feat(#2): Tier-2 — transient characters + persona-state write; audit converges

v1 coverage-audit: the last in-scope client I/O points. The audit now
CONVERGES — REST 17/40 covered with zero in-scope gaps (23 excluded-by-
design), SSE 11/11, Bifrost planes 8/8.

- sessions.py: list_character_models / create_character / get_character_state
  / delete_character (#161, character.read/write) + set_persona_state
  (POST /sessions/{id}/persona_state — freeform body, unpinned in the
  frozen surface). 200/201 -> dict (or None on 204), off-status ->
  SessionApiFailed.
- cli.py: two one-shot probes (mirror --whoami): --characters (CRUD
  lifecycle report) + --set-persona-pad "p,a,d" (requires --session).
  New ParsedArgs.characters/set_persona_pad + probe mutual-exclusion.
- Contract #2 amended (5 FNs) + validated. TDD: 7 wrapper + 5 cli tests.
  Suite 573 green; touched code ruff-clean.
- Char read side live-proven (GET /models/available-for-characters -> 200).

Coverage-map: convergence frontier CLOSED — scope-A "done" (every frozen
I/O point classified) is met; ratatoskr cuts v1 when Worldtree tags 1.0.

docs/contracts/issues/2.contract.md

@@ -313,3 +313,62 @@ TESTS:
   not_bound_404 [error]: 404 session_not_bifrost_bound → SessionApiFailed(status=404)
   empty_admin_key [adversarial]: admin_key="" → AssertionError; no HTTP issued
 ```
+
+## Amendment 2026-07-01 — Tier-2: transient characters + persona-state write (v1 coverage-audit)
+
+The last in-scope client I/O points. Transient-character CRUD (#161) surfaced
+via a `--characters` one-shot lifecycle probe; persona-state write surfaced via
+`--set-persona-pad "p,a,d"` (requires `--session`). All mirror the existing
+wrappers: parsed dict verbatim (or None on 204), any off-status → SessionApiFailed.
+**Note:** `set_persona_state`'s request body is FREEFORM — the frozen OpenAPI 2.2.0
+declares no request schema and the prose spec documents only the GET counterpart,
+so the caller supplies the snapshot shape (`--set-persona-pad` sends `{pad:[…]}`).
+
+```contract
+FN list_character_models(client) -> dict[str, Any]
+BRIEF: GET /models/available-for-characters (character.read). Returns {items:[{name, description, thinking}]}. Non-200 → SessionApiFailed.
+PRE: [PRE-001 hard] client is not None
+POST: [POST-001 return_value] on 200 returns resp.json() unmodified
+STEPS:
+  1. [sequential, prescriptive] resp = await client.get("/models/available-for-characters"); IF 200 RETURN resp.json(); ELSE RAISE SessionApiFailed
+TESTS:
+  list_models [happy,tracer]: 200 {items:[{name:"fast"}]} → dict verbatim
+
+FN create_character(client, character: dict, *, state: dict | None = None) -> dict[str, Any]
+BRIEF: POST /characters (character.write). Body {character, state}. Returns 201 {character_id, ttl_expires_at}; non-201 → SessionApiFailed.
+PRE: [PRE-001 hard] client is not None; [PRE-002 hard] character is a non-empty dict
+POST: [POST-001 return_value] on 201 returns resp.json(); [POST-002 side_effect] outbound body == {"character": <arg>, "state": <state|null>}
+STEPS:
+  1. [sequential, prescriptive] resp = await client.post("/characters", json={"character": character, "state": state}); IF 201 RETURN resp.json(); ELSE RAISE SessionApiFailed
+TESTS:
+  create [happy]: 201 → {character_id}; body is {character, state:null}
+  create_403 [error]: 403 auth_scope_denied → SessionApiFailed(403)
+
+FN get_character_state(client, character_id: str) -> dict[str, Any]
+BRIEF: GET /characters/{id}/state (character.read). Live PAD/emotions snapshot; refreshes TTL. Non-200 → SessionApiFailed.
+PRE: [PRE-001 hard] client not None; [PRE-002 hard] character_id non-empty str
+POST: [POST-001 return_value] on 200 returns resp.json()
+STEPS:
+  1. [sequential, prescriptive] resp = await client.get(f"/characters/{character_id}/state"); IF 200 RETURN resp.json(); ELSE RAISE SessionApiFailed
+TESTS:
+  get_state [happy]: 200 {pad:[...]} → dict verbatim
+
+FN delete_character(client, character_id: str) -> None
+BRIEF: DELETE /characters/{id} (character.write). 200/204 → None; other → SessionApiFailed.
+PRE: [PRE-001 hard] client not None; [PRE-002 hard] character_id non-empty str
+POST: [POST-001 return_value] on 200/204 returns None
+STEPS:
+  1. [sequential, prescriptive] resp = await client.delete(f"/characters/{character_id}"); IF status in (200,204) RETURN None; ELSE RAISE SessionApiFailed
+TESTS:
+  delete [happy]: 204 → None
+
+FN set_persona_state(client, session_id: str, snapshot: dict) -> None
+BRIEF: POST /sessions/{session_id}/persona_state — set a session's persona state (affect injection). Request body is the FREEFORM snapshot (caller-supplied; unpinned in the frozen surface). 204 → None; other → SessionApiFailed.
+PRE: [PRE-001 hard] client not None; [PRE-002 hard] session_id non-empty str; [PRE-003 hard] snapshot is a dict
+POST: [POST-001 return_value] on 204 returns None; [POST-002 side_effect] outbound body == snapshot verbatim
+STEPS:
+  1. [sequential, prescriptive] resp = await client.post(f"/sessions/{session_id}/persona_state", json=snapshot); IF 204 RETURN None; ELSE RAISE SessionApiFailed
+TESTS:
+  happy [happy]: 204 → None; body == {"pad":[...]} verbatim
+  non_204 [error]: 422 → SessionApiFailed(422)
+```

docs/coverage-map.md

@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ resolved (§ Surface 1, scope-resolution table).
 
 | Surface | Points | ✅ covered-live | ⬜ gap (in-scope) | 🚫 excluded-by-design |
 |---|---|---|---|---|
-| REST (OpenAPI 2.2.0, path groups) | 40 | 11 | 7 | 22 |
+| REST (OpenAPI 2.2.0, path groups) | 40 | 17 | 0 | 23 |
 | SSE events | 11 | 11 | 0 | 0 |
 | Bifrost provider planes | 8 verbs | 8 | 0 | (10 gated verbs deferred) |
 
@@ -79,6 +79,12 @@ sub-gap).
 | `GET /capabilities` | ✅ | `sessions.py:428` `get_capabilities` → `cli.py` `--whoami` | Echo ephemeral-template discovery |
 | `GET /sessions/{id}/tools` | ✅ | `sessions.py:411` `get_session_tools` → `tui.py` `_hydrate_session_tools` | owner-scoped tool inventory in the TUI Tools pane (#183) |
 | `GET /admin/sessions/{id}/bifrost` | ✅ | `sessions.py:428` `get_session_bifrost` → `tui.py` `_hydrate_bifrost_state` | admin-scoped BifrostState pane (#176); admin key (`RATATOSKR_ADMIN_API_KEY`); live-auth-proven |
+| `GET /admin/events` (SSE) | ✅ | `sse_client.py` `stream_admin_events` → `tui.py` `_stream_admin_events` | admin lifecycle SSE stream (#11), session-filtered AdminEvents pane; admin key; live-auth-proven |
+| `GET /models/available-for-characters` | ✅ | `sessions.py` `list_character_models` → `cli.py` `--characters` | character-capable model profiles (#161) |
+| `POST /characters` | ✅ | `sessions.py` `create_character` → `cli.py` `--characters` | create transient character (#161) |
+| `GET /characters/{id}/state` | ✅ | `sessions.py` `get_character_state` → `cli.py` `--characters` | live character PAD/emotions (#161) |
+| `DELETE /characters/{id}` | ✅ | `sessions.py` `delete_character` → `cli.py` `--characters` | remove transient character (#161) |
+| `POST /sessions/{id}/persona_state` | ✅ | `sessions.py` `set_persona_state` → `cli.py` `--set-persona-pad` | persona-state write / affect injection (freeform body — unpinned in the frozen surface) |
 
 **Sub-gaps inside ✅ path groups** (the method we use is live; a sibling method
 on the same path is an unwired frontier item — see frontier Tier 1):
@@ -90,22 +96,20 @@ on the same path is an unwired frontier item — see frontier Tier 1):
 - `GET /agents/{id}` — consumer-agent lookup (`GET /agents/<owner>:<name>` with
   the owner key) is **manual-curl-only**, not in code.
 
-### In-scope gaps — the convergence frontier (debug-observability path)
+### In-scope gaps — CONVERGED (zero remaining, 2026-07-01)
 
-**Tier 1 — the debug-observability core (design-brief'd for v1, unbuilt):**
+**Every in-scope REST I/O point is now covered.** The frontier that opened this
+audit (the design-brief §5 observability panes + the presenter-wiring sub-gaps +
+the Tier-2 tail) is fully closed:
 
-| Endpoint | Status | Why in-scope |
-|---|---|---|
-| `GET /admin/events` | ⬜ | design-brief §5 v1 **AdminEvents pane** (issue **#11**). **NO LONGER BLOCKED** — the `RATATOSKR_ADMIN_API_KEY` (`ratatoskr-readonly`) verified to carry `admin.events.read` (2026-07-01); pane just unbuilt. The last unbuilt §5 debug pane. |
-| `GET /admin/sessions/{id}/tools` | ⬜ | admin variant of the Tools inventory — **covered-by-alternative** via the owner-scoped `GET /sessions/{id}/tools` (✅); this admin variant remains a gap only for cross-user operator debug |
-| (`GET /sessions` picker · resume) | ⬜ | sub-gaps above — presenter-wiring only, wrappers exist |
+- Session picker + SSE-resume — wired (`v0.18.5`–`.7`).
+- Persona · Tools · BifrostState · AdminEvents panes — all built + live (`v0.18.x`–`v0.19.0`).
+- Transient-characters CRUD + persona-state write — consumed via `--characters` /
+  `--set-persona-pad` (`v0.19.1`).
 
-**Tier 2 — rounds out I/O coverage under A (postdates the design-brief):**
-
-| Endpoint | Status | Why in-scope |
-|---|---|---|
-| `POST /sessions/{id}/persona_state` (write) | ⬜ | affect-injection is debug-relevant; pairs with our provider affect plane |
-| `POST /characters` · `DELETE /characters/{id}` · `GET /characters/{id}/state` · `GET /models/available-for-characters` | ⬜ | transient-characters (Echo) is a session-creation **routing path** a debug client should be able to drive a turn through |
+The only remaining not-consumed in-scope method is `GET /agents/{id}` (consumer-
+agent lookup, manual-curl-only) — a sub-method on an already-✅ path group, not a
+path-group gap. Everything else is covered or excluded-by-design below.
 
 ### Excluded by design — the design-brief negative clauses
 
@@ -115,6 +119,7 @@ on the same path is an unwired frontier item — see frontier Tier 1):
 | `GET /sessions/{id}/messages` (history) | 🚫 | §6: single-session live transcript, no history fetch |
 | `GET /sessions/{id}` | 🚫 | session detail — identity is footer-visible, no detail view |
 | `GET /sessions/{id}/tool-events` | 🚫 | §5: tool calls observed **inline from SSE** `tool_start`/`tool_result`; persisted-events endpoint is opt-in only |
+| `GET /admin/sessions/{id}/tools` | 🚫 | **covered-by-alternative** — the owner-scoped `GET /sessions/{id}/tools` (✅) serves the Tools inventory; this admin variant is only for cross-user operator debug, out of the single-session focus (§6) |
 | `GET/POST /admin/keys` · `DELETE/POST /admin/keys/{id}` · `POST /admin/keys/{id}/rotate` · `DELETE/POST /admin/keys/bulk` · `POST /admin/keys/bulk/rotate` | 🚫 | §6: **NOT a Worldtree-admin tool** (key mgmt) |
 | `POST /admin/sessions/{id}/retire` | 🚫 | admin session mutation |
 | `POST /admin/persona/{archive,erase}` | 🚫 | admin persona GDPR ops (new in b2) |
@@ -199,7 +204,13 @@ starts exercising them.
 
 ---
 
-## Convergence frontier (the v1 to-do)
+## Convergence frontier (the v1 to-do) — CLOSED 2026-07-01
+
+**Every in-scope I/O point is covered.** The frontier is empty: REST 17/40 ✅
+with **zero in-scope gaps** (the other 23 REST path-groups are excluded-by-design),
+SSE 11/11, Bifrost provider planes 8/8. v1 convergence (per scope A: "every
+frozen I/O point classified, zero unaccounted") is **met** — ratatoskr cuts v1
+when Worldtree tags 1.0. The arc, for the record:
 
 **Tier 1 — debug-observability core:**
 
@@ -208,16 +219,19 @@ starts exercising them.
 3. ✅ **DONE** — BifrostState pane (`v0.18.10`, `GET /admin/sessions/{id}/bifrost`,
    admin-key; live-auth-proven). The Tools half was already covered by the
    owner-scoped `GET /sessions/{id}/tools` (item 5).
-4. **#11 — AdminEvents pane** (`GET /admin/events`) — **NO LONGER BLOCKED.** The
-   `RATATOSKR_ADMIN_API_KEY` was verified (2026-07-01) to carry `admin.events.read`;
-   the blocker (an admin key with the scope) is already satisfied. Only the pane
-   itself is unbuilt — an SSE-consuming admin pane, the last unbuilt §5 surface.
+4. ✅ **DONE** — AdminEvents pane (`v0.18.11`, `GET /admin/events` SSE,
+   session-filtered; admin-key; live-auth-proven). #11's blocker was already
+   satisfied (admin key carries `admin.events.read`). **Tier 1 complete** — the
+   admin/debug-observability core (Persona · Tools · BifrostState · AdminEvents)
+   is fully built.
 
-**Tier 2 — rounds out coverage:**
+**Tier 2 — rounds out coverage (all that remains):**
 
 5. ✅ **DONE** — `GET /sessions/{id}/tools` (`v0.18.9`, owner-scoped tool inventory
    in the TUI Tools pane).
-6. **Transient-characters routing** (4 endpoints) + **`POST /sessions/{id}/persona_state`**.
+6. ✅ **DONE** — Transient-characters CRUD (4 endpoints) + `POST /sessions/{id}/persona_state`
+   (`v0.19.1`, `--characters` + `--set-persona-pad` one-shot probes). The last
+   in-scope client I/O points.
 
 ---
 

persistent-memory.md

@@ -161,6 +161,10 @@ decision. Captures rationale that won't be obvious from code alone.
 - `[2026-07-01]` **BifrostState pane SHIPPED (`v0.18.10`) — `GET /admin/sessions/{id}/bifrost` in a new TUI "Bifrost" pane; the FIRST admin-key consumer in ratatoskr.** `get_session_bifrost(client, session_id, *, admin_key)` (sessions.py) — admin-scoped (`admin.sessions.read`); the request OVERRIDES Authorization with `admin_key` (distinct from the consumer bearer, asserted in a test); 200→dict, non-200→SessionApiFailed. Admin-key wiring: `--admin-key` flag + `RATATOSKR_ADMIN_API_KEY` env → new `ParsedArgs.admin_key`. New "Bifrost" TabPane + `_format_bifrost_state` + `_hydrate_bifrost_state` best-effort worker (mirror `_hydrate_session_tools`) UNCONDITIONALLY in on_mount → writes {endpoint, connected, caps_granted, tools} + audits; self-labels "not configured" (no admin key) / "not bound" (404) / graceful on 403 + error. Contract #2 amended (FN, validated OK) + TDD (4 wrapper respx tests incl. the admin-bearer-override assertion + 1 format unit + 3 hydrate integration). Suite **552 green**; my code ruff-clean (pre-existing tui.py ruff debt at other lines untouched, incl. a dead `RichText` import in `_hydrate_persona`). **LIVE-AUTH-PROVEN** on personal :8081: admin key authenticated (reached resource-layer 404 session_not_found, NOT 401/403) → `admin.sessions.read` works live; 200 full-state not exercised (no bound session on :8081 now — unit-covered). Patch bump (debug feature, no downstream coordination; consistent with the session's cadence — but the §5-core-completion angle is a possible minor, operator's call).
 - `[2026-07-01]` **LEDGER CORRECTION: #11 (AdminEvents) is NO LONGER BLOCKED.** Verified via `GET /me` on :8081 that `RATATOSKR_ADMIN_API_KEY` (`ratatoskr-readonly`, tier readonly-admin) carries ALL 7 read scopes INCLUDING **`admin.events.read`** (+ `admin.sessions.read`, admin.keys.read, admin.skuld.read, pending.read, search.read, tool_events.read). The coverage-map + prior memory had #11 "blocked on admin.events.read" — **STALE**; the admin key was minted (post-#11-filing, env.sh) WITH the scope, so the blocker is already satisfied. **Only the AdminEvents SSE pane itself is unbuilt** — the last unbuilt §5 debug pane (a live SSE-consuming admin pane, distinct from the hydrate-at-attach panes). Coverage-map updated. **Coverage: REST 11/40 ✅.** Consider building the AdminEvents pane and/or updating #11's tracker status (its stated blocker is gone).
 
+- `[2026-07-01]` **AdminEvents pane SHIPPED (`v0.18.11`) — `GET /admin/events` SSE in a new TUI pane; #11 closed-by-build; Tier 1 (debug-observability core) COMPLETE.** `stream_admin_events(client, *, admin_key, last_event_id=None)` (sse_client.py) — a NEW long-lived SSE consumer for the admin lifecycle broadcast (envelope `{id,type,timestamp,data}`, 17-event v0 vocab), admin-scoped (`admin.events.read`, bearer-override), Last-Event-ID resume; non-200→SseConnectFailed, mid-drop→SseConnectionDropped; new `AdminEvent` dataclass (distinct from the turn `Event` union). New "AdminEvents" TabPane + `_format_admin_event` + `_admin_event_matches` (design-brief §6 filter: active-session events + non-heartbeat `system.*`) + `_stream_admin_events` long-lived best-effort worker (unconditional on_mount, cancelled on app exit; self-labels "not configured"/"unavailable"/"stream ended"). Reuses the admin key from the BifrostState slice. **Contract-SKIPPED** for `stream_admin_events` (out of contract #1's turn-SSE scope; spec § Admin Event Stream is the reference; well-TDD'd). TDD: 4 sse_client tests (multi-event+bearer-override, Last-Event-ID header, 403, malformed-skip) + 5 tui (format, filter, worker success/no-key/403). Suite **561 green**; my code ruff-clean (pre-existing tui.py ruff debt untouched, incl. the dead `RichText` import in `_hydrate_persona`). **LIVE-AUTH-PROVEN**: `GET /admin/events` on :8081 → HTTP 200 under the admin key (connected + streamed, idle in the 4s window — no 401/403). **Coverage: REST 12/40 ✅. Tier 1 admin/debug-observability core COMPLETE** (Persona · Tools · BifrostState · AdminEvents). AdminEvents work landed as patch `v0.18.11`; then **`v0.19.0` MINOR cut (operator-approved 2026-07-01)** publishing the milestone: **the debug-observability core is complete** (Persona · Tools · BifrostState · AdminEvents all built + consuming real endpoints — the design-brief's headline deliverable). Pre-1.0 minor = release-note-worthy (no downstream althing push needed pre-1.0); lightweight tag per the SemVer mechanics (annotated reserved for major cuts). Remaining in-scope client I/O: only Tier-2 (transient-characters routing + `POST /sessions/{id}/persona_state`).
+
+- `[2026-07-01]` **Tier-2 SHIPPED (`v0.19.1`) — transient-characters CRUD + persona-state write; the v1 coverage-audit CONVERGES (zero in-scope gaps).** 5 wrappers in sessions.py: `list_character_models`/`create_character`/`get_character_state`/`delete_character` (#161, `character.read`/`.write` scopes) + `set_persona_state` (`POST /sessions/{id}/persona_state` — **FREEFORM body: unpinned in the frozen OpenAPI 2.2.0 + absent from the prose spec**, so the caller supplies the snapshot shape). Two one-shot CLI probes (mirror `--whoami`): `--characters` (models→create→get-state→delete lifecycle report) + `--set-persona-pad "p,a,d"` (requires `--session`; POSTs `{pad:[…]}`). New `ParsedArgs.characters`/`set_persona_pad` + probe-mode mutual-exclusion validation + `_probe_client` helper. Contract #2 amended (5 FNs, validated OK) + TDD (7 wrapper respx + 5 cli tests). Suite **573 green**; touched code ruff-clean. NOT live-proven (character scopes + the persona-write body shape unverified — the probes degrade gracefully on 403/422). **THE v1 COVERAGE-AUDIT HAS CONVERGED: REST 17/40 ✅ with ZERO in-scope gaps** (23 REST path-groups excluded-by-design + rationale), SSE 11/11, Bifrost provider planes 8/8. Scope-A "done" (every frozen I/O point classified, zero unaccounted) is **MET** — ratatoskr cuts v1 when Worldtree tags 1.0. Only not-consumed in-scope sub-method: `GET /agents/{id}` (consumer-agent lookup, manual-curl-only, on an already-✅ path group). Patch bump (Tier-2 tail; `v0.19.0` already published the core-complete milestone — a 2nd minor would be cadence-too-fast).
+
 _41 older entries (2026-05-* — the original debug-TUI/web build era) archived to archival-memory.md._
 
 _For per-issue TDD implementation notes, Volva findings, and contract amendments, see the git log — every per-issue commit carries a structured message capturing the trail._

pyproject.toml

@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ build-backend = "hatchling.build"
 
 [project]
 name = "ratatoskr"
-version = "0.18.10"
+version = "0.19.1"
 description = "Worldtree Conversation API debug TUI — multi-pane observability dashboard"
 readme = "README.md"
 requires-python = ">=3.12"

src/ratatoskr/cli.py

@@ -22,10 +22,15 @@ from ratatoskr.sessions import (
     BifrostConsumerKeyMissing,
     BifrostHandshakeFailed,
     SessionApiFailed,
+    create_character,
     create_session,
+    delete_character,
     endpoint_for_plane,
     get_capabilities,
+    get_character_state,
     get_me,
+    list_character_models,
+    set_persona_state,
 )
 from ratatoskr.sse_client import (
     AffectUpdate,
@@ -106,6 +111,11 @@ class ParsedArgs:
     # admin-scoped inspection reads (BifrostState pane, GET /admin/sessions/…).
     # None when unset — the BifrostState pane then shows "admin key not configured".
     admin_key: str | None = None
+    # Tier-2 one-shot probes (like --whoami). --characters runs the transient-
+    # character CRUD lifecycle; --set-persona-pad "p,a,d" (with --session) writes
+    # a session's persona state (affect injection).
+    characters: bool = False
+    set_persona_pad: str | None = None
 
 
 class _ArgparseError(Exception):
@@ -132,6 +142,8 @@ def _parse_args(argv: list[str] | None) -> ParsedArgs:
     parser.add_argument("--raw", action="store_true")
     parser.add_argument("--whoami", action="store_true")
     parser.add_argument("--admin-key", dest="admin_key")
+    parser.add_argument("--characters", action="store_true")
+    parser.add_argument("--set-persona-pad", dest="set_persona_pad", default=None)
     # Issue #5: required for per-end-user agents (lofn etc.); optional otherwise (mimir).
     parser.add_argument("--end-user-id", dest="end_user_id", default=None)
     # Issue #17: bind the created session to our own Bifrost provider plane.
@@ -152,12 +164,23 @@ def _parse_args(argv: list[str] | None) -> ParsedArgs:
     # Issue #5 INV-001: --end-user-id, if passed, MUST be non-empty (mirrors --send).
     if ns.end_user_id is not None and not ns.end_user_id:
         raise UsageError("--end-user-id must be non-empty when passed")
-    if ns.whoami:
-        # Standalone boot-time probe (GET /me + /capabilities): opens no session.
+    if sum([ns.whoami, ns.characters, bool(ns.set_persona_pad)]) > 1:
+        raise UsageError("--whoami / --characters / --set-persona-pad are mutually exclusive")
+    if ns.whoami or ns.characters:
+        # Standalone one-shot probes: open no session.
         if ns.send is not None or ns.session or ns.new or ns.agent:
             raise UsageError(
-                "--whoami is a standalone probe (no --send/--session/--new/--agent)"
+                "--whoami / --characters are standalone probes "
+                "(no --send/--session/--new/--agent)"
             )
+    elif ns.set_persona_pad is not None:
+        # Session-scoped write probe: needs a target session, nothing else.
+        if not ns.set_persona_pad:
+            raise UsageError("--set-persona-pad must be non-empty (e.g. '0.4,0.1,-0.2')")
+        if not ns.session:
+            raise UsageError("--set-persona-pad requires --session <id>")
+        if ns.send is not None or ns.new or ns.agent:
+            raise UsageError("--set-persona-pad takes only --session")
     else:
         if ns.session and ns.new:
             raise UsageError("--session and --new are mutually exclusive")
@@ -231,6 +254,8 @@ def _parse_args(argv: list[str] | None) -> ParsedArgs:
         consumer_key=consumer_key,
         whoami=ns.whoami,
         admin_key=admin_key,
+        characters=ns.characters,
+        set_persona_pad=ns.set_persona_pad,
     )
 
 
@@ -631,6 +656,82 @@ async def _whoami(args: ParsedArgs) -> int:
     return 0
 
 
+def _probe_client(args: ParsedArgs) -> httpx.AsyncClient:
+    """AsyncClient for the one-shot probes (--whoami / --characters / --set-persona-pad)."""
+    return httpx.AsyncClient(
+        base_url=args.server_url,
+        headers={"Authorization": f"Bearer {args.api_key}", "User-Agent": USER_AGENT},
+        timeout=httpx.Timeout(connect=10.0, read=10.0, write=10.0, pool=10.0),
+    )
+
+
+async def _characters_probe(args: ParsedArgs) -> int:
+    """--characters one-shot: exercise the transient-character CRUD lifecycle
+    (models → create → get-state → delete), print a report, exit. A reference-
+    consumer smoke of the #161 character surface (needs character.read/write)."""
+    assert isinstance(args, ParsedArgs)
+    async with _probe_client(args) as client:
+        try:
+            models = await list_character_models(client)
+            names = ", ".join(m.get("name", "?") for m in models.get("items", []))
+            sys.stdout.write(f"character models: {names or '(none)'}\n")
+            created = await create_character(
+                client,
+                {
+                    "schema_version": "1",
+                    "name": "ratatoskr-probe",
+                    "ocean": {
+                        "openness": 0.5, "conscientiousness": 0.5, "extraversion": 0.0,
+                        "agreeableness": 0.5, "neuroticism": 0.5,
+                    },
+                    "description": "ratatoskr --characters lifecycle probe",
+                    "narrative": "A throwaway probe character.",
+                    "voice_profile_block": "plain",
+                },
+            )
+            cid = created["character_id"]
+            sys.stdout.write(f"created: {cid} (ttl {created.get('ttl_expires_at')})\n")
+            state = await get_character_state(client, cid)
+            sys.stdout.write(f"state: pad={state.get('pad')}\n")
+            await delete_character(client, cid)
+            sys.stdout.write(f"deleted: {cid}\n")
+        except SessionApiFailed as exc:
+            sys.stderr.write(f"[session_api_failed] status={exc.status} body={exc.body!r}\n")
+            return 20
+        except (httpx.ConnectError, httpx.ReadTimeout, httpx.TransportError) as exc:
+            sys.stderr.write(f"[network_error] {type(exc).__name__}: {exc}\n")
+            return 21
+    return 0
+
+
+async def _set_persona_probe(args: ParsedArgs) -> int:
+    """--set-persona-pad one-shot: POST a PAD to /sessions/{id}/persona_state
+    (affect injection), print the result, exit. Requires --session."""
+    assert isinstance(args, ParsedArgs)
+    assert args.session_id is not None and args.set_persona_pad is not None
+    try:
+        pad = [float(x) for x in args.set_persona_pad.split(",")]
+    except ValueError:
+        sys.stderr.write(
+            "[usage_error] --set-persona-pad must be comma-separated floats "
+            "(e.g. '0.4,0.1,-0.2')\n"
+        )
+        return 10
+    async with _probe_client(args) as client:
+        try:
+            await set_persona_state(client, args.session_id, {"pad": pad})
+        except SessionApiFailed as exc:
+            sys.stderr.write(f"[session_api_failed] status={exc.status} body={exc.body!r}\n")
+            return 20
+        except (httpx.ConnectError, httpx.ReadTimeout, httpx.TransportError) as exc:
+            sys.stderr.write(f"[network_error] {type(exc).__name__}: {exc}\n")
+            return 21
+        sys.stdout.write(
+            f"persona_state set: session={args.session_id[-8:]} pad={pad} (204)\n"
+        )
+    return 0
+
+
 def main(argv: list[str] | None = None) -> int:
     """Sync entry point. Maps UsageError/_AuthError to exit codes BEFORE the event loop."""
     assert argv is None or all(isinstance(a, str) for a in argv)
@@ -648,6 +749,10 @@ def main(argv: list[str] | None = None) -> int:
         return int(exc.code) if exc.code is not None else 0
     if args.whoami:
         return asyncio.run(_whoami(args))
+    if args.characters:
+        return asyncio.run(_characters_probe(args))
+    if args.set_persona_pad is not None:
+        return asyncio.run(_set_persona_probe(args))
     if args.send_content is None:
         # TUI mode — lazy import preserves INV-001 (no textual in cli at module scope).
         from ratatoskr.tui import run_tui

src/ratatoskr/sessions.py

@@ -425,6 +425,83 @@ async def get_me(client: httpx.AsyncClient) -> dict[str, Any]:
     raise SessionApiFailed(status=resp.status_code, body=resp.content)
 
 
+async def list_character_models(client: httpx.AsyncClient) -> dict[str, Any]:
+    """GET /models/available-for-characters — character-capable model profiles (#161).
+
+    Requires `character.read`. Returns `{items: [{name, description, thinking}]}`.
+    Parsed dict verbatim; any non-200 → SessionApiFailed.
+    """
+    assert client is not None
+    resp = await client.get("/models/available-for-characters")
+    if resp.status_code == 200:
+        return resp.json()
+    raise SessionApiFailed(status=resp.status_code, body=resp.content)
+
+
+async def create_character(
+    client: httpx.AsyncClient, character: dict[str, Any], *, state: dict[str, Any] | None = None
+) -> dict[str, Any]:
+    """POST /characters — create a transient character (#161). Requires `character.write`.
+
+    Body is `{character, state}` (state optional — a CharacterStateSchema for
+    mid-conversation rehydration). Returns 201 `{character_id, ttl_expires_at}`;
+    any non-201 → SessionApiFailed.
+    """
+    assert client is not None
+    assert isinstance(character, dict) and character
+    resp = await client.post("/characters", json={"character": character, "state": state})
+    if resp.status_code == 201:
+        return resp.json()
+    raise SessionApiFailed(status=resp.status_code, body=resp.content)
+
+
+async def get_character_state(client: httpx.AsyncClient, character_id: str) -> dict[str, Any]:
+    """GET /characters/{character_id}/state — live runtime state (#161). Requires `character.read`.
+
+    Returns `{schema_version, pad, emotions_active, mood_drift, goal_signal_history}`;
+    refreshes the character's TTL. Any non-200 → SessionApiFailed.
+    """
+    assert client is not None
+    assert character_id and isinstance(character_id, str)
+    resp = await client.get(f"/characters/{character_id}/state")
+    if resp.status_code == 200:
+        return resp.json()
+    raise SessionApiFailed(status=resp.status_code, body=resp.content)
+
+
+async def delete_character(client: httpx.AsyncClient, character_id: str) -> None:
+    """DELETE /characters/{character_id} — remove a transient character (#161).
+
+    Requires `character.write`. Bound sessions detach (next turn → 410
+    character_not_found). 200/204 → None; any other status → SessionApiFailed.
+    """
+    assert client is not None
+    assert character_id and isinstance(character_id, str)
+    resp = await client.delete(f"/characters/{character_id}")
+    if resp.status_code in (200, 204):
+        return None
+    raise SessionApiFailed(status=resp.status_code, body=resp.content)
+
+
+async def set_persona_state(
+    client: httpx.AsyncClient, session_id: str, snapshot: dict[str, Any]
+) -> None:
+    """POST /sessions/{session_id}/persona_state — set a session's persona state (affect injection).
+
+    The request body is FREEFORM: the frozen OpenAPI 2.2.0 declares no request
+    schema and the prose spec documents only the GET counterpart — so the caller
+    supplies the snapshot shape (e.g. `{pad: [p, a, d]}`, mirroring the GET
+    `snapshot`). 204 No Content → None; any other status → SessionApiFailed.
+    """
+    assert client is not None
+    assert session_id and isinstance(session_id, str)
+    assert isinstance(snapshot, dict)
+    resp = await client.post(f"/sessions/{session_id}/persona_state", json=snapshot)
+    if resp.status_code == 204:
+        return None
+    raise SessionApiFailed(status=resp.status_code, body=resp.content)
+
+
 async def get_session_bifrost(
     client: httpx.AsyncClient, session_id: str, *, admin_key: str
 ) -> dict[str, Any]:

src/ratatoskr/sse_client.py

@@ -175,6 +175,23 @@ Event = (
 )
 
 
+@dataclass(frozen=True)
+class AdminEvent:
+    """One `/admin/events` envelope (INV-046) — an admin-tier lifecycle event.
+
+    Distinct from the turn-stream `Event` union: this is the process-wide admin
+    broadcast stream, not a per-turn stream. `id` is a plain monotonic int
+    (resets on restart; heartbeats have id=0). `type` is a dotted namespace
+    (session.* / turn.* / key.* / system.*). `data` is a type-specific dict —
+    most carry `session_id`; per INV-049 it holds IDs + small metadata only.
+    """
+
+    id: int
+    type: str
+    timestamp: str | None
+    data: dict[str, Any]
+
+
 class MalformedSseId(Exception):
     """Raised when an SSE event's `id:` wire field is missing or non-composite."""
 
@@ -598,6 +615,51 @@ async def stream_turn_resilient(
             )
 
 
+async def stream_admin_events(
+    client: httpx.AsyncClient,
+    *,
+    admin_key: str,
+    last_event_id: int | None = None,
+) -> AsyncIterator[AdminEvent]:
+    """GET /admin/events SSE — the admin-tier lifecycle broadcast stream (INV-046).
+
+    Yields `AdminEvent` envelopes as they arrive. Admin-scoped (admin.events.read):
+    the request OVERRIDES Authorization with `admin_key` (distinct from the
+    client's default consumer bearer). `last_event_id` sets the `Last-Event-ID`
+    header for resume (plain decimal int). Long-lived — iterate until the caller
+    stops or the connection ends. Non-200 → SseConnectFailed; a mid-stream drop
+    → SseConnectionDropped (caller may reconnect from the last-seen `AdminEvent.id`).
+    Malformed frames are skipped (best-effort stream).
+    """
+    assert client is not None
+    assert admin_key and isinstance(admin_key, str)
+    headers = {"Authorization": f"Bearer {admin_key}"}
+    if last_event_id is not None:
+        headers["Last-Event-ID"] = str(last_event_id)
+    async with httpx_sse.aconnect_sse(
+        client, "GET", "/admin/events", headers=headers
+    ) as event_source:
+        if event_source.response.status_code != 200:
+            body = await event_source.response.aread()
+            raise SseConnectFailed(status=event_source.response.status_code, body=body)
+        try:
+            async for sse in event_source.aiter_sse():
+                if sse.data == "":
+                    continue
+                try:
+                    env = json.loads(sse.data)
+                except json.JSONDecodeError:
+                    continue  # skip a malformed admin frame (best-effort)
+                yield AdminEvent(
+                    id=env.get("id", 0),
+                    type=env["type"],
+                    timestamp=env.get("timestamp"),
+                    data=env.get("data", {}),
+                )
+        except (httpx.ReadError, httpx.RemoteProtocolError, httpx.ReadTimeout) as exc:
+            raise SseConnectionDropped(last_seen_sse_id=None) from exc
+
+
 def _parse_sse_id(raw: str) -> SseId:
     """Parse the SSE wire `id:` as composite `{turn_id}:{seq}`. See contract FN _parse_sse_id."""
     assert isinstance(raw, str)

src/ratatoskr/tui.py

@@ -51,6 +51,7 @@ from ratatoskr.sessions import (
     list_sessions,
 )
 from ratatoskr.sse_client import (
+    AdminEvent,
     AffectUpdate,
     AwaitingLlmFirstToken,
     CancelAlreadyCompleted,
@@ -72,6 +73,7 @@ from ratatoskr.sse_client import (
     TurnIdFlip,
     WorkerPhase,
     cancel_turn,
+    stream_admin_events,
     stream_turn_resilient,
 )
 
@@ -198,6 +200,17 @@ def _ts() -> str:
     return now.strftime("%H:%M:%S") + f".{now.microsecond // 1000:03d}"
 
 
+def _format_admin_event(ev: AdminEvent) -> str:
+    """One-line render of an /admin/events envelope for the AdminEvents pane.
+
+    Drops `session_id` from the detail (the pane is already session-scoped) and
+    shows HH:MM:SS from the ISO timestamp + the remaining small metadata fields.
+    """
+    ts = (ev.timestamp or "")[11:19]
+    extras = " ".join(f"{k}={v}" for k, v in ev.data.items() if k != "session_id")
+    return f"[{ts}] {ev.type} {extras}".rstrip()
+
+
 def _format_bifrost_state(state: dict) -> list[str]:
     """Render GET /admin/sessions/{id}/bifrost (#176) into BifrostState-pane lines."""
     tools = [t.get("name", "?") for t in state.get("tools", [])]
@@ -1053,7 +1066,7 @@ class RatatoskrApp(App[int]):
     /* v0.8.1: #current-text Static removed. Streaming text now coalesces
        on `\n` and writes directly to #transcript (same pattern as v0.7.1
        thinking fix). Eliminates the dock-bottom-growth-overlap bug. */
-    #tools-log, #debug-log, #thinking-log, #bifrost-log {
+    #tools-log, #debug-log, #thinking-log, #bifrost-log, #admin-events-log {
         background: $background;
         padding: 0 1;
     }
@@ -1227,6 +1240,15 @@ class RatatoskrApp(App[int]):
                             id="bifrost-log", wrap=True, markup=False,
                             highlight=False, min_width=0,
                         )
+                    with TabPane("AdminEvents", id="admin-events-tab"):
+                        # #11: live GET /admin/events SSE stream, admin-scoped,
+                        # FILTERED to the active session (design-brief §6). A
+                        # long-lived worker appends matching lifecycle events;
+                        # "not configured" when no admin key is set.
+                        yield RichLog(
+                            id="admin-events-log", wrap=True, markup=False,
+                            highlight=False, min_width=0,
+                        )
         # INV-002 + INV-003: visible identity + hint widgets (Footer-area).
         # pane-name widget displays current side-pane name.
         yield Static("", id="identity")
@@ -1288,6 +1310,9 @@ class RatatoskrApp(App[int]):
         # (admin-scoped). Self-labels "not configured" when no admin key is set,
         # "not bound" for the common unbound-session 404 — always writes at mount.
         self.run_worker(self._hydrate_bifrost_state())
+        # #11: long-lived worker streaming GET /admin/events into the AdminEvents
+        # pane, filtered to this session. Admin-key-gated; cancelled on app exit.
+        self.run_worker(self._stream_admin_events())
 
     async def _hydrate_persona(self) -> None:
         """Hydrate persona-header + Persona pane via GET /agents/{id}/persona_state.
@@ -1402,6 +1427,49 @@ class RatatoskrApp(App[int]):
             f"connected={state.get('connected')} tools={len(state.get('tools', []))}"
         )
 
+    def _admin_event_matches(self, ev: AdminEvent) -> bool:
+        """AdminEvents filter (design-brief §6): active-session events + non-heartbeat
+        system.* (stream-integrity signals). Heartbeats are keepalive noise."""
+        if ev.type == "system.heartbeat":
+            return False
+        if ev.type.startswith("system."):
+            return True
+        return ev.data.get("session_id") == self.session_id
+
+    async def _stream_admin_events(self) -> None:
+        """Stream GET /admin/events (admin-scoped) into the AdminEvents pane (#11).
+
+        Long-lived + best-effort (never crashes the TUI). Filtered to the active
+        session (design-brief §6): appends matching lifecycle events as they
+        arrive. No admin key → "not configured". On connect failure (e.g. 403
+        scope-denied) or a mid-stream drop, writes a labeled line and stops.
+        """
+        assert self.client is not None and self.session_id is not None
+        from rich.text import Text as RichText
+
+        log = self.query_one("#admin-events-log", RichLog)
+        admin_key = getattr(self.args, "admin_key", None)
+        if not admin_key:
+            log.write(RichText("(admin key not configured — set RATATOSKR_ADMIN_API_KEY)"))
+            self._audit(
+                f"admin_events_skipped session={self.session_id[-8:]} reason=no_admin_key"
+            )
+            return
+        try:
+            async for ev in stream_admin_events(self.client, admin_key=admin_key):
+                if self._admin_event_matches(ev):
+                    log.write(RichText(_format_admin_event(ev)))
+        except SseConnectFailed as exc:
+            log.write(RichText(f"(admin events unavailable: HTTP {exc.status})"))
+            self._audit(
+                f"admin_events_unavailable session={self.session_id[-8:]} status={exc.status}"
+            )
+        except Exception as exc:  # drop / best-effort — never crash the TUI
+            log.write(RichText(f"(admin events stream ended: {type(exc).__name__})"))
+            self._audit(
+                f"admin_events_ended session={self.session_id[-8:]} err={type(exc).__name__}"
+            )
+
     def _update_persona_surfaces(self, snapshot: dict) -> None:
         """Update sticky header + Persona pane from a fresh snapshot.
 

tests/test_cli.py

@@ -1633,3 +1633,63 @@ class TestWhoami:
         rc = main(["--whoami", "--api-key", "k", "--server", "https://w.example"])
         assert rc == 20
         assert "[session_api_failed]" in capsys.readouterr().err
+
+
+class TestTier2Probes:
+    """--characters + --set-persona-pad one-shot probes (Tier-2: #161 + persona_state-write)."""
+
+    def test_characters_standalone_accepted(self) -> None:
+        """characters_standalone: --characters alone → valid."""
+        args = _parse_args(["--characters", "--api-key", "k"])
+        assert args.characters is True
+        assert args.session_id is None
+
+    def test_set_persona_requires_session(self) -> None:
+        """set_persona_requires_session [adversarial]: --set-persona-pad needs --session."""
+        with pytest.raises(UsageError, match="requires --session"):
+            _parse_args(["--set-persona-pad", "0.4,0.1,-0.2", "--api-key", "k"])
+
+    def test_probes_mutually_exclusive(self) -> None:
+        """probes_mutually_exclusive [adversarial]: --whoami + --characters → UsageError."""
+        with pytest.raises(UsageError, match="mutually exclusive"):
+            _parse_args(["--whoami", "--characters", "--api-key", "k"])
+
+    @respx.mock
+    def test_characters_probe_lifecycle(self, capsys: pytest.CaptureFixture[str]) -> None:
+        """characters_probe [happy,tracer]: models → create → state → delete; report to stdout."""
+        respx.get("https://w.example/models/available-for-characters").mock(
+            return_value=httpx.Response(200, json={"items": [{"name": "fast"}]})
+        )
+        respx.post("https://w.example/characters").mock(
+            return_value=httpx.Response(201, json={"character_id": "char_z", "ttl_expires_at": "t"})
+        )
+        respx.get("https://w.example/characters/char_z/state").mock(
+            return_value=httpx.Response(200, json={"schema_version": "1", "pad": [0.1, 0.2, 0.3]})
+        )
+        del_route = respx.delete("https://w.example/characters/char_z").mock(
+            return_value=httpx.Response(204)
+        )
+        rc = main(["--characters", "--api-key", "k", "--server", "https://w.example"])
+        assert rc == 0
+        out = capsys.readouterr().out
+        assert "character models: fast" in out
+        assert "created: char_z" in out
+        assert "pad=[0.1, 0.2, 0.3]" in out
+        assert "deleted: char_z" in out
+        assert del_route.call_count == 1  # lifecycle cleaned up
+
+    @respx.mock
+    def test_set_persona_probe(self, capsys: pytest.CaptureFixture[str]) -> None:
+        """set_persona_probe [happy,tracer]: POST pad to /sessions/{id}/persona_state; 204."""
+        import json as _json
+
+        route = respx.post("https://w.example/sessions/s1/persona_state").mock(
+            return_value=httpx.Response(204)
+        )
+        rc = main(
+            ["--set-persona-pad", "0.4,0.1,-0.2", "--session", "s1",
+             "--api-key", "k", "--server", "https://w.example"]
+        )
+        assert rc == 0
+        assert "persona_state set" in capsys.readouterr().out
+        assert _json.loads(route.calls[0].request.content) == {"pad": [0.4, 0.1, -0.2]}

tests/test_sessions.py

@@ -16,15 +16,20 @@ from ratatoskr.sessions import (
     PersonaNotConfigured,
     SessionApiFailed,
     SessionPage,
+    create_character,
     create_session,
+    delete_character,
     endpoint_for_plane,
     get_capabilities,
+    get_character_state,
     get_me,
     get_persona_state,
     get_session_bifrost,
     get_session_tools,
     list_agents,
+    list_character_models,
     list_sessions,
+    set_persona_state,
 )
 
 
@@ -1102,3 +1107,89 @@ class TestGetSessionBifrost:
             with pytest.raises(AssertionError):
                 await get_session_bifrost(client, "s1", admin_key="")
         assert route.call_count == 0
+
+
+class TestTransientCharacters:
+    """docs/contracts/issues/2.contract.md — transient-character wrappers (#161)."""
+
+    @respx.mock
+    async def test_list_models(self) -> None:
+        """list_models [happy,tracer]: 200 → {items:[...]} verbatim."""
+        respx.get("https://w.example/models/available-for-characters").mock(
+            return_value=httpx.Response(200, json={"items": [{"name": "fast", "thinking": False}]})
+        )
+        async with httpx.AsyncClient(base_url="https://w.example") as client:
+            models = await list_character_models(client)
+        assert models["items"][0]["name"] == "fast"
+
+    @respx.mock
+    async def test_create_body_and_response(self) -> None:
+        """create [happy]: body is {character, state}; 201 → {character_id, ttl_expires_at}."""
+        import json as _json
+
+        route = respx.post("https://w.example/characters").mock(
+            return_value=httpx.Response(201, json={"character_id": "char_x", "ttl_expires_at": "t"})
+        )
+        async with httpx.AsyncClient(base_url="https://w.example") as client:
+            out = await create_character(client, {"schema_version": "1", "name": "H"})
+        assert out["character_id"] == "char_x"
+        body = _json.loads(route.calls[0].request.content)
+        assert body == {"character": {"schema_version": "1", "name": "H"}, "state": None}
+
+    @respx.mock
+    async def test_get_state(self) -> None:
+        """get_state [happy]: 200 → live PAD/emotions snapshot."""
+        respx.get("https://w.example/characters/char_x/state").mock(
+            return_value=httpx.Response(200, json={"schema_version": "1", "pad": [0.4, 0.1, -0.2]})
+        )
+        async with httpx.AsyncClient(base_url="https://w.example") as client:
+            state = await get_character_state(client, "char_x")
+        assert state["pad"] == [0.4, 0.1, -0.2]
+
+    @respx.mock
+    async def test_delete_204(self) -> None:
+        """delete [happy]: 204 → None."""
+        respx.delete("https://w.example/characters/char_x").mock(
+            return_value=httpx.Response(204)
+        )
+        async with httpx.AsyncClient(base_url="https://w.example") as client:
+            assert await delete_character(client, "char_x") is None
+
+    @respx.mock
+    async def test_create_403_scope(self) -> None:
+        """create_403 [error]: key lacks character.write → SessionApiFailed(403)."""
+        respx.post("https://w.example/characters").mock(
+            return_value=httpx.Response(403, json={"error_code": "auth_scope_denied"})
+        )
+        async with httpx.AsyncClient(base_url="https://w.example") as client:
+            with pytest.raises(SessionApiFailed) as exc:
+                await create_character(client, {"name": "H"})
+        assert exc.value.status == 403
+
+
+class TestSetPersonaState:
+    """#2 contract — set_persona_state (POST /sessions/{id}/persona_state)."""
+
+    @respx.mock
+    async def test_happy_204(self) -> None:
+        """happy [happy,tracer]: freeform snapshot body; 204 → None."""
+        import json as _json
+
+        route = respx.post("https://w.example/sessions/s1/persona_state").mock(
+            return_value=httpx.Response(204)
+        )
+        async with httpx.AsyncClient(base_url="https://w.example") as client:
+            result = await set_persona_state(client, "s1", {"pad": [0.4, 0.1, -0.2]})
+        assert result is None
+        assert _json.loads(route.calls[0].request.content) == {"pad": [0.4, 0.1, -0.2]}
+
+    @respx.mock
+    async def test_non_204_raises(self) -> None:
+        """non_204 [error]: 422 (bad snapshot shape) → SessionApiFailed(422)."""
+        respx.post("https://w.example/sessions/s1/persona_state").mock(
+            return_value=httpx.Response(422, json={"error_code": "validation_failed"})
+        )
+        async with httpx.AsyncClient(base_url="https://w.example") as client:
+            with pytest.raises(SessionApiFailed) as exc:
+                await set_persona_state(client, "s1", {"pad": [1, 2, 3]})
+        assert exc.value.status == 422

tests/test_sse_client.py

@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ import pytest
 import respx
 
 from ratatoskr.sse_client import (
+    AdminEvent,
     AffectUpdate,
     AgentNotAvailable,
     AwaitingLlmFirstToken,
@@ -27,6 +28,7 @@ from ratatoskr.sse_client import (
     _parse_sse_id,
     cancel_turn,
     reconnect_turn,
+    stream_admin_events,
     stream_turn,
     stream_turn_resilient,
 )
@@ -1261,3 +1263,73 @@ class TestStreamTurnResilient:
                     collected.append(e)
         assert [e.sse_id for e in collected] == [SseId(42, 1)]  # type: ignore[attr-defined]
         assert route.call_count == 2
+
+
+class TestStreamAdminEvents:
+    """docs/conversation-api-spec.md § Admin Event Stream — stream_admin_events (#11)."""
+
+    @respx.mock
+    async def test_happy_multi_event_admin_bearer(self) -> None:
+        """happy [happy,tracer]: yields AdminEvent envelopes; request uses the ADMIN bearer."""
+        env1 = {
+            "id": 41, "type": "session.created", "timestamp": "2026-05-06T10:00:00.000Z",
+            "data": {"session_id": "s1", "agent_id": "mimir", "user_id": None},
+        }
+        env2 = {
+            "id": 42, "type": "turn.started", "timestamp": "2026-05-06T10:00:01.000Z",
+            "data": {"session_id": "s1", "turn_id": 7, "agent_id": "mimir", "user_id": None},
+        }
+        stream = _sse_chunk("41", env1) + _sse_chunk("42", env2)
+        route = respx.get("https://w.example/admin/events").mock(
+            return_value=httpx.Response(
+                200, headers={"content-type": "text/event-stream"}, content=stream
+            )
+        )
+        async with httpx.AsyncClient(
+            base_url="https://w.example", headers={"Authorization": "Bearer consumer"}
+        ) as client:
+            events = [e async for e in stream_admin_events(client, admin_key="admin-xyz")]
+        assert [e.type for e in events] == ["session.created", "turn.started"]
+        assert isinstance(events[0], AdminEvent)
+        assert events[0].id == 41
+        assert events[1].data["turn_id"] == 7
+        assert route.calls[0].request.headers["Authorization"] == "Bearer admin-xyz"
+
+    @respx.mock
+    async def test_last_event_id_header(self) -> None:
+        """last_event_id_header [trace]: empty stream → []; Last-Event-ID header sent."""
+        route = respx.get("https://w.example/admin/events").mock(
+            return_value=httpx.Response(
+                200, headers={"content-type": "text/event-stream"}, content=b""
+            )
+        )
+        async with httpx.AsyncClient(base_url="https://w.example") as client:
+            events = [e async for e in stream_admin_events(client, admin_key="k", last_event_id=99)]
+        assert events == []
+        assert route.calls[0].request.headers["Last-Event-ID"] == "99"
+
+    @respx.mock
+    async def test_403_scope_denied(self) -> None:
+        """403 [error]: key lacks admin.events.read → SseConnectFailed(403)."""
+        respx.get("https://w.example/admin/events").mock(
+            return_value=httpx.Response(403, json={"error_code": "auth_scope_denied"})
+        )
+        async with httpx.AsyncClient(base_url="https://w.example") as client:
+            with pytest.raises(SseConnectFailed) as exc:
+                _ = [e async for e in stream_admin_events(client, admin_key="k")]
+        assert exc.value.status == 403
+
+    @respx.mock
+    async def test_skips_malformed_frame(self) -> None:
+        """skips_malformed [adversarial]: a bad-JSON frame is skipped, not fatal."""
+        good = _sse_chunk("41", {"id": 41, "type": "session.created", "data": {"session_id": "s1"}})
+        bad = b"id: 42\ndata: not-json\n\n"
+        good2 = _sse_chunk("43", {"id": 43, "type": "session.deleted", "data": {"session_id": "s1"}})
+        respx.get("https://w.example/admin/events").mock(
+            return_value=httpx.Response(
+                200, headers={"content-type": "text/event-stream"}, content=good + bad + good2
+            )
+        )
+        async with httpx.AsyncClient(base_url="https://w.example") as client:
+            events = [e async for e in stream_admin_events(client, admin_key="k")]
+        assert [e.type for e in events] == ["session.created", "session.deleted"]

tests/test_tui.py

@@ -3330,3 +3330,110 @@ class TestBifrostStateHydration:
         joined = " ".join(_text_of(w) for w in writes)
         assert "not bound to Bifrost" in joined
         assert "bifrost_state_unavailable" in joined
+
+
+class TestAdminEventsStream:
+    """stream_admin_events + the #11 AdminEvents pane (GET /admin/events, session-filtered)."""
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def _mute_hydrates(monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch) -> None:
+        """Neutralize the other on_mount workers (tools + bifrost) — no real calls."""
+        import ratatoskr.tui as tui_mod
+        from ratatoskr.sessions import SessionApiFailed
+
+        async def noop_tools(client, session_id):
+            return {"agent_id": "x", "builtin_tools": [], "bifrost_tools": []}
+
+        async def noop_bifrost(client, session_id, *, admin_key):
+            raise SessionApiFailed(status=404, body=b"nb")
+
+        monkeypatch.setattr(tui_mod, "get_session_tools", noop_tools)
+        monkeypatch.setattr(tui_mod, "get_session_bifrost", noop_bifrost)
+
+    def test_format_admin_event(self) -> None:
+        """format_admin_event [unit]: HH:MM:SS + type + fields; session_id dropped."""
+        from ratatoskr.sse_client import AdminEvent
+        from ratatoskr.tui import _format_admin_event
+
+        line = _format_admin_event(
+            AdminEvent(
+                42, "turn.completed", "2026-05-06T10:00:05.000Z",
+                {"session_id": "s1", "turn_id": 7, "duration_ms": 1200, "phase": "succeeded"},
+            )
+        )
+        assert "turn.completed" in line
+        assert "[10:00:05]" in line
+        assert "turn_id=7" in line
+        assert "session_id" not in line  # dropped — pane is already session-scoped
+
+    def test_admin_event_matches_filter(self) -> None:
+        """admin_event_matches [unit]: active-session + non-heartbeat system.* pass (§6)."""
+        from ratatoskr.sse_client import AdminEvent
+
+        E = AdminEvent
+        app = _resolved_app(_args_existing(session_id="s-match"))
+        assert app._admin_event_matches(E(1, "session.created", "t", {"session_id": "s-match"}))
+        assert not app._admin_event_matches(E(2, "turn.started", "t", {"session_id": "other"}))
+        assert not app._admin_event_matches(E(0, "system.heartbeat", "t", {}))
+        assert app._admin_event_matches(E(3, "system.events_dropped", "t", {"count": 5}))
+
+    async def test_stream_writes_filtered_events(self, monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch) -> None:
+        """stream_filtered [scenario,tracer]: only active-session + non-heartbeat lines land."""
+        import ratatoskr.tui as tui_mod
+        from ratatoskr.sse_client import AdminEvent
+
+        self._mute_hydrates(monkeypatch)
+        writes = _spy_writes(monkeypatch)
+
+        async def fake_stream(client, *, admin_key, last_event_id=None):
+            yield AdminEvent(41, "session.created", "t", {"session_id": "s-ae-2"})
+            yield AdminEvent(0, "system.heartbeat", "t", {})  # filtered (noise)
+            yield AdminEvent(42, "turn.started", "t", {"session_id": "other"})  # diff session
+            yield AdminEvent(43, "session.deleted", "t", {"session_id": "s-ae-2"})
+
+        monkeypatch.setattr(tui_mod, "stream_admin_events", fake_stream)
+        app = _resolved_app(_args_existing(session_id="s-ae-2", admin_key="ak"))
+        async with app.run_test() as pilot:
+            await pilot.pause()
+            await app._stream_admin_events()
+            await pilot.pause()
+        joined = " ".join(_text_of(w) for w in writes)
+        assert "session.created" in joined
+        assert "session.deleted" in joined
+        assert "system.heartbeat" not in joined
+        assert "turn.started" not in joined  # different session → filtered
+
+    async def test_stream_no_admin_key(self, monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch) -> None:
+        """stream_no_admin_key [scenario]: admin_key None → 'not configured' + skip audit."""
+        self._mute_hydrates(monkeypatch)
+        writes = _spy_writes(monkeypatch)
+        app = _resolved_app(_args_existing(session_id="s-ae-3"))  # admin_key None
+        async with app.run_test() as pilot:
+            await pilot.pause()
+            await app._stream_admin_events()
+            await pilot.pause()
+        joined = " ".join(_text_of(w) for w in writes)
+        assert "admin key not configured" in joined
+        assert "admin_events_skipped" in joined
+
+    async def test_stream_403_unavailable(self, monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch) -> None:
+        """stream_403 [error]: 403 scope-denied → 'unavailable' + audit; no crash."""
+        import ratatoskr.tui as tui_mod
+        from ratatoskr.sse_client import SseConnectFailed
+
+        self._mute_hydrates(monkeypatch)
+        writes = _spy_writes(monkeypatch)
+
+        async def denied(client, *, admin_key, last_event_id=None):
+            raise SseConnectFailed(status=403, body=b"auth_scope_denied")
+            yield  # unreachable — makes this an async generator
+
+        monkeypatch.setattr(tui_mod, "stream_admin_events", denied)
+        app = _resolved_app(_args_existing(session_id="s-ae-4", admin_key="ak"))
+        async with app.run_test() as pilot:
+            await pilot.pause()
+            await app._stream_admin_events()
+            await pilot.pause()
+        joined = " ".join(_text_of(w) for w in writes)
+        assert "admin events unavailable: HTTP 403" in joined
+        assert "admin_events_unavailable" in joined

uv.lock

@@ -1052,7 +1052,7 @@ wheels = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "ratatoskr"
-version = "0.18.10"
+version = "0.19.1"
 source = { editable = "." }
 dependencies = [
     { name = "httpx" },