Fix/scope checkbox stripping

.github/sync-manifest.yml

@@ -118,6 +118,11 @@ scripts:
   - source: .github/scripts/keepalive_loop.js
     description: "Core keepalive loop logic"
 
+# Templates required by keepalive system
+templates:
+  - source: .github/templates/keepalive-instruction.md
+    description: "Keepalive instruction template - directives for Codex on each round"
+
   - source: .github/scripts/keepalive_state.js
     description: "Keepalive state management"
 

templates/consumer-repo/.github/templates/keepalive-instruction.md

@@ -0,0 +1,34 @@
+Your objective is to satisfy the **Acceptance Criteria** by completing each **Task** within the defined **Scope**.
+
+**This round you MUST:**
+1. Implement actual code or test changes that advance at least one incomplete task toward acceptance.
+2. Commit meaningful source code (.py, .yml, .js, etc.)—not just status/docs updates.
+3. **UPDATE THE CHECKBOXES** in the Tasks and Acceptance Criteria sections below to mark completed items.
+4. Change `- [ ]` to `- [x]` for items you have completed and verified.
+5. **In your final summary**, list completed tasks using the format: `✅ Completed: [exact task text]`
+
+**CRITICAL - Checkbox Updates:**
+When you complete a task or acceptance criterion, update its checkbox directly in this prompt file. Change the `[ ]` to `[x]` for completed items. The automation will read these checkboxes and update the PR's status summary.
+
+**CRITICAL - Summary Format:**
+At the end of your work, include explicit completion markers for each task you finished:
+```
+✅ Completed: Add validation for user input
+✅ Completed: Write unit tests for validator module
+```
+This helps the automation accurately track which tasks were addressed in this round.
+
+**Example:**
+Before: `- [ ] Add validation for user input`
+After:  `- [x] Add validation for user input`
+
+**DO NOT:**
+- Commit only status files, markdown summaries, or documentation when tasks require code.
+- Mark checkboxes complete without actually implementing and verifying the work.
+- Close the round without source-code changes when acceptance criteria require them.
+- Change the text of checkboxes—only change `[ ]` to `[x]`.
+
+**CONTEXT TIP:**
+If the PR body includes a **Source** section with links to a parent issue or original PR, those contain additional context about the problem being solved. Check the linked issue/PR for background information, related discussions, or details not captured in the Scope section.
+
+Review the Scope/Tasks/Acceptance below, identify the next incomplete task that requires code, implement it, then **update the checkboxes** to mark completed items.