zulip-platform-plugins/docs/adr/ADR-011-owner-config.md

ADR 11: Owner in Per-Agent Config File

Date: 2026-04-28

Decision

Each agent's bot owner is specified in a per-agent config.yaml file that lives alongside the plugin deployment on the CT.

Context

The bot needs to know its human owner to enforce private topic access control (only the owner can send DMs to the private topic). The config file is explicit, version-controllable, and each agent can have its own independent config. No external service or Zulip API call is needed to determine the owner.

Consequences

• config.yaml format includes: agent_name, display_name, owner_email, private_topic, zulip_api_key, zulip_email
• Config is git-versioned alongside the plugin code
• Owner change = update config.yaml + redeploy
• Config is not shared between agents (each is independent)