Panel/docs/decisions/0002-status-detection.md

Decision 0002: Agent-Truthed Status Detection

Status

Accepted

Decision

Server status should be derived from agent truth:

1. managed process/session existence
2. required game port listening
3. optional query and metadata lookup

Reasoning

• Marker files become stale after crashes, failed starts, and power loss.
• Query systems like LGSL and GameQ are useful but unreliable as the sole online signal.
• The agent can check the actual runtime state locally.

Alternatives Considered

• query-only status
• marker-file status
• process-only status

Why Those Were Not Chosen

• Query-only status can lie for supported games.
• Marker files are not authoritative.
• Process-only status misses the important readiness condition: the port must actually listen.