diff --git a/.agents/skills/gstack-browse/SKILL.md b/.agents/skills/gstack-browse/SKILL.md
index d3e17ebd..9d579b19 100644
--- a/.agents/skills/gstack-browse/SKILL.md
+++ b/.agents/skills/gstack-browse/SKILL.md
@@ -25,7 +25,8 @@ _PROACTIVE=$(~/.codex/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-config get proactive 2>/dev/null
 _BRANCH=$(git branch --show-current 2>/dev/null || echo "unknown")
 echo "BRANCH: $_BRANCH"
 echo "PROACTIVE: $_PROACTIVE"
-source <(~/.codex/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-repo-mode 2>/dev/null) || REPO_MODE=unknown
+source <(~/.codex/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-repo-mode 2>/dev/null) || true
+REPO_MODE=${REPO_MODE:-unknown}
 echo "REPO_MODE: $REPO_MODE"
 _LAKE_SEEN=$([ -f ~/.gstack/.completeness-intro-seen ] && echo "yes" || echo "no")
 echo "LAKE_INTRO: $_LAKE_SEEN"
diff --git a/.agents/skills/gstack-design-consultation/SKILL.md b/.agents/skills/gstack-design-consultation/SKILL.md
index 95789df3..85e67605 100644
--- a/.agents/skills/gstack-design-consultation/SKILL.md
+++ b/.agents/skills/gstack-design-consultation/SKILL.md
@@ -26,7 +26,8 @@ _PROACTIVE=$(~/.codex/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-config get proactive 2>/dev/null
 _BRANCH=$(git branch --show-current 2>/dev/null || echo "unknown")
 echo "BRANCH: $_BRANCH"
 echo "PROACTIVE: $_PROACTIVE"
-source <(~/.codex/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-repo-mode 2>/dev/null) || REPO_MODE=unknown
+source <(~/.codex/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-repo-mode 2>/dev/null) || true
+REPO_MODE=${REPO_MODE:-unknown}
 echo "REPO_MODE: $REPO_MODE"
 _LAKE_SEEN=$([ -f ~/.gstack/.completeness-intro-seen ] && echo "yes" || echo "no")
 echo "LAKE_INTRO: $_LAKE_SEEN"
diff --git a/.agents/skills/gstack-design-review/SKILL.md b/.agents/skills/gstack-design-review/SKILL.md
index 65fb0621..8ab2976b 100644
--- a/.agents/skills/gstack-design-review/SKILL.md
+++ b/.agents/skills/gstack-design-review/SKILL.md
@@ -26,7 +26,8 @@ _PROACTIVE=$(~/.codex/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-config get proactive 2>/dev/null
 _BRANCH=$(git branch --show-current 2>/dev/null || echo "unknown")
 echo "BRANCH: $_BRANCH"
 echo "PROACTIVE: $_PROACTIVE"
-source <(~/.codex/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-repo-mode 2>/dev/null) || REPO_MODE=unknown
+source <(~/.codex/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-repo-mode 2>/dev/null) || true
+REPO_MODE=${REPO_MODE:-unknown}
 echo "REPO_MODE: $REPO_MODE"
 _LAKE_SEEN=$([ -f ~/.gstack/.completeness-intro-seen ] && echo "yes" || echo "no")
 echo "LAKE_INTRO: $_LAKE_SEEN"
diff --git a/.agents/skills/gstack-document-release/SKILL.md b/.agents/skills/gstack-document-release/SKILL.md
index a404785a..f943b529 100644
--- a/.agents/skills/gstack-document-release/SKILL.md
+++ b/.agents/skills/gstack-document-release/SKILL.md
@@ -24,7 +24,8 @@ _PROACTIVE=$(~/.codex/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-config get proactive 2>/dev/null
 _BRANCH=$(git branch --show-current 2>/dev/null || echo "unknown")
 echo "BRANCH: $_BRANCH"
 echo "PROACTIVE: $_PROACTIVE"
-source <(~/.codex/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-repo-mode 2>/dev/null) || REPO_MODE=unknown
+source <(~/.codex/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-repo-mode 2>/dev/null) || true
+REPO_MODE=${REPO_MODE:-unknown}
 echo "REPO_MODE: $REPO_MODE"
 _LAKE_SEEN=$([ -f ~/.gstack/.completeness-intro-seen ] && echo "yes" || echo "no")
 echo "LAKE_INTRO: $_LAKE_SEEN"
diff --git a/.agents/skills/gstack-investigate/SKILL.md b/.agents/skills/gstack-investigate/SKILL.md
index b3896092..1f3c92e1 100644
--- a/.agents/skills/gstack-investigate/SKILL.md
+++ b/.agents/skills/gstack-investigate/SKILL.md
@@ -27,7 +27,8 @@ _PROACTIVE=$(~/.codex/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-config get proactive 2>/dev/null
 _BRANCH=$(git branch --show-current 2>/dev/null || echo "unknown")
 echo "BRANCH: $_BRANCH"
 echo "PROACTIVE: $_PROACTIVE"
-source <(~/.codex/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-repo-mode 2>/dev/null) || REPO_MODE=unknown
+source <(~/.codex/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-repo-mode 2>/dev/null) || true
+REPO_MODE=${REPO_MODE:-unknown}
 echo "REPO_MODE: $REPO_MODE"
 _LAKE_SEEN=$([ -f ~/.gstack/.completeness-intro-seen ] && echo "yes" || echo "no")
 echo "LAKE_INTRO: $_LAKE_SEEN"
diff --git a/.agents/skills/gstack-office-hours/SKILL.md b/.agents/skills/gstack-office-hours/SKILL.md
index fd8a8887..1fccb153 100644
--- a/.agents/skills/gstack-office-hours/SKILL.md
+++ b/.agents/skills/gstack-office-hours/SKILL.md
@@ -28,7 +28,8 @@ _PROACTIVE=$(~/.codex/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-config get proactive 2>/dev/null
 _BRANCH=$(git branch --show-current 2>/dev/null || echo "unknown")
 echo "BRANCH: $_BRANCH"
 echo "PROACTIVE: $_PROACTIVE"
-source <(~/.codex/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-repo-mode 2>/dev/null) || REPO_MODE=unknown
+source <(~/.codex/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-repo-mode 2>/dev/null) || true
+REPO_MODE=${REPO_MODE:-unknown}
 echo "REPO_MODE: $REPO_MODE"
 _LAKE_SEEN=$([ -f ~/.gstack/.completeness-intro-seen ] && echo "yes" || echo "no")
 echo "LAKE_INTRO: $_LAKE_SEEN"
diff --git a/.agents/skills/gstack-plan-ceo-review/SKILL.md b/.agents/skills/gstack-plan-ceo-review/SKILL.md
index 159a253e..999a6942 100644
--- a/.agents/skills/gstack-plan-ceo-review/SKILL.md
+++ b/.agents/skills/gstack-plan-ceo-review/SKILL.md
@@ -27,7 +27,8 @@ _PROACTIVE=$(~/.codex/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-config get proactive 2>/dev/null
 _BRANCH=$(git branch --show-current 2>/dev/null || echo "unknown")
 echo "BRANCH: $_BRANCH"
 echo "PROACTIVE: $_PROACTIVE"
-source <(~/.codex/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-repo-mode 2>/dev/null) || REPO_MODE=unknown
+source <(~/.codex/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-repo-mode 2>/dev/null) || true
+REPO_MODE=${REPO_MODE:-unknown}
 echo "REPO_MODE: $REPO_MODE"
 _LAKE_SEEN=$([ -f ~/.gstack/.completeness-intro-seen ] && echo "yes" || echo "no")
 echo "LAKE_INTRO: $_LAKE_SEEN"
diff --git a/.agents/skills/gstack-plan-design-review/SKILL.md b/.agents/skills/gstack-plan-design-review/SKILL.md
index 618f559c..e4a8b674 100644
--- a/.agents/skills/gstack-plan-design-review/SKILL.md
+++ b/.agents/skills/gstack-plan-design-review/SKILL.md
@@ -26,7 +26,8 @@ _PROACTIVE=$(~/.codex/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-config get proactive 2>/dev/null
 _BRANCH=$(git branch --show-current 2>/dev/null || echo "unknown")
 echo "BRANCH: $_BRANCH"
 echo "PROACTIVE: $_PROACTIVE"
-source <(~/.codex/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-repo-mode 2>/dev/null) || REPO_MODE=unknown
+source <(~/.codex/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-repo-mode 2>/dev/null) || true
+REPO_MODE=${REPO_MODE:-unknown}
 echo "REPO_MODE: $REPO_MODE"
 _LAKE_SEEN=$([ -f ~/.gstack/.completeness-intro-seen ] && echo "yes" || echo "no")
 echo "LAKE_INTRO: $_LAKE_SEEN"
diff --git a/.agents/skills/gstack-plan-eng-review/SKILL.md b/.agents/skills/gstack-plan-eng-review/SKILL.md
index a46f78ea..c29715e2 100644
--- a/.agents/skills/gstack-plan-eng-review/SKILL.md
+++ b/.agents/skills/gstack-plan-eng-review/SKILL.md
@@ -25,7 +25,8 @@ _PROACTIVE=$(~/.codex/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-config get proactive 2>/dev/null
 _BRANCH=$(git branch --show-current 2>/dev/null || echo "unknown")
 echo "BRANCH: $_BRANCH"
 echo "PROACTIVE: $_PROACTIVE"
-source <(~/.codex/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-repo-mode 2>/dev/null) || REPO_MODE=unknown
+source <(~/.codex/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-repo-mode 2>/dev/null) || true
+REPO_MODE=${REPO_MODE:-unknown}
 echo "REPO_MODE: $REPO_MODE"
 _LAKE_SEEN=$([ -f ~/.gstack/.completeness-intro-seen ] && echo "yes" || echo "no")
 echo "LAKE_INTRO: $_LAKE_SEEN"
diff --git a/.agents/skills/gstack-qa-only/SKILL.md b/.agents/skills/gstack-qa-only/SKILL.md
index a29d8119..c5e40e5f 100644
--- a/.agents/skills/gstack-qa-only/SKILL.md
+++ b/.agents/skills/gstack-qa-only/SKILL.md
@@ -24,7 +24,8 @@ _PROACTIVE=$(~/.codex/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-config get proactive 2>/dev/null
 _BRANCH=$(git branch --show-current 2>/dev/null || echo "unknown")
 echo "BRANCH: $_BRANCH"
 echo "PROACTIVE: $_PROACTIVE"
-source <(~/.codex/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-repo-mode 2>/dev/null) || REPO_MODE=unknown
+source <(~/.codex/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-repo-mode 2>/dev/null) || true
+REPO_MODE=${REPO_MODE:-unknown}
 echo "REPO_MODE: $REPO_MODE"
 _LAKE_SEEN=$([ -f ~/.gstack/.completeness-intro-seen ] && echo "yes" || echo "no")
 echo "LAKE_INTRO: $_LAKE_SEEN"
diff --git a/.agents/skills/gstack-qa/SKILL.md b/.agents/skills/gstack-qa/SKILL.md
index c14129fe..3d5792a7 100644
--- a/.agents/skills/gstack-qa/SKILL.md
+++ b/.agents/skills/gstack-qa/SKILL.md
@@ -27,7 +27,8 @@ _PROACTIVE=$(~/.codex/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-config get proactive 2>/dev/null
 _BRANCH=$(git branch --show-current 2>/dev/null || echo "unknown")
 echo "BRANCH: $_BRANCH"
 echo "PROACTIVE: $_PROACTIVE"
-source <(~/.codex/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-repo-mode 2>/dev/null) || REPO_MODE=unknown
+source <(~/.codex/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-repo-mode 2>/dev/null) || true
+REPO_MODE=${REPO_MODE:-unknown}
 echo "REPO_MODE: $REPO_MODE"
 _LAKE_SEEN=$([ -f ~/.gstack/.completeness-intro-seen ] && echo "yes" || echo "no")
 echo "LAKE_INTRO: $_LAKE_SEEN"
diff --git a/.agents/skills/gstack-retro/SKILL.md b/.agents/skills/gstack-retro/SKILL.md
index 908d779b..17ecc0d1 100644
--- a/.agents/skills/gstack-retro/SKILL.md
+++ b/.agents/skills/gstack-retro/SKILL.md
@@ -24,7 +24,8 @@ _PROACTIVE=$(~/.codex/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-config get proactive 2>/dev/null
 _BRANCH=$(git branch --show-current 2>/dev/null || echo "unknown")
 echo "BRANCH: $_BRANCH"
 echo "PROACTIVE: $_PROACTIVE"
-source <(~/.codex/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-repo-mode 2>/dev/null) || REPO_MODE=unknown
+source <(~/.codex/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-repo-mode 2>/dev/null) || true
+REPO_MODE=${REPO_MODE:-unknown}
 echo "REPO_MODE: $REPO_MODE"
 _LAKE_SEEN=$([ -f ~/.gstack/.completeness-intro-seen ] && echo "yes" || echo "no")
 echo "LAKE_INTRO: $_LAKE_SEEN"
diff --git a/.agents/skills/gstack-review/SKILL.md b/.agents/skills/gstack-review/SKILL.md
index 19874efc..ba635239 100644
--- a/.agents/skills/gstack-review/SKILL.md
+++ b/.agents/skills/gstack-review/SKILL.md
@@ -23,7 +23,8 @@ _PROACTIVE=$(~/.codex/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-config get proactive 2>/dev/null
 _BRANCH=$(git branch --show-current 2>/dev/null || echo "unknown")
 echo "BRANCH: $_BRANCH"
 echo "PROACTIVE: $_PROACTIVE"
-source <(~/.codex/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-repo-mode 2>/dev/null) || REPO_MODE=unknown
+source <(~/.codex/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-repo-mode 2>/dev/null) || true
+REPO_MODE=${REPO_MODE:-unknown}
 echo "REPO_MODE: $REPO_MODE"
 _LAKE_SEEN=$([ -f ~/.gstack/.completeness-intro-seen ] && echo "yes" || echo "no")
 echo "LAKE_INTRO: $_LAKE_SEEN"
diff --git a/.agents/skills/gstack-setup-browser-cookies/SKILL.md b/.agents/skills/gstack-setup-browser-cookies/SKILL.md
index 8b10ef28..a100e0b2 100644
--- a/.agents/skills/gstack-setup-browser-cookies/SKILL.md
+++ b/.agents/skills/gstack-setup-browser-cookies/SKILL.md
@@ -23,7 +23,8 @@ _PROACTIVE=$(~/.codex/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-config get proactive 2>/dev/null
 _BRANCH=$(git branch --show-current 2>/dev/null || echo "unknown")
 echo "BRANCH: $_BRANCH"
 echo "PROACTIVE: $_PROACTIVE"
-source <(~/.codex/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-repo-mode 2>/dev/null) || REPO_MODE=unknown
+source <(~/.codex/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-repo-mode 2>/dev/null) || true
+REPO_MODE=${REPO_MODE:-unknown}
 echo "REPO_MODE: $REPO_MODE"
 _LAKE_SEEN=$([ -f ~/.gstack/.completeness-intro-seen ] && echo "yes" || echo "no")
 echo "LAKE_INTRO: $_LAKE_SEEN"
diff --git a/.agents/skills/gstack-ship/SKILL.md b/.agents/skills/gstack-ship/SKILL.md
index 182548f6..0a335821 100644
--- a/.agents/skills/gstack-ship/SKILL.md
+++ b/.agents/skills/gstack-ship/SKILL.md
@@ -21,7 +21,8 @@ _PROACTIVE=$(~/.codex/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-config get proactive 2>/dev/null
 _BRANCH=$(git branch --show-current 2>/dev/null || echo "unknown")
 echo "BRANCH: $_BRANCH"
 echo "PROACTIVE: $_PROACTIVE"
-source <(~/.codex/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-repo-mode 2>/dev/null) || REPO_MODE=unknown
+source <(~/.codex/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-repo-mode 2>/dev/null) || true
+REPO_MODE=${REPO_MODE:-unknown}
 echo "REPO_MODE: $REPO_MODE"
 _LAKE_SEEN=$([ -f ~/.gstack/.completeness-intro-seen ] && echo "yes" || echo "no")
 echo "LAKE_INTRO: $_LAKE_SEEN"
diff --git a/.agents/skills/gstack/SKILL.md b/.agents/skills/gstack/SKILL.md
index b24d38e2..28eac4b0 100644
--- a/.agents/skills/gstack/SKILL.md
+++ b/.agents/skills/gstack/SKILL.md
@@ -56,7 +56,8 @@ _PROACTIVE=$(~/.codex/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-config get proactive 2>/dev/null
 _BRANCH=$(git branch --show-current 2>/dev/null || echo "unknown")
 echo "BRANCH: $_BRANCH"
 echo "PROACTIVE: $_PROACTIVE"
-source <(~/.codex/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-repo-mode 2>/dev/null) || REPO_MODE=unknown
+source <(~/.codex/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-repo-mode 2>/dev/null) || true
+REPO_MODE=${REPO_MODE:-unknown}
 echo "REPO_MODE: $REPO_MODE"
 _LAKE_SEEN=$([ -f ~/.gstack/.completeness-intro-seen ] && echo "yes" || echo "no")
 echo "LAKE_INTRO: $_LAKE_SEEN"
diff --git a/SKILL.md b/SKILL.md
index 4baa33f3..880f10a3 100644
--- a/SKILL.md
+++ b/SKILL.md
@@ -62,7 +62,8 @@ _PROACTIVE=$(~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-config get proactive 2>/dev/null
 _BRANCH=$(git branch --show-current 2>/dev/null || echo "unknown")
 echo "BRANCH: $_BRANCH"
 echo "PROACTIVE: $_PROACTIVE"
-source <(~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-repo-mode 2>/dev/null) || REPO_MODE=unknown
+source <(~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-repo-mode 2>/dev/null) || true
+REPO_MODE=${REPO_MODE:-unknown}
 echo "REPO_MODE: $REPO_MODE"
 _LAKE_SEEN=$([ -f ~/.gstack/.completeness-intro-seen ] && echo "yes" || echo "no")
 echo "LAKE_INTRO: $_LAKE_SEEN"
diff --git a/browse/SKILL.md b/browse/SKILL.md
index 6b370253..ce6db9cc 100644
--- a/browse/SKILL.md
+++ b/browse/SKILL.md
@@ -31,7 +31,8 @@ _PROACTIVE=$(~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-config get proactive 2>/dev/null
 _BRANCH=$(git branch --show-current 2>/dev/null || echo "unknown")
 echo "BRANCH: $_BRANCH"
 echo "PROACTIVE: $_PROACTIVE"
-source <(~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-repo-mode 2>/dev/null) || REPO_MODE=unknown
+source <(~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-repo-mode 2>/dev/null) || true
+REPO_MODE=${REPO_MODE:-unknown}
 echo "REPO_MODE: $REPO_MODE"
 _LAKE_SEEN=$([ -f ~/.gstack/.completeness-intro-seen ] && echo "yes" || echo "no")
 echo "LAKE_INTRO: $_LAKE_SEEN"
diff --git a/codex/SKILL.md b/codex/SKILL.md
index 71d9bbe9..19b898ca 100644
--- a/codex/SKILL.md
+++ b/codex/SKILL.md
@@ -32,7 +32,8 @@ _PROACTIVE=$(~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-config get proactive 2>/dev/null
 _BRANCH=$(git branch --show-current 2>/dev/null || echo "unknown")
 echo "BRANCH: $_BRANCH"
 echo "PROACTIVE: $_PROACTIVE"
-source <(~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-repo-mode 2>/dev/null) || REPO_MODE=unknown
+source <(~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-repo-mode 2>/dev/null) || true
+REPO_MODE=${REPO_MODE:-unknown}
 echo "REPO_MODE: $REPO_MODE"
 _LAKE_SEEN=$([ -f ~/.gstack/.completeness-intro-seen ] && echo "yes" || echo "no")
 echo "LAKE_INTRO: $_LAKE_SEEN"
diff --git a/design-consultation/SKILL.md b/design-consultation/SKILL.md
index 288cc800..0da9abbf 100644
--- a/design-consultation/SKILL.md
+++ b/design-consultation/SKILL.md
@@ -36,7 +36,8 @@ _PROACTIVE=$(~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-config get proactive 2>/dev/null
 _BRANCH=$(git branch --show-current 2>/dev/null || echo "unknown")
 echo "BRANCH: $_BRANCH"
 echo "PROACTIVE: $_PROACTIVE"
-source <(~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-repo-mode 2>/dev/null) || REPO_MODE=unknown
+source <(~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-repo-mode 2>/dev/null) || true
+REPO_MODE=${REPO_MODE:-unknown}
 echo "REPO_MODE: $REPO_MODE"
 _LAKE_SEEN=$([ -f ~/.gstack/.completeness-intro-seen ] && echo "yes" || echo "no")
 echo "LAKE_INTRO: $_LAKE_SEEN"
diff --git a/design-review/SKILL.md b/design-review/SKILL.md
index c61a9089..d93dfdc6 100644
--- a/design-review/SKILL.md
+++ b/design-review/SKILL.md
@@ -36,7 +36,8 @@ _PROACTIVE=$(~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-config get proactive 2>/dev/null
 _BRANCH=$(git branch --show-current 2>/dev/null || echo "unknown")
 echo "BRANCH: $_BRANCH"
 echo "PROACTIVE: $_PROACTIVE"
-source <(~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-repo-mode 2>/dev/null) || REPO_MODE=unknown
+source <(~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-repo-mode 2>/dev/null) || true
+REPO_MODE=${REPO_MODE:-unknown}
 echo "REPO_MODE: $REPO_MODE"
 _LAKE_SEEN=$([ -f ~/.gstack/.completeness-intro-seen ] && echo "yes" || echo "no")
 echo "LAKE_INTRO: $_LAKE_SEEN"
diff --git a/document-release/SKILL.md b/document-release/SKILL.md
index 3d02fad9..f4991013 100644
--- a/document-release/SKILL.md
+++ b/document-release/SKILL.md
@@ -33,7 +33,8 @@ _PROACTIVE=$(~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-config get proactive 2>/dev/null
 _BRANCH=$(git branch --show-current 2>/dev/null || echo "unknown")
 echo "BRANCH: $_BRANCH"
 echo "PROACTIVE: $_PROACTIVE"
-source <(~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-repo-mode 2>/dev/null) || REPO_MODE=unknown
+source <(~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-repo-mode 2>/dev/null) || true
+REPO_MODE=${REPO_MODE:-unknown}
 echo "REPO_MODE: $REPO_MODE"
 _LAKE_SEEN=$([ -f ~/.gstack/.completeness-intro-seen ] && echo "yes" || echo "no")
 echo "LAKE_INTRO: $_LAKE_SEEN"
diff --git a/investigate/SKILL.md b/investigate/SKILL.md
index 10efe9e6..dc92e516 100644
--- a/investigate/SKILL.md
+++ b/investigate/SKILL.md
@@ -46,7 +46,8 @@ _PROACTIVE=$(~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-config get proactive 2>/dev/null
 _BRANCH=$(git branch --show-current 2>/dev/null || echo "unknown")
 echo "BRANCH: $_BRANCH"
 echo "PROACTIVE: $_PROACTIVE"
-source <(~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-repo-mode 2>/dev/null) || REPO_MODE=unknown
+source <(~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-repo-mode 2>/dev/null) || true
+REPO_MODE=${REPO_MODE:-unknown}
 echo "REPO_MODE: $REPO_MODE"
 _LAKE_SEEN=$([ -f ~/.gstack/.completeness-intro-seen ] && echo "yes" || echo "no")
 echo "LAKE_INTRO: $_LAKE_SEEN"
diff --git a/office-hours/SKILL.md b/office-hours/SKILL.md
index 80418a79..b9ef0200 100644
--- a/office-hours/SKILL.md
+++ b/office-hours/SKILL.md
@@ -37,7 +37,8 @@ _PROACTIVE=$(~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-config get proactive 2>/dev/null
 _BRANCH=$(git branch --show-current 2>/dev/null || echo "unknown")
 echo "BRANCH: $_BRANCH"
 echo "PROACTIVE: $_PROACTIVE"
-source <(~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-repo-mode 2>/dev/null) || REPO_MODE=unknown
+source <(~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-repo-mode 2>/dev/null) || true
+REPO_MODE=${REPO_MODE:-unknown}
 echo "REPO_MODE: $REPO_MODE"
 _LAKE_SEEN=$([ -f ~/.gstack/.completeness-intro-seen ] && echo "yes" || echo "no")
 echo "LAKE_INTRO: $_LAKE_SEEN"
diff --git a/plan-ceo-review/SKILL.md b/plan-ceo-review/SKILL.md
index 2f4f59c5..cb69be06 100644
--- a/plan-ceo-review/SKILL.md
+++ b/plan-ceo-review/SKILL.md
@@ -35,7 +35,8 @@ _PROACTIVE=$(~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-config get proactive 2>/dev/null
 _BRANCH=$(git branch --show-current 2>/dev/null || echo "unknown")
 echo "BRANCH: $_BRANCH"
 echo "PROACTIVE: $_PROACTIVE"
-source <(~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-repo-mode 2>/dev/null) || REPO_MODE=unknown
+source <(~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-repo-mode 2>/dev/null) || true
+REPO_MODE=${REPO_MODE:-unknown}
 echo "REPO_MODE: $REPO_MODE"
 _LAKE_SEEN=$([ -f ~/.gstack/.completeness-intro-seen ] && echo "yes" || echo "no")
 echo "LAKE_INTRO: $_LAKE_SEEN"
diff --git a/plan-design-review/SKILL.md b/plan-design-review/SKILL.md
index d46fdc2c..840649d8 100644
--- a/plan-design-review/SKILL.md
+++ b/plan-design-review/SKILL.md
@@ -34,7 +34,8 @@ _PROACTIVE=$(~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-config get proactive 2>/dev/null
 _BRANCH=$(git branch --show-current 2>/dev/null || echo "unknown")
 echo "BRANCH: $_BRANCH"
 echo "PROACTIVE: $_PROACTIVE"
-source <(~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-repo-mode 2>/dev/null) || REPO_MODE=unknown
+source <(~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-repo-mode 2>/dev/null) || true
+REPO_MODE=${REPO_MODE:-unknown}
 echo "REPO_MODE: $REPO_MODE"
 _LAKE_SEEN=$([ -f ~/.gstack/.completeness-intro-seen ] && echo "yes" || echo "no")
 echo "LAKE_INTRO: $_LAKE_SEEN"
diff --git a/plan-eng-review/SKILL.md b/plan-eng-review/SKILL.md
index e22a36f2..ec248acf 100644
--- a/plan-eng-review/SKILL.md
+++ b/plan-eng-review/SKILL.md
@@ -34,7 +34,8 @@ _PROACTIVE=$(~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-config get proactive 2>/dev/null
 _BRANCH=$(git branch --show-current 2>/dev/null || echo "unknown")
 echo "BRANCH: $_BRANCH"
 echo "PROACTIVE: $_PROACTIVE"
-source <(~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-repo-mode 2>/dev/null) || REPO_MODE=unknown
+source <(~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-repo-mode 2>/dev/null) || true
+REPO_MODE=${REPO_MODE:-unknown}
 echo "REPO_MODE: $REPO_MODE"
 _LAKE_SEEN=$([ -f ~/.gstack/.completeness-intro-seen ] && echo "yes" || echo "no")
 echo "LAKE_INTRO: $_LAKE_SEEN"
diff --git a/qa-only/SKILL.md b/qa-only/SKILL.md
index b6eacda7..b0f41a73 100644
--- a/qa-only/SKILL.md
+++ b/qa-only/SKILL.md
@@ -30,7 +30,8 @@ _PROACTIVE=$(~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-config get proactive 2>/dev/null
 _BRANCH=$(git branch --show-current 2>/dev/null || echo "unknown")
 echo "BRANCH: $_BRANCH"
 echo "PROACTIVE: $_PROACTIVE"
-source <(~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-repo-mode 2>/dev/null) || REPO_MODE=unknown
+source <(~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-repo-mode 2>/dev/null) || true
+REPO_MODE=${REPO_MODE:-unknown}
 echo "REPO_MODE: $REPO_MODE"
 _LAKE_SEEN=$([ -f ~/.gstack/.completeness-intro-seen ] && echo "yes" || echo "no")
 echo "LAKE_INTRO: $_LAKE_SEEN"
diff --git a/qa/SKILL.md b/qa/SKILL.md
index c3d6f735..3f85336b 100644
--- a/qa/SKILL.md
+++ b/qa/SKILL.md
@@ -37,7 +37,8 @@ _PROACTIVE=$(~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-config get proactive 2>/dev/null
 _BRANCH=$(git branch --show-current 2>/dev/null || echo "unknown")
 echo "BRANCH: $_BRANCH"
 echo "PROACTIVE: $_PROACTIVE"
-source <(~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-repo-mode 2>/dev/null) || REPO_MODE=unknown
+source <(~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-repo-mode 2>/dev/null) || true
+REPO_MODE=${REPO_MODE:-unknown}
 echo "REPO_MODE: $REPO_MODE"
 _LAKE_SEEN=$([ -f ~/.gstack/.completeness-intro-seen ] && echo "yes" || echo "no")
 echo "LAKE_INTRO: $_LAKE_SEEN"
diff --git a/retro/SKILL.md b/retro/SKILL.md
index a1be153c..f146f526 100644
--- a/retro/SKILL.md
+++ b/retro/SKILL.md
@@ -31,7 +31,8 @@ _PROACTIVE=$(~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-config get proactive 2>/dev/null
 _BRANCH=$(git branch --show-current 2>/dev/null || echo "unknown")
 echo "BRANCH: $_BRANCH"
 echo "PROACTIVE: $_PROACTIVE"
-source <(~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-repo-mode 2>/dev/null) || REPO_MODE=unknown
+source <(~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-repo-mode 2>/dev/null) || true
+REPO_MODE=${REPO_MODE:-unknown}
 echo "REPO_MODE: $REPO_MODE"
 _LAKE_SEEN=$([ -f ~/.gstack/.completeness-intro-seen ] && echo "yes" || echo "no")
 echo "LAKE_INTRO: $_LAKE_SEEN"
diff --git a/review/SKILL.md b/review/SKILL.md
index 5c1f09ea..37b19c2a 100644
--- a/review/SKILL.md
+++ b/review/SKILL.md
@@ -32,7 +32,8 @@ _PROACTIVE=$(~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-config get proactive 2>/dev/null
 _BRANCH=$(git branch --show-current 2>/dev/null || echo "unknown")
 echo "BRANCH: $_BRANCH"
 echo "PROACTIVE: $_PROACTIVE"
-source <(~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-repo-mode 2>/dev/null) || REPO_MODE=unknown
+source <(~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-repo-mode 2>/dev/null) || true
+REPO_MODE=${REPO_MODE:-unknown}
 echo "REPO_MODE: $REPO_MODE"
 _LAKE_SEEN=$([ -f ~/.gstack/.completeness-intro-seen ] && echo "yes" || echo "no")
 echo "LAKE_INTRO: $_LAKE_SEEN"
diff --git a/scripts/gen-skill-docs.ts b/scripts/gen-skill-docs.ts
index a5880577..40aacf85 100644
--- a/scripts/gen-skill-docs.ts
+++ b/scripts/gen-skill-docs.ts
@@ -152,7 +152,8 @@ _PROACTIVE=$(${ctx.paths.binDir}/gstack-config get proactive 2>/dev/null || echo
 _BRANCH=$(git branch --show-current 2>/dev/null || echo "unknown")
 echo "BRANCH: $_BRANCH"
 echo "PROACTIVE: $_PROACTIVE"
-source <(${ctx.paths.binDir}/gstack-repo-mode 2>/dev/null) || REPO_MODE=unknown
+source <(${ctx.paths.binDir}/gstack-repo-mode 2>/dev/null) || true
+REPO_MODE=\${REPO_MODE:-unknown}
 echo "REPO_MODE: $REPO_MODE"
 _LAKE_SEEN=$([ -f ~/.gstack/.completeness-intro-seen ] && echo "yes" || echo "no")
 echo "LAKE_INTRO: $_LAKE_SEEN"
diff --git a/setup-browser-cookies/SKILL.md b/setup-browser-cookies/SKILL.md
index a6af2899..1f7ef910 100644
--- a/setup-browser-cookies/SKILL.md
+++ b/setup-browser-cookies/SKILL.md
@@ -28,7 +28,8 @@ _PROACTIVE=$(~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-config get proactive 2>/dev/null
 _BRANCH=$(git branch --show-current 2>/dev/null || echo "unknown")
 echo "BRANCH: $_BRANCH"
 echo "PROACTIVE: $_PROACTIVE"
-source <(~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-repo-mode 2>/dev/null) || REPO_MODE=unknown
+source <(~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-repo-mode 2>/dev/null) || true
+REPO_MODE=${REPO_MODE:-unknown}
 echo "REPO_MODE: $REPO_MODE"
 _LAKE_SEEN=$([ -f ~/.gstack/.completeness-intro-seen ] && echo "yes" || echo "no")
 echo "LAKE_INTRO: $_LAKE_SEEN"
diff --git a/ship/SKILL.md b/ship/SKILL.md
index d1d5d0d4..1efd40a3 100644
--- a/ship/SKILL.md
+++ b/ship/SKILL.md
@@ -31,7 +31,8 @@ _PROACTIVE=$(~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-config get proactive 2>/dev/null
 _BRANCH=$(git branch --show-current 2>/dev/null || echo "unknown")
 echo "BRANCH: $_BRANCH"
 echo "PROACTIVE: $_PROACTIVE"
-source <(~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-repo-mode 2>/dev/null) || REPO_MODE=unknown
+source <(~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-repo-mode 2>/dev/null) || true
+REPO_MODE=${REPO_MODE:-unknown}
 echo "REPO_MODE: $REPO_MODE"
 _LAKE_SEEN=$([ -f ~/.gstack/.completeness-intro-seen ] && echo "yes" || echo "no")
 echo "LAKE_INTRO: $_LAKE_SEEN"