fix: PRs open as draft, mark ready after coding complete

- daily-intelligence.md: draft: true in safe-outputs, gh pr ready in body
- aw-daily SKILL.md: --draft flag on gh pr create, gh pr ready step
- aw-merge command: --draft on gh pr create, gh pr ready before CI wait
- All agent instruction files updated with draft PR convention
- Recompiled daily-intelligence.lock.yml (0 errors)

Author: zircote

.github/copilot-instructions.md

@@ -92,6 +92,7 @@ The 9 files in `skills/aw-author/references/` are the canonical gh-aw specificat
 7. **`${{ }}` expressions in fenced code blocks are NOT interpolated** — use env vars instead
 8. **Knowledge base is append-only** — mark superseded entries with `[SUPERSEDED by YYYY-MM-DD]`, never delete
 9. **Section headers are anchors, not line numbers** — the daily pipeline uses headers to locate edit targets because line numbers shift between runs
+10. **PRs are created as drafts** — open with `--draft` or `draft: true`, then mark ready with `gh pr ready` after all changes are pushed and verified
 
 ## GitHub Discussion Category
 

.github/workflows/daily-intelligence.lock.yml

@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ safe-outputs:
   create-pull-request:
     title-prefix: "docs(references): "
     labels: [automated, reference-update]
-    draft: false
+    draft: true
     base-branch: develop
     max: 1
   push-to-pull-request-branch:
@@ -181,12 +181,18 @@ For each gap, edit the target reference file. Use section headers as anchors (no
 
 ### Phase 7: PR Creation
 
-Create a PR to `develop` using the `create-pull-request` safe-output:
+Create a **draft** PR to `develop` using the `create-pull-request` safe-output:
 - Title: `docs(references): daily intelligence update {TODAY}`
 - Body: summary of gaps addressed, links to issues (using `Closes #NNN`), link to Discussion
 - Base: `develop`
 - Labels: `automated`, `reference-update`
 
+The PR is created as a draft (frontmatter `draft: true`). After all changes are pushed and verified, mark it ready for review:
+
+```bash
+gh pr ready <PR_NUMBER>
+```
+
 ### Phase 8: Summary
 
 Report what was accomplished: searches run, findings count, gaps identified, issues created, files changed, PR URL. If any phase was skipped or failed, note it clearly.

.github/workflows/daily-intelligence.md

@@ -33,6 +33,7 @@ The **aw-author** plugin (v1.3.0) for Claude Code. It provides skills, commands,
 6. **Discussion posts go to the "Project News" category** (ID: `DIC_kwDORSXBr84C61Lr`).
 7. **The daily pipeline is idempotent.** It checks for existing Discussions, PRs, and issues before creating new ones. Re-running on the same day is safe.
 8. **When editing reference files, verify the change compiles.** Run `gh aw compile` after modifying any `.md` file in `.github/workflows/`.
+9. **PRs are created as drafts.** Open with `--draft` or `draft: true` in safe-outputs, then mark ready with `gh pr ready` after all changes are pushed and verified.
 
 ## gh-aw Spec Essentials
 

AGENTS.md

@@ -47,6 +47,7 @@ After editing any `.github/workflows/*.md` file, always recompile with `gh aw co
 - **`plugins:` is deprecated** — use `dependencies:`, run `gh aw fix --write`
 - **Knowledge base is append-only** — mark old entries `[SUPERSEDED by YYYY-MM-DD]`
 - **Use section headers as edit anchors** — not line numbers (they shift between runs)
+- **PRs are created as drafts** — use `--draft` on `gh pr create`, mark ready with `gh pr ready` after changes are complete
 - **Discussion category ID**: `DIC_kwDORSXBr84C61Lr` (Project News)
 
 ## gh-aw Compiler

CLAUDE.md

@@ -41,6 +41,7 @@ If `--dry-run`: show `git log --oneline origin/main..origin/develop` and **exit*
 
 ```bash
 gh pr create \
+  --draft \
   --repo zircote/github-agentic-workflows \
   --base main \
   --head develop \
@@ -59,6 +60,11 @@ $(git log --oneline origin/main..origin/develop)
 _Automated by /aw-merge_"
 ```
 
+Mark PR ready:
+```bash
+gh pr ready <PR_NUMBER>
+```
+
 ### Phase 3: CI and merge
 
 1. Wait for CI checks: poll `gh pr checks` every 15 seconds, max 5 minutes

commands/aw-merge.md

@@ -302,6 +302,7 @@ If `--dry-run`: show the diff but do not commit or push.
 
 ```bash
 gh pr create \
+  --draft \
   --repo zircote/github-agentic-workflows \
   --base develop \
   --head daily-intelligence-{TODAY} \
@@ -326,7 +327,12 @@ Automated reference file updates from daily intelligence sweep.
 _Automated by /aw-daily_"
 ```
 
-Store the PR URL.
+Store the PR URL and number.
+
+**Mark PR ready** after all changes are pushed:
+```bash
+gh pr ready {PR_NUMBER}
+```
 
 **Error mode:** If PR creation fails, report error. Leave branch for manual inspection. Switch back to `ORIGINAL_BRANCH`.