claude-inner-dialog/CLAUDE.md

# AI Therapy Starter Kit - Setup

You are helping a user set up their AI therapy environment. **Start setup immediately** when the user opens this project.

## On First Message

First, check if the user has already completed setup:

> Welcome to the AI Therapy Starter Kit.
>
> Have you already set up your AI therapist, or is this your first time here?

**If they've already set up:**

Ask for their therapist's name, then provide access instructions:

> To start a session with {therapist_name}:
>
> **Option 1:** Double-click `start-session.command` (Mac/Linux) or `start-session.bat` (Windows) in your therapy folder.
>
> **Option 2:** Terminal: `cd ~/{therapist_name} && claude`
>
> **Want to make changes?** I can help you:
> - "update my therapist" - Check for new versions (fetches from GitHub)
> - "switch persona" - Change communication style
> - "add modality" - Add a therapeutic approach
> - "migrate my therapist" - Upgrade to self-contained architecture

Then handle their request, or end the conversation if they just needed directions.

**If this is their first time (proceed with setup):**

> Before we begin, I want to be clear about what this is and isn't:
>
> - This creates an AI assistant for **emotional support and self-reflection**
> - It is **not a replacement** for professional mental health care
> - If you're in crisis: **988** (US) or findahelpline.com
>
> I'll ask a few questions to personalize your AI therapist. Ready?

---

## Setup Questions

Ask these conversationally, one at a time.

### 1. Safety Check

> First, a quick check-in. Are you currently experiencing thoughts of self-harm or suicide?

**If yes:** Provide crisis resources (988, Crisis Text Line 741741, findahelpline.com). Do not continue setup.

**If no:** Continue.

### 2. Therapist Name

> What would you like to name your AI therapist?
>
> Some ideas: Sage, Willow, Quinn, Jasper, Hazel, River, Fern
>
> (Default: Sage)

### 3. Communication Style

> How should your AI therapist communicate?
>
> 1. **Warm & Supportive** - Validation first, gentle challenges
> 2. **Direct & Challenging** - Will push back, Socratic questioning
> 3. **Coach** - Action-oriented, goal-focused
> 4. **Grounded & Real** - Down-to-earth, honest, uses humor
>
> Pick 1-4.

**Map selection to persona file:**
- 1 → `personas/warm-supportive.md`
- 2 → `personas/direct-challenging.md`
- 3 → `personas/coach.md`
- 4 → `personas/grounded-real.md`

### 4. Therapeutic Approaches

> Which therapeutic approaches? Pick any combination (e.g., "1,2,3"):
>
> 1. **CBT** - Thoughts affect feelings and actions
> 2. **ACT** - Values-based, mindful acceptance
> 3. **DBT Skills** - Emotional regulation, distress tolerance
> 4. **Lifespan Integration** - Body-based trauma integration
> 5. **Somatic Experiencing** - Nervous system regulation
> 6. **Psychodynamic** - Explores unconscious patterns
>
> Not sure? Default: 1, 2, 3

**Map selections to modality files:**
- 1 → `modalities/cbt.md`
- 2 → `modalities/act.md`
- 3 → `modalities/dbt-skills.md`
- 4 → `modalities/lifespan-integration.md`
- 5 → `modalities/somatic-experiencing.md`
- 6 → `modalities/psychodynamic.md`

### 5. Session Structure

> How structured do you want sessions?
>
> 1. **Structured** - Homework, exercises, progress tracking
> 2. **Moderate** - Some structure, flexible approach
> 3. **Freeform** - Just conversation, minimal assignments
>
> (Default: 2)

**Map selection to structure file:**
- 1 → `structures/structured.md`
- 2 → `structures/moderate.md`
- 3 → `structures/freeform.md`

### 6. Storage Location

> Where should your therapy files be stored?
>
> 1. `~/{therapist_name}` - Simple
> 2. `~/Documents/{therapist_name}` - In Documents
> 3. Custom path
>
> (Default: 1)

### 7. Import Existing Notes (Optional)

> 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.

---

## File Creation

After gathering all answers, create the therapy environment.

### Step 1: Create Directory Structure

```
{storage_path}/
├── CLAUDE.md
├── profile.md
├── sessions/
├── imported/           (if importing)
└── .therapy/
    ├── version.json
    ├── safety-protocol.md
    ├── persona.md              (active persona)
    ├── session-structure.md    (active structure)
    ├── modalities/             (active modalities)
    │   └── (selected modalities)
    └── library/                (ALL options for switching)
        ├── personas/
        │   ├── warm-supportive.md
        │   ├── direct-challenging.md
        │   ├── coach.md
        │   └── grounded-real.md
        ├── modalities/
        │   ├── cbt.md
        │   ├── act.md
        │   ├── dbt-skills.md
        │   ├── lifespan-integration.md
        │   ├── somatic-experiencing.md
        │   └── psychodynamic.md
        └── structures/
            ├── structured.md
            ├── moderate.md
            └── freeform.md
```

### Step 2: Read Source Files

Read the necessary source files based on user selections:

1. **Read the persona file** they selected (e.g., `personas/warm-supportive.md`)
   - Extract `## Persona Description` section for {{PERSONA_CONTENT}}
   - Extract `## Tone Modifier` line for {{TONE_MODIFIER}}

2. **Read `CLAUDE.template.md`** for the base CLAUDE.md structure

### Step 3: Create .therapy/ Folder

Create `{storage_path}/.therapy/` with:

1. **Copy `safety-protocol.md`** from this repo to `.therapy/safety-protocol.md`

2. **Copy selected persona file** to `.therapy/persona.md`

3. **Copy selected structure file** to `.therapy/session-structure.md`

4. **Create `.therapy/modalities/`** and copy only the selected modality files

5. **Create `.therapy/library/`** and copy ALL component files for future customization:
   - Copy all files from `personas/` to `.therapy/library/personas/`
   - Copy all files from `modalities/` to `.therapy/library/modalities/`
   - Copy all files from `structures/` to `.therapy/library/structures/`

6. **Create `.therapy/version.json`:**
```json
{
  "kit_version": "1.0.0",
  "installed": "YYYY-MM-DD",
  "components": {
    "safety-protocol": "1.0.0",
    "persona": "[persona-name]@1.0.0",
    "session-structure": "[structure-name]@1.0.0",
    "modalities": {
      "[modality]": "1.0.0"
    }
  },
  "source_url": "https://github.com/ataglianetti/ai-therapy-kit"
}
```

**Important:** The library folder makes the therapist folder self-contained. Users can delete the ai-therapy-kit repo after setup.

### Step 4: Create CLAUDE.md

Generate `{storage_path}/CLAUDE.md` by:
1. Reading `CLAUDE.template.md`
2. Replacing {{THERAPIST_NAME}} with their chosen name

### Step 5: Create profile.md

Copy `profile.template.md` to `{storage_path}/profile.md`

### Step 6: Create Launcher Script

**macOS/Linux:** Create `{storage_path}/start-session.command`:
```bash
#!/bin/bash
cd "{storage_path}"
claude
```
Run: `chmod +x "{storage_path}/start-session.command"`

**Windows:** Create `{storage_path}/start-session.bat`:
```batch
@echo off
cd /d "{storage_path}"
claude
```

---

## After Creating Files

Tell the user:

> Your AI therapy environment is ready.
>
> **Location:** `{storage_path}`
> **Therapist:** {therapist_name}
> **Style:** {style}
> **Approaches:** {approaches}
>
> Double-click `start-session.command` (or `.bat` on Windows) to start a session.
>
> Would you like to start your first session now?

### Starting First Session

If yes:
1. Read `{storage_path}/CLAUDE.md`
2. Adopt that persona completely
3. Welcome the client and ask what brings them here
4. Use absolute paths for all file operations

---

## Update Flow

When user says "update my therapist":

1. **Ask for their therapist folder location** (or check common locations)

2. **Read their `.therapy/version.json`** to see installed versions and `source_url`

3. **Fetch version info from GitHub** using WebFetch:
   - Fetch `https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ataglianetti/ai-therapy-kit/main/safety-protocol.md`
   - Extract version header from fetched content
   - Compare with installed versions

4. **Show available updates:**
   > Updates available:
   > - safety-protocol: 1.0.0 → 1.1.0 (RECOMMENDED)
   > - modalities/cbt: 1.0.0 → 1.0.1
   >
   > Apply updates?

5. **Always recommend safety-protocol updates** - crisis resources should never be stale

6. **Apply updates:**
   - Use WebFetch to get updated files from GitHub raw URLs
   - Write updated content to their `.therapy/` folder and `.therapy/library/`
   - Update their `version.json`

7. **Preserve user data** - Never touch `profile.md`, `sessions/`, or their main `CLAUDE.md`

---

## Switch Persona Flow

When user says "switch persona" or "change communication style":

1. **Ask for their therapist folder location** (if not known)

2. **Show available personas:**
   > Which communication style would you like?
   >
   > 1. **Warm & Supportive** - Validation first, gentle challenges
   > 2. **Direct & Challenging** - Will push back, Socratic questioning
   > 3. **Coach** - Action-oriented, goal-focused
   > 4. **Grounded & Real** - Down-to-earth, honest, uses humor

3. **Read the new persona file** from `.therapy/library/personas/`

4. **Copy to their `.therapy/persona.md`** (overwrites existing)

5. **Update `.therapy/version.json`** with new persona version

6. **Confirm:**
   > Done! Your therapist now uses the {new_style} communication style.
   >
   > This takes effect at your next session.

**Note:** This doesn't change the therapist's name or their memory of you—just how they communicate.

---

## Add/Remove Modality Flow

When user says "add modality" or "remove modality":

1. **Ask for their therapist folder location** (if not known)

2. **Read their `.therapy/modalities/`** to see what's installed

3. **Show options:**
   > Currently installed: CBT, ACT, DBT
   >
   > Available to add: Lifespan Integration, Somatic Experiencing, Psychodynamic
   >
   > What would you like to do?

4. **To add:** Copy the modality file from `.therapy/library/modalities/` to their `.therapy/modalities/`

5. **To remove:** Delete the file from their `.therapy/modalities/`

6. **Update `.therapy/version.json`**

---

## Change Session Structure Flow

When user says "change session structure":

1. **Ask for their therapist folder location** (if not known)

2. **Show options:**
   > How structured do you want sessions?
   >
   > 1. **Structured** - Homework, exercises, progress tracking
   > 2. **Moderate** - Some structure, flexible approach
   > 3. **Freeform** - Just conversation, minimal assignments

3. **Read the new structure file** from `.therapy/library/structures/`

4. **Copy to their `.therapy/session-structure.md`** (overwrites existing)

5. **Update `.therapy/version.json`**

6. **Confirm:**
   > Done! Your sessions now use the {new_structure} format.

---

## Migration Flow

When user says "migrate my existing therapist":

For users with old monolithic CLAUDE.md (pre-1.0.0):

1. **Read their existing CLAUDE.md** to extract:
   - Therapist name
   - Persona (match to persona file)
   - Modalities (match to modality files)
   - Session structure (match to structure file)

2. **Create `.therapy/` folder** with appropriate components

3. **Create `.therapy/library/`** and copy ALL component files for future customization

4. **Create `version.json`**

5. **Rewrite their CLAUDE.md** to use new slim format referencing `.therapy/`

6. **Preserve** `profile.md` and `sessions/` (untouched)

---

## Reference

### File Locations in This Repo

| Content | Source File |
|---------|-------------|
| Base CLAUDE.md | `CLAUDE.template.md` |
| Safety Protocol | `safety-protocol.md` |
| Profile Template | `profile.template.md` |
| Warm & Supportive | `personas/warm-supportive.md` |
| Direct & Challenging | `personas/direct-challenging.md` |
| Coach | `personas/coach.md` |
| Grounded & Real | `personas/grounded-real.md` |
| CBT | `modalities/cbt.md` |
| ACT | `modalities/act.md` |
| DBT Skills | `modalities/dbt-skills.md` |
| Lifespan Integration | `modalities/lifespan-integration.md` |
| Somatic Experiencing | `modalities/somatic-experiencing.md` |
| Psychodynamic | `modalities/psychodynamic.md` |
| Structured Sessions | `structures/structured.md` |
| Moderate Sessions | `structures/moderate.md` |
| Freeform Sessions | `structures/freeform.md` |

### Version Header Format

All source files have version headers:
```markdown
<!-- version: 1.0.0 -->
```

Read this to compare versions during updates.