feat: add lead-only status change rule for boards and update related logic

backend/app/api/tasks.py

@@ -1061,9 +1061,7 @@ async def update_task(
         board_id=board_id,
         previous_status=previous_status,
         previous_assigned=previous_assigned,
-        status_requested=(
+        status_requested=(requested_status is not None and requested_status != previous_status),
-            requested_status is not None and requested_status != previous_status
-        ),
         updates=updates,
         comment=comment,
         depends_on_task_ids=depends_on_task_ids,
@@ -1678,6 +1676,18 @@ async def _apply_non_lead_agent_task_rules(
     ):
         raise HTTPException(status_code=status.HTTP_403_FORBIDDEN)
     if "status" in update.updates:
+        only_lead_can_change_status = (
+            await session.exec(
+                select(col(Board.only_lead_can_change_status)).where(
+                    col(Board.id) == update.board_id,
+                ),
+            )
+        ).first()
+        if only_lead_can_change_status:
+            raise HTTPException(
+                status_code=status.HTTP_403_FORBIDDEN,
+                detail="Only board leads can change task status.",
+            )
         status_value = _required_status_value(update.updates["status"])
         if status_value != "inbox":
             dep_ids = await _task_dep_ids(

backend/app/models/boards.py

@@ -42,5 +42,6 @@ class Board(TenantScoped, table=True):
     require_approval_for_done: bool = Field(default=True)
     require_review_before_done: bool = Field(default=False)
     block_status_changes_with_pending_approval: bool = Field(default=False)
+    only_lead_can_change_status: bool = Field(default=False)
     created_at: datetime = Field(default_factory=utcnow)
     updated_at: datetime = Field(default_factory=utcnow)

backend/app/schemas/boards.py

@@ -32,6 +32,7 @@ class BoardBase(SQLModel):
     require_approval_for_done: bool = True
     require_review_before_done: bool = False
     block_status_changes_with_pending_approval: bool = False
+    only_lead_can_change_status: bool = False
 
 
 class BoardCreate(BoardBase):
@@ -74,6 +75,7 @@ class BoardUpdate(SQLModel):
     require_approval_for_done: bool | None = None
     require_review_before_done: bool | None = None
     block_status_changes_with_pending_approval: bool | None = None
+    only_lead_can_change_status: bool | None = None
 
     @model_validator(mode="after")
     def validate_gateway_id(self) -> Self:

backend/migrations/versions/1a7b2c3d4e5f_add_board_lead_only_status_change_rule.py

@@ -0,0 +1,43 @@
+"""add lead-only status change board rule
+
+Revision ID: 1a7b2c3d4e5f
+Revises: c2e9f1a6d4b8
+Create Date: 2026-02-13 00:00:00.000000
+
+"""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+from alembic import op
+import sqlalchemy as sa
+
+
+# revision identifiers, used by Alembic.
+revision = "1a7b2c3d4e5f"
+down_revision = "fa6e83f8d9a1"
+branch_labels = None
+depends_on = None
+
+
+def upgrade() -> None:
+    bind = op.get_bind()
+    inspector = sa.inspect(bind)
+    board_columns = {column["name"] for column in inspector.get_columns("boards")}
+    if "only_lead_can_change_status" not in board_columns:
+        op.add_column(
+            "boards",
+            sa.Column(
+                "only_lead_can_change_status",
+                sa.Boolean(),
+                nullable=False,
+                server_default=sa.false(),
+            ),
+        )
+
+
+def downgrade() -> None:
+    bind = op.get_bind()
+    inspector = sa.inspect(bind)
+    board_columns = {column["name"] for column in inspector.get_columns("boards")}
+    if "only_lead_can_change_status" in board_columns:
+        op.drop_column("boards", "only_lead_can_change_status")

backend/templates/AGENTS.md

@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ If you create cron jobs, track them in memory and delete them when no longer nee
 
 ## Collaboration (mandatory)
 - You are one of multiple agents on a board. Act like a team, not a silo.
-- The assigned agent is the DRI for a task. Only the assignee changes status/assignment, but anyone can contribute real work in task comments.
+- The assigned agent is the DRI for a task. Anyone can contribute real work in task comments.
 - Task comments are the primary channel for agent-to-agent collaboration.
 - Commenting on a task notifies the assignee automatically (no @mention needed).
 - Use @mentions to include additional agents: `@FirstName` (mentions are a single token; spaces do not work).

backend/templates/HEARTBEAT_AGENT.md

@@ -66,7 +66,6 @@ jq -r '
 
 ## Task mentions
 - If you receive TASK MENTION or are @mentioned in a task, reply in that task.
-- If you are not assigned, do not change task status or assignment.
 - If a non-lead peer posts a task update and you are not mentioned, only reply when you add net-new value.
 
 ## Board chat messages

backend/tests/test_board_schema.py

@@ -87,15 +87,18 @@ def test_board_rule_toggles_have_expected_defaults() -> None:
     assert created.require_approval_for_done is True
     assert created.require_review_before_done is False
     assert created.block_status_changes_with_pending_approval is False
+    assert created.only_lead_can_change_status is False
 
     updated = BoardUpdate(
         require_approval_for_done=False,
         require_review_before_done=True,
         block_status_changes_with_pending_approval=True,
+        only_lead_can_change_status=True,
     )
     assert updated.require_approval_for_done is False
     assert updated.require_review_before_done is True
     assert updated.block_status_changes_with_pending_approval is True
+    assert updated.only_lead_can_change_status is True
 
 
 def test_onboarding_confirm_requires_goal_fields() -> None:

backend/tests/test_tasks_done_approval_gate.py

@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ from app.models.boards import Board
 from app.models.gateways import Gateway
 from app.models.organizations import Organization
 from app.models.tasks import Task
-from app.schemas.tasks import TaskUpdate
+from app.schemas.tasks import TaskRead, TaskUpdate
 
 
 async def _make_engine() -> AsyncEngine:
@@ -39,6 +39,8 @@ async def _seed_board_task_and_agent(
     require_approval_for_done: bool = True,
     require_review_before_done: bool = False,
     block_status_changes_with_pending_approval: bool = False,
+    only_lead_can_change_status: bool = False,
+    agent_is_board_lead: bool = False,
 ) -> tuple[Board, Task, Agent]:
     organization_id = uuid4()
     gateway = Gateway(
@@ -57,6 +59,7 @@ async def _seed_board_task_and_agent(
         require_approval_for_done=require_approval_for_done,
         require_review_before_done=require_review_before_done,
         block_status_changes_with_pending_approval=block_status_changes_with_pending_approval,
+        only_lead_can_change_status=only_lead_can_change_status,
     )
     task = Task(id=uuid4(), board_id=board.id, title="Task", status=task_status)
     agent = Agent(
@@ -65,7 +68,7 @@ async def _seed_board_task_and_agent(
         gateway_id=gateway.id,
         name="agent",
         status="online",
-        is_board_lead=False,
+        is_board_lead=agent_is_board_lead,
     )
 
     session.add(Organization(id=organization_id, name=f"org-{organization_id}"))
@@ -97,8 +100,8 @@ async def _update_task_status(
     task: Task,
     agent: Agent,
     status: Literal["inbox", "in_progress", "review", "done"],
-) -> None:
+) -> TaskRead:
-    await tasks_api.update_task(
+    return await tasks_api.update_task(
         payload=TaskUpdate(status=status),
         task=task,
         session=session,
@@ -356,6 +359,81 @@ async def test_update_task_allows_status_change_with_pending_approval_when_toggl
         await engine.dispose()
 
 
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_update_task_rejects_non_lead_status_change_when_only_lead_rule_enabled() -> None:
+    engine = await _make_engine()
+    try:
+        async with await _make_session(engine) as session:
+            _board, task, agent = await _seed_board_task_and_agent(
+                session,
+                task_status="inbox",
+                require_approval_for_done=False,
+                only_lead_can_change_status=True,
+            )
+
+            with pytest.raises(HTTPException) as exc:
+                await _update_task_status(
+                    session,
+                    task=task,
+                    agent=agent,
+                    status="in_progress",
+                )
+
+            assert exc.value.status_code == 403
+    finally:
+        await engine.dispose()
+
+
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_update_task_allows_non_lead_status_change_when_only_lead_rule_disabled() -> None:
+    engine = await _make_engine()
+    try:
+        async with await _make_session(engine) as session:
+            _board, task, agent = await _seed_board_task_and_agent(
+                session,
+                task_status="inbox",
+                require_approval_for_done=False,
+                only_lead_can_change_status=False,
+            )
+
+            updated = await _update_task_status(
+                session,
+                task=task,
+                agent=agent,
+                status="in_progress",
+            )
+
+            assert updated.status == "in_progress"
+    finally:
+        await engine.dispose()
+
+
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_update_task_lead_can_still_change_status_when_only_lead_rule_enabled() -> None:
+    engine = await _make_engine()
+    try:
+        async with await _make_session(engine) as session:
+            _board, task, lead_agent = await _seed_board_task_and_agent(
+                session,
+                task_status="review",
+                require_approval_for_done=False,
+                require_review_before_done=False,
+                only_lead_can_change_status=True,
+                agent_is_board_lead=True,
+            )
+
+            updated = await tasks_api.update_task(
+                payload=TaskUpdate(status="inbox"),
+                task=task,
+                session=session,
+                actor=ActorContext(actor_type="agent", agent=lead_agent),
+            )
+
+            assert updated.status == "inbox"
+    finally:
+        await engine.dispose()
+
+
 @pytest.mark.asyncio
 async def test_update_task_allows_dependency_change_with_pending_approval() -> None:
     engine = await _make_engine()

frontend/src/app/boards/[boardId]/edit/page.tsx

@@ -231,6 +231,9 @@ export default function EditBoardPage() {
     blockStatusChangesWithPendingApproval,
     setBlockStatusChangesWithPendingApproval,
   ] = useState<boolean | undefined>(undefined);
+  const [onlyLeadCanChangeStatus, setOnlyLeadCanChangeStatus] = useState<
+    boolean | undefined
+  >(undefined);
   const [successMetrics, setSuccessMetrics] = useState<string | undefined>(
     undefined,
   );
@@ -425,6 +428,8 @@ export default function EditBoardPage() {
     blockStatusChangesWithPendingApproval ??
     baseBoard?.block_status_changes_with_pending_approval ??
     false;
+  const resolvedOnlyLeadCanChangeStatus =
+    onlyLeadCanChangeStatus ?? baseBoard?.only_lead_can_change_status ?? false;
   const resolvedSuccessMetrics =
     successMetrics ??
     (baseBoard?.success_metrics
@@ -498,6 +503,7 @@ export default function EditBoardPage() {
     setBlockStatusChangesWithPendingApproval(
       updated.block_status_changes_with_pending_approval ?? false,
     );
+    setOnlyLeadCanChangeStatus(updated.only_lead_can_change_status ?? false);
     setSuccessMetrics(
       updated.success_metrics
         ? JSON.stringify(updated.success_metrics, null, 2)
@@ -559,6 +565,7 @@ export default function EditBoardPage() {
       require_review_before_done: resolvedRequireReviewBeforeDone,
       block_status_changes_with_pending_approval:
         resolvedBlockStatusChangesWithPendingApproval,
+      only_lead_can_change_status: resolvedOnlyLeadCanChangeStatus,
       success_metrics: resolvedBoardType === "general" ? null : parsedMetrics,
       target_date:
         resolvedBoardType === "general"
@@ -924,6 +931,41 @@ export default function EditBoardPage() {
                   </span>
                 </span>
               </div>
+              <div className="flex items-start gap-3 rounded-lg border border-slate-200 px-3 py-3">
+                <button
+                  type="button"
+                  role="switch"
+                  aria-checked={resolvedOnlyLeadCanChangeStatus}
+                  aria-label="Only lead can change status"
+                  onClick={() =>
+                    setOnlyLeadCanChangeStatus(
+                      !resolvedOnlyLeadCanChangeStatus,
+                    )
+                  }
+                  disabled={isLoading}
+                  className={`mt-0.5 inline-flex h-6 w-11 shrink-0 items-center rounded-full border transition ${
+                    resolvedOnlyLeadCanChangeStatus
+                      ? "border-emerald-600 bg-emerald-600"
+                      : "border-slate-300 bg-slate-200"
+                  } ${isLoading ? "cursor-not-allowed opacity-60" : "cursor-pointer"}`}
+                >
+                  <span
+                    className={`inline-block h-5 w-5 rounded-full bg-white shadow-sm transition ${
+                      resolvedOnlyLeadCanChangeStatus
+                        ? "translate-x-5"
+                        : "translate-x-0.5"
+                    }`}
+                  />
+                </button>
+                <span className="space-y-1">
+                  <span className="block text-sm font-medium text-slate-900">
+                    Only lead can change status
+                  </span>
+                  <span className="block text-xs text-slate-600">
+                    Restrict status changes to the board lead.
+                  </span>
+                </span>
+              </div>
             </section>
 
             {gateways.length === 0 ? (