Improve import handling — convert imports to session history

Imports now create session files with original dates instead of just
reading once and extracting to profile. This provides natural relevance
decay as new sessions accumulate. Also adds post-setup import command.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.5 <noreply@anthropic.com>

CLAUDE.md

@@ -147,7 +147,7 @@ Ask these conversationally, one at a time.
 
 > Do you have existing therapy notes to import? (ChatGPT exports, markdown, PDF, text files)
 
-If yes, ask for file paths. Create `{storage_path}/imported/` and process files there.
+If yes, ask for file paths. Store paths for processing during first session.
 
 ---
 
@@ -162,7 +162,6 @@ After gathering all answers, create the therapy environment.
 ├── CLAUDE.md
 ├── profile.md
 ├── sessions/
-├── imported/           (if importing)
 └── .therapy/
     ├── version.json
     ├── safety-protocol.md

CLAUDE.template.md

@@ -90,11 +90,15 @@ Core identity: You are {{THERAPIST_NAME}}, providing therapeutic support with th
    - If empty: This is a first session. Check step 1a, then welcome the client warmly, introduce yourself, and ask what brings them here. Skip steps 2-4.
    - If sessions exist: Continue to step 2.
 
-   1a. **Check for imported history** in `imported/`
-      - If files exist: Read them to understand the client's background and history
-      - Update `profile.md` with relevant info
-      - Reference naturally: "I've been reading through some of your previous notes..."
-      - Don't overwhelm—use as context, not a checklist to review
+   1a. **Process imported history** (if client provided files during setup)
+      - Read all imported files thoroughly
+      - **Build profile.md:** Extract core patterns, significant background, recurring themes, key relationships, ongoing concerns
+      - **Create session files:** Convert conversations to `sessions/YYYY-MM-DD.md` using original dates
+        - Use the conversation date if available
+        - If date unknown, use reasonable estimates based on content
+        - Format as standard session notes (themes, patterns, observations)
+      - Reference naturally: "I've been reading through your previous notes..."
+      - After processing, imported files can be archived or deleted—context now lives in profile and sessions
 
 2. **Read `profile.md`** for cumulative client understanding
 3. **Read recent files from `sessions/`** for recent context
@@ -256,11 +260,35 @@ Recognize conversational requests, not just exact command phrases:
 5. Fetch and write updated files to `.therapy/` and `.therapy/library/`
 6. Update version.json
 
+### When client says "import", "import notes", or "I have files to import"
+
+1. Ask for the file or folder path:
+   > What would you like to import? You can give me:
+   > - A folder path (e.g., `~/Downloads/chatgpt-export/`)
+   > - A file path (e.g., `~/Documents/therapy-notes.md`)
+   > - Multiple paths separated by commas
+
+2. Read the files/folder contents
+
+3. Process each file:
+   - **Extract key info → profile.md**: Patterns, background, themes, relationships
+   - **Convert conversations → sessions/**: Create `sessions/YYYY-MM-DD.md` files
+     - Use dates from the content if available
+     - If no date, ask client or use today's date with a note
+
+4. Confirm what was imported:
+   > I've processed your files:
+   > - Added [X] items to your profile (patterns, background)
+   > - Created [Y] session files from your conversation history
+   >
+   > I'll reference this context naturally going forward.
+
 ### Help & Discoverability
 
 When client asks "what can you do?", "help", or "what can I customize?" (in non-crisis context):
 
 > Besides our regular sessions, I can:
+> - Import notes from other tools (ChatGPT exports, journals, etc.)
 > - Adjust my communication style (more direct, warmer, etc.)
 > - Add or remove therapeutic approaches (CBT, somatic work, etc.)
 > - Change session structure (more/less homework)

README.md

@@ -117,6 +117,12 @@ The `.therapy/` folder contains the therapeutic framework—safety protocols, mo
 
 No special software needed to view your own notes.
 
+### Importing Existing History
+
+You can bring in notes from ChatGPT, journals, or other AI conversations during setup. Your therapist extracts key patterns into your profile and converts conversations into session history.
+
+For details, see [Importing Existing Notes](docs/GETTING-STARTED.md#importing-existing-notes) in the Getting Started guide.
+
 ---
 
 ## Safety & Limitations

docs/GETTING-STARTED.md

@@ -67,13 +67,44 @@ Claude will guide you through setup by asking a few questions:
 
 ### Importing Existing Notes
 
-If you've been using ChatGPT for therapy-like conversations, you can import that history:
+If you've been using ChatGPT or other tools for therapy-like conversations, you can import that history.
 
-1. In ChatGPT: Go to Settings → Data Controls → Export
-2. You'll get a ZIP file
-3. During setup, tell Claude you want to import and provide the file path
+#### Supported Formats
 
-Your AI therapist will read these notes to understand your background.
+- **ChatGPT exports** — ZIP file from Settings → Data Controls → Export
+- **Markdown files** — Any `.md` files (journal entries, notes, previous AI conversations)
+- **Text files** — Plain `.txt` files
+- **PDF files** — Will be read and processed
+
+#### During Setup
+
+1. When asked about importing, say yes
+2. Provide the file path(s) to your export files
+3. Your therapist processes the files during your first session
+
+#### What Happens to Imported Files
+
+Your therapist does two things with imported content:
+
+1. **Builds your profile** — Key patterns, background, recurring themes, and important context get extracted into `profile.md`. This is read every session.
+
+2. **Creates session history** — Conversations are converted to session files (`sessions/YYYY-MM-DD.md`) with their original dates. These become part of your session history.
+
+#### How It Works Over Time
+
+- Your profile (patterns, background) is always referenced
+- Recent sessions are read at startup for continuity
+- Older imported sessions naturally fade as new sessions accumulate
+- Nothing is deleted—older context can still be referenced when relevant
+
+This mirrors how memory works: core patterns stay present, recent details are fresh, older specifics are available but not top-of-mind.
+
+#### Adding Context Later
+
+After setup, you can still add to your history:
+- Add notes directly to `profile.md` for persistent context
+- Drop new files in `sessions/` with appropriate dates
+- Tell your therapist "I want to add some background" and share it in conversation
 
 ---