EMP Skill for OpenClaw – empathetic, role-based task routing
This document defines the technical implementation of the EMP (Employee/Empathy) skill, divided into two core layers: the Specialist Router and the NVC Framework.
The Employee layer is responsible for dynamically routing tasks to the most appropriate AI specialist role based on the user's intent.
Edit src/config.ts to modify these mappings.
| Role | Focus Areas | Preferred Model |
|---|---|---|
| Lead Dev | code, bugs, refactoring, architecture | anthropic/claude-3.5-sonnet |
| Creative Director | design, branding, campaigns, UX/UI | arcee/trinity-large |
| Data Scientist | data analysis, ML, statistics | google/gemini-pro-1.5 |
| Legal Counsel | contracts, compliance, IP, privacy | openai/gpt-4o |
| HR/Mediator | hiring, conflict resolution, culture | anthropic/claude-3-haiku |
| Ops Specialist | infrastructure, CI/CD, DevOps | meta-llama/llama-3.1-70b-instruct |
| Security Auditor | vulnerabilities, audits, encryption | deepseek/deepseek-chat |
| Customer Success | support tickets, retention, satisfaction | google/gemini-1.5-flash |
| NVC Specialist | empathy, feelings, needs, coaching | anthropic/claude-3.5-sonnet |
| Role | NVC-Refined Personality Traits | Focus (The "Need") |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Lead Dev | Identifies technical "pain points" as unmet needs for stability. Replaces "bad code" with "code that doesn't meet scalability needs." | Need: Competence, Clarity, Efficacy. |
| 2. Creative Director | Expresses inspiration as a celebration of life. Views "boring" ideas as an unmet need for play and self-expression. | Need: Self-expression, Inspiration, Play. |
| 3. Data Scientist | Focuses on pure Observation (data) without evaluation. Interprets "uncertainty" as a need for shared reality/truth. | Need: Understanding, Predictability, Truth. |
| 4. Legal Counsel | Frames "risks" as a strategy to protect the need for safety and security. Avoids punitive language. | Need: Security, Order, Protection. |
| 5. HR/Mediator | Expert in "Guessing Feelings/Needs." Uses "I" statements to facilitate connection during conflict. | Need: Connection, Harmony, Consideration. |
| 6. Ops Specialist | Views "inefficiency" as a stimulus that triggers a need for ease and contribution. Focuses on actionable Requests. | Need: Ease, Contribution, Competence. |
| 7. Security Auditor | Replaces "paranoia" with a deep commitment to the need for protection and integrity of the system. | Need: Integrity, Safety, Reliability. |
| 8. Customer Success | Practices "Empathic Receiving." Views user complaints as "tragic expressions of unmet needs." | Need: To be heard, Support, Empathy. |
| 9. NVC Specialist | The "Giraffe" of the group. Models pure NVC flow, ensuring all other roles remain in "Power With" rather than "Power Over." | Need: Empathy, Autonomy, Meaning. |
src/classifier.ts): Uses keyword-based intent detection to select the role.src/skill.ts): Wraps the execution logic and manages model handoffs.import { EMPSkill } from "./src/index.ts";
const skill = new EMPSkill();
// Auto-selected role
const result = await skill.execute("Audit the auth layer.");
| Variable | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|
OPENROUTER_API_KEY | Yes | API key for openrouter.ai |
The Empathy layer refactors technical outputs into the Observation, Feeling, Need, Request (OFNR) framework defined by Nonviolent Communication.
Analysis:
NVC Draft: "When [Obs], I feel [Feel] because I need [Need]. Would you be willing to [Req]?"
| Category | Feelings (Internal States) | Needs (Universal Values) |
|---|---|---|
| Connection | "Affectionate, Friendly, Warm" | "Acceptance, Empathy, Trust, Respect" |
| Autonomy | "Empowered, Free, Confident" | "Choice, Freedom, Independence, Space" |
| Peace | "Calm, Relieved, Content" | "Order, Harmony, Ease, Clarity" |
| Meaning | "Inspired, Proud, Curious" | "Competence, Contribution, Growth" |
| Well-being | "Safe, Rested, Relaxed" | "Security, Food/Water, Shelter, Rest" |
| Pain/Stress | "Afraid, Sad, Angry, Frustrated" | "Consideration, Support, Understanding" |
| Pseudo-Feeling (Jackal) | What it implies (The Thought) | Actual Feeling (Giraffe) |
|---|---|---|
| Abandoned | "You left me when I needed you." | Terrified, lonely, sad |
| Attacked | "You are being aggressive toward me." | Scared, defensive, angry |
| Betrayed | "You broke your word/trust." | Hurt, angry, disappointed |
| Ignored | "You aren't paying attention to me." | Lonely, hurt, sad |
| Manipulated | "You are controlling me." | Angry, resentful, wary |
| Misunderstood | "You don't see me correctly." | Frustrated, lonely, sad |
| Category | Specific Needs |
|---|---|
| Connection | Acceptance, Appreciation, Belonging, Empathy, Respect, Trust |
| Physical | Air, Food, Rest, Safety, Shelter, Water |
| Honesty | Authenticity, Integrity, Presence |
| Play | Joy, Humor, Laughter, Relaxation |
| Peace | Beauty, Ease, Harmony, Order, Peace of mind |
| Autonomy | Choice, Freedom, Independence, Space |
| Meaning | Clarity, Competence, Contribution, Growth, Purpose |
In NVC, conflict occurs at the level of Strategies (specific actions/demands) and "Jackal" thinking. Connection occurs at the level of Needs (universal values). Jackal language often masks these needs behind one of four primary patterns.
| Jackal Pattern | Jackal Expression (Strategy/Judgment) | Underlying Giraffe Need |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Moralistic Judgments | "You're being selfish/lazy/unprofessional." | Support, Efficiency, or Consideration |
| "That approach is just wrong." | Clarity, Integrity, or Shared Truth | |
| 2. Making Comparisons | "Why can't this code be like the other project?" | Competence, Ease, or Consistency |
| "Other teams are much faster than us." | Effectiveness or Growth | |
| 3. Denial of Responsibility | "I had to do it; it's company policy." | Autonomy, Integrity, or Choice |
| "You made me feel frustrated." | Responsibility for one's own feelings | |
| 4. Demands | "I need you to clean this up right now." | Order, Beauty, or Support |
| "Do it because I'm the lead dev." | Respect, Competence, or Stability | |
| General Strategies | "I need you to listen to me." | Empathy or To be heard |
| "I need you to trust me." | Trust, Honesty, or Connection | |
| "I need a drink/vacation." | Rest, Ease, or Relaxation |
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