Customize

BastionClaw Customization

UX Rule: Use AskUserQuestion for ALL interactions with the user. Never just output questions as text — always use the tool so the user gets structured prompts with selectable options.

This skill helps users add capabilities or modify behavior. Use AskUserQuestion to understand what they want before making changes.

Workflow

1. Understand the request - Ask clarifying questions
2. Plan the changes - Identify files to modify
3. Implement - Make changes directly to the code
4. Test guidance - Tell user how to verify

Key Files

Common Customization Patterns

Adding a New Input Channel (e.g., Telegram, Slack, Email)

Questions to ask:

• Which channel? (Telegram, Slack, Discord, email, SMS, etc.)
• Same trigger word or different?
• Same memory hierarchy or separate?
• Should messages from this channel go to existing groups or new ones?

Implementation pattern:

1. Create src/channels/{name}.ts implementing the Channel interface from src/types.ts (see src/channels/whatsapp.ts for reference)
2. Add the channel instance to main() in src/index.ts and wire callbacks (onMessage, onChatMetadata)
3. Messages are stored via the onMessage callback; routing is automatic via ownsJid()

Adding a New MCP Integration

Questions to ask:

• What service? (Calendar, Notion, database, etc.)
• What operations needed? (read, write, both)
• Which groups should have access?

Implementation:

1. Add MCP server config to the container settings (see src/container-runner.ts for how MCP servers are mounted)
2. Document available tools in groups/CLAUDE.md

Changing Assistant Behavior

Questions to ask:

• What aspect? (name, trigger, persona, response style)
• Apply to all groups or specific ones?

Simple changes → edit src/config.ts Persona changes → edit groups/CLAUDE.md Per-group behavior → edit specific group's CLAUDE.md

Adding New Commands

Questions to ask:

• What should the command do?
• Available in all groups or main only?
• Does it need new MCP tools?

Implementation:

1. Commands are handled by the agent naturally — add instructions to groups/CLAUDE.md or the group's CLAUDE.md
2. For trigger-level routing changes, modify processGroupMessages() in src/index.ts

Changing Deployment

Questions to ask:

• Target platform? (Linux server, Docker, different Mac)
• Service manager? (systemd, Docker, supervisord)

Implementation:

1. Create appropriate service files
2. Update paths in config
3. Provide setup instructions

After Changes

Always tell the user:

# Rebuild and restart
npm run build
launchctl unload ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.bastionclaw.plist
launchctl load ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.bastionclaw.plist

Example Interaction

User: "Add Telegram as an input channel"

1. Ask: "Should Telegram use the same @Andy trigger, or a different one?"
2. Ask: "Should Telegram messages create separate conversation contexts, or share with WhatsApp groups?"
3. Create src/channels/telegram.ts implementing the Channel interface (see src/channels/whatsapp.ts)
4. Add the channel to main() in src/index.ts
5. Tell user how to authenticate and test