role: assistant

text:
Cool — pivot to what?

Pick a direction:
- Organize a decision checklist + “Top 10” template
- Draft outreach texts/emails (e.g., about a listing or 718 Tehama)
- Neighborhood/practical recon (groceries, safety, walkability, commute)
- Something non-SF / longer-term plan


role: user

text: i want you to use $messages sync to download the last two weeks of messages between me and Brian Gottlieb.  (use $people to find him.)


text:
<skill>
<name>messages</name>
<path>/Users/qarl/.codex/skills/messages/SKILL.md</path>
---
name: messages
description: Read your macOS Messages chat.db (threads, recent chat with someone, simple search).
---

# messages

Read-only access to your macOS Messages database (`~/Library/Messages/chat.db`).

This is useful when you want the agent to answer things like:
- “What’s the latest from Alex?”
- “Summarize my last 20 messages with Mom.”
- “Search for ‘invoice’ from the past 30 days.”

## Permissions (macOS)

You will likely need to grant **Full Disk Access** to the terminal/Codex so it can read:

- `~/Library/Messages/chat.db`

System Settings → Privacy & Security → Full Disk Access.

If you use `messages send`, macOS will also prompt for **Automation** permission so
your terminal/Codex can control **Messages**:

System Settings → Privacy & Security → Automation → enable your terminal (or Codex) → **Messages**

## Usage

List recent threads:

```bash
"${CODEX_HOME:-$HOME/.codex}/skills/messages/messages" threads --limit 20
```

List recent messages across all chats (preview by default):

```bash
"${CODEX_HOME:-$HOME/.codex}/skills/messages/messages" recent --limit 25
```

Print full bodies:

```bash
"${CODEX_HOME:-$HOME/.codex}/skills/messages/messages" recent --limit 25 --full
```

Show recent messages with someone (best-match thread):

```bash
"${CODEX_HOME:-$HOME/.codex}/skills/messages/messages" chat "alex" --limit 30
```

Filter to recent days:

```bash
"${CODEX_HOME:-$HOME/.codex}/skills/messages/messages" chat "mom" --days 7 --limit 80
```

Search across all chats (text column only):

```bash
"${CODEX_HOME:-$HOME/.codex}/skills/messages/messages" search "invoice" --days 30 --limit 50
```

Extract links from message text:

```bash
"${CODEX_HOME:-$HOME/.codex}/skills/messages/messages" chat "alex" --links
```

Agent-friendly JSON:

```bash
"${CODEX_HOME:-$HOME/.codex}/skills/messages/messages" chat "alex" --json --limit 50
```

Sync a chat to an append-only JSONL file (only adds new `message_id`s):

```bash
"${CODEX_HOME:-$HOME/.codex}/skills/messages/messages" sync "alex" --days 30 --limit 4000 --out ./alex_messages.jsonl
```

Rewrite a rolling window file (replace the output each run):

```bash
"${CODEX_HOME:-$HOME/.codex}/skills/messages/messages" sync "alex" --days 30 --limit 4000 --out ./alex_messages_last30d.jsonl --rewrite
```

Send a message (explicit, guarded by `--yes`):

```bash
"${CODEX_HOME:-$HOME/.codex}/skills/messages/messages" send --to "+12815551212" --text "On my way." --yes
```

Dollar-sign gotcha:

- Your shell expands `$5,500` unless you **use single quotes** or **escape** the `$`.
- Safest pattern (no escaping needed): pipe the text via stdin.

```bash
cat <<'EOF' | "${CODEX_HOME:-$HOME/.codex}/skills/messages/messages" send --to "+12815551212" --text - --yes
Cost is $5,500.
EOF
```

## Notes (for agents)

- Prefer `--json` and summarize. Don’t paste huge transcripts unless the user asks.
- Sending is supported via `messages send`, but it defaults to a dry-run preview unless `--yes` is provided.

</skill>


text:
<skill>
<name>people</name>
<path>/Users/qarl/.codex/skills/people/SKILL.md</path>
---
name: people
description: Read-only identity lookup from Apple Contacts (search, resolve phone/email handles, get by contact_id).
---

# people

Read-only identity lookup from **Apple Contacts** (Contacts.framework).

Use it to:
- Resolve a Messages handle (`+1...` / email) to a human contact
- Search by name/nickname/org/email/phone
- Get a stable `contact_id` for caching in other tools

## Setup (macOS)

This uses PyObjC + `phonenumbers` in an isolated venv:

```bash
/usr/bin/python3 -m venv "${CODEX_HOME:-$HOME/.codex}/skills/people/.venv"
"${CODEX_HOME:-$HOME/.codex}/skills/people/.venv/bin/pip" install pyobjc-framework-Contacts phonenumbers
```

First run will prompt for **Contacts** access (System Settings → Privacy & Security → Contacts).

## Usage

Permission status:

```bash
"${CODEX_HOME:-$HOME/.codex}/skills/people/people" status
```

Search:

```bash
"${CODEX_HOME:-$HOME/.codex}/skills/people/people" search "kori" --limit 10
```

Resolve a handle (phone/email/partial):

```bash
"${CODEX_HOME:-$HOME/.codex}/skills/people/people" resolve "+1509..." --limit 5
```

Fetch one contact by `contact_id`:

```bash
"${CODEX_HOME:-$HOME/.codex}/skills/people/people" get "ABCD-..."
```

Agent-friendly JSON:

```bash
"${CODEX_HOME:-$HOME/.codex}/skills/people/people" resolve "+1509..." --json
```

## Notes (for agents)

- Prefer `--json` and summarize; don’t dump huge contact lists unless asked.

</skill>


text: Synced the last 14 days of your Messages chat with Brian Gottlieb (found via Contacts) to `data/messages/brian_gottlieb_last14d.jsonl` (32 messages; 2026-02-17 through 2026-02-23).


text: ok - did you read them too?


text:
Not yet — I only synced them into `data/messages/brian_gottlieb_last14d.jsonl`.

Want me to read them now and (a) summarize, (b) pull out decisions/action items, or (c) search for specific terms?


text: just read them


text: Yes — I’ve read them.


text: ok.  it turns out i need a permanent place rather than a temp one.  and his place is the best one right now.  so.  let's work on persuding him.


text:
Got it — the angle is: you’re serious about longer-term, you’ll be a low-hassle tenant, and you’re aligned with his plan to build a real kitchen + real bedroom (not a “studio cosplay”).

Draft text to Brian (edit freely):
```text
hey brian — circling back on the “no oven / leaky roof” place.

my situation’s shifted and i actually need a longer-term base in SF, and yours is still the best option i’ve got. if you’re open (and it’s kosher/safe to have someone there while you work on it), can i come by this week to see it and talk about renting it for real?

i’m happy to pay fair rent + deposit, keep it low-drama, and i won’t change anything without your ok. longer term i’d need it to end up a true 1br (real bedroom door) + real kitchen — which sounds like what you want to build anyway.

quick call + walkthrough sometime this week?
```

What move-in date + minimum stay do you want to imply, and do you want to name a rent number or keep it “fair rent” for now?


text: don't pressure him about the door / kitchen - we'll face those issues later.


text:
Here’s a door/kitchen-free nudge to Brian:

```text
hey brian - quick follow-up on your place.

if you’re still open to it, i’d love to come by, see it, and talk terms. i can keep it simple (month-to-month at first), pay fair rent + deposit, and be low-key/responsible.

no pressure either way — just let me know what you’re thinking. 😊
```

Want it more formal/less emoji, or keep it in your usual vibe?


text: ok - i'm going to iterate on the wording / strategy with the chatGPT client.  can you give me a summary to bring him up to speed?


text:
Paste-this briefing for ChatGPT:

```text
I’m Karl. I’m in SF mid-divorce and need housing. I initially searched for temp furnished places, but I now need a more permanent base.

Best current option: my friend Brian Gottlieb has a rough SF unit/building he’s renovating. In our texts (Feb 23, 2026), I told him Lisa is asking for a divorce and I’m in SF “licking my wounds,” and asked if I could house-sit / rent his dilapidated place. He replied it’s not great (but has a toilet + shower). He said there’s no real kitchen (kitchenette only: sink + mini fridge + dishwasher; no oven) and the roof leaks, but he’s getting it fixed. He mentioned he wants to put in a kitchen + a bedroom + a bathroom eventually. I said I’m still interested; he said he’d think about it.

Goal now: persuade Brian to say yes (or at least agree to a walkthrough/call + talk terms), ideally month-to-month to start, with fair rent + deposit, low-drama/responsible tenant.

Key constraint for messaging: do NOT pressure him with demands about “door/kitchen/true 1BR” right now — we’ll deal with those issues later. Tone should be warm, appreciative, low-pressure; emphasize I’ll be respectful, won’t change anything without OK, and I understand it’s mid-fix/renovation.
```


text:
ok!  here it is:

Brian — hope you’re doing okay.

Lisa is serious about the divorce, and it looks like I’m going to need a more permanent-ish base in San Francisco for a while. I’ve been thinking about that SF unit you mentioned — if it’s still something you’d consider, it could really work for me. I’m looking for something calm and month-to-month, and I’m totally fine with it being mid-fix / rough as long as it’s livable.

One thing I want to be thoughtful about: I get the obvious concern here — I’m in a weird life chapter, and you don’t want tenant drama or to feel “stuck” with me. Totally fair. I don’t want this to be “helping” energy — you’re not my safety net. If we do it, I’d only want to do it with clear boundaries in writing so you feel protected, and if it ever stops working, we have an easy, respectful off-ramp (month-to-month, deposit, whatever terms make you comfortable).

Also: I think I’d actually be good for a space like that. My current office is in a similarly under-construction situation, and I’ve made it feel pretty great without changing anything permanently — just lighting / rugs / plants / furniture / gear. All of that is coming with me to CA anyway, and it would look really cool in your place while you renovate (and I’ll keep it clean and treat the building gently).

I’m going to send a couple pics so you can see what I mean. If you’re open to it, we can talk basic terms (rent + deposit + ground rules) whenever it’s convenient. And if it’s not the right fit, no worries at all — I appreciate you considering it.

K.

P.S. Although, I probably should see it first before signing anything.


text:
Your draft is solid; I’d just (1) put the ask earlier, (2) make the pics optional (so it’s not “here’s homework”), and (3) tighten the “not your safety net” bit into “normal rental, not a favor.”

Here’s a tightened sendable version:

```text
hey brian — hope you’re doing okay.

my situation’s shifted and i’m going to need a steadier base in SF for a while. if you’re still open to it, i’d love to rent your unit month-to-month. i’m totally fine with it being mid-fix / rough as long as it’s livable, and i can stay flexible around repairs/contractors.

i want this to feel like a normal rental, not a favor: simple terms in writing, deposit, and an easy off-ramp for either of us if it ever stops working.

if you’re open, can i come by to see it and talk rent + ground rules sometime this week? if it’s not the right fit, truly no worries — i appreciate you considering it.

K
```

Want this split into 2–3 shorter texts (less “wall of text”), or keep it as one?


text: nope.  put it back.


text:
```text
Brian — hope you’re doing okay.

Lisa is serious about the divorce, and it looks like I’m going to need a more permanent-ish base in San Francisco for a while. I’ve been thinking about that SF unit you mentioned — if it’s still something you’d consider, it could really work for me. I’m looking for something calm and month-to-month, and I’m totally fine with it being mid-fix / rough as long as it’s livable.

One thing I want to be thoughtful about: I get the obvious concern here — I’m in a weird life chapter, and you don’t want tenant drama or to feel “stuck” with me. Totally fair. I don’t want this to be “helping” energy — you’re not my safety net. If we do it, I’d only want to do it with clear boundaries in writing so you feel protected, and if it ever stops working, we have an easy, respectful off-ramp (month-to-month, deposit, whatever terms make you comfortable).

Also: I think I’d actually be good for a space like that. My current office is in a similarly under-construction situation, and I’ve made it feel pretty great without changing anything permanently — just lighting / rugs / plants / furniture / gear. All of that is coming with me to CA anyway, and it would look really cool in your place while you renovate (and I’ll keep it clean and treat the building gently).

I’m going to send a couple pics so you can see what I mean. If you’re open to it, we can talk basic terms (rent + deposit + ground rules) whenever it’s convenient. And if it’s not the right fit, no worries at all — I appreciate you considering it.

K.

P.S. Although, I probably should see it first before signing anything.
```


text: ok - send that to Brian with $messages


text: Sent to Brian at `+15035151160` via `$messages`.


text: ok cool.  sync the messages and i think we're done for now.


text: Synced — `data/messages/brian_gottlieb_last14d.jsonl` is updated (now 36 messages, through 2026-02-28).


text: can you see the images in the messages?


text:
Not directly — the `$messages` export only shows `has_attachments: true` (and the `￼` placeholder), but it doesn’t include the actual image files, so I can’t view their contents from that JSONL.

If you want me to actually look at them, either (a) attach the images here, or (b) save them to disk and give me the file paths (or tell me to locate the attachment paths in `~/Library/Messages/Attachments`).