runtime-hal
Runtime HAL
Hardware Abstraction Layer for AI coding assistant runtimes. The HAL detects which runtime environment is active and provides a uniform interface so that every other skill in the Gastown chipset can operate identically regardless of runtime. This mirrors Gastown's internal/runtime/runtime.go provider abstraction, where the Go binary auto-detects its host environment and adapts its hook, nudge, and session strategies accordingly.
In the chipset hardware metaphor, the Runtime HAL is the BIOS/UEFI firmware layer. Real firmware probes hardware on boot, detects what peripherals exist, and presents a uniform interface to the operating system. The HAL does the same: it probes the runtime on activation, detects what capabilities exist (hooks, session IDs, context forking), and presents a uniform interface to the chipset's skills and agents.
Activation Triggers
This skill activates when the task involves:
- Determining which AI coding assistant runtime is active
- Selecting a startup injection strategy for an agent
- Choosing a GUPP enforcement mechanism (hooks vs polling vs preamble)
- Configuring stall detection thresholds or nudge intervals
- Adapting behavior based on runtime capabilities (hooks, context fork, session ID)
- Debugging why an agent is not receiving hooks or nudges