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+# OpenHands Headless Mode Approach
+
+**Date:** 2025-11-30
+**Approach:** Headless Mode (Recommended)
+**Priority:** HIGH - Replaces CLI and API approaches
+
+---
+
+## Why Headless Mode?
+
+✅ **Perfect for Automation:**
+- No interactive prompts
+- No TTY requirements
+- Direct command-line execution
+- File-based task loading
+- CI/CD pipeline ready
+
+✅ **No Technical Blockers:**
+- Bypasses CLI interactive confirmation
+- Avoids API runtime connectivity issues
+- Clean Docker-based execution
+- Proper error handling
+
+✅ **Production Ready:**
+- Built for batch processing
+- Environment variable configuration
+- Repository integration support
+- Budget and iteration controls
+
+---
+
+## Architecture
+
+```
+Gitea Push → n8n Webhook → SSH Command → OpenHands Headless (Docker) → Result
+                                    ↓
+                              Verification & Response
+```
+
+### Flow:
+1. **n8n receives Gitea webhook**
+2. **SSH node executes Docker command**
+3. **OpenHands runs headless in container**
+4. **Task completes automatically**
+5. **Verification node checks results**
+6. **Response sent to Gitea (optional)**
+
+---
+
+## Implementation Steps
+
+### Step 1: Test Headless Mode (30 min)
+
+**Test 1: Direct Docker Execution**
+```bash
+docker run --rm \
+  -e SANDBOX_RUNTIME_CONTAINER_IMAGE=docker.openhands.dev/openhands/runtime:0.62-nikolaik \
+  -e LLM_MODEL="openai/MiniMax-M2" \
+  -e LLM_API_KEY="${MINIMAX_API_KEY}" \
+  -e LOG_ALL_EVENTS=true \
+  -e SANDBOX_USER_ID=1000 \
+  -e SANDBOX_VOLUMES="/home/bam:/workspace:rw" \
+  -v /var/run/docker.sock:/var/run/docker.sock \
+  -v /home/bam/.openhands:/.openhands \
+  --name openhands-test \
+  docker.openhands.dev/openhands/openhands:0.62 \
+  python -m openhands.core.main -t "Create a file named headless-test.txt with content: Testing headless mode"
+```
+
+**Expected:** File created successfully without prompts
+
+### Step 2: Create n8n Workflow (45 min)
+
+**Workflow Node Structure:**
+
+```json
+{
+  "nodes": [
+    {
+      "name": "Webhook Trigger",
+      "type": "n8n-nodes-base.webhook",
+      "parameters": {
+        "path": "openhands-headless",
+        "httpMethod": "POST"
+      }
+    },
+    {
+      "name": "Execute Headless Mode",
+      "type": "n8n-nodes-base.ssh",
+      "parameters": {
+        "command": "cd /home/bam && /home/bam/run-headless.sh \"{{ $json.repository.full_name }}: {{ $json.commits[0].message }}\""
+      }
+    },
+    {
+      "name": "Verify Results",
+      "type": "n8n-nodes-base.ssh",
+      "parameters": {
+        "command": "ls -la /home/bam/*.txt 2>/dev/null | tail -10"
+      }
+    }
+  ]
+}
+```
+
+### Step 3: Create Wrapper Script (15 min)
+
+**File:** `/home/bam/run-headless.sh`
+```bash
+#!/bin/bash
+# OpenHands Headless Mode Wrapper
+
+TASK="$1"
+CONTAINER_NAME="openhands-$(date +%s)"
+
+docker run --rm \
+  --name "$CONTAINER_NAME" \
+  -e SANDBOX_RUNTIME_CONTAINER_IMAGE=docker.openhands.dev/openhands/runtime:0.62-nikolaik \
+  -e LLM_MODEL="openai/MiniMax-M2" \
+  -e LLM_API_KEY="${MINIMAX_API_KEY}" \
+  -e LOG_ALL_EVENTS=true \
+  -e SANDBOX_USER_ID=1000 \
+  -e SANDBOX_VOLUMES="/home/bam:/workspace:rw" \
+  -v /var/run/docker.sock:/var/run/docker.sock \
+  -v /home/bam/.openhands:/.openhands \
+  --add-host host.docker.internal:host-gateway \
+  docker.openhands.dev/openhands/openhands:0.62 \
+  python -m openhands.core.main -t "$TASK"
+
+echo "Task completed: $TASK"
+```
+
+---
+
+## Command Reference
+
+### Basic Task Execution
+```bash
+# Inline task
+python -m openhands.core.main -t "Create a hello world script"
+
+# Task from file
+echo "Review this codebase" > task.txt
+python -m openhands.core.main -f task.txt
+
+# With repository
+python -m openhands.core.main -t "Fix linting issues" --selected-repo "owner/repo"
+```
+
+### Docker Execution
+```bash
+docker run --rm \
+  -e SANDBOX_RUNTIME_CONTAINER_IMAGE=docker.openhands.dev/openhands/runtime:0.62-nikolaik \
+  -e LLM_API_KEY="${MINIMAX_API_KEY}" \
+  -e LLM_MODEL="openai/MiniMax-M2" \
+  -e SANDBOX_USER_ID=$(id -u) \
+  -e SANDBOX_VOLUMES="/path/to/workspace:/workspace:rw" \
+  -e LOG_ALL_EVENTS=true \
+  -v /var/run/docker.sock:/var/run/docker.sock \
+  -v ~/.openhands:/.openhands \
+  --name openhands-exec \
+  docker.openhands.dev/openhands/openhands:0.62 \
+  python -m openhands.core.main -t "Your task here"
+```
+
+### Environment Variables
+```bash
+export LLM_MODEL="openai/MiniMax-M2"
+export LLM_API_KEY="your-minimax-key"
+export SANDBOX_USER_ID=1000
+export SANDBOX_VOLUMES="/home/bam:/workspace:rw"
+export LOG_ALL_EVENTS=true
+export GITHUB_TOKEN="your-github-token"  # For repo operations
+```
+
+### Advanced Options
+```bash
+# Set working directory
+python -m openhands.core.main -t "Task" -d "/workspace"
+
+# Limit iterations
+python -m openhands.core.main -t "Task" -i 50
+
+# Set budget limit (USD)
+python -m openhands.core.main -t "Task" -b 10.0
+
+# Load from file
+python -m openhands.core.main -f task.txt
+
+# Repository operation
+python -m openhands.core.main -t "Analyze and suggest improvements" --selected-repo "owner/repo-name"
+```
+
+---
+
+## n8n Workflow Configuration
+
+### Webhook Trigger
+```json
+{
+  "name": "Webhook Trigger",
+  "parameters": {
+    "path": "openhands-headless",
+    "httpMethod": "POST",
+    "responseMode": "responseNode"
+  }
+}
+```
+
+### SSH Execute Node
+```json
+{
+  "name": "Execute OpenHands Headless",
+  "type": "n8n-nodes-base.ssh",
+  "parameters": {
+    "command": "cd /home/bam && bash run-headless.sh \"Repository: {{ $json.repository.full_name }}, Commit: {{ $json.commits[0].message }}\"",
+    "sessionId": "headless-session"
+  },
+  "credentials": {
+    "sshPassword": {
+      "id": "ai-dev-localhost",
+      "name": "ai-dev-localhost"
+    }
+  }
+}
+```
+
+### Verification Node
+```json
+{
+  "name": "Verify Files Created",
+  "type": "n8n-nodes-base.ssh",
+  "parameters": {
+    "command": "ls -la /home/bam/*.txt 2>/dev/null | tail -15 && echo \"=== Checking for recent files ===\" && find /home/bam -name \"*.txt\" -newermt '5 minutes ago' 2>/dev/null",
+    "sessionId": "headless-session"
+  }
+}
+```
+
+### Response Node
+```json
+{
+  "name": "Send Response",
+  "type": "n8n-nodes-base.respondToWebhook",
+  "parameters": {
+    "respondWith": "json",
+    "responseBody": {
+      "status": "success",
+      "message": "OpenHands headless task completed",
+      "timestamp": "{{ $now }}",
+      "task": "{{ $json.task }}"
+    }
+  }
+}
+```
+
+---
+
+## Testing Checklist
+
+### Phase 1: Direct Testing (Day 1)
+- [ ] Test Docker headless execution manually
+- [ ] Verify file creation without prompts
+- [ ] Test task with repository cloning
+- [ ] Test error handling
+- [ ] Measure execution time
+
+### Phase 2: Wrapper Script (Day 1)
+- [ ] Create `/home/bam/run-headless.sh`
+- [ ] Test wrapper script execution
+- [ ] Test concurrent executions
+- [ ] Test cleanup after completion
+- [ ] Add logging
+
+### Phase 3: n8n Integration (Day 2)
+- [ ] Import workflow to n8n
+- [ ] Configure SSH credentials
+- [ ] Test webhook manually
+- [ ] Check execution logs
+- [ ] Verify file creation
+
+### Phase 4: Gitea Integration (Day 2)
+- [ ] Configure Gitea webhook
+- [ ] Test with repository push
+- [ ] Verify end-to-end flow
+- [ ] Test error scenarios
+- [ ] Document setup
+
+---
+
+## Advantages Over Previous Approaches
+
+### vs CLI Approach
+| Aspect | CLI | Headless |
+|--------|-----|----------|
+| TTY Required | ❌ Yes | ✅ No |
+| Interactive Prompts | ❌ Yes | ✅ None |
+| Automation | ❌ Difficult | ✅ Easy |
+| n8n Compatibility | ❌ Poor | ✅ Excellent |
+| Reliability | ❌ Unstable | ✅ Stable |
+
+### vs API Approach
+| Aspect | API | Headless |
+|--------|-----|----------|
+| Runtime Startup | ❌ Fails | ✅ Works |
+| Network Issues | ❌ Complex | ✅ None |
+| Status Monitoring | ✅ Good | ⚠️ Via logs |
+| Error Handling | ✅ Good | ⚠️ Via exit code |
+| Setup Complexity | ❌ High | ✅ Simple |
+
+---
+
+## Gitea Webhook Configuration
+
+### Webhook Settings
+```
+URL: https://n8n.oky.sh/webhook/openhands-headless
+Method: POST
+Content-Type: application/json
+Secret: [generate secure random string]
+Events: Push events
+Active: ✓
+```
+
+### Payload Example
+```json
+{
+  "repository": {
+    "full_name": "owner/repo-name",
+    "name": "repo-name",
+    "clone_url": "https://git.oky.sh/owner/repo-name.git"
+  },
+  "commits": [
+    {
+      "message": "Add new feature",
+      "id": "abc123",
+      "url": "https://git.oky.sh/owner/repo-name/commit/abc123"
+    }
+  ],
+  "ref": "refs/heads/main"
+}
+```
+
+### Task Generation
+**In n8n workflow:**
+```javascript
+// Extract repository and commit info
+const repo = $json.repository.full_name;
+const commitMsg = $json.commits[0].message;
+const commitSha = $json.commits[0].id;
+
+// Generate task for OpenHands
+const task = `Build and test repository ${repo} after commit: ${commitMsg} (${commitSha.substring(0,7)})`;
+
+// Pass to execution node
+return { task };
+```
+
+---
+
+## Error Handling
+
+### n8n Workflow Error Paths
+```json
+[
+  {
+    "condition": "Execution failed",
+    "action": "Send error notification",
+    "node": "Error Handler"
+  },
+  {
+    "condition": "File not created",
+    "action": "Retry task",
+    "node": "Retry Logic"
+  },
+  {
+    "condition": "Timeout",
+    "action": "Kill container and retry",
+    "node": "Timeout Handler"
+  }
+]
+```
+
+### Container Cleanup
+```bash
+# Ensure cleanup after execution
+trap "docker rm -f openhands-exec 2>/dev/null || true" EXIT
+
+# Or use --rm flag (recommended)
+docker run --rm --name openhands-exec ...
+```
+
+### Retry Logic
+```bash
+MAX_RETRIES=3
+RETRY_COUNT=0
+
+while [ $RETRY_COUNT -lt $MAX_RETRIES ]; do
+    if docker run --rm ...; then
+        echo "Success!"
+        break
+    else
+        RETRY_COUNT=$((RETRY_COUNT + 1))
+        echo "Retry $RETRY_COUNT/$MAX_RETRIES"
+        sleep 5
+    fi
+done
+```
+
+---
+
+## Performance Considerations
+
+### Container Startup Time
+- Initial pull: ~30 seconds
+- Subsequent runs: ~5 seconds
+- Task execution: Varies (30s - 5min)
+
+### Resource Usage
+- CPU: 1-2 cores during execution
+- Memory: 1-2GB
+- Disk: Minimal (ephemeral)
+
+### Optimization
+```bash
+# Pre-pull image to reduce startup time
+docker pull docker.openhands.dev/openhands/openhands:0.62
+
+# Use specific runtime image
+export SANDBOX_RUNTIME_CONTAINER_IMAGE=docker.openhands.dev/openhands/runtime:0.62-nikolaik
+
+# Reuse container with persistent volume
+# (Trade-off: faster startup vs resource usage)
+```
+
+---
+
+## Security Notes
+
+### Container Isolation
+- Runs in Docker container
+- Limited filesystem access
+- Network sandboxed
+- User permissions respected (SANDBOX_USER_ID)
+
+### Credential Management
+- API keys via environment variables
+- GitHub tokens for repository access
+- Rotate tokens regularly
+- Use n8n credential store
+
+### File Access
+- Limited to SANDBOX_VOLUMES
+- Default: `/home/bam:/workspace:rw`
+- Can restrict to specific directories
+
+---
+
+## Files to Create
+
+### 1. Wrapper Script
+**File:** `/home/bam/run-headless.sh`
+- Docker execution wrapper
+- Environment setup
+- Error handling
+- Logging
+
+### 2. n8n Workflow
+**File:** `/home/bam/claude/mvp-factory/openhands-headless-workflow.json`
+- Webhook trigger
+- SSH execution node
+- Verification node
+- Response node
+
+### 3. Test Script
+**File:** `/home/bam/test-headless.sh`
+- Direct Docker test
+- Wrapper script test
+- Verification script
+- Performance measurement
+
+---
+
+## Success Criteria
+
+- [ ] Headless mode executes without prompts
+- [ ] Files are created successfully
+- [ ] n8n workflow imports and runs
+- [ ] Webhook triggers workflow
+- [ ] Gitea push initiates task
+- [ ] Results are verified
+- [ ] Error handling works
+- [ ] Documentation complete
+
+---
+
+## Timeline
+
+| Day | Task | Duration |
+|-----|------|----------|
+| 1 | Test headless mode | 30 min |
+| 1 | Create wrapper script | 15 min |
+| 1 | Create n8n workflow | 45 min |
+| 1 | Test end-to-end | 60 min |
+| 2 | Configure Gitea webhook | 30 min |
+| 2 | Production testing | 120 min |
+| 2 | Documentation | 30 min |
+
+**Total: 5-6 hours**
+
+---
+
+## References
+
+- [OpenHands Headless Mode Docs](https://docs.openhands.dev/openhands/usage/run-openhands/headless-mode)
+- Docker Hub: [openhands/openhands](https://hub.docker.com/r/docker.openhands.dev/openhands/openhands/tags)
+- Current API: http://localhost:3000 (for reference)
+
+---
+
+## Conclusion
+
+Headless mode is the **optimal solution** for OpenHands integration with n8n because it:
+
+1. **Eliminates all technical blockers** from CLI and API approaches
+2. **Provides true automation** without interactive prompts
+3. **Integrates seamlessly** with n8n SSH nodes
+4. **Supports production use** with proper error handling
+5. **Enables CI/CD integration** for automated workflows
+
+**Recommendation:** Proceed immediately with headless mode implementation.
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