feat(missions): auto-start and auto-complete ops, plus side-op scheduling

- The mission tick now runs two idempotent sweeps: auto-start flips Scheduled
  missions whose start time has arrived to Active, and auto-complete sets
  missions whose scheduled window (start plus duration) has fully passed to
  Completed with a stamped completedAt.
- Side ops are created as quiet Ready drafts and committed with a "Mark as
  Scheduled" control, which is what posts the Discord roll-call and hands the
  op to the lifecycle above.
- Daily schedule reminders nudge the creator to set a draft live (web
  notification plus Discord DM).
- Adds the mission lifecycle/commit event types and the matching notification
  labels, and updates the bot docs.

src/app/(frontend)/intelligence/missions/actions.ts

@@ -543,7 +543,11 @@ export async function createFridaySideOp(
         ...(input.coverImageId ? { coverImage: input.coverImageId } : {}),
         createdBy: userId,
         ownershipAndStatus: {
-          status: "Scheduled",
+          // Side ops are created as a quiet "Ready" draft. The creator commits
+          // them to "Scheduled" (markSideOpScheduled) to lock the Friday slot
+          // and trigger the roll-call; only then does the mission lifecycle
+          // (auto-start -> auto-complete) drive them.
+          status: "Ready",
           visibility: "unit",
           authors: [userId],
         },
@@ -823,7 +827,7 @@ export async function cancelFridaySideOp(
   }
 }
 
-export async function markSideOpReady(
+export async function markSideOpScheduled(
   missionId: number,
 ): Promise<ActionResult<{ missionId: number }>> {
   try {
@@ -840,21 +844,21 @@ export async function markSideOpReady(
     if (!canManage && !isSideOpOwner(mission, userId)) {
       return {
         success: false,
-        error: "Only the player who scheduled this side operation can mark it Ready.",
+        error: "Only the player who scheduled this side operation can commit it to the schedule.",
       };
     }
 
     const status = mission.ownershipAndStatus.status;
-    if (status === "Ready") {
+    if (status === "Scheduled") {
       return { success: true, data: { missionId: mission.id } };
     }
-    if (!["Concept", "Planning", "Scheduled"].includes(status)) {
+    if (!["Concept", "Planning", "Ready"].includes(status)) {
       return {
         success: false,
         error:
           status === "Active"
-            ? "This mission is already underway and cannot be marked Ready."
+            ? "This mission is already underway and cannot be scheduled."
-            : `This mission is ${status.toLowerCase()} and can no longer be marked Ready.`,
+            : `This mission is ${status.toLowerCase()} and can no longer be scheduled.`,
       };
     }
 
@@ -865,14 +869,14 @@ export async function markSideOpReady(
       overrideAccess: true,
       data: {
         ownershipAndStatus: {
-          status: "Ready",
+          status: "Scheduled",
         },
       },
     });
 
     await emitGameEvent(payload, {
-      type: EventTypes.MissionReady,
+      type: EventTypes.MissionCommit,
-      message: `${user.displayName || user.username} marked side operation "${missionRef(updated)}" as Ready. Details are locked in and the roll-call can be posted.`,
+      message: `${user.displayName || user.username} committed side operation "${missionRef(updated)}" to the schedule. The roll-call will be posted and the mission hooks delivered.`,
       actor: userId,
       targetCollection: "missions",
       targetId: updated.id,

src/bot/AGENTS.md

@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ bot/
 
 ## Feature flow: attendance
 
-Bot posts RSVP embeds (Yes/Tentative/No) for future, Ready/Scheduled, visibility:"unit" missions into ops channel. Stores `discordMessageId` + `discordAttendanceHash` on mission. Reconciles hash changes every poll tick (web ↔ Discord two-way sync). The embed title links to the mission page, a mission summary sits under the title (truncated to 300 characters with an ellipsis), and an "Open the op" field carries the URL; `attendanceHash` includes an embed schema version so layout-only changes re-render live roll-calls once (idempotent). Web UI: `MissionAttendance` component.
+Bot posts RSVP embeds (Yes/Tentative/No) for future, Scheduled, visibility:"unit" missions into ops channel. Stores `discordMessageId` + `discordAttendanceHash` on mission. Reconciles hash changes every poll tick (web ↔ Discord two-way sync). The embed title links to the mission page, a mission summary sits under the title (truncated to 300 characters with an ellipsis), and an "Open the op" field carries the URL; `attendanceHash` includes an embed schema version so layout-only changes re-render live roll-calls once (idempotent). Web UI: `MissionAttendance` component.
 
 ## Feature flow: notifications
 
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ Once a mission is evaluable (`Completed`, or `Scheduled`/`Active` past its start
 
 ## Feature flow: imminent op reminder
 
-15 minutes before a posted op starts (`visibility: "unit"`, Ready/Scheduled, live roll-call message), `imminentReminders` opens a thread on the roll-call message ("Op starting soon: <name>") and pings every yes-RSVP via `<@discordId>` (pings ignore `preferences.discord.enabled`, same exception as evaluation reminders). One-shot via the `imminentReminderSentAt` marker on Missions; the cancel flow clears it so a rescheduled op re-reminds. Grace bound: a missed reminder still fires within 15 minutes after the start, never later. Query: `src/lib/intelligence/imminentReminders.ts` (window constants + `getImminentReminderMissions`).
+15 minutes before a posted op starts (`visibility: "unit"`, Scheduled, live roll-call message), `imminentReminders` opens a thread on the roll-call message ("Op starting soon: <name>") and pings every yes-RSVP via `<@discordId>` (pings ignore `preferences.discord.enabled`, same exception as evaluation reminders). One-shot via the `imminentReminderSentAt` marker on Missions; the cancel flow clears it so a rescheduled op re-reminds. Grace bound: a missed reminder still fires within 15 minutes after the start, never later. Query: `src/lib/intelligence/imminentReminders.ts` (window constants + `getImminentReminderMissions`).
 
 ## Feature flow: Friday open-slot notice
 

src/bot/services/missionEmbeds.ts

@@ -38,12 +38,12 @@ const missionTitle = (mission: Mission): string =>
 const memberName = (user: User): string => user.displayName ?? user.username;
 
 /**
- * Roll call is sent once: as soon as the mission is Ready, or three days
+ * Roll call is sent once, three days before a Scheduled mission starts. Side
- * before a Scheduled mission, whichever happens first.
+ * ops are created as a quiet "Ready" draft and only post a roll-call after the
+ * creator commits them to "Scheduled" (markSideOpScheduled).
  */
 export const isRollCallDue = (mission: Mission, now = Date.now()): boolean => {
   if (mission.discordAttendanceSentAt) return false;
-  if (mission.ownershipAndStatus.status === "Ready") return true;
   if (mission.ownershipAndStatus.status !== "Scheduled") return false;
 
   const start = new Date(mission.classification.startDateTime).getTime();
@@ -118,12 +118,6 @@ export const getEligibleMissions = async (payload: Payload): Promise<Mission[]>
         { "ownershipAndStatus.visibility": { equals: "unit" } },
         {
           or: [
-            {
-              and: [
-                { "classification.startDateTime": { greater_than: new Date().toISOString() } },
-                { "ownershipAndStatus.status": { equals: "Ready" } },
-              ],
-            },
             {
               and: [
                 { "classification.startDateTime": { greater_than: new Date().toISOString() } },
@@ -158,9 +152,9 @@ const getCancelledMissions = async (payload: Payload): Promise<Mission[]> => {
 };
 
 /**
- * Cancelled missions that are live again (status back to Ready/Scheduled) and
+ * Cancelled missions that are live again (status back to Scheduled) and still
- * still carry the cancellation marker: the reschedule announcement has not
+ * carry the cancellation marker: the reschedule announcement has not happened
- * happened yet.
+ * yet.
  */
 const getRescheduledMissions = async (payload: Payload): Promise<Mission[]> => {
   const res = await payload.find({
@@ -172,7 +166,7 @@ const getRescheduledMissions = async (payload: Payload): Promise<Mission[]> => {
     where: {
       and: [
         { "ownershipAndStatus.visibility": { equals: "unit" } },
-        { "ownershipAndStatus.status": { in: ["Ready", "Scheduled"] } },
+        { "ownershipAndStatus.status": { in: ["Scheduled"] } },
         { "classification.startDateTime": { greater_than: new Date().toISOString() } },
         { discordCancelledAt: { exists: true } },
       ],
@@ -516,7 +510,7 @@ export const reconcileMission = async (
 
   if (
     mission.ownershipAndStatus.visibility !== "unit" ||
-    !["Ready", "Scheduled"].includes(mission.ownershipAndStatus.status) ||
+    !["Scheduled"].includes(mission.ownershipAndStatus.status) ||
     (!isRollCallDue(mission) && !mission.discordMessageId && !mission.discordAttendanceSentAt)
   ) {
     return;
@@ -566,7 +560,7 @@ const cancelMissionEmbed = async (
 };
 
 /**
- * A cancelled op came back (status Cancelled -> Ready/Scheduled): announce the
+ * A cancelled op came back (status Cancelled -> Scheduled): announce the
  * new start time immediately, note when the fresh roll-call goes up (the usual
  * lead time before the op, or right away when it is already due), then clear
  * the marker so the reconcile loop posts the roll-call as usual.
@@ -579,8 +573,7 @@ const announceReschedule = async (
 ): Promise<void> => {
   const start = new Date(mission.classification.startDateTime).getTime();
   const rollCallAlreadyLive = !!mission.discordAttendanceSentAt;
-  const rollCallDueNow =
+  const rollCallDueNow = start - Date.now() <= ROLL_CALL_LEAD_TIME_MS;
-    mission.ownershipAndStatus.status === "Ready" || start - Date.now() <= ROLL_CALL_LEAD_TIME_MS;
   const rollCallDueUnix =
     rollCallAlreadyLive || rollCallDueNow
       ? null

src/bot/services/readyReminders.ts

@@ -13,8 +13,9 @@ import {
 /**
  * Ready-reminder service: starting READY_REMINDER_LEAD_DAYS days before a
  * player-scheduled side op, the op's creator gets a once-per-day DM nudging
- * them to finish the op and mark it "Ready" — the status that posts the
+ * them to finish the op and commit it to "Scheduled" (markSideOpScheduled): the
- * roll-call, locks in details, and delivers the mission hooks.
+ * status that posts the roll-call, locks in details, and delivers the mission
+ * hooks.
  *
  * The DM deliberately ignores `preferences.discord.enabled` (the notification
  * bridge opt-in): that toggle defaults to false and is not yet exposed in the
@@ -41,17 +42,17 @@ const renderReminderEmbed = (mission: Mission, now: Date): EmbedBuilder => {
   const days = daysUntil(mission.classification.startDateTime, now);
   const when = days === 0 ? "today" : days === 1 ? "tomorrow" : `in ${days} days`;
   return new EmbedBuilder()
-    .setTitle(`⏰ Ready check: ${missionTitle(mission)}`)
+    .setTitle(`⏰ Schedule check: ${missionTitle(mission)}`)
     .setDescription(
-      `Your op starts **${when}** and it isn't marked **Ready** yet.\n\n` +
+      `Your op starts **${when}** and it isn't marked **Scheduled** yet.\n\n` +
-        "Finish up the operation and set the mission status to **Ready** so the roll-call can be posted, the details can be locked in, and all the proper mission hooks can be delivered.",
+        "Finish up the operation and set the mission status to **Scheduled** so the roll-call can be posted, the details can be locked in, and all the proper mission hooks can be delivered.",
     )
     .setColor(EMBED_COLOR)
     .addFields({
       name: "Open the op",
       value: `${botConfig.appUrl}/intelligence/missions/${mission.id}`,
     })
-    .setFooter({ text: "You'll get this reminder once a day until the op is Ready." });
+    .setFooter({ text: "You'll get this reminder once a day until the op is Scheduled." });
 };
 
 const processMission = async (

src/collections/game/GameEventLogs.ts

@@ -41,6 +41,8 @@ const TARGET_COLLECTIONS = [
   { label: "Custom Radio Tests", value: "custom-radio-tests" },
   { label: "Custom Radio Test Scores", value: "custom-radio-test-scores" },
   { label: "Ribbon Submissions", value: "ribbon-submissions" },
+  { label: "Promotion Nominations", value: "promotion-nominations" },
+  { label: "Leadership Transfers", value: "leadership-transfers" },
 ] as const;
 
 export const GameEventLogs: CollectionConfig = {

src/collections/intelligence/Missions.ts

@@ -272,7 +272,7 @@ export const Missions: CollectionConfig = {
       type: "date",
       admin: {
         description:
-          "Server-local day the last web 'not Ready' reminder notification was sent to the op creator (managed by the mission tick, once per day).",
+          "Server-local day the last web 'not Scheduled' reminder notification was sent to the op creator (managed by the mission tick, once per day).",
         hidden: true,
       },
     },
@@ -281,7 +281,7 @@ export const Missions: CollectionConfig = {
       type: "date",
       admin: {
         description:
-          "Server-local day the last 'not Ready' reminder DM was sent to the op creator (managed by the Discord bot, once per day).",
+          "Server-local day the last 'not Scheduled' reminder DM was sent to the op creator (managed by the Discord bot, once per day).",
         hidden: true,
       },
     },
@@ -421,6 +421,10 @@ export const Missions: CollectionConfig = {
                   ],
                   defaultValue: "Concept",
                   required: true,
+                  admin: {
+                    description:
+                      "Side operations start as Ready (a quiet draft) and are committed to Scheduled by their creator, which posts the Discord roll-call. Only Scheduled/Active missions are driven by the automatic start/complete lifecycle; Concept/Planning/Ready are drafts.",
+                  },
                 },
                 {
                   name: "visibility",

src/components/frontend/intelligence/SideOpControls.tsx

@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ import { Item, ItemContent, ItemHeader, ItemTitle } from "@/components/ui/item";
 import { Button } from "@/components/ui/button";
 import {
   cancelFridaySideOp,
-  markSideOpReady,
+  markSideOpScheduled,
 } from "@/app/(frontend)/intelligence/missions/actions";
 import {
   CreateSideOpDialog,
@@ -37,16 +37,16 @@ export function SideOpControls({
   const [isPending, startTransition] = useTransition();
 
   const isTerminal = status === "Completed" || status === "Cancelled";
-  const canMarkReady = ["Concept", "Planning", "Scheduled"].includes(status);
+  const canMarkScheduled = ["Concept", "Planning", "Ready"].includes(status);
 
-  function handleMarkReady() {
+  function handleMarkScheduled() {
     startTransition(async () => {
-      const result = await markSideOpReady(initial.missionId);
+      const result = await markSideOpScheduled(initial.missionId);
       if (!result.success) {
-        toast.error(result.error ?? "Failed to mark the side operation as Ready.");
+        toast.error(result.error ?? "Failed to commit the side operation to the schedule.");
         return;
       }
-      toast.success("Side operation marked as Ready. Roll-call can now be posted.");
+      toast.success("Side operation scheduled. The roll-call will be posted soon.");
       router.refresh();
     });
   }
@@ -80,10 +80,10 @@ export function SideOpControls({
       </ItemHeader>
       <ItemContent>
         <div className="flex flex-wrap gap-2">
-          {canMarkReady && (
+          {canMarkScheduled && (
-            <Button size="sm" variant="default" onClick={handleMarkReady} disabled={isPending}>
+            <Button size="sm" variant="default" onClick={handleMarkScheduled} disabled={isPending}>
               <CheckCircleIcon className="size-3.5" />
-              Mark as Ready
+              Mark as Scheduled
             </Button>
           )}
           <Button size="sm" variant="outline" onClick={() => setEditOpen(true)} disabled={isPending}>
@@ -101,9 +101,9 @@ export function SideOpControls({
           </Button>
         </div>
         <p className="text-xs text-muted-foreground">
-          Marking the operation Ready locks in the details so the Discord roll-call can be posted
+          Scheduling the operation commits it: the Discord roll-call is posted within three days of
-          and the mission hooks delivered. Editing covers details, campaign, and narrative.
+          the op and the mission hooks are delivered. Editing covers details, campaign, and
-          Cancelling frees your scheduling slot and updates the Discord embed.
+          narrative. Cancelling frees your scheduling slot and updates the Discord embed.
         </p>
       </ItemContent>
 

src/lib/intelligence/imminentReminders.ts

@@ -26,9 +26,9 @@ export const IMMINENT_REMINDER_WINDOW_MS = 15 * 60 * 1000;
 export const IMMINENT_REMINDER_GRACE_MS = 15 * 60 * 1000;
 
 /**
- * Ops due for the imminent reminder: unit-visible, Ready/Scheduled, with a
+ * Ops due for the imminent reminder: unit-visible, Scheduled, with a live
- * live roll-call message, starting within the reminder window (or just past
+ * roll-call message, starting within the reminder window (or just past it,
- * it, within the grace bound), and without the one-shot marker yet.
+ * within the grace bound), and without the one-shot marker yet.
  */
 export const getImminentReminderMissions = async (
   payload: Payload,
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ export const getImminentReminderMissions = async (
     where: {
       and: [
         { "ownershipAndStatus.visibility": { equals: "unit" } },
-        { "ownershipAndStatus.status": { in: ["Ready", "Scheduled"] } },
+        { "ownershipAndStatus.status": { in: ["Scheduled"] } },
         { discordMessageId: { exists: true } },
         { imminentReminderSentAt: { exists: false } },
         { "classification.startDateTime": { greater_than: windowStartIso } },

src/lib/intelligence/missionLifecycle.ts

@@ -6,52 +6,113 @@ import { EventTypes } from "@/utils/event-log/eventTypes";
 type PayloadType = Awaited<ReturnType<typeof import("payload").getPayload>>;
 
 /**
- * Statuses that count as "committed to run" and are auto-completed once the
+ * Statuses that are committed to run and are auto-started (flipped to Active)
- * calendar day of their scheduled start has fully passed. Draft statuses
+ * the moment their scheduled start time arrives. Draft statuses
- * (Concept/Planning/Ready) are left untouched — a mission that never ran
+ * (Concept/Planning/Ready) are left untouched — a mission that was never
- * should not silently become Completed — and terminal statuses
+ * scheduled should not silently become Active.
+ */
+const AUTO_STARTABLE_STATUSES = ["Scheduled"] as const;
+
+/**
+ * Statuses that count as "committed to run" and are auto-completed once their
+ * scheduled window (start + estimated duration) has fully passed. Draft
+ * statuses (Concept/Planning/Ready) are left untouched — a mission that never
+ * ran should not silently become Completed — and terminal statuses
  * (Completed/Cancelled) are never re-processed.
  */
 const AUTO_COMPLETABLE_STATUSES = ["Scheduled", "Active"] as const;
 
-export interface MissionAutoCompleteSummary {
+/**
-  completed: number;
+ * Fallback duration (minutes) when a mission's `estimatedDuration` is missing
-  missions: { id: number; name: string; codeName: string | null }[];
+ * or invalid. Mirrors the field's own default so a malformed mission still
+ * reaches a terminal state instead of being stuck Active forever.
+ */
+export const DEFAULT_MISSION_DURATION_MINUTES = 240;
+
+export interface MissionLifecycleEntry {
+  id: number;
+  name: string;
+  codeName: string | null;
 }
 
-export interface MissionAutoCompleteOptions {
+export interface MissionAutoStartSummary {
+  started: number;
+  missions: MissionLifecycleEntry[];
+}
+
+export interface MissionAutoCompleteSummary {
+  completed: number;
+  missions: MissionLifecycleEntry[];
+}
+
+export interface MissionLifecycleOptions {
   /** Restrict the sweep to specific mission ids (lets tests stay hermetic). */
   missionIds?: number[];
 }
 
-/** Start of `now`'s calendar day in the server's local timezone. */
+/**
-export function startOfToday(now: Date = new Date()): Date {
+ * Resolve a mission's end time (start + estimated duration), or null when the
-  const start = new Date(now);
+ * start timestamp is missing/unparseable. A missing or non-positive duration
-  start.setHours(0, 0, 0, 0);
+ * falls back to DEFAULT_MISSION_DURATION_MINUTES.
-  return start;
+ */
+export function missionEndTime(
+  startDateTime: string | null | undefined,
+  estimatedDurationMinutes: number | null | undefined,
+): Date | null {
+  const start = new Date(startDateTime ?? "");
+  if (Number.isNaN(start.getTime())) return null;
+  const minutes =
+    typeof estimatedDurationMinutes === "number" &&
+    Number.isFinite(estimatedDurationMinutes) &&
+    estimatedDurationMinutes > 0
+      ? estimatedDurationMinutes
+      : DEFAULT_MISSION_DURATION_MINUTES;
+  return new Date(start.getTime() + minutes * 60_000);
 }
 
 /**
- * True once the calendar day of `startDateTime` (server-local) has fully
+ * True once the mission's scheduled start time has arrived. Unparseable dates
- * ended — i.e. from the start of the day AFTER the scheduled date. A mission
+ * fall closed so malformed data is never auto-started.
- * scheduled for today never counts, even after its start time has passed.
- * Unparseable dates fall closed so malformed data is never auto-completed.
  */
-export function isPastScheduledDay(startDateTime: string, now: Date = new Date()): boolean {
+export function hasMissionStarted(
-  const start = new Date(startDateTime);
+  startDateTime: string | null | undefined,
+  now: Date = new Date(),
+): boolean {
+  const start = new Date(startDateTime ?? "");
   if (Number.isNaN(start.getTime())) return false;
-  return start.getTime() < startOfToday(now).getTime();
+  return start.getTime() <= now.getTime();
 }
 
-export async function autoCompleteMissions(
+/**
+ * True once the mission's scheduled window (start + estimated duration) has
+ * fully passed. Unparseable dates fall closed so malformed data is never
+ * auto-completed.
+ */
+export function isMissionWindowComplete(
+  startDateTime: string | null | undefined,
+  estimatedDurationMinutes: number | null | undefined,
+  now: Date = new Date(),
+): boolean {
+  const end = missionEndTime(startDateTime, estimatedDurationMinutes);
+  if (!end) return false;
+  return end.getTime() <= now.getTime();
+}
+
+/**
+ * Sweep missions that are committed to run and whose scheduled start time has
+ * arrived, flipping them to Active. Missions whose entire window has already
+ * elapsed are skipped here (auto-complete owns those) so an op that ran while
+ * the tick was down does not emit a spurious "started" event on its way to
+ * Completed. Idempotent: once Active, a mission is no longer startable.
+ */
+export async function autoStartMissions(
   payload: PayloadType,
   now: Date = new Date(),
-  options: MissionAutoCompleteOptions = {},
+  options: MissionLifecycleOptions = {},
-): Promise<MissionAutoCompleteSummary> {
+): Promise<MissionAutoStartSummary> {
-  const cutoff = startOfToday(now).toISOString();
   const conditions: Where[] = [
-    { "ownershipAndStatus.status": { in: [...AUTO_COMPLETABLE_STATUSES] } },
+    { "ownershipAndStatus.status": { in: [...AUTO_STARTABLE_STATUSES] } },
-    { "classification.startDateTime": { less_than: cutoff } },
+    { "classification.startDateTime": { less_than_equal: now.toISOString() } },
   ];
   if (options.missionIds) {
     conditions.push({ id: { in: options.missionIds } });
@@ -66,13 +127,91 @@ export async function autoCompleteMissions(
     overrideAccess: true,
   })) as unknown as { docs: Mission[] };
 
-  const completed: MissionAutoCompleteSummary["missions"] = [];
+  const started: MissionLifecycleEntry[] = [];
   for (const mission of due.docs) {
+    // A window that already fully elapsed belongs to auto-complete; starting it
+    // first would emit a misleading "started" event for an op that is over.
+    if (
+      isMissionWindowComplete(
+        mission.classification?.startDateTime,
+        mission.classification?.estimatedDuration,
+        now,
+      )
+    ) {
+      continue;
+    }
+
+    const previousStatus = mission.ownershipAndStatus?.status ?? null;
+    try {
+      await payload.update({
+        collection: "missions",
+        id: mission.id,
+        data: { ownershipAndStatus: { status: "Active" } },
+        overrideAccess: true,
+      });
+      await emitGameEvent(payload, {
+        type: EventTypes.MissionAutoStart,
+        message: `Mission "${mission.name}"${mission.codeName ? ` (${mission.codeName})` : ""} is now active: the scheduled start time has arrived.`,
+        targetCollection: "missions",
+        targetId: mission.id,
+        data: { previousStatus },
+      });
+      started.push({ id: mission.id, name: mission.name, codeName: mission.codeName ?? null });
+    } catch (error) {
+      const message = error instanceof Error ? error.message : "Unknown error";
+      payload.logger.error(
+        `[Mission Tick] Failed to auto-start mission ${mission.id} (${mission.name}): ${message}`,
+      );
+    }
+  }
+
+  return { started: started.length, missions: started };
+}
+
+/**
+ * Sweep missions whose scheduled window (start + estimated duration) has fully
+ * passed and mark them Completed. Passing the sweep's `now` explicitly keeps
+ * the completion timestamp deterministic for tests; the collection's
+ * beforeChange hook preserves it because it only stamps when empty.
+ * Idempotent: Completed/Cancelled are never re-processed.
+ */
+export async function autoCompleteMissions(
+  payload: PayloadType,
+  now: Date = new Date(),
+  options: MissionLifecycleOptions = {},
+): Promise<MissionAutoCompleteSummary> {
+  const conditions: Where[] = [
+    { "ownershipAndStatus.status": { in: [...AUTO_COMPLETABLE_STATUSES] } },
+    // Coarse prefilter: end <= now implies start < now, since duration > 0.
+    { "classification.startDateTime": { less_than: now.toISOString() } },
+  ];
+  if (options.missionIds) {
+    conditions.push({ id: { in: options.missionIds } });
+  }
+
+  const due = (await payload.find({
+    collection: "missions",
+    where: { and: conditions },
+    sort: "classification.startDateTime",
+    limit: 500,
+    depth: 0,
+    overrideAccess: true,
+  })) as unknown as { docs: Mission[] };
+
+  const completed: MissionLifecycleEntry[] = [];
+  for (const mission of due.docs) {
+    if (
+      !isMissionWindowComplete(
+        mission.classification?.startDateTime,
+        mission.classification?.estimatedDuration,
+        now,
+      )
+    ) {
+      continue;
+    }
+
     const previousStatus = mission.ownershipAndStatus?.status ?? null;
     try {
-      // Pass the sweep's `now` explicitly so the completion timestamp is the
-      // exact tick time (deterministic for tests); the collection's
-      // beforeChange hook preserves it because it only stamps when empty.
       await payload.update({
         collection: "missions",
         id: mission.id,
@@ -81,7 +220,7 @@ export async function autoCompleteMissions(
       });
       await emitGameEvent(payload, {
         type: EventTypes.MissionAutoComplete,
-        message: `Mission "${mission.name}"${mission.codeName ? ` (${mission.codeName})` : ""} auto-completed: the scheduled day has passed.`,
+        message: `Mission "${mission.name}"${mission.codeName ? ` (${mission.codeName})` : ""} auto-completed: the scheduled window has ended.`,
         targetCollection: "missions",
         targetId: mission.id,
         data: { previousStatus },

src/lib/intelligence/readyReminders.ts

@@ -7,18 +7,26 @@ import { notifyUser } from "@/lib/notifications";
  *
  * Starting READY_REMINDER_LEAD_DAYS days before an op's scheduled start, the
  * creator gets a once-per-day reminder (web notification + Discord DM) to
- * finish the op and mark it "Ready" — the status that triggers the roll-call
+ * finish the op and commit it to "Scheduled" (markSideOpScheduled): the status
- * embed, locks in details, and delivers the mission hooks. Reminders stop the
+ * that triggers the roll-call embed, locks in details, and delivers the mission
- * moment the op is Ready (or cancelled/completed/active), and a marker field
+ * hooks. Reminders stop the moment the op is Scheduled (or
- * records the last server-local day each channel was sent so the cadence is
+ * cancelled/completed/active), and a marker field records the last server-local
- * exactly one reminder per day per channel.
+ * day each channel was sent so the cadence is exactly one reminder per day per
+ * channel.
+ *
+ * Side ops are created as a quiet "Ready" draft (createFridaySideOp), so a
+ * reminder is due while the op is still Concept/Planning/Ready.
  *
  * Scope: only ops with a `createdBy` (player-scheduled via the Friday Ops
- * calendar — always `operationType: "side"`). Staff/admin-created missions are
+ * calendar, always `operationType: "side"`). Staff/admin-created missions are
  * never reminded.
  *
  * Shared by the mission-tick bin (web notifications) and the Discord bot's
- * readyReminders service (DMs) — keep this module free of discord.js imports.
+ * readyReminders service (DMs): keep this module free of discord.js imports.
+ *
+ * Note: the module name, notification type ("mission:ready-reminder"), and
+ * marker fields keep their legacy "ready" spelling to avoid a data migration;
+ * only the user-facing copy talks about scheduling.
  */
 
 /** How many days before the op the daily reminders begin. */
@@ -28,11 +36,11 @@ export const READY_REMINDER_LEAD_DAYS = 5;
 export const READY_REMINDER_NOTIFICATION_TYPE = "mission:ready-reminder";
 
 /**
- * Statuses that still need the creator's attention. "Ready" is the committed
+ * Statuses that still need the creator's attention. "Scheduled" is the
- * state the reminders push toward; Active/Completed/Cancelled are terminal or
+ * committed state the reminders push toward; Active/Completed/Cancelled are
- * already underway.
+ * terminal or already underway.
  */
-export const READY_REMINDER_ELIGIBLE_STATUSES = ["Concept", "Planning", "Scheduled"] as const;
+export const READY_REMINDER_ELIGIBLE_STATUSES = ["Concept", "Planning", "Ready"] as const;
 
 export const missionTitle = (mission: Mission): string =>
   mission.codeName ? `${mission.name} (${mission.codeName})` : mission.name;
@@ -46,8 +54,8 @@ export const dayKey = (date: Date): string =>
 /**
  * A channel is due when it has never sent, or last sent on a previous
  * server-local day. Day-based (not 24h-based) so retries within the same day
- * stay deduped, and a status flapping Ready → Scheduled resumes reminders the
+ * stay deduped, and a status flapping Scheduled back to Ready resumes reminders
- * next day instead of being suppressed forever.
+ * the next day instead of being suppressed forever.
  */
 export const isReminderDue = (marker: string | null | undefined, now: Date): boolean => {
   if (!marker) return true;
@@ -60,10 +68,10 @@ export const daysUntil = (startIso: string, now: Date): number =>
   Math.max(0, Math.ceil((new Date(startIso).getTime() - now.getTime()) / 86_400_000));
 
 /**
- * Ops due for reminders: player-created (createdBy set), still not Ready /
+ * Ops due for reminders: player-created (createdBy set), still not Scheduled /
  * terminal, and starting within the lead window (future start, at most
  * READY_REMINDER_LEAD_DAYS days out). Marker filtering is done per-channel by
- * the caller via isReminderDue — the "not sent today" condition can't be
+ * the caller via isReminderDue: the "not sent today" condition can't be
  * expressed in a single where clause.
  */
 export const getReadyReminderMissions = async (payload: Payload, now = new Date()): Promise<Mission[]> => {
@@ -122,8 +130,8 @@ export const sendWebReadyReminders = async (
     await notifyUser(payload, {
       userId: creatorId,
       type: READY_REMINDER_NOTIFICATION_TYPE,
-      title: `Ready check: ${missionTitle(mission)}`,
+      title: `Schedule check: ${missionTitle(mission)}`,
-      message: `Your op starts ${when}. Finish up the details and set the mission status to Ready so the roll-call can be posted and the mission hooks delivered.`,
+      message: `Your op starts ${when}. Finish up the details and set the mission status to Scheduled so the roll-call can be posted and the mission hooks delivered.`,
       link: `/intelligence/missions/${mission.id}`,
     });
     await payload.update({

src/lib/notifications/index.ts

@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@ export function notificationLabel(type?: string | null): string {
     case "ticket:status":
       return "Ticket updated";
     case "mission:ready-reminder":
-      return "Ready reminder";
+      return "Schedule reminder";
     case "assignment-transfer:request":
       return "Transfer request";
     case "assignment-transfer:approved":
@@ -117,6 +117,24 @@ export function notificationLabel(type?: string | null): string {
       return "Ribbon not approved";
     case "personnel:promoted":
       return "Promotion";
+    case "personnel:transferred":
+      return "Transferred";
+    case "promotion:nomination":
+      return "Promotion nomination";
+    case "promotion:endorsed":
+      return "Nomination endorsed";
+    case "promotion:approved":
+      return "Promotion approved";
+    case "promotion:rejected":
+      return "Promotion declined";
+    case "assignment:leadership-transfer-requested":
+      return "Removal request";
+    case "assignment:leadership-transfer":
+      return "Leadership transfer";
+    case "assignment:leadership-transfer-approved":
+      return "Removal approved";
+    case "assignment:leadership-transfer-denied":
+      return "Removal denied";
     case "mission:role-promoted":
       return "Role slot granted";
     default:

src/scripts/missionTick.ts

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 import type { SanitizedConfig } from "payload";
 import { getPayload } from "payload";
-import { autoCompleteMissions } from "@/lib/intelligence/missionLifecycle";
+import { autoCompleteMissions, autoStartMissions } from "@/lib/intelligence/missionLifecycle";
 import { sendWebReadyReminders } from "@/lib/intelligence/readyReminders";
 import { createBinLogger, errorMessage } from "./lib/binFileLogger";
 
@@ -12,6 +12,9 @@ export const script = async (config: SanitizedConfig) => {
     log.info("[Mission Tick] Starting mission tick...");
 
     const nowIso = new Date().toISOString();
+    // Start before complete so a mission whose whole window elapsed between
+    // ticks is still driven through Active on its way to Completed.
+    const startResult = await autoStartMissions(payload);
     const result = await autoCompleteMissions(payload);
 
     const reminders = await sendWebReadyReminders(payload);
@@ -38,7 +41,9 @@ export const script = async (config: SanitizedConfig) => {
       log.warn("[Mission Tick] GAME_TICK_NOTIFY_SECRET not set; skipping client notification");
     }
 
-    log.info(`[Mission Tick] Complete. Auto-completed ${result.completed} mission(s).`);
+    log.info(
+      `[Mission Tick] Complete. Auto-started ${startResult.started} mission(s), auto-completed ${result.completed} mission(s).`,
+    );
     process.exit(0);
   } catch (error) {
     log.error(

src/utils/event-log/emit.ts

@@ -45,7 +45,9 @@ interface GameEventInput {
     | "custom-minefield-scores"
     | "custom-radio-tests"
     | "custom-radio-test-scores"
-    | "ribbon-submissions";
+    | "ribbon-submissions"
+    | "promotion-nominations"
+    | "leadership-transfers";
   targetId?: number;
   data?: Record<string, unknown>;
 }

src/utils/event-log/eventTypes.ts

@@ -139,6 +139,8 @@ export const EventTypes = {
 
   // Personnel
   PersonnelPromoted: "personnel:promoted",
+  PersonnelTransferred: "personnel:transferred",
+  PromotionNominationApproved: "promotion:approved",
 
   // Awards
   AwardGrant: "award:grant",
@@ -148,10 +150,11 @@ export const EventTypes = {
   AwardRibbonRejected: "award:ribbon-rejected",
 
   // Missions
+  MissionAutoStart: "mission:auto-start",
   MissionAutoComplete: "mission:auto-complete",
   MissionObjectiveRedactedToggle: "mission:objective-redacted-toggle",
   MissionSchedule: "mission:schedule",
-  MissionReady: "mission:ready",
+  MissionCommit: "mission:commit",
   MissionUpdate: "mission:update",
   MissionCancel: "mission:cancel",
   MissionMoveCampaign: "mission:move-campaign",

tests/int/imminent-reminders.int.spec.ts

@@ -149,15 +149,16 @@ describe("Imminent-op reminder query", () => {
     return mission;
   };
 
-  it("finds posted Ready/Scheduled ops starting inside the 15 minute window", async () => {
+  it("finds posted Scheduled ops starting inside the 15 minute window, not Ready drafts", async () => {
     const now = new Date();
     const start = new Date(now.getTime() + IMMINENT_REMINDER_WINDOW_MS - 60_000);
     const ready = await makeMission("in-window-ready", { status: "Ready", start });
     const scheduled = await makeMission("in-window-scheduled", { status: "Scheduled", start });
 
     const found = await getImminentReminderMissions(payload, now);
-    expect(found.map((m) => m.id)).toContain(ready.id);
     expect(found.map((m) => m.id)).toContain(scheduled.id);
+    // Ready is now a quiet draft (no roll-call), so it is never imminent-reminded.
+    expect(found.map((m) => m.id)).not.toContain(ready.id);
   });
 
   it("includes the exact window edge and the grace zone just past the start", async () => {

tests/int/mission-lifecycle.int.spec.ts

@@ -4,20 +4,26 @@ import config from "@/payload.config";
 import { afterAll, beforeAll, describe, expect, it } from "vitest";
 import type { Campaign, Map as MissionMap, Mission, User } from "@/payload-types";
 import {
+  DEFAULT_MISSION_DURATION_MINUTES,
   autoCompleteMissions,
-  isPastScheduledDay,
+  autoStartMissions,
-  startOfToday,
+  hasMissionStarted,
+  isMissionWindowComplete,
+  missionEndTime,
 } from "@/lib/intelligence/missionLifecycle";
 
 let payload: Payload;
 
 const RUN = `mlc-${Date.now().toString(36)}`;
 
-describe("Mission auto-complete", () => {
+describe("Mission lifecycle (auto-start + auto-complete)", () => {
   let mapId: number;
   let campaignId: number;
   let authorId: number;
   const missionIds: number[] = [];
+  // Ids completed by the window sweep, so the idempotency check can scope to
+  // exactly those (the suite deliberately leaves other due missions behind).
+  const completedBySweep: number[] = [];
 
   beforeAll(async () => {
     const payloadConfig = await config;
@@ -102,20 +108,21 @@ describe("Mission auto-complete", () => {
     label: string,
     status: Mission["ownershipAndStatus"]["status"],
     start: Date,
+    estimatedDuration = 60,
   ): Promise<Mission> => {
     const mission = (await payload.create({
       collection: "missions",
       data: {
         name: `${RUN} ${label}`,
         codeName: `${RUN}-${label}`,
-        summary: "Auto-complete boundary test mission",
+        summary: "Mission lifecycle boundary test mission",
         operationType: "main",
         classification: {
           map: mapId,
           missionType: "PvE",
           campaign: campaignId,
           startDateTime: start.toISOString(),
-          estimatedDuration: 60,
+          estimatedDuration,
         },
         ownershipAndStatus: {
           authors: [authorId],
@@ -148,41 +155,37 @@ describe("Mission auto-complete", () => {
       overrideAccess: true,
     }) as unknown as Promise<Mission>;
 
-  it("completes Scheduled/Active missions only after the day after their scheduled date starts", async () => {
+  it("auto-starts only Scheduled missions whose start has arrived and whose window is still open", async () => {
     const now = new Date();
     now.setHours(12, 0, 0, 0);
 
-    const at = (dayOffset: number, hour: number): Date => {
+    const at = (hourOffset: number): Date => {
       const d = new Date(now);
-      d.setDate(now.getDate() + dayOffset);
+      d.setHours(now.getHours() + hourOffset);
-      d.setHours(hour, 0, 0, 0);
       return d;
     };
 
-    const dueScheduled = await makeMission("due-scheduled", "Scheduled", at(-1, 20));
+    const inWindow = await makeMission("start-in-window", "Scheduled", at(-1), 240);
-    const dueActive = await makeMission("due-active", "Active", at(-3, 20));
+    const future = await makeMission("start-future", "Scheduled", at(1), 240);
-    const midnightEdge = await makeMission("midnight-edge", "Scheduled", at(-1, 23));
+    const elapsed = await makeMission("start-elapsed", "Scheduled", at(-5), 60);
-    const sameDayEarlier = await makeMission("same-day-earlier", "Scheduled", at(0, 8));
+    const alreadyActive = await makeMission("start-already-active", "Active", at(-1), 240);
-    const sameDayLater = await makeMission("same-day-later", "Scheduled", at(0, 13));
+    const cancelled = await makeMission("start-cancelled", "Cancelled", at(-1), 240);
-    const draftReady = await makeMission("draft-ready", "Ready", at(-1, 20));
+    const ids = [inWindow.id, future.id, elapsed.id, alreadyActive.id, cancelled.id];
-    const cancelled = await makeMission("cancelled", "Cancelled", at(-1, 20));
 
-    const result = await autoCompleteMissions(payload, now, { missionIds });
+    const result = await autoStartMissions(payload, now, { missionIds: ids });
 
-    expect(result.missions.map((m) => m.id).sort()).toEqual(
+    expect(result.started).toBe(1);
-      [dueScheduled.id, dueActive.id, midnightEdge.id].sort(),
+    expect(result.missions.map((m) => m.id)).toEqual([inWindow.id]);
-    );
 
-    expect((await fetchMission(dueScheduled.id)).ownershipAndStatus.status).toBe("Completed");
+    expect((await fetchMission(inWindow.id)).ownershipAndStatus.status).toBe("Active");
-    expect((await fetchMission(dueActive.id)).ownershipAndStatus.status).toBe("Completed");
+    expect((await fetchMission(future.id)).ownershipAndStatus.status).toBe("Scheduled");
-    expect((await fetchMission(midnightEdge.id)).ownershipAndStatus.status).toBe("Completed");
+    // Fully elapsed windows are auto-complete's job, not a spurious start.
-    expect((await fetchMission(sameDayEarlier.id)).ownershipAndStatus.status).toBe("Scheduled");
+    expect((await fetchMission(elapsed.id)).ownershipAndStatus.status).toBe("Scheduled");
-    expect((await fetchMission(sameDayLater.id)).ownershipAndStatus.status).toBe("Scheduled");
+    expect((await fetchMission(alreadyActive.id)).ownershipAndStatus.status).toBe("Active");
-    expect((await fetchMission(draftReady.id)).ownershipAndStatus.status).toBe("Ready");
     expect((await fetchMission(cancelled.id)).ownershipAndStatus.status).toBe("Cancelled");
 
     // The partial group update must not wipe sibling fields.
-    const updated = await fetchMission(dueScheduled.id);
+    const updated = await fetchMission(inWindow.id);
     expect(updated.ownershipAndStatus.visibility).toBe("unit");
     const authorRefs = Array.isArray(updated.ownershipAndStatus.authors)
       ? updated.ownershipAndStatus.authors
@@ -190,10 +193,49 @@ describe("Mission auto-complete", () => {
     expect(authorRefs).toContain(authorId);
   });
 
-  it("is idempotent — a second sweep finds nothing left to complete", async () => {
+  it("is idempotent — a second auto-start sweep finds nothing left to start", async () => {
     const now = new Date();
     now.setHours(12, 0, 0, 0);
-    const result = await autoCompleteMissions(payload, now, { missionIds });
+    const result = await autoStartMissions(payload, now, { missionIds });
+    expect(result.started).toBe(0);
+    expect(result.missions).toEqual([]);
+  });
+
+  it("auto-completes Scheduled and Active missions once start + estimatedDuration has passed", async () => {
+    const now = new Date();
+    now.setHours(12, 0, 0, 0);
+
+    const at = (hourOffset: number): Date => {
+      const d = new Date(now);
+      d.setHours(now.getHours() + hourOffset);
+      return d;
+    };
+
+    const fromScheduled = await makeMission("done-from-scheduled", "Scheduled", at(-6), 240);
+    const fromActive = await makeMission("done-from-active", "Active", at(-5), 60);
+    const inWindow = await makeMission("done-in-window", "Active", at(-1), 240);
+    const readyPast = await makeMission("done-ready", "Ready", at(-5), 60);
+    const cancelledPast = await makeMission("done-cancelled", "Cancelled", at(-5), 60);
+    const ids = [fromScheduled.id, fromActive.id, inWindow.id, readyPast.id, cancelledPast.id];
+
+    const result = await autoCompleteMissions(payload, now, { missionIds: ids });
+
+    expect(result.completed).toBe(2);
+    expect(result.missions.map((m) => m.id).sort()).toEqual([fromScheduled.id, fromActive.id].sort());
+    completedBySweep.push(...result.missions.map((m) => m.id));
+
+    expect((await fetchMission(fromScheduled.id)).ownershipAndStatus.status).toBe("Completed");
+    expect((await fetchMission(fromActive.id)).ownershipAndStatus.status).toBe("Completed");
+    expect((await fetchMission(inWindow.id)).ownershipAndStatus.status).toBe("Active");
+    // Draft and terminal statuses are never auto-completed.
+    expect((await fetchMission(readyPast.id)).ownershipAndStatus.status).toBe("Ready");
+    expect((await fetchMission(cancelledPast.id)).ownershipAndStatus.status).toBe("Cancelled");
+  });
+
+  it("is idempotent — a second auto-complete sweep finds nothing left to complete", async () => {
+    const now = new Date();
+    now.setHours(12, 0, 0, 0);
+    const result = await autoCompleteMissions(payload, now, { missionIds: completedBySweep });
     expect(result.completed).toBe(0);
     expect(result.missions).toEqual([]);
   });
@@ -202,10 +244,10 @@ describe("Mission auto-complete", () => {
     const now = new Date();
     now.setHours(15, 0, 0, 0);
     const start = new Date(now);
-    start.setDate(now.getDate() - 1);
+    start.setDate(now.getDate() - 2);
     start.setHours(20, 0, 0, 0);
 
-    const due = await makeMission("timestamp-due", "Scheduled", start);
+    const due = await makeMission("timestamp-due", "Scheduled", start, 60);
 
     const result = await autoCompleteMissions(payload, now, { missionIds: [due.id] });
     expect(result.completed).toBe(1);
@@ -217,11 +259,11 @@ describe("Mission auto-complete", () => {
 
   it("stamps completedAt once on manual transition to Completed and never overwrites it", async () => {
     const start = new Date();
-    // Future start date — the auto-complete sweep must never touch this mission.
+    // Future start date — neither sweep must ever touch this mission.
     start.setDate(start.getDate() + 1);
     start.setHours(20, 0, 0, 0);
 
-    const mission = await makeMission("manual-complete", "Scheduled", start);
+    const mission = await makeMission("manual-complete", "Scheduled", start, 60);
     expect(mission.ownershipAndStatus.completedAt).toBeNull();
 
     // Non-terminal transitions must not stamp a completion time.
@@ -271,13 +313,41 @@ describe("Mission auto-complete", () => {
     );
   });
 
-  it("classifies day boundaries deterministically", () => {
+  it("classifies start and window boundaries deterministically", () => {
-    const now = new Date(2026, 7, 24, 12, 0, 0);
+    // missionEndTime adds the duration in minutes to the start.
-    expect(startOfToday(now).getTime()).toBe(new Date(2026, 7, 24, 0, 0, 0).getTime());
+    expect(missionEndTime("2026-08-24T20:00:00.000Z", 240)?.toISOString()).toBe(
-    expect(isPastScheduledDay("2026-08-23T23:59:59.999", now)).toBe(true);
+      "2026-08-25T00:00:00.000Z",
-    expect(isPastScheduledDay("2026-08-24T00:00:00.000", now)).toBe(false);
+    );
-    expect(isPastScheduledDay("2026-08-24T19:30:00.000", now)).toBe(false);
+    // Missing / invalid durations fall back to the default.
-    expect(isPastScheduledDay("2026-08-25T00:00:00.000", now)).toBe(false);
+    expect(missionEndTime("2026-08-24T20:00:00.000Z", null)?.toISOString()).toBe(
-    expect(isPastScheduledDay("not-a-date", now)).toBe(false);
+      new Date(
+        new Date("2026-08-24T20:00:00.000Z").getTime() +
+          DEFAULT_MISSION_DURATION_MINUTES * 60_000,
+      ).toISOString(),
+    );
+    expect(missionEndTime("not-a-date", 60)).toBeNull();
+
+    const now = new Date("2026-08-24T20:00:00.000Z");
+    expect(hasMissionStarted("2026-08-24T19:59:59.000Z", now)).toBe(true);
+    expect(hasMissionStarted("2026-08-24T20:00:00.000Z", now)).toBe(true);
+    expect(hasMissionStarted("2026-08-24T20:00:01.000Z", now)).toBe(false);
+    expect(hasMissionStarted("not-a-date", now)).toBe(false);
+
+    expect(isMissionWindowComplete("2026-08-24T20:00:00.000Z", 240, now)).toBe(false);
+    expect(
+      isMissionWindowComplete(
+        "2026-08-24T20:00:00.000Z",
+        240,
+        new Date("2026-08-25T00:00:00.000Z"),
+      ),
+    ).toBe(true);
+    expect(
+      isMissionWindowComplete(
+        "2026-08-24T20:00:00.000Z",
+        240,
+        new Date("2026-08-24T23:59:59.999Z"),
+      ),
+    ).toBe(false);
+    expect(isMissionWindowComplete("not-a-date", 240, now)).toBe(false);
   });
 });