Queue & Approval

The queue and approval layer is where prompts wait, get reviewed, and become work. This page catalogs the surfaces and tools involved.

Prompt Queue

Found in the Pipeline panel; new prompts via New Prompt (Shift+N). A per-project SQLite-backed queue (~/.orbit/queue.db) where prompts wait, one at a time, until you approve them. Prompts carry complexity: or model: routing tags and claim a unique per-project number at insert.

MCP tools: orbit_queue_prompt, orbit_queue_list, orbit_cancel_prompt.

Approval gate & review

Found on the Pipeline approval cards and under Settings → Workflow / Model Tiers → Prompt Review. Nothing runs until approved. Each complexity tier can auto-review (Gemini Flash-Lite), show a manual reminder, or skip, with optional Deep Review (Opus) and a high-complexity review card before Approve.

Pre-check warning chips

On each card awaiting approval, a synchronous heuristic pre-check tags risks with amber chips — large prompt, install commands, multi-part, wide file scope, mid-run input — without blocking approval.

Waiting-prompt dependencies & pre-approval

On Pipeline waiting cards. depends_on: holds a prompt as ⏸ waiting until its dependency ships. Waiting cards can be pre-approved (green “Pre-approved ✓” with Undo) so they auto-run the moment the dependency clears.

Pause-for-input (NEEDS_INPUT)

A running prompt can pause to ask a question; the card turns amber with the question and a response box. Answering starts a continuation run carrying the answer forward, and the original card is marked “Answered — continued as #N.” A parked question can also be dismissed without answering via Dismiss (orbit_cancel_prompt), which tears down the session and PID lock cleanly. Orbit distinguishes real agent questions from documentation examples.

Auto Validation

On the Completions tab / focus rail. After completion, a lightweight pass checks the commit diff for ghost ships or unrelated file changes and labels the prompt Validated (Auto), Ghost Ship, Wrong Files, or Auto Skipped.

Queue MCP status snapshots

orbit_queue_prompt returns a nullable status_snapshot (last completion, active rows, project code_status) so a client can queue and immediately see state in one call.

Stale-stash / pre-pull recovery

Before dequeue, Orbit scans git diff --check, runs a guarded pre-prompt pull/stash, and on conflict pauses the project queue with a banner naming the project and affected files until you re-scan. Surfaces on a Pipeline banner and under Settings → Queue & Sessions.