refactor: use JSON file exchange instead of stdout parsing

Replace fragile patterns like:
  python3 -c "import json; print(json.load(...))" | grep
  echo "$json" | python3 -c "import sys,json; ...

.gitignore

@@ -4,3 +4,4 @@ results/
 */results/
 *.pyc
 
+.kugetsu/

skills/kugetsu/scripts/kugetsu-index.sh

@@ -139,6 +139,77 @@ validate_issue_ref() {
     fi
 }
 
+read_json_file() {
+    local file_path="$1"
+    if [ -f "$file_path" ]; then
+        cat "$file_path"
+    else
+        echo "{}"
+    fi
+}
+
+write_json_file() {
+    local file_path="$1"
+    local json_content="$2"
+    local temp_file="$file_path.tmp.$$"
+    
+    printf '%s' "$json_content" > "$temp_file"
+    
+    if ! python3 -c "import json; json.load(open('$temp_file'))" 2>/dev/null; then
+        echo "Error: write_json_file would create malformed JSON: $file_path" >&2
+        rm -f "$temp_file"
+        return 1
+    fi
+    
+    mv "$temp_file" "$file_path"
+}
+
+get_json_value() {
+    local file_path="$1"
+    local key="$2"
+    local default="${3:-}"
+    
+    if [ ! -f "$file_path" ]; then
+        echo "$default"
+        return
+    fi
+    
+    python3 -c "import json; print(json.load(open('$file_path')).get('$key', '$default'))" 2>/dev/null || echo "$default"
+}
+
+set_json_value() {
+    local file_path="$1"
+    local key="$2"
+    local value="$3"
+    
+    if [ ! -f "$file_path" ]; then
+        printf '{"%s": "%s"}\n' "$key" "$value" > "$file_path"
+        return
+    fi
+    
+    python3 << PYEOF
+import json
+import sys
+
+file_path = "$file_path"
+key = "$key"
+value = "$value"
+
+try:
+    with open(file_path, 'r') as f:
+        data = json.load(f)
+except:
+    data = {}
+
+data[key] = value
+
+with open(file_path, 'w') as f:
+    json.dump(data, f, indent=2)
+
+print(f"Set $key = $value in $file_path")
+PYEOF
+}
+
 update_session_pr_url() {
     local issue_ref="$1"
     local pr_url="$2"

skills/kugetsu/scripts/kugetsu-queue-daemon.sh

@@ -34,6 +34,8 @@ release_lock() {
 check_task_completion() {
     local item="$1"
     local queue_id=$(basename "$item" .json)
+    
+    local item_data=$(read_json_file "$item")
     local state=$(python3 -c "import json; print(json.load(open('$item')).get('state', ''))" 2>/dev/null)
 
     [ "$state" = "notified" ] || return 0
@@ -41,6 +43,31 @@ check_task_completion() {
     local session_id=$(python3 -c "import json; print(json.load(open('$item')).get('opencode_session_id', ''))" 2>/dev/null)
     local issue_ref=$(python3 -c "import json; print(json.load(open('$item')).get('issue_ref', ''))" 2>/dev/null)
     local pid=$(python3 -c "import json; print(json.load(open('$item')).get('pid', ''))" 2>/dev/null)
+    local notified_at=$(python3 -c "import json; print(json.load(open('$item')).get('notified_at', ''))" 2>/dev/null)
+
+    local timed_out=false
+    if [ -n "$notified_at" ]; then
+        local notified_epoch=$(date -d "$notified_at" +%s 2>/dev/null || echo "0")
+        local now_epoch=$(date +%s)
+        local hours_elapsed=$(( (now_epoch - notified_epoch) / 3600 ))
+        if [ "$hours_elapsed" -ge "${TASK_TIMEOUT_HOURS:-1}" ]; then
+            timed_out=true
+            log_warn "queue-daemon" "Task $queue_id ($issue_ref) timed out after ${hours_elapsed}h"
+        fi
+    fi
+
+    if [ "$timed_out" = true ]; then
+        if [ -n "$pid" ] && [ "$pid" != "None" ]; then
+            kill "$pid" 2>/dev/null || true
+        fi
+        if [ -n "$session_id" ]; then
+            opencode session stop "$session_id" 2>/dev/null || true
+        fi
+        update_queue_item_state "$queue_id" "error"
+        log_error "queue-daemon" "Task $queue_id ($issue_ref) marked error — timeout after ${hours_elapsed}h"
+        release_lock "$issue_ref"
+        return
+    fi
 
     if [ -n "$pid" ] && [ "$pid" != "None" ]; then
         if ! kill -0 "$pid" 2>/dev/null; then
@@ -109,28 +136,15 @@ process_task() {
 
     source "$SCRIPT_DIR/kugetsu-session.sh"
 
-    if worktree_exists "$issue_ref" "$WORKTREES_DIR" || [ -f "$SESSIONS_DIR/$(issue_ref_to_filename "$issue_ref").json" ]; then
-        log_file="$LOGS_DIR/delegate-$(date +%s).log"
-        if cmd_continue "$issue_ref" "$message" >> "$log_file" 2>&1; then
-            sleep 1
-            local session_id=$(get_session_id_for_issue "$issue_ref")
-            update_queue_item_state "$queue_id" "notified" "$session_id" ""
-            echo "Task $queue_id continued for $issue_ref"
-        else
-            update_queue_item_state "$queue_id" "error"
-            echo "Task $queue_id ($issue_ref) failed to continue"
-        fi
+    log_file="$LOGS_DIR/delegate-$(date +%s).log"
+    if cmd_continue "$issue_ref" "$message" >> "$log_file" 2>&1; then
+        sleep 1
+        local session_id=$(get_session_id_for_issue "$issue_ref")
+        update_queue_item_state "$queue_id" "notified" "$session_id" ""
+        echo "Task $queue_id continued for $issue_ref"
     else
-        log_file="$LOGS_DIR/delegate-$(date +%s).log"
-        if cmd_start "$issue_ref" "$message" >> "$log_file" 2>&1; then
-            sleep 1
-            local session_id=$(get_session_id_for_issue "$issue_ref")
-            update_queue_item_state "$queue_id" "notified" "$session_id" ""
-            echo "Task $queue_id started for $issue_ref"
-        else
-            update_queue_item_state "$queue_id" "error"
-            echo "Task $queue_id ($issue_ref) failed to start"
-        fi
+        update_queue_item_state "$queue_id" "error"
+        echo "Task $queue_id ($issue_ref) failed to continue"
     fi
 
     release_lock "$issue_ref"

skills/kugetsu/scripts/kugetsu-session.sh

@@ -239,23 +239,34 @@ create_session() {
         return 1
     fi
     
-    local before_json=$(opencode session list --format=json 2>/dev/null)
-    local before_set=$(echo "$before_json" | python3 -c "import sys,json; sessions=json.load(sys.stdin); print('|'.join(s['id'] for s in sessions))" 2>/dev/null || echo "|")
+    local before_file="$KUGETSU_DIR/sessions/before$$.json"
+    local after_file="$KUGETSU_DIR/sessions/after$$.json"
+    
+    opencode session list --format=json > "$before_file" 2>/dev/null || printf '{}' > "$before_file"
     
     opencode run --fork --session "$base_session" "new session" >/dev/null 2>&1
     
     sleep 1
     
-    local after_json=$(opencode session list --format=json 2>/dev/null)
-    local after_sessions=$(echo "$after_json" | python3 -c "import sys,json; sessions=json.load(sys.stdin); [print(s['id']) for s in sessions]" 2>/dev/null || true)
+    opencode session list --format=json > "$after_file" 2>/dev/null || printf '{}' > "$after_file"
     
-    local new_session_id=""
-    while IFS= read -r sess; do
-        if [[ -n "$sess" ]] && [[ ! "$before_set" =~ \|${sess}\| ]]; then
-            new_session_id="$sess"
-            break
-        fi
-    done <<< "$after_sessions"
+    local new_session_id=$(python3 << PYEOF
+import json
+
+with open("$before_file", 'r') as f:
+    before = json.load(f)
+with open("$after_file", 'r') as f:
+    after = json.load(f)
+
+before_ids = set(s['id'] for s in before)
+for s in after:
+    if s['id'] not in before_ids:
+        print(s['id'])
+        break
+PYEOF
+)
+    
+    rm -f "$before_file" "$after_file"
     
     echo "$new_session_id"
 }
@@ -270,40 +281,37 @@ build_dev_agent_message() {
     local number=$(echo "$issue_ref" | grep -oE '#[0-9]+$' | tr -d '#')
     local worktree_path=$(issue_ref_to_worktree_path "$issue_ref")
     
+    local conflict_check=""
+    local review_notes=""
+    local delegator_header=""
+    local delegator_footer=""
     if [ -n "$user_message" ]; then
-        cat <<EOF
-You are continuing work on $issue_ref. A PR likely already exists.
+        conflict_check="   - CRITICAL: Check if PR has merge conflicts before asking for review:
+     - Use: curl -s \"https://$instance/api/v1/repos/$owner/$repo/pulls/$number\" -H \"Authorization: Bearer \$GITEA_TOKEN\"
+     - If \"mergeable\": false, there ARE conflicts - you MUST resolve them FIRST
+     - To resolve: cd to worktree, git fetch origin, git rebase origin/main, resolve conflicts, git rebase --continue, git push --force-with-lease
+     - Only after resolving conflicts (mergeable: true) can you ask for review"
+        delegator_header="IMPORTANT: Follow the workflow below as your guideline, but prioritize the delegator's message.
 
-IMPORTANT - Review workflow:
-1. First, check if PR exists: curl -s "https://$instance/api/v1/repos/$owner/$repo/pulls?state=open" -H "Authorization: Bearer \$GITEA_TOKEN" | grep -i "$number"
-2. Get PR comments: curl -s "https://$instance/api/v1/repos/$owner/$repo/issues/$number/comments" -H "Authorization: Bearer \$GITEA_TOKEN"
-3. Get PR reviews: curl -s "https://$instance/api/v1/repos/$owner/$repo/pulls/$number/reviews" -H "Authorization: Bearer \$GITEA_TOKEN"
-
-You may need to:
-- Make code changes and push to the same branch
-- Reply to PR comments using: curl -X POST "https://$instance/api/v1/repos/$owner/$repo/issues/$number/comments" -H "Authorization: Bearer \$GITEA_TOKEN" -H "Content-Type: application/json" -d '{"body":"Your reply here"}'
-- Or do both
-
-MERGING: If instructed to merge, you MUST confirm approval first before merging:
-- Check for PR approval via: curl -s "https://$instance/api/v1/repos/$owner/$repo/pulls/$number/reviews" -H "Authorization: Bearer \$GITEA_TOKEN"
-- Check for "lgtm" or "approved" in comments: curl -s "https://$instance/api/v1/repos/$owner/$repo/issues/$number/comments" -H "Authorization: Bearer \$GITEA_TOKEN"
-- Only merge if you see approval OR the instruction explicitly says to merge (e.g., "merge the PR", "please merge", "go ahead and merge")
-- To merge: tea pr merge --repo $owner/$repo $number --style merge
-- If no approval yet, reply asking for review/approval first
+Workflow:"
+        delegator_footer="
 
 Delegator's message:
-$user_message
-
-Work directory: $worktree_path (already on the fix branch)
-EOF
+$user_message"
     else
-        cat <<EOF
+        review_notes="  - IMPORTANT: After listing reviews, READ the review comments and incorporate feedback
+  - Check for review state: \"APPROVED\" means ready to merge, \"COMMENT\" means feedback to address"
+        delegator_header="Workflow:"
+    fi
+    
+    cat <<EOF
 You are assigned to work on $issue_ref.
 
-Workflow:
+$delegator_header
 1. Read the issue at $instance/$owner/$repo/issues/$number AND all comments on that issue
 2. Check if a PR already exists for this issue
    - If PR exists and is open, review it and learn from it
+$conflict_check
    - If PR makes sense to continue, work on it instead
    - If PR is not worth continuing, create a new branch/PR but explain in PR description why you're creating a new one instead of continuing the existing PR
 3. Read README.md (if exists) to understand the general concept of this repository
@@ -321,38 +329,58 @@ Tools for PR interaction:
 - Post issue/PR comment: curl -X POST "https://$instance/api/v1/repos/$owner/$repo/issues/$number/comments" -H "Authorization: Bearer \$GITEA_TOKEN" -H "Content-Type: application/json" -d '{"body":"Your comment"}'
 - List PR comments: curl -s "https://$instance/api/v1/repos/$owner/$repo/issues/$number/comments" -H "Authorization: Bearer \$GITEA_TOKEN"
 - List PR reviews: curl -s "https://$instance/api/v1/repos/$owner/$repo/pulls/$number/reviews" -H "Authorization: Bearer \$GITEA_TOKEN"
+$review_notes
 - Merge PR (only with approval): tea pr merge --repo $owner/$repo $number --style merge
   - MERGING requires approval first! Check for: approval in reviews, OR "lgtm"/"approved" in comments
   - If no approval, ask reviewer to approve first before merging
+$delegator_footer
 
 Work directory: $worktree_path
 EOF
-    fi
 }
 
-cmd_start() {
-    local issue_ref="${1:-}"
-    local message="${2:-}"
+ensure_worktree() {
+    local issue_ref="$1"
     
-    if [ -z "$issue_ref" ]; then
-        echo "Error: issue ref is required" >&2
-        echo "Usage: kugetsu start <issue-ref> [message]" >&2
-        exit 1
+    if worktree_exists "$issue_ref" "$WORKTREES_DIR"; then
+        log "info" "ensure_worktree" "Worktree already exists for $issue_ref"
+        echo "existed"
+        return 0
     fi
     
-    validate_issue_ref "$issue_ref"
-    
     local base_session_id=$(get_base_session_id)
     if [ -z "$base_session_id" ] || [ "$base_session_id" = "null" ]; then
-        echo "Error: Base session not found. Run 'kugetsu init' first." >&2
-        exit 1
+        log "error" "ensure_worktree" "Base session not found for $issue_ref"
+        echo "error"
+        return 1
     fi
     
+    local active_count=$(count_active_dev_sessions)
+    if [ "$active_count" -ge "${MAX_CONCURRENT_AGENTS:-3}" ]; then
+        log "error" "ensure_worktree" "Max concurrent agents reached for $issue_ref"
+        echo "error"
+        return 1
+    fi
+    
+    if create_worktree "$issue_ref" "$WORKTREES_DIR" 2>&1 | tee >(cat >&2); then
+        log "info" "ensure_worktree" "Created worktree for $issue_ref"
+        echo "created"
+        return 0
+    else
+        log "error" "ensure_worktree" "Failed to create worktree for $issue_ref"
+        echo "error"
+        return 1
+    fi
+}
+
+ensure_session() {
+    local issue_ref="$1"
+    
     local session_file=$(issue_ref_to_filename "$issue_ref")
     local session_path="$SESSIONS_DIR/$session_file"
-    local worktree_exists=false
     
-    if worktree_exists "$issue_ref"; then
+    local worktree_exists=false
+    if worktree_exists "$issue_ref" "$WORKTREES_DIR"; then
         worktree_exists=true
     fi
     
@@ -362,38 +390,40 @@ cmd_start() {
     fi
     
     if $worktree_exists && $session_exists; then
-        echo "Issue '$issue_ref' already has a worktree and session." >&2
-        echo "Use 'kugetsu continue $issue_ref' to continue work." >&2
-        exit 1
-    fi
-    
-    if $worktree_exists && ! $session_exists; then
-        echo "Warning: Worktree exists but session is missing. Removing worktree to recreate both..." >&2
-        remove_worktree_for_issue "$issue_ref"
-        worktree_exists=false
+        log "info" "ensure_session" "Session already exists for $issue_ref"
+        echo "continued"
+        return 0
     fi
     
     if ! $worktree_exists && $session_exists; then
-        echo "Warning: Session exists but worktree is missing. Removing stale session to recreate both..." >&2
+        log "warn" "ensure_session" "Session exists but worktree is missing. Removing stale session..."
         rm -f "$session_path"
         remove_issue_from_index "$issue_ref"
         session_exists=false
     fi
     
-    local active_count=$(count_active_dev_sessions)
-    if [ "$active_count" -ge "${MAX_CONCURRENT_AGENTS:-3}" ]; then
-        echo "Error: Max concurrent agents (${MAX_CONCURRENT_AGENTS:-3}) reached. Use 'kugetsu continue' or wait for an agent to finish." >&2
-        exit 1
+    if ! $worktree_exists; then
+        local wt_status=$(ensure_worktree "$issue_ref")
+        if [ "$wt_status" != "created" ] && [ "$wt_status" != "existed" ]; then
+            log "error" "ensure_session" "Failed to ensure worktree for $issue_ref"
+            echo "error"
+            return 1
+        fi
     fi
     
-    create_worktree "$issue_ref" "$WORKTREES_DIR"
+    local base_session_id=$(get_base_session_id)
+    if [ -z "$base_session_id" ] || [ "$base_session_id" = "null" ]; then
+        log "error" "ensure_session" "Base session not found for $issue_ref"
+        echo "error"
+        return 1
+    fi
     
     local new_session_id=$(create_session "$base_session_id")
     
     if [ -z "$new_session_id" ]; then
-        echo "Error: Could not create session" >&2
-        remove_worktree_for_issue "$issue_ref"
-        exit 1
+        log "error" "ensure_session" "Could not create session for $issue_ref"
+        echo "error"
+        return 1
     fi
     
     local worktree_path=$(issue_ref_to_worktree_path "$issue_ref")
@@ -403,89 +433,91 @@ cmd_start() {
     
     add_issue_to_index "$issue_ref" "$session_file"
     
-    local dev_message=$(build_dev_agent_message "$issue_ref" "$message")
-    
-    load_agent_env "dev"
-    
-    cd "$worktree_path"
-    local sanitized_id=$(echo "$new_session_id" | sed 's/[^a-zA-Z0-9_-]/_/g')
-    mkdir -p "$worktree_path/.kugetsu"
-    if [ ! -f "$worktree_path/.gitignore" ] || ! grep -q "^.kugetsu/" "$worktree_path/.gitignore"; then
-        echo ".kugetsu/" >> "$worktree_path/.gitignore" 2>/dev/null || true
-    fi
-    local msg_file="$worktree_path/.kugetsu/msg.txt"
-    printf '%s' "$dev_message" > "$msg_file"
-    nohup sh -c "GITEA_TOKEN='${GITEA_TOKEN:-}' opencode run '@$msg_file' --session '$new_session_id'" >> "$LOGS_DIR/dev-$sanitized_id.log" 2>&1 &
-    
-    echo "Session started for '$issue_ref': $new_session_id"
-    echo "Worktree: $worktree_path"
+    log "info" "ensure_session" "Created session for $issue_ref: $new_session_id"
+    echo "created"
+    return 0
 }
 
-cmd_continue() {
-    local session_name=""
-    local message=""
-    local args=("$@")
-
-    args=$(set_debug_mode "${args[@]}")
-
-    for arg in $args; do
-        if [ -z "$session_name" ]; then
-            session_name="$arg"
-        else
-            message="${message}${message:+ }${arg}"
-        fi
-    done
+fork_agent() {
+    local session_id="$1"
+    local worktree_path="$2"
+    local message="$3"
     
-    if [ -z "$session_name" ]; then
-        echo "Error: issue ref is required" >&2
-        echo "Usage: kugetsu continue <issue-ref> [message]" >&2
-        exit 1
-    fi
-    
-    validate_issue_ref "$session_name"
-    
-    local session_file=$(get_session_for_issue "$session_name")
-    if [ -z "$session_file" ] || [ "$session_file" = "null" ]; then
-        echo "Error: No session found for '$session_name'" >&2
-        echo "Use 'kugetsu start $session_name' to create a new session." >&2
-        exit 1
-    fi
-    
-    local session_path="$SESSIONS_DIR/$session_file"
-    
-    if [ ! -f "$session_path" ]; then
-        echo "Error: Session file not found: $session_path" >&2
-        exit 1
+    if [ -z "$worktree_path" ] || [ ! -d "$worktree_path" ]; then
+        log "error" "fork_agent" "Invalid worktree path: $worktree_path"
+        echo "error"
+        return 1
     fi
     
     load_agent_env "dev"
     
-    local opencode_session_id=$(python3 -c "import json; print(json.load(open('$session_path')).get('opencode_session_id', ''))" 2>/dev/null || echo "")
-    local worktree_path=$(python3 -c "import json; print(json.load(open('$session_path')).get('worktree_path', ''))" 2>/dev/null || echo "")
-    local issue_ref=$(python3 -c "import json; print(json.load(open('$session_path')).get('issue_ref', ''))" 2>/dev/null || echo "")
-    
-    if [ -z "$worktree_path" ] || [ ! -d "$worktree_path" ]; then
-        echo "Warning: Worktree is missing for '$session_name'. Recovering..." >&2
-        rm -f "$session_path"
-        remove_issue_from_index "$session_name"
-        echo "Calling cmd_start to create new session and worktree..." >&2
-        cmd_start "$session_name" "$message"
-        return $?
-    fi
-    
-    if [ -z "$message" ]; then
-        message=$(build_dev_agent_message "$issue_ref" "")
-    fi
-    
     cd "$worktree_path"
-    local sanitized_id=$(echo "$opencode_session_id" | sed 's/[^a-zA-Z0-9_-]/_/g')
+    local sanitized_id=$(echo "$session_id" | sed 's/[^a-zA-Z0-9_-]/_/g')
     mkdir -p "$worktree_path/.kugetsu"
     if [ ! -f "$worktree_path/.gitignore" ] || ! grep -q "^.kugetsu/" "$worktree_path/.gitignore"; then
         echo ".kugetsu/" >> "$worktree_path/.gitignore" 2>/dev/null || true
     fi
     local msg_file="$worktree_path/.kugetsu/msg.txt"
     printf '%s' "$message" > "$msg_file"
-    nohup sh -c "GITEA_TOKEN='${GITEA_TOKEN:-}' opencode run '@$msg_file' --session '$opencode_session_id'" >> "$LOGS_DIR/dev-$sanitized_id.log" 2>&1 &
+    nohup sh -c "GITEA_TOKEN='${GITEA_TOKEN:-}' opencode run '@$msg_file' --session '$session_id'" >> "$LOGS_DIR/dev-$sanitized_id.log" 2>&1 &
+    
+    log "info" "fork_agent" "Forked agent for session $session_id in $worktree_path"
+    echo "forked"
+    return 0
+}
+
+cmd_start() {
+    cmd_continue "$@"
+}
+
+cmd_continue() {
+    local issue_ref="${1:-}"
+    local message="${2:-}"
+    
+    if [ -z "$issue_ref" ]; then
+        echo "Error: issue ref is required" >&2
+        echo "Usage: kugetsu continue <issue-ref> [message]" >&2
+        exit 1
+    fi
+    
+    validate_issue_ref "$issue_ref"
+    
+    if [ -z "$message" ]; then
+        message=$(build_dev_agent_message "$issue_ref" "")
+    else
+        message=$(build_dev_agent_message "$issue_ref" "$message")
+    fi
+    
+    local worktree_status=$(ensure_worktree "$issue_ref")
+    if [ "$worktree_status" = "error" ]; then
+        echo "Error: Failed to ensure worktree for '$issue_ref'" >&2
+        exit 1
+    fi
+    
+    local session_status=$(ensure_session "$issue_ref")
+    if [ "$session_status" = "error" ]; then
+        echo "Error: Failed to ensure session for '$issue_ref'" >&2
+        exit 1
+    fi
+    
+    kugetsu_context_dump "$issue_ref" "$message" "$(issue_ref_to_branch_name "$issue_ref")"
+    
+    local session_file=$(issue_ref_to_filename "$issue_ref")
+    local session_path="$SESSIONS_DIR/$session_file"
+    local opencode_session_id=$(python3 -c "import json; print(json.load(open('$session_path')).get('opencode_session_id', ''))" 2>/dev/null || echo "")
+    local worktree_path=$(python3 -c "import json; print(json.load(open('$session_path')).get('worktree_path', ''))" 2>/dev/null || echo "")
+    
+    local fork_status=$(fork_agent "$opencode_session_id" "$worktree_path" "$message")
+    if [ "$fork_status" = "error" ]; then
+        echo "Error: Failed to fork agent for '$issue_ref'" >&2
+        exit 1
+    fi
+    
+    log "info" "cmd_continue" "Result for $issue_ref: worktree=$worktree_status session=$session_status fork=$fork_status"
+    
+    echo "Session continued for '$issue_ref': $opencode_session_id"
+    echo "Worktree: $worktree_path"
+    echo "${worktree_status}-${session_status}-${fork_status}"
 }
 
 cmd_list() {

skills/kugetsu/scripts/kugetsu-worktree.sh

@@ -145,15 +145,17 @@ check_pr_status() {
         token="${GITEA_TOKEN:-}"
     fi
     
-    local response
+    local response_file="$KUGETSU_DIR/.pr_status_response_$$.json"
     if [ -n "$token" ]; then
-        response=$(curl -s -H "Authorization: token $token" "$api_url" 2>/dev/null || echo "{}")
+        curl -s -H "Authorization: token $token" "$api_url" > "$response_file" 2>/dev/null || printf '{}' > "$response_file"
     else
-        response=$(curl -s "$api_url" 2>/dev/null || echo "{}")
+        curl -s "$api_url" > "$response_file" 2>/dev/null || printf '{}' > "$response_file"
     fi
     
-    local state=$(echo "$response" | python3 -c "import json, sys; d=json.load(sys.stdin); print(d.get('state', 'unknown'))" 2>/dev/null || echo "unknown")
-    local merged=$(echo "$response" | python3 -c "import json, sys; d=json.load(sys.stdin); print('true' if d.get('merged', False) else 'false')" 2>/dev/null || echo "false")
+    local state=$(python3 -c "import json; print(json.load(open('$response_file')).get('state', 'unknown'))" 2>/dev/null || echo "unknown")
+    local merged=$(python3 -c "import json; print('true' if json.load(open('$response_file')).get('merged', False) else 'false')" 2>/dev/null || echo "false")
+    
+    rm -f "$response_file"
     
     if [ "$merged" = "true" ]; then
         echo "merged"