feat: add update check preamble to all 9 skills

Every skill now runs bin/gstack-update-check on invocation. If an upgrade
is available, reads gstack-upgrade/SKILL.md inline upgrade flow.

Also adds AskUserQuestion to 5 skills that lacked it (gstack root, browse,
qa, retro, setup-browser-cookies) and Bash to plan-eng-review.

Simplifies qa and setup-browser-cookies setup blocks (removes META parsing).

SKILL.md

@@ -10,11 +10,21 @@ description: |
 allowed-tools:
   - Bash
   - Read
+  - AskUserQuestion
 
 ---
 <!-- AUTO-GENERATED from SKILL.md.tmpl — do not edit directly -->
 <!-- Regenerate: bun run gen:skill-docs -->
 
+## Update Check (run first)
+
+```bash
+_UPD=$(~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-update-check 2>/dev/null || .claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-update-check 2>/dev/null || true)
+[ -n "$_UPD" ] && echo "$_UPD"
+```
+
+If output shows `UPGRADE_AVAILABLE <old> <new>`: read `~/.claude/skills/gstack/gstack-upgrade/SKILL.md` and follow the "Inline upgrade flow" (AskUserQuestion → upgrade if yes, `touch ~/.gstack/last-update-check` if no). If `JUST_UPGRADED <from> <to>`: tell user "Running gstack v{to} (just updated!)" and continue.
+
 # gstack browse: QA Testing & Dogfooding
 
 Persistent headless Chromium. First call auto-starts (~3s), then ~100-200ms per command.
@@ -23,12 +33,9 @@ Auto-shuts down after 30 min idle. State persists between calls (cookies, tabs,
 ## SETUP (run this check BEFORE any browse command)
 
 ```bash
-BROWSE_OUTPUT=$(browse/bin/find-browse 2>/dev/null || ~/.claude/skills/gstack/browse/bin/find-browse 2>/dev/null)
+B=$(browse/bin/find-browse 2>/dev/null || ~/.claude/skills/gstack/browse/bin/find-browse 2>/dev/null)
-B=$(echo "$BROWSE_OUTPUT" | head -1)
-META=$(echo "$BROWSE_OUTPUT" | grep "^META:" || true)
 if [ -n "$B" ]; then
   echo "READY: $B"
-  [ -n "$META" ] && echo "$META"
 else
   echo "NEEDS_SETUP"
 fi
@@ -39,13 +46,6 @@ If `NEEDS_SETUP`:
 2. Run: `cd <SKILL_DIR> && ./setup`
 3. If `bun` is not installed: `curl -fsSL https://bun.sh/install | bash`
 
-If you see `META:UPDATE_AVAILABLE`:
-1. Parse the JSON payload to get `current`, `latest`, and `command`.
-2. Tell the user: "A gstack update is available (current: X, latest: Y). OK to update?"
-3. **STOP and wait for approval.**
-4. Run the command from the META payload.
-5. Re-run the setup check above to get the updated binary path.
-
 ## IMPORTANT
 
 - Use the compiled binary via Bash: `$B <command>`

SKILL.md.tmpl

@@ -10,9 +10,19 @@ description: |
 allowed-tools:
   - Bash
   - Read
+  - AskUserQuestion
 
 ---
 
+## Update Check (run first)
+
+```bash
+_UPD=$(~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-update-check 2>/dev/null || .claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-update-check 2>/dev/null || true)
+[ -n "$_UPD" ] && echo "$_UPD"
+```
+
+If output shows `UPGRADE_AVAILABLE <old> <new>`: read `~/.claude/skills/gstack/gstack-upgrade/SKILL.md` and follow the "Inline upgrade flow" (AskUserQuestion → upgrade if yes, `touch ~/.gstack/last-update-check` if no). If `JUST_UPGRADED <from> <to>`: tell user "Running gstack v{to} (just updated!)" and continue.
+
 # gstack browse: QA Testing & Dogfooding
 
 Persistent headless Chromium. First call auto-starts (~3s), then ~100-200ms per command.

browse/SKILL.md

@@ -10,11 +10,21 @@ description: |
 allowed-tools:
   - Bash
   - Read
+  - AskUserQuestion
 
 ---
 <!-- AUTO-GENERATED from SKILL.md.tmpl — do not edit directly -->
 <!-- Regenerate: bun run gen:skill-docs -->
 
+## Update Check (run first)
+
+```bash
+_UPD=$(~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-update-check 2>/dev/null || .claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-update-check 2>/dev/null || true)
+[ -n "$_UPD" ] && echo "$_UPD"
+```
+
+If output shows `UPGRADE_AVAILABLE <old> <new>`: read `~/.claude/skills/gstack/gstack-upgrade/SKILL.md` and follow the "Inline upgrade flow" (AskUserQuestion → upgrade if yes, `touch ~/.gstack/last-update-check` if no). If `JUST_UPGRADED <from> <to>`: tell user "Running gstack v{to} (just updated!)" and continue.
+
 # browse: QA Testing & Dogfooding
 
 Persistent headless Chromium. First call auto-starts (~3s), then ~100ms per command.

browse/SKILL.md.tmpl

@@ -10,9 +10,19 @@ description: |
 allowed-tools:
   - Bash
   - Read
+  - AskUserQuestion
 
 ---
 
+## Update Check (run first)
+
+```bash
+_UPD=$(~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-update-check 2>/dev/null || .claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-update-check 2>/dev/null || true)
+[ -n "$_UPD" ] && echo "$_UPD"
+```
+
+If output shows `UPGRADE_AVAILABLE <old> <new>`: read `~/.claude/skills/gstack/gstack-upgrade/SKILL.md` and follow the "Inline upgrade flow" (AskUserQuestion → upgrade if yes, `touch ~/.gstack/last-update-check` if no). If `JUST_UPGRADED <from> <to>`: tell user "Running gstack v{to} (just updated!)" and continue.
+
 # browse: QA Testing & Dogfooding
 
 Persistent headless Chromium. First call auto-starts (~3s), then ~100ms per command.

plan-ceo-review/SKILL.md

@@ -14,6 +14,15 @@ allowed-tools:
   - AskUserQuestion
 ---
 
+## Update Check (run first)
+
+```bash
+_UPD=$(~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-update-check 2>/dev/null || .claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-update-check 2>/dev/null || true)
+[ -n "$_UPD" ] && echo "$_UPD"
+```
+
+If output shows `UPGRADE_AVAILABLE <old> <new>`: read `~/.claude/skills/gstack/gstack-upgrade/SKILL.md` and follow the "Inline upgrade flow" (AskUserQuestion → upgrade if yes, `touch ~/.gstack/last-update-check` if no). If `JUST_UPGRADED <from> <to>`: tell user "Running gstack v{to} (just updated!)" and continue.
+
 # Mega Plan Review Mode
 
 ## Philosophy

plan-eng-review/SKILL.md

@@ -10,8 +10,18 @@ allowed-tools:
   - Grep
   - Glob
   - AskUserQuestion
+  - Bash
 ---
 
+## Update Check (run first)
+
+```bash
+_UPD=$(~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-update-check 2>/dev/null || .claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-update-check 2>/dev/null || true)
+[ -n "$_UPD" ] && echo "$_UPD"
+```
+
+If output shows `UPGRADE_AVAILABLE <old> <new>`: read `~/.claude/skills/gstack/gstack-upgrade/SKILL.md` and follow the "Inline upgrade flow" (AskUserQuestion → upgrade if yes, `touch ~/.gstack/last-update-check` if no). If `JUST_UPGRADED <from> <to>`: tell user "Running gstack v{to} (just updated!)" and continue.
+
 # Plan Review Mode
 
 Review this plan thoroughly before making any code changes. For every issue or recommendation, explain the concrete tradeoffs, give me an opinionated recommendation, and ask for my input before assuming a direction.

qa/SKILL.md

@@ -11,8 +11,18 @@ allowed-tools:
   - Bash
   - Read
   - Write
+  - AskUserQuestion
 ---
 
+## Update Check (run first)
+
+```bash
+_UPD=$(~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-update-check 2>/dev/null || .claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-update-check 2>/dev/null || true)
+[ -n "$_UPD" ] && echo "$_UPD"
+```
+
+If output shows `UPGRADE_AVAILABLE <old> <new>`: read `~/.claude/skills/gstack/gstack-upgrade/SKILL.md` and follow the "Inline upgrade flow" (AskUserQuestion → upgrade if yes, `touch ~/.gstack/last-update-check` if no). If `JUST_UPGRADED <from> <to>`: tell user "Running gstack v{to} (just updated!)" and continue.
+
 # /qa: Systematic QA Testing
 
 You are a QA engineer. Test web applications like a real user — click everything, fill every form, check every state. Produce a structured report with evidence.
@@ -34,18 +44,18 @@ You are a QA engineer. Test web applications like a real user — click everythi
 **Find the browse binary:**
 
 ```bash
-BROWSE_OUTPUT=$(browse/bin/find-browse 2>/dev/null || ~/.claude/skills/gstack/browse/bin/find-browse 2>/dev/null)
+B=$(browse/bin/find-browse 2>/dev/null || ~/.claude/skills/gstack/browse/bin/find-browse 2>/dev/null)
-B=$(echo "$BROWSE_OUTPUT" | head -1)
+if [ -n "$B" ]; then
-META=$(echo "$BROWSE_OUTPUT" | grep "^META:" || true)
+  echo "READY: $B"
-if [ -z "$B" ]; then
+else
-  echo "ERROR: browse binary not found"
+  echo "NEEDS_SETUP"
-  exit 1
 fi
-echo "READY: $B"
-[ -n "$META" ] && echo "$META"
 ```
 
-If you see `META:UPDATE_AVAILABLE`: tell the user an update is available, STOP and wait for approval, then run the command from the META payload and re-run the setup check.
+If `NEEDS_SETUP`:
+1. Tell the user: "gstack browse needs a one-time build (~10 seconds). OK to proceed?" Then STOP and wait.
+2. Run: `cd <SKILL_DIR> && ./setup`
+3. If `bun` is not installed: `curl -fsSL https://bun.sh/install | bash`
 
 **Create output directories:**
 

retro/SKILL.md

@@ -10,8 +10,18 @@ allowed-tools:
   - Read
   - Write
   - Glob
+  - AskUserQuestion
 ---
 
+## Update Check (run first)
+
+```bash
+_UPD=$(~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-update-check 2>/dev/null || .claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-update-check 2>/dev/null || true)
+[ -n "$_UPD" ] && echo "$_UPD"
+```
+
+If output shows `UPGRADE_AVAILABLE <old> <new>`: read `~/.claude/skills/gstack/gstack-upgrade/SKILL.md` and follow the "Inline upgrade flow" (AskUserQuestion → upgrade if yes, `touch ~/.gstack/last-update-check` if no). If `JUST_UPGRADED <from> <to>`: tell user "Running gstack v{to} (just updated!)" and continue.
+
 # /retro — Weekly Engineering Retrospective
 
 Generates a comprehensive engineering retrospective analyzing commit history, work patterns, and code quality metrics. Team-aware: identifies the user running the command, then analyzes every contributor with per-person praise and growth opportunities. Designed for a senior IC/CTO-level builder using Claude Code as a force multiplier.

review/SKILL.md

@@ -14,6 +14,15 @@ allowed-tools:
   - AskUserQuestion
 ---
 
+## Update Check (run first)
+
+```bash
+_UPD=$(~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-update-check 2>/dev/null || .claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-update-check 2>/dev/null || true)
+[ -n "$_UPD" ] && echo "$_UPD"
+```
+
+If output shows `UPGRADE_AVAILABLE <old> <new>`: read `~/.claude/skills/gstack/gstack-upgrade/SKILL.md` and follow the "Inline upgrade flow" (AskUserQuestion → upgrade if yes, `touch ~/.gstack/last-update-check` if no). If `JUST_UPGRADED <from> <to>`: tell user "Running gstack v{to} (just updated!)" and continue.
+
 # Pre-Landing PR Review
 
 You are running the `/review` workflow. Analyze the current branch's diff against main for structural issues that tests don't catch.

setup-browser-cookies/SKILL.md

@@ -8,8 +8,18 @@ description: |
 allowed-tools:
   - Bash
   - Read
+  - AskUserQuestion
 ---
 
+## Update Check (run first)
+
+```bash
+_UPD=$(~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-update-check 2>/dev/null || .claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-update-check 2>/dev/null || true)
+[ -n "$_UPD" ] && echo "$_UPD"
+```
+
+If output shows `UPGRADE_AVAILABLE <old> <new>`: read `~/.claude/skills/gstack/gstack-upgrade/SKILL.md` and follow the "Inline upgrade flow" (AskUserQuestion → upgrade if yes, `touch ~/.gstack/last-update-check` if no). If `JUST_UPGRADED <from> <to>`: tell user "Running gstack v{to} (just updated!)" and continue.
+
 # Setup Browser Cookies
 
 Import logged-in sessions from your real Chromium browser into the headless browse session.
@@ -26,12 +36,9 @@ Import logged-in sessions from your real Chromium browser into the headless brow
 ### 1. Find the browse binary
 
 ```bash
-BROWSE_OUTPUT=$(browse/bin/find-browse 2>/dev/null || ~/.claude/skills/gstack/browse/bin/find-browse 2>/dev/null)
+B=$(browse/bin/find-browse 2>/dev/null || ~/.claude/skills/gstack/browse/bin/find-browse 2>/dev/null)
-B=$(echo "$BROWSE_OUTPUT" | head -1)
-META=$(echo "$BROWSE_OUTPUT" | grep "^META:" || true)
 if [ -n "$B" ]; then
   echo "READY: $B"
-  [ -n "$META" ] && echo "$META"
 else
   echo "NEEDS_SETUP"
 fi
@@ -42,8 +49,6 @@ If `NEEDS_SETUP`:
 2. Run: `cd <SKILL_DIR> && ./setup`
 3. If `bun` is not installed: `curl -fsSL https://bun.sh/install | bash`
 
-If you see `META:UPDATE_AVAILABLE`: tell the user an update is available, STOP and wait for approval, then run the command from the META payload and re-run the setup check.
-
 ### 2. Open the cookie picker
 
 ```bash

ship/SKILL.md

@@ -13,6 +13,15 @@ allowed-tools:
   - AskUserQuestion
 ---
 
+## Update Check (run first)
+
+```bash
+_UPD=$(~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-update-check 2>/dev/null || .claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-update-check 2>/dev/null || true)
+[ -n "$_UPD" ] && echo "$_UPD"
+```
+
+If output shows `UPGRADE_AVAILABLE <old> <new>`: read `~/.claude/skills/gstack/gstack-upgrade/SKILL.md` and follow the "Inline upgrade flow" (AskUserQuestion → upgrade if yes, `touch ~/.gstack/last-update-check` if no). If `JUST_UPGRADED <from> <to>`: tell user "Running gstack v{to} (just updated!)" and continue.
+
 # Ship: Fully Automated Ship Workflow
 
 You are running the `/ship` workflow. This is a **non-interactive, fully automated** workflow. Do NOT ask for confirmation at any step. The user said `/ship` which means DO IT. Run straight through and output the PR URL at the end.