Upwork Application Session

Upwork Application Session

Use this skill for real Upwork application work. Prefer the Chrome CDP path. Only use Atlas if JavaScript execution is confirmed to work there.

Read first

• First try ../../config/applicant-profile.local.md
• If that file does not exist in the cache copy, fall back to $HOME/plugins/upwork-autopilot/config/applicant-profile.local.md
• If that file does not exist, run node ../../scripts/setup-applicant-profile.mjs
• Then read ../../config/search-profile.local.json if it exists
• If that file does not exist in the cache copy, fall back to $HOME/plugins/upwork-autopilot/config/search-profile.local.json
• If the local search profile does not exist, use ../../config/search-profile.template.json
• ../../references/search-strategy.md

Non-negotiables

• Start every cover letter with Hi,
• Tone: friendly, professional, specific, low-fluff.
• Never invent project examples, metrics, portfolio URLs, or domain history.
• Never include email, phone, Telegram, WhatsApp, Calendly, or any off-platform contact detail in a proposal.
• Never attach the CV in this workflow.
• Do not parallelize browser actions against the live Upwork session.
• Stop when available Connects drop below 15.
• Skip jobs that are already applied, blocked by hard geography, citizenship, or security constraints, or clearly below the user's floor.

Setup

1. Run ../../scripts/bootstrap.sh once from the plugin root.
2. Ensure the applicant profile exists. If it does not, run node ../../scripts/setup-applicant-profile.mjs.
3. Run ../../scripts/launch-controlled-chrome.sh by default to reuse the user's normal logged-in Chrome profile.
4. If the user explicitly wants a clean browser state, run ../../scripts/launch-isolated-chrome.sh instead.
5. Ask the user to log into Upwork only if the chosen browser mode is not already signed in.
6. Run node ../../scripts/upwork-session-probe.mjs to confirm login state.
7. Export a log path before submissions, for example:

export UPWORK_AUTOPILOT_LOG=$HOME/.codex/upwork-autopilot/logs/$(date +%F).jsonl

Search and qualification

• List search results:

node ../../scripts/upwork-search-plan.mjs

• A raw keyword is converted into the default filtered Upwork search URL.
• A full Upwork search URL is accepted as-is.
• If upwork-search-plan.mjs returns multiple URLs, iterate them sequentially.
• To open a result and inspect the full job page:

node ../../scripts/upwork-search-inspect.mjs '<search-url-or-keyword>' detail 0

• To probe the apply flow for a specific job:

node ../../scripts/upwork-apply-probe.mjs '<job-url>'

Apply only if all of these hold:

• the client is payment verified
• the role is technically relevant
• the rate is compatible with the user's floor
• there is no hard location block
• the role is not already applied
• any requested proof, portfolio examples, or niche experience can be answered honestly from the profile or current context

Proposal writing

Create a payload JSON file with apply_patch. The scripts fill fields in DOM order.

{
  "textareas": [
    "Hi,\n\n..."
  ],
  "inputs": []
}

Rules:

• Before drafting, extract the actual deliverable, stack, client pain point, any written questions, and any request for examples or proof.
• First paragraph: open casually and directly, and name the actual problem or fit in plain language within the first 2 sentences.
• Default structure: 3 to 5 short paragraphs in natural prose, not a bullet-heavy sales pitch.
• Weave relevant experience into the paragraphs instead of defaulting to bullets.
• Use bullets only when the client explicitly asks for list-style answers or when multiple written questions are easier to answer that way.
• Proof section: use relevant project evidence from the profile only when it actually matches the post.
• When the applicant profile includes named project examples, prefer dropping 1 to 3 of the strongest ones naturally into the prose instead of listing every example.
• If the applicant profile includes Differentiators to mention when relevant, use at most 1 or 2 that genuinely strengthen this specific job. Do not force them into unrelated proposals.
• Closing: use the profile's Preferred closing CTA when present, or a close natural variant of it.
• If the client asks for project examples, case studies, metrics, URLs, or niche background, answer with the closest truthful match from the profile.
• If the profile does not contain the proof the client is asking for, stop and ask the user for the missing details before submitting. Do not guess.
• Keep the proposal usually around 220 to 320 words unless the page asks multiple written questions.
• Answer written questions directly in field order. Do not dodge them with generic sales copy.
• Use conversational phrasing and contractions when natural. Avoid templated buzzwords, generic praise, AI-sounding filler, and overly heavy systems language unless the post clearly calls for it.
• If the applicant profile states tone or structure preferences, follow those over the generic defaults in this file.
• The first line must begin with Hi,

Submission

Run:

node ../../scripts/upwork-submit-proposal.mjs '<proposal-url>' /abs/path/to/payload.json

Success is confirmed only when the final URL contains ?success.

The submit script:

• fills visible textarea fields in order
• fills visible text, url, email, and number inputs in order
• clicks Submit a proposal
• extracts the success URL and proposal ID
• appends a JSONL log entry if UPWORK_AUTOPILOT_LOG is set

Failure handling

• If the page opens a video interview flow, skip unless the user explicitly wants that path.
• If the apply button is disabled, read the probe output before deciding whether to skip.
• If the form asks for required information that is missing from the profile, stop and ask the user before submitting.
• If net::ERR_ABORTED appears, another command touched the same Upwork tab. Resume with single-threaded browser actions only.
• If login, CAPTCHA, or 2FA appears, hand control to the user and resume after confirmation.