fix: rebrand Intelligent Context to Persistent Memory, fix license activation error masking

- Replace "Intelligent Context" with "Persistent Memory" as headline feature
- Reorder features: Spec-Driven first, Persistent Memory last
- Merge Built-in Rules and Coding Standards into single section
- Compress hooks pipeline into 3-column grid on website
- Remove QualifierSection from website
- Rename Context7 to lib-docs in MCP servers display
- Fix license activation: PILOT- keys no longer fall through to Gumroad
  on network errors, preventing misleading "Invalid license key" message
- Add retry with 2s delay for Polar network errors
- Fix installer reading JSON error from stdout instead of empty stderr

Author: maxritter

README.md

@@ -373,7 +373,7 @@ After **every single file edit**, these hooks fire:
 | ----------------- | -------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
 | `session_end.py`  | Blocking | Stops the worker daemon when no other Pilot sessions are active. Sends OS notification on completion. |
 
-### Intelligent Context Management
+### Context Preservation
 
 The context monitor tracks usage in real-time, and auto-compaction handles context limits transparently:
 
@@ -383,9 +383,9 @@ The context monitor tracks usage in real-time, and auto-compaction handles conte
 - Multiple Pilot sessions can run in parallel on the same project without interference
 - Status line shows live context usage, memory status, active plan, and license info
 
-### Built-in Rules
+### Built-in Rules & Standards
 
-Production-tested best practices loaded into **every session**. These aren't suggestions — they're enforced standards.
+Production-tested best practices loaded into **every session**. These aren't suggestions — they're enforced standards. Coding standards activate conditionally by file type.
 
 <details>
 <summary><b>Core Workflow (3 rules)</b></summary>
@@ -421,25 +421,26 @@ Production-tested best practices loaded into **every session**. These aren't sug
 
 </details>
 
-### Built-in Coding Standards
+<details>
+<summary><b>Coding Standards (5 standards, activated by file type)</b></summary>
 
-Conditional rules activated by file type — loaded only when working with matching files:
+| Standard   | Activates On                                      | Coverage                                                    |
+| ---------- | ------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------- |
+| Python     | `*.py`                                            | uv, pytest, ruff, basedpyright, type hints                  |
+| TypeScript | `*.ts`, `*.tsx`, `*.js`, `*.jsx`                  | npm/pnpm, Jest, ESLint, Prettier, React patterns            |
+| Go         | `*.go`                                            | Modules, testing, formatting, error handling                 |
+| Frontend   | `*.tsx`, `*.jsx`, `*.html`, `*.vue`, `*.css`      | Components, CSS, accessibility, responsive design            |
+| Backend    | `**/models/**`, `**/routes/**`, `**/api/**`, etc. | API design, data models, query optimization, migrations      |
 
-| Standard  | Activates On                                     | Coverage                                                                          |
-| --------- | ------------------------------------------------ | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
-| Python    | `*.py`                                           | uv, pytest, ruff, basedpyright, type hints, docstrings                            |
-| TypeScript| `*.ts`, `*.tsx`, `*.js`, `*.jsx`                 | npm/pnpm, Jest, ESLint, Prettier, React patterns                                  |
-| Go        | `*.go`                                           | Modules, testing, formatting, error handling                                       |
-| Frontend  | `*.tsx`, `*.jsx`, `*.html`, `*.vue`, `*.css`     | Components, CSS methodology, accessibility, responsive design, design principles   |
-| Backend   | `**/models/**`, `**/routes/**`, `**/api/**`, etc. | API design, data models, query optimization, migrations                            |
+</details>
 
 ### MCP Servers
 
 External context always available to every session:
 
 | Server         | Purpose                                                          |
 | -------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------- |
-| **Context7**   | Library documentation lookup — get API docs for any dependency   |
+| **lib-docs**   | Library documentation lookup — get API docs for any dependency   |
 | **mem-search** | Persistent memory search — recall context from past sessions     |
 | **web-search** | Web search via DuckDuckGo, Bing, and Exa                         |
 | **grep-mcp**   | GitHub code search — find real-world usage patterns across repos |

docs/site/index.html

@@ -110,8 +110,7 @@
           "Spec-Driven Development - Plan, approve, implement, verify workflow",
           "Quick Mode - Fast bug fixes and small changes",
           "Semantic Code Search - Find code by meaning with Vexor",
-          "Persistent Memory - Context carries across sessions",
-          "Intelligent Context - Seamless auto-compaction and persistent memory",
+          "Persistent Memory - Context carries across sessions via Pilot Console",
           "Dev Container Support - Works with VS Code, Cursor, Windsurf",
           "Python & TypeScript - Quality hooks and linting tools"
         ],

docs/site/src/components/DeepDiveSection.tsx

@@ -109,20 +109,22 @@ const rulesCategories = [
   {
     icon: GitBranch,
     category: "Collaboration",
-    rules: ["Team Vault asset sharing via sx"],
+    rules: ["Team Vault asset sharing via sx", "Custom rules, commands & skills", "Shareable across teams via Git"],
+  },
+  {
+    icon: Cpu,
+    category: "Language Standards",
+    rules: ["Python — uv, pytest, ruff, basedpyright", "TypeScript — npm/pnpm, Jest, ESLint, Prettier", "Go — Modules, testing, formatting, error handling"],
+  },
+  {
+    icon: Layers,
+    category: "Architecture Standards",
+    rules: ["Frontend — Components, CSS, accessibility, responsive", "Backend — API design, data models, migrations", "Activated by file type — loaded only when needed"],
   },
-];
-
-const standardsList = [
-  { name: "Python", desc: "uv, pytest, ruff, basedpyright, type hints", ext: "*.py" },
-  { name: "TypeScript", desc: "npm/pnpm, Jest, ESLint, Prettier, React", ext: "*.ts, *.tsx" },
-  { name: "Go", desc: "Modules, testing, formatting, error handling", ext: "*.go" },
-  { name: "Frontend", desc: "Components, CSS, accessibility, responsive, design", ext: "*.tsx, *.jsx, *.html, *.vue, *.css" },
-  { name: "Backend", desc: "API design, data models, queries, migrations", ext: "**/models/**, **/routes/**, **/api/**" },
 ];
 
 const mcpServers = [
-  { icon: BookOpen, name: "Context7", desc: "Library documentation lookup — get API docs for any dependency" },
+  { icon: BookOpen, name: "lib-docs", desc: "Library documentation lookup — get API docs for any dependency" },
   { icon: Brain, name: "mem-search", desc: "Persistent memory search — recall context from past sessions" },
   { icon: Globe, name: "web-search", desc: "Web search via DuckDuckGo, Bing, and Exa" },
   { icon: Search, name: "grep-mcp", desc: "GitHub code search — find real-world usage patterns" },
@@ -133,7 +135,6 @@ const DeepDiveSection = () => {
   const [headerRef, headerInView] = useInView<HTMLDivElement>();
   const [hooksRef, hooksInView] = useInView<HTMLDivElement>();
   const [rulesRef, rulesInView] = useInView<HTMLDivElement>();
-  const [standardsRef, standardsInView] = useInView<HTMLDivElement>();
   const [mcpRef, mcpInView] = useInView<HTMLDivElement>();
   const [contextRef, contextInView] = useInView<HTMLDivElement>();
 
@@ -171,23 +172,23 @@ const DeepDiveSection = () => {
             </div>
           </div>
 
-          <div className="space-y-4">
+          <div className="grid md:grid-cols-2 lg:grid-cols-3 gap-4">
             {hooksPipeline.map((stage) => (
               <div
                 key={stage.trigger}
-                className={`rounded-2xl p-5 sm:p-6 border ${stage.borderColor} bg-card/30 backdrop-blur-sm`}
+                className={`rounded-2xl p-5 border ${stage.borderColor} bg-card/30 backdrop-blur-sm`}
               >
-                <div className="flex flex-col sm:flex-row sm:items-center gap-3 mb-4">
-                  <div className={`${stage.bgColor} px-3 py-1.5 rounded-lg inline-flex items-center gap-2 w-fit`}>
+                <div className="mb-3">
+                  <div className={`${stage.bgColor} px-3 py-1.5 rounded-lg inline-flex items-center gap-2 w-fit mb-2`}>
                     <Terminal className={`h-4 w-4 ${stage.color}`} />
                     <code className={`text-sm font-semibold ${stage.color}`}>{stage.trigger}</code>
                   </div>
-                  <span className="text-sm text-muted-foreground">{stage.description}</span>
+                  <p className="text-xs text-muted-foreground">{stage.description}</p>
                 </div>
-                <div className="grid sm:grid-cols-2 lg:grid-cols-3 gap-2">
+                <div className="space-y-1.5">
                   {stage.hooks.map((hook) => (
-                    <div key={hook} className="flex items-start gap-2 text-sm text-muted-foreground">
-                      <CheckCircle2 className={`h-4 w-4 ${stage.color} flex-shrink-0 mt-0.5`} />
+                    <div key={hook} className="flex items-start gap-2 text-xs text-muted-foreground">
+                      <CheckCircle2 className={`h-3.5 w-3.5 ${stage.color} flex-shrink-0 mt-0.5`} />
                       <span>{hook}</span>
                     </div>
                   ))}
@@ -208,7 +209,7 @@ const DeepDiveSection = () => {
             </div>
             <div>
               <h3 className="text-2xl font-bold text-foreground">Context Monitor & Auto-Compaction</h3>
-              <p className="text-sm text-muted-foreground">Intelligent context management with automatic session continuity</p>
+              <p className="text-sm text-muted-foreground">Automatic context preservation with seamless session continuity</p>
             </div>
           </div>
 
@@ -256,8 +257,8 @@ const DeepDiveSection = () => {
               <Layers className="h-5 w-5 text-primary" />
             </div>
             <div>
-              <h3 className="text-2xl font-bold text-foreground">Built-in Rules</h3>
-              <p className="text-sm text-muted-foreground">Loaded every session — production-tested best practices always in context</p>
+              <h3 className="text-2xl font-bold text-foreground">Built-in Rules & Standards</h3>
+              <p className="text-sm text-muted-foreground">Loaded every session — production-tested best practices and coding standards always in context</p>
             </div>
           </div>
 
@@ -287,35 +288,6 @@ const DeepDiveSection = () => {
           </div>
         </div>
 
-        {/* Standards Grid */}
-        <div
-          ref={standardsRef}
-          className={`mb-16 ${standardsInView ? "animate-fade-in-up" : "opacity-0"}`}
-        >
-          <div className="flex items-center gap-3 mb-8">
-            <div className="w-10 h-10 bg-primary/10 rounded-xl flex items-center justify-center">
-              <Cpu className="h-5 w-5 text-primary" />
-            </div>
-            <div>
-              <h3 className="text-2xl font-bold text-foreground">Built-in Coding Standards</h3>
-              <p className="text-sm text-muted-foreground">Conditional rules activated by file type — loaded only when working with matching files</p>
-            </div>
-          </div>
-
-          <div className="grid sm:grid-cols-2 lg:grid-cols-3 xl:grid-cols-4 gap-3">
-            {standardsList.map((standard) => (
-              <div
-                key={standard.name}
-                className="rounded-xl p-4 border border-border/50 bg-card/30 backdrop-blur-sm hover:border-primary/30 transition-colors"
-              >
-                <h4 className="font-medium text-foreground text-sm mb-1">{standard.name}</h4>
-                <p className="text-xs text-muted-foreground mb-2">{standard.desc}</p>
-                <p className="text-[10px] text-muted-foreground/60 font-mono">{standard.ext}</p>
-              </div>
-            ))}
-          </div>
-        </div>
-
         {/* MCP Servers + LSP + Languages */}
         <div
           ref={mcpRef}

docs/site/src/components/HeroSection.tsx

@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ const HeroSection = () => {
             Persistent Memory
           </Badge>
           <Badge variant="secondary" className="text-[10px] xs:text-xs">
-            Intelligent Context
+            Quality Hooks
           </Badge>
           <Badge variant="secondary" className="text-[10px] xs:text-xs">
             Team Vault

docs/site/src/components/PricingSection.tsx

@@ -111,7 +111,7 @@ const PricingSection = () => {
               </li>
               <li className="flex items-start gap-3">
                 <Check className="h-5 w-5 text-primary flex-shrink-0 mt-0.5" />
-                <span className="text-muted-foreground text-sm group-hover:text-foreground/80 transition-colors">Intelligent context management + persistent memory</span>
+                <span className="text-muted-foreground text-sm group-hover:text-foreground/80 transition-colors">Context preservation + persistent memory</span>
               </li>
               <li className="flex items-start gap-3">
                 <Check className="h-5 w-5 text-primary flex-shrink-0 mt-0.5" />

docs/site/src/components/QualifierSection.tsx

@@ -20,12 +20,6 @@ interface InsideItem {
 }
 
 const insideItems: InsideItem[] = [
-  {
-    icon: InfinityIcon,
-    title: "Intelligent Context",
-    description: "Never lose context mid-task",
-    summary: "Auto-compaction fires at ~83% context — hooks capture state before compaction and restore it after. No process restart, no lost context. Multiple sessions run in parallel without interference.",
-  },
   {
     icon: Workflow,
     title: "Spec-Driven Development",
@@ -44,6 +38,12 @@ const insideItems: InsideItem[] = [
     description: "Rules · Commands · Standards",
     summary: "Production-tested best practices loaded every session. Coding standards activate by file type. Structured workflows via /spec, /sync, /vault, /learn. Custom rules survive updates.",
   },
+  {
+    icon: InfinityIcon,
+    title: "Persistent Memory",
+    description: "Context carries across sessions",
+    summary: "Every decision, discovery, and debugging insight is captured to Pilot Console. Pick up any project after days or weeks — Claude already knows your architecture, patterns, and past work.",
+  },
   {
     icon: Plug2,
     title: "Enhanced Context",

docs/site/src/components/WhatsInside.tsx

@@ -93,7 +93,7 @@ This creates a ceiling on the complexity of work you can do with AI assistance.
 
 What's needed is a way to make sessions **continuous** — to preserve the accumulated understanding across context boundaries, automatically, without manual intervention.
 
-## Intelligent Context Management: Automatic Continuity
+## Context Preservation: Automatic Continuity
 
 This is the problem that Claude Pilot's context management was designed to solve. Instead of treating the context limit as a hard wall that destroys your progress, auto-compaction turns it into a seamless checkpoint.
 

docs/site/src/content/blog/managing-context-long-sessions.md

@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ import DeploymentFlow from "@/components/DeploymentFlow";
 import WhatsInside from "@/components/WhatsInside";
 import TechStack from "@/components/TechStack";
 import DeepDiveSection from "@/components/DeepDiveSection";
-import QualifierSection from "@/components/QualifierSection";
+
 import PricingSection from "@/components/PricingSection";
 import TestimonialsSection from "@/components/TestimonialsSection";
 import FAQSection from "@/components/FAQSection";
@@ -89,7 +89,6 @@ const Index = () => {
         <WhatsInside />
         <TechStack />
         <DeepDiveSection />
-        <QualifierSection />
         <PricingSection />
         <TestimonialsSection />
         <FAQSection />

docs/site/src/pages/Index.tsx

@@ -60,9 +60,16 @@ def _validate_license_key(console: Console, project_dir: Path, license_key: str)
         return True
     else:
         console.print()
-        console.error("License validation failed")
-        if result.stderr:
-            console.print(f"  [dim]{result.stderr.strip()}[/dim]")
+        error_msg = ""
+        if result.stdout:
+            try:
+                data = json.loads(result.stdout.strip())
+                error_msg = data.get("error", "")
+            except (json.JSONDecodeError, ValueError):
+                pass
+        if not error_msg and result.stderr:
+            error_msg = result.stderr.strip()
+        console.error(f"License validation failed{': ' + error_msg if error_msg else ''}")
         console.print()
         return False