diff --git a/docs/SYMPHONY_ISSUES.md b/docs/SYMPHONY_ISSUES.md
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+# Creating Symphony Issues
+
+Maintainers create GitHub Issues to define contribution opportunities for the Symphony community.
+
+## Overview
+
+Symphony issues are standard GitHub issues with the `runmaestro.ai` label. The issue body contains paths to Auto Run documents that define the work to be done. When a contributor starts working on an issue, a draft PR is automatically created to claim it.
+
+## Issue Requirements
+
+1. **Label**: Add the `runmaestro.ai` label to the issue
+2. **Title**: Clear description of the contribution (e.g., "Add unit tests for user module")
+3. **Body**: List the Auto Run document paths (one per line)
+
+## Issue Body Format
+
+Simply list the paths to your Auto Run documents:
+
+```
+.maestro/autorun/add-user-tests.md
+.maestro/autorun/add-user-tests-2.md
+```
+
+That's it! No special formatting required. The system will:
+- Parse the `.md` file paths from the issue body
+- Clone your repository when a contributor starts
+- Run each document in sequence via Auto Run
+- Create a PR with all changes
+
+### Supported Path Formats
+
+The following formats are recognized:
+
+```markdown
+# Bare paths (recommended)
+.maestro/autorun/task-1.md
+.maestro/autorun/task-2.md
+
+# Markdown list items
+- .maestro/autorun/task-1.md
+- `.maestro/autorun/task-2.md`
+
+# Numbered lists
+1. .maestro/autorun/task-1.md
+2. .maestro/autorun/task-2.md
+```
+
+## Example Issue
+
+**Title**: Add comprehensive tests for the authentication module
+
+**Labels**: `runmaestro.ai`
+
+**Body**:
+```markdown
+Add test coverage for the authentication module.
+
+Documents to process:
+.maestro/autorun/auth-unit-tests.md
+.maestro/autorun/auth-integration-tests.md
+.maestro/autorun/auth-e2e-tests.md
+
+## Context
+
+The `src/auth/` module currently has low test coverage. These documents will guide the AI to add comprehensive tests following our existing patterns.
+
+## Expected Outcome
+
+- Unit tests for all public functions
+- Integration tests for auth flow
+- E2E tests for login/logout
+
+Estimated time: ~45 minutes of AI agent time.
+```
+
+## Auto Run Document Format
+
+Each `.md` file should be a complete Auto Run document:
+
+```markdown
+# Task: Add Unit Tests for Auth Module
+
+## Context
+The authentication module at `src/auth/` needs test coverage.
+
+## Objectives
+- [ ] Create `src/__tests__/auth.test.ts`
+- [ ] Add tests for `login()` function
+- [ ] Add tests for `logout()` function
+- [ ] Add tests for `refreshToken()` function
+- [ ] Ensure `npm test` passes
+- [ ] Verify coverage > 80%
+
+## Constraints
+- Use Jest testing framework
+- Follow existing test patterns in the codebase
+- Do not modify production code
+```
+
+### Document Best Practices
+
+1. **Small, focused tasks**: Each document should be ~30-60 minutes of AI time
+2. **Clear objectives**: Use checkboxes (`- [ ]`) for verification steps
+3. **Provide context**: Include file paths, existing patterns, constraints
+4. **Verification steps**: Include test commands, linting checks
+5. **Independence**: Each document should be self-contained
+
+## Issue Availability
+
+An issue is **available** for contribution when:
+- It has the `runmaestro.ai` label
+- It is **open** (not closed)
+- There is **no open PR** with "Closes #N" in the body
+
+When a contributor starts working on an issue, a draft PR is immediately created with "Closes #N" in the body. This claims the issue and prevents duplicate work.
+
+### Claim Flow
+
+```
+1. Contributor clicks "Start Symphony" on an issue
+2. Repository is cloned locally
+3. A new branch is created (symphony/issue-{number}-{timestamp})
+4. An empty commit is made
+5. The branch is pushed to origin
+6. A draft PR is created with "Closes #{issue}" in the body
+7. Auto Run begins processing documents
+8. When complete, contributor clicks "Finalize PR"
+9. Draft PR is converted to "Ready for Review"
+```
+
+## Creating Good Issues
+
+### Do
+
+- ✅ Break large tasks into multiple smaller issues
+- ✅ Include all necessary context in the documents
+- ✅ Provide clear acceptance criteria
+- ✅ Estimate the expected time/complexity
+- ✅ Link to relevant documentation or examples
+
+### Don't
+
+- ❌ Create issues that require human judgment calls
+- ❌ Include tasks that need external credentials/access
+- ❌ Bundle unrelated tasks in a single issue
+- ❌ Assume contributors know your codebase intimately
+- ❌ Create documents with ambiguous requirements
+
+## Example Document Structure
+
+For complex tasks, organize your documents like this:
+
+```
+.maestro/autorun/
+├── feature-1-setup.md      # First: Set up files/structure
+├── feature-1-implement.md  # Second: Implement the feature
+├── feature-1-tests.md      # Third: Add tests
+└── feature-1-docs.md       # Fourth: Update documentation
+```
+
+Each document builds on the previous one, and contributors can see the full scope in the issue body.
+
+## Monitoring Contributions
+
+As a maintainer:
+
+1. You'll receive a GitHub notification when a draft PR is created
+2. Watch the PR for progress as the contributor works
+3. Review and provide feedback once the PR is ready
+4. Merge when satisfied
+
+## Questions?
+
+- See [SYMPHONY_REGISTRY.md](SYMPHONY_REGISTRY.md) for registry information
+- Check the [Maestro documentation](https://docs.runmaestro.ai) for Auto Run guides
+- Open an issue on the Maestro repository for support
diff --git a/docs/SYMPHONY_REGISTRY.md b/docs/SYMPHONY_REGISTRY.md
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+# Maestro Symphony Registry
+
+The central registry for open source projects participating in Symphony.
+
+## Overview
+
+Symphony connects open source maintainers with AI-powered contributors. Maintainers register their repositories, create Auto Run documents, and open GitHub Issues with the `runmaestro.ai` label. Contributors browse available tasks and complete them via Maestro's Auto Run feature.
+
+## Repository Structure
+
+The registry lives in the main Maestro repository:
+
+```
+pedramamini/Maestro/
+├── symphony-registry.json    # Central list of all projects
+└── docs/
+    └── SYMPHONY_REGISTRY.md  # This documentation
+```
+
+## symphony-registry.json Schema
+
+```json
+{
+  "schemaVersion": "1.0",
+  "lastUpdated": "2025-01-01T00:00:00Z",
+  "repositories": [
+    {
+      "slug": "owner/repo-name",
+      "name": "Human Readable Name",
+      "description": "Short description of the project",
+      "url": "https://github.com/owner/repo-name",
+      "category": "developer-tools",
+      "tags": ["cli", "productivity"],
+      "maintainer": {
+        "name": "Name",
+        "url": "https://..."
+      },
+      "isActive": true,
+      "featured": false,
+      "addedAt": "2025-01-01"
+    }
+  ]
+}
+```
+
+### Field Reference
+
+| Field | Type | Required | Description |
+|-------|------|----------|-------------|
+| `slug` | string | Yes | Repository identifier in `owner/repo` format |
+| `name` | string | Yes | Human-readable project name |
+| `description` | string | Yes | Short description (max 200 chars) |
+| `url` | string | Yes | Full GitHub repository URL |
+| `category` | string | Yes | Primary category (see Categories below) |
+| `tags` | string[] | No | Optional tags for search/filtering |
+| `maintainer.name` | string | Yes | Maintainer or organization name |
+| `maintainer.url` | string | No | Optional link to maintainer profile |
+| `isActive` | boolean | Yes | Whether repo is accepting contributions |
+| `featured` | boolean | No | Show in featured section (default: false) |
+| `addedAt` | string | Yes | ISO 8601 date when registered |
+
+## How It Works
+
+1. **Maintainers register once** by submitting a PR to add their repo to `symphony-registry.json`
+2. **Maintainers create Auto Run documents** in their repository (e.g., `.maestro/autorun/`)
+3. **Maintainers open GitHub Issues** with the `runmaestro.ai` label, listing document paths
+4. **Contributors browse** available issues in Maestro Symphony
+5. **One-click contribution** clones the repo, creates a draft PR (claiming the issue), and runs Auto Run
+6. **Finalize PR** when all documents are processed
+7. **Maintainer reviews** and merges the contribution
+
+## Categories
+
+| ID | Label | Use Case |
+|----|-------|----------|
+| `ai-ml` | AI & ML | AI/ML tools and libraries |
+| `developer-tools` | Developer Tools | Developer productivity tools |
+| `infrastructure` | Infrastructure | DevOps, cloud, infrastructure |
+| `documentation` | Documentation | Documentation projects |
+| `web` | Web | Web frameworks and libraries |
+| `mobile` | Mobile | Mobile development |
+| `data` | Data | Data processing, databases |
+| `security` | Security | Security tools |
+| `other` | Other | Miscellaneous projects |
+
+## Registering a Repository
+
+### Prerequisites
+
+Before registering, ensure your repository:
+
+- Has a clear README explaining the project
+- Has contribution guidelines (CONTRIBUTING.md)
+- Uses a license compatible with open source (MIT, Apache 2.0, etc.)
+- Has at least one Auto Run document ready
+
+### Registration Steps
+
+1. **Fork** the `pedramamini/Maestro` repository
+2. **Add your entry** to `symphony-registry.json`:
+
+```json
+{
+  "slug": "your-org/your-repo",
+  "name": "Your Project Name",
+  "description": "Brief description of your project",
+  "url": "https://github.com/your-org/your-repo",
+  "category": "developer-tools",
+  "tags": ["typescript", "cli"],
+  "maintainer": {
+    "name": "Your Name",
+    "url": "https://github.com/your-username"
+  },
+  "isActive": true,
+  "featured": false,
+  "addedAt": "2025-01-15"
+}
+```
+
+3. **Submit a PR** with your repository details
+4. Once merged, **create issues** with the `runmaestro.ai` label to enable contributions
+
+### After Registration
+
+Once your repository is in the registry:
+
+1. Create a `.maestro/autorun/` directory in your repo (optional, but recommended)
+2. Write Auto Run documents for contribution tasks
+3. Open GitHub Issues with the `runmaestro.ai` label
+4. List the document paths in the issue body
+
+See [SYMPHONY_ISSUES.md](SYMPHONY_ISSUES.md) for detailed issue formatting guidelines.
+
+## Updating Your Entry
+
+To update your registry entry (e.g., change category, update description):
+
+1. Submit a PR modifying your entry in `symphony-registry.json`
+2. Keep your `slug` unchanged to maintain history
+
+## Removing Your Repository
+
+To remove your repository from Symphony:
+
+1. Set `isActive: false` in your registry entry, OR
+2. Submit a PR removing your entry entirely
+
+Note: Setting `isActive: false` hides your repo from the contributor UI but preserves contribution history.
+
+## Registry Caching
+
+The Symphony client caches the registry for 2 hours to reduce API calls. Changes to the registry may take up to 2 hours to propagate to all users.
+
+## Questions?
+
+- See [SYMPHONY_ISSUES.md](SYMPHONY_ISSUES.md) for issue formatting
+- Check the [Maestro documentation](https://docs.runmaestro.ai) for Auto Run guides
+- Open an issue on the Maestro repository for support
diff --git a/src/main/services/symphony-runner.ts b/src/main/services/symphony-runner.ts
new file mode 100644
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--- /dev/null
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+/**
+ * Symphony Runner Service
+ *
+ * Orchestrates contributions using Auto Run with draft PR claiming.
+ */
+
+import path from 'path';
+import { logger } from '../utils/logger';
+import { execFileNoThrow } from '../utils/execFile';
+// Types imported for documentation and future use
+// import type { ActiveContribution, SymphonyIssue } from '../../shared/symphony-types';
+
+const LOG_CONTEXT = '[SymphonyRunner]';
+
+export interface SymphonyRunnerOptions {
+  contributionId: string;
+  repoSlug: string;
+  repoUrl: string;
+  issueNumber: number;
+  issueTitle: string;
+  documentPaths: string[];
+  localPath: string;
+  branchName: string;
+  onProgress?: (progress: { completedDocuments: number; totalDocuments: number }) => void;
+  onStatusChange?: (status: string) => void;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Clone repository to local path (shallow clone for speed).
+ */
+async function cloneRepo(repoUrl: string, localPath: string): Promise<boolean> {
+  logger.info('Cloning repository', LOG_CONTEXT, { repoUrl, localPath });
+  const result = await execFileNoThrow('git', ['clone', '--depth=1', repoUrl, localPath]);
+  return result.exitCode === 0;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Create and checkout a new branch.
+ */
+async function createBranch(localPath: string, branchName: string): Promise<boolean> {
+  const result = await execFileNoThrow('git', ['checkout', '-b', branchName], localPath);
+  return result.exitCode === 0;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Create an empty commit to enable pushing without changes.
+ */
+async function createEmptyCommit(localPath: string, message: string): Promise<boolean> {
+  const result = await execFileNoThrow('git', ['commit', '--allow-empty', '-m', message], localPath);
+  return result.exitCode === 0;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Push branch to origin.
+ */
+async function pushBranch(localPath: string, branchName: string): Promise<boolean> {
+  const result = await execFileNoThrow('git', ['push', '-u', 'origin', branchName], localPath);
+  return result.exitCode === 0;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Create a draft PR using GitHub CLI.
+ */
+async function createDraftPR(
+  localPath: string,
+  issueNumber: number,
+  issueTitle: string
+): Promise<{ success: boolean; prUrl?: string; prNumber?: number; error?: string }> {
+  const title = `[WIP] Symphony: ${issueTitle}`;
+  const body = `## Symphony Contribution
+
+This draft PR was created via Maestro Symphony.
+
+Closes #${issueNumber}
+
+---
+
+*Work in progress - will be updated when Auto Run completes*`;
+
+  const result = await execFileNoThrow(
+    'gh',
+    ['pr', 'create', '--draft', '--title', title, '--body', body],
+    localPath
+  );
+
+  if (result.exitCode !== 0) {
+    return { success: false, error: `PR creation failed: ${result.stderr}` };
+  }
+
+  const prUrl = result.stdout.trim();
+  const prNumberMatch = prUrl.match(/\/pull\/(\d+)/);
+
+  return {
+    success: true,
+    prUrl,
+    prNumber: prNumberMatch ? parseInt(prNumberMatch[1], 10) : undefined,
+  };
+}
+
+/**
+ * Copy Auto Run documents from repo to local Auto Run Docs folder.
+ */
+async function setupAutoRunDocs(
+  localPath: string,
+  documentPaths: string[]
+): Promise<string> {
+  const autoRunPath = path.join(localPath, 'Auto Run Docs');
+  await execFileNoThrow('mkdir', ['-p', autoRunPath]);
+
+  for (const docPath of documentPaths) {
+    const sourcePath = path.join(localPath, docPath);
+    const destPath = path.join(autoRunPath, path.basename(docPath));
+    await execFileNoThrow('cp', [sourcePath, destPath]);
+  }
+
+  return autoRunPath;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Start a Symphony contribution.
+ *
+ * Flow:
+ * 1. Clone the repository (shallow)
+ * 2. Create a new branch
+ * 3. Create an empty commit
+ * 4. Push the branch
+ * 5. Create a draft PR (claims the issue via "Closes #N")
+ * 6. Set up Auto Run documents
+ */
+export async function startContribution(options: SymphonyRunnerOptions): Promise<{
+  success: boolean;
+  draftPrUrl?: string;
+  draftPrNumber?: number;
+  autoRunPath?: string;
+  error?: string;
+}> {
+  const {
+    repoUrl,
+    localPath,
+    branchName,
+    issueNumber,
+    issueTitle,
+    documentPaths,
+    onStatusChange,
+  } = options;
+
+  try {
+    // 1. Clone
+    onStatusChange?.('cloning');
+    if (!await cloneRepo(repoUrl, localPath)) {
+      return { success: false, error: 'Clone failed' };
+    }
+
+    // 2. Create branch
+    onStatusChange?.('setting_up');
+    if (!await createBranch(localPath, branchName)) {
+      return { success: false, error: 'Branch creation failed' };
+    }
+
+    // 3. Empty commit
+    const commitMessage = `[Symphony] Start contribution for #${issueNumber}`;
+    if (!await createEmptyCommit(localPath, commitMessage)) {
+      return { success: false, error: 'Empty commit failed' };
+    }
+
+    // 4. Push branch
+    if (!await pushBranch(localPath, branchName)) {
+      return { success: false, error: 'Push failed' };
+    }
+
+    // 5. Create draft PR
+    const prResult = await createDraftPR(localPath, issueNumber, issueTitle);
+    if (!prResult.success) {
+      return { success: false, error: prResult.error };
+    }
+
+    // 6. Setup Auto Run docs
+    const autoRunPath = await setupAutoRunDocs(localPath, documentPaths);
+
+    // Ready - actual Auto Run processing happens via session
+    onStatusChange?.('running');
+
+    return {
+      success: true,
+      draftPrUrl: prResult.prUrl,
+      draftPrNumber: prResult.prNumber,
+      autoRunPath,
+    };
+  } catch (error) {
+    return {
+      success: false,
+      error: error instanceof Error ? error.message : 'Unknown error',
+    };
+  }
+}
+
+/**
+ * Finalize a contribution by converting draft PR to ready for review.
+ */
+export async function finalizeContribution(
+  localPath: string,
+  prNumber: number,
+  issueNumber: number,
+  issueTitle: string
+): Promise<{ success: boolean; prUrl?: string; error?: string }> {
+  // Commit all changes
+  await execFileNoThrow('git', ['add', '-A'], localPath);
+
+  const commitMessage = `[Symphony] Complete contribution for #${issueNumber}
+
+Processed all Auto Run documents for: ${issueTitle}`;
+
+  const commitResult = await execFileNoThrow('git', ['commit', '-m', commitMessage], localPath);
+  if (commitResult.exitCode !== 0 && !commitResult.stderr.includes('nothing to commit')) {
+    return { success: false, error: `Commit failed: ${commitResult.stderr}` };
+  }
+
+  // Push changes
+  const pushResult = await execFileNoThrow('git', ['push'], localPath);
+  if (pushResult.exitCode !== 0) {
+    return { success: false, error: `Push failed: ${pushResult.stderr}` };
+  }
+
+  // Convert draft to ready for review
+  const readyResult = await execFileNoThrow(
+    'gh',
+    ['pr', 'ready', prNumber.toString()],
+    localPath
+  );
+  if (readyResult.exitCode !== 0) {
+    return { success: false, error: `Failed to mark PR ready: ${readyResult.stderr}` };
+  }
+
+  // Update PR body with completion summary
+  const body = `## Symphony Contribution
+
+This PR was created via Maestro Symphony.
+
+Closes #${issueNumber}
+
+---
+
+**Task:** ${issueTitle}
+
+*Contributed by the Maestro Symphony community* 🎵`;
+
+  await execFileNoThrow(
+    'gh',
+    ['pr', 'edit', prNumber.toString(), '--body', body],
+    localPath
+  );
+
+  // Get final PR URL
+  const prInfoResult = await execFileNoThrow(
+    'gh',
+    ['pr', 'view', prNumber.toString(), '--json', 'url', '-q', '.url'],
+    localPath
+  );
+
+  return {
+    success: true,
+    prUrl: prInfoResult.stdout.trim(),
+  };
+}
+
+/**
+ * Cancel a contribution by closing the draft PR and cleaning up.
+ */
+export async function cancelContribution(
+  localPath: string,
+  prNumber: number,
+  cleanup: boolean = true
+): Promise<{ success: boolean; error?: string }> {
+  // Close the draft PR
+  const closeResult = await execFileNoThrow(
+    'gh',
+    ['pr', 'close', prNumber.toString(), '--delete-branch'],
+    localPath
+  );
+  if (closeResult.exitCode !== 0) {
+    logger.warn('Failed to close PR', LOG_CONTEXT, { prNumber, error: closeResult.stderr });
+  }
+
+  // Clean up local directory
+  if (cleanup) {
+    await execFileNoThrow('rm', ['-rf', localPath]);
+  }
+
+  return { success: true };
+}