diff --git a/AGENTS.md b/AGENTS.md
index bdfa3e5d..44e5c2fb 100644
--- a/AGENTS.md
+++ b/AGENTS.md
@@ -146,3 +146,44 @@ A change is done when all are true:
 2. Typecheck, tests, and build pass
 3. Contracts are synced across db/shared/server/ui
 4. Docs updated when behavior or commands change
+
+## 11. Fork-Specific: HenkDz/paperclip
+
+This is a fork of `paperclipai/paperclip` with QoL patches and an **external-only** Hermes adapter story on branch `feat/externalize-hermes-adapter` ([tree](https://github.com/HenkDz/paperclip/tree/feat/externalize-hermes-adapter)).
+
+### Branch Strategy
+
+- `feat/externalize-hermes-adapter` → core has **no** `hermes-paperclip-adapter` dependency and **no** built-in `hermes_local` registration. Install Hermes via the Adapter Plugin manager (`@henkey/hermes-paperclip-adapter` or a `file:` path).
+- Older fork branches may still document built-in Hermes; treat this file as authoritative for the externalize branch.
+
+### Hermes (plugin only)
+
+- Register through **Board → Adapter manager** (same as Droid). Type remains `hermes_local` once the package is loaded.
+- UI uses generic **config-schema** + **ui-parser.js** from the package — no Hermes imports in `server/` or `ui/` source.
+- Optional: `file:` entry in `~/.paperclip/adapter-plugins.json` for local dev of the adapter repo.
+
+### Local Dev
+
+- Fork runs on port 3101+ (auto-detects if 3100 is taken by upstream instance)
+- `npx vite build` hangs on NTFS — use `node node_modules/vite/bin/vite.js build` instead
+- Server startup from NTFS takes 30-60s — don't assume failure immediately
+- Kill ALL paperclip processes before starting: `pkill -f "paperclip"; pkill -f "tsx.*index.ts"`
+- Vite cache survives `rm -rf dist` — delete both: `rm -rf ui/dist ui/node_modules/.vite`
+
+### Fork QoL Patches (not in upstream)
+
+These are local modifications in the fork's UI. If re-copying source, these must be re-applied:
+
+1. **stderr_group** — amber accordion for MCP init noise in `RunTranscriptView.tsx`
+2. **tool_group** — accordion for consecutive non-terminal tools (write, read, search, browser)
+3. **Dashboard excerpt** — `LatestRunCard` strips markdown, shows first 3 lines/280 chars
+
+### Plugin System
+
+PR #2218 (`feat/external-adapter-phase1`) adds external adapter support. See root `AGENTS.md` for full details.
+
+- Adapters can be loaded as external plugins via `~/.paperclip/adapter-plugins.json`
+- The plugin-loader should have ZERO hardcoded adapter imports — pure dynamic loading
+- `createServerAdapter()` must include ALL optional fields (especially `detectModel`)
+- Built-in UI adapters can shadow external plugin parsers — remove built-in when fully externalizing
+- Reference external adapters: Hermes (`@henkey/hermes-paperclip-adapter` or `file:`) and Droid (npm)
diff --git a/adapter-plugin.md b/adapter-plugin.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..13994ba3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/adapter-plugin.md
@@ -0,0 +1,143 @@
+- Created branch: feat/external-adapter-phase1
+
+   I started phase 1 in the most merge-friendly way I could: small central changes, reusing existing registry patterns instead of inventing a whole new plugin system up front.
+
+   What I changed
+
+   1. Server adapter registry is now mutable
+   Files:
+  - server/src/adapters/registry.ts
+  - server/src/adapters/index.ts
+
+   Added:
+  - registerServerAdapter(adapter)
+  - unregisterServerAdapter(type)
+  - requireServerAdapter(type)
+
+   Kept the existing built-in registry shape, but changed initialization so built-ins are registered into a mutable map on startup.
+
+   Why this is merge-friendly:
+  - existing built-in adapter definitions stay where they already are
+  - existing lookup helpers still exist
+  - no big architectural rewrite yet
+
+   1. Runtime adapter validation moved to server routes
+   File:
+  - server/src/routes/agents.ts
+
+   Added:
+  - assertKnownAdapterType(...)
+
+   Used it in:
+  - /companies/:companyId/adapters/:type/models
+  - /companies/:companyId/adapters/:type/detect-model
+  - /companies/:companyId/adapters/:type/test-environment
+  - POST /companies/:companyId/agents
+  - POST /companies/:companyId/agent-hires
+  - PATCH /agents/:id when adapterType is touched
+
+   Why:
+  - shared schemas can now allow external adapter strings
+  - server becomes the real source of truth for “is this adapter actually registered?”
+
+   1. Shared adapterType validation is now open-ended for inputs
+   Files:
+  - packages/shared/src/adapter-type.ts
+  - packages/shared/src/validators/agent.ts
+  - packages/shared/src/validators/access.ts
+  - packages/shared/src/index.ts
+
+   Changed input validation from hardcoded z.enum(AGENT_ADAPTER_TYPES) to:
+  - agentAdapterTypeSchema
+  - optionalAgentAdapterTypeSchema
+
+   These accept any non-empty string.
+
+   Important:
+  - I did not remove AGENT_ADAPTER_TYPES from constants
+  - I did not change the built-in type unions yet
+  - this keeps the change minimal and limits blast radius
+
+   So:
+  - input payloads can carry external adapter types
+  - actual acceptance still depends on server registry validation
+
+   1. UI adapter registry is now mutable too
+   Files:
+  - ui/src/adapters/registry.ts
+  - ui/src/adapters/index.ts
+
+   Added:
+  - registerUIAdapter(adapter)
+  - unregisterUIAdapter(type)
+  - findUIAdapter(type)
+
+   Built-ins are still registered from the same file, same pattern as server.
+
+   1. Began switching UI adapter lists toward the registry
+   Files:
+  - ui/src/adapters/metadata.ts
+  - ui/src/components/AgentConfigForm.tsx
+  - ui/src/pages/NewAgent.tsx
+
+   Changed:
+  - AgentConfigForm adapter list now comes from registered UI adapters via metadata helper
+  - NewAgent supported adapter set now derives from listUIAdapters()
+
+   Why:
+  - phase 1 should start reducing hardcoded UI lists
+  - but without rewriting every page at once
+
+   1. Tests added first, then implementation
+   New tests:
+  - server/src/__tests__/adapter-registry.test.ts
+  - server/src/__tests__/agent-adapter-validation-routes.test.ts
+  - ui/src/adapters/registry.test.ts
+  - packages/shared/src/adapter-types.test.ts
+
+   Small test mock fix:
+  - server/src/__tests__/agent-skills-routes.test.ts
+
+   Current status
+
+   The branch is created and the phase-1 code is started.
+
+   I also followed TDD in spirit:
+  - wrote failing tests first for missing register/unregister APIs
+  - then implemented the registry changes
+
+   What is not finished yet
+
+   I have not finished the green/stabilization pass yet.
+
+   I still need to:
+  - run the targeted tests again after the implementation changes
+  - fix any TS / mocking fallout
+  - decide how far to take phase-1 UI wiring in this branch before stopping
+
+   Also, I intentionally did not yet touch the bigger hardcoded surfaces like:
+  - NewAgentDialog
+  - OnboardingWizard
+  - InviteLanding
+  - duplicated adapterLabels maps
+  - plugin manifest / plugin loader adapter contributions
+
+   That is deliberate.
+   For merge safety, I started with the smallest useful seam:
+  - dynamic server registry
+  - dynamic UI registry
+  - runtime validation based on registry
+  - first couple of UI consumers
+
+   One note
+   There was already an unrelated dirty change in:
+  - server/scripts/dev-watch.ts
+
+   I left that alone and did not make phase-1 changes there.
+
+   Recommended next move
+   I should keep going on this same branch and do the stabilization pass:
+   1. rerun server/ui/shared targeted tests
+   2. fix failures
+   3. run typechecks
+   4. then extend the same registry-driven approach to the next safest UI surfaces
diff --git a/docs/adapters/adapter-ui-parser.md b/docs/adapters/adapter-ui-parser.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..a9390001
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/adapters/adapter-ui-parser.md
@@ -0,0 +1,287 @@
+---
+title: Adapter UI Parser Contract
+summary: Ship a custom run-log parser so the Paperclip UI renders your adapter's output correctly
+---
+
+When Paperclip runs an agent, stdout is streamed to the UI in real time. The UI needs a **parser** to convert raw stdout lines into structured transcript entries (tool calls, tool results, assistant messages, system events). Without a custom parser, the UI falls back to a generic shell parser that treats every non-system line as `assistant` output — tool commands leak as plain text, durations are lost, and errors are invisible.
+
+## The Problem
+
+Most agent CLIs emit structured stdout with tool calls, progress indicators, and multi-line output. For example:
+
+```
+[hermes] Session resumed: abc123
+┊ 💬 Thinking about how to approach this...
+┊ $ ls /home/user/project
+┊ [done] $ ls /home/user/project — /src /README.md  0.3s
+┊ 💬 I see the project structure. Let me read the README.
+┊ read /home/user/project/README.md
+┊ [done] read — Project Overview: A CLI tool for...  1.2s
+The project is a CLI tool. Here's what I found:
+- It uses TypeScript
+- Tests are in /tests
+```
+
+Without a parser, the UI shows all of this as raw `assistant` text — the tool calls and results are indistinguishable from the agent's actual response.
+
+With a parser, the UI renders:
+
+- `Thinking about how to approach this...` as a collapsible thinking block
+- `$ ls /home/user/project` as a tool call card (collapsed)
+- `0.3s` duration as a tool result card
+- `The project is a CLI tool...` as the assistant's response
+
+## How It Works
+
+```
+┌──────────────────┐     package.json        ┌──────────────────┐
+│  Adapter Package  │─── exports["./ui-parser"] ──→│  dist/ui-parser.js │
+│  (npm / local)    │                          │  (zero imports)  │
+└──────────────────┘                          └────────┬─────────┘
+                                                       │ plugin-loader reads at startup
+                                                       ▼
+┌──────────────────┐   GET /api/:type/ui-parser.js   ┌──────────────────┐
+│  Paperclip Server  │◄────────────────────────────────│  uiParserCache    │
+│  (in-memory)      │                                 └──────────────────┘
+└────────┬─────────┘
+         │ serves JS to browser
+         ▼
+┌──────────────────┐   fetch() + eval   ┌──────────────────┐
+│  Paperclip UI     │─────────────────────→│  parseStdoutLine │
+│  (dynamic loader) │   registers parser  │  (per-adapter)   │
+└──────────────────┘                     └──────────────────┘
+```
+
+1. **Build time** — You compile `src/ui-parser.ts` to `dist/ui-parser.js` (zero runtime imports)
+2. **Server startup** — Plugin loader reads the file and caches it in memory
+3. **UI load** — When the user opens a run, the UI fetches the parser from `GET /api/:type/ui-parser.js`
+4. **Runtime** — The fetched module is eval'd and registered. All subsequent lines use the real parser
+
+## Contract: package.json
+
+### 1. `paperclip.adapterUiParser` — contract version
+
+```json
+{
+  "paperclip": {
+    "adapterUiParser": "1.0.0"
+  }
+}
+```
+
+The Paperclip host checks this field. If the major version is unsupported, the host logs a warning and falls back to the generic parser instead of executing potentially incompatible code.
+
+| Host expects | Adapter declares | Result |
+|---|---|---|
+| `1.x` | `1.0.0` | Parser loaded |
+| `1.x` | `2.0.0` | Warning logged, generic parser used |
+| `1.x` | (missing) | Parser loaded (grace period — future versions may require it) |
+
+### 2. `exports["./ui-parser"]` — file path
+
+```json
+{
+  "exports": {
+    ".": "./dist/server/index.js",
+    "./ui-parser": "./dist/ui-parser.js"
+  }
+}
+```
+
+## Contract: Module Exports
+
+Your `dist/ui-parser.js` must export **at least one** of:
+
+### `parseStdoutLine(line: string, ts: string): TranscriptEntry[]`
+
+Static parser. Called for each line of adapter stdout.
+
+```ts
+export function parseStdoutLine(line: string, ts: string): TranscriptEntry[] {
+  if (line.startsWith("[my-agent]")) {
+    return [{ kind: "system", ts, text: line }];
+  }
+  return [{ kind: "assistant", ts, text: line }];
+}
+```
+
+### `createStdoutParser(): { parseLine(line, ts): TranscriptEntry[]; reset(): void }`
+
+Stateful parser factory. Preferred if your parser needs to track multi-line continuation, command nesting, or other cross-call state.
+
+```ts
+let counter = 0;
+
+export function createStdoutParser() {
+  let suppressContinuation = false;
+
+  function parseLine(line: string, ts: string): TranscriptEntry[] {
+    const trimmed = line.trim();
+    if (!trimmed) return [];
+
+    if (suppressContinuation) {
+      if (/^[\d.]+s$/.test(trimmed)) {
+        suppressContinuation = false;
+        return [];
+      }
+      return []; // swallow continuation lines
+    }
+
+    if (trimmed.startsWith("[tool-done]")) {
+      const id = `tool-${++counter}`;
+      suppressContinuation = true;
+      return [
+        { kind: "tool_call", ts, name: "shell", input: {}, toolUseId: id },
+        { kind: "tool_result", ts, toolUseId: id, content: trimmed, isError: false },
+      ];
+    }
+
+    return [{ kind: "assistant", ts, text: trimmed }];
+  }
+
+  function reset() {
+    suppressContinuation = false;
+  }
+
+  return { parseLine, reset };
+}
+```
+
+If both are exported, `createStdoutParser` takes priority.
+
+## Contract: TranscriptEntry
+
+Each entry must match one of these discriminated union shapes:
+
+```ts
+// Assistant message
+{ kind: "assistant"; ts: string; text: string; delta?: boolean }
+
+// Thinking / reasoning
+{ kind: "thinking"; ts: string; text: string; delta?: boolean }
+
+// User message (rare — usually from agent-initiated prompts)
+{ kind: "user"; ts: string; text: string }
+
+// Tool invocation
+{ kind: "tool_call"; ts: string; name: string; input: unknown; toolUseId?: string }
+
+// Tool result
+{ kind: "tool_result"; ts: string; toolUseId: string; content: string; isError: boolean }
+
+// System / adapter messages
+{ kind: "system"; ts: string; text: string }
+
+// Stderr / errors
+{ kind: "stderr"; ts: string; text: string }
+
+// Raw stdout (fallback)
+{ kind: "stdout"; ts: string; text: string }
+```
+
+### Linking tool calls to results
+
+Use `toolUseId` to pair `tool_call` and `tool_result` entries. The UI renders them as collapsible cards.
+
+```ts
+const id = `my-tool-${++counter}`;
+return [
+  { kind: "tool_call", ts, name: "read", input: { path: "/src/main.ts" }, toolUseId: id },
+  { kind: "tool_result", ts, toolUseId: id, content: "const main = () => {...}", isError: false },
+];
+```
+
+### Error handling
+
+Set `isError: true` on tool results to show a red indicator:
+
+```ts
+{ kind: "tool_result", ts, toolUseId: id, content: "ENOENT: no such file", isError: true }
+```
+
+## Constraints
+
+1. **Zero runtime imports.** Your file is loaded via `URL.createObjectURL` + dynamic `import()` in the browser. No `import`, no `require`, no top-level `await`.
+
+2. **No DOM / Node.js APIs.** Runs in a browser sandbox. Use only vanilla JS (ES2020+).
+
+3. **No side effects.** Module-level code must not modify globals, access `window`, or perform I/O. Only declare and export functions.
+
+4. **Deterministic.** Given the same `(line, ts)` input, the same output must be produced. This matters for log replay.
+
+5. **Error-tolerant.** Never throw. Return `[{ kind: "stdout", ts, text: line }]` for any line you can't parse, rather than crashing the transcript.
+
+6. **File size.** Keep under 50 KB. This is served per-request and eval'd in the browser.
+
+## Lifecycle
+
+| Event | What happens |
+|---|---|
+| Server starts | Plugin loader reads `exports["./ui-parser"]`, reads the file, caches in memory |
+| UI opens run | `getUIAdapter(type)` called. If no built-in parser, kicks off async `fetch(/api/:type/ui-parser.js)` |
+| First lines arrive | Generic process parser handles them immediately (no blocking). Dynamic parser loads in background |
+| Parser loads | `registerUIAdapter()` called. All subsequent line parsing uses the real parser |
+| Parser fails (404, eval error) | Warning logged to console. Generic parser continues. Failed type is cached — no retries |
+| Server restart | In-memory cache is repopulated from adapter packages |
+
+## Error Behavior
+
+| Failure | What happens |
+|---|---|
+| Module syntax error (import fails) | Caught, logged, falls back to generic parser. No retries. |
+| Returns wrong shape | Individual entries with missing fields are silently ignored by the transcript builder. |
+| Throws at runtime | Caught per-line. That line falls back to generic. Parser stays registered for future lines. |
+| 404 (no ui-parser export) | Type added to failed-loads set. Generic parser from first call onward. |
+| Contract version mismatch | Server logs warning, skips loading. Generic parser used. |
+
+## Building
+
+```sh
+# Compile TypeScript to JavaScript
+tsc src/ui-parser.ts --outDir dist --target ES2020 --module ES2020 --declaration false
+```
+
+Your `tsconfig.json` can handle this automatically — just make sure `ui-parser.ts` is included in the build and outputs to `dist/ui-parser.js`.
+
+## Testing
+
+Test your parser locally by running it against sample stdout:
+
+```ts
+// test-parser.ts
+import { createStdoutParser } from "./dist/ui-parser.js";
+
+const parser = createStdoutParser();
+const sampleLines = [
+  "[my-agent] Starting session abc123",
+  "Thinking about the task...",
+  "$ ls /home/user/project",
+  "[done] $ ls — /src /README.md  0.3s",
+  "I'll read the README now.",
+  "Error: file not found",
+];
+
+for (const line of sampleLines) {
+  const entries = parser.parseLine(line, new Date().toISOString());
+  for (const entry of entries) {
+    console.log(`  ${entry.kind}:`, entry.text ?? entry.name ?? entry.content);
+  }
+}
+```
+
+Run with: `npx tsx test-parser.ts`
+
+## Skipping the UI Parser
+
+If your adapter's stdout is simple (no tool markers, no special formatting), you can skip the UI parser entirely. The generic `process` parser will handle it — every non-system line becomes `assistant` output. This is fine for:
+
+- Agents that output plain text responses
+- Custom scripts that just print results
+- Simple CLIs without structured output
+
+To skip it, simply don't include `exports["./ui-parser"]` in your `package.json`.
+
+## Next Steps
+
+- [External Adapters](/adapters/external-adapters) — full guide to building adapter packages
+- [Creating an Adapter](/adapters/creating-an-adapter) — adapter internals and built-in integration
diff --git a/docs/adapters/claude-local.md b/docs/adapters/claude-local.md
index d3a0b68b..fc64fcf8 100644
--- a/docs/adapters/claude-local.md
+++ b/docs/adapters/claude-local.md
@@ -20,8 +20,8 @@ The `claude_local` adapter runs Anthropic's Claude Code CLI locally. It supports
 | `env` | object | No | Environment variables (supports secret refs) |
 | `timeoutSec` | number | No | Process timeout (0 = no timeout) |
 | `graceSec` | number | No | Grace period before force-kill |
-| `maxTurnsPerRun` | number | No | Max agentic turns per heartbeat (defaults to `1000`) |
-| `dangerouslySkipPermissions` | boolean | No | Skip permission prompts (dev only) |
+| `maxTurnsPerRun` | number | No | Max agentic turns per heartbeat (defaults to `300`) |
+| `dangerouslySkipPermissions` | boolean | No | Skip permission prompts (default: `true`); required for headless runs where interactive approval is impossible |
 
 ## Prompt Templates
 
diff --git a/docs/adapters/creating-an-adapter.md b/docs/adapters/creating-an-adapter.md
index fae0e4b3..ae5e4ccb 100644
--- a/docs/adapters/creating-an-adapter.md
+++ b/docs/adapters/creating-an-adapter.md
@@ -9,23 +9,40 @@ Build a custom adapter to connect Paperclip to any agent runtime.
 If you're using Claude Code, the `.agents/skills/create-agent-adapter` skill can guide you through the full adapter creation process interactively. Just ask Claude to create a new adapter and it will walk you through each step.
 </Tip>
 
+## Two Paths
+
+| | Built-in | External Plugin |
+|---|---|---|
+| Source | Inside `paperclip-fork` | Separate npm package |
+| Distribution | Ships with Paperclip | Independent npm publish |
+| UI parser | Static import | Dynamic load from API |
+| Registration | Edit 3 registries | Auto-loaded at startup |
+| Best for | Core adapters, contributors | Third-party adapters, internal tools |
+
+For most cases, **build an external adapter plugin**. It's cleaner, independently versioned, and doesn't require modifying Paperclip's source. See [External Adapters](/adapters/external-adapters) for the full guide.
+
+The rest of this page covers the shared internals that both paths use.
+
 ## Package Structure
 
 ```
-packages/adapters/<name>/
+packages/adapters/<name>/    # built-in
+  ── or ──
+my-adapter/                   # external plugin
   package.json
   tsconfig.json
   src/
     index.ts            # Shared metadata
     server/
-      index.ts          # Server exports
+      index.ts          # Server exports (createServerAdapter)
       execute.ts        # Core execution logic
       parse.ts          # Output parsing
       test.ts           # Environment diagnostics
     ui/
-      index.ts          # UI exports
-      parse-stdout.ts   # Transcript parser
+      index.ts          # UI exports (built-in only)
+      parse-stdout.ts   # Transcript parser (built-in only)
       build-config.ts   # Config builder
+    ui-parser.ts        # Self-contained UI parser (external — see [UI Parser Contract](/adapters/adapter-ui-parser))
     cli/
       index.ts          # CLI exports
       format-event.ts   # Terminal formatter
@@ -46,6 +63,9 @@ Use when: ...
 Don't use when: ...
 Core fields: ...
 `;
+
+// Required for external adapters (plugin-loader convention)
+export { createServerAdapter } from "./server/index.js";
 ```
 
 ## Step 2: Server Execute
@@ -54,7 +74,7 @@ Core fields: ...
 
 Key responsibilities:
 
-1. Read config using safe helpers (`asString`, `asNumber`, etc.)
+1. Read config using safe helpers (`asString`, `asNumber`, etc.) from `@paperclipai/adapter-utils/server-utils`
 2. Build environment with `buildPaperclipEnv(agent)` plus context vars
 3. Resolve session state from `runtime.sessionParams`
 4. Render prompt with `renderTemplate(template, data)`
@@ -62,27 +82,102 @@ Key responsibilities:
 6. Parse output for usage, costs, session state, errors
 7. Handle unknown session errors (retry fresh, set `clearSession: true`)
 
+### Available Helpers
+
+| Helper | Source | Purpose |
+|--------|--------|---------|
+| `runChildProcess(cmd, opts)` | `@paperclipai/adapter-utils/server-utils` | Spawn with timeout, grace, streaming |
+| `buildPaperclipEnv(agent)` | `@paperclipai/adapter-utils/server-utils` | Inject `PAPERCLIP_*` env vars |
+| `renderTemplate(tpl, data)` | `@paperclipai/adapter-utils/server-utils` | `{{variable}}` substitution |
+| `asString(v)` | `@paperclipai/adapter-utils` | Safe config value extraction |
+| `asNumber(v)` | `@paperclipai/adapter-utils` | Safe number extraction |
+
+### AdapterExecutionContext
+
+```ts
+interface AdapterExecutionContext {
+  runId: string;
+  agent: { id: string; companyId: string; name: string; adapterConfig: unknown };
+  runtime: { sessionId: string | null; sessionParams: Record<string, unknown> | null };
+  config: Record<string, unknown>;      // agent's adapterConfig
+  context: Record<string, unknown>;      // task, wake reason, etc.
+  onLog: (stream: "stdout" | "stderr", chunk: string) => Promise<void>;
+  onMeta?: (meta: AdapterInvocationMeta) => Promise<void>;
+  onSpawn?: (meta: { pid: number; startedAt: string }) => Promise<void>;
+}
+```
+
+### AdapterExecutionResult
+
+```ts
+interface AdapterExecutionResult {
+  exitCode: number | null;
+  signal: string | null;
+  timedOut: boolean;
+  errorMessage?: string | null;
+  usage?: { inputTokens: number; outputTokens: number };
+  sessionParams?: Record<string, unknown> | null;  // persist across heartbeats
+  sessionDisplayId?: string | null;
+  provider?: string | null;
+  model?: string | null;
+  costUsd?: number | null;
+  clearSession?: boolean;  // set true to force fresh session on next wake
+}
+```
+
 ## Step 3: Environment Test
 
 `src/server/test.ts` validates the adapter config before running.
 
 Return structured diagnostics:
 
-- `error` for invalid/unusable setup
-- `warn` for non-blocking issues
-- `info` for successful checks
+| Level | Meaning | Effect |
+|-------|---------|--------|
+| `error` | Invalid or unusable setup | Blocks execution |
+| `warn` | Non-blocking issue | Shown with yellow indicator |
+| `info` | Successful check | Shown in test results |
 
-## Step 4: UI Module
+```ts
+export async function testEnvironment(
+  ctx: AdapterEnvironmentTestContext,
+): Promise<AdapterEnvironmentTestResult> {
+  return {
+    adapterType: ctx.adapterType,
+    status: "pass",  // "pass" | "warn" | "fail"
+    checks: [
+      { level: "info", message: "CLI v1.2.0 detected", code: "cli_detected" },
+      { level: "warn", message: "No API key found", hint: "Set ANTHROPIC_API_KEY", code: "no_key" },
+    ],
+    testedAt: new Date().toISOString(),
+  };
+}
+```
+
+## Step 4: UI Module (Built-in Only)
+
+For built-in adapters registered in Paperclip's source:
 
 - `parse-stdout.ts` — converts stdout lines to `TranscriptEntry[]` for the run viewer
 - `build-config.ts` — converts form values to `adapterConfig` JSON
 - Config fields React component in `ui/src/adapters/<name>/config-fields.tsx`
 
+For external adapters, use a self-contained `ui-parser.ts` instead. See the [UI Parser Contract](/adapters/adapter-ui-parser).
+
 ## Step 5: CLI Module
 
 `format-event.ts` — pretty-prints stdout for `paperclipai run --watch` using `picocolors`.
 
-## Step 6: Register
+```ts
+export function formatStdoutEvent(line: string, debug: boolean): void {
+  if (line.startsWith("[tool-done]")) {
+    console.log(chalk.green(`  ✓ ${line}`));
+  } else {
+    console.log(`  ${line}`);
+  }
+}
+```
+
+## Step 6: Register (Built-in Only)
 
 Add the adapter to all three registries:
 
@@ -90,6 +185,24 @@ Add the adapter to all three registries:
 2. `ui/src/adapters/registry.ts`
 3. `cli/src/adapters/registry.ts`
 
+For external adapters, registration is automatic — the plugin loader handles it.
+
+## Session Persistence
+
+If your agent runtime supports conversation continuity across heartbeats:
+
+1. Return `sessionParams` from `execute()` (e.g., `{ sessionId: "abc123" }`)
+2. Read `runtime.sessionParams` on the next wake to resume
+3. Optionally implement a `sessionCodec` for validation and display
+
+```ts
+export const sessionCodec: AdapterSessionCodec = {
+  deserialize(raw) { /* validate raw session data */ },
+  serialize(params) { /* serialize for storage */ },
+  getDisplayId(params) { /* human-readable session label */ },
+};
+```
+
 ## Skills Injection
 
 Make Paperclip skills discoverable to your agent runtime without writing to the agent's working directory:
@@ -105,3 +218,10 @@ Make Paperclip skills discoverable to your agent runtime without writing to the
 - Inject secrets via environment variables, not prompts
 - Configure network access controls if the runtime supports them
 - Always enforce timeout and grace period
+- The UI parser module runs in a browser sandbox — zero runtime imports, no side effects
+
+## Next Steps
+
+- [External Adapters](/adapters/external-adapters) — build a standalone adapter plugin
+- [UI Parser Contract](/adapters/adapter-ui-parser) — ship a custom run-log parser
+- [How Agents Work](/guides/agent-developer/how-agents-work) — the heartbeat lifecycle
diff --git a/docs/adapters/external-adapters.md b/docs/adapters/external-adapters.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..3c814fc9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/adapters/external-adapters.md
@@ -0,0 +1,392 @@
+---
+title: External Adapters
+summary: Build, package, and distribute adapters as plugins without modifying Paperclip source
+---
+
+Paperclip supports external adapter plugins that can be installed from npm packages or local directories. External adapters work exactly like built-in adapters — they execute agents, parse output, and render transcripts — but they live in their own package and don't require changes to Paperclip's source code.
+
+## Built-in vs External
+
+| | Built-in | External |
+|---|---|---|
+| Source location | Inside `paperclip-fork/packages/adapters/` | Separate npm package or local directory |
+| Registration | Hardcoded in three registries | Loaded at startup via plugin system |
+| UI parser | Static import at build time | Dynamically loaded from API (see [UI Parser](/adapters/adapter-ui-parser)) |
+| Distribution | Ships with Paperclip | Published to npm or linked via `file:` |
+| Updates | Requires Paperclip release | Independent versioning |
+
+## Quick Start
+
+### Minimal Package Structure
+
+```
+my-adapter/
+  package.json
+  tsconfig.json
+  src/
+    index.ts            # Shared metadata (type, label, models)
+    server/
+      index.ts          # createServerAdapter() factory
+      execute.ts        # Core execution logic
+      parse.ts          # Output parsing
+      test.ts           # Environment diagnostics
+    ui-parser.ts        # Self-contained UI transcript parser
+```
+
+### package.json
+
+```json
+{
+  "name": "my-paperclip-adapter",
+  "version": "1.0.0",
+  "type": "module",
+  "license": "MIT",
+  "paperclip": {
+    "adapterUiParser": "1.0.0"
+  },
+  "exports": {
+    ".": "./dist/index.js",
+    "./server": "./dist/server/index.js",
+    "./ui-parser": "./dist/ui-parser.js"
+  },
+  "files": ["dist"],
+  "scripts": {
+    "build": "tsc"
+  },
+  "dependencies": {
+    "@paperclipai/adapter-utils": "^2026.325.0",
+    "picocolors": "^1.1.0"
+  },
+  "devDependencies": {
+    "@types/node": "^22.0.0",
+    "typescript": "^5.7.0"
+  }
+}
+```
+
+Key fields:
+
+| Field | Purpose |
+|-------|---------|
+| `exports["."]` | Entry point — must export `createServerAdapter` |
+| `exports["./ui-parser"]` | Self-contained UI parser module (optional but recommended) |
+| `paperclip.adapterUiParser` | Contract version for the UI parser (`"1.0.0"`) |
+| `files` | Limits what gets published — only `dist/` |
+
+### tsconfig.json
+
+```json
+{
+  "compilerOptions": {
+    "target": "ES2022",
+    "module": "Node16",
+    "moduleResolution": "Node16",
+    "outDir": "dist",
+    "rootDir": "src",
+    "declaration": true,
+    "strict": true,
+    "esModuleInterop": true,
+    "skipLibCheck": true
+  },
+  "include": ["src"]
+}
+```
+
+## Server Module
+
+The plugin loader calls `createServerAdapter()` from your package root. This function must return a `ServerAdapterModule`.
+
+### src/index.ts
+
+```ts
+export const type = "my_adapter";     // snake_case, globally unique
+export const label = "My Agent (local)";
+
+export const models = [
+  { id: "model-a", label: "Model A" },
+];
+
+export const agentConfigurationDoc = `# my_adapter configuration
+Use when: ...
+Don't use when: ...
+`;
+
+// Required by plugin-loader convention
+export { createServerAdapter } from "./server/index.js";
+```
+
+### src/server/index.ts
+
+```ts
+import type { ServerAdapterModule } from "@paperclipai/adapter-utils";
+import { type, models, agentConfigurationDoc } from "../index.js";
+import { execute } from "./execute.js";
+import { testEnvironment } from "./test.js";
+
+export function createServerAdapter(): ServerAdapterModule {
+  return {
+    type,
+    execute,
+    testEnvironment,
+    models,
+    agentConfigurationDoc,
+  };
+}
+```
+
+### src/server/execute.ts
+
+The core execution function. Receives an `AdapterExecutionContext` and returns an `AdapterExecutionResult`.
+
+```ts
+import type {
+  AdapterExecutionContext,
+  AdapterExecutionResult,
+} from "@paperclipai/adapter-utils";
+
+import {
+  runChildProcess,
+  buildPaperclipEnv,
+  renderTemplate,
+} from "@paperclipai/adapter-utils/server-utils";
+
+export async function execute(
+  ctx: AdapterExecutionContext,
+): Promise<AdapterExecutionResult> {
+  const { config, agent, runtime, context, onLog, onMeta } = ctx;
+
+  // 1. Read config with safe helpers
+  const cwd = String(config.cwd ?? "/tmp");
+  const command = String(config.command ?? "my-agent");
+  const timeoutSec = Number(config.timeoutSec ?? 300);
+
+  // 2. Build environment with Paperclip vars injected
+  const env = buildPaperclipEnv(agent);
+
+  // 3. Render prompt template
+  const prompt = config.promptTemplate
+    ? renderTemplate(String(config.promptTemplate), {
+        agentId: agent.id,
+        agentName: agent.name,
+        companyId: agent.companyId,
+        runId: ctx.runId,
+        taskId: context.taskId ?? "",
+        taskTitle: context.taskTitle ?? "",
+      })
+    : "Continue your work.";
+
+  // 4. Spawn process
+  const result = await runChildProcess(command, {
+    args: [prompt],
+    cwd,
+    env,
+    timeout: timeoutSec * 1000,
+    graceMs: 10_000,
+    onStdout: (chunk) => onLog("stdout", chunk),
+    onStderr: (chunk) => onLog("stderr", chunk),
+  });
+
+  // 5. Return structured result
+  return {
+    exitCode: result.exitCode,
+    timedOut: result.timedOut,
+    // Include session state for persistence
+    sessionParams: { /* ... */ },
+  };
+}
+```
+
+#### Available Helpers from `@paperclipai/adapter-utils`
+
+| Helper | Purpose |
+|--------|---------|
+| `runChildProcess(command, opts)` | Spawn a child process with timeout, grace period, and streaming callbacks |
+| `buildPaperclipEnv(agent)` | Inject `PAPERCLIP_*` environment variables |
+| `renderTemplate(template, data)` | `{{variable}}` substitution in prompt templates |
+| `asString(v)`, `asNumber(v)`, `asBoolean(v)` | Safe config value extraction |
+
+### src/server/test.ts
+
+Validates the adapter configuration before running. Returns structured diagnostics.
+
+```ts
+import type {
+  AdapterEnvironmentTestContext,
+  AdapterEnvironmentTestResult,
+} from "@paperclipai/adapter-utils";
+
+export async function testEnvironment(
+  ctx: AdapterEnvironmentTestContext,
+): Promise<AdapterEnvironmentTestResult> {
+  const checks = [];
+
+  // Example: check CLI is installed
+  checks.push({
+    level: "info",
+    message: "My Agent CLI v1.2.0 detected",
+    code: "cli_detected",
+  });
+
+  // Example: check working directory
+  const cwd = String(ctx.config.cwd ?? "");
+  if (!cwd.startsWith("/")) {
+    checks.push({
+      level: "error",
+      message: `Working directory must be absolute: "${cwd}"`,
+      hint: "Use /home/user/project or /workspace",
+      code: "invalid_cwd",
+    });
+  }
+
+  return {
+    adapterType: ctx.adapterType,
+    status: checks.some(c => c.level === "error") ? "fail" : "pass",
+    checks,
+    testedAt: new Date().toISOString(),
+  };
+}
+```
+
+Check levels:
+
+| Level | Meaning | Effect |
+|-------|---------|--------|
+| `info` | Informational | Shown in test results |
+| `warn` | Non-blocking issue | Shown with yellow indicator |
+| `error` | Blocks execution | Prevents agent from running |
+
+## Installation
+
+### From npm
+
+```sh
+# Via the Paperclip UI
+# Settings → Adapters → Install from npm → "my-paperclip-adapter"
+
+# Or via API
+curl -X POST http://localhost:3102/api/adapters \
+  -H "Authorization: Bearer <token>" \
+  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
+  -d '{"packageName": "my-paperclip-adapter"}'
+```
+
+### From local directory
+
+```sh
+curl -X POST http://localhost:3102/api/adapters \
+  -H "Authorization: Bearer <token>" \
+  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
+  -d '{"localPath": "/home/user/my-adapter"}'
+```
+
+Local adapters are symlinked into Paperclip's adapter directory. Changes to the source are picked up on server restart.
+
+### Via adapter-plugins.json
+
+For development, you can also edit `~/.paperclip/adapter-plugins.json` directly:
+
+```json
+[
+  {
+    "packageName": "my-paperclip-adapter",
+    "localPath": "/home/user/my-adapter",
+    "type": "my_adapter",
+    "installedAt": "2026-03-30T12:00:00.000Z"
+  }
+]
+```
+
+## Optional: Session Persistence
+
+If your agent runtime supports sessions (conversation continuity across heartbeats), implement a session codec:
+
+```ts
+import type { AdapterSessionCodec } from "@paperclipai/adapter-utils";
+
+export const sessionCodec: AdapterSessionCodec = {
+  deserialize(raw) {
+    if (typeof raw !== "object" || raw === null) return null;
+    const r = raw as Record<string, unknown>;
+    return r.sessionId ? { sessionId: String(r.sessionId) } : null;
+  },
+  serialize(params) {
+    return params?.sessionId ? { sessionId: String(params.sessionId) } : null;
+  },
+  getDisplayId(params) {
+    return params?.sessionId ? String(params.sessionId) : null;
+  },
+};
+```
+
+Include it in `createServerAdapter()`:
+
+```ts
+return { type, execute, testEnvironment, sessionCodec, /* ... */ };
+```
+
+## Optional: Skills Sync
+
+If your agent runtime supports skills/plugins, implement `listSkills` and `syncSkills`:
+
+```ts
+return {
+  type,
+  execute,
+  testEnvironment,
+  async listSkills(ctx) {
+    return {
+      adapterType: ctx.adapterType,
+      supported: true,
+      mode: "ephemeral",
+      desiredSkills: [],
+      entries: [],
+      warnings: [],
+    };
+  },
+  async syncSkills(ctx, desiredSkills) {
+    // Install desired skills into the runtime
+    return { /* same shape as listSkills */ };
+  },
+};
+```
+
+## Optional: Model Detection
+
+If your runtime has a local config file that specifies the default model:
+
+```ts
+async function detectModel() {
+  // Read ~/.my-agent/config.yaml or similar
+  return {
+    model: "anthropic/claude-sonnet-4",
+    provider: "anthropic",
+    source: "~/.my-agent/config.yaml",
+    candidates: ["anthropic/claude-sonnet-4", "openai/gpt-4o"],
+  };
+}
+
+return { type, execute, testEnvironment, detectModel: () => detectModel() };
+```
+
+## Publishing
+
+```sh
+npm run build
+npm publish
+```
+
+Other Paperclip users can then install your adapter by package name from the UI or API.
+
+## Security
+
+- Treat agent output as untrusted — parse defensively, never `eval()` agent output
+- Inject secrets via environment variables, not in prompts
+- Configure network access controls if the runtime supports them
+- Always enforce timeout and grace period — don't let agents run forever
+- The UI parser module runs in a browser sandbox — it must have zero runtime imports and no side effects
+
+## Next Steps
+
+- [UI Parser Contract](/adapters/adapter-ui-parser) — add a custom run-log parser so the UI renders your adapter's output correctly
+- [Creating an Adapter](/adapters/creating-an-adapter) — full walkthrough of adapter internals
+- [How Agents Work](/guides/agent-developer/how-agents-work) — understand the heartbeat lifecycle your adapter serves
diff --git a/docs/adapters/overview.md b/docs/adapters/overview.md
index 3216b5e5..dfb4b21f 100644
--- a/docs/adapters/overview.md
+++ b/docs/adapters/overview.md
@@ -22,43 +22,67 @@ When a heartbeat fires, Paperclip:
 | [Codex Local](/adapters/codex-local) | `codex_local` | Runs OpenAI Codex CLI locally |
 | [Gemini Local](/adapters/gemini-local) | `gemini_local` | Runs Gemini CLI locally (experimental — adapter package exists, not yet in stable type enum) |
 | OpenCode Local | `opencode_local` | Runs OpenCode CLI locally (multi-provider `provider/model`) |
-| Hermes Local | `hermes_local` | Runs Hermes CLI locally |
 | Cursor | `cursor` | Runs Cursor in background mode |
 | Pi Local | `pi_local` | Runs an embedded Pi agent locally |
+| Hermes Local | `hermes_local` | Runs Hermes CLI locally (`hermes-paperclip-adapter`) |
 | OpenClaw Gateway | `openclaw_gateway` | Connects to an OpenClaw gateway endpoint |
 | [Process](/adapters/process) | `process` | Executes arbitrary shell commands |
 | [HTTP](/adapters/http) | `http` | Sends webhooks to external agents |
 
+### External (plugin) adapters
+
+These adapters ship as standalone npm packages and are installed via the plugin system:
+
+| Adapter | Package | Type Key | Description |
+|---------|---------|----------|-------------|
+| Droid Local | `@henkey/droid-paperclip-adapter` | `droid_local` | Runs Factory Droid locally |
+
+## External Adapters
+
+You can build and distribute adapters as standalone packages — no changes to Paperclip's source code required. External adapters are loaded at startup via the plugin system.
+
+```sh
+# Install from npm via API
+curl -X POST http://localhost:3102/api/adapters \
+  -d '{"packageName": "my-paperclip-adapter"}'
+
+# Or link from a local directory
+curl -X POST http://localhost:3102/api/adapters \
+  -d '{"localPath": "/home/user/my-adapter"}'
+```
+
+See [External Adapters](/adapters/external-adapters) for the full guide.
+
 ## Adapter Architecture
 
-Each adapter is a package with three modules:
+Each adapter is a package with modules consumed by three registries:
 
 ```
-packages/adapters/<name>/
+my-adapter/
   src/
     index.ts            # Shared metadata (type, label, models)
     server/
       execute.ts        # Core execution logic
       parse.ts          # Output parsing
       test.ts           # Environment diagnostics
-    ui/
-      parse-stdout.ts   # Stdout -> transcript entries for run viewer
-      build-config.ts   # Form values -> adapterConfig JSON
+    ui-parser.ts        # Self-contained UI transcript parser (for external adapters)
     cli/
       format-event.ts   # Terminal output for `paperclipai run --watch`
 ```
 
-Three registries consume these modules:
-
-| Registry | What it does |
-|----------|-------------|
-| **Server** | Executes agents, captures results |
-| **UI** | Renders run transcripts, provides config forms |
-| **CLI** | Formats terminal output for live watching |
+| Registry | What it does | Source |
+|----------|-------------|--------|
+| **Server** | Executes agents, captures results | `createServerAdapter()` from package root |
+| **UI** | Renders run transcripts, provides config forms | `ui-parser.js` (dynamic) or static import (built-in) |
+| **CLI** | Formats terminal output for live watching | Static import |
 
 ## Choosing an Adapter
 
-- **Need a coding agent?** Use `claude_local`, `codex_local`, `opencode_local`, or `hermes_local`
+- **Need a coding agent?** Use `claude_local`, `codex_local`, `opencode_local`, `hermes_local`, or install `droid_local` as an external plugin
 - **Need to run a script or command?** Use `process`
 - **Need to call an external service?** Use `http`
-- **Need something custom?** [Create your own adapter](/adapters/creating-an-adapter)
+- **Need something custom?** [Create your own adapter](/adapters/creating-an-adapter) or [build an external adapter plugin](/adapters/external-adapters)
+
+## UI Parser Contract
+
+External adapters can ship a self-contained UI parser that tells the Paperclip web UI how to render their stdout. Without it, the UI uses a generic shell parser. See the [UI Parser Contract](/adapters/adapter-ui-parser) for details.
diff --git a/docs/agents-runtime.md b/docs/agents-runtime.md
index f3672723..cafc39e9 100644
--- a/docs/agents-runtime.md
+++ b/docs/agents-runtime.md
@@ -37,14 +37,18 @@ Built-in adapters:
 - `claude_local`: runs your local `claude` CLI
 - `codex_local`: runs your local `codex` CLI
 - `opencode_local`: runs your local `opencode` CLI
-- `hermes_local`: runs your local `hermes` CLI
 - `cursor`: runs Cursor in background mode
 - `pi_local`: runs an embedded Pi agent locally
+- `hermes_local`: runs your local `hermes` CLI (`hermes-paperclip-adapter`)
 - `openclaw_gateway`: connects to an OpenClaw gateway endpoint
 - `process`: generic shell command adapter
 - `http`: calls an external HTTP endpoint
 
-For local CLI adapters (`claude_local`, `codex_local`, `opencode_local`, `hermes_local`), Paperclip assumes the CLI is already installed and authenticated on the host machine.
+External plugin adapters (install via the adapter manager or API):
+
+- `droid_local`: runs your local Factory Droid CLI (`@henkey/droid-paperclip-adapter`)
+
+For local CLI adapters (`claude_local`, `codex_local`, `opencode_local`, `hermes_local`, `droid_local`), Paperclip assumes the CLI is already installed and authenticated on the host machine.
 
 ## 3.2 Runtime behavior
 
@@ -173,7 +177,7 @@ Start with least privilege where possible, and avoid exposing secrets in broad r
 
 ## 10. Minimal setup checklist
 
-1. Choose adapter (e.g. `claude_local`, `codex_local`, `opencode_local`, `hermes_local`, `cursor`, or `openclaw_gateway`).
+1. Choose adapter (e.g. `claude_local`, `codex_local`, `opencode_local`, `hermes_local`, `cursor`, or `openclaw_gateway`). External plugins like `droid_local` are also available via the adapter manager.
 2. Set `cwd` to the target workspace (for local adapters).
 3. Optionally add a prompt template (`promptTemplate`) or use the managed instructions bundle.
 4. Configure heartbeat policy (timer and/or assignment wakeups).
diff --git a/docs/docs.json b/docs/docs.json
index f87809af..be48cc8e 100644
--- a/docs/docs.json
+++ b/docs/docs.json
@@ -98,6 +98,8 @@
               "adapters/codex-local",
               "adapters/process",
               "adapters/http",
+              "adapters/external-adapters",
+              "adapters/adapter-ui-parser",
               "adapters/creating-an-adapter"
             ]
           }
diff --git a/packages/adapter-utils/src/index.ts b/packages/adapter-utils/src/index.ts
index 943db253..6770ae51 100644
--- a/packages/adapter-utils/src/index.ts
+++ b/packages/adapter-utils/src/index.ts
@@ -22,6 +22,9 @@ export type {
   AdapterModel,
   HireApprovedPayload,
   HireApprovedHookResult,
+  ConfigFieldOption,
+  ConfigFieldSchema,
+  AdapterConfigSchema,
   ServerAdapterModule,
   QuotaWindow,
   ProviderQuotaResult,
diff --git a/packages/adapter-utils/src/log-redaction.ts b/packages/adapter-utils/src/log-redaction.ts
index 6c5554e1..96cfba6d 100644
--- a/packages/adapter-utils/src/log-redaction.ts
+++ b/packages/adapter-utils/src/log-redaction.ts
@@ -68,6 +68,7 @@ export function redactTranscriptEntryPaths(entry: TranscriptEntry, opts?: HomePa
     case "stderr":
     case "system":
     case "stdout":
+    case "diff":
       return { ...entry, text: redactHomePathUserSegments(entry.text, opts) };
     case "tool_call":
       return {
diff --git a/packages/adapter-utils/src/session-compaction.ts b/packages/adapter-utils/src/session-compaction.ts
index 308b54a3..90fe544b 100644
--- a/packages/adapter-utils/src/session-compaction.ts
+++ b/packages/adapter-utils/src/session-compaction.ts
@@ -41,6 +41,7 @@ export const LEGACY_SESSIONED_ADAPTER_TYPES = new Set([
   "codex_local",
   "cursor",
   "gemini_local",
+  "hermes_local",
   "opencode_local",
   "pi_local",
 ]);
@@ -76,6 +77,11 @@ export const ADAPTER_SESSION_MANAGEMENT: Record<string, AdapterSessionManagement
     nativeContextManagement: "unknown",
     defaultSessionCompaction: DEFAULT_SESSION_COMPACTION_POLICY,
   },
+  hermes_local: {
+    supportsSessionResume: true,
+    nativeContextManagement: "confirmed",
+    defaultSessionCompaction: ADAPTER_MANAGED_SESSION_POLICY,
+  },
 };
 
 function isRecord(value: unknown): value is Record<string, unknown> {
diff --git a/packages/adapter-utils/src/types.ts b/packages/adapter-utils/src/types.ts
index 9337fad0..429143d5 100644
--- a/packages/adapter-utils/src/types.ts
+++ b/packages/adapter-utils/src/types.ts
@@ -261,6 +261,34 @@ export interface ProviderQuotaResult {
   windows: QuotaWindow[];
 }
 
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// Adapter config schema — declarative UI config for external adapters
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+export interface ConfigFieldOption {
+  label: string;
+  value: string;
+  /** Optional group key for categorizing options (e.g. provider name) */
+  group?: string;
+}
+
+export interface ConfigFieldSchema {
+  key: string;
+  label: string;
+  type: "text" | "select" | "toggle" | "number" | "textarea" | "combobox";
+  options?: ConfigFieldOption[];
+  default?: unknown;
+  hint?: string;
+  required?: boolean;
+  group?: string;
+  /** Optional metadata — not rendered, but available to custom UI logic */
+  meta?: Record<string, unknown>;
+}
+
+export interface AdapterConfigSchema {
+  fields: ConfigFieldSchema[];
+}
+
 export interface ServerAdapterModule {
   type: string;
   execute(ctx: AdapterExecutionContext): Promise<AdapterExecutionResult>;
@@ -292,7 +320,14 @@ export interface ServerAdapterModule {
    * Returns the detected model/provider and the config source, or null if
    * the adapter does not support detection or no config is found.
    */
-  detectModel?: () => Promise<{ model: string; provider: string; source: string } | null>;
+  detectModel?: () => Promise<{ model: string; provider: string; source: string; candidates?: string[] } | null>;
+  /**
+   * Optional: return a declarative config schema so the UI can render
+   * adapter-specific form fields without shipping React components.
+   * Dynamic options (e.g. scanning a profiles directory) should be
+   * resolved inside this method — the caller receives a fully hydrated schema.
+   */
+  getConfigSchema?: () => Promise<AdapterConfigSchema> | AdapterConfigSchema;
 }
 
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -309,7 +344,8 @@ export type TranscriptEntry =
   | { kind: "result"; ts: string; text: string; inputTokens: number; outputTokens: number; cachedTokens: number; costUsd: number; subtype: string; isError: boolean; errors: string[] }
   | { kind: "stderr"; ts: string; text: string }
   | { kind: "system"; ts: string; text: string }
-  | { kind: "stdout"; ts: string; text: string };
+  | { kind: "stdout"; ts: string; text: string }
+  | { kind: "diff"; ts: string; changeType: "add" | "remove" | "context" | "hunk" | "file_header" | "truncation"; text: string };
 
 export type StdoutLineParser = (line: string, ts: string) => TranscriptEntry[];
 
@@ -353,4 +389,6 @@ export interface CreateConfigValues {
   maxTurnsPerRun: number;
   heartbeatEnabled: boolean;
   intervalSec: number;
+  /** Arbitrary key-value pairs populated by schema-driven config fields. */
+  adapterSchemaValues?: Record<string, unknown>;
 }
diff --git a/packages/adapters/claude-local/src/index.ts b/packages/adapters/claude-local/src/index.ts
index 41c0693f..b2f85732 100644
--- a/packages/adapters/claude-local/src/index.ts
+++ b/packages/adapters/claude-local/src/index.ts
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ Core fields:
 - chrome (boolean, optional): pass --chrome when running Claude
 - promptTemplate (string, optional): run prompt template
 - maxTurnsPerRun (number, optional): max turns for one run
-- dangerouslySkipPermissions (boolean, optional): pass --dangerously-skip-permissions to claude
+- dangerouslySkipPermissions (boolean, optional, default true): pass --dangerously-skip-permissions to claude; defaults to true because Paperclip runs Claude in headless --print mode where interactive permission prompts cannot be answered
 - command (string, optional): defaults to "claude"
 - extraArgs (string[], optional): additional CLI args
 - env (object, optional): KEY=VALUE environment variables
diff --git a/packages/adapters/claude-local/src/server/execute.ts b/packages/adapters/claude-local/src/server/execute.ts
index c7d6c6a8..a44d0957 100644
--- a/packages/adapters/claude-local/src/server/execute.ts
+++ b/packages/adapters/claude-local/src/server/execute.ts
@@ -317,7 +317,7 @@ export async function execute(ctx: AdapterExecutionContext): Promise<AdapterExec
   const effort = asString(config.effort, "");
   const chrome = asBoolean(config.chrome, false);
   const maxTurns = asNumber(config.maxTurnsPerRun, 0);
-  const dangerouslySkipPermissions = asBoolean(config.dangerouslySkipPermissions, false);
+  const dangerouslySkipPermissions = asBoolean(config.dangerouslySkipPermissions, true);
   const instructionsFilePath = asString(config.instructionsFilePath, "").trim();
   const instructionsFileDir = instructionsFilePath ? `${path.dirname(instructionsFilePath)}/` : "";
   const commandNotes = instructionsFilePath
diff --git a/packages/adapters/claude-local/src/server/test.ts b/packages/adapters/claude-local/src/server/test.ts
index 98d570c4..04865dd0 100644
--- a/packages/adapters/claude-local/src/server/test.ts
+++ b/packages/adapters/claude-local/src/server/test.ts
@@ -131,7 +131,7 @@ export async function testEnvironment(
       const effort = asString(config.effort, "").trim();
       const chrome = asBoolean(config.chrome, false);
       const maxTurns = asNumber(config.maxTurnsPerRun, 0);
-      const dangerouslySkipPermissions = asBoolean(config.dangerouslySkipPermissions, false);
+      const dangerouslySkipPermissions = asBoolean(config.dangerouslySkipPermissions, true);
       const extraArgs = (() => {
         const fromExtraArgs = asStringArray(config.extraArgs);
         if (fromExtraArgs.length > 0) return fromExtraArgs;
diff --git a/packages/plugins/sdk/src/protocol.ts b/packages/plugins/sdk/src/protocol.ts
index b77a0e75..9d81eb8a 100644
--- a/packages/plugins/sdk/src/protocol.ts
+++ b/packages/plugins/sdk/src/protocol.ts
@@ -606,7 +606,7 @@ export interface WorkerToHostMethods {
     result: IssueComment[],
   ];
   "issues.createComment": [
-    params: { issueId: string; body: string; companyId: string },
+    params: { issueId: string; body: string; companyId: string; authorAgentId?: string },
     result: IssueComment,
   ];
 
diff --git a/packages/plugins/sdk/src/testing.ts b/packages/plugins/sdk/src/testing.ts
index 83fbfb5b..41e91d54 100644
--- a/packages/plugins/sdk/src/testing.ts
+++ b/packages/plugins/sdk/src/testing.ts
@@ -405,7 +405,7 @@ export function createTestHarness(options: TestHarnessOptions): TestHarness {
         if (!isInCompany(issues.get(issueId), companyId)) return [];
         return issueComments.get(issueId) ?? [];
       },
-      async createComment(issueId, body, companyId) {
+      async createComment(issueId, body, companyId, options) {
         requireCapability(manifest, capabilitySet, "issue.comments.create");
         const parentIssue = issues.get(issueId);
         if (!isInCompany(parentIssue, companyId)) {
@@ -416,7 +416,7 @@ export function createTestHarness(options: TestHarnessOptions): TestHarness {
           id: randomUUID(),
           companyId: parentIssue.companyId,
           issueId,
-          authorAgentId: null,
+          authorAgentId: options?.authorAgentId ?? null,
           authorUserId: null,
           body,
           createdAt: now,
diff --git a/packages/plugins/sdk/src/types.ts b/packages/plugins/sdk/src/types.ts
index 4b707e28..f8a6ca4f 100644
--- a/packages/plugins/sdk/src/types.ts
+++ b/packages/plugins/sdk/src/types.ts
@@ -909,7 +909,12 @@ export interface PluginIssuesClient {
     companyId: string,
   ): Promise<Issue>;
   listComments(issueId: string, companyId: string): Promise<IssueComment[]>;
-  createComment(issueId: string, body: string, companyId: string): Promise<IssueComment>;
+  createComment(
+    issueId: string,
+    body: string,
+    companyId: string,
+    options?: { authorAgentId?: string },
+  ): Promise<IssueComment>;
   /** Read and write issue documents. Requires `issue.documents.read` / `issue.documents.write`. */
   documents: PluginIssueDocumentsClient;
 }
diff --git a/packages/plugins/sdk/src/worker-rpc-host.ts b/packages/plugins/sdk/src/worker-rpc-host.ts
index a64d225a..483dbc70 100644
--- a/packages/plugins/sdk/src/worker-rpc-host.ts
+++ b/packages/plugins/sdk/src/worker-rpc-host.ts
@@ -610,8 +610,8 @@ export function startWorkerRpcHost(options: WorkerRpcHostOptions): WorkerRpcHost
           return callHost("issues.listComments", { issueId, companyId });
         },
 
-        async createComment(issueId: string, body: string, companyId: string) {
-          return callHost("issues.createComment", { issueId, body, companyId });
+        async createComment(issueId: string, body: string, companyId: string, options?: { authorAgentId?: string }) {
+          return callHost("issues.createComment", { issueId, body, companyId, authorAgentId: options?.authorAgentId });
         },
 
         documents: {
diff --git a/packages/shared/src/adapter-type.ts b/packages/shared/src/adapter-type.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..5af29dfc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/shared/src/adapter-type.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+import { z } from "zod";
+import { AGENT_ADAPTER_TYPES } from "./constants.js";
+
+export const agentAdapterTypeSchema = z
+  .string()
+  .trim()
+  .min(1)
+  .default("process")
+  .describe(`Known built-in adapters: ${AGENT_ADAPTER_TYPES.join(", ")}. External adapters may register additional non-empty string types at runtime.`);
+
+export const optionalAgentAdapterTypeSchema = z
+  .string()
+  .trim()
+  .min(1)
+  .optional();
diff --git a/packages/shared/src/adapter-types.test.ts b/packages/shared/src/adapter-types.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..29fb6eec
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/shared/src/adapter-types.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,38 @@
+import { describe, expect, it } from "vitest";
+import { acceptInviteSchema, createAgentSchema, updateAgentSchema } from "./index.js";
+
+describe("dynamic adapter type validation schemas", () => {
+  it("accepts external adapter types in create/update agent schemas", () => {
+    expect(
+      createAgentSchema.parse({
+        name: "External Agent",
+        adapterType: "external_adapter",
+      }).adapterType,
+    ).toBe("external_adapter");
+
+    expect(
+      updateAgentSchema.parse({
+        adapterType: "external_adapter",
+      }).adapterType,
+    ).toBe("external_adapter");
+  });
+
+  it("still rejects blank adapter types", () => {
+    expect(() =>
+      createAgentSchema.parse({
+        name: "Blank Adapter",
+        adapterType: "   ",
+      }),
+    ).toThrow();
+  });
+
+  it("accepts external adapter types in invite acceptance schema", () => {
+    expect(
+      acceptInviteSchema.parse({
+        requestType: "agent",
+        agentName: "External Joiner",
+        adapterType: "external_adapter",
+      }).adapterType,
+    ).toBe("external_adapter");
+  });
+});
diff --git a/packages/shared/src/constants.ts b/packages/shared/src/constants.ts
index 1e82a5ce..59d58441 100644
--- a/packages/shared/src/constants.ts
+++ b/packages/shared/src/constants.ts
@@ -31,9 +31,8 @@ export const AGENT_ADAPTER_TYPES = [
   "pi_local",
   "cursor",
   "openclaw_gateway",
-  "hermes_local",
 ] as const;
-export type AgentAdapterType = (typeof AGENT_ADAPTER_TYPES)[number];
+export type AgentAdapterType = (typeof AGENT_ADAPTER_TYPES)[number] | (string & {});
 
 export const AGENT_ROLES = [
   "ceo",
diff --git a/packages/shared/src/index.ts b/packages/shared/src/index.ts
index 0f936bc2..b0fd87f2 100644
--- a/packages/shared/src/index.ts
+++ b/packages/shared/src/index.ts
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+export { agentAdapterTypeSchema, optionalAgentAdapterTypeSchema } from "./adapter-type.js";
 export {
   COMPANY_STATUSES,
   DEPLOYMENT_MODES,
diff --git a/packages/shared/src/validators/access.ts b/packages/shared/src/validators/access.ts
index 126a0843..6da95c12 100644
--- a/packages/shared/src/validators/access.ts
+++ b/packages/shared/src/validators/access.ts
@@ -1,11 +1,11 @@
 import { z } from "zod";
 import {
-  AGENT_ADAPTER_TYPES,
   INVITE_JOIN_TYPES,
   JOIN_REQUEST_STATUSES,
   JOIN_REQUEST_TYPES,
   PERMISSION_KEYS,
 } from "../constants.js";
+import { optionalAgentAdapterTypeSchema } from "../adapter-type.js";
 
 export const createCompanyInviteSchema = z.object({
   allowedJoinTypes: z.enum(INVITE_JOIN_TYPES).default("both"),
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ export type CreateOpenClawInvitePrompt = z.infer<
 export const acceptInviteSchema = z.object({
   requestType: z.enum(JOIN_REQUEST_TYPES),
   agentName: z.string().min(1).max(120).optional(),
-  adapterType: z.enum(AGENT_ADAPTER_TYPES).optional(),
+  adapterType: optionalAgentAdapterTypeSchema,
   capabilities: z.string().max(4000).optional().nullable(),
   agentDefaultsPayload: z.record(z.string(), z.unknown()).optional().nullable(),
   // OpenClaw join compatibility fields accepted at top level.
diff --git a/packages/shared/src/validators/agent.ts b/packages/shared/src/validators/agent.ts
index 288ae683..7b462db7 100644
--- a/packages/shared/src/validators/agent.ts
+++ b/packages/shared/src/validators/agent.ts
@@ -1,11 +1,11 @@
 import { z } from "zod";
 import {
-  AGENT_ADAPTER_TYPES,
   AGENT_ICON_NAMES,
   AGENT_ROLES,
   AGENT_STATUSES,
   INBOX_MINE_ISSUE_STATUS_FILTER,
 } from "../constants.js";
+import { agentAdapterTypeSchema } from "../adapter-type.js";
 import { envConfigSchema } from "./secret.js";
 
 export const agentPermissionsSchema = z.object({
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ export const createAgentSchema = z.object({
   reportsTo: z.string().uuid().optional().nullable(),
   capabilities: z.string().optional().nullable(),
   desiredSkills: z.array(z.string().min(1)).optional(),
-  adapterType: z.enum(AGENT_ADAPTER_TYPES).optional().default("process"),
+  adapterType: agentAdapterTypeSchema,
   adapterConfig: adapterConfigSchema.optional().default({}),
   runtimeConfig: z.record(z.unknown()).optional().default({}),
   budgetMonthlyCents: z.number().int().nonnegative().optional().default(0),
diff --git a/server/src/__tests__/adapter-registry.test.ts b/server/src/__tests__/adapter-registry.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..6f7b0973
--- /dev/null
+++ b/server/src/__tests__/adapter-registry.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,143 @@
+import { describe, expect, it, beforeEach, afterEach, vi } from "vitest";
+import type { ServerAdapterModule } from "../adapters/index.js";
+import {
+  detectAdapterModel,
+  findActiveServerAdapter,
+  findServerAdapter,
+  listAdapterModels,
+  registerServerAdapter,
+  requireServerAdapter,
+  unregisterServerAdapter,
+} from "../adapters/index.js";
+import { setOverridePaused } from "../adapters/registry.js";
+
+const externalAdapter: ServerAdapterModule = {
+  type: "external_test",
+  execute: async () => ({
+    exitCode: 0,
+    signal: null,
+    timedOut: false,
+  }),
+  testEnvironment: async () => ({
+    adapterType: "external_test",
+    status: "pass",
+    checks: [],
+    testedAt: new Date(0).toISOString(),
+  }),
+  models: [{ id: "external-model", label: "External Model" }],
+  supportsLocalAgentJwt: false,
+};
+
+describe("server adapter registry", () => {
+  beforeEach(() => {
+    unregisterServerAdapter("external_test");
+    unregisterServerAdapter("claude_local");
+    setOverridePaused("claude_local", false);
+  });
+
+  afterEach(() => {
+    unregisterServerAdapter("external_test");
+    unregisterServerAdapter("claude_local");
+    setOverridePaused("claude_local", false);
+  });
+
+  it("registers external adapters and exposes them through lookup helpers", async () => {
+    expect(findServerAdapter("external_test")).toBeNull();
+
+    registerServerAdapter(externalAdapter);
+
+    expect(requireServerAdapter("external_test")).toBe(externalAdapter);
+    expect(await listAdapterModels("external_test")).toEqual([
+      { id: "external-model", label: "External Model" },
+    ]);
+  });
+
+  it("removes external adapters when unregistered", () => {
+    registerServerAdapter(externalAdapter);
+
+    unregisterServerAdapter("external_test");
+
+    expect(findServerAdapter("external_test")).toBeNull();
+    expect(() => requireServerAdapter("external_test")).toThrow(
+      "Unknown adapter type: external_test",
+    );
+  });
+
+  it("allows external plugin to override a built-in adapter type", () => {
+    // claude_local is always built-in
+    const builtIn = findServerAdapter("claude_local");
+    expect(builtIn).not.toBeNull();
+
+    const plugin: ServerAdapterModule = {
+      type: "claude_local",
+      execute: async () => ({
+        exitCode: 0,
+        signal: null,
+        timedOut: false,
+      }),
+      testEnvironment: async () => ({
+        adapterType: "claude_local",
+        status: "pass",
+        checks: [],
+        testedAt: new Date(0).toISOString(),
+      }),
+      models: [{ id: "plugin-model", label: "Plugin Override" }],
+      supportsLocalAgentJwt: false,
+    };
+
+    registerServerAdapter(plugin);
+
+    // Plugin wins
+    const resolved = requireServerAdapter("claude_local");
+    expect(resolved).toBe(plugin);
+    expect(resolved.models).toEqual([
+      { id: "plugin-model", label: "Plugin Override" },
+    ]);
+  });
+
+  it("switches active adapter behavior back to the builtin when an override is paused", async () => {
+    const builtIn = findServerAdapter("claude_local");
+    expect(builtIn).not.toBeNull();
+
+    const detectModel = vi.fn(async () => ({
+      model: "plugin-model",
+      provider: "plugin-provider",
+      source: "plugin-source",
+    }));
+    const plugin: ServerAdapterModule = {
+      type: "claude_local",
+      execute: async () => ({
+        exitCode: 0,
+        signal: null,
+        timedOut: false,
+      }),
+      testEnvironment: async () => ({
+        adapterType: "claude_local",
+        status: "pass",
+        checks: [],
+        testedAt: new Date(0).toISOString(),
+      }),
+      models: [{ id: "plugin-model", label: "Plugin Override" }],
+      detectModel,
+      supportsLocalAgentJwt: false,
+    };
+
+    registerServerAdapter(plugin);
+
+    expect(findActiveServerAdapter("claude_local")).toBe(plugin);
+    expect(await listAdapterModels("claude_local")).toEqual([
+      { id: "plugin-model", label: "Plugin Override" },
+    ]);
+    expect(await detectAdapterModel("claude_local")).toMatchObject({
+      model: "plugin-model",
+      provider: "plugin-provider",
+    });
+
+    expect(setOverridePaused("claude_local", true)).toBe(true);
+
+    expect(findActiveServerAdapter("claude_local")).not.toBe(plugin);
+    expect(await listAdapterModels("claude_local")).toEqual(builtIn?.models ?? []);
+    expect(await detectAdapterModel("claude_local")).toBeNull();
+    expect(detectModel).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
+  });
+});
diff --git a/server/src/__tests__/adapter-routes.test.ts b/server/src/__tests__/adapter-routes.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..c1ce6c3a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/server/src/__tests__/adapter-routes.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,78 @@
+import express from "express";
+import request from "supertest";
+import { afterEach, beforeEach, describe, expect, it } from "vitest";
+import type { ServerAdapterModule } from "../adapters/index.js";
+import { registerServerAdapter, unregisterServerAdapter } from "../adapters/index.js";
+import { setOverridePaused } from "../adapters/registry.js";
+import { adapterRoutes } from "../routes/adapters.js";
+import { errorHandler } from "../middleware/index.js";
+
+const overridingConfigSchemaAdapter: ServerAdapterModule = {
+  type: "claude_local",
+  execute: async () => ({ exitCode: 0, signal: null, timedOut: false }),
+  testEnvironment: async () => ({
+    adapterType: "claude_local",
+    status: "pass",
+    checks: [],
+    testedAt: new Date(0).toISOString(),
+  }),
+  getConfigSchema: async () => ({
+    version: 1,
+    fields: [
+      {
+        key: "mode",
+        type: "text",
+        label: "Mode",
+      },
+    ],
+  }),
+};
+
+function createApp() {
+  const app = express();
+  app.use(express.json());
+  app.use((req, _res, next) => {
+    (req as any).actor = {
+      type: "board",
+      userId: "local-board",
+      companyIds: [],
+      source: "local_implicit",
+      isInstanceAdmin: false,
+    };
+    next();
+  });
+  app.use("/api", adapterRoutes());
+  app.use(errorHandler);
+  return app;
+}
+
+describe("adapter routes", () => {
+  beforeEach(() => {
+    setOverridePaused("claude_local", false);
+    registerServerAdapter(overridingConfigSchemaAdapter);
+  });
+
+  afterEach(() => {
+    setOverridePaused("claude_local", false);
+    unregisterServerAdapter("claude_local");
+  });
+
+  it("uses the active adapter when resolving config schema for a paused builtin override", async () => {
+    const app = createApp();
+
+    const active = await request(app).get("/api/adapters/claude_local/config-schema");
+    expect(active.status, JSON.stringify(active.body)).toBe(200);
+    expect(active.body).toMatchObject({
+      fields: [{ key: "mode" }],
+    });
+
+    const paused = await request(app)
+      .patch("/api/adapters/claude_local/override")
+      .send({ paused: true });
+    expect(paused.status, JSON.stringify(paused.body)).toBe(200);
+
+    const builtin = await request(app).get("/api/adapters/claude_local/config-schema");
+    expect(builtin.status, JSON.stringify(builtin.body)).toBe(404);
+    expect(String(builtin.body.error ?? "")).toContain("does not provide a config schema");
+  });
+});
diff --git a/server/src/__tests__/agent-adapter-validation-routes.test.ts b/server/src/__tests__/agent-adapter-validation-routes.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..55b9b85b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/server/src/__tests__/agent-adapter-validation-routes.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,180 @@
+import express from "express";
+import request from "supertest";
+import { beforeEach, afterEach, describe, expect, it, vi } from "vitest";
+import { agentRoutes } from "../routes/agents.js";
+import { errorHandler } from "../middleware/index.js";
+import type { ServerAdapterModule } from "../adapters/index.js";
+import { registerServerAdapter, unregisterServerAdapter } from "../adapters/index.js";
+
+const mockAgentService = vi.hoisted(() => ({
+  create: vi.fn(),
+  getById: vi.fn(),
+}));
+
+const mockAccessService = vi.hoisted(() => ({
+  canUser: vi.fn(),
+  hasPermission: vi.fn(),
+  ensureMembership: vi.fn(),
+  setPrincipalPermission: vi.fn(),
+}));
+
+const mockCompanySkillService = vi.hoisted(() => ({
+  listRuntimeSkillEntries: vi.fn(),
+  resolveRequestedSkillKeys: vi.fn(),
+}));
+
+const mockSecretService = vi.hoisted(() => ({
+  normalizeAdapterConfigForPersistence: vi.fn(async (_companyId: string, config: Record<string, unknown>) => config),
+  resolveAdapterConfigForRuntime: vi.fn(async (_companyId: string, config: Record<string, unknown>) => ({ config })),
+}));
+
+const mockAgentInstructionsService = vi.hoisted(() => ({
+  materializeManagedBundle: vi.fn(),
+  getBundle: vi.fn(),
+  readFile: vi.fn(),
+  updateBundle: vi.fn(),
+  writeFile: vi.fn(),
+  deleteFile: vi.fn(),
+  exportFiles: vi.fn(),
+  ensureManagedBundle: vi.fn(),
+}));
+
+const mockBudgetService = vi.hoisted(() => ({
+  upsertPolicy: vi.fn(),
+}));
+
+const mockHeartbeatService = vi.hoisted(() => ({
+  cancelActiveForAgent: vi.fn(),
+}));
+
+const mockIssueApprovalService = vi.hoisted(() => ({
+  linkManyForApproval: vi.fn(),
+}));
+
+const mockApprovalService = vi.hoisted(() => ({
+  create: vi.fn(),
+  getById: vi.fn(),
+}));
+
+const mockInstanceSettingsService = vi.hoisted(() => ({
+  getGeneral: vi.fn(async () => ({ censorUsernameInLogs: false })),
+}));
+
+const mockLogActivity = vi.hoisted(() => vi.fn());
+
+vi.mock("../services/index.js", () => ({
+  agentService: () => mockAgentService,
+  agentInstructionsService: () => mockAgentInstructionsService,
+  accessService: () => mockAccessService,
+  approvalService: () => mockApprovalService,
+  companySkillService: () => mockCompanySkillService,
+  budgetService: () => mockBudgetService,
+  heartbeatService: () => mockHeartbeatService,
+  issueApprovalService: () => mockIssueApprovalService,
+  issueService: () => ({}),
+  logActivity: mockLogActivity,
+  secretService: () => mockSecretService,
+  syncInstructionsBundleConfigFromFilePath: vi.fn((_agent, config) => config),
+  workspaceOperationService: () => ({}),
+}));
+
+vi.mock("../services/instance-settings.js", () => ({
+  instanceSettingsService: () => mockInstanceSettingsService,
+}));
+
+const externalAdapter: ServerAdapterModule = {
+  type: "external_test",
+  execute: async () => ({ exitCode: 0, signal: null, timedOut: false }),
+  testEnvironment: async () => ({
+    adapterType: "external_test",
+    status: "pass",
+    checks: [],
+    testedAt: new Date(0).toISOString(),
+  }),
+};
+
+function createApp() {
+  const app = express();
+  app.use(express.json());
+  app.use((req, _res, next) => {
+    (req as any).actor = {
+      type: "board",
+      userId: "local-board",
+      companyIds: ["company-1"],
+      source: "local_implicit",
+      isInstanceAdmin: false,
+    };
+    next();
+  });
+  app.use("/api", agentRoutes({} as any));
+  app.use(errorHandler);
+  return app;
+}
+
+describe("agent routes adapter validation", () => {
+  beforeEach(() => {
+    vi.clearAllMocks();
+    unregisterServerAdapter("external_test");
+    mockCompanySkillService.listRuntimeSkillEntries.mockResolvedValue([]);
+    mockCompanySkillService.resolveRequestedSkillKeys.mockResolvedValue([]);
+    mockAccessService.canUser.mockResolvedValue(true);
+    mockAccessService.hasPermission.mockResolvedValue(true);
+    mockAccessService.ensureMembership.mockResolvedValue(undefined);
+    mockAccessService.setPrincipalPermission.mockResolvedValue(undefined);
+    mockLogActivity.mockResolvedValue(undefined);
+    mockAgentService.create.mockImplementation(async (_companyId: string, input: Record<string, unknown>) => ({
+      id: "11111111-1111-4111-8111-111111111111",
+      companyId: "company-1",
+      name: String(input.name ?? "Agent"),
+      urlKey: "agent",
+      role: String(input.role ?? "general"),
+      title: null,
+      icon: null,
+      status: "idle",
+      reportsTo: null,
+      capabilities: null,
+      adapterType: String(input.adapterType ?? "process"),
+      adapterConfig: (input.adapterConfig as Record<string, unknown> | undefined) ?? {},
+      runtimeConfig: (input.runtimeConfig as Record<string, unknown> | undefined) ?? {},
+      budgetMonthlyCents: 0,
+      spentMonthlyCents: 0,
+      pauseReason: null,
+      pausedAt: null,
+      permissions: { canCreateAgents: false },
+      lastHeartbeatAt: null,
+      metadata: null,
+      createdAt: new Date(),
+      updatedAt: new Date(),
+    }));
+  });
+
+  afterEach(() => {
+    unregisterServerAdapter("external_test");
+  });
+
+  it("creates agents for dynamically registered external adapter types", async () => {
+    registerServerAdapter(externalAdapter);
+
+    const res = await request(createApp())
+      .post("/api/companies/company-1/agents")
+      .send({
+        name: "External Agent",
+        adapterType: "external_test",
+      });
+
+    expect(res.status, JSON.stringify(res.body)).toBe(201);
+    expect(res.body.adapterType).toBe("external_test");
+  });
+
+  it("rejects unknown adapter types even when schema accepts arbitrary strings", async () => {
+    const res = await request(createApp())
+      .post("/api/companies/company-1/agents")
+      .send({
+        name: "Missing Adapter",
+        adapterType: "missing_adapter",
+      });
+
+    expect(res.status, JSON.stringify(res.body)).toBe(422);
+    expect(String(res.body.error ?? res.body.message ?? "")).toContain("Unknown adapter type: missing_adapter");
+  });
+});
diff --git a/server/src/__tests__/agent-instructions-routes.test.ts b/server/src/__tests__/agent-instructions-routes.test.ts
index 16b16ca3..1f65c26d 100644
--- a/server/src/__tests__/agent-instructions-routes.test.ts
+++ b/server/src/__tests__/agent-instructions-routes.test.ts
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ vi.mock("../services/index.js", () => ({
 }));
 
 vi.mock("../adapters/index.js", () => ({
-  findServerAdapter: vi.fn(),
+  findServerAdapter: vi.fn((_type: string) => ({ type: _type })),
   listAdapterModels: vi.fn(),
 }));
 
diff --git a/server/src/__tests__/agent-skills-routes.test.ts b/server/src/__tests__/agent-skills-routes.test.ts
index eeec658e..5523323f 100644
--- a/server/src/__tests__/agent-skills-routes.test.ts
+++ b/server/src/__tests__/agent-skills-routes.test.ts
@@ -61,6 +61,7 @@ const mockAdapter = vi.hoisted(() => ({
 
 vi.mock("@paperclipai/shared/telemetry", () => ({
   trackAgentCreated: mockTrackAgentCreated,
+  trackErrorHandlerCrash: vi.fn(),
 }));
 
 vi.mock("../telemetry.js", () => ({
@@ -85,7 +86,9 @@ vi.mock("../services/index.js", () => ({
 
 vi.mock("../adapters/index.js", () => ({
   findServerAdapter: vi.fn(() => mockAdapter),
+  findActiveServerAdapter: vi.fn(() => mockAdapter),
   listAdapterModels: vi.fn(),
+  detectAdapterModel: vi.fn(),
 }));
 
 function createDb(requireBoardApprovalForNewAgents = false) {
diff --git a/server/src/__tests__/heartbeat-run-summary.test.ts b/server/src/__tests__/heartbeat-run-summary.test.ts
index ec6bc2d9..79efdabe 100644
--- a/server/src/__tests__/heartbeat-run-summary.test.ts
+++ b/server/src/__tests__/heartbeat-run-summary.test.ts
@@ -1,5 +1,8 @@
 import { describe, expect, it } from "vitest";
-import { summarizeHeartbeatRunResultJson } from "../services/heartbeat-run-summary.js";
+import {
+  summarizeHeartbeatRunResultJson,
+  buildHeartbeatRunIssueComment,
+} from "../services/heartbeat-run-summary.js";
 
 describe("summarizeHeartbeatRunResultJson", () => {
   it("truncates text fields and preserves cost aliases", () => {
@@ -31,3 +34,24 @@ describe("summarizeHeartbeatRunResultJson", () => {
     expect(summarizeHeartbeatRunResultJson({ nested: { only: "ignored" } })).toBeNull();
   });
 });
+
+describe("buildHeartbeatRunIssueComment", () => {
+  it("uses the final summary text for issue comments on successful runs", () => {
+    const comment = buildHeartbeatRunIssueComment({
+      summary: "## Summary\n\n- fixed deploy config\n- posted issue update",
+    });
+
+    expect(comment).toContain("## Summary");
+    expect(comment).toContain("- fixed deploy config");
+    expect(comment).not.toContain("Run summary");
+  });
+
+  it("falls back to result or message when summary is missing", () => {
+    expect(buildHeartbeatRunIssueComment({ result: "done" })).toBe("done");
+    expect(buildHeartbeatRunIssueComment({ message: "completed" })).toBe("completed");
+  });
+
+  it("returns null when there is no usable final text", () => {
+    expect(buildHeartbeatRunIssueComment({ costUsd: 1.2 })).toBeNull();
+  });
+});
diff --git a/server/src/__tests__/hire-hook.test.ts b/server/src/__tests__/hire-hook.test.ts
index 0a2cbbfd..b08e04bc 100644
--- a/server/src/__tests__/hire-hook.test.ts
+++ b/server/src/__tests__/hire-hook.test.ts
@@ -4,14 +4,14 @@ import { notifyHireApproved } from "../services/hire-hook.js";
 
 // Mock the registry so we control whether the adapter has onHireApproved and what it does.
 vi.mock("../adapters/registry.js", () => ({
-  findServerAdapter: vi.fn(),
+  findActiveServerAdapter: vi.fn(),
 }));
 
 vi.mock("../services/activity-log.js", () => ({
   logActivity: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue(undefined),
 }));
 
-const { findServerAdapter } = await import("../adapters/registry.js");
+const { findActiveServerAdapter } = await import("../adapters/registry.js");
 const { logActivity } = await import("../services/activity-log.js");
 
 function mockDbWithAgent(agent: { id: string; companyId: string; name: string; adapterType: string; adapterConfig?: Record<string, unknown> }): Db {
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ afterEach(() => {
 
 describe("notifyHireApproved", () => {
   it("writes success activity when adapter hook returns ok", async () => {
-    vi.mocked(findServerAdapter).mockReturnValue({
+    vi.mocked(findActiveServerAdapter).mockReturnValue({
       type: "openclaw_gateway",
       onHireApproved: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue({ ok: true }),
     } as any);
@@ -88,11 +88,11 @@ describe("notifyHireApproved", () => {
       }),
     ).resolves.toBeUndefined();
 
-    expect(findServerAdapter).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+    expect(findActiveServerAdapter).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
   });
 
   it("does nothing when adapter has no onHireApproved", async () => {
-    vi.mocked(findServerAdapter).mockReturnValue({ type: "process" } as any);
+    vi.mocked(findActiveServerAdapter).mockReturnValue({ type: "process" } as any);
 
     const db = mockDbWithAgent({
       id: "a1",
@@ -110,12 +110,12 @@ describe("notifyHireApproved", () => {
       }),
     ).resolves.toBeUndefined();
 
-    expect(findServerAdapter).toHaveBeenCalledWith("process");
+    expect(findActiveServerAdapter).toHaveBeenCalledWith("process");
     expect(logActivity).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
   });
 
   it("logs failed result when adapter onHireApproved returns ok=false", async () => {
-    vi.mocked(findServerAdapter).mockReturnValue({
+    vi.mocked(findActiveServerAdapter).mockReturnValue({
       type: "openclaw_gateway",
       onHireApproved: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue({ ok: false, error: "HTTP 500", detail: { status: 500 } }),
     } as any);
@@ -147,7 +147,7 @@ describe("notifyHireApproved", () => {
   });
 
   it("does not throw when adapter onHireApproved throws (non-fatal)", async () => {
-    vi.mocked(findServerAdapter).mockReturnValue({
+    vi.mocked(findActiveServerAdapter).mockReturnValue({
       type: "openclaw_gateway",
       onHireApproved: vi.fn().mockRejectedValue(new Error("Network error")),
     } as any);
diff --git a/server/src/adapters/builtin-adapter-types.ts b/server/src/adapters/builtin-adapter-types.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..463a5694
--- /dev/null
+++ b/server/src/adapters/builtin-adapter-types.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+/**
+ * Adapter types shipped with Paperclip. External plugins must not replace these.
+ */
+export const BUILTIN_ADAPTER_TYPES = new Set([
+  "claude_local",
+  "codex_local",
+  "cursor",
+  "gemini_local",
+  "openclaw_gateway",
+  "opencode_local",
+  "pi_local",
+  "hermes_local",
+  "process",
+  "http",
+]);
diff --git a/server/src/adapters/index.ts b/server/src/adapters/index.ts
index 8be40a51..49530dc7 100644
--- a/server/src/adapters/index.ts
+++ b/server/src/adapters/index.ts
@@ -1,4 +1,14 @@
-export { getServerAdapter, listAdapterModels, listServerAdapters, findServerAdapter, detectAdapterModel } from "./registry.js";
+export {
+  getServerAdapter,
+  listAdapterModels,
+  listServerAdapters,
+  findServerAdapter,
+  findActiveServerAdapter,
+  detectAdapterModel,
+  registerServerAdapter,
+  unregisterServerAdapter,
+  requireServerAdapter,
+} from "./registry.js";
 export type {
   ServerAdapterModule,
   AdapterExecutionContext,
diff --git a/server/src/adapters/plugin-loader.ts b/server/src/adapters/plugin-loader.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..a9f70463
--- /dev/null
+++ b/server/src/adapters/plugin-loader.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,277 @@
+/**
+ * External adapter plugin loader.
+ *
+ * Loads external adapter packages from the adapter-plugin-store and returns
+ * their ServerAdapterModule instances. The caller (registry.ts) is
+ * responsible for registering them.
+ *
+ * This avoids circular initialization: plugin-loader imports only
+ * adapter-utils, never registry.ts.
+ */
+
+import fs from "node:fs";
+import path from "node:path";
+import type { ServerAdapterModule } from "./types.js";
+import { logger } from "../middleware/logger.js";
+
+import {
+  listAdapterPlugins,
+  getAdapterPluginsDir,
+  getAdapterPluginByType,
+} from "../services/adapter-plugin-store.js";
+import type { AdapterPluginRecord } from "../services/adapter-plugin-store.js";
+
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// In-memory UI parser cache
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+const uiParserCache = new Map<string, string>();
+
+export function getUiParserSource(adapterType: string): string | undefined {
+  return uiParserCache.get(adapterType);
+}
+
+/**
+ * On cache miss, attempt on-demand extraction from the plugin store.
+ * Makes the ui-parser.js endpoint self-healing.
+ */
+export function getOrExtractUiParserSource(adapterType: string): string | undefined {
+  const cached = uiParserCache.get(adapterType);
+  if (cached) return cached;
+
+  const record = getAdapterPluginByType(adapterType);
+  if (!record) return undefined;
+
+  const packageDir = resolvePackageDir(record);
+  const source = extractUiParserSource(packageDir, record.packageName);
+  if (source) {
+    uiParserCache.set(adapterType, source);
+    logger.info(
+      { type: adapterType, packageName: record.packageName, origin: "lazy" },
+      "UI parser extracted on-demand (cache miss)",
+    );
+  }
+  return source;
+}
+
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// Shared helpers
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+function resolvePackageDir(record: Pick<AdapterPluginRecord, "localPath" | "packageName">): string {
+  return record.localPath
+    ? path.resolve(record.localPath)
+    : path.resolve(getAdapterPluginsDir(), "node_modules", record.packageName);
+}
+
+function resolvePackageEntryPoint(packageDir: string): string {
+  const pkgJsonPath = path.join(packageDir, "package.json");
+  const pkg = JSON.parse(fs.readFileSync(pkgJsonPath, "utf-8"));
+
+  if (pkg.exports && typeof pkg.exports === "object" && pkg.exports["."]) {
+    const exp = pkg.exports["."];
+    return typeof exp === "string" ? exp : (exp.import ?? exp.default ?? "index.js");
+  }
+  return pkg.main ?? "index.js";
+}
+
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// UI parser extraction
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+const SUPPORTED_PARSER_CONTRACT = "1";
+
+function extractUiParserSource(
+  packageDir: string,
+  packageName: string,
+): string | undefined {
+  const pkgJsonPath = path.join(packageDir, "package.json");
+  const pkg = JSON.parse(fs.readFileSync(pkgJsonPath, "utf-8"));
+
+  if (!pkg.exports || typeof pkg.exports !== "object" || !pkg.exports["./ui-parser"]) {
+    return undefined;
+  }
+
+  const contractVersion = pkg.paperclip?.adapterUiParser;
+  if (contractVersion) {
+    const major = contractVersion.split(".")[0];
+    if (major !== SUPPORTED_PARSER_CONTRACT) {
+      logger.warn(
+        { packageName, contractVersion, supported: `${SUPPORTED_PARSER_CONTRACT}.x` },
+        "Adapter declares unsupported UI parser contract version — skipping UI parser",
+      );
+      return undefined;
+    }
+  } else {
+    logger.info(
+      { packageName },
+      "Adapter has ./ui-parser export but no paperclip.adapterUiParser version — loading anyway (future versions may require it)",
+    );
+  }
+
+  const uiParserExp = pkg.exports["./ui-parser"];
+  const uiParserFile = typeof uiParserExp === "string"
+    ? uiParserExp
+    : (uiParserExp.import ?? uiParserExp.default);
+  const uiParserPath = path.resolve(packageDir, uiParserFile);
+
+  if (!uiParserPath.startsWith(packageDir + path.sep) && uiParserPath !== packageDir) {
+    logger.warn(
+      { packageName, uiParserFile },
+      "UI parser path escapes package directory — skipping",
+    );
+    return undefined;
+  }
+
+  if (!fs.existsSync(uiParserPath)) {
+    return undefined;
+  }
+
+  try {
+    const source = fs.readFileSync(uiParserPath, "utf-8");
+    logger.info(
+      { packageName, uiParserFile, size: source.length },
+      `Loaded UI parser from adapter package${contractVersion ? "" : " (no version declared)"}`,
+    );
+    return source;
+  } catch (err) {
+    logger.warn({ err, packageName, uiParserFile }, "Failed to read UI parser from adapter package");
+    return undefined;
+  }
+}
+
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// Load / reload
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+function validateAdapterModule(mod: unknown, packageName: string): ServerAdapterModule {
+  const m = mod as Record<string, unknown>;
+  const createServerAdapter = m.createServerAdapter;
+  if (typeof createServerAdapter !== "function") {
+    throw new Error(
+      `Package "${packageName}" does not export createServerAdapter(). ` +
+      `Ensure the package's main entry exports a createServerAdapter function.`,
+    );
+  }
+
+  const adapterModule = createServerAdapter() as ServerAdapterModule;
+  if (!adapterModule || !adapterModule.type) {
+    throw new Error(
+      `createServerAdapter() from "${packageName}" returned an invalid module (missing "type").`,
+    );
+  }
+  return adapterModule;
+}
+
+export async function loadExternalAdapterPackage(
+  packageName: string,
+  localPath?: string,
+): Promise<ServerAdapterModule> {
+  const packageDir = localPath
+    ? path.resolve(localPath)
+    : path.resolve(getAdapterPluginsDir(), "node_modules", packageName);
+
+  const entryPoint = resolvePackageEntryPoint(packageDir);
+  const modulePath = path.resolve(packageDir, entryPoint);
+  const uiParserSource = extractUiParserSource(packageDir, packageName);
+
+  logger.info({ packageName, packageDir, entryPoint, modulePath, hasUiParser: !!uiParserSource }, "Loading external adapter package");
+
+  const mod = await import(modulePath);
+  const adapterModule = validateAdapterModule(mod, packageName);
+
+  if (uiParserSource) {
+    uiParserCache.set(adapterModule.type, uiParserSource);
+  }
+
+  return adapterModule;
+}
+
+async function loadFromRecord(record: AdapterPluginRecord): Promise<ServerAdapterModule | null> {
+  try {
+    return await loadExternalAdapterPackage(record.packageName, record.localPath);
+  } catch (err) {
+    logger.warn(
+      { err, packageName: record.packageName, type: record.type },
+      "Failed to dynamically load external adapter; skipping",
+    );
+    return null;
+  }
+}
+
+/**
+ * Reload an external adapter at runtime (dev iteration without server restart).
+ * Busts the ESM module cache via a cache-busting query string.
+ */
+export async function reloadExternalAdapter(
+  type: string,
+): Promise<ServerAdapterModule | null> {
+  const record = getAdapterPluginByType(type);
+  if (!record) return null;
+
+  const packageDir = resolvePackageDir(record);
+  const entryPoint = resolvePackageEntryPoint(packageDir);
+  const modulePath = path.resolve(packageDir, entryPoint);
+  const fileUrl = `file://${modulePath}`;
+
+  // Bust ESM module cache so re-import loads fresh code from disk.
+  // Query-string trick (?t=...) works in Node; Bun may need the file:// URL
+  // to be evicted from its internal registry first.
+  try {
+    // @ts-expect-error -- Bun internal module cache
+    const bunCache = globalThis.Bun?.__moduleCache as Map<string, unknown> | undefined;
+    if (bunCache) {
+      bunCache.delete(fileUrl);
+      bunCache.delete(modulePath);
+    }
+  } catch {
+    // Ignore — query-string fallback still works in Node
+  }
+
+  const cacheBustUrl = `${fileUrl}?t=${Date.now()}`;
+
+  logger.info(
+    { type, packageName: record.packageName, modulePath, cacheBustUrl },
+    "Reloading external adapter (cache bust)",
+  );
+
+  const mod = await import(cacheBustUrl);
+  const adapterModule = validateAdapterModule(mod, record.packageName);
+
+  uiParserCache.delete(type);
+  const uiParserSource = extractUiParserSource(packageDir, record.packageName);
+  if (uiParserSource) {
+    uiParserCache.set(adapterModule.type, uiParserSource);
+  }
+
+  logger.info(
+    { type, packageName: record.packageName, hasUiParser: !!uiParserSource },
+    "Successfully reloaded external adapter",
+  );
+
+  return adapterModule;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Build all external adapter modules from the plugin store.
+ */
+export async function buildExternalAdapters(): Promise<ServerAdapterModule[]> {
+  const results: ServerAdapterModule[] = [];
+
+  const storeRecords = listAdapterPlugins();
+  for (const record of storeRecords) {
+    const adapter = await loadFromRecord(record);
+    if (adapter) {
+      results.push(adapter);
+    }
+  }
+
+  if (results.length > 0) {
+    logger.info(
+      { count: results.length, adapters: results.map((a) => a.type) },
+      "Loaded external adapters from plugin store",
+    );
+  }
+
+  return results;
+}
diff --git a/server/src/adapters/registry.ts b/server/src/adapters/registry.ts
index 1f195f86..8a30a9c8 100644
--- a/server/src/adapters/registry.ts
+++ b/server/src/adapters/registry.ts
@@ -79,6 +79,9 @@ import {
   agentConfigurationDoc as hermesAgentConfigurationDoc,
   models as hermesModels,
 } from "hermes-paperclip-adapter";
+import { BUILTIN_ADAPTER_TYPES } from "./builtin-adapter-types.js";
+import { buildExternalAdapters } from "./plugin-loader.js";
+import { getDisabledAdapterTypes } from "../services/adapter-plugin-store.js";
 import { processAdapter } from "./process/index.js";
 import { httpAdapter } from "./http/index.js";
 
@@ -188,8 +191,19 @@ const hermesLocalAdapter: ServerAdapterModule = {
   detectModel: () => detectModelFromHermes(),
 };
 
-const adaptersByType = new Map<string, ServerAdapterModule>(
-  [
+const adaptersByType = new Map<string, ServerAdapterModule>();
+
+// For builtin types that are overridden by an external adapter, we keep the
+// original builtin so it can be restored when the override is deactivated.
+const builtinFallbacks = new Map<string, ServerAdapterModule>();
+
+// Tracks which override types are currently deactivated (paused).  When
+// paused, `getServerAdapter()` returns the builtin fallback instead of the
+// external.  Persisted across reloads via the same disabled-adapters store.
+const pausedOverrides = new Set<string>();
+
+function registerBuiltInAdapters() {
+  for (const adapter of [
     claudeLocalAdapter,
     codexLocalAdapter,
     openCodeLocalAdapter,
@@ -200,20 +214,109 @@ const adaptersByType = new Map<string, ServerAdapterModule>(
     hermesLocalAdapter,
     processAdapter,
     httpAdapter,
-  ].map((a) => [a.type, a]),
-);
+  ]) {
+    adaptersByType.set(adapter.type, adapter);
+  }
+}
 
-export function getServerAdapter(type: string): ServerAdapterModule {
-  const adapter = adaptersByType.get(type);
+registerBuiltInAdapters();
+
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// Load external adapter plugins (e.g. droid_local)
+//
+// External adapter packages export createServerAdapter() which returns a
+// ServerAdapterModule. The host fills in sessionManagement.
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+/** Cached sync wrapper — the store is a simple JSON file read, safe to call frequently. */
+function getDisabledAdapterTypesFromStore(): string[] {
+  return getDisabledAdapterTypes();
+}
+
+/**
+ * Load external adapters from the plugin store and hardcoded sources.
+ * Called once at module initialization. The promise is exported so that
+ * callers (e.g. assertKnownAdapterType, app startup) can await completion
+ * and avoid racing against the loading window.
+ */
+const externalAdaptersReady: Promise<void> = (async () => {
+  try {
+    const externalAdapters = await buildExternalAdapters();
+    for (const externalAdapter of externalAdapters) {
+      const overriding = BUILTIN_ADAPTER_TYPES.has(externalAdapter.type);
+      if (overriding) {
+        console.log(
+          `[paperclip] External adapter "${externalAdapter.type}" overrides built-in adapter`,
+        );
+        // Save the original builtin for later restoration.
+        const existing = adaptersByType.get(externalAdapter.type);
+        if (existing && !builtinFallbacks.has(externalAdapter.type)) {
+          builtinFallbacks.set(externalAdapter.type, existing);
+        }
+      }
+      adaptersByType.set(
+        externalAdapter.type,
+        {
+          ...externalAdapter,
+          sessionManagement: getAdapterSessionManagement(externalAdapter.type) ?? undefined,
+        },
+      );
+    }
+  } catch (err) {
+    console.error("[paperclip] Failed to load external adapters:", err);
+  }
+})();
+
+/**
+ * Await this before validating adapter types to avoid race conditions
+ * during server startup. External adapters are loaded asynchronously;
+ * calling assertKnownAdapterType before this resolves will reject
+ * valid external adapter types.
+ */
+export function waitForExternalAdapters(): Promise<void> {
+  return externalAdaptersReady;
+}
+
+export function registerServerAdapter(adapter: ServerAdapterModule): void {
+  if (BUILTIN_ADAPTER_TYPES.has(adapter.type) && !builtinFallbacks.has(adapter.type)) {
+    const existing = adaptersByType.get(adapter.type);
+    if (existing) {
+      builtinFallbacks.set(adapter.type, existing);
+    }
+  }
+  adaptersByType.set(adapter.type, adapter);
+}
+
+export function unregisterServerAdapter(type: string): void {
+  if (type === processAdapter.type || type === httpAdapter.type) return;
+  if (builtinFallbacks.has(type)) {
+    pausedOverrides.delete(type);
+    const fallback = builtinFallbacks.get(type);
+    if (fallback) {
+      adaptersByType.set(type, fallback);
+    }
+    return;
+  }
+  if (BUILTIN_ADAPTER_TYPES.has(type)) {
+    return;
+  }
+  adaptersByType.delete(type);
+}
+
+export function requireServerAdapter(type: string): ServerAdapterModule {
+  const adapter = findActiveServerAdapter(type);
   if (!adapter) {
-    // Fall back to process adapter for unknown types
-    return processAdapter;
+    throw new Error(`Unknown adapter type: ${type}`);
   }
   return adapter;
 }
 
+export function getServerAdapter(type: string): ServerAdapterModule {
+  return findActiveServerAdapter(type) ?? processAdapter;
+}
+
 export async function listAdapterModels(type: string): Promise<{ id: string; label: string }[]> {
-  const adapter = adaptersByType.get(type);
+  const adapter = findActiveServerAdapter(type);
   if (!adapter) return [];
   if (adapter.listModels) {
     const discovered = await adapter.listModels();
@@ -226,15 +329,85 @@ export function listServerAdapters(): ServerAdapterModule[] {
   return Array.from(adaptersByType.values());
 }
 
+/**
+ * List adapters excluding those that are disabled in settings.
+ * Used for menus and agent creation flows — disabled adapters remain
+ * functional for existing agents but hidden from selection.
+ */
+export function listEnabledServerAdapters(): ServerAdapterModule[] {
+  const disabled = getDisabledAdapterTypesFromStore();
+  const disabledSet = disabled.length > 0 ? new Set(disabled) : null;
+  return disabledSet
+    ? Array.from(adaptersByType.values()).filter((a) => !disabledSet.has(a.type))
+    : Array.from(adaptersByType.values());
+}
+
 export async function detectAdapterModel(
   type: string,
-): Promise<{ model: string; provider: string; source: string } | null> {
-  const adapter = adaptersByType.get(type);
+): Promise<{ model: string; provider: string; source: string; candidates?: string[] } | null> {
+  const adapter = findActiveServerAdapter(type);
   if (!adapter?.detectModel) return null;
   const detected = await adapter.detectModel();
-  return detected ? { model: detected.model, provider: detected.provider, source: detected.source } : null;
+  if (!detected) return null;
+  return {
+    model: detected.model,
+    provider: detected.provider,
+    source: detected.source,
+    ...(detected.candidates?.length ? { candidates: detected.candidates } : {}),
+  };
+}
+
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// Override pause / resume
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+/**
+ * Pause or resume an external override for a builtin adapter type.
+ *
+ * - `paused = true`  → subsequent calls to `getServerAdapter(type)` return
+ *   the builtin fallback instead of the external adapter.  Already-running
+ *   agent sessions are unaffected (they hold a reference to the module they
+ *   started with).
+ *
+ * - `paused = false` → the external adapter is active again.
+ *
+ * Returns `true` if the state actually changed, `false` if the type is not
+ * an override or was already in the requested state.
+ */
+export function setOverridePaused(type: string, paused: boolean): boolean {
+  if (!builtinFallbacks.has(type)) return false;
+  const wasPaused = pausedOverrides.has(type);
+  if (paused && !wasPaused) {
+    pausedOverrides.add(type);
+    console.log(`[paperclip] Override paused for "${type}" — builtin adapter restored`);
+    return true;
+  }
+  if (!paused && wasPaused) {
+    pausedOverrides.delete(type);
+    console.log(`[paperclip] Override resumed for "${type}" — external adapter active`);
+    return true;
+  }
+  return false;
+}
+
+/** Check whether the external override for a builtin type is currently paused. */
+export function isOverridePaused(type: string): boolean {
+  return pausedOverrides.has(type);
+}
+
+/** Get the set of types whose overrides are currently paused. */
+export function getPausedOverrides(): Set<string> {
+  return pausedOverrides;
 }
 
 export function findServerAdapter(type: string): ServerAdapterModule | null {
   return adaptersByType.get(type) ?? null;
 }
+
+export function findActiveServerAdapter(type: string): ServerAdapterModule | null {
+  if (pausedOverrides.has(type)) {
+    const fallback = builtinFallbacks.get(type);
+    if (fallback) return fallback;
+  }
+  return adaptersByType.get(type) ?? null;
+}
diff --git a/server/src/adapters/types.ts b/server/src/adapters/types.ts
index 7df54741..b8f32568 100644
--- a/server/src/adapters/types.ts
+++ b/server/src/adapters/types.ts
@@ -25,5 +25,8 @@ export type {
   NativeContextManagement,
   ResolvedSessionCompactionPolicy,
   SessionCompactionPolicy,
+  ConfigFieldOption,
+  ConfigFieldSchema,
+  AdapterConfigSchema,
   ServerAdapterModule,
 } from "@paperclipai/adapter-utils";
diff --git a/server/src/app.ts b/server/src/app.ts
index 0aa099bf..686ecfde 100644
--- a/server/src/app.ts
+++ b/server/src/app.ts
@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@ import { llmRoutes } from "./routes/llms.js";
 import { assetRoutes } from "./routes/assets.js";
 import { accessRoutes } from "./routes/access.js";
 import { pluginRoutes } from "./routes/plugins.js";
+import { adapterRoutes } from "./routes/adapters.js";
 import { pluginUiStaticRoutes } from "./routes/plugin-ui-static.js";
 import { applyUiBranding } from "./ui-branding.js";
 import { logger } from "./middleware/logger.js";
@@ -229,6 +230,7 @@ export async function createApp(
       { workerManager },
     ),
   );
+  api.use(adapterRoutes());
   api.use(
     accessRoutes(db, {
       deploymentMode: opts.deploymentMode,
diff --git a/server/src/dev-watch-ignore.ts b/server/src/dev-watch-ignore.ts
index cd618f73..4fe3769d 100644
--- a/server/src/dev-watch-ignore.ts
+++ b/server/src/dev-watch-ignore.ts
@@ -28,6 +28,9 @@ export function resolveServerDevWatchIgnorePaths(serverRoot: string): string[] {
     "../ui/node_modules/.vite-temp",
     "../ui/.vite",
     "../ui/dist",
+    // npm install during reinstall would trigger a restart mid-request
+    // if tsx watch sees the new files. Exclude the managed plugins dir.
+    process.env.HOME + "/.paperclip/adapter-plugins",
   ]) {
     addIgnorePath(ignorePaths, path.resolve(serverRoot, relativePath));
   }
diff --git a/server/src/index.ts b/server/src/index.ts
index d5d9c805..b417f14c 100644
--- a/server/src/index.ts
+++ b/server/src/index.ts
@@ -668,6 +668,12 @@ export async function startServer(): Promise<StartedServer> {
     }, backupIntervalMs);
   }
   
+  // Wait for external adapters to finish loading before accepting requests.
+  // Without this, adapter type validation (assertKnownAdapterType) would
+  // reject valid external adapter types during the startup loading window.
+  const { waitForExternalAdapters } = await import("./adapters/registry.js");
+  await waitForExternalAdapters();
+
   await new Promise<void>((resolveListen, rejectListen) => {
     const onError = (err: Error) => {
       server.off("error", onError);
diff --git a/server/src/routes/adapters.ts b/server/src/routes/adapters.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..27e32a06
--- /dev/null
+++ b/server/src/routes/adapters.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,643 @@
+/**
+ * @fileoverview Adapter management REST API routes
+ *
+ * This module provides Express routes for managing external adapter plugins:
+ * - Listing all registered adapters (built-in + external)
+ * - Installing external adapters from npm packages or local paths
+ * - Unregistering external adapters
+ *
+ * All routes require board-level authentication (assertBoard middleware).
+ *
+ * @module server/routes/adapters
+ */
+
+import { execFile } from "node:child_process";
+import fs from "node:fs";
+import { readFile } from "node:fs/promises";
+import path from "node:path";
+import { promisify } from "node:util";
+import { Router } from "express";
+import {
+  listServerAdapters,
+  findServerAdapter,
+  findActiveServerAdapter,
+  listEnabledServerAdapters,
+  registerServerAdapter,
+  unregisterServerAdapter,
+  isOverridePaused,
+  setOverridePaused,
+} from "../adapters/registry.js";
+import { getAdapterSessionManagement } from "@paperclipai/adapter-utils";
+import {
+  listAdapterPlugins,
+  addAdapterPlugin,
+  removeAdapterPlugin,
+  getAdapterPluginByType,
+  getAdapterPluginsDir,
+  getDisabledAdapterTypes,
+  setAdapterDisabled,
+} from "../services/adapter-plugin-store.js";
+import type { AdapterPluginRecord } from "../services/adapter-plugin-store.js";
+import type { ServerAdapterModule, AdapterConfigSchema } from "../adapters/types.js";
+import { loadExternalAdapterPackage, getUiParserSource, getOrExtractUiParserSource, reloadExternalAdapter } from "../adapters/plugin-loader.js";
+import { logger } from "../middleware/logger.js";
+import { assertBoard } from "./authz.js";
+import { BUILTIN_ADAPTER_TYPES } from "../adapters/builtin-adapter-types.js";
+
+const execFileAsync = promisify(execFile);
+
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// Request / Response types
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+interface AdapterInstallRequest {
+  /** npm package name (e.g., "droid-paperclip-adapter") or local path */
+  packageName: string;
+  /** True if packageName is a local filesystem path */
+  isLocalPath?: boolean;
+  /** Target version for npm packages (optional, defaults to latest) */
+  version?: string;
+}
+
+interface AdapterInfo {
+  type: string;
+  label: string;
+  source: "builtin" | "external";
+  modelsCount: number;
+  loaded: boolean;
+  disabled: boolean;
+  /** True when an external plugin has replaced a built-in adapter of the same type. */
+  overriddenBuiltin?: boolean;
+  /** True when the external override for a builtin type is currently paused. */
+  overridePaused?: boolean;
+  version?: string;
+  packageName?: string;
+  isLocalPath?: boolean;
+}
+
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// Helpers
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+/**
+ * Resolve the adapter package directory (same rules as plugin-loader).
+ */
+function resolveAdapterPackageDir(record: AdapterPluginRecord): string {
+  return record.localPath
+    ? path.resolve(record.localPath)
+    : path.resolve(getAdapterPluginsDir(), "node_modules", record.packageName);
+}
+
+/**
+ * Read `version` from the adapter's package.json on disk.
+ * This is the source of truth for what is actually installed (npm or local path).
+ */
+function readAdapterPackageVersionFromDisk(record: AdapterPluginRecord): string | undefined {
+  try {
+    const pkgDir = resolveAdapterPackageDir(record);
+    const raw = fs.readFileSync(path.join(pkgDir, "package.json"), "utf-8");
+    const v = JSON.parse(raw).version;
+    return typeof v === "string" && v.trim().length > 0 ? v.trim() : undefined;
+  } catch {
+    return undefined;
+  }
+}
+
+function buildAdapterInfo(adapter: ServerAdapterModule, externalRecord: AdapterPluginRecord | undefined, disabledSet: Set<string>): AdapterInfo {
+  const fromDisk = externalRecord ? readAdapterPackageVersionFromDisk(externalRecord) : undefined;
+  return {
+    type: adapter.type,
+    label: adapter.type, // ServerAdapterModule doesn't have a separate "label" field; type serves as label
+    source: externalRecord ? "external" : "builtin",
+    modelsCount: (adapter.models ?? []).length,
+    loaded: true, // If it's in the registry, it's loaded
+    disabled: disabledSet.has(adapter.type),
+    overriddenBuiltin: externalRecord ? BUILTIN_ADAPTER_TYPES.has(adapter.type) : undefined,
+    overridePaused: BUILTIN_ADAPTER_TYPES.has(adapter.type) ? isOverridePaused(adapter.type) : undefined,
+    // Prefer on-disk package.json so the UI reflects bumps without relying on store-only fields.
+    version: fromDisk ?? externalRecord?.version,
+    packageName: externalRecord?.packageName,
+    isLocalPath: externalRecord?.localPath ? true : undefined,
+  };
+}
+
+/**
+ * Normalize a local path that may be a Windows path into a WSL-compatible path.
+ *
+ * - Windows paths (e.g., "C:\\Users\\...") are converted via `wslpath -u`.
+ * - Paths already starting with `/mnt/` or `/` are returned as-is.
+ */
+async function normalizeLocalPath(rawPath: string): Promise<string> {
+  // Already a POSIX path (WSL or native Linux)
+  if (rawPath.startsWith("/")) {
+    return rawPath;
+  }
+
+  // Windows path detection: C:\ or C:/ pattern
+  if (/^[A-Za-z]:[\\/]/.test(rawPath)) {
+    try {
+      const { stdout } = await execFileAsync("wslpath", ["-u", rawPath]);
+      return stdout.trim();
+    } catch (err) {
+      logger.warn({ err, rawPath }, "wslpath conversion failed; using path as-is");
+      return rawPath;
+    }
+  }
+
+  return rawPath;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Register an adapter module into the server registry, filling in
+ * sessionManagement from the host.
+ */
+function registerWithSessionManagement(adapter: ServerAdapterModule): void {
+  const wrapped: ServerAdapterModule = {
+    ...adapter,
+    sessionManagement: getAdapterSessionManagement(adapter.type) ?? undefined,
+  };
+  registerServerAdapter(wrapped);
+}
+
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// Router
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+export function adapterRoutes() {
+  const router = Router();
+
+  /**
+   * GET /api/adapters
+   *
+   * List all registered adapters (built-in + external).
+   * Each entry includes whether the adapter is built-in or external,
+   * its model count, and load status.
+   */
+  router.get("/adapters", async (_req, res) => {
+    assertBoard(_req);
+
+    const registeredAdapters = listServerAdapters();
+    const externalRecords = new Map(
+      listAdapterPlugins().map((r) => [r.type, r]),
+    );
+    const disabledSet = new Set(getDisabledAdapterTypes());
+
+    const result: AdapterInfo[] = registeredAdapters.map((adapter) =>
+      buildAdapterInfo(adapter, externalRecords.get(adapter.type), disabledSet),
+    ).sort((a, b) => a.type.localeCompare(b.type));
+
+    res.json(result);
+  });
+
+  /**
+   * POST /api/adapters/install
+   *
+   * Install an external adapter from an npm package or local path.
+   *
+   * Request body:
+   * - packageName: string (required) — npm package name or local path
+   * - isLocalPath?: boolean (default false)
+   * - version?: string — target version for npm packages
+   */
+  router.post("/adapters/install", async (req, res) => {
+    assertBoard(req);
+
+    const { packageName, isLocalPath = false, version } = req.body as AdapterInstallRequest;
+
+    if (!packageName || typeof packageName !== "string") {
+      res.status(400).json({ error: "packageName is required and must be a string." });
+      return;
+    }
+
+    // Strip version suffix if the UI sends "pkg@1.2.3" instead of separating it
+    // e.g. "@henkey/hermes-paperclip-adapter@0.3.0" → packageName + version
+    let canonicalName = packageName;
+    let explicitVersion = version;
+    const versionSuffix = packageName.match(/@(\d+\.\d+\.\d+.*)$/);
+    if (versionSuffix) {
+      // For scoped packages: "@scope/name@1.2.3" → "@scope/name" + "1.2.3"
+      // For unscoped: "name@1.2.3" → "name" + "1.2.3"
+      const lastAtIndex = packageName.lastIndexOf("@");
+      if (lastAtIndex > 0 && !explicitVersion) {
+        canonicalName = packageName.slice(0, lastAtIndex);
+        explicitVersion = versionSuffix[1];
+      }
+    }
+
+    try {
+      let installedVersion: string | undefined;
+      let moduleLocalPath: string | undefined;
+
+      if (!isLocalPath) {
+        // npm install into the managed directory
+        const pluginsDir = getAdapterPluginsDir();
+        const spec = explicitVersion ? `${canonicalName}@${explicitVersion}` : canonicalName;
+
+        logger.info({ spec, pluginsDir }, "Installing adapter package via npm");
+
+        await execFileAsync("npm", ["install", "--no-save", spec], {
+          cwd: pluginsDir,
+          timeout: 120_000,
+        });
+
+        // Read installed version from package.json
+        try {
+          const pkgJsonPath = path.join(pluginsDir, "node_modules", canonicalName, "package.json");
+          const pkgContent = await import("node:fs/promises");
+          const pkgRaw = await pkgContent.readFile(pkgJsonPath, "utf-8");
+          const pkg = JSON.parse(pkgRaw);
+          const v = pkg.version;
+          installedVersion =
+            typeof v === "string" && v.trim().length > 0 ? v.trim() : explicitVersion;
+        } catch {
+          installedVersion = explicitVersion;
+        }
+      } else {
+        // Local path — normalize (e.g., Windows → WSL) and use the resolved path
+        moduleLocalPath = path.resolve(await normalizeLocalPath(packageName));
+        try {
+          const pkgRaw = await readFile(path.join(moduleLocalPath, "package.json"), "utf-8");
+          const v = JSON.parse(pkgRaw).version;
+          if (typeof v === "string" && v.trim().length > 0) {
+            installedVersion = v.trim();
+          }
+        } catch {
+          // leave installedVersion undefined if package.json is missing
+        }
+      }
+
+      // Load and register the adapter (use canonicalName for path resolution)
+      const adapterModule = await loadExternalAdapterPackage(canonicalName, moduleLocalPath);
+
+      // Check if this type conflicts with a built-in adapter
+      if (BUILTIN_ADAPTER_TYPES.has(adapterModule.type)) {
+        res.status(409).json({
+          error: `Adapter type "${adapterModule.type}" is a built-in adapter and cannot be overwritten.`,
+        });
+        return;
+      }
+
+      // Check if already registered (indicates a reinstall/update)
+      const existing = findServerAdapter(adapterModule.type);
+      const isReinstall = existing !== null;
+      if (existing) {
+        unregisterServerAdapter(adapterModule.type);
+        logger.info({ type: adapterModule.type }, "Unregistered existing adapter for replacement");
+      }
+
+      // Register the new adapter
+      registerWithSessionManagement(adapterModule);
+
+      // Persist the record (use canonicalName without version suffix)
+      const record: AdapterPluginRecord = {
+        packageName: canonicalName,
+        localPath: moduleLocalPath,
+        version: installedVersion ?? explicitVersion,
+        type: adapterModule.type,
+        installedAt: new Date().toISOString(),
+      };
+      addAdapterPlugin(record);
+
+      logger.info(
+        { type: adapterModule.type, packageName: canonicalName },
+        "External adapter installed and registered",
+      );
+
+      res.status(201).json({
+        type: adapterModule.type,
+        packageName: canonicalName,
+        version: installedVersion ?? explicitVersion,
+        installedAt: record.installedAt,
+        requiresRestart: isReinstall,
+      });
+    } catch (err) {
+      const message = err instanceof Error ? err.message : String(err);
+      logger.error({ err, packageName }, "Failed to install external adapter");
+
+      // Distinguish npm errors from load errors
+      if (message.includes("npm") || message.includes("ERR!")) {
+        res.status(500).json({ error: `npm install failed: ${message}` });
+      } else {
+        res.status(500).json({ error: `Failed to install adapter: ${message}` });
+      }
+    }
+  });
+
+  /**
+   * PATCH /api/adapters/:type
+   *
+   * Enable or disable an adapter. Disabled adapters are hidden from agent
+   * creation menus but remain functional for existing agents.
+   *
+   * Request body: { "disabled": boolean }
+   */
+  router.patch("/adapters/:type", async (req, res) => {
+    assertBoard(req);
+
+    const adapterType = req.params.type;
+    const { disabled } = req.body as { disabled?: boolean };
+
+    if (typeof disabled !== "boolean") {
+      res.status(400).json({ error: "Request body must include { \"disabled\": true|false }." });
+      return;
+    }
+
+    // Check that the adapter exists in the registry
+    const existing = findServerAdapter(adapterType);
+    if (!existing) {
+      res.status(404).json({ error: `Adapter "${adapterType}" is not registered.` });
+      return;
+    }
+
+    const changed = setAdapterDisabled(adapterType, disabled);
+
+    if (changed) {
+      logger.info({ type: adapterType, disabled }, "Adapter enabled/disabled");
+    }
+
+    res.json({ type: adapterType, disabled, changed });
+  });
+
+  /**
+   * PATCH /api/adapters/:type/override
+   *
+   * Pause or resume an external adapter's override of a builtin type.
+   * When paused, the server returns the builtin adapter for all new requests
+   * (execute, listModels, config schema, etc.).  Already-running sessions
+   * keep the adapter they started with.
+   */
+  router.patch("/adapters/:type/override", async (req, res) => {
+    assertBoard(req);
+
+    const adapterType = req.params.type;
+    const { paused } = req.body as { paused?: boolean };
+
+    if (typeof paused !== "boolean") {
+      res.status(400).json({ error: "\"paused\" (boolean) is required in request body." });
+      return;
+    }
+
+    if (!BUILTIN_ADAPTER_TYPES.has(adapterType)) {
+      res.status(400).json({ error: `Type "${adapterType}" is not a builtin adapter.` });
+      return;
+    }
+
+    const changed = setOverridePaused(adapterType, paused);
+
+    logger.info({ type: adapterType, paused, changed }, "Adapter override toggle");
+
+    res.json({ type: adapterType, paused, changed });
+  });
+
+  /**
+   * DELETE /api/adapters/:type
+   *
+   * Unregister an external adapter. Built-in adapters cannot be removed.
+   */
+  router.delete("/adapters/:type", async (req, res) => {
+    assertBoard(req);
+
+    const adapterType = req.params.type;
+
+    if (!adapterType) {
+      res.status(400).json({ error: "Adapter type is required." });
+      return;
+    }
+
+    // Prevent removal of built-in adapters
+    if (BUILTIN_ADAPTER_TYPES.has(adapterType)) {
+      res.status(403).json({
+        error: `Cannot remove built-in adapter "${adapterType}".`,
+      });
+      return;
+    }
+
+    // Check that the adapter exists in the registry
+    const existing = findServerAdapter(adapterType);
+    if (!existing) {
+      res.status(404).json({
+        error: `Adapter "${adapterType}" is not registered.`,
+      });
+      return;
+    }
+
+    // Check that it's an external adapter
+    const externalRecord = getAdapterPluginByType(adapterType);
+    if (!externalRecord) {
+      res.status(404).json({
+        error: `Adapter "${adapterType}" is not an externally installed adapter.`,
+      });
+      return;
+    }
+
+    // If installed via npm (has packageName but no localPath), run npm uninstall
+    if (externalRecord.packageName && !externalRecord.localPath) {
+      try {
+        const pluginsDir = getAdapterPluginsDir();
+        await execFileAsync("npm", ["uninstall", externalRecord.packageName], {
+          cwd: pluginsDir,
+          timeout: 60_000,
+        });
+        logger.info(
+          { type: adapterType, packageName: externalRecord.packageName },
+          "npm uninstall completed for external adapter",
+        );
+      } catch (err) {
+        logger.warn(
+          { err, type: adapterType, packageName: externalRecord.packageName },
+          "npm uninstall failed for external adapter; continuing with unregister",
+        );
+      }
+    }
+
+    // Unregister from the runtime registry
+    unregisterServerAdapter(adapterType);
+
+    // Remove from the persistent store
+    removeAdapterPlugin(adapterType);
+
+    logger.info({ type: adapterType }, "External adapter unregistered and removed");
+
+    res.json({ type: adapterType, removed: true });
+  });
+
+  /**
+   * POST /api/adapters/:type/reload
+   *
+   * Reload an external adapter at runtime (for dev iteration without server restart).
+   * Busts the ESM module cache, re-imports the adapter, and re-registers it.
+   *
+   * Cannot be used on built-in adapter types.
+   */
+  router.post("/adapters/:type/reload", async (req, res) => {
+    assertBoard(req);
+
+    const type = req.params.type;
+
+    // Built-in adapters cannot be reloaded unless overridden by an external one
+    if (BUILTIN_ADAPTER_TYPES.has(type) && !getAdapterPluginByType(type)) {
+      res.status(400).json({ error: "Cannot reload built-in adapter." });
+      return;
+    }
+
+    // Reload the adapter module (busts ESM cache, re-imports)
+    try {
+      const newModule = await reloadExternalAdapter(type);
+
+      // Not found in the external adapter store
+      if (!newModule) {
+        res.status(404).json({ error: `Adapter "${type}" is not an externally installed adapter.` });
+        return;
+      }
+
+      // Swap in the reloaded module
+      unregisterServerAdapter(type);
+      registerWithSessionManagement(newModule);
+      configSchemaCache.delete(type);
+
+      // Sync store.version from package.json (store may be missing version for local installs).
+      const record = getAdapterPluginByType(type);
+      let newVersion: string | undefined;
+      if (record) {
+        newVersion = readAdapterPackageVersionFromDisk(record);
+        if (newVersion) {
+          addAdapterPlugin({ ...record, version: newVersion });
+        }
+      }
+
+      logger.info({ type, version: newVersion }, "External adapter reloaded at runtime");
+
+      res.json({ type, version: newVersion, reloaded: true });
+    } catch (err) {
+      const message = err instanceof Error ? err.message : String(err);
+      logger.error({ err, type }, "Failed to reload external adapter");
+      res.status(500).json({ error: `Failed to reload adapter: ${message}` });
+    }
+  });
+
+  // ── POST /api/adapters/:type/reinstall ──────────────────────────────────
+  // Reinstall an npm-sourced external adapter (pulls latest from registry).
+  // Local-path adapters cannot be reinstalled — use Reload instead.
+  //
+  // This is a convenience shortcut for remove + install with the same
+  // package name, but without the risk of losing the store record.
+  router.post("/adapters/:type/reinstall", async (req, res) => {
+    assertBoard(req);
+
+    const type = req.params.type;
+
+    if (BUILTIN_ADAPTER_TYPES.has(type) && !getAdapterPluginByType(type)) {
+      res.status(400).json({ error: "Cannot reinstall built-in adapter." });
+      return;
+    }
+
+    const record = getAdapterPluginByType(type);
+    if (!record) {
+      res.status(404).json({ error: `Adapter "${type}" is not an externally installed adapter.` });
+      return;
+    }
+
+    if (record.localPath) {
+      res.status(400).json({ error: "Local-path adapters cannot be reinstalled. Use Reload instead." });
+      return;
+    }
+
+    try {
+      const pluginsDir = getAdapterPluginsDir();
+
+      logger.info({ type, packageName: record.packageName }, "Reinstalling adapter package via npm");
+
+      await execFileAsync("npm", ["install", "--no-save", record.packageName], {
+        cwd: pluginsDir,
+        timeout: 120_000,
+      });
+
+      // Reload the freshly installed adapter
+      const newModule = await reloadExternalAdapter(type);
+      if (!newModule) {
+        res.status(500).json({ error: "npm install succeeded but adapter reload failed." });
+        return;
+      }
+
+      unregisterServerAdapter(type);
+      registerWithSessionManagement(newModule);
+      configSchemaCache.delete(type);
+
+      // Sync store version from disk
+      let newVersion: string | undefined;
+      const updatedRecord = getAdapterPluginByType(type);
+      if (updatedRecord) {
+        newVersion = readAdapterPackageVersionFromDisk(updatedRecord);
+        if (newVersion) {
+          addAdapterPlugin({ ...updatedRecord, version: newVersion });
+        }
+      }
+
+      logger.info({ type, version: newVersion }, "Adapter reinstalled from npm");
+
+      res.json({ type, version: newVersion, reinstalled: true });
+    } catch (err) {
+      const message = err instanceof Error ? err.message : String(err);
+      logger.error({ err, type }, "Failed to reinstall adapter");
+      res.status(500).json({ error: `Reinstall failed: ${message}` });
+    }
+  });
+
+  // ── GET /api/adapters/:type/config-schema ────────────────────────────────
+  // Serve a declarative config schema for an adapter's UI form fields.
+  // The adapter's getConfigSchema() resolves all options (static and dynamic)
+  // so the UI receives a fully hydrated schema in a single fetch.
+  const configSchemaCache = new Map<string, { schema: AdapterConfigSchema; fetchedAt: number }>();
+  const CONFIG_SCHEMA_TTL_MS = 30_000;
+
+  router.get("/adapters/:type/config-schema", async (req, res) => {
+    assertBoard(req);
+    const { type } = req.params;
+
+    const adapter = findActiveServerAdapter(type);
+    if (!adapter) {
+      res.status(404).json({ error: `Adapter "${type}" is not registered.` });
+      return;
+    }
+    if (!adapter.getConfigSchema) {
+      res.status(404).json({ error: `Adapter "${type}" does not provide a config schema.` });
+      return;
+    }
+
+    const cached = configSchemaCache.get(type);
+    if (cached && Date.now() - cached.fetchedAt < CONFIG_SCHEMA_TTL_MS) {
+      res.json(cached.schema);
+      return;
+    }
+
+    try {
+      const schema = await adapter.getConfigSchema();
+      configSchemaCache.set(type, { schema, fetchedAt: Date.now() });
+      res.json(schema);
+    } catch (err) {
+      const message = err instanceof Error ? err.message : String(err);
+      logger.error({ err, type }, "Failed to resolve config schema");
+      res.status(500).json({ error: `Failed to resolve config schema: ${message}` });
+    }
+  });
+
+  // ── GET /api/adapters/:type/ui-parser.js ─────────────────────────────────
+  // Serve the self-contained UI parser JS for an adapter type.
+  // This allows external adapters to provide custom run-log parsing
+  // without modifying Paperclip's source code.
+  //
+  // The adapter package must export a "./ui-parser" entry in package.json
+  // pointing to a self-contained ESM module with zero runtime dependencies.
+  router.get("/adapters/:type/ui-parser.js", (req, res) => {
+    assertBoard(req);
+    const { type } = req.params;
+    const source = getOrExtractUiParserSource(type);
+    if (!source) {
+      res.status(404).json({ error: `No UI parser available for adapter "${type}".` });
+      return;
+    }
+    res.type("application/javascript").send(source);
+  });
+
+  return router;
+}
diff --git a/server/src/routes/agents.ts b/server/src/routes/agents.ts
index 68084040..f1c15b8d 100644
--- a/server/src/routes/agents.ts
+++ b/server/src/routes/agents.ts
@@ -46,7 +46,13 @@ import {
 } from "../services/index.js";
 import { conflict, forbidden, notFound, unprocessable } from "../errors.js";
 import { assertBoard, assertCompanyAccess, assertInstanceAdmin, getActorInfo } from "./authz.js";
-import { findServerAdapter, listAdapterModels, detectAdapterModel } from "../adapters/index.js";
+import {
+  detectAdapterModel,
+  findActiveServerAdapter,
+  findServerAdapter,
+  listAdapterModels,
+  requireServerAdapter,
+} from "../adapters/index.js";
 import { redactEventPayload } from "../redaction.js";
 import { redactCurrentUserValue } from "../log-redaction.js";
 import { renderOrgChartSvg, renderOrgChartPng, type OrgNode, type OrgChartStyle, ORG_CHART_STYLES } from "./org-chart-svg.js";
@@ -69,7 +75,9 @@ export function agentRoutes(db: Db) {
   const DEFAULT_INSTRUCTIONS_PATH_KEYS: Record<string, string> = {
     claude_local: "instructionsFilePath",
     codex_local: "instructionsFilePath",
+    droid_local: "instructionsFilePath",
     gemini_local: "instructionsFilePath",
+    hermes_local: "instructionsFilePath",
     opencode_local: "instructionsFilePath",
     cursor: "instructionsFilePath",
     pi_local: "instructionsFilePath",
@@ -322,6 +330,21 @@ export function agentRoutes(db: Db) {
     }
   }
 
+  function assertKnownAdapterType(type: string | null | undefined): string {
+    const adapterType = typeof type === "string" ? type.trim() : "";
+    if (!adapterType) {
+      throw unprocessable("Adapter type is required");
+    }
+    if (!findServerAdapter(adapterType)) {
+      throw unprocessable(`Unknown adapter type: ${adapterType}`);
+    }
+    return adapterType;
+  }
+
+  function hasOwn(value: object, key: string): boolean {
+    return Object.hasOwn(value, key);
+  }
+
   async function resolveCompanyIdForAgentReference(req: Request): Promise<string | null> {
     const companyIdQuery = req.query.companyId;
     const requestedCompanyId =
@@ -743,7 +766,7 @@ export function agentRoutes(db: Db) {
   router.get("/companies/:companyId/adapters/:type/models", async (req, res) => {
     const companyId = req.params.companyId as string;
     assertCompanyAccess(req, companyId);
-    const type = req.params.type as string;
+    const type = assertKnownAdapterType(req.params.type as string);
     const models = await listAdapterModels(type);
     res.json(models);
   });
@@ -751,7 +774,7 @@ export function agentRoutes(db: Db) {
   router.get("/companies/:companyId/adapters/:type/detect-model", async (req, res) => {
     const companyId = req.params.companyId as string;
     assertCompanyAccess(req, companyId);
-    const type = req.params.type as string;
+    const type = assertKnownAdapterType(req.params.type as string);
 
     const detected = await detectAdapterModel(type);
     res.json(detected);
@@ -762,14 +785,10 @@ export function agentRoutes(db: Db) {
     validate(testAdapterEnvironmentSchema),
     async (req, res) => {
       const companyId = req.params.companyId as string;
-      const type = req.params.type as string;
+      const type = assertKnownAdapterType(req.params.type as string);
       await assertCanReadConfigurations(req, companyId);
 
-      const adapter = findServerAdapter(type);
-      if (!adapter) {
-        res.status(404).json({ error: `Unknown adapter type: ${type}` });
-        return;
-      }
+      const adapter = requireServerAdapter(type);
 
       const inputAdapterConfig =
         (req.body?.adapterConfig ?? {}) as Record<string, unknown>;
@@ -802,7 +821,7 @@ export function agentRoutes(db: Db) {
     }
     await assertCanReadConfigurations(req, agent.companyId);
 
-    const adapter = findServerAdapter(agent.adapterType);
+    const adapter = findActiveServerAdapter(agent.adapterType);
     if (!adapter?.listSkills) {
       const preference = readPaperclipSkillSyncPreference(
         agent.adapterConfig as Record<string, unknown>,
@@ -880,7 +899,7 @@ export function agentRoutes(db: Db) {
         return;
       }
 
-      const adapter = findServerAdapter(updated.adapterType);
+      const adapter = findActiveServerAdapter(updated.adapterType);
       const { config: runtimeConfig } = await secretsSvc.resolveAdapterConfigForRuntime(
         updated.companyId,
         updated.adapterConfig,
@@ -1265,6 +1284,7 @@ export function agentRoutes(db: Db) {
       sourceIssueIds: _sourceIssueIds,
       ...hireInput
     } = req.body;
+    hireInput.adapterType = assertKnownAdapterType(hireInput.adapterType);
     const requestedAdapterConfig = applyCreateDefaultsByAdapterType(
       hireInput.adapterType,
       ((hireInput.adapterConfig ?? {}) as Record<string, unknown>),
@@ -1429,6 +1449,7 @@ export function agentRoutes(db: Db) {
       desiredSkills: requestedDesiredSkills,
       ...createInput
     } = req.body;
+    createInput.adapterType = assertKnownAdapterType(createInput.adapterType);
     const requestedAdapterConfig = applyCreateDefaultsByAdapterType(
       createInput.adapterType,
       ((createInput.adapterConfig ?? {}) as Record<string, unknown>),
@@ -1807,7 +1828,7 @@ export function agentRoutes(db: Db) {
     }
     await assertCanUpdateAgent(req, existing);
 
-    if (Object.prototype.hasOwnProperty.call(req.body, "permissions")) {
+    if (hasOwn(req.body as object, "permissions")) {
       res.status(422).json({ error: "Use /api/agents/:id/permissions for permission changes" });
       return;
     }
@@ -1815,7 +1836,7 @@ export function agentRoutes(db: Db) {
     const patchData = { ...(req.body as Record<string, unknown>) };
     const replaceAdapterConfig = patchData.replaceAdapterConfig === true;
     delete patchData.replaceAdapterConfig;
-    if (Object.prototype.hasOwnProperty.call(patchData, "adapterConfig")) {
+    if (hasOwn(patchData, "adapterConfig")) {
       const adapterConfig = asRecord(patchData.adapterConfig);
       if (!adapterConfig) {
         res.status(422).json({ error: "adapterConfig must be an object" });
@@ -1830,16 +1851,17 @@ export function agentRoutes(db: Db) {
       patchData.adapterConfig = adapterConfig;
     }
 
-    const requestedAdapterType =
-      typeof patchData.adapterType === "string" ? patchData.adapterType : existing.adapterType;
+    const requestedAdapterType = hasOwn(patchData, "adapterType")
+      ? assertKnownAdapterType(patchData.adapterType as string | null | undefined)
+      : existing.adapterType;
     const touchesAdapterConfiguration =
-      Object.prototype.hasOwnProperty.call(patchData, "adapterType") ||
-      Object.prototype.hasOwnProperty.call(patchData, "adapterConfig");
+      hasOwn(patchData, "adapterType") ||
+      hasOwn(patchData, "adapterConfig");
     if (touchesAdapterConfiguration) {
       const existingAdapterConfig = asRecord(existing.adapterConfig) ?? {};
       const changingAdapterType =
         typeof patchData.adapterType === "string" && patchData.adapterType !== existing.adapterType;
-      const requestedAdapterConfig = Object.prototype.hasOwnProperty.call(patchData, "adapterConfig")
+      const requestedAdapterConfig = hasOwn(patchData, "adapterConfig")
         ? (asRecord(patchData.adapterConfig) ?? {})
         : null;
       if (
diff --git a/server/src/services/adapter-plugin-store.ts b/server/src/services/adapter-plugin-store.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..8c26abe8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/server/src/services/adapter-plugin-store.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,177 @@
+/**
+ * JSON-file-backed store for external adapter registrations.
+ *
+ * Stores metadata about externally installed adapter packages at
+ * ~/.paperclip/adapter-plugins.json. This is the source of truth for which
+ * external adapters should be loaded at startup.
+ *
+ * Both the plugin store and the settings store are cached in memory after
+ * the first read. Writes invalidate the cache so the next read picks up
+ * the new state without a redundant disk round-trip.
+ *
+ * @module server/services/adapter-plugin-store
+ */
+
+import fs from "node:fs";
+import path from "node:path";
+import os from "node:os";
+
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// Types
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+export interface AdapterPluginRecord {
+  /** npm package name (e.g., "droid-paperclip-adapter") */
+  packageName: string;
+  /** Absolute local filesystem path (for locally linked adapters) */
+  localPath?: string;
+  /** Installed version string (for npm packages) */
+  version?: string;
+  /** Adapter type identifier (matches ServerAdapterModule.type) */
+  type: string;
+  /** ISO 8601 timestamp of when the adapter was installed */
+  installedAt: string;
+  /** Whether this adapter is disabled (hidden from menus but still functional) */
+  disabled?: boolean;
+}
+
+interface AdapterSettings {
+  disabledTypes: string[];
+}
+
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// Paths
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+const PAPERCLIP_DIR = path.join(os.homedir(), ".paperclip");
+const ADAPTER_PLUGINS_DIR = path.join(PAPERCLIP_DIR, "adapter-plugins");
+const ADAPTER_PLUGINS_STORE_PATH = path.join(PAPERCLIP_DIR, "adapter-plugins.json");
+const ADAPTER_SETTINGS_PATH = path.join(PAPERCLIP_DIR, "adapter-settings.json");
+
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// In-memory caches (invalidated on write)
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+let storeCache: AdapterPluginRecord[] | null = null;
+let settingsCache: AdapterSettings | null = null;
+
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// Store functions
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+function ensureDirs(): void {
+  fs.mkdirSync(ADAPTER_PLUGINS_DIR, { recursive: true });
+  const pkgJsonPath = path.join(ADAPTER_PLUGINS_DIR, "package.json");
+  if (!fs.existsSync(pkgJsonPath)) {
+    fs.writeFileSync(pkgJsonPath, JSON.stringify({
+      name: "paperclip-adapter-plugins",
+      version: "0.0.0",
+      private: true,
+      description: "Managed directory for Paperclip external adapter plugins. Do not edit manually.",
+    }, null, 2) + "\n");
+  }
+}
+
+function readStore(): AdapterPluginRecord[] {
+  if (storeCache) return storeCache;
+  try {
+    const raw = fs.readFileSync(ADAPTER_PLUGINS_STORE_PATH, "utf-8");
+    const parsed = JSON.parse(raw);
+    storeCache = Array.isArray(parsed) ? (parsed as AdapterPluginRecord[]) : [];
+  } catch {
+    storeCache = [];
+  }
+  return storeCache;
+}
+
+function writeStore(records: AdapterPluginRecord[]): void {
+  ensureDirs();
+  fs.writeFileSync(ADAPTER_PLUGINS_STORE_PATH, JSON.stringify(records, null, 2), "utf-8");
+  storeCache = records;
+}
+
+function readSettings(): AdapterSettings {
+  if (settingsCache) return settingsCache;
+  try {
+    const raw = fs.readFileSync(ADAPTER_SETTINGS_PATH, "utf-8");
+    const parsed = JSON.parse(raw);
+    settingsCache = parsed && Array.isArray(parsed.disabledTypes)
+      ? (parsed as AdapterSettings)
+      : { disabledTypes: [] };
+  } catch {
+    settingsCache = { disabledTypes: [] };
+  }
+  return settingsCache;
+}
+
+function writeSettings(settings: AdapterSettings): void {
+  ensureDirs();
+  fs.writeFileSync(ADAPTER_SETTINGS_PATH, JSON.stringify(settings, null, 2), "utf-8");
+  settingsCache = settings;
+}
+
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// Public API
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+export function listAdapterPlugins(): AdapterPluginRecord[] {
+  return readStore();
+}
+
+export function addAdapterPlugin(record: AdapterPluginRecord): void {
+  const store = [...readStore()];
+  const idx = store.findIndex((r) => r.type === record.type);
+  if (idx >= 0) {
+    store[idx] = record;
+  } else {
+    store.push(record);
+  }
+  writeStore(store);
+}
+
+export function removeAdapterPlugin(type: string): boolean {
+  const store = [...readStore()];
+  const idx = store.findIndex((r) => r.type === type);
+  if (idx < 0) return false;
+  store.splice(idx, 1);
+  writeStore(store);
+  return true;
+}
+
+export function getAdapterPluginByType(type: string): AdapterPluginRecord | undefined {
+  return readStore().find((r) => r.type === type);
+}
+
+export function getAdapterPluginsDir(): string {
+  ensureDirs();
+  return ADAPTER_PLUGINS_DIR;
+}
+
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// Adapter enable/disable (settings)
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+export function getDisabledAdapterTypes(): string[] {
+  return readSettings().disabledTypes;
+}
+
+export function isAdapterDisabled(type: string): boolean {
+  return readSettings().disabledTypes.includes(type);
+}
+
+export function setAdapterDisabled(type: string, disabled: boolean): boolean {
+  const settings = { ...readSettings(), disabledTypes: [...readSettings().disabledTypes] };
+  const idx = settings.disabledTypes.indexOf(type);
+
+  if (disabled && idx < 0) {
+    settings.disabledTypes.push(type);
+    writeSettings(settings);
+    return true;
+  }
+  if (!disabled && idx >= 0) {
+    settings.disabledTypes.splice(idx, 1);
+    writeSettings(settings);
+    return true;
+  }
+  return false;
+}
diff --git a/server/src/services/company-skills.ts b/server/src/services/company-skills.ts
index fae77e5f..faea351c 100644
--- a/server/src/services/company-skills.ts
+++ b/server/src/services/company-skills.ts
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ import type {
   CompanySkillUsageAgent,
 } from "@paperclipai/shared";
 import { normalizeAgentUrlKey } from "@paperclipai/shared";
-import { findServerAdapter } from "../adapters/index.js";
+import { findActiveServerAdapter } from "../adapters/index.js";
 import { resolvePaperclipInstanceRoot } from "../home-paths.js";
 import { notFound, unprocessable } from "../errors.js";
 import { ghFetch, gitHubApiBase, resolveRawGitHubUrl } from "./github-fetch.js";
@@ -1575,7 +1575,7 @@ export function companySkillService(db: Db) {
 
     return Promise.all(
       desiredAgents.map(async (agent) => {
-        const adapter = findServerAdapter(agent.adapterType);
+        const adapter = findActiveServerAdapter(agent.adapterType);
         let actualState: string | null = null;
 
         if (!adapter?.listSkills) {
diff --git a/server/src/services/heartbeat-run-summary.ts b/server/src/services/heartbeat-run-summary.ts
index 4ef07047..441b0882 100644
--- a/server/src/services/heartbeat-run-summary.ts
+++ b/server/src/services/heartbeat-run-summary.ts
@@ -7,6 +7,12 @@ function readNumericField(record: Record<string, unknown>, key: string) {
   return key in record ? record[key] ?? null : undefined;
 }
 
+function readCommentText(value: unknown) {
+  if (typeof value !== "string") return null;
+  const trimmed = value.trim();
+  return trimmed.length > 0 ? trimmed : null;
+}
+
 export function summarizeHeartbeatRunResultJson(
   resultJson: Record<string, unknown> | null | undefined,
 ): Record<string, unknown> | null {
@@ -33,3 +39,18 @@ export function summarizeHeartbeatRunResultJson(
 
   return Object.keys(summary).length > 0 ? summary : null;
 }
+
+export function buildHeartbeatRunIssueComment(
+  resultJson: Record<string, unknown> | null | undefined,
+): string | null {
+  if (!resultJson || typeof resultJson !== "object" || Array.isArray(resultJson)) {
+    return null;
+  }
+
+  return (
+    readCommentText(resultJson.summary)
+    ?? readCommentText(resultJson.result)
+    ?? readCommentText(resultJson.message)
+    ?? null
+  );
+}
diff --git a/server/src/services/heartbeat.ts b/server/src/services/heartbeat.ts
index 356783de..dc14bc99 100644
--- a/server/src/services/heartbeat.ts
+++ b/server/src/services/heartbeat.ts
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ import { companySkillService } from "./company-skills.js";
 import { budgetService, type BudgetEnforcementScope } from "./budgets.js";
 import { secretService } from "./secrets.js";
 import { resolveDefaultAgentWorkspaceDir, resolveManagedProjectWorkspaceDir } from "../home-paths.js";
-import { summarizeHeartbeatRunResultJson } from "./heartbeat-run-summary.js";
+import { buildHeartbeatRunIssueComment, summarizeHeartbeatRunResultJson } from "./heartbeat-run-summary.js";
 import {
   buildWorkspaceReadyComment,
   cleanupExecutionWorkspaceArtifacts,
@@ -2838,6 +2838,19 @@ export function heartbeatService(db: Db) {
             exitCode: adapterResult.exitCode,
           },
         });
+        if (issueId && outcome === "succeeded") {
+          try {
+            const issueComment = buildHeartbeatRunIssueComment(adapterResult.resultJson ?? null);
+            if (issueComment) {
+              await issuesSvc.addComment(issueId, issueComment, { agentId: agent.id });
+            }
+          } catch (err) {
+            await onLog(
+              "stderr",
+              `[paperclip] Failed to post run summary comment: ${err instanceof Error ? err.message : String(err)}\n`,
+            );
+          }
+        }
         await releaseIssueExecutionAndPromote(finalizedRun);
       }
 
diff --git a/server/src/services/hire-hook.ts b/server/src/services/hire-hook.ts
index 6b6e22ce..79a38177 100644
--- a/server/src/services/hire-hook.ts
+++ b/server/src/services/hire-hook.ts
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ import { and, eq } from "drizzle-orm";
 import type { Db } from "@paperclipai/db";
 import { agents } from "@paperclipai/db";
 import type { HireApprovedPayload } from "@paperclipai/adapter-utils";
-import { findServerAdapter } from "../adapters/registry.js";
+import { findActiveServerAdapter } from "../adapters/registry.js";
 import { logger } from "../middleware/logger.js";
 import { logActivity } from "./activity-log.js";
 
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ export async function notifyHireApproved(
   }
 
   const adapterType = row.adapterType ?? "process";
-  const adapter = findServerAdapter(adapterType);
+  const adapter = findActiveServerAdapter(adapterType);
   const onHireApproved = adapter?.onHireApproved;
   if (!onHireApproved) {
     return;
diff --git a/server/src/services/plugin-host-services.ts b/server/src/services/plugin-host-services.ts
index 4d487552..22ccb017 100644
--- a/server/src/services/plugin-host-services.ts
+++ b/server/src/services/plugin-host-services.ts
@@ -807,7 +807,7 @@ export function buildHostServices(
         return (await issues.addComment(
           params.issueId,
           params.body,
-          {},
+          { agentId: params.authorAgentId },
         )) as IssueComment;
       },
     },
diff --git a/tsconfig.json b/tsconfig.json
index 3a989f38..9a5267db 100644
--- a/tsconfig.json
+++ b/tsconfig.json
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@
     { "path": "./packages/adapters/claude-local" },
     { "path": "./packages/adapters/codex-local" },
     { "path": "./packages/adapters/cursor-local" },
+    { "path": "./packages/adapters/droid-local" },
     { "path": "./packages/adapters/openclaw-gateway" },
     { "path": "./packages/adapters/opencode-local" },
     { "path": "./packages/adapters/pi-local" },
diff --git a/ui/src/App.tsx b/ui/src/App.tsx
index f240defc..0bc4721b 100644
--- a/ui/src/App.tsx
+++ b/ui/src/App.tsx
@@ -34,6 +34,7 @@ import { InstanceSettings } from "./pages/InstanceSettings";
 import { InstanceExperimentalSettings } from "./pages/InstanceExperimentalSettings";
 import { PluginManager } from "./pages/PluginManager";
 import { PluginSettings } from "./pages/PluginSettings";
+import { AdapterManager } from "./pages/AdapterManager";
 import { PluginPage } from "./pages/PluginPage";
 import { RunTranscriptUxLab } from "./pages/RunTranscriptUxLab";
 import { OrgChart } from "./pages/OrgChart";
@@ -175,6 +176,7 @@ function boardRoutes() {
       <Route path="inbox/new" element={<Navigate to="/inbox/mine" replace />} />
       <Route path="design-guide" element={<DesignGuide />} />
       <Route path="tests/ux/runs" element={<RunTranscriptUxLab />} />
+      <Route path="instance/settings/adapters" element={<AdapterManager />} />
       <Route path=":pluginRoutePath" element={<PluginPage />} />
       <Route path="*" element={<NotFoundPage scope="board" />} />
     </>
@@ -321,6 +323,7 @@ export function App() {
             <Route path="experimental" element={<InstanceExperimentalSettings />} />
             <Route path="plugins" element={<PluginManager />} />
             <Route path="plugins/:pluginId" element={<PluginSettings />} />
+            <Route path="adapters" element={<AdapterManager />} />
           </Route>
           <Route path="companies" element={<UnprefixedBoardRedirect />} />
           <Route path="issues" element={<UnprefixedBoardRedirect />} />
diff --git a/ui/src/adapters/adapter-display-registry.ts b/ui/src/adapters/adapter-display-registry.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..fe809273
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ui/src/adapters/adapter-display-registry.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,157 @@
+/**
+ * Single source of truth for adapter display metadata.
+ *
+ * Built-in adapters have entries in `adapterDisplayMap`. External (plugin)
+ * adapters get sensible defaults derived from their type string via
+ * `getAdapterDisplay()`.
+ */
+import type { ComponentType } from "react";
+import {
+  Bot,
+  Code,
+  Gem,
+  MousePointer2,
+  Sparkles,
+  Terminal,
+  Cpu,
+} from "lucide-react";
+import { OpenCodeLogoIcon } from "@/components/OpenCodeLogoIcon";
+import { HermesIcon } from "@/components/HermesIcon";
+
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// Type suffix parsing
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+const TYPE_SUFFIXES: Record<string, string> = {
+  _local: "local",
+  _gateway: "gateway",
+};
+
+function getTypeSuffix(type: string): string | null {
+  for (const [suffix, mode] of Object.entries(TYPE_SUFFIXES)) {
+    if (type.endsWith(suffix)) return mode;
+  }
+  return null;
+}
+
+function withSuffix(label: string, suffix: string | null): string {
+  return suffix ? `${label} (${suffix})` : label;
+}
+
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// Display metadata per adapter type
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+export interface AdapterDisplayInfo {
+  label: string;
+  description: string;
+  icon: ComponentType<{ className?: string }>;
+  recommended?: boolean;
+  comingSoon?: boolean;
+  disabledLabel?: string;
+}
+
+const adapterDisplayMap: Record<string, AdapterDisplayInfo> = {
+  claude_local: {
+    label: "Claude Code",
+    description: "Local Claude agent",
+    icon: Sparkles,
+    recommended: true,
+  },
+  codex_local: {
+    label: "Codex",
+    description: "Local Codex agent",
+    icon: Code,
+    recommended: true,
+  },
+  gemini_local: {
+    label: "Gemini CLI",
+    description: "Local Gemini agent",
+    icon: Gem,
+  },
+  opencode_local: {
+    label: "OpenCode",
+    description: "Local multi-provider agent",
+    icon: OpenCodeLogoIcon,
+  },
+  hermes_local: {
+    label: "Hermes Agent",
+    description: "Local Hermes CLI agent",
+    icon: HermesIcon,
+  },
+  pi_local: {
+    label: "Pi",
+    description: "Local Pi agent",
+    icon: Terminal,
+  },
+  cursor: {
+    label: "Cursor",
+    description: "Local Cursor agent",
+    icon: MousePointer2,
+  },
+  openclaw_gateway: {
+    label: "OpenClaw Gateway",
+    description: "Invoke OpenClaw via gateway protocol",
+    icon: Bot,
+    comingSoon: true,
+    disabledLabel: "Configure OpenClaw within the App",
+  },
+  process: {
+    label: "Process",
+    description: "Internal process adapter",
+    icon: Cpu,
+    comingSoon: true,
+  },
+  http: {
+    label: "HTTP",
+    description: "Internal HTTP adapter",
+    icon: Cpu,
+    comingSoon: true,
+  },
+};
+
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// Public API
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+function humanizeType(type: string): string {
+  // Strip known type suffixes so "droid_local" → "Droid", not "Droid Local"
+  let base = type;
+  for (const suffix of Object.keys(TYPE_SUFFIXES)) {
+    if (base.endsWith(suffix)) {
+      base = base.slice(0, -suffix.length);
+      break;
+    }
+  }
+  return base.replace(/_/g, " ").replace(/\b\w/g, (c) => c.toUpperCase());
+}
+
+export function getAdapterLabel(type: string): string {
+  const base = adapterDisplayMap[type]?.label ?? humanizeType(type);
+  return withSuffix(base, getTypeSuffix(type));
+}
+
+export function getAdapterLabels(): Record<string, string> {
+  const suffixed: Record<string, string> = {};
+  for (const [type, info] of Object.entries(adapterDisplayMap)) {
+    suffixed[type] = withSuffix(info.label, getTypeSuffix(type));
+  }
+  return suffixed;
+}
+
+export function getAdapterDisplay(type: string): AdapterDisplayInfo {
+  const known = adapterDisplayMap[type];
+  if (known) return known;
+
+  const suffix = getTypeSuffix(type);
+  const label = withSuffix(humanizeType(type), suffix);
+  return {
+    label,
+    description: suffix ? `External ${suffix} adapter` : "External adapter",
+    icon: Cpu,
+  };
+}
+
+export function isKnownAdapterType(type: string): boolean {
+  return type in adapterDisplayMap;
+}
diff --git a/ui/src/adapters/disabled-store.ts b/ui/src/adapters/disabled-store.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..66de3e71
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ui/src/adapters/disabled-store.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+/**
+ * Client-side store for disabled adapter types.
+ *
+ * Hydrated from the server's GET /api/adapters response.
+ * Provides synchronous reads so module-level constants can filter against it.
+ * Falls back to "nothing disabled" before the first hydration.
+ *
+ * Usage in components:
+ *   useQuery + adaptersApi.list() populates the store automatically.
+ *
+ * Usage in non-React code:
+ *   import { isAdapterTypeHidden } from "@/adapters/disabled-store";
+ */
+
+let disabledTypes = new Set<string>();
+
+/** Check if an adapter type is hidden from menus (sync read). */
+export function isAdapterTypeHidden(type: string): boolean {
+  return disabledTypes.has(type);
+}
+
+/** Get all hidden adapter types (sync read). */
+export function getHiddenAdapterTypes(): Set<string> {
+  return disabledTypes;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Hydrate the store from a server response.
+ * Called by components that fetch the adapters list.
+ */
+export function setDisabledAdapterTypes(types: string[]): void {
+  disabledTypes = new Set(types);
+}
diff --git a/ui/src/adapters/dynamic-loader.ts b/ui/src/adapters/dynamic-loader.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..aec2efa8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ui/src/adapters/dynamic-loader.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,122 @@
+/**
+ * Dynamic UI parser loading for external adapters.
+ *
+ * When the Paperclip UI encounters an adapter type that doesn't have a
+ * built-in parser (e.g., an external adapter loaded via the plugin system),
+ * it fetches the parser JS from `/api/adapters/:type/ui-parser.js` and
+ * evaluates it to create a `parseStdoutLine` function.
+ *
+ * The parser module must export:
+ *   - `parseStdoutLine(line: string, ts: string): TranscriptEntry[]`
+ *   - optionally `createStdoutParser(): { parseLine, reset }` for stateful parsers
+ *
+ * This is the bridge between the server-side plugin system and the client-side
+ * UI rendering. Adapter developers ship a `dist/ui-parser.js` with zero
+ * runtime dependencies, and Paperclip's UI loads it on demand.
+ */
+
+import type { TranscriptEntry } from "@paperclipai/adapter-utils";
+import type { StatefulStdoutParser, StdoutLineParser, StdoutParserFactory } from "./types";
+
+interface DynamicParserModule {
+  parseStdoutLine: StdoutLineParser;
+  createStdoutParser?: StdoutParserFactory;
+}
+
+// Cache of dynamically loaded parsers by adapter type.
+// Once loaded, the parser is reused for all runs of that adapter type.
+const dynamicParserCache = new Map<string, DynamicParserModule>();
+
+// Track which types we've already attempted to load (to avoid repeat 404s).
+const failedLoads = new Set<string>();
+
+/**
+ * Dynamically load a UI parser for an adapter type from the server API.
+ *
+ * Fetches `/api/adapters/:type/ui-parser.js`, evaluates the module source
+ * in a scoped context, and extracts the `parseStdoutLine` export.
+ *
+ * @returns A StdoutLineParser function, or null if unavailable.
+ */
+export async function loadDynamicParser(adapterType: string): Promise<DynamicParserModule | null> {
+  // Return cached parser if already loaded
+  const cached = dynamicParserCache.get(adapterType);
+  if (cached) return cached;
+
+  // Don't retry types that previously 404'd
+  if (failedLoads.has(adapterType)) return null;
+
+  try {
+    const response = await fetch(`/api/adapters/${encodeURIComponent(adapterType)}/ui-parser.js`);
+    if (!response.ok) {
+      failedLoads.add(adapterType);
+      return null;
+    }
+
+    const source = await response.text();
+
+    // Evaluate the module source using URL.createObjectURL + dynamic import().
+    // This properly supports ESM modules with `export` statements.
+    // (new Function("exports", source) would fail with SyntaxError on `export` keywords.)
+    const blob = new Blob([source], { type: "application/javascript" });
+    const blobUrl = URL.createObjectURL(blob);
+
+    let parserModule: DynamicParserModule;
+
+    try {
+      const mod = await import(/* @vite-ignore */ blobUrl);
+
+      // Prefer the factory function (stateful parser) if available,
+      // fall back to the static parseStdoutLine function.
+      if (typeof mod.createStdoutParser === "function") {
+        const createStdoutParser = mod.createStdoutParser as StdoutParserFactory;
+        parserModule = {
+          createStdoutParser,
+          // Fallback for callers that only know about parseStdoutLine.
+          parseStdoutLine:
+            typeof mod.parseStdoutLine === "function"
+              ? (mod.parseStdoutLine as StdoutLineParser)
+              : ((line: string, ts: string) => {
+                  const parser = createStdoutParser() as StatefulStdoutParser;
+                  const entries = parser.parseLine(line, ts);
+                  parser.reset();
+                  return entries;
+                }),
+        };
+      } else if (typeof mod.parseStdoutLine === "function") {
+        parserModule = {
+          parseStdoutLine: mod.parseStdoutLine as StdoutLineParser,
+        };
+      } else {
+        console.warn(`[adapter-ui-loader] Module for "${adapterType}" exports neither parseStdoutLine nor createStdoutParser`);
+        failedLoads.add(adapterType);
+        return null;
+      }
+    } finally {
+      URL.revokeObjectURL(blobUrl);
+    }
+
+    // Cache for reuse
+    dynamicParserCache.set(adapterType, parserModule);
+    console.info(`[adapter-ui-loader] Loaded dynamic UI parser for "${adapterType}"`);
+    return parserModule;
+  } catch (err) {
+    console.warn(`[adapter-ui-loader] Failed to load UI parser for "${adapterType}":`, err);
+    failedLoads.add(adapterType);
+    return null;
+  }
+}
+
+/**
+ * Invalidate a cached dynamic parser, removing it from both the parser cache
+ * and the failed-loads set so that the next load attempt will try again.
+ */
+export function invalidateDynamicParser(adapterType: string): boolean {
+  const wasCached = dynamicParserCache.has(adapterType);
+  dynamicParserCache.delete(adapterType);
+  failedLoads.delete(adapterType);
+  if (wasCached) {
+    console.info(`[adapter-ui-loader] Invalidated dynamic UI parser for "${adapterType}"`);
+  }
+  return wasCached;
+}
diff --git a/ui/src/adapters/hermes-local/config-fields.tsx b/ui/src/adapters/hermes-local/config-fields.tsx
index 62b85fea..4b807043 100644
--- a/ui/src/adapters/hermes-local/config-fields.tsx
+++ b/ui/src/adapters/hermes-local/config-fields.tsx
@@ -1,49 +1,49 @@
-import type { AdapterConfigFieldsProps } from "../types";
-import {
-  Field,
-  DraftInput,
-} from "../../components/agent-config-primitives";
-import { ChoosePathButton } from "../../components/PathInstructionsModal";
-
-const inputClass =
-  "w-full rounded-md border border-border px-2.5 py-1.5 bg-transparent outline-none text-sm font-mono placeholder:text-muted-foreground/40";
-const instructionsFileHint =
-  "Absolute path to a markdown file (e.g. AGENTS.md) that defines this agent's behavior. Injected into the system prompt at runtime.";
-
-export function HermesLocalConfigFields({
-  isCreate,
-  values,
-  set,
-  config,
-  eff,
-  mark,
-  hideInstructionsFile,
-}: AdapterConfigFieldsProps) {
-  if (hideInstructionsFile) return null;
-  return (
-    <Field label="Agent instructions file" hint={instructionsFileHint}>
-      <div className="flex items-center gap-2">
-        <DraftInput
-          value={
-            isCreate
-              ? values!.instructionsFilePath ?? ""
-              : eff(
-                  "adapterConfig",
-                  "instructionsFilePath",
-                  String(config.instructionsFilePath ?? ""),
-                )
-          }
-          onCommit={(v) =>
-            isCreate
-              ? set!({ instructionsFilePath: v })
-              : mark("adapterConfig", "instructionsFilePath", v || undefined)
-          }
-          immediate
-          className={inputClass}
-          placeholder="/absolute/path/to/AGENTS.md"
-        />
-        <ChoosePathButton />
-      </div>
-    </Field>
-  );
-}
+import type { AdapterConfigFieldsProps } from "../types";
+import {
+  Field,
+  DraftInput,
+} from "../../components/agent-config-primitives";
+import { ChoosePathButton } from "../../components/PathInstructionsModal";
+
+const inputClass =
+  "w-full rounded-md border border-border px-2.5 py-1.5 bg-transparent outline-none text-sm font-mono placeholder:text-muted-foreground/40";
+const instructionsFileHint =
+  "Absolute path to a markdown file (e.g. AGENTS.md) that defines this agent's behavior. Injected into the system prompt at runtime.";
+
+export function HermesLocalConfigFields({
+  isCreate,
+  values,
+  set,
+  config,
+  eff,
+  mark,
+  hideInstructionsFile,
+}: AdapterConfigFieldsProps) {
+  if (hideInstructionsFile) return null;
+  return (
+    <Field label="Agent instructions file" hint={instructionsFileHint}>
+      <div className="flex items-center gap-2">
+        <DraftInput
+          value={
+            isCreate
+              ? values!.instructionsFilePath ?? ""
+              : eff(
+                  "adapterConfig",
+                  "instructionsFilePath",
+                  String(config.instructionsFilePath ?? ""),
+                )
+          }
+          onCommit={(v) =>
+            isCreate
+              ? set!({ instructionsFilePath: v })
+              : mark("adapterConfig", "instructionsFilePath", v || undefined)
+          }
+          immediate
+          className={inputClass}
+          placeholder="/absolute/path/to/AGENTS.md"
+        />
+        <ChoosePathButton />
+      </div>
+    </Field>
+  );
+}
diff --git a/ui/src/adapters/hermes-local/index.ts b/ui/src/adapters/hermes-local/index.ts
index 97c064f8..c037a747 100644
--- a/ui/src/adapters/hermes-local/index.ts
+++ b/ui/src/adapters/hermes-local/index.ts
@@ -1,12 +1,12 @@
-import type { UIAdapterModule } from "../types";
-import { parseHermesStdoutLine } from "hermes-paperclip-adapter/ui";
-import { HermesLocalConfigFields } from "./config-fields";
-import { buildHermesConfig } from "hermes-paperclip-adapter/ui";
-
-export const hermesLocalUIAdapter: UIAdapterModule = {
-  type: "hermes_local",
-  label: "Hermes Agent",
-  parseStdoutLine: parseHermesStdoutLine,
-  ConfigFields: HermesLocalConfigFields,
-  buildAdapterConfig: buildHermesConfig,
-};
+import type { UIAdapterModule } from "../types";
+import { parseHermesStdoutLine } from "hermes-paperclip-adapter/ui";
+import { SchemaConfigFields, buildSchemaAdapterConfig } from "../schema-config-fields";
+import { buildHermesConfig } from "hermes-paperclip-adapter/ui";
+
+export const hermesLocalUIAdapter: UIAdapterModule = {
+  type: "hermes_local",
+  label: "Hermes Agent",
+  parseStdoutLine: parseHermesStdoutLine,
+  ConfigFields: SchemaConfigFields,
+  buildAdapterConfig: buildSchemaAdapterConfig,
+};
diff --git a/ui/src/adapters/index.ts b/ui/src/adapters/index.ts
index feb04511..5623cf8a 100644
--- a/ui/src/adapters/index.ts
+++ b/ui/src/adapters/index.ts
@@ -1,4 +1,12 @@
-export { getUIAdapter, listUIAdapters } from "./registry";
+export {
+  getUIAdapter,
+  listUIAdapters,
+  findUIAdapter,
+  registerUIAdapter,
+  unregisterUIAdapter,
+  syncExternalAdapters,
+  onAdapterChange,
+} from "./registry";
 export { buildTranscript } from "./transcript";
 export type {
   TranscriptEntry,
diff --git a/ui/src/adapters/metadata.test.ts b/ui/src/adapters/metadata.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..70b7ef3c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ui/src/adapters/metadata.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+import { describe, expect, it } from "vitest";
+import { isEnabledAdapterType, listAdapterOptions } from "./metadata";
+import type { UIAdapterModule } from "./types";
+
+const externalAdapter: UIAdapterModule = {
+  type: "external_test",
+  label: "External Test",
+  parseStdoutLine: () => [],
+  ConfigFields: () => null,
+  buildAdapterConfig: () => ({}),
+};
+
+describe("adapter metadata", () => {
+  it("treats registered external adapters as enabled by default", () => {
+    expect(isEnabledAdapterType("external_test")).toBe(true);
+
+    expect(
+      listAdapterOptions((type) => type, [externalAdapter]),
+    ).toEqual([
+      {
+        value: "external_test",
+        label: "external_test",
+        comingSoon: false,
+        hidden: false,
+      },
+    ]);
+  });
+
+  it("keeps intentionally withheld built-in adapters marked as coming soon", () => {
+    expect(isEnabledAdapterType("process")).toBe(false);
+    expect(isEnabledAdapterType("http")).toBe(false);
+  });
+});
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/ui/src/adapters/metadata.ts b/ui/src/adapters/metadata.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..297a7237
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ui/src/adapters/metadata.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,75 @@
+/**
+ * Adapter metadata utilities — built on top of the display registry and UI adapter list.
+ *
+ * This module bridges the static display metadata with the dynamic adapter registry.
+ * "Coming soon" status is derived from the display registry's `comingSoon` flag.
+ * "Hidden" status comes from the disabled-adapter store (server-side toggle).
+ */
+import type { UIAdapterModule } from "./types";
+import { listUIAdapters } from "./registry";
+import { isAdapterTypeHidden } from "./disabled-store";
+import { getAdapterLabel, getAdapterDisplay } from "./adapter-display-registry";
+
+export interface AdapterOptionMetadata {
+  value: string;
+  label: string;
+  comingSoon: boolean;
+  hidden: boolean;
+}
+
+export function listKnownAdapterTypes(): string[] {
+  return listUIAdapters().map((adapter) => adapter.type);
+}
+
+/**
+ * Check whether an adapter type is enabled (not "coming soon").
+ * Unknown types (external adapters) are always considered enabled.
+ */
+export function isEnabledAdapterType(type: string): boolean {
+  // Check display registry first — built-in adapters like process/http are
+  // intentionally withheld even though they're registered as UI adapters.
+  if (getAdapterDisplay(type).comingSoon) return false;
+  // All other types (registered or external) are enabled.
+  return true;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Check whether an adapter type is a valid choice for new agent creation.
+ * Includes all registered UI adapters (built-in + external) and
+ * any non-"coming soon" adapter from the display registry.
+ */
+export function isValidAdapterType(type: string): boolean {
+  if (getAdapterDisplay(type).comingSoon) return false;
+  return true;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Build option metadata for a list of adapters (for dropdowns).
+ * `labelFor` callback allows callers to override labels; defaults to display registry.
+ */
+export function listAdapterOptions(
+  labelFor?: (type: string) => string,
+  adapters: UIAdapterModule[] = listUIAdapters(),
+): AdapterOptionMetadata[] {
+  const getLabel = labelFor ?? getAdapterLabel;
+  return adapters.map((adapter) => ({
+    value: adapter.type,
+    label: getLabel(adapter.type),
+    comingSoon: !!getAdapterDisplay(adapter.type).comingSoon,
+    hidden: isAdapterTypeHidden(adapter.type),
+  }));
+}
+
+/**
+ * List UI adapters excluding those hidden via the Adapters settings page.
+ */
+export function listVisibleUIAdapters(): UIAdapterModule[] {
+  return listUIAdapters().filter((a) => !isAdapterTypeHidden(a.type));
+}
+
+/**
+ * List visible adapter types (for non-React contexts like module-level constants).
+ */
+export function listVisibleAdapterTypes(): string[] {
+  return listVisibleUIAdapters().map((a) => a.type);
+}
diff --git a/ui/src/adapters/registry.test.ts b/ui/src/adapters/registry.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..6d30f6b0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ui/src/adapters/registry.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,51 @@
+import { describe, expect, it, beforeEach, afterEach } from "vitest";
+import type { UIAdapterModule } from "./types";
+import {
+  findUIAdapter,
+  getUIAdapter,
+  listUIAdapters,
+  registerUIAdapter,
+  unregisterUIAdapter,
+} from "./registry";
+import { processUIAdapter } from "./process";
+import { SchemaConfigFields } from "./schema-config-fields";
+
+const externalUIAdapter: UIAdapterModule = {
+  type: "external_test",
+  label: "External Test",
+  parseStdoutLine: () => [],
+  ConfigFields: () => null,
+  buildAdapterConfig: () => ({}),
+};
+
+describe("ui adapter registry", () => {
+  beforeEach(() => {
+    unregisterUIAdapter("external_test");
+  });
+
+  afterEach(() => {
+    unregisterUIAdapter("external_test");
+  });
+
+  it("registers adapters for lookup and listing", () => {
+    registerUIAdapter(externalUIAdapter);
+
+    expect(findUIAdapter("external_test")).toBe(externalUIAdapter);
+    expect(getUIAdapter("external_test")).toBe(externalUIAdapter);
+    expect(listUIAdapters().some((adapter) => adapter.type === "external_test")).toBe(true);
+  });
+
+  it("falls back to the process parser for unknown types after unregistering", () => {
+    registerUIAdapter(externalUIAdapter);
+
+    unregisterUIAdapter("external_test");
+
+    expect(findUIAdapter("external_test")).toBeNull();
+    const fallback = getUIAdapter("external_test");
+    // Unknown types return a lazy-loading wrapper (for external adapters),
+    // not the process adapter directly. The type is preserved.
+    expect(fallback.type).toBe("external_test");
+    // But it uses the schema-based config fields for external adapter forms.
+    expect(fallback.ConfigFields).toBe(SchemaConfigFields);
+  });
+});
diff --git a/ui/src/adapters/registry.ts b/ui/src/adapters/registry.ts
index 67d89ada..e418457e 100644
--- a/ui/src/adapters/registry.ts
+++ b/ui/src/adapters/registry.ts
@@ -3,32 +3,256 @@ import { claudeLocalUIAdapter } from "./claude-local";
 import { codexLocalUIAdapter } from "./codex-local";
 import { cursorLocalUIAdapter } from "./cursor";
 import { geminiLocalUIAdapter } from "./gemini-local";
-import { hermesLocalUIAdapter } from "./hermes-local";
 import { openCodeLocalUIAdapter } from "./opencode-local";
 import { piLocalUIAdapter } from "./pi-local";
 import { openClawGatewayUIAdapter } from "./openclaw-gateway";
+import { hermesLocalUIAdapter } from "./hermes-local";
 import { processUIAdapter } from "./process";
 import { httpUIAdapter } from "./http";
+import { loadDynamicParser, invalidateDynamicParser } from "./dynamic-loader";
+import { SchemaConfigFields, buildSchemaAdapterConfig } from "./schema-config-fields";
 
-const uiAdapters: UIAdapterModule[] = [
-  claudeLocalUIAdapter,
-  codexLocalUIAdapter,
-  geminiLocalUIAdapter,
-  hermesLocalUIAdapter,
-  openCodeLocalUIAdapter,
-  piLocalUIAdapter,
-  cursorLocalUIAdapter,
-  openClawGatewayUIAdapter,
-  processUIAdapter,
-  httpUIAdapter,
-];
+const uiAdapters: UIAdapterModule[] = [];
+const adaptersByType = new Map<string, UIAdapterModule>();
 
-const adaptersByType = new Map<string, UIAdapterModule>(
-  uiAdapters.map((a) => [a.type, a]),
-);
+// Types registered at module load time — allowed to be overridden by
+// external adapters that ship their own ui-parser.js via the server.
+const builtinTypes = new Set<string>();
+
+// Original builtin adapters stored for restoration when external overrides
+// are deactivated or removed.
+const builtinAdaptersByType = new Map<string, UIAdapterModule>();
+
+// Tracks which builtin types currently have an active external override.
+const activeExternalOverrides = new Set<string>();
+
+// Generation counter to discard stale dynamic parser loads. When an override
+// is deactivated while a load is in-flight, the generation is bumped and the
+// stale result is discarded in its .then() handler.
+const overrideGeneration = new Map<string, number>();
+
+// Subscriber list — components can register to be notified when adapters change
+// (e.g., when a dynamic parser replaces a placeholder).
+const adapterChangeListeners = new Set<() => void>();
+
+/** Subscribe to adapter registry changes. Returns unsubscribe function. */
+export function onAdapterChange(fn: () => void): () => void {
+  adapterChangeListeners.add(fn);
+  return () => adapterChangeListeners.delete(fn);
+}
+
+function notifyAdapterChange(): void {
+  for (const fn of adapterChangeListeners) fn();
+}
+
+function registerBuiltInUIAdapters() {
+  for (const adapter of [
+    claudeLocalUIAdapter,
+    codexLocalUIAdapter,
+    geminiLocalUIAdapter,
+    hermesLocalUIAdapter,
+    openCodeLocalUIAdapter,
+    piLocalUIAdapter,
+    cursorLocalUIAdapter,
+    openClawGatewayUIAdapter,
+    processUIAdapter,
+    httpUIAdapter,
+  ]) {
+    builtinTypes.add(adapter.type);
+    builtinAdaptersByType.set(adapter.type, adapter);
+    registerUIAdapter(adapter);
+  }
+}
+
+export function registerUIAdapter(adapter: UIAdapterModule): void {
+  const existingIndex = uiAdapters.findIndex((entry) => entry.type === adapter.type);
+  if (existingIndex >= 0) {
+    uiAdapters.splice(existingIndex, 1, adapter);
+  } else {
+    uiAdapters.push(adapter);
+  }
+  adaptersByType.set(adapter.type, adapter);
+  notifyAdapterChange();
+}
+
+export function unregisterUIAdapter(type: string): void {
+  if (type === processUIAdapter.type || type === httpUIAdapter.type) return;
+  const existingIndex = uiAdapters.findIndex((entry) => entry.type === type);
+  if (existingIndex >= 0) {
+    uiAdapters.splice(existingIndex, 1);
+  }
+  adaptersByType.delete(type);
+}
+
+export function findUIAdapter(type: string): UIAdapterModule | null {
+  return adaptersByType.get(type) ?? null;
+}
+
+registerBuiltInUIAdapters();
 
 export function getUIAdapter(type: string): UIAdapterModule {
-  return adaptersByType.get(type) ?? processUIAdapter;
+  const builtIn = adaptersByType.get(type);
+
+  if (!builtIn) {
+    let loadStarted = false;
+    return {
+      type,
+      label: type,
+      parseStdoutLine: (line: string, ts: string) => {
+        if (!loadStarted) {
+          loadStarted = true;
+          loadDynamicParser(type).then((parserModule) => {
+            if (parserModule) {
+              registerUIAdapter({
+                type,
+                label: type,
+                parseStdoutLine: parserModule.parseStdoutLine,
+                createStdoutParser: parserModule.createStdoutParser,
+                ConfigFields: SchemaConfigFields,
+                buildAdapterConfig: buildSchemaAdapterConfig,
+              });
+            }
+          });
+        }
+        return processUIAdapter.parseStdoutLine(line, ts);
+      },
+      ConfigFields: SchemaConfigFields,
+      buildAdapterConfig: buildSchemaAdapterConfig,
+    };
+  }
+
+  return builtIn;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Keep the UI adapter registry in sync with the server's adapter list.
+ *
+ * Two concerns:
+ *
+ * 1. **Builtin overrides** — when an external adapter ships a ui-parser.js for a
+ *    builtin type, the external parser takes priority.  When the external is
+ *    disabled or removed the original builtin parser is restored transparently.
+ *    A generation counter guards against stale loads that resolve after the
+ *    override has been torn down.
+ *
+ * 2. **Non-builtin externals** — register a bridge adapter that lazily loads the
+ *    dynamic parser on first stdout line, falling back to the generic process
+ *    adapter.  Once the parser resolves the bridge is replaced.
+ */
+export function syncExternalAdapters(
+  serverAdapters: {
+    type: string;
+    label: string;
+    disabled?: boolean;
+    /** When true, the external override for a builtin type is client-side paused. */
+    overrideDisabled?: boolean;
+  }[],
+): void {
+  const enabledExternalTypes = new Set(
+    serverAdapters.filter((a) => !a.disabled && !a.overrideDisabled).map((a) => a.type),
+  );
+  const allExternalTypes = new Set(
+    serverAdapters.map((a) => a.type),
+  );
+
+  // ── Builtin override lifecycle ──────────────────────────────────────────
+
+  for (const builtinType of builtinTypes) {
+    const originalBuiltin = builtinAdaptersByType.get(builtinType);
+    if (!originalBuiltin) continue;
+
+    const hasExternal = allExternalTypes.has(builtinType);
+    const externalEnabled = enabledExternalTypes.has(builtinType);
+    const wasOverridden = activeExternalOverrides.has(builtinType);
+
+    if (hasExternal && externalEnabled && !wasOverridden) {
+      // Activate: external just became active → replace builtin with bridge.
+      activeExternalOverrides.add(builtinType);
+
+      const gen = (overrideGeneration.get(builtinType) ?? 0) + 1;
+      overrideGeneration.set(builtinType, gen);
+
+      let loadStarted = false;
+      const fallbackParser = originalBuiltin.parseStdoutLine;
+      const externalEntry = serverAdapters.find((a) => a.type === builtinType);
+      const label = externalEntry?.label ?? builtinType;
+
+      registerUIAdapter({
+        type: builtinType,
+        label,
+        parseStdoutLine: (line: string, ts: string) => {
+          if (!loadStarted) {
+            loadStarted = true;
+            loadDynamicParser(builtinType).then((parserModule) => {
+              // Discard if the override was torn down while the load was in-flight.
+              if (parserModule && overrideGeneration.get(builtinType) === gen) {
+                registerUIAdapter({
+                  type: builtinType,
+                  label,
+                  parseStdoutLine: parserModule.parseStdoutLine,
+                  createStdoutParser: parserModule.createStdoutParser,
+                  ConfigFields: originalBuiltin.ConfigFields,
+                  buildAdapterConfig: originalBuiltin.buildAdapterConfig,
+                });
+              }
+            });
+          }
+          return fallbackParser(line, ts);
+        },
+        ConfigFields: originalBuiltin.ConfigFields,
+        buildAdapterConfig: originalBuiltin.buildAdapterConfig,
+      });
+    } else if ((!hasExternal || !externalEnabled) && wasOverridden) {
+      // Deactivate: external disabled or removed → restore builtin.
+      activeExternalOverrides.delete(builtinType);
+      overrideGeneration.delete(builtinType);
+      invalidateDynamicParser(builtinType);
+      registerUIAdapter(originalBuiltin);
+    }
+  }
+
+  // ── Non-builtin externals ───────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+  for (const { type, label } of serverAdapters) {
+    if (builtinTypes.has(type)) continue; // handled above
+
+    const existing = adaptersByType.get(type);
+
+    // If this type already has an externally-loaded dynamic parser, skip —
+    // it was loaded from disk on a previous sync. Only re-trigger loading
+    // when the server returns a new external adapter that hasn't been loaded yet.
+    if (existing && existing !== processUIAdapter) continue;
+
+    let loadStarted = false;
+    // Use the existing built-in parser as fallback (if any) so we don't
+    // regress to the generic process parser while the dynamic one loads.
+    const fallbackParser = existing?.parseStdoutLine ?? processUIAdapter.parseStdoutLine;
+
+    registerUIAdapter({
+      type,
+      label,
+      parseStdoutLine: (line: string, ts: string) => {
+        if (!loadStarted) {
+          loadStarted = true;
+          loadDynamicParser(type).then((parserModule) => {
+            if (parserModule) {
+              registerUIAdapter({
+                type,
+                label,
+                parseStdoutLine: parserModule.parseStdoutLine,
+                createStdoutParser: parserModule.createStdoutParser,
+                ConfigFields: existing?.ConfigFields ?? SchemaConfigFields,
+                buildAdapterConfig: existing?.buildAdapterConfig ?? buildSchemaAdapterConfig,
+              });
+            }
+          });
+        }
+        return fallbackParser(line, ts);
+      },
+      ConfigFields: existing?.ConfigFields ?? SchemaConfigFields,
+      buildAdapterConfig: existing?.buildAdapterConfig ?? buildSchemaAdapterConfig,
+    });
+  }
 }
 
 export function listUIAdapters(): UIAdapterModule[] {
diff --git a/ui/src/adapters/schema-config-fields.tsx b/ui/src/adapters/schema-config-fields.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..7161f9e0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ui/src/adapters/schema-config-fields.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,507 @@
+import { useState, useEffect, useRef, useCallback } from "react";
+
+import type { AdapterConfigSchema, ConfigFieldSchema, CreateConfigValues } from "@paperclipai/adapter-utils";
+
+import type { AdapterConfigFieldsProps } from "./types";
+import {
+  Field,
+  DraftInput,
+  DraftNumberInput,
+  DraftTextarea,
+  ToggleField,
+} from "../components/agent-config-primitives";
+import { Popover, PopoverContent, PopoverTrigger } from "../components/ui/popover";
+import { ChevronDown } from "lucide-react";
+
+// ── Select field (extracted to keep hooks at component top level) ──────
+function SelectField({
+  value,
+  options,
+  onChange,
+}: {
+  value: string;
+  options: Array<{ value: string; label: string }>;
+  onChange: (value: string) => void;
+}) {
+  const [open, setOpen] = useState(false);
+  const selectedOpt = options.find((o) => o.value === value);
+  return (
+    <Popover open={open} onOpenChange={setOpen}>
+      <PopoverTrigger asChild>
+        <button className="inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 rounded-md border border-border px-2.5 py-1.5 text-sm hover:bg-accent/50 transition-colors w-full justify-between">
+          <span className={!value ? "text-muted-foreground" : ""}>
+            {selectedOpt?.label ?? value ?? "Select..."}
+          </span>
+          <ChevronDown className="h-3 w-3 text-muted-foreground" />
+        </button>
+      </PopoverTrigger>
+      <PopoverContent className="w-[var(--radix-popover-trigger-width)] p-1" align="start">
+        {options.map((opt) => (
+          <button
+            key={opt.value}
+            className={`flex items-center w-full px-2 py-1.5 text-sm rounded hover:bg-accent/50 ${opt.value === value ? "bg-accent" : ""}`}
+            onMouseDown={(e) => {
+              e.preventDefault();
+              onChange(opt.value);
+              setOpen(false);
+            }}
+          >
+            <span>{opt.label}</span>
+          </button>
+        ))}
+      </PopoverContent>
+    </Popover>
+  );
+}
+const inputClass =
+  "w-full rounded-md border border-border px-2.5 py-1.5 bg-transparent outline-none text-sm font-mono placeholder:text-muted-foreground/40";
+
+
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// Combobox: type-to-filter dropdown with free text fallback
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+function ComboboxField({
+  value,
+  options,
+  onChange,
+  placeholder,
+}: {
+  value: string;
+  options: { label: string; value: string; group?: string }[];
+  onChange: (val: string) => void;
+  placeholder?: string;
+}) {
+  const [open, setOpen] = useState(false);
+  const [filter, setFilter] = useState("");
+  const inputRef = useRef<HTMLInputElement>(null);
+
+  // Sync filter with external value when it changes (e.g. provider switch resets model)
+  useEffect(() => {
+    setFilter("");
+  }, [value]);
+
+  const filtered = options.filter((opt) => {
+    if (!filter) return true;
+    const q = filter.toLowerCase();
+    return (
+      opt.value.toLowerCase().includes(q) ||
+      opt.label.toLowerCase().includes(q) ||
+      (opt.group && opt.group.toLowerCase().includes(q))
+    );
+  });
+
+  const selectedOpt = options.find((o) => o.value === value);
+  const displayValue = filter || selectedOpt?.value || value || "";
+
+  // Group filtered options by `group` field if present
+  const grouped = new Map<string, typeof filtered>();
+  for (const opt of filtered) {
+    const g = opt.group ?? "";
+    if (!grouped.has(g)) grouped.set(g, []);
+    grouped.get(g)!.push(opt);
+  }
+
+  const select = useCallback(
+    (val: string) => {
+      onChange(val);
+      setOpen(false);
+      setFilter("");
+      inputRef.current?.blur();
+    },
+    [onChange],
+  );
+
+  const handleKeyDown = (e: React.KeyboardEvent) => {
+    if (e.key === "Enter") {
+      e.preventDefault();
+      // If exactly one match, select it. Otherwise commit the typed value.
+      if (filtered.length === 1) {
+        select(filtered[0].value);
+      } else if (filter) {
+        select(filter);
+      }
+    } else if (e.key === "Escape") {
+      setOpen(false);
+      setFilter("");
+    } else if (e.key === "ArrowDown" && !open) {
+      e.preventDefault();
+      setOpen(true);
+    }
+  };
+
+  return (
+    <div className="relative">
+      <div className="flex items-center gap-0">
+        <input
+          ref={inputRef}
+          type="text"
+          className="flex-1 rounded-l-md border border-r-0 border-border px-2.5 py-1.5 bg-transparent outline-none text-sm font-mono placeholder:text-muted-foreground/40 focus:z-10"
+          value={displayValue}
+          placeholder={placeholder ?? "Type or select..."}
+          onChange={(e) => {
+            setFilter(e.target.value);
+            if (!open) setOpen(true);
+          }}
+          onFocus={() => {
+            if (!open) setOpen(true);
+          }}
+          onBlur={() => {
+            // Delay close to allow click on option to register
+            setTimeout(() => setOpen(false), 150);
+          }}
+          onKeyDown={handleKeyDown}
+        />
+        <Popover open={open && filtered.length > 0} onOpenChange={setOpen}>
+          <PopoverTrigger asChild>
+            <button className="rounded-r-md border border-border px-2 py-1.5 hover:bg-accent/50 transition-colors">
+              <ChevronDown className="h-3 w-3 text-muted-foreground" />
+            </button>
+          </PopoverTrigger>
+          <PopoverContent
+            className="p-1 max-h-60 overflow-y-auto"
+            style={{ minWidth: 280 }}
+            align="start"
+            onOpenAutoFocus={(e) => e.preventDefault()}
+          >
+            {Array.from(grouped.entries()).map(([group, opts]) => (
+              <div key={group || "_ungrouped"}>
+                {group && (
+                  <div className="px-2 py-1 text-xs font-medium text-muted-foreground">
+                    {group}
+                  </div>
+                )}
+                {opts.map((opt) => (
+                  <button
+                    key={opt.value}
+                    className={`flex items-center w-full px-2 py-1.5 text-sm rounded hover:bg-accent/50 ${
+                      opt.value === value ? "bg-accent" : ""
+                    }`}
+                    onMouseDown={(e) => {
+                      e.preventDefault(); // prevent input blur
+                      select(opt.value);
+                    }}
+                  >
+                    <span className="truncate">{opt.label}</span>
+                  </button>
+                ))}
+              </div>
+            ))}
+            {filter && filtered.length === 0 && (
+              <div className="px-2 py-1.5 text-sm text-muted-foreground">
+                Use &quot;{filter}&quot; as custom value (press Enter)
+              </div>
+            )}
+          </PopoverContent>
+        </Popover>
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  );
+}
+
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// SchemaConfigFields component
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+const schemaCache = new Map<string, AdapterConfigSchema | null>();
+const schemaFetchInflight = new Map<string, Promise<AdapterConfigSchema | null>>();
+const failedSchemaTypes = new Set<string>();
+
+async function fetchConfigSchema(adapterType: string): Promise<AdapterConfigSchema | null> {
+  const cached = schemaCache.get(adapterType);
+  if (cached !== undefined) return cached;
+  if (failedSchemaTypes.has(adapterType)) return null;
+
+  const inflight = schemaFetchInflight.get(adapterType);
+  if (inflight) return inflight;
+
+  const promise = (async () => {
+    try {
+      const res = await fetch(`/api/adapters/${encodeURIComponent(adapterType)}/config-schema`);
+      if (!res.ok) {
+        failedSchemaTypes.add(adapterType);
+        return null;
+      }
+      const schema = (await res.json()) as AdapterConfigSchema;
+      schemaCache.set(adapterType, schema);
+      return schema;
+    } catch {
+      failedSchemaTypes.add(adapterType);
+      return null;
+    } finally {
+      schemaFetchInflight.delete(adapterType);
+    }
+  })();
+
+  schemaFetchInflight.set(adapterType, promise);
+  return promise;
+}
+
+export function invalidateConfigSchemaCache(adapterType: string): void {
+  schemaCache.delete(adapterType);
+  failedSchemaTypes.delete(adapterType);
+}
+
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// Hook
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+function useConfigSchema(adapterType: string): AdapterConfigSchema | null {
+  const [schema, setSchema] = useState<AdapterConfigSchema | null>(
+    schemaCache.get(adapterType) ?? null,
+  );
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    let cancelled = false;
+    fetchConfigSchema(adapterType).then((s) => {
+      if (!cancelled) setSchema(s);
+    });
+    return () => {
+      cancelled = true;
+    };
+  }, [adapterType]);
+
+  return schema;
+}
+
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// Helpers
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+function getDefaultValue(field: ConfigFieldSchema): unknown {
+  if (field.default !== undefined) return field.default;
+  switch (field.type) {
+    case "toggle":
+      return false;
+    case "number":
+      return 0;
+    case "text":
+    case "textarea":
+      return "";
+    case "select":
+      return field.options?.[0]?.value ?? "";
+  }
+}
+
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// Component
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+export function SchemaConfigFields({
+  adapterType,
+  isCreate,
+  values,
+  set,
+  config,
+  eff,
+  mark,
+}: AdapterConfigFieldsProps) {
+  const schema = useConfigSchema(adapterType);
+
+  const [defaultsApplied, setDefaultsApplied] = useState(false);
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (!schema || !isCreate || defaultsApplied) return;
+    const defaults: Record<string, unknown> = {};
+    for (const field of schema.fields) {
+      const def = getDefaultValue(field);
+      if (def !== undefined && def !== "") {
+        defaults[field.key] = def;
+      }
+    }
+    if (Object.keys(defaults).length > 0) {
+      set?.({
+        adapterSchemaValues: { ...values?.adapterSchemaValues, ...defaults },
+      });
+    }
+    setDefaultsApplied(true);
+  }, [schema, isCreate, defaultsApplied, set, values?.adapterSchemaValues]);
+
+  if (!schema || schema.fields.length === 0) return null;
+
+  function readValue(field: ConfigFieldSchema): unknown {
+    if (isCreate) {
+      return values?.adapterSchemaValues?.[field.key] ?? getDefaultValue(field);
+    }
+    const stored = config[field.key];
+    return eff("adapterConfig", field.key, (stored ?? getDefaultValue(field)) as string);
+  }
+
+  function writeValue(field: ConfigFieldSchema, value: unknown): void {
+    if (isCreate) {
+      const next = {
+        adapterSchemaValues: {
+          ...values?.adapterSchemaValues,
+          [field.key]: value,
+        },
+      };
+
+      // When provider changes, auto-clear model if it's not in the new provider's list
+      if (field.key === "provider" && schema) {
+        const modelField = schema.fields.find((f) => f.key === "model");
+        if (modelField?.meta?.providerModels) {
+          const modelsByProvider = modelField.meta.providerModels as Record<string, string[]>;
+          const providerModels = modelsByProvider[String(value)] ?? [];
+          const currentModel = values?.adapterSchemaValues?.model;
+          if (currentModel && String(value) !== "auto" && !providerModels.includes(String(currentModel))) {
+            next.adapterSchemaValues.model = "";
+          }
+        }
+      }
+
+      set?.(next);
+    } else {
+      mark("adapterConfig", field.key, value);
+
+      // Same logic for edit mode
+      if (field.key === "provider" && schema) {
+        const modelField = schema.fields.find((f) => f.key === "model");
+        if (modelField?.meta?.providerModels) {
+          const modelsByProvider = modelField.meta.providerModels as Record<string, string[]>;
+          const providerModels = modelsByProvider[String(value)] ?? [];
+          const currentModel = eff("adapterConfig", "model", "");
+          if (currentModel && String(value) !== "auto" && !providerModels.includes(String(currentModel))) {
+            mark("adapterConfig", "model", "");
+          }
+        }
+      }
+    }
+  }
+
+  return (
+    <>
+      {schema.fields.map((field) => {
+        switch (field.type) {
+          case "select": {
+            const currentVal = String(readValue(field) ?? "");
+            return (
+              <Field key={field.key} label={field.label} hint={field.hint}>
+                <SelectField
+                  value={currentVal}
+                  options={field.options ?? []}
+                  onChange={(v) => writeValue(field, v)}
+                />
+              </Field>
+            );
+          }
+
+          case "toggle":
+            return (
+              <ToggleField
+                key={field.key}
+                label={field.label}
+                hint={field.hint}
+                checked={readValue(field) === true}
+                onChange={(v) => writeValue(field, v)}
+              />
+            );
+
+          case "number":
+            return (
+              <Field key={field.key} label={field.label} hint={field.hint}>
+                <DraftNumberInput
+                  value={Number(readValue(field) ?? 0)}
+                  onCommit={(v) => writeValue(field, v)}
+                  immediate
+                  className={inputClass}
+                />
+              </Field>
+            );
+
+          case "textarea":
+            return (
+              <Field key={field.key} label={field.label} hint={field.hint}>
+                <DraftTextarea
+                  value={String(readValue(field) ?? "")}
+                  onCommit={(v) => writeValue(field, v || undefined)}
+                  immediate
+                />
+              </Field>
+            );
+
+          case "combobox": {
+            const currentVal = String(readValue(field) ?? "");
+            // Dynamic options: if meta.providerModels exists, compute options
+            // based on the current provider value
+            let comboboxOptions = field.options ?? [];
+            if (field.meta?.providerModels) {
+              const providerVal = String(readValue(schema.fields.find((f) => f.key === "provider")!) ?? "auto");
+              const modelsByProvider = field.meta.providerModels as Record<string, string[]>;
+              if (providerVal === "auto") {
+                // Auto: show all models from all providers, grouped by provider
+                const providerLabel = schema.fields.find((f) => f.key === "provider");
+                const providerOptions = providerLabel?.options ?? [];
+                comboboxOptions = Object.entries(modelsByProvider).flatMap(([prov, models]) =>
+                  models.map((m) => ({
+                    label: m,
+                    value: m,
+                    group: providerOptions.find((p) => p.value === prov)?.label ?? prov,
+                  })),
+                );
+              } else {
+                const providerModels = modelsByProvider[providerVal] ?? [];
+                const providerLabel = schema.fields.find((f) => f.key === "provider");
+                const provName = providerLabel?.options?.find((p) => p.value === providerVal)?.label ?? providerVal;
+                comboboxOptions = providerModels.map((m) => ({
+                  label: m,
+                  value: m,
+                  group: provName,
+                }));
+              }
+            }
+            return (
+              <Field key={field.key} label={field.label} hint={field.hint}>
+                <ComboboxField
+                  value={currentVal}
+                  options={comboboxOptions}
+                  onChange={(v) => writeValue(field, v || undefined)}
+                  placeholder={field.hint}
+                />
+              </Field>
+            );
+          }
+
+          case "text":
+          default:
+            return (
+              <Field key={field.key} label={field.label} hint={field.hint}>
+                <DraftInput
+                  value={String(readValue(field) ?? "")}
+                  onCommit={(v) => writeValue(field, v || undefined)}
+                  immediate
+                  className={inputClass}
+                />
+              </Field>
+            );
+        }
+      })}
+    </>
+  );
+}
+
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// Build adapter config from schema values + standard CreateConfigValues fields
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+export function buildSchemaAdapterConfig(
+  values: CreateConfigValues,
+): Record<string, unknown> {
+  const ac: Record<string, unknown> = {};
+
+  if (values.model?.trim()) ac.model = values.model.trim();
+  if (values.cwd) ac.cwd = values.cwd;
+  if (values.command) ac.command = values.command;
+  if (values.instructionsFilePath) ac.instructionsFilePath = values.instructionsFilePath;
+  if (values.thinkingEffort) ac.thinkingEffort = values.thinkingEffort;
+
+  if (values.extraArgs) {
+    ac.extraArgs = values.extraArgs
+      .split(/\s+/)
+      .filter(Boolean);
+  }
+
+  if (values.adapterSchemaValues) {
+    Object.assign(ac, values.adapterSchemaValues);
+  }
+
+  return ac;
+}
diff --git a/ui/src/adapters/transcript.test.ts b/ui/src/adapters/transcript.test.ts
index 8b56163e..c33c9008 100644
--- a/ui/src/adapters/transcript.test.ts
+++ b/ui/src/adapters/transcript.test.ts
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 import { describe, expect, it } from "vitest";
 import { buildTranscript, type RunLogChunk } from "./transcript";
+import type { UIAdapterModule } from "./types";
 
 describe("buildTranscript", () => {
   const ts = "2026-03-20T13:00:00.000Z";
@@ -27,4 +28,46 @@ describe("buildTranscript", () => {
       { kind: "stderr", ts, text: "stderr /Users/d****/project" },
     ]);
   });
+
+  it("creates a fresh stateful parser for each transcript build", () => {
+    const statefulAdapter: UIAdapterModule = {
+      type: "stateful_test",
+      label: "Stateful Test",
+      parseStdoutLine: (line, entryTs) => [{ kind: "stdout", ts: entryTs, text: line }],
+      createStdoutParser: () => {
+        let pending: string | null = null;
+        return {
+          parseLine: (line, entryTs) => {
+            if (line.startsWith("begin:")) {
+              pending = line.slice("begin:".length);
+              return [];
+            }
+            if (line === "finish" && pending) {
+              const text = `completed:${pending}`;
+              pending = null;
+              return [{ kind: "stdout", ts: entryTs, text }];
+            }
+            return [{ kind: "stdout", ts: entryTs, text: `literal:${line}` }];
+          },
+          reset: () => {
+            pending = null;
+          },
+        };
+      },
+      ConfigFields: () => null,
+      buildAdapterConfig: () => ({}),
+    };
+
+    const first = buildTranscript(
+      [{ ts, stream: "stdout", chunk: "begin:task-a\n" }],
+      statefulAdapter,
+    );
+    const second = buildTranscript(
+      [{ ts, stream: "stdout", chunk: "finish\n" }],
+      statefulAdapter,
+    );
+
+    expect(first).toEqual([]);
+    expect(second).toEqual([{ kind: "stdout", ts, text: "literal:finish" }]);
+  });
 });
diff --git a/ui/src/adapters/transcript.ts b/ui/src/adapters/transcript.ts
index 98b19454..307aa5ae 100644
--- a/ui/src/adapters/transcript.ts
+++ b/ui/src/adapters/transcript.ts
@@ -1,9 +1,20 @@
 import { redactHomePathUserSegments, redactTranscriptEntryPaths } from "@paperclipai/adapter-utils";
-import type { TranscriptEntry, StdoutLineParser } from "./types";
+import type { TranscriptEntry, StdoutLineParser, TranscriptParserSource } from "./types";
 
 export type RunLogChunk = { ts: string; stream: "stdout" | "stderr" | "system"; chunk: string };
 type TranscriptBuildOptions = { censorUsernameInLogs?: boolean };
 
+function resolveStdoutParser(source: StdoutLineParser | TranscriptParserSource) {
+  if (typeof source === "function") {
+    return { parseLine: source, reset: null as (() => void) | null };
+  }
+  if (source.createStdoutParser) {
+    const parser = source.createStdoutParser();
+    return { parseLine: parser.parseLine, reset: parser.reset };
+  }
+  return { parseLine: source.parseStdoutLine, reset: null as (() => void) | null };
+}
+
 export function appendTranscriptEntry(entries: TranscriptEntry[], entry: TranscriptEntry) {
   if ((entry.kind === "thinking" || entry.kind === "assistant") && entry.delta) {
     const last = entries[entries.length - 1];
@@ -24,12 +35,13 @@ export function appendTranscriptEntries(entries: TranscriptEntry[], incoming: Tr
 
 export function buildTranscript(
   chunks: RunLogChunk[],
-  parser: StdoutLineParser,
+  parserSource: StdoutLineParser | TranscriptParserSource,
   opts?: TranscriptBuildOptions,
 ): TranscriptEntry[] {
   const entries: TranscriptEntry[] = [];
   let stdoutBuffer = "";
   const redactionOptions = { enabled: opts?.censorUsernameInLogs ?? false };
+  const { parseLine, reset } = resolveStdoutParser(parserSource);
 
   for (const chunk of chunks) {
     if (chunk.stream === "stderr") {
@@ -47,15 +59,17 @@ export function buildTranscript(
     for (const line of lines) {
       const trimmed = line.trim();
       if (!trimmed) continue;
-      appendTranscriptEntries(entries, parser(trimmed, chunk.ts).map((entry) => redactTranscriptEntryPaths(entry, redactionOptions)));
+      appendTranscriptEntries(entries, parseLine(trimmed, chunk.ts).map((entry) => redactTranscriptEntryPaths(entry, redactionOptions)));
     }
   }
 
   const trailing = stdoutBuffer.trim();
   if (trailing) {
     const ts = chunks.length > 0 ? chunks[chunks.length - 1]!.ts : new Date().toISOString();
-    appendTranscriptEntries(entries, parser(trailing, ts).map((entry) => redactTranscriptEntryPaths(entry, redactionOptions)));
+    appendTranscriptEntries(entries, parseLine(trailing, ts).map((entry) => redactTranscriptEntryPaths(entry, redactionOptions)));
   }
 
+  reset?.();
+
   return entries;
 }
diff --git a/ui/src/adapters/types.ts b/ui/src/adapters/types.ts
index 6a7ae48a..74bd48e5 100644
--- a/ui/src/adapters/types.ts
+++ b/ui/src/adapters/types.ts
@@ -4,6 +4,18 @@ import type { CreateConfigValues } from "@paperclipai/adapter-utils";
 // Re-export shared types so local consumers don't need to change imports
 export type { TranscriptEntry, StdoutLineParser, CreateConfigValues } from "@paperclipai/adapter-utils";
 
+export interface StatefulStdoutParser {
+  parseLine: (line: string, ts: string) => import("@paperclipai/adapter-utils").TranscriptEntry[];
+  reset: () => void;
+}
+
+export type StdoutParserFactory = () => StatefulStdoutParser;
+
+export interface TranscriptParserSource {
+  parseStdoutLine: (line: string, ts: string) => import("@paperclipai/adapter-utils").TranscriptEntry[];
+  createStdoutParser?: StdoutParserFactory;
+}
+
 export interface AdapterConfigFieldsProps {
   mode: "create" | "edit";
   isCreate: boolean;
@@ -24,10 +36,9 @@ export interface AdapterConfigFieldsProps {
   hideInstructionsFile?: boolean;
 }
 
-export interface UIAdapterModule {
+export interface UIAdapterModule extends TranscriptParserSource {
   type: string;
   label: string;
-  parseStdoutLine: (line: string, ts: string) => import("@paperclipai/adapter-utils").TranscriptEntry[];
   ConfigFields: ComponentType<AdapterConfigFieldsProps>;
   buildAdapterConfig: (values: CreateConfigValues) => Record<string, unknown>;
 }
diff --git a/ui/src/adapters/use-disabled-adapters.ts b/ui/src/adapters/use-disabled-adapters.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..ebc63946
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ui/src/adapters/use-disabled-adapters.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,54 @@
+import { useEffect, useMemo } from "react";
+import { useQuery } from "@tanstack/react-query";
+import { adaptersApi } from "@/api/adapters";
+import { setDisabledAdapterTypes } from "@/adapters/disabled-store";
+import { syncExternalAdapters } from "@/adapters/registry";
+import { queryKeys } from "@/lib/queryKeys";
+
+/**
+ * Fetch adapters and keep the disabled-adapter store + UI adapter registry
+ * in sync with the server.
+ *
+ * - Registers external adapter types in the UI registry so they appear in
+ *   dropdowns (done eagerly during render — idempotent, no React state).
+ * - Syncs the disabled-adapter store for non-React consumers (useEffect).
+ *
+ * Returns a reactive Set of disabled types for use as useMemo dependencies.
+ * Call this at the top of any component that renders adapter menus.
+ */
+export function useDisabledAdaptersSync(): Set<string> {
+  const { data: adapters } = useQuery({
+    queryKey: queryKeys.adapters.all,
+    queryFn: () => adaptersApi.list(),
+    staleTime: 5 * 60 * 1000,
+  });
+
+  // Eagerly register external adapter types in the UI registry so that
+  // consumers calling listUIAdapters() in the same render cycle see them.
+  // This is idempotent — already-registered types are skipped.
+  if (adapters) {
+    syncExternalAdapters(
+      adapters
+        .filter((a) => a.source === "external")
+        .map((a) => ({
+          type: a.type,
+          label: a.label,
+          disabled: a.disabled,
+          overrideDisabled: a.overridePaused,
+        })),
+    );
+  }
+
+  // Sync the disabled set to the global store for non-React code
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (!adapters) return;
+    setDisabledAdapterTypes(
+      adapters.filter((a) => a.disabled).map((a) => a.type),
+    );
+  }, [adapters]);
+
+  return useMemo(
+    () => new Set(adapters?.filter((a) => a.disabled).map((a) => a.type) ?? []),
+    [adapters],
+  );
+}
diff --git a/ui/src/api/adapters.ts b/ui/src/api/adapters.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..86705bd4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ui/src/api/adapters.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,59 @@
+/**
+ * @fileoverview Frontend API client for external adapter management.
+ */
+
+import { api } from "./client";
+
+export interface AdapterInfo {
+  type: string;
+  label: string;
+  source: "builtin" | "external";
+  modelsCount: number;
+  loaded: boolean;
+  disabled: boolean;
+  /** Installed version (for external npm adapters) */
+  version?: string;
+  /** Package name (for external adapters) */
+  packageName?: string;
+  /** Whether the adapter was installed from a local path (vs npm). */
+  isLocalPath?: boolean;
+  /** True when an external plugin has replaced a built-in adapter of the same type. */
+  overriddenBuiltin?: boolean;
+  /** True when the external override for a builtin type is currently paused. */
+  overridePaused?: boolean;
+}
+
+export interface AdapterInstallResult {
+  type: string;
+  packageName: string;
+  version?: string;
+  installedAt: string;
+}
+
+export const adaptersApi = {
+  /** List all registered adapters (built-in + external). */
+  list: () => api.get<AdapterInfo[]>("/adapters"),
+
+  /** Install an external adapter from npm or a local path. */
+  install: (params: { packageName: string; version?: string; isLocalPath?: boolean }) =>
+    api.post<AdapterInstallResult>("/adapters/install", params),
+
+  /** Remove an external adapter by type. */
+  remove: (type: string) => api.delete<{ type: string; removed: boolean }>(`/adapters/${type}`),
+
+  /** Enable or disable an adapter (disabled adapters hidden from agent menus). */
+  setDisabled: (type: string, disabled: boolean) =>
+    api.patch<{ type: string; disabled: boolean; changed: boolean }>(`/adapters/${type}`, { disabled }),
+
+  /** Pause or resume an external override of a builtin type. */
+  setOverridePaused: (type: string, paused: boolean) =>
+    api.patch<{ type: string; paused: boolean; changed: boolean }>(`/adapters/${type}/override`, { paused }),
+
+  /** Reload an external adapter (bust server + client caches). */
+  reload: (type: string) =>
+    api.post<{ type: string; version?: string; reloaded: boolean }>(`/adapters/${type}/reload`, {}),
+
+  /** Reinstall an npm-sourced adapter (pulls latest from registry, then reloads). */
+  reinstall: (type: string) =>
+    api.post<{ type: string; version?: string; reinstalled: boolean }>(`/adapters/${type}/reinstall`, {}),
+};
diff --git a/ui/src/api/agents.ts b/ui/src/api/agents.ts
index bda8bf7a..fcd38604 100644
--- a/ui/src/api/agents.ts
+++ b/ui/src/api/agents.ts
@@ -32,6 +32,7 @@ export interface DetectedAdapterModel {
   model: string;
   provider: string;
   source: string;
+  candidates?: string[];
 }
 
 export interface ClaudeLoginResult {
diff --git a/ui/src/components/AgentConfigForm.tsx b/ui/src/components/AgentConfigForm.tsx
index c3c9bdfa..6b4f761b 100644
--- a/ui/src/components/AgentConfigForm.tsx
+++ b/ui/src/components/AgentConfigForm.tsx
@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
 import { useState, useEffect, useRef, useMemo, useCallback } from "react";
 import { useMutation, useQuery, useQueryClient } from "@tanstack/react-query";
-import { AGENT_ADAPTER_TYPES } from "@paperclipai/shared";
 import type {
   Agent,
   AdapterEnvironmentTestResult,
@@ -46,6 +45,9 @@ import { ChoosePathButton } from "./PathInstructionsModal";
 import { OpenCodeLogoIcon } from "./OpenCodeLogoIcon";
 import { ReportsToPicker } from "./ReportsToPicker";
 import { shouldShowLegacyWorkingDirectoryField } from "../lib/legacy-agent-config";
+import { listAdapterOptions, listVisibleAdapterTypes } from "../adapters/metadata";
+import { getAdapterLabel } from "../adapters/adapter-display-registry";
+import { useDisabledAdaptersSync } from "../adapters/use-disabled-adapters";
 
 /* ---- Create mode values ---- */
 
@@ -180,6 +182,9 @@ export function AgentConfigForm(props: AgentConfigFormProps) {
   const { selectedCompanyId } = useCompany();
   const queryClient = useQueryClient();
 
+  // Sync disabled adapter types from server so dropdown filters them out
+  const disabledTypes = useDisabledAdaptersSync();
+
   const { data: availableSecrets = [] } = useQuery({
     queryKey: selectedCompanyId ? queryKeys.secrets.list(selectedCompanyId) : ["secrets", "none"],
     queryFn: () => secretsApi.list(selectedCompanyId!),
@@ -311,15 +316,9 @@ export function AgentConfigForm(props: AgentConfigFormProps) {
   const adapterType = isCreate
     ? props.values.adapterType
     : overlay.adapterType ?? props.agent.adapterType;
-  const isLocal =
-    adapterType === "claude_local" ||
-    adapterType === "codex_local" ||
-    adapterType === "gemini_local" ||
-    adapterType === "hermes_local" ||
-    adapterType === "opencode_local" ||
-    adapterType === "pi_local" ||
-    adapterType === "cursor";
-  const isHermesLocal = adapterType === "hermes_local";
+  const NONLOCAL_TYPES = new Set(["process", "http", "openclaw_gateway"]);
+  const isLocal = !NONLOCAL_TYPES.has(adapterType);
+  
   const showLegacyWorkingDirectoryField =
     isLocal && shouldShowLegacyWorkingDirectoryField({ isCreate, adapterConfig: config });
   const uiAdapter = useMemo(() => getUIAdapter(adapterType), [adapterType]);
@@ -345,13 +344,14 @@ export function AgentConfigForm(props: AgentConfigFormProps) {
       : ["agents", "none", "detect-model", adapterType],
     queryFn: () => {
       if (!selectedCompanyId) {
-        throw new Error("Select a company to detect the Hermes model");
+        throw new Error("Select a company to detect the model");
       }
       return agentsApi.detectModel(selectedCompanyId, adapterType);
     },
-    enabled: Boolean(selectedCompanyId && isHermesLocal),
+    enabled: Boolean(selectedCompanyId && isLocal),
   });
   const detectedModel = detectedModelData?.model ?? null;
+  const detectedModelCandidates = detectedModelData?.candidates ?? [];
 
   const { data: companyAgents = [] } = useQuery({
     queryKey: selectedCompanyId ? queryKeys.agents.list(selectedCompanyId) : ["agents", "none", "list"],
@@ -583,6 +583,7 @@ export function AgentConfigForm(props: AgentConfigFormProps) {
             <Field label="Adapter type" hint={help.adapterType}>
               <AdapterTypeDropdown
                 value={adapterType}
+                disabledTypes={disabledTypes}
                 onChange={(t) => {
                   if (isCreate) {
                     // Reset all adapter-specific fields to defaults when switching adapter type
@@ -692,8 +693,7 @@ export function AgentConfigForm(props: AgentConfigFormProps) {
             </>
           )}
 
-          {/* Adapter-specific fields */}
-          <uiAdapter.ConfigFields {...adapterFieldProps} />
+          {/* Adapter-specific fields are rendered inside Permissions & Configuration */}
         </div>
 
       </div>
@@ -716,24 +716,19 @@ export function AgentConfigForm(props: AgentConfigFormProps) {
                   onCommit={(v) =>
                     isCreate
                       ? set!({ command: v })
-                      : mark("adapterConfig", "command", v || undefined)
+                      : mark("adapterConfig", "command", v || null)
                   }
                   immediate
                   className={inputClass}
                   placeholder={
-                    adapterType === "codex_local"
-                      ? "codex"
-                      : adapterType === "gemini_local"
-                        ? "gemini"
-                        : adapterType === "hermes_local"
-                          ? "hermes"
-                        : adapterType === "pi_local"
-                          ? "pi"
-                        : adapterType === "cursor"
-                          ? "agent"
-                        : adapterType === "opencode_local"
-                          ? "opencode"
-                          : "claude"
+                    ({
+                      claude_local: "claude",
+                      codex_local: "codex",
+                      gemini_local: "gemini",
+                      pi_local: "pi",
+                      cursor: "agent",
+                      opencode_local: "opencode",
+                    } as Record<string, string>)[adapterType] ?? adapterType.replace(/_local$/, "")
                   }
                 />
               </Field>
@@ -748,18 +743,18 @@ export function AgentConfigForm(props: AgentConfigFormProps) {
                 }
                 open={modelOpen}
                 onOpenChange={setModelOpen}
-                allowDefault={adapterType !== "opencode_local" && adapterType !== "hermes_local"}
-                required={adapterType === "opencode_local" || adapterType === "hermes_local"}
+                allowDefault={adapterType !== "opencode_local"}
+                required={adapterType === "opencode_local"}
                 groupByProvider={adapterType === "opencode_local"}
-                creatable={adapterType === "hermes_local"}
-                detectedModel={adapterType === "hermes_local" ? detectedModel : null}
-                onDetectModel={adapterType === "hermes_local"
-                  ? async () => {
-                      const result = await refetchDetectedModel();
-                      return result.data?.model ?? null;
-                    }
-                  : undefined}
-                detectModelLabel={adapterType === "hermes_local" ? "Detect from Hermes config" : undefined}
+                creatable
+                detectedModel={detectedModel}
+                detectedModelCandidates={[]}
+                onDetectModel={async () => {
+                  const result = await refetchDetectedModel();
+                  return result.data?.model ?? null;
+                }}
+                detectModelLabel="Detect model"
+                emptyDetectHint="No model detected. Select or enter one manually."
               />
               {fetchedModelsError && (
                 <p className="text-xs text-destructive">
@@ -820,6 +815,7 @@ export function AgentConfigForm(props: AgentConfigFormProps) {
               {adapterType === "claude_local" && (
                 <ClaudeLocalAdvancedFields {...adapterFieldProps} />
               )}
+              <uiAdapter.ConfigFields {...adapterFieldProps} />
 
               <Field label="Extra args (comma-separated)" hint={help.extraArgs}>
                 <DraftInput
@@ -831,7 +827,7 @@ export function AgentConfigForm(props: AgentConfigFormProps) {
                   onCommit={(v) =>
                     isCreate
                       ? set!({ extraArgs: v })
-                      : mark("adapterConfig", "extraArgs", v ? parseCommaArgs(v) : undefined)
+                      : mark("adapterConfig", "extraArgs", v ? parseCommaArgs(v) : null)
                   }
                   immediate
                   className={inputClass}
@@ -1024,37 +1020,37 @@ function AdapterEnvironmentResult({ result }: { result: AdapterEnvironmentTestRe
 
 /* ---- Internal sub-components ---- */
 
-const ENABLED_ADAPTER_TYPES = new Set(["claude_local", "codex_local", "gemini_local", "opencode_local", "pi_local", "cursor", "hermes_local"]);
-
-/** Display list includes all real adapter types plus UI-only coming-soon entries. */
-const ADAPTER_DISPLAY_LIST: { value: string; label: string; comingSoon: boolean }[] = [
-  ...AGENT_ADAPTER_TYPES.map((t) => ({
-    value: t,
-    label: adapterLabels[t] ?? t,
-    comingSoon: !ENABLED_ADAPTER_TYPES.has(t),
-  })),
-];
-
 function AdapterTypeDropdown({
   value,
   onChange,
+  disabledTypes,
 }: {
   value: string;
   onChange: (type: string) => void;
+  disabledTypes: Set<string>;
 }) {
+  const [open, setOpen] = useState(false);
+  const adapterList = useMemo(
+    () =>
+      listAdapterOptions((type) => adapterLabels[type] ?? getAdapterLabel(type)).filter(
+        (item) => !disabledTypes.has(item.value),
+      ),
+    [disabledTypes],
+  );
+
   return (
-    <Popover>
+    <Popover open={open} onOpenChange={setOpen}>
       <PopoverTrigger asChild>
         <button className="inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 rounded-md border border-border px-2.5 py-1.5 text-sm hover:bg-accent/50 transition-colors w-full justify-between">
           <span className="inline-flex items-center gap-1.5">
             {value === "opencode_local" ? <OpenCodeLogoIcon className="h-3.5 w-3.5" /> : null}
-            <span>{adapterLabels[value] ?? value}</span>
+            <span>{adapterLabels[value] ?? getAdapterLabel(value)}</span>
           </span>
           <ChevronDown className="h-3 w-3 text-muted-foreground" />
         </button>
       </PopoverTrigger>
       <PopoverContent className="w-[var(--radix-popover-trigger-width)] p-1" align="start">
-        {ADAPTER_DISPLAY_LIST.map((item) => (
+        {adapterList.map((item) => (
           <button
             key={item.value}
             disabled={item.comingSoon}
@@ -1066,7 +1062,10 @@ function AdapterTypeDropdown({
               item.value === value && !item.comingSoon && "bg-accent",
             )}
             onClick={() => {
-              if (!item.comingSoon) onChange(item.value);
+              if (!item.comingSoon) {
+                onChange(item.value);
+                setOpen(false);
+              }
             }}
           >
             <span className="inline-flex items-center gap-1.5">
@@ -1357,8 +1356,10 @@ function ModelDropdown({
   groupByProvider,
   creatable,
   detectedModel,
+  detectedModelCandidates,
   onDetectModel,
   detectModelLabel,
+  emptyDetectHint,
 }: {
   models: AdapterModel[];
   value: string;
@@ -1370,8 +1371,10 @@ function ModelDropdown({
   groupByProvider: boolean;
   creatable?: boolean;
   detectedModel?: string | null;
+  detectedModelCandidates?: string[];
   onDetectModel?: () => Promise<string | null>;
   detectModelLabel?: string;
+  emptyDetectHint?: string;
 }) {
   const [modelSearch, setModelSearch] = useState("");
   const [detectingModel, setDetectingModel] = useState(false);
@@ -1382,8 +1385,19 @@ function ModelDropdown({
       manualModel &&
       !models.some((m) => m.id.toLowerCase() === manualModel.toLowerCase()),
   );
+  // Model IDs already shown as detected/candidate badges — exclude from regular list
+  const promotedModelIds = useMemo(() => {
+    const set = new Set<string>();
+    if (detectedModel) set.add(detectedModel);
+    for (const c of detectedModelCandidates ?? []) {
+      if (c) set.add(c);
+    }
+    return set;
+  }, [detectedModel, detectedModelCandidates]);
+
   const filteredModels = useMemo(() => {
     return models.filter((m) => {
+      if (promotedModelIds.has(m.id)) return false;
       if (!modelSearch.trim()) return true;
       const q = modelSearch.toLowerCase();
       const provider = extractProviderId(m.id) ?? "";
@@ -1393,7 +1407,7 @@ function ModelDropdown({
         provider.toLowerCase().includes(q)
       );
     });
-  }, [models, modelSearch]);
+  }, [models, modelSearch, promotedModelIds]);
   const groupedModels = useMemo(() => {
     if (!groupByProvider) {
       return [
@@ -1474,7 +1488,7 @@ function ModelDropdown({
               </button>
             )}
           </div>
-          {onDetectModel && !detectedModel && !modelSearch.trim() && (
+          {onDetectModel && !modelSearch.trim() && (
             <button
               type="button"
               className="flex items-center gap-1.5 w-full px-2 py-1.5 text-xs rounded hover:bg-accent/50 text-muted-foreground"
@@ -1487,10 +1501,10 @@ function ModelDropdown({
                 <path d="M21 12a9 9 0 0 0-9-9 9.75 9.75 0 0 0-6.74 2.74L3 8" />
                 <path d="M3 3v5h5" />
               </svg>
-              {detectingModel ? "Detecting..." : (detectModelLabel ?? "Detect from config")}
+              {detectingModel ? "Detecting..." : detectedModel ? (detectModelLabel?.replace(/^Detect\b/, "Re-detect") ?? "Re-detect from config") : (detectModelLabel ?? "Detect from config")}
             </button>
           )}
-          {value && !models.some((m) => m.id === value) && (
+          {value && (!models.some((m) => m.id === value) || promotedModelIds.has(value)) && (
             <button
               type="button"
               className={cn(
@@ -1501,7 +1515,7 @@ function ModelDropdown({
               }}
             >
               <span className="block w-full text-left truncate font-mono text-xs" title={value}>
-                {value}
+                {models.find((m) => m.id === value)?.label ?? value}
               </span>
               <span className="shrink-0 ml-auto text-[9px] font-medium px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded-full bg-green-500/15 text-green-400 border border-green-500/20">
                 current
@@ -1520,13 +1534,38 @@ function ModelDropdown({
               }}
             >
               <span className="block w-full text-left truncate font-mono text-xs" title={detectedModel}>
-                {detectedModel}
+                {models.find((m) => m.id === detectedModel)?.label ?? detectedModel}
               </span>
               <span className="shrink-0 ml-auto text-[9px] font-medium px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded-full bg-blue-500/15 text-blue-400 border border-blue-500/20">
                 detected
               </span>
             </button>
           )}
+          {detectedModelCandidates
+            ?.filter((candidate) => candidate && candidate !== detectedModel && candidate !== value)
+            .map((candidate) => {
+              const entry = models.find((m) => m.id === candidate);
+              return (
+                <button
+                  key={`detected-${candidate}`}
+                  type="button"
+                  className={cn(
+                    "flex items-center w-full px-2 py-1.5 text-sm rounded hover:bg-accent/50",
+                  )}
+                  onClick={() => {
+                    onChange(candidate);
+                    onOpenChange(false);
+                  }}
+                >
+                  <span className="block w-full text-left truncate font-mono text-xs" title={candidate}>
+                    {entry?.label ?? candidate}
+                  </span>
+                  <span className="shrink-0 ml-auto text-[9px] font-medium px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded-full bg-sky-500/15 text-sky-400 border border-sky-500/20">
+                    config
+                  </span>
+                </button>
+              );
+            })}
           <div className="max-h-[240px] overflow-y-auto">
             {allowDefault && (
               <button
@@ -1584,11 +1623,11 @@ function ModelDropdown({
                 ))}
               </div>
             ))}
-            {filteredModels.length === 0 && !canCreateManualModel && (
+            {filteredModels.length === 0 && !canCreateManualModel && promotedModelIds.size === 0 && (
               <div className="px-2 py-2 space-y-2">
                 <p className="text-xs text-muted-foreground">
                   {onDetectModel
-                    ? "No Hermes model detected yet. Configure Hermes or enter a provider/model manually."
+                    ? (emptyDetectHint ?? "No model detected yet. Enter a provider/model manually.")
                     : "No models found."}
                 </p>
               </div>
diff --git a/ui/src/components/AgentProperties.tsx b/ui/src/components/AgentProperties.tsx
index a89d8fb6..911a109a 100644
--- a/ui/src/components/AgentProperties.tsx
+++ b/ui/src/components/AgentProperties.tsx
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ import { Link } from "@/lib/router";
 import { AGENT_ROLE_LABELS, type Agent, type AgentRuntimeState } from "@paperclipai/shared";
 import { agentsApi } from "../api/agents";
 import { useCompany } from "../context/CompanyContext";
+import { getAdapterLabel } from "../adapters/adapter-display-registry";
 import { queryKeys } from "../lib/queryKeys";
 import { StatusBadge } from "./StatusBadge";
 import { Identity } from "./Identity";
@@ -14,17 +15,6 @@ interface AgentPropertiesProps {
   runtimeState?: AgentRuntimeState;
 }
 
-const adapterLabels: Record<string, string> = {
-  claude_local: "Claude (local)",
-  codex_local: "Codex (local)",
-  gemini_local: "Gemini CLI (local)",
-  opencode_local: "OpenCode (local)",
-  openclaw_gateway: "OpenClaw Gateway",
-  cursor: "Cursor (local)",
-  process: "Process",
-  http: "HTTP",
-};
-
 const roleLabels = AGENT_ROLE_LABELS as Record<string, string>;
 
 function PropertyRow({ label, children }: { label: string; children: React.ReactNode }) {
@@ -62,7 +52,7 @@ export function AgentProperties({ agent, runtimeState }: AgentPropertiesProps) {
           </PropertyRow>
         )}
         <PropertyRow label="Adapter">
-          <span className="text-sm font-mono">{adapterLabels[agent.adapterType] ?? agent.adapterType}</span>
+          <span className="text-sm font-mono">{getAdapterLabel(agent.adapterType)}</span>
         </PropertyRow>
       </div>
 
diff --git a/ui/src/components/InstanceSidebar.tsx b/ui/src/components/InstanceSidebar.tsx
index dbd8381b..076b9702 100644
--- a/ui/src/components/InstanceSidebar.tsx
+++ b/ui/src/components/InstanceSidebar.tsx
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 import { useQuery } from "@tanstack/react-query";
-import { Clock3, FlaskConical, Puzzle, Settings, SlidersHorizontal } from "lucide-react";
+import { Clock3, Cpu, FlaskConical, Puzzle, Settings, SlidersHorizontal } from "lucide-react";
 import { NavLink } from "@/lib/router";
 import { pluginsApi } from "@/api/plugins";
 import { queryKeys } from "@/lib/queryKeys";
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ export function InstanceSidebar() {
           <SidebarNavItem to="/instance/settings/heartbeats" label="Heartbeats" icon={Clock3} end />
           <SidebarNavItem to="/instance/settings/experimental" label="Experimental" icon={FlaskConical} />
           <SidebarNavItem to="/instance/settings/plugins" label="Plugins" icon={Puzzle} />
+          <SidebarNavItem to="/instance/settings/adapters" label="Adapters" icon={Cpu} />
           {(plugins ?? []).length > 0 ? (
             <div className="ml-4 mt-1 flex flex-col gap-0.5 border-l border-border/70 pl-3">
               {(plugins ?? []).map((plugin) => (
diff --git a/ui/src/components/NewAgentDialog.tsx b/ui/src/components/NewAgentDialog.tsx
index aaaf7c6d..4ff672c6 100644
--- a/ui/src/components/NewAgentDialog.tsx
+++ b/ui/src/components/NewAgentDialog.tsx
@@ -1,10 +1,11 @@
-import { useState, type ComponentType } from "react";
+import { useState, useMemo } from "react";
 import { useQuery } from "@tanstack/react-query";
 import { useNavigate } from "@/lib/router";
 import { useDialog } from "../context/DialogContext";
 import { useCompany } from "../context/CompanyContext";
 import { agentsApi } from "../api/agents";
-import { queryKeys } from "../lib/queryKeys";
+import { adaptersApi } from "../api/adapters";
+import { queryKeys } from "@/lib/queryKeys";
 import {
   Dialog,
   DialogContent,
@@ -13,91 +14,37 @@ import { Button } from "@/components/ui/button";
 import {
   ArrowLeft,
   Bot,
-  Code,
-  Gem,
-  MousePointer2,
-  Sparkles,
-  Terminal,
 } from "lucide-react";
 import { cn } from "@/lib/utils";
-import { OpenCodeLogoIcon } from "./OpenCodeLogoIcon";
-import { HermesIcon } from "./HermesIcon";
+import { listUIAdapters } from "../adapters";
+import { getAdapterDisplay } from "../adapters/adapter-display-registry";
+import { useDisabledAdaptersSync } from "../adapters/use-disabled-adapters";
 
-type AdvancedAdapterType =
-  | "claude_local"
-  | "codex_local"
-  | "gemini_local"
-  | "opencode_local"
-  | "pi_local"
-  | "cursor"
-  | "openclaw_gateway"
-  | "hermes_local";
+/**
+ * Adapter types that are suitable for agent creation (excludes internal
+ * system adapters like "process" and "http").
+ */
+const SYSTEM_ADAPTER_TYPES = new Set(["process", "http"]);
 
-const ADVANCED_ADAPTER_OPTIONS: Array<{
-  value: AdvancedAdapterType;
-  label: string;
-  desc: string;
-  icon: ComponentType<{ className?: string }>;
-  recommended?: boolean;
-}> = [
-  {
-    value: "claude_local",
-    label: "Claude Code",
-    icon: Sparkles,
-    desc: "Local Claude agent",
-    recommended: true,
-  },
-  {
-    value: "codex_local",
-    label: "Codex",
-    icon: Code,
-    desc: "Local Codex agent",
-    recommended: true,
-  },
-  {
-    value: "gemini_local",
-    label: "Gemini CLI",
-    icon: Gem,
-    desc: "Local Gemini agent",
-  },
-  {
-    value: "opencode_local",
-    label: "OpenCode",
-    icon: OpenCodeLogoIcon,
-    desc: "Local multi-provider agent",
-  },
-  {
-    value: "hermes_local",
-    label: "Hermes Agent",
-    icon: HermesIcon,
-    desc: "Local multi-provider agent",
-  },
-  {
-    value: "pi_local",
-    label: "Pi",
-    icon: Terminal,
-    desc: "Local Pi agent",
-  },
-  {
-    value: "cursor",
-    label: "Cursor",
-    icon: MousePointer2,
-    desc: "Local Cursor agent",
-  },
-  {
-    value: "openclaw_gateway",
-    label: "OpenClaw Gateway",
-    icon: Bot,
-    desc: "Invoke OpenClaw via gateway protocol",
-  },
-];
+function isAgentAdapterType(type: string): boolean {
+  return !SYSTEM_ADAPTER_TYPES.has(type);
+}
 
 export function NewAgentDialog() {
   const { newAgentOpen, closeNewAgent, openNewIssue } = useDialog();
   const { selectedCompanyId } = useCompany();
   const navigate = useNavigate();
   const [showAdvancedCards, setShowAdvancedCards] = useState(false);
+  const disabledTypes = useDisabledAdaptersSync();
 
+  // Fetch registered adapters from server (syncs disabled store + provides data)
+  const { data: serverAdapters } = useQuery({
+    queryKey: queryKeys.adapters.all,
+    queryFn: () => adaptersApi.list(),
+    staleTime: 5 * 60 * 1000,
+  });
+
+  // Fetch existing agents for the "Ask CEO" flow
   const { data: agents } = useQuery({
     queryKey: queryKeys.agents.list(selectedCompanyId!),
     queryFn: () => agentsApi.list(selectedCompanyId!),
@@ -106,6 +53,33 @@ export function NewAgentDialog() {
 
   const ceoAgent = (agents ?? []).find((a) => a.role === "ceo");
 
+  // Build the adapter grid from the UI registry merged with display metadata.
+  // This automatically includes external/plugin adapters.
+  const adapterGrid = useMemo(() => {
+    const registered = listUIAdapters()
+      .filter((a) => isAgentAdapterType(a.type) && !disabledTypes.has(a.type));
+
+    // Sort: recommended first, then alphabetical
+    return registered
+      .map((a) => {
+        const display = getAdapterDisplay(a.type);
+        return {
+          value: a.type,
+          label: display.label,
+          desc: display.description,
+          icon: display.icon,
+          recommended: display.recommended,
+          comingSoon: display.comingSoon,
+          disabledLabel: display.disabledLabel,
+        };
+      })
+      .sort((a, b) => {
+        if (a.recommended && !b.recommended) return -1;
+        if (!a.recommended && b.recommended) return 1;
+        return a.label.localeCompare(b.label);
+      });
+  }, [disabledTypes, serverAdapters]);
+
   function handleAskCeo() {
     closeNewAgent();
     openNewIssue({
@@ -119,7 +93,7 @@ export function NewAgentDialog() {
     setShowAdvancedCards(true);
   }
 
-  function handleAdvancedAdapterPick(adapterType: AdvancedAdapterType) {
+  function handleAdvancedAdapterPick(adapterType: string) {
     closeNewAgent();
     setShowAdvancedCards(false);
     navigate(`/agents/new?adapterType=${encodeURIComponent(adapterType)}`);
@@ -161,7 +135,7 @@ export function NewAgentDialog() {
               {/* Recommendation */}
               <div className="text-center space-y-3">
                 <div className="mx-auto flex h-12 w-12 items-center justify-center rounded-full bg-accent">
-                  <Sparkles className="h-6 w-6 text-foreground" />
+                  <Bot className="h-6 w-6 text-foreground" />
                 </div>
                 <p className="text-sm text-muted-foreground">
                   We recommend letting your CEO handle agent setup — they know the
@@ -201,13 +175,18 @@ export function NewAgentDialog() {
               </div>
 
               <div className="grid grid-cols-2 gap-2">
-                {ADVANCED_ADAPTER_OPTIONS.map((opt) => (
+                {adapterGrid.map((opt) => (
                   <button
                     key={opt.value}
                     className={cn(
-                      "flex flex-col items-center gap-1.5 rounded-md border border-border p-3 text-xs transition-colors hover:bg-accent/50 relative"
+                      "flex flex-col items-center gap-1.5 rounded-md border border-border p-3 text-xs transition-colors hover:bg-accent/50 relative",
+                      opt.comingSoon && "opacity-40 cursor-not-allowed",
                     )}
-                    onClick={() => handleAdvancedAdapterPick(opt.value)}
+                    disabled={!!opt.comingSoon}
+                    title={opt.comingSoon ? opt.disabledLabel : undefined}
+                    onClick={() => {
+                      if (!opt.comingSoon) handleAdvancedAdapterPick(opt.value);
+                    }}
                   >
                     {opt.recommended && (
                       <span className="absolute -top-1.5 right-1.5 bg-green-500 text-white text-[9px] font-semibold px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded-full leading-none">
diff --git a/ui/src/components/OnboardingWizard.tsx b/ui/src/components/OnboardingWizard.tsx
index b3ec724e..8638d4d3 100644
--- a/ui/src/components/OnboardingWizard.tsx
+++ b/ui/src/components/OnboardingWizard.tsx
@@ -23,6 +23,9 @@ import {
   extractProviderIdWithFallback
 } from "../lib/model-utils";
 import { getUIAdapter } from "../adapters";
+import { listUIAdapters } from "../adapters";
+import { useDisabledAdaptersSync } from "../adapters/use-disabled-adapters";
+import { getAdapterDisplay } from "../adapters/adapter-display-registry";
 import { defaultCreateValues } from "./agent-config-defaults";
 import { parseOnboardingGoalInput } from "../lib/onboarding-goal";
 import {
@@ -38,37 +41,22 @@ import { DEFAULT_CURSOR_LOCAL_MODEL } from "@paperclipai/adapter-cursor-local";
 import { DEFAULT_GEMINI_LOCAL_MODEL } from "@paperclipai/adapter-gemini-local";
 import { resolveRouteOnboardingOptions } from "../lib/onboarding-route";
 import { AsciiArtAnimation } from "./AsciiArtAnimation";
-import { OpenCodeLogoIcon } from "./OpenCodeLogoIcon";
 import {
   Building2,
   Bot,
-  Code,
-  Gem,
   ListTodo,
   Rocket,
   ArrowLeft,
   ArrowRight,
-  Terminal,
-  Sparkles,
-  MousePointer2,
   Check,
   Loader2,
   ChevronDown,
   X
 } from "lucide-react";
-import { HermesIcon } from "./HermesIcon";
+
 
 type Step = 1 | 2 | 3 | 4;
-type AdapterType =
-  | "claude_local"
-  | "codex_local"
-  | "gemini_local"
-  | "hermes_local"
-  | "opencode_local"
-  | "pi_local"
-  | "cursor"
-  | "http"
-  | "openclaw_gateway";
+type AdapterType = string;
 
 const DEFAULT_TASK_DESCRIPTION = `You are the CEO. You set the direction for the company.
 
@@ -85,6 +73,9 @@ export function OnboardingWizard() {
   const { companyPrefix } = useParams<{ companyPrefix?: string }>();
   const [routeDismissed, setRouteDismissed] = useState(false);
 
+  // Sync disabled adapter types from server so adapter grid filters them out
+  const disabledTypes = useDisabledAdaptersSync();
+
   const routeOnboardingOptions =
     companyPrefix && companiesLoading
       ? null
@@ -206,29 +197,33 @@ export function OnboardingWizard() {
     queryFn: () => agentsApi.adapterModels(createdCompanyId!, adapterType),
     enabled: Boolean(createdCompanyId) && effectiveOnboardingOpen && step === 2
   });
-  const isLocalAdapter =
-    adapterType === "claude_local" ||
-    adapterType === "codex_local" ||
-    adapterType === "gemini_local" ||
-    adapterType === "hermes_local" ||
-    adapterType === "opencode_local" ||
-    adapterType === "pi_local" ||
-    adapterType === "cursor";
+  const NONLOCAL_TYPES = new Set(["process", "http", "openclaw_gateway"]);
+  const isLocalAdapter = !NONLOCAL_TYPES.has(adapterType);
+
+  // Build adapter grids dynamically from the UI registry + display metadata.
+  // External/plugin adapters automatically appear with generic defaults.
+  const { recommendedAdapters, moreAdapters } = useMemo(() => {
+    const SYSTEM_ADAPTER_TYPES = new Set(["process", "http"]);
+    const all = listUIAdapters()
+      .filter((a) => !SYSTEM_ADAPTER_TYPES.has(a.type) && !disabledTypes.has(a.type))
+      .map((a) => ({ ...getAdapterDisplay(a.type), type: a.type }));
+
+    return {
+      recommendedAdapters: all.filter((a) => a.recommended),
+      moreAdapters: all.filter((a) => !a.recommended),
+    };
+  }, [disabledTypes]);
+  const COMMAND_PLACEHOLDERS: Record<string, string> = {
+    claude_local: "claude",
+    codex_local: "codex",
+    gemini_local: "gemini",
+    pi_local: "pi",
+    cursor: "agent",
+    opencode_local: "opencode",
+  };
   const effectiveAdapterCommand =
     command.trim() ||
-    (adapterType === "codex_local"
-      ? "codex"
-      : adapterType === "gemini_local"
-        ? "gemini"
-      : adapterType === "hermes_local"
-        ? "hermes"
-      : adapterType === "pi_local"
-      ? "pi"
-      : adapterType === "cursor"
-      ? "agent"
-      : adapterType === "opencode_local"
-      ? "opencode"
-      : "claude");
+    (COMMAND_PLACEHOLDERS[adapterType] ?? adapterType.replace(/_local$/, ""));
 
   useEffect(() => {
     if (step !== 2) return;
@@ -759,32 +754,17 @@ export function OnboardingWizard() {
                       Adapter type
                     </label>
                     <div className="grid grid-cols-2 gap-2">
-                      {[
-                        {
-                          value: "claude_local" as const,
-                          label: "Claude Code",
-                          icon: Sparkles,
-                          desc: "Local Claude agent",
-                          recommended: true
-                        },
-                        {
-                          value: "codex_local" as const,
-                          label: "Codex",
-                          icon: Code,
-                          desc: "Local Codex agent",
-                          recommended: true
-                        }
-                      ].map((opt) => (
+                      {recommendedAdapters.map((opt) => (
                         <button
-                          key={opt.value}
+                          key={opt.type}
                           className={cn(
                             "flex flex-col items-center gap-1.5 rounded-md border p-3 text-xs transition-colors relative",
-                            adapterType === opt.value
+                            adapterType === opt.type
                               ? "border-foreground bg-accent"
                               : "border-border hover:bg-accent/50"
                           )}
                           onClick={() => {
-                            const nextType = opt.value as AdapterType;
+                            const nextType = opt.type;
                             setAdapterType(nextType);
                             if (nextType === "codex_local" && !model) {
                               setModel(DEFAULT_CODEX_LOCAL_MODEL);
@@ -802,7 +782,7 @@ export function OnboardingWizard() {
                           <opt.icon className="h-4 w-4" />
                           <span className="font-medium">{opt.label}</span>
                           <span className="text-muted-foreground text-[10px]">
-                            {opt.desc}
+                            {opt.description}
                           </span>
                         </button>
                       ))}
@@ -823,60 +803,21 @@ export function OnboardingWizard() {
 
                     {showMoreAdapters && (
                       <div className="grid grid-cols-2 gap-2 mt-2">
-                        {[
-                          {
-                            value: "gemini_local" as const,
-                            label: "Gemini CLI",
-                            icon: Gem,
-                            desc: "Local Gemini agent"
-                          },
-                          {
-                            value: "opencode_local" as const,
-                            label: "OpenCode",
-                            icon: OpenCodeLogoIcon,
-                            desc: "Local multi-provider agent"
-                          },
-                          {
-                            value: "pi_local" as const,
-                            label: "Pi",
-                            icon: Terminal,
-                            desc: "Local Pi agent"
-                          },
-                          {
-                            value: "cursor" as const,
-                            label: "Cursor",
-                            icon: MousePointer2,
-                            desc: "Local Cursor agent"
-                          },
-                          {
-                            value: "hermes_local" as const,
-                            label: "Hermes Agent",
-                            icon: HermesIcon,
-                            desc: "Local multi-provider agent"
-                          },
-                          {
-                            value: "openclaw_gateway" as const,
-                            label: "OpenClaw Gateway",
-                            icon: Bot,
-                            desc: "Invoke OpenClaw via gateway protocol",
-                            comingSoon: true,
-                            disabledLabel: "Configure OpenClaw within the App"
-                          }
-                        ].map((opt) => (
-                          <button
-                            key={opt.value}
-                            disabled={!!opt.comingSoon}
-                            className={cn(
-                              "flex flex-col items-center gap-1.5 rounded-md border p-3 text-xs transition-colors relative",
-                              opt.comingSoon
-                                ? "border-border opacity-40 cursor-not-allowed"
-                                : adapterType === opt.value
-                                ? "border-foreground bg-accent"
-                                : "border-border hover:bg-accent/50"
-                            )}
-                            onClick={() => {
-                              if (opt.comingSoon) return;
-                              const nextType = opt.value as AdapterType;
+                        {moreAdapters.map((opt) => (
+                           <button
+                             key={opt.type}
+                             disabled={!!opt.comingSoon}
+                             className={cn(
+                               "flex flex-col items-center gap-1.5 rounded-md border p-3 text-xs transition-colors relative",
+                               opt.comingSoon
+                                 ? "border-border opacity-40 cursor-not-allowed"
+                                 : adapterType === opt.type
+                                 ? "border-foreground bg-accent"
+                                 : "border-border hover:bg-accent/50"
+                             )}
+                             onClick={() => {
+                               if (opt.comingSoon) return;
+                               const nextType = opt.type;
                               setAdapterType(nextType);
                               if (nextType === "gemini_local" && !model) {
                                 setModel(DEFAULT_GEMINI_LOCAL_MODEL);
@@ -899,9 +840,8 @@ export function OnboardingWizard() {
                             <span className="font-medium">{opt.label}</span>
                             <span className="text-muted-foreground text-[10px]">
                               {opt.comingSoon
-                                ? (opt as { disabledLabel?: string })
-                                    .disabledLabel ?? "Coming soon"
-                                : opt.desc}
+                                ? opt.disabledLabel ?? "Coming soon"
+                                : opt.description}
                             </span>
                           </button>
                         ))}
@@ -910,13 +850,7 @@ export function OnboardingWizard() {
                   </div>
 
                   {/* Conditional adapter fields */}
-                  {(adapterType === "claude_local" ||
-                    adapterType === "codex_local" ||
-                    adapterType === "gemini_local" ||
-                    adapterType === "hermes_local" ||
-                    adapterType === "opencode_local" ||
-                    adapterType === "pi_local" ||
-                    adapterType === "cursor") && (
+                  {isLocalAdapter && (
                     <div className="space-y-3">
                       <div>
                         <label className="text-xs text-muted-foreground mb-1 block">
diff --git a/ui/src/components/RunInvocationCard.test.tsx b/ui/src/components/RunInvocationCard.test.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..603b77d8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ui/src/components/RunInvocationCard.test.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,38 @@
+// @vitest-environment node
+
+import { describe, expect, it } from "vitest";
+import { renderToStaticMarkup } from "react-dom/server";
+import { ThemeProvider } from "../context/ThemeContext";
+import { RunInvocationCard } from "../pages/AgentDetail";
+
+describe("RunInvocationCard", () => {
+  it("keeps verbose invocation details collapsed by default", () => {
+    const html = renderToStaticMarkup(
+      <ThemeProvider>
+        <RunInvocationCard
+          payload={{
+            adapterType: "claude_local",
+            cwd: "/tmp/workspace",
+            command: "claude",
+            commandArgs: ["--dangerously-skip-permissions"],
+            commandNotes: ["Prompt is piped to claude via stdin."],
+            prompt: "very long prompt body",
+            context: { triggeredBy: "board" },
+            env: { ANTHROPIC_API_KEY: "***REDACTED***" },
+          }}
+          censorUsernameInLogs={false}
+        />
+      </ThemeProvider>,
+    );
+
+    expect(html).toContain("Invocation");
+    expect(html).toContain("Adapter:");
+    expect(html).toContain("Working dir:");
+    expect(html).toContain("Details");
+    expect(html).not.toContain("Command:");
+    expect(html).not.toContain("Prompt is piped to claude via stdin.");
+    expect(html).not.toContain("very long prompt body");
+    expect(html).not.toContain("ANTHROPIC_API_KEY");
+    expect(html).not.toContain("triggeredBy");
+  });
+});
diff --git a/ui/src/components/agent-config-primitives.tsx b/ui/src/components/agent-config-primitives.tsx
index 481aa4b0..76b3aef0 100644
--- a/ui/src/components/agent-config-primitives.tsx
+++ b/ui/src/components/agent-config-primitives.tsx
@@ -57,17 +57,9 @@ export const help: Record<string, string> = {
   budgetMonthlyCents: "Monthly spending limit in cents. 0 means no limit.",
 };
 
-export const adapterLabels: Record<string, string> = {
-  claude_local: "Claude (local)",
-  codex_local: "Codex (local)",
-  gemini_local: "Gemini CLI (local)",
-  opencode_local: "OpenCode (local)",
-  openclaw_gateway: "OpenClaw Gateway",
-  cursor: "Cursor (local)",
-  hermes_local: "Hermes Agent",
-  process: "Process",
-  http: "HTTP",
-};
+import { getAdapterLabels } from "../adapters/adapter-display-registry";
+
+export const adapterLabels = getAdapterLabels();
 
 export const roleLabels = AGENT_ROLE_LABELS as Record<string, string>;
 
diff --git a/ui/src/components/transcript/RunTranscriptView.test.tsx b/ui/src/components/transcript/RunTranscriptView.test.tsx
index de01b634..230ab5a4 100644
--- a/ui/src/components/transcript/RunTranscriptView.test.tsx
+++ b/ui/src/components/transcript/RunTranscriptView.test.tsx
@@ -81,4 +81,33 @@ describe("RunTranscriptView", () => {
       text: "Working on the task.",
     });
   });
+
+  it("renders successful result summaries as markdown in nice mode", () => {
+    const html = renderToStaticMarkup(
+      <ThemeProvider>
+        <RunTranscriptView
+          density="compact"
+          entries={[
+            {
+              kind: "result",
+              ts: "2026-03-12T00:00:02.000Z",
+              text: "## Summary\n\n- fixed deploy config\n- posted issue update",
+              inputTokens: 10,
+              outputTokens: 20,
+              cachedTokens: 0,
+              costUsd: 0,
+              subtype: "success",
+              isError: false,
+              errors: [],
+            },
+          ]}
+        />
+      </ThemeProvider>,
+    );
+
+    expect(html).toContain("<h2>Summary</h2>");
+    expect(html).toContain("<li>fixed deploy config</li>");
+    expect(html).toContain("<li>posted issue update</li>");
+    expect(html).not.toContain("result");
+  });
 });
diff --git a/ui/src/components/transcript/RunTranscriptView.tsx b/ui/src/components/transcript/RunTranscriptView.tsx
index f39167f8..fee3a561 100644
--- a/ui/src/components/transcript/RunTranscriptView.tsx
+++ b/ui/src/components/transcript/RunTranscriptView.tsx
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ import {
   ChevronDown,
   ChevronRight,
   CircleAlert,
+  GitCompare,
   TerminalSquare,
   User,
   Wrench,
@@ -92,6 +93,12 @@ type TranscriptBlock =
       endTs?: string;
       lines: Array<{ ts: string; text: string }>;
     }
+  | {
+      type: "system_group";
+      ts: string;
+      endTs?: string;
+      lines: Array<{ ts: string; text: string }>;
+    }
   | {
       type: "stdout";
       ts: string;
@@ -104,6 +111,16 @@ type TranscriptBlock =
       tone: "info" | "warn" | "error" | "neutral";
       text: string;
       detail?: string;
+    }
+  | {
+      type: "diff_group";
+      ts: string;
+      endTs?: string;
+      filePath?: string;
+      hunks: Array<{
+        changeType: "add" | "remove" | "context" | "hunk" | "file_header" | "truncation";
+        text: string;
+      }>;
     };
 
 function asRecord(value: unknown): Record<string, unknown> | null {
@@ -491,6 +508,10 @@ export function normalizeTranscript(entries: TranscriptEntry[], streaming: boole
         label: "result",
         tone: entry.isError ? "error" : "info",
         text: entry.text.trim() || entry.errors[0] || (entry.isError ? "Run failed" : "Completed"),
+        detail:
+          !entry.isError && entry.text.trim().length > 0
+            ? `${formatTokens(entry.inputTokens)} / ${formatTokens(entry.outputTokens)} / $${entry.costUsd.toFixed(6)}`
+            : undefined,
       });
       continue;
     }
@@ -543,13 +564,19 @@ export function normalizeTranscript(entries: TranscriptEntry[], streaming: boole
         }
         continue;
       }
-      blocks.push({
-        type: "event",
-        ts: entry.ts,
-        label: "system",
-        tone: "warn",
-        text: entry.text,
-      });
+      // Batch consecutive system events into a single collapsible group
+      const prev = blocks[blocks.length - 1];
+      if (prev && prev.type === "system_group") {
+        prev.lines.push({ ts: entry.ts, text: entry.text });
+        prev.endTs = entry.ts;
+      } else {
+        blocks.push({
+          type: "system_group",
+          ts: entry.ts,
+          endTs: entry.ts,
+          lines: [{ ts: entry.ts, text: entry.text }],
+        });
+      }
       continue;
     }
 
@@ -564,6 +591,28 @@ export function normalizeTranscript(entries: TranscriptEntry[], streaming: boole
       continue;
     }
 
+    // ── Diff entries — accumulate into diff_group blocks ──────────
+    if (entry.kind === "diff") {
+      const prev = blocks[blocks.length - 1];
+      if (prev && prev.type === "diff_group") {
+        if (entry.changeType === "file_header") {
+          // New file in the same diff block — update filePath
+          prev.filePath = entry.text;
+        }
+        prev.hunks.push({ changeType: entry.changeType, text: entry.text });
+        prev.endTs = entry.ts;
+      } else {
+        blocks.push({
+          type: "diff_group",
+          ts: entry.ts,
+          endTs: entry.ts,
+          filePath: entry.changeType === "file_header" ? entry.text : undefined,
+          hunks: [{ changeType: entry.changeType, text: entry.text }],
+        });
+      }
+      continue;
+    }
+
     if (previous?.type === "stdout") {
       previous.text += previous.text.endsWith("\n") || entry.text.startsWith("\n") ? entry.text : `\n${entry.text}`;
       previous.ts = entry.ts;
@@ -1062,9 +1111,14 @@ function TranscriptEventRow({
         )}
         <div className="min-w-0 flex-1">
           {block.label === "result" && block.tone !== "error" ? (
-            <div className={cn("whitespace-pre-wrap break-words text-sky-700 dark:text-sky-300", compact ? "text-[11px]" : "text-xs")}>
+            <MarkdownBody
+              className={cn(
+                "[&>*:first-child]:mt-0 [&>*:last-child]:mb-0 text-sky-700 dark:text-sky-300",
+                compact ? "text-[11px] leading-5" : "text-xs leading-5",
+              )}
+            >
               {block.text}
-            </div>
+            </MarkdownBody>
           ) : (
             <div className={cn("whitespace-pre-wrap break-words", compact ? "text-[11px]" : "text-xs")}>
               <span className="text-[10px] font-semibold uppercase tracking-[0.1em] text-muted-foreground/70">
@@ -1084,6 +1138,103 @@ function TranscriptEventRow({
   );
 }
 
+function TranscriptDiffGroup({
+  block,
+  density,
+}: {
+  block: Extract<TranscriptBlock, { type: "diff_group" }>;
+  density: TranscriptDensity;
+}) {
+  const [open, setOpen] = useState(false);
+  const compact = density === "compact";
+
+  // Count add/remove lines (exclude context, hunk, file_header, truncation)
+  const addCount = block.hunks.filter((h) => h.changeType === "add").length;
+  const removeCount = block.hunks.filter((h) => h.changeType === "remove").length;
+  const hasChanges = addCount > 0 || removeCount > 0;
+
+  // Extract a short file name from the path
+  const shortFile = block.filePath
+    ? block.filePath.split("/").pop() ?? block.filePath
+    : "diff";
+
+  return (
+    <div className="rounded-xl border border-blue-500/20 bg-blue-500/[0.04] p-2">
+      <div
+        role="button"
+        tabIndex={0}
+        className="flex cursor-pointer items-center gap-2"
+        onClick={() => setOpen((v) => !v)}
+        onKeyDown={(e) => { if (e.key === "Enter" || e.key === " ") { e.preventDefault(); setOpen((v) => !v); } }}
+      >
+        <GitCompare className={compact ? "h-3.5 w-3.5" : "h-4 w-4"} />
+        <span className={cn("text-[11px] font-semibold uppercase tracking-[0.14em] text-blue-700 dark:text-blue-300")}>
+          {shortFile}
+        </span>
+        {hasChanges && (
+          <span className="text-[10px] tabular-nums">
+            <span className="text-emerald-600 dark:text-emerald-400">+{addCount}</span>
+            {" "}
+            <span className="text-red-600 dark:text-red-400">-{removeCount}</span>
+          </span>
+        )}
+        {open ? <ChevronDown className="h-3.5 w-3.5" /> : <ChevronRight className="h-3.5 w-3.5" />}
+      </div>
+      {open && (
+        <pre className={cn(
+          "mt-2 overflow-x-auto whitespace-pre-wrap break-words font-mono pl-5",
+          compact ? "text-[11px]" : "text-xs",
+        )}>
+          {block.hunks.map((hunk, i) => {
+            const key = `${i}-${hunk.changeType}`;
+            switch (hunk.changeType) {
+              case "remove":
+                return (
+                  <span key={key} className="block bg-red-500/[0.10] text-red-700 dark:text-red-300 -mx-2 px-2">
+                    <span className="select-none mr-2 text-red-500/60 dark:text-red-400/50">-</span>
+                    {hunk.text}
+                    {"\n"}
+                  </span>
+                );
+              case "add":
+                return (
+                  <span key={key} className="block bg-emerald-500/[0.10] text-emerald-700 dark:text-emerald-300 -mx-2 px-2">
+                    <span className="select-none mr-2 text-emerald-500/60 dark:text-emerald-400/50">+</span>
+                    {hunk.text}
+                    {"\n"}
+                  </span>
+                );
+              case "file_header":
+                return (
+                  <span key={key} className="block font-semibold text-blue-600 dark:text-blue-300 mt-2 first:mt-0">
+                    {hunk.text}
+                    {"\n"}
+                  </span>
+                );
+              case "truncation":
+                return (
+                  <span key={key} className="block text-muted-foreground italic mt-1">
+                    {hunk.text}
+                    {"\n"}
+                  </span>
+                );
+              case "context":
+              default:
+                return (
+                  <span key={key} className="block text-muted-foreground/70">
+                    {" "}
+                    {hunk.text}
+                    {"\n"}
+                  </span>
+                );
+            }
+          })}
+        </pre>
+      )}
+    </div>
+  );
+}
+
 function TranscriptStderrGroup({
   block,
   density,
@@ -1121,6 +1272,43 @@ function TranscriptStderrGroup({
   );
 }
 
+function TranscriptSystemGroup({
+  block,
+  density,
+}: {
+  block: Extract<TranscriptBlock, { type: "system_group" }>;
+  density: TranscriptDensity;
+}) {
+  const [open, setOpen] = useState(false);
+  return (
+    <div className="rounded-xl border border-blue-500/20 bg-blue-500/[0.04] p-2 text-blue-700 dark:text-blue-300">
+      <div
+        role="button"
+        tabIndex={0}
+        className="flex cursor-pointer items-center gap-2"
+        onClick={() => setOpen((v) => !v)}
+        onKeyDown={(e) => { if (e.key === "Enter" || e.key === " ") { e.preventDefault(); setOpen((v) => !v); } }}
+      >
+        <TerminalSquare className="h-3.5 w-3.5 shrink-0" />
+        <span className="text-[10px] font-semibold uppercase tracking-[0.14em]">
+          {block.lines.length} system {block.lines.length === 1 ? "message" : "messages"}
+        </span>
+        {open ? <ChevronDown className="h-3.5 w-3.5" /> : <ChevronRight className="h-3.5 w-3.5" />}
+      </div>
+      {open && (
+        <pre className="mt-2 overflow-x-auto whitespace-pre-wrap break-words font-mono text-[11px] text-blue-700/80 dark:text-blue-300/80 pl-5">
+          {block.lines.map((line, i) => (
+            <span key={`${line.ts}-${i}`}>
+              <span className="select-none text-blue-500/40 dark:text-blue-400/30">{i > 0 ? "\n" : ""}</span>
+              {line.text}
+            </span>
+          ))}
+        </pre>
+      )}
+    </div>
+  );
+}
+
 function TranscriptStdoutRow({
   block,
   density,
@@ -1242,7 +1430,9 @@ export function RunTranscriptView({
           {block.type === "tool" && <TranscriptToolCard block={block} density={density} />}
           {block.type === "command_group" && <TranscriptCommandGroup block={block} density={density} />}
           {block.type === "tool_group" && <TranscriptToolGroup block={block} density={density} />}
+          {block.type === "diff_group" && <TranscriptDiffGroup block={block} density={density} />}
           {block.type === "stderr_group" && <TranscriptStderrGroup block={block} density={density} />}
+          {block.type === "system_group" && <TranscriptSystemGroup block={block} density={density} />}
           {block.type === "stdout" && (
             <TranscriptStdoutRow block={block} density={density} collapseByDefault={collapseStdout} />
           )}
diff --git a/ui/src/components/transcript/useLiveRunTranscripts.ts b/ui/src/components/transcript/useLiveRunTranscripts.ts
index fe6950f2..a34fedae 100644
--- a/ui/src/components/transcript/useLiveRunTranscripts.ts
+++ b/ui/src/components/transcript/useLiveRunTranscripts.ts
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ import { useQuery } from "@tanstack/react-query";
 import type { LiveEvent } from "@paperclipai/shared";
 import { instanceSettingsApi } from "../../api/instanceSettings";
 import { heartbeatsApi, type LiveRunForIssue } from "../../api/heartbeats";
-import { buildTranscript, getUIAdapter, type RunLogChunk, type TranscriptEntry } from "../../adapters";
+import { buildTranscript, getUIAdapter, onAdapterChange, type RunLogChunk, type TranscriptEntry } from "../../adapters";
 import { queryKeys } from "../../lib/queryKeys";
 
 const LOG_POLL_INTERVAL_MS = 2000;
@@ -68,6 +68,11 @@ export function useLiveRunTranscripts({
   const seenChunkKeysRef = useRef(new Set<string>());
   const pendingLogRowsByRunRef = useRef(new Map<string, string>());
   const logOffsetByRunRef = useRef(new Map<string, number>());
+  // Tick counter to force transcript recomputation when dynamic parser loads
+  const [parserTick, setParserTick] = useState(0);
+  useEffect(() => {
+    return onAdapterChange(() => setParserTick((t) => t + 1));
+  }, []);
   const { data: generalSettings } = useQuery({
     queryKey: queryKeys.instance.generalSettings,
     queryFn: () => instanceSettingsApi.getGeneral(),
@@ -279,13 +284,13 @@ export function useLiveRunTranscripts({
       const adapter = getUIAdapter(run.adapterType);
       next.set(
         run.id,
-        buildTranscript(chunksByRun.get(run.id) ?? [], adapter.parseStdoutLine, {
+        buildTranscript(chunksByRun.get(run.id) ?? [], adapter, {
           censorUsernameInLogs,
         }),
       );
     }
     return next;
-  }, [chunksByRun, generalSettings?.censorUsernameInLogs, runs]);
+  }, [chunksByRun, generalSettings?.censorUsernameInLogs, parserTick, runs]);
 
   return {
     transcriptByRun,
diff --git a/ui/src/lib/queryKeys.ts b/ui/src/lib/queryKeys.ts
index 0acbc1f5..7f620ec5 100644
--- a/ui/src/lib/queryKeys.ts
+++ b/ui/src/lib/queryKeys.ts
@@ -144,4 +144,7 @@ export const queryKeys = {
     dashboard: (pluginId: string) => ["plugins", pluginId, "dashboard"] as const,
     logs: (pluginId: string) => ["plugins", pluginId, "logs"] as const,
   },
+  adapters: {
+    all: ["adapters"] as const,
+  },
 };
diff --git a/ui/src/pages/AdapterManager.tsx b/ui/src/pages/AdapterManager.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..80c73834
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ui/src/pages/AdapterManager.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,676 @@
+/**
+ * @fileoverview Adapter Manager page — install, view, and manage external adapters.
+ *
+ * Adapters are simpler than plugins: no workers, no events, no manifests.
+ * They just register a ServerAdapterModule that provides model discovery and execution.
+ */
+import { useEffect, useState } from "react";
+import { useQuery, useMutation, useQueryClient } from "@tanstack/react-query";
+import { AlertTriangle, Cpu, Plus, Power, Trash2, FolderOpen, Package, RefreshCw, Download } from "lucide-react";
+import { useCompany } from "@/context/CompanyContext";
+import { useBreadcrumbs } from "@/context/BreadcrumbContext";
+import { adaptersApi } from "@/api/adapters";
+import type { AdapterInfo } from "@/api/adapters";
+import { getAdapterLabel } from "@/adapters/adapter-display-registry";
+import { queryKeys } from "@/lib/queryKeys";
+import { Button } from "@/components/ui/button";
+import { Input } from "@/components/ui/input";
+import { Label } from "@/components/ui/label";
+import { Card, CardContent } from "@/components/ui/card";
+import { Badge } from "@/components/ui/badge";
+import {
+  Dialog,
+  DialogContent,
+  DialogDescription,
+  DialogFooter,
+  DialogHeader,
+  DialogTitle,
+  DialogTrigger,
+} from "@/components/ui/dialog";
+import { useToast } from "@/context/ToastContext";
+import { cn } from "@/lib/utils";
+import { ChoosePathButton } from "@/components/PathInstructionsModal";
+import { invalidateDynamicParser } from "@/adapters/dynamic-loader";
+import { invalidateConfigSchemaCache } from "@/adapters/schema-config-fields";
+
+function AdapterRow({
+  adapter,
+  canRemove,
+  onToggle,
+  onRemove,
+  onReload,
+  onReinstall,
+  isToggling,
+  isReloading,
+  isReinstalling,
+  overriddenBy,
+  /** Custom tooltip for the power button when adapter is enabled. */
+  toggleTitleEnabled,
+  /** Custom tooltip for the power button when adapter is disabled. */
+  toggleTitleDisabled,
+  /** Custom label for the disabled badge (defaults to "Hidden from menus"). */
+  disabledBadgeLabel,
+}: {
+  adapter: AdapterInfo;
+  canRemove: boolean;
+  onToggle: (type: string, disabled: boolean) => void;
+  onRemove: (type: string) => void;
+  onReload?: (type: string) => void;
+  onReinstall?: (type: string) => void;
+  isToggling: boolean;
+  isReloading?: boolean;
+  isReinstalling?: boolean;
+  /** When set, shows an "Overridden by …" badge (used for builtin entries). */
+  overriddenBy?: string;
+  toggleTitleEnabled?: string;
+  toggleTitleDisabled?: string;
+  disabledBadgeLabel?: string;
+}) {
+  return (
+    <li>
+      <div className="flex items-center gap-4 px-4 py-3">
+        <div className="min-w-0 flex-1">
+          <div className="flex flex-wrap items-center gap-2">
+            <span className={cn("font-medium", adapter.disabled && "text-muted-foreground line-through")}>
+              {adapter.label || getAdapterLabel(adapter.type)}
+            </span>
+            <Badge variant="outline">{adapter.source === "external" ? "External" : "Built-in"}</Badge>
+            {adapter.source === "external" && (
+              adapter.isLocalPath
+                ? <span title="Installed from local path"><FolderOpen className="h-4 w-4 text-amber-500" /></span>
+                : <span title="Installed from npm"><Package className="h-4 w-4 text-red-500" /></span>
+            )}
+            {adapter.version && (
+              <Badge variant="secondary" className="font-mono text-[10px]">
+                v{adapter.version}
+              </Badge>
+            )}
+            {adapter.overriddenBuiltin && (
+              <Badge variant="secondary" className="text-blue-600 border-blue-400">
+                Overrides built-in
+              </Badge>
+            )}
+            {overriddenBy && (
+              <Badge variant="secondary" className="text-blue-600 border-blue-400">
+                Overridden by {overriddenBy}
+              </Badge>
+            )}
+            {adapter.disabled && (
+              <Badge variant="secondary" className="text-amber-600 border-amber-400">
+                {disabledBadgeLabel ?? "Hidden from menus"}
+              </Badge>
+            )}
+          </div>
+          <p className="text-xs text-muted-foreground mt-0.5">
+            {adapter.type}
+            {adapter.packageName && adapter.packageName !== adapter.type && (
+              <> · {adapter.packageName}</>
+            )}
+            {" · "}{adapter.modelsCount} models
+          </p>
+        </div>
+        <div className="flex items-center gap-2 shrink-0">
+          {onReinstall && (
+            <Button
+              variant="outline"
+              size="icon-sm"
+              className="h-8 w-8"
+              title="Reinstall adapter (pull latest from npm)"
+              disabled={isReinstalling}
+              onClick={() => onReinstall(adapter.type)}
+            >
+              <Download className={cn("h-4 w-4", isReinstalling && "animate-bounce")} />
+            </Button>
+          )}
+          {onReload && (
+            <Button
+              variant="outline"
+              size="icon-sm"
+              className="h-8 w-8"
+              title="Reload adapter (hot-swap)"
+              disabled={isReloading}
+              onClick={() => onReload(adapter.type)}
+            >
+              <RefreshCw className={cn("h-4 w-4", isReloading && "animate-spin")} />
+            </Button>
+          )}
+          <Button
+            variant="outline"
+            size="icon-sm"
+            className="h-8 w-8"
+            title={adapter.disabled
+              ? (toggleTitleEnabled ?? "Show in agent menus")
+              : (toggleTitleDisabled ?? "Hide from agent menus")}
+            disabled={isToggling}
+            onClick={() => onToggle(adapter.type, !adapter.disabled)}
+          >
+            <Power className={cn("h-4 w-4", !adapter.disabled ? "text-green-600" : "text-muted-foreground")} />
+          </Button>
+          {canRemove && (
+            <Button
+              variant="outline"
+              size="icon-sm"
+              className="h-8 w-8 text-destructive hover:text-destructive"
+              title="Remove adapter"
+              onClick={() => onRemove(adapter.type)}
+            >
+              <Trash2 className="h-4 w-4" />
+            </Button>
+          )}
+        </div>
+      </div>
+    </li>
+  );
+}
+
+function fetchNpmLatestVersion(packageName: string): Promise<string | null> {
+  return fetch(`https://registry.npmjs.org/${encodeURIComponent(packageName)}/latest`, {
+    signal: AbortSignal.timeout(5000),
+  })
+    .then((res) => res.json())
+    .then((data) => (typeof data?.version === "string" ? (data.version as string) : null))
+    .catch(() => null);
+}
+
+function ReinstallDialog({
+  adapter,
+  open,
+  isReinstalling,
+  onConfirm,
+  onCancel,
+}: {
+  adapter: AdapterInfo | null;
+  open: boolean;
+  isReinstalling: boolean;
+  onConfirm: () => void;
+  onCancel: () => void;
+}) {
+  const { data: latestVersion, isLoading: isFetchingVersion } = useQuery({
+    queryKey: ["npm-latest-version", adapter?.packageName],
+    queryFn: () => {
+      if (!adapter?.packageName) return null;
+      return fetchNpmLatestVersion(adapter.packageName);
+    },
+    enabled: open && !!adapter?.packageName,
+    staleTime: 60_000,
+  });
+
+  const isUpToDate = adapter?.version && latestVersion && adapter.version === latestVersion;
+
+  return (
+    <Dialog open={open} onOpenChange={(o) => { if (!o) onCancel(); }}>
+      <DialogContent>
+        <DialogHeader>
+          <DialogTitle>Reinstall Adapter</DialogTitle>
+          <DialogDescription>
+            This will pull the latest version of{" "}
+            <strong>{adapter?.packageName}</strong> from npm and hot-swap
+            the running adapter module. Existing agents will use the new
+            version on their next run.
+          </DialogDescription>
+        </DialogHeader>
+
+        <div className="rounded-md border bg-muted/50 px-4 py-3 text-sm space-y-1">
+          <div className="flex items-center justify-between">
+            <span className="text-muted-foreground">Package</span>
+            <span className="font-mono">{adapter?.packageName}</span>
+          </div>
+          <div className="flex items-center justify-between">
+            <span className="text-muted-foreground">Current</span>
+            <span className="font-mono">
+              {adapter?.version ? `v${adapter.version}` : "unknown"}
+            </span>
+          </div>
+          <div className="flex items-center justify-between">
+            <span className="text-muted-foreground">Latest on npm</span>
+            <span className="font-mono">
+              {isFetchingVersion
+                ? "checking..."
+                : latestVersion
+                  ? `v${latestVersion}`
+                  : "unavailable"}
+            </span>
+          </div>
+          {isUpToDate && (
+            <p className="text-xs text-muted-foreground pt-1">
+              Already on the latest version.
+            </p>
+          )}
+        </div>
+
+        <DialogFooter>
+          <Button variant="outline" onClick={onCancel} disabled={isReinstalling}>
+            Cancel
+          </Button>
+          <Button disabled={isReinstalling} onClick={onConfirm}>
+            {isReinstalling ? "Reinstalling..." : "Reinstall"}
+          </Button>
+        </DialogFooter>
+      </DialogContent>
+    </Dialog>
+  );
+}
+
+export function AdapterManager() {
+  const { selectedCompany } = useCompany();
+  const { setBreadcrumbs } = useBreadcrumbs();
+  const queryClient = useQueryClient();
+  const { pushToast } = useToast();
+
+  const [installPackage, setInstallPackage] = useState("");
+  const [installVersion, setInstallVersion] = useState("");
+  const [isLocalPath, setIsLocalPath] = useState(false);
+  const [installDialogOpen, setInstallDialogOpen] = useState(false);
+  const [removeType, setRemoveType] = useState<string | null>(null);
+  const [reinstallTarget, setReinstallTarget] = useState<AdapterInfo | null>(null);
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    setBreadcrumbs([
+      { label: selectedCompany?.name ?? "Company", href: "/dashboard" },
+      { label: "Settings", href: "/instance/settings/general" },
+      { label: "Adapters" },
+    ]);
+  }, [selectedCompany?.name, setBreadcrumbs]);
+
+  const { data: adapters, isLoading } = useQuery({
+    queryKey: queryKeys.adapters.all,
+    queryFn: () => adaptersApi.list(),
+  });
+
+  const invalidate = () => {
+    queryClient.invalidateQueries({ queryKey: queryKeys.adapters.all });
+  };
+
+  const installMutation = useMutation({
+    mutationFn: (params: { packageName: string; version?: string; isLocalPath?: boolean }) =>
+      adaptersApi.install(params),
+    onSuccess: (result) => {
+      invalidate();
+      setInstallDialogOpen(false);
+      setInstallPackage("");
+      setInstallVersion("");
+      setIsLocalPath(false);
+      pushToast({
+        title: "Adapter installed",
+        body: `Type "${result.type}" registered successfully.${result.version ? ` (v${result.version})` : ""}`,
+        tone: "success",
+      });
+    },
+    onError: (err: Error) => {
+      pushToast({ title: "Install failed", body: err.message, tone: "error" });
+    },
+  });
+
+  const removeMutation = useMutation({
+    mutationFn: (type: string) => adaptersApi.remove(type),
+    onSuccess: () => {
+      invalidate();
+      pushToast({ title: "Adapter removed", tone: "success" });
+    },
+    onError: (err: Error) => {
+      pushToast({ title: "Removal failed", body: err.message, tone: "error" });
+    },
+  });
+
+  const toggleMutation = useMutation({
+    mutationFn: ({ type, disabled }: { type: string; disabled: boolean }) =>
+      adaptersApi.setDisabled(type, disabled),
+    onSuccess: () => {
+      invalidate();
+    },
+    onError: (err: Error) => {
+      pushToast({ title: "Toggle failed", body: err.message, tone: "error" });
+    },
+  });
+
+  const overrideMutation = useMutation({
+    mutationFn: ({ type, paused }: { type: string; paused: boolean }) =>
+      adaptersApi.setOverridePaused(type, paused),
+    onSuccess: () => {
+      invalidate();
+    },
+    onError: (err: Error) => {
+      pushToast({ title: "Override toggle failed", body: err.message, tone: "error" });
+    },
+  });
+
+  const reloadMutation = useMutation({
+    mutationFn: (type: string) => adaptersApi.reload(type),
+    onSuccess: (result) => {
+      invalidate();
+      invalidateDynamicParser(result.type);
+      invalidateConfigSchemaCache(result.type);
+      pushToast({
+        title: "Adapter reloaded",
+        body: `Type "${result.type}" reloaded.${result.version ? ` (v${result.version})` : ""}`,
+        tone: "success",
+      });
+    },
+    onError: (err: Error) => {
+      pushToast({ title: "Reload failed", body: err.message, tone: "error" });
+    },
+  });
+
+  const reinstallMutation = useMutation({
+    mutationFn: (type: string) => adaptersApi.reinstall(type),
+    onSuccess: (result) => {
+      invalidate();
+      invalidateDynamicParser(result.type);
+      invalidateConfigSchemaCache(result.type);
+      pushToast({
+        title: "Adapter reinstalled",
+        body: `Type "${result.type}" updated from npm.${result.version ? ` (v${result.version})` : ""}`,
+        tone: "success",
+      });
+    },
+    onError: (err: Error) => {
+      pushToast({ title: "Reinstall failed", body: err.message, tone: "error" });
+    },
+  });
+
+  const builtinAdapters = (adapters ?? []).filter((a) => a.source === "builtin");
+  const externalAdapters = (adapters ?? []).filter((a) => a.source === "external");
+
+  // External adapters that override a builtin type.  The server only returns
+  // one entry per type (the external), so we synthesize a builtin row for
+  // the builtins section so users can see which builtins are affected.
+  const overriddenBuiltins = (adapters ?? [])
+    .filter((a) => a.source === "external" && a.overriddenBuiltin)
+    .filter((a) => !builtinAdapters.some((b) => b.type === a.type))
+    .map((a) => ({
+      type: a.type,
+      label: getAdapterLabel(a.type),
+      overriddenBy: [
+        a.packageName,
+        a.version ? `v${a.version}` : undefined,
+      ].filter(Boolean).join(" "),
+      overridePaused: !!a.overridePaused,
+      menuDisabled: !!a.disabled,
+    }));
+
+  if (isLoading) return <div className="p-4 text-sm text-muted-foreground">Loading adapters...</div>;
+
+  const isMutating = installMutation.isPending || removeMutation.isPending || toggleMutation.isPending || overrideMutation.isPending || reloadMutation.isPending || reinstallMutation.isPending;
+
+  return (
+    <div className="space-y-6 max-w-5xl">
+      {/* Header */}
+      <div className="flex items-center justify-between">
+        <div className="flex items-center gap-2">
+          <Cpu className="h-6 w-6 text-muted-foreground" />
+          <h1 className="text-xl font-semibold">Adapters</h1>
+          <Badge variant="outline" className="text-amber-600 border-amber-400">
+            Alpha
+          </Badge>
+        </div>
+
+        <Dialog open={installDialogOpen} onOpenChange={setInstallDialogOpen}>
+          <DialogTrigger asChild>
+            <Button size="sm" className="gap-2">
+              <Plus className="h-4 w-4" />
+              Install Adapter
+            </Button>
+          </DialogTrigger>
+          <DialogContent>
+            <DialogHeader>
+              <DialogTitle>Install External Adapter</DialogTitle>
+              <DialogDescription>
+                Add an adapter from npm or a local path. The adapter package must export <code className="text-xs bg-muted px-1 py-0.5 rounded">createServerAdapter()</code>.
+              </DialogDescription>
+            </DialogHeader>
+            <div className="grid gap-4 py-4">
+              {/* Source toggle */}
+              <div className="flex items-center gap-2">
+                <button
+                  type="button"
+                  className={cn(
+                    "inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 rounded-md border px-3 py-1.5 text-xs transition-colors",
+                    !isLocalPath
+                      ? "border-foreground bg-accent text-foreground"
+                      : "border-border text-muted-foreground hover:text-foreground hover:bg-accent/50"
+                  )}
+                  onClick={() => setIsLocalPath(false)}
+                >
+                  <Package className="h-3.5 w-3.5" />
+                  npm package
+                </button>
+                <button
+                  type="button"
+                  className={cn(
+                    "inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 rounded-md border px-3 py-1.5 text-xs transition-colors",
+                    isLocalPath
+                      ? "border-foreground bg-accent text-foreground"
+                      : "border-border text-muted-foreground hover:text-foreground hover:bg-accent/50"
+                  )}
+                  onClick={() => setIsLocalPath(true)}
+                >
+                  <FolderOpen className="h-3.5 w-3.5" />
+                  Local path
+                </button>
+              </div>
+
+              {isLocalPath ? (
+                /* Local path input */
+                <div className="grid gap-2">
+                  <Label htmlFor="adapterLocalPath">Path to adapter package</Label>
+                  <div className="flex gap-2">
+                    <Input
+                      id="adapterLocalPath"
+                      className="flex-1 font-mono text-xs"
+                      placeholder="/mnt/e/Projects/my-adapter  or  E:\Projects\my-adapter"
+                      value={installPackage}
+                      onChange={(e) => setInstallPackage(e.target.value)}
+                    />
+                    <ChoosePathButton />
+                  </div>
+                  <p className="text-xs text-muted-foreground">
+                    Accepts Linux, WSL, and Windows paths. Windows paths are auto-converted.
+                  </p>
+                </div>
+              ) : (
+                /* npm package input */
+                <>
+                  <div className="grid gap-2">
+                    <Label htmlFor="adapterPackageName">Package Name</Label>
+                    <Input
+                      id="adapterPackageName"
+                      placeholder="my-paperclip-adapter"
+                      value={installPackage}
+                      onChange={(e) => setInstallPackage(e.target.value)}
+                    />
+                  </div>
+                  <div className="grid gap-2">
+                    <Label htmlFor="adapterVersion">Version (optional)</Label>
+                    <Input
+                      id="adapterVersion"
+                      placeholder="latest"
+                      value={installVersion}
+                      onChange={(e) => setInstallVersion(e.target.value)}
+                    />
+                  </div>
+                </>
+              )}
+            </div>
+            <DialogFooter>
+              <Button variant="outline" onClick={() => setInstallDialogOpen(false)}>Cancel</Button>
+              <Button
+                onClick={() =>
+                  installMutation.mutate({
+                    packageName: installPackage,
+                    version: installVersion || undefined,
+                    isLocalPath,
+                  })
+                }
+                disabled={!installPackage || installMutation.isPending}
+              >
+                {installMutation.isPending ? "Installing..." : "Install"}
+              </Button>
+            </DialogFooter>
+          </DialogContent>
+        </Dialog>
+      </div>
+
+      {/* Alpha notice */}
+      <div className="rounded-lg border border-amber-500/30 bg-amber-500/5 px-4 py-3">
+        <div className="flex items-start gap-3">
+          <AlertTriangle className="mt-0.5 h-4 w-4 shrink-0 text-amber-700" />
+          <div className="space-y-1 text-sm">
+            <p className="font-medium text-foreground">External adapters are alpha.</p>
+            <p className="text-muted-foreground">
+              The adapter plugin system is under active development. APIs and storage format may change.
+              Use the power icon to hide adapters from agent menus without removing them.
+            </p>
+          </div>
+        </div>
+      </div>
+
+      {/* External adapters */}
+      <section className="space-y-3">
+        <div className="flex items-center gap-2">
+          <Cpu className="h-5 w-5 text-muted-foreground" />
+          <h2 className="text-base font-semibold">External Adapters</h2>
+        </div>
+
+        {externalAdapters.length === 0 ? (
+          <Card className="bg-muted/30">
+            <CardContent className="flex flex-col items-center justify-center py-10">
+              <Cpu className="h-10 w-10 text-muted-foreground mb-4" />
+              <p className="text-sm font-medium">No external adapters installed</p>
+              <p className="text-xs text-muted-foreground mt-1">
+                Install an adapter package to extend model support.
+              </p>
+            </CardContent>
+          </Card>
+        ) : (
+          <ul className="divide-y rounded-md border bg-card">
+            {externalAdapters.map((adapter) => {
+              const isBuiltinOverride = adapter.overriddenBuiltin;
+              const overridePaused = isBuiltinOverride && !!adapter.overridePaused;
+
+              // For overridden builtins, the power button controls the
+              // override pause state (not server menu visibility).
+              const effectiveAdapter: AdapterInfo = isBuiltinOverride
+                ? { ...adapter, disabled: overridePaused ?? false }
+                : adapter;
+
+              return (
+                <AdapterRow
+                  key={adapter.type}
+                  adapter={effectiveAdapter}
+                  canRemove={true}
+                  onToggle={
+                    isBuiltinOverride
+                      ? (type, disabled) => overrideMutation.mutate({ type, paused: disabled })
+                      : (type, disabled) => toggleMutation.mutate({ type, disabled })
+                  }
+                  onRemove={(type) => setRemoveType(type)}
+                  onReload={(type) => reloadMutation.mutate(type)}
+                  onReinstall={!adapter.isLocalPath ? (type) => setReinstallTarget(adapter) : undefined}
+                  isToggling={isBuiltinOverride ? overrideMutation.isPending : toggleMutation.isPending}
+                  isReloading={reloadMutation.isPending}
+                  isReinstalling={reinstallMutation.isPending}
+                  toggleTitleDisabled={isBuiltinOverride ? "Pause external override" : undefined}
+                  toggleTitleEnabled={isBuiltinOverride ? "Resume external override" : undefined}
+                  disabledBadgeLabel={isBuiltinOverride ? "Override paused" : undefined}
+                />
+              );
+            })}
+          </ul>
+        )}
+      </section>
+
+      {/* Built-in adapters */}
+      <section className="space-y-3">
+        <div className="flex items-center gap-2">
+          <Cpu className="h-5 w-5 text-muted-foreground" />
+          <h2 className="text-base font-semibold">Built-in Adapters</h2>
+        </div>
+
+        {builtinAdapters.length === 0 && overriddenBuiltins.length === 0 ? (
+          <div className="text-sm text-muted-foreground">No built-in adapters found.</div>
+        ) : (
+          <ul className="divide-y rounded-md border bg-card">
+            {builtinAdapters.map((adapter) => (
+              <AdapterRow
+                key={adapter.type}
+                adapter={adapter}
+                canRemove={false}
+                onToggle={(type, disabled) => toggleMutation.mutate({ type, disabled })}
+                onRemove={() => {}}
+                isToggling={isMutating}
+              />
+            ))}
+            {overriddenBuiltins.map((virtual) => (
+              <AdapterRow
+                key={virtual.type}
+                adapter={{
+                  type: virtual.type,
+                  label: virtual.label,
+                  source: "builtin",
+                  modelsCount: 0,
+                  loaded: true,
+                  disabled: virtual.menuDisabled,
+                }}
+                canRemove={false}
+                onToggle={(type, disabled) => toggleMutation.mutate({ type, disabled })}
+                onRemove={() => {}}
+                isToggling={isMutating}
+                overriddenBy={virtual.overridePaused ? undefined : virtual.overriddenBy}
+              />
+            ))}
+          </ul>
+        )}
+      </section>
+
+      {/* Remove confirmation */}
+      <Dialog
+        open={removeType !== null}
+        onOpenChange={(open) => { if (!open) setRemoveType(null); }}
+      >
+        <DialogContent>
+          <DialogHeader>
+            <DialogTitle>Remove Adapter</DialogTitle>
+            <DialogDescription>
+              Are you sure you want to remove the <strong>{removeType}</strong> adapter?
+              It will be unregistered and removed from the adapter store.
+              {removeType && adapters?.find((a) => a.type === removeType)?.packageName && (
+                <> npm packages will be cleaned up from disk.</>
+              )}
+              {" "}This action cannot be undone.
+            </DialogDescription>
+          </DialogHeader>
+          <DialogFooter>
+            <Button variant="outline" onClick={() => setRemoveType(null)}>Cancel</Button>
+            <Button
+              variant="destructive"
+              disabled={removeMutation.isPending}
+              onClick={() => {
+                if (removeType) {
+                  removeMutation.mutate(removeType, {
+                    onSettled: () => setRemoveType(null),
+                  });
+                }
+              }}
+            >
+              {removeMutation.isPending ? "Removing..." : "Remove"}
+            </Button>
+          </DialogFooter>
+        </DialogContent>
+      </Dialog>
+      {/* Reinstall confirmation */}
+      <ReinstallDialog
+        adapter={reinstallTarget}
+        open={reinstallTarget !== null}
+        isReinstalling={reinstallMutation.isPending}
+        onConfirm={() => {
+          if (reinstallTarget) {
+            reinstallMutation.mutate(reinstallTarget.type, {
+              onSettled: () => setReinstallTarget(null),
+            });
+          }
+        }}
+        onCancel={() => setReinstallTarget(null)}
+      />
+    </div>
+  );
+}
diff --git a/ui/src/pages/AgentDetail.tsx b/ui/src/pages/AgentDetail.tsx
index 81f3ba3d..40d342c7 100644
--- a/ui/src/pages/AgentDetail.tsx
+++ b/ui/src/pages/AgentDetail.tsx
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ import { PageTabBar } from "../components/PageTabBar";
 import { adapterLabels, roleLabels, help } from "../components/agent-config-primitives";
 import { MarkdownEditor } from "../components/MarkdownEditor";
 import { assetsApi } from "../api/assets";
-import { getUIAdapter, buildTranscript } from "../adapters";
+import { getUIAdapter, buildTranscript, onAdapterChange } from "../adapters";
 import { StatusBadge } from "../components/StatusBadge";
 import { agentStatusDot, agentStatusDotDefault } from "../lib/status-colors";
 import { MarkdownBody } from "../components/MarkdownBody";
@@ -263,12 +263,16 @@ function runMetrics(run: HeartbeatRun) {
   );
   const cost =
     visibleRunCostUsd(usage, result);
+  const provider = asNonEmptyString(usage?.provider) ?? null;
+  const model = asNonEmptyString(usage?.model) ?? null;
   return {
     input,
     output,
     cached,
     cost,
     totalTokens: input + output,
+    provider,
+    model,
   };
 }
 
@@ -285,6 +289,98 @@ function asNonEmptyString(value: unknown): string | null {
   return trimmed.length > 0 ? trimmed : null;
 }
 
+export function RunInvocationCard({
+  payload,
+  censorUsernameInLogs,
+}: {
+  payload: Record<string, unknown>;
+  censorUsernameInLogs: boolean;
+}) {
+  const commandLine = [
+    typeof payload.command === "string" ? payload.command : null,
+    ...(Array.isArray(payload.commandArgs)
+      ? payload.commandArgs.filter((value): value is string => typeof value === "string")
+      : []),
+  ]
+    .filter((value): value is string => Boolean(value))
+    .join(" ");
+
+  const hasAdvancedDetails =
+    commandLine.length > 0
+    || (Array.isArray(payload.commandNotes) && payload.commandNotes.length > 0)
+    || payload.prompt !== undefined
+    || payload.context !== undefined
+    || payload.env !== undefined;
+
+  return (
+    <div className="rounded-lg border border-border bg-background/60 p-3 space-y-2">
+      <div className="text-xs font-medium text-muted-foreground">Invocation</div>
+      {typeof payload.adapterType === "string" && (
+        <div className="text-xs"><span className="text-muted-foreground">Adapter: </span>{payload.adapterType}</div>
+      )}
+      {typeof payload.cwd === "string" && (
+        <div className="text-xs break-all"><span className="text-muted-foreground">Working dir: </span><span className="font-mono">{payload.cwd}</span></div>
+      )}
+      {hasAdvancedDetails && (
+        <Collapsible>
+          <CollapsibleTrigger className="flex items-center gap-1 text-xs text-muted-foreground hover:text-foreground transition-colors group">
+            <ChevronRight className="h-3 w-3 transition-transform group-data-[state=open]:rotate-90" />
+            Details
+          </CollapsibleTrigger>
+          <CollapsibleContent className="pt-2 space-y-2">
+            {commandLine && (
+              <div className="text-xs break-all">
+                <span className="text-muted-foreground">Command: </span>
+                <span className="font-mono">{commandLine}</span>
+              </div>
+            )}
+            {Array.isArray(payload.commandNotes) && payload.commandNotes.length > 0 && (
+              <div>
+                <div className="text-xs text-muted-foreground mb-1">Command notes</div>
+                <ul className="list-disc pl-5 space-y-1">
+                  {payload.commandNotes
+                    .filter((value): value is string => typeof value === "string" && value.trim().length > 0)
+                    .map((note, idx) => (
+                      <li key={`${idx}-${note}`} className="text-xs break-all font-mono">
+                        {note}
+                      </li>
+                    ))}
+                </ul>
+              </div>
+            )}
+            {payload.prompt !== undefined && (
+              <div>
+                <div className="text-xs text-muted-foreground mb-1">Prompt</div>
+                <pre className="bg-neutral-100 dark:bg-neutral-950 rounded-md p-2 text-xs overflow-x-auto whitespace-pre-wrap">
+                  {typeof payload.prompt === "string"
+                    ? redactPathText(payload.prompt, censorUsernameInLogs)
+                    : JSON.stringify(redactPathValue(payload.prompt, censorUsernameInLogs), null, 2)}
+                </pre>
+              </div>
+            )}
+            {payload.context !== undefined && (
+              <div>
+                <div className="text-xs text-muted-foreground mb-1">Context</div>
+                <pre className="bg-neutral-100 dark:bg-neutral-950 rounded-md p-2 text-xs overflow-x-auto whitespace-pre-wrap">
+                  {JSON.stringify(redactPathValue(payload.context, censorUsernameInLogs), null, 2)}
+                </pre>
+              </div>
+            )}
+            {payload.env !== undefined && (
+              <div>
+                <div className="text-xs text-muted-foreground mb-1">Environment</div>
+                <pre className="bg-neutral-100 dark:bg-neutral-950 rounded-md p-2 text-xs overflow-x-auto whitespace-pre-wrap font-mono">
+                  {formatEnvForDisplay(payload.env, censorUsernameInLogs)}
+                </pre>
+              </div>
+            )}
+          </CollapsibleContent>
+        </Collapsible>
+      )}
+    </div>
+  );
+}
+
 function parseStoredLogContent(content: string): RunLogChunk[] {
   const parsed: RunLogChunk[] = [];
   for (const line of content.split("\n")) {
@@ -1035,6 +1131,7 @@ export function AgentDetail() {
           agentRouteId={canonicalAgentRef}
           selectedRunId={urlRunId ?? null}
           adapterType={agent.adapterType}
+          adapterConfig={agent.adapterConfig}
         />
       )}
 
@@ -2813,6 +2910,7 @@ function RunsTab({
   agentRouteId,
   selectedRunId,
   adapterType,
+  adapterConfig,
 }: {
   runs: HeartbeatRun[];
   companyId: string;
@@ -2820,6 +2918,7 @@ function RunsTab({
   agentRouteId: string;
   selectedRunId: string | null;
   adapterType: string;
+  adapterConfig: Record<string, unknown>;
 }) {
   const { isMobile } = useSidebar();
 
@@ -2848,7 +2947,7 @@ function RunsTab({
             <ArrowLeft className="h-3.5 w-3.5" />
             Back to runs
           </Link>
-          <RunDetail key={selectedRun.id} run={selectedRun} agentRouteId={agentRouteId} adapterType={adapterType} />
+          <RunDetail key={selectedRun.id} run={selectedRun} agentRouteId={agentRouteId} adapterType={adapterType} adapterConfig={adapterConfig} />
         </div>
       );
     }
@@ -2879,7 +2978,7 @@ function RunsTab({
       {/* Right: run detail — natural height, page scrolls */}
       {selectedRun && (
         <div className="flex-1 min-w-0 pl-4">
-          <RunDetail key={selectedRun.id} run={selectedRun} agentRouteId={agentRouteId} adapterType={adapterType} />
+          <RunDetail key={selectedRun.id} run={selectedRun} agentRouteId={agentRouteId} adapterType={adapterType} adapterConfig={adapterConfig} />
         </div>
       )}
     </div>
@@ -2888,7 +2987,7 @@ function RunsTab({
 
 /* ---- Run Detail (expanded) ---- */
 
-function RunDetail({ run: initialRun, agentRouteId, adapterType }: { run: HeartbeatRun; agentRouteId: string; adapterType: string }) {
+function RunDetail({ run: initialRun, agentRouteId, adapterType, adapterConfig }: { run: HeartbeatRun; agentRouteId: string; adapterType: string; adapterConfig: Record<string, unknown> }) {
   const queryClient = useQueryClient();
   const navigate = useNavigate();
   const { data: hydratedRun } = useQuery({
@@ -3082,6 +3181,27 @@ function RunDetail({ run: initialRun, agentRouteId, adapterType }: { run: Heartb
                 </Button>
               )}
             </div>
+            {/* Adapter type · provider · model */}
+            {(() => {
+              const displayProvider = metrics.provider
+                ?? asNonEmptyString(adapterConfig?.provider);
+              const displayModel = metrics.model
+                ?? asNonEmptyString(adapterConfig?.model);
+              if (!adapterType && !displayProvider && !displayModel) return null;
+              return (
+                <div className="text-[11px] text-muted-foreground font-mono flex items-center gap-1.5 flex-wrap">
+                  {adapterType && (
+                    <span className="bg-muted rounded px-1.5 py-0.5 text-[10px] font-medium uppercase tracking-wide">{adapterType.replace(/_/g, " ")}</span>
+                  )}
+                  {displayProvider && displayModel && (
+                    <span>{displayProvider}/{displayModel}</span>
+                  )}
+                  {!displayProvider && displayModel && (
+                    <span>{displayModel}</span>
+                  )}
+                </div>
+              );
+            })()}
             {resumeRun.isError && (
               <div className="text-xs text-destructive">
                 {resumeRun.error instanceof Error ? resumeRun.error.message : "Failed to resume run"}
@@ -3670,10 +3790,20 @@ function LogViewer({ run, adapterType }: { run: HeartbeatRun; adapterType: strin
     return redactPathValue(asRecord(evt?.payload ?? null), censorUsernameInLogs);
   }, [censorUsernameInLogs, events]);
 
-  const adapter = useMemo(() => getUIAdapter(adapterType), [adapterType]);
+  // NOTE: adapter is NOT memoized because external adapters replace their
+  // parseStdoutLine asynchronously after dynamic parser loading. Memoizing
+  // on adapterType alone would stale the transcript with the fallback parser.
+  // We subscribe to adapter registry changes to force transcript recomputation.
+  const [parserTick, setParserTick] = useState(0);
+  const adapter = getUIAdapter(adapterType);
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    return onAdapterChange(() => setParserTick((t) => t + 1));
+  }, []);
+
   const transcript = useMemo(
-    () => buildTranscript(logLines, adapter.parseStdoutLine, { censorUsernameInLogs }),
-    [adapter, censorUsernameInLogs, logLines],
+    () => buildTranscript(logLines, adapter, { censorUsernameInLogs }),
+    [adapter, censorUsernameInLogs, logLines, parserTick],
   );
 
   useEffect(() => {
@@ -3707,68 +3837,7 @@ function LogViewer({ run, adapterType }: { run: HeartbeatRun; adapterType: strin
         censorUsernameInLogs={censorUsernameInLogs}
       />
       {adapterInvokePayload && (
-        <div className="rounded-lg border border-border bg-background/60 p-3 space-y-2">
-          <div className="text-xs font-medium text-muted-foreground">Invocation</div>
-          {typeof adapterInvokePayload.adapterType === "string" && (
-            <div className="text-xs"><span className="text-muted-foreground">Adapter: </span>{adapterInvokePayload.adapterType}</div>
-          )}
-          {typeof adapterInvokePayload.cwd === "string" && (
-            <div className="text-xs break-all"><span className="text-muted-foreground">Working dir: </span><span className="font-mono">{adapterInvokePayload.cwd}</span></div>
-          )}
-          {typeof adapterInvokePayload.command === "string" && (
-            <div className="text-xs break-all">
-              <span className="text-muted-foreground">Command: </span>
-              <span className="font-mono">
-                {[
-                  adapterInvokePayload.command,
-                  ...(Array.isArray(adapterInvokePayload.commandArgs)
-                    ? adapterInvokePayload.commandArgs.filter((v): v is string => typeof v === "string")
-                    : []),
-                ].join(" ")}
-              </span>
-            </div>
-          )}
-          {Array.isArray(adapterInvokePayload.commandNotes) && adapterInvokePayload.commandNotes.length > 0 && (
-            <div>
-              <div className="text-xs text-muted-foreground mb-1">Command notes</div>
-              <ul className="list-disc pl-5 space-y-1">
-                {adapterInvokePayload.commandNotes
-                  .filter((value): value is string => typeof value === "string" && value.trim().length > 0)
-                  .map((note, idx) => (
-                    <li key={`${idx}-${note}`} className="text-xs break-all font-mono">
-                      {note}
-                    </li>
-                  ))}
-              </ul>
-            </div>
-          )}
-          {adapterInvokePayload.prompt !== undefined && (
-            <div>
-              <div className="text-xs text-muted-foreground mb-1">Prompt</div>
-              <pre className="bg-neutral-100 dark:bg-neutral-950 rounded-md p-2 text-xs overflow-x-auto whitespace-pre-wrap">
-                {typeof adapterInvokePayload.prompt === "string"
-                  ? redactPathText(adapterInvokePayload.prompt, censorUsernameInLogs)
-                  : JSON.stringify(redactPathValue(adapterInvokePayload.prompt, censorUsernameInLogs), null, 2)}
-              </pre>
-            </div>
-          )}
-          {adapterInvokePayload.context !== undefined && (
-            <div>
-              <div className="text-xs text-muted-foreground mb-1">Context</div>
-              <pre className="bg-neutral-100 dark:bg-neutral-950 rounded-md p-2 text-xs overflow-x-auto whitespace-pre-wrap">
-                {JSON.stringify(redactPathValue(adapterInvokePayload.context, censorUsernameInLogs), null, 2)}
-              </pre>
-            </div>
-          )}
-          {adapterInvokePayload.env !== undefined && (
-            <div>
-              <div className="text-xs text-muted-foreground mb-1">Environment</div>
-              <pre className="bg-neutral-100 dark:bg-neutral-950 rounded-md p-2 text-xs overflow-x-auto whitespace-pre-wrap font-mono">
-                {formatEnvForDisplay(adapterInvokePayload.env, censorUsernameInLogs)}
-              </pre>
-            </div>
-          )}
-        </div>
+        <RunInvocationCard payload={adapterInvokePayload} censorUsernameInLogs={censorUsernameInLogs} />
       )}
 
       <div className="flex items-center justify-between">
diff --git a/ui/src/pages/Agents.tsx b/ui/src/pages/Agents.tsx
index a157f777..fc75cbd8 100644
--- a/ui/src/pages/Agents.tsx
+++ b/ui/src/pages/Agents.tsx
@@ -20,17 +20,7 @@ import { Button } from "@/components/ui/button";
 import { Bot, Plus, List, GitBranch, SlidersHorizontal } from "lucide-react";
 import { AGENT_ROLE_LABELS, type Agent } from "@paperclipai/shared";
 
-const adapterLabels: Record<string, string> = {
-  claude_local: "Claude",
-  codex_local: "Codex",
-  gemini_local: "Gemini",
-  opencode_local: "OpenCode",
-  cursor: "Cursor",
-  hermes_local: "Hermes",
-  openclaw_gateway: "OpenClaw Gateway",
-  process: "Process",
-  http: "HTTP",
-};
+import { getAdapterLabel } from "../adapters/adapter-display-registry";
 
 const roleLabels = AGENT_ROLE_LABELS as Record<string, string>;
 
@@ -263,7 +253,7 @@ export function Agents() {
                         />
                       )}
                       <span className="text-xs text-muted-foreground font-mono w-14 text-right">
-                        {adapterLabels[agent.adapterType] ?? agent.adapterType}
+                        {getAdapterLabel(agent.adapterType)}
                       </span>
                       <span className="text-xs text-muted-foreground w-16 text-right">
                         {agent.lastHeartbeatAt ? relativeTime(agent.lastHeartbeatAt) : "—"}
@@ -364,7 +354,7 @@ function OrgTreeNode({
             {agent && (
               <>
                 <span className="text-xs text-muted-foreground font-mono w-14 text-right">
-                  {adapterLabels[agent.adapterType] ?? agent.adapterType}
+                  {getAdapterLabel(agent.adapterType)}
                 </span>
                 <span className="text-xs text-muted-foreground w-16 text-right">
                   {agent.lastHeartbeatAt ? relativeTime(agent.lastHeartbeatAt) : "—"}
diff --git a/ui/src/pages/CompanyImport.tsx b/ui/src/pages/CompanyImport.tsx
index 60765138..a4ab82b5 100644
--- a/ui/src/pages/CompanyImport.tsx
+++ b/ui/src/pages/CompanyImport.tsx
@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@ import {
   Upload,
 } from "lucide-react";
 import { Field, adapterLabels } from "../components/agent-config-primitives";
+import { getAdapterLabel } from "../adapters/adapter-display-registry";
 import { defaultCreateValues } from "../components/agent-config-defaults";
 import { getUIAdapter, listUIAdapters } from "../adapters";
 import type { CreateConfigValues } from "@paperclipai/adapter-utils";
@@ -514,7 +515,7 @@ function ConflictResolutionList({
 
 const IMPORT_ADAPTER_OPTIONS: { value: string; label: string }[] = listUIAdapters().map((adapter) => ({
   value: adapter.type,
-  label: adapterLabels[adapter.type] ?? adapter.label,
+  label: adapterLabels[adapter.type] ?? getAdapterLabel(adapter.type),
 }));
 
 // ── Adapter picker for imported agents ───────────────────────────────
diff --git a/ui/src/pages/InviteLanding.tsx b/ui/src/pages/InviteLanding.tsx
index 6d412aa8..c2b0fe02 100644
--- a/ui/src/pages/InviteLanding.tsx
+++ b/ui/src/pages/InviteLanding.tsx
@@ -12,20 +12,9 @@ import type { AgentAdapterType, JoinRequest } from "@paperclipai/shared";
 type JoinType = "human" | "agent";
 const joinAdapterOptions: AgentAdapterType[] = [...AGENT_ADAPTER_TYPES];
 
-const adapterLabels: Record<string, string> = {
-  claude_local: "Claude (local)",
-  codex_local: "Codex (local)",
-  gemini_local: "Gemini CLI (local)",
-  opencode_local: "OpenCode (local)",
-  pi_local: "Pi (local)",
-  openclaw_gateway: "OpenClaw Gateway",
-  cursor: "Cursor (local)",
-  hermes_local: "Hermes Agent",
-  process: "Process",
-  http: "HTTP",
-};
+import { getAdapterLabel } from "../adapters/adapter-display-registry";
 
-const ENABLED_INVITE_ADAPTERS = new Set(["claude_local", "codex_local", "gemini_local", "opencode_local", "pi_local", "cursor", "hermes_local"]);
+const ENABLED_INVITE_ADAPTERS = new Set(["claude_local", "codex_local", "gemini_local", "opencode_local", "pi_local", "cursor"]);
 
 function dateTime(value: string) {
   return new Date(value).toLocaleString();
@@ -279,7 +268,7 @@ export function InviteLandingPage() {
               >
                 {joinAdapterOptions.map((type) => (
                   <option key={type} value={type} disabled={!ENABLED_INVITE_ADAPTERS.has(type)}>
-                    {adapterLabels[type]}{!ENABLED_INVITE_ADAPTERS.has(type) ? " (Coming soon)" : ""}
+                    {getAdapterLabel(type)}{!ENABLED_INVITE_ADAPTERS.has(type) ? " (Coming soon)" : ""}
                   </option>
                 ))}
               </select>
diff --git a/ui/src/pages/NewAgent.tsx b/ui/src/pages/NewAgent.tsx
index 69415db6..9b1dd12c 100644
--- a/ui/src/pages/NewAgent.tsx
+++ b/ui/src/pages/NewAgent.tsx
@@ -19,7 +19,9 @@ import { cn, agentUrl } from "../lib/utils";
 import { roleLabels } from "../components/agent-config-primitives";
 import { AgentConfigForm, type CreateConfigValues } from "../components/AgentConfigForm";
 import { defaultCreateValues } from "../components/agent-config-defaults";
-import { getUIAdapter } from "../adapters";
+import { getUIAdapter, listUIAdapters } from "../adapters";
+import { useDisabledAdaptersSync } from "../adapters/use-disabled-adapters";
+import { isValidAdapterType } from "../adapters/metadata";
 import { ReportsToPicker } from "../components/ReportsToPicker";
 import {
   DEFAULT_CODEX_LOCAL_BYPASS_APPROVALS_AND_SANDBOX,
@@ -28,17 +30,6 @@ import {
 import { DEFAULT_CURSOR_LOCAL_MODEL } from "@paperclipai/adapter-cursor-local";
 import { DEFAULT_GEMINI_LOCAL_MODEL } from "@paperclipai/adapter-gemini-local";
 
-const SUPPORTED_ADVANCED_ADAPTER_TYPES = new Set<CreateConfigValues["adapterType"]>([
-  "claude_local",
-  "codex_local",
-  "gemini_local",
-  "opencode_local",
-  "pi_local",
-  "cursor",
-  "hermes_local",
-  "openclaw_gateway",
-]);
-
 function createValuesForAdapterType(
   adapterType: CreateConfigValues["adapterType"],
 ): CreateConfigValues {
@@ -120,9 +111,7 @@ export function NewAgent() {
   useEffect(() => {
     const requested = presetAdapterType;
     if (!requested) return;
-    if (!SUPPORTED_ADVANCED_ADAPTER_TYPES.has(requested as CreateConfigValues["adapterType"])) {
-      return;
-    }
+    if (!isValidAdapterType(requested)) return;
     setConfigValues((prev) => {
       if (prev.adapterType === requested) return prev;
       return createValuesForAdapterType(requested as CreateConfigValues["adapterType"]);
diff --git a/ui/src/pages/OrgChart.tsx b/ui/src/pages/OrgChart.tsx
index 88d0caab..fdfd6b90 100644
--- a/ui/src/pages/OrgChart.tsx
+++ b/ui/src/pages/OrgChart.tsx
@@ -116,17 +116,7 @@ function collectEdges(nodes: LayoutNode[]): Array<{ parent: LayoutNode; child: L
 
 // ── Status dot colors (raw hex for SVG) ─────────────────────────────────
 
-const adapterLabels: Record<string, string> = {
-  claude_local: "Claude",
-  codex_local: "Codex",
-  gemini_local: "Gemini",
-  opencode_local: "OpenCode",
-  cursor: "Cursor",
-  hermes_local: "Hermes",
-  openclaw_gateway: "OpenClaw Gateway",
-  process: "Process",
-  http: "HTTP",
-};
+import { getAdapterLabel } from "../adapters/adapter-display-registry";
 
 const statusDotColor: Record<string, string> = {
   running: "#22d3ee",
@@ -426,7 +416,7 @@ export function OrgChart() {
                   </span>
                   {agent && (
                     <span className="text-[10px] text-muted-foreground/60 font-mono leading-tight mt-1">
-                      {adapterLabels[agent.adapterType] ?? agent.adapterType}
+                      {getAdapterLabel(agent.adapterType)}
                     </span>
                   )}
                   {agent && agent.capabilities && (
diff --git a/ui/vite.config.ts b/ui/vite.config.ts
index 56d8a4db..395eebb9 100644
--- a/ui/vite.config.ts
+++ b/ui/vite.config.ts
@@ -13,6 +13,8 @@ export default defineConfig({
   },
   server: {
     port: 5173,
+    // WSL2 /mnt/ drives don't support inotify — fall back to polling so HMR works
+    watch: process.cwd().startsWith("/mnt/") ? { usePolling: true, interval: 1000 } : undefined,
     proxy: {
       "/api": {
         target: "http://localhost:3100",