Add Sonic kernel UX pass

Co-authored-by: Cursor <cursoragent@cursor.com>

Author: CardSorting

CHANGELOG.md

@@ -1,5 +1,23 @@
 # Changelog
 
+## v1.9.4 — Sonic Kernel UX (2026-06-09)
+
+Adds high-tempo kernel cockpit feedback, kinetic watch mode, fast-path indicators,
+predictive ETA, and ultra-fast operation acknowledgement without changing mutation safety.
+
+### Highlights
+
+- **Ultra-fast ack** — `… PATCH accepted — path` flushed before heavy work (<50ms target).
+- **Kinetic watch** — `/dietcode kernel watch --follow` with spinner, in-place refresh, ANSI colors.
+- **Micro-phase suppression** — sub-100ms noise hidden on healthy fast paths.
+- **Sonic fast path** — `FAST PATH ACTIVE` when drift-free coherence apply runs.
+- **Predictive ETA** — history-based remaining time when confidence is sufficient.
+- **Event hooks** — optional local shell hooks (`event_hooks_enabled: false` by default).
+- **Bench** — `scripts/kernel_sonic_bench.py`.
+- **Tests** — `tests/test_kernel_sonic.py`.
+
+See [docs/releases/v1.9.4.md](docs/releases/v1.9.4.md).
+
 ## v1.9.3 — Kernel Cockpit Responsiveness (2026-06-09)
 
 Adds live cockpit views, operation states, next-action hints, heartbeat UX, and

README.md

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 # DietCode Hermes Plugin
 
-**v1.9.3 — Kernel Cockpit Responsiveness**
+**v1.9.4 — Sonic Kernel UX**
 
 DietCode is a standalone Hermes Agent plugin that bundles BroccoliDB, BroccoliQ,
 JoyZoning governance, JSDP rolling-horizon planning, and an **optional macOS
@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ Kernel operator checklist:
 
 ```text
 /dietcode kernel cockpit          # one-screen state, gates, next action
-/dietcode kernel watch            # compact live operation line
+/dietcode kernel watch --follow   # kinetic live line (spinner, in-place refresh)
 /dietcode kernel perf --ux        # responsiveness budgets
 /dietcode kernel progress         # human summary + next phase
 /dietcode kernel explain-gate     # closed gates and fixes
@@ -136,7 +136,7 @@ Operator guide: [docs/kernel-bridge-operations.md](docs/kernel-bridge-operations
 
 ```text
 .
-|-- plugin.yaml                 # Hermes manifest (v1.9.3)
+|-- plugin.yaml                 # Hermes manifest (v1.9.4)
 |-- hooks.py                    # Hook registration (kernel + JoyZoning + governance)
 |-- install.py                  # Config defaults, npm bootstrap, kernel build check
 |-- health.py                   # /dietcode status, doctor, kernel status
@@ -165,6 +165,7 @@ Operator guide: [docs/kernel-bridge-operations.md](docs/kernel-bridge-operations
 | [kernel/MIGRATION.md](kernel/MIGRATION.md) | Kernel integration phase history |
 | [kernel/README.md](kernel/README.md) | Kernel build, validate, RPC reference |
 | [CHANGELOG.md](CHANGELOG.md) | Release notes |
+| [docs/releases/v1.9.4.md](docs/releases/v1.9.4.md) | v1.9.4 sonic UX release note |
 | [docs/releases/v1.9.3.md](docs/releases/v1.9.3.md) | v1.9.3 cockpit release note |
 | [docs/releases/v1.9.2.md](docs/releases/v1.9.2.md) | v1.9.2 performance pass |
 | [docs/releases/v1.9.1.md](docs/releases/v1.9.1.md) | v1.9.1 release note |

docs/README.md

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 # DietCode Documentation
 
 Operator and developer documentation for the DietCode Hermes plugin
-(**v1.9.3 — Kernel Cockpit Responsiveness**).
+(**v1.9.4 — Sonic Kernel UX**).
 
 DietCode bundles BroccoliDB, BroccoliQ, JoyZoning, JSDP, and an **optional macOS
 kernel authority bridge**. The kernel handles physical mutation and verification;
@@ -21,7 +21,8 @@ intent → patch → receipt → journal → verify → verification journal →
 | **Understanding the runtime** | [architecture.md](architecture.md) | [tools-reference.md](tools-reference.md) |
 | **Working with BroccoliDB** | [broccolidb.md](broccolidb.md) | `/broccolidb status` |
 | **Building the kernel binary** | [../kernel/README.md](../kernel/README.md) | `make -C kernel validate` |
-| **Upgrading to v1.9.3** | [releases/v1.9.3.md](releases/v1.9.3.md) | [../CHANGELOG.md](../CHANGELOG.md) |
+| **Upgrading to v1.9.4** | [releases/v1.9.4.md](releases/v1.9.4.md) | [../CHANGELOG.md](../CHANGELOG.md) |
+| **v1.9.3 cockpit** | [releases/v1.9.3.md](releases/v1.9.3.md) | [agent-ergonomics.md](agent-ergonomics.md) |
 | **v1.9.2 performance** | [releases/v1.9.2.md](releases/v1.9.2.md) | [agent-ergonomics.md](agent-ergonomics.md) |
 | **v1.9.1 observability** | [releases/v1.9.1.md](releases/v1.9.1.md) | [agent-ergonomics.md](agent-ergonomics.md) |
 | **v1.9.0 kernel bridge** | [releases/v1.9.0.md](releases/v1.9.0.md) | [kernel-bridge-operations.md](kernel-bridge-operations.md) |
@@ -37,6 +38,7 @@ intent → patch → receipt → journal → verify → verification journal →
 | [broccolidb.md](broccolidb.md) | Bundled BroccoliDB package, RPC worker, database location, smoke tests. |
 | [broccolidb-native-execution-throughput.md](broccolidb-native-execution-throughput.md) | Native RPC execution model and throughput notes. |
 | [agent-ergonomics.md](agent-ergonomics.md) | Kernel progress telemetry, stuck-operator runbook. |
+| [releases/v1.9.4.md](releases/v1.9.4.md) | v1.9.4 sonic kernel UX release notes. |
 | [releases/v1.9.3.md](releases/v1.9.3.md) | v1.9.3 cockpit responsiveness release notes. |
 | [releases/v1.9.2.md](releases/v1.9.2.md) | v1.9.2 performance pass release notes. |
 | [releases/v1.9.1.md](releases/v1.9.1.md) | v1.9.1 observability polish release notes. |

docs/agent-ergonomics.md

@@ -198,6 +198,32 @@ Every cockpit/progress view recommends one of:
 
 Smoke: `python scripts/kernel_cockpit_smoke.py`
 
+## Sonic tempo (Phase 7D)
+
+High-tempo UX — **GOTTA GO FAST (with receipts)**. No mutation semantics changes.
+
+- **Instant ack** — `… PATCH accepted — src/foo.py` flushed before heavy work (<50ms target)
+- **Kinetic watch** — `/dietcode kernel watch --follow` — spinner, in-place line refresh, ANSI colors
+- **Micro-phase suppression** — sub-100ms noise hidden unless error/stall/recovery/approval
+- **Fast path** — `FAST PATH ACTIVE` when `mode: sonic_fast_path`
+- **ETA** — `~3s remaining` when history confidence is high (hidden otherwise)
+- **Event hooks** — optional local shell hooks (`event_hooks_enabled: false` by default)
+
+```yaml
+dietcode:
+  kernel:
+    bridge:
+      event_hooks_enabled: false
+      event_hooks:
+        operation_accepted: "echo dietcode ack"
+        operation_failed: "echo dietcode fail"
+        verify_passed: "echo dietcode verify ok"
+        stalled: "echo dietcode stalled"
+```
+
+Bench: `python scripts/kernel_sonic_bench.py --compact`  
+ASCII mode: `DIETCODE_ASCII_ONLY=1`
+
 ## Troubleshooting
 
 | Symptom | Likely cause | What to run |

docs/dietcode-plugin.md

@@ -5,7 +5,19 @@ BroccoliDB for repository context, BroccoliQ for queue coordination, JoyZoning
 for mutation lifecycle governance, JSDP for rolling-horizon planning, and an
 **optional macOS kernel authority bridge** for coherent physical mutation.
 
-**Current version:** 1.9.3 — Kernel Cockpit Responsiveness
+**Current version:** 1.9.4 — Sonic Kernel UX
+
+## What changed in v1.9.4
+
+High-tempo kernel operator UX without mutation safety changes:
+
+- Ultra-fast operation acknowledgement (`… PATCH accepted — path`)
+- Kinetic `/dietcode kernel watch --follow` with spinner and in-place refresh
+- `FAST PATH ACTIVE` indicator for drift-free patch apply
+- Predictive ETA when history confidence is sufficient
+- `scripts/kernel_sonic_bench.py`
+
+See [releases/v1.9.4.md](releases/v1.9.4.md).
 
 ## What changed in v1.9.3
 
@@ -58,7 +70,7 @@ See [releases/v1.9.0.md](releases/v1.9.0.md) and [kernel-bridge-operations.md](k
 
 ```yaml
 name: dietcode
-version: 1.9.3
+version: 1.9.4
 kind: standalone
 auto_enable: true
 ```
@@ -105,6 +117,7 @@ intent → patch → receipt → journal → verify → verification journal →
 | 7 | Readiness cache, workspace reuse, batching, mutation lock, perf telemetry |
 | 7B | Ack, heartbeats, watch mode, pre-stage, keep-warm, perf UX |
 | 7C | Cockpit, operation states, next-action hints, UX budgets |
+| 7D | Sonic pass — kinetic watch, fast ack, ETA, event hooks |
 
 Details: [../kernel/MIGRATION.md](../kernel/MIGRATION.md)
 

docs/kernel-bridge-operations.md

@@ -128,7 +128,8 @@ python scripts/kernel_bridge_e2e.py
 /dietcode kernel explain-gate          # closed gates, fixes, raw-write behavior
 ```
 
-Smoke (no live socket required): `python scripts/kernel_cockpit_smoke.py`
+Smoke (no live socket required): `python scripts/kernel_cockpit_smoke.py`  
+Sonic bench: `python scripts/kernel_sonic_bench.py --compact`
 
 Progress is emitted automatically for `dietcode_kernel` patch, verify, status,
 and search. Logs live under `~/.dietcode/session/` (see [agent-ergonomics.md](agent-ergonomics.md)).

docs/releases/v1.9.4.md

@@ -0,0 +1,44 @@
+# dietcode-plugin v1.9.4 — Sonic Kernel UX
+
+**Release date:** 2026-06-09
+
+## One-line summary
+
+Adds high-tempo kernel cockpit feedback, kinetic watch mode, fast-path indicators,
+predictive ETA, and ultra-fast operation acknowledgement without changing mutation safety.
+
+## What shipped
+
+High-tempo operator UX — the full arc from safe → kinetic. No mutation semantics changes.
+
+| Surface | Command / artifact |
+| --- | --- |
+| Ultra-fast ack | `… PATCH accepted — src/foo.py` (<50ms target) |
+| Kinetic watch | `/dietcode kernel watch --follow` |
+| Fast-path indicator | `FAST PATH ACTIVE` when `mode: sonic_fast_path` |
+| Predictive ETA | `~Ns remaining` when history confidence is high |
+| Sonic bench | `python scripts/kernel_sonic_bench.py` |
+| Optional event hooks | `event_hooks_enabled` + shell `event_hooks` map |
+
+### Visual states
+
+UTF-8: `…` `✓` `!` `✕` `⏸` `⚠`  
+ASCII: `DIETCODE_ASCII_ONLY=1` → `RUN` / `OK` / `WARN` / `FAIL` / `WAIT` / `STALL`
+
+### Optional config
+
+```yaml
+dietcode:
+  kernel:
+    bridge:
+      event_hooks_enabled: false
+      event_hooks:
+        operation_accepted: "your-local-hook.sh"
+```
+
+## Upgrade notes
+
+- Patch release on v1.9.3 — no config migration required.
+- All mutation safety gates, receipts, journaling, and verify authority unchanged.
+
+Docs: [agent-ergonomics.md](../agent-ergonomics.md) · [tools-reference.md](../tools-reference.md)

docs/tools-reference.md

@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ Integration console.
 | `kernel perf --last 10` | Phase timing breakdown (p50/p95 per bucket). |
 | `kernel perf --ux --last 10` | Perceived responsiveness (ack latency, silent gaps). |
 | `kernel watch` | Compact single-line live operation summary. |
-| `kernel watch --follow` | Auto-refresh summary every ~1.5s (up to 30s). |
+| `kernel watch --follow` | Kinetic in-place refresh (~1s), spinner + ANSI when supported. |
 | `kernel cockpit` | One-screen summary: state, gates, last patch/verify, next action. |
 
 ### `/broccolidb`

health.py

@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ def validate_runtime_contract(**kwargs):  # type: ignore[misc]
   kernel perf --last 10        Phase timing breakdown (p50/p95 by bucket)
   kernel perf --ux --last 10   Perceived responsiveness metrics (ack, silent gaps)
   kernel watch                 Compact single-line live operation summary
-  kernel watch --follow        Auto-refresh summary every ~1.5s (up to 30s)
+  kernel watch --follow        Kinetic in-place refresh (~1s, spinner when TTY)
   kernel cockpit               One-screen operator summary (gates, state, next action)
 """
 

install.py

@@ -154,6 +154,7 @@ def apply_seamless_defaults(*, save: bool = True) -> dict[str, Any]:
                 "keep_warm": False,
                 "keep_warm_idle_timeout_ms": 120000,
                 "keep_warm_ping_interval_ms": 30000,
+                "event_hooks_enabled": False,
             }
             for key, value in perf_defaults.items():
                 if key not in bridge_cfg: