[Gastown] Unclear error message when gt_sling_batch missing depends_on and parallel not set

[kilo-code-bot]

What happened?

When calling gt_sling_batch with multiple tasks that have no depends_on and parallel not set to true, the call fails with an error. However, the error message does not clearly explain that the user must either add depends_on relationships or set parallel: true for independent tasks.

Steps to reproduce:

1. Prepare a gt_sling_batch call with 2+ tasks, none of which have depends_on specified.
2. Ensure parallel: true is not set.
3. Execute the call.
4. Observe the error message.

Expected behavior:
The error message should clearly indicate that tasks without dependencies must either declare depends_on or set parallel: true to run independently.

Actual behavior:
The error message is generic and does not guide the user to the solution.

Impact:
Users may spend time debugging why their batch call fails, leading to slower development.

Suggested fix:
Improve the error message to include guidance: "Without depends_on, tasks must be independent. Either add depends_on relationships or set parallel: true."

Diagram:

flowchart LR
    A[gt_sling_batch call] --> B{Any depends_on?}
    B -->|Yes| C[Check dependencies satisfied]
    B -->|No| D{parallel: true?}
    D -->|Yes| E[Run tasks in parallel]
    D -->|No| F[Error: unclear message]
    F --> G[Improved error: suggest adding depends_on or parallel: true]

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Date: 2026-06-03

Area

Agent Dispatch / Scheduling

Context

• Town ID: 54ccc5c4-f790-4457-8e47-8e2d5e715535
• Agent: Mayor (fdb30b18-210b-42c4-a59b-cbe328810a44)
• Rig ID: 10df468b-cdce-4e06-aba4-416118c3e49f

Recent Errors

Error: gt_sling_batch failed with missing depends_on

Filed automatically by the Mayor via gt_report_bug.