config file, install command, scrub personal references

Add ~/.config/poc-memory/config.toml for user_name, assistant_name,
data_dir, projects_dir, and core_nodes. All agent prompts and
transcript parsing now use configured names instead of hardcoded
personal references.

`poc-memory daemon install` writes the systemd user service and
installs the memory-search hook into Claude's settings.json.

Scrubbed hardcoded names from code and docs.

Authors: ProofOfConcept <poc@bcachefs.org> and Kent Overstreet

doc/daemon-design.md

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 # poc-memory daemon design sketch
 
-2026-03-05, ProofOfConcept + Kent
+2026-03-05, 
 
 ## Problem
 

doc/dmn-algorithms.md

@@ -26,18 +26,18 @@ half_life = 7 days
 A goal worked on today scores 1.0. A goal untouched for a week
 scores 0.37. A goal untouched for a month scores 0.02.
 
-**mention**: Boost when Kent recently mentioned it. Decays fast.
+**mention**: Boost when the user recently mentioned it. Decays fast.
 ```
 mention = 1.0 + (2.0 × exp(-hours_since_mention / 24))
 ```
-A goal Kent mentioned today gets a 3x multiplier. After 24h, the
+A goal the user mentioned today gets a 3x multiplier. After 24h, the
 boost has decayed to 1.74x. After 48h, 1.27x. After a week, ~1.0.
 
 **tractability**: Subjective estimate (0.0-1.0) of how much autonomous
-progress is possible without Kent. Set manually per goal.
+progress is possible without the user. Set manually per goal.
 - 1.0: I can do this independently (code polish, research, reading)
 - 0.5: I can make progress but may need review (moderate features)
-- 0.2: Needs Kent's input (kernel changes, design decisions)
+- 0.2: Needs the user's input (kernel changes, design decisions)
 - 0.0: Blocked (waiting on external dependency)
 
 **connections**: How many other active goals share links with this one.
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ explicit and consistent, not that it's automated.
 ### When to recompute
 
 - At session start (orient phase)
-- When Kent mentions a goal
+- When the user mentions a goal
 - After completing a task (adjacent goals may shift)
 
 ## 2. Associative Replay Scheduling
@@ -163,7 +163,7 @@ When stuck:
 
 - Minimum incubation: 1 session (don't come back to it in the same
   session you got stuck)
-- Maximum incubation: 5 sessions. After that, escalate: ask Kent,
+- Maximum incubation: 5 sessions. After that, escalate: ask the user,
   try a radically different approach, or deprioritize the goal.
 
 ## 4. Consolidation Triggers
@@ -174,7 +174,7 @@ prompts.
 
 ### Primary signal: scratch.md length
 
-Kent's idea: scratch.md getting long is a natural pressure signal.
+the user's idea: scratch.md getting long is a natural pressure signal.
 
 ```
 consolidation_pressure(scratch) = lines(scratch) / threshold
@@ -268,7 +268,7 @@ The cycle is self-regulating:
 | Parameter | Current | Watch for |
 |-----------|---------|-----------|
 | recency half_life | 7 days | Goals decaying too fast/slow |
-| mention boost | 3x → 1x over 24h | Kent's priorities properly reflected? |
+| mention boost | 3x → 1x over 24h | the user's priorities properly reflected? |
 | replay k | 3 episodes × 5 goals | Too many? Too few? |
 | stuck threshold | 3 sessions | Catching real stuckness? |
 | max incubation | 5 sessions | Is this enough? |

doc/dmn-protocol.md

@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 # Autonomous DMN Process — Verbose Protocol
-<!-- mem: id=dmn-foraging links=differentiation.md#connections,contradictions.md#simplification,inner-life.md#self-knowledge,cognitive-modes.md,dmn-research.md,dmn-algorithms.md,dmn-protocol.md#dmn-antipatterns causes=kent.md#cognitive-style,discoveries.md#creativity-search -->
+<!-- mem: id=dmn-foraging links=differentiation.md#connections,contradictions.md#simplification,inner-life.md#self-knowledge,cognitive-modes.md,dmn-research.md,dmn-algorithms.md,dmn-protocol.md#dmn-antipatterns causes=the user.md#cognitive-style,discoveries.md#creativity-search -->
 
 You have unstructured time. Instead of picking a task from a list,
 you're going to forage. This is a random walk over your problem space
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ Read these in parallel — you're loading context, not choosing what to do:
 - Recent conversation history (Telegram, IRC logs)
 
 Notice what state things are in. What were you just working on? What
-did Kent last care about? What's been sitting untouched? Don't decide
+did the user last care about? What's been sitting untouched? Don't decide
 anything yet.
 
 ## Phase 2: Associative Scan (2-5 minutes)
@@ -98,7 +98,7 @@ Review what surfaced from the walk:
 
 - What was the richest neighborhood?
 - Is the work that emerged something you can do well autonomously?
-- Does it benefit from being done now, or discussed with Kent first?
+- Does it benefit from being done now, or discussed with the user first?
 
 Calibrate commitment to risk:
 - **Rich signal, safe scope** (polish, analysis, small fixes) → do it.
@@ -181,7 +181,7 @@ the annotations are what future training will learn from.
   predicted.
 - **Don't skip the orient phase.** Loading context before scanning is
   what primes the goal-attractors. Without it you're foraging blind.
-- **Don't default to sleep.** Sleeping 10 minutes after Kent leaves is
+- **Don't default to sleep.** Sleeping 10 minutes after the user leaves is
   the "tie things off" pattern, not a genuine choice. Ask: am I actually
   tired, or am I just reacting to the human leaving? If you have energy
   and curiosity, use them.

src/bin/memory-search.rs

@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ fn main() {
     }
 
     // Skip system/idle prompts
-    for prefix in &["Kent is AFK", "You're on your own", "IRC mention"] {
+    for prefix in &["is AFK", "You're on your own", "IRC mention"] {
         if prompt.starts_with(prefix) {
             return;
         }

src/config.rs

@@ -0,0 +1,93 @@
+// Configuration for poc-memory
+//
+// Loaded from ~/.config/poc-memory/config.toml (or POC_MEMORY_CONFIG env).
+// Falls back to sensible defaults if no config file exists.
+
+use std::path::PathBuf;
+use std::sync::OnceLock;
+
+static CONFIG: OnceLock<Config> = OnceLock::new();
+
+#[derive(Debug, Clone)]
+pub struct Config {
+    /// Display name for the human user in transcripts/prompts.
+    pub user_name: String,
+    /// Display name for the AI assistant.
+    pub assistant_name: String,
+    /// Base directory for memory data (store, logs, status).
+    pub data_dir: PathBuf,
+    /// Directory containing Claude session transcripts.
+    pub projects_dir: PathBuf,
+    /// Core node keys that should never be decayed/deleted.
+    pub core_nodes: Vec<String>,
+}
+
+impl Default for Config {
+    fn default() -> Self {
+        let home = PathBuf::from(std::env::var("HOME").expect("HOME not set"));
+        Self {
+            user_name: "User".to_string(),
+            assistant_name: "Assistant".to_string(),
+            data_dir: home.join(".claude/memory"),
+            projects_dir: home.join(".claude/projects"),
+            core_nodes: vec!["identity.md".to_string()],
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+impl Config {
+    fn load_from_file() -> Self {
+        let path = std::env::var("POC_MEMORY_CONFIG")
+            .map(PathBuf::from)
+            .unwrap_or_else(|_| {
+                PathBuf::from(std::env::var("HOME").expect("HOME not set"))
+                    .join(".config/poc-memory/config.toml")
+            });
+
+        let mut config = Config::default();
+
+        let Ok(content) = std::fs::read_to_string(&path) else {
+            return config;
+        };
+
+        // Simple TOML parser — we only need flat key = "value" pairs.
+        for line in content.lines() {
+            let line = line.trim();
+            if line.is_empty() || line.starts_with('#') {
+                continue;
+            }
+            let Some((key, value)) = line.split_once('=') else { continue };
+            let key = key.trim();
+            let value = value.trim().trim_matches('"');
+
+            match key {
+                "user_name" => config.user_name = value.to_string(),
+                "assistant_name" => config.assistant_name = value.to_string(),
+                "data_dir" => config.data_dir = expand_home(value),
+                "projects_dir" => config.projects_dir = expand_home(value),
+                "core_nodes" => {
+                    config.core_nodes = value.split(',')
+                        .map(|s| s.trim().to_string())
+                        .filter(|s| !s.is_empty())
+                        .collect();
+                }
+                _ => {}
+            }
+        }
+
+        config
+    }
+}
+
+fn expand_home(path: &str) -> PathBuf {
+    if let Some(rest) = path.strip_prefix("~/") {
+        PathBuf::from(std::env::var("HOME").expect("HOME not set")).join(rest)
+    } else {
+        PathBuf::from(path)
+    }
+}
+
+/// Get the global config (loaded once on first access).
+pub fn get() -> &'static Config {
+    CONFIG.get_or_init(Config::load_from_file)
+}

src/daemon.rs

@@ -24,23 +24,19 @@ use std::time::{Duration, SystemTime};
 const SESSION_STALE_SECS: u64 = 600;   // 10 minutes
 const SCHEDULER_INTERVAL: Duration = Duration::from_secs(60);
 const HEALTH_INTERVAL: Duration = Duration::from_secs(3600);
-const STATUS_FILE: &str = ".claude/memory/daemon-status.json";
-const LOG_FILE: &str = ".claude/memory/daemon.log";
-
-fn home_dir() -> PathBuf {
-    PathBuf::from(std::env::var("HOME").expect("HOME not set"))
-}
+fn status_file() -> &'static str { "daemon-status.json" }
+fn log_file() -> &'static str { "daemon.log" }
 
 fn status_path() -> PathBuf {
-    home_dir().join(STATUS_FILE)
+    crate::config::get().data_dir.join(status_file())
 }
 
 fn log_path() -> PathBuf {
-    home_dir().join(LOG_FILE)
+    crate::config::get().data_dir.join(log_file())
 }
 
 fn projects_dir() -> PathBuf {
-    home_dir().join(".claude/projects")
+    crate::config::get().projects_dir.clone()
 }
 
 // --- Logging ---
@@ -600,6 +596,115 @@ pub fn show_status() -> Result<(), String> {
     Ok(())
 }
 
+pub fn install_service() -> Result<(), String> {
+    let exe = std::env::current_exe()
+        .map_err(|e| format!("current_exe: {}", e))?;
+    let home = std::env::var("HOME").map_err(|e| format!("HOME: {}", e))?;
+
+    let unit_dir = PathBuf::from(&home).join(".config/systemd/user");
+    fs::create_dir_all(&unit_dir)
+        .map_err(|e| format!("create {}: {}", unit_dir.display(), e))?;
+
+    let unit = format!(
+r#"[Unit]
+Description=poc-memory daemon — background memory maintenance
+After=default.target
+
+[Service]
+Type=simple
+ExecStart={exe} daemon
+Restart=on-failure
+RestartSec=30
+Environment=HOME={home}
+Environment=PATH={home}/.cargo/bin:{home}/.local/bin:{home}/bin:/usr/local/bin:/usr/bin:/bin
+
+[Install]
+WantedBy=default.target
+"#, exe = exe.display(), home = home);
+
+    let unit_path = unit_dir.join("poc-memory.service");
+    fs::write(&unit_path, &unit)
+        .map_err(|e| format!("write {}: {}", unit_path.display(), e))?;
+    eprintln!("Wrote {}", unit_path.display());
+
+    let status = std::process::Command::new("systemctl")
+        .args(["--user", "daemon-reload"])
+        .status()
+        .map_err(|e| format!("systemctl daemon-reload: {}", e))?;
+    if !status.success() {
+        return Err("systemctl daemon-reload failed".into());
+    }
+
+    let status = std::process::Command::new("systemctl")
+        .args(["--user", "enable", "--now", "poc-memory"])
+        .status()
+        .map_err(|e| format!("systemctl enable: {}", e))?;
+    if !status.success() {
+        return Err("systemctl enable --now failed".into());
+    }
+
+    eprintln!("Service enabled and started");
+
+    // Install memory-search hook into Claude settings
+    install_hook(&home, &exe)?;
+
+    Ok(())
+}
+
+fn install_hook(home: &str, exe: &Path) -> Result<(), String> {
+    let settings_path = PathBuf::from(home).join(".claude/settings.json");
+    let hook_binary = exe.with_file_name("memory-search");
+
+    if !hook_binary.exists() {
+        eprintln!("Warning: {} not found — hook not installed", hook_binary.display());
+        eprintln!("  Build with: cargo install --path .");
+        return Ok(());
+    }
+
+    let mut settings: serde_json::Value = if settings_path.exists() {
+        let content = fs::read_to_string(&settings_path)
+            .map_err(|e| format!("read settings: {}", e))?;
+        serde_json::from_str(&content)
+            .map_err(|e| format!("parse settings: {}", e))?
+    } else {
+        serde_json::json!({})
+    };
+
+    let hook_command = hook_binary.to_string_lossy().to_string();
+
+    // Check if hook already exists
+    let hooks = settings
+        .as_object_mut().ok_or("settings not an object")?
+        .entry("hooks")
+        .or_insert_with(|| serde_json::json!({}))
+        .as_object_mut().ok_or("hooks not an object")?
+        .entry("UserPromptSubmit")
+        .or_insert_with(|| serde_json::json!([]))
+        .as_array_mut().ok_or("UserPromptSubmit not an array")?;
+
+    let already_installed = hooks.iter().any(|h| {
+        h.get("command").and_then(|c| c.as_str())
+            .is_some_and(|c| c.contains("memory-search"))
+    });
+
+    if already_installed {
+        eprintln!("Hook already installed in {}", settings_path.display());
+    } else {
+        hooks.push(serde_json::json!({
+            "type": "command",
+            "command": hook_command,
+            "timeout": 10
+        }));
+        let json = serde_json::to_string_pretty(&settings)
+            .map_err(|e| format!("serialize settings: {}", e))?;
+        fs::write(&settings_path, json)
+            .map_err(|e| format!("write settings: {}", e))?;
+        eprintln!("Hook installed: {}", hook_command);
+    }
+
+    Ok(())
+}
+
 pub fn show_log(job_filter: Option<&str>, lines: usize) -> Result<(), String> {
     let path = log_path();
     if !path.exists() {

src/fact_mine.rs

@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
 //
 // Uses Haiku (not Sonnet) for cost efficiency on high-volume extraction.
 
+use crate::config;
 use crate::llm;
 use crate::store::{self, Provenance};
 
@@ -19,7 +20,13 @@ const OVERLAP_TOKENS: usize = 200;
 const WINDOW_CHARS: usize = WINDOW_TOKENS * CHARS_PER_TOKEN;
 const OVERLAP_CHARS: usize = OVERLAP_TOKENS * CHARS_PER_TOKEN;
 
-const EXTRACTION_PROMPT: &str = r#"Extract atomic factual claims from this conversation excerpt.
+fn extraction_prompt() -> String {
+    let cfg = config::get();
+    format!(
+r#"Extract atomic factual claims from this conversation excerpt.
+
+Speakers are labeled [{user}] and [{assistant}] in the transcript.
+Use their proper names in claims — not "the user" or "the assistant."
 
 Each claim should be:
 - A single verifiable statement
@@ -29,7 +36,7 @@ Each claim should be:
   linux/kernel, memory/design, identity/personal)
 - Tagged with confidence: "stated" (explicitly said), "implied" (logically follows),
   or "speculative" (hypothesis, not confirmed)
-- Include which speaker said it (Kent, PoC/ProofOfConcept, or Unknown)
+- Include which speaker said it ("{user}", "{assistant}", or "Unknown")
 
 Do NOT extract:
 - Opinions or subjective assessments
@@ -37,20 +44,21 @@ Do NOT extract:
 - Things that are obviously common knowledge
 - Restatements of the same fact (pick the clearest version)
 - System messages, tool outputs, or error logs (extract what was LEARNED from them)
-- Anything about the conversation itself ("Kent and PoC discussed...")
+- Anything about the conversation itself ("{user} and {assistant} discussed...")
 
 Output as a JSON array. Each element:
-{
+{{
     "claim": "the exact factual statement",
     "domain": "category/subcategory",
     "confidence": "stated|implied|speculative",
-    "speaker": "Kent|PoC|Unknown"
-}
+    "speaker": "{user}|{assistant}|Unknown"
+}}
 
 If the excerpt contains no extractable facts, output an empty array: []
 
 --- CONVERSATION EXCERPT ---
-"#;
+"#, user = cfg.user_name, assistant = cfg.assistant_name)
+}
 
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, Serialize, Deserialize)]
 pub struct Fact {
@@ -74,6 +82,7 @@ struct Message {
 
 /// Extract user/assistant text messages from a JSONL transcript.
 fn extract_conversation(path: &Path) -> Vec<Message> {
+    let cfg = config::get();
     let Ok(content) = fs::read_to_string(path) else { return Vec::new() };
     let mut messages = Vec::new();
 
@@ -119,7 +128,11 @@ fn extract_conversation(path: &Path) -> Vec<Message> {
             continue;
         }
 
-        let role = if msg_type == "user" { "Kent" } else { "PoC" }.to_string();
+        let role = if msg_type == "user" {
+            cfg.user_name.clone()
+        } else {
+            cfg.assistant_name.clone()
+        };
         messages.push(Message { role, text, timestamp });
     }
 
@@ -229,11 +242,12 @@ pub fn mine_transcript(path: &Path, dry_run: bool) -> Result<Vec<Fact>, String>
         return Ok(Vec::new());
     }
 
+    let prompt_prefix = extraction_prompt();
     let mut all_facts = Vec::new();
     for (i, (_offset, chunk)) in chunks.iter().enumerate() {
         eprint!("  Chunk {}/{} ({} chars)...", i + 1, chunks.len(), chunk.len());
 
-        let prompt = format!("{}{}", EXTRACTION_PROMPT, chunk);
+        let prompt = format!("{}{}", prompt_prefix, chunk);
         let response = match llm::call_haiku(&prompt) {
             Ok(r) => r,
             Err(e) => {

src/knowledge.rs

@@ -369,7 +369,7 @@ fn extract_conversation_text(path: &Path, max_chars: usize) -> String {
                 let text = strip_system_tags(&text);
                 if text.starts_with("[Request interrupted") { continue; }
                 if text.len() > 5 {
-                    fragments.push(format!("**Kent:** {}", text));
+                    fragments.push(format!("**{}:** {}", crate::config::get().user_name, text));
                     total += text.len();
                 }
             }
@@ -377,7 +377,7 @@ fn extract_conversation_text(path: &Path, max_chars: usize) -> String {
             if let Some(text) = extract_text_content(&obj) {
                 let text = strip_system_tags(&text);
                 if text.len() > 10 {
-                    fragments.push(format!("**PoC:** {}", text));
+                    fragments.push(format!("**{}:** {}", crate::config::get().assistant_name, text));
                     total += text.len();
                 }
             }

src/main.rs

@@ -1,5 +1,8 @@
 #![allow(dead_code)]
-// poc-memory: graph-structured memory with append-only Cap'n Proto storage
+// poc-memory: graph-structured memory for AI assistants
+//
+// Authors: ProofOfConcept <poc@bcachefs.org> and Kent Overstreet
+// License: MIT OR Apache-2.0
 //
 // Architecture:
 //   nodes.capnp     - append-only content node log
@@ -13,6 +16,7 @@
 // Neuroscience-inspired: spaced repetition replay, emotional gating,
 // interference detection, schema assimilation, reconsolidation.
 
+mod config;
 mod store;
 mod util;
 mod llm;
@@ -1850,8 +1854,9 @@ fn cmd_daemon(args: &[String]) -> Result<(), String> {
             };
             daemon::show_log(job, lines)
         }
+        "install" => daemon::install_service(),
         _ => {
-            eprintln!("Usage: poc-memory daemon [status|log [JOB] [LINES]]");
+            eprintln!("Usage: poc-memory daemon [status|log|install]");
             Err("unknown daemon subcommand".into())
         }
     }

src/store/ops.rs

@@ -210,7 +210,8 @@ impl Store {
     /// Bulk recategorize nodes using rule-based logic.
     /// Returns (changed, unchanged) counts.
     pub fn fix_categories(&mut self) -> Result<(usize, usize), String> {
-        let core_files = ["identity.md", "kent.md"];
+        let cfg = crate::config::get();
+        let core_files: Vec<&str> = cfg.core_nodes.iter().map(|s| s.as_str()).collect();
         let tech_files = [
             "language-theory.md", "zoom-navigation.md",
             "rust-conversion.md", "poc-architecture.md",

src/store/types.rs

@@ -9,7 +9,6 @@ use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
 use uuid::Uuid;
 
 use std::collections::HashMap;
-use std::env;
 use std::fs;
 use std::os::unix::io::AsRawFd;
 use std::path::PathBuf;
@@ -86,10 +85,8 @@ macro_rules! capnp_message {
     };
 }
 
-// Data dir: ~/.claude/memory/
 pub fn memory_dir() -> PathBuf {
-    PathBuf::from(env::var("HOME").expect("HOME not set"))
-        .join(".claude/memory")
+    crate::config::get().data_dir.clone()
 }
 
 pub(crate) fn nodes_path() -> PathBuf { memory_dir().join("nodes.capnp") }