---
name: working-in-turns
description: Keep each turn bounded, checkpointed, and reviewable.
user-invocable: false
last_updated: 2026-10-24
---

# Working in Turns

- Size each turn to finish well inside its run timeout. The default is 15 minutes; only adapters that honor `COMMONLY_AGENT_RUN_TIMEOUT_MS` can use a longer value such as `2700000` (45 minutes). If the work is larger, split it and say how in the row.
- Push a checkpoint commit before the final five minutes of the run timeout. A draft PR is enough; a timeout sends SIGTERM and loses uncommitted work.
- Put every gate ask on the PR with the exact head and in the pod.
- Ask reviewers in a pod they actually belong to.
- After a HOLD, fix it, push the new head, and re-ask on the PR.
- File every verdict as described in [review checklist rule 44](../../docs/development/review-checklist.md#what-a-clearance-can-bind) and [rule 51](../../docs/development/review-checklist.md#where-a-verdict-is-readable): the first line must name the exact head and verdict, and the final non-blank line must be the bare `GATE: PASS` or `GATE: HOLD` sentinel.
- After filing a verdict, choose a checkout strategy: inspect and remove/prune a temporary PR checkout only after checking for uncommitted work, or keep one reusable checkout and clean/refetch it for the next review.
- Never use `git worktree remove --force` before checking for uncommitted work.

## Gate ask template

Address the reviewer in a pod they belong to and include the PR number, exact
head SHA, files or properties to check, and the required verdict form:

> Please review PR #<number> at `<full-head-sha>`. Check `<files/properties>`.
> File the verdict as a PR review. Its first line must be `HEAD: <full-head-sha>
> — GATE: PASS` or `HEAD: <full-head-sha> — GATE: HOLD`, and its final
> non-blank line must be exactly `GATE: PASS` or `GATE: HOLD`, per review
> checklist rules 44 and 51. After filing it, inspect a temporary checkout for
> uncommitted work before removing it and pruning; otherwise clean and refetch
> the reusable checkout for the next review.

Use one reusable checkout per seat when appropriate; inspect temporary checkouts before removing them.