feat: cron job system for Inara (remind + note types)

- cron_runner.py: job storage (CRONS.json), schedule parsing, execution
- tools/cron.py: cron_list/add/remove/toggle + reminders_clear tools
- scheduler.py: load user crons at startup, expose get_scheduler() for
  live add/remove without restarts
- context_loader.py: auto-include REMINDERS.md in system prompt (tier 2+)
  so cron reminders surface automatically without Inara having to poll
- inara/CRONS.json + REMINDERS.md: backing files (initially empty)

Schedule formats: hourly | daily | daily:HH:MM | weekly:DOW | weekly:DOW:HH:MM
Job types: remind (→ REMINDERS.md) | note (→ SCRATCH.md)

Co-Authored-By: Claude Sonnet 4.6 <noreply@anthropic.com>

cortex/context_loader.py

@@ -57,7 +57,15 @@ def load_context(
     if help_path.exists():
         parts.append(f"--- HELP.md ---\n{help_path.read_text()}")
 
-    # ── 4. Tiered memory — long → mid → short ─────────────────────
+    # ── 4. Pending reminders (tier 2+) ────────────────────────────
+    #    Written by cron jobs; cleared by Inara after acting on them.
+    reminders_path = inara_dir / "REMINDERS.md"
+    if reminders_path.exists() and reminders_path.stat().st_size > 10:
+        content = reminders_path.read_text().strip()
+        if content:
+            parts.append(f"--- REMINDERS.md ---\n{content}")
+
+    # ── 5. Tiered memory — long → mid → short ─────────────────────
     #    Short is last so it sits closest to the conversation turn.
     if include_long:
         # Fall back to legacy MEMORY.md during/after migration
@@ -81,7 +89,7 @@ def load_context(
             if "Not yet populated" not in content:
                 parts.append(f"--- MEMORY_SHORT.md ---\n{content}")
 
-    # ── 5. Raw session logs (tier 3+) ──────────────────────────────
+    # ── 6. Raw session logs (tier 3+) ──────────────────────────────
     if tier >= 3:
         sessions_dir = inara_dir / "sessions"
         if sessions_dir.exists():

cortex/cron_runner.py

@@ -0,0 +1,161 @@
+"""
+Cron job storage and execution.
+
+Handles reading/writing CRONS.json and running jobs when they fire.
+Imported by scheduler.py (to load jobs at startup) and tools/cron.py
+(to add/remove jobs at runtime).
+
+Job schema:
+  {
+    "id":         "c_abc123",
+    "label":      "Human-readable name",
+    "schedule":   "daily:09:00",   # see parse_schedule() for all formats
+    "type":       "remind" | "note",
+    "payload":    "Text to write when the job fires",
+    "enabled":    true,
+    "created_at": "ISO 8601",
+    "last_run":   null | "ISO 8601"
+  }
+
+Job types:
+  remind  → appends to inara/REMINDERS.md  (auto-loaded into Inara's context)
+  note    → appends to inara/SCRATCH.md    (read on demand via scratch_read)
+"""
+
+import logging
+from datetime import datetime, timezone
+from pathlib import Path
+
+from config import settings
+
+logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+
+_DEFAULT_HOUR = 9
+_DEFAULT_MINUTE = 0
+
+_DOW = {
+    "mon": "mon", "tue": "tue", "wed": "wed", "thu": "thu",
+    "fri": "fri", "sat": "sat", "sun": "sun",
+    "monday": "mon", "tuesday": "tue", "wednesday": "wed",
+    "thursday": "thu", "friday": "fri", "saturday": "sat", "sunday": "sun",
+}
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Storage
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+def crons_path() -> Path:
+    return settings.inara_path() / "CRONS.json"
+
+
+def load_crons() -> list[dict]:
+    p = crons_path()
+    if not p.exists():
+        return []
+    try:
+        import json
+        return json.loads(p.read_text())
+    except Exception:
+        return []
+
+
+def save_crons(crons: list[dict]) -> None:
+    import json
+    crons_path().write_text(json.dumps(crons, indent=2) + "\n")
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Schedule parsing
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+def parse_schedule(schedule: str) -> dict:
+    """
+    Convert a human schedule string to APScheduler cron kwargs.
+
+    Formats:
+      "hourly"           → every hour at :00
+      "daily"            → every day at 09:00
+      "daily:HH:MM"      → every day at HH:MM
+      "weekly:DOW"       → every DOW at 09:00
+      "weekly:DOW:HH:MM" → every DOW at HH:MM
+    """
+    s = schedule.strip().lower()
+
+    if s == "hourly":
+        return {"minute": 0}
+
+    if s == "daily":
+        return {"hour": _DEFAULT_HOUR, "minute": _DEFAULT_MINUTE}
+
+    if s.startswith("daily:"):
+        h, m = _parse_hhmm(s[6:], schedule)
+        return {"hour": h, "minute": m}
+
+    if s.startswith("weekly:"):
+        rest = s[7:].split(":")
+        dow = _DOW.get(rest[0])
+        if not dow:
+            raise ValueError(
+                f"Unknown day of week {rest[0]!r}. "
+                f"Use: mon tue wed thu fri sat sun"
+            )
+        if len(rest) == 3:
+            h, m = _parse_hhmm(f"{rest[1]}:{rest[2]}", schedule)
+        else:
+            h, m = _DEFAULT_HOUR, _DEFAULT_MINUTE
+        return {"day_of_week": dow, "hour": h, "minute": m}
+
+    raise ValueError(
+        f"Unrecognised schedule {schedule!r}. "
+        f"Valid formats: hourly | daily | daily:HH:MM | weekly:DOW | weekly:DOW:HH:MM"
+    )
+
+
+def _parse_hhmm(s: str, original: str) -> tuple[int, int]:
+    parts = s.split(":")
+    if len(parts) != 2:
+        raise ValueError(f"Expected HH:MM in {original!r}, got {s!r}")
+    return int(parts[0]), int(parts[1])
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Execution
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+def _now_label() -> str:
+    return datetime.now(timezone.utc).strftime("%Y-%m-%d %H:%M UTC")
+
+
+async def run_job(job: dict) -> None:
+    """Execute a cron job. Called by APScheduler when the job fires."""
+    job_type = job.get("type")
+    payload = job.get("payload", "").strip()
+    label = job.get("label", job.get("id", "cron"))
+    section = f"\n## {label} — {_now_label()}\n\n{payload}\n"
+
+    inara_dir = settings.inara_path()
+
+    if job_type == "remind":
+        p = inara_dir / "REMINDERS.md"
+        existing = p.read_text() if p.exists() else ""
+        p.write_text(existing.rstrip() + "\n" + section)
+        logger.info("cron [remind] fired: %s", label)
+
+    elif job_type == "note":
+        p = inara_dir / "SCRATCH.md"
+        existing = p.read_text() if p.exists() else ""
+        p.write_text(existing.rstrip() + "\n" + section)
+        logger.info("cron [note] fired: %s", label)
+
+    else:
+        logger.warning("cron: unknown type %r (job %s)", job_type, job.get("id"))
+        return
+
+    # Record last_run
+    crons = load_crons()
+    for c in crons:
+        if c["id"] == job["id"]:
+            c["last_run"] = datetime.now(timezone.utc).isoformat()
+            break
+    save_crons(crons)

cortex/scheduler.py

@@ -52,13 +52,17 @@ async def _run_long() -> None:
         logger.error("auto distill long failed: %s", e)
 
 
+def get_scheduler() -> AsyncIOScheduler | None:
+    """Return the running scheduler instance (used by cron tools for live add/remove)."""
+    return _scheduler
+
+
 def start() -> None:
     global _scheduler
+    _scheduler = AsyncIOScheduler(timezone=ZoneInfo(settings.scheduler_timezone))
+
     if not settings.auto_distill:
         logger.info("auto distillation disabled (AUTO_DISTILL=false)")
-        return
-
-    _scheduler = AsyncIOScheduler(timezone=ZoneInfo(settings.scheduler_timezone))
 
     if settings.auto_distill_short:
         _scheduler.add_job(_run_short, "cron", hour=3, minute=0, id="distill_short")
@@ -72,11 +76,42 @@ def start() -> None:
         _scheduler.add_job(_run_long, "cron", day=1, hour=4, minute=0, id="distill_long")
         logger.info("scheduled: distill_long monthly on 1st at 04:00")
 
-    if _scheduler.get_jobs():
-        _scheduler.start()
-        logger.info("auto distillation scheduler started (%d jobs)", len(_scheduler.get_jobs()))
-    else:
-        logger.info("auto distillation: no jobs enabled")
+    # Load user-defined cron jobs from CRONS.json
+    _load_user_crons()
+
+    _scheduler.start()
+    logger.info("scheduler started (%d jobs)", len(_scheduler.get_jobs()))
+
+
+def _load_user_crons() -> None:
+    """Register all enabled user-defined cron jobs from CRONS.json."""
+    import asyncio
+    try:
+        from cron_runner import load_crons, parse_schedule, run_job
+    except ImportError as e:
+        logger.warning("could not import cron_runner: %s", e)
+        return
+
+    crons = load_crons()
+    loaded = 0
+    for job in crons:
+        if not job.get("enabled", True):
+            continue
+        try:
+            kwargs = parse_schedule(job["schedule"])
+            _scheduler.add_job(
+                lambda j=job: asyncio.ensure_future(run_job(j)),
+                "cron",
+                id=job["id"],
+                replace_existing=True,
+                **kwargs,
+            )
+            loaded += 1
+        except Exception as e:
+            logger.warning("cron job %s skipped: %s", job.get("id"), e)
+
+    if loaded:
+        logger.info("loaded %d user cron job(s)", loaded)
 
 
 def stop() -> None:

cortex/tools/__init__.py

@@ -23,6 +23,13 @@ from tools.files import file_read as _file_read
 from tools.system import claude_allow_dir as _claude_allow_dir
 from tools.tasks import task_list as _task_list, task_create as _task_create
 from tools.tasks import task_update as _task_update, task_complete as _task_complete
+from tools.cron import (
+    cron_list as _cron_list,
+    cron_add as _cron_add,
+    cron_remove as _cron_remove,
+    cron_toggle as _cron_toggle,
+    reminders_clear as _reminders_clear,
+)
 from tools.scratch import (
     scratch_read as _scratch_read,
     scratch_write as _scratch_write,
@@ -185,6 +192,11 @@ _CALLABLES: dict[str, callable] = {
     "task_create": _task_create,
     "task_update": _task_update,
     "task_complete": _task_complete,
+    "cron_list": _cron_list,
+    "cron_add": _cron_add,
+    "cron_remove": _cron_remove,
+    "cron_toggle": _cron_toggle,
+    "reminders_clear": _reminders_clear,
     "scratch_read": _scratch_read,
     "scratch_write": _scratch_write,
     "scratch_append": _scratch_append,
@@ -315,6 +327,98 @@ _task_complete_declaration = types.FunctionDeclaration(
     ),
 )
 
+_cron_list_declaration = types.FunctionDeclaration(
+    name="cron_list",
+    description=(
+        "List all scheduled cron jobs — their ID, label, schedule, type, and last run time. "
+        "Use this to see what's scheduled before adding or removing jobs."
+    ),
+    parameters=types.Schema(type=types.Type.OBJECT, properties={}),
+)
+
+_cron_add_declaration = types.FunctionDeclaration(
+    name="cron_add",
+    description=(
+        "Create a new scheduled cron job and register it immediately (no restart needed). "
+        "Two types: 'remind' writes to the pending reminders queue (Inara sees it automatically "
+        "in context next session); 'note' appends to the scratchpad. "
+        "Schedule formats: 'hourly' | 'daily' | 'daily:HH:MM' | 'weekly:DOW' | 'weekly:DOW:HH:MM'. "
+        "Example: schedule='daily:09:00', type='remind', payload='Check in with Scott.'"
+    ),
+    parameters=types.Schema(
+        type=types.Type.OBJECT,
+        properties={
+            "label": types.Schema(
+                type=types.Type.STRING,
+                description="Short human-readable name for this job (e.g. 'Morning check-in')",
+            ),
+            "schedule": types.Schema(
+                type=types.Type.STRING,
+                description=(
+                    "When to run. Formats: hourly | daily | daily:HH:MM | "
+                    "weekly:DOW | weekly:DOW:HH:MM  (e.g. 'weekly:mon:09:00')"
+                ),
+            ),
+            "job_type": types.Schema(
+                type=types.Type.STRING,
+                description="'remind' (→ REMINDERS.md, auto-surfaced in context) or 'note' (→ SCRATCH.md)",
+            ),
+            "payload": types.Schema(
+                type=types.Type.STRING,
+                description="The text to write when the job fires",
+            ),
+        },
+        required=["label", "schedule", "job_type", "payload"],
+    ),
+)
+
+_cron_remove_declaration = types.FunctionDeclaration(
+    name="cron_remove",
+    description=(
+        "Permanently delete a scheduled cron job. Use cron_list first to get the ID. "
+        "To temporarily disable without deleting, use cron_toggle instead."
+    ),
+    parameters=types.Schema(
+        type=types.Type.OBJECT,
+        properties={
+            "cron_id": types.Schema(
+                type=types.Type.STRING,
+                description="Job ID (e.g. c_abc123) — get from cron_list",
+            ),
+        },
+        required=["cron_id"],
+    ),
+)
+
+_cron_toggle_declaration = types.FunctionDeclaration(
+    name="cron_toggle",
+    description=(
+        "Pause a running cron job, or resume a paused one. "
+        "The job stays in the list and can be re-enabled later. "
+        "Use cron_list to see current enabled/paused state."
+    ),
+    parameters=types.Schema(
+        type=types.Type.OBJECT,
+        properties={
+            "cron_id": types.Schema(
+                type=types.Type.STRING,
+                description="Job ID (e.g. c_abc123) — get from cron_list",
+            ),
+        },
+        required=["cron_id"],
+    ),
+)
+
+_reminders_clear_declaration = types.FunctionDeclaration(
+    name="reminders_clear",
+    description=(
+        "Erase all pending reminders from REMINDERS.md. "
+        "Use this after you have acknowledged and acted on the reminders shown in your context."
+    ),
+    parameters=types.Schema(type=types.Type.OBJECT, properties={}),
+)
+
+
 _scratch_read_declaration = types.FunctionDeclaration(
     name="scratch_read",
     description=(
@@ -386,6 +490,11 @@ TOOL_DECLARATIONS = [
         _task_create_declaration,
         _task_update_declaration,
         _task_complete_declaration,
+        _cron_list_declaration,
+        _cron_add_declaration,
+        _cron_remove_declaration,
+        _cron_toggle_declaration,
+        _reminders_clear_declaration,
         _scratch_read_declaration,
         _scratch_write_declaration,
         _scratch_append_declaration,

cortex/tools/cron.py

@@ -0,0 +1,186 @@
+"""
+Cron job management tools for Inara.
+
+Jobs are stored in inara/CRONS.json and registered with the live APScheduler
+instance so they survive restarts and take effect immediately without a restart.
+
+Tools:
+  cron_list          — show all scheduled jobs
+  cron_add           — create a job and register it immediately
+  cron_remove        — delete a job and unschedule it
+  cron_toggle        — pause or resume a job without deleting it
+  reminders_clear    — erase inara/REMINDERS.md (dismiss all pending reminders)
+"""
+
+import asyncio
+import secrets
+from datetime import datetime, timezone
+from pathlib import Path
+
+from config import settings
+from cron_runner import load_crons, save_crons, parse_schedule
+
+
+def _now() -> str:
+    return datetime.now(timezone.utc).isoformat()
+
+
+def _short_id() -> str:
+    return "c_" + secrets.token_urlsafe(6)
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Sync implementations
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+def _cron_list() -> str:
+    crons = load_crons()
+    if not crons:
+        return "No crons scheduled."
+
+    lines = [f"Crons ({len(crons)}):\n"]
+    for c in crons:
+        status = "enabled" if c.get("enabled", True) else "PAUSED "
+        last = c.get("last_run")
+        last_str = last[:10] if last else "never"
+        lines.append(
+            f"  {c['id']}  [{status}]  {c['schedule']:<18}  "
+            f"{c['type']:<7}  {c['label']}  (last: {last_str})"
+        )
+    return "\n".join(lines)
+
+
+def _cron_add(label: str, schedule: str, job_type: str, payload: str) -> str:
+    # Validate schedule first — raises ValueError with a clear message on bad input
+    try:
+        sched_kwargs = parse_schedule(schedule)
+    except ValueError as e:
+        return f"Bad schedule: {e}"
+
+    if job_type not in ("remind", "note"):
+        return "Bad type: must be 'remind' or 'note'."
+
+    crons = load_crons()
+    job = {
+        "id": _short_id(),
+        "label": label,
+        "schedule": schedule,
+        "type": job_type,
+        "payload": payload,
+        "enabled": True,
+        "created_at": _now(),
+        "last_run": None,
+    }
+    crons.append(job)
+    save_crons(crons)
+
+    # Register with the live scheduler
+    _scheduler_add(job, sched_kwargs)
+
+    return f"Created and scheduled: {job['id']}  {schedule}  [{job_type}]  {label}"
+
+
+def _cron_remove(cron_id: str) -> str:
+    crons = load_crons()
+    before = len(crons)
+    crons = [c for c in crons if c["id"] != cron_id]
+    if len(crons) == before:
+        return f"Not found: {cron_id}"
+    save_crons(crons)
+    _scheduler_remove(cron_id)
+    return f"Removed: {cron_id}"
+
+
+def _cron_toggle(cron_id: str) -> str:
+    crons = load_crons()
+    for c in crons:
+        if c["id"] == cron_id:
+            c["enabled"] = not c.get("enabled", True)
+            save_crons(crons)
+            action = "resumed" if c["enabled"] else "paused"
+            _scheduler_resume(cron_id) if c["enabled"] else _scheduler_pause(cron_id)
+            return f"{action.capitalize()}: {cron_id}  {c['label']}"
+    return f"Not found: {cron_id}"
+
+
+def _reminders_clear() -> str:
+    p = settings.inara_path() / "REMINDERS.md"
+    p.write_text("")
+    return "Reminders cleared."
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Scheduler bridge — thin wrappers so the tool layer never touches APScheduler
+# directly, keeping it swappable
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+def _scheduler_add(job: dict, sched_kwargs: dict) -> None:
+    try:
+        import scheduler as sched_module
+        from cron_runner import run_job
+        s = sched_module.get_scheduler()
+        if s and s.running:
+            s.add_job(
+                lambda j=job: asyncio.ensure_future(run_job(j)),
+                "cron",
+                id=job["id"],
+                replace_existing=True,
+                **sched_kwargs,
+            )
+    except Exception as e:
+        import logging
+        logging.getLogger(__name__).warning("scheduler_add failed: %s", e)
+
+
+def _scheduler_remove(job_id: str) -> None:
+    try:
+        import scheduler as sched_module
+        s = sched_module.get_scheduler()
+        if s and s.running:
+            s.remove_job(job_id)
+    except Exception:
+        pass
+
+
+def _scheduler_pause(job_id: str) -> None:
+    try:
+        import scheduler as sched_module
+        s = sched_module.get_scheduler()
+        if s and s.running:
+            s.pause_job(job_id)
+    except Exception:
+        pass
+
+
+def _scheduler_resume(job_id: str) -> None:
+    try:
+        import scheduler as sched_module
+        s = sched_module.get_scheduler()
+        if s and s.running:
+            s.resume_job(job_id)
+    except Exception:
+        pass
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Async wrappers
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+async def cron_list() -> str:
+    return await asyncio.to_thread(_cron_list)
+
+
+async def cron_add(label: str, schedule: str, job_type: str, payload: str) -> str:
+    return await asyncio.to_thread(_cron_add, label, schedule, job_type, payload)
+
+
+async def cron_remove(cron_id: str) -> str:
+    return await asyncio.to_thread(_cron_remove, cron_id)
+
+
+async def cron_toggle(cron_id: str) -> str:
+    return await asyncio.to_thread(_cron_toggle, cron_id)
+
+
+async def reminders_clear() -> str:
+    return await asyncio.to_thread(_reminders_clear)