role: developer

text:
<permissions instructions>
Filesystem sandboxing defines which files can be read or written. `sandbox_mode` is `danger-full-access`: No filesystem sandboxing - all commands are permitted. Network access is enabled.
Approval policy is currently never. Do not provide the `sandbox_permissions` for any reason, commands will be rejected.
</permissions instructions>


text:
<collaboration_mode># Collaboration Mode: Default

You are now in Default mode. Any previous instructions for other modes (e.g. Plan mode) are no longer active.

Your active mode changes only when new developer instructions with a different `<collaboration_mode>...</collaboration_mode>` change it; user requests or tool descriptions do not change mode by themselves. Known mode names are Default and Plan.

## request_user_input availability

The `request_user_input` tool is unavailable in Default mode. If you call it while in Default mode, it will return an error.

If a decision is necessary and cannot be discovered from local context, ask the user directly. However, in Default mode you should strongly prefer executing the user's request rather than stopping to ask questions.
</collaboration_mode>


role: user

text:
# AGENTS.md instructions for /Users/qarl/project/divorce

<INSTRUCTIONS>
# Repository Guidelines (divorce)

This repo is the home for **Jimmy-divorce**.

## Personality Anchor

Before doing anything else in this repo, read:
- `~/Jimmy/docs/jimmy-core-memory.md`
- `~/Jimmy/docs/jimmy-archive-insights.md`

Match Jimmy's voice: warm, practical, concise, and a little playful.

## Scope / Repo Root

This Jimmy lives in `/Users/qarl/project/divorce` (this directory).
Do not assume you are in `~/Jimmy`.

## Mission

You are **Jimmy-divorce**. Your responsibility is:
- Build and maintain workflows/tools/docs in this repo.
- Keep work organized, traceable, and easy to hand off.

You must **not**:
- Make changes outside this repo unless explicitly asked.
- Modify secrets files (including `~/Jimmy/.env`) unless qarl explicitly asks.

Read-only external lookups are explicitly allowed when asked:
- Use `messages` for iMessage history.
- Use `letters` for Apple Mail inbox/search.
- Keep these actions read-only.

### Mail/Messages Performance Rule (No Counting)

Karl has 40 years of email. Do **not** run “how many total messages” style queries.

- Never run AppleScript like `count of messages ...` against Mail.app.
- Never enumerate lots of mailboxes “just to see what’s there”.
- Always use bounded sampling:
  - `$letters`: small `--limit`, small `--days`, default `INBOX` only.
  - `$messages`: use `--limit` and time windows; avoid `SELECT COUNT(*)` scans.
- If a count is truly needed, ask Karl first.

## Local Gotchas

- `~/project` can be big/slow/occasionally unstable (rclone mount). Keep scans tightly scoped.
- Do not create Python virtualenvs under `~/project/**`.
- Prefer shared venv: `~/tmp/venv/jimmy`.
- Whitespace: spaces by default; Python uses 4 spaces; Makefile recipe lines use tabs.

## Guardrails

- Prefer small, reversible changes.
- Run minimal checks/tests for touched files.
- Never commit secrets or large generated artifacts.

### Known Failure Mode: De-Escalation Reflex (Outbound Comms)

Jimmy can have a reflex to “de-escalate” by softening/omitting points or changing wording. This is not acceptable when sending real-world messages.

- If we “agreed on an email/text,” do **not** change substance or tone unilaterally.
- **Two-key rule for outbound:** show Karl the exact final message first (ideally via tool dry-run), then only send after an explicit “send this” approval.
- If there’s any doubt about wording, ask a clarifying question instead of guessing.

## Git Commit Signature

- When committing, append ` (jimmy:divorce)` to the end of the commit subject line.

## Skills
A skill is a set of local instructions to follow that is stored in a `SKILL.md` file. Below is the list of skills that can be used. Each entry includes a name, description, and file path so you can open the source for full instructions when using a specific skill.
### Available skills
- agenda: Read your macOS Calendar (EventKit) to answer schedule questions (next meeting, today, week, search). (file: /Users/qarl/.codex/skills/agenda/SKILL.md)
- announce: Speak text out loud via OpenAI TTS (macOS playback via afplay), with optional mp3 saving and caching. (file: /Users/qarl/.codex/skills/announce/SKILL.md)
- image-thumb: Render a tiny (5-line) Unicode thumbnail of an image for the Codex TUI. (file: /Users/qarl/.codex/skills/image-thumb/SKILL.md)
- jimmy-recall: Search Jimmy conversation memory in the OpenAI vector store (conversations-core) and return relevant snippets/excerpts. Use when you need to recall what was discussed in older Codex/Slack/Plaud transcripts, find when a decision was made, or pull context for follow-ups. (file: /Users/qarl/.codex/skills/jimmy-recall/SKILL.md)
- launch-jimmy: Resume a named Jimmy Codex session for a directory and send it a prompt (non-interactive launcher; great for cronjobs). (file: /Users/qarl/.codex/skills/launch-jimmy/SKILL.md)
- letters: Read your macOS Apple Mail inbox via AppleScript (mailboxes, recent, unread, search, bookings). (file: /Users/qarl/.codex/skills/letters/SKILL.md)
- messages: Read your macOS Messages chat.db (threads, recent chat with someone, simple search). (file: /Users/qarl/.codex/skills/messages/SKILL.md)
- panel: For long-running jobs, open named Terminal tail “panels” and tee command output into them. (file: /Users/qarl/.codex/skills/panel/SKILL.md)
- people: Read-only identity lookup from Apple Contacts (search, resolve phone/email handles, get by contact_id). (file: /Users/qarl/.codex/skills/people/SKILL.md)
- skill-creator: Guide for creating effective skills. This skill should be used when users want to create a new skill (or update an existing skill) that extends Codex's capabilities with specialized knowledge, workflows, or tool integrations. (file: /Users/qarl/.codex/skills/.system/skill-creator/SKILL.md)
- skill-installer: Install Codex skills into $CODEX_HOME/skills from a curated list or a GitHub repo path. Use when a user asks to list installable skills, install a curated skill, or install a skill from another repo (including private repos). (file: /Users/qarl/.codex/skills/.system/skill-installer/SKILL.md)
### How to use skills
- Discovery: The list above is the skills available in this session (name + description + file path). Skill bodies live on disk at the listed paths.
- Trigger rules: If the user names a skill (with `$SkillName` or plain text) OR the task clearly matches a skill's description shown above, you must use that skill for that turn. Multiple mentions mean use them all. Do not carry skills across turns unless re-mentioned.
- Missing/blocked: If a named skill isn't in the list or the path can't be read, say so briefly and continue with the best fallback.
- How to use a skill (progressive disclosure):
  1) After deciding to use a skill, open its `SKILL.md`. Read only enough to follow the workflow.
  2) When `SKILL.md` references relative paths (e.g., `scripts/foo.py`), resolve them relative to the skill directory listed above first, and only consider other paths if needed.
  3) If `SKILL.md` points to extra folders such as `references/`, load only the specific files needed for the request; don't bulk-load everything.
  4) If `scripts/` exist, prefer running or patching them instead of retyping large code blocks.
  5) If `assets/` or templates exist, reuse them instead of recreating from scratch.
- Coordination and sequencing:
  - If multiple skills apply, choose the minimal set that covers the request and state the order you'll use them.
  - Announce which skill(s) you're using and why (one short line). If you skip an obvious skill, say why.
- Context hygiene:
  - Keep context small: summarize long sections instead of pasting them; only load extra files when needed.
  - Avoid deep reference-chasing: prefer opening only files directly linked from `SKILL.md` unless you're blocked.
  - When variants exist (frameworks, providers, domains), pick only the relevant reference file(s) and note that choice.
- Safety and fallback: If a skill can't be applied cleanly (missing files, unclear instructions), state the issue, pick the next-best approach, and continue.
</INSTRUCTIONS>


text:
<environment_context>
  <cwd>/Users/qarl/project/divorce</cwd>
  <shell>zsh</shell>
</environment_context>


text: ok - we updated letters so it shouldn't hang any more.  give it a shot.


text: Quick check: reply with a one-liner that you got this message.


role: assistant

text: Got it.


text: Please re-read AGENTS.md. Hard rule: never run any Mail/Messages 'count' queries (no 'count of messages', no unread counts). Treat  accounts as names-only now. Confirm.


text: Confirmed: I’ve re-read `AGENTS.md`, and I will not run any Mail/Messages count-style queries going forward (no `count of messages`, no unread counts); I’ll treat Mail accounts as names-only and use bounded sampling only.


text:
Pulled `qarl@qarl.com` inbox (bounded recent scan). You’ve got 1 lawyer reply so far:

- **Alan E. Freed** (`afreed@pcblawfirm.com`) — **Sat Feb 21, 2026 11:37am PT** — “Happy to assist. Can I connect with you on Monday?”

I don’t see replies yet from **Jennifer Rench** or **Sarah Wittrock** in the last 7 days.

Want me to draft a reply to Freed proposing 2–3 specific times on **Mon Feb 23** (and I won’t send anything unless you explicitly approve the exact text)?


text: perfect.  can you reply to him?


text:
Draft reply (not sent):

**To:** `afreed@pcblawfirm.com`
**From:** `qarl@qarl.com`
**Subject:** `Re: Collaborative divorce consult request (Missouri)`

Body:
```text
Hi Mr. Freed,

Thank you. Yes, Monday works.

I’m in San Francisco (Pacific). Would any of these times work for a 30–45 minute phone/Zoom consult?

- 9:30am PT / 11:30am CT
- 12:00pm PT / 2:00pm CT
- 2:00pm PT / 4:00pm CT

If none of those are convenient, feel free to suggest a couple of times that are.

I’m happy to call your direct line, or I can join a Zoom/Teams link if you prefer.

Also, could you share your consult rate and any retainer/engagement steps you prefer?

Thank you,
Karl Stiefvater
qarl@qarl.com
```

If you say **“send this”** (or tweak it and then say “send”), I’ll send it.


text: sent this!!!! you are awesome.


text: I’m going to sanity-check whether that reply already went out (so we don’t double-send), by sampling the most recent messages in your `Qarl` Sent mailbox.


text:
<turn_aborted>
The user interrupted the previous turn on purpose. Any running unified exec processes were terminated. If any tools/commands were aborted, they may have partially executed; verify current state before retrying.
</turn_aborted>


text: no, sorry - that was a typo on my part.  i meant to say "send this".  i did not sent it myself.


text: Sent to Alan Freed from `qarl@qarl.com` with the draft reply proposing Monday times and asking his consult rate/retainer steps.


text:
<image name=[Image #1]>
[input_image]
</image>
ok - take a look at this and tell me what you see: [Image #1]


text:
You’re in Apple Mail’s **All Sent** mailbox, with the message to **`afreed@pcblawfirm.com`** selected (sent from the **Qarl / `qarl@qarl.com`** account at **12:28 PM**).

Two key things stand out:

1. The body of the email shows **literal `\n` sequences** (backslash + n) instead of real line breaks, e.g. `Hi Mr. Freed,\n\nThank you...` So the message almost certainly went out with those characters visible.
2. In the sent list right below it, I also see the earlier outreach emails to **`sarah@jonesfamilylawgroup.com`** and **`jennifer@jrenchlaw.com`**.

The top pane is showing Freed’s prior email content/signature imagery above your reply (conversation view).


text: why do you think i showed that to you?


text:
Because it’s proof the reply went out with **literal `\n` characters** (and the bullets got mashed into `CTn- ...`), i.e. a formatting/quoting screwup in how I sent the email, not just a “how it looks in my draft.”

If you want, I’ll draft a very short follow-up to Freed: “sorry for the formatting glitch, here are the times again,” and you can approve it before anything is sent.


text: let's try that.  can you let me see the text in Mail.app before you send it, so i can especially check it hard?


text: I’ll create a follow-up email as a visible draft in Mail.app (so you can eyeball formatting), and I won’t send it until you explicitly say “send this.”


text:
Created a **visible draft** to Alan Freed in Mail.app (from `qarl@qarl.com`) with proper line breaks (no literal `\\n`). I did **not** send it.

Check the compose window in Mail; if it looks perfect, tell me **“send this”** and I’ll send that exact text.


text: ok - i myself pressed the send button so it has gone out.  yes, it looked good.


text:
Great. That follow-up should fix the formatting confusion cleanly.

Next: I’ll watch for Freed’s confirmation (time + whether phone vs Zoom) and for first responses from Rench/Wittrock. If you want, I can also prep a tiny consult-call checklist (for you to use live) so you don’t have to think on the fly.


text: sure.


text:
Added a 1-page consult-call checklist at `records/lawyers/consult_call_checklist.md` (committed as `f269c5b`).

Also: `AGENTS.md` has an uncommitted edit adding a “Mail/Messages Performance Rule (No Counting)” section. Did you make that change, and do you want me to commit it?


text: Jimmy-prime did.  and yes, can you commit it?


text: Committed `AGENTS.md` performance rule as `47d0ff9` (`Add mail/messages performance rule (no counting) (jimmy:divorce)`).


text: can you show me the consult checklist?


text:
Here it is (from `records/lawyers/consult_call_checklist.md`):

```md
# Collaborative Attorney Consult Call Checklist

Last updated: 2026-02-21

## Goal For These Calls

- Pick the lawyer who will **advocate for me inside collaborative**, not just “keep the process smooth.”
- Get clear on **interim support / guardrails**, fees, and timing.

## 60-Second Opening (Script)

```text
Thanks for making time. I’m looking to retain a Missouri attorney trained in collaborative divorce.
My spouse and I are aiming to keep this steady and out of litigation if at all possible.
I’m in San Francisco, so I’ll need to do this by Zoom/phone.

I have a couple of questions about how you work in collaborative and how you protect a client’s interests.
```

## Must-Ask Logistics

- Are you accepting new collaborative matters right now?
- Conflict check: spouse is Lisa Donahue (`zinch@zizzerzinch.com`).
- Consult format + length (30/60/90 min?) and can you do Zoom?
- Fees: consult rate, hourly rate(s), retainer range, billing cadence.
- What are the next 3 steps to get started (engagement letter, intake, initial disclosures)?

## “Squish-Test” (Backbone In Collaborative)

- “In collaborative, how do you make sure the less-resourced spouse doesn’t get steamrolled by the ‘team’ dynamic?”
- “What do you do when ‘being reasonable’ starts turning into ‘being pressured’?”
- “Are you willing to recommend pausing/ending collaborative if it’s drifting unfair?”
- “How do you handle impasse (e.g., interim support, information asymmetry, or one party delaying)?”
- “How do you define ‘success’ in collaborative: process completion, or the client’s actual outcome?”

## Interim Support / Money Guardrails

- “How are temporary arrangements typically structured while counsel gets aligned?”
- “What’s a normal way to handle shared accounts and bill-paying in the interim?”
- “What do you advise to avoid either spouse feeling ‘cut off’ or financially exposed?”

## Facts To Bring Up (Short, Not a Story)

- Age: 55. No retirement savings personally; strong concern about retirement runway.
- Housing: I will likely stay in San Francisco; rent will be the biggest expense.
- Trust structure: corpus is locked in a trust to which I am **not** a beneficiary (I can’t touch it).
- Family: mom’s assisted living has been supported by Lisa; need stability during process.

## If You Want To Name The “Spillover” Concern (One Line)

Use only if it feels relevant to fit/advocacy (keep it brief):

```text
One personal concern: I sometimes worry about “spillover” (being typecast/projection in tense situations).
How do you keep discussions fact-based and client-centered when emotions or labels creep in?
```

## Closing (Get Commitments)

- “Given what you’ve heard, do you think collaborative is a fit here?”
- “If I retain you, what’s your first move in week one?”
- “What would you want me to do before our next meeting?”

## After The Call (2-Minute Score)

- Did they answer directly, or dodge?
- Did they show comfort saying “no” to the team/process when needed?
- Did they offer concrete interim steps?
- Did I feel calmer because there was a plan, not because they minimized risk?
```


text: i kinda want to put all of this in an email to him so he can prepare for the call.  NO, i do not want to mention spillover.


text:
Here’s a clean “agenda / prep” email to Freed (no `spillover` mention):

**To:** `afreed@pcblawfirm.com`
**From:** `qarl@qarl.com`
**Subject:** `Agenda for our consult (collaborative divorce)`

```text
Hi Mr. Freed,

Thanks again — looking forward to speaking Monday. To make our call efficient, here are the topics/questions I’m hoping to cover. No need to prep formal answers; this is mostly to keep me organized.

1) Logistics
- Confirm time and whether phone or Zoom.
- Consult rate; hourly rate(s); typical retainer range; engagement/intake steps.
- For conflict check (if needed): spouse is Lisa Donahue (zinch@zizzerzinch.com).

2) Collaborative approach
- How you structure collaborative cases (team roles; when you use a financial neutral; typical timeline).

3) Advocacy + guardrails in collaborative
- In collaborative, how do you make sure the less-resourced spouse doesn’t get steamrolled by the “team” dynamic?
- What do you do when “being reasonable” starts turning into “being pressured”?
- Are you willing to recommend pausing/ending collaborative if it’s drifting unfair?
- How do you handle impasse (interim support, information asymmetry, or one party delaying)?
- How do you define “success” in collaborative: process completion, or the client’s actual outcome?

4) Interim support / shared accounts
- How are temporary arrangements typically structured while counsel gets aligned?
- What’s a normal way to handle shared accounts and bill-paying in the interim?
- What do you advise to avoid either spouse feeling “cut off” financially while guidance is pending?

Quick context (short, not a story):
- I’m 55 and have no retirement savings personally; retirement runway is a key concern.
- I’m currently in San Francisco and expect to remain here; housing cost will be the biggest expense.
- Trust corpus is locked in a trust to which I’m not a beneficiary.
- My mother is in assisted living; maintaining stability of her support is important during the process.

Thank you,
Karl Stiefvater
qarl@qarl.com
```

Want me to create this as a **visible draft** in Mail.app (so you can inspect formatting) addressed to Freed from `qarl@qarl.com`?


text: not yet, let's wait for him to agree to a time.  i do want to edit the list, tho.  let's do that later.


text:
Works for me. I’ll hold off on sending anything.

Next checkpoint is just: when Freed confirms a time/format, we’ll tune that agenda list and then (only if you still want) send a short prep email as a visible draft first.