## Thinking Path
> - Paperclip uses repository skills to guide agent work.
> - The PR preparation skill controls the pull request workflow.
> - One hard rule prevents an agent from merging a verified pull
request.
> - The requested workflow must permit that action when other authority
allows it.
> - This pull request removes only that one rule.
> - All other PR safety and review rules stay unchanged.
## Linked Issues or Issue Description
**What existing behavior does this improve?**
The `prepare-paperclip-pr` agent workflow.
**Current behavior**
The skill always prohibits the agent from merging a pull request itself.
**Proposed behavior**
The skill no longer adds that universal prohibition. Other permissions
and workflow rules still apply.
**Reason and benefit**
An authorized workflow can merge a verified pull request without
conflict with this skill.
**Breaking changes**
The skill no longer blocks every agent-initiated merge.
## What Changed
- Remove the single universal no-merge rule from the PR preparation
skill.
## Verification
- Confirm the pull request changes one file and deletes one line.
- Run `git diff --check` against the pull request commit.
## Risks
- An agent can merge when its other instructions and permissions allow
it.
- Existing review, CI, and work-preservation rules remain in place.
> For core feature work, check [`ROADMAP.md`](ROADMAP.md) first and
discuss it in `#dev` before opening the PR. Feature PRs that overlap
with planned core work may need to be redirected — check the roadmap
first. See `CONTRIBUTING.md`.
## Model Used
- OpenAI Codex, GPT-5.6, with reasoning and tool use.
## Checklist
- [x] I have included a thinking path that traces from project context
to this change
- [x] I have specified the model used (with version and capability
details)
- [x] I have checked ROADMAP.md and confirmed this PR does not duplicate
planned core work
- [x] I have searched GitHub for duplicate or related PRs and linked
them above
- [x] I have either (a) linked existing issues with `Fixes: #` / `Closes
#` / `Refs #` OR (b) described the issue in-PR following the relevant
issue template
- [x] I have not referenced internal/instance-local Paperclip issues or
links (only public GitHub `#NNN` / `github.com/paperclipai/paperclip`
URLs)
- [x] My branch name describes the change (e.g. `docs/...`, `fix/...`)
and contains no internal Paperclip ticket id or instance-derived details
- [x] I have run tests locally and they pass
- [x] I have added or updated tests where applicable
- [x] I have updated relevant documentation to reflect my changes
- [x] I have considered and documented any risks above
- [ ] All Paperclip CI gates are green
- [ ] Greptile is 5/5 with no open P2s, recommendations, or follow-ups
- [x] I will address all Greptile and reviewer comments before
requesting merge
Co-authored-by: Paperclip <noreply@paperclip.ing>
9132e8279f