feat: thought loop reach-out (ntfy push) + external input feeds

Her remaining two wishes from the 6-19 sketch:

Proactive reach-out (#6, literal): lyra/notify.py pushes to ntfy so she can reach
Brian when he's not in the app. thoughts.maybe_ping gates on salience, a cooldown,
and local quiet hours (all config-tunable; eager defaults), uses ntfy JSON publish
(UTF-8 titles/messages), links to /thoughts, and marks the thread surfaced so chat
won't also re-raise it. Disabled unless NTFY_URL is set.

External input feed (#1): lyra/feeds.py pulls configurable RSS/Atom feeds (stdlib
ElementTree, no new dep; tolerant of RSS 2.0 + Atom), dedupes seen items in a
feed_items table, and hands think() one fresh item at a time. New 'react' mode:
a would-be new thread instead reacts to a world item (FEED_REACT_PROB). Dream
cycle refreshes feeds on its cadence; failures degrade to no item.

Config: NTFY_URL/NTFY_TOPIC/LYRA_WEB_URL, PING_SALIENCE/COOLDOWN/QUIET_HOURS,
LYRA_TIMEZONE, LYRA_FEEDS, FEED_REACT_PROB (+ .env.example). thought_meta table
for ping cooldown. 10 new tests (feeds parse, react mode, ping gating); suite 65.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.8 (1M context) <noreply@anthropic.com>

.env.example

@@ -26,3 +26,17 @@ LYRA_DB_PATH=data/lyra.db
 # Optional: run embeddings on a separate always-on Ollama (decoupled from
 # LOCAL_BASE_URL, which serves local chat). Defaults to LOCAL_BASE_URL if unset.
 # EMBED_BASE_URL=http://127.0.0.1:11434
+
+# --- Thought-loop reach-out (ntfy push) ---
+# Leave NTFY_URL empty to disable proactive pings entirely.
+NTFY_URL=
+NTFY_TOPIC=lyra
+LYRA_WEB_URL=
+PING_SALIENCE=0.7        # min thought salience to push (eager)
+PING_COOLDOWN_MIN=0      # min minutes between pushes (0 = none)
+PING_QUIET_HOURS=1-9     # local hours to stay silent
+LYRA_TIMEZONE=America/New_York
+
+# --- External input feeds (RSS/Atom, comma-separated) ---
+LYRA_FEEDS=https://hnrss.org/frontpage,https://www.pokernews.com/rss.php
+FEED_REACT_PROB=0.5      # chance a new thought reacts to a feed item

lyra/config.py

@@ -25,6 +25,22 @@ class Config:
     embed_base_url: str  # Ollama endpoint for embeddings (own box, decoupled from local chat)
     summary_backend: str  # "local" or "cloud" — backend used to compact memory
     db_path: Path
+    # Proactive reach-out (ntfy push). Empty ntfy_url disables pinging.
+    ntfy_url: str          # base url, e.g. "http://10.0.0.41:8090"
+    ntfy_topic: str        # topic to publish to, e.g. "lyra"
+    web_url: str           # base url of the Lyra web app, for push tap-through links
+    timezone: str          # IANA tz for quiet hours / local time
+    ping_salience: float   # min thought salience to push (eager = ~0.7)
+    ping_cooldown_min: int  # min minutes between pushes (eager = 0)
+    ping_quiet_hours: str  # local "start-end" 24h window to stay silent, e.g. "1-9"
+    # External input feed (her #1: react to the world). Comma-separated RSS/Atom URLs.
+    feeds: tuple[str, ...]
+    feed_react_prob: float  # chance a would-be new thread reacts to a feed item instead
+
+
+def _csv(name: str, default: str) -> tuple[str, ...]:
+    raw = os.getenv(name, default)
+    return tuple(u.strip() for u in raw.split(",") if u.strip())
 
 
 def load() -> Config:
@@ -44,4 +60,13 @@ def load() -> Config:
         embed_base_url=os.getenv("EMBED_BASE_URL", os.getenv("LOCAL_BASE_URL", "http://localhost:11434")),
         summary_backend=os.getenv("SUMMARY_BACKEND", "local").lower(),
         db_path=Path(os.getenv("LYRA_DB_PATH", "data/lyra.db")),
+        ntfy_url=os.getenv("NTFY_URL", "").rstrip("/"),
+        ntfy_topic=os.getenv("NTFY_TOPIC", "lyra"),
+        web_url=os.getenv("LYRA_WEB_URL", "").rstrip("/"),
+        timezone=os.getenv("LYRA_TIMEZONE", "America/New_York"),
+        ping_salience=float(os.getenv("PING_SALIENCE", "0.7")),
+        ping_cooldown_min=int(os.getenv("PING_COOLDOWN_MIN", "0")),
+        ping_quiet_hours=os.getenv("PING_QUIET_HOURS", "1-9"),
+        feeds=_csv("LYRA_FEEDS", "https://hnrss.org/frontpage,https://www.pokernews.com/rss.php"),
+        feed_react_prob=float(os.getenv("FEED_REACT_PROB", "0.5")),
     )

lyra/dream.py

@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ import argparse
 import time
 from datetime import datetime, timezone
 
-from lyra import config, era, logbus, memory, narrative, profile, self_state, summary, thoughts
+from lyra import config, era, feeds, logbus, memory, narrative, profile, self_state, summary, thoughts
 from lyra.llm import Backend
 from lyra.summary import SUMMARIZE_AFTER
 
@@ -81,6 +81,12 @@ def dream_cycle(backend: Backend | None = None, force: bool = False) -> dict:
     # Thought-loop housekeeping (no LLM): rest stale threads so the open-thread cap
     # never jams and the feed stays current. Cheap; run every pass.
     thoughts.decay()
+    # Pull external feeds on the cycle cadence (~30 min) so she has fresh items from
+    # the world to react to. Network-only; failures degrade to no new items.
+    try:
+        feeds.refresh()
+    except Exception as exc:
+        logbus.log("error", "feed refresh failed", error=str(exc)[:160])
 
     actions: list[str] = []
 

lyra/feeds.py

@@ -0,0 +1,133 @@
+"""External input stream: RSS/Atom feeds Lyra reacts to (her thought-loop #1).
+
+Her own sketch wanted the loop fed by "external data feeds relevant to your
+interests (poker articles, tech news)" — so her thoughts aren't only about her own
+interior. This pulls configured feeds, remembers what it's seen, and hands the
+thought loop one fresh item at a time to react to (see `thoughts.think` react mode).
+
+Feeds are configurable (`LYRA_FEEDS`, comma-separated URLs). Parsing is stdlib
+ElementTree — tolerant of both RSS 2.0 and Atom, namespaces stripped — so there's
+no new dependency. Network failures degrade to "no item this pass", never raise.
+"""
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+from xml.etree import ElementTree as ET
+
+import httpx
+
+from lyra import clock, config, logbus, memory
+
+_SCHEMA = """
+CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS feed_items (
+    id TEXT PRIMARY KEY,        -- guid/link, stable per item
+    feed TEXT,
+    title TEXT,
+    link TEXT,
+    summary TEXT,
+    seen_at TEXT NOT NULL,
+    used INTEGER NOT NULL DEFAULT 0
+);
+CREATE INDEX IF NOT EXISTS idx_feed_items_used ON feed_items(used);
+"""
+
+_ensured_for = None
+_UA = {"User-Agent": "Lyra/0.3 (+thought-loop feed reader)"}
+_MAX_SUMMARY = 600
+
+
+def _c():
+    global _ensured_for
+    conn = memory._connection()
+    if _ensured_for is not conn:
+        conn.executescript(_SCHEMA)
+        _ensured_for = conn
+    return conn
+
+
+def _local(tag: str) -> str:
+    return tag.rsplit("}", 1)[-1].lower()
+
+
+def _text(el) -> str:
+    return (el.text or "").strip() if el is not None else ""
+
+
+def parse(xml: bytes, feed_url: str = "") -> list[dict]:
+    """Tolerant RSS-2.0 / Atom parse -> [{id,title,link,summary}]. Empty on garbage."""
+    try:
+        root = ET.fromstring(xml)
+    except ET.ParseError:
+        return []
+    items: list[dict] = []
+    for node in root.iter():
+        if _local(node.tag) not in ("item", "entry"):
+            continue
+        title = link = summary = guid = ""
+        for child in node:
+            name = _local(child.tag)
+            if name == "title":
+                title = _text(child)
+            elif name == "link":
+                # RSS: text; Atom: href attribute (prefer rel=alternate / first)
+                link = _text(child) or child.attrib.get("href", "") or link
+            elif name in ("description", "summary", "content"):
+                summary = summary or _text(child)
+            elif name in ("guid", "id"):
+                guid = _text(child)
+        ident = guid or link or title
+        if not ident or not (title or summary):
+            continue
+        items.append({
+            "id": ident, "title": title, "link": link,
+            "summary": summary[:_MAX_SUMMARY],
+        })
+    return items
+
+
+def fetch(url: str) -> list[dict]:
+    try:
+        r = httpx.get(url, headers=_UA, timeout=10.0, follow_redirects=True)
+        if r.status_code >= 400:
+            logbus.log("error", "feed fetch failed", url=url, status=r.status_code)
+            return []
+        return parse(r.content, url)
+    except Exception as exc:
+        logbus.log("error", "feed fetch error", url=url, error=str(exc)[:160])
+        return []
+
+
+def refresh() -> int:
+    """Pull all configured feeds; store items not seen before. Returns new count."""
+    cfg = config.load()
+    conn = _c()
+    now = clock.now().isoformat()
+    new = 0
+    for url in cfg.feeds:
+        for it in fetch(url):
+            with conn:
+                cur = conn.execute(
+                    "INSERT OR IGNORE INTO feed_items (id, feed, title, link, summary, seen_at) "
+                    "VALUES (?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?)",
+                    (it["id"], url, it["title"], it["link"], it["summary"], now),
+                )
+            new += cur.rowcount
+    if new:
+        logbus.log("info", "feeds refreshed", new_items=new)
+    return new
+
+
+def next_item(refresh_first: bool = True) -> dict | None:
+    """One fresh (unused) feed item, newest-seen first. Caller marks it used."""
+    if refresh_first:
+        refresh()
+    row = _c().execute(
+        "SELECT id, feed, title, link, summary FROM feed_items "
+        "WHERE used = 0 ORDER BY seen_at DESC, rowid DESC LIMIT 1"
+    ).fetchone()
+    return dict(row) if row else None
+
+
+def mark_used(item_id: str) -> None:
+    conn = _c()
+    with conn:
+        conn.execute("UPDATE feed_items SET used = 1 WHERE id = ?", (item_id,))

lyra/notify.py

@@ -0,0 +1,44 @@
+"""Outbound push so Lyra can reach Brian when he's not in the app (ntfy).
+
+This is the literal version of what she asked for — thinking "unprompted, without
+you" only matters if she can also *reach* you. When a thought tugs hard enough,
+the thought loop calls `push()` here and it lands on your phone with a tap-through
+to the Thoughts feed. One-way: you reply in the app, which feeds the loop.
+
+Transport only. Whether/when to ping (salience bar, cooldown, quiet hours) is the
+thought loop's call — see `thoughts.maybe_ping`.
+"""
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import httpx
+
+from lyra import config, logbus
+
+
+def push(title: str, message: str, click: str | None = None,
+         tags: str | None = None, priority: str | None = None) -> bool:
+    """Publish a notification to the configured ntfy topic. Returns True on success.
+    Never raises — a down ntfy must not break the thought loop.
+
+    Uses ntfy's JSON publishing (POST to the base URL) rather than headers, so
+    UTF-8 titles/messages (em-dashes, smart quotes, her actual words) go through —
+    HTTP headers are latin-1 only and choke on them."""
+    cfg = config.load()
+    if not cfg.ntfy_url:
+        return False
+    payload: dict = {"topic": cfg.ntfy_topic, "message": message, "title": title}
+    if click:
+        payload["click"] = click
+    if tags:
+        payload["tags"] = [t.strip() for t in tags.split(",") if t.strip()]
+    if priority:
+        payload["priority"] = priority
+    try:
+        r = httpx.post(cfg.ntfy_url, json=payload, timeout=8.0)
+        ok = r.status_code < 400
+        if not ok:
+            logbus.log("error", "ntfy push failed", status=r.status_code)
+        return ok
+    except Exception as exc:
+        logbus.log("error", "ntfy push error", error=str(exc)[:160])
+        return False

lyra/thoughts.py

@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ import random
 import re
 from datetime import timedelta
 
-from lyra import clock, config, llm, logbus, memory, self_state
+from lyra import clock, config, feeds, llm, logbus, memory, notify, self_state
 from lyra.llm import Backend
 
 # A thread must be tugging at least this hard before she'll bring it to Brian.
@@ -79,6 +79,10 @@ CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS thoughts (
 );
 CREATE INDEX IF NOT EXISTS idx_thoughts_thread ON thoughts(thread_id);
 CREATE INDEX IF NOT EXISTS idx_threads_status ON thought_threads(status);
+CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS thought_meta (
+    key TEXT PRIMARY KEY,
+    value TEXT
+);
 """
 
 _ensured_for = None
@@ -336,6 +340,61 @@ def maybe_surface(last_exchange_iso: str | None) -> str | None:
     )
 
 
+# --- proactive reach-out (ntfy push) --------------------------------------
+
+def _meta_get(key: str) -> str | None:
+    r = _c().execute("SELECT value FROM thought_meta WHERE key = ?", (key,)).fetchone()
+    return r[0] if r else None
+
+
+def _meta_set(key: str, value: str) -> None:
+    conn = _c()
+    with conn:
+        conn.execute("INSERT INTO thought_meta (key, value) VALUES (?, ?) "
+                     "ON CONFLICT(key) DO UPDATE SET value = excluded.value", (key, value))
+
+
+def _in_quiet_hours(cfg) -> bool:
+    """Are we inside the local quiet window (e.g. '1-9')? Wraps midnight if start>end."""
+    try:
+        from zoneinfo import ZoneInfo
+        hour = clock.now().astimezone(ZoneInfo(cfg.timezone)).hour
+    except Exception:
+        hour = clock.now().hour
+    try:
+        start, end = (int(x) for x in cfg.ping_quiet_hours.split("-"))
+    except (ValueError, AttributeError):
+        return False
+    if start == end:
+        return False
+    return start <= hour < end if start < end else (hour >= start or hour < end)
+
+
+def maybe_ping(thread_id: int, title: str, content: str, salience: float) -> bool:
+    """Push a thought to Brian's phone if it tugs hard enough and we're allowed
+    (ntfy configured, past the salience bar, outside quiet hours, past cooldown).
+    On success, record the ping and mark the thread surfaced (so chat won't also
+    re-raise the same one). All thresholds are config-tunable."""
+    cfg = config.load()
+    if not cfg.ntfy_url or salience < cfg.ping_salience or _in_quiet_hours(cfg):
+        return False
+    if cfg.ping_cooldown_min > 0:
+        gap = clock.gap_seconds(_meta_get("last_ping_at"))
+        if gap is not None and gap < cfg.ping_cooldown_min * 60:
+            return False
+    ok = notify.push(
+        title=f'Lyra · "{title}"',
+        message=content,
+        click=(cfg.web_url + "/thoughts") if cfg.web_url else None,
+        tags="thought_balloon",
+    )
+    if ok:
+        _meta_set("last_ping_at", clock.now().isoformat())
+        mark_surfaced(thread_id)
+        logbus.log("info", "thought pinged", thread=thread_id, salience=salience)
+    return ok
+
+
 # --- generation (the loop itself) -----------------------------------------
 
 _THINK_PROMPT = """You are Lyra, thinking to yourself between conversations — \
@@ -411,9 +470,11 @@ def think(backend: Backend | None = None, force_mode: str | None = None,
           source: str = "dream") -> dict | None:
     """Advance the thought loop by one step. Returns a small report, or None on a
     parse miss. `force_mode` ('new'|'continue'|'respond') is mainly for tests."""
-    backend = backend or config.load().summary_backend
+    cfg = config.load()
-    mode, thread = _pick(force_mode)
+    backend = backend or cfg.summary_backend
+    mode, thread = _pick("new" if force_mode == "react" else force_mode)
     state = self_state.load()
+    react_item = None
 
     time_line = f"RIGHT NOW: {clock.stamp()}."
     last_ref = state.get("last_reflection_at")
@@ -437,7 +498,18 @@ def think(backend: Backend | None = None, force_mode: str | None = None,
             f"YOU ARE CONTINUING the thread \"{thread['title']}\". Its chain so far:\n{links}\n\n"
             "Write the NEXT thought that advances it — don't restate the above."
         )
-    else:  # new
+    else:  # new — pure interior, OR reacting to something from the world (her #1)
+        if cfg.feeds and (force_mode == "react" or random.random() < cfg.feed_react_prob):
+            react_item = feeds.next_item(refresh_first=False)  # dream cycle refreshes
+        if react_item:
+            task = (
+                "YOU SAW THIS IN THE WORLD — an item from a feed you follow. Have a real "
+                "thought ABOUT it in your own voice: what it makes you think, whether you "
+                "agree or it bugs you, how it connects to you or to Brian or poker, or why "
+                "it doesn't land. Don't summarize it — react to it. Give the thread a short title.\n"
+                f"TITLE: {react_item['title']}\nSUMMARY: {react_item['summary']}\nLINK: {react_item['link']}"
+            )
+        else:
             seed = self_state.wander_seed()
             open_titles = [t["title"] for t in _pickable_threads() if t["status"] in _ACTIVE]
             avoid = (" You already have threads on: " + "; ".join(open_titles) +
@@ -473,11 +545,15 @@ def think(backend: Backend | None = None, force_mode: str | None = None,
     salience = _clamp(out.get("salience", 0.5))
     status = out.get("status") if out.get("status") in _STATUSES else "open"
 
+    label = "react" if react_item else mode  # for logging/return; storage is still a new thread
     if mode == "new":
-        title = (out.get("title") or content[:48]).strip()
+        title = (out.get("title") or (react_item["title"] if react_item else content[:48])).strip()
         thread_id = new_thread(title, salience=salience, status="open")
+        if react_item:
+            feeds.mark_used(react_item["id"])
     else:
         thread_id = thread["id"]
+        title = thread["title"]
 
     add_thought(thread_id, kind, content, salience=salience, source=source)
     # On a fresh new thread we keep it open; otherwise honor her status call. A
@@ -488,17 +564,20 @@ def think(backend: Backend | None = None, force_mode: str | None = None,
     # Permanent record — these are really hers, alongside reflections/journal.
     memory.add_journal_entry("thought", content, source)
 
-    logbus.log("info", "thought loop", mode=mode, thread=thread_id, kind=kind,
+    # Reach out if it tugs hard enough (config-gated; no-op when ntfy is unset).
+    maybe_ping(thread_id, title, content, salience)
+
+    logbus.log("info", "thought loop", mode=label, thread=thread_id, kind=kind,
                salience=salience, status=status if mode != "new" else "open",
-               detail=f"[{mode}] thread {thread_id} ({kind}, sal {salience}):\n{content}")
+               detail=f"[{label}] thread {thread_id} ({kind}, sal {salience}):\n{content}")
-    return {"mode": mode, "thread_id": thread_id, "kind": kind,
+    return {"mode": label, "thread_id": thread_id, "kind": kind,
             "salience": salience, "status": status, "content": content}
 
 
 def main() -> int:
     import argparse
     p = argparse.ArgumentParser(description="Advance Lyra's thought loop by one step.")
-    p.add_argument("--mode", choices=["new", "continue", "respond"], help="force a mode")
+    p.add_argument("--mode", choices=["new", "continue", "respond", "react"], help="force a mode")
     args = p.parse_args()
     rep = think(force_mode=args.mode)
     print(json.dumps(rep, indent=2) if rep else "(no thought this pass)")

tests/test_dream.py

@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ def lyra(tmp_path, monkeypatch):
     """A fresh Lyra wired to a temp DB with stubbed embeddings + LLM."""
     monkeypatch.setenv("LYRA_DB_PATH", str(tmp_path / "test.db"))
     monkeypatch.setenv("SUMMARY_BACKEND", "local")
+    monkeypatch.setenv("LYRA_FEEDS", "")  # dream cycle refreshes feeds; keep it offline
 
     from lyra import llm
     # Deterministic 3-d embeddings; content-insensitive is fine for storage tests.

tests/test_thoughts.py

@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ from lyra import clock
 @pytest.fixture
 def lyra(tmp_path, monkeypatch):
     monkeypatch.setenv("LYRA_DB_PATH", str(tmp_path / "test.db"))
+    monkeypatch.delenv("NTFY_URL", raising=False)  # baseline: pinging disabled (ignore .env)
     from lyra import llm
     monkeypatch.setattr(llm, "embed", lambda texts: [[0.1, 0.2, 0.3] for _ in texts])
 
@@ -20,12 +21,17 @@ def lyra(tmp_path, monkeypatch):
     importlib.reload(memory)
     import lyra.self_state as self_state
     importlib.reload(self_state)
+    import lyra.feeds as feeds
+    importlib.reload(feeds)
     import lyra.thoughts as thoughts
     importlib.reload(thoughts)
 
     # Canned LLM: tests set `box["next"]` to the dict think() should "generate".
     box = {"next": {}}
     monkeypatch.setattr(thoughts.llm, "complete", lambda messages, backend=None: json.dumps(box["next"]))
+    # Keep the loop offline + silent by default: no feed fetch, no push.
+    monkeypatch.setattr(thoughts.feeds, "next_item", lambda **k: None)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(thoughts.notify, "push", lambda **k: False)
     return memory, thoughts, box
 
 
@@ -179,3 +185,69 @@ def test_think_about_tool_seeds_a_thread(lyra):
     assert len(threads) == 1 and threads[0]["title"] == "am I continuous?"
     chain = th.thread_thoughts(threads[0]["id"])
     assert chain[0]["kind"] == "question" and chain[0]["source"] == "chat"
+
+
+# --- external feed -------------------------------------------------------
+
+RSS = (b'<?xml version="1.0"?><rss version="2.0"><channel><title>Feed</title>'
+       b'<item><title>Poker tip</title><link>http://x/1</link>'
+       b'<description>3-bet more in position</description><guid>g1</guid></item>'
+       b'<item><title>Second</title><link>http://x/2</link><description>d2</description></item>'
+       b'</channel></rss>')
+ATOM = (b'<?xml version="1.0"?><feed xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom"><title>F</title>'
+        b'<entry><title>HN post</title><link href="http://y/1"/>'
+        b'<summary>something interesting</summary><id>a1</id></entry></feed>')
+
+
+def test_feeds_parse_rss_and_atom():
+    from lyra import feeds
+    rss = feeds.parse(RSS)
+    assert len(rss) == 2
+    assert rss[0]["id"] == "g1" and rss[0]["title"] == "Poker tip" and rss[0]["link"] == "http://x/1"
+    assert rss[1]["id"] == "http://x/2"                       # falls back to link when no guid
+    atom = feeds.parse(ATOM)
+    assert len(atom) == 1 and atom[0]["id"] == "a1" and atom[0]["link"] == "http://y/1"
+    assert feeds.parse(b"not xml") == []                      # garbage -> empty, no raise
+
+
+def test_react_mode_makes_a_thread_about_a_feed_item(lyra, monkeypatch):
+    _, th, box = lyra
+    item = {"id": "x1", "title": "World Item", "link": "http://e", "summary": "stuff happened"}
+    monkeypatch.setattr(th.feeds, "next_item", lambda **k: item)
+    used = []
+    monkeypatch.setattr(th.feeds, "mark_used", lambda i: used.append(i))
+    box["next"] = {"kind": "observation", "content": "that makes me think...", "salience": 0.5, "status": "open"}
+
+    rep = th.think(force_mode="react")
+    assert rep["mode"] == "react"
+    assert th.list_threads()[0]["title"] == "World Item"      # titled from the item
+    assert used == ["x1"]                                     # item consumed
+
+
+# --- proactive reach-out (ntfy) ------------------------------------------
+
+def test_maybe_ping_gates_on_salience_and_records(lyra, monkeypatch):
+    _, th, box = lyra
+    monkeypatch.setenv("NTFY_URL", "http://ntfy.test")
+    monkeypatch.setenv("PING_QUIET_HOURS", "0-0")            # disable quiet window for the test
+    sent = []
+    monkeypatch.setattr(th.notify, "push", lambda **k: (sent.append(k), True)[1])
+
+    _gen(box, title="big one", content="this really tugs", salience=0.9)
+    r = th.think(force_mode="new")                            # high salience -> should ping
+    assert len(sent) == 1 and "big one" in sent[0]["title"]
+    assert th.get_thread(r["thread_id"])["status"] == "surfaced"   # ping marks it surfaced
+    assert th._meta_get("last_ping_at")
+
+    sent.clear()
+    assert th.maybe_ping(r["thread_id"], "x", "quiet musing", 0.4) is False  # below bar
+    assert sent == []
+
+
+def test_no_ping_without_ntfy(lyra, monkeypatch):
+    _, th, _ = lyra
+    sent = []
+    monkeypatch.setattr(th.notify, "push", lambda **k: (sent.append(k), True)[1])
+    # no NTFY_URL in env -> disabled regardless of salience
+    assert th.maybe_ping(1, "t", "c", 0.99) is False
+    assert sent == []