# NousResearch/hermes-agent · Non-dict JSON causing scan/drain wedge fixes

## Open now

- Nothing open on GitHub.

These issues and PRs address a bug where valid but non-dictionary JSON in state files or receipts causes directory scans and drain processes to become stuck. The fixes add shape validation to ensure parsed JSON is rejected unless it is a record/dict/object type.

## TL;DR

- 6 member(s): 0 open issue(s), 1 closed issue(s), 0 open PR(s), 1 merged PR(s), 4 PR(s) closed without merging.
- A fix was merged to main in PR #114759. Verify it addresses your case.
- **Recommended:** read PR #114759 (and any competing PRs below) before filing. Confirm the merged change covers your symptom.

## Maintainer resolution verdict

- Internal-tracker verdict over this cluster's issue members: `resolved` · deciding PR(s): `pr-114759`. This is distinct from the fix status above. Weigh it yourself.

## How this cluster was grouped

- Link evidence (`STRUCTURAL_SPANNING`): every member is connected by structural evidence: shared changed files, or a closing/superseded reference.
- Pairwise link density `0.47`: the share of member pairs that carry a link, counting a structural link in full and a relevance-only link at 0.36. `1.00` means every pair is linked.

## Closed / duplicate issues

- #114240: A parseable non-dict JSON receipt wedges the deferred Bot Chat drain (and 14 sibling scans)

## Prior & competing PRs

- **#114759: fix(cron,tools): a parseable non-dict JSON state file no longer wedges the Bot Chat drain or its 8 sibling scans (#114240, salvage #114241)**. merged to main · fix tier `verified`
  - maintainer direction: category `merged`; implication `superseded`
  - files: `batch_runner.py`, `cron/bot_chat_delivery.py`, `gateway/shutdown_flush.py`, `hermes_cli/local_runtime/binaries.py`, `plugins/platforms/a2a/protocol.py`, `tests/cron/test_bot_chat_pending.py`, `tests/gateway/test_shutdown_flush.py`, `tests/hermes_cli/test_local_runtime.py`, `tests/plugins/test_a2a_plugin.py`, `tests/test_batch_runner_discard_resume.py`, `tests/test_trajectory_compressor_async.py`, `tests/tools/test_bot_live_owner_delivery.py`, `tests/tools/test_bot_relay.py`, `tests/tools/test_browser_lightpanda.py`, `tests/tools/test_write_approval.py`, `tests/tui_gateway/test_spawn_tree_records.py`, `tools/bot_live_delivery.py`, `tools/bot_relay.py`, `tools/browser_lightpanda.py`, `tools/write_approval.py` (+2 more)
- **#114241: fix(queue-state): parseable non-dict JSON no longer wedges scans and drains**. closed without merge
  - maintainer direction: category `merged_via`; implication `superseded`; refs `1c121280ac1a`, `#114759`, `#114759`, `#114240`, `#114241`
- **#114354: fix(agent): reject non-record JSON at parse boundaries**. closed without merge
  - maintainer direction: category `duplicate_of`; implication `duplicate`; refs `#114241`, `#114241`
- **#114407: fix: validate dict shape on JSON receipt and state scans (#114240)**. closed without merge
  - maintainer direction: category `duplicate_of`; implication `duplicate`; refs `#114241`, `#114241`
- **#114451: fix: parse JSON receipts as objects so directory scans cannot wedge**. closed without merge
  - maintainer direction: category `duplicate_of`; implication `duplicate`; refs `#114241`, `#114241`

## Fix status

- Merged to main in PR #114759 (cited above). No release data is tracked. Verify downstream.
- Fix last verified (merged) `2026-09-18`.