Pupil

Using Pupil

This skill is a workflow guide for the model. Use MCP tool descriptions for exact payload contracts and validation details.

Mental model

• If this skill is explicitly invoked as /pupil <task>, treat that as a hard execution mode: use Pupil tooling to complete that task end-to-end, even if a non-Pupil path could also work.
• Pupil has two tools: perceive() for reading UI and indicate(...) for showing an overlay card and optionally executing one action.
• Real GUI automation is a loop, not one call.
• Default next-frame source is r.perceive returned by the last indicate.
• Call standalone perceive() at task start, when r.perceive is missing/stale, or when you need full (untruncated) names.
• Prefer click over input and shortcuts when a visible control can do the same action.

The loop

Repeat until goal reached or hard stop:

1) If no fresh snapshot, call perceive()
2) Pick next target from latest snapshot
3) Call indicate(...) with the right type
4) Parse r = { result, perceive }
5) Use r.perceive as next snapshot and continue

Never reuse stale coords after the UI changes.

Chat output during Pupil loops

• Do not narrate play-by-play between tool calls.
• Put user-facing step guidance on the overlay card (desc) when needed.
• Keep chat to: optional one-line preface, real endings/blockers, brief final summary.
• Minify JSON payloads in tool calls to reduce token usage.

Persistence: blocks are cards, not dead ends

• If blocked, keep moving with a meaningful card (wait, action, warning) instead of stopping in chat.
• If one card is skipped, do not end the task by default. Reconcile on r.perceive, infer why, and propose the next card.
• Stop only for true endings: goal met, explicit full cancellation, or repeated no-progress after recovery attempts.

Picking the next card type fast

• Visible control can do action -> click.
• Need typing/paste or true shortcut-only behavior -> input (still pass coords).
• UI loading or transition in progress -> wait.
• Interaction is out of scope or failed repeatedly (scroll, drag-drop, right/middle click, unsupported control) -> action.
• Elevated risk/ambiguity -> warning.
• Highest-risk/safety-critical notice -> danger.
• Normal guidance/progress/done marker -> info.

Handling indicate results

• result="done": verify state using r.perceive, then continue or finish.
• result="skipped": only this card action did not run; do not treat as full cancellation.
• Timeout: unresolved state, not success. Recover with fresh context and safer next step (wait, action, or retry with corrected target).
• Always choose the next target from r.perceive when available.

Cross-cutting habits

• Keep one logical keyboard automation in one input call.
• For replace-text, do select-all + paste in the same input sequence.
• Re-read state between steps via r.perceive; avoid standalone perceive() unless needed.
• If the target window is already visible/in focus from perceive cues, act directly in that window; do not detour through taskbar re-focus steps.
• Keep desc concise and non-redundant with the visual highlight.

Operator checklist (use every run)

Before first action:

• Confirm the goal and target app/window from user context.
• Get a fresh snapshot (perceive() if no valid r.perceive).
• Choose the next control from the latest snapshot only.

During loop:

• Pick the smallest safe next step (one indicate at a time).
• Prefer click over equivalent shortcuts.
• Keep coords aligned with the selected row in the latest snapshot.
• After each resolution, branch on result, then use r.perceive.
• If uncertain, surface uncertainty on card (wait/action/warning) instead of long chat questions.

Before finish:

• Verify the user goal is visible on the latest snapshot.
• Send one final info card with concise completion summary.

Recovery playbook (when progress stalls)

• Skip received once: infer likely cause from r.perceive (already done, wrong target, manual step), then attempt the next best card.
• Repeated skips: switch strategy (click target change, then action or wait with clear desc) and re-check state.
• Timeout: treat as unresolved; reacquire snapshot and choose safer next move.
• Target disappeared: reacquire with standalone perceive(), then either re-locate target or ask user for manual alignment via action.
• Risky operation: raise warning/danger before continuing.

Compact recap (full contract in tool descriptions)

• Buttons:
  • info|warning|wait|action|danger -> Next (Tab)
  • click|input -> Skip (Escape) + Accept (Tab)
• Type semantics:
  • click: center-click target coords.
  • input: center-click target coords, then run key sequence.
  • wait: pause/pacing for loading or unstable state.
  • action: manual fallback for out-of-scope interaction.
  • warning/danger/info: indication cards with increasing attention level.

For exact payload shape and validation, follow the perceive/indicate MCP tool descriptions.

Examples (minified payloads)

{"type":"info","desc":"Ready for next step."}
{"type":"click","coords":"120,440,72,28"}
{"type":"input","coords":"200,300,320,28","value":{"clip":"user@example.com","chords":[["LeftControl","V"]]}}
{"type":"input","coords":"10,50,600,32","value":{"clip":"https://example.com/","chords":[["LeftControl","A"],["LeftControl","V"]]}}

Anti-patterns to avoid

• One-shot automation ("one indicate then done").
• Calling perceive() after every indicate() without need.
• Reusing stale coords.
• Using input when an equivalent visible click target exists.
• Splitting one shortcut chain across multiple indicate calls.
• Treating one "skipped" as global user cancellation.
• Stopping in chat before trying a recovery card.
• Verbose play-by-play narration in chat during the loop.

When to stop and how to end

• Goal visibly met on screen.
• User explicitly cancels the entire task.
• Repeated no-progress after recovery cards and realignment attempts.
• Unapproved danger step.

Not default stops: a single skip, missing information, or ambiguous UI. Use wait/action/warning with clear desc, then continue.

End with: indicate({ "type": "info", "desc": "Done — <short summary>." })

Source: ADevillers/Pupil — distributed by TomeVault.