diff --git a/Cargo.lock b/Cargo.lock
index d14944a41..7f91c51ce 100644
--- a/Cargo.lock
+++ b/Cargo.lock
@@ -1514,6 +1514,7 @@ dependencies = [
  "serde_json",
  "tempfile",
  "tokio",
+ "tracing",
 ]
 
 [[package]]
diff --git a/lib/crates/fabro-cli/src/commands/attach.rs b/lib/crates/fabro-cli/src/commands/attach.rs
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..f500b513f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/crates/fabro-cli/src/commands/attach.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,221 @@
+use std::io::{BufRead, BufReader, IsTerminal};
+use std::path::Path;
+use std::process::ExitCode;
+use std::sync::atomic::{AtomicBool, Ordering};
+use std::sync::Arc;
+
+use anyhow::{bail, Result};
+
+use fabro_interview::ConsoleInterviewer;
+use fabro_util::terminal::Styles;
+
+use super::run_progress;
+
+/// Attach to a running (or finished) workflow run, rendering progress live.
+///
+/// Returns exit code 0 for success/partial_success, 1 otherwise.
+pub async fn attach_run(
+    run_dir: &Path,
+    kill_on_detach: bool,
+    styles: &'static Styles,
+) -> Result<ExitCode> {
+    let progress_path = run_dir.join("progress.jsonl");
+    let conclusion_path = run_dir.join("conclusion.json");
+    let interview_request_path = run_dir.join("interview_request.json");
+    let interview_response_path = run_dir.join("interview_response.json");
+    let pid_path = run_dir.join("run.pid");
+
+    let is_tty = std::io::stderr().is_terminal();
+    let verbose = fabro_workflows::run_spec::RunSpec::load(run_dir)
+        .map(|spec| spec.verbose)
+        .unwrap_or(false);
+    let mut progress_ui = run_progress::ProgressUI::new(is_tty, verbose);
+
+    // Install Ctrl+C handler
+    let cancelled = Arc::new(AtomicBool::new(false));
+    {
+        let cancelled = Arc::clone(&cancelled);
+        tokio::spawn(async move {
+            let _ = tokio::signal::ctrl_c().await;
+            cancelled.store(true, Ordering::Relaxed);
+        });
+    }
+
+    // Wait for progress.jsonl to appear
+    let mut wait_count = 0;
+    while !progress_path.exists() {
+        tokio::time::sleep(std::time::Duration::from_millis(100)).await;
+        wait_count += 1;
+        if wait_count > 100 {
+            bail!(
+                "Timed out waiting for progress.jsonl to appear in {}",
+                run_dir.display()
+            );
+        }
+        if cancelled.load(Ordering::Relaxed) {
+            return Ok(ExitCode::from(0));
+        }
+    }
+
+    let file = std::fs::File::open(&progress_path)?;
+    let mut reader = BufReader::new(file);
+    let mut line = String::new();
+    let mut cached_pid: Option<u32> = None;
+
+    loop {
+        if cancelled.load(Ordering::Relaxed) {
+            if kill_on_detach {
+                // Kill the engine process
+                kill_engine(&pid_path);
+                // Wait briefly for conclusion
+                for _ in 0..20 {
+                    if conclusion_path.exists() {
+                        break;
+                    }
+                    tokio::time::sleep(std::time::Duration::from_millis(100)).await;
+                }
+            } else {
+                eprintln!("Detached from run (engine continues in background)");
+            }
+            break;
+        }
+
+        // Read new lines from progress.jsonl
+        loop {
+            line.clear();
+            let bytes_read = reader.read_line(&mut line)?;
+            if bytes_read == 0 {
+                break;
+            }
+            let trimmed = line.trim();
+            if !trimmed.is_empty() {
+                progress_ui.handle_json_line(trimmed);
+            }
+        }
+
+        // Check for interview request
+        if interview_request_path.exists() {
+            if let Ok(request_data) = std::fs::read_to_string(&interview_request_path) {
+                // Delete the request file immediately to prevent re-prompting
+                let _ = std::fs::remove_file(&interview_request_path);
+
+                if let Ok(question) =
+                    serde_json::from_str::<fabro_interview::Question>(&request_data)
+                {
+                    // Hide progress bars during interview
+                    progress_ui.hide_bars();
+
+                    // Prompt user via ConsoleInterviewer
+                    let interviewer = ConsoleInterviewer::new(styles);
+                    let answer = fabro_interview::Interviewer::ask(&interviewer, question).await;
+
+                    // Write response
+                    if let Ok(response_json) = serde_json::to_string_pretty(&answer) {
+                        let _ = std::fs::write(&interview_response_path, response_json);
+                    }
+
+                    // Show progress bars again
+                    progress_ui.show_bars();
+                }
+            }
+        }
+
+        // Check if run is complete
+        if conclusion_path.exists() {
+            // Drain any remaining lines
+            drain_remaining(&mut reader, &mut line, &mut progress_ui);
+            break;
+        }
+
+        // Check if engine process is still alive (cache PID after first read)
+        let engine_alive = match cached_pid {
+            Some(pid) => process_alive(pid),
+            None => {
+                if let Ok(pid_str) = std::fs::read_to_string(&pid_path) {
+                    if let Ok(pid) = pid_str.trim().parse::<u32>() {
+                        cached_pid = Some(pid);
+                        process_alive(pid)
+                    } else {
+                        true
+                    }
+                } else {
+                    true // no PID file yet, assume alive
+                }
+            }
+        };
+        if !engine_alive && !conclusion_path.exists() {
+            drain_remaining(&mut reader, &mut line, &mut progress_ui);
+            break;
+        }
+
+        tokio::time::sleep(std::time::Duration::from_millis(100)).await;
+    }
+
+    // Finish progress bars
+    progress_ui.finish();
+
+    // Determine exit code from conclusion
+    if conclusion_path.exists() {
+        match fabro_workflows::conclusion::Conclusion::load(&conclusion_path) {
+            Ok(conclusion) => {
+                let success = matches!(
+                    conclusion.status,
+                    fabro_workflows::outcome::StageStatus::Success
+                        | fabro_workflows::outcome::StageStatus::PartialSuccess
+                );
+                Ok(if success {
+                    ExitCode::from(0)
+                } else {
+                    ExitCode::from(1)
+                })
+            }
+            Err(_) => Ok(ExitCode::from(1)),
+        }
+    } else {
+        Ok(ExitCode::from(1))
+    }
+}
+
+fn drain_remaining(
+    reader: &mut BufReader<std::fs::File>,
+    line: &mut String,
+    progress_ui: &mut run_progress::ProgressUI,
+) {
+    loop {
+        line.clear();
+        match reader.read_line(line) {
+            Ok(0) => break,
+            Ok(_) => {
+                let trimmed = line.trim();
+                if !trimmed.is_empty() {
+                    progress_ui.handle_json_line(trimmed);
+                }
+            }
+            Err(_) => break,
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+fn kill_engine(pid_path: &Path) {
+    if let Ok(pid_str) = std::fs::read_to_string(pid_path) {
+        if let Ok(pid) = pid_str.trim().parse::<i32>() {
+            #[cfg(unix)]
+            unsafe {
+                libc::kill(pid, libc::SIGTERM);
+            }
+            let _ = pid;
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+fn process_alive(pid: u32) -> bool {
+    #[cfg(unix)]
+    {
+        unsafe { libc::kill(pid as i32, 0) == 0 }
+    }
+    #[cfg(not(unix))]
+    {
+        let _ = pid;
+        true
+    }
+}
diff --git a/lib/crates/fabro-cli/src/commands/create.rs b/lib/crates/fabro-cli/src/commands/create.rs
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..a226f2c0e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/crates/fabro-cli/src/commands/create.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,92 @@
+use std::path::PathBuf;
+
+use chrono::Local;
+use fabro_config::run::RunDefaults;
+use fabro_workflows::run_spec::RunSpec;
+
+use super::run::{prepare_workflow, RunArgs};
+use fabro_util::terminal::Styles;
+
+/// Create a workflow run: allocate run directory, persist spec, return (run_id, run_dir).
+///
+/// This does NOT execute the workflow — it only prepares the run directory.
+pub async fn create_run(
+    args: &RunArgs,
+    run_defaults: RunDefaults,
+    styles: &Styles,
+) -> anyhow::Result<(String, PathBuf)> {
+    let workflow_path = args
+        .workflow
+        .as_ref()
+        .ok_or_else(|| anyhow::anyhow!("--workflow is required"))?;
+
+    let prep = prepare_workflow(args, run_defaults, styles)?;
+
+    let goal = prep.graph.goal();
+
+    // Create run directory
+    let run_id = ulid::Ulid::new().to_string();
+    let run_dir = args.run_dir.clone().unwrap_or_else(|| {
+        if args.dry_run {
+            std::env::temp_dir().join("fabro-dry-run").join(&run_id)
+        } else {
+            let base = dirs::home_dir()
+                .expect("could not determine home directory")
+                .join(".fabro")
+                .join("runs");
+            base.join(format!("{}-{}", Local::now().format("%Y%m%d"), run_id))
+        }
+    });
+    tokio::fs::create_dir_all(&run_dir).await?;
+
+    // Write essential files
+    tokio::fs::write(run_dir.join("graph.fabro"), &prep.source).await?;
+    tokio::fs::write(run_dir.join("id.txt"), &run_id).await?;
+    std::fs::File::create(run_dir.join("progress.jsonl"))?;
+    fabro_workflows::run_status::write_run_status(
+        &run_dir,
+        fabro_workflows::run_status::RunStatus::Submitted,
+        None,
+    );
+
+    // Save TOML config alongside the run if present
+    if workflow_path.extension().is_some_and(|ext| ext == "toml") {
+        if let Ok(toml_contents) = tokio::fs::read(workflow_path).await {
+            tokio::fs::write(run_dir.join("run.toml"), toml_contents).await?;
+        }
+    }
+
+    // Build and save RunSpec
+    let working_directory = std::env::current_dir().unwrap_or_else(|_| PathBuf::from("."));
+    let spec = RunSpec {
+        run_id: run_id.clone(),
+        workflow_path: std::fs::canonicalize(workflow_path).unwrap_or(workflow_path.clone()),
+        dot_source: prep.source,
+        working_directory,
+        goal: if goal.is_empty() {
+            None
+        } else {
+            Some(goal.to_string())
+        },
+        model: prep.model,
+        provider: prep.provider,
+        sandbox_provider: prep.sandbox_provider.to_string(),
+        labels: args
+            .label
+            .iter()
+            .filter_map(|s| s.split_once('='))
+            .map(|(k, v)| (k.to_string(), v.to_string()))
+            .collect(),
+        verbose: args.verbose,
+        no_retro: args.no_retro,
+        ssh: args.ssh,
+        preserve_sandbox: args.preserve_sandbox,
+        dry_run: args.dry_run,
+        auto_approve: args.auto_approve,
+        resume: args.resume.clone(),
+        run_branch: args.run_branch.clone(),
+    };
+    spec.save(&run_dir)?;
+
+    Ok((run_id, run_dir))
+}
diff --git a/lib/crates/fabro-cli/src/commands/mod.rs b/lib/crates/fabro-cli/src/commands/mod.rs
index 6c4535f57..64dea84b1 100644
--- a/lib/crates/fabro-cli/src/commands/mod.rs
+++ b/lib/crates/fabro-cli/src/commands/mod.rs
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 pub mod asset;
+pub mod attach;
 pub mod cp;
+pub mod create;
 pub mod diff;
 pub mod fork;
 pub mod graph;
@@ -11,11 +13,12 @@ pub mod preview;
 pub mod provider;
 pub mod rewind;
 pub mod run;
-mod run_progress;
+pub(crate) mod run_progress;
 pub mod runs;
 pub mod secret;
 pub(crate) mod shared;
 pub mod ssh;
+pub mod start;
 pub mod validate;
 pub mod wait;
 pub mod workflow;
diff --git a/lib/crates/fabro-cli/src/commands/run.rs b/lib/crates/fabro-cli/src/commands/run.rs
index 8bfa9d51a..a5ba4dc05 100644
--- a/lib/crates/fabro-cli/src/commands/run.rs
+++ b/lib/crates/fabro-cli/src/commands/run.rs
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ use clap::{Args, ValueEnum};
 use fabro_agent::{DockerSandbox, DockerSandboxConfig, LocalSandbox, Sandbox};
 use fabro_config::run::{RunDefaults, WorkflowRunConfig};
 use fabro_config::{project as project_config, run as run_config, sandbox as sandbox_config};
-use fabro_interview::{AutoApproveInterviewer, ConsoleInterviewer, Interviewer};
+use fabro_interview::{AutoApproveInterviewer, ConsoleInterviewer, FileInterviewer, Interviewer};
 use fabro_model::Provider;
 use fabro_util::terminal::Styles;
 use fabro_validate::Severity;
@@ -57,6 +57,19 @@ impl From<CliSandboxProvider> for SandboxProvider {
     }
 }
 
+impl From<SandboxProvider> for CliSandboxProvider {
+    fn from(value: SandboxProvider) -> Self {
+        match value {
+            SandboxProvider::Local => Self::Local,
+            SandboxProvider::Docker => Self::Docker,
+            SandboxProvider::Daytona => Self::Daytona,
+            #[cfg(feature = "exedev")]
+            SandboxProvider::Exe => Self::Exe,
+            SandboxProvider::Ssh => Self::Ssh,
+        }
+    }
+}
+
 #[derive(Args)]
 pub struct RunArgs {
     /// Path to a .fabro workflow file or .toml task config (not required with --run-branch)
@@ -137,7 +150,7 @@ pub struct RunArgs {
 }
 
 /// Resolve goal from `--goal` string or `--goal-file` path.
-fn resolve_cli_goal(
+pub(crate) fn resolve_cli_goal(
     goal: &Option<String>,
     goal_file: &Option<PathBuf>,
 ) -> anyhow::Result<Option<String>> {
@@ -156,7 +169,7 @@ fn resolve_cli_goal(
 
 /// Apply goal to the graph from TOML config or CLI flag.
 /// Precedence: CLI `--goal` / `--goal-file` > TOML `goal` > DOT `graph [goal="..."]`.
-fn apply_goal_override(
+pub(crate) fn apply_goal_override(
     graph: &mut fabro_graphviz::graph::Graph,
     cli_goal: Option<&str>,
     toml_goal: Option<&str>,
@@ -174,7 +187,7 @@ fn apply_goal_override(
 /// Resolve model and provider through the full precedence chain:
 /// CLI flag > TOML config > run defaults > DOT graph attrs > provider-specific defaults.
 /// Then resolve through the catalog for alias expansion.
-fn resolve_model_provider(
+pub(crate) fn resolve_model_provider(
     cli_model: Option<&str>,
     cli_provider: Option<&str>,
     run_cfg: Option<&WorkflowRunConfig>,
@@ -221,7 +234,7 @@ fn resolve_model_provider(
 }
 
 /// Parse sandbox provider from an optional `SandboxConfig`.
-fn parse_sandbox_provider(
+pub(crate) fn parse_sandbox_provider(
     sandbox: Option<&sandbox_config::SandboxConfig>,
 ) -> anyhow::Result<Option<SandboxProvider>> {
     sandbox
@@ -232,7 +245,7 @@ fn parse_sandbox_provider(
 }
 
 /// Resolve sandbox provider: CLI flag > TOML config > run defaults > default.
-fn resolve_sandbox_provider(
+pub(crate) fn resolve_sandbox_provider(
     cli: Option<SandboxProvider>,
     run_cfg: Option<&WorkflowRunConfig>,
     run_defaults: &RunDefaults,
@@ -420,30 +433,32 @@ struct CostAccumulator {
     has_pricing: bool,
 }
 
-/// Execute a full workflow run.
-///
-/// # Errors
-///
-/// Returns an error if the workflow cannot be read, parsed, validated, or executed.
-pub async fn run_command(
-    args: RunArgs,
-    mut run_defaults: RunDefaults,
-    styles: &'static Styles,
-    github_app: Option<fabro_github::GitHubAppCredentials>,
-    git_author: fabro_workflows::git::GitAuthor,
-) -> anyhow::Result<()> {
-    // Handle --run-branch resume: read everything from git metadata
-    if let Some(branch) = args.run_branch.clone() {
-        return run_from_branch(args, &branch, styles, git_author, run_defaults, github_app).await;
-    }
+/// Result of workflow preparation (shared between `create` and `run` commands).
+pub(crate) struct PreparedWorkflow {
+    pub source: String,
+    pub graph: fabro_graphviz::graph::Graph,
+    pub run_cfg: Option<WorkflowRunConfig>,
+    pub sandbox_provider: SandboxProvider,
+    pub model: String,
+    pub provider: Option<String>,
+    pub run_defaults: RunDefaults,
+}
 
+/// Resolve config, parse/validate the workflow graph, and resolve sandbox + model.
+///
+/// Shared between `create_run` (which only persists the spec) and
+/// `run_command` (which goes on to execute the workflow).
+pub(crate) fn prepare_workflow(
+    args: &RunArgs,
+    mut run_defaults: RunDefaults,
+    styles: &Styles,
+) -> anyhow::Result<PreparedWorkflow> {
     let workflow_path = args
         .workflow
         .as_ref()
-        .ok_or_else(|| anyhow::anyhow!("--workflow is required unless --run-branch is provided"))?;
+        .ok_or_else(|| anyhow::anyhow!("--workflow is required"))?;
 
     // Apply project-level config overrides (fabro.toml) on top of CLI defaults.
-    // Precedence: workflow.toml > fabro.toml > cli.toml/server.toml
     if let Ok(Some((_config_path, project_config))) =
         project_config::discover_project_config(&std::env::current_dir().unwrap_or_default())
     {
@@ -451,7 +466,7 @@ pub async fn run_command(
         run_defaults.merge_overlay(project_config.into_run_defaults());
     }
 
-    // 0. Resolve workflow arg, load run config if TOML, resolve DOT path, apply defaults
+    // Resolve workflow arg, load run config if TOML, apply defaults
     let (dot_path, run_cfg) = {
         let (dot, cfg) = project_config::resolve_workflow(workflow_path)?;
         match cfg {
@@ -463,18 +478,6 @@ pub async fn run_command(
         }
     };
 
-    // Extract workflow slug from the workflow path argument.
-    // If bare name (no extension, e.g. "smoke"), use it directly.
-    // Otherwise derive from the parent directory of the resolved .toml path.
-    let workflow_slug: Option<String> = if workflow_path.extension().is_none() {
-        Some(workflow_path.to_string_lossy().into_owned())
-    } else {
-        workflow_path
-            .parent()
-            .and_then(|p| p.file_name())
-            .map(|n| n.to_string_lossy().into_owned())
-    };
-
     let directory = run_cfg
         .as_ref()
         .and_then(|c| c.work_dir.as_deref())
@@ -484,15 +487,7 @@ pub async fn run_command(
             .map_err(|e| anyhow::anyhow!("Failed to set working directory to {dir}: {e}"))?;
     }
 
-    // Collect setup commands — they'll be run inside the sandbox
-    let setup_commands: Vec<String> = run_cfg
-        .as_ref()
-        .and_then(|c| c.setup.as_ref())
-        .or(run_defaults.setup.as_ref())
-        .map(|s| s.commands.clone())
-        .unwrap_or_default();
-
-    // 1. Parse and validate workflow
+    // Parse and validate workflow
     let source = read_workflow_file(&dot_path)?;
     let vars = run_cfg
         .as_ref()
@@ -550,8 +545,7 @@ pub async fn run_command(
         bail!("Validation failed");
     }
 
-    // 2. Pre-flight: check git cleanliness before creating any files
-    //    (must happen before logs dir is created, which may be inside the repo)
+    // Resolve sandbox provider
     let sandbox_provider = if args.dry_run {
         SandboxProvider::Local
     } else {
@@ -561,6 +555,76 @@ pub async fn run_command(
             &run_defaults,
         )?
     };
+
+    // Resolve model and provider
+    let (model, provider) = resolve_model_provider(
+        args.model.as_deref(),
+        args.provider.as_deref(),
+        run_cfg.as_ref(),
+        &run_defaults,
+        &graph,
+    );
+
+    Ok(PreparedWorkflow {
+        source,
+        graph,
+        run_cfg,
+        sandbox_provider,
+        model,
+        provider,
+        run_defaults,
+    })
+}
+
+/// Execute a full workflow run.
+///
+/// # Errors
+///
+/// Returns an error if the workflow cannot be read, parsed, validated, or executed.
+pub async fn run_command(
+    args: RunArgs,
+    run_defaults: RunDefaults,
+    styles: &'static Styles,
+    github_app: Option<fabro_github::GitHubAppCredentials>,
+    git_author: fabro_workflows::git::GitAuthor,
+) -> anyhow::Result<()> {
+    // Handle --run-branch resume: read everything from git metadata
+    if let Some(branch) = args.run_branch.clone() {
+        return run_from_branch(args, &branch, styles, git_author, run_defaults, github_app).await;
+    }
+
+    let PreparedWorkflow {
+        source,
+        graph,
+        run_cfg,
+        sandbox_provider,
+        model,
+        provider,
+        run_defaults,
+    } = prepare_workflow(&args, run_defaults, styles)?;
+
+    // Extract workflow slug from the workflow path argument.
+    // If bare name (no extension, e.g. "smoke"), use it directly.
+    // Otherwise derive from the parent directory of the resolved .toml path.
+    let workflow_path = args.workflow.as_ref().unwrap(); // safe: prepare_workflow validated
+    let workflow_slug: Option<String> = if workflow_path.extension().is_none() {
+        Some(workflow_path.to_string_lossy().into_owned())
+    } else {
+        workflow_path
+            .parent()
+            .and_then(|p| p.file_name())
+            .map(|n| n.to_string_lossy().into_owned())
+    };
+
+    // Collect setup commands — they'll be run inside the sandbox
+    let setup_commands: Vec<String> = run_cfg
+        .as_ref()
+        .and_then(|c| c.setup.as_ref())
+        .or(run_defaults.setup.as_ref())
+        .map(|s| s.commands.clone())
+        .unwrap_or_default();
+
+    // Pre-flight: check git cleanliness before creating any files
     let preserve_sandbox =
         resolve_preserve_sandbox(args.preserve_sandbox, run_cfg.as_ref(), &run_defaults);
     let original_cwd = std::env::current_dir()?;
@@ -716,6 +780,10 @@ pub async fn run_command(
     // 4. Build interviewer
     let interviewer: Arc<dyn Interviewer> = if args.auto_approve {
         Arc::new(AutoApproveInterviewer)
+    } else if !std::io::stdin().is_terminal() {
+        // Detached mode (stdin is /dev/null): use file-based IPC so the
+        // attach process can prompt the user on our behalf.
+        Arc::new(FileInterviewer::new(run_dir.clone()))
     } else {
         Arc::new(run_progress::ProgressAwareInterviewer::new(
             ConsoleInterviewer::new(styles),
@@ -1154,14 +1222,6 @@ pub async fn run_command(
         }
     };
 
-    let (model, provider) = resolve_model_provider(
-        args.model.as_deref(),
-        args.provider.as_deref(),
-        run_cfg.as_ref(),
-        &run_defaults,
-        &graph,
-    );
-
     // Parse provider string to enum (defaults to best available from env)
     let provider_enum: Provider = provider
         .as_deref()
diff --git a/lib/crates/fabro-cli/src/commands/run_progress.rs b/lib/crates/fabro-cli/src/commands/run_progress.rs
index 5154c3f4a..8e8214277 100644
--- a/lib/crates/fabro-cli/src/commands/run_progress.rs
+++ b/lib/crates/fabro-cli/src/commands/run_progress.rs
@@ -266,6 +266,20 @@ impl ProgressUI {
         });
     }
 
+    /// Hide indicatif progress bars (for interview prompts in attach mode).
+    pub fn hide_bars(&self) {
+        if let ProgressRenderer::Tty(tty) = &self.renderer {
+            tty.multi.set_draw_target(ProgressDrawTarget::hidden());
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Show indicatif progress bars after an interview prompt.
+    pub fn show_bars(&self) {
+        if let ProgressRenderer::Tty(tty) = &self.renderer {
+            tty.multi.set_draw_target(ProgressDrawTarget::stderr());
+        }
+    }
+
     /// Clear all active bars and release the terminal for normal stderr output.
     pub fn finish(&mut self) {
         for (_id, stage) in self.active_stages.drain() {
@@ -610,6 +624,360 @@ impl ProgressUI {
         }
     }
 
+    // ── JSONL dispatch ────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+    /// Parse a JSONL envelope line and dispatch to internal rendering methods.
+    /// Used by the attach loop to render events from progress.jsonl.
+    pub fn handle_json_line(&mut self, line: &str) {
+        let envelope: serde_json::Value = match serde_json::from_str(line) {
+            Ok(v) => v,
+            Err(_) => return,
+        };
+        let event_name = match envelope.get("event").and_then(|v| v.as_str()) {
+            Some(name) => name,
+            None => return,
+        };
+
+        let str_field = |key: &str| -> Option<&str> { envelope.get(key).and_then(|v| v.as_str()) };
+        let u64_field =
+            |key: &str| -> u64 { envelope.get(key).and_then(|v| v.as_u64()).unwrap_or(0) };
+
+        match event_name {
+            "Sandbox.Initializing" => {
+                let provider = str_field("sandbox_provider")
+                    .unwrap_or("unknown")
+                    .to_string();
+                self.on_sandbox_event(&fabro_agent::SandboxEvent::Initializing { provider });
+            }
+            "Sandbox.Ready" => {
+                let provider = str_field("sandbox_provider")
+                    .unwrap_or("unknown")
+                    .to_string();
+                let duration_ms = u64_field("duration_ms");
+                let name = str_field("name").map(String::from);
+                let cpu = envelope.get("cpu").and_then(|v| v.as_f64());
+                let memory = envelope.get("memory").and_then(|v| v.as_f64());
+                let url = str_field("url").map(String::from);
+                self.on_sandbox_event(&fabro_agent::SandboxEvent::Ready {
+                    provider,
+                    duration_ms,
+                    name,
+                    cpu,
+                    memory,
+                    url,
+                });
+            }
+            "SandboxInitialized" => {
+                if let Some(wd) = str_field("working_directory") {
+                    self.set_working_directory(wd.to_string());
+                }
+            }
+            "SetupStarted" => {
+                let count = u64_field("command_count") as usize;
+                self.on_setup_started(count);
+            }
+            "SetupCompleted" => {
+                let duration_ms = u64_field("duration_ms");
+                self.on_setup_completed(duration_ms);
+            }
+            "StageStarted" => {
+                let node_id = str_field("node_id").unwrap_or("?");
+                let name = str_field("node_label").unwrap_or("?");
+                let script = str_field("script");
+                self.on_stage_started(node_id, name, script);
+            }
+            "StageCompleted" => {
+                let node_id = str_field("node_id").unwrap_or("?");
+                let name = str_field("node_label").unwrap_or("?");
+                let duration_ms = u64_field("duration_ms");
+                let status = str_field("status").unwrap_or("success");
+                let succeeded = matches!(status, "success" | "partial_success");
+
+                let dur = format_duration_ms(duration_ms);
+
+                // Parse usage for cost
+                let cost_str = envelope
+                    .get("usage")
+                    .and_then(|u| u.get("cost"))
+                    .and_then(|c| c.as_f64())
+                    .map(|c| format!("{}   ", format_cost(c)))
+                    .unwrap_or_default();
+
+                let stats_str = if self.verbose {
+                    let counts = self.stage_counts.get(node_id);
+                    let turn_count = counts.map_or(0, |c| c.0);
+                    let tool_call_count = counts.map_or(0, |c| c.1);
+                    let total_tokens = envelope
+                        .get("usage")
+                        .map(|u| {
+                            u.get("input_tokens").and_then(|v| v.as_i64()).unwrap_or(0)
+                                + u.get("output_tokens").and_then(|v| v.as_i64()).unwrap_or(0)
+                        })
+                        .unwrap_or(0);
+                    if turn_count > 0 || tool_call_count > 0 || total_tokens > 0 {
+                        let dim = Style::new().dim();
+                        format!(
+                            "  {}",
+                            dim.apply_to(format!(
+                                "({} turns, {} tools, {} toks)",
+                                turn_count,
+                                tool_call_count,
+                                format_tokens_human(total_tokens),
+                            ))
+                        )
+                    } else {
+                        String::new()
+                    }
+                } else {
+                    String::new()
+                };
+
+                let prefix = format!("{cost_str}{dur}{stats_str}");
+                let glyph = if succeeded {
+                    green_check()
+                } else {
+                    red_cross()
+                };
+                self.finish_stage(node_id, name, glyph, &prefix);
+            }
+            "StageFailed" => {
+                let node_id = str_field("node_id").unwrap_or("?");
+                let name = str_field("node_label").unwrap_or("?");
+                let message = str_field("error")
+                    .or_else(|| str_field("failure_reason"))
+                    .unwrap_or("unknown error");
+                self.finish_stage(node_id, name, red_cross(), "");
+                let red = Style::new().red();
+                let summary = last_line_truncated(message, 120);
+                self.insert_info_line(&format!("{} {}", red.apply_to("Error:"), summary));
+            }
+            "ParallelStarted" => {
+                self.parallel_parent = self
+                    .active_stages
+                    .keys()
+                    .next()
+                    .cloned()
+                    .or_else(|| Some(String::new()));
+            }
+            "ParallelBranchStarted" => {
+                if let Some(branch) = str_field("node_id") {
+                    self.on_parallel_branch_started(branch);
+                }
+            }
+            "ParallelBranchCompleted" => {
+                if let Some(branch) = str_field("node_id") {
+                    let duration_ms = u64_field("duration_ms");
+                    let status = str_field("status").unwrap_or("success");
+                    self.on_parallel_branch_completed(branch, duration_ms, status);
+                }
+            }
+            "ParallelCompleted" => {
+                self.parallel_parent = None;
+            }
+            "Agent.ToolCallStarted" => {
+                let stage = str_field("node_id").unwrap_or("?");
+                let tool_name = str_field("tool_name").unwrap_or("?");
+                let tool_call_id = str_field("tool_call_id").unwrap_or("?");
+                let empty = serde_json::Value::Object(serde_json::Map::new());
+                let arguments = envelope.get("arguments").unwrap_or(&empty);
+                // Update tool_call count
+                if let Some(counts) = self.stage_counts.get_mut(stage) {
+                    counts.1 += 1;
+                }
+                self.on_tool_call_started(stage, tool_name, tool_call_id, arguments);
+            }
+            "Agent.ToolCallCompleted" => {
+                let stage = str_field("node_id").unwrap_or("?");
+                let tool_call_id = str_field("tool_call_id").unwrap_or("?");
+                let is_error = envelope
+                    .get("is_error")
+                    .and_then(|v| v.as_bool())
+                    .unwrap_or(false);
+                self.on_tool_call_completed(stage, tool_call_id, is_error);
+            }
+            "Agent.AssistantMessage" => {
+                let stage = str_field("node_id").unwrap_or("?");
+                let model = str_field("model").unwrap_or("?");
+                // Update turn count
+                if let Some(counts) = self.stage_counts.get_mut(stage) {
+                    counts.0 += 1;
+                }
+                // Update model display on stage bar
+                if let ProgressRenderer::Tty(_) = &self.renderer {
+                    if let Some(active_stage) = self.active_stages.get_mut(stage) {
+                        if !active_stage.has_model {
+                            active_stage.has_model = true;
+                            let dim = Style::new().dim();
+                            let suffix = format!(" {}", dim.apply_to(format!("[{model}]")));
+                            active_stage
+                                .spinner
+                                .set_message(format!("{}{}", active_stage.display_name, suffix));
+                        }
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+            "Agent.CompactionStarted" => {
+                let stage = str_field("node_id").unwrap_or("?");
+                if let ProgressRenderer::Tty(tty) = &self.renderer {
+                    if let Some(active_stage) = self.active_stages.get_mut(stage) {
+                        if let Some(old) = active_stage.compaction_bar.take() {
+                            old.finish_and_clear();
+                        }
+                        let bar = tty
+                            .multi
+                            .insert_after(active_stage.last_bar(), ProgressBar::new_spinner());
+                        bar.set_style(style_tool_running());
+                        bar.set_message("\u{27f3} compacting context\u{2026}");
+                        bar.enable_steady_tick(Duration::from_millis(100));
+                        active_stage.compaction_bar = Some(bar);
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+            "Agent.CompactionCompleted" => {
+                let stage = str_field("node_id").unwrap_or("?");
+                let original = u64_field("original_turn_count");
+                let preserved = u64_field("preserved_turn_count");
+                let tracked = u64_field("tracked_file_count");
+                let msg = format!(
+                    "\u{27f3} compaction: {original} \u{2192} {preserved} turns, {tracked} files"
+                );
+                match &self.renderer {
+                    ProgressRenderer::Tty(_) => {
+                        if let Some(bar) = self
+                            .active_stages
+                            .get_mut(stage)
+                            .and_then(|s| s.compaction_bar.take())
+                        {
+                            bar.set_style(style_tool_done());
+                            bar.finish_with_message(msg);
+                        } else {
+                            self.insert_info_line_for_stage(stage, &msg);
+                        }
+                    }
+                    ProgressRenderer::Plain => {
+                        eprintln!("      {msg}");
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+            "SshAccessReady" => {
+                if let Some(cmd) = str_field("ssh_command") {
+                    self.on_ssh_access_ready(cmd);
+                }
+            }
+            "RetroStarted" => {
+                self.on_stage_started("retro", "Retro", None);
+            }
+            "RetroCompleted" => {
+                let dur = format_duration_ms(u64_field("duration_ms"));
+                self.finish_stage("retro", "Retro", green_check(), &dur);
+            }
+            "RetroFailed" => {
+                let dur = format_duration_ms(u64_field("duration_ms"));
+                self.finish_stage("retro", "Retro", red_cross(), &dur);
+            }
+            "DevcontainerResolved" => {
+                let dockerfile_lines = u64_field("dockerfile_lines");
+                let environment_count = u64_field("environment_count");
+                let lifecycle_command_count = u64_field("lifecycle_command_count");
+                let workspace_folder = str_field("workspace_folder").unwrap_or("?").to_string();
+                let detail = format!(
+                    "{dockerfile_lines} Dockerfile lines, {environment_count} env vars, \
+                     {lifecycle_command_count} lifecycle cmds, {workspace_folder}"
+                );
+                match &self.renderer {
+                    ProgressRenderer::Tty(tty) => {
+                        let bar = tty.multi.add(ProgressBar::new_spinner());
+                        bar.set_style(style_header_done());
+                        bar.finish_with_message("Devcontainer: resolved".to_string());
+                        let detail_bar = tty.multi.insert_after(&bar, ProgressBar::new_spinner());
+                        detail_bar.set_style(style_sandbox_detail());
+                        detail_bar.finish_with_message(detail);
+                    }
+                    ProgressRenderer::Plain => {
+                        eprintln!("    Devcontainer: resolved");
+                        eprintln!("             {detail}");
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+            "DevcontainerLifecycleStarted" => {
+                let phase = str_field("phase").unwrap_or("?");
+                let command_count = u64_field("command_count") as usize;
+                self.devcontainer_command_count = command_count;
+                match &self.renderer {
+                    ProgressRenderer::Tty(tty) => {
+                        let bar = tty.multi.add(ProgressBar::new_spinner());
+                        bar.set_style(style_header_running());
+                        bar.set_message(format!(
+                            "Running devcontainer {phase} ({command_count} commands)..."
+                        ));
+                        bar.enable_steady_tick(Duration::from_millis(100));
+                        self.devcontainer_bar = Some(bar);
+                    }
+                    ProgressRenderer::Plain => {
+                        eprintln!("    Running devcontainer {phase} ({command_count} commands)...");
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+            "DevcontainerLifecycleCompleted" => {
+                let phase = str_field("phase").unwrap_or("?");
+                let duration_ms = u64_field("duration_ms");
+                let dur = format_duration_ms(duration_ms);
+                match &self.renderer {
+                    ProgressRenderer::Tty(_) => {
+                        if let Some(bar) = self.devcontainer_bar.take() {
+                            bar.set_style(style_header_done());
+                            bar.set_prefix(dur);
+                            bar.finish_with_message(format!("Devcontainer: {phase}"));
+                        }
+                    }
+                    ProgressRenderer::Plain => {
+                        eprintln!("    Devcontainer: {phase} ({dur})");
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+            "DevcontainerLifecycleFailed" => {
+                let phase = str_field("phase").unwrap_or("?");
+                let command = str_field("command").unwrap_or("?");
+                let exit_code = u64_field("exit_code");
+                let stderr_text = str_field("stderr").unwrap_or("");
+                if let Some(bar) = self.devcontainer_bar.take() {
+                    bar.abandon();
+                }
+                let red = Style::new().red();
+                let summary = if stderr_text.len() > 120 {
+                    &stderr_text[..120]
+                } else {
+                    stderr_text
+                };
+                self.insert_info_line(&format!(
+                    "{} Devcontainer {phase} command failed (exit {exit_code}): {command}\n         {summary}",
+                    red.apply_to("Error:")
+                ));
+            }
+            "CliEnsureStarted" => {
+                if let Some(cli_name) = str_field("cli_name") {
+                    self.on_cli_ensure_started(cli_name);
+                }
+            }
+            "CliEnsureCompleted" => {
+                if let Some(cli_name) = str_field("cli_name") {
+                    let already_installed = envelope
+                        .get("already_installed")
+                        .and_then(|v| v.as_bool())
+                        .unwrap_or(false);
+                    let duration_ms = u64_field("duration_ms");
+                    self.on_cli_ensure_completed(cli_name, already_installed, duration_ms);
+                }
+            }
+            "CliEnsureFailed" => {
+                if let Some(cli_name) = str_field("cli_name") {
+                    self.on_cli_ensure_failed(cli_name);
+                }
+            }
+            _ => {}
+        }
+    }
+
     // ── Sandbox ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
     fn on_sandbox_event(&mut self, event: &fabro_agent::SandboxEvent) {
@@ -1271,43 +1639,33 @@ impl ProgressAwareInterviewer {
     pub fn new(inner: ConsoleInterviewer, progress: Arc<Mutex<ProgressUI>>) -> Self {
         Self { inner, progress }
     }
-
-    fn hide_bars(&self) {
-        let ui = self.progress.lock().expect("progress lock poisoned");
-        if let ProgressRenderer::Tty(tty) = &ui.renderer {
-            tty.multi.set_draw_target(ProgressDrawTarget::hidden());
-        }
-    }
-
-    fn show_bars(&self) {
-        let ui = self.progress.lock().expect("progress lock poisoned");
-        if let ProgressRenderer::Tty(tty) = &ui.renderer {
-            tty.multi.set_draw_target(ProgressDrawTarget::stderr());
-        }
-    }
 }
 
 #[async_trait]
 impl Interviewer for ProgressAwareInterviewer {
     async fn ask(&self, question: Question) -> Answer {
-        {
-            let ui = self.progress.lock().expect("progress lock poisoned");
-            if let ProgressRenderer::Tty(tty) = &ui.renderer {
-                let sep = tty.multi.add(ProgressBar::new_spinner());
-                sep.set_style(style_empty());
-                sep.finish();
-                tty.multi.set_draw_target(ProgressDrawTarget::hidden());
-            }
-        }
+        self.progress
+            .lock()
+            .expect("progress lock poisoned")
+            .hide_bars();
         let answer = self.inner.ask(question).await;
-        self.show_bars();
+        self.progress
+            .lock()
+            .expect("progress lock poisoned")
+            .show_bars();
         answer
     }
 
     async fn inform(&self, message: &str, stage: &str) {
-        self.hide_bars();
+        self.progress
+            .lock()
+            .expect("progress lock poisoned")
+            .hide_bars();
         self.inner.inform(message, stage).await;
-        self.show_bars();
+        self.progress
+            .lock()
+            .expect("progress lock poisoned")
+            .show_bars();
     }
 }
 
@@ -1530,4 +1888,157 @@ mod tests {
         });
         assert!(ui.parallel_parent.is_none());
     }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn handle_json_line_stage_started_and_completed() {
+        let mut ui = ProgressUI::new(false, false);
+
+        let started = r#"{"ts":"2026-01-01T12:00:00Z","event":"StageStarted","node_id":"plan","node_label":"Plan","stage_index":0,"script":null,"attempt":1,"max_attempts":1}"#;
+        ui.handle_json_line(started);
+        assert!(ui.stage_counts.contains_key("plan"));
+
+        let completed = r#"{"ts":"2026-01-01T12:00:10Z","event":"StageCompleted","node_id":"plan","node_label":"Plan","stage_index":0,"duration_ms":10000,"status":"success"}"#;
+        ui.handle_json_line(completed);
+        // In Plain mode, finish_stage just prints, so verify no panic
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn handle_json_line_tool_call_round_trip() {
+        let mut ui = ProgressUI::new(false, true); // verbose
+
+        // Start a stage first
+        let started = r#"{"ts":"2026-01-01T12:00:00Z","event":"StageStarted","node_id":"code","node_label":"Code","stage_index":0,"attempt":1,"max_attempts":1}"#;
+        ui.handle_json_line(started);
+
+        let tc_start = r#"{"ts":"2026-01-01T12:00:01Z","event":"Agent.ToolCallStarted","node_id":"code","node_label":"code","tool_name":"read_file","tool_call_id":"tc1","arguments":{"path":"src/main.rs"}}"#;
+        ui.handle_json_line(tc_start);
+        assert_eq!(ui.stage_counts.get("code").map(|c| c.1), Some(1));
+
+        let tc_done = r#"{"ts":"2026-01-01T12:00:02Z","event":"Agent.ToolCallCompleted","node_id":"code","node_label":"code","tool_name":"read_file","tool_call_id":"tc1","is_error":false}"#;
+        ui.handle_json_line(tc_done);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn handle_json_line_retro_events() {
+        let mut ui = ProgressUI::new(false, false);
+
+        let retro_started = r#"{"ts":"2026-01-01T12:00:00Z","event":"RetroStarted"}"#;
+        ui.handle_json_line(retro_started);
+
+        let retro_completed =
+            r#"{"ts":"2026-01-01T12:00:05Z","event":"RetroCompleted","duration_ms":5000}"#;
+        ui.handle_json_line(retro_completed);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn handle_json_line_ignores_invalid_json() {
+        let mut ui = ProgressUI::new(false, false);
+        ui.handle_json_line("not valid json");
+        ui.handle_json_line("");
+        ui.handle_json_line("{}"); // no event field
+    }
+
+    // ── Bug regression tests (post-rename JSONL field names) ─────────
+
+    // Bug 1: handle_json_line reads pre-rename field names but real JSONL
+    // uses post-rename names from rename_fields(). These tests use the
+    // actual JSONL format produced by the engine.
+
+    #[test]
+    fn bug1_stage_started_uses_node_label_not_name() {
+        // Real JSONL: rename_fields renames "name" → "node_label"
+        let mut ui = ProgressUI::new(true, false);
+        let started = r#"{"ts":"2026-01-01T12:00:00Z","event":"StageStarted","node_id":"plan","node_label":"Plan","stage_index":0,"script":null,"attempt":1,"max_attempts":1}"#;
+        ui.handle_json_line(started);
+
+        let stage = ui
+            .active_stages
+            .get("plan")
+            .expect("stage should be tracked");
+        assert_eq!(
+            stage.display_name, "Plan",
+            "display name should come from node_label field, not be '?'"
+        );
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn bug1_agent_tool_call_uses_node_id_not_stage() {
+        // Real JSONL: rename_fields renames "stage" → "node_id" for Agent.* events
+        let mut ui = ProgressUI::new(false, true);
+
+        // First create the stage
+        let started = r#"{"ts":"2026-01-01T12:00:00Z","event":"StageStarted","node_id":"code","node_label":"Code","stage_index":0,"attempt":1,"max_attempts":1}"#;
+        ui.handle_json_line(started);
+        assert_eq!(ui.stage_counts.get("code").map(|c| c.1), Some(0));
+
+        // Tool call with post-rename field: "node_id" instead of "stage"
+        let tc_start = r#"{"ts":"2026-01-01T12:00:01Z","event":"Agent.ToolCallStarted","node_id":"code","node_label":"code","tool_name":"read_file","tool_call_id":"tc1","arguments":{"path":"src/main.rs"}}"#;
+        ui.handle_json_line(tc_start);
+
+        assert_eq!(
+            ui.stage_counts.get("code").map(|c| c.1),
+            Some(1),
+            "tool call count should increment using node_id field"
+        );
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn bug1_agent_assistant_message_uses_node_id_not_stage() {
+        // Real JSONL: rename_fields renames "stage" → "node_id"
+        let mut ui = ProgressUI::new(false, true);
+
+        let started = r#"{"ts":"2026-01-01T12:00:00Z","event":"StageStarted","node_id":"code","node_label":"Code","stage_index":0,"attempt":1,"max_attempts":1}"#;
+        ui.handle_json_line(started);
+        assert_eq!(ui.stage_counts.get("code").map(|c| c.0), Some(0));
+
+        // AssistantMessage with post-rename field: "node_id" instead of "stage"
+        let msg = r#"{"ts":"2026-01-01T12:00:01Z","event":"Agent.AssistantMessage","node_id":"code","node_label":"code","model":"claude-sonnet-4-20250514"}"#;
+        ui.handle_json_line(msg);
+
+        assert_eq!(
+            ui.stage_counts.get("code").map(|c| c.0),
+            Some(1),
+            "turn count should increment using node_id field"
+        );
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn bug1_parallel_branch_uses_node_id_not_branch() {
+        // Real JSONL: rename_fields renames "branch" → "node_id"
+        let mut ui = ProgressUI::new(true, false);
+
+        // Set up a parent stage and start parallel
+        let parent = r#"{"ts":"2026-01-01T12:00:00Z","event":"StageStarted","node_id":"fork","node_label":"Fork","stage_index":0,"attempt":1,"max_attempts":1}"#;
+        ui.handle_json_line(parent);
+        let par = r#"{"ts":"2026-01-01T12:00:01Z","event":"ParallelStarted","branch_count":2,"join_policy":"wait_all","error_policy":"continue"}"#;
+        ui.handle_json_line(par);
+        assert!(ui.parallel_parent.is_some());
+
+        // ParallelBranchStarted with post-rename field: "node_id" instead of "branch"
+        let branch = r#"{"ts":"2026-01-01T12:00:02Z","event":"ParallelBranchStarted","node_id":"lint","node_label":"lint","branch_index":0}"#;
+        ui.handle_json_line(branch);
+
+        // Branch should have been registered as a tool_call entry on the parent
+        let parent_stage = ui.active_stages.get("fork").unwrap();
+        assert!(
+            !parent_stage.tool_calls.is_empty(),
+            "parallel branch should be registered using node_id field"
+        );
+    }
+
+    // Bug 5: start_run should write Starting status before spawning engine
+    // (tested in start.rs)
+
+    // Bug 6: handle_json_line is missing devcontainer event dispatch
+
+    #[test]
+    fn bug6_devcontainer_lifecycle_started_dispatched() {
+        let mut ui = ProgressUI::new(false, false);
+        let event = r#"{"ts":"2026-01-01T12:00:00Z","event":"DevcontainerLifecycleStarted","phase":"postCreate","command_count":2}"#;
+        ui.handle_json_line(event);
+        assert_eq!(
+            ui.devcontainer_command_count, 2,
+            "devcontainer_command_count should be set by DevcontainerLifecycleStarted"
+        );
+    }
 }
diff --git a/lib/crates/fabro-cli/src/commands/start.rs b/lib/crates/fabro-cli/src/commands/start.rs
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..b5791df2e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/crates/fabro-cli/src/commands/start.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,113 @@
+use std::path::Path;
+
+use anyhow::{bail, Result};
+
+/// Spawn a detached engine process for the given run directory.
+///
+/// The engine process reads `spec.json` from the run directory and executes the
+/// workflow. Returns the child process PID.
+pub fn start_run(run_dir: &Path) -> Result<u32> {
+    // Validate status is Submitted
+    let status_path = run_dir.join("status.json");
+    match fabro_workflows::run_status::RunStatusRecord::load(&status_path) {
+        Ok(record) if record.status != fabro_workflows::run_status::RunStatus::Submitted => {
+            bail!(
+                "Cannot start run: status is {:?}, expected Submitted",
+                record.status
+            );
+        }
+        _ => {} // No status file or Submitted — proceed
+    }
+
+    // Validate spec.json is loadable
+    fabro_workflows::run_spec::RunSpec::load(run_dir)
+        .map_err(|e| anyhow::anyhow!("Cannot start run: failed to load spec.json: {e}"))?;
+
+    // Write Starting status before spawning to prevent duplicate engines
+    fabro_workflows::run_status::write_run_status(
+        run_dir,
+        fabro_workflows::run_status::RunStatus::Starting,
+        None,
+    );
+
+    let log_file = std::fs::File::create(run_dir.join("detach.log"))?;
+
+    let exe = std::env::current_exe()?;
+    let mut cmd = std::process::Command::new(&exe);
+    cmd.args(["_run_engine", "--run-dir"])
+        .arg(run_dir)
+        .stdout(log_file.try_clone()?)
+        .stderr(log_file)
+        .stdin(std::process::Stdio::null());
+
+    // Detach from the controlling terminal on unix
+    #[cfg(unix)]
+    {
+        use std::os::unix::process::CommandExt;
+        unsafe {
+            cmd.pre_exec(|| {
+                libc::setsid();
+                Ok(())
+            });
+        }
+    }
+
+    let child = cmd.spawn()?;
+    let pid = child.id();
+
+    // Write PID file
+    std::fs::write(run_dir.join("run.pid"), pid.to_string())?;
+
+    Ok(pid)
+}
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+    use super::*;
+    use fabro_workflows::run_spec::RunSpec;
+    use fabro_workflows::run_status::{write_run_status, RunStatus, RunStatusRecord};
+    use std::collections::HashMap;
+    use std::path::PathBuf;
+
+    fn sample_spec() -> RunSpec {
+        RunSpec {
+            run_id: "run-test123".to_string(),
+            workflow_path: PathBuf::from("/tmp/test-workflow.toml"),
+            dot_source: "digraph { a -> b }".to_string(),
+            working_directory: PathBuf::from("/tmp"),
+            goal: None,
+            model: "claude-sonnet-4-20250514".to_string(),
+            provider: Some("anthropic".to_string()),
+            sandbox_provider: "local".to_string(),
+            labels: HashMap::new(),
+            verbose: false,
+            no_retro: true,
+            ssh: false,
+            preserve_sandbox: false,
+            dry_run: false,
+            auto_approve: true,
+            resume: None,
+            run_branch: None,
+        }
+    }
+
+    // Bug 5: start_run should write Starting status before spawning engine
+    // to prevent duplicate engine processes from concurrent start calls.
+    #[test]
+    fn bug5_start_run_writes_starting_status_before_spawn() {
+        let dir = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
+        write_run_status(dir.path(), RunStatus::Submitted, None);
+        sample_spec().save(dir.path()).unwrap();
+
+        // start_run may fail on spawn (test binary != fabro), but we only
+        // care about the status file being updated before the spawn attempt.
+        let _ = start_run(dir.path());
+
+        let record = RunStatusRecord::load(&dir.path().join("status.json")).unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(
+            record.status,
+            RunStatus::Starting,
+            "start_run should write Starting status before spawning to prevent duplicate engines"
+        );
+    }
+}
diff --git a/lib/crates/fabro-cli/src/main.rs b/lib/crates/fabro-cli/src/main.rs
index f43707989..7a97ddf4f 100644
--- a/lib/crates/fabro-cli/src/main.rs
+++ b/lib/crates/fabro-cli/src/main.rs
@@ -72,6 +72,25 @@ enum Command {
     Exec(fabro_agent::cli::AgentArgs),
     /// Launch a workflow run
     Run(commands::run::RunArgs),
+    /// Create a workflow run (allocate run dir, persist spec)
+    Create(commands::run::RunArgs),
+    /// Start a created workflow run (spawn engine process)
+    Start {
+        /// Run ID prefix or workflow name
+        run: String,
+    },
+    /// Attach to a running or finished workflow run
+    Attach {
+        /// Run ID prefix or workflow name
+        run: String,
+    },
+    /// Internal: run the engine process (reads spec.json from run dir)
+    #[command(name = "_run_engine", hide = true)]
+    RunEngine {
+        /// Path to the run directory
+        #[arg(long)]
+        run_dir: PathBuf,
+    },
     /// Validate a workflow
     Validate(commands::validate::ValidateArgs),
     /// Render a workflow graph as SVG or PNG
@@ -292,90 +311,6 @@ pub(crate) fn build_github_app_credentials(
     })
 }
 
-/// Fork the workflow as a background process, print the run ID, and exit.
-fn detach_run(args: commands::run::RunArgs) -> Result<()> {
-    let run_id = ulid::Ulid::new().to_string();
-
-    let run_dir = args.run_dir.clone().unwrap_or_else(|| {
-        let base = dirs::home_dir()
-            .expect("could not determine home directory")
-            .join(".fabro")
-            .join("runs");
-        base.join(format!(
-            "{}-{}",
-            chrono::Local::now().format("%Y%m%d"),
-            run_id
-        ))
-    });
-    std::fs::create_dir_all(&run_dir)?;
-    std::fs::write(run_dir.join("id.txt"), &run_id)?;
-    fabro_workflows::run_status::write_run_status(
-        &run_dir,
-        fabro_workflows::run_status::RunStatus::Submitted,
-        None,
-    );
-    std::fs::File::create(run_dir.join("progress.jsonl"))?;
-
-    let log_file = std::fs::File::create(run_dir.join("detach.log"))?;
-
-    // Rebuild argv: current exe + original args, stripping --detach/-d, injecting --run-id and --run-dir
-    let exe = std::env::current_exe()?;
-    let mut child_args: Vec<String> = Vec::new();
-    child_args.push("run".to_string());
-
-    let raw_args: Vec<String> = std::env::args().collect();
-    // Skip argv[0] (binary) and argv[1] ("run"), then filter out --detach / -d
-    let mut iter = raw_args.iter().skip(2).peekable();
-    while let Some(arg) = iter.next() {
-        if arg == "--detach" || arg == "-d" {
-            continue;
-        }
-        // Skip --run-dir and its value (we'll override it)
-        if arg == "--run-dir" {
-            iter.next(); // consume the value
-            continue;
-        }
-        if arg.starts_with("--run-dir=") {
-            continue;
-        }
-        // Skip --run-id and its value (we'll override it)
-        if arg == "--run-id" {
-            iter.next();
-            continue;
-        }
-        if arg.starts_with("--run-id=") {
-            continue;
-        }
-        child_args.push(arg.clone());
-    }
-    child_args.push("--run-id".to_string());
-    child_args.push(run_id.clone());
-    child_args.push("--run-dir".to_string());
-    child_args.push(run_dir.to_string_lossy().to_string());
-
-    let mut cmd = std::process::Command::new(&exe);
-    cmd.args(&child_args)
-        .stdout(log_file.try_clone()?)
-        .stderr(log_file)
-        .stdin(std::process::Stdio::null());
-
-    // Detach from the controlling terminal on unix
-    #[cfg(unix)]
-    {
-        use std::os::unix::process::CommandExt;
-        unsafe {
-            cmd.pre_exec(|| {
-                libc::setsid();
-                Ok(())
-            });
-        }
-    }
-
-    cmd.spawn()?;
-    println!("{run_id}");
-    Ok(())
-}
-
 #[tokio::main]
 async fn main() {
     fabro_telemetry::panic::install_panic_hook();
@@ -458,6 +393,10 @@ async fn main_inner() -> (String, Result<()>) {
         },
         Command::Exec(_) => "exec",
         Command::Run(_) => "run",
+        Command::Create(_) => "create",
+        Command::Start { .. } => "start",
+        Command::Attach { .. } => "attach",
+        Command::RunEngine { .. } => "_run_engine",
         Command::Validate(_) => "validate",
         Command::Graph(_) => "graph",
         Command::Parse(_) => "parse",
@@ -560,6 +499,7 @@ async fn main_inner() -> (String, Result<()>) {
     let upgrade_handle = if matches!(
         cli.command,
         Command::Run(_)
+            | Command::Create(_)
             | Command::Exec(_)
             | Command::Repo { .. }
             | Command::Init
@@ -705,26 +645,124 @@ async fn main_inner() -> (String, Result<()>) {
                 }
             }
             Command::Run(mut args) => {
-                if args.detach {
-                    return detach_run(args);
-                }
-
                 let styles: &'static fabro_util::terminal::Styles =
                     Box::leak(Box::new(fabro_util::terminal::Styles::detect_stderr()));
                 let cli_config = cli_config::load_cli_config(None)?;
                 args.verbose = args.verbose || cli_config.verbose;
-                let github_app = build_github_app_credentials(cli_config.app_id());
 
+                if args.detach {
+                    // Detach mode: create + start + print run ID
+                    let (run_id, run_dir) =
+                        commands::create::create_run(&args, cli_config.run_defaults, styles)
+                            .await?;
+                    commands::start::start_run(&run_dir)?;
+                    println!("{run_id}");
+                } else {
+                    // Foreground mode: use existing run_command
+                    let github_app = build_github_app_credentials(cli_config.app_id());
+                    let git_author = fabro_workflows::git::GitAuthor::from_options(
+                        cli_config.git_author().and_then(|a| a.name.clone()),
+                        cli_config.git_author().and_then(|a| a.email.clone()),
+                    );
+
+                    #[cfg(feature = "sleep_inhibitor")]
+                    let _sleep_guard = fabro_beastie::guard(cli_config.prevent_idle_sleep);
+
+                    commands::run::run_command(
+                        args,
+                        cli_config.run_defaults,
+                        styles,
+                        github_app,
+                        git_author,
+                    )
+                    .await?;
+                }
+            }
+            Command::Create(args) => {
+                let styles: &'static fabro_util::terminal::Styles =
+                    Box::leak(Box::new(fabro_util::terminal::Styles::detect_stderr()));
+                let cli_config = cli_config::load_cli_config(None)?;
+                let (run_id, _run_dir) =
+                    commands::create::create_run(&args, cli_config.run_defaults, styles).await?;
+                println!("{run_id}");
+            }
+            Command::Start { run } => {
+                let base = fabro_workflows::run_lookup::default_runs_base();
+                let run_info = fabro_workflows::run_lookup::resolve_run(&base, &run)?;
+                let pid = commands::start::start_run(&run_info.path)?;
+                eprintln!("Started engine process (PID {pid})");
+            }
+            Command::Attach { run } => {
+                let styles: &'static fabro_util::terminal::Styles =
+                    Box::leak(Box::new(fabro_util::terminal::Styles::detect_stderr()));
+                let base = fabro_workflows::run_lookup::default_runs_base();
+                let run_info = fabro_workflows::run_lookup::resolve_run(&base, &run)?;
+                let exit_code = commands::attach::attach_run(&run_info.path, false, styles).await?;
+                if exit_code != std::process::ExitCode::SUCCESS {
+                    std::process::exit(1);
+                }
+            }
+            Command::RunEngine { run_dir } => {
+                let styles: &'static fabro_util::terminal::Styles =
+                    Box::leak(Box::new(fabro_util::terminal::Styles::detect_stderr()));
+                let cli_config = cli_config::load_cli_config(None)?;
+                let github_app = build_github_app_credentials(cli_config.app_id());
                 let git_author = fabro_workflows::git::GitAuthor::from_options(
                     cli_config.git_author().and_then(|a| a.name.clone()),
                     cli_config.git_author().and_then(|a| a.email.clone()),
                 );
 
-                #[cfg(feature = "sleep_inhibitor")]
-                let _sleep_guard = fabro_beastie::guard(cli_config.prevent_idle_sleep);
+                // Load spec and reconstruct RunArgs
+                let spec = fabro_workflows::run_spec::RunSpec::load(&run_dir)?;
+
+                // Restore the working directory captured at create time
+                std::env::set_current_dir(&spec.working_directory).map_err(|e| {
+                    anyhow::anyhow!(
+                        "Failed to set working directory to {}: {e}",
+                        spec.working_directory.display()
+                    )
+                })?;
+
+                // Use the cached graph snapshot instead of the original file
+                let cached_graph = run_dir.join("graph.fabro");
+                let workflow_path = if cached_graph.exists() {
+                    cached_graph
+                } else {
+                    spec.workflow_path
+                };
+
+                let run_args = commands::run::RunArgs {
+                    workflow: Some(workflow_path),
+                    run_dir: Some(run_dir),
+                    dry_run: spec.dry_run,
+                    preflight: false,
+                    auto_approve: spec.auto_approve,
+                    resume: spec.resume,
+                    run_branch: spec.run_branch,
+                    goal: spec.goal,
+                    goal_file: None,
+                    model: Some(spec.model),
+                    provider: Some(spec.provider.unwrap_or_default()).filter(|s| !s.is_empty()),
+                    verbose: spec.verbose,
+                    sandbox: spec
+                        .sandbox_provider
+                        .parse::<fabro_workflows::sandbox_provider::SandboxProvider>()
+                        .ok()
+                        .map(commands::run::CliSandboxProvider::from),
+                    label: spec
+                        .labels
+                        .into_iter()
+                        .map(|(k, v)| format!("{k}={v}"))
+                        .collect(),
+                    no_retro: spec.no_retro,
+                    ssh: spec.ssh,
+                    preserve_sandbox: spec.preserve_sandbox,
+                    detach: false,
+                    run_id: Some(spec.run_id),
+                };
 
                 commands::run::run_command(
-                    args,
+                    run_args,
                     cli_config.run_defaults,
                     styles,
                     github_app,
@@ -990,4 +1028,54 @@ mod tests {
         let result = Cli::try_parse_from(["fabro", "provider", "login", "--provider", "bogus"]);
         assert!(result.is_err(), "should fail with unknown provider");
     }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn parse_create_command() {
+        let cli = Cli::try_parse_from(["fabro", "create", "my-workflow.toml", "--goal", "test"])
+            .expect("should parse");
+        match cli.command {
+            Command::Create(args) => {
+                assert_eq!(
+                    args.workflow.as_deref(),
+                    Some(std::path::Path::new("my-workflow.toml"))
+                );
+                assert_eq!(args.goal.as_deref(), Some("test"));
+            }
+            _ => panic!("unexpected command variant"),
+        }
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn parse_start_command() {
+        let cli = Cli::try_parse_from(["fabro", "start", "ABC123"]).expect("should parse");
+        match cli.command {
+            Command::Start { run } => {
+                assert_eq!(run, "ABC123");
+            }
+            _ => panic!("unexpected command variant"),
+        }
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn parse_attach_command() {
+        let cli = Cli::try_parse_from(["fabro", "attach", "ABC123"]).expect("should parse");
+        match cli.command {
+            Command::Attach { run } => {
+                assert_eq!(run, "ABC123");
+            }
+            _ => panic!("unexpected command variant"),
+        }
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn parse_run_engine_command() {
+        let cli = Cli::try_parse_from(["fabro", "_run_engine", "--run-dir", "/tmp/runs/test"])
+            .expect("should parse");
+        match cli.command {
+            Command::RunEngine { run_dir } => {
+                assert_eq!(run_dir, std::path::PathBuf::from("/tmp/runs/test"));
+            }
+            _ => panic!("unexpected command variant"),
+        }
+    }
 }
diff --git a/lib/crates/fabro-cli/tests/cli.rs b/lib/crates/fabro-cli/tests/cli.rs
index 60fdd6abc..302c3a51d 100644
--- a/lib/crates/fabro-cli/tests/cli.rs
+++ b/lib/crates/fabro-cli/tests/cli.rs
@@ -527,3 +527,250 @@ fn detach_conflicts_with_resume() {
         .failure()
         .stderr(predicate::str::contains("cannot be used with"));
 }
+
+// == Bug regression: create/start/attach lifecycle ============================
+
+/// Helper: create a minimal run directory that `resolve_run` can find.
+/// Sets up manifest.json, status.json, spec.json, and progress.jsonl.
+fn setup_run_dir(
+    home: &std::path::Path,
+    run_id: &str,
+    spec_overrides: serde_json::Value,
+    progress_lines: &[&str],
+) -> std::path::PathBuf {
+    let run_dir = home.join(".fabro").join("runs").join(run_id);
+    std::fs::create_dir_all(&run_dir).unwrap();
+
+    // manifest.json for resolve_run
+    let manifest = serde_json::json!({
+        "run_id": run_id,
+        "workflow_name": "test",
+        "goal": "",
+        "start_time": "2026-01-01T00:00:00Z",
+        "node_count": 1,
+        "edge_count": 0
+    });
+    std::fs::write(
+        run_dir.join("manifest.json"),
+        serde_json::to_string(&manifest).unwrap(),
+    )
+    .unwrap();
+
+    // Merge spec defaults with overrides
+    let mut spec = serde_json::json!({
+        "run_id": run_id,
+        "workflow_path": "/tmp/test.fabro",
+        "dot_source": "digraph { start -> exit }",
+        "working_directory": "/tmp",
+        "goal": null,
+        "model": "test-model",
+        "provider": null,
+        "sandbox_provider": "local",
+        "labels": {},
+        "verbose": false,
+        "no_retro": true,
+        "ssh": false,
+        "preserve_sandbox": false,
+        "dry_run": true,
+        "auto_approve": true,
+        "resume": null,
+        "run_branch": null
+    });
+    if let (Some(base), Some(overrides)) = (spec.as_object_mut(), spec_overrides.as_object()) {
+        for (k, v) in overrides {
+            base.insert(k.clone(), v.clone());
+        }
+    }
+    std::fs::write(
+        run_dir.join("spec.json"),
+        serde_json::to_string(&spec).unwrap(),
+    )
+    .unwrap();
+
+    // progress.jsonl
+    std::fs::write(run_dir.join("progress.jsonl"), progress_lines.join("\n")).unwrap();
+
+    run_dir
+}
+
+// Bug 2: _run_engine should use cached graph.fabro, not spec.workflow_path.
+// When the original workflow file is deleted between create and start,
+// the engine should read the snapshot saved at create time.
+#[test]
+fn bug2_run_engine_uses_cached_graph_not_original_path() {
+    let dir = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
+    let run_dir = dir.path().join("run");
+    std::fs::create_dir_all(&run_dir).unwrap();
+
+    let dot = "\
+digraph G {
+  start [shape=Mdiamond, label=\"Start\"]
+  exit  [shape=Msquare,  label=\"Exit\"]
+  start -> exit
+}";
+
+    // spec.json: workflow_path points to a file that no longer exists
+    let spec = serde_json::json!({
+        "run_id": "test-bug2",
+        "workflow_path": "/nonexistent/deleted-workflow.fabro",
+        "dot_source": dot,
+        "working_directory": run_dir.to_str().unwrap(),
+        "goal": null,
+        "model": "test-model",
+        "provider": null,
+        "sandbox_provider": "local",
+        "labels": {},
+        "verbose": false,
+        "no_retro": true,
+        "ssh": false,
+        "preserve_sandbox": false,
+        "dry_run": true,
+        "auto_approve": true,
+        "resume": null,
+        "run_branch": null
+    });
+    std::fs::write(
+        run_dir.join("spec.json"),
+        serde_json::to_string(&spec).unwrap(),
+    )
+    .unwrap();
+
+    // The cached graph snapshot saved by `fabro create`
+    std::fs::write(run_dir.join("graph.fabro"), dot).unwrap();
+
+    // _run_engine should use graph.fabro and never reference the deleted file.
+    // Bug: it reads spec.workflow_path → fails with file-not-found.
+    let output = arc()
+        .args(["_run_engine", "--run-dir", run_dir.to_str().unwrap()])
+        .env("NO_COLOR", "1")
+        .timeout(std::time::Duration::from_secs(15))
+        .output()
+        .expect("process should start");
+
+    let stderr = String::from_utf8(output.stderr).unwrap();
+    assert!(
+        !stderr.contains("deleted-workflow.fabro"),
+        "bug2: engine should use cached graph.fabro, not the original \
+         (deleted) workflow path.\nstderr: {stderr}"
+    );
+}
+
+// Bug 3: attach loop must delete interview_request.json after handling it
+// to prevent re-prompting the user on the next poll iteration.
+#[test]
+fn bug3_attach_cleans_up_interview_request_after_handling() {
+    let home = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
+
+    let run_dir = setup_run_dir(
+        home.path(),
+        "bug3-test",
+        serde_json::json!({}),
+        &[
+            r#"{"ts":"2026-01-01T00:00:01Z","run_id":"bug3","event":"StageStarted","node_id":"gate","name":"Gate","index":0,"attempt":1,"max_attempts":1}"#,
+        ],
+    );
+
+    // Status: running
+    std::fs::write(
+        run_dir.join("status.json"),
+        serde_json::json!({"status": "running", "updated_at": "2026-01-01T00:00:00Z"}).to_string(),
+    )
+    .unwrap();
+
+    // interview_request.json — a question the engine wrote
+    let question = serde_json::json!({
+        "text": "Approve?",
+        "question_type": "YesNo",
+        "options": [],
+        "allow_freeform": false,
+        "default": {"value": "Yes", "selected_option": null, "selected_options": [], "text": null},
+        "timeout_seconds": 1.0,
+        "stage": "gate",
+        "metadata": {}
+    });
+    std::fs::write(
+        run_dir.join("interview_request.json"),
+        serde_json::to_string(&question).unwrap(),
+    )
+    .unwrap();
+
+    // Dead engine so attach exits after one iteration
+    std::fs::write(run_dir.join("run.pid"), "99999999").unwrap();
+
+    // Pipe "y\n" so ConsoleInterviewer doesn't block on stdin
+    let _ = arc()
+        .env("HOME", home.path())
+        .env("NO_COLOR", "1")
+        .args(["attach", "bug3-test"])
+        .write_stdin("y\n")
+        .timeout(std::time::Duration::from_secs(5))
+        .output();
+
+    // Bug: interview_request.json is never deleted by the attach loop.
+    // After the fix it should be removed immediately after handling.
+    assert!(
+        !run_dir.join("interview_request.json").exists(),
+        "bug3: interview_request.json should be deleted after being handled by attach"
+    );
+}
+
+// Bug 4: attach should respect the verbose flag from spec.json.
+// Currently ProgressUI is created with verbose=false regardless of spec.
+#[test]
+fn bug4_attach_respects_verbose_from_spec() {
+    let home = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
+
+    // Use pre-rename field names so handle_json_line can parse them
+    // (isolates this test from bug 1). With 2 turns and 1 tool call,
+    // verbose mode should display "(2 turns, 1 tools, …)" in the output.
+    let run_dir = setup_run_dir(
+        home.path(),
+        "bug4-test",
+        serde_json::json!({"verbose": true}),
+        &[
+            r#"{"ts":"2026-01-01T12:00:00Z","run_id":"bug4","event":"StageStarted","node_id":"code","name":"Code","index":0,"attempt":1,"max_attempts":1}"#,
+            r#"{"ts":"2026-01-01T12:00:01Z","run_id":"bug4","event":"Agent.AssistantMessage","stage":"code","model":"claude-sonnet"}"#,
+            r#"{"ts":"2026-01-01T12:00:02Z","run_id":"bug4","event":"Agent.AssistantMessage","stage":"code","model":"claude-sonnet"}"#,
+            r#"{"ts":"2026-01-01T12:00:03Z","run_id":"bug4","event":"Agent.ToolCallStarted","stage":"code","tool_name":"read_file","tool_call_id":"tc1","arguments":{}}"#,
+            r#"{"ts":"2026-01-01T12:00:04Z","run_id":"bug4","event":"Agent.ToolCallCompleted","stage":"code","tool_name":"read_file","tool_call_id":"tc1","is_error":false}"#,
+            r#"{"ts":"2026-01-01T12:00:10Z","run_id":"bug4","event":"StageCompleted","node_id":"code","name":"Code","index":0,"duration_ms":10000,"status":"success","usage":{"input_tokens":1000,"output_tokens":500}}"#,
+        ],
+    );
+
+    // Succeeded status + conclusion so attach exits after reading events
+    std::fs::write(
+        run_dir.join("status.json"),
+        serde_json::json!({"status": "succeeded", "updated_at": "2026-01-01T12:00:10Z"})
+            .to_string(),
+    )
+    .unwrap();
+    std::fs::write(
+        run_dir.join("conclusion.json"),
+        serde_json::json!({
+            "timestamp": "2026-01-01T12:00:10Z",
+            "status": "success",
+            "duration_ms": 10000,
+            "stages": [],
+            "total_retries": 0
+        })
+        .to_string(),
+    )
+    .unwrap();
+
+    let output = arc()
+        .env("HOME", home.path())
+        .env("NO_COLOR", "1")
+        .args(["attach", "bug4-test"])
+        .timeout(std::time::Duration::from_secs(10))
+        .output()
+        .expect("process should start");
+
+    let stderr = String::from_utf8(output.stderr).unwrap();
+
+    // Bug: verbose is hardcoded false, so stats are suppressed.
+    // Fix: load spec.verbose and pass it to ProgressUI.
+    assert!(
+        stderr.contains("turns") && stderr.contains("tools"),
+        "bug4: attach should show verbose stats when spec.verbose=true.\nstderr: {stderr}"
+    );
+}
diff --git a/lib/crates/fabro-interview/Cargo.toml b/lib/crates/fabro-interview/Cargo.toml
index 38b2b3d69..ef57afbe6 100644
--- a/lib/crates/fabro-interview/Cargo.toml
+++ b/lib/crates/fabro-interview/Cargo.toml
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ serde.workspace = true
 serde_json.workspace = true
 async-trait.workspace = true
 tokio.workspace = true
+tracing.workspace = true
 dialoguer.workspace = true
 fabro-util = { path = "../fabro-util" }
 
diff --git a/lib/crates/fabro-interview/src/file.rs b/lib/crates/fabro-interview/src/file.rs
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..2a7e41dc0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/crates/fabro-interview/src/file.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,164 @@
+use std::path::PathBuf;
+
+use async_trait::async_trait;
+
+use crate::{Answer, Interviewer, Question};
+
+/// An interviewer that communicates via JSON files in the run directory.
+///
+/// The engine process writes `interview_request.json` and polls for
+/// `interview_response.json`. The attach process watches for the request
+/// file, prompts the user, and writes the response file.
+pub struct FileInterviewer {
+    run_dir: PathBuf,
+}
+
+impl FileInterviewer {
+    pub fn new(run_dir: PathBuf) -> Self {
+        Self { run_dir }
+    }
+
+    fn request_path(&self) -> PathBuf {
+        self.run_dir.join("interview_request.json")
+    }
+
+    fn response_path(&self) -> PathBuf {
+        self.run_dir.join("interview_response.json")
+    }
+}
+
+#[async_trait]
+impl Interviewer for FileInterviewer {
+    async fn ask(&self, question: Question) -> Answer {
+        let timeout_secs = question.timeout_seconds;
+        let default_answer = question.default.clone();
+
+        // Write the request file
+        let request_path = self.request_path();
+        let json = serde_json::to_string_pretty(&question).expect("Question serialization failed");
+        if let Err(e) = tokio::fs::write(&request_path, json).await {
+            tracing::warn!(error = %e, "Failed to write interview request");
+            return default_answer.unwrap_or_else(Answer::timeout);
+        }
+
+        // Poll for response with optional timeout
+        let poll = async {
+            let response_path = self.response_path();
+            loop {
+                match tokio::fs::read_to_string(&response_path).await {
+                    Ok(data) => match serde_json::from_str::<Answer>(&data) {
+                        Ok(answer) => {
+                            // Clean up both files
+                            let _ = tokio::fs::remove_file(&request_path).await;
+                            let _ = tokio::fs::remove_file(&response_path).await;
+                            return answer;
+                        }
+                        Err(e) => {
+                            tracing::warn!(error = %e, "Failed to parse interview response, retrying");
+                            // File might be partially written, wait and retry
+                        }
+                    },
+                    Err(e) if e.kind() == std::io::ErrorKind::NotFound => {
+                        // Not written yet, poll again
+                    }
+                    Err(e) => {
+                        tracing::warn!(error = %e, "Failed to read interview response, retrying");
+                    }
+                }
+                tokio::time::sleep(std::time::Duration::from_millis(100)).await;
+            }
+        };
+
+        if let Some(secs) = timeout_secs {
+            let duration = std::time::Duration::from_secs_f64(secs);
+            match tokio::time::timeout(duration, poll).await {
+                Ok(answer) => answer,
+                Err(_) => {
+                    // Clean up request file on timeout
+                    let _ = tokio::fs::remove_file(&self.request_path()).await;
+                    default_answer.unwrap_or_else(Answer::timeout)
+                }
+            }
+        } else {
+            poll.await
+        }
+    }
+
+    async fn inform(&self, _message: &str, _stage: &str) {
+        // No-op: inform messages are rendered by the attach process via progress.jsonl
+    }
+}
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+    use super::*;
+    use crate::{AnswerValue, QuestionType};
+
+    #[tokio::test]
+    async fn write_request_poll_response() {
+        let dir = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
+        let run_dir = dir.path().to_path_buf();
+        let interviewer = FileInterviewer::new(run_dir.clone());
+
+        let question = Question::new("approve?", QuestionType::YesNo);
+
+        // Spawn the ask in a background task
+        let ask_handle = tokio::spawn(async move { interviewer.ask(question).await });
+
+        // Wait for the request file to appear
+        let request_path = run_dir.join("interview_request.json");
+        for _ in 0..50 {
+            if request_path.exists() {
+                break;
+            }
+            tokio::time::sleep(std::time::Duration::from_millis(50)).await;
+        }
+        assert!(request_path.exists(), "interview_request.json should exist");
+
+        // Verify the request contains valid Question JSON
+        let request_data = tokio::fs::read_to_string(&request_path).await.unwrap();
+        let parsed: Question = serde_json::from_str(&request_data).unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(parsed.text, "approve?");
+
+        // Write a response
+        let answer = Answer::yes();
+        let response_json = serde_json::to_string_pretty(&answer).unwrap();
+        let response_path = run_dir.join("interview_response.json");
+        tokio::fs::write(&response_path, response_json)
+            .await
+            .unwrap();
+
+        // Wait for the ask to complete
+        let result = ask_handle.await.unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(result.value, AnswerValue::Yes);
+
+        // Both files should be cleaned up
+        assert!(!request_path.exists());
+        assert!(!response_path.exists());
+    }
+
+    #[tokio::test]
+    async fn timeout_returns_default() {
+        let dir = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
+        let interviewer = FileInterviewer::new(dir.path().to_path_buf());
+
+        let mut question = Question::new("approve?", QuestionType::YesNo);
+        question.timeout_seconds = Some(0.1);
+        question.default = Some(Answer::no());
+
+        let answer = interviewer.ask(question).await;
+        assert_eq!(answer.value, AnswerValue::No);
+    }
+
+    #[tokio::test]
+    async fn timeout_without_default_returns_timeout() {
+        let dir = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
+        let interviewer = FileInterviewer::new(dir.path().to_path_buf());
+
+        let mut question = Question::new("approve?", QuestionType::YesNo);
+        question.timeout_seconds = Some(0.1);
+
+        let answer = interviewer.ask(question).await;
+        assert_eq!(answer.value, AnswerValue::Timeout);
+    }
+}
diff --git a/lib/crates/fabro-interview/src/lib.rs b/lib/crates/fabro-interview/src/lib.rs
index 12ac75daa..31879dd2a 100644
--- a/lib/crates/fabro-interview/src/lib.rs
+++ b/lib/crates/fabro-interview/src/lib.rs
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 mod auto_approve;
 mod callback;
 mod console;
+pub mod file;
 mod queue;
 mod recording;
 mod replay;
@@ -203,6 +204,7 @@ pub trait Interviewer: Send + Sync {
 pub use auto_approve::AutoApproveInterviewer;
 pub use callback::CallbackInterviewer;
 pub use console::ConsoleInterviewer;
+pub use file::FileInterviewer;
 pub use queue::QueueInterviewer;
 pub use recording::RecordingInterviewer;
 pub use replay::ReplayInterviewer;
diff --git a/lib/crates/fabro-workflows/src/lib.rs b/lib/crates/fabro-workflows/src/lib.rs
index 012c6f739..f77355620 100644
--- a/lib/crates/fabro-workflows/src/lib.rs
+++ b/lib/crates/fabro-workflows/src/lib.rs
@@ -116,6 +116,7 @@ pub mod pull_request;
 pub mod run_fork;
 pub mod run_lookup;
 pub mod run_rewind;
+pub mod run_spec;
 pub mod run_status;
 pub mod sandbox_provider;
 pub mod sandbox_reconnect;
diff --git a/lib/crates/fabro-workflows/src/run_spec.rs b/lib/crates/fabro-workflows/src/run_spec.rs
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..df5dbac52
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/crates/fabro-workflows/src/run_spec.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,89 @@
+use std::collections::HashMap;
+use std::path::{Path, PathBuf};
+
+use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
+
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, PartialEq, Serialize, Deserialize)]
+pub struct RunSpec {
+    pub run_id: String,
+    pub workflow_path: PathBuf,
+    pub dot_source: String,
+    pub working_directory: PathBuf,
+    pub goal: Option<String>,
+    pub model: String,
+    pub provider: Option<String>,
+    pub sandbox_provider: String,
+    pub labels: HashMap<String, String>,
+    pub verbose: bool,
+    pub no_retro: bool,
+    pub ssh: bool,
+    pub preserve_sandbox: bool,
+    pub dry_run: bool,
+    pub auto_approve: bool,
+    pub resume: Option<PathBuf>,
+    pub run_branch: Option<String>,
+}
+
+impl RunSpec {
+    pub fn save(&self, run_dir: &Path) -> anyhow::Result<()> {
+        let path = run_dir.join("spec.json");
+        let json = serde_json::to_string_pretty(self)?;
+        std::fs::write(path, json)?;
+        Ok(())
+    }
+
+    pub fn load(run_dir: &Path) -> anyhow::Result<Self> {
+        let path = run_dir.join("spec.json");
+        let json = std::fs::read_to_string(path)?;
+        let spec = serde_json::from_str(&json)?;
+        Ok(spec)
+    }
+}
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+    use super::*;
+
+    fn sample_spec() -> RunSpec {
+        let mut labels = HashMap::new();
+        labels.insert("env".to_string(), "test".to_string());
+        labels.insert("team".to_string(), "platform".to_string());
+
+        RunSpec {
+            run_id: "run-abc123".to_string(),
+            workflow_path: PathBuf::from("/home/user/workflows/deploy/workflow.toml"),
+            dot_source: "digraph { a -> b }".to_string(),
+            working_directory: PathBuf::from("/home/user/project"),
+            goal: Some("Deploy to staging".to_string()),
+            model: "claude-sonnet-4-20250514".to_string(),
+            provider: Some("anthropic".to_string()),
+            sandbox_provider: "local".to_string(),
+            labels,
+            verbose: true,
+            no_retro: false,
+            ssh: true,
+            preserve_sandbox: false,
+            dry_run: false,
+            auto_approve: true,
+            resume: Some(PathBuf::from("/tmp/checkpoint")),
+            run_branch: Some("fabro/run/abc123".to_string()),
+        }
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn save_load_roundtrip() {
+        let dir = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
+        let spec = sample_spec();
+
+        spec.save(dir.path()).unwrap();
+        let loaded = RunSpec::load(dir.path()).unwrap();
+
+        assert_eq!(loaded, spec);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn load_nonexistent() {
+        let dir = PathBuf::from("/tmp/nonexistent-run-spec-dir-that-does-not-exist");
+        assert!(RunSpec::load(&dir).is_err());
+    }
+}