Slice 13: repo search + filtering (+ no-cache dev assets)

<repo-list> gains a search box (name/path) and Dirty/Ahead-behind filter chips with an N-of-M count; filtering is client-side and the state persists in localStorage (gitmanager.repolist.filters, §4). Refresh/selection re-apply filters. cmd/server sends Cache-Control: no-cache for /components and /static so hot-reloaded asset edits show on reload. Server-verified (curl); live click-through pending an unresponsive browser pane.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.8 <noreply@anthropic.com>

.env.example

@@ -55,6 +55,14 @@ SCAN_FETCH_ENABLED=false
 # "dev" uses a readable console handler; anything else uses structured JSON.
 APP_ENV=dev
 
+# Commit identity for git actions the app runs (commit/etc.). Without these,
+# commits inside the container fail with "empty ident". Set to your name/email.
+GIT_USER_NAME=
+GIT_USER_EMAIL=
+# Note: when GITEA_URL + GITEA_TOKEN are set, the app also configures git to
+# authenticate to that host over HTTPS (an http.extraheader), so push/fetch/pull
+# work from the container without a separate SSH key or credential helper.
+
 # Optional: also append structured logs to this file. Leave empty to disable.
 LOG_FILE=
 

AGENT.md

@@ -365,9 +365,9 @@ obeys the safety rules (§1.4).
   the tool handlers (§1.7). Expected tools (grow as features land):
   - Read: `list_repos`, `get_repo`, `get_active_project`, `get_activity`,
     `get_pending_switch`, `list_prs`.
-  - Act: `git_fetch`, `git_pull`, `git_push`, `git_commit`,
-    `git_discard_changes`, `merge_and_cleanup_pr`, `set_active_project`,
-    `ack_switch`. (More — `git_checkout`, `create_branch`, `create_pr` — as they land.)
+  - Act: `git_fetch`, `git_pull`, `git_push`, `git_commit`, `git_checkout`,
+    `create_branch`, `git_discard_changes`, `create_pr`, `merge_and_cleanup_pr`,
+    `set_active_project`, `ack_switch`.
 - **A tool's result type must be a struct, never a bare slice/map/scalar.** The
   go-sdk infers each tool's `outputSchema` from its handler's result type, and MCP
   structured output must be a JSON **object** (`type: "object"`). A handler that
@@ -548,8 +548,12 @@ silently guess.)*
   branch delete) and how it is provisioned; document in `.env.example`.
 - **Listen address / exposure:** localhost‑only by default (covers `/mcp` too).
   Confirm before binding to a non‑local interface — there is no auth (Section 0).
-- **Credential path from the container:** SSH agent socket vs mounted keys vs
-  credential helper, for pushing/fetching from inside Docker.
+- ✅ **RESOLVED 2026-09-20:** **Container git auth = the Gitea token over HTTPS.**
+  On startup the app runs `git config --global` to set a commit identity
+  (`GIT_USER_NAME`/`GIT_USER_EMAIL`), `safe.directory=*` (host-owned mounts), and
+  `http.<GITEA_URL>.extraheader: Authorization: token …` so push/fetch/pull work
+  without SSH keys. The token lands in the container's gitconfig (ephemeral,
+  localhost). An SSH-key path stays possible later for non-Gitea remotes.
 
 ---
 

CHANGELOG.md

@@ -201,3 +201,75 @@ Append-only running history of all changes (AGENT.md §9.1). Newest last.
 - **Affects:** `internal/mcp` (+test), `AGENT.md` (§8.1).
 - **Note:** the new tools appear in Claude Desktop only after its next restart
   (tool list cached per connection); network ops still need container git creds.
+
+## 2026-09-20 — Slice 8: git credentials + identity in the container (§11)
+- **What:** On startup the app configures the container's git (`git config
+  --global`): a commit identity (`GIT_USER_NAME`/`GIT_USER_EMAIL`),
+  `safe.directory=*` for host-owned mounts, and — when `GITEA_URL`+`GITEA_TOKEN`
+  are set — `http.<url>.extraheader: Authorization: token …` so push/fetch/pull
+  authenticate over HTTPS with no SSH key. New `git.CLI.SetGlobalConfig`; new
+  config `GIT_USER_NAME`/`GIT_USER_EMAIL`; `.env.example` documents them.
+- **Why:** Make the network git commands (menu + MCP) actually work from Docker,
+  and let commits have an author.
+- **Affects:** `internal/config`, `internal/git`, `cmd/server/main.go`,
+  `.env.example`, `AGENT.md` (§11).
+- **Verified:** startup logs "git remote auth configured"; container git identity
+  set; `http.extraheader` present; `git_fetch` via the app returned ok.
+- **Security note:** the token is written to the container's ephemeral gitconfig
+  and passed in a `git config` argv — acceptable for a localhost dev container.
+
+## 2026-09-20 — Slice 9: git_checkout + create_branch
+- **What:** git boundary `Checkout` (switch existing branch) and `CreateBranch`
+  (git checkout -b). Service `GitCheckout`/`GitCreateBranch` (feed detail names
+  the branch; `gitAction` now takes an ok-detail). HTTP `/api/repo/git` gained
+  ops `checkout` and `create-branch` (+`branch` field). MCP tools `git_checkout`
+  and `create_branch`. `<repo-menu>` gained "Switch branch…" and "New branch…"
+  (prompt for the name). Service test covers create+switch+existing-branch-fails.
+- **Why:** Round out the everyday git commands in both front doors (§1.7).
+- **Affects:** `internal/git`, `internal/service` (+test), `internal/mcp`,
+  `cmd/server/main.go`, `components/repo-menu`, `web/templates/help.html`,
+  `AGENT.md` (§8.1). Checkout isn't §1.4-destructive — git refuses if it would
+  overwrite uncommitted changes.
+
+## 2026-09-20 — Slice 10: create_pr
+- **What:** forge `CreatePullRequest` (Gitea; empty base → repo default branch,
+  via GetRepo). Service `CreatePR` (records `pr-created`). HTTP
+  `POST /api/repo/pr/create`. MCP tool `create_pr`. `<pr-list>` gained a
+  "New pull request…" button (head = selected repo's current branch, base =
+  default). AGENT.md §8.1 lists `create_pr` in Act.
+- **Why:** Open PRs from the app or Claude — the front half of the PR workflow
+  whose back half is "Merge & clean up".
+- **Affects:** `internal/forge`, `internal/service`, `internal/mcp`,
+  `cmd/server/main.go`, `components/pr-list`, `web/templates/help.html`,
+  `AGENT.md`.
+- **Note:** the head branch must already exist on the remote (push first).
+
+## 2026-09-20 — Slice 11: branch-picker submenu
+- **What:** `<repo-menu>` "Switch branch" is now a flyout submenu populated from
+  `GET /api/repo` (the repo's branches; current one disabled), flipping leftward
+  near the viewport edge; clicking a branch checks it out. "New branch…" still
+  prompts. No backend change.
+- **Affects:** `components/repo-menu`, `web/templates/help.html`.
+
+## 2026-09-20 — Slice 12: inline command-result toasts
+- **What:** New `<toast-host>` overlay — components post `toast` CustomEvents
+  (`{message, kind}`; success/error/info) and it shows brief, auto-dismissing,
+  bottom-right toasts. `<repo-menu>` (git ops + coordination actions) and
+  `<pr-list>` (create/merge) now post success/error toasts with friendly labels
+  instead of `alert()`. Activity feed still logs everything.
+- **Why:** Immediate, legible feedback for the non-expert audience (§6 polish).
+- **Affects:** `components/toast-host` (new), `components/repo-menu`,
+  `components/pr-list`, `web/templates/index.html`.
+
+## 2026-09-20 — Slice 13: repo search + filtering
+- **What:** `<repo-list>` gained a search box (name/path, case-insensitive) and
+  "Dirty" / "Ahead/behind" filter chips with a "N of M" count. Filtering is
+  client-side over the fetched list; state persists per-viewer in
+  `localStorage["gitmanager.repolist.filters"]` (§4). Refresh/selection re-apply
+  the active filters.
+- **Why:** Keep the dashboard usable as the number of repos grows.
+- **Affects:** `components/repo-list`, `web/templates/help.html`.
+- **Dev-server tweak:** `cmd/server` now sends `Cache-Control: no-cache` for
+  `/components` and `/static` so browsers revalidate assets on reload (cached ES
+  modules were defeating hot reload). Server serves the new component (curl-
+  verified); live click-through pending (browser pane was unresponsive).

cmd/server/main.go

@@ -6,9 +6,11 @@ package main
 import (
 	"context"
 	"encoding/json"
+	"log/slog"
 	"net/http"
 	"os"
 	"os/signal"
+	"strings"
 	"syscall"
 	"time"
 
@@ -26,6 +28,30 @@ import (
 	"gitmanager/internal/service"
 )
 
+// configureGit prepares the container's git for operating on the mounted repos:
+// a commit identity (so commits don't fail with "empty ident"), permission to
+// work on host-owned mounts, and — when a Gitea token is set — an auth header so
+// pushes/fetches over HTTPS succeed. The token is written to the container's
+// gitconfig (ephemeral, localhost); see AGENT.md §11.
+func configureGit(ctx context.Context, g *git.CLI, cfg config.Config, log *slog.Logger) {
+	set := func(key, value string) {
+		if err := g.SetGlobalConfig(ctx, key, value); err != nil {
+			log.Warn("git config failed", "key", key, "err", err)
+		}
+	}
+	set("safe.directory", "*") // mounted repos are host-owned
+	if cfg.GitUserName != "" {
+		set("user.name", cfg.GitUserName)
+	}
+	if cfg.GitUserEmail != "" {
+		set("user.email", cfg.GitUserEmail)
+	}
+	if cfg.GiteaURL != "" && cfg.GiteaToken != "" {
+		set("http."+cfg.GiteaURL+".extraheader", "Authorization: token "+cfg.GiteaToken)
+		log.Info("git remote auth configured", "host", cfg.GiteaURL)
+	}
+}
+
 func main() {
 	cfg, err := config.Load()
 	if err != nil {
@@ -46,6 +72,7 @@ func main() {
 	} else {
 		log.Info("git detected", "version", v)
 	}
+	configureGit(context.Background(), g, cfg, log)
 
 	// Start the read-only scanner in the background.
 	scanner := repos.NewScanner(g, log, cfg.RepoRoots, cfg.ScanMaxDepth, cfg.ScanIgnore, cfg.ScanInterval, cfg.ScanFetchEnabled)
@@ -83,6 +110,18 @@ func main() {
 	e.Use(middleware.Recover())
 	e.Use(middleware.RequestID())
 
+	// Ask browsers to revalidate component/static assets so edits show up on
+	// reload (the dev server hot-reloads; cached ES modules would defeat that).
+	e.Use(func(next echo.HandlerFunc) echo.HandlerFunc {
+		return func(c echo.Context) error {
+			p := c.Request().URL.Path
+			if strings.HasPrefix(p, "/components/") || strings.HasPrefix(p, "/static/") {
+				c.Response().Header().Set("Cache-Control", "no-cache")
+			}
+			return next(c)
+		}
+	})
+
 	// Static assets and component sources.
 	e.Static("/static", "web/static")
 	e.Static("/components", "components")
@@ -169,6 +208,7 @@ func main() {
 			Path    string `json:"path"`
 			Op      string `json:"op"`
 			Message string `json:"message"`
+			Branch  string `json:"branch"`
 		}
 		if err := c.Bind(&body); err != nil {
 			return c.JSON(http.StatusBadRequest, map[string]string{"error": "invalid body"})
@@ -187,6 +227,10 @@ func main() {
 			out, err = svc.GitCommit(ctx, activity.ActorUser, body.Path, body.Message)
 		case "discard":
 			out, err = svc.GitDiscard(ctx, activity.ActorUser, body.Path)
+		case "checkout":
+			out, err = svc.GitCheckout(ctx, activity.ActorUser, body.Path, body.Branch)
+		case "create-branch":
+			out, err = svc.GitCreateBranch(ctx, activity.ActorUser, body.Path, body.Branch)
 		default:
 			return c.JSON(http.StatusBadRequest, map[string]string{"error": "unknown op: " + body.Op})
 		}
@@ -209,6 +253,23 @@ func main() {
 		}
 		return c.JSON(http.StatusOK, map[string]any{"supported": true, "prs": prs})
 	})
+	e.POST("/api/repo/pr/create", func(c echo.Context) error {
+		var body struct {
+			Path  string `json:"path"`
+			Head  string `json:"head"`
+			Base  string `json:"base"`
+			Title string `json:"title"`
+			Body  string `json:"body"`
+		}
+		if err := c.Bind(&body); err != nil {
+			return c.JSON(http.StatusBadRequest, map[string]string{"error": "invalid body"})
+		}
+		pr, err := svc.CreatePR(c.Request().Context(), activity.ActorUser, body.Path, body.Head, body.Base, body.Title, body.Body)
+		if err != nil {
+			return c.JSON(http.StatusBadGateway, map[string]string{"error": err.Error()})
+		}
+		return c.JSON(http.StatusOK, pr)
+	})
 	e.POST("/api/repo/pr/merge", func(c echo.Context) error {
 		var body struct {
 			Path   string `json:"path"`

components/pr-list/pr-list.js

@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ class PRList extends HTMLElement {
   #controller = null;
   #onSelect = null;
   #path = '';
+  #repo = null;
 
   constructor() {
     super();
@@ -18,7 +19,7 @@ class PRList extends HTMLElement {
 
   connectedCallback() {
     this.#renderShell();
-    this.#onSelect = (e) => this.#load(e.detail?.path);
+    this.#onSelect = (e) => { this.#repo = e.detail; this.#load(e.detail?.path); };
     document.addEventListener('repo:select', this.#onSelect);
   }
 
@@ -58,9 +59,34 @@ class PRList extends HTMLElement {
       });
       const data = await res.json();
       if (!res.ok) throw new Error(data.error || `HTTP ${res.status}`);
+      this.#toast(`Merged & cleaned up PR #${pr.number}`, 'success');
       this.#load(this.#path); // refresh the list
     } catch (err) {
-      this.#error(`Merge failed: ${err.message}`);
+      this.#toast(`Merge failed: ${err.message}`, 'error');
+    }
+  }
+
+  #toast(message, kind) {
+    document.dispatchEvent(new CustomEvent('toast', { detail: { message, kind } }));
+  }
+
+  async #create() {
+    const branch = this.#repo?.branch;
+    if (!branch) return;
+    const title = window.prompt(`Open a pull request from "${branch}" (into the default branch).\nTitle:`, branch);
+    if (title === null) return;
+    try {
+      const res = await fetch('/api/repo/pr/create', {
+        method: 'POST',
+        headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
+        body: JSON.stringify({ path: this.#path, head: branch, base: '', title: title.trim() || branch }),
+      });
+      const data = await res.json();
+      if (!res.ok) throw new Error(data.error || `HTTP ${res.status}`);
+      this.#toast(`Opened PR #${data.number}`, 'success');
+      this.#load(this.#path); // refresh so the new PR appears
+    } catch (err) {
+      this.#toast(`Create PR failed: ${err.message}`, 'error');
     }
   }
 
@@ -102,8 +128,13 @@ class PRList extends HTMLElement {
         :host { display: block; }
         .box { background: var(--surface-1); border: 1px solid var(--border);
                border-radius: var(--radius); padding: 14px 16px; }
+        .hd { display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 8px; margin-bottom: 8px; }
         h3 { font-size: 12px; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: .04em;
-             color: var(--color-fg-muted); margin: 0 0 8px; }
+             color: var(--color-fg-muted); margin: 0; }
+        #new { margin-left: auto; font: inherit; cursor: pointer; padding: 3px 10px;
+               border-radius: var(--radius-sm); border: 1px solid var(--fill-accent);
+               color: var(--fill-accent); background: transparent; }
+        #new:hover { background: var(--surface-2); }
         ul { list-style: none; margin: 0; padding: 0; display: grid; gap: 10px; }
         li { border-top: 1px solid var(--border); padding-top: 8px; }
         li:first-child { border-top: none; padding-top: 0; }
@@ -124,9 +155,13 @@ class PRList extends HTMLElement {
         .error { color: var(--color-danger); }
       </style>
       <div class="box">
-        <h3>Pull requests</h3>
+        <div class="hd">
+          <h3>Pull requests</h3>
+          <button id="new" title="Open a PR from the current branch">New pull request…</button>
+        </div>
         <div id="body"><p class="muted">Select a repository.</p></div>
       </div>`;
+    this.shadowRoot.getElementById('new').addEventListener('click', () => this.#create());
   }
 
   #esc(s) {

components/pr-list/pr-list.md

@@ -13,10 +13,14 @@ naming the PR, base, and branch to be deleted.
   configured or the repo isn't on the forge host.
 - **Listens:** `repo:select` on `document` — loads PRs for `event.detail.path`.
 - **Fetches:** `GET /api/repo/prs?path=…` (`{supported:false}` → hidden).
-- **Writes:** `POST /api/repo/pr/merge {path, number}` after a `confirm()`.
+- **Writes:** `POST /api/repo/pr/merge {path, number}` after a `confirm()`;
+  `POST /api/repo/pr/create {path, head, base, title}` via the "New pull request…"
+  button (head = the selected repo's current branch, base = the repo default).
 
 ## History
 - 2026-09-20: created — slice 5 (forge); list open PRs + "Merge & clean up".
+- 2026-09-20: added "New pull request…" (create_pr) — opens a PR from the
+  selected repo's current branch into the default branch (slice 10).
 
 ## Notes / gotchas
 - Requires `GITEA_URL` + `GITEA_TOKEN` on the server; otherwise the component

components/repo-list/repo-list.js

@@ -2,8 +2,12 @@
 //
 // A self-contained control in the ActiveX spirit (AGENT.md §1.1): it lives in a
 // shadow root, fetches its own data from /api/repos on connect, renders itself,
-// and cleans up on disconnect. It talks to the rest of the app only via a
-// bubbling/composed `repo:select` CustomEvent — no shared globals.
+// and cleans up on disconnect. It talks to the rest of the app only via
+// bubbling/composed CustomEvents (`repo:select`, `repo:contextmenu`) — no shared
+// globals. Search + filter state is per-viewer view state kept in localStorage
+// (§4); filtering is client-side over the already-fetched list.
+
+const FILTER_KEY = 'gitmanager.repolist.filters';
 
 class RepoList extends HTMLElement {
   #refreshMs = 15000;
@@ -11,6 +15,7 @@ class RepoList extends HTMLElement {
   #controller = null;
   #repos = [];
   #selected = null;
+  #filters = { q: '', dirty: false, aheadBehind: false };
 
   constructor() {
     super();
@@ -18,6 +23,7 @@ class RepoList extends HTMLElement {
   }
 
   connectedCallback() {
+    this.#loadFilters();
     this.#renderShell();
     this.#load();
     this.#timer = setInterval(() => this.#load(), this.#refreshMs);
@@ -34,7 +40,8 @@ class RepoList extends HTMLElement {
     try {
       const res = await fetch('/api/repos', { signal: this.#controller.signal });
       if (!res.ok) throw new Error(`HTTP ${res.status}`);
-      this.#renderRepos(await res.json());
+      this.#repos = (await res.json()) || [];
+      this.#apply();
     } catch (err) {
       if (err.name !== 'AbortError') this.#renderError(err);
     }
@@ -42,7 +49,7 @@ class RepoList extends HTMLElement {
 
   #select(repo) {
     this.#selected = repo.path;
-    this.#renderRepos(this.#repos); // reflect selection highlight
+    this.#apply(); // reflect selection highlight
     // Cross-component communication is via events only (AGENT.md §1.1).
     this.dispatchEvent(new CustomEvent('repo:select', {
       detail: repo, bubbles: true, composed: true,
@@ -56,53 +63,46 @@ class RepoList extends HTMLElement {
     }).catch(() => {});
   }
 
-  #renderShell() {
-    this.shadowRoot.innerHTML = `
-      <style>
-        :host { display: block; }
-        ul { list-style: none; margin: 0; padding: 0; display: grid; gap: 8px; }
-        li {
-          background: var(--surface-1);
-          border: 1px solid var(--border);
-          border-radius: var(--radius);
-          padding: 10px 14px;
-          cursor: pointer;
-          display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 12px;
-        }
-        li:hover { border-color: var(--border-strong); }
-        li.selected { border-color: var(--fill-accent); background: var(--surface-2); }
-        .name { font-weight: 600; }
-        .branch { color: var(--color-fg-muted); }
-        .spacer { margin-left: auto; }
-        .badge {
-          font-size: 12px; padding: 1px 8px; border-radius: var(--radius-sm);
-          border: 1px solid var(--border-strong);
-        }
-        .dirty { color: var(--git-dirty); border-color: var(--git-dirty); }
-        .clean { color: var(--git-clean); border-color: var(--git-clean); }
-        .ahead { color: var(--git-ahead); }
-        .behind { color: var(--git-behind); }
-        .empty, .error { color: var(--color-fg-muted); padding: 12px 0; }
-        .error { color: var(--color-danger); }
-      </style>
-      <div id="body"><p class="empty">Loading repositories…</p></div>
-    `;
+  #loadFilters() {
+    try {
+      const saved = JSON.parse(localStorage.getItem(FILTER_KEY) || '{}');
+      this.#filters = { q: '', dirty: false, aheadBehind: false, ...saved };
+    } catch { /* ignore — use defaults */ }
   }
 
-  #renderError(err) {
-    this.shadowRoot.getElementById('body').innerHTML =
-      `<p class="error">Could not load repositories: ${this.#esc(err.message)}</p>`;
+  #saveFilters() {
+    try { localStorage.setItem(FILTER_KEY, JSON.stringify(this.#filters)); } catch { /* ignore */ }
   }
 
-  #renderRepos(repos) {
-    this.#repos = repos || [];
+  // #apply computes the filtered set and renders the body + count.
+  #apply() {
     const body = this.shadowRoot.getElementById('body');
+    const count = this.shadowRoot.getElementById('count');
+    const { q, dirty, aheadBehind } = this.#filters;
+    const ql = q.trim().toLowerCase();
+    const filtered = this.#repos.filter((r) => {
+      if (ql && !(String(r.name).toLowerCase().includes(ql) || String(r.path).toLowerCase().includes(ql))) return false;
+      if (dirty && !r.dirty) return false;
+      if (aheadBehind && !((r.ahead || 0) > 0 || (r.behind || 0) > 0)) return false;
+      return true;
+    });
+
+    count.textContent = this.#repos.length ? `${filtered.length} of ${this.#repos.length}` : '';
+
     if (this.#repos.length === 0) {
       body.innerHTML = `<p class="empty">No repositories found. Check GIT_REPO_ROOTS.</p>`;
       return;
     }
+    if (filtered.length === 0) {
+      body.innerHTML = `<p class="empty">No repositories match your search.</p>`;
+      return;
+    }
+    this.#renderList(filtered, body);
+  }
+
+  #renderList(repos, body) {
     const ul = document.createElement('ul');
-    for (const r of this.#repos) {
+    for (const r of repos) {
       const li = document.createElement('li');
       if (r.path === this.#selected) li.classList.add('selected');
       // Right-click opens the command menu (§6) for this repo — via an event,
@@ -128,6 +128,95 @@ class RepoList extends HTMLElement {
     body.replaceChildren(ul);
   }
 
+  #renderError(err) {
+    this.shadowRoot.getElementById('body').innerHTML =
+      `<p class="error">Could not load repositories: ${this.#esc(err.message)}</p>`;
+  }
+
+  #renderShell() {
+    this.shadowRoot.innerHTML = `
+      <style>
+        :host { display: block; }
+        .controls { display: grid; gap: 8px; margin-bottom: 10px; }
+        #search {
+          width: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit;
+          background: var(--surface-1); color: var(--color-fg);
+          border: 1px solid var(--border); border-radius: var(--radius);
+          padding: 7px 10px;
+        }
+        #search:focus { outline: none; border-color: var(--fill-accent); }
+        .chips { display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 6px; }
+        .chip {
+          font: inherit; font-size: 12px; cursor: pointer; padding: 3px 10px;
+          border-radius: 999px; border: 1px solid var(--border-strong);
+          background: transparent; color: var(--color-fg-muted);
+        }
+        .chip.active { border-color: var(--fill-accent); color: var(--fill-accent);
+                       background: var(--surface-2); }
+        .count { margin-left: auto; color: var(--color-fg-muted); font-size: 12px; }
+        ul { list-style: none; margin: 0; padding: 0; display: grid; gap: 8px; }
+        li {
+          background: var(--surface-1);
+          border: 1px solid var(--border);
+          border-radius: var(--radius);
+          padding: 10px 14px;
+          cursor: pointer;
+          display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 12px;
+        }
+        li:hover { border-color: var(--border-strong); }
+        li.selected { border-color: var(--fill-accent); background: var(--surface-2); }
+        .name { font-weight: 600; }
+        .branch { color: var(--color-fg-muted); }
+        .spacer { margin-left: auto; }
+        .badge {
+          font-size: 12px; padding: 1px 8px; border-radius: var(--radius-sm);
+          border: 1px solid var(--border-strong);
+        }
+        .dirty { color: var(--git-dirty); border-color: var(--git-dirty); }
+        .clean { color: var(--git-clean); border-color: var(--git-clean); }
+        .ahead { color: var(--git-ahead); }
+        .behind { color: var(--git-behind); }
+        .empty, .error { color: var(--color-fg-muted); padding: 12px 0; }
+        .error { color: var(--color-danger); }
+      </style>
+      <div class="controls">
+        <input id="search" type="search" placeholder="Search repositories…" autocomplete="off" />
+        <div class="chips">
+          <button id="f-dirty" class="chip" type="button">Dirty</button>
+          <button id="f-ab" class="chip" type="button">Ahead/behind</button>
+          <span id="count" class="count"></span>
+        </div>
+      </div>
+      <div id="body"><p class="empty">Loading repositories…</p></div>
+    `;
+
+    const search = this.shadowRoot.getElementById('search');
+    const dirtyBtn = this.shadowRoot.getElementById('f-dirty');
+    const abBtn = this.shadowRoot.getElementById('f-ab');
+    // Reflect persisted state.
+    search.value = this.#filters.q;
+    dirtyBtn.classList.toggle('active', this.#filters.dirty);
+    abBtn.classList.toggle('active', this.#filters.aheadBehind);
+
+    search.addEventListener('input', () => {
+      this.#filters.q = search.value;
+      this.#saveFilters();
+      this.#apply();
+    });
+    dirtyBtn.addEventListener('click', () => {
+      this.#filters.dirty = !this.#filters.dirty;
+      dirtyBtn.classList.toggle('active', this.#filters.dirty);
+      this.#saveFilters();
+      this.#apply();
+    });
+    abBtn.addEventListener('click', () => {
+      this.#filters.aheadBehind = !this.#filters.aheadBehind;
+      abBtn.classList.toggle('active', this.#filters.aheadBehind);
+      this.#saveFilters();
+      this.#apply();
+    });
+  }
+
   #esc(s) {
     return String(s ?? '').replace(/[&<>"']/g, (c) => (
       { '&': '&amp;', '<': '&lt;', '>': '&gt;', '"': '&quot;', "'": '&#39;' }[c]

components/repo-list/repo-list.md

@@ -9,7 +9,11 @@ component pattern the rest of the UI follows.
 
 ## Public surface
 - **Tag:** `<repo-list>`
-- **Attributes/properties:** none yet.
+- **Attributes/properties:** none.
+- **Search + filter:** a search box (matches name/path, case-insensitive) plus
+  "Dirty" and "Ahead/behind" toggle chips, with a "N of M" count. Filtering is
+  client-side over the fetched list; the state persists per-viewer in
+  `localStorage["gitmanager.repolist.filters"]` (§4).
 - **Fetches:** `GET /api/repos` on connect and every 15s (in-flight request is
   aborted on refresh and on disconnect).
 - **Emits:** `repo:select` — a `CustomEvent` (bubbles + composed) whose `detail`
@@ -26,6 +30,8 @@ component pattern the rest of the UI follows.
   readable by Claude via `get_active_project`. Fire-and-forget.
 - 2026-09-20: right-clicking a repo emits `repo:contextmenu` `{repo, x, y}` for
   `<repo-menu>` (§6). Right-click does not change the selection/active project.
+- 2026-09-20: added search + "Dirty"/"Ahead-behind" filter chips with a count,
+  persisted in localStorage; filtering is client-side (slice 13).
 
 ## Notes / gotchas
 - Uses shared design tokens (`--git-*`, `--surface-*`, `--radius*`) for all

components/repo-menu/repo-menu.js

@@ -4,7 +4,8 @@
 // `repo:contextmenu` event from <repo-list>, and shows a positioned menu of
 // PLAIN-LANGUAGE commands for people who don't memorize git. Safe commands run
 // on click; the destructive one ("Discard all changes") confirms first (§1.4).
-// It calls the same endpoints Claude uses via MCP (one service layer, §1.7);
+// "Switch branch" is a flyout submenu populated from the repo's branches. It
+// calls the same endpoints Claude uses via MCP (one service layer, §1.7);
 // results show up live in <activity-feed>.
 
 const ITEMS = [
@@ -12,6 +13,8 @@ const ITEMS = [
   { cmd: 'push',    label: 'Publish',               hint: 'push' },
   { cmd: 'fetch',   label: 'Check for updates',     hint: 'fetch' },
   { cmd: 'commit',  label: 'Save my work…',         hint: 'commit' },
+  { sub: 'branches', label: 'Switch branch',        hint: 'checkout' },
+  { cmd: 'newbranch', label: 'New branch…',         hint: 'branch' },
   { sep: true },
   { cmd: 'active',  label: 'Set as active project' },
   { cmd: 'handoff', label: 'Ask Claude to switch here' },
@@ -25,6 +28,7 @@ class RepoMenu extends HTMLElement {
   #onContext = null;
   #onDocClick = null;
   #onKey = null;
+  #branchController = null;
 
   constructor() {
     super();
@@ -39,6 +43,7 @@ class RepoMenu extends HTMLElement {
 
   disconnectedCallback() {
     document.removeEventListener('repo:contextmenu', this.#onContext);
+    this.#branchController?.abort();
     this.#teardownDismiss();
   }
 
@@ -48,25 +53,25 @@ class RepoMenu extends HTMLElement {
     const menu = this.shadowRoot.getElementById('menu');
     this.shadowRoot.getElementById('hdr').textContent = this.#base(repo.path);
     menu.hidden = false;
-    // Position, clamped to the viewport.
+
+    // Clamp to viewport; flip submenus leftward when near the right edge.
     const rect = menu.getBoundingClientRect();
     const left = Math.min(x, window.innerWidth - rect.width - 8);
     const top = Math.min(y, window.innerHeight - rect.height - 8);
     menu.style.left = Math.max(8, left) + 'px';
     menu.style.top = Math.max(8, top) + 'px';
+    menu.classList.toggle('flip', left + rect.width + 200 > window.innerWidth);
+
+    this.#loadBranches(repo);
 
-    // Dismiss on next outside click, Esc, or scroll.
     this.#onDocClick = (ev) => { if (!ev.composedPath().includes(this)) this.#hide(); };
     this.#onKey = (ev) => { if (ev.key === 'Escape') this.#hide(); };
     setTimeout(() => {
       document.addEventListener('click', this.#onDocClick, { once: true });
       document.addEventListener('keydown', this.#onKey);
-      window.addEventListener('scroll', this.#hideBound(), { once: true, capture: true });
     }, 0);
   }
 
-  #hideBound() { return () => this.#hide(); }
-
   #hide() {
     this.shadowRoot.getElementById('menu').hidden = true;
     this.#teardownDismiss();
@@ -78,6 +83,30 @@ class RepoMenu extends HTMLElement {
     this.#onDocClick = this.#onKey = null;
   }
 
+  async #loadBranches(repo) {
+    const sub = this.shadowRoot.getElementById('branches');
+    sub.innerHTML = `<div class="note">Loading…</div>`;
+    this.#branchController?.abort();
+    this.#branchController = new AbortController();
+    try {
+      const res = await fetch(`/api/repo?path=${encodeURIComponent(repo.path)}`, { signal: this.#branchController.signal });
+      if (!res.ok) throw new Error(`HTTP ${res.status}`);
+      const detail = await res.json();
+      const branches = detail.branches || [];
+      if (branches.length === 0) { sub.innerHTML = `<div class="note">No branches.</div>`; return; }
+      sub.replaceChildren(...branches.map((b) => {
+        const btn = document.createElement('button');
+        btn.className = 'branch' + (b.current ? ' cur' : '');
+        btn.textContent = (b.current ? '● ' : '') + b.name;
+        if (b.current) { btn.disabled = true; btn.title = 'Current branch'; }
+        else { btn.dataset.branch = b.name; }
+        return btn;
+      }));
+    } catch (err) {
+      if (err.name !== 'AbortError') sub.innerHTML = `<div class="note err">Couldn't load branches.</div>`;
+    }
+  }
+
   async #dispatch(cmd) {
     const repo = this.#repo;
     const name = this.#base(repo.path);
@@ -91,6 +120,11 @@ class RepoMenu extends HTMLElement {
         if (msg && msg.trim()) await this.#git('commit', { message: msg });
         break;
       }
+      case 'newbranch': {
+        const b = window.prompt(`New branch name in ${name}:`);
+        if (b && b.trim()) await this.#git('create-branch', { branch: b.trim() });
+        break;
+      }
       case 'discard': {
         const ok = window.confirm(
           `Discard ALL uncommitted changes in ${name}?\n\n` +
@@ -101,16 +135,37 @@ class RepoMenu extends HTMLElement {
       }
       case 'active':
         await this.#post('/api/active-project', { path: repo.path });
+        this.#toast(`${name} is now the active project`, 'info');
         break;
       case 'handoff':
         await this.#post('/api/switch', { target: repo.path });
+        this.#toast(`Asked Claude to switch to ${name}`, 'info');
         break;
       case 'copy':
-        try { await navigator.clipboard.writeText(repo.path); } catch { /* ignore */ }
+        try { await navigator.clipboard.writeText(repo.path); this.#toast('Path copied', 'info'); }
+        catch { this.#toast('Could not copy path', 'error'); }
         break;
     }
   }
 
+  async #checkoutBranch(branch) {
+    this.#hide();
+    await this.#git('checkout', { branch });
+  }
+
+  #okLabel(op, extra) {
+    switch (op) {
+      case 'pull': return 'Got the latest';
+      case 'push': return 'Published';
+      case 'fetch': return 'Checked for updates';
+      case 'commit': return 'Saved your work';
+      case 'checkout': return `Switched to ${extra.branch}`;
+      case 'create-branch': return `Created branch ${extra.branch}`;
+      case 'discard': return 'Discarded changes';
+      default: return 'Done';
+    }
+  }
+
   async #git(op, extra = {}) {
     try {
       const res = await fetch('/api/repo/git', {
@@ -120,11 +175,16 @@ class RepoMenu extends HTMLElement {
       });
       const data = await res.json();
       if (!res.ok) throw new Error(data.error || `HTTP ${res.status}`);
+      this.#toast(this.#okLabel(op, extra), 'success');
     } catch (err) {
-      window.alert(`${op} failed: ${err.message}`);
+      this.#toast(`${this.#okLabel(op, extra)} failed: ${err.message}`, 'error');
     }
   }
 
+  #toast(message, kind) {
+    document.dispatchEvent(new CustomEvent('toast', { detail: { message, kind } }));
+  }
+
   async #post(url, body) {
     try {
       await fetch(url, { method: 'POST', headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' }, body: JSON.stringify(body) });
@@ -132,11 +192,19 @@ class RepoMenu extends HTMLElement {
   }
 
   #renderShell() {
-    const rows = ITEMS.map((it) => it.sep
-      ? '<hr>'
-      : `<button data-cmd="${it.cmd}" class="${it.danger ? 'danger' : ''}">
-           <span>${it.label}</span>${it.hint ? `<code>${it.hint}</code>` : ''}
-         </button>`).join('');
+    const rows = ITEMS.map((it) => {
+      if (it.sep) return '<hr>';
+      if (it.sub) {
+        return `<div class="item has-sub" tabindex="0">
+            <span>${it.label}</span><span class="arrow">▸</span>
+            <div class="submenu" id="${it.sub}"></div>
+          </div>`;
+      }
+      return `<button data-cmd="${it.cmd}" class="${it.danger ? 'danger' : ''}">
+          <span>${it.label}</span>${it.hint ? `<code>${it.hint}</code>` : ''}
+        </button>`;
+    }).join('');
+
     this.shadowRoot.innerHTML = `
       <style>
         #menu {
@@ -148,25 +216,43 @@ class RepoMenu extends HTMLElement {
         .hdr { padding: 6px 10px 4px; color: var(--color-fg-muted); font-size: 12px;
                border-bottom: 1px solid var(--border); margin-bottom: 4px;
                overflow: hidden; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap; }
-        button { display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 10px; width: 100%;
-          background: none; border: none; color: var(--color-fg); font: inherit;
-          text-align: left; padding: 7px 10px; border-radius: var(--radius-sm);
+        button, .item { display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 10px; width: 100%;
+          box-sizing: border-box; background: none; border: none; color: var(--color-fg);
+          font: inherit; text-align: left; padding: 7px 10px; border-radius: var(--radius-sm);
           cursor: pointer; }
-        button:hover { background: var(--fill-accent); color: #071019; }
+        button:hover, .item:hover, .item:focus { background: var(--fill-accent); color: #071019; }
         button code { margin-left: auto; font-size: 11px; color: var(--color-fg-muted); }
         button:hover code { color: #071019; }
         button.danger { color: var(--color-danger); }
         button.danger:hover { background: var(--color-danger); color: #fff; }
-        button.danger:hover code { color: #fff; }
         hr { border: none; border-top: 1px solid var(--border); margin: 4px 0; }
+        .has-sub { position: relative; }
+        .has-sub .arrow { margin-left: auto; color: var(--color-fg-muted); }
+        .has-sub:hover .arrow, .has-sub:focus .arrow, .has-sub:focus-within .arrow { color: #071019; }
+        .submenu {
+          position: absolute; left: 100%; top: -5px; display: none;
+          min-width: 180px; max-height: 260px; overflow-y: auto;
+          background: var(--surface-2); border: 1px solid var(--border-strong);
+          border-radius: var(--radius); padding: 4px; box-shadow: 0 8px 28px rgba(0,0,0,.45);
+        }
+        #menu.flip .submenu { left: auto; right: 100%; }
+        .has-sub:hover .submenu, .has-sub:focus-within .submenu { display: block; }
+        .submenu .branch { color: var(--color-fg); }
+        .submenu .branch.cur { color: var(--color-fg-muted); cursor: default; }
+        .submenu .branch:disabled { background: none; color: var(--color-fg-muted); }
+        .submenu .note { padding: 6px 10px; color: var(--color-fg-muted); font-size: 12px; }
+        .submenu .note.err { color: var(--color-danger); }
       </style>
       <div id="menu" hidden>
         <div class="hdr" id="hdr"></div>
         ${rows}
       </div>`;
+
     this.shadowRoot.getElementById('menu').addEventListener('click', (e) => {
       const btn = e.target.closest('button');
-      if (btn) this.#dispatch(btn.dataset.cmd);
+      if (!btn) return;
+      if (btn.dataset.branch !== undefined) { this.#checkoutBranch(btn.dataset.branch); return; }
+      if (btn.dataset.cmd) this.#dispatch(btn.dataset.cmd);
     });
   }
 

components/repo-menu/repo-menu.md

@@ -11,10 +11,13 @@ event. Safe commands run on click; the destructive one confirms first (§1.4).
 - **Listens:** `repo:contextmenu` on `document` — `detail: { repo, x, y }`
   (dispatched by `<repo-list>` on right-click). Shows the menu at (x, y).
 - **Commands → endpoints:**
-  - Get latest / Publish / Check for updates / Save my work… / Discard all
-    changes… → `POST /api/repo/git {path, op, message?}` (op: pull/push/fetch/
-    commit/discard). "Save my work…" prompts for a message; "Discard all
+  - Get latest / Publish / Check for updates / Save my work… / New branch… /
+    Discard all changes… → `POST /api/repo/git {path, op, message?, branch?}`
+    (op: pull/push/fetch/commit/create-branch/checkout/discard). "Save my work…"
+    prompts for a message; "New branch…" prompts for a name; "Discard all
     changes…" confirms (destructive).
+  - **Switch branch ▸** — a flyout submenu populated from `GET /api/repo?path=`
+    (the repo's branches; current one disabled). Clicking a branch → checkout.
   - Set as active project → `POST /api/active-project`.
   - Ask Claude to switch here → `POST /api/switch` (the handoff request).
   - Copy path → clipboard.
@@ -23,6 +26,10 @@ event. Safe commands run on click; the destructive one confirms first (§1.4).
 ## History
 - 2026-09-20: created — slice 6; plain-language git commands + coordination
   actions, backed by the shared service layer (same ops Claude gets via MCP).
+- 2026-09-20: added "Switch branch…" (checkout) and "New branch…" (create-branch),
+  both prompting for the branch name (slice 9).
+- 2026-09-20: "Switch branch" is now a flyout submenu listing the repo's branches
+  (fetched from /api/repo), not a text prompt (slice 11). "New branch…" still prompts.
 
 ## Notes / gotchas
 - Results aren't shown inline; they appear in `<activity-feed>` (each op records a

components/toast-host/toast-host.js

@@ -0,0 +1,67 @@
+// <toast-host> — a singleton overlay that shows brief command-result toasts.
+//
+// A self-contained control (AGENT.md §1.1): shadow DOM, no data of its own. Any
+// component posts a toast by dispatching a `toast` CustomEvent on document:
+//   document.dispatchEvent(new CustomEvent('toast',
+//     { detail: { message: 'Published', kind: 'success' } }));
+// kind ∈ success | error | info. Toasts stack bottom-right, auto-dismiss (errors
+// linger longer), and dismiss on click.
+
+class ToastHost extends HTMLElement {
+  #onToast = null;
+
+  constructor() {
+    super();
+    this.attachShadow({ mode: 'open' });
+  }
+
+  connectedCallback() {
+    this.#render();
+    this.#onToast = (e) => this.#show(e.detail || {});
+    document.addEventListener('toast', this.#onToast);
+  }
+
+  disconnectedCallback() {
+    document.removeEventListener('toast', this.#onToast);
+  }
+
+  #show({ message, kind = 'info', timeout }) {
+    if (!message) return;
+    const t = document.createElement('div');
+    t.className = 'toast ' + (['success', 'error', 'info'].includes(kind) ? kind : 'info');
+    t.textContent = String(message);
+    t.addEventListener('click', () => t.remove());
+    this.shadowRoot.getElementById('stack').appendChild(t);
+    requestAnimationFrame(() => t.classList.add('in'));
+    const ms = timeout || (kind === 'error' ? 6000 : 3500);
+    setTimeout(() => {
+      t.classList.remove('in');
+      setTimeout(() => t.remove(), 200);
+    }, ms);
+  }
+
+  #render() {
+    this.shadowRoot.innerHTML = `
+      <style>
+        #stack {
+          position: fixed; right: 16px; bottom: 16px; z-index: 1100;
+          display: flex; flex-direction: column-reverse; gap: 8px;
+          max-width: min(360px, 90vw);
+        }
+        .toast {
+          background: var(--surface-2); color: var(--color-fg);
+          border: 1px solid var(--border-strong); border-left-width: 3px;
+          border-radius: var(--radius); padding: 10px 14px; font-size: 13px;
+          box-shadow: 0 8px 28px rgba(0,0,0,.45); cursor: pointer;
+          opacity: 0; transform: translateY(8px); transition: opacity .18s, transform .18s;
+        }
+        .toast.in { opacity: 1; transform: none; }
+        .toast.success { border-left-color: var(--color-success); }
+        .toast.error   { border-left-color: var(--color-danger); }
+        .toast.info    { border-left-color: var(--fill-accent); }
+      </style>
+      <div id="stack"></div>`;
+  }
+}
+
+customElements.define('toast-host', ToastHost);

components/toast-host/toast-host.md

@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+# toast-host
+
+## Intent
+A singleton overlay for brief command-result feedback (AGENT.md §6 polish). It
+gives immediate, legible confirmation of what a UI action did — "Published",
+"Merged & cleaned up PR #3", or an error — instead of only the activity feed or a
+browser `alert()`. Any component can post to it without a reference to it.
+
+## Public surface
+- **Tag:** `<toast-host>` (place once, near the end of the page).
+- **Listens:** `toast` on `document` — `detail: { message, kind?, timeout? }`,
+  where `kind` ∈ `success | error | info` (default `info`).
+- **Behavior:** toasts stack bottom-right, animate in, auto-dismiss (errors last
+  longer — 6s vs 3.5s), and dismiss on click. Renders nothing until posted to.
+
+## History
+- 2026-09-20: created — slice 12; inline toasts for menu/PR command results.
+
+## Notes / gotchas
+- Posters build the `CustomEvent` themselves (components are standalone, no shared
+  module); keep the detail shape in sync with this contract.
+- Messages are set via `textContent` (no HTML injection).

internal/config/config.go

@@ -34,6 +34,9 @@ type Config struct {
 	Dev     bool   // readable console logging vs structured JSON
 	LogFile string // optional file to also append logs to
 
+	GitUserName  string // commit identity for git actions run by the app
+	GitUserEmail string // commit identity for git actions run by the app
+
 	GiteaURL    string // Gitea/Forgejo base URL (e.g. https://git.nilles.net)
 	GiteaToken  string // Gitea token (read + PR write + branch delete) — §8.4
 	GitHubToken string // optional forge token (later provider)
@@ -57,6 +60,8 @@ func Load() (Config, error) {
 		ScanFetchEnabled: envBool("SCAN_FETCH_ENABLED", false),
 		Dev:              strings.EqualFold(env("APP_ENV", "dev"), "dev"),
 		LogFile:          env("LOG_FILE", ""),
+		GitUserName:      env("GIT_USER_NAME", ""),
+		GitUserEmail:     env("GIT_USER_EMAIL", ""),
 		GiteaURL:         env("GITEA_URL", ""),
 		GiteaToken:       env("GITEA_TOKEN", ""),
 		GitHubToken:      env("GITHUB_TOKEN", ""),

internal/forge/forge.go

@@ -48,11 +48,21 @@ type MergeResult struct {
 	BranchDeleted bool   `json:"branchDeleted"`
 }
 
+// NewPR describes a pull request to open. An empty Base means "the repo's
+// default branch".
+type NewPR struct {
+	Head  string
+	Base  string
+	Title string
+	Body  string
+}
+
 // Provider talks to one hosting provider.
 type Provider interface {
 	// Handles reports whether this provider serves the given remote host.
 	Handles(host string) bool
 	ListPullRequests(ctx context.Context, owner, repo string) ([]PullRequest, error)
+	CreatePullRequest(ctx context.Context, owner, repo string, pr NewPR) (PullRequest, error)
 	MergeAndCleanup(ctx context.Context, owner, repo string, number int64, method MergeMethod) (MergeResult, error)
 }
 

internal/forge/gitea.go

@@ -54,6 +54,36 @@ func (g *Gitea) ListPullRequests(_ context.Context, owner, repo string) ([]PullR
 	return out, nil
 }
 
+// CreatePullRequest opens a PR. An empty Base resolves to the repo's default
+// branch. Requires the head branch to already exist on the remote.
+func (g *Gitea) CreatePullRequest(_ context.Context, owner, repo string, pr NewPR) (PullRequest, error) {
+	if strings.TrimSpace(pr.Head) == "" {
+		return PullRequest{}, fmt.Errorf("a head branch is required")
+	}
+	base := strings.TrimSpace(pr.Base)
+	if base == "" {
+		r, _, err := g.client.GetRepo(owner, repo)
+		if err != nil {
+			return PullRequest{}, err
+		}
+		base = r.DefaultBranch
+	}
+	title := pr.Title
+	if strings.TrimSpace(title) == "" {
+		title = pr.Head
+	}
+	created, _, err := g.client.CreatePullRequest(owner, repo, gitea.CreatePullRequestOption{
+		Head:  pr.Head,
+		Base:  base,
+		Title: title,
+		Body:  pr.Body,
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		return PullRequest{}, err
+	}
+	return toPR(created), nil
+}
+
 // MergeAndCleanup merges the PR and deletes its head branch (when the head is in
 // the same repo — never a fork's branch). Callers MUST have confirmed with the
 // user first (§1.4).

internal/git/git.go

@@ -69,6 +69,13 @@ func (c *CLI) Version(ctx context.Context) (string, error) {
 	return c.run(ctx, "", "version")
 }
 
+// SetGlobalConfig sets a global git config value (git config --global key value).
+// Used at startup to give the container git a commit identity and remote auth.
+func (c *CLI) SetGlobalConfig(ctx context.Context, key, value string) error {
+	_, err := c.run(ctx, "", "config", "--global", key, value)
+	return err
+}
+
 // CurrentBranch returns the checked-out branch, or "HEAD" when detached.
 func (c *CLI) CurrentBranch(ctx context.Context, dir string) (string, error) {
 	return c.run(ctx, dir, "rev-parse", "--abbrev-ref", "HEAD")
@@ -148,6 +155,18 @@ func (c *CLI) DiscardAll(ctx context.Context, dir string) (string, error) {
 	return c.run(ctx, dir, "reset", "--hard", "HEAD")
 }
 
+// Checkout switches to an existing branch. Git refuses if uncommitted changes
+// would be overwritten, so this is not destructive — the error is surfaced.
+func (c *CLI) Checkout(ctx context.Context, dir, branch string) (string, error) {
+	return c.run(ctx, dir, "checkout", branch)
+}
+
+// CreateBranch creates a new branch from the current HEAD and switches to it
+// (git checkout -b). Fails if the branch already exists.
+func (c *CLI) CreateBranch(ctx context.Context, dir, name string) (string, error) {
+	return c.run(ctx, dir, "checkout", "-b", name)
+}
+
 // Branch is a local branch and its upstream, if any.
 type Branch struct {
 	Name     string `json:"name"`

internal/mcp/mcp.go

@@ -81,6 +81,15 @@ type mergePRInput struct {
 	Number int64  `json:"number" jsonschema:"the pull request number to merge and clean up"`
 }
 
+// createPRInput describes a pull request to open.
+type createPRInput struct {
+	Path  string `json:"path" jsonschema:"absolute path of the repository, from list_repos"`
+	Head  string `json:"head" jsonschema:"the branch to merge from (must already exist on the remote)"`
+	Base  string `json:"base" jsonschema:"the branch to merge into; leave empty for the repo's default branch"`
+	Title string `json:"title" jsonschema:"the pull request title"`
+	Body  string `json:"body" jsonschema:"the pull request description (optional)"`
+}
+
 // gitCommitInput is the argument schema for git_commit.
 type gitCommitInput struct {
 	Path    string `json:"path" jsonschema:"absolute path of the repository, from list_repos"`
@@ -92,6 +101,18 @@ type gitActionOutput struct {
 	Output string `json:"output" jsonschema:"the git command output (may be empty)"`
 }
 
+// gitCheckoutInput selects a branch to switch to.
+type gitCheckoutInput struct {
+	Path   string `json:"path" jsonschema:"absolute path of the repository, from list_repos"`
+	Branch string `json:"branch" jsonschema:"the existing branch to switch to"`
+}
+
+// createBranchInput names a new branch to create.
+type createBranchInput struct {
+	Path string `json:"path" jsonschema:"absolute path of the repository, from list_repos"`
+	Name string `json:"name" jsonschema:"the new branch name to create and switch to"`
+}
+
 // NewServer builds the MCP server and registers the (currently read-only) tools.
 func NewServer(svc *service.Service, version string) *mcpsdk.Server {
 	s := mcpsdk.NewServer(&mcpsdk.Implementation{
@@ -184,6 +205,18 @@ func NewServer(svc *service.Service, version string) *mcpsdk.Server {
 		return nil, prListOutput{PRs: prs}, nil
 	})
 
+	// create_pr — open a pull request from a branch.
+	mcpsdk.AddTool(s, &mcpsdk.Tool{
+		Name:        "create_pr",
+		Description: "Open a pull request from head into base (leave base empty for the repo's default branch). The head branch must already exist on the remote — push it first. Path is from list_repos.",
+	}, func(ctx context.Context, _ *mcpsdk.CallToolRequest, in createPRInput) (*mcpsdk.CallToolResult, forge.PullRequest, error) {
+		pr, err := svc.CreatePR(ctx, activity.ActorClaude, in.Path, in.Head, in.Base, in.Title, in.Body)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, forge.PullRequest{}, err
+		}
+		return nil, pr, nil
+	})
+
 	// merge_and_cleanup_pr — DESTRUCTIVE: merges a PR and deletes its branch.
 	mcpsdk.AddTool(s, &mcpsdk.Tool{
 		Name:        "merge_and_cleanup_pr",
@@ -253,6 +286,28 @@ func NewServer(svc *service.Service, version string) *mcpsdk.Server {
 		return nil, gitActionOutput{Output: out}, nil
 	})
 
+	mcpsdk.AddTool(s, &mcpsdk.Tool{
+		Name:        "git_checkout",
+		Description: "Switch a repository to an existing branch. Git refuses if uncommitted changes would be overwritten (the error is returned). Path is from list_repos.",
+	}, func(ctx context.Context, _ *mcpsdk.CallToolRequest, in gitCheckoutInput) (*mcpsdk.CallToolResult, gitActionOutput, error) {
+		out, err := svc.GitCheckout(ctx, activity.ActorClaude, in.Path, in.Branch)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, gitActionOutput{}, err
+		}
+		return nil, gitActionOutput{Output: out}, nil
+	})
+
+	mcpsdk.AddTool(s, &mcpsdk.Tool{
+		Name:        "create_branch",
+		Description: "Create a new branch from the current HEAD and switch to it (git checkout -b). Fails if the branch already exists. Path is from list_repos.",
+	}, func(ctx context.Context, _ *mcpsdk.CallToolRequest, in createBranchInput) (*mcpsdk.CallToolResult, gitActionOutput, error) {
+		out, err := svc.GitCreateBranch(ctx, activity.ActorClaude, in.Path, in.Name)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, gitActionOutput{}, err
+		}
+		return nil, gitActionOutput{Output: out}, nil
+	})
+
 	return s
 }
 

internal/service/service.go

@@ -137,6 +137,22 @@ func (s *Service) ForgePRs(ctx context.Context, repoPath string) ([]forge.PullRe
 	return s.forge.ListPullRequests(ctx, owner, repo)
 }
 
+// CreatePR opens a pull request from head into base (empty base = the repo's
+// default branch) and records the action. The head branch must already exist on
+// the remote (push it first).
+func (s *Service) CreatePR(ctx context.Context, actor activity.Actor, repoPath, head, base, title, body string) (forge.PullRequest, error) {
+	owner, repo, err := s.resolveForge(ctx, repoPath)
+	if err != nil {
+		return forge.PullRequest{}, err
+	}
+	pr, err := s.forge.CreatePullRequest(ctx, owner, repo, forge.NewPR{Head: head, Base: base, Title: title, Body: body})
+	if err != nil {
+		return forge.PullRequest{}, err
+	}
+	s.feed.Record(actor, "pr-created", filepath.Clean(repoPath), fmt.Sprintf("PR #%d %s → %s", pr.Number, pr.Head, pr.Base))
+	return pr, nil
+}
+
 // MergeAndCleanup merges a PR and deletes its branch, then records the action.
 // The caller is responsible for confirming with the user first (§1.4); actor
 // distinguishes a UI action (user) from an MCP one (claude).
@@ -162,7 +178,7 @@ func (s *Service) MergeAndCleanup(ctx context.Context, actor activity.Actor, rep
 // gitAction runs one mutating git op through the boundary, records the outcome
 // on the activity feed, and refreshes the repo in the index on success. Callers
 // are responsible for §1.4 confirmation of destructive ops (e.g. discard).
-func (s *Service) gitAction(ctx context.Context, actor activity.Actor, repoPath, kind string, run func(dir string) (string, error)) (string, error) {
+func (s *Service) gitAction(ctx context.Context, actor activity.Actor, repoPath, kind, okDetail string, run func(dir string) (string, error)) (string, error) {
 	base, ok := s.index.Get(filepath.Clean(repoPath))
 	if !ok {
 		return "", fmt.Errorf("unknown repository %q", repoPath)
@@ -172,7 +188,10 @@ func (s *Service) gitAction(ctx context.Context, actor activity.Actor, repoPath,
 		s.feed.Record(actor, kind, base.Path, "failed: "+err.Error())
 		return "", err
 	}
-	s.feed.Record(actor, kind, base.Path, "ok")
+	if okDetail == "" {
+		okDetail = "ok"
+	}
+	s.feed.Record(actor, kind, base.Path, okDetail)
 	if s.refresh != nil {
 		s.refresh(ctx, base.Path)
 	}
@@ -182,19 +201,19 @@ func (s *Service) gitAction(ctx context.Context, actor activity.Actor, repoPath,
 // GitFetch, GitPull, GitPush, GitCommit, GitDiscard are the mutating commands
 // the right-click menu (and, later, MCP) invoke.
 func (s *Service) GitFetch(ctx context.Context, actor activity.Actor, repoPath string) (string, error) {
-	return s.gitAction(ctx, actor, repoPath, "git-fetch", func(d string) (string, error) {
+	return s.gitAction(ctx, actor, repoPath, "git-fetch", "ok", func(d string) (string, error) {
 		return "", s.git.Fetch(ctx, d)
 	})
 }
 
 func (s *Service) GitPull(ctx context.Context, actor activity.Actor, repoPath string) (string, error) {
-	return s.gitAction(ctx, actor, repoPath, "git-pull", func(d string) (string, error) {
+	return s.gitAction(ctx, actor, repoPath, "git-pull", "ok", func(d string) (string, error) {
 		return s.git.Pull(ctx, d)
 	})
 }
 
 func (s *Service) GitPush(ctx context.Context, actor activity.Actor, repoPath string) (string, error) {
-	return s.gitAction(ctx, actor, repoPath, "git-push", func(d string) (string, error) {
+	return s.gitAction(ctx, actor, repoPath, "git-push", "ok", func(d string) (string, error) {
 		return s.git.Push(ctx, d)
 	})
 }
@@ -203,18 +222,38 @@ func (s *Service) GitCommit(ctx context.Context, actor activity.Actor, repoPath,
 	if strings.TrimSpace(message) == "" {
 		return "", fmt.Errorf("a commit message is required")
 	}
-	return s.gitAction(ctx, actor, repoPath, "git-commit", func(d string) (string, error) {
+	return s.gitAction(ctx, actor, repoPath, "git-commit", "ok", func(d string) (string, error) {
 		return s.git.Commit(ctx, d, message)
 	})
 }
 
 // GitDiscard is DESTRUCTIVE (§1.4) — the caller must confirm with the user first.
 func (s *Service) GitDiscard(ctx context.Context, actor activity.Actor, repoPath string) (string, error) {
-	return s.gitAction(ctx, actor, repoPath, "git-discard", func(d string) (string, error) {
+	return s.gitAction(ctx, actor, repoPath, "git-discard", "ok", func(d string) (string, error) {
 		return s.git.DiscardAll(ctx, d)
 	})
 }
 
+// GitCheckout switches to an existing branch.
+func (s *Service) GitCheckout(ctx context.Context, actor activity.Actor, repoPath, branch string) (string, error) {
+	if strings.TrimSpace(branch) == "" {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("a branch name is required")
+	}
+	return s.gitAction(ctx, actor, repoPath, "git-checkout", "switched to "+branch, func(d string) (string, error) {
+		return s.git.Checkout(ctx, d, branch)
+	})
+}
+
+// GitCreateBranch creates a new branch from HEAD and switches to it.
+func (s *Service) GitCreateBranch(ctx context.Context, actor activity.Actor, repoPath, name string) (string, error) {
+	if strings.TrimSpace(name) == "" {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("a branch name is required")
+	}
+	return s.gitAction(ctx, actor, repoPath, "git-create-branch", "created "+name, func(d string) (string, error) {
+		return s.git.CreateBranch(ctx, d, name)
+	})
+}
+
 // resolveForge maps a repo path to (owner, repo) on the configured forge host via
 // its git remotes, preferring "origin".
 func (s *Service) resolveForge(ctx context.Context, repoPath string) (owner, repo string, err error) {

internal/service/service_test.go

@@ -65,6 +65,24 @@ func TestGitActions(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatalf("a.txt = %q, want restored to \"one\"", got)
 	}
 
+	// Create a branch (switches to it), then switch back to main.
+	if _, err := svc.GitCreateBranch(ctx, activity.ActorUser, repoPath, "feature-x"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("GitCreateBranch: %v", err)
+	}
+	if st, _ := svc.GetRepo(repoPath); st.Branch != "feature-x" {
+		t.Fatalf("branch = %q, want feature-x", st.Branch)
+	}
+	if _, err := svc.GitCheckout(ctx, activity.ActorUser, repoPath, "main"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("GitCheckout: %v", err)
+	}
+	if st, _ := svc.GetRepo(repoPath); st.Branch != "main" {
+		t.Fatalf("branch = %q, want main", st.Branch)
+	}
+	// Creating an existing branch fails.
+	if _, err := svc.GitCreateBranch(ctx, activity.ActorUser, repoPath, "feature-x"); err == nil {
+		t.Fatalf("expected error creating an existing branch")
+	}
+
 	// The feed recorded the successful actions.
 	kinds := map[string]bool{}
 	for _, e := range feed.Events(0) {

web/templates/help.html

@@ -38,6 +38,14 @@
       <li>Run <code>docker compose up</code> and open the dashboard.</li>
     </ol>
 
+    <h2>Finding a repository</h2>
+    <p>
+      Use the search box above the list to filter by name or path, and the
+      <strong>Dirty</strong> and <strong>Ahead/behind</strong> chips to show only
+      repos with uncommitted changes or commits to sync. The count shows how many
+      match. Your search and filters are remembered on this device.
+    </p>
+
     <h2>Reading the dashboard</h2>
     <ul>
       <li><strong>Branch</strong> — the checked-out branch (or <code>HEAD</code> when detached).</li>
@@ -55,6 +63,8 @@
       <li><strong>Publish</strong> — push your commits.</li>
       <li><strong>Check for updates</strong> — fetch without changing your files.</li>
       <li><strong>Save my work…</strong> — commit everything (asks for a message).</li>
+      <li><strong>Switch branch ▸</strong> — hover to pick from the repo's branches.</li>
+      <li><strong>New branch…</strong> — create a branch and switch to it.</li>
       <li><strong>Set as active project</strong> / <strong>Ask Claude to switch here</strong>.</li>
       <li><strong>Copy path</strong>.</li>
       <li><strong>Discard all changes…</strong> — throw away uncommitted edits
@@ -86,7 +96,9 @@
     <h2>Pull requests: Merge &amp; clean up</h2>
     <p>
       When a repository is hosted on your Gitea server, its open pull requests
-      appear under the details panel. Each has a <strong>Merge &amp; clean up</strong>
+      appear under the details panel. Use <strong>New pull request…</strong> to
+      open one from the selected repo's current branch (push the branch first).
+      Each open PR has a <strong>Merge &amp; clean up</strong>
       button: it squash-merges the pull request and <strong>deletes its
       branch</strong> in one step, so finished work doesn't leave branches lying
       around. You'll be asked to confirm — it names the pull request and the branch

web/templates/index.html

@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@
   <script type="module" src="/components/handoff-bar/handoff-bar.js"></script>
   <script type="module" src="/components/pr-list/pr-list.js"></script>
   <script type="module" src="/components/repo-menu/repo-menu.js"></script>
+  <script type="module" src="/components/toast-host/toast-host.js"></script>
   <style>
     header {
       display: flex;
@@ -55,5 +56,6 @@
     <activity-feed></activity-feed>
   </main>
   <repo-menu></repo-menu>
+  <toast-host></toast-host>
 </body>
 </html>