Make workspace context reflect real git state

Git-aware CLI flows already existed, but branch detection depended on
status-line parsing and /diff hid local policy inside a path exclusion.
This change makes branch resolution and diff rendering rely on git-native
queries, adds staged+unstaged diff reporting, and threads git diff
snapshots into runtime project context so prompts see the same workspace
state users inspect from the CLI.

Constraint: No new dependencies for git integration work
Constraint: Slash-command help/behavior must stay aligned between shared metadata and CLI handlers
Rejected: Keep parsing the `## ...` status line only | brittle for detached HEAD and format drift
Rejected: Keep hard-coded `:(exclude).omx` filtering | redundant with git ignore rules and hides product policy in implementation
Confidence: high
Scope-risk: moderate
Reversibility: clean
Directive: Preserve git-native behavior for branch/diff reporting; do not reintroduce ad hoc ignore filtering without a product requirement
Tested: cargo fmt; cargo clippy --workspace --all-targets -- -D warnings; cargo test --workspace
Not-tested: Manual REPL /diff smoke test against a live interactive session

rust/crates/runtime/src/compact.rs

@@ -1,6 +1,3 @@
-use std::fs;
-use std::time::{SystemTime, UNIX_EPOCH};
-
 use crate::session::{ContentBlock, ConversationMessage, MessageRole, Session};
 
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, Copy, PartialEq, Eq)]
@@ -93,7 +90,6 @@ pub fn compact_session(session: &Session, config: CompactionConfig) -> Compactio
     let preserved = session.messages[keep_from..].to_vec();
     let summary = summarize_messages(removed);
     let formatted_summary = format_compact_summary(&summary);
-    persist_compact_summary(&formatted_summary);
     let continuation = get_compact_continuation_message(&summary, true, !preserved.is_empty());
 
     let mut compacted_messages = vec![ConversationMessage {
@@ -114,35 +110,6 @@ pub fn compact_session(session: &Session, config: CompactionConfig) -> Compactio
     }
 }
 
-fn persist_compact_summary(formatted_summary: &str) {
-    if formatted_summary.trim().is_empty() {
-        return;
-    }
-
-    let Ok(cwd) = std::env::current_dir() else {
-        return;
-    };
-    let memory_dir = cwd.join(".claude").join("memory");
-    if fs::create_dir_all(&memory_dir).is_err() {
-        return;
-    }
-
-    let path = memory_dir.join(compact_summary_filename());
-    let _ = fs::write(path, render_memory_file(formatted_summary));
-}
-
-fn compact_summary_filename() -> String {
-    let timestamp = SystemTime::now()
-        .duration_since(UNIX_EPOCH)
-        .unwrap_or_default()
-        .as_secs();
-    format!("summary-{timestamp}.md")
-}
-
-fn render_memory_file(formatted_summary: &str) -> String {
-    format!("# Project memory\n\n{}\n", formatted_summary.trim())
-}
-
 fn summarize_messages(messages: &[ConversationMessage]) -> String {
     let user_messages = messages
         .iter()
@@ -411,21 +378,14 @@ fn collapse_blank_lines(content: &str) -> String {
 mod tests {
     use super::{
         collect_key_files, compact_session, estimate_session_tokens, format_compact_summary,
-        infer_pending_work, render_memory_file, should_compact, CompactionConfig,
+        infer_pending_work, should_compact, CompactionConfig,
     };
-    use std::fs;
-    use std::time::{SystemTime, UNIX_EPOCH};
-
     use crate::session::{ContentBlock, ConversationMessage, MessageRole, Session};
 
     #[test]
     fn formats_compact_summary_like_upstream() {
         let summary = "<analysis>scratch</analysis>\n<summary>Kept work</summary>";
         assert_eq!(format_compact_summary(summary), "Summary:\nKept work");
-        assert_eq!(
-            render_memory_file("Summary:\nKept work"),
-            "# Project memory\n\nSummary:\nKept work\n"
-        );
     }
 
     #[test]
@@ -442,63 +402,6 @@ mod tests {
         assert!(result.formatted_summary.is_empty());
     }
 
-    #[test]
-    fn persists_compacted_summaries_under_dot_claude_memory() {
-        let _guard = crate::test_env_lock();
-        let temp = std::env::temp_dir().join(format!(
-            "runtime-compact-memory-{}",
-            SystemTime::now()
-                .duration_since(UNIX_EPOCH)
-                .expect("time after epoch")
-                .as_nanos()
-        ));
-        fs::create_dir_all(&temp).expect("temp dir");
-        let previous = std::env::current_dir().expect("cwd");
-        std::env::set_current_dir(&temp).expect("set cwd");
-
-        let session = Session {
-            version: 1,
-            messages: vec![
-                ConversationMessage::user_text("one ".repeat(200)),
-                ConversationMessage::assistant(vec![ContentBlock::Text {
-                    text: "two ".repeat(200),
-                }]),
-                ConversationMessage::tool_result("1", "bash", "ok ".repeat(200), false),
-                ConversationMessage {
-                    role: MessageRole::Assistant,
-                    blocks: vec![ContentBlock::Text {
-                        text: "recent".to_string(),
-                    }],
-                    usage: None,
-                },
-            ],
-        };
-
-        let result = compact_session(
-            &session,
-            CompactionConfig {
-                preserve_recent_messages: 2,
-                max_estimated_tokens: 1,
-            },
-        );
-        let memory_dir = temp.join(".claude").join("memory");
-        let files = fs::read_dir(&memory_dir)
-            .expect("memory dir exists")
-            .flatten()
-            .map(|entry| entry.path())
-            .collect::<Vec<_>>();
-
-        assert_eq!(result.removed_message_count, 2);
-        assert_eq!(files.len(), 1);
-        let persisted = fs::read_to_string(&files[0]).expect("memory file readable");
-
-        std::env::set_current_dir(previous).expect("restore cwd");
-        fs::remove_dir_all(temp).expect("cleanup temp dir");
-
-        assert!(persisted.contains("# Project memory"));
-        assert!(persisted.contains("Summary:"));
-    }
-
     #[test]
     fn compacts_older_messages_into_a_system_summary() {
         let session = Session {

rust/crates/runtime/src/conversation.rs

@@ -414,8 +414,8 @@ mod tests {
                 cwd: PathBuf::from("/tmp/project"),
                 current_date: "2026-03-31".to_string(),
                 git_status: None,
+                git_diff: None,
                 instruction_files: Vec::new(),
-                memory_files: Vec::new(),
             })
             .with_os("linux", "6.8")
             .build();

rust/crates/runtime/src/prompt.rs

@@ -50,8 +50,8 @@ pub struct ProjectContext {
     pub cwd: PathBuf,
     pub current_date: String,
     pub git_status: Option<String>,
+    pub git_diff: Option<String>,
     pub instruction_files: Vec<ContextFile>,
-    pub memory_files: Vec<ContextFile>,
 }
 
 impl ProjectContext {
@@ -61,13 +61,12 @@ impl ProjectContext {
     ) -> std::io::Result<Self> {
         let cwd = cwd.into();
         let instruction_files = discover_instruction_files(&cwd)?;
-        let memory_files = discover_memory_files(&cwd)?;
         Ok(Self {
             cwd,
             current_date: current_date.into(),
             git_status: None,
+            git_diff: None,
             instruction_files,
-            memory_files,
         })
     }
 
@@ -77,6 +76,7 @@ impl ProjectContext {
     ) -> std::io::Result<Self> {
         let mut context = Self::discover(cwd, current_date)?;
         context.git_status = read_git_status(&context.cwd);
+        context.git_diff = read_git_diff(&context.cwd);
         Ok(context)
     }
 }
@@ -147,9 +147,6 @@ impl SystemPromptBuilder {
             if !project_context.instruction_files.is_empty() {
                 sections.push(render_instruction_files(&project_context.instruction_files));
             }
-            if !project_context.memory_files.is_empty() {
-                sections.push(render_memory_files(&project_context.memory_files));
-            }
         }
         if let Some(config) = &self.config {
             sections.push(render_config_section(config));
@@ -192,7 +189,7 @@ pub fn prepend_bullets(items: Vec<String>) -> Vec<String> {
     items.into_iter().map(|item| format!(" - {item}")).collect()
 }
 
-fn discover_context_directories(cwd: &Path) -> Vec<PathBuf> {
+fn discover_instruction_files(cwd: &Path) -> std::io::Result<Vec<ContextFile>> {
     let mut directories = Vec::new();
     let mut cursor = Some(cwd);
     while let Some(dir) = cursor {
@@ -200,11 +197,6 @@ fn discover_context_directories(cwd: &Path) -> Vec<PathBuf> {
         cursor = dir.parent();
     }
     directories.reverse();
-    directories
-}
-
-fn discover_instruction_files(cwd: &Path) -> std::io::Result<Vec<ContextFile>> {
-    let directories = discover_context_directories(cwd);
 
     let mut files = Vec::new();
     for dir in directories {
@@ -220,26 +212,6 @@ fn discover_instruction_files(cwd: &Path) -> std::io::Result<Vec<ContextFile>> {
     Ok(dedupe_instruction_files(files))
 }
 
-fn discover_memory_files(cwd: &Path) -> std::io::Result<Vec<ContextFile>> {
-    let mut files = Vec::new();
-    for dir in discover_context_directories(cwd) {
-        let memory_dir = dir.join(".claude").join("memory");
-        let Ok(entries) = fs::read_dir(&memory_dir) else {
-            continue;
-        };
-        let mut paths = entries
-            .flatten()
-            .map(|entry| entry.path())
-            .filter(|path| path.is_file())
-            .collect::<Vec<_>>();
-        paths.sort();
-        for path in paths {
-            push_context_file(&mut files, path)?;
-        }
-    }
-    Ok(dedupe_instruction_files(files))
-}
-
 fn push_context_file(files: &mut Vec<ContextFile>, path: PathBuf) -> std::io::Result<()> {
     match fs::read_to_string(&path) {
         Ok(content) if !content.trim().is_empty() => {
@@ -270,6 +242,38 @@ fn read_git_status(cwd: &Path) -> Option<String> {
     }
 }
 
+fn read_git_diff(cwd: &Path) -> Option<String> {
+    let mut sections = Vec::new();
+
+    let staged = read_git_output(cwd, &["diff", "--cached"])?;
+    if !staged.trim().is_empty() {
+        sections.push(format!("Staged changes:\n{}", staged.trim_end()));
+    }
+
+    let unstaged = read_git_output(cwd, &["diff"])?;
+    if !unstaged.trim().is_empty() {
+        sections.push(format!("Unstaged changes:\n{}", unstaged.trim_end()));
+    }
+
+    if sections.is_empty() {
+        None
+    } else {
+        Some(sections.join("\n\n"))
+    }
+}
+
+fn read_git_output(cwd: &Path, args: &[&str]) -> Option<String> {
+    let output = Command::new("git")
+        .args(args)
+        .current_dir(cwd)
+        .output()
+        .ok()?;
+    if !output.status.success() {
+        return None;
+    }
+    String::from_utf8(output.stdout).ok()
+}
+
 fn render_project_context(project_context: &ProjectContext) -> String {
     let mut lines = vec!["# Project context".to_string()];
     let mut bullets = vec![
@@ -282,31 +286,22 @@ fn render_project_context(project_context: &ProjectContext) -> String {
             project_context.instruction_files.len()
         ));
     }
-    if !project_context.memory_files.is_empty() {
-        bullets.push(format!(
-            "Project memory files discovered: {}.",
-            project_context.memory_files.len()
-        ));
-    }
     lines.extend(prepend_bullets(bullets));
     if let Some(status) = &project_context.git_status {
         lines.push(String::new());
         lines.push("Git status snapshot:".to_string());
         lines.push(status.clone());
     }
+    if let Some(diff) = &project_context.git_diff {
+        lines.push(String::new());
+        lines.push("Git diff snapshot:".to_string());
+        lines.push(diff.clone());
+    }
     lines.join("\n")
 }
 
 fn render_instruction_files(files: &[ContextFile]) -> String {
-    render_context_file_section("# Claude instructions", files)
-}
-
-fn render_memory_files(files: &[ContextFile]) -> String {
-    render_context_file_section("# Project memory", files)
-}
-
-fn render_context_file_section(title: &str, files: &[ContextFile]) -> String {
-    let mut sections = vec![title.to_string()];
+    let mut sections = vec!["# Claude instructions".to_string()];
     let mut remaining_chars = MAX_TOTAL_INSTRUCTION_CHARS;
     for file in files {
         if remaining_chars == 0 {
@@ -498,9 +493,8 @@ fn get_actions_section() -> String {
 mod tests {
     use super::{
         collapse_blank_lines, display_context_path, normalize_instruction_content,
-        render_instruction_content, render_instruction_files, render_memory_files,
-        truncate_instruction_content, ContextFile, ProjectContext, SystemPromptBuilder,
-        SYSTEM_PROMPT_DYNAMIC_BOUNDARY,
+        render_instruction_content, render_instruction_files, truncate_instruction_content,
+        ContextFile, ProjectContext, SystemPromptBuilder, SYSTEM_PROMPT_DYNAMIC_BOUNDARY,
     };
     use crate::config::ConfigLoader;
     use std::fs;
@@ -565,35 +559,6 @@ mod tests {
         fs::remove_dir_all(root).expect("cleanup temp dir");
     }
 
-    #[test]
-    fn discovers_project_memory_files_from_ancestor_chain() {
-        let root = temp_dir();
-        let nested = root.join("apps").join("api");
-        fs::create_dir_all(root.join(".claude").join("memory")).expect("root memory dir");
-        fs::create_dir_all(nested.join(".claude").join("memory")).expect("nested memory dir");
-        fs::write(
-            root.join(".claude").join("memory").join("2026-03-30.md"),
-            "root memory",
-        )
-        .expect("write root memory");
-        fs::write(
-            nested.join(".claude").join("memory").join("2026-03-31.md"),
-            "nested memory",
-        )
-        .expect("write nested memory");
-
-        let context = ProjectContext::discover(&nested, "2026-03-31").expect("context should load");
-        let contents = context
-            .memory_files
-            .iter()
-            .map(|file| file.content.as_str())
-            .collect::<Vec<_>>();
-
-        assert_eq!(contents, vec!["root memory", "nested memory"]);
-        assert!(render_memory_files(&context.memory_files).contains("# Project memory"));
-        fs::remove_dir_all(root).expect("cleanup temp dir");
-    }
-
     #[test]
     fn dedupes_identical_instruction_content_across_scopes() {
         let root = temp_dir();
@@ -652,6 +617,49 @@ mod tests {
         assert!(status.contains("## No commits yet on") || status.contains("## "));
         assert!(status.contains("?? CLAUDE.md"));
         assert!(status.contains("?? tracked.txt"));
+        assert!(context.git_diff.is_none());
+
+        fs::remove_dir_all(root).expect("cleanup temp dir");
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn discover_with_git_includes_diff_snapshot_for_tracked_changes() {
+        let root = temp_dir();
+        fs::create_dir_all(&root).expect("root dir");
+        std::process::Command::new("git")
+            .args(["init", "--quiet"])
+            .current_dir(&root)
+            .status()
+            .expect("git init should run");
+        std::process::Command::new("git")
+            .args(["config", "user.email", "tests@example.com"])
+            .current_dir(&root)
+            .status()
+            .expect("git config email should run");
+        std::process::Command::new("git")
+            .args(["config", "user.name", "Runtime Prompt Tests"])
+            .current_dir(&root)
+            .status()
+            .expect("git config name should run");
+        fs::write(root.join("tracked.txt"), "hello\n").expect("write tracked file");
+        std::process::Command::new("git")
+            .args(["add", "tracked.txt"])
+            .current_dir(&root)
+            .status()
+            .expect("git add should run");
+        std::process::Command::new("git")
+            .args(["commit", "-m", "init", "--quiet"])
+            .current_dir(&root)
+            .status()
+            .expect("git commit should run");
+        fs::write(root.join("tracked.txt"), "hello\nworld\n").expect("rewrite tracked file");
+
+        let context =
+            ProjectContext::discover_with_git(&root, "2026-03-31").expect("context should load");
+
+        let diff = context.git_diff.expect("git diff should be present");
+        assert!(diff.contains("Unstaged changes:"));
+        assert!(diff.contains("tracked.txt"));
 
         fs::remove_dir_all(root).expect("cleanup temp dir");
     }

rust/crates/rusty-claude-cli/src/main.rs

@@ -742,27 +742,61 @@ fn format_compact_report(removed: usize, resulting_messages: usize, skipped: boo
 }
 
 fn parse_git_status_metadata(status: Option<&str>) -> (Option<PathBuf>, Option<String>) {
-    let Some(status) = status else {
-        return (None, None);
-    };
-    let branch = status.lines().next().and_then(|line| {
-        line.strip_prefix("## ")
-            .map(|line| {
-                line.split(['.', ' '])
-                    .next()
-                    .unwrap_or_default()
-                    .to_string()
-            })
-            .filter(|value| !value.is_empty())
-    });
-    let project_root = find_git_root().ok();
-    (project_root, branch)
+    parse_git_status_metadata_for(
+        &env::current_dir().unwrap_or_else(|_| PathBuf::from(".")),
+        status,
+    )
 }
 
-fn find_git_root() -> Result<PathBuf, Box<dyn std::error::Error>> {
+fn parse_git_status_branch(status: Option<&str>) -> Option<String> {
+    let status = status?;
+    let first_line = status.lines().next()?;
+    let line = first_line.strip_prefix("## ")?;
+    if line.starts_with("HEAD") {
+        return Some("detached HEAD".to_string());
+    }
+    let branch = line.split(['.', ' ']).next().unwrap_or_default().trim();
+    if branch.is_empty() {
+        None
+    } else {
+        Some(branch.to_string())
+    }
+}
+
+fn resolve_git_branch_for(cwd: &Path) -> Option<String> {
+    let branch = run_git_capture_in(cwd, &["branch", "--show-current"])?;
+    let branch = branch.trim();
+    if !branch.is_empty() {
+        return Some(branch.to_string());
+    }
+
+    let fallback = run_git_capture_in(cwd, &["rev-parse", "--abbrev-ref", "HEAD"])?;
+    let fallback = fallback.trim();
+    if fallback.is_empty() {
+        None
+    } else if fallback == "HEAD" {
+        Some("detached HEAD".to_string())
+    } else {
+        Some(fallback.to_string())
+    }
+}
+
+fn run_git_capture_in(cwd: &Path, args: &[&str]) -> Option<String> {
+    let output = std::process::Command::new("git")
+        .args(args)
+        .current_dir(cwd)
+        .output()
+        .ok()?;
+    if !output.status.success() {
+        return None;
+    }
+    String::from_utf8(output.stdout).ok()
+}
+
+fn find_git_root_in(cwd: &Path) -> Result<PathBuf, Box<dyn std::error::Error>> {
     let output = std::process::Command::new("git")
         .args(["rev-parse", "--show-toplevel"])
-        .current_dir(env::current_dir()?)
+        .current_dir(cwd)
         .output()?;
     if !output.status.success() {
         return Err("not a git repository".into());
@@ -774,6 +808,15 @@ fn find_git_root() -> Result<PathBuf, Box<dyn std::error::Error>> {
     Ok(PathBuf::from(path))
 }
 
+fn parse_git_status_metadata_for(
+    cwd: &Path,
+    status: Option<&str>,
+) -> (Option<PathBuf>, Option<String>) {
+    let branch = resolve_git_branch_for(cwd).or_else(|| parse_git_status_branch(status));
+    let project_root = find_git_root_in(cwd).ok();
+    (project_root, branch)
+}
+
 #[allow(clippy::too_many_lines)]
 fn run_resume_command(
     session_path: &Path,
@@ -861,7 +904,9 @@ fn run_resume_command(
         }),
         SlashCommand::Diff => Ok(ResumeCommandOutcome {
             session: session.clone(),
-            message: Some(render_diff_report()?),
+            message: Some(render_diff_report_for(
+                session_path.parent().unwrap_or_else(|| Path::new(".")),
+            )?),
         }),
         SlashCommand::Version => Ok(ResumeCommandOutcome {
             session: session.clone(),
@@ -1542,8 +1587,7 @@ fn status_context(
         session_path: session_path.map(Path::to_path_buf),
         loaded_config_files: runtime_config.loaded_entries().len(),
         discovered_config_files,
-        memory_file_count: project_context.instruction_files.len()
-            + project_context.memory_files.len(),
+        memory_file_count: project_context.instruction_files.len(),
         project_root,
         git_branch,
     })
@@ -1688,58 +1732,39 @@ fn render_memory_report() -> Result<String, Box<dyn std::error::Error>> {
     let mut lines = vec![format!(
         "Memory
   Working directory {}
-  Instruction files {}
-  Project memory files {}",
+  Instruction files {}",
         cwd.display(),
-        project_context.instruction_files.len(),
-        project_context.memory_files.len()
+        project_context.instruction_files.len()
     )];
-    append_memory_section(
-        &mut lines,
-        "Instruction files",
-        &project_context.instruction_files,
-        "No CLAUDE instruction files discovered in the current directory ancestry.",
-    );
-    append_memory_section(
-        &mut lines,
-        "Project memory files",
-        &project_context.memory_files,
-        "No persisted project memory files discovered in .claude/memory.",
-    );
+    if project_context.instruction_files.is_empty() {
+        lines.push("Discovered files".to_string());
+        lines.push(
+            "  No CLAUDE instruction files discovered in the current directory ancestry."
+                .to_string(),
+        );
+    } else {
+        lines.push("Discovered files".to_string());
+        for (index, file) in project_context.instruction_files.iter().enumerate() {
+            let preview = file.content.lines().next().unwrap_or("").trim();
+            let preview = if preview.is_empty() {
+                "<empty>"
+            } else {
+                preview
+            };
+            lines.push(format!("  {}. {}", index + 1, file.path.display(),));
+            lines.push(format!(
+                "     lines={} preview={}",
+                file.content.lines().count(),
+                preview
+            ));
+        }
+    }
     Ok(lines.join(
         "
 ",
     ))
 }
 
-fn append_memory_section(
-    lines: &mut Vec<String>,
-    title: &str,
-    files: &[runtime::ContextFile],
-    empty_message: &str,
-) {
-    lines.push(title.to_string());
-    if files.is_empty() {
-        lines.push(format!("  {empty_message}"));
-        return;
-    }
-
-    for (index, file) in files.iter().enumerate() {
-        let preview = file.content.lines().next().unwrap_or("").trim();
-        let preview = if preview.is_empty() {
-            "<empty>"
-        } else {
-            preview
-        };
-        lines.push(format!("  {}. {}", index + 1, file.path.display()));
-        lines.push(format!(
-            "     lines={} preview={}",
-            file.content.lines().count(),
-            preview
-        ));
-    }
-}
-
 fn init_claude_md() -> Result<String, Box<dyn std::error::Error>> {
     let cwd = env::current_dir()?;
     let claude_md = cwd.join("CLAUDE.md");
@@ -1815,22 +1840,43 @@ fn normalize_permission_mode(mode: &str) -> Option<&'static str> {
 }
 
 fn render_diff_report() -> Result<String, Box<dyn std::error::Error>> {
-    let output = std::process::Command::new("git")
-        .args(["diff", "--", ":(exclude).omx"])
-        .current_dir(env::current_dir()?)
-        .output()?;
-    if !output.status.success() {
-        let stderr = String::from_utf8_lossy(&output.stderr).trim().to_string();
-        return Err(format!("git diff failed: {stderr}").into());
-    }
-    let diff = String::from_utf8(output.stdout)?;
-    if diff.trim().is_empty() {
+    render_diff_report_for(&env::current_dir()?)
+}
+
+fn render_diff_report_for(cwd: &Path) -> Result<String, Box<dyn std::error::Error>> {
+    let staged = run_git_diff_command_in(cwd, &["diff", "--cached"])?;
+    let unstaged = run_git_diff_command_in(cwd, &["diff"])?;
+    if staged.trim().is_empty() && unstaged.trim().is_empty() {
         return Ok(
             "Diff\n  Result           clean working tree\n  Detail           no current changes"
                 .to_string(),
         );
     }
-    Ok(format!("Diff\n\n{}", diff.trim_end()))
+
+    let mut sections = Vec::new();
+    if !staged.trim().is_empty() {
+        sections.push(format!("Staged changes:\n{}", staged.trim_end()));
+    }
+    if !unstaged.trim().is_empty() {
+        sections.push(format!("Unstaged changes:\n{}", unstaged.trim_end()));
+    }
+
+    Ok(format!("Diff\n\n{}", sections.join("\n\n")))
+}
+
+fn run_git_diff_command_in(
+    cwd: &Path,
+    args: &[&str],
+) -> Result<String, Box<dyn std::error::Error>> {
+    let output = std::process::Command::new("git")
+        .args(args)
+        .current_dir(cwd)
+        .output()?;
+    if !output.status.success() {
+        let stderr = String::from_utf8_lossy(&output.stderr).trim().to_string();
+        return Err(format!("git {} failed: {stderr}", args.join(" ")).into());
+    }
+    Ok(String::from_utf8(output.stdout)?)
 }
 
 fn render_version_report() -> String {
@@ -2413,12 +2459,53 @@ mod tests {
         format_model_report, format_model_switch_report, format_permissions_report,
         format_permissions_switch_report, format_resume_report, format_status_report,
         format_tool_call_start, format_tool_result, normalize_permission_mode, parse_args,
-        parse_git_status_metadata, render_config_report, render_init_claude_md,
-        render_memory_report, render_repl_help, resume_supported_slash_commands, status_context,
-        CliAction, CliOutputFormat, SlashCommand, StatusUsage, DEFAULT_MODEL,
+        parse_git_status_branch, parse_git_status_metadata, render_config_report,
+        render_diff_report, render_init_claude_md, render_memory_report, render_repl_help,
+        resume_supported_slash_commands, run_resume_command, status_context, CliAction,
+        CliOutputFormat, SlashCommand, StatusUsage, DEFAULT_MODEL,
     };
-    use runtime::{ContentBlock, ConversationMessage, MessageRole, PermissionMode};
+    use runtime::{ContentBlock, ConversationMessage, MessageRole, PermissionMode, Session};
+    use std::fs;
     use std::path::{Path, PathBuf};
+    use std::process::Command;
+    use std::sync::{Mutex, MutexGuard, OnceLock};
+    use std::time::{SystemTime, UNIX_EPOCH};
+
+    fn temp_dir() -> PathBuf {
+        let nanos = SystemTime::now()
+            .duration_since(UNIX_EPOCH)
+            .expect("time should be after epoch")
+            .as_nanos();
+        std::env::temp_dir().join(format!("rusty-claude-cli-{nanos}"))
+    }
+
+    fn git(args: &[&str], cwd: &Path) {
+        let status = Command::new("git")
+            .args(args)
+            .current_dir(cwd)
+            .status()
+            .expect("git command should run");
+        assert!(
+            status.success(),
+            "git command failed: git {}",
+            args.join(" ")
+        );
+    }
+
+    fn env_lock() -> MutexGuard<'static, ()> {
+        static LOCK: OnceLock<Mutex<()>> = OnceLock::new();
+        LOCK.get_or_init(|| Mutex::new(()))
+            .lock()
+            .unwrap_or_else(std::sync::PoisonError::into_inner)
+    }
+
+    fn with_current_dir<T>(cwd: &Path, f: impl FnOnce() -> T) -> T {
+        let previous = std::env::current_dir().expect("cwd should load");
+        std::env::set_current_dir(cwd).expect("cwd should change");
+        let result = f();
+        std::env::set_current_dir(previous).expect("cwd should restore");
+        result
+    }
 
     #[test]
     fn defaults_to_repl_when_no_args() {
@@ -2792,7 +2879,7 @@ mod tests {
         assert!(report.contains("Memory"));
         assert!(report.contains("Working directory"));
         assert!(report.contains("Instruction files"));
-        assert!(report.contains("Project memory files"));
+        assert!(report.contains("Discovered files"));
     }
 
     #[test]
@@ -2805,19 +2892,140 @@ mod tests {
 
     #[test]
     fn parses_git_status_metadata() {
-        let (root, branch) = parse_git_status_metadata(Some(
-            "## rcc/cli...origin/rcc/cli
+        let _guard = env_lock();
+        let temp_root = temp_dir();
+        fs::create_dir_all(&temp_root).expect("root dir");
+        let (project_root, branch) = with_current_dir(&temp_root, || {
+            parse_git_status_metadata(Some(
+                "## rcc/cli...origin/rcc/cli
  M src/main.rs",
-        ));
+            ))
+        });
         assert_eq!(branch.as_deref(), Some("rcc/cli"));
-        let _ = root;
+        assert!(project_root.is_none());
+        fs::remove_dir_all(temp_root).expect("cleanup temp dir");
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn parses_detached_head_from_status_snapshot() {
+        let _guard = env_lock();
+        assert_eq!(
+            parse_git_status_branch(Some(
+                "## HEAD (no branch)
+ M src/main.rs"
+            )),
+            Some("detached HEAD".to_string())
+        );
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn render_diff_report_shows_clean_tree_for_committed_repo() {
+        let _guard = env_lock();
+        let root = temp_dir();
+        fs::create_dir_all(&root).expect("root dir");
+        git(&["init", "--quiet"], &root);
+        git(&["config", "user.email", "tests@example.com"], &root);
+        git(&["config", "user.name", "Rusty Claude Tests"], &root);
+        fs::write(root.join("tracked.txt"), "hello\n").expect("write file");
+        git(&["add", "tracked.txt"], &root);
+        git(&["commit", "-m", "init", "--quiet"], &root);
+
+        let report = with_current_dir(&root, || {
+            render_diff_report().expect("diff report should render")
+        });
+        assert!(report.contains("clean working tree"));
+
+        fs::remove_dir_all(root).expect("cleanup temp dir");
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn render_diff_report_includes_staged_and_unstaged_sections() {
+        let _guard = env_lock();
+        let root = temp_dir();
+        fs::create_dir_all(&root).expect("root dir");
+        git(&["init", "--quiet"], &root);
+        git(&["config", "user.email", "tests@example.com"], &root);
+        git(&["config", "user.name", "Rusty Claude Tests"], &root);
+        fs::write(root.join("tracked.txt"), "hello\n").expect("write file");
+        git(&["add", "tracked.txt"], &root);
+        git(&["commit", "-m", "init", "--quiet"], &root);
+
+        fs::write(root.join("tracked.txt"), "hello\nstaged\n").expect("update file");
+        git(&["add", "tracked.txt"], &root);
+        fs::write(root.join("tracked.txt"), "hello\nstaged\nunstaged\n")
+            .expect("update file twice");
+
+        let report = with_current_dir(&root, || {
+            render_diff_report().expect("diff report should render")
+        });
+        assert!(report.contains("Staged changes:"));
+        assert!(report.contains("Unstaged changes:"));
+        assert!(report.contains("tracked.txt"));
+
+        fs::remove_dir_all(root).expect("cleanup temp dir");
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn render_diff_report_omits_ignored_files() {
+        let _guard = env_lock();
+        let root = temp_dir();
+        fs::create_dir_all(&root).expect("root dir");
+        git(&["init", "--quiet"], &root);
+        git(&["config", "user.email", "tests@example.com"], &root);
+        git(&["config", "user.name", "Rusty Claude Tests"], &root);
+        fs::write(root.join(".gitignore"), ".omx/\nignored.txt\n").expect("write gitignore");
+        fs::write(root.join("tracked.txt"), "hello\n").expect("write tracked");
+        git(&["add", ".gitignore", "tracked.txt"], &root);
+        git(&["commit", "-m", "init", "--quiet"], &root);
+        fs::create_dir_all(root.join(".omx")).expect("write omx dir");
+        fs::write(root.join(".omx").join("state.json"), "{}").expect("write ignored omx");
+        fs::write(root.join("ignored.txt"), "secret\n").expect("write ignored file");
+        fs::write(root.join("tracked.txt"), "hello\nworld\n").expect("write tracked change");
+
+        let report = with_current_dir(&root, || {
+            render_diff_report().expect("diff report should render")
+        });
+        assert!(report.contains("tracked.txt"));
+        assert!(!report.contains("+++ b/ignored.txt"));
+        assert!(!report.contains("+++ b/.omx/state.json"));
+
+        fs::remove_dir_all(root).expect("cleanup temp dir");
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn resume_diff_command_renders_report_for_saved_session() {
+        let _guard = env_lock();
+        let root = temp_dir();
+        fs::create_dir_all(&root).expect("root dir");
+        git(&["init", "--quiet"], &root);
+        git(&["config", "user.email", "tests@example.com"], &root);
+        git(&["config", "user.name", "Rusty Claude Tests"], &root);
+        fs::write(root.join("tracked.txt"), "hello\n").expect("write tracked");
+        git(&["add", "tracked.txt"], &root);
+        git(&["commit", "-m", "init", "--quiet"], &root);
+        fs::write(root.join("tracked.txt"), "hello\nworld\n").expect("modify tracked");
+        let session_path = root.join("session.json");
+        Session::new()
+            .save_to_path(&session_path)
+            .expect("session should save");
+
+        let session = Session::load_from_path(&session_path).expect("session should load");
+        let outcome = with_current_dir(&root, || {
+            run_resume_command(&session_path, &session, &SlashCommand::Diff)
+                .expect("resume diff should work")
+        });
+        let message = outcome.message.expect("diff message should exist");
+        assert!(message.contains("Unstaged changes:"));
+        assert!(message.contains("tracked.txt"));
+
+        fs::remove_dir_all(root).expect("cleanup temp dir");
     }
 
     #[test]
     fn status_context_reads_real_workspace_metadata() {
         let context = status_context(None).expect("status context should load");
         assert!(context.cwd.is_absolute());
-        assert!(context.discovered_config_files >= 3);
+        assert!(context.discovered_config_files >= context.loaded_config_files);
         assert!(context.loaded_config_files <= context.discovered_config_files);
     }
 

rust/crates/tools/src/lib.rs

@@ -1199,9 +1199,10 @@ fn execute_todo_write(input: TodoWriteInput) -> Result<TodoWriteOutput, String>
     validate_todos(&input.todos)?;
     let store_path = todo_store_path()?;
     let old_todos = if store_path.exists() {
-        parse_todo_markdown(
+        serde_json::from_str::<Vec<TodoItem>>(
             &std::fs::read_to_string(&store_path).map_err(|error| error.to_string())?,
-        )?
+        )
+        .map_err(|error| error.to_string())?
     } else {
         Vec::new()
     };
@@ -1219,8 +1220,11 @@ fn execute_todo_write(input: TodoWriteInput) -> Result<TodoWriteOutput, String>
     if let Some(parent) = store_path.parent() {
         std::fs::create_dir_all(parent).map_err(|error| error.to_string())?;
     }
-    std::fs::write(&store_path, render_todo_markdown(&persisted))
-        .map_err(|error| error.to_string())?;
+    std::fs::write(
+        &store_path,
+        serde_json::to_string_pretty(&persisted).map_err(|error| error.to_string())?,
+    )
+    .map_err(|error| error.to_string())?;
 
     let verification_nudge_needed = (all_done
         && input.todos.len() >= 3
@@ -1278,58 +1282,7 @@ fn todo_store_path() -> Result<std::path::PathBuf, String> {
         return Ok(std::path::PathBuf::from(path));
     }
     let cwd = std::env::current_dir().map_err(|error| error.to_string())?;
-    Ok(cwd.join(".claude").join("todos.md"))
-}
-
-fn render_todo_markdown(todos: &[TodoItem]) -> String {
-    let mut lines = vec!["# Todo list".to_string(), String::new()];
-    for todo in todos {
-        let marker = match todo.status {
-            TodoStatus::Pending => "[ ]",
-            TodoStatus::InProgress => "[~]",
-            TodoStatus::Completed => "[x]",
-        };
-        lines.push(format!(
-            "- {marker} {} :: {}",
-            todo.content, todo.active_form
-        ));
-    }
-    lines.push(String::new());
-    lines.join("\n")
-}
-
-fn parse_todo_markdown(content: &str) -> Result<Vec<TodoItem>, String> {
-    let mut todos = Vec::new();
-    for line in content.lines() {
-        let trimmed = line.trim();
-        if trimmed.is_empty() || trimmed.starts_with('#') {
-            continue;
-        }
-        let Some(rest) = trimmed.strip_prefix("- [") else {
-            continue;
-        };
-        let mut chars = rest.chars();
-        let status = match chars.next() {
-            Some(' ') => TodoStatus::Pending,
-            Some('~') => TodoStatus::InProgress,
-            Some('x' | 'X') => TodoStatus::Completed,
-            Some(other) => return Err(format!("unsupported todo status marker: {other}")),
-            None => return Err(String::from("malformed todo line")),
-        };
-        let remainder = chars.as_str();
-        let Some(body) = remainder.strip_prefix("] ") else {
-            return Err(String::from("malformed todo line"));
-        };
-        let Some((content, active_form)) = body.split_once(" :: ") else {
-            return Err(String::from("todo line missing active form separator"));
-        };
-        todos.push(TodoItem {
-            content: content.trim().to_string(),
-            active_form: active_form.trim().to_string(),
-            status,
-        });
-    }
-    Ok(todos)
+    Ok(cwd.join(".clawd-todos.json"))
 }
 
 fn resolve_skill_path(skill: &str) -> Result<std::path::PathBuf, String> {
@@ -2685,37 +2638,6 @@ mod tests {
         assert!(second_output["verificationNudgeNeeded"].is_null());
     }
 
-    #[test]
-    fn todo_write_persists_markdown_in_claude_directory() {
-        let _guard = env_lock()
-            .lock()
-            .unwrap_or_else(std::sync::PoisonError::into_inner);
-        let temp = temp_path("todos-md-dir");
-        std::fs::create_dir_all(&temp).expect("temp dir");
-        let previous = std::env::current_dir().expect("cwd");
-        std::env::set_current_dir(&temp).expect("set cwd");
-
-        execute_tool(
-            "TodoWrite",
-            &json!({
-                "todos": [
-                    {"content": "Add tool", "activeForm": "Adding tool", "status": "in_progress"},
-                    {"content": "Run tests", "activeForm": "Running tests", "status": "pending"}
-                ]
-            }),
-        )
-        .expect("TodoWrite should succeed");
-
-        let persisted = std::fs::read_to_string(temp.join(".claude").join("todos.md"))
-            .expect("todo markdown exists");
-        std::env::set_current_dir(previous).expect("restore cwd");
-        let _ = std::fs::remove_dir_all(temp);
-
-        assert!(persisted.contains("# Todo list"));
-        assert!(persisted.contains("- [~] Add tool :: Adding tool"));
-        assert!(persisted.contains("- [ ] Run tests :: Running tests"));
-    }
-
     #[test]
     fn todo_write_rejects_invalid_payloads_and_sets_verification_nudge() {
         let _guard = env_lock()