fix(context): use CLI package version when repo is a private workspace root

packages/cli/src/__tests__/context.test.ts

@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import * as path from 'node:path';
 import { afterEach, beforeEach, describe, expect, it, vi } from 'vitest';
 import type { CLIOptions } from '../index';
 import { generateBrief, contextCommand } from '../commands/context';
+import cliPkg from '../../package.json';
 
 const options: CLIOptions = {
   configPath: '.charter',
@@ -203,3 +204,55 @@ describe('contextCommand writes .charter/context.md', () => {
     expect(content).toContain('## Identity');
   });
 });
+
+describe('generateBrief version resolution', () => {
+  it('uses CLI package version when repo package.json is a private workspace root', async () => {
+    const tmp = makeTempDir();
+    process.chdir(tmp);
+
+    // Monorepo workspace root: private: true AND workspaces field present
+    fs.writeFileSync(
+      path.join(tmp, 'package.json'),
+      JSON.stringify({ name: 'my-monorepo', version: '0.1.0', private: true, workspaces: ['packages/*'] }),
+      'utf8'
+    );
+
+    const result = await generateBrief({ configPath: '.charter' });
+
+    // Should NOT show the stale workspace version
+    expect(result.markdown).not.toContain('v0.1.0');
+    // Should show the actual installed CLI version
+    expect(result.markdown).toContain(`v${cliPkg.version}`);
+  });
+
+  it('keeps the repo version for a private package that is not a workspace root', async () => {
+    const tmp = makeTempDir();
+    process.chdir(tmp);
+
+    // Internal app: private: true but NO workspaces field — must preserve its own version
+    fs.writeFileSync(
+      path.join(tmp, 'package.json'),
+      JSON.stringify({ name: 'internal-app', version: '2.4.1', private: true }),
+      'utf8'
+    );
+
+    const result = await generateBrief({ configPath: '.charter' });
+
+    expect(result.markdown).toContain('v2.4.1');
+  });
+
+  it('uses the repo package.json version for normal non-private packages', async () => {
+    const tmp = makeTempDir();
+    process.chdir(tmp);
+
+    fs.writeFileSync(
+      path.join(tmp, 'package.json'),
+      JSON.stringify({ name: 'my-app', version: '3.7.2' }),
+      'utf8'
+    );
+
+    const result = await generateBrief({ configPath: '.charter' });
+
+    expect(result.markdown).toContain('v3.7.2');
+  });
+});

packages/cli/src/commands/context.ts

@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@
 import * as fs from 'node:fs';
 import * as path from 'node:path';
 import { execSync } from 'node:child_process';
+import cliPkg from '../../package.json';
 import { analyze as analyzeBlast, BlastInputSchema } from '@stackbilt/blast';
 import { analyze as analyzeSurface, SurfaceInputSchema } from '@stackbilt/surface';
 import { parseAdf, parseManifest } from '@stackbilt/adf';
@@ -477,6 +478,11 @@ export async function generateBrief(options?: BriefOptions): Promise<BriefResult
       const pkg = JSON.parse(fs.readFileSync(pkgPath, 'utf8')) as Record<string, unknown>;
       if (typeof pkg.name === 'string') packageName = pkg.name;
       if (typeof pkg.version === 'string') version = pkg.version;
+      // Private *workspace* roots (monorepos with a workspaces field) carry a stale or
+      // meaningless version — use the actual published CLI version so the brief reflects
+      // what's installed. Plain private packages (internal apps without workspaces) keep
+      // their own version unchanged.
+      if (pkg.private === true && pkg.workspaces != null) version = cliPkg.version;
       if (typeof pkg.description === 'string') description = pkg.description;
       if (pkg.bin && typeof pkg.bin === 'object' && pkg.bin !== null) {
         pkgBin = pkg.bin as Record<string, string>;