Kernel Parity Gaps

Tracked differences between the TypeScript kernel (packages/kernel) and the reference Python runtime. Each gap has regression tests that assert the current TypeScript behavior so a future fix is an explicit, reviewed change rather than a silent one. The desired end-state is recorded here instead of as bare // TODO comments scattered through the tests.

Tests: packages/kernel/tests/parity-output-edge-gaps.test.ts.

Gap #9 — Output node handling (consecutive deduplication)

Python’s process_output_node() consumes a stream item-by-item and emits one output_update per value, deduplicating consecutive identical values.

• Current TS behavior: the output node is buffered and fires once with the last value, so three yields of same, same, different produce a single output_update carrying different.
• Desired: when the output node consumes the stream item-by-item, consecutive dedup should reduce same, same, different to two output_update messages (same once, then different).
• Asserted at: the should ... deduplicate consecutive test (current behavior: outputMsgs.length === 1).

output_update message fields (node_id, node_name, output_name, value, output_type, metadata) are already populated — that part of gap #9 is fixed.

Gap #15 — Edge counter updates for input-originating edges

Python emits edge_update at several lifecycle points, including "drained" during drain_active_edges() and "completed" during _send_EOS(). _drainActiveEdges() now exists in TS and emits "drained" for edges whose target handle is still open at completion.

• Current TS behavior: input nodes are not actors, so _sendEOS is never called for edges that originate at an input node. Those edges receive an "active" update from _dispatchInputs() but no terminal "completed" / "drained".
• Desired: input-originating edges should also receive a terminal "completed" (or "drained") update at the end of the run.
• Asserted at: the two edge-lifecycle tests (current behavior: completedMsgs.length === 0 for input edges).

Edges between non-input nodes already get both "active" and "completed".