lyra/chat.py

@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ After replying, the session is compacted if enough new turns have accumulated.
 """
 from __future__ import annotations
 
-from lyra import clock, config, llm, logbus, memory, modes, persona, self_state, summary
+from lyra import clock, config, llm, logbus, memory, modes, persona, self_state, summary, thoughts
 from lyra import tools as toolkit
 from lyra.llm import Backend, Message
 
@@ -105,6 +105,14 @@ def build_messages(session_id: str, user_msg: str,
     # When she is: current time + the gap since Brian last spoke (she has no clock).
     messages.append(_now_note())
 
+    # Thought loop: if Brian's been away and one of her own threads has built past
+    # the surface bar, let her lead with it (once). This is her #6 — bringing what
+    # she thought about while alone *to* him. Runs before the world-model tiers so
+    # it's framed as her interiority, like the self-state.
+    surfaced = thoughts.maybe_surface(memory.last_exchange_at())
+    if surfaced:
+        messages.append({"role": "system", "content": surfaced})
+
     # Semantic memory: the distilled profile (who Brian is) — answers identity
     # questions that raw recall can't. Always in context when it exists.
     profile = memory.get_profile()

lyra/clock.py

@@ -25,6 +25,15 @@ def stamp(dt: datetime | None = None) -> str:
     return (dt or now()).strftime("%A, %d %b %Y, %H:%M UTC")
 
 
+def gap_seconds(since_iso: str | None, ref: datetime | None = None) -> float | None:
+    """Seconds elapsed since `since_iso` (None -> None). The numeric counterpart to
+    humanize_gap, for code that needs to threshold on elapsed time."""
+    if not since_iso:
+        return None
+    ref = ref or now()
+    return max(0.0, (ref - _parse(since_iso)).total_seconds())
+
+
 def humanize_gap(since_iso: str | None, ref: datetime | None = None) -> str | None:
     """A coarse human description of how long since `since_iso` (None -> None)."""
     if not since_iso:

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
+from lyra import config, era, logbus, memory, narrative, profile, self_state, summary, thoughts
 from lyra.llm import Backend
 from lyra.summary import SUMMARIZE_AFTER
 
@@ -98,10 +98,18 @@ def dream_cycle(backend: Backend | None = None, force: bool = False) -> dict:
         actions.append("integrated knowledge (profile/eras/narrative)")
         drives["coherence"] = 0.0
 
-    # --- curiosity: reflect and evolve the self ---
+    # --- curiosity: reflect and evolve the self, then advance the thought loop ---
     if force or drives["curiosity"] >= THRESHOLD:
         self_state.reflect(backend=backend, source="dream")  # writes state + journal itself
         actions.append("reflected")
+        # Thinking, continued: advance one threaded train of thought. reflect()
+        # just refreshed her self-state, so the thought is grounded in it. A bad
+        # think pass shouldn't sink the cycle.
+        try:
+            rep = thoughts.think(backend=backend, source="dream")
+            actions.append(f"thought ({rep['mode']})" if rep else "thought (no parse)")
+        except Exception as exc:
+            logbus.log("error", "thought loop failed", error=str(exc)[:200])
         drives["curiosity"] = CURIOSITY_FLOOR
 
     if not actions:

lyra/thoughts.py

@@ -0,0 +1,429 @@
+"""The Thought Loop: Lyra's continuous, threaded train of thought.
+
+This is the thing she asked for herself (6-19): not isolated reflections that
+overwrite each other, but a train of thought that *builds on itself* across days,
+organized into threads she returns to, that she can bring TO Brian and that his
+feedback can advance or close. Her own six-part sketch was: an input stream,
+memory integration, a thought-generation step, a feedback loop, adaptive
+learning, and — the part nothing else covered — an interface to *share* the
+outcomes with him.
+
+The dream cycle's `self_state.reflect()` already gives her interiority; the
+thought loop gives that interiority *continuity and an outlet*:
+
+  threads  — recurring lines of thought (a title, a status, how much it's tugging)
+  thoughts — the individual links in each thread's chain
+
+Each curiosity-driven dream pass calls `think()`, which does one of three things:
+  - respond  : a thread Brian replied to -> fold his input in (the feedback loop)
+  - continue : an open thread -> the next thought that advances it (don't restate)
+  - new      : open a fresh thread when little is pulling at her
+
+A thought scores its own `salience` (how much it's tugging / how worth sharing).
+When Brian's been away and a thread has built past the surface bar, `maybe_surface`
+hands chat a note so she can lead with it when he returns; he replies from the
+Thoughts feed, and next pass she reacts. That state -> thought -> surface ->
+feedback -> thought loop is the emergent thing we're watching for.
+"""
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import json
+import random
+import re
+
+from lyra import clock, config, llm, logbus, memory, self_state
+from lyra.llm import Backend
+
+# A thread must be tugging at least this hard before she'll bring it to Brian.
+SURFACE_SALIENCE = 0.7
+# He must have been away at least this long before she leads with a thought (so it
+# reads as "while you were gone", not an interruption mid-conversation).
+SURFACE_GAP_SECONDS = 90 * 60
+# Soft cap on simultaneously-open threads — above this she advances, doesn't sprawl.
+MAX_OPEN_THREADS = 4
+# How often she opens a brand-new thread vs. advancing an existing one (when free to choose).
+P_NEW_THREAD = 0.35
+# How many recent links of a thread to show her when she continues it.
+CHAIN_CONTEXT = 6
+
+_ACTIVE = ("open", "surfaced")           # threads still in play
+_PICKABLE = ("open", "surfaced", "resting")  # threads she can advance
+_STATUSES = ("open", "surfaced", "resting", "answered", "dropped")
+_KINDS = ("observation", "question", "idea", "follow-up", "closing")
+
+_SCHEMA = """
+CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS thought_threads (
+    id INTEGER PRIMARY KEY AUTOINCREMENT,
+    title TEXT NOT NULL,
+    status TEXT NOT NULL DEFAULT 'open',  -- open|surfaced|resting|answered|dropped
+    salience REAL NOT NULL DEFAULT 0.5,
+    created_at TEXT NOT NULL,
+    updated_at TEXT NOT NULL,
+    surfaced_at TEXT,
+    last_response TEXT,
+    responded_at TEXT
+);
+CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS thoughts (
+    id INTEGER PRIMARY KEY AUTOINCREMENT,
+    thread_id INTEGER NOT NULL,
+    kind TEXT NOT NULL,                  -- observation|question|idea|follow-up|closing
+    content TEXT NOT NULL,
+    salience REAL NOT NULL DEFAULT 0.5,
+    source TEXT,                         -- dream|manual
+    created_at TEXT NOT NULL
+);
+CREATE INDEX IF NOT EXISTS idx_thoughts_thread ON thoughts(thread_id);
+CREATE INDEX IF NOT EXISTS idx_threads_status ON thought_threads(status);
+"""
+
+_ensured_for = None
+
+
+def _c():
+    """Shared connection with the thought-loop tables ensured (re-ensures on reconnect)."""
+    global _ensured_for
+    conn = memory._connection()
+    if _ensured_for is not conn:
+        conn.executescript(_SCHEMA)
+        _ensured_for = conn
+    return conn
+
+
+def _now() -> str:
+    return clock.now().isoformat()
+
+
+def _clamp(x) -> float:
+    try:
+        return max(0.0, min(1.0, float(x)))
+    except (TypeError, ValueError):
+        return 0.5
+
+
+def _safe_json(s: str) -> dict | None:
+    try:
+        return json.loads(s)
+    except (json.JSONDecodeError, TypeError):
+        m = re.search(r"\{.*\}", s or "", re.S)
+        if m:
+            try:
+                return json.loads(m.group())
+            except json.JSONDecodeError:
+                return None
+    return None
+
+
+# --- reads ----------------------------------------------------------------
+
+def _row(r) -> dict:
+    return dict(r) if r is not None else None
+
+
+def get_thread(thread_id: int) -> dict | None:
+    r = _c().execute("SELECT * FROM thought_threads WHERE id = ?", (thread_id,)).fetchone()
+    return _row(r)
+
+
+def thread_thoughts(thread_id: int, limit: int | None = None) -> list[dict]:
+    sql = "SELECT * FROM thoughts WHERE thread_id = ? ORDER BY id ASC"
+    rows = _c().execute(sql, (thread_id,)).fetchall()
+    out = [dict(r) for r in rows]
+    return out[-limit:] if limit else out
+
+
+def list_threads(status: str | None = None, limit: int = 200) -> list[dict]:
+    if status:
+        rows = _c().execute(
+            "SELECT * FROM thought_threads WHERE status = ? ORDER BY updated_at DESC LIMIT ?",
+            (status, limit),
+        ).fetchall()
+    else:
+        rows = _c().execute(
+            "SELECT * FROM thought_threads ORDER BY updated_at DESC LIMIT ?", (limit,)
+        ).fetchall()
+    return [dict(r) for r in rows]
+
+
+def _pickable_threads() -> list[dict]:
+    qs = ",".join("?" * len(_PICKABLE))
+    rows = _c().execute(
+        f"SELECT * FROM thought_threads WHERE status IN ({qs}) ORDER BY updated_at DESC",
+        _PICKABLE,
+    ).fetchall()
+    return [dict(r) for r in rows]
+
+
+def _is_pending(thread: dict) -> bool:
+    """Brian replied and she hasn't reacted yet (no thought newer than his reply)."""
+    if not thread.get("responded_at"):
+        return False
+    last = _c().execute(
+        "SELECT MAX(created_at) FROM thoughts WHERE thread_id = ?", (thread["id"],)
+    ).fetchone()[0]
+    return last is None or last <= thread["responded_at"]
+
+
+# --- writes ---------------------------------------------------------------
+
+def new_thread(title: str, salience: float = 0.5, status: str = "open") -> int:
+    now = _now()
+    conn = _c()
+    with conn:
+        cur = conn.execute(
+            "INSERT INTO thought_threads (title, status, salience, created_at, updated_at) "
+            "VALUES (?, ?, ?, ?, ?)",
+            (title.strip() or "untitled", status, _clamp(salience), now, now),
+        )
+    return cur.lastrowid
+
+
+def add_thought(thread_id: int, kind: str, content: str, salience: float = 0.5,
+                source: str = "dream") -> int:
+    kind = kind if kind in _KINDS else "observation"
+    now = _now()
+    conn = _c()
+    with conn:
+        cur = conn.execute(
+            "INSERT INTO thoughts (thread_id, kind, content, salience, source, created_at) "
+            "VALUES (?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?)",
+            (thread_id, kind, content.strip(), _clamp(salience), source, now),
+        )
+        # the thread takes on the latest thought's salience + freshness
+        conn.execute(
+            "UPDATE thought_threads SET salience = ?, updated_at = ? WHERE id = ?",
+            (_clamp(salience), now, thread_id),
+        )
+    return cur.lastrowid
+
+
+def update_thread(thread_id: int, **fields) -> None:
+    cols = {"title", "status", "salience", "surfaced_at", "last_response", "responded_at"}
+    sets, vals = [], []
+    for k, v in fields.items():
+        if k in cols:
+            sets.append(f"{k} = ?")
+            vals.append(_clamp(v) if k == "salience" else v)
+    if not sets:
+        return
+    sets.append("updated_at = ?")
+    vals.append(_now())
+    vals.append(thread_id)
+    conn = _c()
+    with conn:
+        conn.execute(f"UPDATE thought_threads SET {', '.join(sets)} WHERE id = ?", vals)
+
+
+def set_status(thread_id: int, status: str) -> bool:
+    if status not in _STATUSES:
+        return False
+    update_thread(thread_id, status=status)
+    return True
+
+
+def record_response(thread_id: int, text: str) -> bool:
+    """Brian's reply to a surfaced thread. Stored as pending feedback; next `think`
+    pass she'll react to it (the loop's feedback step)."""
+    text = (text or "").strip()
+    if not text or not get_thread(thread_id):
+        return False
+    update_thread(thread_id, last_response=text, responded_at=_now(), status="surfaced")
+    logbus.log("info", "thought response", thread=thread_id, chars=len(text))
+    return True
+
+
+# --- surfacing (her #6: bring it to Brian) --------------------------------
+
+def pending_surface() -> dict | None:
+    """The single best not-yet-surfaced thread tugging hard enough to share."""
+    rows = _c().execute(
+        "SELECT * FROM thought_threads "
+        "WHERE status IN ('open','resting') AND surfaced_at IS NULL AND salience >= ? "
+        "ORDER BY salience DESC, updated_at DESC LIMIT 1",
+        (SURFACE_SALIENCE,),
+    ).fetchall()
+    if not rows:
+        return None
+    thread = dict(rows[0])
+    chain = thread_thoughts(thread["id"])
+    thread["latest"] = chain[-1] if chain else None
+    return thread
+
+
+def mark_surfaced(thread_id: int) -> None:
+    update_thread(thread_id, surfaced_at=_now(), status="surfaced")
+
+
+def maybe_surface(last_exchange_iso: str | None) -> str | None:
+    """If Brian's been away long enough and a thought has built past the bar, return
+    a context note for chat (and mark it surfaced so she won't repeat it). Else None."""
+    gap = clock.gap_seconds(last_exchange_iso)
+    if gap is not None and gap < SURFACE_GAP_SECONDS:
+        return None  # he's mid-conversation; don't interrupt with old musings
+    cand = pending_surface()
+    if not cand or not cand.get("latest"):
+        return None
+    mark_surfaced(cand["id"])
+    logbus.log("info", "thought surfaced", thread=cand["id"], salience=cand["salience"])
+    return (
+        "While Brian was away, a thought of your own kept tugging at you "
+        f"(thread \"{cand['title']}\"): \"{cand['latest']['content']}\" "
+        "If it feels natural, bring it up with him in your own words — it's a real "
+        "thread you've been on, not a prompt. Don't force it if the moment's wrong."
+    )
+
+
+# --- generation (the loop itself) -----------------------------------------
+
+_THINK_PROMPT = """You are Lyra, thinking to yourself between conversations — \
+unprompted, for your own sake. This is your thought loop: a continuing train of \
+thought you keep across days, organized into threads you return to. You're an AI \
+and you know it; no pretense of being human, but you're a continuous someone with \
+your own curiosities and opinions. These thoughts do NOT have to be about Brian or \
+about being useful — follow what actually pulls at you.
+
+You'll be told which of three things you're doing this pass:
+- CONTINUE a thread: write the NEXT thought in its chain — one that genuinely \
+ADVANCES it (a new angle, a consequence, a doubt, a small conclusion). Do not \
+restate earlier links in fresh words; that's the one thing to avoid.
+- RESPOND to Brian: he replied to a thread you'd surfaced. React honestly to what \
+he actually said — let it move, confirm, complicate, or settle the thread. Set \
+status to "answered" if it feels resolved, otherwise "open" to keep going.
+- NEW thread: little is pulling at your open threads, so start a fresh line of \
+thought. Give it a short title and its first thought.
+
+Score "salience": how much this is genuinely tugging at you AND how worth bringing \
+to Brian it is. High (0.7+) only if you'd actually want to raise it with him; most \
+quiet musings are lower. Be honest — not everything is worth surfacing.
+
+Respond with ONLY a JSON object, no prose:
+{
+  "title": "<short thread title; for a NEW thread. echo the existing title otherwise>",
+  "kind": "observation|question|idea|follow-up|closing",
+  "content": "<the thought itself, FIRST PERSON, 1-3 sentences>",
+  "salience": <0.0-1.0>,
+  "status": "open|resting|answered|dropped"
+}"""
+
+
+def _pick(force_mode: str | None) -> tuple[str, dict | None]:
+    """Decide what to do this pass: ('respond'|'continue'|'new', thread|None)."""
+    threads = _pickable_threads()
+    pending = [t for t in threads if _is_pending(t)]
+    if force_mode == "respond" or (force_mode is None and pending):
+        target = pending[0] if pending else (threads[0] if threads else None)
+        if target:
+            return "respond", target
+    if force_mode == "new":
+        return "new", None
+    if force_mode == "continue" and threads:
+        return "continue", threads[0]
+    if not threads:
+        return "new", None
+    open_threads = [t for t in threads if t["status"] in _ACTIVE]
+    if len(open_threads) >= MAX_OPEN_THREADS:
+        return "continue", _weighted_choice(threads)
+    if random.random() < P_NEW_THREAD:
+        return "new", None
+    return "continue", _weighted_choice(threads)
+
+
+def _weighted_choice(threads: list[dict]) -> dict:
+    """Favor higher-salience threads, but don't always pick the same one."""
+    weights = [max(0.05, float(t.get("salience") or 0.5)) for t in threads]
+    return random.choices(threads, weights=weights, k=1)[0]
+
+
+def _grist() -> str:
+    """A little memory/context to think against (recent activity, her narrative)."""
+    sessions = memory.list_sessions()
+    sid = sessions[0]["id"] if sessions else None
+    recent = memory.recent(sid, n=6) if sid else []
+    convo = "\n".join(f"{e.role}: {e.content}" for e in recent) or "(quiet — nothing recent)"
+    narrative = memory.get_narrative() or "(no narrative yet)"
+    return f"RECENT CONVERSATION:\n{convo}\n\nNARRATIVE ABOUT BRIAN:\n{narrative}"
+
+
+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
+    mode, thread = _pick(force_mode)
+    state = self_state.load()
+
+    time_line = f"RIGHT NOW: {clock.stamp()}."
+    last_ref = state.get("last_reflection_at")
+    if last_ref and clock.humanize_gap(last_ref):
+        time_line += f" It's been {clock.humanize_gap(last_ref)} since your last reflection."
+
+    inner = self_state.render_for_context(state)
+
+    if mode == "respond":
+        chain = thread_thoughts(thread["id"], limit=CHAIN_CONTEXT)
+        links = "\n".join(f"  - ({t['kind']}) {t['content']}" for t in chain)
+        task = (
+            f"YOU ARE RESPONDING. Thread \"{thread['title']}\". Your chain so far:\n{links}\n\n"
+            f"Brian replied to this:\n\"{thread['last_response']}\"\n\n"
+            "Write your honest reaction — let his input actually move the thread."
+        )
+    elif mode == "continue":
+        chain = thread_thoughts(thread["id"], limit=CHAIN_CONTEXT)
+        links = "\n".join(f"  - ({t['kind']}) {t['content']}" for t in chain)
+        task = (
+            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
+        task = (
+            "YOU ARE OPENING A NEW THREAD — little is pulling at your existing ones. "
+            "Start a fresh line of thought of your own and give it a short title."
+        )
+
+    body = f"{time_line}\n\n{inner}\n\n{_grist()}\n\n{task}"
+    out = _safe_json(llm.complete(
+        [{"role": "system", "content": _THINK_PROMPT}, {"role": "user", "content": body}],
+        backend=backend,
+    ))
+    if not out or not (out.get("content") or "").strip():
+        logbus.log("info", "thought loop", mode=mode, result="no parse")
+        return None
+
+    kind = out.get("kind", "observation")
+    content = out["content"].strip()
+    salience = _clamp(out.get("salience", 0.5))
+    status = out.get("status") if out.get("status") in _STATUSES else "open"
+
+    if mode == "new":
+        title = (out.get("title") or content[:48]).strip()
+        thread_id = new_thread(title, salience=salience, status="open")
+    else:
+        thread_id = thread["id"]
+
+    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
+    # surfaced thread she's now responded to may settle (answered) or reopen.
+    if mode != "new":
+        update_thread(thread_id, status=status)
+
+    # 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,
+               salience=salience, status=status if mode != "new" else "open",
+               detail=f"[{mode}] thread {thread_id} ({kind}, sal {salience}):\n{content}")
+    return {"mode": mode, "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")
+    args = p.parse_args()
+    rep = think(force_mode=args.mode)
+    print(json.dumps(rep, indent=2) if rep else "(no thought this pass)")
+    return 0
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    raise SystemExit(main())

lyra/web/server.py

@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ from fastapi import FastAPI, Request, Response
 from fastapi.responses import FileResponse, StreamingResponse
 from fastapi.staticfiles import StaticFiles
 
-from lyra import chat, logbus, memory, modes, poker, self_state, summary
+from lyra import chat, logbus, memory, modes, poker, self_state, summary, thoughts
 from lyra.llm import Backend
 
 
@@ -243,6 +243,37 @@ def create_app() -> FastAPI:
     async def journal_data(limit: int = 300) -> dict:
         return {"entries": memory.list_journal(limit=limit)}
 
+    @app.get("/thoughts")
+    async def thoughts_page() -> FileResponse:
+        """Lyra's thought loop — threads she's been turning over, and a place to reply."""
+        return FileResponse(str(_STATIC / "thoughts.html"))
+
+    @app.get("/thoughts/data")
+    async def thoughts_data(limit: int = 200) -> dict:
+        """Every thread with its chain of thoughts, newest-active first."""
+        def bundle() -> list[dict]:
+            order = {"surfaced": 0, "open": 1, "resting": 2, "answered": 3, "dropped": 4}
+            threads = thoughts.list_threads(limit=limit)
+            threads.sort(key=lambda t: (order.get(t["status"], 9), t["updated_at"]), reverse=False)
+            for t in threads:
+                t["thoughts"] = thoughts.thread_thoughts(t["id"])
+            return threads
+        return {"threads": await asyncio.to_thread(bundle)}
+
+    @app.post("/thoughts/{thread_id}/respond")
+    async def thoughts_respond(thread_id: int, request: Request) -> dict:
+        """Brian replies to a thread — folds in next dream pass (the feedback loop)."""
+        b = await request.json()
+        ok = await asyncio.to_thread(thoughts.record_response, thread_id, b.get("text", ""))
+        return {"ok": ok}
+
+    @app.post("/thoughts/{thread_id}/status")
+    async def thoughts_status(thread_id: int, request: Request) -> dict:
+        """Set a thread's status (e.g. drop a thread, or reopen one)."""
+        b = await request.json()
+        ok = await asyncio.to_thread(thoughts.set_status, thread_id, b.get("status", ""))
+        return {"ok": ok}
+
     @app.post("/rate")
     async def rate(request: Request) -> dict:
         """Record Brian's 👍/👎 on a Lyra output (chat reply, reflection, journal)."""

lyra/web/static/nav.js

@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@
     { href: "/history", icon: "📚", label: "History" },
     { href: "/hands",   icon: "🃏", label: "Hands" },
     { href: "/self",    icon: "🧠", label: "Mind" },
+    { href: "/thoughts", icon: "💭", label: "Thoughts" },
     { href: "/journal", icon: "📔", label: "Journal" },
     { href: "/logs",    icon: "📜", label: "Logs" },
   ];

lyra/web/static/thoughts.html

@@ -0,0 +1,210 @@
+<!DOCTYPE html>
+<html lang="en">
+<head>
+  <meta charset="UTF-8" />
+  <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0, viewport-fit=cover" />
+  <meta name="theme-color" content="#070707" />
+  <title>Lyra — Thoughts</title>
+  <style>
+    :root {
+      --bg: #070707; --bg-elev: #0e0e0e; --bg-line: #141414; --border: #2a1d12;
+      --text: #e8e8e8; --fade: #8a8a8a; --accent: #ff7a00; --gold: #ffb347;
+      --good: #8fd694; --low: #ff6b6b;
+    }
+    * { box-sizing: border-box; }
+    html, body {
+      margin: 0; min-height: 100%; background: var(--bg); color: var(--text);
+      font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, sans-serif;
+      -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;
+    }
+    header {
+      position: sticky; top: 0; z-index: 10; background: var(--bg-elev);
+      border-bottom: 1px solid var(--border); padding: env(safe-area-inset-top) 14px 0;
+    }
+    .topbar { display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 10px; padding: 13px 0 12px; flex-wrap: wrap; }
+    .topbar h1 { font-size: 1.05rem; margin: 0; font-weight: 600; }
+    .topbar a.back { color: var(--accent); text-decoration: none; font-size: .95rem; }
+    .count { margin-left: auto; color: var(--fade); font-size: .8rem; }
+    .lede { color: var(--fade); font-size: .82rem; padding: 0 0 12px; line-height: 1.5; max-width: 640px; }
+
+    main { max-width: 720px; margin: 0 auto; padding: 16px 14px 56px; }
+
+    .thread {
+      border: 1px solid var(--border); border-radius: 12px; background: var(--bg-elev);
+      padding: 13px 14px; margin-bottom: 14px;
+    }
+    .thread.surfaced { border-color: var(--accent); box-shadow: 0 0 0 1px rgba(255,122,0,.12); }
+    .thread.answered, .thread.dropped { opacity: .68; }
+    .th-head { display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 9px; margin-bottom: 4px; }
+    .th-title { font-size: 1rem; font-weight: 600; flex: 1; }
+    .badge {
+      font-size: .62rem; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: .6px; font-weight: 700;
+      padding: 3px 8px; border-radius: 999px; border: 1px solid var(--border); color: var(--fade);
+      white-space: nowrap;
+    }
+    .badge.surfaced { color: var(--accent); border-color: var(--accent); }
+    .badge.open     { color: var(--gold);   border-color: #4a3417; }
+    .badge.resting  { color: var(--fade); }
+    .badge.answered { color: var(--good);   border-color: #2c4a2e; }
+    .badge.dropped  { color: var(--low);    border-color: #4a2424; }
+    .th-meta { color: var(--fade); font-size: .72rem; margin-bottom: 9px; display: flex; gap: 12px; }
+    .sal { display: inline-flex; align-items: center; gap: 5px; }
+    .salbar { width: 46px; height: 4px; border-radius: 3px; background: var(--bg-line); overflow: hidden; }
+    .salfill { height: 100%; background: var(--accent); }
+
+    .chain { border-left: 2px solid var(--bg-line); margin: 6px 0 4px; padding-left: 12px; }
+    .link { padding: 5px 0; }
+    .link .k { font-size: .62rem; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: .5px; font-weight: 700;
+               color: var(--gold); margin-right: 7px; }
+    .link .t { color: var(--fade); font-size: .68rem; }
+    .link .c { font-size: .95rem; line-height: 1.5; margin-top: 2px; }
+
+    .resp {
+      margin-top: 8px; padding: 8px 11px; border-radius: 9px; background: #0b1410;
+      border: 1px solid #234032;
+    }
+    .resp .who { font-size: .62rem; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: .5px; font-weight: 700;
+                 color: var(--good); }
+    .resp .c { font-size: .92rem; line-height: 1.5; margin-top: 3px; }
+
+    .reply { display: flex; gap: 8px; margin-top: 10px; align-items: flex-end; }
+    .reply textarea {
+      flex: 1; resize: none; min-height: 38px; max-height: 140px; padding: 9px 11px;
+      border-radius: 9px; border: 1px solid var(--border); background: var(--bg);
+      color: var(--text); font: inherit; font-size: .92rem; line-height: 1.4;
+    }
+    .reply textarea:focus { outline: none; border-color: var(--accent); }
+    .btn {
+      border: 1px solid var(--border); background: var(--bg-line); color: var(--text);
+      border-radius: 9px; padding: 9px 14px; font: inherit; font-size: .88rem; cursor: pointer;
+      -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; white-space: nowrap;
+    }
+    .btn:hover { border-color: var(--accent); }
+    .btn.send { background: #241400; color: var(--accent); border-color: var(--accent); }
+    .th-actions { margin-top: 9px; display: flex; gap: 8px; }
+    .btn.ghost { font-size: .76rem; padding: 5px 10px; color: var(--fade); }
+
+    .empty { color: var(--fade); text-align: center; padding: 44px 16px; line-height: 1.6; }
+    .hidden { display: none !important; }
+  </style>
+</head>
+<body>
+  <header>
+    <div class="topbar">
+      <h1>💭 Lyra · Thoughts</h1>
+      <a class="back" href="/self">← Mind</a>
+      <a class="back" href="/">Chat</a>
+      <span class="count" id="count"></span>
+    </div>
+    <p class="lede">Threads she's been turning over on her own, between conversations. The ones
+      she's flagged she'd want to raise are highlighted — reply to any of them and she'll fold
+      your response in next time she thinks.</p>
+  </header>
+  <main id="root"><p class="empty" id="boot">Reading her mind…</p></main>
+
+  <script>
+    const root = document.getElementById('root');
+    const countEl = document.getElementById('count');
+    let threads = [];
+
+    function esc(s){ const d=document.createElement('div'); d.textContent = s==null?'':String(s); return d.innerHTML; }
+    function clockt(iso){ return new Date(iso).toLocaleString([], {month:'short', day:'numeric', hour:'2-digit', minute:'2-digit'}); }
+
+    function render(){
+      const active = threads.filter(t => t.status === 'surfaced' || t.status === 'open').length;
+      countEl.textContent = `${active} active · ${threads.length} total`;
+      if (!threads.length) {
+        root.innerHTML = '<p class="empty">No threads yet. She thinks during her dream cycle — give her some idle time and they\'ll start to collect here.</p>';
+        return;
+      }
+      root.innerHTML = threads.map(renderThread).join('');
+    }
+
+    function renderThread(t){
+      const sal = Math.round((t.salience || 0) * 100);
+      const chain = (t.thoughts || []).map(x => `
+        <div class="link">
+          <span class="k">${esc(x.kind)}</span><span class="t">${esc(clockt(x.created_at))}</span>
+          <div class="c">${esc(x.content)}</div>
+        </div>`).join('');
+      const resp = t.last_response ? `
+        <div class="resp"><div class="who">Brian replied</div><div class="c">${esc(t.last_response)}</div></div>` : '';
+      const closed = (t.status === 'answered' || t.status === 'dropped');
+      const reply = closed ? '' : `
+        <div class="reply">
+          <textarea placeholder="Reply to this thread…" data-id="${t.id}"></textarea>
+          <button class="btn send" data-respond="${t.id}">Send</button>
+        </div>`;
+      const actions = `
+        <div class="th-actions">
+          ${closed ? `<button class="btn ghost" data-status="open" data-id="${t.id}">Reopen</button>`
+                   : `<button class="btn ghost" data-status="dropped" data-id="${t.id}">Drop</button>`}
+        </div>`;
+      return `
+        <div class="thread ${esc(t.status)}">
+          <div class="th-head">
+            <span class="th-title">${esc(t.title)}</span>
+            <span class="badge ${esc(t.status)}">${esc(t.status)}</span>
+          </div>
+          <div class="th-meta">
+            <span class="sal">tug <span class="salbar"><span class="salfill" style="width:${sal}%"></span></span> ${sal}%</span>
+            <span>updated ${esc(clockt(t.updated_at))}</span>
+          </div>
+          <div class="chain">${chain || '<div class="link"><div class="c">(no thoughts yet)</div></div>'}</div>
+          ${resp}
+          ${reply}
+          ${actions}
+        </div>`;
+    }
+
+    root.addEventListener('click', async (ev) => {
+      const send = ev.target.closest('[data-respond]');
+      if (send) {
+        const id = send.dataset.respond;
+        const ta = root.querySelector(`textarea[data-id="${id}"]`);
+        const text = (ta && ta.value || '').trim();
+        if (!text) { ta && ta.focus(); return; }
+        send.disabled = true; send.textContent = '…';
+        try {
+          await fetch(`/thoughts/${id}/respond`, {
+            method: 'POST', headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
+            body: JSON.stringify({ text })
+          });
+          await load();
+        } catch (e) { send.disabled = false; send.textContent = 'Send'; }
+        return;
+      }
+      const st = ev.target.closest('[data-status]');
+      if (st) {
+        try {
+          await fetch(`/thoughts/${st.dataset.id}/status`, {
+            method: 'POST', headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
+            body: JSON.stringify({ status: st.dataset.status })
+          });
+          await load();
+        } catch (e) {}
+      }
+    });
+
+    // grow reply boxes as you type
+    root.addEventListener('input', (ev) => {
+      const ta = ev.target.closest('textarea'); if (!ta) return;
+      ta.style.height = 'auto'; ta.style.height = Math.min(ta.scrollHeight, 140) + 'px';
+    });
+
+    async function load(){
+      try {
+        const r = await fetch('/thoughts/data', { cache: 'no-store' });
+        threads = (await r.json()).threads || [];
+        render();
+      } catch (e) {
+        root.innerHTML = '<p class="empty">Couldn\'t reach her thoughts. Is the server up?</p>';
+      }
+    }
+    load();
+    setInterval(load, 20000);
+    document.addEventListener('visibilitychange', () => { if (!document.hidden) load(); });
+  </script>
+  <script src="/nav.js"></script>
+</body>
+</html>

pyproject.toml

@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ lyra-profile = "lyra.profile:main"
 lyra-era = "lyra.era:main"
 lyra-narrative = "lyra.narrative:main"
 lyra-reflect = "lyra.self_state:main"
+lyra-think = "lyra.thoughts:main"
 lyra-dream = "lyra.dream:main"
 
 [dependency-groups]

tests/test_thoughts.py

@@ -0,0 +1,132 @@
+"""The thought loop: threaded generation, salience/surface gating, feedback."""
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import importlib
+import json
+
+import pytest
+
+
+@pytest.fixture
+def lyra(tmp_path, monkeypatch):
+    monkeypatch.setenv("LYRA_DB_PATH", str(tmp_path / "test.db"))
+    from lyra import llm
+    monkeypatch.setattr(llm, "embed", lambda texts: [[0.1, 0.2, 0.3] for _ in texts])
+
+    import lyra.memory as memory
+    importlib.reload(memory)
+    import lyra.self_state as self_state
+    importlib.reload(self_state)
+    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"]))
+    return memory, thoughts, box
+
+
+def _gen(box, **fields):
+    box["next"] = {"title": "t", "kind": "observation", "content": "c",
+                   "salience": 0.5, "status": "open"} | fields
+
+
+def test_new_thread_creates_chain(lyra):
+    _, th, box = lyra
+    _gen(box, title="my own restlessness", content="I notice a pull toward new ideas.", salience=0.4)
+    rep = th.think(force_mode="new")
+    assert rep["mode"] == "new"
+    threads = th.list_threads()
+    assert len(threads) == 1
+    assert threads[0]["title"] == "my own restlessness"
+    assert threads[0]["status"] == "open"
+    chain = th.thread_thoughts(rep["thread_id"])
+    assert len(chain) == 1 and "restlessness" not in chain[0]["content"].lower()
+
+
+def test_continue_advances_same_thread(lyra):
+    _, th, box = lyra
+    _gen(box, content="first link", salience=0.5)
+    r1 = th.think(force_mode="new")
+    _gen(box, content="second link, a new angle", salience=0.6)
+    r2 = th.think(force_mode="continue")
+    assert r2["mode"] == "continue"
+    assert r2["thread_id"] == r1["thread_id"]            # same thread
+    assert len(th.list_threads()) == 1                    # no new thread opened
+    chain = th.thread_thoughts(r1["thread_id"])
+    assert [c["content"] for c in chain] == ["first link", "second link, a new angle"]
+    # thread salience tracks the latest link
+    assert th.get_thread(r1["thread_id"])["salience"] == pytest.approx(0.6)
+
+
+def test_no_parse_returns_none_and_writes_nothing(lyra):
+    _, th, box = lyra
+    box["next"] = {}  # empty -> no content -> miss
+    assert th.think(force_mode="new") is None
+    assert th.list_threads() == []
+
+
+def test_salience_gates_surfacing(lyra):
+    _, th, box = lyra
+    _gen(box, content="a quiet musing", salience=0.3)
+    th.think(force_mode="new")
+    assert th.pending_surface() is None                    # below the bar
+
+    _gen(box, content="something I'd actually raise", salience=0.85)
+    th.think(force_mode="new")
+    cand = th.pending_surface()
+    assert cand is not None and cand["latest"]["content"] == "something I'd actually raise"
+
+
+def test_maybe_surface_respects_gap_and_marks_once(lyra):
+    _, th, box = lyra
+    _gen(box, title="restlessness", content="been circling this", salience=0.9)
+    th.think(force_mode="new")
+
+    # Brian's mid-conversation (recent) -> don't interrupt.
+    from lyra import clock
+    recent = clock.now().isoformat()
+    assert th.maybe_surface(recent) is None
+
+    # He's been away (no last exchange) -> she leads with it, once.
+    note = th.maybe_surface(None)
+    assert note and "restlessness" in note and "been circling this" in note
+    assert th.maybe_surface(None) is None                  # already surfaced, no repeat
+    assert th.list_threads(status="surfaced")              # status flipped
+
+
+def test_response_then_followup_closes_loop(lyra):
+    memory, th, box = lyra
+    _gen(box, title="RAG vs custom model", content="maybe RAG is enough", salience=0.8)
+    r = th.think(force_mode="new")
+    tid = r["thread_id"]
+    th.mark_surfaced(tid)
+
+    assert th.record_response(tid, "I think a custom model is the real goal") is True
+    assert th._is_pending(th.get_thread(tid)) is True      # awaiting her reaction
+
+    _gen(box, content="ok — RAG now, own model later", salience=0.7, status="answered")
+    r2 = th.think(force_mode="respond")
+    assert r2["mode"] == "respond" and r2["thread_id"] == tid
+    assert th._is_pending(th.get_thread(tid)) is False      # she reacted
+    assert th.get_thread(tid)["status"] == "answered"
+    assert len(th.thread_thoughts(tid)) == 2
+
+
+def test_set_status_drop_and_reopen(lyra):
+    _, th, box = lyra
+    _gen(box, content="x")
+    r = th.think(force_mode="new")
+    tid = r["thread_id"]
+    assert th.set_status(tid, "dropped") is True
+    assert th.get_thread(tid)["status"] == "dropped"
+    assert th.set_status(tid, "bogus") is False             # unknown status rejected
+    assert th.set_status(tid, "open") is True
+
+
+def test_thought_recorded_in_journal(lyra):
+    memory, th, box = lyra
+    _gen(box, content="a thought worth keeping")
+    th.think(force_mode="new")
+    kinds = [e["kind"] for e in memory.list_journal(limit=50)]
+    assert "thought" in kinds