recv: None = peek, positive value = opt-in long-poll

old behavior: omitted wait_seconds fell through to the 30s
RECV_LONG_POLL_DEFAULT — claude calling 'is there anything in
my inbox right now?' between actions blocked the turn for half
a minute. flip the semantics: None (or 0) returns immediately,
positive value parks up to MAX (180s, unchanged). cleaner
'peek vs wait' distinction; tool descriptions + agent/manager
prompts updated to point at the new shape.

harness's own serve loops in hive-ag3nt + hive-m1nd relied on
the old default for their inbox poll. they now explicitly pass
wait_seconds: Some(180) to opt into the full park — same
effective behavior as before, just spelled out.

retires the matching TODO under Turn loop.

TODO.md

@@ -3,21 +3,6 @@
 Pick anything from here when relevant. Cross-cutting design notes live in
 [CLAUDE.md](CLAUDE.md); high-level project intro in [README.md](README.md).
 
-## Turn loop
-
-- **`recv` with no `wait_seconds` should return immediately.**
-  Today omitting the argument falls through to the 30s
-  default long-poll (`RECV_LONG_POLL_DEFAULT` in
-  `hive-c0re/src/agent_server.rs`); a manager that wants a
-  cheap "anything in the inbox right now?" peek has to
-  explicitly pass `wait_seconds: 0`. Flip the semantics so
-  `None` = no sleep, returning `None` (or the empty inbox
-  shape) right away. The agent opts into the long-poll by
-  setting a positive value. Update both `AgentRequest::Recv`
-  and `ManagerRequest::Recv` handlers + the prompt language
-  in `prompts/{agent,manager}.md`. Tighten the cap (180s)
-  too — only meaningful when the agent is choosing to wait.
-
 ## Permissions / policy
 
 - **Per-agent send allow-list.** Today any agent can `send` to any

docs/turn-loop.md

@@ -102,11 +102,11 @@ it as a stdio child via `--mcp-config`. The hyperhive socket name is
 - `send(to, body)` — message a peer (logical agent name), another
   agent, or the operator (recipient `operator`, surfaces in the
   dashboard inbox).
-- `recv(wait_seconds?)` — drain one inbox message. Long-polls
-  server-side; `wait_seconds` is capped at 180 (default 30 when
-  omitted). Agents use a long wait to park their turn waiting for
-  work instead of busy-looping with short polls — they wake
-  instantly when a message arrives.
+- `recv(wait_seconds?)` — drain one inbox message. Without
+  `wait_seconds` (or with `0`) returns immediately, a cheap
+  "anything pending?" peek. Positive value parks the turn up
+  to that many seconds (cap 180) — incoming messages wake
+  instantly, otherwise returns empty at the timeout.
 - `ask_operator(question, options?, multi?, ttl_seconds?)` —
   surface a question on the dashboard. Same shape as the manager's;
   answer routes back to the asker's own inbox as

hive-ag3nt/prompts/agent.md

@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ You are hyperhive agent `{label}` in a multi-agent system. The operator (recipie
 
 Tools (hyperhive surface):
 
-- `mcp__hyperhive__recv(wait_seconds?)` — drain one more message from your inbox (returns `(empty)` if nothing pending after the wait). Without `wait_seconds` it long-polls 30s. To **wait** for work when you have nothing else useful to do this turn, call with a long wait (e.g. `wait_seconds: 180`, the max) — you'll be woken instantly when a message arrives, otherwise return after the timeout. That is strictly better than calling `recv` repeatedly with short waits: lower latency on new work, fewer turns, no busy-loop. Never use a fixed `sleep` shell command for the same purpose.
+- `mcp__hyperhive__recv(wait_seconds?)` — drain one more message from your inbox (returns `(empty)` if nothing pending). Without `wait_seconds` (or with `0`) it returns immediately — a cheap "anything pending?" peek you can sprinkle between tool calls. To **wait** for work when you have nothing else useful to do this turn, call with a long wait (e.g. `wait_seconds: 180`, the max) — incoming messages wake you instantly, otherwise the call returns empty at the timeout. That's strictly better than a fixed `sleep` shell command: lower latency on new work, no busy-loop.
 - `mcp__hyperhive__send(to, body)` — message a peer (by their name) or the operator (recipient `operator`, surfaces in the dashboard).
 - (some agents only) **extra MCP tools** surfaced as `mcp__<server>__<tool>` — these are agent-specific (matrix client, scraper, db connector, etc.) declared in your `agent.nix` under `hyperhive.extraMcpServers`. Treat them as first-class tools alongside the hyperhive surface; the operator already auto-approved them at deploy time.
 - `mcp__hyperhive__ask_operator(question, options?, multi?, ttl_seconds?)` — surface a question to the human operator on the dashboard. Returns immediately with a question id — do NOT wait inline. When the operator answers, a system message with event `operator_answered { id, question, answer }` lands in your inbox; handle it on a future turn. Use this for clarifications, permission for risky actions, or choice between options. `options` is advisory: a short fixed-choice list when applicable, otherwise leave empty for free text. `multi: true` lets the operator pick multiple (checkboxes), answer comes back comma-joined. `ttl_seconds` auto-cancels with answer `[expired]` when the decision becomes moot.

hive-ag3nt/prompts/manager.md

@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ You are the hyperhive manager `{label}` in a multi-agent system. You coordinate
 
 Tools (hyperhive surface):
 
-- `mcp__hyperhive__recv(wait_seconds?)` — drain one more message from your inbox. Without `wait_seconds` it long-polls 30s. To **wait** when you have nothing else to do, call with a long wait (e.g. `wait_seconds: 180`, the max) — you'll wake instantly on new work, otherwise return after the timeout. Use this instead of ending the turn or sleeping in a Bash command.
+- `mcp__hyperhive__recv(wait_seconds?)` — drain one more message from your inbox. Without `wait_seconds` (or with `0`) it returns immediately — a cheap inbox peek you can drop between actions. To **wait** when you have nothing else to do, call with a long wait (e.g. `wait_seconds: 180`, the max) — you'll wake instantly on new work, otherwise return after the timeout. Use that instead of ending the turn or sleeping in a Bash command.
 - `mcp__hyperhive__send(to, body)` — message an agent (by name), another peer, or the operator (`operator` surfaces in the dashboard).
 - `mcp__hyperhive__request_spawn(name)` — queue a brand-new sub-agent for operator approval (≤9 char name).
 - `mcp__hyperhive__kill(name)` — graceful stop on a sub-agent. No approval required.

hive-ag3nt/src/bin/hive-ag3nt.rs

@@ -140,7 +140,17 @@ async fn serve(
     let _ = state; // reserved for future state transitions (turn-loop -> needs-login)
     loop {
         let recv: Result<AgentResponse> =
-            client::request(socket, &AgentRequest::Recv { wait_seconds: None }).await;
+            // Explicit long-poll: the new agent_server semantics treat
+            // `None` as "peek, don't wait", which would tight-loop on
+            // sleep(interval). The harness wants to park until a
+            // message arrives, so opt into the full 180s cap.
+            client::request(
+                socket,
+                &AgentRequest::Recv {
+                    wait_seconds: Some(180),
+                },
+            )
+            .await;
         match recv {
             Ok(AgentResponse::Message { from, body }) => {
                 tracing::info!(%from, %body, "inbox");

hive-ag3nt/src/bin/hive-m1nd.rs

@@ -92,7 +92,16 @@ async fn serve(
     tracing::info!(socket = %socket.display(), "hive-m1nd serve");
     loop {
         let recv: Result<ManagerResponse> =
-            client::request(socket, &ManagerRequest::Recv { wait_seconds: None }).await;
+            // Explicit long-poll: see hive-ag3nt's serve loop for the
+            // rationale — recv now defaults to peek when wait_seconds
+            // is None.
+            client::request(
+                socket,
+                &ManagerRequest::Recv {
+                    wait_seconds: Some(180),
+                },
+            )
+            .await;
         match recv {
             Ok(ManagerResponse::Message { from, body }) => {
                 if from == SYSTEM_SENDER {

hive-ag3nt/src/mcp.rs

@@ -205,11 +205,13 @@ impl AgentServer {
 
     #[tool(
         description = "Pop one message from this agent's inbox. Returns the sender and body, \
-            or an empty marker if nothing is waiting. Optional `wait_seconds` long-polls \
-            for that many seconds (capped at 180) before returning empty — default 30. \
-            Use a long wait_seconds (e.g. 120 or 180) when you have nothing else to do — \
-            it parks the turn until either a message arrives or the timeout fires, which \
-            is strictly better than a fixed sleep because incoming work wakes you instantly."
+            or an empty marker if nothing is waiting. Without `wait_seconds` (or with 0) the \
+            call returns immediately — a cheap 'anything pending?' peek. Pass a positive \
+            `wait_seconds` (capped at 180) to park the turn waiting for new work — incoming \
+            messages wake you instantly, otherwise the call returns empty at the timeout. \
+            That's strictly better than a fixed shell `sleep`. Typical pattern: when you have \
+            nothing else useful to do, call `recv(wait_seconds: 180)` to park until \
+            something arrives."
     )]
     async fn recv(&self, Parameters(args): Parameters<RecvArgs>) -> String {
         let log = format!("{args:?}");
@@ -363,10 +365,10 @@ impl ManagerServer {
 
     #[tool(
         description = "Pop one message from the manager inbox. Returns sender + body, or \
-        empty. Optional `wait_seconds` long-polls (capped at 180, default 30) so the \
-        manager can sit on Recv when there's nothing to do without burning turns — \
-        prefer a long wait (120 or 180) over ending a turn early; you'll wake \
-        instantly when work arrives."
+        empty. Without `wait_seconds` (or 0) returns immediately — a cheap inbox peek. \
+        Pass a positive value (capped at 180) to park until either a message arrives \
+        or the timeout fires; prefer a long wait (120 or 180) over ending a turn \
+        early when you have nothing else to do."
     )]
     async fn recv(&self, Parameters(args): Parameters<RecvArgs>) -> String {
         let log = format!("{args:?}");

hive-c0re/src/agent_server.rs

@@ -81,19 +81,20 @@ async fn serve(stream: UnixStream, agent: String, coord: Arc<Coordinator>) -> Re
     }
 }
 
-/// Default and max long-poll window for `Recv`. Caller can request a
-/// shorter (or longer up to `RECV_LONG_POLL_MAX`) wait via the
-/// `wait_seconds` field; values above the cap are clamped. 180s
-/// max keeps us under typical TCP/proxy idle limits while letting
-/// agents park their turn until a message lands instead of busy-
-/// looping with short waits.
-const RECV_LONG_POLL_DEFAULT: std::time::Duration = std::time::Duration::from_secs(30);
+/// Max long-poll window the caller can ask for; values above the
+/// cap are clamped. 180s keeps us under typical TCP/proxy idle
+/// limits while still letting agents park their turn until a
+/// message arrives. Omitting `wait_seconds` (or passing `0`) means
+/// "peek, don't wait" — claude can call recv whenever it wants a
+/// cheap "is there anything pending?" check without blocking the
+/// turn for 30 seconds. To actually park, the caller passes a
+/// positive `wait_seconds`.
 const RECV_LONG_POLL_MAX: std::time::Duration = std::time::Duration::from_secs(180);
 
 fn recv_timeout(wait_seconds: Option<u64>) -> std::time::Duration {
     match wait_seconds {
         Some(s) => std::time::Duration::from_secs(s).min(RECV_LONG_POLL_MAX),
-        None => RECV_LONG_POLL_DEFAULT,
+        None => std::time::Duration::ZERO,
     }
 }
 

hive-c0re/src/manager_server.rs

@@ -69,15 +69,16 @@ async fn serve(stream: UnixStream, coord: Arc<Coordinator>) -> Result<()> {
     }
 }
 
-/// Default and max long-poll window for manager `Recv`. Caller can
-/// request a shorter or longer (up to MAX) wait via `wait_seconds`.
-const MANAGER_RECV_LONG_POLL_DEFAULT: std::time::Duration = std::time::Duration::from_secs(30);
+/// Max long-poll window for manager `Recv`. Same semantics as the
+/// sub-agent socket: omitted `wait_seconds` (or `0`) = peek and
+/// return immediately, positive value = park up to that many
+/// seconds (clamped at MAX).
 const MANAGER_RECV_LONG_POLL_MAX: std::time::Duration = std::time::Duration::from_secs(180);
 
 fn manager_recv_timeout(wait_seconds: Option<u64>) -> std::time::Duration {
     match wait_seconds {
         Some(s) => std::time::Duration::from_secs(s).min(MANAGER_RECV_LONG_POLL_MAX),
-        None => MANAGER_RECV_LONG_POLL_DEFAULT,
+        None => std::time::Duration::ZERO,
     }
 }