README.md

@@ -270,6 +270,9 @@ python3 -m src.release_engine \
   --repo stackchain/stackchain-dashboard \
   --agent timmy \
   --issue 19 \
+  --agent-timeout 1800 \
+  --test-timeout 900 \
+  --termination-grace 5 \
   --test-command 'python3 -m pytest tests/ -q'
 ```
 
@@ -286,6 +289,13 @@ text. Shell substitutions, redirects, and pipelines are intentionally not
 interpreted. Put any trusted shell workflow in a reviewed wrapper script and
 configure that script as `RELEASE_AGENT_COMMAND` instead.
 
+Agent and test deadlines are independent. On expiry, the engine terminates the
+command's entire process group, escalates from `SIGTERM` to `SIGKILL` after the
+configured grace period, and records `agent_timed_out` or `tests_timed_out`
+without advancing the release. The equivalent environment variables are
+`RELEASE_AGENT_TIMEOUT`, `RELEASE_TEST_TIMEOUT`, and
+`RELEASE_TERMINATION_GRACE`; every value must be positive.
+
 Durable state defaults to `.release-engine/state.json`. Full behavior and
 safety gates are documented in
 [`docs/release-engine-spec.md`](docs/release-engine-spec.md).

docs/release-engine-spec.md

@@ -14,13 +14,14 @@ Convert one eligible Gitea issue into a tested, traceable pull request without d
 - Optional explicit issue number; otherwise deterministic queue selection.
 - Coding-agent command, parsed into an argument vector.
 - Test command, parsed into an argument vector.
+- Positive, independent coding-agent and test deadlines plus a termination grace period.
 - Local repository path and durable state-file path.
 
 ## State machine
 
 `discovered → claimed → agent_complete → tests_passed → pushed → pr_opened`
 
-Terminal failure states are `claim_failed`, `agent_failed`, `tests_failed`, and `push_failed`. A rerun resumes from persisted state and never opens a duplicate PR.
+Terminal failure states include `claim_failed`, `agent_failed`, `agent_timed_out`, `tests_failed`, `tests_timed_out`, and `push_failed`. A rerun resumes from persisted state and never opens a duplicate PR.
 
 ## Queue selection
 
@@ -45,6 +46,10 @@ Terminal failure states are `claim_failed`, `agent_failed`, `tests_failed`, and
 - Empty or malformed commands abort before the issue claim.
 - Non-zero coding-agent exit blocks tests and PR creation.
 - Tests run using the configured command; stdout/stderr and exit code become evidence.
+- Coding-agent and test commands each run in a new process session. Their deadlines default to 1800 and 900 seconds, respectively.
+- On expiry, the engine sends `SIGTERM` to the command's entire process group, waits for the termination grace period (5 seconds by default), then sends `SIGKILL` to the group and reaps the command. This prevents descendants from keeping the worker wedged.
+- Deadlines are configured with `--agent-timeout`, `--test-timeout`, and `--termination-grace`, or `RELEASE_AGENT_TIMEOUT`, `RELEASE_TEST_TIMEOUT`, and `RELEASE_TERMINATION_GRACE`. Non-positive values abort before issue discovery or claim.
+- Timeout evidence is bounded in durable state. An agent timeout blocks tests; a test timeout blocks push and PR creation.
 
 ## PR and release gate
 
@@ -71,3 +76,6 @@ Terminal failure states are `claim_failed`, `agent_failed`, `tests_failed`, and
 6. Passing tests produce a linked PR request with evidence.
 7. Existing state/PR prevents duplicate work.
 8. Dry-run against live Gitea returns a plan and performs no mutation.
+9. A timed-out command terminates its descendants and returns within its deadline plus grace period.
+10. Agent and test timeouts persist distinct terminal states and block every later delivery stage.
+11. Non-positive deadline configuration aborts before issue claim.

src/release_engine.py

@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ import argparse
 import json
 import os
 import re
+import signal
 import shlex
 import subprocess
 from dataclasses import asdict, dataclass
@@ -31,6 +32,7 @@ class CommandResult:
     returncode: int
     stdout: str
     stderr: str
+    timed_out: bool = False
 
 
 @dataclass(frozen=True)
@@ -42,6 +44,9 @@ class EngineConfig:
     agent_command: str
     test_command: str
     base_branch: str = "main"
+    agent_timeout_seconds: float = 1800.0
+    test_timeout_seconds: float = 900.0
+    termination_grace_seconds: float = 5.0
 
 
 @dataclass(frozen=True)
@@ -63,7 +68,14 @@ class Client(Protocol):
 
 
 class Runner(Protocol):
-    def run(self, command: list[str], cwd: Path, env: dict[str, str] | None = None) -> CommandResult: ...
+    def run(
+        self,
+        command: list[str],
+        cwd: Path,
+        env: dict[str, str] | None = None,
+        timeout_seconds: float | None = None,
+        termination_grace_seconds: float = 5.0,
+    ) -> CommandResult: ...
 
 
 class StateStore:
@@ -124,19 +136,38 @@ def parse_command(command: str, name: str) -> list[str]:
 
 
 class ShellRunner:
-    def run(self, command: list[str], cwd: Path, env: dict[str, str] | None = None) -> CommandResult:
+    def run(
+        self,
+        command: list[str],
+        cwd: Path,
+        env: dict[str, str] | None = None,
+        timeout_seconds: float | None = None,
+        termination_grace_seconds: float = 5.0,
+    ) -> CommandResult:
         merged_env = os.environ.copy()
         if env:
             merged_env.update(env)
-        completed = subprocess.run(
+        process = subprocess.Popen(
             command,
             cwd=str(cwd),
             env=merged_env,
             shell=False,
             text=True,
-            capture_output=True,
+            stdout=subprocess.PIPE,
+            stderr=subprocess.PIPE,
+            start_new_session=True,
         )
-        return CommandResult(completed.returncode, completed.stdout, completed.stderr)
+        try:
+            stdout, stderr = process.communicate(timeout=timeout_seconds)
+            return CommandResult(process.returncode, stdout, stderr)
+        except subprocess.TimeoutExpired:
+            os.killpg(process.pid, signal.SIGTERM)
+            try:
+                stdout, stderr = process.communicate(timeout=termination_grace_seconds)
+            except subprocess.TimeoutExpired:
+                os.killpg(process.pid, signal.SIGKILL)
+                stdout, stderr = process.communicate()
+            return CommandResult(process.returncode, stdout, stderr, timed_out=True)
 
 
 class GiteaClient:
@@ -207,6 +238,15 @@ class ReleaseEngine:
         self.store = StateStore(config.state_path)
 
     def execute(self, issue_number: int | None = None, dry_run: bool = False) -> dict[str, Any]:
+        deadlines = {
+            "agent timeout seconds": self.config.agent_timeout_seconds,
+            "test timeout seconds": self.config.test_timeout_seconds,
+            "termination grace seconds": self.config.termination_grace_seconds,
+        }
+        for name, value in deadlines.items():
+            if value <= 0:
+                raise ValueError(f"{name} must be positive")
+
         issue = select_issue(self.client.list_open_issues(self.config.repo), self.config.agent, issue_number)
         branch = branch_name(self.config.agent, issue)
 
@@ -245,20 +285,38 @@ class ReleaseEngine:
         if branch_result.returncode != 0:
             raise RuntimeError(f"branch creation failed: {branch_result.stderr.strip()}")
 
-        agent_result = self.runner.run(agent_command, self.config.repo_path, {
+        agent_result = self.runner.run(
-            "RELEASE_ISSUE_NUMBER": str(issue.number),
+            agent_command,
-            "RELEASE_ISSUE_TITLE": issue.title,
+            self.config.repo_path,
-            "RELEASE_ISSUE_BODY": issue.body,
+            {
-            "RELEASE_REPO": self.config.repo,
+                "RELEASE_ISSUE_NUMBER": str(issue.number),
-            "RELEASE_BRANCH": branch,
+                "RELEASE_ISSUE_TITLE": issue.title,
-        })
+                "RELEASE_ISSUE_BODY": issue.body,
+                "RELEASE_REPO": self.config.repo,
+                "RELEASE_BRANCH": branch,
+            },
+            timeout_seconds=self.config.agent_timeout_seconds,
+            termination_grace_seconds=self.config.termination_grace_seconds,
+        )
+        if agent_result.timed_out:
+            evidence = (agent_result.stdout + "\n" + agent_result.stderr).strip()[-2000:]
+            self.store.save(RunState(issue.number, branch, "agent_timed_out", evidence))
+            raise RuntimeError(f"coding agent timed out: {evidence}")
         if agent_result.returncode != 0:
             self.store.save(RunState(issue.number, branch, "agent_failed", agent_result.stderr[-2000:]))
             raise RuntimeError(f"coding agent failed: {agent_result.stderr.strip()}")
         self.store.save(RunState(issue.number, branch, "agent_complete"))
 
-        test_result = self.runner.run(test_command, self.config.repo_path)
+        test_result = self.runner.run(
+            test_command,
+            self.config.repo_path,
+            timeout_seconds=self.config.test_timeout_seconds,
+            termination_grace_seconds=self.config.termination_grace_seconds,
+        )
         evidence = (test_result.stdout + "\n" + test_result.stderr).strip()[-4000:]
+        if test_result.timed_out:
+            self.store.save(RunState(issue.number, branch, "tests_timed_out", evidence))
+            raise RuntimeError(f"tests timed out: {evidence}")
         if test_result.returncode != 0:
             self.store.save(RunState(issue.number, branch, "tests_failed", evidence))
             raise RuntimeError(f"tests failed: {evidence}")
@@ -315,6 +373,9 @@ def _parse_args() -> argparse.Namespace:
     parser.add_argument("--api", default=os.getenv("GITEA_API", "http://127.0.0.1:3000/api/v1"))
     parser.add_argument("--agent-command", default=os.getenv("RELEASE_AGENT_COMMAND", ""))
     parser.add_argument("--test-command", default=os.getenv("RELEASE_TEST_COMMAND", "python3 -m pytest tests/ -q"))
+    parser.add_argument("--agent-timeout", type=float, default=float(os.getenv("RELEASE_AGENT_TIMEOUT", "1800")))
+    parser.add_argument("--test-timeout", type=float, default=float(os.getenv("RELEASE_TEST_TIMEOUT", "900")))
+    parser.add_argument("--termination-grace", type=float, default=float(os.getenv("RELEASE_TERMINATION_GRACE", "5")))
     return parser.parse_args()
 
 
@@ -332,6 +393,9 @@ def main() -> int:
         state_path=args.state,
         agent_command=args.agent_command,
         test_command=args.test_command,
+        agent_timeout_seconds=args.agent_timeout,
+        test_timeout_seconds=args.test_timeout,
+        termination_grace_seconds=args.termination_grace,
     )
     result = ReleaseEngine(config, GiteaClient(args.api, token), ShellRunner()).execute(
         issue_number=args.issue,

tests/test_release_engine.py

@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 import json
 import sys
 import threading
+import time
+from dataclasses import replace
 from http.server import BaseHTTPRequestHandler, HTTPServer
 from pathlib import Path
 
@@ -15,6 +17,7 @@ from src.release_engine import (
     RunState,
     ShellRunner,
     StateStore,
+    _parse_args,
     branch_name,
     select_issue,
 )
@@ -41,6 +44,33 @@ def test_shell_runner_treats_metacharacters_as_literal_arguments(tmp_path):
     assert not injected.exists()
 
 
+def test_shell_runner_times_out_and_terminates_spawned_children(tmp_path):
+    marker = tmp_path / "child-survived.txt"
+    child = (
+        "import time; from pathlib import Path; "
+        f"time.sleep(0.3); Path({str(marker)!r}).write_text('survived')"
+    )
+    parent = (
+        "import subprocess, sys, time; "
+        f"subprocess.Popen([sys.executable, '-c', {child!r}]); "
+        "time.sleep(10)"
+    )
+
+    started = time.monotonic()
+    result = ShellRunner().run(
+        [sys.executable, "-c", parent],
+        tmp_path,
+        timeout_seconds=0.05,
+        termination_grace_seconds=0.05,
+    )
+    elapsed = time.monotonic() - started
+    time.sleep(0.35)
+
+    assert result.timed_out is True
+    assert elapsed < 0.5
+    assert not marker.exists()
+
+
 def test_stale_token_error_explains_how_to_restore_cron_authentication():
     class UnauthorizedHandler(BaseHTTPRequestHandler):
         def do_GET(self):
@@ -94,10 +124,12 @@ class FakeRunner:
         self.results = list(results)
         self.commands = []
         self.environments = []
+        self.options = []
 
-    def run(self, command, cwd, env=None):
+    def run(self, command, cwd, env=None, **options):
         self.commands.append(command)
         self.environments.append(env)
+        self.options.append(options)
         return self.results.pop(0)
 
 
@@ -164,6 +196,41 @@ def test_empty_agent_command_fails_before_claim(tmp_path):
     assert client.claimed == []
 
 
+@pytest.mark.parametrize(
+    ("field", "value"),
+    [
+        ("agent_timeout_seconds", 0),
+        ("test_timeout_seconds", -1),
+        ("termination_grace_seconds", 0),
+    ],
+)
+def test_non_positive_command_deadlines_fail_before_claim(tmp_path, field, value):
+    issue = Issue(14, "Engine", "body", "open", [], None)
+    client = FakeClient([issue])
+    cfg = replace(config(tmp_path), **{field: value})
+
+    with pytest.raises(ValueError, match=field.replace("_", " ")):
+        ReleaseEngine(cfg, client, FakeRunner([])).execute(issue_number=14)
+
+    assert client.claimed == []
+
+
+def test_command_deadlines_are_configurable_from_cli(monkeypatch):
+    monkeypatch.setattr(sys, "argv", [
+        "release-engine",
+        "--repo", "stackchain/stackchain-dashboard",
+        "--agent-timeout", "120",
+        "--test-timeout", "45.5",
+        "--termination-grace", "2",
+    ])
+
+    args = _parse_args()
+
+    assert args.agent_timeout == 120
+    assert args.test_timeout == 45.5
+    assert args.termination_grace == 2
+
+
 def test_agent_failure_blocks_tests_and_pr(tmp_path):
     issue = Issue(14, "Engine", "body", "open", [], None)
     client = FakeClient([issue])
@@ -183,6 +250,33 @@ def test_agent_failure_blocks_tests_and_pr(tmp_path):
     assert client.created_prs == []
 
 
+def test_agent_timeout_records_terminal_state_and_blocks_tests(tmp_path):
+    issue = Issue(14, "Engine", "body", "open", [], None)
+    client = FakeClient([issue])
+    runner = FakeRunner([
+        CommandResult(0, "", ""),
+        CommandResult(-9, "partial output", "stalled", timed_out=True),
+    ])
+    cfg = config(tmp_path)
+
+    with pytest.raises(RuntimeError, match="coding agent timed out"):
+        ReleaseEngine(cfg, client, runner).execute(issue_number=14)
+
+    state = StateStore(cfg.state_path).load()
+    assert state is not None
+    assert state.status == "agent_timed_out"
+    assert "partial output" in state.evidence
+    assert runner.commands == [
+        ["git", "checkout", "-B", "timmy/14-engine"],
+        ["agent", "--issue-from-env"],
+    ]
+    assert runner.options[1] == {
+        "timeout_seconds": cfg.agent_timeout_seconds,
+        "termination_grace_seconds": cfg.termination_grace_seconds,
+    }
+    assert client.created_prs == []
+
+
 def test_issue_content_reaches_agent_only_through_environment(tmp_path):
     title = "$(touch /tmp/title-injected); `id`"
     body = "line one\n&& touch /tmp/body-injected > stolen"
@@ -229,6 +323,31 @@ def test_failed_tests_block_push_and_pr(tmp_path):
     assert client.created_prs == []
 
 
+def test_test_timeout_records_terminal_state_and_blocks_push(tmp_path):
+    issue = Issue(14, "Engine", "body", "open", [], None)
+    client = FakeClient([issue])
+    runner = FakeRunner([
+        CommandResult(0, "", ""),
+        CommandResult(0, "implemented", ""),
+        CommandResult(-15, "3 passed before stall", "", timed_out=True),
+    ])
+    cfg = config(tmp_path)
+
+    with pytest.raises(RuntimeError, match="tests timed out"):
+        ReleaseEngine(cfg, client, runner).execute(issue_number=14)
+
+    state = StateStore(cfg.state_path).load()
+    assert state is not None
+    assert state.status == "tests_timed_out"
+    assert "3 passed before stall" in state.evidence
+    assert runner.options[2] == {
+        "timeout_seconds": cfg.test_timeout_seconds,
+        "termination_grace_seconds": cfg.termination_grace_seconds,
+    }
+    assert not any(command[:2] == ["git", "push"] for command in runner.commands)
+    assert client.created_prs == []
+
+
 def test_passing_run_pushes_and_opens_linked_pr(tmp_path):
     issue = Issue(14, "Engine MVP", "body", "open", ["P1"], None)
     client = FakeClient([issue])