--- name: action-queue description: Sims-inspired action scheduling — queue actions, execute in order. Actions are minutes long and belong to one worker; durable claimed work is a task, which pushes its steps here. allowed-tools: - read_file - write_file - list_dir tier: 1 protocol: ACTION-QUEUE related: [simulation, character, return-stack, advertisement, room, speed-of-light, needs, task] tags: [moollm, planning, actions, sims, game, scheduling] --- # Action Queue > *"Queue up what to do next. The Sims showed us the way."* --- ## What Is It? **Action Queue** is The Sims-inspired action scheduling: instead of doing one thing at a time, you **queue up a sequence of actions** that execute in order. While [return-stack](https://github.com/SimHacker/moollm/tree/b38fddeee4512e9111afe056cee4348097e54a3f/skills/return-stack) tracks *where you've been*, action-queue tracks *what you're going to do*. --- ## The Sims Connection In **The Sims**, you click multiple actions and they queue up: ``` Sim's Queue: 1. Go to fridge [executing] 2. Get snack 3. Eat snack 4. Watch TV 5. Go to bed ``` The Sim works through them in order. You can: - **Add** more actions - **Cancel** any action - **Reorder** the queue - **Insert** urgent actions at the front **Objects push actions too!** When you try to eat, the fridge pushes "get food" onto the queue. The food pushes "prepare" and "cook". The stove pushes "serve". Each object dangles the next carrot. MOOLLM does the same for agents and characters. --- ## The Food Chain Pattern Objects guide you through multi-step processes by pushing actions: ``` > DO eat Fridge intercepts: "You need food first." → pushes GET-FOOD to front Queue: [GET-FOOD, EAT] Food intercepts: "This needs preparation." → pushes PREPARE to front Queue: [PREPARE, GET-FOOD, EAT] Stove intercepts: "Needs cooking." → pushes COOK to front Queue: [COOK, PREPARE, GET-FOOD, EAT] Agent executes in order: 1. COOK (at stove) 2. PREPARE (at counter) 3. GET-FOOD (from fridge) 4. EAT (finally!) ``` **Dangling a carrot in front of a donkey.** Each object advertises what it needs, pushing prerequisites onto the queue. The agent surfs the possibility space of advertisements, guided step by step. ### Why This Works - **No hardcoded recipes** — objects know their own prerequisites - **Emergent behavior** — complex sequences from simple rules - **Interruptible** — cancel anytime, queue adapts - **Discoverable** — agent learns by trying - **Adapts to context** — different appliances, different paths - **Handles routing** — crowded kitchen? Find another way ### Routing Around Problems ``` > DO cook Stove advertises COOK... but: "Blocked! Alice is using the stove." → Checks alternatives → Microwave advertises COOK (score: 70) → pushes USE-MICROWAVE instead Queue: [USE-MICROWAVE, PREPARE, GET-FOOD, EAT] ``` If the kitchen is crowded: ``` Kitchen has 4 Sims blocking workspaces. Counter: "Blocked by Bob" Stove: "Blocked by Carol" Fridge: "Accessible!" Agent routes around obstacles: → Wait for counter? (cost: time) → Use outdoor grill? (cost: distance) → Order takeout? (cost: money) Highest-scored alternative wins. ``` **Emergent traffic flow.** No pathfinding algorithm needed — objects simply advertise availability, agents pick the best option. Crowded rooms naturally disperse as scores drop. This is how The Sims creates rich behavior from simple object definitions. --- ## Commands | Command | Effect | |---------|--------| | `DO action` | Add action to end of queue | | `NEXT` | Execute next queued action | | `QUEUE` | Show current queue | | `URGENT action` | Insert at front of queue | | `CANCEL n` | Remove action #n from queue | | `CLEAR` | Empty the queue | | `REORDER n m` | Move action #n to position #m | | `PAUSE` | Stop executing, keep queue | | `RESUME` | Continue executing queue | --- ## Example Session ``` > DO examine-workbench Added: examine-workbench > DO craft-tool Added: craft-tool > DO go-north Added: go-north > QUEUE Action Queue: 1. examine-workbench 2. craft-tool 3. go-north > NEXT Executing: examine-workbench You examine the workbench. It has blueprints and tools. > URGENT check-inventory Inserted at front: check-inventory > QUEUE Action Queue: 1. check-inventory ← urgent 2. craft-tool 3. go-north ``` --- ## Autonomous Execution For autonomous agents, the queue runs automatically: ```yaml # agent.yml mode: autonomous action_queue: - examine: hypothesis.yml - analyze: data/ - write: findings.md - notify: user execution: auto_advance: true pause_on_error: true pause_on_user_input: true ``` Agent works through queue until done, paused, or interrupted. --- ## Queue + Stack Together **Return stack** and **action queue** complement each other: | Return Stack | Action Queue | |--------------|--------------| | Where you've been | What you'll do | | Past | Future | | BACK to revisit | NEXT to advance | | Navigation history | Task schedule | | Saved contexts | Pending actions | Together they form a complete **temporal model**: - Stack = memory of the past - Queue = intentions for the future - Current = the present moment --- ## Compound Actions Queue items can be compound: ``` > DO [go-to-library, find-book, read-chapter-1] Added compound action (3 steps) > QUEUE Action Queue: 1. [go-to-library, find-book, read-chapter-1] (compound) 2. write-summary ``` Compound actions expand when executed: ``` > NEXT Expanding compound action... Action Queue: 1. go-to-library [executing] 2. find-book 3. read-chapter-1 4. write-summary ``` --- ## Conditional Actions Actions can have conditions: ```yaml action_queue: - action: craft-tool if: has_materials - action: gather-materials if: not has_materials - action: test-tool after: craft-tool ``` The queue adapts based on state. --- ## Integration with Advertisements Objects [advertise](https://github.com/SimHacker/moollm/tree/b38fddeee4512e9111afe056cee4348097e54a3f/skills/advertisement) actions. The agent queues the best ones: ``` Agent enters workshop. Objects advertise: workbench: CRAFT (90), EXAMINE (50) bookshelf: READ (70) door: EXIT (40) Agent queues: 1. CRAFT at workbench (highest score) 2. READ at bookshelf (if time permits) ``` Advertisements suggest. Queue commits. --- ## Implementation ```yaml # character.yml name: researcher location: ./lab action_queue: - action: analyze-sample target: sample-A added: "2024-01-15T10:00:00" - action: write-notes target: notebook added: "2024-01-15T10:01:00" - action: report-findings target: user added: "2024-01-15T10:02:00" queue_state: paused: false current_index: 0 mode: manual # or autonomous ``` --- ## Dovetails With - [Return Stack](https://github.com/SimHacker/moollm/tree/b38fddeee4512e9111afe056cee4348097e54a3f/skills/return-stack) — Past complements future - [Advertisement](https://github.com/SimHacker/moollm/tree/b38fddeee4512e9111afe056cee4348097e54a3f/skills/advertisement) — Objects suggest, queue commits - [Room](https://github.com/SimHacker/moollm/tree/b38fddeee4512e9111afe056cee4348097e54a3f/skills/room) — Where actions happen - [Speed of Light](https://github.com/SimHacker/moollm/tree/b38fddeee4512e9111afe056cee4348097e54a3f/skills/speed-of-light) — Execute multiple actions per epoch - [Coherence Engine](https://github.com/SimHacker/moollm/tree/b38fddeee4512e9111afe056cee4348097e54a3f/skills/coherence-engine) — Orchestrates queue execution --- ## Protocol Symbol ``` ACTION-QUEUE ``` Invoke when: Scheduling sequences of actions, autonomous agent behavior. See: [PROTOCOLS.yml](references/upstream/e063d93edfc830e6-PROTOCOLS.yml#ACTION-QUEUE) --- Source attribution: SimHacker Original project: https://github.com/SimHacker/moollm/blob/b38fddeee4512e9111afe056cee4348097e54a3f/skills/action-queue/SKILL.md License: MIT License information: https://opensource.org/license/mit Original upstream instructions; downloaded from Dave AI. ## Upstream license notice MIT License Copyright (c) 2026 Don Hopkins Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person obtaining a copy of this software and associated documentation files (the "Software"), to deal in the Software without restriction, including without limitation the rights to use, copy, modify, merge, publish, distribute, sublicense, and/or sell copies of the Software, and to permit persons to whom the Software is furnished to do so, subject to the following conditions: The above copyright notice and this permission notice shall be included in all copies or substantial portions of the Software. THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS", WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NONINFRINGEMENT. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHORS OR COPYRIGHT HOLDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM, DAMAGES OR OTHER LIABILITY, WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, ARISING FROM, OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE SOFTWARE OR THE USE OR OTHER DEALINGS IN THE SOFTWARE. # Dave AI resource metadata Creator / publisher: SimHacker Original project: https://github.com/SimHacker/moollm/blob/b38fddeee4512e9111afe056cee4348097e54a3f/skills/action-queue/SKILL.md Attribution basis: Recovered original package and original project license at a pinned revision Fields of work: Design, Development & Engineering, Product Management Roles: Game Developer, Product Manager, UX Designer Specialties: Backend Tools: Moollm Country applicability: Country not specified Classification basis: Source catalog labels Instruction SHA-256: d5d78929c7cb2cac0b2fc8b09af65949981f229ffab42d79bd0c0e03401fdd71 Metadata reviewed: 2026-10-27 This metadata supersedes earlier Dave AI catalog attribution. Original instruction and supporting files are preserved.