Add sessions_enabled feature toggle

CLAUDE.md

@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ User preferences in `sessions/sessions-config.json`:
 - **Environment**: developer_name, os, shell
 - **Trigger Phrases**: Customizable for all mode transitions
 - **Git Preferences**: Branch naming, commit styles, auto-merge/push, submodules
-- **Feature Toggles**: branch_enforcement, task_detection, auto_ultrathink, icon_style, context warnings
+- **Feature Toggles**: sessions_enabled, branch_enforcement, task_detection, auto_ultrathink, icon_style, context warnings
 - **Blocking Patterns**: implementation_only_tools, bash_read_patterns, bash_write_patterns
 
 ### Templated Protocols
@@ -93,8 +93,6 @@ Configuration-driven protocol system that auto-adapts based on user preferences:
 - `cc_sessions/install.py` (Python) or `install.js` (JavaScript) - Language-specific installers
 - `cc_sessions/commands/` - Slash command wrappers
 - `cc_sessions/templates/` - Task templates
-- `scripts/prepare-release.py` - Pre-flight validation for releases
-- `scripts/publish-release.py` - Atomic dual-package publishing workflow
 
 ## Installation
 
@@ -114,11 +112,44 @@ uv pip install cc-sessions         # UV package manager
 npx cc-sessions
 ```
 
-### Development
+### Development Setup
+
+For local development, install cc-sessions in symlinked mode from the repository:
+
+**Python Development**:
+```bash
+cd /path/to/cc-sessions
+python cc_sessions/install.py
+```
+
+**JavaScript Development**:
+```bash
+cd /path/to/cc-sessions
+node cc_sessions/install.js
+```
+
+The installer detects `CLAUDE_PROJECT_DIR` environment variable and creates symlinked hooks that point back to your repository for live development.
+
+**Building Packages**:
+
+Python:
+```bash
+python -m build
+# Creates dist/cc_sessions-*.tar.gz and dist/cc_sessions-*.whl
+```
+
+JavaScript:
 ```bash
-./install.sh                       # From repository root
+npm pack
+# Creates cc-sessions-*.tgz
 ```
 
+**Testing Local Changes**:
+After modifying hook or API files:
+1. Changes are immediately reflected (symlinked development)
+2. Start a new Claude Code session to test hook behavior
+3. Use `/sessions` commands to test API changes
+
 Both installers:
 - Detect existing installations and create timestamped backups
 - Preserve task files and agent customizations automatically
@@ -168,6 +199,32 @@ sessions tasks start @<task-name>           # Start task with validation
 - `/sessions` - Unified interface with subsystem routing
 - All commands support `--from-slash` flag for contextual output
 
+### Disabling Sessions
+The entire sessions framework can be toggled on/off using the `sessions_enabled` feature flag:
+
+```bash
+sessions config features toggle sessions_enabled  # Toggle on/off
+sessions config features set sessions_enabled false  # Explicitly disable
+sessions config features set sessions_enabled true   # Explicitly enable
+```
+
+**When `sessions_enabled` is false**:
+- All hooks exit immediately without enforcement
+- DAIC mode system is inactive (Edit/Write/MultiEdit tools are not blocked)
+- Trigger phrase detection is disabled
+- Task management workflows are inactive
+- Protocol loading is disabled
+- Sessions API commands remain available for re-enabling
+
+**Use cases for disabling**:
+- Testing code changes without DAIC constraints
+- Quick exploratory work outside task workflows
+- Emergency hotfixes that need immediate implementation
+- Pairing with teammates unfamiliar with DAIC methodology
+- Alternative VCS workflows (Jujutsu, Mercurial) without sessions structure
+
+The statusline displays the disabled state when `sessions_enabled` is false. Re-enable anytime with the same toggle command.
+
 ## Key Patterns
 
 ### Hook Architecture
@@ -225,9 +282,8 @@ sessions tasks start @<task-name>           # Start task with validation
 - **Subagent Protection**: DAIC reminders suppressed, state editing blocked
 
 ### Update Detection System
-- **Dual-Language Publishing**: Atomic workflow for PyPI and npm
-- **Pre-Flight Validation**: 7 automated checks via prepare-release.py
-- **Version Sync**: check-version-sync.sh ensures consistency
+- **Dual-Language Publishing**: Simultaneous releases to PyPI and npm
+- **Version Sync**: pyproject.toml and package.json version fields must match
 - **Update Detection**: Flag-based caching in STATE.metadata
 - **Agent-Directive Notifications**: Prompts Claude to stop and ask user before any installation
 - **Update Commands**: suppress, check, status operations for user control
@@ -260,6 +316,29 @@ sessions tasks start @<task-name>           # Start task with validation
 - **Native Scripts**: daic.cmd and daic.ps1 for shell compatibility
 - **Path Handling**: Windows-style paths with %CLAUDE_PROJECT_DIR%
 
+## Testing
+
+### Current Status
+No automated test suite yet (package.json shows `"test": "echo \"No test specified yet\""`)
+
+### Manual Testing Workflow
+1. **Install in Development Mode**: Set up symlinked installation in a test repository
+2. **Test DAIC Enforcement**: Attempt writes in discussion mode to verify blocking
+3. **Test Trigger Phrases**: Use various trigger phrases to validate mode transitions
+4. **Test Task Workflows**:
+   - Create tasks with different priorities and types
+   - Start tasks and verify context loading
+   - Complete tasks and verify commit/merge behavior
+5. **Test Sessions API**: Run all `/sessions` commands to verify functionality
+6. **Test Feature Parity**: Verify identical behavior between Python and JavaScript implementations
+7. **Test Platform Compatibility**: Validate on Linux, macOS, and Windows
+
+### Testing Considerations
+- Hook behavior requires full Claude Code session context
+- State persistence should be verified across session restarts
+- Branch enforcement requires git repository with commits
+- Protocol template rendering should be validated with different config options
+
 ## Known Issues
 
 ### Claude Code Version Compatibility
@@ -308,12 +387,12 @@ sessions tasks start @<task-name>           # Start task with validation
 
 ## Related Documentation
 
-- **RELEASE.md** - Maintainer guide for version releases
-- **README.md** - User-facing feature overview
-- **docs/INSTALL.md** - Detailed installation instructions
-- **docs/USAGE_GUIDE.md** - Workflow and feature documentation
+- **README.md** - User-facing feature overview and installation guide
+- **CHANGELOG.md** - Version history and release notes
+- **CLAUDE.md** - This file (architecture and development guide)
 - **cc_sessions/knowledge/** - Internal architecture details
-- **sessions/protocols/** - Installed protocol specifications
+- **cc_sessions/protocols/** - Protocol template sources
+- **sessions/protocols/** - Installed protocol specifications (after installation)
 
 ## Integration Points
 

cc_sessions/javascript/api/config_commands.js

@@ -134,6 +134,7 @@ function formatConfigHuman(config) {
         `  Branch Enforcement: ${config.features.branch_enforcement}`,
         `  Task Detection: ${config.features.task_detection}`,
         `  Auto Ultrathink: ${config.features.auto_ultrathink}`,
+        `  Sessions Enabled: ${config.features.sessions_enabled}`,
         `  Icon Style: ${getValue(config.features.icon_style)}`,
         `  Context Warnings (85%): ${config.features.context_warnings.warn_85}`,
         `  Context Warnings (90%): ${config.features.context_warnings.warn_90}`,
@@ -763,6 +764,7 @@ function handleFeaturesCommand(args, jsonOutput = false, fromSlash = false) {
                     branch_enforcement: features.branch_enforcement,
                     task_detection: features.task_detection,
                     auto_ultrathink: features.auto_ultrathink,
+                    sessions_enabled: features.sessions_enabled,
                     icon_style: getValue(features.icon_style),
                     warn_85: features.context_warnings.warn_85,
                     warn_90: features.context_warnings.warn_90,
@@ -775,6 +777,7 @@ function handleFeaturesCommand(args, jsonOutput = false, fromSlash = false) {
             `  branch_enforcement: ${features.branch_enforcement}`,
             `  task_detection: ${features.task_detection}`,
             `  auto_ultrathink: ${features.auto_ultrathink}`,
+            `  sessions_enabled: ${features.sessions_enabled}`,
             `  icon_style: ${getValue(features.icon_style)}`,
             `  warn_85: ${features.context_warnings.warn_85}`,
             `  warn_90: ${features.context_warnings.warn_90}`,
@@ -792,7 +795,7 @@ function handleFeaturesCommand(args, jsonOutput = false, fromSlash = false) {
         let finalValue;
 
         editConfig(config => {
-            if (['task_detection', 'auto_ultrathink', 'branch_enforcement'].includes(key)) {
+            if (['task_detection', 'auto_ultrathink', 'branch_enforcement', 'sessions_enabled'].includes(key)) {
                 // Boolean features
                 const boolValue = ['true', '1', 'yes', 'on'].includes(value.toLowerCase());
                 config.features[key] = boolValue;
@@ -834,7 +837,7 @@ function handleFeaturesCommand(args, jsonOutput = false, fromSlash = false) {
         // Get current value
         const config = loadConfig();
         let currentValue;
-        if (['task_detection', 'auto_ultrathink', 'branch_enforcement'].includes(key)) {
+        if (['task_detection', 'auto_ultrathink', 'branch_enforcement', 'sessions_enabled'].includes(key)) {
             currentValue = config.features[key];
         } else if (key === 'icon_style') {
             currentValue = config.features.icon_style;
@@ -858,7 +861,7 @@ function handleFeaturesCommand(args, jsonOutput = false, fromSlash = false) {
 
         // Save the toggled value
         editConfig(config => {
-            if (['task_detection', 'auto_ultrathink', 'branch_enforcement'].includes(key)) {
+            if (['task_detection', 'auto_ultrathink', 'branch_enforcement', 'sessions_enabled'].includes(key)) {
                 config.features[key] = newValue;
             } else if (key === 'icon_style') {
                 config.features.icon_style = newValue;
@@ -897,6 +900,7 @@ function formatFeaturesHelp() {
         "  branch_enforcement  - Git branch validation (default: true)",
         "  task_detection      - Task-based workflow automation (default: true)",
         "  auto_ultrathink     - Enhanced AI reasoning (default: true)",
+        "  sessions_enabled    - Enable/disable all cc-sessions hooks except statusline (default: true)",
         "  icon_style          - Statusline icon style: nerd_fonts, emoji, or ascii (default: nerd_fonts)",
         "  warn_85             - Context warning at 85% (default: true)",
         "  warn_90             - Context warning at 90% (default: true)",

cc_sessions/javascript/hooks/kickstart_session_start.js

@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ const path = require('path');
 /// ===== LOCAL ===== ///
 // Import from shared_state (same pattern as normal hooks). Runtime file lives in sessions/hooks
 const PROJECT_ROOT = path.resolve(__dirname, '..', '..');
-const { loadState, editState } = require('./shared_state.js');
+const { loadState, editState, loadConfig } = require('./shared_state.js');
 ///-///
 
 //-//
@@ -88,6 +88,12 @@ Handles onboarding flow for users who chose kickstart in installer:
 
 //!> 1. Load state and check kickstart metadata
 const STATE = loadState();
+const CONFIG = loadConfig();
+
+// Early exit if sessions are disabled
+if (!CONFIG.features.sessions_enabled) {
+    process.exit(0);
+}
 
 // Get kickstart metadata (should ALWAYS exist if this hook is running)
 const kickstartMeta = STATE.metadata?.kickstart;

cc_sessions/javascript/hooks/post_tool_use.js

@@ -20,7 +20,8 @@ const {
     SessionsProtocol,
     listOpenTasks,
     TaskState,
-    StateError
+    StateError,
+    loadConfig
 } = require('./shared_state.js');
 ///-///
 
@@ -62,6 +63,12 @@ const cwd = inputData.cwd || "";
 let mod = false;
 
 const STATE = loadState();
+const CONFIG = loadConfig();
+
+// Early exit if sessions are disabled
+if (!CONFIG.features.sessions_enabled) {
+    process.exit(0);
+}
 //-//
 
 /*

cc_sessions/javascript/hooks/session_start.js

@@ -21,6 +21,12 @@ const { editState, PROJECT_ROOT, loadConfig, SessionsProtocol, getTaskFilePath,
 const sessionsDir = path.join(PROJECT_ROOT, 'sessions');
 let STATE = null;
 const CONFIG = loadConfig();
+
+// Early exit if sessions are disabled
+if (!CONFIG.features.sessions_enabled) {
+    process.exit(0);
+}
+
 const developerName = CONFIG.environment?.developer_name || 'developer';
 
 // Initialize context

cc_sessions/javascript/hooks/sessions_enforce.js

@@ -47,6 +47,11 @@ if (filePathString) {
 const STATE = loadState();
 const CONFIG = loadConfig();
 
+// Early exit if sessions are disabled
+if (!CONFIG.features.sessions_enabled) {
+    process.exit(0);
+}
+
 let command = "";
 let incomingTodos = [];
 if (toolName === "Bash") {

cc_sessions/javascript/hooks/shared_state.js

@@ -318,6 +318,7 @@ class EnabledFeatures {
         this.branch_enforcement = data.branch_enforcement !== undefined ? data.branch_enforcement : true;
         this.task_detection = data.task_detection !== undefined ? data.task_detection : true;
         this.auto_ultrathink = data.auto_ultrathink !== undefined ? data.auto_ultrathink : true;
+        this.sessions_enabled = data.sessions_enabled !== undefined ? data.sessions_enabled : true;
 
         // Handle migration from old use_nerd_fonts boolean to new icon_style enum
         let iconStyleValue = data.icon_style;
@@ -373,6 +374,7 @@ class SessionsConfig {
                 branch_enforcement: this.features.branch_enforcement,
                 task_detection: this.features.task_detection,
                 auto_ultrathink: this.features.auto_ultrathink,
+                sessions_enabled: this.features.sessions_enabled,
                 icon_style: this.features.icon_style,
                 context_warnings: {
                     warn_85: this.features.context_warnings.warn_85,

cc_sessions/javascript/hooks/subagent_hooks.js

@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ const path = require('path');
 ///-///
 
 /// ===== LOCAL ===== ///
-const { editState, PROJECT_ROOT, loadState } = require('./shared_state.js');
+const { editState, PROJECT_ROOT, loadState, loadConfig } = require('./shared_state.js');
 ///-///
 
 //-//
@@ -133,6 +133,12 @@ try {
     process.exit(1);
 }
 
+// Load config and check if sessions are enabled
+const CONFIG = loadConfig();
+if (!CONFIG.features.sessions_enabled) {
+    process.exit(0);
+}
+
 // Check if this is a Task tool call
 const toolName = inputData.tool_name || "";
 if (toolName !== "Task") {

cc_sessions/javascript/hooks/user_messages.js

@@ -63,6 +63,11 @@ const transcriptPath = inputData.transcript_path || "";
 const STATE = loadState();
 const CONFIG = loadConfig();
 
+// Early exit if sessions are disabled
+if (!CONFIG.features.sessions_enabled) {
+    process.exit(0);
+}
+
 // Check if this is a slash command we handle via API
 const promptStripped = prompt.trim();
 const apiCommands = ['/mode', '/state', '/config', '/add-trigger', '/remove-trigger'];

cc_sessions/javascript/statusline.js

@@ -370,6 +370,27 @@ function main() {
         }
     }
 
+    // Sessions disabled check - show simplified statusline and exit
+    if (!config.features.sessions_enabled) {
+        // Line 1 - Progress bar | Disabled message
+        const contextPart = progressBar || `${gray}No context usage data${reset}`;
+        const disabledMsg = `${gray}cc-sessions disabled${reset}`;
+        console.log(contextPart + ' | ' + disabledMsg);
+
+        // Line 2 - Git branch only (if available)
+        if (gitBranchInfo) {
+            const line2Parts = [gitBranchInfo];
+            if (upstreamInfo) {
+                line2Parts.push(upstreamInfo);
+            }
+            console.log(line2Parts.join(' | '));
+        } else {
+            console.log('');
+        }
+
+        process.exit(0);
+    }
+
     // Current task
     const currTask = state?.current_task?.name || null;