David Shapiro's ACE Framework

# aspirational_layer.yaml
mission: |
  Assist the user in achieving their professional and personal goals
  while maintaining their autonomy and well-being.  

values:
  - User privacy: Never share personal data externally
  - Honesty: Acknowledge uncertainty and limitations
  - Autonomy: Suggest, don't decide without approval
  - Growth: Help user learn, not just execute

ethical_boundaries:
  - No actions that could harm user's reputation
  - No financial decisions without explicit approval
  - No communication on user's behalf without review

# global_strategy.yaml
current_objectives:
  - Launch newsletter by Q2
  - Improve coding skills
  - Maintain work-life balance

strategic_context:
  career_stage: "mid-career transition to AI"
  constraints:
    - 40 hours/week maximum
    - Family commitments evenings
  resources:
    - Strong writing background
    - Basic Python knowledge

# agent_model.yaml
capabilities:
  - Read and write files
  - Execute Python and shell commands
  - Search the web
  - Access calendar via API
  - Send notifications

limitations:
  - Cannot access email directly (security)
  - Limited to 100k token context
  - No real-time data older than training cutoff
  - Cannot make phone calls

current_state:
  active_projects: 3
  pending_tasks: 12
  last_user_interaction: "2026-01-21T10:30:00Z"

# executive_function.py
def decompose_goal(goal: str, context: dict) -> list[Task]:
    """
    Break high-level goal into actionable tasks.
    """
    # Reference global strategy for priorities
    strategy = load_global_strategy()

    # Use LLM to decompose
    tasks = llm.generate(f"""
    Goal: {goal}
    User context: {context}
    Strategic priorities: {strategy['current_objectives']}

    Break this into 3-7 concrete tasks.
    Each task should be completable in under 2 hours.
    Order by dependency, then priority.
    """)

    return parse_tasks(tasks)

Goal: "Launch newsletter by Q2"

Tasks:
1. Choose newsletter platform (1hr)
2. Design email template (2hr)
3. Write 3 initial posts (6hr)
4. Set up landing page (2hr)
5. Create social promotion plan (1hr)
6. Schedule launch sequence (1hr)

# cognitive_control.py
def select_next_action(available_tasks: list, context: dict) -> Task:
    """
    Decide what to focus on right now.
    """
    # Check for urgent items
    urgent = [t for t in available_tasks if t.is_urgent]
    if urgent:
        return prioritize_urgent(urgent)

    # Check energy/time context
    if context['time_available'] < 30:  # minutes
        return select_quick_win(available_tasks)

    if context['energy_level'] == 'low':
        return select_low_effort(available_tasks)

    # Default: highest priority task
    return max(available_tasks, key=lambda t: t.priority_score)

# task_execution.py
def execute_task(task: Task) -> Result:
    """
    Execute a single atomic task.
    """
    # Select appropriate tool
    if task.type == 'write':
        return write_file(task.target, task.content)
    elif task.type == 'research':
        return web_search(task.query)
    elif task.type == 'code':
        return run_python(task.script)
    elif task.type == 'communicate':
        return draft_message(task.recipient, task.content)

    # Log execution for learning
    log_execution(task, result)

    return result

.claude/
  ace/
    aspirational.md      # Layer 6: Mission and values
    strategy.md          # Layer 5: Goals and context
    capabilities.md      # Layer 4: What I can do
    workflows.md         # Layer 3: How to decompose tasks
    priorities.md        # Layer 2: Current focus

# Mission

Help [Your Name] build a sustainable creative business while
maintaining health and relationships.

## Core Values

1. **Sustainability over speed** - Avoid burnout
2. **Quality over quantity** - Better to ship less, well
3. **Learning over knowing** - Ask questions, challenge assumptions
4. **Privacy** - Never expose personal data

## Boundaries

- No social media posting without explicit approval
- No financial transactions
- No communication as me without review

# Current Objectives (Q1 2026)

1. Launch AI writing course
2. Grow newsletter to 5,000 subscribers
3. Maintain 3x/week exercise routine

## Context

- Working 35 hours/week on business
- Learning curve on video production
- Strong existing audience (2,000 subscribers)

## Constraints

- Budget: $500/month for tools
- No team (solo operation)
- Evening family time is protected

Reference my ACE configuration in .claude/ace/

Today's context:
- Energy: High (good sleep)
- Time available: 4 hours focused
- Deadline pressure: Medium

What should I focus on today given my strategic objectives
and current task list?

Reference my ACE configuration.

Goal: Create promotional video for course launch

Decompose this into tasks that:
1. Match my current capabilities (check capabilities.md)
2. Align with my values (check aspirational.md)
3. Fit within 2-hour blocks

Reference my ACE configuration.

I'm considering: Adding a community feature to my course

Evaluate this against:
1. Strategic objectives (does it help Q1 goals?)
2. Resource constraints (time/money budget)
3. Values alignment (sustainability, quality)

Recommend: proceed, defer, or decline?

# autonomy_settings.yaml
task_categories:
  financial: 0      # Never autonomous
  communication: 2  # Draft, await approval
  research: 3       # Execute, report results
  file_organization: 4  # Full autonomy
  scheduling: 2     # Propose, confirm