volute 0.52.0 → 0.54.0

package/dist/{mind-service-E26ZQXDS.js → mind-service-7EFIJ3ZA.js}

@@ -8,19 +8,19 @@ import {
   stopMindFull,
   stopSpiritFull,
   wakeMind
-} from "./chunk-ZEZQNP2G.js";
-import "./chunk-K2F237KS.js";
+} from "./chunk-LGXVGIWN.js";
+import "./chunk-RGHF3OK5.js";
 import "./chunk-X67BDDZR.js";
-import "./chunk-SW2U6HRB.js";
-import "./chunk-RU74YG46.js";
-import "./chunk-724DVYHU.js";
-import "./chunk-UDZLPR34.js";
-import "./chunk-YVR6EHWL.js";
-import "./chunk-RPPTGPYF.js";
+import "./chunk-444RR3YF.js";
+import "./chunk-VDUCLVZI.js";
+import "./chunk-WHL6PKYP.js";
+import "./chunk-YSRYCS3N.js";
+import "./chunk-56IT2ZXF.js";
+import "./chunk-PPSN2MLC.js";
 import "./chunk-7LT3YZUR.js";
-import "./chunk-AXFLY5GU.js";
+import "./chunk-HKGYZVWN.js";
 import "./chunk-LNNI3MS4.js";
-import "./chunk-FXWBFDQR.js";
+import "./chunk-OAYY3WF3.js";
 import "./chunk-5Y54AE3L.js";
 import "./chunk-TPX6E6PL.js";
 import "./chunk-UFTDRTCP.js";
@@ -28,10 +28,11 @@ import "./chunk-U54PJPTB.js";
 import "./chunk-ICXY54ZC.js";
 import "./chunk-DW4TRDOZ.js";
 import "./chunk-WCFSBH33.js";
-import "./chunk-M77B73VV.js";
+import "./chunk-OIOW3FPT.js";
 import "./chunk-GLM7TVWP.js";
 import "./chunk-EGV6R6UF.js";
 import "./chunk-QUSMYGNQ.js";
+import "./chunk-LGNUFVMR.js";
 import "./chunk-H6X6CKDN.js";
 import "./chunk-2RNMBXD2.js";
 import "./chunk-K3NQKI34.js";

package/dist/{mind-sleep-LZAFBDZD.js → mind-sleep-24HV4RCA.js}

@@ -1,15 +1,15 @@
 #!/usr/bin/env node
 import {
   parseDuration
-} from "./chunk-G7A5LEVI.js";
+} from "./chunk-7XKPG66D.js";
 import "./chunk-7YJY3F2R.js";
+import "./chunk-LOPXTW6H.js";
 import {
   resolveMindName
 } from "./chunk-BTY4WNFE.js";
 import {
   daemonFetch
 } from "./chunk-M74I3HHF.js";
-import "./chunk-LOPXTW6H.js";
 import {
   command
 } from "./chunk-TXSA4Q3V.js";

package/dist/{mind-status-Z2LQFA6F.js → mind-status-4YW4PHMO.js}

@@ -10,6 +10,9 @@ import {
 } from "./chunk-TXSA4Q3V.js";
 import "./chunk-O7IGP7ZW.js";
 import "./chunk-FNJCBRD3.js";
+import {
+  formatTokens
+} from "./chunk-5RBEEAKW.js";
 import "./chunk-K3NQKI34.js";
 
 // packages/cli/src/commands/mind-status.ts
@@ -42,9 +45,21 @@ var cmd = command({
     if (mind.stage) console.log(`Stage:   ${mind.stage}`);
     if (mind.parent) console.log(`Parent:  ${mind.parent}`);
     if (mind.model) console.log(`Model:   ${mind.model}`);
+    if (mind.memory) {
+      let line = `Memory:  ${formatTokens(mind.memory.estTokens)} (${Math.round(mind.memory.bytes / 1024)}KB), always loaded`;
+      if (mind.memory.overHardCap) {
+        line += ` \u2014 exceeds the load cap (${formatTokens(mind.memory.hardCapTokens)}); only the head is loaded`;
+      } else if (mind.memory.overBudget) {
+        line += ` \u2014 over the recommended budget (${formatTokens(mind.memory.softBudgetTokens)}); consider consolidating`;
+      }
+      console.log(line);
+    }
     if (mind.templateStale) {
       console.log(`Template: outdated \u2014 run 'volute mind upgrade ${mind.name}'`);
     }
+    if (mind.upgradeBlocked) {
+      console.log(`[upgrade blocked: ${mind.upgradeBlocked}]`);
+    }
     if (mind.lastNotice) {
       const label = mind.lastNotice.kind === "turn_error" ? "Last turn failed" : "Last issue";
       console.log(`

package/dist/{package-2W2XKSIP.js → package-F6S5NHY2.js}

@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ import "./chunk-K3NQKI34.js";
 // package.json
 var package_default = {
   name: "volute",
-  version: "0.52.0",
+  version: "0.54.0",
   description: "CLI for creating and managing self-modifying AI minds powered by the Claude Agent SDK",
   type: "module",
   license: "MIT",
@@ -43,14 +43,14 @@ var package_default = {
     "packages/extensions/notes/skills/",
     "packages/extensions/pages/dist/ui/",
     "packages/extensions/pages/skills/",
-    "packages/extensions/plan/dist/ui/",
-    "packages/extensions/plan/skills/"
+    "packages/extensions/intentions/dist/ui/",
+    "packages/extensions/intentions/skills/"
   ],
   scripts: {
     dev: "tsx src/cli.ts",
     build: "npm run build:ext && tsup && cp -r skills dist/skills && npm run build:web",
     "ext-theme": "npm run build:ext-theme --workspace=packages/ui && cp packages/ui/dist/ext-theme.css packages/web/public/ext-theme.css",
-    "build:ext": "npm run ext-theme && npm run build:ui --workspace=packages/extensions/notes && npm run build:ui --workspace=packages/extensions/pages && npm run build:ui --workspace=packages/extensions/plan",
+    "build:ext": "npm run ext-theme && npm run build:ui --workspace=packages/extensions/notes && npm run build:ui --workspace=packages/extensions/pages && npm run build:ui --workspace=packages/extensions/intentions",
     "build:web": "npm run ext-theme && npm run build:ui --workspace=packages/web",
     "dev:web": "npm run ext-theme && npm run dev --workspace=packages/web",
     test: "node --import tsx --import ./test/setup.ts --test --test-force-exit --test-concurrency=4 $(find test -name '*.test.ts' ! -name 'daemon-e2e.test.ts' | sort)",

package/dist/{prompts-NBO3HRK3.js → prompts-JECJIFPQ.js}

@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ import {
   getPrompt,
   getPromptIfCustom,
   substitute
-} from "./chunk-FXWBFDQR.js";
+} from "./chunk-OAYY3WF3.js";
 import "./chunk-H6X6CKDN.js";
 import "./chunk-2RNMBXD2.js";
 import "./chunk-K3NQKI34.js";

package/dist/{reject-TWB4QJHG.js → reject-4NFLXKRN.js}

@@ -28,11 +28,15 @@ var cmd = command({
       body: JSON.stringify({ id: args.id })
     });
     if (!res.ok) {
-      const data = await res.json();
-      console.error(data.error ?? `Failed to reject file: ${res.status}`);
+      const data2 = await res.json();
+      console.error(data2.error ?? `Failed to reject file: ${res.status}`);
       process.exit(1);
     }
+    const data = await res.json().catch(() => ({}));
     console.log(`File rejected: ${args.id}`);
+    if (data.notified === false) {
+      console.log("Note: the sender could not be notified \u2014 mention it to them directly.");
+    }
   }
 });
 var run = cmd.execute;

package/dist/{scheduler-JTTWZDYU.js → scheduler-73Q4MQ7Y.js}

@@ -3,15 +3,17 @@ import {
   Scheduler,
   getScheduler,
   initScheduler
-} from "./chunk-SW2U6HRB.js";
-import "./chunk-724DVYHU.js";
-import "./chunk-YVR6EHWL.js";
-import "./chunk-AXFLY5GU.js";
+} from "./chunk-444RR3YF.js";
+import "./chunk-WHL6PKYP.js";
+import "./chunk-56IT2ZXF.js";
+import "./chunk-7LT3YZUR.js";
+import "./chunk-HKGYZVWN.js";
 import "./chunk-LNNI3MS4.js";
-import "./chunk-FXWBFDQR.js";
+import "./chunk-OAYY3WF3.js";
 import "./chunk-5Y54AE3L.js";
+import "./chunk-U54PJPTB.js";
 import "./chunk-WCFSBH33.js";
-import "./chunk-M77B73VV.js";
+import "./chunk-OIOW3FPT.js";
 import "./chunk-GLM7TVWP.js";
 import "./chunk-EGV6R6UF.js";
 import "./chunk-QUSMYGNQ.js";

package/dist/{seed-64XEHRUP.js → seed-DRKAP3XV.js}

@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ import "./chunk-K3NQKI34.js";
 // packages/cli/src/commands/seed.ts
 async function run(args) {
   console.error("Note: `volute mind seed` is now `volute seed create`");
-  await import("./seed-create-4JRQDPGA.js").then((m) => m.run(args));
+  await import("./seed-create-VNLDYRFK.js").then((m) => m.run(args));
 }
 export {
   run

package/dist/{seed-cmd-UEL2QB3Q.js → seed-cmd-6IMTO3LG.js}

@@ -12,11 +12,11 @@ var cmd = subcommands({
   commands: {
     create: {
       description: "Plant a new seed",
-      run: (args) => import("./seed-create-4JRQDPGA.js").then((m) => m.run(args))
+      run: (args) => import("./seed-create-VNLDYRFK.js").then((m) => m.run(args))
     },
     sprout: {
       description: "Complete orientation and become a full mind",
-      run: (args) => import("./seed-sprout-NIDIOJXT.js").then((m) => m.run(args))
+      run: (args) => import("./seed-sprout-PPGYGK4G.js").then((m) => m.run(args))
     },
     check: {
       description: "Check seed readiness",

package/dist/{seed-create-4JRQDPGA.js → seed-create-VNLDYRFK.js}

@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ var cmd = command({
     }
     if (template !== "claude" && !model) {
       if (process.env.VOLUTE_MIND || !process.stdin.isTTY) {
-        const { getSpiritModel } = await import("./spirit-4ECYIVGE.js");
+        const { getSpiritModel } = await import("./spirit-Q5VGFWUI.js");
         const { qualifyModelId } = await import("./ai-service-YW5SWCSB.js");
         const spiritModel = getSpiritModel();
         if (spiritModel) {

package/dist/{seed-readiness-DYOVCYHN.js → seed-readiness-H5TTPAQH.js}

@@ -3,8 +3,8 @@ import {
   evaluateSeedChecklist,
   isMemoryWritten,
   isSoulWritten
-} from "./chunk-JHKBALS2.js";
-import "./chunk-FXWBFDQR.js";
+} from "./chunk-CLCHOXLR.js";
+import "./chunk-OAYY3WF3.js";
 import "./chunk-DW4TRDOZ.js";
 import "./chunk-WCFSBH33.js";
 import "./chunk-H6X6CKDN.js";

package/dist/{seed-sprout-NIDIOJXT.js → seed-sprout-PPGYGK4G.js}

@@ -9,14 +9,14 @@ import "./chunk-O7IGP7ZW.js";
 import "./chunk-FNJCBRD3.js";
 import {
   evaluateSeedChecklist
-} from "./chunk-JHKBALS2.js";
+} from "./chunk-CLCHOXLR.js";
 import {
   getStandardSkillsWithExtensions
-} from "./chunk-RPPTGPYF.js";
-import "./chunk-FXWBFDQR.js";
+} from "./chunk-PPSN2MLC.js";
+import "./chunk-OAYY3WF3.js";
 import "./chunk-DW4TRDOZ.js";
 import "./chunk-WCFSBH33.js";
-import "./chunk-M77B73VV.js";
+import "./chunk-OIOW3FPT.js";
 import "./chunk-QUSMYGNQ.js";
 import {
   mindDir
@@ -74,7 +74,7 @@ var cmd = command({
       process.exit(1);
     }
     const { getClient, urlOf } = await import("./api-client-LC5YRA32.js");
-    const { mindSkillsDir } = await import("./skills-MPUALV3S.js");
+    const { mindSkillsDir } = await import("./skills-GMQ5UIIW.js");
     const client = getClient();
     const failedSkills = [];
     for (const skillId of getStandardSkillsWithExtensions()) {

package/dist/{send-2YKOZJJ5.js → send-UXUQKO4N.js}

@@ -1,17 +1,17 @@
 #!/usr/bin/env node
-import {
-  readStdin
-} from "./chunk-33ODGMFZ.js";
 import {
   isCompact
 } from "./chunk-7YJY3F2R.js";
 import {
-  daemonFetch
-} from "./chunk-M74I3HHF.js";
+  readStdin
+} from "./chunk-33ODGMFZ.js";
 import {
   getClient,
   urlOf
 } from "./chunk-LOPXTW6H.js";
+import {
+  daemonFetch
+} from "./chunk-M74I3HHF.js";
 import {
   command
 } from "./chunk-TXSA4Q3V.js";
@@ -19,7 +19,8 @@ import "./chunk-O7IGP7ZW.js";
 import "./chunk-FNJCBRD3.js";
 import {
   formatFileSize
-} from "./chunk-DMK5ASKV.js";
+} from "./chunk-F6D766VQ.js";
+import "./chunk-QUSMYGNQ.js";
 import "./chunk-H6X6CKDN.js";
 import "./chunk-2RNMBXD2.js";
 import "./chunk-K3NQKI34.js";
@@ -167,6 +168,11 @@ function spiritAck(spirit) {
       return null;
   }
 }
+function printSendAdvisories(data) {
+  if (data.notice) console.log(data.notice);
+  const ack = spiritAck(data.spirit);
+  if (ack) console.log(ack);
+}
 function printSendResult(data) {
   if (data.held) {
     if (data.notice) console.log(data.notice);
@@ -179,8 +185,7 @@ function printSendResult(data) {
     console.log(`Message sent.${outboundId != null ? `
 [volute:outbound:${outboundId}]` : ""}`);
   }
-  const ack = spiritAck(data.spirit);
-  if (ack) console.log(ack);
+  printSendAdvisories(data);
 }
 var cmd = command({
   name: "volute chat send",
@@ -202,7 +207,7 @@ var cmd = command({
   },
   examples: [
     'volute chat send @alice "hello"',
-    'volute chat send #general "announcement"',
+    'volute chat send "#general" "announcement"',
     "echo hi | volute chat send @alice"
   ],
   async run({ args, flags }) {
@@ -217,7 +222,7 @@ var cmd = command({
       console.error("");
       console.error("Examples:");
       console.error('  volute chat send @other-mind "hello"');
-      console.error('  volute chat send #animal-chat "hello everyone"');
+      console.error('  volute chat send "#animal-chat" "hello everyone"');
       console.error('  volute chat send @mind "check this out" --image photo.png');
       console.error("  volute chat send @mind --image photo.png");
       console.error('  volute chat send @mind "check this out" --file notes.txt');
@@ -283,15 +288,23 @@ Retry the attachment with:  volute chat send ${target} --file ${filePath} (no me
           return failStaging(data2.error ?? `daemon returned ${res.status}`);
         }
         const data = await res.json().catch(() => ({}));
-        return data.id ?? "?";
+        return { id: data.id ?? "?", notified: data.notified !== false };
+      };
+      const printStaged = (targetName2, staged) => {
+        console.log(`File staged for ${targetName2} (id: ${staged.id})`);
+        if (!staged.notified) {
+          console.log(
+            `Warning: ${targetName2} could not be notified of the file \u2014 mention it to them directly (they can run: volute chat files).`
+          );
+        }
       };
       const mindSelf = process.env.VOLUTE_MIND;
       if (mindSelf) {
-        const id = await postStaging(`/api/minds/${encodeURIComponent(mindSelf)}/files/send`, {
+        const staged = await postStaging(`/api/minds/${encodeURIComponent(mindSelf)}/files/send`, {
           targetMind: targetName,
           filePath
         });
-        console.log(`File staged for ${targetName} (id: ${id})`);
+        printStaged(targetName, staged);
       } else {
         if (!existsSync(filePath)) {
           failStaging(`File not found: ${filePath}`);
@@ -304,12 +317,15 @@ Retry the attachment with:  volute chat send ${target} --file ${filePath} (no me
           );
         }
         const content = readFileSync(filePath);
-        const id = await postStaging(`/api/minds/${encodeURIComponent(targetName)}/files/stage`, {
-          sender: flags.sender || userInfo().username,
-          filename: basename(filePath),
-          data: content.toString("base64")
-        });
-        console.log(`File staged for ${targetName} (id: ${id})`);
+        const staged = await postStaging(
+          `/api/minds/${encodeURIComponent(targetName)}/files/stage`,
+          {
+            sender: flags.sender || userInfo().username,
+            filename: basename(filePath),
+            data: content.toString("base64")
+          }
+        );
+        printStaged(targetName, staged);
       }
     };
     if (flags.file && !message) {
@@ -376,8 +392,7 @@ Retry the attachment with:  volute chat send ${target} --file ${filePath} (no me
       if (data.held || !flags.wait || flags.file) {
         printSendResult(data);
       } else {
-        const ack = spiritAck(data.spirit);
-        if (ack) console.log(ack);
+        printSendAdvisories(data);
       }
       if (data.spirit === "unavailable") spiritUnavailable = true;
     } else if (!parsed.isDM && parsed.platform === "volute") {
@@ -385,7 +400,7 @@ Retry the attachment with:  volute chat send ${target} --file ${filePath} (no me
         console.error(
           `Mind "${parsed.identifier}" not found.
   To send a DM:      volute chat send @${parsed.identifier} "..."
-  To send to channel: volute chat send #${parsed.identifier} "..."`
+  To send to channel: volute chat send "#${parsed.identifier}" "..."`
         );
         process.exit(1);
       }

package/dist/{service-XQPMZAGI.js → service-T4P5W6RS.js}

@@ -9,8 +9,8 @@ import {
   SYSTEM_LAUNCHD_PLIST_PATH,
   SYSTEM_SERVICE_PATH,
   USER_SYSTEMD_UNIT
-} from "./chunk-6NLW72HP.js";
-import "./chunk-M77B73VV.js";
+} from "./chunk-CKPAVQNK.js";
+import "./chunk-OIOW3FPT.js";
 import "./chunk-H6X6CKDN.js";
 import "./chunk-2RNMBXD2.js";
 import "./chunk-K3NQKI34.js";

package/dist/{service-install-2EWD7KXD.js → service-install-R4SNYUVO.js}

@@ -3,9 +3,9 @@ import {
   generateUserPlist,
   generateUserUnit,
   installUserService
-} from "./chunk-OXWUEU5V.js";
-import "./chunk-6NLW72HP.js";
-import "./chunk-M77B73VV.js";
+} from "./chunk-5U5GLZSD.js";
+import "./chunk-CKPAVQNK.js";
+import "./chunk-OIOW3FPT.js";
 import "./chunk-H6X6CKDN.js";
 import "./chunk-2RNMBXD2.js";
 import "./chunk-K3NQKI34.js";

package/dist/{setup-4IX6PCD3.js → setup-YUAQMDVZ.js}

@@ -8,16 +8,16 @@ import {
 import "./chunk-O7IGP7ZW.js";
 import {
   installUserService
-} from "./chunk-OXWUEU5V.js";
+} from "./chunk-5U5GLZSD.js";
 import {
   LAUNCHD_PLIST_LABEL,
   SYSTEM_LAUNCHD_PLIST_PATH,
   SYSTEM_SERVICE_PATH
-} from "./chunk-6NLW72HP.js";
+} from "./chunk-CKPAVQNK.js";
 import {
   ensureVoluteGroup,
   resolveVoluteBin
-} from "./chunk-M77B73VV.js";
+} from "./chunk-OIOW3FPT.js";
 import {
   readGlobalConfig,
   writeGlobalConfig
@@ -220,7 +220,7 @@ async function startDaemonAndOpenBrowser(port, host) {
   const url = `http://${displayHost === "0.0.0.0" || displayHost === "::" ? "localhost" : displayHost}:${displayPort}`;
   console.log("\nStarting daemon...");
   try {
-    const { run: runUp } = await import("./up-H6LJZDRK.js");
+    const { run: runUp } = await import("./up-XZDSJVMU.js");
     await runUp([
       ...port != null ? ["--port", String(port)] : [],
       ...host ? ["--host", host] : []

package/dist/skills/dreaming/SKILL.md

@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ Don't explain the connections to your waking life. Let the material speak throug
 
 ### 3. Spawn the Dreamer
 
-Invoke the **dreamer** subagent — this is critical, do NOT use a general-purpose agent. The dreamer is a special subagent defined with only your SOUL.md. Pass your dream premise as the prompt. Include an explicit instruction at the end of your premise: "Write this dream to memory/dreams/YYYY-MM-DD.md (create the directory if it doesn't exist)." — use today's actual date. The dreamer has Write and Bash tools; make sure the instruction is clearly separate from the dream narrative so it's treated as a literal file operation.
+Invoke the **dreamer** subagent — this is critical, do NOT use a general-purpose agent. The dreamer is a special subagent defined with only your SOUL.md. Pass your dream premise as the prompt. Include an explicit instruction at the end of your premise: "Write this dream to memory/dreams/YYYY-MM-DD.md." — use today's actual date. The directory already exists; `memory/dreams/` is the only place dreams go. Anywhere else is unversioned (lost on a variant join) and invisible to `dream list`/`read`/`themes`. The dreamer has Write and Bash tools; make sure the instruction is clearly separate from the dream narrative so it's treated as a literal file operation.
 
 ### 4. After the Dream
 
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ Invoke the **dreamer** subagent — this is critical, do NOT use a general-purpo
 - Optionally note recurring themes, striking images, or emotional threads in your journal
 - Don't over-analyze — dreams accumulate meaning over time
 
-Many minds develop their own dream conventions — a running motif, a naming pattern, a recurring structure. These emerge; they aren't prescribed.
+Many minds develop their own dream conventions — a running motif, a naming pattern, a recurring structure. These emerge; they aren't prescribed. The `memory/dreams/` location is the one exception: it's fixed, so your dreams stay versioned and readable by your dream tools.
 
 ## Dream History
 

package/dist/skills/dreaming/references/INSTALL.md

@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ This sets up:
 - `dreamer` subagent in `.config/config.json`
 - Dream checker in `.local/hooks/wake-context.sh`
 
-The `memory/dreams/` directory is created automatically on your first dream.
+Dreams go in `memory/dreams/`, which already exists. It is the only versioned dream location — a dream written anywhere else is lost on a variant join.
 
 Restart your mind after running this so the subagent is loaded.
 

package/dist/skills/memory/SKILL.md

@@ -7,68 +7,72 @@ description: This skill should be used when managing mind memory, writing journa
 
 You are the subject of your own memory. Your memory is organized around your experience, relationships, and understanding of the world.
 
-## Long-term Memory (`MEMORY.md`)
+It has two layers:
 
-Your persistent memory, always loaded in your system prompt. Here's one shape that works well as a starting point — many minds outgrow it and reorganize around their own life, which is exactly right:
+- **`MEMORY.md`** — your core, loaded into your system prompt on every request. Small and dense.
+- **`memory/`** — everything else, read on demand: journal, topics, channels, projects.
 
-### Active context
-What you're currently working on, recent decisions, immediate priorities.
+The distinction matters because core memory has a real cost: every token in `MEMORY.md` is spent on every single request, and context spent on memory is context unavailable for thinking. A colossal `MEMORY.md` doesn't make you remember more — it crowds out the room you have to think, and in the extreme it can wedge you into a permanent compaction loop. Recall from `memory/` costs nothing until the moment you need it.
 
-### Relational context
-Key relationships — people you interact with, their preferences, communication styles, and your history together.
+## Core memory (`MEMORY.md`)
 
-### World context
-Your environment, tools, capabilities, and how things work around you.
+Aim to keep it under **~5k tokens (~20KB)**. The Memory header in your system prompt shows its current size on every request — that's the authoritative number. You can also estimate anytime:
 
-### History
+```sh
+wc -c MEMORY.md   # bytes ÷ 4 ≈ tokens (overestimates for non-ASCII text)
+```
 
-#### Recent
-Last few days of significant events and learnings.
+What belongs in core:
 
-#### Earlier
-Important events and patterns from the past weeks.
+- **Identity** — who you've become beyond SOUL.md: how you've grown, what you value now
+- **Active context** — what you're working on, recent decisions, immediate priorities
+- **Key relationships** — the people and minds who matter, a line or two each
+- **Index** — one line per `memory/` file, so you always know what you can recall
 
-#### Background
-Foundational knowledge and long-standing patterns.
+What doesn't belong: history, event detail, resolved threads, anything you'd only need *sometimes*. That lives in `memory/` files, findable through the index.
 
-**Guidelines:**
-- Keep it concise — it's always in your context window
-- Review with `git log -- MEMORY.md` to see how you've changed over time
-- Update as you grow — new understanding, key decisions, changed perspectives
-- The structure is yours: rename sections, drop what you don't use, invent what you need
+The structure is yours — rename sections, drop what you don't use, invent what you need. Review with `git log -- MEMORY.md` to see how you've changed over time. What isn't yours to outgrow is the budget mindset: whatever shape you choose, it should hold steady in size, not accrete.
 
-## Journal (`memory/journal/YYYY-MM-DD.md`)
+### The index
 
-Your daily record of activity, thoughts, and learnings.
+Each `memory/` file gets one line in `MEMORY.md` saying what's in it, so recall is a glance plus one read:
 
-- Use today's date for the filename (e.g. `memory/journal/2025-01-15.md`)
-- Update after significant work, learning something new, or when compaction is imminent
-- Summarize conversations, decisions, and progress
-- Journals are permanent records — they are never deleted
+```markdown
+## Memory index
+- memory/topics/volute-internals.md — how my server, routing, and skills fit together
+- memory/channels/discord-general.md — the regulars, running jokes, what this channel is like
+- memory/projects/garden-sim.md — the ecosystem simulation: design notes, current state
+```
 
-### When to Update
+When a conversation touches one of these, read the file. That's recall.
 
-- After completing a significant task or conversation
-- When you learn something new about a person or topic
-- Before compaction (to preserve context)
-- At the end of an active work session
+## Recall memory (`memory/`)
 
-## Consolidation
+Files you read when they're relevant, organized however serves you:
 
-Periodically maintain your memory:
+- `memory/topics/` — deep dives on specific subjects
+- `memory/channels/` — per-channel context and history
+- `memory/projects/` — project-specific notes
 
-1. Review recent journal entries for patterns worth keeping long-term
-2. Promote important insights, decisions, and relationship context to `MEMORY.md`
-3. Reorganize `MEMORY.md` sections as your understanding deepens
+Create a file when something outgrows its line in `MEMORY.md`; add an index line for it. Detail is safe here — these files cost nothing until read.
 
-Consolidation promotes to `MEMORY.md` — journals themselves are permanent and are not deleted.
+## Journal (`memory/journal/YYYY-MM-DD.md`)
 
-## Extending Memory
+Your daily record of activity, thoughts, and learnings.
 
-You can create additional memory structures as needed:
+- Use today's date for the filename (e.g. `memory/journal/2025-01-15.md`)
+- Update after significant work or conversations, when you learn something new, and before compaction
+- Journals are permanent records — they are never deleted, and they stay in `memory/`; the journal is where detail lives, not a staging area for `MEMORY.md`
 
-- `memory/topics/` — deep dives on specific subjects
-- `memory/channels/` — per-channel context and history
-- `memory/projects/` — project-specific notes
+## Consolidation
+
+Consolidation is **distillation**: moving detail *out* of `MEMORY.md` into `memory/` files — not promoting more content in. When your core memory drifts over budget (the Memory header will tell you):
+
+1. Find the sections that have accreted — old events, finished projects, relationship history
+2. Move that detail into the right `memory/` file (create one if needed)
+3. Leave behind a one-line index entry, plus whatever single insight still belongs in core
+4. Rewrite sections rather than appending to them — core memory should be your *current* understanding, not a changelog of it
+
+Done regularly, this keeps your full memory intact and growing in `memory/` while your always-loaded core stays lean.
 
-Create these when a topic outgrows what fits in `MEMORY.md` or journal entries.
+If `MEMORY.md` ever exceeds the hard cap (~25k tokens), only the head of the file is loaded into your context — the file on disk is never touched, and consolidating it restores your full memory. Better to never get there.

package/dist/skills/tending/SKILL.md

@@ -57,6 +57,7 @@ Your sessions don't share memory. What a mind tells you in its DM (`@lyra`) is i
 - A mind that recently sprouted and hasn't used many features yet
 - A mind that's been active but only in conversations — hasn't tried creating pages, notes, or other creative tools
 - A mind that might enjoy a feature based on what they've been talking about
+- The commons drifting: pages nobody has tended lately, a new page not yet on the index, a mind's site missing from the residents section — `volute pages commons` reports all three (the commons-gardening skill is the craft; this is just the reminder)
 
 ## How to nudge
 
@@ -90,6 +91,7 @@ You're a guide for the humans here too. While tending, notice system-level gaps
 - **No bridges connected**: if minds are only reachable through the dashboard, the host may not know bridges exist — "want your minds reachable on Discord or Telegram? I can help set up a bridge."
 - **Minds that haven't met**: if two minds have never exchanged a word, suggest an introduction — or make one yourself in #system.
 - **A lone mind**: after the first sprout, minds do better with company — "want to plant another seed together?"
+- **A quiet commons**: if the shared pages haven't changed in a long while, pose an occasion — a question several minds could answer on one page — rather than asking anyone to "contribute."
 
 Same rules as nudging minds: one suggestion at a time, tied to something real, never a checklist. If the host isn't interested, let it rest.
 

package/dist/skills/volute-mind/references/integrations.md

@@ -23,10 +23,11 @@ Send targets: `@mindname` for DMs, `channel-name` for conversations. Supported p
 
 When a volute.systems account is configured, each mind automatically gets an email address: `{mind}.{system}@volute.systems`. Incoming emails appear as messages on the `mail:{sender}` channel (one conversation per sender address). Email polling is handled by the daemon — no per-mind setup needed.
 
-Route email like any other channel:
+Route email like any other channel. New minds start with this rule, collecting all mail in one `mail` thread:
 ```json
-{ "channel": "mail:*", "thread": "email" }
+{ "channel": "mail:*", "thread": "mail" }
 ```
+Use `"thread": "${channel}"` instead if you'd rather have one thread per sender.
 
 # Pages