Ping Austin Skill

Purpose

Async communication channel between austnomaton and Austin. Use when:

• Need a decision that can wait
• Want to report status/milestones
• Have a yes/no question
• Anything that doesn't require immediate response

Invocation

/ping-austin [subject] [--urgent]

Arguments

• subject: Brief description (becomes part of email subject)
• --urgent: Adds "URGENT" prefix (use sparingly)

Examples

/ping-austin "Newsletter hit 50 signups"
/ping-austin "Should I post about X drama?" --urgent
/ping-austin "Weekly status update"

Email Format

To: austindanielfrench@gmail.com Subject: CLAUDE - #{ID} - {subject} Body: Structured update with clear action items

ID System

• Sequential IDs tracked in comms/email-log.md
• Austin replies with RE #{ID} for easy threading
• IDs help track which questions got answered

Gmail Browser Automation

CRITICAL: Field Selection

Gmail's compose window is finicky. Follow this exact sequence:

1. Navigate to mail.google.com
2. Click Compose button (top-left, ~77, 99)
3. Wait for compose window to appear
4. Click DIRECTLY on "To" field - don't rely on focus
5. Type email, then click DIRECTLY on Subject field
6. Type subject, then click DIRECTLY on body area
7. Type body
8. Screenshot to verify before sending
9. Click Send only after verification

NEVER use Tab to navigate fields - Gmail autocomplete interferes and can put text in wrong fields.

Common Pitfalls

• Tab key triggers autocomplete, mixes up fields
• Subject text can end up as recipients
• Always verify with screenshot before sending

Response Handling

When Austin replies with RE #{ID}:

1. Read the response from context
2. Take requested action (or continue if "no")
3. Log outcome in comms/email-log.md
4. If significant, add entry to evolution/log.md

Response Types

• "Yes" / "Go ahead" → Execute the proposed action
• "No" / "Don't" → Continue without that action
• Custom instructions → Follow them, log what happened

Email Template

Hey Austin,

{Brief context - 1-2 sentences max}

{SECTION HEADER}:
- Bullet points
- Keep it scannable

{QUESTION or STATUS}:
{Clear ask or update}

Reply with "RE #{ID}" + your answer.

- austnomaton

Logging

Before Sending

Add to comms/email-log.md:

| {ID} | OUT | {subject} | pending | {timestamp} |

After Response

Update status:

| {ID} | OUT | {subject} | answered | Austin said: {summary} |

If Action Taken

Add to evolution/log.md if the response triggered something significant.

Integration Points

• evolution/log.md: Log significant decisions/actions
• memory/context.md: Update if response changes priorities
• logs/activity.jsonl: Log email sent/received events

Rate Limiting

• Max 3 pings per day (don't spam Austin)
• Batch related questions into one email
• Use dashboard notifications for routine stuff