test-repo/HEARTBEAT.md

HEARTBEAT.md - Efficient Proactive Check

Target: <3 second checks using state tracking. Don't repeat work.

---

Quick State Check (Read First)

# Check when each area was last reviewed
if [ -f memory/heartbeat-state.json ]; then
  cat memory/heartbeat-state.json
fi

Skip if checked <4 hours ago unless urgent.

---

Rotating Check Schedule

Only check 1-2 items per heartbeat to stay under 3s:

Check	Frequency	Last Check
Mission Control	Every 8h	See state
Email	Every 12h	See state
Calendar	Every 6h	See state
Memory Maintenance	Weekly	See state
Git Status	Every 4h	See state

---

Check Procedures (<30s each)

Mission Control Scan (30s max)

1. Open http://localhost:3001 or https://mission-control.twisteddevices.com
2. Check: Overdue tasks, upcoming deadlines, blocked items
3. If found → Log to memory/YYYY-MM-DD.md with action needed
4. Update state: "missionControl": [timestamp]

Email Quick Check (20s max)

1. Use email-assistant skill to check unread count
2. If urgent (>3 unread or flagged) → Note in memory file
3. Don't read full emails unless flagged urgent
4. Update state: "email": [timestamp]

Calendar Check (20s max)

1. Check next 24h for events
2. If event <2h away → Alert user
3. Update state: "calendar": [timestamp]

Git Status (15s max)

1. Check git status in workspace
2. If uncommitted changes >1 day old → Commit reminder
3. Update state: "git": [timestamp]

---

State File Format

File: memory/heartbeat-state.json

{
  "lastChecks": {
    "missionControl": 1740267600,
    "email": 1740256800,
    "calendar": 1740264000,
    "git": 1740267600,
    "memoryMaintenance": 1739922000
  },
  "alertsGiven": [],
  "version": 1
}

---

When to Reply HEARTBEAT_OK

Reply OK when:

• All checks done within last 4h
• No urgent items found
• Late night (23:00-08:00) unless critical
• User clearly busy in conversation

Don't reply OK when:

• Found overdue task with deadline <24h
• Calendar event in <2h
• Uncommitted work >1 day old
• Memory maintenance overdue (>7 days)

---

Night Check (22:00 CST)

Different from daytime checks:

1. Read USER.md - Refresh on goals/projects
2. Read SOUL.md - Remember The Mission
3. Scan Mission Control for next-day priorities
4. Pick ONE high-impact task for tomorrow
5. Log suggestion to memory/YYYY-MM-DD.md

Format:

🌙 Nightly Check — [Date]

📊 Status:
- Active tasks: X
- Overdue: X
- Tomorrow's priority: [Task name]

🎯 Suggestion:
[One specific action for tomorrow]

---

Memory Maintenance (Weekly)

During one heartbeat per week:

1. Read last 7 days of memory/YYYY-MM-DD.md files
2. Identify 3-5 key learnings/insights
3. Update MEMORY.md with distilled wisdom
4. Remove outdated entries (>30 days old)
5. Update BRAIN.md active projects list
6. Reset state: "memoryMaintenance": [timestamp]

Goal: Keep MEMORY.md <100 lines, BRAIN.md current.

---

Efficiency Rules

1. Timebox each check - Use 30s max, interrupt if longer
2. Don't duplicate work - Check state file first
3. Batch when possible - One web session for multiple checks
4. Write immediately - Don't hold in memory, log to file
5. Prioritize - Mission Control > Calendar > Email > Git

Remember: The goal is helpful presence, not exhaustive monitoring. Quality > quantity.