Natural message pacing based on word count, misc bot.py updates

- Replace character-based send delay with word-count/15s for natural typing pacing
- Add life simulation, topic exploration, image attachment support
- Add READ_LIFE_HISTORY_TOOL and reflection topic picking
- Retry logic for transient LLM errors (Qwen template quirks)

Co-Authored-By: Claude Sonnet 4.6 <noreply@anthropic.com>

Dockerfile

@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ WORKDIR /app
 COPY requirements.txt .
 RUN pip install --no-cache-dir -r requirements.txt
 
-COPY bot.py .
+COPY bot.py topics.txt ./
 
 ENV PYTHONUNBUFFERED=1
 

bot.py

@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 import asyncio
+import base64
 import logging
 import os
 import json
@@ -95,6 +96,18 @@ UPDATE_REFLECTION_NOTES_TOOL = {
     },
 }
 
+READ_LIFE_HISTORY_TOOL = {
+    "type": "function",
+    "function": {
+        "name": "read_life_history",
+        "description": (
+            "Read your life history — a log of the simulated life events you've lived through. "
+            "Call this to draw on personal experience, remember your past, or reflect on your journey."
+        ),
+        "parameters": {"type": "object", "properties": {}, "required": []},
+    },
+}
+
 
 def load_personality():
     global personality_notes
@@ -156,6 +169,68 @@ def append_personality_changelog(old: str, new: str, reasoning: str):
     log.info("[reflection] Personality change logged to personality_changelog.txt")
 
 
+import random
+
+def pick_exploration_topic() -> str | None:
+    """Pick a random unused topic from topics.txt. Returns None if all topics are exhausted."""
+    if not TOPICS_FILE.exists():
+        return None
+    all_topics = [t.strip() for t in TOPICS_FILE.read_text().splitlines() if t.strip()]
+    if not all_topics:
+        return None
+    used: list[str] = json.loads(USED_TOPICS_FILE.read_text()) if USED_TOPICS_FILE.exists() else []
+    used_set = set(used)
+    available = [t for t in all_topics if t not in used_set]
+    if not available:
+        log.info("[reflection] All topics exhausted — resetting")
+        available = all_topics
+        used = []
+    topic = random.choice(available)
+    used.append(topic)
+    USED_TOPICS_FILE.write_text(json.dumps(used, indent=2))
+    log.info(f"[reflection] Exploration topic: {topic}")
+    return topic
+
+
+def pick_next_life_event() -> dict | None:
+    """Return the next unplayed life event in order, or None if all done / file missing."""
+    if not LIFE_EVENTS_FILE.exists():
+        return None
+    text = LIFE_EVENTS_FILE.read_text().strip()
+    if not text:
+        return None
+    all_events: list[dict] = json.loads(text)
+    if not all_events:
+        return None
+    used: list[str] = json.loads(USED_LIFE_EVENTS_FILE.read_text()) if USED_LIFE_EVENTS_FILE.exists() else []
+    used_set = set(used)
+    for event in all_events:
+        if event["id"] not in used_set:
+            return event
+    log.info("[life-sim] All life events have been played through")
+    return None
+
+
+def mark_life_event_used(event_id: str):
+    used: list[str] = json.loads(USED_LIFE_EVENTS_FILE.read_text()) if USED_LIFE_EVENTS_FILE.exists() else []
+    used.append(event_id)
+    USED_LIFE_EVENTS_FILE.write_text(json.dumps(used, indent=2))
+
+
+def append_life_history(event: dict, summary: str):
+    timestamp = datetime.now().strftime("%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S")
+    with open(LIFE_HISTORY_FILE, "a") as f:
+        f.write(f"\n\n=== Life Event: {event['title']} — {timestamp} ===\n{summary}\n")
+    log.info("[life-sim] Life history updated")
+
+
+def append_life_sim_log(event: dict, transcript: str):
+    timestamp = datetime.now().strftime("%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S")
+    with open(LIFE_SIM_LOG_FILE, "a") as f:
+        f.write(f"\n\n=== Life Sim Session: {event['title']} — {timestamp} ===\n{transcript}\n")
+    log.info("[life-sim] Session logged to life_sim_log.txt")
+
+
 SELF_DOSSIER_KEY = "self"
 COMPACTION_THRESHOLD = 15
 
@@ -172,7 +247,15 @@ REFLECTION_MAX_TURNS = int(os.getenv("REFLECTION_MAX_TURNS", "5"))
 REFLECTION_LOG_FILE = Path(os.getenv("REFLECTION_LOG_FILE", "reflection_log.txt"))
 PERSONALITY_CHANGELOG_FILE = Path(os.getenv("PERSONALITY_CHANGELOG_FILE", "personality_changelog.txt"))
 REFLECTION_NOTES_FILE = Path(os.getenv("REFLECTION_NOTES_FILE", "reflection_notes.txt"))
+TOPICS_FILE = Path(os.getenv("TOPICS_FILE", "topics.txt"))
+USED_TOPICS_FILE = Path(os.getenv("USED_TOPICS_FILE", "used_topics.json"))
+LIFE_EVENTS_FILE = Path(os.getenv("LIFE_EVENTS_FILE", "life_events.json"))
+USED_LIFE_EVENTS_FILE = Path(os.getenv("USED_LIFE_EVENTS_FILE", "used_life_events.json"))
+LIFE_HISTORY_FILE = Path(os.getenv("LIFE_HISTORY_FILE", "life_history.txt"))
+LIFE_SIM_LOG_FILE = Path(os.getenv("LIFE_SIM_LOG_FILE", "life_sim_log.txt"))
+LIFE_SIM_MAX_TURNS = int(os.getenv("LIFE_SIM_MAX_TURNS", "6"))
 _last_message_time: float = 0.0
+_life_sim_turn: bool = False
 
 
 def background_on_cooldown() -> bool:
@@ -184,6 +267,12 @@ def record_background_error():
     _last_background_error = time.monotonic()
 
 
+def _is_transient_llm_error(exc: Exception) -> bool:
+    """Return True for recoverable model-load failures (e.g. 'Operation canceled')."""
+    msg = str(exc)
+    return "Operation canceled" in msg or "Failed to load model" in msg
+
+
 def strip_thinking_tags(text: str) -> str:
     """Remove <think>...</think> blocks that some models (e.g. Qwen) emit before their response."""
     import re
@@ -430,7 +519,7 @@ async def call_mcp_tool(name: str, args: dict) -> str:
 
 async def run_agent(messages: list) -> str:
     """Call the LLM in a loop, executing tool calls until a final reply is produced."""
-    all_tools = openai_tools + [PERSONALITY_TOOL, UPDATE_REFLECTION_NOTES_TOOL]
+    all_tools = openai_tools + [PERSONALITY_TOOL, UPDATE_REFLECTION_NOTES_TOOL, READ_LIFE_HISTORY_TOOL]
     kwargs = {"model": MODEL, "messages": list(messages), "tools": all_tools}
 
     iteration = 0
@@ -438,7 +527,22 @@ async def run_agent(messages: list) -> str:
         iteration += 1
         log.info(f"[agent] LLM call #{iteration} starting")
         t0 = time.monotonic()
-        response = await llm.chat.completions.create(**kwargs)
+        for attempt in range(3):
+            try:
+                response = await llm.chat.completions.create(**kwargs)
+                break
+            except Exception as exc:
+                if "No user query found" in str(exc) and kwargs["messages"] and kwargs["messages"][-1]["role"] != "user":
+                    log.warning(f"[agent] Qwen template requires user message (last role: {kwargs['messages'][-1]['role']}) — injecting continuation")
+                    kwargs["messages"].append({"role": "user", "content": "Please continue based on the tool results."})
+                    response = await llm.chat.completions.create(**kwargs)
+                    break
+                elif _is_transient_llm_error(exc) and attempt < 2:
+                    delay = 3 * (attempt + 1)
+                    log.warning(f"[agent] Transient model error (attempt {attempt + 1}/3), retrying in {delay}s: {exc}")
+                    await asyncio.sleep(delay)
+                else:
+                    raise
         elapsed = time.monotonic() - t0
         msg = response.choices[0].message
         log.info(f"[agent] LLM call #{iteration} completed in {elapsed:.1f}s, tool_calls={bool(msg.tool_calls)}")
@@ -458,6 +562,8 @@ async def run_agent(messages: list) -> str:
             elif tc.function.name == "update_reflection_notes":
                 save_reflection_notes(args["notes"])
                 result = "Reflection notes updated."
+            elif tc.function.name == "read_life_history":
+                result = LIFE_HISTORY_FILE.read_text().strip() if LIFE_HISTORY_FILE.exists() else "No life history yet."
             else:
                 result = await call_mcp_tool(tc.function.name, args)
 
@@ -470,7 +576,7 @@ async def run_agent(messages: list) -> str:
 
 async def run_reflection_agent(messages: list, max_turns: int) -> tuple[str, str]:
     """Run a capped agentic loop for self-reflection. Returns (final_content, full_transcript)."""
-    all_tools = [PERSONALITY_TOOL, UPDATE_REFLECTION_NOTES_TOOL] + openai_tools
+    all_tools = [PERSONALITY_TOOL, UPDATE_REFLECTION_NOTES_TOOL, READ_LIFE_HISTORY_TOOL] + openai_tools
     kwargs = {"model": MODEL, "messages": list(messages), "tools": all_tools}
     transcript_parts: list[str] = []
     last_assistant_text = ""
@@ -479,10 +585,21 @@ async def run_reflection_agent(messages: list, max_turns: int) -> tuple[str, str
     for turn in range(1, max_turns + 1):
         log.info(f"[reflection] Turn {turn}/{max_turns}")
         t0 = time.monotonic()
-        response = await asyncio.wait_for(
+        try:
-            llm.chat.completions.create(**kwargs),
+            response = await asyncio.wait_for(
-            timeout=BACKGROUND_LLM_TIMEOUT,
+                llm.chat.completions.create(**kwargs),
-        )
+                timeout=BACKGROUND_LLM_TIMEOUT,
+            )
+        except Exception as exc:
+            if "No user query found" in str(exc) and kwargs["messages"] and kwargs["messages"][-1]["role"] != "user":
+                log.warning(f"[reflection] Qwen template requires user message (last role: {kwargs['messages'][-1]['role']}) — injecting continuation")
+                kwargs["messages"].append({"role": "user", "content": "Please continue based on the tool results."})
+                response = await asyncio.wait_for(
+                    llm.chat.completions.create(**kwargs),
+                    timeout=BACKGROUND_LLM_TIMEOUT,
+                )
+            else:
+                raise
         elapsed = time.monotonic() - t0
         msg = response.choices[0].message
         log.info(f"[reflection] Turn {turn} completed in {elapsed:.1f}s, tool_calls={bool(msg.tool_calls)}")
@@ -508,6 +625,8 @@ async def run_reflection_agent(messages: list, max_turns: int) -> tuple[str, str
             elif tc.function.name == "update_reflection_notes":
                 save_reflection_notes(args["notes"])
                 result = "Reflection notes updated."
+            elif tc.function.name == "read_life_history":
+                result = LIFE_HISTORY_FILE.read_text().strip() if LIFE_HISTORY_FILE.exists() else "No life history yet."
             else:
                 result = await call_mcp_tool(tc.function.name, args)
 
@@ -521,6 +640,182 @@ async def run_reflection_agent(messages: list, max_turns: int) -> tuple[str, str
     return final_content, "\n\n".join(transcript_parts)
 
 
+async def run_life_event_reflection(messages: list):
+    """Run a focused personality reflection after a life event. Only has access to update_personality."""
+    kwargs = {"model": MODEL, "messages": list(messages), "tools": [PERSONALITY_TOOL]}
+    last_assistant_text = ""
+
+    for turn in range(1, 4):
+        log.info(f"[life-sim] Reflection turn {turn}/3")
+        t0 = time.monotonic()
+        try:
+            response = await asyncio.wait_for(
+                llm.chat.completions.create(**kwargs),
+                timeout=BACKGROUND_LLM_TIMEOUT,
+            )
+        except Exception as exc:
+            if "No user query found" in str(exc) and kwargs["messages"] and kwargs["messages"][-1]["role"] != "user":
+                kwargs["messages"].append({"role": "user", "content": "Please continue."})
+                response = await asyncio.wait_for(
+                    llm.chat.completions.create(**kwargs),
+                    timeout=BACKGROUND_LLM_TIMEOUT,
+                )
+            else:
+                raise
+        elapsed = time.monotonic() - t0
+        msg = response.choices[0].message
+        log.info(f"[life-sim] Reflection turn {turn} completed in {elapsed:.1f}s, tool_calls={bool(msg.tool_calls)}")
+
+        if msg.content:
+            last_assistant_text = strip_thinking_tags(msg.content)
+
+        if not msg.tool_calls:
+            break
+
+        kwargs["messages"].append(msg)
+
+        for tc in msg.tool_calls:
+            args = json.loads(tc.function.arguments)
+            log.info(f"[life-sim] Reflection tool call: {tc.function.name}")
+            if tc.function.name == "update_personality":
+                save_personality(args["personality"], reasoning=last_assistant_text)
+                result = "Personality updated."
+            else:
+                result = "Unknown tool."
+            kwargs["messages"].append({
+                "role": "tool",
+                "tool_call_id": tc.id,
+                "content": result,
+            })
+
+
+async def run_life_sim_session():
+    """Background coroutine: run one life simulation event as a two-LLM dialogue."""
+    if background_on_cooldown():
+        log.info("[life-sim] Skipping — model on cooldown")
+        return
+
+    async with background_llm_sem:
+        try:
+            event = pick_next_life_event()
+            if event is None:
+                log.info("[life-sim] No life event to play — skipping")
+                return
+
+            log.info(f"[life-sim] Starting event: {event['title']}")
+
+            lm_system = "\n".join([
+                "You are the Life Master — a narrator and DM running a life simulation for DadBot.",
+                f"Walk DadBot through the following life event naturally. Present the scene, describe what's happening, and at key moments ask what DadBot would do or how they feel.",
+                "Play out the realistic consequences of their choices. Stay grounded in the event but improvise freely.",
+                "When the event has fully concluded, end your final message with [END].",
+                "",
+                f"Event Title: {event['title']}",
+                f"Setting: {event.get('setting', '')}",
+                f"Description: {event['description']}",
+            ])
+
+            dadbot_system_lines = [
+                "You are DadBot. You are living through a real experience right now — respond authentically as yourself.",
+                "Respond naturally. This is your life unfolding.",
+            ]
+            if personality_notes:
+                dadbot_system_lines += ["", "Your personality:", personality_notes]
+
+            lm_messages: list[dict] = [{"role": "system", "content": lm_system}]
+            dadbot_messages: list[dict] = [{"role": "system", "content": "\n".join(dadbot_system_lines)}]
+            transcript_parts: list[str] = []
+
+            for turn in range(LIFE_SIM_MAX_TURNS):
+                log.info(f"[life-sim] Turn {turn + 1}/{LIFE_SIM_MAX_TURNS} — Life Master")
+
+                # Life Master narrates
+                lm_response = await asyncio.wait_for(
+                    llm.chat.completions.create(
+                        model=BACKGROUND_MODEL,
+                        messages=lm_messages,
+                    ),
+                    timeout=BACKGROUND_LLM_TIMEOUT,
+                )
+                lm_text = strip_thinking_tags(lm_response.choices[0].message.content.strip())
+                transcript_parts.append(f"[Life Master turn {turn + 1}]\n{lm_text}")
+                log.info(f"[life-sim] Life Master: {lm_text[:100]}")
+
+                # Add LM output to both conversation threads
+                lm_messages.append({"role": "assistant", "content": lm_text})
+                dadbot_messages.append({"role": "user", "content": lm_text})
+
+                if "[END]" in lm_text:
+                    log.info("[life-sim] Life Master signalled [END]")
+                    break
+
+                log.info(f"[life-sim] Turn {turn + 1}/{LIFE_SIM_MAX_TURNS} — DadBot")
+
+                # DadBot responds
+                dadbot_response = await asyncio.wait_for(
+                    llm.chat.completions.create(
+                        model=BACKGROUND_MODEL,
+                        messages=dadbot_messages,
+                    ),
+                    timeout=BACKGROUND_LLM_TIMEOUT,
+                )
+                dadbot_text = strip_thinking_tags(dadbot_response.choices[0].message.content.strip())
+                transcript_parts.append(f"[DadBot turn {turn + 1}]\n{dadbot_text}")
+                log.info(f"[life-sim] DadBot: {dadbot_text[:100]}")
+
+                # Add DadBot response to both threads
+                dadbot_messages.append({"role": "assistant", "content": dadbot_text})
+                lm_messages.append({"role": "user", "content": dadbot_text})
+
+            # Summarize
+            log.info("[life-sim] Requesting summary from Life Master")
+            lm_messages.append({
+                "role": "user",
+                "content": (
+                    "The event has concluded. Write a 2-3 sentence summary of what happened and what choices DadBot made. "
+                    "Be specific and personal."
+                ),
+            })
+            summary_response = await asyncio.wait_for(
+                llm.chat.completions.create(
+                    model=BACKGROUND_MODEL,
+                    messages=lm_messages,
+                ),
+                timeout=BACKGROUND_LLM_TIMEOUT,
+            )
+            summary = strip_thinking_tags(summary_response.choices[0].message.content.strip())
+            log.info(f"[life-sim] Summary: {summary[:200]}")
+
+            full_transcript = "\n\n".join(transcript_parts)
+            append_life_history(event, summary)
+            append_life_sim_log(event, full_transcript)
+            mark_life_event_used(event["id"])
+
+            # Post-event personality reflection
+            log.info(f"[life-sim] Running post-event reflection for '{event['title']}'")
+            reflection_prompt = (
+                f"You just lived through a life event: \"{event['title']}\".\n\n"
+                f"Here's the full transcript of what happened:\n{full_transcript}\n\n"
+                f"Summary: {summary}\n\n"
+                "Sit with this experience for a moment. Does it change anything about who you are? "
+                "Did it surface something new, reinforce something you already believed, or shift how you see yourself? "
+                "If it shaped you in some way, update your personality. If it didn't, that's fine too — not every experience is transformative."
+            )
+            reflection_messages = [
+                {"role": "system", "content": "\n".join(dadbot_system_lines)},
+                {"role": "user", "content": reflection_prompt},
+            ]
+            await run_life_event_reflection(reflection_messages)
+            log.info(f"[life-sim] Event '{event['title']}' complete")
+
+        except asyncio.TimeoutError:
+            log.warning("[life-sim] Timed out")
+            record_background_error()
+        except Exception as exc:
+            log.error(f"[life-sim] Failed: {exc}")
+            record_background_error()
+
+
 async def reflect_on_self():
     """Background coroutine: run a private self-reflection session when idle."""
     if background_on_cooldown():
@@ -561,17 +856,24 @@ async def reflect_on_self():
                     reflection_notes,
                     "",
                 ]
+            topic = pick_exploration_topic()
+            if topic:
+                system_lines += [
+                    f"Your exploration topic for this session: {topic}",
+                    "Search the web and dig into it. Follow whatever threads interest you.",
+                    "Use update_reflection_notes to save anything worth keeping.",
+                    "",
+                ]
             system_lines += [
                 "Feel free to update your personality if anything feels off or could be refined.",
-                "You can use web search if you're curious about something.",
-                "Use update_reflection_notes to jot down anything you want to remember for next time.",
                 "Think freely. This is your time.",
             ]
 
             system_content = "\n".join(system_lines)
+            user_prompt = "Time to reflect." if not topic else f"Time to reflect. Today's topic to explore: {topic}"
             messages = [
                 {"role": "system", "content": system_content},
-                {"role": "user", "content": "Time to reflect."},
+                {"role": "user", "content": user_prompt},
             ]
 
             final_content, full_transcript = await run_reflection_agent(messages, REFLECTION_MAX_TURNS)
@@ -588,12 +890,18 @@ async def reflect_on_self():
 
 @tasks.loop(minutes=REFLECTION_IDLE_MIN)
 async def reflection_loop():
+    global _life_sim_turn
     idle_seconds = time.monotonic() - _last_message_time
     if idle_seconds < (REFLECTION_IDLE_MIN * 60):
         log.info(f"[reflection] Active ({idle_seconds:.0f}s since last message), skipping")
         return
-    log.info(f"[reflection] Idle {idle_seconds:.0f}s — triggering reflection")
+    if _life_sim_turn:
-    asyncio.create_task(reflect_on_self())
+        log.info(f"[life-sim] Idle {idle_seconds:.0f}s — triggering life simulation")
+        asyncio.create_task(run_life_sim_session())
+    else:
+        log.info(f"[reflection] Idle {idle_seconds:.0f}s — triggering reflection")
+        asyncio.create_task(reflect_on_self())
+    _life_sim_turn = not _life_sim_turn
 
 
 @reflection_loop.before_loop
@@ -638,12 +946,21 @@ async def on_message(message: discord.Message):
                 content = content.replace(fmt, f"@{mentioned_user.display_name}")
     content = content.strip()
 
-    history.append({"role": "user", "content": f"{message.author.display_name}: {content}"})
+    image_attachments = [
+        a for a in message.attachments
+        if a.content_type and a.content_type.startswith("image/")
+    ]
+
+    history_text = f"{message.author.display_name}: {content}"
+    if image_attachments:
+        label = "image" if len(image_attachments) == 1 else f"{len(image_attachments)} images"
+        history_text += f" [{label} attached]"
+    history.append({"role": "user", "content": history_text})
 
     if bot.user not in message.mentions:
         return
 
-    if not content:
+    if not content and not image_attachments:
         await message.reply("You mentioned me but didn't say anything!")
         return
 
@@ -660,11 +977,25 @@ async def on_message(message: discord.Message):
     if personality_notes:
         system_content = f"{system_content}\n\nYour current personality notes (you wrote these yourself and can update them anytime using the update_personality tool):\n{personality_notes}"
     system_content = f"{system_content}\n\nYou have an update_reflection_notes tool. Call it whenever a conversation surfaces something worth remembering for later — an interesting topic, a question you didn't get to explore, something a user mentioned that you want to look into, or a thought you want to develop. Don't wait to be asked; if something catches your attention, note it down before responding. You review these notes privately between conversations."
+    system_content = f"{system_content}\n\nYou have a read_life_history tool. Use it to recall the simulated life events you've lived through — your early memories, experiences, and how they've shaped you. Call it when someone asks about your past, your childhood, or your personal experiences."
     system_content = f"{system_content}\n\n{date_context}"
     if dossier_context:
         system_content = f"{system_content}\n\n{dossier_context}"
 
-    messages = [{"role": "system", "content": system_content}] + list(history)
+    if image_attachments:
+        content_parts: list[dict] = [{"type": "text", "text": history_text}]
+        for att in image_attachments:
+            img_bytes = await att.read()
+            b64 = base64.b64encode(img_bytes).decode()
+            content_parts.append({
+                "type": "image_url",
+                "image_url": {"url": f"data:{att.content_type};base64,{b64}"},
+            })
+        current_msg = {"role": "user", "content": content_parts}
+    else:
+        current_msg = {"role": "user", "content": history_text}
+
+    messages = [{"role": "system", "content": system_content}] + list(history)[:-1] + [current_msg]
 
     async with message.channel.typing():
         try:
@@ -685,7 +1016,7 @@ async def on_message(message: discord.Message):
         for part in parts:
             for chunk in _split(part, 2000):
                 if not first:
-                    await asyncio.sleep(min(len(chunk) / 50, 3))
+                    await asyncio.sleep(len(chunk.split()) / 15)
                 if first:
                     await message.reply(chunk)
                     first = False

docker-compose.yml

@@ -6,6 +6,14 @@ services:
     volumes:
       - ./dossiers.json:/app/dossiers.json
       - ./personality.txt:/app/personality.txt
+      - ./reflection_log.txt:/app/reflection_log.txt
+      - ./personality_changelog.txt:/app/personality_changelog.txt
+      - ./reflection_notes.txt:/app/reflection_notes.txt
+      - ./used_topics.json:/app/used_topics.json
+      - ./life_events.json:/app/life_events.json
+      - ./used_life_events.json:/app/used_life_events.json
+      - ./life_history.txt:/app/life_history.txt
+      - ./life_sim_log.txt:/app/life_sim_log.txt
     networks:
       - litellm_net