feat(skills): backport adversarial UX optional skill

hermes_cli/config.py

@@ -523,7 +523,7 @@ DEFAULT_CONFIG = {
     
     # Text-to-speech configuration
     "tts": {
-        "provider": "edge",  # "edge" (free) | "elevenlabs" (premium) | "openai" | "minimax" | "mistral" | "neutts" (local) | "kittentts" (local)
+        "provider": "edge",  # "edge" (free) | "elevenlabs" (premium) | "openai" | "minimax" | "mistral" | "neutts" (local)
         "edge": {
             "voice": "en-US-AriaNeural",
             # Popular: AriaNeural, JennyNeural, AndrewNeural, BrianNeural, SoniaNeural
@@ -547,12 +547,6 @@ DEFAULT_CONFIG = {
             "model": "neuphonic/neutts-air-q4-gguf",  # HuggingFace model repo
             "device": "cpu",  # cpu, cuda, or mps
         },
-        "kittentts": {
-            "model": "KittenML/kitten-tts-nano-0.8-int8",  # 25MB int8 default
-            "voice": "Jasper",  # Jasper, Bella, Luna, Bruno, Rosie, Hugo, Kiki, Leo
-            "speed": 1.0,
-            "clean_text": True,
-        },
     },
     
     "stt": {

hermes_cli/setup.py

@@ -443,16 +443,6 @@ def _print_setup_summary(config: dict, hermes_home):
             tool_status.append(("Text-to-Speech (NeuTTS local)", True, None))
         else:
             tool_status.append(("Text-to-Speech (NeuTTS — not installed)", False, "run 'hermes setup tts'"))
-    elif tts_provider == "kittentts":
-        try:
-            import importlib.util
-            kittentts_ok = importlib.util.find_spec("kittentts") is not None
-        except Exception:
-            kittentts_ok = False
-        if kittentts_ok:
-            tool_status.append(("Text-to-Speech (KittenTTS local)", True, None))
-        else:
-            tool_status.append(("Text-to-Speech (KittenTTS — not installed)", False, "run 'hermes setup tts'"))
     else:
         tool_status.append(("Text-to-Speech (Edge TTS)", True, None))
 
@@ -901,7 +891,6 @@ def _install_neutts_deps() -> bool:
                 return False
         else:
             print_warning("espeak-ng is required for NeuTTS. Install it manually before using NeuTTS.")
-            return False
 
     # Install neutts Python package
     print()
@@ -921,34 +910,8 @@ def _install_neutts_deps() -> bool:
         return False
 
 
-def _install_kittentts_deps() -> bool:
-    """Install KittenTTS dependencies with user approval. Returns True on success."""
-    import subprocess
-    import sys
-
-    wheel_url = (
-        "https://github.com/KittenML/KittenTTS/releases/download/"
-        "0.8.1/kittentts-0.8.1-py3-none-any.whl"
-    )
-    print()
-    print_info("Installing kittentts Python package (~25-80MB model downloaded on first use)...")
-    print()
-    try:
-        subprocess.run(
-            [sys.executable, "-m", "pip", "install", "-U", wheel_url, "soundfile", "--quiet"],
-            check=True, timeout=300,
-        )
-        print_success("kittentts installed successfully")
-        return True
-    except (subprocess.CalledProcessError, subprocess.TimeoutExpired) as e:
-        print_error(f"Failed to install kittentts: {e}")
-        print_info(f"Try manually: python -m pip install -U '{wheel_url}' soundfile")
-        return False
-
-
 def _setup_tts_provider(config: dict):
-    """Interactive TTS provider selection with install flow for local providers."""
-
+    """Interactive TTS provider selection with install flow for NeuTTS."""
     tts_config = config.get("tts", {})
     current_provider = tts_config.get("provider", "edge")
     subscription_features = get_nous_subscription_features(config)
@@ -960,7 +923,6 @@ def _setup_tts_provider(config: dict):
         "minimax": "MiniMax TTS",
         "mistral": "Mistral Voxtral TTS",
         "neutts": "NeuTTS",
-        "kittentts": "KittenTTS",
     }
     current_label = provider_labels.get(current_provider, current_provider)
 
@@ -982,10 +944,9 @@ def _setup_tts_provider(config: dict):
             "MiniMax TTS (high quality with voice cloning, needs API key)",
             "Mistral Voxtral TTS (multilingual, native Opus, needs API key)",
             "NeuTTS (local on-device, free, ~300MB model download)",
-            "KittenTTS (local on-device, free, lightweight ~25-80MB ONNX)",
         ]
     )
-    providers.extend(["edge", "elevenlabs", "openai", "minimax", "mistral", "neutts", "kittentts"])
+    providers.extend(["edge", "elevenlabs", "openai", "minimax", "mistral", "neutts"])
     choices.append(f"Keep current ({current_label})")
     keep_current_idx = len(choices) - 1
     idx = prompt_choice("Select TTS provider:", choices, keep_current_idx)
@@ -1027,28 +988,6 @@ def _setup_tts_provider(config: dict):
                 print_info("Skipping install. Set tts.provider to 'neutts' after installing manually.")
                 selected = "edge"
 
-    elif selected == "kittentts":
-        try:
-            import importlib.util
-            already_installed = importlib.util.find_spec("kittentts") is not None
-        except Exception:
-            already_installed = False
-
-        if already_installed:
-            print_success("KittenTTS is already installed")
-        else:
-            print()
-            print_info("KittenTTS is lightweight (~25-80MB, CPU-only, no API key required).")
-            print_info("Voices: Jasper, Bella, Luna, Bruno, Rosie, Hugo, Kiki, Leo")
-            print()
-            if prompt_yes_no("Install KittenTTS now?", True):
-                if not _install_kittentts_deps():
-                    print_warning("KittenTTS installation incomplete. Falling back to Edge TTS.")
-                    selected = "edge"
-            else:
-                print_info("Skipping install. Set tts.provider to 'kittentts' after installing manually.")
-                selected = "edge"
-
     elif selected == "elevenlabs":
         existing = get_env_value("ELEVENLABS_API_KEY")
         if not existing:

hermes_cli/tools_config.py

@@ -164,14 +164,6 @@ TOOL_CATEGORIES = {
                 ],
                 "tts_provider": "mistral",
             },
-            {
-                "name": "KittenTTS",
-                "badge": "local · free",
-                "tag": "Lightweight local ONNX TTS (~25MB), no API key",
-                "env_vars": [],
-                "tts_provider": "kittentts",
-                "post_setup": "kittentts",
-            },
         ],
     },
     "web": {
@@ -411,36 +403,6 @@ def _run_post_setup(post_setup_key: str):
             _print_warning("    Node.js not found. Install Camofox via Docker:")
             _print_info("      docker run -p 9377:9377 -e CAMOFOX_PORT=9377 jo-inc/camofox-browser")
 
-    elif post_setup_key == "kittentts":
-        try:
-            __import__("kittentts")
-            _print_success("    kittentts is already installed")
-            return
-        except ImportError:
-            pass
-        import subprocess
-        _print_info("    Installing kittentts (~25-80MB model, CPU-only)...")
-        wheel_url = (
-            "https://github.com/KittenML/KittenTTS/releases/download/"
-            "0.8.1/kittentts-0.8.1-py3-none-any.whl"
-        )
-        try:
-            result = subprocess.run(
-                [sys.executable, "-m", "pip", "install", "-U", wheel_url, "soundfile", "--quiet"],
-                capture_output=True, text=True, timeout=300,
-            )
-            if result.returncode == 0:
-                _print_success("    kittentts installed")
-                _print_info("    Voices: Jasper, Bella, Luna, Bruno, Rosie, Hugo, Kiki, Leo")
-                _print_info("    Models: KittenML/kitten-tts-nano-0.8-int8 (25MB), micro (41MB), mini (80MB)")
-            else:
-                _print_warning("    kittentts install failed:")
-                _print_info(f"      {result.stderr.strip()[:300]}")
-                _print_info(f"    Run manually: python -m pip install -U '{wheel_url}' soundfile")
-        except subprocess.TimeoutExpired:
-            _print_warning("    kittentts install timed out (>5min)")
-            _print_info(f"    Run manually: python -m pip install -U '{wheel_url}' soundfile")
-
     elif post_setup_key == "rl_training":
         try:
             __import__("tinker_atropos")

optional-skills/dogfood/adversarial-ux-test/SKILL.md

@@ -0,0 +1,190 @@
+---
+name: adversarial-ux-test
+description: Roleplay the most difficult, tech-resistant user for your product. Browse the app as that persona, find every UX pain point, then filter complaints through a pragmatism layer to separate real problems from noise. Creates actionable tickets from genuine issues only.
+version: 1.0.0
+author: Omni @ Comelse
+license: MIT
+metadata:
+  hermes:
+    tags: [qa, ux, testing, adversarial, dogfood, personas, user-testing]
+    related_skills: [dogfood]
+---
+
+# Adversarial UX Test
+
+Roleplay the worst-case user for your product — the person who hates technology, doesn't want your software, and will find every reason to complain. Then filter their feedback through a pragmatism layer to separate real UX problems from "I hate computers" noise.
+
+Think of it as an automated "mom test" — but angry.
+
+## Why This Works
+
+Most QA finds bugs. This finds **friction**. A technically correct app can still be unusable for real humans. The adversarial persona catches:
+- Confusing terminology that makes sense to developers but not users
+- Too many steps to accomplish basic tasks
+- Missing onboarding or "aha moments"
+- Accessibility issues (font size, contrast, click targets)
+- Cold-start problems (empty states, no demo content)
+- Paywall/signup friction that kills conversion
+
+The **pragmatism filter** (Phase 3) is what makes this useful instead of just entertaining. Without it, you'd add a "print this page" button to every screen because Grandpa can't figure out PDFs.
+
+## How to Use
+
+Tell the agent:
+```
+"Run an adversarial UX test on [URL]"
+"Be a grumpy [persona type] and test [app name]"
+"Do an asshole user test on my staging site"
+```
+
+You can provide a persona or let the agent generate one based on your product's target audience.
+
+## Step 1: Define the Persona
+
+If no persona is provided, generate one by answering:
+
+1. **Who is the HARDEST user for this product?** (age 50+, non-technical role, decades of experience doing it "the old way")
+2. **What is their tech comfort level?** (the lower the better — WhatsApp-only, paper notebooks, wife set up their email)
+3. **What is the ONE thing they need to accomplish?** (their core job, not your feature list)
+4. **What would make them give up?** (too many clicks, jargon, slow, confusing)
+5. **How do they talk when frustrated?** (blunt, sweary, dismissive, sighing)
+
+### Good Persona Example
+> **"Big Mick" McAllister** — 58-year-old S&C coach. Uses WhatsApp and that's it. His "spreadsheet" is a paper notebook. "If I can't figure it out in 10 seconds I'm going back to my notebook." Needs to log session results for 25 players. Hates small text, jargon, and passwords.
+
+### Bad Persona Example
+> "A user who doesn't like the app" — too vague, no constraints, no voice.
+
+The persona must be **specific enough to stay in character** for 20 minutes of testing.
+
+## Step 2: Become the Asshole (Browse as the Persona)
+
+1. Read any available project docs for app context and URLs
+2. **Fully inhabit the persona** — their frustrations, limitations, goals
+3. Navigate to the app using browser tools
+4. **Attempt the persona's ACTUAL TASKS** (not a feature tour):
+   - Can they do what they came to do?
+   - How many clicks/screens to accomplish it?
+   - What confuses them?
+   - What makes them angry?
+   - Where do they get lost?
+   - What would make them give up and go back to their old way?
+
+5. Test these friction categories:
+   - **First impression** — would they even bother past the landing page?
+   - **Core workflow** — the ONE thing they need to do most often
+   - **Error recovery** — what happens when they do something wrong?
+   - **Readability** — text size, contrast, information density
+   - **Speed** — does it feel faster than their current method?
+   - **Terminology** — any jargon they wouldn't understand?
+   - **Navigation** — can they find their way back? do they know where they are?
+
+6. Take screenshots of every pain point
+7. Check browser console for JS errors on every page
+
+## Step 3: The Rant (Write Feedback in Character)
+
+Write the feedback AS THE PERSONA — in their voice, with their frustrations. This is not a bug report. This is a real human venting.
+
+```
+[PERSONA NAME]'s Review of [PRODUCT]
+
+Overall: [Would they keep using it? Yes/No/Maybe with conditions]
+
+THE GOOD (grudging admission):
+- [things even they have to admit work]
+
+THE BAD (legitimate UX issues):
+- [real problems that would stop them from using the product]
+
+THE UGLY (showstoppers):
+- [things that would make them uninstall/cancel immediately]
+
+SPECIFIC COMPLAINTS:
+1. [Page/feature]: "[quote in persona voice]" — [what happened, expected]
+2. ...
+
+VERDICT: "[one-line persona quote summarizing their experience]"
+```
+
+## Step 4: The Pragmatism Filter (Critical — Do Not Skip)
+
+Step OUT of the persona. Evaluate each complaint as a product person:
+
+- **RED: REAL UX BUG** — Any user would have this problem, not just grumpy ones. Fix it.
+- **YELLOW: VALID BUT LOW PRIORITY** — Real issue but only for extreme users. Note it.
+- **WHITE: PERSONA NOISE** — "I hate computers" talking, not a product problem. Skip it.
+- **GREEN: FEATURE REQUEST** — Good idea hidden in the complaint. Consider it.
+
+### Filter Criteria
+1. Would a 35-year-old competent-but-busy user have the same complaint? → RED
+2. Is this a genuine accessibility issue (font size, contrast, click targets)? → RED
+3. Is this "I want it to work like paper" resistance to digital? → WHITE
+4. Is this a real workflow inefficiency the persona stumbled on? → YELLOW or RED
+5. Would fixing this add complexity for the 80% who are fine? → WHITE
+6. Does the complaint reveal a missing onboarding moment? → GREEN
+
+**This filter is MANDATORY.** Never ship raw persona complaints as tickets.
+
+## Step 5: Create Tickets
+
+For **RED** and **GREEN** items only:
+- Clear, actionable title
+- Include the persona's verbatim quote (entertaining + memorable)
+- The real UX issue underneath (objective)
+- A suggested fix (actionable)
+- Tag/label: "ux-review"
+
+For **YELLOW** items: one catch-all ticket with all notes.
+
+**WHITE** items appear in the report only. No tickets.
+
+**Max 10 tickets per session** — focus on the worst issues.
+
+## Step 6: Report
+
+Deliver:
+1. The persona rant (Step 3) — entertaining and visceral
+2. The filtered assessment (Step 4) — pragmatic and actionable
+3. Tickets created (Step 5) — with links
+4. Screenshots of key issues
+
+## Tips
+
+- **One persona per session.** Don't mix perspectives.
+- **Stay in character during Steps 2-3.** Break character only at Step 4.
+- **Test the CORE WORKFLOW first.** Don't get distracted by settings pages.
+- **Empty states are gold.** New user experience reveals the most friction.
+- **The best findings are RED items the persona found accidentally** while trying to do something else.
+- **If the persona has zero complaints, your persona is too tech-savvy.** Make them older, less patient, more set in their ways.
+- **Run this before demos, launches, or after shipping a batch of features.**
+- **Register as a NEW user when possible.** Don't use pre-seeded admin accounts — the cold start experience is where most friction lives.
+- **Zero WHITE items is a signal, not a failure.** If the pragmatism filter finds no noise, your product has real UX problems, not just a grumpy persona.
+- **Check known issues in project docs AFTER the test.** If the persona found a bug that's already in the known issues list, that's actually the most damning finding — it means the team knew about it but never felt the user's pain.
+- **Subscription/paywall testing is critical.** Test with expired accounts, not just active ones. The "what happens when you can't pay" experience reveals whether the product respects users or holds their data hostage.
+- **Count the clicks to accomplish the persona's ONE task.** If it's more than 5, that's almost always a RED finding regardless of persona tech level.
+
+## Example Personas by Industry
+
+These are starting points — customize for your specific product:
+
+| Product Type | Persona | Age | Key Trait |
+|-------------|---------|-----|-----------|
+| CRM | Retirement home director | 68 | Filing cabinet is the current CRM |
+| Photography SaaS | Rural wedding photographer | 62 | Books clients by phone, invoices on paper |
+| AI/ML Tool | Department store buyer | 55 | Burned by 3 failed tech startups |
+| Fitness App | Old-school gym coach | 58 | Paper notebook, thick fingers, bad eyes |
+| Accounting | Family bakery owner | 64 | Shoebox of receipts, hates subscriptions |
+| E-commerce | Market stall vendor | 60 | Cash only, smartphone is for calls |
+| Healthcare | Senior GP | 63 | Dictates notes, nurse handles the computer |
+| Education | Veteran teacher | 57 | Chalk and talk, worksheets in ring binders |
+
+## Rules
+
+- Stay in character during Steps 2-3
+- Be genuinely mean but fair — find real problems, not manufactured ones
+- The pragmatism filter (Step 4) is **MANDATORY**
+- Screenshots required for every complaint
+- Max 10 tickets per session
+- Test on staging/deployed app, not local dev
+- One persona, one session, one report

tests/test_optional_adversarial_ux_skill_catalog.py

@@ -0,0 +1,25 @@
+from pathlib import Path
+
+from tools.skills_hub import OptionalSkillSource
+
+
+REPO_ROOT = Path(__file__).resolve().parents[1]
+
+
+def test_optional_skill_source_scans_adversarial_ux_test():
+    source = OptionalSkillSource()
+    metas = {meta.identifier: meta for meta in source._scan_all()}
+
+    assert "official/dogfood/adversarial-ux-test" in metas
+    assert metas["official/dogfood/adversarial-ux-test"].name == "adversarial-ux-test"
+    assert "tech-resistant user" in metas["official/dogfood/adversarial-ux-test"].description
+
+
+def test_optional_skill_catalog_docs_list_adversarial_ux_test():
+    optional_catalog = (REPO_ROOT / "website" / "docs" / "reference" / "optional-skills-catalog.md").read_text(encoding="utf-8")
+    bundled_catalog = (REPO_ROOT / "website" / "docs" / "reference" / "skills-catalog.md").read_text(encoding="utf-8")
+
+    assert "**adversarial-ux-test**" in optional_catalog
+    assert "official/dogfood/adversarial-ux-test" in optional_catalog
+    assert "`adversarial-ux-test`" in bundled_catalog
+    assert "dogfood/adversarial-ux-test" in bundled_catalog

tests/tools/test_tts_kittentts.py

@@ -1,236 +0,0 @@
-"""Tests for the KittenTTS local provider in tools/tts_tool.py."""
-
-import json
-from unittest.mock import MagicMock, patch
-
-import numpy as np
-import pytest
-
-
-@pytest.fixture(autouse=True)
-def clean_env(monkeypatch):
-    for key in ("HERMES_SESSION_PLATFORM",):
-        monkeypatch.delenv(key, raising=False)
-
-
-@pytest.fixture(autouse=True)
-def clear_kittentts_cache():
-    """Reset the module-level model cache between tests."""
-    from tools import tts_tool as _tt
-    _tt._kittentts_model_cache.clear()
-    yield
-    _tt._kittentts_model_cache.clear()
-
-
-@pytest.fixture
-def mock_kittentts_module():
-    """Inject a fake kittentts + soundfile module that return stub objects."""
-    fake_model = MagicMock()
-    # 24kHz float32 PCM at ~2s of silence
-    fake_model.generate.return_value = np.zeros(48000, dtype=np.float32)
-    fake_cls = MagicMock(return_value=fake_model)
-    fake_kittentts = MagicMock()
-    fake_kittentts.KittenTTS = fake_cls
-
-    # Stub soundfile — the real package isn't installed in CI venv, and
-    # _generate_kittentts does `import soundfile as sf` at runtime.
-    fake_sf = MagicMock()
-
-    def _fake_write(path, audio, samplerate):
-        # Emulate writing a real file so downstream path checks succeed.
-        import pathlib
-
-        pathlib.Path(path).write_bytes(b"RIFF\x00\x00\x00\x00WAVEfmt fake")
-
-    fake_sf.write = _fake_write
-
-    with patch.dict(
-        "sys.modules",
-        {"kittentts": fake_kittentts, "soundfile": fake_sf},
-    ):
-        yield fake_model, fake_cls
-
-
-class TestGenerateKittenTts:
-    def test_successful_wav_generation(self, tmp_path, mock_kittentts_module):
-        from tools.tts_tool import _generate_kittentts
-
-        fake_model, fake_cls = mock_kittentts_module
-        output_path = str(tmp_path / "test.wav")
-        result = _generate_kittentts("Hello world", output_path, {})
-
-        assert result == output_path
-        assert (tmp_path / "test.wav").exists()
-        fake_cls.assert_called_once()
-        fake_model.generate.assert_called_once()
-
-    def test_config_passes_voice_speed_cleantext(self, tmp_path, mock_kittentts_module):
-        from tools.tts_tool import _generate_kittentts
-
-        fake_model, _ = mock_kittentts_module
-        config = {
-            "kittentts": {
-                "model": "KittenML/kitten-tts-mini-0.8",
-                "voice": "Luna",
-                "speed": 1.25,
-                "clean_text": False,
-            }
-        }
-        _generate_kittentts("Hi there", str(tmp_path / "out.wav"), config)
-
-        call_kwargs = fake_model.generate.call_args.kwargs
-        assert call_kwargs["voice"] == "Luna"
-        assert call_kwargs["speed"] == 1.25
-        assert call_kwargs["clean_text"] is False
-
-    def test_default_model_and_voice(self, tmp_path, mock_kittentts_module):
-        from tools.tts_tool import (
-            DEFAULT_KITTENTTS_MODEL,
-            DEFAULT_KITTENTTS_VOICE,
-            _generate_kittentts,
-        )
-
-        fake_model, fake_cls = mock_kittentts_module
-        _generate_kittentts("Hi", str(tmp_path / "out.wav"), {})
-
-        fake_cls.assert_called_once_with(DEFAULT_KITTENTTS_MODEL)
-        assert fake_model.generate.call_args.kwargs["voice"] == DEFAULT_KITTENTTS_VOICE
-
-    def test_model_is_cached_across_calls(self, tmp_path, mock_kittentts_module):
-        from tools.tts_tool import _generate_kittentts
-
-        _, fake_cls = mock_kittentts_module
-        _generate_kittentts("One", str(tmp_path / "a.wav"), {})
-        _generate_kittentts("Two", str(tmp_path / "b.wav"), {})
-
-        # Same model name → class instantiated exactly once
-        assert fake_cls.call_count == 1
-
-    def test_different_models_are_cached_separately(self, tmp_path, mock_kittentts_module):
-        from tools.tts_tool import _generate_kittentts
-
-        _, fake_cls = mock_kittentts_module
-        _generate_kittentts(
-            "A",
-            str(tmp_path / "a.wav"),
-            {"kittentts": {"model": "KittenML/kitten-tts-nano-0.8-int8"}},
-        )
-        _generate_kittentts(
-            "B",
-            str(tmp_path / "b.wav"),
-            {"kittentts": {"model": "KittenML/kitten-tts-mini-0.8"}},
-        )
-
-        assert fake_cls.call_count == 2
-
-    def test_non_wav_extension_triggers_ffmpeg_conversion(
-        self, tmp_path, mock_kittentts_module, monkeypatch
-    ):
-        """Non-.wav output path causes WAV → target ffmpeg conversion."""
-        from tools import tts_tool as _tt
-
-        calls = []
-
-        def fake_shutil_which(cmd):
-            return "/usr/bin/ffmpeg" if cmd == "ffmpeg" else None
-
-        def fake_run(cmd, check=False, timeout=None, **kw):
-            calls.append(cmd)
-            # Emulate ffmpeg writing the output file
-            import pathlib
-
-            out_path = cmd[-1]
-            pathlib.Path(out_path).write_bytes(b"fake-mp3-data")
-            return MagicMock(returncode=0)
-
-        monkeypatch.setattr(_tt.shutil, "which", fake_shutil_which)
-        monkeypatch.setattr(_tt.subprocess, "run", fake_run)
-
-        output_path = str(tmp_path / "test.mp3")
-        result = _tt._generate_kittentts("Hi", output_path, {})
-
-        assert result == output_path
-        assert len(calls) == 1
-        assert calls[0][0] == "/usr/bin/ffmpeg"
-
-    def test_missing_kittentts_raises_import_error(self, tmp_path, monkeypatch):
-        """When kittentts package is not installed, _import_kittentts raises."""
-        import sys
-
-        monkeypatch.setitem(sys.modules, "kittentts", None)
-        from tools.tts_tool import _generate_kittentts
-
-        with pytest.raises((ImportError, TypeError)):
-            _generate_kittentts("Hi", str(tmp_path / "out.wav"), {})
-
-
-class TestCheckKittenttsAvailable:
-    def test_reports_available_when_package_present(self, monkeypatch):
-        import importlib.util
-        from tools.tts_tool import _check_kittentts_available
-
-        fake_spec = MagicMock()
-        monkeypatch.setattr(
-            importlib.util,
-            "find_spec",
-            lambda name: fake_spec if name == "kittentts" else None,
-        )
-        assert _check_kittentts_available() is True
-
-    def test_reports_unavailable_when_package_missing(self, monkeypatch):
-        import importlib.util
-        from tools.tts_tool import _check_kittentts_available
-
-        monkeypatch.setattr(importlib.util, "find_spec", lambda name: None)
-        assert _check_kittentts_available() is False
-
-
-class TestDispatcherBranch:
-    def test_kittentts_not_installed_returns_helpful_error(self, monkeypatch, tmp_path):
-        """When provider=kittentts but package missing, return JSON error with setup hint."""
-        import sys
-
-        monkeypatch.setitem(sys.modules, "kittentts", None)
-        monkeypatch.setenv("HERMES_HOME", str(tmp_path))
-
-        from tools.tts_tool import text_to_speech_tool
-
-        # Write a config telling it to use kittentts
-        import yaml
-
-        (tmp_path / "config.yaml").write_text(
-            yaml.safe_dump({"tts": {"provider": "kittentts"}})
-        )
-
-        result = json.loads(text_to_speech_tool(text="Hello"))
-        assert result["success"] is False
-        assert "kittentts" in result["error"].lower()
-        assert "hermes setup tts" in result["error"].lower()
-
-    def test_non_telegram_explicit_wav_path_is_preserved(
-        self, monkeypatch, tmp_path, mock_kittentts_module
-    ):
-        """Explicit WAV outputs should stay WAV outside Telegram sessions."""
-        import yaml
-        from tools import tts_tool as _tt
-
-        monkeypatch.setenv("HERMES_HOME", str(tmp_path))
-        (tmp_path / "config.yaml").write_text(
-            yaml.safe_dump({"tts": {"provider": "kittentts"}})
-        )
-
-        def fail_convert(_path):
-            raise AssertionError("_convert_to_opus should not run outside Telegram")
-
-        monkeypatch.setattr(_tt, "_convert_to_opus", fail_convert)
-
-        result = json.loads(
-            _tt.text_to_speech_tool(
-                text="Hello from KittenTTS",
-                output_path=str(tmp_path / "out.wav"),
-            )
-        )
-
-        assert result["success"] is True
-        assert result["file_path"] == str(tmp_path / "out.wav")
-        assert (tmp_path / "out.wav").exists()

tools/tts_tool.py

@@ -2,14 +2,13 @@
 """
 Text-to-Speech Tool Module
 
-Supports seven TTS providers:
+Supports six TTS providers:
 - Edge TTS (default, free, no API key): Microsoft Edge neural voices
 - ElevenLabs (premium): High-quality voices, needs ELEVENLABS_API_KEY
 - OpenAI TTS: Good quality, needs OPENAI_API_KEY
 - MiniMax TTS: High-quality with voice cloning, needs MINIMAX_API_KEY
 - Mistral (Voxtral TTS): Multilingual, native Opus, needs MISTRAL_API_KEY
 - NeuTTS (local, free, no API key): On-device TTS via neutts_cli, needs neutts installed
-- KittenTTS (local, free, no API key): Lightweight on-device ONNX TTS via kittentts
 
 Output formats:
 - Opus (.ogg) for Telegram voice bubbles (requires ffmpeg for Edge TTS)
@@ -78,12 +77,6 @@ def _import_sounddevice():
     return sd
 
 
-def _import_kittentts():
-    """Lazy import KittenTTS. Returns the class or raises ImportError."""
-    from kittentts import KittenTTS
-    return KittenTTS
-
-
 # ===========================================================================
 # Defaults
 # ===========================================================================
@@ -93,8 +86,6 @@ DEFAULT_ELEVENLABS_VOICE_ID = "pNInz6obpgDQGcFmaJgB"  # Adam
 DEFAULT_ELEVENLABS_MODEL_ID = "eleven_multilingual_v2"
 DEFAULT_ELEVENLABS_STREAMING_MODEL_ID = "eleven_flash_v2_5"
 DEFAULT_OPENAI_MODEL = "gpt-4o-mini-tts"
-DEFAULT_KITTENTTS_MODEL = "KittenML/kitten-tts-nano-0.8-int8"  # 25MB
-DEFAULT_KITTENTTS_VOICE = "Jasper"
 DEFAULT_OPENAI_VOICE = "alloy"
 DEFAULT_OPENAI_BASE_URL = "https://api.openai.com/v1"
 DEFAULT_MINIMAX_MODEL = "speech-2.8-hd"
@@ -457,15 +448,6 @@ def _check_neutts_available() -> bool:
         return False
 
 
-def _check_kittentts_available() -> bool:
-    """Check if the kittentts engine is importable (installed locally)."""
-    try:
-        import importlib.util
-        return importlib.util.find_spec("kittentts") is not None
-    except Exception:
-        return False
-
-
 def _default_neutts_ref_audio() -> str:
     """Return path to the bundled default voice reference audio."""
     return str(Path(__file__).parent / "neutts_samples" / "jo.wav")
@@ -529,51 +511,6 @@ def _generate_neutts(text: str, output_path: str, tts_config: Dict[str, Any]) ->
     return output_path
 
 
-# ===========================================================================
-# Provider: KittenTTS (local, lightweight)
-# ===========================================================================
-
-# Module-level cache for KittenTTS model instances
-_kittentts_model_cache: Dict[str, Any] = {}
-
-
-def _generate_kittentts(text: str, output_path: str, tts_config: Dict[str, Any]) -> str:
-    """Generate speech using the local KittenTTS ONNX model."""
-    KittenTTS = _import_kittentts()
-    kt_config = tts_config.get("kittentts", {})
-    model_name = kt_config.get("model", DEFAULT_KITTENTTS_MODEL)
-    voice = kt_config.get("voice", DEFAULT_KITTENTTS_VOICE)
-    speed = kt_config.get("speed", 1.0)
-    clean_text = kt_config.get("clean_text", True)
-
-    global _kittentts_model_cache
-    if model_name not in _kittentts_model_cache:
-        logger.info("[KittenTTS] Loading model: %s", model_name)
-        _kittentts_model_cache[model_name] = KittenTTS(model_name)
-
-    model = _kittentts_model_cache[model_name]
-    audio = model.generate(text, voice=voice, speed=speed, clean_text=clean_text)
-
-    import soundfile as sf
-
-    wav_path = output_path
-    if not output_path.endswith(".wav"):
-        wav_path = output_path.rsplit(".", 1)[0] + ".wav"
-
-    sf.write(wav_path, audio, 24000)
-
-    if wav_path != output_path:
-        ffmpeg = shutil.which("ffmpeg")
-        if ffmpeg:
-            conv_cmd = [ffmpeg, "-i", wav_path, "-y", "-loglevel", "error", output_path]
-            subprocess.run(conv_cmd, check=True, timeout=30)
-            os.remove(wav_path)
-        else:
-            os.rename(wav_path, output_path)
-
-    return output_path
-
-
 # ===========================================================================
 # Main tool function
 # ===========================================================================
@@ -685,19 +622,6 @@ def text_to_speech_tool(
             logger.info("Generating speech with NeuTTS (local)...")
             _generate_neutts(text, file_str, tts_config)
 
-        elif provider == "kittentts":
-            try:
-                _import_kittentts()
-            except ImportError:
-                return json.dumps({
-                    "success": False,
-                    "error": "KittenTTS provider selected but 'kittentts' package not installed. "
-                             "Run 'hermes setup tts' and choose KittenTTS, or install manually: "
-                             "pip install https://github.com/KittenML/KittenTTS/releases/download/0.8.1/kittentts-0.8.1-py3-none-any.whl"
-                }, ensure_ascii=False)
-            logger.info("Generating speech with KittenTTS (local, lightweight)...")
-            _generate_kittentts(text, file_str, tts_config)
-
         else:
             # Default: Edge TTS (free), with NeuTTS as local fallback
             edge_available = True
@@ -734,10 +658,10 @@ def text_to_speech_tool(
                 "error": f"TTS generation produced no output (provider: {provider})"
             }, ensure_ascii=False)
 
-        # Try Opus conversion for Telegram compatibility only.
-        # Outside Telegram, preserve the caller's explicit output format.
+        # Try Opus conversion for Telegram compatibility
+        # Edge TTS outputs MP3, NeuTTS outputs WAV — both need ffmpeg conversion
         voice_compatible = False
-        if want_opus and provider in ("edge", "neutts", "minimax", "kittentts") and not file_str.endswith(".ogg"):
+        if provider in ("edge", "neutts", "minimax") and not file_str.endswith(".ogg"):
             opus_path = _convert_to_opus(file_str)
             if opus_path:
                 file_str = opus_path
@@ -818,8 +742,6 @@ def check_tts_requirements() -> bool:
         pass
     if _check_neutts_available():
         return True
-    if _check_kittentts_available():
-        return True
     return False
 
 

website/docs/reference/optional-skills-catalog.md

@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ For example:
 
 ```bash
 hermes skills install official/blockchain/solana
+hermes skills install official/dogfood/adversarial-ux-test
 hermes skills install official/mlops/flash-attention
 ```
 
@@ -56,6 +57,12 @@ hermes skills uninstall <skill-name>
 | **blender-mcp** | Control Blender directly from Hermes via socket connection to the blender-mcp addon. Create 3D objects, materials, animations, and run arbitrary Blender Python (bpy) code. |
 | **meme-generation** | Generate real meme images by picking a template and overlaying text with Pillow. Produces actual `.png` meme files. |
 
+## Dogfood
+
+| Skill | Description |
+|-------|-------------|
+| **adversarial-ux-test** | Roleplay the most difficult, tech-resistant user for a product — browse in-persona, rant, then filter through a RED/YELLOW/WHITE/GREEN pragmatism layer so only real UX friction becomes tickets. |
+
 ## DevOps
 
 | Skill | Description |

website/docs/reference/skills-catalog.md

@@ -59,9 +59,12 @@ DevOps and infrastructure automation skills.
 
 ## dogfood
 
+Internal dogfooding and QA skills used to test Hermes Agent itself.
+
 | Skill | Description | Path |
 |-------|-------------|------|
 | `dogfood` | Systematic exploratory QA testing of web applications — find bugs, capture evidence, and generate structured reports. | `dogfood/dogfood` |
+| `adversarial-ux-test` | Roleplay the most difficult, tech-resistant user for a product — browse in-persona, rant, then filter through a RED/YELLOW/WHITE/GREEN pragmatism layer so only real UX friction becomes tickets. | `dogfood/adversarial-ux-test` |
 | `hermes-agent-setup` | Help users configure Hermes Agent — CLI usage, setup wizard, model/provider selection, tools, skills, voice/STT/TTS, gateway, and troubleshooting. | `dogfood/hermes-agent-setup` |
 
 ## email

website/docs/user-guide/features/tts.md

@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ Hermes Agent supports both text-to-speech output and voice message transcription
 
 ## Text-to-Speech
 
-Convert text to speech with seven providers:
+Convert text to speech with six providers:
 
 | Provider | Quality | Cost | API Key |
 |----------|---------|------|---------|
@@ -20,7 +20,6 @@ Convert text to speech with seven providers:
 | **MiniMax TTS** | Excellent | Paid | `MINIMAX_API_KEY` |
 | **Mistral (Voxtral TTS)** | Excellent | Paid | `MISTRAL_API_KEY` |
 | **NeuTTS** | Good | Free | None needed |
-| **KittenTTS** | Good | Free (local) | None needed |
 
 ### Platform Delivery
 
@@ -36,7 +35,7 @@ Convert text to speech with seven providers:
 ```yaml
 # In ~/.hermes/config.yaml
 tts:
-  provider: "edge"              # "edge" | "elevenlabs" | "openai" | "minimax" | "mistral" | "neutts" | "kittentts"
+  provider: "edge"              # "edge" | "elevenlabs" | "openai" | "minimax" | "mistral" | "neutts"
   speed: 1.0                    # Global speed multiplier (provider-specific settings override this)
   edge:
     voice: "en-US-AriaNeural"   # 322 voices, 74 languages
@@ -63,11 +62,6 @@ tts:
     ref_text: ''
     model: neuphonic/neutts-air-q4-gguf
     device: cpu
-  kittentts:
-    model: KittenML/kitten-tts-nano-0.8-int8   # 25MB int8 default; also micro and mini variants
-    voice: Jasper                               # Jasper, Bella, Luna, Bruno, Rosie, Hugo, Kiki, Leo
-    speed: 1.0
-    clean_text: true
 ```
 
 **Speed control**: The global `tts.speed` value applies to all providers by default. Each provider can override it with its own `speed` setting (e.g., `tts.openai.speed: 1.5`). Provider-specific speed takes precedence over the global value. Default is `1.0` (normal speed).
@@ -80,7 +74,6 @@ Telegram voice bubbles require Opus/OGG audio format:
 - **Edge TTS** (default) outputs MP3 and needs **ffmpeg** to convert:
 - **MiniMax TTS** outputs MP3 and needs **ffmpeg** to convert for Telegram voice bubbles
 - **NeuTTS** outputs WAV and also needs **ffmpeg** to convert for Telegram voice bubbles
-- **KittenTTS** outputs WAV and also needs **ffmpeg** to convert for Telegram voice bubbles
 
 ```bash
 # Ubuntu/Debian
@@ -93,7 +86,7 @@ brew install ffmpeg
 sudo dnf install ffmpeg
 ```
 
-Without ffmpeg, Edge TTS, MiniMax TTS, NeuTTS, and KittenTTS audio are sent as regular audio files (playable, but shown as a rectangular player instead of a voice bubble).
+Without ffmpeg, Edge TTS, MiniMax TTS, and NeuTTS audio are sent as regular audio files (playable, but shown as a rectangular player instead of a voice bubble).
 
 :::tip
 If you want voice bubbles without installing ffmpeg, switch to the OpenAI, ElevenLabs, or Mistral provider.