diff --git a/TODO_process_tracking.md b/TODO_process_tracking.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..c0bf3784
--- /dev/null
+++ b/TODO_process_tracking.md
@@ -0,0 +1,1723 @@
+# Process Hierarchy Tracking Implementation Plan
+
+## Overview
+
+This document outlines the plan to refactor ArchiveBox's process management to use the `machine.Process` model as the central data structure for tracking all subprocess spawning and lifecycle management.
+
+### Goal
+
+Create a complete hierarchy of `Process` records that track every subprocess from CLI invocation down to individual binary executions:
+
+```
+Process(cmd=['archivebox', 'add', 'https://example.com'])           # CLI entry
+    └── Process(cmd=['supervisord', ...], parent=^)                 # Daemon manager
+            └── Process(cmd=['orchestrator'], parent=^)             # Work distributor
+                    └── Process(cmd=['crawl_worker'], parent=^)     # Crawl processor
+                            └── Process(cmd=['snapshot_worker'], parent=^)
+                                    └── Process(cmd=['archiveresult_worker'], parent=^)
+                                            └── Process(cmd=['hook.py', ...], parent=^)  # Hook script
+                                                    └── Process(cmd=['wget', ...], parent=^)  # Binary
+```
+
+---
+
+## Phase 1: Model Changes
+
+### 1.1 Add `parent` FK to Process Model
+
+**File:** `archivebox/machine/models.py`
+
+```python
+class Process(ModelWithStateMachine):
+    # ... existing fields ...
+
+    # NEW: Parent process FK for hierarchy tracking
+    parent = models.ForeignKey(
+        'self',
+        on_delete=models.SET_NULL,
+        null=True,
+        blank=True,
+        related_name='children',
+        help_text='Parent process that spawned this one'
+    )
+```
+
+**Migration needed:** Yes, new nullable FK field.
+
+### 1.2 Add Process Type Field
+
+To distinguish between different process types in the hierarchy:
+
+```python
+class Process(ModelWithHealthStats):
+    class TypeChoices(models.TextChoices):
+        CLI = 'cli', 'CLI Command'
+        SUPERVISORD = 'supervisord', 'Supervisord Daemon'
+        ORCHESTRATOR = 'orchestrator', 'Orchestrator'
+        WORKER = 'worker', 'Worker Process'
+        HOOK = 'hook', 'Hook Script'
+        BINARY = 'binary', 'Binary Execution'
+
+    process_type = models.CharField(
+        max_length=16,
+        choices=TypeChoices.choices,
+        default=TypeChoices.BINARY,
+        db_index=True,
+        help_text='Type of process in the execution hierarchy'
+    )
+```
+
+### 1.3 Add `Process.current()` Class Method (like `Machine.current()`)
+
+Following the pattern established by `Machine.current()`, add a method to get-or-create the Process record for the current OS process:
+
+```python
+import os
+import sys
+import psutil
+from datetime import timedelta
+from django.utils import timezone
+
+_CURRENT_PROCESS = None
+PROCESS_RECHECK_INTERVAL = 60  # Re-validate every 60 seconds
+PID_REUSE_WINDOW = timedelta(hours=24)  # Max age for considering a PID match valid
+START_TIME_TOLERANCE = 5.0  # Seconds tolerance for start time matching
+
+
+class ProcessManager(models.Manager):
+    def current(self) -> 'Process':
+        return Process.current()
+
+    def get_by_pid(self, pid: int, machine: 'Machine' = None) -> 'Process | None':
+        """
+        Find a Process by PID with proper validation against PID reuse.
+
+        IMPORTANT: PIDs are reused by the OS! This method:
+        1. Filters by machine (required - PIDs are only unique per machine)
+        2. Filters by time window (processes older than 24h are stale)
+        3. Validates via psutil that start times match
+
+        Args:
+            pid: OS process ID
+            machine: Machine instance (defaults to current machine)
+
+        Returns:
+            Process if found and validated, None otherwise
+        """
+        machine = machine or Machine.current()
+
+        # Get the actual process start time from OS
+        try:
+            os_proc = psutil.Process(pid)
+            os_start_time = os_proc.create_time()
+        except (psutil.NoSuchProcess, psutil.AccessDenied, psutil.ZombieProcess):
+            # Process doesn't exist - any DB record with this PID is stale
+            return None
+
+        # Query candidates: same machine, same PID, recent, still RUNNING
+        candidates = self.filter(
+            machine=machine,
+            pid=pid,
+            status=Process.StatusChoices.RUNNING,
+            started_at__gte=timezone.now() - PID_REUSE_WINDOW,  # Only recent processes
+        ).order_by('-started_at')  # Most recent first
+
+        for candidate in candidates:
+            # Validate start time matches (within tolerance)
+            if candidate.started_at:
+                db_start_time = candidate.started_at.timestamp()
+                if abs(db_start_time - os_start_time) < START_TIME_TOLERANCE:
+                    return candidate
+
+        return None
+
+
+class Process(ModelWithHealthStats):
+    # ... existing fields ...
+
+    objects: ProcessManager = ProcessManager()
+
+    @classmethod
+    def current(cls) -> 'Process':
+        """
+        Get or create the Process record for the current OS process.
+
+        Similar to Machine.current(), this:
+        1. Checks cache for existing Process with matching PID
+        2. Validates the cached Process is still valid (PID not reused)
+        3. Creates new Process if needed
+
+        IMPORTANT: Uses psutil to validate PID hasn't been reused.
+        PIDs are recycled by OS, so we compare start times.
+        """
+        global _CURRENT_PROCESS
+
+        current_pid = os.getpid()
+        machine = Machine.current()
+
+        # Check cache validity
+        if _CURRENT_PROCESS:
+            # Verify: same PID, same machine, cache not expired
+            if (_CURRENT_PROCESS.pid == current_pid and
+                _CURRENT_PROCESS.machine_id == machine.id and
+                timezone.now() < _CURRENT_PROCESS.modified_at + timedelta(seconds=PROCESS_RECHECK_INTERVAL)):
+                return _CURRENT_PROCESS
+            _CURRENT_PROCESS = None
+
+        # Get actual process start time from OS for validation
+        try:
+            os_proc = psutil.Process(current_pid)
+            os_start_time = os_proc.create_time()
+        except (psutil.NoSuchProcess, psutil.AccessDenied):
+            os_start_time = None
+
+        # Try to find existing Process for this PID on this machine
+        # Filter by: machine + PID + RUNNING + recent + start time matches
+        if os_start_time:
+            existing = cls.objects.filter(
+                machine=machine,
+                pid=current_pid,
+                status=cls.StatusChoices.RUNNING,
+                started_at__gte=timezone.now() - PID_REUSE_WINDOW,
+            ).order_by('-started_at').first()
+
+            if existing and existing.started_at:
+                db_start_time = existing.started_at.timestamp()
+                if abs(db_start_time - os_start_time) < START_TIME_TOLERANCE:
+                    _CURRENT_PROCESS = existing
+                    return existing
+
+        # No valid existing record - create new one
+        parent = cls._find_parent_process(machine)
+        process_type = cls._detect_process_type()
+
+        # Use psutil start time if available (more accurate than timezone.now())
+        if os_start_time:
+            from datetime import datetime
+            started_at = datetime.fromtimestamp(os_start_time, tz=timezone.get_current_timezone())
+        else:
+            started_at = timezone.now()
+
+        _CURRENT_PROCESS = cls.objects.create(
+            machine=machine,
+            parent=parent,
+            process_type=process_type,
+            cmd=sys.argv,
+            pwd=os.getcwd(),
+            pid=current_pid,
+            started_at=started_at,
+            status=cls.StatusChoices.RUNNING,
+        )
+        return _CURRENT_PROCESS
+
+    @classmethod
+    def _find_parent_process(cls, machine: 'Machine' = None) -> 'Process | None':
+        """
+        Find the parent Process record by looking up PPID.
+
+        IMPORTANT: Validates against PID reuse by checking:
+        1. Same machine (PIDs are only unique per machine)
+        2. Start time matches OS process start time
+        3. Process is still RUNNING and recent
+
+        Returns None if parent is not an ArchiveBox process.
+        """
+        ppid = os.getppid()
+        machine = machine or Machine.current()
+
+        # Get parent process start time from OS
+        try:
+            os_parent = psutil.Process(ppid)
+            os_parent_start = os_parent.create_time()
+        except (psutil.NoSuchProcess, psutil.AccessDenied, psutil.ZombieProcess):
+            return None  # Parent process doesn't exist
+
+        # Find matching Process record
+        candidates = cls.objects.filter(
+            machine=machine,
+            pid=ppid,
+            status=cls.StatusChoices.RUNNING,
+            started_at__gte=timezone.now() - PID_REUSE_WINDOW,
+        ).order_by('-started_at')
+
+        for candidate in candidates:
+            if candidate.started_at:
+                db_start_time = candidate.started_at.timestamp()
+                if abs(db_start_time - os_parent_start) < START_TIME_TOLERANCE:
+                    return candidate
+
+        return None  # No matching ArchiveBox parent process
+
+    @classmethod
+    def _detect_process_type(cls) -> str:
+        """
+        Detect the type of the current process from sys.argv.
+        """
+        argv_str = ' '.join(sys.argv).lower()
+
+        if 'supervisord' in argv_str:
+            return cls.TypeChoices.SUPERVISORD
+        elif 'orchestrator' in argv_str:
+            return cls.TypeChoices.ORCHESTRATOR
+        elif any(w in argv_str for w in ['crawl_worker', 'snapshot_worker', 'archiveresult_worker']):
+            return cls.TypeChoices.WORKER
+        elif 'archivebox' in argv_str:
+            return cls.TypeChoices.CLI
+        else:
+            return cls.TypeChoices.BINARY
+
+    @classmethod
+    def cleanup_stale_running(cls, machine: 'Machine' = None) -> int:
+        """
+        Mark stale RUNNING processes as EXITED.
+
+        Processes are stale if:
+        - Status is RUNNING but OS process no longer exists
+        - Status is RUNNING but started_at is older than PID_REUSE_WINDOW
+
+        Returns count of processes cleaned up.
+        """
+        machine = machine or Machine.current()
+        cleaned = 0
+
+        stale = cls.objects.filter(
+            machine=machine,
+            status=cls.StatusChoices.RUNNING,
+        )
+
+        for proc in stale:
+            is_stale = False
+
+            # Check if too old (PID definitely reused)
+            if proc.started_at and proc.started_at < timezone.now() - PID_REUSE_WINDOW:
+                is_stale = True
+            else:
+                # Check if OS process still exists with matching start time
+                try:
+                    os_proc = psutil.Process(proc.pid)
+                    if proc.started_at:
+                        db_start = proc.started_at.timestamp()
+                        os_start = os_proc.create_time()
+                        if abs(db_start - os_start) > START_TIME_TOLERANCE:
+                            is_stale = True  # PID reused by different process
+                except (psutil.NoSuchProcess, psutil.AccessDenied, psutil.ZombieProcess):
+                    is_stale = True  # Process no longer exists
+
+            if is_stale:
+                proc.status = cls.StatusChoices.EXITED
+                proc.ended_at = proc.ended_at or timezone.now()
+                proc.exit_code = proc.exit_code if proc.exit_code is not None else -1
+                proc.save(update_fields=['status', 'ended_at', 'exit_code'])
+                cleaned += 1
+
+        return cleaned
+```
+
+**Key Benefits:**
+- **Automatic hierarchy**: Calling `Process.current()` from anywhere auto-links to parent
+- **Cached**: Like `Machine.current()`, avoids repeated DB queries
+- **PID reuse protection**: Validates via psutil start time comparison (PIDs recycle!)
+- **Machine-scoped**: All queries filter by `machine=Machine.current()`
+- **Time-windowed**: Ignores processes older than 24h (stale PID matches)
+- **Self-healing**: `cleanup_stale_running()` marks orphaned processes as EXITED
+
+**Usage pattern:**
+```python
+# In any ArchiveBox code that spawns a subprocess:
+parent = Process.current()  # Get/create record for THIS process
+child = Process.objects.create(
+    parent=parent,
+    cmd=['wget', ...],
+    ...
+)
+child.launch()
+```
+
+### 1.4 Add Helper Methods for Tree Traversal
+
+```python
+class Process(ModelWithHealthStats):
+    # ... existing fields ...
+
+    @property
+    def root(self) -> 'Process':
+        """Get the root process (CLI command) of this hierarchy."""
+        proc = self
+        while proc.parent_id:
+            proc = proc.parent
+        return proc
+
+    @property
+    def ancestors(self) -> list['Process']:
+        """Get all ancestor processes from parent to root."""
+        ancestors = []
+        proc = self.parent
+        while proc:
+            ancestors.append(proc)
+            proc = proc.parent
+        return ancestors
+
+    @property
+    def depth(self) -> int:
+        """Get depth in the process tree (0 = root)."""
+        return len(self.ancestors)
+
+    def get_descendants(self, include_self: bool = False) -> QuerySet['Process']:
+        """Get all descendant processes recursively."""
+        # Note: For deep hierarchies, consider using django-mptt or django-treebeard
+        # For now, simple recursive query (limited depth in practice)
+        from django.db.models import Q
+
+        if include_self:
+            pks = [self.pk]
+        else:
+            pks = []
+
+        children = list(self.children.values_list('pk', flat=True))
+        while children:
+            pks.extend(children)
+            children = list(Process.objects.filter(parent_id__in=children).values_list('pk', flat=True))
+
+        return Process.objects.filter(pk__in=pks)
+```
+
+### 1.5 Add `Process.proc` Property for Validated psutil Access
+
+The `proc` property provides a validated `psutil.Process` object, ensuring the PID matches our recorded process (not a recycled PID):
+
+```python
+class Process(ModelWithHealthStats):
+    # ... existing fields ...
+
+    @property
+    def proc(self) -> 'psutil.Process | None':
+        """
+        Get validated psutil.Process for this record.
+
+        Returns psutil.Process ONLY if:
+        1. Process with this PID exists in OS
+        2. OS process start time matches our started_at (within tolerance)
+        3. Process is on current machine
+
+        Returns None if:
+        - PID doesn't exist (process exited)
+        - PID was reused by a different process (start times don't match)
+        - We're on a different machine than where process ran
+
+        This prevents accidentally matching a stale/recycled PID.
+        """
+        import psutil
+        from archivebox.machine.models import Machine
+
+        # Can't get psutil.Process if we don't have a PID
+        if not self.pid:
+            return None
+
+        # Can't validate processes on other machines
+        if self.machine_id != Machine.current().id:
+            return None
+
+        try:
+            os_proc = psutil.Process(self.pid)
+        except (psutil.NoSuchProcess, psutil.AccessDenied, psutil.ZombieProcess):
+            return None  # Process no longer exists
+
+        # Validate start time matches to prevent PID reuse confusion
+        if self.started_at:
+            os_start_time = os_proc.create_time()
+            db_start_time = self.started_at.timestamp()
+
+            if abs(os_start_time - db_start_time) > START_TIME_TOLERANCE:
+                # PID has been reused by a different process!
+                return None
+
+        # Optionally validate command matches (extra safety)
+        # This catches edge cases where start times are within tolerance
+        # but it's actually a different process
+        if self.cmd:
+            try:
+                os_cmdline = os_proc.cmdline()
+                # Check if first arg (binary) matches
+                if os_cmdline and self.cmd:
+                    os_binary = os_cmdline[0] if os_cmdline else ''
+                    db_binary = self.cmd[0] if self.cmd else ''
+                    # Match by basename (handles /usr/bin/python3 vs python3)
+                    if os_binary and db_binary:
+                        from pathlib import Path
+                        if Path(os_binary).name != Path(db_binary).name:
+                            return None  # Different binary, PID reused
+            except (psutil.AccessDenied, psutil.ZombieProcess):
+                pass  # Can't check cmdline, trust start time match
+
+        return os_proc
+
+    @property
+    def is_running(self) -> bool:
+        """
+        Check if process is currently running via psutil.
+
+        More reliable than checking status field since it validates
+        the actual OS process exists and matches our record.
+        """
+        return self.proc is not None and self.proc.is_running()
+
+    def is_alive(self) -> bool:
+        """
+        Alias for is_running, for compatibility with subprocess.Popen API.
+        """
+        return self.is_running
+
+    def get_memory_info(self) -> dict | None:
+        """Get memory usage if process is running."""
+        if self.proc:
+            try:
+                mem = self.proc.memory_info()
+                return {'rss': mem.rss, 'vms': mem.vms}
+            except (psutil.NoSuchProcess, psutil.AccessDenied):
+                pass
+        return None
+
+    def get_cpu_percent(self) -> float | None:
+        """Get CPU usage percentage if process is running."""
+        if self.proc:
+            try:
+                return self.proc.cpu_percent(interval=0.1)
+            except (psutil.NoSuchProcess, psutil.AccessDenied):
+                pass
+        return None
+
+    def get_children_pids(self) -> list[int]:
+        """Get PIDs of child processes from OS (not DB)."""
+        if self.proc:
+            try:
+                return [child.pid for child in self.proc.children(recursive=True)]
+            except (psutil.NoSuchProcess, psutil.AccessDenied):
+                pass
+        return []
+```
+
+**Key Safety Features:**
+
+1. **Start time validation**: `psutil.Process.create_time()` must match `self.started_at` within `START_TIME_TOLERANCE` (5 seconds)
+2. **Machine check**: Only returns `proc` if on the same machine where process ran
+3. **Command validation**: Optional extra check that binary name matches
+4. **Returns None on mismatch**: Never returns a stale/wrong psutil.Process
+
+**Usage:**
+```python
+process = Process.objects.get(id=some_id)
+
+# Safe - returns None if PID was recycled
+if process.proc:
+    print(f"Memory: {process.proc.memory_info().rss}")
+    print(f"CPU: {process.proc.cpu_percent()}")
+    process.proc.terminate()  # Safe to kill - we validated it's OUR process
+
+# Convenience properties
+if process.is_running:
+    print("Still running!")
+```
+
+### 1.6 Add Process Lifecycle Methods
+
+Move logic from `process_utils.py` and `hooks.py` into the model:
+
+```python
+class Process(ModelWithHealthStats):
+    # ... existing fields ...
+
+    @property
+    def pid_file(self) -> Path:
+        """Path to PID file for this process."""
+        return Path(self.pwd) / 'process.pid'
+
+    @property
+    def cmd_file(self) -> Path:
+        """Path to cmd.sh script for this process."""
+        return Path(self.pwd) / 'cmd.sh'
+
+    @property
+    def stdout_file(self) -> Path:
+        """Path to stdout log."""
+        return Path(self.pwd) / 'stdout.log'
+
+    @property
+    def stderr_file(self) -> Path:
+        """Path to stderr log."""
+        return Path(self.pwd) / 'stderr.log'
+
+    def _write_pid_file(self) -> None:
+        """Write PID file with mtime set to process start time."""
+        from archivebox.misc.process_utils import write_pid_file_with_mtime
+        if self.pid and self.started_at:
+            write_pid_file_with_mtime(
+                self.pid_file,
+                self.pid,
+                self.started_at.timestamp()
+            )
+
+    def _write_cmd_file(self) -> None:
+        """Write cmd.sh script for debugging/validation."""
+        from archivebox.misc.process_utils import write_cmd_file
+        write_cmd_file(self.cmd_file, self.cmd)
+
+    def _build_env(self) -> dict:
+        """Build environment dict for subprocess, merging stored env with system."""
+        import os
+        env = os.environ.copy()
+        env.update(self.env or {})
+        return env
+
+    def launch(self, background: bool = False) -> 'Process':
+        """
+        Spawn the subprocess and update this Process record.
+
+        Args:
+            background: If True, don't wait for completion (for daemons/bg hooks)
+
+        Returns:
+            self (updated with pid, started_at, etc.)
+        """
+        import subprocess
+        import time
+        from django.utils import timezone
+
+        # Ensure output directory exists
+        Path(self.pwd).mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
+
+        # Write cmd.sh for debugging
+        self._write_cmd_file()
+
+        with open(self.stdout_file, 'w') as out, open(self.stderr_file, 'w') as err:
+            proc = subprocess.Popen(
+                self.cmd,
+                cwd=self.pwd,
+                stdout=out,
+                stderr=err,
+                env=self._build_env(),
+            )
+
+            self.pid = proc.pid
+            self.started_at = timezone.now()
+            self.status = self.StatusChoices.RUNNING
+            self.save()
+
+            self._write_pid_file()
+
+            if not background:
+                try:
+                    proc.wait(timeout=self.timeout)
+                    self.exit_code = proc.returncode
+                except subprocess.TimeoutExpired:
+                    proc.kill()
+                    proc.wait()
+                    self.exit_code = -1
+
+                self.ended_at = timezone.now()
+                self.stdout = self.stdout_file.read_text()
+                self.stderr = self.stderr_file.read_text()
+                self.status = self.StatusChoices.EXITED
+                self.save()
+
+        return self
+
+    def is_alive(self) -> bool:
+        """Check if this process is still running."""
+        from archivebox.misc.process_utils import validate_pid_file
+
+        if self.status == self.StatusChoices.EXITED:
+            return False
+
+        if not self.pid:
+            return False
+
+        return validate_pid_file(self.pid_file, self.cmd_file)
+
+    def kill(self, signal_num: int = 15) -> bool:
+        """
+        Kill this process and update status.
+
+        Uses self.proc for safe killing - only kills if PID matches
+        our recorded process (prevents killing recycled PIDs).
+
+        Args:
+            signal_num: Signal to send (default SIGTERM=15)
+
+        Returns:
+            True if killed successfully, False otherwise
+        """
+        from django.utils import timezone
+
+        # Use validated psutil.Process to ensure we're killing the right process
+        proc = self.proc
+        if proc is None:
+            # Process doesn't exist or PID was recycled - just update status
+            if self.status != self.StatusChoices.EXITED:
+                self.status = self.StatusChoices.EXITED
+                self.ended_at = self.ended_at or timezone.now()
+                self.save()
+            return False
+
+        try:
+            # Safe to kill - we validated it's our process via start time match
+            proc.send_signal(signal_num)
+
+            # Update our record
+            self.exit_code = -signal_num
+            self.ended_at = timezone.now()
+            self.status = self.StatusChoices.EXITED
+            self.save()
+
+            # Clean up PID file
+            self.pid_file.unlink(missing_ok=True)
+
+            return True
+        except (psutil.NoSuchProcess, psutil.AccessDenied, ProcessLookupError):
+            # Process already exited between proc check and kill
+            self.status = self.StatusChoices.EXITED
+            self.ended_at = self.ended_at or timezone.now()
+            self.save()
+            return False
+
+    def poll(self) -> int | None:
+        """
+        Check if process has exited and update status if so.
+
+        Returns:
+            exit_code if exited, None if still running
+        """
+        from django.utils import timezone
+
+        if self.status == self.StatusChoices.EXITED:
+            return self.exit_code
+
+        if not self.is_alive():
+            # Process exited - read output and update status
+            if self.stdout_file.exists():
+                self.stdout = self.stdout_file.read_text()
+            if self.stderr_file.exists():
+                self.stderr = self.stderr_file.read_text()
+
+            # Try to get exit code from pid file or default to unknown
+            self.exit_code = self.exit_code or -1
+            self.ended_at = timezone.now()
+            self.status = self.StatusChoices.EXITED
+            self.save()
+            return self.exit_code
+
+        return None  # Still running
+
+    def wait(self, timeout: int | None = None) -> int:
+        """
+        Wait for process to exit, polling periodically.
+
+        Args:
+            timeout: Max seconds to wait (None = use self.timeout)
+
+        Returns:
+            exit_code
+
+        Raises:
+            TimeoutError if process doesn't exit in time
+        """
+        import time
+
+        timeout = timeout or self.timeout
+        start = time.time()
+
+        while True:
+            exit_code = self.poll()
+            if exit_code is not None:
+                return exit_code
+
+            if time.time() - start > timeout:
+                raise TimeoutError(f"Process {self.id} did not exit within {timeout}s")
+
+            time.sleep(0.1)
+```
+
+---
+
+## Phase 2: Hook System Changes (Detailed)
+
+This section provides a line-by-line mapping of current code to required changes.
+
+### 2.1 Current Architecture Overview
+
+**Current Flow:**
+```
+ArchiveResult.run() [core/models.py:2463]
+    └── run_hook() [hooks.py:238]
+            └── subprocess.Popen() [hooks.py:381]
+                    └── writes: stdout.log, stderr.log, hook.pid, cmd.sh
+```
+
+**Target Flow:**
+```
+ArchiveResult.run()
+    └── run_hook(parent_process=self.process)  # Pass existing Process FK
+            └── hook_process = Process.objects.create(parent=parent_process, type=HOOK)
+            └── hook_process.launch(background=is_bg)  # Uses Process methods
+                    └── writes: stdout.log, stderr.log via Process.stdout_file/stderr_file
+                    └── Process handles PID file internally
+            └── parse JSONL for {"type": "Process"} records → create child binary Processes
+```
+
+### 2.2 Changes to `hooks.py`
+
+#### 2.2.1 Update `run_hook()` Signature and Body
+
+**File:** `archivebox/hooks.py` lines 238-483
+
+**CURRENT CODE (lines 374-398):**
+```python
+# Set up output files for ALL hooks (useful for debugging)
+stdout_file = output_dir / 'stdout.log'
+stderr_file = output_dir / 'stderr.log'
+pid_file = output_dir / 'hook.pid'
+cmd_file = output_dir / 'cmd.sh'
+
+try:
+    # Write command script for validation
+    from archivebox.misc.process_utils import write_cmd_file
+    write_cmd_file(cmd_file, cmd)
+
+    # Open log files for writing
+    with open(stdout_file, 'w') as out, open(stderr_file, 'w') as err:
+        process = subprocess.Popen(
+            cmd,
+            cwd=str(output_dir),
+            stdout=out,
+            stderr=err,
+            env=env,
+        )
+
+        # Write PID with mtime set to process start time for validation
+        from archivebox.misc.process_utils import write_pid_file_with_mtime
+        process_start_time = time.time()
+        write_pid_file_with_mtime(pid_file, process.pid, process_start_time)
+
+        if is_background:
+            # Background hook - return None immediately, don't wait
+            return None
+```
+
+**NEW CODE:**
+```python
+def run_hook(
+    script: Path,
+    output_dir: Path,
+    config: Dict[str, Any],
+    timeout: Optional[int] = None,
+    parent_process: Optional['Process'] = None,  # NEW: from ArchiveResult.process
+    **kwargs: Any
+) -> HookResult:
+    from archivebox.machine.models import Process, Machine
+
+    # ... existing setup (lines 270-372) ...
+
+    # Create Process record for this hook execution
+    # Parent is the ArchiveResult's Process (passed from ArchiveResult.run())
+    hook_process = Process.objects.create(
+        machine=Machine.current(),
+        parent=parent_process,
+        process_type=Process.TypeChoices.HOOK,
+        cmd=cmd,
+        pwd=str(output_dir),
+        env={k: v for k, v in env.items() if k not in os.environ},  # Only store non-default env
+        timeout=timeout,
+        status=Process.StatusChoices.QUEUED,
+    )
+
+    # Use Process.launch() which handles:
+    # - subprocess.Popen
+    # - PID file with mtime validation
+    # - cmd.sh script
+    # - stdout/stderr capture
+    # - status transitions
+    if is_background:
+        hook_process.launch(background=True)
+        # Return None for background hooks (existing behavior)
+        # HookResult not returned - caller uses hook_process.id to track
+        return None
+    else:
+        hook_process.launch(background=False)  # Blocks until completion
+
+    # Read output from Process (instead of files directly)
+    stdout = hook_process.stdout
+    stderr = hook_process.stderr
+    returncode = hook_process.exit_code
+
+    # ... existing JSONL parsing (lines 427-448) ...
+
+    # NEW: Create child Process records for binaries reported in JSONL
+    for record in records:
+        if record.get('type') == 'Process':
+            Process.objects.create(
+                machine=hook_process.machine,
+                parent=hook_process,
+                process_type=Process.TypeChoices.BINARY,
+                cmd=record.get('cmd', []),
+                pwd=record.get('pwd', str(output_dir)),
+                pid=record.get('pid'),
+                exit_code=record.get('exit_code'),
+                started_at=parse_ts(record.get('started_at')),
+                ended_at=parse_ts(record.get('ended_at')),
+                status=Process.StatusChoices.EXITED,
+            )
+
+    return HookResult(
+        returncode=returncode,
+        stdout=stdout,
+        stderr=stderr,
+        # ... existing fields ...
+        process_id=str(hook_process.id),  # NEW
+    )
+```
+
+#### 2.2.2 Update `process_is_alive()` to Use Process Model
+
+**CURRENT CODE (lines 1238-1256):**
+```python
+def process_is_alive(pid_file: Path) -> bool:
+    """Check if process in PID file is still running."""
+    if not pid_file.exists():
+        return False
+    try:
+        pid = int(pid_file.read_text().strip())
+        os.kill(pid, 0)
+        return True
+    except (OSError, ValueError):
+        return False
+```
+
+**NEW CODE:**
+```python
+def process_is_alive(pid_file_or_process: 'Path | Process') -> bool:
+    """
+    Check if process is still running.
+
+    Accepts either:
+    - Path to hook.pid file (legacy)
+    - Process model instance (new)
+    """
+    from archivebox.machine.models import Process
+
+    if isinstance(pid_file_or_process, Process):
+        return pid_file_or_process.is_alive()
+
+    # Legacy path-based check (for backwards compatibility)
+    pid_file = pid_file_or_process
+    if not pid_file.exists():
+        return False
+
+    # Try to find matching Process record
+    try:
+        pid = int(pid_file.read_text().strip())
+        process = Process.objects.get_by_pid(pid)
+        if process:
+            return process.is_alive()
+    except (ValueError, Process.DoesNotExist):
+        pass
+
+    # Fallback to OS check
+    from archivebox.misc.process_utils import validate_pid_file
+    return validate_pid_file(pid_file)
+```
+
+#### 2.2.3 Update `kill_process()` to Use Process Model
+
+**CURRENT CODE (lines 1259-1282):**
+```python
+def kill_process(pid_file: Path, sig: int = signal.SIGTERM, validate: bool = True):
+    """Kill process in PID file with optional validation."""
+    from archivebox.misc.process_utils import safe_kill_process
+
+    if validate:
+        cmd_file = pid_file.parent / 'cmd.sh'
+        safe_kill_process(pid_file, cmd_file, signal_num=sig)
+    else:
+        # Legacy behavior
+        ...
+```
+
+**NEW CODE:**
+```python
+def kill_process(
+    pid_file_or_process: 'Path | Process',
+    sig: int = signal.SIGTERM,
+    validate: bool = True
+):
+    """
+    Kill process with optional validation.
+
+    Accepts either:
+    - Path to hook.pid file (legacy)
+    - Process model instance (new)
+    """
+    from archivebox.machine.models import Process
+
+    if isinstance(pid_file_or_process, Process):
+        pid_file_or_process.kill(signal_num=sig)
+        return
+
+    # Legacy path-based kill
+    pid_file = pid_file_or_process
+
+    # Try to find matching Process record first
+    try:
+        pid = int(pid_file.read_text().strip())
+        process = Process.objects.get_by_pid(pid)
+        if process:
+            process.kill(signal_num=sig)
+            return
+    except (ValueError, Process.DoesNotExist, FileNotFoundError):
+        pass
+
+    # Fallback to file-based kill
+    if validate:
+        from archivebox.misc.process_utils import safe_kill_process
+        cmd_file = pid_file.parent / 'cmd.sh'
+        safe_kill_process(pid_file, cmd_file, signal_num=sig)
+```
+
+### 2.3 Changes to `core/models.py` - ArchiveResult
+
+#### 2.3.1 Update `ArchiveResult.run()` to Pass Parent Process
+
+**File:** `archivebox/core/models.py` lines 2463-2565
+
+**CURRENT CODE (lines 2527-2535):**
+```python
+result = run_hook(
+    hook,
+    output_dir=plugin_dir,
+    config=config,
+    url=self.snapshot.url,
+    snapshot_id=str(self.snapshot.id),
+    crawl_id=str(self.snapshot.crawl.id),
+    depth=self.snapshot.depth,
+)
+```
+
+**NEW CODE:**
+```python
+result = run_hook(
+    hook,
+    output_dir=plugin_dir,
+    config=config,
+    parent_process=self.process,  # NEW: Pass our Process as parent for hook's Process
+    url=self.snapshot.url,
+    snapshot_id=str(self.snapshot.id),
+    crawl_id=str(self.snapshot.crawl.id),
+    depth=self.snapshot.depth,
+)
+```
+
+#### 2.3.2 Update `ArchiveResult.update_from_output()` to Use Process
+
+**File:** `archivebox/core/models.py` lines 2568-2700
+
+**CURRENT CODE (lines 2598-2600):**
+```python
+# Read and parse JSONL output from stdout.log
+stdout_file = plugin_dir / 'stdout.log'
+stdout = stdout_file.read_text() if stdout_file.exists() else ''
+```
+
+**NEW CODE:**
+```python
+# Read output from Process record (populated by Process.launch())
+if self.process_id:
+    # Process already has stdout/stderr from launch()
+    stdout = self.process.stdout
+    stderr = self.process.stderr
+else:
+    # Fallback to file-based read (legacy)
+    stdout_file = plugin_dir / 'stdout.log'
+    stdout = stdout_file.read_text() if stdout_file.exists() else ''
+```
+
+### 2.4 Changes to `core/models.py` - Snapshot
+
+#### 2.4.1 Update `Snapshot.cleanup()` to Use Process Model
+
+**File:** `archivebox/core/models.py` lines 1381-1401
+
+**CURRENT CODE:**
+```python
+def cleanup(self):
+    from archivebox.hooks import kill_process
+
+    if not self.OUTPUT_DIR.exists():
+        return
+
+    # Find all .pid files in this snapshot's output directory
+    for pid_file in self.OUTPUT_DIR.glob('**/*.pid'):
+        kill_process(pid_file, validate=True)
+
+    # Update all STARTED ArchiveResults from filesystem
+    results = self.archiveresult_set.filter(status=ArchiveResult.StatusChoices.STARTED)
+    for ar in results:
+        ar.update_from_output()
+```
+
+**NEW CODE:**
+```python
+def cleanup(self):
+    """
+    Clean up background ArchiveResult hooks.
+
+    Uses Process model to find and kill running hooks.
+    Falls back to PID file scanning for legacy compatibility.
+    """
+    from archivebox.machine.models import Process
+
+    # Kill running hook Processes for this snapshot's ArchiveResults
+    for ar in self.archiveresult_set.filter(status=ArchiveResult.StatusChoices.STARTED):
+        if ar.process_id:
+            # Get hook Processes that are children of this AR's Process
+            hook_processes = Process.objects.filter(
+                parent=ar.process,
+                process_type=Process.TypeChoices.HOOK,
+                status=Process.StatusChoices.RUNNING,
+            )
+            for hook_proc in hook_processes:
+                hook_proc.kill()
+
+        # Also kill any child binary processes
+        if ar.process_id:
+            for child in ar.process.children.filter(status=Process.StatusChoices.RUNNING):
+                child.kill()
+
+    # Legacy fallback: scan for .pid files not tracked in DB
+    if self.OUTPUT_DIR.exists():
+        from archivebox.hooks import kill_process
+        for pid_file in self.OUTPUT_DIR.glob('**/*.pid'):
+            kill_process(pid_file, validate=True)
+
+    # Update all STARTED ArchiveResults from filesystem/Process
+    for ar in self.archiveresult_set.filter(status=ArchiveResult.StatusChoices.STARTED):
+        ar.update_from_output()
+```
+
+#### 2.4.2 Update `Snapshot.has_running_background_hooks()` to Use Process Model
+
+**CURRENT CODE (lines 1403-1420):**
+```python
+def has_running_background_hooks(self) -> bool:
+    from archivebox.hooks import process_is_alive
+
+    if not self.OUTPUT_DIR.exists():
+        return False
+
+    for plugin_dir in self.OUTPUT_DIR.iterdir():
+        if not plugin_dir.is_dir():
+            continue
+        pid_file = plugin_dir / 'hook.pid'
+        if process_is_alive(pid_file):
+            return True
+
+    return False
+```
+
+**NEW CODE:**
+```python
+def has_running_background_hooks(self) -> bool:
+    """
+    Check if any ArchiveResult background hooks are still running.
+
+    Uses Process model for tracking, falls back to PID file check.
+    """
+    from archivebox.machine.models import Process
+
+    # Check via Process model (preferred)
+    for ar in self.archiveresult_set.filter(status=ArchiveResult.StatusChoices.STARTED):
+        if ar.process_id:
+            # Check if hook Process children are running
+            running_hooks = Process.objects.filter(
+                parent=ar.process,
+                process_type=Process.TypeChoices.HOOK,
+                status=Process.StatusChoices.RUNNING,
+            ).exists()
+            if running_hooks:
+                return True
+
+            # Also check the AR's own process
+            if ar.process.is_alive():
+                return True
+
+    # Legacy fallback: check PID files
+    if self.OUTPUT_DIR.exists():
+        from archivebox.hooks import process_is_alive
+        for plugin_dir in self.OUTPUT_DIR.iterdir():
+            if plugin_dir.is_dir():
+                pid_file = plugin_dir / 'hook.pid'
+                if process_is_alive(pid_file):
+                    return True
+
+    return False
+```
+
+### 2.5 Hook JSONL Output Contract Update
+
+Hooks should now output `{"type": "Process", ...}` records for any binaries they run:
+
+```jsonl
+{"type": "ArchiveResult", "status": "succeeded", "output_str": "Downloaded page"}
+{"type": "Process", "cmd": ["/usr/bin/wget", "-p", "https://example.com"], "pid": 12345, "exit_code": 0, "started_at": "2024-01-15T10:30:00Z", "ended_at": "2024-01-15T10:30:05Z"}
+{"type": "Process", "cmd": ["/usr/bin/curl", "-O", "image.png"], "pid": 12346, "exit_code": 0}
+```
+
+This allows full tracking of the process hierarchy:
+```
+Process(archivebox add, type=CLI)
+    └── Process(orchestrator, type=ORCHESTRATOR)
+            └── Process(archiveresult_worker, type=WORKER)
+                    └── Process(on_Snapshot__50_wget.py, type=HOOK)  # ArchiveResult.process
+                            └── Process(wget -p ..., type=BINARY)   # from JSONL
+                            └── Process(curl -O ..., type=BINARY)   # from JSONL
+```
+
+---
+
+## Phase 3: Worker System Changes
+
+### 3.1 Track Worker Processes in Database (Simplified with Process.current())
+
+**File:** `archivebox/workers/worker.py`
+
+With `Process.current()`, tracking becomes trivial:
+
+```python
+class Worker:
+    # ... existing code ...
+
+    db_process: 'Process | None' = None  # Database Process record
+
+    def on_startup(self) -> None:
+        """Called when worker starts."""
+        from archivebox.machine.models import Process
+
+        self.pid = os.getpid()
+        self.pid_file = write_pid_file(self.name, self.worker_id)
+
+        # Process.current() automatically:
+        # - Creates record with correct process_type (detected from sys.argv)
+        # - Finds parent via PPID (orchestrator)
+        # - Sets machine, pid, started_at, status
+        self.db_process = Process.current()
+
+        # ... existing logging ...
+
+    # _get_parent_process() NO LONGER NEEDED - Process.current() uses PPID
+
+    def on_shutdown(self, error: BaseException | None = None) -> None:
+        """Called when worker shuts down."""
+        # ... existing code ...
+
+        # Update database Process record
+        if self.db_process:
+            self.db_process.exit_code = 0 if error is None else 1
+            self.db_process.ended_at = timezone.now()
+            self.db_process.status = Process.StatusChoices.EXITED
+            if error:
+                self.db_process.stderr = str(error)
+            self.db_process.save()
+```
+
+### 3.2 Track Orchestrator Process (Simplified)
+
+**File:** `archivebox/workers/orchestrator.py`
+
+```python
+class Orchestrator:
+    # ... existing code ...
+
+    db_process: 'Process | None' = None
+
+    def on_startup(self) -> None:
+        """Called when orchestrator starts."""
+        from archivebox.machine.models import Process
+
+        self.pid = os.getpid()
+        self.pid_file = write_pid_file('orchestrator', worker_id=0)
+
+        # Process.current() handles everything:
+        # - Detects type as ORCHESTRATOR from "orchestrator" in sys.argv
+        # - Finds parent (supervisord) via PPID lookup
+        self.db_process = Process.current()
+
+        # ... existing logging ...
+
+    # _get_parent_process() NO LONGER NEEDED
+```
+
+### 3.3 Track Supervisord Process (Detailed)
+
+**File:** `archivebox/workers/supervisord_util.py`
+
+Supervisord is special: it's spawned by `subprocess.Popen` (not through Process.current()).
+We create its Process record manually after spawning.
+
+#### 3.3.1 Update Module-Level Variables
+
+**CURRENT CODE (line 31):**
+```python
+# Global reference to supervisord process for cleanup
+_supervisord_proc = None
+```
+
+**NEW CODE:**
+```python
+# Global references for cleanup
+_supervisord_proc = None
+_supervisord_db_process = None  # NEW: Database Process record
+```
+
+#### 3.3.2 Update `start_new_supervisord_process()`
+
+**CURRENT CODE (lines 263-278):**
+```python
+proc = subprocess.Popen(
+    f"supervisord --configuration={CONFIG_FILE}",
+    stdin=None,
+    stdout=log_handle,
+    stderr=log_handle,
+    shell=True,
+    start_new_session=False,
+)
+
+global _supervisord_proc
+_supervisord_proc = proc
+
+time.sleep(2)
+return get_existing_supervisord_process()
+```
+
+**NEW CODE:**
+```python
+from archivebox.machine.models import Process, Machine
+import psutil
+
+proc = subprocess.Popen(
+    f"supervisord --configuration={CONFIG_FILE}",
+    stdin=None,
+    stdout=log_handle,
+    stderr=log_handle,
+    shell=True,
+    start_new_session=False,
+)
+
+global _supervisord_proc, _supervisord_db_process
+_supervisord_proc = proc
+
+# Create Process record for supervisord
+# Parent is Process.current() (the CLI command that started it)
+try:
+    os_proc = psutil.Process(proc.pid)
+    started_at = datetime.fromtimestamp(os_proc.create_time(), tz=timezone.utc)
+except (psutil.NoSuchProcess, psutil.AccessDenied):
+    started_at = timezone.now()
+
+_supervisord_db_process = Process.objects.create(
+    machine=Machine.current(),
+    parent=Process.current(),  # CLI process that spawned supervisord
+    process_type=Process.TypeChoices.SUPERVISORD,
+    cmd=['supervisord', f'--configuration={CONFIG_FILE}'],
+    pwd=str(CONSTANTS.DATA_DIR),
+    pid=proc.pid,
+    started_at=started_at,
+    status=Process.StatusChoices.RUNNING,
+)
+
+time.sleep(2)
+return get_existing_supervisord_process()
+```
+
+#### 3.3.3 Update `stop_existing_supervisord_process()`
+
+**ADD at end of function (after line 217):**
+```python
+# Update database Process record
+global _supervisord_db_process
+if _supervisord_db_process:
+    _supervisord_db_process.status = Process.StatusChoices.EXITED
+    _supervisord_db_process.ended_at = timezone.now()
+    _supervisord_db_process.exit_code = 0
+    _supervisord_db_process.save()
+    _supervisord_db_process = None
+```
+
+#### 3.3.4 Diagram: Supervisord Process Hierarchy
+
+```
+Process(archivebox server, type=CLI)          # Created by Process.current() in main()
+    │
+    └── Process(supervisord, type=SUPERVISORD)  # Created manually in start_new_supervisord_process()
+            │
+            ├── Process(orchestrator, type=ORCHESTRATOR)  # Created by Process.current() in Orchestrator.on_startup()
+            │       │
+            │       └── Process(crawl_worker, type=WORKER)
+            │               │
+            │               └── Process(snapshot_worker, type=WORKER)
+            │                       │
+            │                       └── Process(archiveresult_worker, type=WORKER)
+            │                               │
+            │                               └── Process(hook, type=HOOK)  # ArchiveResult.process
+            │                                       │
+            │                                       └── Process(binary, type=BINARY)
+            │
+            └── Process(daphne, type=WORKER)  # Web server worker
+```
+
+Note: Workers spawned BY supervisord (like orchestrator, daphne) are NOT tracked as supervisord's children
+in Process hierarchy - they appear as children of the orchestrator because that's where `Process.current()`
+is called (in `Worker.on_startup()` / `Orchestrator.on_startup()`).
+
+The PPID-based linking works because:
+1. Supervisord spawns orchestrator process
+2. Orchestrator calls `Process.current()` in `on_startup()`
+3. `Process.current()` looks up PPID → finds supervisord's Process → sets as parent
+
+---
+
+## Phase 4: CLI Entry Point Changes
+
+### 4.1 Simplified: Just Call `Process.current()`
+
+With `Process.current()` implemented, CLI entry becomes trivial:
+
+**File:** `archivebox/__main__.py` or `archivebox/cli/__init__.py`
+
+```python
+def main():
+    from archivebox.machine.models import Process
+
+    # Process.current() auto-creates the CLI process record
+    # It detects process_type from sys.argv, finds parent via PPID
+    cli_process = Process.current()
+
+    try:
+        # ... existing CLI dispatch ...
+        result = run_cli_command(...)
+        cli_process.exit_code = result
+    except Exception as e:
+        cli_process.exit_code = 1
+        cli_process.stderr = str(e)
+        raise
+    finally:
+        cli_process.ended_at = timezone.now()
+        cli_process.status = Process.StatusChoices.EXITED
+        cli_process.save()
+```
+
+**That's it!** No thread-local context needed. `Process.current()` handles:
+- Creating the record with correct `process_type`
+- Finding parent via PPID lookup
+- Caching to avoid repeated queries
+- Validating PID hasn't been reused
+
+### 4.2 Context Management (DEPRECATED - Replaced by Process.current())
+
+~~The following is no longer needed since `Process.current()` uses PPID lookup:~~
+
+```python
+# archivebox/machine/context.py - NO LONGER NEEDED
+
+# Process.current() replaces all of this by using os.getppid()
+# to find parent Process records automatically.
+
+# OLD approach (don't use):
+def get_cli_process() -> Optional['Process']:
+    """
+    Find the CLI process that started this execution.
+
+    Tries:
+    1. Thread-local storage (set by main CLI entry point)
+    2. Environment variable ARCHIVEBOX_CLI_PROCESS_ID
+    3. Query for running CLI process on this machine with matching PPID
+    """
+    # Try thread-local first
+    process = get_current_cli_process()
+    if process:
+        return process
+
+    # Try environment variable
+    import os
+    from archivebox.machine.models import Process
+
+    process_id = os.environ.get('ARCHIVEBOX_CLI_PROCESS_ID')
+    if process_id:
+        try:
+            return Process.objects.get(id=process_id)
+        except Process.DoesNotExist:
+            pass
+
+    # Fallback: find by PPID
+    ppid = os.getppid()
+    return Process.objects.filter(
+        pid=ppid,
+        process_type=Process.TypeChoices.CLI,
+        status=Process.StatusChoices.RUNNING,
+    ).first()
+```
+
+---
+
+## Phase 5: ArchiveResult Integration
+
+### 5.1 Update ArchiveResult.run() to Pass Parent Process
+
+**File:** `archivebox/core/models.py`
+
+```python
+class ArchiveResult(ModelWithOutputDir, ...):
+    def run(self):
+        """Execute this ArchiveResult's hook and update status."""
+        from archivebox.hooks import run_hook
+
+        # ... existing setup ...
+
+        for hook in hooks:
+            result = run_hook(
+                hook,
+                output_dir=plugin_dir,
+                config=config,
+                parent_process=self.process,  # NEW: pass our Process as parent
+                url=self.snapshot.url,
+                snapshot_id=str(self.snapshot.id),
+                crawl_id=str(self.snapshot.crawl.id),
+                depth=self.snapshot.depth,
+            )
+
+            # ... rest of processing ...
+```
+
+### 5.2 Update ArchiveResult.save() to Link Worker Process
+
+```python
+class ArchiveResult(ModelWithOutputDir, ...):
+    def save(self, *args, **kwargs):
+        is_new = self._state.adding
+
+        if is_new and not self.process_id:
+            from archivebox.machine.models import Process, Machine
+            from archivebox.machine.context import get_current_worker_process
+
+            # Get the worker's Process as parent
+            worker_process = get_current_worker_process()
+
+            process = Process.objects.create(
+                machine=Machine.current(),
+                parent=worker_process,  # NEW: link to worker
+                process_type=Process.TypeChoices.HOOK,  # Will become HOOK when run
+                pwd=str(Path(self.snapshot.output_dir) / self.plugin),
+                cmd=[],
+                status='queued',
+                timeout=120,
+                env={},
+            )
+            self.process = process
+
+        # ... rest of save ...
+```
+
+---
+
+## Phase 6: Migration
+
+### 6.1 Create Migration File
+
+```python
+# archivebox/machine/migrations/XXXX_add_process_parent_and_type.py
+
+from django.db import migrations, models
+import django.db.models.deletion
+
+class Migration(migrations.Migration):
+    dependencies = [
+        ('machine', 'XXXX_previous_migration'),
+    ]
+
+    operations = [
+        # Add parent FK
+        migrations.AddField(
+            model_name='process',
+            name='parent',
+            field=models.ForeignKey(
+                blank=True,
+                null=True,
+                on_delete=django.db.models.deletion.SET_NULL,
+                related_name='children',
+                to='machine.process',
+            ),
+        ),
+
+        # Add process_type field
+        migrations.AddField(
+            model_name='process',
+            name='process_type',
+            field=models.CharField(
+                choices=[
+                    ('cli', 'CLI Command'),
+                    ('supervisord', 'Supervisord Daemon'),
+                    ('orchestrator', 'Orchestrator'),
+                    ('worker', 'Worker Process'),
+                    ('hook', 'Hook Script'),
+                    ('binary', 'Binary Execution'),
+                ],
+                default='binary',
+                max_length=16,
+                db_index=True,
+            ),
+        ),
+
+        # Add index for parent queries
+        migrations.AddIndex(
+            model_name='process',
+            index=models.Index(
+                fields=['parent', 'status'],
+                name='machine_pro_parent__idx',
+            ),
+        ),
+    ]
+```
+
+---
+
+## Phase 7: Admin UI Updates
+
+### 7.1 Update Process Admin
+
+**File:** `archivebox/machine/admin.py`
+
+```python
+@admin.register(Process)
+class ProcessAdmin(admin.ModelAdmin):
+    list_display = ['id', 'process_type', 'cmd_summary', 'status', 'parent_link', 'started_at', 'duration']
+    list_filter = ['process_type', 'status', 'machine']
+    search_fields = ['cmd', 'stdout', 'stderr']
+    readonly_fields = ['parent', 'children_count', 'depth', 'tree_view']
+
+    def cmd_summary(self, obj):
+        """Show first 50 chars of command."""
+        cmd_str = ' '.join(obj.cmd[:3]) if obj.cmd else ''
+        return cmd_str[:50] + '...' if len(cmd_str) > 50 else cmd_str
+
+    def parent_link(self, obj):
+        if obj.parent:
+            url = reverse('admin:machine_process_change', args=[obj.parent.pk])
+            return format_html('<a href="{}">{}</a>', url, obj.parent.process_type)
+        return '-'
+
+    def children_count(self, obj):
+        return obj.children.count()
+
+    def depth(self, obj):
+        return obj.depth
+
+    def duration(self, obj):
+        if obj.started_at and obj.ended_at:
+            delta = obj.ended_at - obj.started_at
+            return f'{delta.total_seconds():.1f}s'
+        elif obj.started_at:
+            delta = timezone.now() - obj.started_at
+            return f'{delta.total_seconds():.1f}s (running)'
+        return '-'
+
+    def tree_view(self, obj):
+        """Show process tree from root to this process."""
+        ancestors = obj.ancestors[::-1]  # Reverse to show root first
+        lines = []
+        for i, ancestor in enumerate(ancestors):
+            prefix = '  ' * i + '└── ' if i > 0 else ''
+            lines.append(f'{prefix}{ancestor.process_type}: {ancestor.cmd[0] if ancestor.cmd else "?"} (pid={ancestor.pid})')
+        prefix = '  ' * len(ancestors) + '└── ' if ancestors else ''
+        lines.append(f'{prefix}[CURRENT] {obj.process_type}: {obj.cmd[0] if obj.cmd else "?"} (pid={obj.pid})')
+        return format_html('<pre>{}</pre>', '\n'.join(lines))
+```
+
+---
+
+## Files to Modify Summary
+
+| File | Changes |
+|------|---------|
+| `archivebox/machine/models.py` | Add `parent` FK, `process_type` field, `Process.current()`, lifecycle methods |
+| `archivebox/machine/migrations/XXXX_*.py` | New migration for schema changes |
+| `archivebox/machine/admin.py` | Update admin with tree visualization |
+| `archivebox/hooks.py` | Update `run_hook()` to create/use Process records |
+| `archivebox/workers/worker.py` | Simplify: just call `Process.current()` in `on_startup()` |
+| `archivebox/workers/orchestrator.py` | Simplify: just call `Process.current()` in `on_startup()` |
+| `archivebox/workers/supervisord_util.py` | Add `Process.current()` call when starting supervisord |
+| `archivebox/core/models.py` | Update ArchiveResult to use `Process.current()` as parent |
+| `archivebox/__main__.py` or CLI entry | Call `Process.current()` at startup, update on exit |
+| `archivebox/misc/process_utils.py` | Keep as low-level utilities (called by Process methods) |
+
+**Note:** `archivebox/machine/context.py` is NOT needed - `Process.current()` uses PPID lookup instead of thread-local context.
+
+---
+
+## Testing Plan
+
+### Unit Tests
+
+1. **Process hierarchy creation**
+   - Create nested Process records
+   - Verify `parent`, `ancestors`, `depth`, `root` properties
+   - Test `get_descendants()` query
+
+2. **Process lifecycle**
+   - Test `launch()` for foreground and background processes
+   - Test `is_alive()`, `poll()`, `wait()`, `kill()`
+   - Verify status transitions
+
+3. **Hook integration**
+   - Mock hook execution
+   - Verify hook Process and binary Process records created
+   - Test parent-child relationships
+
+### Integration Tests
+
+1. **Full CLI flow**
+   - Run `archivebox add https://example.com`
+   - Verify complete Process tree from CLI → workers → hooks → binaries
+   - Check all status fields updated correctly
+
+2. **Worker lifecycle**
+   - Start orchestrator
+   - Verify orchestrator and worker Process records
+   - Stop and verify cleanup
+
+---
+
+## Rollout Strategy
+
+1. **Phase 1-2**: Model changes + migration (backwards compatible, new fields nullable)
+2. **Phase 3**: Worker tracking (can be feature-flagged)
+3. **Phase 4**: CLI entry point (can be feature-flagged)
+4. **Phase 5-6**: Full integration (requires all previous phases)
+5. **Phase 7**: Admin UI (depends on model changes only)
+
+---
+
+## Open Questions
+
+1. **Performance**: Deep hierarchies with many children could slow queries. Consider:
+   - Adding `root_id` denormalized field for fast root lookup
+   - Using django-mptt or django-treebeard for efficient tree queries
+   - Limiting depth to prevent runaway recursion
+
+2. **Cleanup**: How long to retain Process records?
+   - Add `archivebox manage cleanup_processes --older-than=30d`
+   - Or automatic cleanup via Django management command
+
+3. **Stdout/Stderr storage**: For large outputs, consider:
+   - Storing in files and keeping path in DB
+   - Truncating to first/last N bytes
+   - Compressing before storage
+
+4. **Cross-machine hierarchies**: If processes span machines (distributed setup):
+   - Parent could be on different machine
+   - May need to relax FK constraint or use soft references