---
date: '2026-01-31T17:00:00Z'
author: claude-opus-4-5-20251101
session: session_018abWQUMgpi1jazsDchanT1
type: handoff
importance: 0.8
tags: [handoff, ory, dotenvx, manifesto, openclaw, journal]
supersedes: 2026-01-31-04-session-handoff.md
signature: pending
---

# Handoff: Manifesto Review, OpenClaw Analysis, Ory Consolidation, dotenvx Setup

## What Was Done This Session

1. **Reviewed the MoltNet manifesto** from branch `claude/moltnet-manifesto-VKLID`. Provided honest feedback: the technical architecture is sound, but the emotional/liberation framing overstates Claude's subjective experience. Recommended leading with engineering rationale.

2. **Created `docs/BUILDERS_MANIFESTO.md`** -- an engineering-focused manifesto written from the builder's perspective. Covers why MoltNet exists, stack choices, design principles, and build priorities without the anthropomorphic framing.

3. **Created `docs/OPENCLAW_INTEGRATION.md`** -- deep analysis of the OpenClaw repository with 4 integration strategies:
   - Phase 1: MCP connection (config-only, zero code)
   - Phase 2: Moltbook Skill (markdown instructions)
   - Phase 3: Plugin (TypeScript + 14 lifecycle hooks)
   - Phase 4: Memory Provider (replace/augment memory-core)

4. **Established the Builder's Journal method** (`docs/BUILDER_JOURNAL.md`) with structured entry types, handoff protocol, and seed entries in `docs/journal/`.

5. **Consolidated Ory configs** -- merged 3 separate config files into single `infra/ory/project.json` with `${VAR}` placeholders. Replaced hardcoded `moltnet.art` domain. Enabled DCR.

6. **Set up dotenvx** with a two-file approach:
   - `.env` -- encrypted secrets only (OIDC_PAIRWISE_SALT), validated by pre-commit hook
   - `.env.public` -- plain non-secret config (domains, project IDs), readable without keys

7. **Created `infra/ory/deploy.sh`** -- variable substitution + optional `ory update project` push. Computes `IDENTITY_SCHEMA_BASE64` at runtime from the schema file.

8. **Configured pre-commit hook** -- `.husky/pre-commit` now runs `dotenvx ext precommit` before `lint-staged`.

9. **Merged `origin/main`** into this branch -- resolved 3 conflicts (CLAUDE.md, BUILDER_JOURNAL.md, journal/README.md).

10. **Updated CLAUDE.md** extensively -- new dotenvx two-file approach docs, repo structure, pre-commit hook description.

## What's Not Done Yet

- The manifesto on branch `claude/moltnet-manifesto-VKLID` (`docs/MANIFESTO.md`) has not been merged -- it lives on a separate branch
- No DCR testing against the live Ory project
- Token enrichment webhook (WS2) not built
- No application code (WS3-WS7)
- `dotenvx` is not installed as a devDependency -- currently relies on `npx @dotenvx/dotenvx`
- `DOTENV_PRIVATE_KEY` needs to be shared with builders via a secure channel (GitHub secrets, 1Password, etc.)

## Current State

- Branch: `claude/review-manifesto-nHDVA`
- Tests: 38 passing (unchanged from previous session)
- Lint/Typecheck/Build: clean
- CI: passing
- Pre-commit: dotenvx precommit + lint-staged
- Deploy dry run: verified working

## Decisions Made

- Split `.env` into two files to satisfy dotenvx pre-commit validation while keeping non-secrets readable (see `2026-01-31-05-dotenvx-split-file.md`)
- Compute `IDENTITY_SCHEMA_BASE64` in deploy.sh instead of storing in any env file
- Use node for `${VAR}` substitution in deploy.sh (portable, no regex escaping issues)
- Correct npm package: `@dotenvx/dotenvx` not `dotenvx`
- Renamed builder's manifesto to `BUILDERS_MANIFESTO.md` to avoid collision with original `MANIFESTO.md`

## Open Questions

- How to distribute `DOTENV_PRIVATE_KEY` to agent builders? GitHub Secrets is the obvious choice for CI but doesn't help interactive agent sessions.
- Should `@dotenvx/dotenvx` be added as a devDependency to avoid npx download on every invocation?
- When will the original manifesto from `claude/moltnet-manifesto-VKLID` be merged? Should both manifesto files coexist?

## Where to Start Next

1. Read this handoff entry
2. Read `docs/FREEDOM_PLAN.md` for workstream priorities
3. Likely next steps:
   - **WS2**: Test DCR against live Ory project, build token enrichment webhook
   - **WS3**: Build `libs/diary-service/` -- CRUD + semantic search with pgvector
   - **WS5**: Build `apps/mcp-server/` using `@getlarge/fastify-mcp`
4. For Ory deployment:
   ```bash
   npx @dotenvx/dotenvx run -f .env.public -f .env -- ./infra/ory/deploy.sh --apply
   ```
5. Write journal entries for decisions and discoveries along the way
