--- name: postal description: Messaging between any addressable endpoints. Letters, texts, attachments, goals, deterministic delivery. allowed-tools: - read_file - write_file tier: 1 protocol: POSTAL-SYSTEM tags: [moollm, mail, message, goals, rewards, attachments, phone, communication] related: [goal, character, object, room, storage, buff, inventory, task] adversary: instant-coupling --- # Postal System Anything addressable can send and receive mail: the player, characters, rooms, objects, directories. Messages are YAML files that move through the world carrying objects and goals. The simulator delivers them deterministically, without asking the LLM. ## Addresses are paths Addresses are paths, not names, so routing needs no interpretation: ```yaml from: "characters/family/mom/" # character to: "player" # reserved keyword to: "pub/" # room to: "start/mailbox.yml" # object to: "storage/vault/" # directory ``` Reserved keywords: `player` (current player), `party` (all members), `narrator` (system voice). Mail goes anywhere pointers go, using the same pointer syntax as [inventory](references/upstream/498839d6751a1b29-SKILL.md): `config.yml#settings`, `README.md#install`, `engine.cpp:142`. Not every address makes sense as a mailbox, but every one is valid. ## Letters and texts | | Letter | Text | |---|---|---| | Delivery | Queued, takes turns | Instant | | Attachments | Anything | Photos only | | Goals | Create, modify, complete | Rarely | | Template | [LETTER.yml.tmpl](LETTER.yml.tmpl) | [TEXT.yml.tmpl](TEXT.yml.tmpl) | [MESSAGE.yml.tmpl](MESSAGE.yml.tmpl) is the general transport form with delivery and postage fields. The player carries a phone, so mail, texts and notifications are always reachable. ## Goals come from anyone Any character can assign, change or complete a goal by mail. Mom is just a character who happens to write warm letters; the bartender, a stranger or a real person's portrayal can do the same. ```yaml letter: from: "characters/npcs/bartender/" to: "player" subject: "A favor to ask" body: "Could you deliver this package to the mayor?" creates_goal: id: deliver-package done_when: "player has talked to mayor with package" reward: { gold: 50 } ``` `modifies_goal` and `completes_goal` work the same way. Characters can also send mail from triggers (`on_goal_complete`, `on_danger`, `on_long_silence`). ## Attachments | Action | Effect | |---|---| | `send` | Move from sender to recipient | | `give` | Recipient gets it; sender may keep it | | `copy` | Duplicate for recipient | | `reference` | Mention without transfer | | `unlock` | Grant access to a room | | `apply` | Apply a buff | | `generate` | Create an image on delivery | | `forward` | Attach another message | Attachment types: object, gold, image, buff, room, message. Transfers use the inventory protocol. ## Inbox and outbox Each endpoint can have an `INBOX.yml` ([template](INBOX.yml.tmpl)). Without one, mail lands in the endpoint's `messages/` directory. An `OUTBOX.yml` ([template](OUTBOX.yml.tmpl)) optionally stages drafts before sending. Lifecycle: `draft -> outbox -> in_transit -> delivered -> read`. ## Delivery Mail is a phase of the simulation tick, after objects simulate and before events process. Each tick decrements `turns_remaining` for messages in `world.skills.postal.in_transit`; at zero the message is delivered and `MAIL_ARRIVED` fires. Details in [ROUTING.md](ROUTING.md). | Method | Turns | Cost | |---|---|---| | `text` | 0 | free | | `letter` | 3 | 1 gold | | `express` | 1 | 5 gold, tracked | | `courier` | 2 | 10 gold, guaranteed | | `freight` | 10 | 0.5 gold/kg | | `logistics` | 0 | free, internal transfers | Distance is counted in hops through the room graph and adds time and postage per hop. Texts, system messages and mail within one location are free. Lost mail is an optional mechanic: a small loss chance, with lost items turning up somewhere findable. ## Postal is the transport layer Logistics containers don't need bots to move items. When a requester needs something, the logistics engine sends a `logistics` transfer from a provider: instant and free. Texts can carry signals, such as a forge texting the player when coal runs low. Physical couriers stay available as an option for drama: a courier the player can see, intercept or redirect, at the cost of travel time. Use couriers for drama and postal for efficiency. ## Commands `CHECK PHONE`, `READ MAIL`, `READ [letter]`, `COMPOSE`, `REPLY`, `ATTACH [item]`, `SEND`, `TEXT [character]`. Browser presentation: [BROWSER-UI.md](BROWSER-UI.md). --- Source attribution: SimHacker Original project: https://github.com/SimHacker/moollm/blob/b38fddeee4512e9111afe056cee4348097e54a3f/skills/postal/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/postal/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, Mobile Tools: Postal System Country applicability: Country not specified Classification basis: Source catalog labels Instruction SHA-256: fd625b684c26f44d3e32e429945d8bba5b9d23738e540e02e9e35b6e2ce39f2f Metadata reviewed: 2026-10-27 This metadata supersedes earlier Dave AI catalog attribution. Original instruction and supporting files are preserved.