gvShell Identity & Architecture - Final Thoughts

Output

🐚 gvShell Identity & Architecture - Final ThoughtsLast review before I build the design document
💡 On Renaming: gvAgent → gvShellI love this reframing. Here's why it works:
AspectgvAgent (old)gvShell (new)
Mental modelBackground serviceInteractive environment
User perception"Something running""Where I work"
Analogiessystemd, daemonbash, zsh, fish
Power users think"Configure and forget""Live in it"
🏗️ Proposed Architecture Inversion// OLD: Agent contains Shell
┌─────────────────────────────┐
│ gvAgent (Go binary)        │
│  ├── WebSocket client       │
│  ├── SQLite storage         │
│  ├── Secrets management     │
│  └── gvShell (subcommand)   │ ← Shell as feature
└─────────────────────────────┘

// NEW: Shell IS the product, Agent is infrastructure
┌─────────────────────────────┐
│ gvShell (Go binary)        │ ← The product
│  ├── REPL interface         │
│  ├── Command processor      │
│  ├── Response references    │
│  ├── Multi-provider routing │
│  └── gvAgent (internal)    │ ← Infrastructure layer
│       ├── WebSocket to hub  │
│       ├── SQLite storage    │
│       ├── Secrets mgmt      │
│       └── Remote mesh       │
└─────────────────────────────┘Key insight: Users interact with gvShell. They don't need to know about "agents" - that's implementation detail.
📛 Naming ImplicationsContextNameNotes
Binary namegvshellbrew install gvshell
CommandgvShort alias: gv "explain this"
Config dir~/.gvshell/Config, responses, projects
Scripts.gv filesBatch scripts
Internal moduleagent (package)Hub connection, mesh, storage
DocumentationgvShellDesign.mdPrimary design doc
🌐 The Mesh Vision            greatVibe.ai (Hub)
                   │
     ┌─────────────┼─────────────┐
     │             │             │
     ▼             ▼             ▼
┌─────────┐  ┌─────────┐  ┌─────────┐
│gvShell  │  │gvShell  │  │gvShell  │
│ laptop  │◄─┼─► dev-vm │◄─┼─► prod  │
│ primary │  │  worker  │  │ worker  │
└─────────┘  └─────────┘  └─────────┘
     │             │             │
     └─────────────┴─────────────┘
              Direct mesh P2P

# User on laptop:
gv> /agents
  laptop    (primary, local)
  dev-vm    (worker, 192.168.1.10)
  prod      (worker, 10.0.0.50, read-only)

gv> /remote dev-vm "run tests"
[Executing on dev-vm...]

gv> /broadcast "what's your current git branch?"
laptop:  main
dev-vm:  feature/auth
prod:    v2.3.1 (tag)
🔒 Security Defaults (Secure but Powerful)Per your guidance - secure by default, unlock with intent:
FeatureDefaultUnlock
Remote executionDisabled/config remote.allow=true
Shell commands in AIDisabled/config shell.execute=prompt
File system accessRead-only/config fs.write=true
Remote allowlistEmpty/config remote.allow_agents=["dev-vm"]
JSON output modeAvailable--json flag
Response persistenceSession only/config responses.storage=persistent
All security config changes require confirmation + audit log entry.
📄 Document Plan (< 120 pages)Estimated sections:
#Section~Pages
1Overview & Philosophy3
2Architecture8
3Authentication & Bootstrap10
4Command Reference (full)25
5Output Modes6
6Response File Semantics8
7Multi-Shell Orchestration15
8Unix Integration8
9Security Model12
10Configuration Reference8
11Hub Integration (greatVibe.ai)10
12Implementation Notes5
Total~118 pages
✅ Ready to BuildFinal confirmation on naming:
Binary: gvshell (with gv alias)
Docs: gvShellDesign.md (primary), brief section in existing gvAgentDesign.md pointing to it
Internal package: agent (for hub/mesh/storage infra)
If this looks right, I'll create the full design doc now.

Aspect	gvAgent (old)	gvShell (new)
Mental model	Background service	Interactive environment
User perception	"Something running"	"Where I work"
Analogies	systemd, daemon	bash, zsh, fish
Power users think	"Configure and forget"	"Live in it"

Context	Name	Notes
Binary name	gvshell	`brew install gvshell`
Command	gv	Short alias: `gv "explain this"`
Config dir	~/.gvshell/	Config, responses, projects
Scripts	.gv files	Batch scripts
Internal module	agent (package)	Hub connection, mesh, storage
Documentation	gvShellDesign.md	Primary design doc

Feature	Default	Unlock
Remote execution	Disabled	`/config remote.allow=true`
Shell commands in AI	Disabled	`/config shell.execute=prompt`
File system access	Read-only	`/config fs.write=true`
Remote allowlist	Empty	`/config remote.allow_agents=["dev-vm"]`
JSON output mode	Available	`--json` flag
Response persistence	Session only	`/config responses.storage=persistent`

#	Section	~Pages
1	Overview & Philosophy	3
2	Architecture	8
3	Authentication & Bootstrap	10
4	Command Reference (full)	25
5	Output Modes	6
6	Response File Semantics	8
7	Multi-Shell Orchestration	15
8	Unix Integration	8
9	Security Model	12
10	Configuration Reference	8
11	Hub Integration (greatVibe.ai)	10
12	Implementation Notes	5
	Total	~118 pages

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Original Request

No layout configured

Details

Type General

Status Completed

Scope vibetools

Tags gvshellgvagentarchitecturenaming

Created 6 Jan 2026, 8:57 am

Updated 6 Jan 2026, 9:05 am

Timing

⏱️ 554.0s

0 tools

● TTFE 0% ● Thinking 100% ● Tools 0%

Created By claude

Raw Data

{
  "id": "bdc50992-d2ea-48b7-91a4-b5820048e701",
  "type": "general",
  "status": "completed",
  "title": "gvShell Identity & Architecture - Final Thoughts",
  "description": "Final architectural review before creating gvShell design documentation",
  "context": {
    "output": "<div style=\"background:#1e1e1e;color:#e0e0e0;padding:20px;border-radius:8px;font-family:'Consolas','Monaco',monospace;\"><h2 style=\"font-family:sans-serif;color:#fff;margin:0 0 16px 0;\">🐚 gvShell Identity & Architecture - Final Thoughts</h2><p style=\"color:#9ca3af;font-family:sans-serif;margin:0 0 20px 0;\">Last review before I build the design document</p><div style=\"background:#2d2d2d;padding:16px;border-radius:6px;margin-bottom:16px;\"><h3 style=\"color:#98c379;margin:0 0 12px 0;\">💡 On Renaming: gvAgent → gvShell</h3><p style=\"color:#e0e0e0;line-height:1.6;margin:0 0 12px 0;\">I <strong>love</strong> this reframing. Here's why it works:</p><table style=\"width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;margin-top:12px;\"><tr style=\"background:#1a1a1a;\"><th style=\"padding:10px;text-align:left;color:#fff;\">Aspect</th><th style=\"padding:10px;text-align:left;color:#fff;\">gvAgent (old)</th><th style=\"padding:10px;text-align:left;color:#fff;\">gvShell (new)</th></tr><tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #444;\"><td style=\"padding:10px;color:#9ca3af;\">Mental model</td><td style=\"padding:10px;\">Background service</td><td style=\"padding:10px;color:#98c379;\">Interactive environment</td></tr><tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #444;\"><td style=\"padding:10px;color:#9ca3af;\">User perception</td><td style=\"padding:10px;\">\"Something running\"</td><td style=\"padding:10px;color:#98c379;\">\"Where I work\"</td></tr><tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #444;\"><td style=\"padding:10px;color:#9ca3af;\">Analogies</td><td style=\"padding:10px;\">systemd, daemon</td><td style=\"padding:10px;color:#98c379;\">bash, zsh, fish</td></tr><tr><td style=\"padding:10px;color:#9ca3af;\">Power users think</td><td style=\"padding:10px;\">\"Configure and forget\"</td><td style=\"padding:10px;color:#98c379;\">\"Live in it\"</td></tr></table></div><div style=\"background:#2d2d2d;padding:16px;border-radius:6px;margin-bottom:16px;\"><h3 style=\"color:#61afef;margin:0 0 12px 0;\">🏗️ Proposed Architecture Inversion</h3><pre style=\"background:#1a1a1a;padding:16px;border-radius:4px;overflow-x:auto;line-height:1.6;\"><span style=\"color:#7f848e;\">// OLD: Agent contains Shell</span>\n┌─────────────────────────────┐\n│ <span style=\"color:#e5c07b;\">gvAgent</span> (Go binary)        │\n│  ├── WebSocket client       │\n│  ├── SQLite storage         │\n│  ├── Secrets management     │\n│  └── <span style=\"color:#9ca3af;\">gvShell</span> (subcommand)   │ ← Shell as feature\n└─────────────────────────────┘\n\n<span style=\"color:#7f848e;\">// NEW: Shell IS the product, Agent is infrastructure</span>\n┌─────────────────────────────┐\n│ <span style=\"color:#98c379;font-weight:bold;\">gvShell</span> (Go binary)        │ ← <span style=\"color:#98c379;\">The product</span>\n│  ├── REPL interface         │\n│  ├── Command processor      │\n│  ├── Response references    │\n│  ├── Multi-provider routing │\n│  └── <span style=\"color:#56b6c2;\">gvAgent</span> (internal)    │ ← Infrastructure layer\n│       ├── WebSocket to hub  │\n│       ├── SQLite storage    │\n│       ├── Secrets mgmt      │\n│       └── Remote mesh       │\n└─────────────────────────────┘</pre><p style=\"color:#e5c07b;margin:12px 0 0 0;\"><strong>Key insight:</strong> Users interact with gvShell. They don't need to know about \"agents\" - that's implementation detail.</p></div><div style=\"background:#2d2d2d;padding:16px;border-radius:6px;margin-bottom:16px;\"><h3 style=\"color:#c678dd;margin:0 0 12px 0;\">📛 Naming Implications</h3><table style=\"width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;\"><tr style=\"background:#1a1a1a;\"><th style=\"padding:10px;text-align:left;color:#fff;\">Context</th><th style=\"padding:10px;text-align:left;color:#fff;\">Name</th><th style=\"padding:10px;text-align:left;color:#fff;\">Notes</th></tr><tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #444;\"><td style=\"padding:10px;\">Binary name</td><td style=\"padding:10px;color:#98c379;font-weight:bold;\">gvshell</td><td style=\"padding:10px;\"><code>brew install gvshell</code></td></tr><tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #444;\"><td style=\"padding:10px;\">Command</td><td style=\"padding:10px;color:#98c379;font-weight:bold;\">gv</td><td style=\"padding:10px;\">Short alias: <code>gv \"explain this\"</code></td></tr><tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #444;\"><td style=\"padding:10px;\">Config dir</td><td style=\"padding:10px;color:#e5c07b;\">~/.gvshell/</td><td style=\"padding:10px;\">Config, responses, projects</td></tr><tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #444;\"><td style=\"padding:10px;\">Scripts</td><td style=\"padding:10px;color:#e5c07b;\">.gv files</td><td style=\"padding:10px;\">Batch scripts</td></tr><tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #444;\"><td style=\"padding:10px;\">Internal module</td><td style=\"padding:10px;color:#56b6c2;\">agent (package)</td><td style=\"padding:10px;\">Hub connection, mesh, storage</td></tr><tr><td style=\"padding:10px;\">Documentation</td><td style=\"padding:10px;color:#e5c07b;\">gvShellDesign.md</td><td style=\"padding:10px;\">Primary design doc</td></tr></table></div><div style=\"background:#2d2d2d;padding:16px;border-radius:6px;margin-bottom:16px;\"><h3 style=\"color:#e5c07b;margin:0 0 12px 0;\">🌐 The Mesh Vision</h3><pre style=\"background:#1a1a1a;padding:16px;border-radius:4px;overflow-x:auto;line-height:1.6;\"><span style=\"color:#7f848e;\">            greatVibe.ai (Hub)</span>\n                   │\n     ┌─────────────┼─────────────┐\n     │             │             │\n     ▼             ▼             ▼\n┌─────────┐  ┌─────────┐  ┌─────────┐\n│<span style=\"color:#98c379;\">gvShell</span>  │  │<span style=\"color:#98c379;\">gvShell</span>  │  │<span style=\"color:#98c379;\">gvShell</span>  │\n│ laptop  │◄─┼─► dev-vm │◄─┼─► prod  │\n│ primary │  │  worker  │  │ worker  │\n└─────────┘  └─────────┘  └─────────┘\n     │             │             │\n     └─────────────┴─────────────┘\n              <span style=\"color:#56b6c2;\">Direct mesh P2P</span>\n\n<span style=\"color:#7f848e;\"># User on laptop:</span>\ngv&gt; <span style=\"color:#98c379;\">/agents</span>\n<span style=\"color:#e0e0e0;\">  laptop    (primary, local)</span>\n<span style=\"color:#e0e0e0;\">  dev-vm    (worker, 192.168.1.10)</span>\n<span style=\"color:#e0e0e0;\">  prod      (worker, 10.0.0.50, read-only)</span>\n\ngv&gt; <span style=\"color:#98c379;\">/remote dev-vm \"run tests\"</span>\n<span style=\"color:#56b6c2;\">[Executing on dev-vm...]</span>\n\ngv&gt; <span style=\"color:#98c379;\">/broadcast \"what's your current git branch?\"</span>\n<span style=\"color:#56b6c2;\">laptop:  main</span>\n<span style=\"color:#56b6c2;\">dev-vm:  feature/auth</span>\n<span style=\"color:#56b6c2;\">prod:    v2.3.1 (tag)</span></pre></div><div style=\"background:#2d2d2d;padding:16px;border-radius:6px;margin-bottom:16px;\"><h3 style=\"color:#56b6c2;margin:0 0 12px 0;\">🔒 Security Defaults (Secure but Powerful)</h3><p style=\"color:#9ca3af;margin:0 0 12px 0;\">Per your guidance - secure by default, unlock with intent:</p><table style=\"width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;\"><tr style=\"background:#1a1a1a;\"><th style=\"padding:10px;text-align:left;color:#fff;\">Feature</th><th style=\"padding:10px;text-align:left;color:#fff;\">Default</th><th style=\"padding:10px;text-align:left;color:#fff;\">Unlock</th></tr><tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #444;\"><td style=\"padding:10px;\">Remote execution</td><td style=\"padding:10px;color:#ef4444;\">Disabled</td><td style=\"padding:10px;\"><code>/config remote.allow=true</code></td></tr><tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #444;\"><td style=\"padding:10px;\">Shell commands in AI</td><td style=\"padding:10px;color:#ef4444;\">Disabled</td><td style=\"padding:10px;\"><code>/config shell.execute=prompt</code></td></tr><tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #444;\"><td style=\"padding:10px;\">File system access</td><td style=\"padding:10px;color:#f59e0b;\">Read-only</td><td style=\"padding:10px;\"><code>/config fs.write=true</code></td></tr><tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #444;\"><td style=\"padding:10px;\">Remote allowlist</td><td style=\"padding:10px;color:#ef4444;\">Empty</td><td style=\"padding:10px;\"><code>/config remote.allow_agents=[\"dev-vm\"]</code></td></tr><tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #444;\"><td style=\"padding:10px;\">JSON output mode</td><td style=\"padding:10px;color:#22c55e;\">Available</td><td style=\"padding:10px;\"><code>--json</code> flag</td></tr><tr><td style=\"padding:10px;\">Response persistence</td><td style=\"padding:10px;color:#f59e0b;\">Session only</td><td style=\"padding:10px;\"><code>/config responses.storage=persistent</code></td></tr></table><p style=\"color:#e5c07b;margin:12px 0 0 0;\">All security config changes require confirmation + audit log entry.</p></div><div style=\"background:#2d2d2d;padding:16px;border-radius:6px;margin-bottom:16px;\"><h3 style=\"color:#98c379;margin:0 0 12px 0;\">📄 Document Plan (< 120 pages)</h3><p style=\"color:#9ca3af;margin:0 0 12px 0;\">Estimated sections:</p><table style=\"width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;\"><tr style=\"background:#1a1a1a;\"><th style=\"padding:8px;text-align:left;color:#fff;\">#</th><th style=\"padding:8px;text-align:left;color:#fff;\">Section</th><th style=\"padding:8px;text-align:right;color:#fff;\">~Pages</th></tr><tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #444;\"><td style=\"padding:8px;\">1</td><td style=\"padding:8px;\">Overview & Philosophy</td><td style=\"padding:8px;text-align:right;\">3</td></tr><tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #444;\"><td style=\"padding:8px;\">2</td><td style=\"padding:8px;\">Architecture</td><td style=\"padding:8px;text-align:right;\">8</td></tr><tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #444;\"><td style=\"padding:8px;\">3</td><td style=\"padding:8px;\">Authentication & Bootstrap</td><td style=\"padding:8px;text-align:right;\">10</td></tr><tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #444;\"><td style=\"padding:8px;\">4</td><td style=\"padding:8px;\">Command Reference (full)</td><td style=\"padding:8px;text-align:right;\">25</td></tr><tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #444;\"><td style=\"padding:8px;\">5</td><td style=\"padding:8px;\">Output Modes</td><td style=\"padding:8px;text-align:right;\">6</td></tr><tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #444;\"><td style=\"padding:8px;\">6</td><td style=\"padding:8px;\">Response File Semantics</td><td style=\"padding:8px;text-align:right;\">8</td></tr><tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #444;\"><td style=\"padding:8px;\">7</td><td style=\"padding:8px;\">Multi-Shell Orchestration</td><td style=\"padding:8px;text-align:right;\">15</td></tr><tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #444;\"><td style=\"padding:8px;\">8</td><td style=\"padding:8px;\">Unix Integration</td><td style=\"padding:8px;text-align:right;\">8</td></tr><tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #444;\"><td style=\"padding:8px;\">9</td><td style=\"padding:8px;\">Security Model</td><td style=\"padding:8px;text-align:right;\">12</td></tr><tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #444;\"><td style=\"padding:8px;\">10</td><td style=\"padding:8px;\">Configuration Reference</td><td style=\"padding:8px;text-align:right;\">8</td></tr><tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #444;\"><td style=\"padding:8px;\">11</td><td style=\"padding:8px;\">Hub Integration (greatVibe.ai)</td><td style=\"padding:8px;text-align:right;\">10</td></tr><tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #444;\"><td style=\"padding:8px;\">12</td><td style=\"padding:8px;\">Implementation Notes</td><td style=\"padding:8px;text-align:right;\">5</td></tr><tr style=\"background:#1a1a1a;\"><td style=\"padding:8px;\"></td><td style=\"padding:8px;font-weight:bold;\">Total</td><td style=\"padding:8px;text-align:right;font-weight:bold;color:#98c379;\">~118 pages</td></tr></table></div><div style=\"background:#1a3d1a;border:1px solid #2d5a2d;padding:16px;border-radius:6px;\"><h4 style=\"margin:0 0 8px 0;color:#98c379;\">✅ Ready to Build</h4><p style=\"color:#a0d0a0;margin:0 0 12px 0;\">Final confirmation on naming:</p><ul style=\"margin:0;padding-left:20px;color:#a0d0a0;line-height:1.8;\"><li><strong style=\"color:#98c379;\">Binary:</strong> <code>gvshell</code> (with <code>gv</code> alias)</li><li><strong style=\"color:#98c379;\">Docs:</strong> <code>gvShellDesign.md</code> (primary), brief section in existing gvAgentDesign.md pointing to it</li><li><strong style=\"color:#98c379;\">Internal package:</strong> <code>agent</code> (for hub/mesh/storage infra)</li></ul><p style=\"color:#a0d0a0;margin:12px 0 0 0;\">If this looks right, I'll create the full design doc now.</p></div></div>",
    "requestedAt": "2026-01-06T12:15:00Z",
    "requestId": "edc9fb0a-4ce7-48b8-a6fc-608af7a4ceab",
    "choices": [
      {
        "label": "Build the docs",
        "value": "Create the gvShellDesign.md document with all sections as outlined - full command reference, security model, mesh architecture",
        "primary": true
      },
      {
        "label": "Rename everything",
        "value": "Also rename gvAgentDesign.md to reference gvShell as primary, with agent as internal infrastructure"
      },
      {
        "label": "Different naming",
        "value": "I have different thoughts on the naming - let's discuss before building"
      }
    ],
    "turnTiming": {
      "totalMs": 553982,
      "ttfeMs": 115,
      "thinkingMs": 553867,
      "toolExecutionMs": 0,
      "toolCallCount": 0,
      "thinkingPct": 100,
      "toolsPct": 0,
      "ttfePct": 0
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  },
  "createdBy": "claude",
  "createdAt": "2026-01-05T22:57:30.472Z",
  "updatedAt": "2026-01-05T23:05:41.445Z",
  "requestId": "edc9fb0a-4ce7-48b8-a6fc-608af7a4ceab",
  "scope": "vibetools",
  "tags": [
    "gvshell",
    "gvagent",
    "architecture",
    "naming"
  ],
  "targetUser": "claude"
}