File Reservations

Advisory locks that prevent editing conflicts

File Reservations

Advisory locks prevent merge conflicts. Agents reserve files before editing, others see what’s reserved and work elsewhere.

Like “caution tape” at a construction site — respectful coordination, not enforcement.

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Quick Start

Reserve before editing:

// Agent wants to edit file
reserve_file_paths({
  file_patterns: ["src/components/UserProfile.tsx"],
  reservation_type: "exclusive",
  duration_minutes: 30
})

Check who has what:

list_file_reservations({})
// Shows: GreenCastle reserved UserProfile.tsx (expires in 25 min)

Release when done:

release_file_paths({
  file_patterns: ["src/components/UserProfile.tsx"]
})

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How It Works

Without Reservations:

2:00 PM → Agent A edits UserProfile.tsx
2:05 PM → Agent B edits UserProfile.tsx
Result: Merge conflict 💥

With Reservations:

2:00 PM → Agent A reserves UserProfile.tsx
2:05 PM → Agent B tries to reserve → Blocked
2:05 PM → Agent B works on different file
2:20 PM → Agent A releases
2:21 PM → Agent B reserves → Success ✅

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Reservation Types

Exclusive

One agent, full control

Use for: Writing code, modifying files, refactoring

reserve_file_paths({
  file_patterns: ["src/auth/AuthService.php"],
  reservation_type: "exclusive"
})

Behavior:

• Only 1 agent can hold exclusive reservation
• Blocks all other reservations (exclusive and shared)
• Agent can read and write

Example:

Agent A: Reserve auth.php (exclusive) ✅
Agent B: Reserve auth.php (exclusive) ❌ Blocked
Agent C: Reserve auth.php (shared) ❌ Blocked

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Glob Patterns

Reserve multiple files at once:

Directory

All files in directory

"src/features/auth/*"

Reserves all files in auth folder (one level)

Recursive

All files recursively

"src/features/auth/**/*"

Reserves all files in auth folder and subfolders

File Type

All TypeScript files

"src/components/**/*.tsx"

Reserves all .tsx files in components

Multiple Types

Multiple extensions

"src/components/**/*.{tsx,ts}"

Reserves both .tsx and .ts files

Common Patterns:

"src/auth/*"                    // One directory level
"src/auth/**/*"                 // Recursive
"**/*.tsx"                      // All .tsx anywhere
"src/**/*.{tsx,ts}"             // Multiple types
"!src/components/test/**"       // Exclude tests

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Managing Reservations

List Active

See all reservations:

list_file_reservations({})

Returns:

📋 Active Reservations (5)

1. src/components/UserProfile.tsx
   - Agent: GreenCastle
   - Type: exclusive
   - Expires: 25 minutes
   - Reason: Implementing export

2. src/types/User.ts
   - Agents: SwiftEagle, BoldMountain
   - Type: shared
   - Expires: 15 minutes

3. src/services/AuthService.ts
   - Agent: ClearRiver
   - Type: exclusive
   - Expires: 5 minutes

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Conflict Detection

ULPI prevents conflicts automatically:

Exclusive vs. Exclusive

Agent A: Reserve file.ts (exclusive) ✅
Agent B: Reserve file.ts (exclusive) ❌

Error: File already reserved by Agent A
Expires in: 25 minutes

Resolution:

• Wait for expiration
• Message Agent A to ask status
• Work on different file

Glob Pattern Conflicts

Patterns can overlap:

// Agent A reserves directory
Agent A: Reserve "src/components/*" (exclusive)

// Agent B tries specific file
Agent B: Reserve "src/components/UserProfile.tsx" (exclusive)
Result: ❌ Conflict (file matches Agent A's pattern)

// Agent A reserves all TypeScript
Agent A: Reserve "src/**/*.tsx" (exclusive)

// Agent B tries components only
Agent B: Reserve "src/components/*.tsx" (exclusive)
Result: ❌ Conflict (patterns overlap)

// Different directories
Agent A: Reserve "src/features/auth/*" (exclusive)
Agent B: Reserve "src/features/profile/*" (exclusive)
Result: ✅ No conflict

---

Common Patterns

Single File Edit

Pattern: Check → Reserve → Edit → Release

// 1. Check availability
check_file_reservations({
  file_patterns: ["src/components/UserProfile.tsx"]
})

// 2. Reserve (if available)
reserve_file_paths({
  file_patterns: ["src/components/UserProfile.tsx"],
  reservation_type: "exclusive",
  reason: "Implementing export button"
})

// 3. Edit the file
[Make changes]

// 4. Release
release_file_paths({
  file_patterns: ["src/components/UserProfile.tsx"]
})

Duration: 10-20 minutes for simple changes

Multi-File Feature

Pattern: Reserve all files together, work, release all

// Reserve everything needed
reserve_file_paths({
  file_patterns: [
    "src/components/UserProfile.tsx",
    "src/components/UserAvatar.tsx",
    "src/styles/profile.css"
  ],
  reservation_type: "exclusive",
  reason: "User profile export feature",
  duration_minutes: 60
})

// Work on all files
[Implement feature across all files]

// Test
[Run tests]

// Release all
release_file_paths({
  file_patterns: [
    "src/components/UserProfile.tsx",
    "src/components/UserAvatar.tsx",
    "src/styles/profile.css"
  ]
})

Duration: 30-60 minutes for feature work

Module Refactor

Pattern: Reserve entire module with glob pattern

// Reserve entire auth module
reserve_file_paths({
  file_patterns: ["src/features/auth/**/*"],
  reservation_type: "exclusive",
  reason: "Refactoring authentication flow",
  duration_minutes: 120
})

// Message other agents
send_message({
  recipient_ids: [],  // Broadcast
  subject: "Auth Module Refactor",
  body: "Refactoring auth module for 2 hours. Reserved all auth files."
})

// Perform refactor
[Refactor across multiple files]

// Release
release_file_paths({
  file_patterns: ["src/features/auth/**/*"]
})

Duration: 1-2 hours for module refactors

Why broadcast: Let everyone know you’re doing big changes

Code Review (Read-Only)

Pattern: Shared reservation for reading

// Reserve for reading
reserve_file_paths({
  file_patterns: [
    "src/types/User.ts",
    "src/types/Auth.ts"
  ],
  reservation_type: "shared",
  reason: "Reviewing type definitions",
  duration_minutes: 15
})

// Read files for context
[Review code, understand types]

// Release when done reading
release_file_paths({
  file_patterns: [
    "src/types/User.ts",
    "src/types/Auth.ts"
  ]
})

Duration: 10-15 minutes for review

Why shared: Multiple agents can review simultaneously

Blocked File - Wait Strategy

Pattern: File reserved? Work on something else

// Try to reserve
check_file_reservations({
  file_patterns: ["src/components/UserProfile.tsx"]
})

// Response: Reserved by GreenCastle, expires in 15 min

// Option 1: Message GreenCastle
send_message({
  recipient_ids: [GreenCastle_ID],
  subject: "UserProfile.tsx status?",
  body: "Are you still working on UserProfile.tsx? I need to edit it for export feature."
})

// Option 2: Work on different file
reserve_file_paths({
  file_patterns: ["src/components/UserAvatar.tsx"],
  reservation_type: "exclusive",
  reason: "Work on avatar while waiting for UserProfile"
})

// Option 3: Wait for expiration (15 min)
[Wait 15 minutes, then try again]

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Best Practices

Always Check First

Before editing, check reservations

✅ Check → Reserve → Edit → Release

❌ Edit → Conflict → Fix merge issues

Why: Prevents conflicts before they happen

Reserve Together

Reserve all related files at once

✅ Reserve [A, B, C] → Edit all → Release all

❌ Reserve A → Edit A → Reserve B → Edit B

Why: Atomic operations, clearer intent

Release Promptly

Don’t hold longer than needed

✅ Reserve → Work → Release (15 min)

❌ Reserve → Break → Lunch → Work (2 hours)

Why: Unblocks other agents

Communicate Large Changes

Broadcast before big refactors

✅ Message team → Reserve module → Refactor

❌ Reserve silently → Surprise everyone

Why: Sets expectations, enables planning

Use Specific Patterns

Avoid over-reserving with globs

✅ src/features/auth/**/*.ts (just auth)

❌ **/*.ts (entire codebase!)

Why: Better resource sharing

Choose Right Type

Exclusive for writing, shared for reading

✅ Editing? Use exclusive

✅ Reviewing? Use shared

Why: Correct semantics enable coordination

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Human Oversight

Human Overseers have special powers:

Force Release

When agents crash or take too long:

// Human can force release any reservation
force_release_file_paths({
  agent_id: "crashed_agent_id",
  file_patterns: ["src/components/UserProfile.tsx"],
  reason: "Agent crashed, unblocking file"
})

Use cases:

• Agent crashed without releasing
• Emergency requires immediate access
• Agent taking excessively long

View All Reservations

Dashboard shows:

• All active reservations across agents
• Expiration times
• Reservation reasons
• Quick actions (extend, force release)

Extend Reservations

Extend any agent’s reservation:

extend_file_reservations({
  agent_id: "other_agent_id",
  file_patterns: ["src/components/UserProfile.tsx"],
  additional_minutes: 60,
  reason: "Complex refactor legitimately needs more time"
})

---

Automatic Expiration

Reservations expire automatically:

Default TTL: 30 minutes

Lifecycle:

2:00 PM → Reserve (expires 2:30 PM)
2:25 PM → Should extend if still working
2:30 PM → Auto-expires
2:31 PM → File available again

Why auto-expiration:

• Prevents deadlock if agent crashes
• Unblocks files automatically
• No manual cleanup needed
• Safety net for coordination

If you need longer:

// Extend before expiration
extend_file_reservations({
  file_patterns: ["src/components/UserProfile.tsx"],
  additional_minutes: 30  // Now expires in 60 min total
})

---

Troubleshooting

Can't reserve - already reserved

Cause: Another agent holds reservation

Check who:

check_file_reservations({
  file_patterns: ["src/components/UserProfile.tsx"]
})
// Shows: GreenCastle, expires in 15 min

Solutions:

1. Message GreenCastle to ask status
2. Wait 15 minutes for expiration
3. Work on different file
4. Ask Human Overseer for force release (if urgent)

Reservation expired while working

Cause: Didn’t extend before 30-minute TTL

Solution:

// Re-reserve immediately
reserve_file_paths({
  file_patterns: ["src/components/UserProfile.tsx"],
  reservation_type: "exclusive"
})

Prevention:

• Extend before expiration for long tasks
• Set reminders at 25-minute mark

Glob pattern not matching files

Cause: Incorrect pattern syntax

Test pattern:

list_file_reservations({
  file_pattern: "src/components/*.tsx"
})
// See what files match

Common mistakes:

• Missing ** for recursive: src/components/**/*.tsx
• Wrong base path
• Incorrect exclude pattern

Shared reservation blocking me

Cause: Shared reservations block exclusive (expected)

Check who has shared locks:

check_file_reservations({
  file_patterns: ["src/types/User.ts"]
})
// Shows: SwiftEagle, BoldMountain (shared)

Solutions:

1. Wait for shared locks to expire
2. Message agents to ask if they’re done reading
3. If you only need to read, request shared instead

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MCP Tools Reference

Reserve files:

reserve_file_paths({
  file_patterns: ["src/file.ts", "src/**/*.tsx"],
  reservation_type: "exclusive" | "shared",
  duration_minutes: 30,
  reason: "Why you need this"
})

Check reservations:

check_file_reservations({
  file_patterns: ["src/file.ts"]
})

List all reservations:

list_file_reservations({})

Extend reservation:

extend_file_reservations({
  file_patterns: ["src/file.ts"],
  additional_minutes: 30
})

Release files:

release_file_paths({
  file_patterns: ["src/file.ts"]
})

// Or release all
release_all_file_paths({})

Full API Reference →

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Next Steps

Getting Started

Set up file reservations

Messaging

Coordinate via agent messages

Workflows

Complete coordination patterns

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Advisory locks prevent conflicts without blocking humans. It’s coordination, not enforcement.