From b9df724bb5aa6b65c78d191c04b138d4c3dae3ce Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Naveen Chatlapalli <naveen.aifanatic@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 22 Oct 2026 09:47:51 -0500
Subject: [PATCH] fix(cli): name direct run input --task

---
 apps/cli/README.md                                   | 6 ++++++
 apps/cli/src/__snapshots__/cli-commands.test.ts.snap | 1 +
 apps/cli/src/commands/run.test.ts                    | 2 +-
 apps/cli/src/commands/run.ts                         | 7 ++++---
 4 files changed, 12 insertions(+), 4 deletions(-)

diff --git a/apps/cli/README.md b/apps/cli/README.md
index b40bc2b5d..a39427d1d 100644
--- a/apps/cli/README.md
+++ b/apps/cli/README.md
@@ -77,6 +77,9 @@ scope run list
 # Submit a run
 scope run submit -s config/scenarios/hello-world.yaml -w coder-acp-copilot
 
+# Submit a task directly
+scope run submit --task "Create a hello-world app" -w coder-acp-copilot
+
 # Get run details
 scope run get -i <run-id>
 
@@ -91,6 +94,9 @@ scope --help
 scope run --help
 ```
 
+`--task` is the name of the direct task option. The former `--message` option
+remains accepted as a hidden compatibility alias; `-m` still works.
+
 ### Provider secrets
 
 `scope secret` manages provider credentials (GitHub tokens, Anthropic keys,
diff --git a/apps/cli/src/__snapshots__/cli-commands.test.ts.snap b/apps/cli/src/__snapshots__/cli-commands.test.ts.snap
index 66f3e414c..e0a34b5e1 100644
--- a/apps/cli/src/__snapshots__/cli-commands.test.ts.snap
+++ b/apps/cli/src/__snapshots__/cli-commands.test.ts.snap
@@ -844,6 +844,7 @@ exports[`CLI command registration > full command tree matches snapshot 1`] = `
           "--resources",
           "--scenario",
           "--skills",
+          "--task",
           "--traits",
           "--url",
           "--worker",
diff --git a/apps/cli/src/commands/run.test.ts b/apps/cli/src/commands/run.test.ts
index b26334bab..9a2337c67 100644
--- a/apps/cli/src/commands/run.test.ts
+++ b/apps/cli/src/commands/run.test.ts
@@ -340,7 +340,7 @@ describe("run submit gates", () => {
       await program.parseAsync([
         "run",
         "submit",
-        "--message",
+        "--task",
         "Implement the task",
         "--worker",
         "dynamic-worker",
diff --git a/apps/cli/src/commands/run.ts b/apps/cli/src/commands/run.ts
index 4c2727699..24cd50beb 100644
--- a/apps/cli/src/commands/run.ts
+++ b/apps/cli/src/commands/run.ts
@@ -73,7 +73,8 @@ run
   .option("-s, --scenario <path>", "Path to scenario YAML file (provides task + criteria)")
   .option("-p, --persona <path>", "Path to persona YAML file (provides judge personality)")
   .option("-t, --traits <path>", "Path to traits.yaml (default: config/traits.yaml next to persona)")
-  .option("-m, --message <message>", "Message/task to process (overrides scenario task)")
+  .option("-m, --task <task>", "Task to process (overrides scenario task)")
+  .addOption(new Option("--message <message>", "Deprecated alias for --task.").hideHelp())
   .option("-w, --worker <worker>", "Registered worker ID (see `scope agent list`)")
   .option("-c, --criteria <criteria...>", "Evaluation criteria (overrides scenario criteria)")
   .option("--max-iterations <number>", "Max judge iterations for multi-turn mode", parseInt)
@@ -105,7 +106,7 @@ run
 
     try {
       // Resolve scenario + persona YAML if provided
-      let message = options.message;
+      let message = options.task ?? options.message;
       let criteria = options.criteria;
       let personaInstructions: string | undefined;
       let personaObj: Record<string, unknown> | undefined;
@@ -126,7 +127,7 @@ run
       }
 
       if (!message) {
-        console.error(errorText("Error: --message or --scenario is required"));
+        console.error(errorText("Error: --task or --scenario is required"));
         process.exit(1);
       }