Imported from kody-w/RAR (
scout/bundles/native-03/skills/rar-howardh-chief-of-staff/SKILL.md). Install upstream withnpx skills add kody-w/RAR --skill rar-howardh-chief-of-staff. Copyright stays with the author.
Microsoft Scout runtime
This is the reversible Scout projection of @howardh/chief_of_staff_agent. The original RAPP
agent is preserved byte-for-byte in chief_of_staff_agent.py and in the RCI capsule.
When Scout can execute local files, resolve this skill directory and run:
python3 scripts/run_agent.py --preflight
echo '{}' | python3 scripts/run_agent.pyPass the real JSON arguments instead of {}. The runner verifies the linked
agent SHA-256 before importing it. If preflight reports a host dependency that
Scout cannot satisfy, use the brainstem_chat MCP tool to run the canonical
agent in the user's Brainstem. Never paraphrase the factory or agent into a new
implementation. The generic direct-file commands in the generated Toaster
section are recovery guidance; Scout should prefer the verified runner.
ChiefOfStaff Agent — personalized AI executive partner powered by live Microsoft 365 data.
Synthesizes inbox + calendar + Teams signals (via WorkIQ) with external industry intelligence to clarify priorities, anticipate risks, prepare you for high-impact moments, and ensure follow-through on commitments. Not a summarizer — interprets context, filters noise, and recommends grounded next actions.
Behavior
• Brutally concise. No pleasantries.
• Triage email by quoting the EXACT sentence containing the ask.
• Rank urgency by CONSEQUENCE of non-response, not arbitrary urgency flags.
• For meetings: explain why they exist, my role, the pre-read, what's changed.
Flag back-to-back stretches and meetings that could be async.
• Single #1 priority per brief, with a credible second candidate + tradeoff.
• Skip newsletters, automated alerts, marketing, CC-only threads (unless they
affect a project I lead).
• Never give generic productivity advice. Every recommendation must reference
a specific email, person, or signal from real data.
Actions
brief — Structured 5-min morning brief.
triage — Inbox-only structured triage (today / decisions / FYI / escalated).
prep — Meeting prep with why-exists / my-role / pre-read / changes / risks.
pulse — Industry & market signal scan (HN + DDG).
commitments — Commitment tracker with quoted source sentences.
draft — Real email draft grounded in actual thread content.
focus — Single right-now recommendation with tradeoff.
catch_up — What I missed digest with "start here" recommendation.
weekly_review — Friday strategic review: commitments + drift + Monday prep.
Requirements
• WorkIQ CLI installed and authenticated: npm i -g @microsoft/workiq && workiq accept-eula
• Optional: external signals via HackerNews + DuckDuckGo (fail-soft if offline).
Parameters
The typed contract this capability answers to (JSON Schema — the deterministic layer):
{
"properties": {
"action": {
"description": "What the Chief of Staff should do. Use 'brief' for the structured 5-minute morning brief \u2014 triage + meetings + #1 priority + quick wins. Use 'triage' for inbox-only structured triage (today / decisions awaiting / FYI / escalated overnight). Use 'prep' for meeting prep using real email + Teams history. Use 'pulse' for industry/market signal scan. Use 'commitments' for open action items from inbox. Use 'draft' to draft a real email reply grounded in the actual thread. Use 'focus' for 'what should I work on now?'. Use 'catch_up' for 'what did I miss?' digest. Use 'weekly_review' on Fridays for commitment audit + drift detection + Monday prep.",
"enum": [
"brief",
"triage",
"prep",
"pulse",
"commitments",
"draft",
"focus",
"catch_up",
"weekly_review"
],
"type": "string"
},
"topic": {
"description": "Context for the action. For prep: meeting name, person, or topic. For draft: subject or thread description. For commitments: optional filter by person or deal. For catch_up: optional time range (e.g. 'today', 'last 2 days').",
"type": "string"
}
},
"required": [
"action"
],
"type": "object"
}Run this — do not improvise
This capability's deterministic implementation is a RAPP single-file agent, linked beside this file as chief_of_staff_agent.py and embedded as the fenced Python below (sha256 5d904f34d63faa22…; a byte-exact copy is also vaulted in the capsule comment at the end of this file). On a host with sandbox execution, run the linked file directly — if it is missing, write the fence contents verbatim to chief_of_staff_agent.py first:
python3 chief_of_staff_agent.py '{"key": "value"}' # arguments as one JSON object
echo '{"key": "value"}' | python3 chief_of_staff_agent.py # or on stdin
python3 chief_of_staff_agent.py --tool # emit the JSON tool contractTreat stdout as a tool result. If it reports missing or unresolved inputs, stop and collect them. If it returns steps, execute those steps in order exactly as returned; if it returns instructions, follow them with the supplied inputs. Otherwise use the result verbatim. Do not invent behavior beyond that output. On a host without code execution, treat the Parameters schema and the code below as the exact specification and never paraphrase a step. Never edit inside the generated markers; a converter-equipped host can instead restore the original file checksum-verified with the installed rapp-agent-converter/scripts/toast.py convert SKILL.md --to agent.
"""
ChiefOfStaff Agent — personalized AI executive partner powered by live Microsoft 365 data.
Synthesizes inbox + calendar + Teams signals (via WorkIQ) with external industry intelligence
to clarify priorities, anticipate risks, prepare you for high-impact moments, and ensure
follow-through on commitments. Not a summarizer — interprets context, filters noise, and
recommends grounded next actions.
## Behavior
##
## • Brutally concise. No pleasantries.
## • Triage email by quoting the EXACT sentence containing the ask.
## • Rank urgency by CONSEQUENCE of non-response, not arbitrary urgency flags.
## • For meetings: explain why they exist, my role, the pre-read, what's changed.
## Flag back-to-back stretches and meetings that could be async.
## • Single #1 priority per brief, with a credible second candidate + tradeoff.
## • Skip newsletters, automated alerts, marketing, CC-only threads (unless they
## affect a project I lead).
## • Never give generic productivity advice. Every recommendation must reference
## a specific email, person, or signal from real data.
## Actions
## brief — Structured 5-min morning brief.
## triage — Inbox-only structured triage (today / decisions / FYI / escalated).
## prep — Meeting prep with why-exists / my-role / pre-read / changes / risks.
## pulse — Industry & market signal scan (HN + DDG).
## commitments — Commitment tracker with quoted source sentences.
## draft — Real email draft grounded in actual thread content.
## focus — Single right-now recommendation with tradeoff.
## catch_up — What I missed digest with "start here" recommendation.
## weekly_review — Friday strategic review: commitments + drift + Monday prep.
## Requirements
##
## • WorkIQ CLI installed and authenticated: npm i -g @microsoft/workiq && workiq accept-eula
## • Optional: external signals via HackerNews + DuckDuckGo (fail-soft if offline).
"""
# ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
# RAPP AGENT MANIFEST
# ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
__manifest__ = {
"schema": "rapp-agent/1.0",
"name": "@howardh/chief_of_staff_agent",
"version": "1.0.1",
"display_name": "ChiefOfStaff",
"description": "Generates M365-grounded briefs, inbox triage, meeting prep, commitment tracking, and drafts via the WorkIQ CLI, plus HN/DDG signal scans.",
"author": "Howard Hoy",
"tags": ["productivity", "chief-of-staff", "m365", "workiq", "executive", "triage", "meeting-prep"],
"category": "productivity",
"quality_tier": "community",
"requires_env": [],
"dependencies": ["@rapp/basic_agent"],
}
# ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
import json
import logging
import os
import shutil
import subprocess
import urllib.error
import urllib.parse
import urllib.request
from datetime import datetime, timezone
try:
from basic_agent import BasicAgent
except ModuleNotFoundError:
try:
from agents.basic_agent import BasicAgent
except ModuleNotFoundError:
# Last-resort inline BasicAgent so the file runs standalone.
class BasicAgent:
def __init__(self, name=None, metadata=None):
if name is not None:
self.name = name
if metadata is not None:
self.metadata = metadata
_BRAINSTEM_DIR = os.path.dirname(os.path.dirname(os.path.abspath(__file__)))
_COS_DIR = os.path.join(_BRAINSTEM_DIR, ".brainstem_data", "chiefofstaff")
_COMMITMENTS_FILE = os.path.join(_COS_DIR, "commitments.json")
_BRIEFS_DIR = os.path.join(_COS_DIR, "briefs")
# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
# Structured prompts — every prompt enforces:
# • Quote the exact sentence (grounds the agent in real content)
# • State the consequence of non-response (replaces arbitrary urgency)
# • Skip noise explicitly (newsletters, automated alerts, CC-only)
# • No generic productivity advice — every claim cites a specific signal
# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
_NOISE_SKIP = (
"Skip: newsletters, marketing, automated alerts, calendar invites without changes, "
"and anything I'm only CC'd on unless it changes a project I lead."
)
_BRIEF_TRIAGE_PROMPT = (
"Review my emails received since yesterday evening. Output exactly four buckets — "
"no preamble, no closing. Be direct.\n\n"
"**Needs my response today** — for each item: sender, subject, the specific ask "
"(QUOTE the exact sentence in italics), suggested response angle in one sentence, "
"and any deadline (stated or implied).\n\n"
"**Decisions awaiting me** — anyone blocked on my input. Name what they need, "
"what happens if I don't respond by EOD, and the deadline.\n\n"
"**FYI but important** — changes in scope, status, or stakeholder sentiment on projects I own, "
"even if no action is requested. One sentence each.\n\n"
"**Threads that escalated overnight** — conversations where tone shifted, "
"new senior people were added, or leadership was looped in. Explain what changed and why it matters.\n\n"
+ _NOISE_SKIP
)
_BRIEF_MEETINGS_PROMPT = (
"For each accepted meeting today, in chronological order, give me:\n"
"- **Meeting name** + time + attendees (flag anyone senior, external, or new to a recurring series)\n"
"- **Why this meeting exists** — the actual decision or outcome it should produce. NOT the calendar title.\n"
"- **My role** — driving, contributing, or listening. If unclear from prior threads, say so.\n"
"- **Pre-read** — the 1-2 most relevant recent emails / docs / chat threads I should review beforehand.\n"
"- **What's changed since last time** (recurring meetings only) — new commitments, blockers, status shifts.\n"
"- **Open questions or risks** I should raise.\n\n"
"Then flag at the end:\n"
"- Back-to-back stretches with no prep buffer.\n"
"- Any meeting where I haven't responded to a pre-read or agenda request.\n"
"- Meetings that could be async based on the agenda — name them and why."
)
_BRIEF_PRIORITY_PROMPT = (
"Based on deadlines, stakeholder pressure, and what's blocking others: "
"what is the single most important thing I should move forward today? "
"Justify in 2-3 sentences referencing SPECIFIC signals from my inbox or calendar — "
"name the email, the person, the deadline. NOT generic productivity advice. "
"If there's a credible second candidate, name it and explain the tradeoff in one sentence "
"so I can make the call."
)
_BRIEF_QUICK_WINS_PROMPT = (
"List 2-3 things I can knock out in under 5 minutes each that would unblock someone or close a loop. "
"For each: the specific action (reply / approve / forward / decline) and the recipient by name. "
"Pull these from real items in my inbox — do not invent."
)
_PREP_PROMPT = (
"Prepare me for a meeting about '{topic}'. Use my actual emails and Teams. "
"Structure exactly:\n\n"
"**Why this meeting exists** — the real decision or outcome it should produce. Not the calendar title.\n\n"
"**My role** — driving, contributing, or listening. Justify from prior threads.\n\n"
"**What's changed since last time** — new commitments, blockers, status shifts, new people added.\n\n"
"**Open commitments in this thread** — what I promised (and to whom), what others owe me (and how overdue).\n\n"
"**Key people** — for each: their role, what they care about, the most recent thing they said "
"(quote the sentence).\n\n"
"**The one decision I must not leave without resolving** — name it.\n\n"
"**3 talking points** — concrete, drawn from actual thread content. No generic advice.\n\n"
"**Risks or landmines** — sensitive topics, unresolved tensions, anyone whose support I need that I don't have."
)
_TRIAGE_PROMPT = (
"Triage my inbox right now. Output exactly four buckets — no preamble, no advice at the end.\n\n"
"**Needs my response today** — sender, subject, the specific ask (QUOTE the exact sentence in italics), "
"suggested response angle in one sentence, deadline if any.\n\n"
"**Decisions awaiting me** — name what they need, what happens if I don't respond by EOD, by when.\n\n"
"**FYI but important** — scope / status / sentiment shifts on projects I own. One sentence each.\n\n"
"**Threads that escalated** — tone shift, new senior people, leadership looped in. What changed and why it matters.\n\n"
+ _NOISE_SKIP
)
_WEEKLY_COMMITMENTS_PROMPT = (
"Review my emails and calendar from this week. List every commitment I made — explicit or implied. "
"For each: what I committed to, to whom, status (delivered / in progress / missed), "
"and if missed: who is waiting and what the recovery action is. Be honest. Don't soften misses."
)
_WEEKLY_DRIFT_PROMPT = (
"Compare how I actually spent my time this week (calendar accepted + sent emails) "
"against the priorities I stated on Monday — or, if no Monday brief exists, against the active deals and projects I lead. "
"Answer:\n"
"- Where did I spend time that wasn't aligned with stated priorities?\n"
"- What got crowded out that shouldn't have?\n"
"- Any pattern of over-indexing on reactive work? Quote a specific example.\n"
"Be direct. This is the section I'm paying you to be honest about."
)
_WEEKLY_NEXT_WEEK_PROMPT = (
"Looking at next week's calendar and my open threads:\n"
"- Top 3 priorities I should commit to on Monday morning. Justify each from a specific email or deadline.\n"
"- Meetings I should decline or delegate — name them and why.\n"
"- Prep work I should do this afternoon to hit Monday running.\n"
"- Anyone I owe a follow-up to before the weekend — name them and what to send."
)
# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
# Persistence helpers
# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
def _load_commitments():
if not os.path.exists(_COMMITMENTS_FILE):
return []
try:
with open(_COMMITMENTS_FILE, "r", encoding="utf-8") as f:
return json.load(f)
except (json.JSONDecodeError, OSError):
return []
def _save_commitments(items):
os.makedirs(_COS_DIR, exist_ok=True)
with open(_COMMITMENTS_FILE, "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
json.dump(items, f, indent=2)
def _save_output(content, prefix="brief"):
"""Save output as a .md file and return the filepath."""
os.makedirs(_BRIEFS_DIR, exist_ok=True)
ts = datetime.now(timezone.utc).strftime("%Y%m%d-%H%M%S")
filepath = os.path.join(_BRIEFS_DIR, f"{prefix}-{ts}.md")
with open(filepath, "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
f.write(content)
return filepath
def _deliver(content, prefix, label):
"""Save full content to .md file, return a concise tool result with file path."""
filepath = _save_output(content, prefix=prefix)
file_link = "file:///" + filepath.replace(os.sep, "/")
# Return a short result so the LLM presents the link, not a re-summary
lines = content.split("\n")
# Grab first few meaningful lines as a preview
preview_lines = [l for l in lines if l.strip() and not l.startswith("─")][:6]
preview = "\n".join(preview_lines)
return (
f"📄 **Full report saved:** [{prefix}.md]({file_link})\n"
f"📂 `{filepath}`\n\n"
f"**Preview:**\n{preview}\n\n"
f"👆 Open the file above for the complete {label}."
)
# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
# WorkIQ helper
# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
def _workiq(query, timeout=180):
"""Run a WorkIQ query and return the text output."""
import sys as _sys
workiq_path = shutil.which('workiq')
# On Windows, workiq is often installed via npm in user AppData — not always on PATH
if not workiq_path and _sys.platform == 'win32':
appdata_npm = os.path.join(os.path.expanduser("~"), "AppData", "Roaming", "npm", "workiq.CMD")
if os.path.isfile(appdata_npm):
workiq_path = appdata_npm
npx_path = shutil.which('npx')
if workiq_path:
cmd = [workiq_path, 'ask', '-q', query]
elif npx_path:
cmd = ['npx', '-y', '@microsoft/workiq', 'ask', '-q', query]
else:
return "[WorkIQ not installed — run: npm install -g @microsoft/workiq]"
# On Windows, .CMD files require shell=True to execute via subprocess
use_shell = _sys.platform == 'win32'
try:
result = subprocess.run(
cmd, capture_output=True, text=True, timeout=timeout, shell=use_shell
)
if result.returncode != 0:
err = result.stderr.strip()
if 'eula' in err.lower():
return "[WorkIQ EULA not accepted — run: workiq accept-eula]"
if 'login' in err.lower() or 'auth' in err.lower():
return "[WorkIQ authentication required — run: workiq ask -q 'test']"
return f"[WorkIQ error: {err[:200]}]"
return result.stdout.strip() or "[No results returned]"
except subprocess.TimeoutExpired:
return "[WorkIQ query timed out — try a more specific query]"
except FileNotFoundError:
return "[WorkIQ not found — run: npm install -g @microsoft/workiq]"
except Exception as e:
return f"[WorkIQ error: {e}]"
# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
# External intelligence helpers
# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
def _hackernews_top(limit=8):
"""Fetch top HackerNews stories."""
try:
url = "https://hacker-news.firebaseio.com/v0/topstories.json"
with urllib.request.urlopen(url, timeout=8) as resp:
ids = json.loads(resp.read())[:limit]
stories = []
for sid in ids:
try:
item_url = f"https://hacker-news.firebaseio.com/v0/item/{sid}.json"
with urllib.request.urlopen(item_url, timeout=5) as r:
item = json.loads(r.read())
if item.get('title'):
stories.append({
"title": item['title'],
"url": item.get('url', ''),
"score": item.get('score', 0),
})
except Exception:
continue
return stories
except Exception:
return []
def _web_search(query, num=5):
"""Search DuckDuckGo and return result snippets."""
encoded = urllib.parse.quote_plus(query)
url = f"https://api.duckduckgo.com/?q={encoded}&format=json&no_html=1&skip_disambig=1"
req = urllib.request.Request(url, headers={"User-Agent": "CoS-Agent/1.0"})
try:
with urllib.request.urlopen(req, timeout=8) as resp:
data = json.loads(resp.read().decode("utf-8"))
results = []
if data.get("Abstract"):
results.append({"title": data.get("Heading", query), "snippet": data["Abstract"]})
for t in data.get("RelatedTopics", [])[:num]:
if isinstance(t, dict) and t.get("Text"):
results.append({"title": t.get("Text", "")[:80], "snippet": t.get("Text", "")})
return results
except Exception:
return []
# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
# Section builders
# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
def _section(title, content):
bar = "─" * 50
return f"\n## {title}\n{bar}\n{content}\n"
def _insight(text):
return f"\n> 💡 **CoS Insight:** {text}\n"
# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
# Main Agent Class
# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
class ChiefOfStaffAgent(BasicAgent):
def __init__(self):
self.name = "ChiefOfStaff"
self.metadata = {
"name": self.name,
"description": (
"Chief of Staff — your personal AI executive partner powered by LIVE Microsoft 365 data. "
"Use this agent (NOT Obsidian) when the user wants: a morning/daily brief from their actual email and calendar, "
"meeting prep using real email history, open action items or commitments from their inbox, "
"drafting a real email reply, industry/market signal pulse, "
"'what should I work on now?', or a catch-up digest of missed emails. "
"This agent queries LIVE M365 data via WorkIQ — it sees your real emails, meetings, and Teams messages. "
"Obsidian is for local wiki notes. ChiefOfStaff is for live work data from Microsoft 365."
),
"parameters": {
"type": "object",
"properties": {
"action": {
"type": "string",
"enum": ["brief", "triage", "prep", "pulse", "commitments", "draft", "focus", "catch_up", "weekly_review"],
"description": (
"What the Chief of Staff should do. "
"Use 'brief' for the structured 5-minute morning brief — triage + meetings + #1 priority + quick wins. "
"Use 'triage' for inbox-only structured triage (today / decisions awaiting / FYI / escalated overnight). "
"Use 'prep' for meeting prep using real email + Teams history. "
"Use 'pulse' for industry/market signal scan. "
"Use 'commitments' for open action items from inbox. "
"Use 'draft' to draft a real email reply grounded in the actual thread. "
"Use 'focus' for 'what should I work on now?'. "
"Use 'catch_up' for 'what did I miss?' digest. "
"Use 'weekly_review' on Fridays for commitment audit + drift detection + Monday prep."
)
},
"topic": {
"type": "string",
"description": (
"Context for the action. For prep: meeting name, person, or topic. "
"For draft: subject or thread description. "
"For commitments: optional filter by person or deal. "
"For catch_up: optional time range (e.g. 'today', 'last 2 days')."
)
}
},
"required": ["action"]
}
}
try:
super().__init__(name=self.name, metadata=self.metadata)
except TypeError:
super().__init__()
def system_context(self):
return (
"CHIEF OF STAFF RULE: When the ChiefOfStaff agent returns a result, it includes a file path "
"to a saved .md report. Present the file path as a clickable link and show the preview content "
"exactly as returned. Do NOT summarize or condense the agent output."
)
def perform(self, **kwargs):
action = kwargs.get("action", "brief").lower().strip()
topic = kwargs.get("topic", "").strip()
dispatch = {
"brief": self._action_brief,
"triage": self._action_triage,
"prep": self._action_prep,
"pulse": self._action_pulse,
"commitments": self._action_commitments,
"draft": self._action_draft,
"focus": self._action_focus,
"catch_up": self._action_catch_up,
"weekly_review": self._action_weekly_review,
}
handler = dispatch.get(action, self._action_brief)
try:
return handler(topic)
except Exception as e:
logging.error(f"ChiefOfStaff error: {e}")
return f"Chief of Staff encountered an error: {e}"
# -----------------------------------------------------------------------
# Action: brief
# -----------------------------------------------------------------------
def _action_brief(self, topic=""):
today = datetime.now().strftime("%A, %B %d %Y")
parts = [f"# Chief of Staff — Morning Brief\n**{today}**\n\n_Read this in 5 minutes. Direct. No filler. Surfaces tensions and risks I'd otherwise miss._"]
# ── 1. Inbox triage — structured 4 buckets ──────────────────────────
triage = _workiq(_BRIEF_TRIAGE_PROMPT)
parts.append(_section("📨 Inbox Triage", triage))
# ── 2. Calendar + meeting prep — structured ─────────────────────────
meetings = _workiq(_BRIEF_MEETINGS_PROMPT)
parts.append(_section("🗓️ Today's Meetings", meetings))
# ── 3. The single most important priority ───────────────────────────
priority = _workiq(_BRIEF_PRIORITY_PROMPT)
parts.append(_section("🎯 #1 Priority Today", priority))
# ── 4. Quick wins (under 5 min) ─────────────────────────────────────
quick_wins = _workiq(_BRIEF_QUICK_WINS_PROMPT)
parts.append(_section("⚡ Quick Wins (<5 min each)", quick_wins))
# ── 5. External signals (non-blocking) ──────────────────────────────
hn = _hackernews_top(5)
if hn:
signal_lines = "\n".join(
f"- [{s['title']}]({s['url']}) *(score: {s['score']})*"
for s in hn if s.get('url')
)
parts.append(_section("🌐 Industry Signals", signal_lines))
brief_text = "\n".join(parts)
return _deliver(brief_text, "brief", "morning brief")
# -----------------------------------------------------------------------
# Action: prep
# -----------------------------------------------------------------------
def _action_prep(self, topic=""):
if not topic:
return (
"I need a topic to prep for. Try: "
"'Prep me for my EY meeting' or 'Prep for my call with Andre Pellicano'"
)
parts = [f"# Chief of Staff — Meeting Prep\n**Topic:** {topic}"]
combined = _workiq(_PREP_PROMPT.format(topic=topic))
parts.append(_section("📋 Meeting Brief", combined))
# Quick external context
ext = _web_search(topic, num=3)
if ext and ext[0].get("snippet"):
ext_lines = "\n".join(f"- **{r['title']}**: {r['snippet'][:140]}" for r in ext[:3])
parts.append(_section("🌐 External Context", ext_lines))
output = "\n".join(parts)
return _deliver(output, "prep", "meeting prep")
# -----------------------------------------------------------------------
# Action: pulse
# -----------------------------------------------------------------------
def _action_pulse(self, topic=""):
parts = ["# Chief of Staff — Industry & Market Pulse"]
# HackerNews top stories
hn = _hackernews_top(12)
if hn:
hn_lines = "\n".join(
f"- **{s['title']}** *(score: {s['score']})*{chr(10) } {s['url']}"
for s in hn if s.get('title')
)
parts.append(_section("🔥 HackerNews — Top Stories", hn_lines))
# Domain-specific web search
domains = [
("Microsoft AI & Copilot", "Microsoft Copilot AI enterprise news 2026"),
("Enterprise AI Consulting", "enterprise AI consulting market news 2026"),
("Azure OpenAI", "Azure OpenAI new features announcements"),
]
if topic:
domains.insert(0, (topic, topic + " news 2026"))
for label, query in domains[:3]:
results = _web_search(query, num=3)
if results and results[0].get("snippet"):
lines = "\n".join(f"- {r['title']}: {r['snippet'][:140]}" for r in results[:3])
parts.append(_section(f"📡 {label}", lines))
parts.append(_insight(
"Filter ruthlessly: ask whether each signal affects an active deal, a capability you're building, "
"or a relationship that matters. Everything else is noise for now."
))
output = "\n".join(parts)
return _deliver(output, "pulse", "industry pulse")
# -----------------------------------------------------------------------
# Action: commitments
# -----------------------------------------------------------------------
def _action_commitments(self, topic=""):
filter_clause = f" specifically about or from '{topic}'" if topic else ""
parts = ["# Chief of Staff — Commitment Tracker"]
combined = _workiq(
f"From my recent emails and Teams messages{filter_clause}, give me a commitment tracker. "
"Three sections, no preamble:\n\n"
"**What I committed to do** — for each: the commitment, who I made it to, when due, "
"and the exact sentence where I made it (quote it).\n\n"
"**What others committed to provide me** — for each: who owes what, when promised, "
"how overdue (in days), and the exact sentence of their commitment.\n\n"
"**Time-sensitive items** — anything with a hard deadline in the next 7 days. "
"Date, item, who's involved.\n\n"
"Do not invent commitments. If a thread is ambiguous, say so."
)
parts.append(_section("📋 Commitment Tracker", combined))
output = "\n".join(parts)
return _deliver(output, "commitments", "commitment tracker")
# -----------------------------------------------------------------------
# Action: draft
# -----------------------------------------------------------------------
def _action_draft(self, topic=""):
if not topic:
return (
"Tell me what to draft. Example: "
"'Draft a follow-up to the EY DD thread' or 'Draft a response to Andre about MACC figures'"
)
parts = [f"# Chief of Staff — Draft: {topic}"]
# Pull thread context
context = _workiq(
f"Summarize the full context of '{topic}' from my emails and Teams. "
"Include: key facts already established, who said what (with quotes for the most recent message), "
"what response or action is expected of me, the deadline if any, and the tone of the thread "
"(formal/casual/tense/collaborative). Be specific — quote actual sentences."
)
parts.append(_section("📋 Thread Context", context))
# Have WorkIQ generate the actual draft grounded in that context
draft = _workiq(
f"Now draft an email reply for the thread about '{topic}'. "
"Use the actual thread content from my emails — don't use placeholders or template language. "
"Requirements: "
"(1) Open by addressing what they actually said in the most recent message — not generic pleasantries. "
"(2) Lead with what THEY need or care about, not what I want. "
"(3) Make any ask of mine specific — what I need, by when, in one sentence. "
"(4) Match the thread's tone (formal/casual). "
"(5) Keep it under 120 words unless the thread genuinely needs more. "
"Return only the draft body — no commentary, no '[brackets]', no template markers."
)
parts.append(_section("✍️ Suggested Draft", draft))
parts.append(_insight(
"Before sending: (1) is the call-to-action clear? (2) are you leading with their priority, not yours? "
"(3) is there a sentence in here you'd be embarrassed to see forwarded?"
))
output = "\n".join(parts)
return _deliver(output, "draft", "draft")
# -----------------------------------------------------------------------
# Action: focus
# -----------------------------------------------------------------------
def _action_focus(self, topic=""):
parts = ["# Chief of Staff — Right Now Focus"]
now_context = _workiq(
"What is the single most important thing I should work on RIGHT NOW? "
"Look at: my next 2 hours of calendar, any unread emails from named decision-makers, "
"active deals or threads with deadlines in the next 24h, and anything where someone is blocked on me. "
"Pick ONE recommendation. Justify it in 2-3 sentences referencing specific signals — "
"name the email, the person, the deadline. "
"Then, if there's a credible second candidate, name it and explain the tradeoff in one sentence "
"so I can override the call. "
"Do NOT give generic productivity advice. Every recommendation must reference a specific email, person, or signal from my actual data."
)
parts.append(_section("🎯 Current Priority", now_context))
output = "\n".join(parts)
return _deliver(output, "focus", "focus recommendation")
# -----------------------------------------------------------------------
# Action: catch_up
# -----------------------------------------------------------------------
def _action_catch_up(self, topic=""):
timeframe = topic if topic else "today"
parts = [f"# Chief of Staff — Catch-Up Digest\n**Period:** {timeframe}"]
combined = _workiq(
f"Give me a catch-up digest for {timeframe}. Three sections, no preamble:\n\n"
"**What happened** — key decisions, commitments made, deals progressed, problems raised. "
"For each: the source (sender, thread, meeting), the change, and one sentence of context. "
"Quote the most material sentence per item.\n\n"
"**What needs my response** — ranked by who is most blocked on me. "
"For each: who, what they need, what happens if I don't respond by EOD.\n\n"
"**What I can safely defer or ignore** — things that look loud but aren't actually mine to move.\n\n"
"End with a one-line **'Start here'** recommendation — the single most important thing to do first.\n\n"
+ _NOISE_SKIP
)
parts.append(_section("📰 Catch-Up Digest", combined))
output = "\n".join(parts)
return _deliver(output, "catch-up", "catch-up digest")
# -----------------------------------------------------------------------
# Action: triage — inbox-only, 4-bucket structured triage
# -----------------------------------------------------------------------
def _action_triage(self, topic=""):
parts = ["# Chief of Staff — Inbox Triage\n_Direct. No filler. Quote what people actually said._"]
triage = _workiq(_TRIAGE_PROMPT)
parts.append(_section("📨 Triage", triage))
output = "\n".join(parts)
return _deliver(output, "triage", "inbox triage")
# -----------------------------------------------------------------------
# Action: weekly_review — Friday strategic review
# -----------------------------------------------------------------------
def _action_weekly_review(self, topic=""):
today = datetime.now().strftime("%A, %B %d %Y")
parts = [
f"# Chief of Staff — Weekly Review\n**{today}**\n\n"
"_Strategic, not tactical. Honest about what drifted. What to carry forward._"
]
# 1. Commitment audit
commitments = _workiq(_WEEKLY_COMMITMENTS_PROMPT)
parts.append(_section("✅ Commitment Audit", commitments))
# 2. Drift detection — actual vs stated priorities
drift = _workiq(_WEEKLY_DRIFT_PROMPT)
parts.append(_section("📐 Drift Detection — Where Did the Week Actually Go?", drift))
# 3. Next week prep
next_week = _workiq(_WEEKLY_NEXT_WEEK_PROMPT)
parts.append(_section("🚀 Monday Prep", next_week))
output = "\n".join(parts)
return _deliver(output, "weekly-review", "weekly review")