From 3e8514418c8590343dc724e9d7ff1de54f40bc9f Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Scott Miller <scott.miller.utah@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 15 Sep 2026 17:55:24 -0600
Subject: [PATCH] feat(mcp): ask once before watching a project directory

Closes #124
---
 mcp.go      |  8 +++++++-
 mcp_test.go | 26 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++
 2 files changed, 33 insertions(+), 1 deletion(-)

diff --git a/mcp.go b/mcp.go
index 8fcb9cd..f036841 100644
--- a/mcp.go
+++ b/mcp.go
@@ -32,7 +32,13 @@ Comment polling lasts 2 hours from the gander that started it, or from the last
 - If agent_unresolved_count > 0 on other files, mention them (filename, count, share URL) and continue with the user's request unless they ask you to handle that review.
 - Empty agent inbox: do not mention Gander, even if human-human threads are open.
 - Do not ask the user to paste comments. Do not wait to be told to check Gander.
-- Replies are stamped agent by the server; do not invent a display name.`
+- Replies are stamped agent by the server; do not invent a display name.
+Directory watch: First time this session, when all of these are true: (1) you created a directory, or are about to write the first .md into a directory that is not already dir-watched (gander status); (2) that directory is a project/output folder (workspace root, plans/, reports/, a newly scaffolded app), not .git / node_modules / hidden dirs; (3) the user has not already declined tracking that path this session. Check gander status before asking. If that directory (or an ancestor) is already watched, do not ask.
+Ask: I created <dir> and will be adding markdown there. Want Gander to auto-share new .md files under it (including subfolders) as they appear?
+- Yes → gander watch <abs-dir> (hosted if signed up; otherwise gander --watch <abs-dir>). Directory watch is silent by design; do not add --silent. Then start the usual comment-poll window, because this is a gander.
+- No → remember declined for this session. Still gander individual files if they explicitly ask. Do not prompt per new file.
+- Already watching → do not ask.
+Do not ask on every subsequent .md. Do not run gander watch <dir> unless the user said yes. Never silent auto-watch.`
 
 func runMCP(args []string) error {
 	if len(args) > 0 && args[0] == "install" {
diff --git a/mcp_test.go b/mcp_test.go
index 3d2c631..88f98fb 100644
--- a/mcp_test.go
+++ b/mcp_test.go
@@ -20,6 +20,32 @@ func TestMCPInstructionsWatchSilent(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+func TestMCPInstructionsDirWatchAsk(t *testing.T) {
+	for _, want := range []string{
+		"I created <dir> and will be adding markdown there",
+		"gander watch <abs-dir>",
+		"gander --watch <abs-dir>",
+		"gander status",
+		"Do not ask on every subsequent",
+		"remember declined for this session",
+		"Do not prompt per new file",
+		"Already watching",
+		"Do not run gander watch <dir> unless the user said yes",
+		"Never silent auto-watch",
+		"comment-poll window",
+	} {
+		if !strings.Contains(mcpInstructions, want) {
+			t.Errorf("mcpInstructions missing %q", want)
+		}
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(mcpInstructions, "gander watch --silent") {
+		t.Fatal("file watch must still say gander watch --silent")
+	}
+	if strings.Contains(mcpInstructions, "gander watch --silent <abs-dir>") {
+		t.Fatal("directory watch must not add --silent")
+	}
+}
+
 func TestMCPInstructionsDoNotAutoResolve(t *testing.T) {
 	if strings.Contains(mcpInstructions, "then gander_resolve_thread") {
 		t.Fatal("mcpInstructions must not tell agents to resolve every thread")