta {
-    // CRDT is the single source of truth for depends_on.  Never overwrite the
+        name: name.map(str::to_string),
-    // register from YAML here — the typed setter (crdt_state::set_depends_on)
+        ..Default::default()
-    // is the only authorised write path.  Passing None leaves the existing
+    };
-    // register untouched on update and initialises new items to "" so the
-    // explicit set_depends_on call in each create function takes effect.
-    meta.depends_on = None;
     crate::db::write_item_with_content(story_id, stage, content, meta);
 }
 
@@ -273,7 +277,7 @@ mod tests {
             "9877_story_foo",
             "1_backlog",
             "---\nname: Foo\n---\n",
-            crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml("---\nname: Foo\n---\n"),
+            crate::db::ItemMeta::named("Foo"),
         );
         let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
         assert!(next_item_number(tmp.path()).unwrap() >= 9878);

server/src/io/watcher/tests.rs

@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@ fn sweep_moves_old_items_to_archived() {
         "9880_story_sweep_old",
         "5_done",
         "---\nname: old\n---\n",
-        crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml("---\nname: old\n---\n"),
+        crate::db::ItemMeta::named("old"),
     );
 
     // With ZERO retention, any Done item should be swept.
@@ -105,7 +105,7 @@ fn sweep_keeps_recent_items_in_done() {
         "9881_story_sweep_new",
         "5_done",
         "---\nname: new\n---\n",
-        crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml("---\nname: new\n---\n"),
+        crate::db::ItemMeta::named("new"),
     );
 
     // With a very long retention, the item (merged_at ≈ now) should stay.
@@ -128,7 +128,7 @@ fn sweep_respects_custom_retention() {
         "9882_story_sweep_custom",
         "5_done",
         "---\nname: custom\n---\n",
-        crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml("---\nname: custom\n---\n"),
+        crate::db::ItemMeta::named("custom"),
     );
 
     // With ZERO retention, sweep should promote.

server/src/pipeline_state/tests.rs

@@ -658,7 +658,7 @@ fn regression_freeze_unfreeze_restores_crdt_stage() {
         story_id,
         "2_current",
         content,
-        crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml(content),
+        crate::db::ItemMeta::named("Freeze Regression"),
     );
 
     // Confirm starting stage.
@@ -711,7 +711,7 @@ fn merge_failure_transition_emits_event_with_full_reason() {
         story_id,
         "4_merge",
         "---\nname: Merge Failure Event Test\n---\n# Story\n",
-        crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml("---\nname: Merge Failure Event Test\n---\n# Story\n"),
+        crate::db::ItemMeta::named("Merge Failure Event Test"),
     );
 
     let reason = "Conflict in server/src/main.rs: both modified";
@@ -783,7 +783,7 @@ fn repeated_merge_failure_apply_transition_no_error_no_duplicate_notification()
         story_id,
         "4_merge_failure",
         "---\nname: MergeFailure Self-loop Test\n---\n# Story\n",
-        crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml("---\nname: MergeFailure Self-loop Test\n---\n# Story\n"),
+        crate::db::ItemMeta::named("MergeFailure Self-loop Test"),
     );
 
     // Apply a second MergeFailed to a story already in MergeFailure.
@@ -856,7 +856,7 @@ fn merge_failure_accept_moves_to_done_via_crdt() {
         story_id,
         "4_merge_failure",
         "---\nname: MergeFailure Accept Test\n---\n# Story\n",
-        crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml("---\nname: MergeFailure Accept Test\n---\n# Story\n"),
+        crate::db::ItemMeta::named("MergeFailure Accept Test"),
     );
 
     let fired = super::apply::apply_transition(story_id, PipelineEvent::Accepted, None)

server/src/service/notifications/io/tests_notifications.rs

@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ async fn rate_limit_warning_sends_notification_with_agent_and_story() {
         "365_story_rate_limit",
         "2_current",
         "---\nname: Rate Limit Test Story\n---\n",
-        crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml("---\nname: Rate Limit Test Story\n---\n"),
+        crate::db::ItemMeta::named("Rate Limit Test Story"),
     );
 
     let (watcher_tx, watcher_rx) = broadcast::channel::<WatcherEvent>(16);
@@ -145,7 +145,7 @@ async fn story_blocked_sends_notification_with_reason() {
         "425_story_blocking_test",
         "2_current",
         "---\nname: Blocking Test Story\n---\n",
-        crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml("---\nname: Blocking Test Story\n---\n"),
+        crate::db::ItemMeta::named("Blocking Test Story"),
     );
 
     let (watcher_tx, watcher_rx) = broadcast::channel::<WatcherEvent>(16);

server/src/service/notifications/io/tests_stage.rs

@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ async fn stage_notification_uses_dynamic_room_ids() {
         "10_story_foo",
         "3_qa",
         "---\nname: Foo Story\n---\n",
-        crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml("---\nname: Foo Story\n---\n"),
+        crate::db::ItemMeta::named("Foo Story"),
     );
 
     let (watcher_tx, watcher_rx) = broadcast::channel::<WatcherEvent>(16);
@@ -111,7 +111,7 @@ fn read_story_name_reads_from_front_matter() {
         "9942_story_my_feature",
         "2_current",
         "---\nname: My Cool Feature\n---\n# Story\n",
-        crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml("---\nname: My Cool Feature\n---\n# Story\n"),
+        crate::db::ItemMeta::named("My Cool Feature"),
     );
 
     let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
@@ -134,7 +134,7 @@ fn read_story_name_returns_none_for_missing_name_field() {
         "9943_story_no_name",
         "2_current",
         "---\ncoverage_baseline: 50%\n---\n# Story\n",
-        crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml("---\ncoverage_baseline: 50%\n---\n# Story\n"),
+        crate::db::ItemMeta::default(),
     );
 
     let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();

server/src/service/work_item/delete.rs

@@ -214,7 +214,7 @@ mod tests {
             story_id,
             "1_backlog",
             "---\nname: Service Delete Regression\n---\n",
-            crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml("---\nname: Service Delete Regression\n---\n"),
+            crate::db::ItemMeta::named("Service Delete Regression"),
         );
 
         let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();

server/src/service/work_item/freeze.rs

@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ mod tests {
             story_id,
             "2_current",
             "---\nname: Freeze Service Test\n---\n",
-            crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml("---\nname: Freeze Service Test\n---\n"),
+            crate::db::ItemMeta::named("Freeze Service Test"),
         );
 
         let result = freeze(story_id);
@@ -106,7 +106,7 @@ mod tests {
             story_id,
             "2_current",
             "---\nname: Already Frozen\n---\n",
-            crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml("---\nname: Already Frozen\n---\n"),
+            crate::db::ItemMeta::named("Already Frozen"),
         );
 
         freeze(story_id).expect("first freeze should succeed");
@@ -126,7 +126,7 @@ mod tests {
             story_id,
             "2_current",
             "---\nname: Unfreeze Service Test\n---\n",
-            crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml("---\nname: Unfreeze Service Test\n---\n"),
+            crate::db::ItemMeta::named("Unfreeze Service Test"),
         );
 
         freeze(story_id).expect("freeze should succeed");
@@ -155,7 +155,7 @@ mod tests {
             story_id,
             "2_current",
             "---\nname: Not Frozen\n---\n",
-            crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml("---\nname: Not Frozen\n---\n"),
+            crate::db::ItemMeta::named("Not Frozen"),
         );
 
         let result = unfreeze(story_id);
@@ -179,7 +179,7 @@ mod tests {
             story_a,
             "2_current",
             "---\nname: Regression Chat Path\n---\n",
-            crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml("---\nname: Regression Chat Path\n---\n"),
+            crate::db::ItemMeta::named("Regression Chat Path"),
         );
 
         // Story B simulates the MCP tool path.
@@ -188,7 +188,7 @@ mod tests {
             story_b,
             "2_current",
             "---\nname: Regression MCP Path\n---\n",
-            crate::db::ItemMeta::from_yaml("---\nname: Regression MCP Path\n---\n"),
+            crate::db::ItemMeta::named("Regression MCP Path"),
         );
 
         // Both paths call service::work_item::freeze().