Remove the inert --force CLI flag (#888)

The flag was parsed into Config but never changed resume or run
behavior. Reject it as unrecognized and drop the dead field.

Author: TheGreatAxios

CHANGELOG.md

@@ -13,6 +13,11 @@ parallel copies under `docs/` or `scripts/notes/`. At cut time: rename
 
 ## [Unreleased]
 
+### Removed
+
+- `--force` is no longer accepted. It had no runtime effect; resume and the
+  session picker already include failed and done sessions without it.
+
 ## [0.3.20] - 2026-09-10
 
 ### Added
@@ -376,8 +381,8 @@ parallel copies under `docs/` or `scripts/notes/`. At cut time: rename
   reply. `send_input` steers only an in-flight running turn. Closed workers
   stay closed.
 - `corbits resume` orders sessions by last persist. The picker shows the 10
-  most recent sessions and type-to-filter narrows that list. Default rows are
-  running and cancelled; `--force` includes failed and done.
+  most recent sessions across all statuses and type-to-filter narrows that
+  list.
 
 ### TUI
 

docs/ARCHITECTURE.md

@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ In TUI chat mode there is no completion gate — the session stays open across t
 - `--config <path>` replaces the global settings file as the provider source (useful for CI per-run injection). A provider must be defined in a settings file; there is no env fallback.
 - `settings.ts` owns the schema, validators (the per-repo file rejects credentials), file loaders, and the pure `resolveProvider` precedence function.
 - `providers.ts` defines the `ProviderCatalogEntry` type and helpers for building TUI provider lists; `profiles.ts` handles profile-level selection logic.
-- `loadConfig` is async (it reads settings files). Parses a leading `exec`/`run` subcommand, flags `--cwd`, `--config`, `--provider`, `--model`, `--force`, `--dangerously-skip-permissions` (forces this process; TUI `/yolo` persists as the user-global default), `--auto` / `--no-auto` (auto mode defaults on); collects positional arguments as the optional initial task for the TUI or the required prompt for exec.
+- `loadConfig` is async (it reads settings files). Parses a leading `exec`/`run` subcommand, flags `--cwd`, `--config`, `--provider`, `--model`, `--dangerously-skip-permissions` (forces this process; TUI `/yolo` persists as the user-global default), `--auto` / `--no-auto` (auto mode defaults on); collects positional arguments as the optional initial task for the TUI or the required prompt for exec.
 - Both settings files are on the secret-guard denylist for path-keyed tools, so the agent cannot `read_file` its own credentials. Shell commands that reference them still require explicit operator approval.
 
 ### TUI Runner (`src/tui/runner.ts`)

docs/IMPLEMENTATION.md

@@ -366,7 +366,7 @@ Printed by `corbits --help` / `-h` from `CLI_HELP_TEXT` in `src/config/index.ts`
 | -------------------------------- | -------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
 | _(no verb)_                      | —                          | Interactive session; optional trailing task text                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |
 | `exec` / `run`                   | —                          | Run a prompt (non-interactive / one-shot)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |
-| `resume` / `continue`            | —                          | Open the session picker for this folder (project-keyed to this checkout's git toplevel). Lists the 10 most recently persisted sessions, completed included. Type to filter. `--force` is not required to see finished threads.                                               |
+| `resume` / `continue`            | —                          | Open the session picker for this folder (project-keyed to this checkout's git toplevel). Lists the 10 most recently persisted sessions, completed included. Type to filter.                                                                                                  |
 | `--resume`                       | —                          | Open the interactive session picker                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
 | `resume <session-id>`            | —                          | Reopen a specific session                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |
 | `resume --pick` / `--list`       | —                          | Interactive session picker                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   |
@@ -375,7 +375,6 @@ Printed by `corbits --help` / `-h` from `CLI_HELP_TEXT` in `src/config/index.ts`
 | `--provider <name>`              | from settings              | Select a configured provider                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
 | `--model <id>`                   | provider default           | Select a model for the active provider                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
 | `--profile <name>`               | —                          | Settings profile                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |
-| `--force`                        | false                      | Override an existing run state                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |
 | `--dangerously-skip-permissions` | false                      | Auto-allow anything not denied by the authorization layer (gate + pre-gate workspace sandboxes; secret-guard / authz hard denies remain). This launch flag still forces this process; `/yolo [on\|off\|toggle]` persists as the user-global default via `setSkipPermissions` |
 | `--auto`                         | true (default)             | Force auto mode on (workspace writes + unconstrained shell without prompts)                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
 | `--no-auto`                      | false                      | Start with auto mode off (ask on every consequential action); no in-session key toggles it                                                                                                                                                                                   |

docs/TUI.md

@@ -542,8 +542,7 @@ terminal's own text selection and copy work by default, with no Alt+M dance
 required. The resume picker lists the 10 most recently persisted sessions
 for this checkout — completed, failed, and crashed included. Recency is
 the last write to `run.json`, not start time. Type to filter by name
-(printable keys claim the `>` row, same as the model picker); `--force`
-is not a list filter.
+(printable keys claim the `>` row, same as the model picker).
 
 ## The prompt box
 

scripts/eval-capability.test.ts

@@ -26,7 +26,6 @@ function sampleConfig(over: Partial<Config> = {}): Config {
     providerName: "openai",
     cwd: process.cwd(),
     task: "do it",
-    force: true,
     dangerouslySkipPermissions: true,
     skipPermissionsFromSettings: false,
     auto: false,

scripts/eval-capability.ts

@@ -601,7 +601,7 @@ async function resolveVariantLabels(
       probe.push("--provider", variant.provider);
     if (variant.model !== undefined) probe.push("--model", variant.model);
     if (opts.configPath !== undefined) probe.push("--config", opts.configPath);
-    probe.push("--force", "probe");
+    probe.push("probe");
     const cfg = await loadConfig(probe, { allowUnconfigured: true });
     if (cfg.configured) {
       return { provider: cfg.providerName, model: cfg.model };
@@ -777,7 +777,6 @@ async function runCase(
     if (requested.model !== undefined) argv.push("--model", requested.model);
     if (opts.configPath !== undefined) argv.push("--config", opts.configPath);
     if (opts.skipPermissions) argv.push("--dangerously-skip-permissions");
-    argv.push("--force");
     if (opts.director !== undefined) argv.push("--director", opts.director);
 
     argv.push(prompt);

scripts/eval-public-swe-one.ts

@@ -403,7 +403,6 @@ async function main(): Promise<void> {
       "--model",
       opts.model,
       "--dangerously-skip-permissions",
-      "--force",
       prompt,
     ];
 

src/config.test.ts

@@ -135,7 +135,6 @@ describe("loadConfig", () => {
       expect(config.providerName).toBe("fireworks");
       expect(config.globalSettingsPath).toBe(globalPath);
       expect(config.globalDefaultProvider).toBe("fireworks");
-      expect(config.force).toBe(false);
     } finally {
       await rm(cwd, { recursive: true, force: true });
     }
@@ -450,16 +449,26 @@ describe("loadConfig", () => {
     }
   });
 
-  test("parses --force", async () => {
+  test("rejects --force as unrecognized for tui, exec, and resume", async () => {
     const cwd = await emptyCwd();
     try {
       const globalPath = await writeGlobalSettings(cwd);
-      const config = await loadConfig(["--cwd", cwd, "--force", "run task"], {
-        globalSettingsPath: globalPath,
-      });
-      expect(config.force).toBe(true);
-      expect(config.task).toBe("run task");
-      expect(config.command).toBe("tui");
+      await expect(
+        loadConfig(["--cwd", cwd, "--force", "run task"], {
+          globalSettingsPath: globalPath,
+        }),
+      ).rejects.toThrow("unrecognized flag: --force");
+      await expect(
+        loadConfig(["exec", "--cwd", cwd, "--force", "ship it"], {
+          globalSettingsPath: globalPath,
+        }),
+      ).rejects.toThrow("unrecognized flag: --force");
+      const sessionId = generateSessionId();
+      await expect(
+        loadConfig(["resume", sessionId, "--force", "--cwd", cwd], {
+          globalSettingsPath: globalPath,
+        }),
+      ).rejects.toThrow("unrecognized flag: --force");
     } finally {
       await rm(cwd, { recursive: true, force: true });
     }
@@ -470,15 +479,15 @@ describe("loadConfig", () => {
     try {
       const globalPath = await writeGlobalSettings(cwd);
       const config = await loadConfig(
-        ["exec", "--cwd", cwd, "--force", "ship it"],
+        ["exec", "--cwd", cwd, "--auto", "ship it"],
         {
           globalSettingsPath: globalPath,
         },
       );
       assertConfigured(config);
       expect(config.command).toBe("exec");
       expect(config.task).toBe("ship it");
-      expect(config.force).toBe(true);
+      expect(config.auto).toBe(true);
     } finally {
       await rm(cwd, { recursive: true, force: true });
     }
@@ -654,7 +663,7 @@ describe("loadConfig", () => {
     }
   });
 
-  test("resume <id> --force reopens a failed session that recorded an error", async () => {
+  test("resume <id> reopens a failed session that recorded an error", async () => {
     const cwd = await emptyCwd();
     const home = await mkdtemp(join(tmpdir(), "ic-resume-home-"));
     try {
@@ -674,26 +683,22 @@ describe("loadConfig", () => {
         },
         home,
       );
-      const config = await loadConfig(
-        ["resume", sessionId, "--force", "--cwd", cwd],
-        {
-          globalSettingsPath: globalPath,
-          home,
-        },
-      );
+      const config = await loadConfig(["resume", sessionId, "--cwd", cwd], {
+        globalSettingsPath: globalPath,
+        home,
+      });
       assertConfigured(config);
       expect(config.resumeMode).toBe("id");
       expect(config.sessionId).toBe(sessionId);
       expect(config.skipInitialTask).toBe(true);
       expect(config.task).toBe("ship resume after failure");
-      expect(config.force).toBe(true);
     } finally {
       await rm(cwd, { recursive: true, force: true });
       await rm(home, { recursive: true, force: true });
     }
   });
 
-  test("resume <id> --force among failed siblings stays silent and reopens the target", async () => {
+  test("resume <id> among failed siblings stays silent and reopens the target", async () => {
     const cwd = await emptyCwd();
     const home = await mkdtemp(join(tmpdir(), "ic-resume-home-"));
     try {
@@ -719,13 +724,10 @@ describe("loadConfig", () => {
 
       let config: Awaited<ReturnType<typeof loadConfig>> | undefined;
       const logged = await withFileLogSink(async () => {
-        config = await loadConfig(
-          ["resume", targetId, "--force", "--cwd", cwd],
-          {
-            globalSettingsPath: globalPath,
-            home,
-          },
-        );
+        config = await loadConfig(["resume", targetId, "--cwd", cwd], {
+          globalSettingsPath: globalPath,
+          home,
+        });
       });
       const loaded = defined(config, "config");
       assertConfigured(loaded);
@@ -843,7 +845,7 @@ describe("loadConfig", () => {
       let thrown: unknown;
       const logged = await withFileLogSink(async () => {
         try {
-          await loadConfig(["resume", sessionId, "--force", "--cwd", cwd], {
+          await loadConfig(["resume", sessionId, "--cwd", cwd], {
             globalSettingsPath: globalPath,
             home,
           });
@@ -923,8 +925,8 @@ describe("loadConfig", () => {
   });
 
   test("--help after flags throws CliHelpError", async () => {
-    await expectCliHelp(["--force", "--help"]);
-    await expectCliHelp(["--force", "-h"]);
+    await expectCliHelp(["--auto", "--help"]);
+    await expectCliHelp(["--auto", "-h"]);
   });
 
   test("--help after a positional throws CliHelpError", async () => {
@@ -967,7 +969,7 @@ describe("loadConfig", () => {
 
   test("value flags reject other flag-shaped tokens as values", async () => {
     await expect(
-      loadConfig(["--provider", "--force"], {
+      loadConfig(["--provider", "--auto"], {
         globalSettingsPath: NO_SETTINGS,
       }),
     ).rejects.toThrow("--provider requires a value");
@@ -978,7 +980,7 @@ describe("loadConfig", () => {
       loadConfig(["--cwd", "--tmp"], { globalSettingsPath: NO_SETTINGS }),
     ).rejects.toThrow("--cwd requires a value");
     await expect(
-      loadConfig(["exec", "--director", "--force", "ship it"], {
+      loadConfig(["exec", "--director", "--auto", "ship it"], {
         globalSettingsPath: NO_SETTINGS,
       }),
     ).rejects.toThrow("--director requires a value");

src/config/index.ts

@@ -458,7 +458,6 @@ export interface Config {
   verified?: boolean;
   cwd: string;
   task: string;
-  force: boolean;
   dangerouslySkipPermissions: boolean;
   // True when dangerouslySkipPermissions came from the persisted global
   // default rather than this invocation's CLI flag. Entry points use this to
@@ -529,7 +528,6 @@ export interface UnconfiguredConfig {
   configured: false;
   cwd: string;
   task: string;
-  force: boolean;
   dangerouslySkipPermissions: boolean;
   skipPermissionsFromSettings: boolean;
   auto: boolean;
@@ -573,7 +571,6 @@ Flags:
   --model <id>                model for the active provider
   --profile <name>            settings profile
   --resume                    interactive session picker
-  --force                     override an existing run state
   --director <id>             exec-only: run as this director (default: skywalker)
   --dangerously-skip-permissions
                                skip permission prompts for this run only;
@@ -684,7 +681,6 @@ export async function loadConfig(
   }
 
   let cwd = process.cwd();
-  let force = false;
   let dangerouslySkipPermissions = false;
   // Auto mode is the default: non-destructive consequential actions (file
   // writes/edits and unconstrained shell) run without prompting, while shell
@@ -702,7 +698,7 @@ export async function loadConfig(
   const positional: string[] = [];
 
   const requireValue = (flag: string, value: string | undefined): string => {
-    // Flag-shaped tokens are never option values. `--provider --force` and a
+    // Flag-shaped tokens are never option values. `--provider --auto` and a
     // trailing `--provider` both surface as a missing value rather than binding
     // the next flag (or accepting `--help`, which is already handled above).
     if (value === undefined || isFlagToken(value)) {
@@ -734,10 +730,6 @@ export async function loadConfig(
       profileFlag = requireValue("--profile", args[++i]);
       continue;
     }
-    if (arg === "--force") {
-      force = true;
-      continue;
-    }
     if (arg === "--director") {
       const value = requireValue("--director", args[++i]);
       if (command !== "exec") {
@@ -914,7 +906,6 @@ export async function loadConfig(
       configured: false,
       cwd,
       task,
-      force,
       dangerouslySkipPermissions,
       skipPermissionsFromSettings,
       auto,
@@ -984,7 +975,6 @@ export async function loadConfig(
     ...resolved,
     cwd,
     task: resumeTask,
-    force,
     dangerouslySkipPermissions,
     skipPermissionsFromSettings,
     auto,

src/tui/onboarding.ts

@@ -73,7 +73,6 @@ export async function runOnboarding(
     argv.push("--config", config.cliConfigPath);
   if (config.dangerouslySkipPermissions)
     argv.push("--dangerously-skip-permissions");
-  if (config.force) argv.push("--force");
   if (config.task.length > 0) argv.push(config.task);
 
   // Preserve programmatic isolation independently of the path that won settings