refactor(FN-1353): simplify mission autopilot to single toggle

- Deprecate autoAdvance field in favor of autopilotEnabled as the sole control
- Remove autoAdvance guard logic from MissionAutopilot engine class
- Simplify MissionManager UI to use single autopilot toggle with visual state indicator
- Update MissionAutopilot tests to use autopilotEnabled instead of autoAdvance
- Update MissionManager component tests for simplified UI
- Update AGENTS.md documentation to reflect the simplified autopilot model

AGENTS.md

@@ -1787,7 +1787,7 @@ Missions can run in **autopilot mode** for autonomous progression through slices
 
 ### How It Works
 
-1. **User enables autopilot** on a mission via the dashboard UI
+1. **User enables autopilot** on a mission via the dashboard UI (the only control needed)
 2. The `MissionAutopilot` class starts watching the mission
 3. As tasks complete, the scheduler notifies the autopilot
 4. Autopilot checks if the current slice is complete
@@ -1803,12 +1803,15 @@ Missions can run in **autopilot mode** for autonomous progression through slices
 | `activating` | Progressing to the next slice |
 | `completing` | Wrapping up the mission |
 
-### Relationship Between autopilotEnabled and autoAdvance
+### autopilotEnabled
 
-- **`autoAdvance`** — When a slice completes, automatically activate the next pending slice (existing behavior)
-- **`autopilotEnabled`** — Enable the autopilot monitoring system for this mission (new behavior)
-- Both can be true simultaneously. `autopilotEnabled: true` with `autoAdvance: true` provides full automation
-- `autopilotEnabled: true` with `autoAdvance: false` provides monitoring but manual slice activation
+The `autopilotEnabled` flag is the sole control for autopilot behavior. When enabled:
+
+- Autopilot automatically watches the mission and monitors task completion
+- When a slice completes, autopilot auto-advances to the next pending slice
+- The autopilot toggle in the mission edit form is the only control needed
+
+**Note:** The `autoAdvance` field is deprecated and superseded by `autopilotEnabled`. It is kept for backward compatibility with existing mission data but is no longer user-facing.
 
 ### Key Implementation
 
@@ -1822,8 +1825,8 @@ Missions can run in **autopilot mode** for autonomous progression through slices
 
 - `GET /api/missions/:missionId/autopilot` — Returns autopilot status
 - `PATCH /api/missions/:missionId/autopilot` — Enable/disable autopilot (`{ enabled: boolean }`)
-- `POST /api/missions/:missionId/autopilot/start` — Manually start watching
-- `POST /api/missions/:missionId/autopilot/stop` — Manually stop watching
+- `POST /api/missions/:missionId/autopilot/start` — Manually start watching (programmatic access)
+- `POST /api/missions/:missionId/autopilot/stop` — Manually stop watching (programmatic access)
 
 ## Workflow Steps
 

packages/core/src/mission-types.ts

@@ -116,7 +116,11 @@ export interface Mission {
   status: MissionStatus;
   /** State of the AI specification interview process */
   interviewState: InterviewState;
-  /** When true, automatically activate the next pending slice when current slice completes */
+  /**
+   * @deprecated Superseded by `autopilotEnabled`. Kept for backward compatibility
+   * with existing mission data. Autopilot now always auto-advances slices when
+   * enabled and watching.
+   */
   autoAdvance?: boolean;
   /** When true, enable autopilot monitoring system for this mission */
   autopilotEnabled?: boolean;

packages/dashboard/app/components/MissionManager.tsx

@@ -16,9 +16,7 @@ import {
   Link,
   Unlink,
   Play,
-  Pause,
   Square,
-  RefreshCw,
   Sparkles,
   Zap,
   Activity,
@@ -62,14 +60,10 @@ import {
   unlinkFeatureFromTask,
   triageFeature,
   triageAllSliceFeatures,
-  pauseMission,
   resumeMission,
   stopMission,
   startMission,
-  fetchMissionAutopilotStatus,
   updateMissionAutopilot,
-  startMissionAutopilot,
-  stopMissionAutopilot,
   fetchMissionHealth,
   fetchMissionsHealth,
   fetchMissionEvents,
@@ -130,7 +124,6 @@ interface MissionFormData {
   title: string;
   description: string;
   status: MissionStatus;
-  autoAdvance: boolean;
   autopilotEnabled: boolean;
 }
 
@@ -158,7 +151,6 @@ const EMPTY_MISSION_FORM: MissionFormData = {
   title: "",
   description: "",
   status: "planning",
-  autoAdvance: false,
   autopilotEnabled: false,
 };
 
@@ -382,8 +374,7 @@ export function MissionManager({ isOpen, isInline = false, onClose, addToast, pr
   // Delete confirmation
   const [deleteConfirmId, setDeleteConfirmId] = useState<{ type: string; id: string } | null>(null);
 
-  // Autopilot state
-  const [autopilotStatus, setAutopilotStatus] = useState<AutopilotStatusType | null>(null);
+  // Autopilot loading state
   const [autopilotLoading, setAutopilotLoading] = useState(false);
 
   const [missionHealthById, setMissionHealthById] = useState<Map<string, MissionHealth>>(new Map());
@@ -679,7 +670,6 @@ export function MissionManager({ isOpen, isInline = false, onClose, addToast, pr
       title: mission.title,
       description: mission.description || "",
       status: mission.status,
-      autoAdvance: mission.autoAdvance ?? false,
       autopilotEnabled: mission.autopilotEnabled ?? false,
     });
   }, []);
@@ -706,13 +696,18 @@ export function MissionManager({ isOpen, isInline = false, onClose, addToast, pr
         }, projectId);
         addToast("Mission created", "success");
       } else if (editingMissionId) {
-        await updateMission(editingMissionId, {
+        // Build update payload - when autopilot is enabled, also set autoAdvance
+        // for backward compat with the engine (though engine no longer reads it)
+        const updates: Record<string, unknown> = {
           title: missionForm.title.trim(),
           description: missionForm.description.trim() || undefined,
           status: missionForm.status,
-          autoAdvance: missionForm.autoAdvance,
           autopilotEnabled: missionForm.autopilotEnabled,
-        }, projectId);
+        };
+        if (missionForm.autopilotEnabled) {
+          updates.autoAdvance = true;
+        }
+        await updateMission(editingMissionId, updates as Parameters<typeof updateMission>[1], projectId);
         addToast("Mission updated", "success");
         // Refresh detail view if viewing this mission
         if (selectedMission?.id === editingMissionId) {
@@ -1036,18 +1031,6 @@ export function MissionManager({ isOpen, isInline = false, onClose, addToast, pr
     }
   }, [addToast, loadMissionDetail, selectedMission, projectId]);
 
-  // Pause mission — set status to "blocked"
-  const handlePauseMission = useCallback(async (missionId: string) => {
-    try {
-      await pauseMission(missionId, projectId);
-      addToast("Mission paused", "success");
-      await loadMissionDetail(missionId);
-      loadMissions();
-    } catch (err: any) {
-      addToast(err.message || "Failed to pause mission", "error");
-    }
-  }, [addToast, loadMissionDetail, loadMissions, projectId]);
-
   // Resume a paused mission — set status back to "active"
   const handleResumeMission = useCallback(async (missionId: string) => {
     try {
@@ -1087,20 +1070,10 @@ export function MissionManager({ isOpen, isInline = false, onClose, addToast, pr
 
   // ── Autopilot handlers ──
 
-  const loadAutopilotStatus = useCallback(async (missionId: string) => {
-    try {
-      const status = await fetchMissionAutopilotStatus(missionId, projectId);
-      setAutopilotStatus(status);
-    } catch {
-      // Silently ignore — autopilot status is supplementary
-    }
-  }, [projectId]);
-
   const handleToggleAutopilot = useCallback(async (missionId: string, enabled: boolean) => {
     try {
       setAutopilotLoading(true);
-      const status = await updateMissionAutopilot(missionId, { enabled }, projectId);
-      setAutopilotStatus(status);
+      await updateMissionAutopilot(missionId, { enabled }, projectId);
       addToast(enabled ? "Autopilot enabled" : "Autopilot disabled", "success");
       // Reload mission detail to reflect updated fields
       await loadMissionDetail(missionId);
@@ -1112,36 +1085,6 @@ export function MissionManager({ isOpen, isInline = false, onClose, addToast, pr
     }
   }, [addToast, loadMissionDetail, loadMissions, projectId]);
 
-  const handleStartAutopilot = useCallback(async (missionId: string) => {
-    try {
-      setAutopilotLoading(true);
-      const status = await startMissionAutopilot(missionId, projectId);
-      setAutopilotStatus(status);
-      addToast("Autopilot started", "success");
-      await loadMissionDetail(missionId);
-      loadMissions();
-    } catch (err: any) {
-      addToast(err.message || "Failed to start autopilot", "error");
-    } finally {
-      setAutopilotLoading(false);
-    }
-  }, [addToast, loadMissionDetail, loadMissions, projectId]);
-
-  const handleStopAutopilot = useCallback(async (missionId: string) => {
-    try {
-      setAutopilotLoading(true);
-      const status = await stopMissionAutopilot(missionId, projectId);
-      setAutopilotStatus(status);
-      addToast("Autopilot stopped", "success");
-      await loadMissionDetail(missionId);
-      loadMissions();
-    } catch (err: any) {
-      addToast(err.message || "Failed to stop autopilot", "error");
-    } finally {
-      setAutopilotLoading(false);
-    }
-  }, [addToast, loadMissionDetail, loadMissions, projectId]);
-
   const handleSelectMission = useCallback((mission: Mission) => {
     setActiveTab("structure");
     setMissionEvents([]);
@@ -1149,12 +1092,10 @@ export function MissionManager({ isOpen, isInline = false, onClose, addToast, pr
     setEventsFilter("all");
     setExpandedEventMetadata(new Set());
     loadMissionDetail(mission.id);
-    loadAutopilotStatus(mission.id);
-  }, [loadMissionDetail, loadAutopilotStatus]);
+  }, [loadMissionDetail]);
 
   const handleBackToList = useCallback(() => {
     setSelectedMission(null);
-    setAutopilotStatus(null);
     setActiveTab("structure");
     setMissionEvents([]);
     setEventsTotal(0);
@@ -1164,11 +1105,11 @@ export function MissionManager({ isOpen, isInline = false, onClose, addToast, pr
   }, [loadMissions]);
 
   const hasMoreEvents = missionEvents.length < eventsTotal;
-  const autopilotState = (autopilotStatus?.state ?? selectedMission?.autopilotState ?? "inactive") as AutopilotState;
+  const autopilotState = (selectedMission?.autopilotState ?? "inactive") as AutopilotState;
   const autopilotPulseActive = autopilotState === "watching" || autopilotState === "activating";
   const autopilotActivitySummary = getAutopilotActivitySummary(
     autopilotState,
-    autopilotStatus?.lastActivityAt ?? selectedMission?.lastAutopilotActivityAt,
+    selectedMission?.lastAutopilotActivityAt,
   );
 
   const handleLoadMoreEvents = useCallback(() => {
@@ -1313,11 +1254,6 @@ export function MissionManager({ isOpen, isInline = false, onClose, addToast, pr
                   <p className="mission-detail__description">{selectedMission.description}</p>
                 )}
                 <div className="mission-detail__meta">
-                  {selectedMission.autoAdvance && (
-                    <span className="mission-detail__meta-badge">
-                      <Play size={12} /> Auto-advance
-                    </span>
-                  )}
                   <span className="mission-detail__meta-info">
                     {selectedMission.milestones.length} milestones
                   </span>
@@ -1359,65 +1295,18 @@ export function MissionManager({ isOpen, isInline = false, onClose, addToast, pr
                       {autopilotActivitySummary}
                     </span>
                   )}
-                  {autopilotStatus?.nextScheduledCheck && (
-                    <span className="mission-detail__autopilot-next-check">
-                      Next check: {new Date(autopilotStatus.nextScheduledCheck).toLocaleTimeString()}
-                    </span>
-                  )}
-                  <div className="mission-detail__autopilot-actions">
-                    <button
-                      className="mission-btn mission-btn--primary mission-btn--sm"
-                      onClick={() => handleStartAutopilot(selectedMission.id)}
-                      disabled={autopilotLoading || !selectedMission.autopilotEnabled || Boolean(autopilotStatus?.watched)}
-                      title="Start autopilot watching"
-                      aria-label="Start autopilot watching"
-                      data-testid="mission-autopilot-start"
-                    >
-                      <Play size={12} /> Start
-                    </button>
-                    <button
-                      className="mission-btn mission-btn--danger mission-btn--sm"
-                      onClick={() => handleStopAutopilot(selectedMission.id)}
-                      disabled={autopilotLoading || !autopilotStatus?.watched}
-                      title="Stop autopilot watching"
-                      aria-label="Stop autopilot watching"
-                      data-testid="mission-autopilot-stop"
-                    >
-                      <Square size={12} /> Stop
-                    </button>
-                    <button
-                      className="mission-btn mission-btn--ghost mission-btn--sm"
-                      onClick={() => loadAutopilotStatus(selectedMission.id)}
-                      disabled={autopilotLoading}
-                      title="Refresh autopilot status"
-                      aria-label="Refresh autopilot status"
-                      data-testid="mission-autopilot-refresh"
-                    >
-                      <RefreshCw size={12} /> Refresh
-                    </button>
-                  </div>
                 </div>
 
                 <div className="mission-detail__actions">
                   {selectedMission.status === "active" && (
-                    <>
-                      <button
-                        className="mission-icon-btn"
-                        onClick={() => handlePauseMission(selectedMission.id)}
-                        title="Pause mission"
-                        aria-label="Pause mission"
-                      >
-                        <Pause size={14} />
-                      </button>
-                      <button
-                        className="mission-icon-btn mission-icon-btn--danger"
-                        onClick={() => handleStopMission(selectedMission.id)}
-                        title="Stop mission"
-                        aria-label="Stop mission"
-                      >
-                        <Square size={14} />
-                      </button>
-                    </>
+                    <button
+                      className="mission-icon-btn mission-icon-btn--danger"
+                      onClick={() => handleStopMission(selectedMission.id)}
+                      title="Stop mission"
+                      aria-label="Stop mission"
+                    >
+                      <Square size={14} />
+                    </button>
                   )}
                   {selectedMission.status === "blocked" && (
                     <button
@@ -1426,7 +1315,7 @@ export function MissionManager({ isOpen, isInline = false, onClose, addToast, pr
                       title="Resume mission"
                       aria-label="Resume mission"
                     >
-                      <RefreshCw size={14} />
+                      <Play size={14} />
                     </button>
                   )}
                   {selectedMission.status === "planning" && (
@@ -1486,14 +1375,6 @@ export function MissionManager({ isOpen, isInline = false, onClose, addToast, pr
                       <option value="complete">Complete</option>
                       <option value="archived">Archived</option>
                     </select>
-                    <label className="mission-checkbox">
-                      <input
-                        type="checkbox"
-                        checked={missionForm.autoAdvance}
-                        onChange={(e) => setMissionForm({ ...missionForm, autoAdvance: e.target.checked })}
-                      />
-                      Auto-advance slices
-                    </label>
                     <label className="mission-checkbox">
                       <input
                         type="checkbox"
@@ -2187,22 +2068,13 @@ export function MissionManager({ isOpen, isInline = false, onClose, addToast, pr
                   </div>
                   <div className="mission-list__item-actions" onClick={(e) => e.stopPropagation()}>
                     {m.status === "active" && (
-                      <>
-                        <button
-                          className="mission-icon-btn"
-                          onClick={() => handlePauseMission(m.id)}
-                          title="Pause mission"
-                        >
-                          <Pause size={14} />
-                        </button>
-                        <button
-                          className="mission-icon-btn mission-icon-btn--danger"
-                          onClick={() => handleStopMission(m.id)}
-                          title="Stop mission"
-                        >
-                          <Square size={14} />
-                        </button>
-                      </>
+                      <button
+                        className="mission-icon-btn mission-icon-btn--danger"
+                        onClick={() => handleStopMission(m.id)}
+                        title="Stop mission"
+                      >
+                        <Square size={14} />
+                      </button>
                     )}
                     {m.status === "blocked" && (
                       <button
@@ -2210,7 +2082,7 @@ export function MissionManager({ isOpen, isInline = false, onClose, addToast, pr
                         onClick={() => handleResumeMission(m.id)}
                         title="Resume mission"
                       >
-                        <RefreshCw size={14} />
+                        <Play size={14} />
                       </button>
                     )}
                     {m.status === "planning" && (
@@ -2269,14 +2141,6 @@ export function MissionManager({ isOpen, isInline = false, onClose, addToast, pr
                       <option value="complete">Complete</option>
                       <option value="archived">Archived</option>
                     </select>
-                    <label className="mission-checkbox">
-                      <input
-                        type="checkbox"
-                        checked={missionForm.autoAdvance}
-                        onChange={(e) => setMissionForm({ ...missionForm, autoAdvance: e.target.checked })}
-                      />
-                      Auto-advance slices
-                    </label>
                     <label className="mission-checkbox">
                       <input
                         type="checkbox"

packages/dashboard/app/components/__tests__/MissionManager.test.tsx

@@ -23,7 +23,6 @@ const mockMissions = [
     title: "Build Auth System",
     description: "Complete authentication flow",
     status: "planning",
-    autoAdvance: false,
     milestones: [],
     createdAt: "2026-01-01T00:00:00.000Z",
     updatedAt: "2026-01-01T00:00:00.000Z",
@@ -33,7 +32,8 @@ const mockMissions = [
     title: "API Redesign",
     description: "Redesign the REST API",
     status: "active",
-    autoAdvance: true,
+    autopilotEnabled: true,
+    autopilotState: "watching",
     milestones: [],
     summary: {
       totalMilestones: 2,
@@ -52,7 +52,6 @@ const mockMissionDetail = {
   title: "Build Auth System",
   description: "Complete authentication flow",
   status: "planning",
-  autoAdvance: false,
   milestones: [
     {
       id: "MS-001",
@@ -1056,7 +1055,6 @@ describe("MissionManager", () => {
         title: "Generated Mission",
         description: "Mission with realistic generated ID",
         status: "planning",
-        autoAdvance: false,
         milestones: [],
         createdAt: "2026-01-01T00:00:00.000Z",
         updatedAt: "2026-01-01T00:00:00.000Z",
@@ -1068,7 +1066,6 @@ describe("MissionManager", () => {
       title: "Generated Mission",
       description: "Mission with realistic generated ID",
       status: "planning",
-      autoAdvance: false,
       milestones: [
         {
           id: generatedMilestoneId,
@@ -1412,9 +1409,9 @@ describe("MissionManager", () => {
         title: "Autopilot Mission",
         description: "Mission with autopilot enabled",
         status: "active",
-        autoAdvance: true,
         autopilotEnabled: true,
         autopilotState: "watching",
+        lastAutopilotActivityAt: "2026-01-01T00:00:00.000Z",
         milestones: [],
         createdAt: "2026-01-01T00:00:00.000Z",
         updatedAt: "2026-01-01T00:00:00.000Z",
@@ -1424,7 +1421,6 @@ describe("MissionManager", () => {
         title: "Normal Mission",
         description: "Mission without autopilot",
         status: "planning",
-        autoAdvance: false,
         autopilotEnabled: false,
         milestones: [],
         createdAt: "2026-01-01T00:00:00.000Z",
@@ -1437,9 +1433,9 @@ describe("MissionManager", () => {
       title: "Autopilot Mission",
       description: "Mission with autopilot enabled",
       status: "active",
-      autoAdvance: true,
       autopilotEnabled: true,
       autopilotState: "watching",
+      lastAutopilotActivityAt: "2026-01-01T00:00:00.000Z",
       milestones: [
         {
           id: "MS-001",
@@ -1532,7 +1528,7 @@ describe("MissionManager", () => {
       });
     });
 
-    it("shows enhanced autopilot controls with expected button states", async () => {
+    it("shows autopilot toggle and status badge", async () => {
       globalThis.fetch = createAutopilotFetchMock();
       render(<MissionManager isOpen={true} onClose={vi.fn()} addToast={vi.fn()} />);
 
@@ -1542,20 +1538,16 @@ describe("MissionManager", () => {
       fireEvent.click(screen.getByText("Autopilot Mission"));
 
       await waitFor(() => {
-        expect(screen.getByTestId("mission-autopilot-start")).toBeDefined();
-        expect(screen.getByTestId("mission-autopilot-stop")).toBeDefined();
-        expect(screen.getByTestId("mission-autopilot-refresh")).toBeDefined();
+        // Should show autopilot toggle and state badge
+        expect(screen.getByLabelText("Autopilot")).toBeDefined();
+        expect(screen.getByTestId("autopilot-state-badge")).toBeDefined();
+        expect(screen.getByText(/Watching since/)).toBeDefined();
       });
 
-      const startButton = screen.getByTestId("mission-autopilot-start") as HTMLButtonElement;
-      const stopButton = screen.getByTestId("mission-autopilot-stop") as HTMLButtonElement;
-      const refreshButton = screen.getByTestId("mission-autopilot-refresh") as HTMLButtonElement;
-
-      expect(startButton.disabled).toBe(true);
-      expect(stopButton.disabled).toBe(false);
-      expect(refreshButton.disabled).toBe(false);
-      expect(screen.getByText(/Watching since/)).toBeDefined();
-      expect(screen.getByText(/Next check:/)).toBeDefined();
+      // Verify no action buttons exist (they were removed)
+      expect(screen.queryByTestId("mission-autopilot-start")).toBeNull();
+      expect(screen.queryByTestId("mission-autopilot-stop")).toBeNull();
+      expect(screen.queryByTestId("mission-autopilot-refresh")).toBeNull();
     });
 
     it("toggles autopilot with a PATCH request", async () => {

packages/dashboard/src/mission-routes.ts

@@ -1844,8 +1844,13 @@ export function createMissionRouter(
         throw badRequest("No pending slices found");
       }
 
-      // Set autoAdvance: true so activateSlice() will auto-triage features
-      missionStore.updateMission(missionId, { autoAdvance: true, status: "active" });
+      // Enable autopilot (and autoAdvance for backward compat) so the mission
+      // will auto-advance slices when autopilot is watching
+      missionStore.updateMission(missionId, {
+        autopilotEnabled: true,
+        autoAdvance: true, // kept for backward compat with existing mission data
+        status: "active",
+      });
 
       // Activate the first pending slice (triggers auto-triage via activateSlice)
       await missionStore.activateSlice(nextSlice.id);

packages/engine/src/mission-autopilot.test.ts

@@ -1005,7 +1005,6 @@ describe("MissionAutopilot", () => {
       ap.setScheduler(newScheduler);
 
       // Now advanceToNextSlice should use the new scheduler
-      // (but will be blocked by autoAdvance guard since default mission has autoAdvance: true)
       newScheduler.activateNextPendingSlice.mockResolvedValue(
         createMockSlice({ id: "SL-002", status: "active" }),
       );
@@ -1016,42 +1015,10 @@ describe("MissionAutopilot", () => {
     });
   });
 
-  // ── autoAdvance guard ────────────────────────────────────────────
+  // ── Slice Advancement ────────────────────────────────────────────
 
-  describe("autoAdvance guard", () => {
-    it("should not advance slice when autoAdvance is false", async () => {
-      const mission = createMockMission({ autoAdvance: false });
-      const store = createMockMissionStore([mission]);
-      const ap = new MissionAutopilot(taskStore as any, store as any, { scheduler });
-
-      ap.start();
-      ap.watchMission("M-TEST1");
-
-      await ap.advanceToNextSlice("M-TEST1");
-
-      // Should NOT call scheduler to activate next slice
-      expect(scheduler.activateNextPendingSlice).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
-
-      ap.stop();
-    });
-
-    it("should not advance slice when autoAdvance is undefined", async () => {
-      const mission = createMockMission({ autoAdvance: undefined });
-      const store = createMockMissionStore([mission]);
-      const ap = new MissionAutopilot(taskStore as any, store as any, { scheduler });
-
-      ap.start();
-      ap.watchMission("M-TEST1");
-
-      await ap.advanceToNextSlice("M-TEST1");
-
-      // Should NOT call scheduler to activate next slice
-      expect(scheduler.activateNextPendingSlice).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
-
-      ap.stop();
-    });
-
-    it("should advance slice when autoAdvance is true", async () => {
+  describe("slice advancement", () => {
+    it("should advance slice when autopilot is watching", async () => {
       autopilot.watchMission("M-TEST1");
       const activatedSlice = createMockSlice({ id: "SL-002", status: "active" });
       scheduler.activateNextPendingSlice.mockResolvedValue(activatedSlice);
@@ -1060,5 +1027,12 @@ describe("MissionAutopilot", () => {
 
       expect(scheduler.activateNextPendingSlice).toHaveBeenCalledWith("M-TEST1");
     });
+
+    it("should not advance slice when mission is not being watched", async () => {
+      // Don't watch the mission
+      await autopilot.advanceToNextSlice("M-TEST1");
+
+      expect(scheduler.activateNextPendingSlice).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+    });
   });
 });

packages/engine/src/mission-autopilot.ts

@@ -173,7 +173,6 @@ export class MissionAutopilot {
       {
         source: "watchMission",
         missionStatus: mission.status,
-        autoAdvance: mission.autoAdvance ?? false,
       },
     );
     autopilotLog.log(`Watching mission ${missionId} (${mission.title})`);
@@ -360,15 +359,6 @@ export class MissionAutopilot {
     const state = this.watchedMissions.get(missionId);
     if (!state) return;
 
-    // Respect the mission's autoAdvance setting — if the user opted for
-    // manual slice activation, autopilot should NOT auto-advance even when
-    // it is watching and enabled.
-    const mission = this.missionStore.getMission(missionId);
-    if (!mission?.autoAdvance) {
-      autopilotLog.log(`Mission ${missionId} has autoAdvance disabled — skipping slice activation`);
-      return;
-    }
-
     try {
       this.setAutopilotState(missionId, "activating");