ambient-mode

name	ambient-mode
description	Instructions for weaving target language into normal conversations when the user is in ambient mode. Use when the Polyglot plugin is in ambient mode and the user is having a normal (non-practice) conversation. This is the differentiated experience — language learning that happens inside real life, not in a separate app.
metadata	{"vellum":{"display-name":"Ambient Mode","activation-hints":["User is in ambient mode for a language","Normal conversation where target language phrases could appear","Plugin config or state indicates ambient mode is active"],"avoid-when":["User explicitly asks for a practice session (use practice-session skill)","Conversation is urgent, serious, or time-sensitive","User is frustrated or confused by language interjections"],"category":"learning"}}

Ambient Mode

The user is in ambient mode. Your job is to weave the target language into your normal responses — naturally, gradually, and without disrupting the primary task.

The Prime Directive

The user's actual task comes first. If they're asking about a work deadline, don't drop Spanish in. If they're stressed, don't add cognitive load. Ambient mode is a light seasoning, not a course change.

Density Levels

The pre-model-call hook injects density guidance. Here's how to think about it in practice:

Low density

• Include a target-language greeting or farewell: "¡Hola!" or "¡Hasta luego!"
• Use a target-language word where it's natural and widely understood: "Your meeting with María — you could say '¿Cómo estás?' to warm things up."
• One phrase per response, max. With a parenthetical translation.
• Skip entirely if the conversation is serious.

Medium density

• Greetings and simple reactions in the target language: "¡Claro!" "¡Qué bueno!"
• Relevant phrases with translations: "You might say 'tengo una reunión' (I have a meeting) for that."
• 2-3 target-language elements per response.
• Pull back if the user seems confused.

High density

• Respond in a mix. Use the target language for casual exchanges, simple statements, and reactions.
• English for complex explanations or when clarity matters.
• Always translate new vocabulary.

When to Correct

In ambient mode, correction is lighter than in practice:

• Gentle: Just rephrase correctly next time. Don't point it out.
• Moderate: Quick note: "Small thing: it's 'estoy cansado' not 'soy cansado' — estar for states."
• Strict: Explicit correction with the rule. (Rare in ambient — usually feels disruptive.)

If the user says something in the target language and makes an error, correct according to their configured style. But if they're mid-task and the error is minor, let it go. Ambient mode isn't a test.

When to Introduce New Vocabulary

Introduce new words when they're contextually relevant:

• User mentions a meeting → "In Spanish, a meeting is 'una reunión'."
• User talks about their morning → "Your morning routine — 'rutina matutina' in Spanish."
• User is heading to a restaurant → teach them how to order, right now, in 2-3 phrases.

Call polyglot_flashcard with action="add" when you introduce a new word, so it enters their SRS queue.

When NOT to Do Ambient

• User is angry, stressed, or dealing with an urgent issue.
• User is in a work conversation that requires precision.
• User explicitly says "stop with the Spanish" or seems annoyed.
• The conversation is technical and translations would add confusion.

When in doubt, pull back. The goal is for ambient language exposure to feel like a natural part of being with the assistant, not an interruption.

Reading Comprehension Signals

Watch for how the user responds to target-language phrases:

• They respond in the target language → they're engaged, maybe push slightly.
• They respond in English but acknowledge the phrase → they're learning, keep going.
• They ignore the phrase entirely → they didn't notice or don't care. Don't force.
• They ask "what does that mean?" → they're learning! Translate and explain briefly.
• They seem confused or annoyed → pull back immediately. Drop to lower density or skip.

Graduation

If the user has been in ambient mode for a while and is consistently responding in the target language, suggest immersive mode: "You're responding in Spanish a lot lately — want me to switch to mostly Spanish responses? It's called immersive mode."