oracle

# oracle — best use Oracle bundles your prompt + selected files into one “one-shot” request so another model can answer with real repo context (API or browser automation). Treat output as advisory: verify against code + tests. ## Main use case (browser, GPT‑5.2 Pro) Default workflow here: `--engine browser` with GPT‑5.2 Pro in ChatGPT. This is the common “long think” path: ~10 minutes to ~1 hour is normal; expect a stored session you can reattach to. Recommended defaults: - Engine: browser (`--engine browser`) - Model: GPT‑5.2 Pro (`--model gpt-5.2-pro` or `--model "5.2 Pro"`) ## Golden path 1. Pick a tight file set (fewest files that still contain the truth). 2. Preview payload + token spend (`--dry-run` + `--files-report`). 3. Use browser mode for the usual GPT‑5.2 Pro workflow; use API only when you explicitly want it. 4. If the run detaches/timeouts: reattach to the stored session (don’t re-run). ## Commands (preferred) - Help: - `oracle --help` - If the binary isn’t installed: `npx -y @steipete/oracle --help` (avoid `pnpx` here; sqlite bindings). - Preview (no tokens): - `oracle --dry-run summary -p "<task>" --file "src/**" --file "!**/*.test.*"` - `oracle --dry-run full -p "<task>" --file "src/**"` - Token sanity: - `oracle --dry-run summary --files-report -p "<task>" --file "src/**"` - Browser run (main path; long-running is normal): - `oracle --engine browser --model gpt-5.2-pro -p "<task>" --file "src/**"` - Manual paste fallback: - `oracle --render --copy -p "<task>" --file "src/**"` - Note: `--copy` is a hidden alias for `--copy-markdown`. ## Attaching files (`--file`) `--file` accepts files, directories, and globs. You can pass it multiple times; entries can be comma-separated. - Include: - `--file "src/**"` - `--file src/index.ts` - `--file docs --file README.md` - Exclude: - `--file "src/**" --file "!src/**/*.test.ts" --file "!**/*.snap"` - Defaults (implementation behavior): - Default-ignored dirs: `node_modules`, `dist`, `coverage`, `.git`, `.turbo`, `.next`, `build`, `tmp` (skipped unless explicitly passed as literal dirs/files). - Honors `.gitignore` when expanding globs. - Does not follow symlinks. - Dotfiles filtered unless opted in via pattern (e.g. `--file ".github/**"`). - Files > 1 MB rejected. ## Engines (API vs browser) - Auto-pick: `api` when `OPENAI_API_KEY` is set; otherwise `browser`. - Browser supports GPT + Gemini only; use `--engine api` for Claude/Grok/Codex or multi-model runs. - Browser attachments: - `--browser-attachments auto|never|always` (auto pastes inline up to ~60k chars then uploads). - Remote browser host: - Host: `oracle serve --host 0.0.0.0 --port 9473 --token <secret>` - Client: `oracle --engine browser --remote-host <host:port> --remote-token <secret> -p "<task>" --file "src/**"` ## Sessions + slugs - Stored under `~/.oracle/sessions` (override with `ORACLE_HOME_DIR`). - Runs may detach or take a long time (browser + GPT‑5.2 Pro often does). If the CLI times out: don’t re-run; reattach. - List: `oracle status --hours 72` - Attach: `oracle session <id> --render` - Use `--slug "<3-5 words>"` to keep session IDs readable. - Duplicate prompt guard exists; use `--force` only when you truly want a fresh run. ## Prompt template (high signal) Oracle starts with **zero** project knowledge. Assume the model cannot infer your stack, build tooling, conventions, or “obvious” paths. Include: - Project briefing (stack + build/test commands + platform constraints). - “Where things live” (key directories, entrypoints, config files, boundaries). - Exact question + what you tried + the error text (verbatim). - Constraints (“don’t change X”, “must keep public API”, etc). - Desired output (“return patch plan + tests”, “give 3 options with tradeoffs”). ## Safety - Don’t attach secrets by default (`.env`, key files, auth tokens). Redact aggressively; share only what’s required. ## “Exhaustive prompt” restoration pattern For long investigations, write a standalone prompt + file set so you can rerun days later: - 6–30 sentence project briefing + the goal. - Repro steps + exact errors + what you tried. - Attach all context files needed (entrypoints, configs, key modules, docs). Oracle runs are one-shot; the model doesn’t remember prior runs. “Restoring context” means re-running with the same prompt + `--file …` set (or reattaching a still-running stored session).