Async Test Infrastructure & Editor Readiness Status + new refresh_unity tool (#507)

* Add editor readiness v2, refresh tool, and preflight guards

* Detect external package changes and harden refresh retry

* feat: add TestRunnerNoThrottle and async test running with background stall prevention

- Add TestRunnerNoThrottle.cs: Sets editor to 'No Throttling' mode during test runs
  with SessionState persistence across domain reload
- Add run_tests_async and get_test_job tools for non-blocking test execution
- Add TestJobManager for async test job tracking with progress monitoring
- Add ForceSynchronousImport to all AssetDatabase.Refresh() calls to prevent stalls
- Mark DomainReloadResilienceTests as [Explicit] with documentation explaining
  the test infrastructure limitation (internal coroutine waits vs MCP socket polling)
- MCP workflow is unaffected - socket messages provide external stimulus that
  keeps Unity responsive even when backgrounded

* refactor: simplify and clean up code

- Remove unused Newtonsoft.Json.Linq import from TestJobManager
- Add throttling to SessionState persistence (once per second) to reduce overhead
- Critical job state changes (start/finish) still persist immediately
- Fix duplicate XML summary tag in DomainReloadResilienceTests

* docs: add async test tools to README, document domain reload limitation

- Add run_tests_async and get_test_job to main README tools list
- Document background stall limitation for domain reload tests in DEV readme

* ci: add separate job for domain reload tests

Run [Explicit] domain_reload tests in their own job using -testCategory

* ci: run domain reload tests in same job as regular tests

Combines into single job with two test steps to reuse cached Library

* fix: address coderabbit review issues

- Fix TOCTOU race in TestJobManager.StartJob (single lock scope for check-and-set)
- Store TestRunnerApi reference with HideAndDontSave to prevent GC/serialization issues

* docs: update tool descriptions to prefer run_tests_async

- run_tests_async is now marked as preferred for long-running suites
- run_tests description notes it blocks and suggests async alternative

* docs: update README screenshot to v8.6 UI

* docs: add v8.6 UI screenshot

* Update README for MCP version and instructions for v8.7

* fix: handle preflight busy signals and derive job status from test results

- manage_asset, manage_gameobject, manage_scene now check preflight return
  value and propagate busy/retry signals to clients (fixes Sourcery #1)
- TestJobManager.FinalizeCurrentJobFromRunFinished now sets job status to
  Failed when resultPayload.Failed > 0, not always Succeeded (fixes Sourcery #2)

* fix: increase HTTP server startup timeout for dev mode

When 'Force fresh server install' is enabled, uvx uses --no-cache --refresh
which rebuilds the package and takes significantly longer to start.

- Increase timeout from 10s to 45s when dev mode is enabled
- Add informative log message explaining the longer startup time
- Show actual timeout value in warning message

* fix: derive job status from test results in FinalizeFromTask fallback

Apply same logic as FinalizeCurrentJobFromRunFinished: check result.Failed > 0
to correctly mark jobs as Failed when tests fail, even in the fallback path
when RunFinished callback is not delivered.

.github/workflows/unity-tests.yml

@@ -25,13 +25,11 @@ jobs:
         unityVersion:
           - 2021.3.45f2
     steps:
-      # Checkout
       - name: Checkout repository
         uses: actions/checkout@v4
         with:
           lfs: true
 
-      # Cache
       - uses: actions/cache@v4
         with:
           path: ${{ matrix.projectPath }}/Library
@@ -40,7 +38,20 @@ jobs:
             Library-${{ matrix.projectPath }}-
             Library-
 
-      # Test
+      # Run domain reload tests first (they're [Explicit] so need explicit category)
+      - name: Run domain reload tests
+        uses: game-ci/unity-test-runner@v4
+        id: domain-tests
+        env:
+          UNITY_EMAIL: ${{ secrets.UNITY_EMAIL }}
+          UNITY_PASSWORD: ${{ secrets.UNITY_PASSWORD }}
+          UNITY_LICENSE: ${{ secrets.UNITY_LICENSE }}
+        with:
+          projectPath: ${{ matrix.projectPath }}
+          unityVersion: ${{ matrix.unityVersion }}
+          testMode: ${{ matrix.testMode }}
+          customParameters: -testCategory domain_reload
+
       - name: Run tests
         uses: game-ci/unity-test-runner@v4
         id: tests
@@ -53,7 +64,6 @@ jobs:
           unityVersion: ${{ matrix.unityVersion }}
           testMode: ${{ matrix.testMode }}
 
-      # Upload test results
       - uses: actions/upload-artifact@v4
         if: always()
         with:

MCPForUnity/Editor/Resources/Editor/EditorStateV2.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,29 @@
+using System;
+using MCPForUnity.Editor.Helpers;
+using MCPForUnity.Editor.Services;
+using Newtonsoft.Json.Linq;
+
+namespace MCPForUnity.Editor.Resources.Editor
+{
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Provides a cached, v2 readiness snapshot. This is designed to remain responsive even when Unity is busy.
+    /// </summary>
+    [McpForUnityResource("get_editor_state_v2")]
+    public static class EditorStateV2
+    {
+        public static object HandleCommand(JObject @params)
+        {
+            try
+            {
+                var snapshot = EditorStateCache.GetSnapshot();
+                return new SuccessResponse("Retrieved editor state (v2).", snapshot);
+            }
+            catch (Exception e)
+            {
+                return new ErrorResponse($"Error getting editor state (v2): {e.Message}");
+            }
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+

MCPForUnity/Editor/Resources/Editor/EditorStateV2.cs.meta

@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
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+MonoImporter:
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+  serializedVersion: 2
+  defaultReferences: []
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MCPForUnity/Editor/Services/EditorStateCache.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,234 @@
+using System;
+using MCPForUnity.Editor.Helpers;
+using Newtonsoft.Json.Linq;
+using UnityEditor;
+using UnityEditorInternal;
+using UnityEditor.SceneManagement;
+using UnityEngine;
+
+namespace MCPForUnity.Editor.Services
+{
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Maintains a cached readiness snapshot (v2) so status reads remain fast even when Unity is busy.
+    /// Updated on the main thread via Editor callbacks and periodic update ticks.
+    /// </summary>
+    [InitializeOnLoad]
+    internal static class EditorStateCache
+    {
+        private static readonly object LockObj = new();
+        private static long _sequence;
+        private static long _observedUnixMs;
+
+        private static bool _lastIsCompiling;
+        private static long? _lastCompileStartedUnixMs;
+        private static long? _lastCompileFinishedUnixMs;
+
+        private static bool _domainReloadPending;
+        private static long? _domainReloadBeforeUnixMs;
+        private static long? _domainReloadAfterUnixMs;
+
+        private static double _lastUpdateTimeSinceStartup;
+        private const double MinUpdateIntervalSeconds = 0.25;
+
+        private static JObject _cached;
+
+        static EditorStateCache()
+        {
+            try
+            {
+                _sequence = 0;
+                _observedUnixMs = DateTimeOffset.UtcNow.ToUnixTimeMilliseconds();
+                _cached = BuildSnapshot("init");
+
+                EditorApplication.update += OnUpdate;
+                EditorApplication.playModeStateChanged += _ => ForceUpdate("playmode");
+
+                AssemblyReloadEvents.beforeAssemblyReload += () =>
+                {
+                    _domainReloadPending = true;
+                    _domainReloadBeforeUnixMs = DateTimeOffset.UtcNow.ToUnixTimeMilliseconds();
+                    ForceUpdate("before_domain_reload");
+                };
+                AssemblyReloadEvents.afterAssemblyReload += () =>
+                {
+                    _domainReloadPending = false;
+                    _domainReloadAfterUnixMs = DateTimeOffset.UtcNow.ToUnixTimeMilliseconds();
+                    ForceUpdate("after_domain_reload");
+                };
+            }
+            catch (Exception ex)
+            {
+                McpLog.Error($"[EditorStateCache] Failed to initialise: {ex.Message}\n{ex.StackTrace}");
+            }
+        }
+
+        private static void OnUpdate()
+        {
+            // Throttle to reduce overhead while keeping the snapshot fresh enough for polling clients.
+            double now = EditorApplication.timeSinceStartup;
+            if (now - _lastUpdateTimeSinceStartup < MinUpdateIntervalSeconds)
+            {
+                // Still update on compilation edge transitions to keep timestamps meaningful.
+                bool isCompiling = EditorApplication.isCompiling;
+                if (isCompiling == _lastIsCompiling)
+                {
+                    return;
+                }
+            }
+
+            _lastUpdateTimeSinceStartup = now;
+            ForceUpdate("tick");
+        }
+
+        private static void ForceUpdate(string reason)
+        {
+            lock (LockObj)
+            {
+                _cached = BuildSnapshot(reason);
+            }
+        }
+
+        private static JObject BuildSnapshot(string reason)
+        {
+            _sequence++;
+            _observedUnixMs = DateTimeOffset.UtcNow.ToUnixTimeMilliseconds();
+
+            bool isCompiling = EditorApplication.isCompiling;
+            if (isCompiling && !_lastIsCompiling)
+            {
+                _lastCompileStartedUnixMs = _observedUnixMs;
+            }
+            else if (!isCompiling && _lastIsCompiling)
+            {
+                _lastCompileFinishedUnixMs = _observedUnixMs;
+            }
+            _lastIsCompiling = isCompiling;
+
+            var scene = EditorSceneManager.GetActiveScene();
+            string scenePath = string.IsNullOrEmpty(scene.path) ? null : scene.path;
+            string sceneGuid = !string.IsNullOrEmpty(scenePath) ? AssetDatabase.AssetPathToGUID(scenePath) : null;
+
+            bool testsRunning = TestRunStatus.IsRunning;
+            var testsMode = TestRunStatus.Mode?.ToString();
+            string currentJobId = TestJobManager.CurrentJobId;
+            bool isFocused = InternalEditorUtility.isApplicationActive;
+
+            var activityPhase = "idle";
+            if (testsRunning)
+            {
+                activityPhase = "running_tests";
+            }
+            else if (isCompiling)
+            {
+                activityPhase = "compiling";
+            }
+            else if (_domainReloadPending)
+            {
+                activityPhase = "domain_reload";
+            }
+            else if (EditorApplication.isUpdating)
+            {
+                activityPhase = "asset_import";
+            }
+            else if (EditorApplication.isPlayingOrWillChangePlaymode)
+            {
+                activityPhase = "playmode_transition";
+            }
+
+            // Keep this as a plain JSON object for minimal friction with transports.
+            return JObject.FromObject(new
+            {
+                schema_version = "unity-mcp/editor_state@2",
+                observed_at_unix_ms = _observedUnixMs,
+                sequence = _sequence,
+                unity = new
+                {
+                    instance_id = (string)null,
+                    unity_version = Application.unityVersion,
+                    project_id = (string)null,
+                    platform = Application.platform.ToString(),
+                    is_batch_mode = Application.isBatchMode
+                },
+                editor = new
+                {
+                    is_focused = isFocused,
+                    play_mode = new
+                    {
+                        is_playing = EditorApplication.isPlaying,
+                        is_paused = EditorApplication.isPaused,
+                        is_changing = EditorApplication.isPlayingOrWillChangePlaymode
+                    },
+                    active_scene = new
+                    {
+                        path = scenePath,
+                        guid = sceneGuid,
+                        name = scene.name ?? string.Empty
+                    }
+                },
+                activity = new
+                {
+                    phase = activityPhase,
+                    since_unix_ms = _observedUnixMs,
+                    reasons = new[] { reason }
+                },
+                compilation = new
+                {
+                    is_compiling = isCompiling,
+                    is_domain_reload_pending = _domainReloadPending,
+                    last_compile_started_unix_ms = _lastCompileStartedUnixMs,
+                    last_compile_finished_unix_ms = _lastCompileFinishedUnixMs,
+                    last_domain_reload_before_unix_ms = _domainReloadBeforeUnixMs,
+                    last_domain_reload_after_unix_ms = _domainReloadAfterUnixMs
+                },
+                assets = new
+                {
+                    is_updating = EditorApplication.isUpdating,
+                    external_changes_dirty = false,
+                    external_changes_last_seen_unix_ms = (long?)null,
+                    refresh = new
+                    {
+                        is_refresh_in_progress = false,
+                        last_refresh_requested_unix_ms = (long?)null,
+                        last_refresh_finished_unix_ms = (long?)null
+                    }
+                },
+                tests = new
+                {
+                    is_running = testsRunning,
+                    mode = testsMode,
+                    current_job_id = string.IsNullOrEmpty(currentJobId) ? null : currentJobId,
+                    started_unix_ms = TestRunStatus.StartedUnixMs,
+                    started_by = "unknown",
+                    last_run = TestRunStatus.FinishedUnixMs.HasValue
+                        ? new
+                        {
+                            finished_unix_ms = TestRunStatus.FinishedUnixMs,
+                            result = "unknown",
+                            counts = (object)null
+                        }
+                        : null
+                },
+                transport = new
+                {
+                    unity_bridge_connected = (bool?)null,
+                    last_message_unix_ms = (long?)null
+                }
+            });
+        }
+
+        public static JObject GetSnapshot()
+        {
+            lock (LockObj)
+            {
+                // Defensive: if something went wrong early, rebuild once.
+                if (_cached == null)
+                {
+                    _cached = BuildSnapshot("rebuild");
+                }
+                return (JObject)_cached.DeepClone();
+            }
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+

MCPForUnity/Editor/Services/EditorStateCache.cs.meta

@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
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+  defaultReferences: []
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+  userData: 
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+  assetBundleVariant: 

MCPForUnity/Editor/Services/TestJobManager.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,586 @@
+using System;
+using System.Collections.Generic;
+using System.Linq;
+using System.Threading.Tasks;
+using MCPForUnity.Editor.Helpers;
+using Newtonsoft.Json;
+using UnityEditor;
+using UnityEditorInternal;
+using UnityEditor.TestTools.TestRunner.Api;
+
+namespace MCPForUnity.Editor.Services
+{
+    internal enum TestJobStatus
+    {
+        Running,
+        Succeeded,
+        Failed
+    }
+
+    internal sealed class TestJobFailure
+    {
+        public string FullName { get; set; }
+        public string Message { get; set; }
+    }
+
+    internal sealed class TestJob
+    {
+        public string JobId { get; set; }
+        public TestJobStatus Status { get; set; }
+        public string Mode { get; set; }
+        public long StartedUnixMs { get; set; }
+        public long? FinishedUnixMs { get; set; }
+        public long LastUpdateUnixMs { get; set; }
+        public int? TotalTests { get; set; }
+        public int CompletedTests { get; set; }
+        public string CurrentTestFullName { get; set; }
+        public long? CurrentTestStartedUnixMs { get; set; }
+        public string LastFinishedTestFullName { get; set; }
+        public long? LastFinishedUnixMs { get; set; }
+        public List<TestJobFailure> FailuresSoFar { get; set; }
+        public string Error { get; set; }
+        public TestRunResult Result { get; set; }
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Tracks async test jobs started via MCP tools. This is not intended to capture manual Test Runner UI runs.
+    /// </summary>
+    internal static class TestJobManager
+    {
+        // Keep this small to avoid ballooning payloads during polling.
+        private const int FailureCap = 25;
+        private const long StuckThresholdMs = 60_000;
+        private const int MaxJobsToKeep = 10;
+        private const long MinPersistIntervalMs = 1000; // Throttle persistence to reduce overhead
+
+        // SessionState survives domain reloads within the same Unity Editor session.
+        private const string SessionKeyJobs = "MCPForUnity.TestJobsV1";
+        private const string SessionKeyCurrentJobId = "MCPForUnity.CurrentTestJobIdV1";
+
+        private static readonly object LockObj = new();
+        private static readonly Dictionary<string, TestJob> Jobs = new();
+        private static string _currentJobId;
+        private static long _lastPersistUnixMs;
+
+        static TestJobManager()
+        {
+            // Restore after domain reloads (e.g., compilation while a job is running).
+            TryRestoreFromSessionState();
+        }
+
+        public static string CurrentJobId
+        {
+            get { lock (LockObj) return _currentJobId; }
+        }
+
+        public static bool HasRunningJob
+        {
+            get
+            {
+                lock (LockObj)
+                {
+                    return !string.IsNullOrEmpty(_currentJobId);
+                }
+            }
+        }
+
+        private sealed class PersistedState
+        {
+            public string current_job_id { get; set; }
+            public List<PersistedJob> jobs { get; set; }
+        }
+
+        private sealed class PersistedJob
+        {
+            public string job_id { get; set; }
+            public string status { get; set; }
+            public string mode { get; set; }
+            public long started_unix_ms { get; set; }
+            public long? finished_unix_ms { get; set; }
+            public long last_update_unix_ms { get; set; }
+            public int? total_tests { get; set; }
+            public int completed_tests { get; set; }
+            public string current_test_full_name { get; set; }
+            public long? current_test_started_unix_ms { get; set; }
+            public string last_finished_test_full_name { get; set; }
+            public long? last_finished_unix_ms { get; set; }
+            public List<TestJobFailure> failures_so_far { get; set; }
+            public string error { get; set; }
+        }
+
+        private static TestJobStatus ParseStatus(string status)
+        {
+            if (string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(status))
+            {
+                return TestJobStatus.Running;
+            }
+
+            string s = status.Trim().ToLowerInvariant();
+            return s switch
+            {
+                "succeeded" => TestJobStatus.Succeeded,
+                "failed" => TestJobStatus.Failed,
+                _ => TestJobStatus.Running
+            };
+        }
+
+        private static void TryRestoreFromSessionState()
+        {
+            try
+            {
+                string json = SessionState.GetString(SessionKeyJobs, string.Empty);
+                if (string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(json))
+                {
+                    var legacy = SessionState.GetString(SessionKeyCurrentJobId, string.Empty);
+                    _currentJobId = string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(legacy) ? null : legacy;
+                    return;
+                }
+
+                var state = JsonConvert.DeserializeObject<PersistedState>(json);
+                if (state?.jobs == null)
+                {
+                    return;
+                }
+
+                lock (LockObj)
+                {
+                    Jobs.Clear();
+                    foreach (var pj in state.jobs)
+                    {
+                        if (pj == null || string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(pj.job_id))
+                        {
+                            continue;
+                        }
+
+                        Jobs[pj.job_id] = new TestJob
+                        {
+                            JobId = pj.job_id,
+                            Status = ParseStatus(pj.status),
+                            Mode = pj.mode,
+                            StartedUnixMs = pj.started_unix_ms,
+                            FinishedUnixMs = pj.finished_unix_ms,
+                            LastUpdateUnixMs = pj.last_update_unix_ms,
+                            TotalTests = pj.total_tests,
+                            CompletedTests = pj.completed_tests,
+                            CurrentTestFullName = pj.current_test_full_name,
+                            CurrentTestStartedUnixMs = pj.current_test_started_unix_ms,
+                            LastFinishedTestFullName = pj.last_finished_test_full_name,
+                            LastFinishedUnixMs = pj.last_finished_unix_ms,
+                            FailuresSoFar = pj.failures_so_far ?? new List<TestJobFailure>(),
+                            Error = pj.error,
+                            // Intentionally not persisted to avoid ballooning SessionState.
+                            Result = null
+                        };
+                    }
+
+                    _currentJobId = string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(state.current_job_id) ? null : state.current_job_id;
+                    if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(_currentJobId) && !Jobs.ContainsKey(_currentJobId))
+                    {
+                        _currentJobId = null;
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+            catch (Exception ex)
+            {
+                // Restoration is best-effort; never block editor load.
+                McpLog.Warn($"[TestJobManager] Failed to restore SessionState: {ex.Message}");
+            }
+        }
+
+        private static void PersistToSessionState(bool force = false)
+        {
+            long now = DateTimeOffset.UtcNow.ToUnixTimeMilliseconds();
+            
+            // Throttle non-critical updates to reduce overhead during large test runs
+            if (!force && (now - _lastPersistUnixMs) < MinPersistIntervalMs)
+            {
+                return;
+            }
+            
+            try
+            {
+                PersistedState snapshot;
+                lock (LockObj)
+                {
+                    var jobs = Jobs.Values
+                        .OrderByDescending(j => j.LastUpdateUnixMs)
+                        .Take(MaxJobsToKeep)
+                        .Select(j => new PersistedJob
+                        {
+                            job_id = j.JobId,
+                            status = j.Status.ToString().ToLowerInvariant(),
+                            mode = j.Mode,
+                            started_unix_ms = j.StartedUnixMs,
+                            finished_unix_ms = j.FinishedUnixMs,
+                            last_update_unix_ms = j.LastUpdateUnixMs,
+                            total_tests = j.TotalTests,
+                            completed_tests = j.CompletedTests,
+                            current_test_full_name = j.CurrentTestFullName,
+                            current_test_started_unix_ms = j.CurrentTestStartedUnixMs,
+                            last_finished_test_full_name = j.LastFinishedTestFullName,
+                            last_finished_unix_ms = j.LastFinishedUnixMs,
+                            failures_so_far = (j.FailuresSoFar ?? new List<TestJobFailure>()).Take(FailureCap).ToList(),
+                            error = j.Error
+                        })
+                        .ToList();
+
+                    snapshot = new PersistedState
+                    {
+                        current_job_id = _currentJobId,
+                        jobs = jobs
+                    };
+                }
+
+                SessionState.SetString(SessionKeyCurrentJobId, snapshot.current_job_id ?? string.Empty);
+                SessionState.SetString(SessionKeyJobs, JsonConvert.SerializeObject(snapshot));
+                _lastPersistUnixMs = now;
+            }
+            catch (Exception ex)
+            {
+                McpLog.Warn($"[TestJobManager] Failed to persist SessionState: {ex.Message}");
+            }
+        }
+
+        public static string StartJob(TestMode mode, TestFilterOptions filterOptions = null)
+        {
+            string jobId = Guid.NewGuid().ToString("N");
+            long started = DateTimeOffset.UtcNow.ToUnixTimeMilliseconds();
+            string modeStr = mode.ToString();
+
+            var job = new TestJob
+            {
+                JobId = jobId,
+                Status = TestJobStatus.Running,
+                Mode = modeStr,
+                StartedUnixMs = started,
+                FinishedUnixMs = null,
+                LastUpdateUnixMs = started,
+                TotalTests = null,
+                CompletedTests = 0,
+                CurrentTestFullName = null,
+                CurrentTestStartedUnixMs = null,
+                LastFinishedTestFullName = null,
+                LastFinishedUnixMs = null,
+                FailuresSoFar = new List<TestJobFailure>(),
+                Error = null,
+                Result = null
+            };
+
+            // Single lock scope for check-and-set to avoid TOCTOU race
+            lock (LockObj)
+            {
+                if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(_currentJobId))
+                {
+                    throw new InvalidOperationException("A Unity test run is already in progress.");
+                }
+                Jobs[jobId] = job;
+                _currentJobId = jobId;
+            }
+            PersistToSessionState(force: true);
+
+            // Kick the run (must be called on main thread; our command handlers already run there).
+            Task<TestRunResult> task = MCPServiceLocator.Tests.RunTestsAsync(mode, filterOptions);
+
+            void FinalizeJob(Action finalize)
+            {
+                // Ensure state mutation happens on main thread to avoid Unity API surprises.
+                EditorApplication.delayCall += () =>
+                {
+                    try { finalize(); }
+                    catch (Exception ex) { McpLog.Error($"[TestJobManager] Finalize failed: {ex.Message}\n{ex.StackTrace}"); }
+                };
+            }
+
+            task.ContinueWith(t =>
+            {
+                // NOTE: We now finalize jobs deterministically from the TestRunnerService RunFinished callback.
+                // This continuation is retained as a safety net in case RunFinished is not delivered.
+                FinalizeJob(() => FinalizeFromTask(jobId, t));
+            }, TaskScheduler.Default);
+
+            return jobId;
+        }
+
+        public static void FinalizeCurrentJobFromRunFinished(TestRunResult resultPayload)
+        {
+            long now = DateTimeOffset.UtcNow.ToUnixTimeMilliseconds();
+            lock (LockObj)
+            {
+                if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(_currentJobId) || !Jobs.TryGetValue(_currentJobId, out var job))
+                {
+                    return;
+                }
+
+                job.LastUpdateUnixMs = now;
+                job.FinishedUnixMs = now;
+                job.Status = resultPayload != null && resultPayload.Failed > 0
+                    ? TestJobStatus.Failed
+                    : TestJobStatus.Succeeded;
+                job.Error = null;
+                job.Result = resultPayload;
+                job.CurrentTestFullName = null;
+                _currentJobId = null;
+            }
+            PersistToSessionState(force: true);
+        }
+
+        public static void OnRunStarted(int? totalTests)
+        {
+            long now = DateTimeOffset.UtcNow.ToUnixTimeMilliseconds();
+            lock (LockObj)
+            {
+                if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(_currentJobId) || !Jobs.TryGetValue(_currentJobId, out var job))
+                {
+                    return;
+                }
+
+                job.LastUpdateUnixMs = now;
+                job.TotalTests = totalTests;
+                job.CompletedTests = 0;
+                job.CurrentTestFullName = null;
+                job.CurrentTestStartedUnixMs = null;
+                job.LastFinishedTestFullName = null;
+                job.LastFinishedUnixMs = null;
+                job.FailuresSoFar ??= new List<TestJobFailure>();
+                job.FailuresSoFar.Clear();
+            }
+            PersistToSessionState(force: true);
+        }
+
+        public static void OnTestStarted(string testFullName)
+        {
+            if (string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(testFullName))
+            {
+                return;
+            }
+
+            long now = DateTimeOffset.UtcNow.ToUnixTimeMilliseconds();
+            lock (LockObj)
+            {
+                if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(_currentJobId) || !Jobs.TryGetValue(_currentJobId, out var job))
+                {
+                    return;
+                }
+
+                job.LastUpdateUnixMs = now;
+                job.CurrentTestFullName = testFullName;
+                job.CurrentTestStartedUnixMs = now;
+            }
+            PersistToSessionState();
+        }
+
+        public static void OnLeafTestFinished(string testFullName, bool isFailure, string message)
+        {
+            long now = DateTimeOffset.UtcNow.ToUnixTimeMilliseconds();
+            lock (LockObj)
+            {
+                if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(_currentJobId) || !Jobs.TryGetValue(_currentJobId, out var job))
+                {
+                    return;
+                }
+
+                job.LastUpdateUnixMs = now;
+                job.CompletedTests = Math.Max(0, job.CompletedTests + 1);
+                job.LastFinishedTestFullName = testFullName;
+                job.LastFinishedUnixMs = now;
+
+                if (isFailure)
+                {
+                    job.FailuresSoFar ??= new List<TestJobFailure>();
+                    if (job.FailuresSoFar.Count < FailureCap)
+                    {
+                        job.FailuresSoFar.Add(new TestJobFailure
+                        {
+                            FullName = testFullName,
+                            Message = string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(message) ? "Test failed" : message
+                        });
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+            PersistToSessionState();
+        }
+
+        public static void OnRunFinished()
+        {
+            long now = DateTimeOffset.UtcNow.ToUnixTimeMilliseconds();
+            lock (LockObj)
+            {
+                if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(_currentJobId) || !Jobs.TryGetValue(_currentJobId, out var job))
+                {
+                    return;
+                }
+
+                job.LastUpdateUnixMs = now;
+                job.CurrentTestFullName = null;
+            }
+            PersistToSessionState(force: true);
+        }
+
+        public static TestJob GetJob(string jobId)
+        {
+            if (string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(jobId))
+            {
+                return null;
+            }
+            lock (LockObj)
+            {
+                return Jobs.TryGetValue(jobId, out var job) ? job : null;
+            }
+        }
+
+        public static object ToSerializable(TestJob job, bool includeDetails, bool includeFailedTests)
+        {
+            if (job == null)
+            {
+                return null;
+            }
+
+            object resultPayload = null;
+            if (job.Status == TestJobStatus.Succeeded && job.Result != null)
+            {
+                resultPayload = job.Result.ToSerializable(job.Mode, includeDetails, includeFailedTests);
+            }
+
+            return new
+            {
+                job_id = job.JobId,
+                status = job.Status.ToString().ToLowerInvariant(),
+                mode = job.Mode,
+                started_unix_ms = job.StartedUnixMs,
+                finished_unix_ms = job.FinishedUnixMs,
+                last_update_unix_ms = job.LastUpdateUnixMs,
+                progress = new
+                {
+                    completed = job.CompletedTests,
+                    total = job.TotalTests,
+                    current_test_full_name = job.CurrentTestFullName,
+                    current_test_started_unix_ms = job.CurrentTestStartedUnixMs,
+                    last_finished_test_full_name = job.LastFinishedTestFullName,
+                    last_finished_unix_ms = job.LastFinishedUnixMs,
+                    stuck_suspected = IsStuck(job),
+                    editor_is_focused = InternalEditorUtility.isApplicationActive,
+                    blocked_reason = GetBlockedReason(job),
+                    failures_so_far = BuildFailuresPayload(job.FailuresSoFar),
+                    failures_capped = (job.FailuresSoFar != null && job.FailuresSoFar.Count >= FailureCap)
+                },
+                error = job.Error,
+                result = resultPayload
+            };
+        }
+
+        private static string GetBlockedReason(TestJob job)
+        {
+            if (job == null || job.Status != TestJobStatus.Running)
+            {
+                return null;
+            }
+
+            if (!IsStuck(job))
+            {
+                return null;
+            }
+
+            // This matches the real-world symptom you observed: background Unity can get heavily throttled by OS/Editor.
+            if (!InternalEditorUtility.isApplicationActive)
+            {
+                return "editor_unfocused";
+            }
+
+            if (EditorApplication.isCompiling)
+            {
+                return "compiling";
+            }
+
+            if (EditorApplication.isUpdating)
+            {
+                return "asset_import";
+            }
+
+            return "unknown";
+        }
+
+        private static bool IsStuck(TestJob job)
+        {
+            if (job == null || job.Status != TestJobStatus.Running)
+            {
+                return false;
+            }
+
+            if (string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(job.CurrentTestFullName) || !job.CurrentTestStartedUnixMs.HasValue)
+            {
+                return false;
+            }
+
+            long now = DateTimeOffset.UtcNow.ToUnixTimeMilliseconds();
+            return (now - job.CurrentTestStartedUnixMs.Value) > StuckThresholdMs;
+        }
+
+        private static object[] BuildFailuresPayload(List<TestJobFailure> failures)
+        {
+            if (failures == null || failures.Count == 0)
+            {
+                return Array.Empty<object>();
+            }
+
+            var list = new object[failures.Count];
+            for (int i = 0; i < failures.Count; i++)
+            {
+                var f = failures[i];
+                list[i] = new { full_name = f?.FullName, message = f?.Message };
+            }
+            return list;
+        }
+
+        private static void FinalizeFromTask(string jobId, Task<TestRunResult> task)
+        {
+            lock (LockObj)
+            {
+                if (!Jobs.TryGetValue(jobId, out var existing))
+                {
+                    if (_currentJobId == jobId) _currentJobId = null;
+                    return;
+                }
+
+                // If RunFinished already finalized the job, do nothing.
+                if (existing.Status != TestJobStatus.Running)
+                {
+                    if (_currentJobId == jobId) _currentJobId = null;
+                    return;
+                }
+
+                existing.LastUpdateUnixMs = DateTimeOffset.UtcNow.ToUnixTimeMilliseconds();
+                existing.FinishedUnixMs = existing.LastUpdateUnixMs;
+
+                if (task.IsFaulted)
+                {
+                    existing.Status = TestJobStatus.Failed;
+                    existing.Error = task.Exception?.GetBaseException()?.Message ?? "Unknown test job failure";
+                    existing.Result = null;
+                }
+                else if (task.IsCanceled)
+                {
+                    existing.Status = TestJobStatus.Failed;
+                    existing.Error = "Test job canceled";
+                    existing.Result = null;
+                }
+                else
+                {
+                    var result = task.Result;
+                    existing.Status = result != null && result.Failed > 0
+                        ? TestJobStatus.Failed
+                        : TestJobStatus.Succeeded;
+                    existing.Error = null;
+                    existing.Result = result;
+                }
+
+                if (_currentJobId == jobId)
+                {
+                    _currentJobId = null;
+                }
+            }
+            PersistToSessionState(force: true);
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+

MCPForUnity/Editor/Services/TestJobManager.cs.meta

@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+fileFormatVersion: 2
+guid: 2d7a9b8c0e1f4a6b9c3d2e1f0a9b8c7d
+MonoImporter:
+  externalObjects: {}
+  serializedVersion: 2
+  defaultReferences: []
+  executionOrder: 0
+  icon: {instanceID: 0}
+  userData: 
+  assetBundleName: 
+  assetBundleVariant: 
+
+

MCPForUnity/Editor/Services/TestRunStatus.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,62 @@
+using System;
+using UnityEditor.TestTools.TestRunner.Api;
+
+namespace MCPForUnity.Editor.Services
+{
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Thread-safe, minimal shared status for Unity Test Runner execution.
+    /// Used by editor readiness snapshots so callers can avoid starting overlapping runs.
+    /// </summary>
+    internal static class TestRunStatus
+    {
+        private static readonly object LockObj = new();
+
+        private static bool _isRunning;
+        private static TestMode? _mode;
+        private static long? _startedUnixMs;
+        private static long? _finishedUnixMs;
+
+        public static bool IsRunning
+        {
+            get { lock (LockObj) return _isRunning; }
+        }
+
+        public static TestMode? Mode
+        {
+            get { lock (LockObj) return _mode; }
+        }
+
+        public static long? StartedUnixMs
+        {
+            get { lock (LockObj) return _startedUnixMs; }
+        }
+
+        public static long? FinishedUnixMs
+        {
+            get { lock (LockObj) return _finishedUnixMs; }
+        }
+
+        public static void MarkStarted(TestMode mode)
+        {
+            lock (LockObj)
+            {
+                _isRunning = true;
+                _mode = mode;
+                _startedUnixMs = DateTimeOffset.UtcNow.ToUnixTimeMilliseconds();
+                _finishedUnixMs = null;
+            }
+        }
+
+        public static void MarkFinished()
+        {
+            lock (LockObj)
+            {
+                _isRunning = false;
+                _finishedUnixMs = DateTimeOffset.UtcNow.ToUnixTimeMilliseconds();
+                _mode = null;
+            }
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+

MCPForUnity/Editor/Services/TestRunStatus.cs.meta

@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+fileFormatVersion: 2
+guid: b3d140c288f6e4b6aa2b7e8181a09c1e
+MonoImporter:
+  externalObjects: {}
+  serializedVersion: 2
+  defaultReferences: []
+  executionOrder: 0
+  icon: {instanceID: 0}
+  userData: 
+  assetBundleName: 
+  assetBundleVariant: 

MCPForUnity/Editor/Services/TestRunnerNoThrottle.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,139 @@
+// TestRunnerNoThrottle.cs
+// Sets Unity Editor to "No Throttling" mode during test runs.
+// This helps tests that don't trigger compilation run smoothly in the background.
+// Note: Tests that trigger mid-run compilation may still stall due to OS-level throttling.
+
+using System;
+using System.Reflection;
+using MCPForUnity.Editor.Helpers;
+using UnityEditor;
+using UnityEditor.TestTools.TestRunner.Api;
+using UnityEngine;
+
+namespace MCPForUnity.Editor.Services
+{
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Automatically sets the editor to "No Throttling" mode during test runs.
+    /// 
+    /// This helps prevent background stalls for normal tests. However, tests that trigger
+    /// script compilation mid-run may still stall because:
+    /// - Internal Unity coroutine waits rely on editor ticks
+    /// - OS-level throttling affects the main thread when Unity is backgrounded
+    /// - No amount of internal nudging can overcome OS thread scheduling
+    /// 
+    /// The MCP workflow is unaffected because socket messages provide external stimulus
+    /// that wakes Unity's main thread.
+    /// </summary>
+    [InitializeOnLoad]
+    public static class TestRunnerNoThrottle
+    {
+        private const string ApplicationIdleTimeKey = "ApplicationIdleTime";
+        private const string InteractionModeKey = "InteractionMode";
+
+        // SessionState keys to persist across domain reload
+        private const string SessionKey_TestRunActive = "TestRunnerNoThrottle_TestRunActive";
+        private const string SessionKey_PrevIdleTime = "TestRunnerNoThrottle_PrevIdleTime";
+        private const string SessionKey_PrevInteractionMode = "TestRunnerNoThrottle_PrevInteractionMode";
+        private const string SessionKey_SettingsCaptured = "TestRunnerNoThrottle_SettingsCaptured";
+
+        // Keep reference to avoid GC and set HideFlags to avoid serialization issues
+        private static TestRunnerApi _api;
+
+        static TestRunnerNoThrottle()
+        {
+            try
+            {
+                _api = ScriptableObject.CreateInstance<TestRunnerApi>();
+                _api.hideFlags = HideFlags.HideAndDontSave;
+                _api.RegisterCallbacks(new TestCallbacks());
+
+                // Check if recovering from domain reload during an active test run
+                if (IsTestRunActive())
+                {
+                    McpLog.Info("[TestRunnerNoThrottle] Recovered from domain reload - reapplying No Throttling.");
+                    ApplyNoThrottling();
+                }
+            }
+            catch (Exception e)
+            {
+                McpLog.Warn($"[TestRunnerNoThrottle] Failed to register callbacks: {e}");
+            }
+        }
+
+        #region State Persistence
+
+        private static bool IsTestRunActive() => SessionState.GetBool(SessionKey_TestRunActive, false);
+        private static void SetTestRunActive(bool active) => SessionState.SetBool(SessionKey_TestRunActive, active);
+        private static bool AreSettingsCaptured() => SessionState.GetBool(SessionKey_SettingsCaptured, false);
+        private static void SetSettingsCaptured(bool captured) => SessionState.SetBool(SessionKey_SettingsCaptured, captured);
+        private static int GetPrevIdleTime() => SessionState.GetInt(SessionKey_PrevIdleTime, 4);
+        private static void SetPrevIdleTime(int value) => SessionState.SetInt(SessionKey_PrevIdleTime, value);
+        private static int GetPrevInteractionMode() => SessionState.GetInt(SessionKey_PrevInteractionMode, 0);
+        private static void SetPrevInteractionMode(int value) => SessionState.SetInt(SessionKey_PrevInteractionMode, value);
+
+        #endregion
+
+        private static void ApplyNoThrottling()
+        {
+            if (!AreSettingsCaptured())
+            {
+                SetPrevIdleTime(EditorPrefs.GetInt(ApplicationIdleTimeKey, 4));
+                SetPrevInteractionMode(EditorPrefs.GetInt(InteractionModeKey, 0));
+                SetSettingsCaptured(true);
+            }
+
+            // 0ms idle + InteractionMode=1 (No Throttling)
+            EditorPrefs.SetInt(ApplicationIdleTimeKey, 0);
+            EditorPrefs.SetInt(InteractionModeKey, 1);
+
+            ForceEditorToApplyInteractionPrefs();
+            McpLog.Info("[TestRunnerNoThrottle] Applied No Throttling for test run.");
+        }
+
+        private static void RestoreThrottling()
+        {
+            if (!AreSettingsCaptured()) return;
+
+            EditorPrefs.SetInt(ApplicationIdleTimeKey, GetPrevIdleTime());
+            EditorPrefs.SetInt(InteractionModeKey, GetPrevInteractionMode());
+            ForceEditorToApplyInteractionPrefs();
+
+            SetSettingsCaptured(false);
+            SetTestRunActive(false);
+            McpLog.Info("[TestRunnerNoThrottle] Restored Interaction Mode after test run.");
+        }
+
+        private static void ForceEditorToApplyInteractionPrefs()
+        {
+            try
+            {
+                var method = typeof(EditorApplication).GetMethod(
+                    "UpdateInteractionModeSettings",
+                    BindingFlags.Static | BindingFlags.NonPublic
+                );
+                method?.Invoke(null, null);
+            }
+            catch
+            {
+                // Ignore reflection errors
+            }
+        }
+
+        private sealed class TestCallbacks : ICallbacks
+        {
+            public void RunStarted(ITestAdaptor testsToRun)
+            {
+                SetTestRunActive(true);
+                ApplyNoThrottling();
+            }
+
+            public void RunFinished(ITestResultAdaptor result)
+            {
+                RestoreThrottling();
+            }
+
+            public void TestStarted(ITestAdaptor test) { }
+            public void TestFinished(ITestResultAdaptor result) { }
+        }
+    }
+}

MCPForUnity/Editor/Services/TestRunnerNoThrottle.cs.meta

@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+fileFormatVersion: 2
+guid: 07a60b029782d464a9506fa520d2a8c8
+MonoImporter:
+  externalObjects: {}
+  serializedVersion: 2
+  defaultReferences: []
+  executionOrder: 0
+  icon: {instanceID: 0}
+  userData: 
+  assetBundleName: 
+  assetBundleVariant: 

MCPForUnity/Editor/Services/TestRunnerService.cs

@@ -93,6 +93,8 @@ namespace MCPForUnity.Editor.Services
 
                 _leafResults.Clear();
                 _runCompletionSource = new TaskCompletionSource<TestRunResult>(TaskCreationOptions.RunContinuationsAsynchronously);
+                // Mark running immediately so readiness snapshots reflect the busy state even before callbacks fire.
+                TestRunStatus.MarkStarted(mode);
 
                 var filter = new Filter
                 {
@@ -115,6 +117,8 @@ namespace MCPForUnity.Editor.Services
             }
             catch
             {
+                // Ensure the status is cleared if we failed to start the run.
+                TestRunStatus.MarkFinished();
                 if (adjustedPlayModeOptions)
                 {
                     RestoreEnterPlayModeOptions(originalEnterPlayModeOptionsEnabled, originalEnterPlayModeOptions);
@@ -163,6 +167,20 @@ namespace MCPForUnity.Editor.Services
         public void RunStarted(ITestAdaptor testsToRun)
         {
             _leafResults.Clear();
+            try
+            {
+                // Best-effort progress info for async polling (avoid heavy payloads).
+                int? total = null;
+                if (testsToRun != null)
+                {
+                    total = CountLeafTests(testsToRun);
+                }
+                TestJobManager.OnRunStarted(total);
+            }
+            catch
+            {
+                TestJobManager.OnRunStarted(null);
+            }
         }
 
         public void RunFinished(ITestResultAdaptor result)
@@ -175,11 +193,27 @@ namespace MCPForUnity.Editor.Services
             var payload = TestRunResult.Create(result, _leafResults);
             _runCompletionSource.TrySetResult(payload);
             _runCompletionSource = null;
+            TestRunStatus.MarkFinished();
+            TestJobManager.OnRunFinished();
+            TestJobManager.FinalizeCurrentJobFromRunFinished(payload);
         }
 
         public void TestStarted(ITestAdaptor test)
         {
-            // No-op
+            try
+            {
+                // Prefer FullName for uniqueness; fall back to Name.
+                string fullName = test?.FullName;
+                if (string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(fullName))
+                {
+                    fullName = test?.Name;
+                }
+                TestJobManager.OnTestStarted(fullName);
+            }
+            catch
+            {
+                // ignore
+            }
         }
 
         public void TestFinished(ITestResultAdaptor result)
@@ -192,11 +226,72 @@ namespace MCPForUnity.Editor.Services
             if (!result.HasChildren)
             {
                 _leafResults.Add(result);
+                try
+                {
+                    string fullName = result.Test?.FullName;
+                    if (string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(fullName))
+                    {
+                        fullName = result.Test?.Name;
+                    }
+
+                    bool isFailure = false;
+                    string message = null;
+                    try
+                    {
+                        // NUnit outcomes are strings in the adaptor; keep it simple.
+                        string outcome = result.ResultState;
+                        if (!string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(outcome))
+                        {
+                            var o = outcome.Trim().ToLowerInvariant();
+                            isFailure = o.Contains("failed") || o.Contains("error");
+                        }
+                        message = result.Message;
+                    }
+                    catch
+                    {
+                        // ignore adaptor quirks
+                    }
+
+                    TestJobManager.OnLeafTestFinished(fullName, isFailure, message);
+                }
+                catch
+                {
+                    // ignore
+                }
             }
         }
 
         #endregion
 
+        private static int CountLeafTests(ITestAdaptor node)
+        {
+            if (node == null)
+            {
+                return 0;
+            }
+
+            if (!node.HasChildren)
+            {
+                return 1;
+            }
+
+            int total = 0;
+            try
+            {
+                foreach (var child in node.Children)
+                {
+                    total += CountLeafTests(child);
+                }
+            }
+            catch
+            {
+                // If Unity changes the adaptor behavior, treat it as "unknown total".
+                return 0;
+            }
+
+            return total;
+        }
+
         private static bool EnsurePlayModeRunsWithoutDomainReload(
             out bool originalEnterPlayModeOptionsEnabled,
             out EnterPlayModeOptions originalEnterPlayModeOptions)

MCPForUnity/Editor/Tools/GetTestJob.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,54 @@
+using System;
+using MCPForUnity.Editor.Helpers;
+using MCPForUnity.Editor.Services;
+using Newtonsoft.Json.Linq;
+
+namespace MCPForUnity.Editor.Tools
+{
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Poll a previously started async test job by job_id.
+    /// </summary>
+    [McpForUnityTool("get_test_job", AutoRegister = false)]
+    public static class GetTestJob
+    {
+        public static object HandleCommand(JObject @params)
+        {
+            string jobId = @params?["job_id"]?.ToString() ?? @params?["jobId"]?.ToString();
+            if (string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(jobId))
+            {
+                return new ErrorResponse("Missing required parameter 'job_id'.");
+            }
+
+            bool includeDetails = false;
+            bool includeFailedTests = false;
+            try
+            {
+                var includeDetailsToken = @params?["includeDetails"];
+                if (includeDetailsToken != null && bool.TryParse(includeDetailsToken.ToString(), out var parsedIncludeDetails))
+                {
+                    includeDetails = parsedIncludeDetails;
+                }
+                var includeFailedTestsToken = @params?["includeFailedTests"];
+                if (includeFailedTestsToken != null && bool.TryParse(includeFailedTestsToken.ToString(), out var parsedIncludeFailedTests))
+                {
+                    includeFailedTests = parsedIncludeFailedTests;
+                }
+            }
+            catch
+            {
+                // ignore parse failures
+            }
+
+            var job = TestJobManager.GetJob(jobId);
+            if (job == null)
+            {
+                return new ErrorResponse("Unknown job_id.");
+            }
+
+            var payload = TestJobManager.ToSerializable(job, includeDetails, includeFailedTests);
+            return new SuccessResponse("Test job status retrieved.", payload);
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+

MCPForUnity/Editor/Tools/GetTestJob.cs.meta

@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+fileFormatVersion: 2
+guid: 7f92c2b67a2c4b5c9d1a3c0e6f9b2d10
+MonoImporter:
+  externalObjects: {}
+  serializedVersion: 2
+  defaultReferences: []
+  executionOrder: 0
+  icon: {instanceID: 0}
+  userData: 
+  assetBundleName: 
+  assetBundleVariant: 
+
+

MCPForUnity/Editor/Tools/ManageAsset.cs

@@ -180,7 +180,7 @@ namespace MCPForUnity.Editor.Tools
             if (!Directory.Exists(Path.Combine(Directory.GetCurrentDirectory(), directory)))
             {
                 Directory.CreateDirectory(Path.Combine(Directory.GetCurrentDirectory(), directory));
-                AssetDatabase.Refresh(); // Make sure Unity knows about the new folder
+                AssetDatabase.Refresh(ImportAssetOptions.ForceSynchronousImport); // Make sure Unity knows about the new folder
             }
 
             if (AssetExists(fullPath))
@@ -869,7 +869,7 @@ namespace MCPForUnity.Editor.Tools
             if (!Directory.Exists(fullDirPath))
             {
                 Directory.CreateDirectory(fullDirPath);
-                AssetDatabase.Refresh(); // Let Unity know about the new folder
+                AssetDatabase.Refresh(ImportAssetOptions.ForceSynchronousImport); // Let Unity know about the new folder
             }
         }
 

MCPForUnity/Editor/Tools/ManageGameObject.cs

@@ -590,7 +590,7 @@ namespace MCPForUnity.Editor.Tools
                     )
                     {
                         System.IO.Directory.CreateDirectory(directoryPath);
-                        AssetDatabase.Refresh(); // Refresh asset database to recognize the new folder
+                        AssetDatabase.Refresh(ImportAssetOptions.ForceSynchronousImport); // Refresh asset database to recognize the new folder
                         Debug.Log(
                             $"[ManageGameObject.Create] Created directory for prefab: {directoryPath}"
                         );

MCPForUnity/Editor/Tools/ManageScene.cs

@@ -219,7 +219,7 @@ namespace MCPForUnity.Editor.Tools
 
                 if (saved)
                 {
-                    AssetDatabase.Refresh(); // Ensure Unity sees the new scene file
+                    AssetDatabase.Refresh(ImportAssetOptions.ForceSynchronousImport); // Ensure Unity sees the new scene file
                     return new SuccessResponse(
                         $"Scene '{Path.GetFileName(relativePath)}' created successfully at '{relativePath}'.",
                         new { path = relativePath }
@@ -362,7 +362,7 @@ namespace MCPForUnity.Editor.Tools
 
                 if (saved)
                 {
-                    AssetDatabase.Refresh();
+                    AssetDatabase.Refresh(ImportAssetOptions.ForceSynchronousImport);
                     return new SuccessResponse(
                         $"Scene '{currentScene.name}' saved successfully to '{finalPath}'.",
                         new { path = finalPath, name = currentScene.name }
@@ -408,7 +408,7 @@ namespace MCPForUnity.Editor.Tools
                     result = ScreenshotUtility.CaptureFromCameraToAssetsFolder(cam, fileName, resolvedSuperSize, ensureUniqueFileName: true);
                 }
 
-                AssetDatabase.Refresh();
+                AssetDatabase.Refresh(ImportAssetOptions.ForceSynchronousImport);
 
                 string message = $"Screenshot captured to '{result.AssetsRelativePath}' (full: {result.FullPath}).";
 

MCPForUnity/Editor/Tools/ManageScript.cs

@@ -978,7 +978,7 @@ namespace MCPForUnity.Editor.Tools
                 bool deleted = AssetDatabase.MoveAssetToTrash(relativePath);
                 if (deleted)
                 {
-                    AssetDatabase.Refresh();
+                    AssetDatabase.Refresh(ImportAssetOptions.ForceSynchronousImport);
                     return new SuccessResponse(
                         $"Script '{Path.GetFileName(relativePath)}' moved to trash successfully.",
                         new { deleted = true }

MCPForUnity/Editor/Tools/ManageShader.cs

@@ -94,7 +94,7 @@ namespace MCPForUnity.Editor.Tools
                     {
                         Directory.CreateDirectory(fullPathDir);
                         // Refresh AssetDatabase to recognize new folders
-                        AssetDatabase.Refresh();
+                        AssetDatabase.Refresh(ImportAssetOptions.ForceSynchronousImport);
                     }
                 }
                 catch (Exception e)
@@ -174,7 +174,7 @@ namespace MCPForUnity.Editor.Tools
             {
                 File.WriteAllText(fullPath, contents, new System.Text.UTF8Encoding(false));
                 AssetDatabase.ImportAsset(relativePath);
-                AssetDatabase.Refresh(); // Ensure Unity recognizes the new shader
+                AssetDatabase.Refresh(ImportAssetOptions.ForceSynchronousImport); // Ensure Unity recognizes the new shader
                 return new SuccessResponse(
                     $"Shader '{name}.shader' created successfully at '{relativePath}'.",
                     new { path = relativePath }
@@ -242,7 +242,7 @@ namespace MCPForUnity.Editor.Tools
             {
                 File.WriteAllText(fullPath, contents, new System.Text.UTF8Encoding(false));
                 AssetDatabase.ImportAsset(relativePath);
-                AssetDatabase.Refresh();
+                AssetDatabase.Refresh(ImportAssetOptions.ForceSynchronousImport);
                 return new SuccessResponse(
                     $"Shader '{Path.GetFileName(relativePath)}' updated successfully.",
                     new { path = relativePath }

MCPForUnity/Editor/Tools/Prefabs/ManagePrefabs.cs

@@ -223,7 +223,7 @@ namespace MCPForUnity.Editor.Tools.Prefabs
             if (!Directory.Exists(fullDirectory))
             {
                 Directory.CreateDirectory(fullDirectory);
-                AssetDatabase.Refresh();
+                AssetDatabase.Refresh(ImportAssetOptions.ForceSynchronousImport);
             }
         }
 

MCPForUnity/Editor/Tools/RefreshUnity.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,175 @@
+using System;
+using System.Threading;
+using System.Threading.Tasks;
+using MCPForUnity.Editor.Helpers;
+using MCPForUnity.Editor.Services;
+using Newtonsoft.Json.Linq;
+using UnityEditor;
+using UnityEditor.Compilation;
+
+namespace MCPForUnity.Editor.Tools
+{
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Explicitly refreshes Unity's asset database and optionally requests a script compilation.
+    /// This is side-effectful and should be treated as a tool.
+    /// </summary>
+    [McpForUnityTool("refresh_unity", AutoRegister = false)]
+    public static class RefreshUnity
+    {
+        private const int DefaultWaitTimeoutSeconds = 60;
+
+        public static async Task<object> HandleCommand(JObject @params)
+        {
+            string mode = @params?["mode"]?.ToString() ?? "if_dirty";
+            string scope = @params?["scope"]?.ToString() ?? "all";
+            string compile = @params?["compile"]?.ToString() ?? "none";
+            bool waitForReady = false;
+
+            try
+            {
+                var waitToken = @params?["wait_for_ready"];
+                if (waitToken != null && bool.TryParse(waitToken.ToString(), out var parsed))
+                {
+                    waitForReady = parsed;
+                }
+            }
+            catch
+            {
+                // ignore parse failures
+            }
+
+            if (TestRunStatus.IsRunning)
+            {
+                return new ErrorResponse("tests_running", new
+                {
+                    reason = "tests_running",
+                    retry_after_ms = 5000
+                });
+            }
+
+            bool refreshTriggered = false;
+            bool compileRequested = false;
+
+            try
+            {
+                // Best-effort semantics: if_dirty currently behaves like force unless future dirty signals are added.
+                bool shouldRefresh = string.Equals(mode, "force", StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase)
+                                     || string.Equals(mode, "if_dirty", StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase);
+
+                if (shouldRefresh)
+                {
+                    if (string.Equals(scope, "scripts", StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase))
+                    {
+                        // For scripts, requesting compilation is usually the meaningful action.
+                        // We avoid a heavyweight full refresh by default.
+                    }
+                    else
+                    {
+                        AssetDatabase.Refresh(ImportAssetOptions.ForceUpdate | ImportAssetOptions.ForceSynchronousImport);
+                        refreshTriggered = true;
+                    }
+                }
+
+                if (string.Equals(compile, "request", StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase))
+                {
+                    CompilationPipeline.RequestScriptCompilation();
+                    compileRequested = true;
+                }
+
+                if (string.Equals(scope, "all", StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase) && !refreshTriggered)
+                {
+                    // If the caller asked for "all" and we skipped refresh above (e.g., scripts-only path),
+                    // do a lightweight refresh now. Use ForceSynchronousImport to ensure the refresh
+                    // completes before returning, preventing stalls when Unity is backgrounded.
+                    AssetDatabase.Refresh(ImportAssetOptions.ForceSynchronousImport);
+                    refreshTriggered = true;
+                }
+            }
+            catch (Exception ex)
+            {
+                return new ErrorResponse($"refresh_failed: {ex.Message}");
+            }
+
+            if (waitForReady)
+            {
+                try
+                {
+                    await WaitForUnityReadyAsync(TimeSpan.FromSeconds(DefaultWaitTimeoutSeconds)).ConfigureAwait(true);
+                }
+                catch (TimeoutException)
+                {
+                    return new ErrorResponse("refresh_timeout_waiting_for_ready", new
+                    {
+                        refresh_triggered = refreshTriggered,
+                        compile_requested = compileRequested,
+                        resulting_state = "unknown",
+                    });
+                }
+                catch (Exception ex)
+                {
+                    return new ErrorResponse($"refresh_wait_failed: {ex.Message}");
+                }
+            }
+
+            string resultingState = EditorApplication.isCompiling
+                ? "compiling"
+                : (EditorApplication.isUpdating ? "asset_import" : "idle");
+
+            return new SuccessResponse("Refresh requested.", new
+            {
+                refresh_triggered = refreshTriggered,
+                compile_requested = compileRequested,
+                resulting_state = resultingState,
+                hint = waitForReady
+                    ? "Unity refresh completed; editor should be ready."
+                    : "If Unity enters compilation/domain reload, poll editor_state until ready_for_tools is true."
+            });
+        }
+
+        private static Task WaitForUnityReadyAsync(TimeSpan timeout)
+        {
+            var tcs = new TaskCompletionSource<bool>(TaskCreationOptions.RunContinuationsAsynchronously);
+            var start = DateTime.UtcNow;
+
+            void Tick()
+            {
+                try
+                {
+                    if (tcs.Task.IsCompleted)
+                    {
+                        EditorApplication.update -= Tick;
+                        return;
+                    }
+
+                    if ((DateTime.UtcNow - start) > timeout)
+                    {
+                        EditorApplication.update -= Tick;
+                        tcs.TrySetException(new TimeoutException());
+                        return;
+                    }
+
+                    if (!EditorApplication.isCompiling
+                        && !EditorApplication.isUpdating
+                        && !TestRunStatus.IsRunning
+                        && !EditorApplication.isPlayingOrWillChangePlaymode)
+                    {
+                        EditorApplication.update -= Tick;
+                        tcs.TrySetResult(true);
+                    }
+                }
+                catch (Exception ex)
+                {
+                    EditorApplication.update -= Tick;
+                    tcs.TrySetException(ex);
+                }
+            }
+
+            EditorApplication.update += Tick;
+            // Nudge Unity to pump once in case update is throttled.
+            try { EditorApplication.QueuePlayerLoopUpdate(); } catch { }
+            return tcs.Task;
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+

MCPForUnity/Editor/Tools/RefreshUnity.cs.meta

@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+fileFormatVersion: 2
+guid: c2c02170faca940d09c813706493ecb3
+MonoImporter:
+  externalObjects: {}
+  serializedVersion: 2
+  defaultReferences: []
+  executionOrder: 0
+  icon: {instanceID: 0}
+  userData: 
+  assetBundleName: 
+  assetBundleVariant: 

MCPForUnity/Editor/Tools/RunTestsAsync.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,128 @@
+using System;
+using System.Linq;
+using System.Threading.Tasks;
+using MCPForUnity.Editor.Helpers;
+using MCPForUnity.Editor.Resources.Tests;
+using MCPForUnity.Editor.Services;
+using Newtonsoft.Json.Linq;
+using UnityEditor.TestTools.TestRunner.Api;
+
+namespace MCPForUnity.Editor.Tools
+{
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Starts a Unity Test Runner run asynchronously and returns a job id immediately.
+    /// Use get_test_job(job_id) to poll status/results.
+    /// </summary>
+    [McpForUnityTool("run_tests_async", AutoRegister = false)]
+    public static class RunTestsAsync
+    {
+        public static Task<object> HandleCommand(JObject @params)
+        {
+            try
+            {
+                string modeStr = @params?["mode"]?.ToString();
+                if (string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(modeStr))
+                {
+                    modeStr = "EditMode";
+                }
+
+                if (!ModeParser.TryParse(modeStr, out var parsedMode, out var parseError))
+                {
+                    return Task.FromResult<object>(new ErrorResponse(parseError));
+                }
+
+                bool includeDetails = false;
+                bool includeFailedTests = false;
+                try
+                {
+                    var includeDetailsToken = @params?["includeDetails"];
+                    if (includeDetailsToken != null && bool.TryParse(includeDetailsToken.ToString(), out var parsedIncludeDetails))
+                    {
+                        includeDetails = parsedIncludeDetails;
+                    }
+
+                    var includeFailedTestsToken = @params?["includeFailedTests"];
+                    if (includeFailedTestsToken != null && bool.TryParse(includeFailedTestsToken.ToString(), out var parsedIncludeFailedTests))
+                    {
+                        includeFailedTests = parsedIncludeFailedTests;
+                    }
+                }
+                catch
+                {
+                    // ignore parse failures
+                }
+
+                var filterOptions = GetFilterOptions(@params);
+                string jobId = TestJobManager.StartJob(parsedMode.Value, filterOptions);
+
+                return Task.FromResult<object>(new SuccessResponse("Test job started.", new
+                {
+                    job_id = jobId,
+                    status = "running",
+                    mode = parsedMode.Value.ToString(),
+                    include_details = includeDetails,
+                    include_failed_tests = includeFailedTests
+                }));
+            }
+            catch (Exception ex)
+            {
+                // Normalize the already-running case to a stable error token.
+                if (ex.Message != null && ex.Message.IndexOf("already in progress", StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase) >= 0)
+                {
+                    return Task.FromResult<object>(new ErrorResponse("tests_running", new { reason = "tests_running", retry_after_ms = 5000 }));
+                }
+                return Task.FromResult<object>(new ErrorResponse($"Failed to start test job: {ex.Message}"));
+            }
+        }
+
+        private static TestFilterOptions GetFilterOptions(JObject @params)
+        {
+            if (@params == null)
+            {
+                return null;
+            }
+
+            string[] ParseStringArray(string key)
+            {
+                var token = @params[key];
+                if (token == null) return null;
+                if (token.Type == JTokenType.String)
+                {
+                    var value = token.ToString();
+                    return string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(value) ? null : new[] { value };
+                }
+                if (token.Type == JTokenType.Array)
+                {
+                    var array = token as JArray;
+                    if (array == null || array.Count == 0) return null;
+                    var values = array
+                        .Values<string>()
+                        .Where(s => !string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(s))
+                        .ToArray();
+                    return values.Length > 0 ? values : null;
+                }
+                return null;
+            }
+
+            var testNames = ParseStringArray("testNames");
+            var groupNames = ParseStringArray("groupNames");
+            var categoryNames = ParseStringArray("categoryNames");
+            var assemblyNames = ParseStringArray("assemblyNames");
+
+            if (testNames == null && groupNames == null && categoryNames == null && assemblyNames == null)
+            {
+                return null;
+            }
+
+            return new TestFilterOptions
+            {
+                TestNames = testNames,
+                GroupNames = groupNames,
+                CategoryNames = categoryNames,
+                AssemblyNames = assemblyNames
+            };
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+

MCPForUnity/Editor/Tools/RunTestsAsync.cs.meta

@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
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+guid: 5cc0c41b1a8b4e0e9d0f1f8b1d7d2a9c
+MonoImporter:
+  externalObjects: {}
+  serializedVersion: 2
+  defaultReferences: []
+  executionOrder: 0
+  icon: {instanceID: 0}
+  userData: 
+  assetBundleName: 
+  assetBundleVariant: 
+
+

MCPForUnity/Editor/Windows/Components/Connection/McpConnectionSection.cs

@@ -627,10 +627,20 @@ namespace MCPForUnity.Editor.Windows.Components.Connection
             {
                 // Wait until the HTTP server is actually accepting connections to reduce transient "unable to connect then recovers"
                 // behavior (session start attempts can race the server startup).
-                bool serverReady = await WaitForHttpServerAcceptingConnectionsAsync(TimeSpan.FromSeconds(10));
+                // Dev mode uses --no-cache --refresh which causes uvx to rebuild the package, taking significantly longer.
+                bool devModeEnabled = false;
+                try { devModeEnabled = EditorPrefs.GetBool(EditorPrefKeys.DevModeForceServerRefresh, false); } catch { }
+                var startupTimeout = devModeEnabled ? TimeSpan.FromSeconds(45) : TimeSpan.FromSeconds(10);
+                
+                if (devModeEnabled)
+                {
+                    McpLog.Info("Dev mode enabled: server startup may take longer while uvx rebuilds the package...");
+                }
+                
+                bool serverReady = await WaitForHttpServerAcceptingConnectionsAsync(startupTimeout);
                 if (!serverReady)
                 {
-                    McpLog.Warn("HTTP server did not become reachable within the expected startup window; will still attempt to start the session.");
+                    McpLog.Warn($"HTTP server did not become reachable within {startupTimeout.TotalSeconds}s; will still attempt to start the session.");
                 }
 
                 for (int attempt = 0; attempt < maxAttempts; attempt++)

README.md

@@ -16,9 +16,9 @@
 
 **Create your Unity apps with LLMs!**
 
-MCP for Unity acts as a bridge, allowing AI assistants (like Claude, Cursor) to interact directly with your Unity Editor via a local **MCP (Model Context Protocol) Client**. Give your LLM tools to manage assets, control scenes, edit scripts, and automate tasks within Unity.
+MCP for Unity acts as a bridge, allowing AI assistants (Claude, Cursor, Antigravity, VS Code, etc) to interact directly with your Unity Editor via a local **MCP (Model Context Protocol) Client**. Give your LLM tools to manage assets, control scenes, edit scripts, and automate tasks within Unity.
 
-<img width="406" height="704" alt="MCP for Unity screenshot" src="docs/images/readme_ui.png">
+<img width="406" height="704" alt="MCP for Unity screenshot" src="docs/images/unity-mcp-ui-v8.6.png">
 
 ---
 
@@ -51,7 +51,9 @@ MCP for Unity acts as a bridge, allowing AI assistants (like Claude, Cursor) to
 * `manage_scriptable_object`: Creates and modifies ScriptableObject assets using Unity SerializedObject property paths.
 * `manage_shader`: Performs shader CRUD operations (create, read, modify, delete).
 * `read_console`: Gets messages from or clears the console.
-* `run_tests`: Runs tests in the Unity Editor.
+* `run_tests_async`: Starts tests asynchronously and returns a job_id for polling (preferred).
+* `get_test_job`: Polls an async test job for progress and results.
+* `run_tests`: Runs tests synchronously (blocks until complete; prefer `run_tests_async` for long suites).
 * `execute_custom_tool`: Execute a project-scoped custom tool registered by Unity.
 * `execute_menu_item`: Executes Unity Editor menu items (e.g., "File/Save Project").
 * `set_active_instance`: Routes subsequent tool calls to a specific Unity instance (when multiple are running). Requires the exact `Name@hash` from `unity_instances`.
@@ -152,7 +154,7 @@ MCP for Unity connects your tools using two components:
 
 **Need a stable/fixed version?** Use a tagged URL instead (updates require uninstalling and re-installing):
 ```
-https://github.com/CoplayDev/unity-mcp.git?path=/MCPForUnity#v8.2.1
+https://github.com/CoplayDev/unity-mcp.git?path=/MCPForUnity#v8.6.0
 ```
 
 #### To install via OpenUPM
@@ -168,8 +170,8 @@ https://github.com/CoplayDev/unity-mcp.git?path=/MCPForUnity#v8.2.1
 HTTP transport is enabled out of the box. The Unity window can launch the FastMCP server for you:
 
 1. Open `Window > MCP for Unity`.
-2. Make sure the **Transport** dropdown is set to `HTTP` (default) and the **HTTP URL** is what you want (defaults to `http://localhost:8080`).
-3. Click **Start Local HTTP Server**. Unity spawns a new operating-system terminal running `uv ... server.py --transport http`.
+2. Make sure the **Transport** dropdown is set to `HTTP Local` (default) and the **HTTP URL** is what you want (defaults to `http://localhost:8080`).
+3. Click **Start Server**. Unity spawns a new operating-system terminal running `uv ... server.py --transport http`.
 4. Keep that terminal window open while you work; closing it stops the server. Use the **Stop Session** button in the Unity window if you need to tear it down cleanly.
 
 > Prefer stdio? Change the transport dropdown to `Stdio` and Unity will fall back to the embedded TCP bridge instead of launching the HTTP server.
@@ -179,7 +181,7 @@ HTTP transport is enabled out of the box. The Unity window can launch the FastMC
 You can also start the server yourself from a terminal—useful for CI or when you want to see raw logs:
 
 ```bash
-uvx --from "git+https://github.com/CoplayDev/unity-mcp@v8.1.0#subdirectory=Server" mcp-for-unity --transport http --http-url http://localhost:8080
+uvx --from "git+https://github.com/CoplayDev/unity-mcp@v8.6.0#subdirectory=Server" mcp-for-unity --transport http --http-url http://localhost:8080
 ```
 
 Keep the process running while clients are connected.
@@ -407,7 +409,7 @@ Your privacy matters to us. All telemetry is optional and designed to respect yo
     - Check the status window: Window > MCP for Unity.
     - Restart Unity.
 - **MCP Client Not Connecting / Server Not Starting:**
-    - Make sure the local HTTP server is running (Window > MCP for Unity > Start Local HTTP Server). Keep the spawned terminal window open.
+    - Make sure the local HTTP server is running (Window > MCP for Unity > Start Server). Keep the spawned terminal window open.
     - **Verify Server Path:** Double-check the --directory path in your MCP Client's JSON config. It must exactly match the installation location:
       - **Windows:** `%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\UnityMCP\UnityMcpServer\src`
       - **macOS:** `~/Library/AppSupport/UnityMCP/UnityMcpServer\src` 

Server/src/services/resources/editor_state_v2.py

@@ -0,0 +1,270 @@
+import time
+import os
+from typing import Any
+
+from fastmcp import Context
+
+from models import MCPResponse
+from services.registry import mcp_for_unity_resource
+from services.tools import get_unity_instance_from_context
+import transport.unity_transport as unity_transport
+from transport.legacy.unity_connection import async_send_command_with_retry
+from services.state.external_changes_scanner import external_changes_scanner
+
+
+def _now_unix_ms() -> int:
+    return int(time.time() * 1000)
+
+
+def _in_pytest() -> bool:
+    # Avoid instance-discovery side effects during the Python integration test suite.
+    return bool(os.environ.get("PYTEST_CURRENT_TEST"))
+
+
+async def _infer_single_instance_id(ctx: Context) -> str | None:
+    """
+    Best-effort: if exactly one Unity instance is connected, return its Name@hash id.
+    This makes editor_state outputs self-describing even when no explicit active instance is set.
+    """
+    if _in_pytest():
+        return None
+
+    try:
+        transport = unity_transport._current_transport()
+    except Exception:
+        transport = None
+
+    if transport == "http":
+        # HTTP/WebSocket transport: derive from PluginHub sessions.
+        try:
+            from transport.plugin_hub import PluginHub
+
+            sessions_data = await PluginHub.get_sessions()
+            sessions = sessions_data.sessions if hasattr(sessions_data, "sessions") else {}
+            if isinstance(sessions, dict) and len(sessions) == 1:
+                session = next(iter(sessions.values()))
+                project = getattr(session, "project", None)
+                project_hash = getattr(session, "hash", None)
+                if project and project_hash:
+                    return f"{project}@{project_hash}"
+        except Exception:
+            return None
+        return None
+
+    # Stdio/TCP transport: derive from connection pool discovery.
+    try:
+        from transport.legacy.unity_connection import get_unity_connection_pool
+
+        pool = get_unity_connection_pool()
+        instances = pool.discover_all_instances(force_refresh=False)
+        if isinstance(instances, list) and len(instances) == 1:
+            inst = instances[0]
+            inst_id = getattr(inst, "id", None)
+            return str(inst_id) if inst_id else None
+    except Exception:
+        return None
+    return None
+
+
+def _build_v2_from_legacy(legacy: dict[str, Any]) -> dict[str, Any]:
+    """
+    Best-effort mapping from legacy get_editor_state payload into the v2 contract.
+    Legacy shape (Unity): {isPlaying,isPaused,isCompiling,isUpdating,timeSinceStartup,...}
+    """
+    now_ms = _now_unix_ms()
+    # legacy may arrive already wrapped as MCPResponse-like {success,data:{...}}
+    state = legacy.get("data") if isinstance(legacy.get("data"), dict) else {}
+
+    return {
+        "schema_version": "unity-mcp/editor_state@2",
+        "observed_at_unix_ms": now_ms,
+        "sequence": 0,
+        "unity": {
+            "instance_id": None,
+            "unity_version": None,
+            "project_id": None,
+            "platform": None,
+            "is_batch_mode": None,
+        },
+        "editor": {
+            "is_focused": None,
+            "play_mode": {
+                "is_playing": bool(state.get("isPlaying", False)),
+                "is_paused": bool(state.get("isPaused", False)),
+                "is_changing": None,
+            },
+            "active_scene": {
+                "path": None,
+                "guid": None,
+                "name": state.get("activeSceneName", "") or "",
+            },
+            "selection": {
+                "count": int(state.get("selectionCount", 0) or 0),
+                "active_object_name": state.get("activeObjectName", None),
+            },
+        },
+        "activity": {
+            "phase": "unknown",
+            "since_unix_ms": now_ms,
+            "reasons": ["legacy_fallback"],
+        },
+        "compilation": {
+            "is_compiling": bool(state.get("isCompiling", False)),
+            "is_domain_reload_pending": None,
+            "last_compile_started_unix_ms": None,
+            "last_compile_finished_unix_ms": None,
+        },
+        "assets": {
+            "is_updating": bool(state.get("isUpdating", False)),
+            "external_changes_dirty": False,
+            "external_changes_last_seen_unix_ms": None,
+            "refresh": {
+                "is_refresh_in_progress": False,
+                "last_refresh_requested_unix_ms": None,
+                "last_refresh_finished_unix_ms": None,
+            },
+        },
+        "tests": {
+            "is_running": False,
+            "mode": None,
+            "started_unix_ms": None,
+            "started_by": "unknown",
+            "last_run": None,
+        },
+        "transport": {
+            "unity_bridge_connected": None,
+            "last_message_unix_ms": None,
+        },
+    }
+
+
+def _enrich_advice_and_staleness(state_v2: dict[str, Any]) -> dict[str, Any]:
+    now_ms = _now_unix_ms()
+    observed = state_v2.get("observed_at_unix_ms")
+    try:
+        observed_ms = int(observed)
+    except Exception:
+        observed_ms = now_ms
+
+    age_ms = max(0, now_ms - observed_ms)
+    # Conservative default: treat >2s as stale (covers common unfocused-editor throttling).
+    is_stale = age_ms > 2000
+
+    compilation = state_v2.get("compilation") or {}
+    tests = state_v2.get("tests") or {}
+    assets = state_v2.get("assets") or {}
+    refresh = (assets.get("refresh") or {}) if isinstance(assets, dict) else {}
+
+    blocking: list[str] = []
+    if compilation.get("is_compiling") is True:
+        blocking.append("compiling")
+    if compilation.get("is_domain_reload_pending") is True:
+        blocking.append("domain_reload")
+    if tests.get("is_running") is True:
+        blocking.append("running_tests")
+    if refresh.get("is_refresh_in_progress") is True:
+        blocking.append("asset_refresh")
+    if is_stale:
+        blocking.append("stale_status")
+
+    ready_for_tools = len(blocking) == 0
+
+    state_v2["advice"] = {
+        "ready_for_tools": ready_for_tools,
+        "blocking_reasons": blocking,
+        "recommended_retry_after_ms": 0 if ready_for_tools else 500,
+        "recommended_next_action": "none" if ready_for_tools else "retry_later",
+    }
+    state_v2["staleness"] = {"age_ms": age_ms, "is_stale": is_stale}
+    return state_v2
+
+
+@mcp_for_unity_resource(
+    uri="unity://editor_state",
+    name="editor_state_v2",
+    description="Canonical editor readiness snapshot (v2). Includes advice and server-computed staleness.",
+)
+async def get_editor_state_v2(ctx: Context) -> MCPResponse:
+    unity_instance = get_unity_instance_from_context(ctx)
+
+    # Try v2 snapshot first (Unity-side cache will make this fast once implemented).
+    response = await unity_transport.send_with_unity_instance(
+        async_send_command_with_retry,
+        unity_instance,
+        "get_editor_state_v2",
+        {},
+    )
+
+    # If Unity returns a structured retry hint or error, surface it directly.
+    if isinstance(response, dict) and not response.get("success", True):
+        return MCPResponse(**response)
+
+    # If v2 is unavailable (older plugin), fall back to legacy get_editor_state and map.
+    if not (isinstance(response, dict) and isinstance(response.get("data"), dict) and response["data"].get("schema_version")):
+        legacy = await unity_transport.send_with_unity_instance(
+            async_send_command_with_retry,
+            unity_instance,
+            "get_editor_state",
+            {},
+        )
+        if isinstance(legacy, dict) and not legacy.get("success", True):
+            return MCPResponse(**legacy)
+        state_v2 = _build_v2_from_legacy(legacy if isinstance(legacy, dict) else {})
+    else:
+        state_v2 = response.get("data") if isinstance(response.get("data"), dict) else {}
+        # Ensure required v2 marker exists even if Unity returns partial.
+        state_v2.setdefault("schema_version", "unity-mcp/editor_state@2")
+        state_v2.setdefault("observed_at_unix_ms", _now_unix_ms())
+        state_v2.setdefault("sequence", 0)
+
+    # Ensure the returned snapshot is clearly associated with the targeted instance.
+    # (This matters when multiple Unity instances are connected and the client is polling readiness.)
+    unity_section = state_v2.get("unity")
+    if not isinstance(unity_section, dict):
+        unity_section = {}
+        state_v2["unity"] = unity_section
+    current_instance_id = unity_section.get("instance_id")
+    if current_instance_id in (None, ""):
+        if unity_instance:
+            unity_section["instance_id"] = unity_instance
+        else:
+            inferred = await _infer_single_instance_id(ctx)
+            if inferred:
+                unity_section["instance_id"] = inferred
+
+    # External change detection (server-side): compute per instance based on project root path.
+    # This helps detect stale assets when external tools edit the filesystem.
+    try:
+        instance_id = unity_section.get("instance_id")
+        if isinstance(instance_id, str) and instance_id.strip():
+            from services.resources.project_info import get_project_info
+
+            # Cache the project root for this instance (best-effort).
+            proj_resp = await get_project_info(ctx)
+            proj = proj_resp.model_dump() if hasattr(proj_resp, "model_dump") else proj_resp
+            proj_data = proj.get("data") if isinstance(proj, dict) else None
+            project_root = proj_data.get("projectRoot") if isinstance(proj_data, dict) else None
+            if isinstance(project_root, str) and project_root.strip():
+                external_changes_scanner.set_project_root(instance_id, project_root)
+
+            ext = external_changes_scanner.update_and_get(instance_id)
+
+            assets = state_v2.get("assets")
+            if not isinstance(assets, dict):
+                assets = {}
+                state_v2["assets"] = assets
+            # IMPORTANT: Unity's cached snapshot may include placeholder defaults; the server scanner is authoritative
+            # for external changes (filesystem edits outside Unity). Always overwrite these fields from the scanner.
+            assets["external_changes_dirty"] = bool(ext.get("external_changes_dirty", False))
+            assets["external_changes_last_seen_unix_ms"] = ext.get("external_changes_last_seen_unix_ms")
+            # Extra bookkeeping fields (server-only) are safe to add under assets.
+            assets["external_changes_dirty_since_unix_ms"] = ext.get("dirty_since_unix_ms")
+            assets["external_changes_last_cleared_unix_ms"] = ext.get("last_cleared_unix_ms")
+    except Exception:
+        # Best-effort; do not fail readiness resource if filesystem scan can't run.
+        pass
+
+    state_v2 = _enrich_advice_and_staleness(state_v2)
+    return MCPResponse(success=True, message="Retrieved editor state (v2).", data=state_v2)
+
+

Server/src/services/state/external_changes_scanner.py

@@ -0,0 +1,246 @@
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import os
+import json
+import time
+from dataclasses import dataclass
+from pathlib import Path
+from typing import Iterable
+
+
+def _now_unix_ms() -> int:
+    return int(time.time() * 1000)
+
+
+def _in_pytest() -> bool:
+    # Keep scanner inert during the Python integration suite unless explicitly invoked.
+    return bool(os.environ.get("PYTEST_CURRENT_TEST"))
+
+
+@dataclass
+class ExternalChangesState:
+    project_root: str | None = None
+    last_scan_unix_ms: int | None = None
+    last_seen_mtime_ns: int | None = None
+    dirty: bool = False
+    dirty_since_unix_ms: int | None = None
+    external_changes_last_seen_unix_ms: int | None = None
+    last_cleared_unix_ms: int | None = None
+    # Cached package roots referenced by Packages/manifest.json "file:" dependencies
+    extra_roots: list[str] | None = None
+    manifest_last_mtime_ns: int | None = None
+
+
+class ExternalChangesScanner:
+    """
+    Lightweight external-changes detector using recursive max-mtime scan.
+
+    This is intentionally conservative:
+    - It only marks dirty when it sees a strictly newer mtime than the baseline.
+    - It scans at most once per scan_interval_ms per instance to keep overhead bounded.
+    """
+
+    def __init__(self, *, scan_interval_ms: int = 1500, max_entries: int = 20000):
+        self._states: dict[str, ExternalChangesState] = {}
+        self._scan_interval_ms = int(scan_interval_ms)
+        self._max_entries = int(max_entries)
+
+    def _get_state(self, instance_id: str) -> ExternalChangesState:
+        return self._states.setdefault(instance_id, ExternalChangesState())
+
+    def set_project_root(self, instance_id: str, project_root: str | None) -> None:
+        st = self._get_state(instance_id)
+        if project_root:
+            st.project_root = project_root
+
+    def clear_dirty(self, instance_id: str) -> None:
+        st = self._get_state(instance_id)
+        st.dirty = False
+        st.dirty_since_unix_ms = None
+        st.last_cleared_unix_ms = _now_unix_ms()
+        # Reset baseline to “now” on next scan.
+        st.last_seen_mtime_ns = None
+
+    def _scan_paths_max_mtime_ns(self, roots: Iterable[Path]) -> int | None:
+        newest: int | None = None
+        entries = 0
+
+        for root in roots:
+            if not root.exists():
+                continue
+
+            # Walk the tree; skip common massive/irrelevant dirs (Library/Temp/Logs).
+            for dirpath, dirnames, filenames in os.walk(str(root)):
+                entries += 1
+                if entries > self._max_entries:
+                    return newest
+
+                dp = Path(dirpath)
+                name = dp.name.lower()
+                if name in {"library", "temp", "logs", "obj", ".git", "node_modules"}:
+                    dirnames[:] = []
+                    continue
+
+                # Allow skipping hidden directories quickly
+                dirnames[:] = [d for d in dirnames if not d.startswith(".")]
+
+                for fn in filenames:
+                    if fn.startswith("."):
+                        continue
+                    entries += 1
+                    if entries > self._max_entries:
+                        return newest
+                    p = dp / fn
+                    try:
+                        stat = p.stat()
+                    except OSError:
+                        continue
+                    m = getattr(stat, "st_mtime_ns", None)
+                    if m is None:
+                        # Fallback when st_mtime_ns is unavailable
+                        m = int(stat.st_mtime * 1_000_000_000)
+                    newest = m if newest is None else max(newest, int(m))
+
+        return newest
+
+    def _resolve_manifest_extra_roots(self, project_root: Path, st: ExternalChangesState) -> list[Path]:
+        """
+        Parse Packages/manifest.json for local file: dependencies and resolve them to absolute paths.
+        Returns a list of Paths that exist and are directories.
+        """
+        manifest_path = project_root / "Packages" / "manifest.json"
+        try:
+            stat = manifest_path.stat()
+        except OSError:
+            st.extra_roots = []
+            st.manifest_last_mtime_ns = None
+            return []
+
+        mtime_ns = getattr(stat, "st_mtime_ns", int(stat.st_mtime * 1_000_000_000))
+        if st.extra_roots is not None and st.manifest_last_mtime_ns == mtime_ns:
+            return [Path(p) for p in st.extra_roots if p]
+
+        try:
+            raw = manifest_path.read_text(encoding="utf-8")
+            doc = json.loads(raw)
+        except Exception:
+            st.extra_roots = []
+            st.manifest_last_mtime_ns = mtime_ns
+            return []
+
+        deps = doc.get("dependencies") if isinstance(doc, dict) else None
+        if not isinstance(deps, dict):
+            st.extra_roots = []
+            st.manifest_last_mtime_ns = mtime_ns
+            return []
+
+        roots: list[str] = []
+        base_dir = manifest_path.parent
+
+        for _, ver in deps.items():
+            if not isinstance(ver, str):
+                continue
+            v = ver.strip()
+            if not v.startswith("file:"):
+                continue
+            suffix = v[len("file:") :].strip()
+            # Handle file:///abs/path or file:/abs/path
+            if suffix.startswith("///"):
+                candidate = Path("/" + suffix.lstrip("/"))
+            elif suffix.startswith("/"):
+                candidate = Path(suffix)
+            else:
+                candidate = (base_dir / suffix).resolve()
+            try:
+                if candidate.exists() and candidate.is_dir():
+                    roots.append(str(candidate))
+            except OSError:
+                continue
+
+        # De-dupe, preserve order
+        deduped: list[str] = []
+        seen = set()
+        for r in roots:
+            if r not in seen:
+                seen.add(r)
+                deduped.append(r)
+
+        st.extra_roots = deduped
+        st.manifest_last_mtime_ns = mtime_ns
+        return [Path(p) for p in deduped if p]
+
+    def update_and_get(self, instance_id: str) -> dict[str, int | bool | None]:
+        """
+        Returns a small dict suitable for embedding in editor_state_v2.assets:
+          - external_changes_dirty
+          - external_changes_last_seen_unix_ms
+          - dirty_since_unix_ms
+          - last_cleared_unix_ms
+        """
+        st = self._get_state(instance_id)
+
+        if _in_pytest():
+            return {
+                "external_changes_dirty": st.dirty,
+                "external_changes_last_seen_unix_ms": st.external_changes_last_seen_unix_ms,
+                "dirty_since_unix_ms": st.dirty_since_unix_ms,
+                "last_cleared_unix_ms": st.last_cleared_unix_ms,
+            }
+
+        now = _now_unix_ms()
+        if st.last_scan_unix_ms is not None and (now - st.last_scan_unix_ms) < self._scan_interval_ms:
+            return {
+                "external_changes_dirty": st.dirty,
+                "external_changes_last_seen_unix_ms": st.external_changes_last_seen_unix_ms,
+                "dirty_since_unix_ms": st.dirty_since_unix_ms,
+                "last_cleared_unix_ms": st.last_cleared_unix_ms,
+            }
+
+        st.last_scan_unix_ms = now
+
+        project_root = st.project_root
+        if not project_root:
+            return {
+                "external_changes_dirty": st.dirty,
+                "external_changes_last_seen_unix_ms": st.external_changes_last_seen_unix_ms,
+                "dirty_since_unix_ms": st.dirty_since_unix_ms,
+                "last_cleared_unix_ms": st.last_cleared_unix_ms,
+            }
+
+        root = Path(project_root)
+        paths = [root / "Assets", root / "ProjectSettings", root / "Packages"]
+        # Include any local package roots referenced by file: deps in Packages/manifest.json
+        try:
+            paths.extend(self._resolve_manifest_extra_roots(root, st))
+        except Exception:
+            pass
+        newest = self._scan_paths_max_mtime_ns(paths)
+        if newest is None:
+            return {
+                "external_changes_dirty": st.dirty,
+                "external_changes_last_seen_unix_ms": st.external_changes_last_seen_unix_ms,
+                "dirty_since_unix_ms": st.dirty_since_unix_ms,
+                "last_cleared_unix_ms": st.last_cleared_unix_ms,
+            }
+
+        if st.last_seen_mtime_ns is None:
+            st.last_seen_mtime_ns = newest
+        elif newest > st.last_seen_mtime_ns:
+            st.last_seen_mtime_ns = newest
+            st.external_changes_last_seen_unix_ms = now
+            if not st.dirty:
+                st.dirty = True
+                st.dirty_since_unix_ms = now
+
+        return {
+            "external_changes_dirty": st.dirty,
+            "external_changes_last_seen_unix_ms": st.external_changes_last_seen_unix_ms,
+            "dirty_since_unix_ms": st.dirty_since_unix_ms,
+            "last_cleared_unix_ms": st.last_cleared_unix_ms,
+        }
+
+
+# Global singleton (simple, process-local)
+external_changes_scanner = ExternalChangesScanner()
+
+

Server/src/services/tools/manage_asset.py

@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ from services.tools import get_unity_instance_from_context
 from services.tools.utils import parse_json_payload, coerce_int
 from transport.unity_transport import send_with_unity_instance
 from transport.legacy.unity_connection import async_send_command_with_retry
+from services.tools.preflight import preflight
 
 
 @mcp_for_unity_tool(
@@ -47,6 +48,12 @@ async def manage_asset(
 ) -> dict[str, Any]:
     unity_instance = get_unity_instance_from_context(ctx)
 
+    # Best-effort guard: if Unity is compiling/reloading or known external changes are pending,
+    # wait/refresh to avoid stale reads and flaky timeouts.
+    gate = await preflight(ctx, wait_for_no_compile=True, refresh_if_dirty=True)
+    if gate is not None:
+        return gate.model_dump()
+
     def _parse_properties_string(raw: str) -> tuple[dict[str, Any] | None, str | None]:
         try:
             parsed = json.loads(raw)

Server/src/services/tools/manage_gameobject.py

@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ from services.tools import get_unity_instance_from_context
 from transport.unity_transport import send_with_unity_instance
 from transport.legacy.unity_connection import async_send_command_with_retry
 from services.tools.utils import coerce_bool, parse_json_payload, coerce_int
+from services.tools.preflight import preflight
 
 
 @mcp_for_unity_tool(
@@ -92,6 +93,10 @@ async def manage_gameobject(
     # Removed session_state import
     unity_instance = get_unity_instance_from_context(ctx)
 
+    gate = await preflight(ctx, wait_for_no_compile=True, refresh_if_dirty=True)
+    if gate is not None:
+        return gate.model_dump()
+
     if action is None:
         return {
             "success": False,

Server/src/services/tools/manage_scene.py

@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ from services.tools import get_unity_instance_from_context
 from services.tools.utils import coerce_int, coerce_bool
 from transport.unity_transport import send_with_unity_instance
 from transport.legacy.unity_connection import async_send_command_with_retry
+from services.tools.preflight import preflight
 
 
 @mcp_for_unity_tool(
@@ -40,6 +41,9 @@ async def manage_scene(
     # Get active instance from session state
     # Removed session_state import
     unity_instance = get_unity_instance_from_context(ctx)
+    gate = await preflight(ctx, wait_for_no_compile=True, refresh_if_dirty=True)
+    if gate is not None:
+        return gate.model_dump()
     try:
         coerced_build_index = coerce_int(build_index, default=None)
         coerced_super_size = coerce_int(screenshot_super_size, default=None)

Server/src/services/tools/preflight.py

@@ -0,0 +1,107 @@
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import asyncio
+import os
+import time
+from typing import Any
+
+from models import MCPResponse
+
+
+def _in_pytest() -> bool:
+    # Integration tests in this repo stub transports and do not run against a live Unity editor.
+    # Preflight must be a no-op in that environment to avoid breaking the existing test suite.
+    return bool(os.environ.get("PYTEST_CURRENT_TEST"))
+
+
+def _busy(reason: str, retry_after_ms: int) -> MCPResponse:
+    return MCPResponse(
+        success=False,
+        error="busy",
+        message=reason,
+        hint="retry",
+        data={"reason": reason, "retry_after_ms": int(retry_after_ms)},
+    )
+
+
+async def preflight(
+    ctx,
+    *,
+    requires_no_tests: bool = False,
+    wait_for_no_compile: bool = False,
+    refresh_if_dirty: bool = False,
+    max_wait_s: float = 30.0,
+) -> MCPResponse | None:
+    """
+    Server-side preflight guard used by tools so they behave safely even if the client never reads resources.
+
+    Returns:
+      - MCPResponse busy/retry payload when the tool should not proceed right now
+      - None when the tool should proceed normally
+    """
+    if _in_pytest():
+        return None
+
+    # Load canonical v2 state (server enriches advice + staleness).
+    try:
+        from services.resources.editor_state_v2 import get_editor_state_v2
+        state_resp = await get_editor_state_v2(ctx)
+        state = state_resp.model_dump() if hasattr(state_resp, "model_dump") else state_resp
+    except Exception:
+        # If we cannot determine readiness, fall back to proceeding (tools already contain retry logic).
+        return None
+
+    if not isinstance(state, dict) or not state.get("success", False):
+        # Unknown state; proceed rather than blocking (avoids false positives when Unity is reachable but status isn't).
+        return None
+
+    data = state.get("data")
+    if not isinstance(data, dict):
+        return None
+
+    # Optional refresh-if-dirty
+    if refresh_if_dirty:
+        assets = data.get("assets")
+        if isinstance(assets, dict) and assets.get("external_changes_dirty") is True:
+            try:
+                from services.tools.refresh_unity import refresh_unity
+                await refresh_unity(ctx, mode="if_dirty", scope="all", compile="request", wait_for_ready=True)
+            except Exception:
+                # Best-effort only; fall through to normal tool dispatch.
+                pass
+
+    # Tests running: fail fast for tools that require exclusivity.
+    if requires_no_tests:
+        tests = data.get("tests")
+        if isinstance(tests, dict) and tests.get("is_running") is True:
+            return _busy("tests_running", 5000)
+
+    # Compilation: optionally wait for a bounded time.
+    if wait_for_no_compile:
+        deadline = time.monotonic() + float(max_wait_s)
+        while True:
+            compilation = data.get("compilation") if isinstance(data, dict) else None
+            is_compiling = isinstance(compilation, dict) and compilation.get("is_compiling") is True
+            is_domain_reload_pending = isinstance(compilation, dict) and compilation.get("is_domain_reload_pending") is True
+            if not is_compiling and not is_domain_reload_pending:
+                break
+            if time.monotonic() >= deadline:
+                return _busy("compiling", 500)
+            await asyncio.sleep(0.25)
+
+            # Refresh state for the next loop iteration.
+            try:
+                from services.resources.editor_state_v2 import get_editor_state_v2
+                state_resp = await get_editor_state_v2(ctx)
+                state = state_resp.model_dump() if hasattr(state_resp, "model_dump") else state_resp
+                data = state.get("data") if isinstance(state, dict) else None
+                if not isinstance(data, dict):
+                    return None
+            except Exception:
+                return None
+
+    # Staleness: if the snapshot is stale, proceed (tools will still run), but callers that read resources can back off.
+    # In future we may make this strict for some tools.
+    return None
+
+

Server/src/services/tools/refresh_unity.py

@@ -0,0 +1,90 @@
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import asyncio
+import time
+from typing import Annotated, Any, Literal
+
+from fastmcp import Context
+
+from models import MCPResponse
+from services.registry import mcp_for_unity_tool
+from services.tools import get_unity_instance_from_context
+import transport.unity_transport as unity_transport
+from transport.legacy.unity_connection import async_send_command_with_retry
+from services.state.external_changes_scanner import external_changes_scanner
+
+
+@mcp_for_unity_tool(
+    description="Request a Unity asset database refresh and optionally a script compilation. Can optionally wait for readiness."
+)
+async def refresh_unity(
+    ctx: Context,
+    mode: Annotated[Literal["if_dirty", "force"], "Refresh mode"] = "if_dirty",
+    scope: Annotated[Literal["assets", "scripts", "all"], "Refresh scope"] = "all",
+    compile: Annotated[Literal["none", "request"], "Whether to request compilation"] = "none",
+    wait_for_ready: Annotated[bool, "If true, wait until editor_state.advice.ready_for_tools is true"] = True,
+) -> MCPResponse | dict[str, Any]:
+    unity_instance = get_unity_instance_from_context(ctx)
+
+    params: dict[str, Any] = {
+        "mode": mode,
+        "scope": scope,
+        "compile": compile,
+        "wait_for_ready": bool(wait_for_ready),
+    }
+
+    recovered_from_disconnect = False
+    response = await unity_transport.send_with_unity_instance(
+        async_send_command_with_retry,
+        unity_instance,
+        "refresh_unity",
+        params,
+    )
+
+    # Option A: treat disconnects / retry hints as recoverable when wait_for_ready is true.
+    # Unity can legitimately disconnect during refresh/compile/domain reload, so callers should not
+    # interpret that as a hard failure (#503-style loops).
+    if isinstance(response, dict) and not response.get("success", True):
+        hint = response.get("hint")
+        err = (response.get("error") or response.get("message") or "")
+        is_retryable = (hint == "retry") or ("disconnected" in str(err).lower())
+        if (not wait_for_ready) or (not is_retryable):
+            return MCPResponse(**response)
+        recovered_from_disconnect = True
+
+    # Optional server-side wait loop (defensive): if Unity tool doesn't wait or returns quickly,
+    # poll the canonical editor_state v2 resource until ready or timeout.
+    if wait_for_ready:
+        timeout_s = 60.0
+        start = time.monotonic()
+        from services.resources.editor_state_v2 import get_editor_state_v2
+
+        while time.monotonic() - start < timeout_s:
+            state_resp = await get_editor_state_v2(ctx)
+            state = state_resp.model_dump() if hasattr(state_resp, "model_dump") else state_resp
+            data = (state or {}).get("data") if isinstance(state, dict) else None
+            advice = (data or {}).get("advice") if isinstance(data, dict) else None
+            if isinstance(advice, dict) and advice.get("ready_for_tools") is True:
+                break
+            await asyncio.sleep(0.25)
+
+    # After readiness is restored, clear any external-dirty flag for this instance so future tools can proceed cleanly.
+    try:
+        from services.resources.editor_state_v2 import _infer_single_instance_id
+
+        inst = unity_instance or await _infer_single_instance_id(ctx)
+        if inst:
+            external_changes_scanner.clear_dirty(inst)
+    except Exception:
+        pass
+
+    if recovered_from_disconnect:
+        return MCPResponse(
+            success=True,
+            message="Refresh recovered after Unity disconnect/retry; editor is ready.",
+            data={"recovered_from_disconnect": True},
+        )
+
+    return MCPResponse(**response) if isinstance(response, dict) else response
+
+

Server/src/services/tools/run_tests.py

@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ from services.tools import get_unity_instance_from_context
 from services.tools.utils import coerce_int
 from transport.unity_transport import send_with_unity_instance
 from transport.legacy.unity_connection import async_send_command_with_retry
+from services.tools.preflight import preflight
 
 
 class RunTestsSummary(BaseModel):
@@ -42,7 +43,7 @@ class RunTestsResponse(MCPResponse):
 
 
 @mcp_for_unity_tool(
-    description="Runs Unity tests for the specified mode"
+    description="Runs Unity tests synchronously (blocks until complete). Prefer run_tests_async for non-blocking execution with progress polling."
 )
 async def run_tests(
     ctx: Context,
@@ -54,9 +55,13 @@ async def run_tests(
     assembly_names: Annotated[list[str] | str, "Assembly names to filter tests by"] | None = None,
     include_failed_tests: Annotated[bool, "Include details for failed/skipped tests only (default: false)"] = False,
     include_details: Annotated[bool, "Include details for all tests (default: false)"] = False,
-) -> RunTestsResponse:
+) -> RunTestsResponse | MCPResponse:
     unity_instance = get_unity_instance_from_context(ctx)
 
+    gate = await preflight(ctx, requires_no_tests=True, wait_for_no_compile=True, refresh_if_dirty=True)
+    if isinstance(gate, MCPResponse):
+        return gate
+
     # Coerce string or list to list of strings
     def _coerce_string_list(value) -> list[str] | None:
         if value is None:
@@ -97,5 +102,19 @@ async def run_tests(
         params["includeDetails"] = True
 
     response = await send_with_unity_instance(async_send_command_with_retry, unity_instance, "run_tests", params)
-    await ctx.info(f'Response {response}')
+
+    # If Unity indicates a run is already active, return a structured "busy" response rather than
+    # letting clients interpret this as a generic failure (avoids #503 retry loops).
+    if isinstance(response, dict) and not response.get("success", True):
+        err = (response.get("error") or response.get("message") or "").strip()
+        if "test run is already in progress" in err.lower():
+            return MCPResponse(
+                success=False,
+                error="tests_running",
+                message=err,
+                hint="retry",
+                data={"reason": "tests_running", "retry_after_ms": 5000},
+            )
+        return MCPResponse(**response)
+
     return RunTestsResponse(**response) if isinstance(response, dict) else response

Server/src/services/tools/test_jobs.py

@@ -0,0 +1,94 @@
+"""Async Unity Test Runner jobs: start + poll."""
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+from typing import Annotated, Any, Literal
+
+from fastmcp import Context
+
+from models import MCPResponse
+from services.registry import mcp_for_unity_tool
+from services.tools import get_unity_instance_from_context
+from services.tools.preflight import preflight
+import transport.unity_transport as unity_transport
+from transport.legacy.unity_connection import async_send_command_with_retry
+
+
+@mcp_for_unity_tool(description="Starts a Unity test run asynchronously and returns a job_id immediately. Preferred over run_tests for long-running suites. Poll with get_test_job for progress.")
+async def run_tests_async(
+    ctx: Context,
+    mode: Annotated[Literal["EditMode", "PlayMode"], "Unity test mode to run"] = "EditMode",
+    test_names: Annotated[list[str] | str, "Full names of specific tests to run"] | None = None,
+    group_names: Annotated[list[str] | str, "Same as test_names, except it allows for Regex"] | None = None,
+    category_names: Annotated[list[str] | str, "NUnit category names to filter by"] | None = None,
+    assembly_names: Annotated[list[str] | str, "Assembly names to filter tests by"] | None = None,
+    include_failed_tests: Annotated[bool, "Include details for failed/skipped tests only (default: false)"] = False,
+    include_details: Annotated[bool, "Include details for all tests (default: false)"] = False,
+) -> dict[str, Any] | MCPResponse:
+    unity_instance = get_unity_instance_from_context(ctx)
+
+    gate = await preflight(ctx, requires_no_tests=True, wait_for_no_compile=True, refresh_if_dirty=True)
+    if isinstance(gate, MCPResponse):
+        return gate
+
+    def _coerce_string_list(value) -> list[str] | None:
+        if value is None:
+            return None
+        if isinstance(value, str):
+            return [value] if value.strip() else None
+        if isinstance(value, list):
+            result = [str(v).strip() for v in value if v and str(v).strip()]
+            return result if result else None
+        return None
+
+    params: dict[str, Any] = {"mode": mode}
+    if (t := _coerce_string_list(test_names)):
+        params["testNames"] = t
+    if (g := _coerce_string_list(group_names)):
+        params["groupNames"] = g
+    if (c := _coerce_string_list(category_names)):
+        params["categoryNames"] = c
+    if (a := _coerce_string_list(assembly_names)):
+        params["assemblyNames"] = a
+    if include_failed_tests:
+        params["includeFailedTests"] = True
+    if include_details:
+        params["includeDetails"] = True
+
+    response = await unity_transport.send_with_unity_instance(
+        async_send_command_with_retry,
+        unity_instance,
+        "run_tests_async",
+        params,
+    )
+
+    if isinstance(response, dict) and not response.get("success", True):
+        return MCPResponse(**response)
+    return response if isinstance(response, dict) else MCPResponse(success=False, error=str(response)).model_dump()
+
+
+@mcp_for_unity_tool(description="Polls an async Unity test job by job_id.")
+async def get_test_job(
+    ctx: Context,
+    job_id: Annotated[str, "Job id returned by run_tests_async"],
+    include_failed_tests: Annotated[bool, "Include details for failed/skipped tests only (default: false)"] = False,
+    include_details: Annotated[bool, "Include details for all tests (default: false)"] = False,
+) -> dict[str, Any] | MCPResponse:
+    unity_instance = get_unity_instance_from_context(ctx)
+
+    params: dict[str, Any] = {"job_id": job_id}
+    if include_failed_tests:
+        params["includeFailedTests"] = True
+    if include_details:
+        params["includeDetails"] = True
+
+    response = await unity_transport.send_with_unity_instance(
+        async_send_command_with_retry,
+        unity_instance,
+        "get_test_job",
+        params,
+    )
+    if isinstance(response, dict) and not response.get("success", True):
+        return MCPResponse(**response)
+    return response if isinstance(response, dict) else MCPResponse(success=False, error=str(response)).model_dump()
+
+

Server/tests/integration/test_editor_state_v2_contract.py

@@ -0,0 +1,58 @@
+import pytest
+
+from services.registry import get_registered_resources
+
+from .test_helpers import DummyContext
+
+
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_editor_state_v2_is_registered_and_has_contract_fields(monkeypatch):
+    """
+    Red test: we expect a canonical v2 resource `unity://editor_state` with required top-level fields.
+
+    Today, only `unity://editor/state` exists and is minimal.
+    """
+    # Import the v2 module to ensure it registers its decorator without disturbing global registry state.
+    import services.resources.editor_state_v2  # noqa: F401
+
+    resources = get_registered_resources()
+
+    v2 = next((r for r in resources if r.get("uri") == "unity://editor_state"), None)
+    assert v2 is not None, (
+        "Expected canonical readiness resource `unity://editor_state` to be registered. "
+        "This is required so clients can poll readiness/staleness and avoid tool loops."
+    )
+
+    async def fake_send_with_unity_instance(send_fn, unity_instance, command_type, params, **kwargs):
+        # Minimal stub payload for v2 resource tests. The server layer should enrich with staleness/advice.
+        assert command_type in {"get_editor_state_v2", "get_editor_state"}
+        return {
+            "success": True,
+            "data": {
+                "schema_version": "unity-mcp/editor_state@2",
+                "observed_at_unix_ms": 1730000000000,
+                "sequence": 1,
+                "compilation": {"is_compiling": False, "is_domain_reload_pending": False},
+                "tests": {"is_running": False},
+            },
+        }
+
+    # Patch transport so the resource can be invoked without Unity running.
+    import transport.unity_transport as unity_transport
+    monkeypatch.setattr(unity_transport, "send_with_unity_instance", fake_send_with_unity_instance)
+
+    result = await v2["func"](DummyContext())
+    payload = result.model_dump() if hasattr(result, "model_dump") else result
+    assert isinstance(payload, dict)
+
+    # Contract assertions (top-level)
+    assert payload.get("success") is True
+    data = payload.get("data")
+    assert isinstance(data, dict)
+    assert data.get("schema_version") == "unity-mcp/editor_state@2"
+    assert "observed_at_unix_ms" in data
+    assert "sequence" in data
+    assert "advice" in data
+    assert "staleness" in data
+
+

Server/tests/integration/test_external_changes_scanner.py

@@ -0,0 +1,86 @@
+import os
+import time
+from pathlib import Path
+
+
+def test_external_changes_scanner_marks_dirty_and_clears(tmp_path, monkeypatch):
+    # Ensure the scanner is active for this unit-style test (not gated by PYTEST_CURRENT_TEST).
+    monkeypatch.delenv("PYTEST_CURRENT_TEST", raising=False)
+
+    from services.state.external_changes_scanner import ExternalChangesScanner
+
+    # Create a minimal Unity-like layout
+    root = tmp_path / "Project"
+    (root / "Assets").mkdir(parents=True)
+    (root / "ProjectSettings").mkdir(parents=True)
+    (root / "Packages").mkdir(parents=True)
+
+    inst = "Test@deadbeef"
+    s = ExternalChangesScanner(scan_interval_ms=0, max_entries=10000)
+    s.set_project_root(inst, str(root))
+
+    # Create a file before baseline so the initial scan establishes a stable reference point.
+    p = root / "Assets" / "x.txt"
+    p.write_text("hi")
+
+    # Baseline scan: should not be dirty.
+    first = s.update_and_get(inst)
+    assert first["external_changes_dirty"] is False
+
+    # Touch the file and scan again: should become dirty.
+    now = time.time()
+    os.utime(p, (now + 10.0, now + 10.0))
+
+    second = s.update_and_get(inst)
+    assert second["external_changes_dirty"] is True
+    assert isinstance(second["external_changes_last_seen_unix_ms"], int)
+    assert isinstance(second["dirty_since_unix_ms"], int)
+
+    # Clear and confirm dirty flag resets.
+    s.clear_dirty(inst)
+    third = s.update_and_get(inst)
+    assert third["external_changes_dirty"] is False
+    assert isinstance(third["last_cleared_unix_ms"], int)
+
+
+def test_external_changes_scanner_includes_file_dependency_roots(tmp_path, monkeypatch):
+    # Ensure the scanner is active for this unit-style test (not gated by PYTEST_CURRENT_TEST).
+    monkeypatch.delenv("PYTEST_CURRENT_TEST", raising=False)
+
+    from services.state.external_changes_scanner import ExternalChangesScanner
+
+    # Unity project root
+    root = tmp_path / "Project"
+    (root / "Assets").mkdir(parents=True)
+    (root / "ProjectSettings").mkdir(parents=True)
+    (root / "Packages").mkdir(parents=True)
+
+    # External local package root (outside project root)
+    pkg = tmp_path / "ExternalPkg"
+    (pkg / "Editor").mkdir(parents=True)
+    target = pkg / "Editor" / "Some.cs"
+    target.write_text("// v1")
+
+    # manifest.json referencing file: dependency
+    manifest = root / "Packages" / "manifest.json"
+    manifest.write_text(
+        '{\n  "dependencies": {\n    "com.example.pkg": "file:../../ExternalPkg"\n  }\n}\n',
+        encoding="utf-8",
+    )
+
+    inst = "Test@deadbeef"
+    s = ExternalChangesScanner(scan_interval_ms=0, max_entries=10000)
+    s.set_project_root(inst, str(root))
+
+    # Baseline scan captures current mtimes across project + external pkg
+    baseline = s.update_and_get(inst)
+    assert baseline["external_changes_dirty"] is False
+
+    # Touch external package file and scan again -> should mark dirty
+    now = time.time()
+    os.utime(target, (now + 10.0, now + 10.0))
+
+    changed = s.update_and_get(inst)
+    assert changed["external_changes_dirty"] is True
+
+

Server/tests/integration/test_refresh_unity_registration.py

@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+from services.registry import get_registered_tools
+
+
+def test_refresh_unity_tool_is_registered():
+    """
+    Red test: we expect an explicit refresh tool to exist so callers can force an import/refresh/compile cycle.
+    """
+    # Import the specific module to ensure it registers its decorator without disturbing global registry state.
+    import services.tools.refresh_unity  # noqa: F401
+
+    names = {t.get("name") for t in get_registered_tools()}
+    assert "refresh_unity" in names
+
+

Server/tests/integration/test_refresh_unity_retry_recovery.py

@@ -0,0 +1,46 @@
+import pytest
+
+from models import MCPResponse
+from services.state.external_changes_scanner import external_changes_scanner
+from services.state.external_changes_scanner import ExternalChangesState
+
+from .test_helpers import DummyContext
+
+
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_refresh_unity_recovers_from_retry_disconnect(monkeypatch):
+    """
+    Option A: if Unity disconnects and the transport returns hint=retry, refresh_unity(wait_for_ready=true)
+    should poll readiness and then return success + clear external dirty.
+    """
+    from services.tools.refresh_unity import refresh_unity
+
+    ctx = DummyContext()
+    ctx.set_state("unity_instance", "UnityMCPTests@cc8756d4cce0805a")
+
+    # Seed dirty state
+    inst = "UnityMCPTests@cc8756d4cce0805a"
+    external_changes_scanner._states[inst] = ExternalChangesState(dirty=True, dirty_since_unix_ms=1)
+
+    async def fake_send_with_unity_instance(send_fn, unity_instance, command_type, params, **kwargs):
+        assert command_type == "refresh_unity"
+        return {"success": False, "error": "disconnected", "hint": "retry"}
+
+    async def fake_get_editor_state_v2(_ctx):
+        return MCPResponse(success=True, data={"advice": {"ready_for_tools": True}})
+
+    import services.tools.refresh_unity as refresh_mod
+    monkeypatch.setattr(refresh_mod.unity_transport, "send_with_unity_instance", fake_send_with_unity_instance)
+
+    import services.resources.editor_state_v2 as esv2_mod
+    monkeypatch.setattr(esv2_mod, "get_editor_state_v2", fake_get_editor_state_v2)
+
+    resp = await refresh_unity(ctx, wait_for_ready=True)
+    payload = resp.model_dump() if hasattr(resp, "model_dump") else resp
+    assert payload["success"] is True
+    assert payload.get("data", {}).get("recovered_from_disconnect") is True
+
+    # Dirty should be cleared
+    assert external_changes_scanner._states[inst].dirty is False
+
+

Server/tests/integration/test_run_tests_busy_semantics.py

@@ -0,0 +1,36 @@
+import pytest
+
+from .test_helpers import DummyContext
+
+
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_run_tests_returns_busy_when_unity_reports_already_in_progress(monkeypatch):
+    """
+    Red test (#503): if Unity reports a test run is already in progress, the tool should return a
+    structured Busy response quickly (retry hint + retry_after_ms) rather than looking like a generic failure.
+    """
+    import services.tools.run_tests as run_tests_mod
+
+    async def fake_send_with_unity_instance(send_fn, unity_instance, command_type, params, **kwargs):
+        assert command_type == "run_tests"
+        # This mirrors the Unity-side exception message thrown by TestRunnerService today.
+        return {
+            "success": False,
+            "error": "A Unity test run is already in progress.",
+        }
+
+    monkeypatch.setattr(run_tests_mod, "send_with_unity_instance", fake_send_with_unity_instance)
+
+    result = await run_tests_mod.run_tests(ctx=DummyContext(), mode="EditMode")
+    payload = result.model_dump() if hasattr(result, "model_dump") else result
+
+    assert payload.get("success") is False
+    # Desired new behavior: provide an explicit retry hint + suggested backoff.
+    assert payload.get("hint") == "retry"
+    data = payload.get("data") or {}
+    assert isinstance(data, dict)
+    assert data.get("reason") in {"tests_running", "busy"}
+    assert isinstance(data.get("retry_after_ms"), int)
+    assert data.get("retry_after_ms") >= 500
+
+

Server/tests/integration/test_test_jobs_async.py

@@ -0,0 +1,52 @@
+import pytest
+
+from .test_helpers import DummyContext
+
+
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_run_tests_async_forwards_params(monkeypatch):
+    from services.tools.test_jobs import run_tests_async
+
+    captured = {}
+
+    async def fake_send_with_unity_instance(send_fn, unity_instance, command_type, params, **kwargs):
+        captured["command_type"] = command_type
+        captured["params"] = params
+        return {"success": True, "data": {"job_id": "abc123", "status": "running"}}
+
+    import services.tools.test_jobs as mod
+    monkeypatch.setattr(mod.unity_transport, "send_with_unity_instance", fake_send_with_unity_instance)
+
+    resp = await run_tests_async(
+        DummyContext(),
+        mode="EditMode",
+        test_names="MyNamespace.MyTests.TestA",
+        include_details=True,
+    )
+    assert captured["command_type"] == "run_tests_async"
+    assert captured["params"]["mode"] == "EditMode"
+    assert captured["params"]["testNames"] == ["MyNamespace.MyTests.TestA"]
+    assert captured["params"]["includeDetails"] is True
+    assert resp["success"] is True
+
+
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_get_test_job_forwards_job_id(monkeypatch):
+    from services.tools.test_jobs import get_test_job
+
+    captured = {}
+
+    async def fake_send_with_unity_instance(send_fn, unity_instance, command_type, params, **kwargs):
+        captured["command_type"] = command_type
+        captured["params"] = params
+        return {"success": True, "data": {"job_id": params["job_id"], "status": "running"}}
+
+    import services.tools.test_jobs as mod
+    monkeypatch.setattr(mod.unity_transport, "send_with_unity_instance", fake_send_with_unity_instance)
+
+    resp = await get_test_job(DummyContext(), job_id="job-1")
+    assert captured["command_type"] == "get_test_job"
+    assert captured["params"]["job_id"] == "job-1"
+    assert resp["data"]["job_id"] == "job-1"
+
+

Server/uv.lock

@@ -809,7 +809,7 @@ wheels = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "mcpforunityserver"
-version = "8.3.0"
+version = "8.6.0"
 source = { editable = "." }
 dependencies = [
     { name = "fastapi" },

TestProjects/UnityMCPTests/Assets/Tests/EditMode/Tools/DomainReloadResilienceTests.cs

@@ -11,9 +11,15 @@ namespace MCPForUnityTests.Editor.Tools
 {
     /// <summary>
     /// Tests for domain reload resilience - ensuring MCP requests succeed even during Unity domain reloads.
+    /// 
+    /// These tests are marked [Explicit] because they trigger script compilation which can stall
+    /// subsequent tests' internal coroutine waits when Unity is backgrounded. The MCP workflow
+    /// itself is unaffected - socket messages provide external stimulus that keeps Unity responsive.
+    /// 
+    /// Run these explicitly when needed, ideally with Unity foregrounded or first in the run.
     /// </summary>
     [Category("domain_reload")]
-    [Explicit("Intentionally triggers script compilation/domain reload; run explicitly to avoid slowing/flaking cold-start EditMode runs.")]
+    [Explicit("Triggers compilation that can stall subsequent tests. MCP workflow unaffected - see class docs.")]
     public class DomainReloadResilienceTests
     {
         private const string TempDir = "Assets/Temp/DomainReloadTests";
@@ -25,14 +31,14 @@ namespace MCPForUnityTests.Editor.Tools
             if (!AssetDatabase.IsValidFolder(TempDir))
             {
                 Directory.CreateDirectory(TempDir);
-                AssetDatabase.Refresh();
+                AssetDatabase.Refresh(ImportAssetOptions.ForceSynchronousImport);
             }
         }
 
         [TearDown]
         public void TearDown()
         {
-            // Clean up temp directory
+            // Clean up temp directory - this deletes any scripts we created
             if (AssetDatabase.IsValidFolder(TempDir))
             {
                 AssetDatabase.DeleteAsset(TempDir);
@@ -48,6 +54,10 @@ namespace MCPForUnityTests.Editor.Tools
                     AssetDatabase.DeleteAsset("Assets/Temp");
                 }
             }
+
+            // CRITICAL: Force a synchronous refresh and wait for any pending compilation to finish.
+            // This prevents leaving compilation running that could stall subsequent tests.
+            AssetDatabase.Refresh(ImportAssetOptions.ForceSynchronousImport);
         }
 
         /// <summary>
@@ -72,7 +82,7 @@ public class StressTestScript : MonoBehaviour
             
             // Write script file
             File.WriteAllText(scriptPath, scriptContent);
-            AssetDatabase.Refresh();
+            AssetDatabase.Refresh(ImportAssetOptions.ForceSynchronousImport);
             
             Debug.Log("[DomainReloadTest] Script created, domain reload triggered");
             
@@ -163,7 +173,7 @@ public class TestScript1 : MonoBehaviour
 }";
             
             File.WriteAllText(scriptPath, scriptContent);
-            AssetDatabase.Refresh();
+            AssetDatabase.Refresh(ImportAssetOptions.ForceSynchronousImport);
             
             Debug.Log("[DomainReloadTest] Script created");
             
@@ -211,7 +221,7 @@ public class RapidScript{i} : MonoBehaviour
 }}";
                 
                 File.WriteAllText(scriptPath, scriptContent);
-                AssetDatabase.Refresh();
+                AssetDatabase.Refresh(ImportAssetOptions.ForceSynchronousImport);
                 
                 Debug.Log($"[DomainReloadTest] Created script {i+1}/{scriptCount}");
                 

TestProjects/UnityMCPTests/Assets/Tests/EditMode/Tools/ManageScriptableObjectTests.cs

@@ -14,9 +14,10 @@ namespace MCPForUnityTests.Editor.Tools
     public class ManageScriptableObjectTests
     {
         private const string TempRoot = "Assets/Temp/ManageScriptableObjectTests";
-        private const string NestedFolder = TempRoot + "/Nested/Deeper";
         private const double UnityReadyTimeoutSeconds = 180.0;
 
+        private string _runRoot;
+        private string _nestedFolder;
         private string _createdAssetPath;
         private string _createdGuid;
         private string _matAPath;
@@ -27,12 +28,12 @@ namespace MCPForUnityTests.Editor.Tools
         {
             yield return WaitForUnityReady(UnityReadyTimeoutSeconds);
             EnsureFolder("Assets/Temp");
-            // Start from a clean slate every time (prevents intermittent setup failures).
-            if (AssetDatabase.IsValidFolder(TempRoot))
-            {
-                AssetDatabase.DeleteAsset(TempRoot);
-            }
+            // Avoid deleting/recreating the entire TempRoot each test (can trigger heavy reimport churn).
+            // Instead, isolate each test in its own unique subfolder under TempRoot.
             EnsureFolder(TempRoot);
+            _runRoot = $"{TempRoot}/Run_{Guid.NewGuid():N}";
+            EnsureFolder(_runRoot);
+            _nestedFolder = _runRoot + "/Nested/Deeper";
 
             _createdAssetPath = null;
             _createdGuid = null;
@@ -69,9 +70,9 @@ namespace MCPForUnityTests.Editor.Tools
                 AssetDatabase.DeleteAsset(_matBPath);
             }
 
-            if (AssetDatabase.IsValidFolder(TempRoot))
+            if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(_runRoot) && AssetDatabase.IsValidFolder(_runRoot))
             {
-                AssetDatabase.DeleteAsset(TempRoot);
+                AssetDatabase.DeleteAsset(_runRoot);
             }
 
             // Clean up parent Temp folder if empty
@@ -89,21 +90,15 @@ namespace MCPForUnityTests.Editor.Tools
         }
 
         [Test]
-        public void Create_CreatesNestedFolders_PlacesAssetCorrectly_AndAppliesPatches()
+        public void Create_CreatesNestedFolders_PlacesAssetCorrectly()
         {
             var create = new JObject
             {
                 ["action"] = "create",
                 ["typeName"] = typeof(ManageScriptableObjectTestDefinition).FullName,
-                ["folderPath"] = NestedFolder,
-                ["assetName"] = "My_Test_Def",
+                ["folderPath"] = _nestedFolder,
+                ["assetName"] = "My_Test_Def_Placement",
                 ["overwrite"] = true,
-                ["patches"] = new JArray
-                {
-                    new JObject { ["propertyPath"] = "displayName", ["op"] = "set", ["value"] = "Hello" },
-                    new JObject { ["propertyPath"] = "baseNumber", ["op"] = "set", ["value"] = 42 },
-                    new JObject { ["propertyPath"] = "nested.note", ["op"] = "set", ["value"] = "note!" }
-                }
             };
 
             var raw = ManageScriptableObject.HandleCommand(create);
@@ -116,11 +111,47 @@ namespace MCPForUnityTests.Editor.Tools
             _createdGuid = data!["guid"]?.ToString();
             _createdAssetPath = data["path"]?.ToString();
 
-            Assert.IsTrue(AssetDatabase.IsValidFolder(NestedFolder), "Nested folder should be created.");
-            Assert.IsTrue(_createdAssetPath!.StartsWith(NestedFolder, StringComparison.Ordinal), $"Asset should be created under {NestedFolder}: {_createdAssetPath}");
+            Assert.IsTrue(AssetDatabase.IsValidFolder(_nestedFolder), "Nested folder should be created.");
+            Assert.IsTrue(_createdAssetPath!.StartsWith(_nestedFolder, StringComparison.Ordinal), $"Asset should be created under {_nestedFolder}: {_createdAssetPath}");
             Assert.IsTrue(_createdAssetPath.EndsWith(".asset", StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase), "Asset should have .asset extension.");
             Assert.IsFalse(string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(_createdGuid), "Expected guid in response.");
 
+            var asset = AssetDatabase.LoadAssetAtPath<ManageScriptableObjectTestDefinition>(_createdAssetPath);
+            Assert.IsNotNull(asset, "Created asset should load as TestDefinition.");
+        }
+
+        [Test]
+        public void Create_AppliesPatches_ToCreatedAsset()
+        {
+            var create = new JObject
+            {
+                ["action"] = "create",
+                ["typeName"] = typeof(ManageScriptableObjectTestDefinition).FullName,
+                // Patching correctness does not depend on nested folder creation; keep this lightweight.
+                ["folderPath"] = _runRoot,
+                ["assetName"] = "My_Test_Def_Patches",
+                ["overwrite"] = true,
+                ["patches"] = new JArray
+                {
+                    new JObject { ["propertyPath"] = "displayName", ["op"] = "set", ["value"] = "Hello" },
+                    new JObject { ["propertyPath"] = "baseNumber", ["op"] = "set", ["value"] = 42 },
+                    new JObject { ["propertyPath"] = "nested.note", ["op"] = "set", ["value"] = "note!" }
+                }
+            };
+
+            var raw = ManageScriptableObject.HandleCommand(create);
+            var result = raw as JObject ?? JObject.FromObject(raw);
+            Assert.IsTrue(result.Value<bool>("success"), result.ToString());
+
+            var data = result["data"] as JObject;
+            Assert.IsNotNull(data, "Expected data payload");
+
+            _createdGuid = data!["guid"]?.ToString();
+            _createdAssetPath = data["path"]?.ToString();
+
+            Assert.IsTrue(_createdAssetPath!.StartsWith(_runRoot, StringComparison.Ordinal), $"Asset should be created under {_runRoot}: {_createdAssetPath}");
+            Assert.IsFalse(string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(_createdGuid), "Expected guid in response.");
+
             var asset = AssetDatabase.LoadAssetAtPath<ManageScriptableObjectTestDefinition>(_createdAssetPath);
             Assert.IsNotNull(asset, "Created asset should load as TestDefinition.");
             Assert.AreEqual("Hello", asset!.DisplayName, "Private [SerializeField] string should be set via SerializedProperty.");
@@ -136,7 +167,7 @@ namespace MCPForUnityTests.Editor.Tools
             {
                 ["action"] = "create",
                 ["typeName"] = typeof(ManageScriptableObjectTestDefinition).FullName,
-                ["folderPath"] = TempRoot,
+                ["folderPath"] = _runRoot,
                 ["assetName"] = "Modify_Target",
                 ["overwrite"] = true
             };

docs/README-DEV.md

@@ -336,3 +336,14 @@ We provide a CI job to run a Natural Language Editing suite against the Unity te
 ### Windows uv path issues
 
 - On Windows, when testing GUI clients, prefer the WinGet Links `uv.exe`; if multiple `uv.exe` exist, use "Choose `uv` Install Location" to pin the Links shim.
+
+### Domain Reload Tests Stall When Unity is Backgrounded
+
+Tests that trigger script compilation mid-run (e.g., `DomainReloadResilienceTests`) may stall when Unity is not the active window. This is an OS-level limitation—macOS throttles background application main threads, preventing compilation from completing.
+
+**Workarounds:**
+- Run domain reload tests with Unity foregrounded
+- Run them first in the test suite (before backgrounding Unity)
+- Use the `[Explicit]` attribute to exclude them from default runs
+
+**Note:** The MCP workflow itself is unaffected—socket messages provide external stimulus that keeps Unity responsive even when backgrounded. This limitation only affects Unity's internal test coroutine waits.